EP1255017B1 - Driving assembly with a floating motor for two mechanisms, particularly for shutters - Google Patents

Abstract

The drive for a shutter door has two parallel axes (20) to open and close the two leaves, with the drive assembly between the axes. The drive has an electric motor (24) with its armature (26) connected to one of the shafts and an inductor (28) connected to the other. The electric motor can be integrated into a motor-gearbox itself mounted in a tubular housing (32). The motor-gearbox output shaft is connected to the armature.

Description

The present invention relates to a set two-mechanism floating motor drive plus particularly suitable for operating casement shutters.

Casement shutters are preferred for closing openings dwellings because of their aesthetics and their great safety. A casement shutter generally comprises at least one panel, called leaf, mounted for rotation about a vertical axis disposed substantially at right of one of the vertical uprights of the opening. Depending on the style and dimensions of the opening, a flap may include one or two leaves hinged at the level or uprights of the opening, each leaf consisting of one or more panels hinged together along vertical axes.

The present invention is more particularly intended for double-leaf shutters each of which is attached to the upright opening correspondent.

We already know devices to automate the opening and closing the flaps of a shutter. They generally include two vertical axes, driven in rotation, on each of which is attached a arm connected to the corresponding leaf. Thus, the opening or closing of is obtained by rotating the vertical axes in the direction adequate, the latter causing the leaves to pivot by through the arms.

For economic reasons, the two vertical axes are driven in rotation by a single geared motor including the output pinion is likely to mesh on a pinion attached to a tree to the end of which are arranged the vertical axes connected to said shaft by angle references.

However, this arrangement does not give full satisfaction due to its size.

• un moteur électrique comportant un stator dans lequel un rotor est apte à être entraíné en rotation, ledit rotor étant muni d'un arbre de sortie,
• un organe tubulaire de transmission contenant ledit moteur électrique et auquel sont accouplés, respectivement à chaque extrémité, les deux renvois d'angle,
• des moyens pour relier cinématiquement l'arbre de sortie du rotor à l'organe tubulaire, et
• un élément de fixation du stator traversant l'une des extrémités de l'organe tubulaire pour fixer le stator en dehors desdites extrémités dudit organe tubulaire.

A first improvement is described in application FR 2 807 888 in the name of the applicant. According to this teaching, the training set includes:

• an electric motor comprising a stator in which a rotor is able to be rotated, said rotor being provided with an output shaft,
• a tubular transmission member containing said electric motor and to which the two angular gearboxes are coupled, respectively at each end,
• means for kinematically connecting the output shaft of the rotor to the tubular member, and
• a stator fixing element passing through one of the ends of the tubular member to fix the stator outside said ends of said tubular member.

So, this solution makes it possible to obtain a set relatively compact drive by reducing the fixing points, these being three in number, one at each bevel gear and one for the stator.

According to this solution, the stator is immobilized in rotation, the rotor output shaft being connected to the two bevel gearboxes.

As with previous assemblies, it is necessary to provide, to obtain the opening and closing offset of the two leaves, an elastic rotation connection, a helical spring being interposed between the rotor output shaft and one of the two bevel gearboxes. For this reason, this arrangement, like the previous solutions, requires a relatively large number of parts and assembly relatively complex.

Also, the present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a drive assembly of two axes parallel, more particularly intended for two-leaf shutters, simple, compact, requiring only a reduced number of parts and with a minimum number of fixing points.

To this end, the object of the invention is a set for driving two parallel axes, in particular used for generate the opening or closing movement of two leaves, said assembly being disposed between said axes, characterized in that it includes an electric motor having a connected armature kinematically to one of the axes and an inductor kinematically connected to the other axis.

According to a preferred embodiment, the electric motor is integrated into a gearmotor, itself introduced into an element tubular, the output shaft of the gearmotor, kinematically linked to the armature, being connected via a bevel gear to one of the axes and the outer casing of the gearmotor, kinematically linked to the inductor, being integral with the tubular element, the latter being extended by an output shaft connected via a bevel gear to the other axis.

This arrangement makes it possible to reduce the number of points of fixing at only two points arranged at each gear angle. Thus, the electric motor is mounted floating between the two axes vertical, neither the part corresponding to the stator usually, nor that corresponding to the rotor not being connected to a fixed point.

On the other hand, this solution allows to have movements of alternating and not simultaneous leaves. So the fact of operating a single beating both reduces the power of the electric motor and consequently its dimensions, which contributes to improving the compactness of the whole.

Preferably, the drive assembly includes electrical supply means comprising a static part provided circular tracks, one for each phase, and a mobile part kinematically linked to the inductor comprising susceptible brushes ensuring electrical contact with the tracks. So this guy power supply allows the motor to be powered whatever the situation, static or rotating inductor.

In some cases, one of the leaves may have at the level from its free edge a covering blade. Also, it is necessary to impose the closing order of the leaves.

According to a first variant, the drive assembly includes means for imposing the order of closing of the leaves consisting in providing, at the level of the corresponding kinematic chain on the wing to close last, a couple to cause movement closing said larger leaf.

According to a preferred embodiment, it comprises means braking system comprising at least one friction element capable of to occupy two positions, a first in which he does not oppose to the rotational movement of the kinematic chain corresponding to the wing to close last, and a second position in which said friction element comes into contact with at least one of the said kinematic chain so as to oppose the movement of rotation.

According to a second variant, the drive assembly includes means for imposing the order of closing of the leaves consisting in providing means for retaining the leaf to be closed in latest.

According to a preferred embodiment, the retaining means include a first stop disposed at right of the leaf to be closed in last and likely to occupy two positions, a first retracted corresponding to the closed position of said leaf, and a second position projecting so as to retain said leaf and a second stop placed in line with the second leaf and capable of detecting the position closed of said second leaf so as to unlock the first stop so that it retracts and allows the complete closing movement of the clapping to close last.

The invention also relates to a shutter with two leaves comprising a drive assembly according to the invention.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un volet à deux battants, appliqué à un bâti dormant, équipé d'un ensemble d'entraínement selon l'invention, et
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique en coupe longitudinale illustrant en détail l'ensemble d'entraínement.

Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description which represents a preferred embodiment, description given by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shutter with two leaves, applied to a standing frame, equipped with a drive assembly according to the invention, and
• Figure 2 is a schematic view in longitudinal section illustrating in detail the drive assembly.

In Figure 1, there is shown an opening 10 capable to be closed by a shutter comprising two leaves 12, each mounted pivoting around a vertical axis 14, materialized by hinges, arranged at level of each vertical edge 16 of the opening 10.

The flaps 12 of the shutter are mechanically operated by a drive assembly 18 capable of driving in rotation vertical axes 20 disposed at each edge 16, on each which is attached an arm 22 whose free end is connected to the leaf 12 respective, the drive assembly 18 being disposed between the axes vertical 20 and preferably hidden by a casing.

The drive assembly 18 includes a electric motor 24 comprising an armature 26 kinematically connected to a vertical axes 20.1 as well as an inductor 28 kinematically connected to the other vertical axis 20.2.

In FIG. 2, the armature 26 is arranged inside the inductor 28, the armature corresponding to the rotor of the electric motor and the inductor to stator. Of course, we would get the same technical effect by having the armature outside the inductor.

According to this arrangement, the electric motor is mounted floating between the two vertical axes, neither the part corresponding to the stator usually neither that corresponding to the rotor being connected to a point fixed. Therefore, depending on the resistances to the rotational movement, armature 26 is rotated relative to inductor 28 which translates by a rotation of the vertical axis 20.1 and the leaf 12.1 while the other vertical axis 20.2 connected to the inductor 28 is stationary.

Otherwise, the inductor 28 is rotated by relative to the armature 26 and rotates the vertical axis 20.2, the other axis vertical 20.1 connected to the armature being stationary.

According to a preferred embodiment and illustrated by FIG. 2, the electric motor 24 is integrated in a geared motor 30, itself introduced into a tubular element 32. According to this embodiment, the output shaft 34 of the geared motor, kinematically linked to the armature 26, is connected via a bevel gear 36 to the vertical axis 20.1. In counterpart, the outer casing 38 of the gear motor 30, kinematically linked to the inductor 28, is integral with the tubular element 32, the latter being extended by an output shaft 40 connected by via an angle gear 42 to the vertical axis 20.2.

Alternatively, the tubular element 32 can be used as outer casing 38 of the gear motor, the tubular element and the carcass forming only one element.

As an example, the bevel gear 36, 42 are of the screw type unending. Alternatively, the bevel gearboxes can be of the pinion type frustoconical or the like or be replaced by cardan shafts, their function being to transmit a rotational movement between two axes non-coaxial, preferably arranged substantially at right angles.

The drive assembly 18 is mounted floating, the output shafts 34, 40 being rotatably mounted in bearings provided at the level of the bevel gear 36, 42 respectively. the number of fixing points is reduced to two, the two angle references.

The drive assembly also includes means 44 power supply which include, according to a mode of preferred embodiment and illustrated in FIG. 2, a static part 46 comprising circular tracks 48, one for each phase, and one movable part 50 integral with the tubular element 32 comprising brushes 52 capable of ensuring electrical contact with the tracks 48.

We can obviously consider other means of feeding electrical, their function being to ensure electrical continuity between a static element and a rotating element. So this food can be do this through coals, and in the case of a current motor continuous thanks to connections located at each end of said engine.

The movements of the leaves are no longer simultaneous but alternating, one after the other. Indeed, this arrangement defines two completely independent kinematic chains, one going from inductor 28 to the corresponding leaf 12.2 comprising at level of friction connections opposing the movements of rotation, in particular at the level of the angular gear 42, of the arm, of the connection between the arm and the leaf and hinges of the leaf 12.2, and the other going from armature 26 to the corresponding leaf 12.1 also comprising it at the level of the friction connections opposing the movements of rotation, in particular at the level of the angular gear 36, of the arm, of the connection between the arm and the leaf and hinges of the leaf 12.1. So one of the kinematic chains is set in motion while the other is motionless.

On the other hand, the fact of operating only one leaf at a time allows to reduce the power of the electric motor and consequently its dimensions, which contributes to improving the compactness of the whole.

In a known manner, to improve the safety and aesthetics of the flap, one of the leaves comprises at its free edge a blade of cover 54 capable of keeping closed by cover the other leaf and hide the gap between the two leaves.

In this case, it is necessary to order at least the leaf closing movement, so that the leaf including the cover blade comes in closed position last.

According to a first embodiment, the offset of the shutters can be closed by design, by imposing on the level of the kinematic chain of the leaf with the blade 54 a couple more important to cause the pivoting movement in position closed of said leaf.

This greater torque can be obtained by increasing the friction forces at the connections of the kinematic chain, by example at the level of bevel gears or hinges, or by having braking means 56 at the level of said chain. These means 56 may include at least one friction element 58 controlled by control means not shown, said element 58 being likely to occupy two positions, a first in which it does not oppose the rotational movement of the kinematic chain, and a second position in which it comes into contact with at least one of the elements of the kinematic chain, for example the tubular element 32, of so as to oppose the rotational movement.

Depending on the case, the brake control means can be electrical or mechanical. As an example, in the latter case, we can consider a friction element 58 in contact at rest with one of the elements of the kinematic chain of the leaf 12.1 to close lastly, said element 58, being mechanically connected to a lever capable of being operated by the other wing 12.2 and occupying two states, the first in which it keeps the friction element 58 in contact when the second leaf 12.2 is not in the closed position and a second state in which it discards the friction element 58 when the second leaf 12.2 is in the closed position.

It is possible to have the means to braking to the right of any element of at least one of the chains kinematics, from the drive unit to the leaf also including the articulation materialized by the hinges of the leaf.

According to a second embodiment, it is possible to obtain the offset closing of the leaves by having, in addition to the drive assembly, means 60 for retaining the leaf provided with the cover blade 54.

An embodiment of the means 60 is illustrated on the figure 1. They take the form of a command to close hinged door, disposed in the upper part of the opening 10. This control includes a first stop 62 disposed in line with the leaf 12 with a cover blade and capable of occupying two positions, one first retracted, not shown, corresponding to the closed position of the leaf, and a second projecting position so as to retain the flap 12.1 to allow the closing movement of the other leaf 12.2, as well as a second stop 64 arranged in line with the other leaf 12.2 and capable of detecting the closed position of said leaf so as to unlock the first stop 62 so that it retracts and authorizes the complete closing movement of the leaf 12.1.

In this case, we note that the movement of the leaves 12 is random. So, in the worst case, if the movement of the leaf 12.1 closes first, the latter pivots by so as to come into contact with the first stop 62. During this movement, the armature 26 of the drive assembly 18 pivots relative to to the inductor 28. As soon as the leaf 12.1 is in contact, the torque for generate its pivoting movement increases and becomes more important than that needed to rotate the leaf 12.2, so that it is the inductor 28 which starts to pivot relative to the armature 26 which becomes motionless. As soon as the leaf 12.2 is in the closed position, it acts on the second stop 64 which triggers the retraction movement of the first stop 62. At this moment, the leaf 12.2 being in stop, the torque to generate its pivoting movement becomes greater than that of the movement of the leaf 12.1, so that it is again the armature 26 which pivots relative to the inductor 28 which becomes immobile, causing the complete closure of the leaf 12.1.

In some cases it is better to order the order opening the wings or being able to immobilize them in a position ajar. To this end, according to another improvement, provision can be made for braking means at each kinematic chain, so to impose the order of opening and closing of the leaves and / or so as to immobilize them in intermediate positions.

It can be noted that the arrangement ensuring the offset of the leaf movements no longer require reducer models different for the two vertical axes, nor a compensation spring. In fact, this offset is a direct result of the fact that the leaves have alternating movements, the armature and the inductor playing alternately the reference element relative to which the other element rotates. So the number of parts of the drive assembly is less important this which helps make it simpler and reduce its production cost.

The drive assembly 18 also includes electrical control elements capable of triggering activation starting or stopping the engine and any braking means. These the latter are not described in detail since they are not the main object of the present invention and are within the reach of ordinary skill in the art.

Depending on the case, the drive assembly can be arranged between two corner references secured to the frame of the frame carpentry, or on masonry or integrated in a cross horizontal of a sleeping frame on which the joints are attached materialized by the hinges of the leaves.

Of course, the invention is obviously not limited to the mode shown and described above, but on the contrary covers all variants, in particular with regard to the form and leaf dimensions which may include one or more hinged elements, arms which can be hinged or each include a sliding mounted end in a slide integral with the corresponding leaf, the gearmotor and the references angle as well as on the structure of the braking and / or detention.

Finally, the training set can be used to train non-simultaneous rotation of two axes, parallel or not. Thus, the drive assembly of the invention can be used to directly rotate the hinges of the leaves.

Claims (10)

1. Assembly for driving two parallel shafts (20), in particular used to produce the opening or closure motion of two leaves (12), the said device being arranged between the said shafts (20), characterised by the fact that it comprises an electric motor (24) including a rotor (26) connected kinematically to one of the shafts (20.1) and an inductor (28) connected kinematically to the other shaft (20.2).
2. Drive assembly as described in claim 1, characterised by the fact that the electric motor (24) is integrated in a gearmotor (30), itself introduced into a tubular element (32), the output shaft (34) of the gearmotor, kinematically connected to the rotor (26) , being connected via angle-change gearing (36) to one of the shafts (20.1) and the outer casing (38) of the gearmotor (30), kinematically connected to the inductor (28), being firmly attached to the tubular element (32), the latter being extended by an output shaft (40) connected via angle-change gearing (42) to the other shaft (20.2).
3. Drive assembly as described in claim 1 or 2, characterised by the fact that it includes electrical power supply means (44) comprising a static part provided with circular tracks (48), one for each phase, and a mobile part (50) kinematically connected to the inductor (28) including brushes (52) able to provide electrical contact with the tracks (48).
4. Drive assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised by the fact that it comprises means for determining the order of closure of the leaves (12) consisting of providing, at the level of the kinematic chain corresponding to the leaf to be closed last, a higher torque to cause the movement of closure of the said leaf.
5. Drive assembly as described in claim 4, characterised by the fact that it includes braking means (56) including at least one friction element (58) able to occupy two positions, a first in which it does not oppose the rotational motion of the kinematic chain. corresponding to the leaf to be closed last, and a second position in which the said friction element (58) comes into contact with at least one of the elements of the said kinematic chain so as to oppose the rotational motion.
6. Drive assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised by the fact that it includes means for determining the order of closure of the leaves (12) consisting of providing means (60) for retaining the leaf to be closed last.
7. Drive assembly as described in claim 6, characterised by the fact that the retaining means (60) comprise a first stop (62) arranged in line with the leaf to be closed last (12.1) and able to occupy two positions, a first retracted position corresponding to the closed position of the said leaf and a second projecting position so as to retain the said leaf (12.1) and a second stop arranged in line with the second leaf (12.2) and able to detect the closed position of the said second leaf (12.2) so as to unlock the first stop (62) in order for it to be retracted and allow the full movement of closure of the leaf to be closed last (12.1).
8. Drive assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised by the fact that it includes at the level of each kinematic chain corresponding to the movement of the two leaves (12) braking means so as to determine the order of opening and closure of the leaves and/or so as to immobilise the said leaves in intermediate positions.
9. Shutter including two leaves (12) each mounted to pivot about a vertical axis (14) arranged at the level of each vertical edge (16) of the opening (10), and a drive assembly (18) as described in any one of the preceding claims, able to rotate vertical shafts (20) arranged at the level of each edge of the opening, to each of which is attached an arm (22) the free end of which is connected to the corresponding leaf.
10. Shutter as described in claim 9, characterised by the fact that the drive assembly is arranged in a horizontal cross-member of a frame to which the hinges of the leaves (12) are attached.

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