EP1441100A1 - Method for automatic closing of a pivoting wing, automatic closing mechanism and closing installation or sun-protection installation incorporating such a mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

The process involves activating a motor through a controller to cause a momentary opening movement of a rotating door until a position of maximum opening angle of thetam at a step E0 is obtained. The angle of opening is decreased linearly at step E1 and then it is maintained constant at step E2 during a predefined instant. The angle is further decreased at step E3 and is maintained constant at step E4 in another predefined instant. An Independent claim is also included for a closing installation or solar protection installation having the mechanism of closing a rotating door.

Description

The invention relates to an automatic process for closing of a pivoting leaf as well as a mechanism closure or sun protection comprising such leaf. The invention also relates to an installation closing or sun protection comprising such mechanism.

The invention relates to safety in the operation motorized with a pivoting leaf and, in particular, security bay blocks in which a window rotates by relative to a frame or dormant.

In such installations, due to the pivoting of the window in relation to the frame, there are risks of shear or pinch between the window sash in motion and the frame, a person's fingers get finding near or even an object. This can lead to injury to an individual, particularly by cutting, pinching or crushing the ends of its fingers.

To remedy these risks, it is known, for example of DE-A-100 54 483 to have, on a frame supporting a leaf, a strip forming a sensor which, in the event of compression, triggers the opening of a switch stopping the leaf operating motor. So if a individual has his hand arranged in the path of a moving window at frame level, pinching this hand by the leaf against the frame results in a compression of the sensor strip, which stops the window movement. Similar devices are known, for example, from DE-A-196 19 352 or DE-A-43 37 059.

These known devices have the drawback of adding visible sensors to the frame. In addition, a additional wiring must be done to connect these sensors to the motor controlling the pivoting of the leaf. he on the one hand, this results in a degradation of the aesthetic general of the bay block, which is particularly sensitive in the case of bay blocks fitted to a room housing costs and, on the other hand, installation costs significantly increased.

It is also known from US-A-3,039,764 to close a swing door with variable speed. The couple delivered by the motor at the start of the stroke is high, with a significant risk of trapping fingers or a member of a person nearby.

In a field separate from that of pivoting leaf closure, a closing stroke of one sliding member with prior opening is envisaged in US-A-6,150,785, for the purpose of reliability for a anti-crushing system. The device of this art which is complex and expensive, is not suitable for pivoting leaves area because it is too imprecise.

It is to these disadvantages that most particularly remedy the invention by proposing a automatic process of closing a leaf which limits very significantly the risk of jamming or pinching of an object or a member of an individual within near the facility.

In this spirit, the invention relates to a process automatic closing of a pivoting leaf in a closing or sun protection installation by means of an engine, this process being characterized in that it includes at least one step in which the engine is stopped or operated in an opening direction.

Thanks to the invention, the leaf pivots with a speed, amplitude and / or direction such as sound movement, from the open position of the leaf towards its closed position, is irregular. This irregular movement of the leaf, in particular its free edge, allows to arouse the attention of an individual in proximity to the facility, so that this individual takes care of the movement in progress. In others terms, the process consists in having the leaf, start and / or during its closing movement, a "Specific gestures" likely to arouse attention someone nearby and invite them to move away or away from a child, animal or object of the path of the leaf. Acting on the movement leaf does not require the addition of additional detection on the frame or on the leaf, which does not change its aesthetics. Nor is it necessary to provide dedicated wiring for the function of security or a complex anti-crushing system controlling the motor supply current. In practice, a pilot specific can be added to the engine which, by its movement at a suitable tempo, can create gestures supra. The only structural modification envisaged, to know the addition of the pilot, can be integrated at the level of the engine, without modification of the general structure and the aesthetics of the installation.

The invention can be applied to door types various as illustrated in the aforementioned documents or in documents AU-A-89 36 551, DE-U-298 04 227, DE-U-298 04 228, DE-U-75 14 792, EP-A-0 777 028, EP-A-1 055 792, EP-A-1 081 324, JP-A-2001 140 540, WO-A-00/23682 or WO-A-02/31304, this list is not exhaustive. Various types motors can be used with the invention, the type exact motorization being, in practice, secondary by compared to the invention.

Furthermore, a closure process can incorporate one or more of the features of claims 2 to 6.

The invention also relates to a mechanism for closure or sun protection which allows to set implements a process as previously described and, more specifically, a mechanism which includes a member capable of controlling a motor for actuating a pivoting leaf according to a predetermined closing sequence for this leaf during which the engine is stopped or operated in a direction of opening of the leaf.

Advantageous but not compulsory aspects of mechanism of the invention are described in claims 8 to 12.

The invention finally relates to an installation of closure or sun protection that includes a mechanism as previously described and, if applicable, able to be closed by a process as mentioned above.

• la figure 1 est une vue de côté d'un bloc-baie conforme à l'invention en place dans un bâtiment ;
• la figure 2 est une coupe de principe à plus grande échelle selon la ligne II-II à la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue à plus grande échelle dans le sens de la flèche III à la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une représentation schématique de principe de l'évolution au cours du temps t de l'angle d'ouverture  du vantail de l'installation des figures 1 à 3 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue analogue à la figure 4 pour un second procédé de fermeture conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 6 est une vue analogue à la figure 4 pour un troisième procédé de fermeture conforme à l'invention et
• la figure 7 est une vue analogue à la figure 4 pour un quatrième procédé de fermeture conforme à l'invention.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages of it will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of a closing installation comprising a mechanism in accordance with its principle and of four methods of closing the leaf of this installation, given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a side view of a bay block according to the invention in place in a building;
• Figure 2 is a principle section on a larger scale along the line II-II in Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is an enlarged view in the direction of arrow III in Figure 2;
• Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the principle of the evolution over time t of the opening angle  of the leaf of the installation of Figures 1 to 3;
• Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 for a second closure method according to the invention;
• FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 for a third closure method according to the invention and
• Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 4 for a fourth closing method according to the invention.

Bay block B shown in Figures 1 to 3 includes a frame 10 on which a leaf 12 is articulated forming window. We note 14 the geometric axis of articulation of the leaf 12 on the frame 10, this axis being horizontal and, in practical, consisting of hinges of which only one is visible in Figure 1 with reference 16.

We note  the opening angle of leaf 12, this angle being zero when the leaf is pressed against the frame 10, that is to say when the leaf is closed.

A chain 18 makes it possible to control the pivoting of the leaf 12 around the axis 14, this pivoting being represented by the double arrow F ₁ in FIG. 1.

The chain 18 allows to exert on the leaf 12 a tensile force corresponding to a closing of this leaf. The chain 18 also makes it possible to exert on the leaf 12 a thrust force making it possible to open the leaf. To do this, the chain 18 can form a rigid structure between the frame 10 and the leaf 12, in the manner of the chains described in AU-A-36 551/89 US-A-925 819, US-A-987 513 and WO-A-99/18816. The chain 18 "locks" or "bends" in its visible part in Figure 1 to allow the transmission of the pushing force. Thus, the control of the opening angle  of the leaf 12 can be carried out by exerting a force F ₃ of traction or thrust on the chain 18.

This effort is exerted thanks to a pinion 20 on which meshes the chain 18 and which is mounted crazy around a tree fixed shouldered 22 on which is also mounted madly a toothed wheel 24. A helical spring 26 is mounted around of the shaft 22 and its ends 26a and 26b are engaged in corresponding notches 20a and 24b provided on elements 20 and 24 respectively. Thus, the spring 26 allows elastic transmission of a torque of rotation about the axis of symmetry 28 of the shaft 22, of the wheel 24 towards the pinion 20.

It should be noted here that the spring 26 is a protection of the mechanism, to be distinguished from a anti-crushing safety of a part of a human body or animal. In particular, this spring 26 does not allow ensure both efficient transmission and anti-crushing safety with a response time avoiding risk of injury.

The wheel 24 is rotated about the axis 28 by an endless screw 30 which meshes with the peripheral toothing 24 c of the wheel 24 and which is mounted on the output shaft 32 a of an electric motor 32 housed in a casing 11 formed in the lower part of the frame 10. the housing 11 defines a zone 11 has accumulation of the chain 18 in the closed configuration of the door leaf 12. the elements 20 to 26 are also accommodated in the housing 11.

A pilot 34 is added to the engine 32 and allows control its operation when a closing automated is required by a user, for example at by means of a switch connected to motor 32 by a command wired or infrared remote control.

It is noted here that the pilot 34 commands, alone, the motor 32 and it is not necessary to provide a elaborate anti-crushing system, due to precautions taken to avoid trapping a finger or member of a person or animal nearby. In particular, no security system, limiting or cutting the motor supply current in the event of an obstacle on the path of the leaf should not be provided, which reduces the cost of the installation in relation to the materials known. The pilot 34 therefore controls, on his own, the movement of leaf 12 when it is closed.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, the pilot 34 controls the motor 32, so that, from an instant t ₀ marking the start of the process for closing the leaf 12, the angle  is increased to one instant t ₁ from which it decreases in a substantially linear fashion until an instant t ₂ where it takes a zero value corresponding to the total closing of the leaf.

Thus, between the instants t ₀ and t ₁ , the method comprises an initial step E ₀ in which the leaf 12 has a momentary opening movement up to a position of maximum opening angle  _M , which attracts l attention of a person in the vicinity of bay block B before the closing movement itself, which is potentially dangerous, begins. Between times t ₀ and t ₁ , a user has all the time to move away from bay unit B or to cause a child to move away before any risk of jamming.

We denote by E ₁ the step of linear decrease of the angle  between the instants t ₁ and t ₂ .

As shown in Figure 5, the closing process according to the invention may include a first step E ₁ between instants t ₀ and t ₁ during which the angle  decreases linearly, then a second step E ₂ , between instants t ₁ and t ₂ during which this angle is kept constant. In other words, during step E ₂ , the motor 32 is stopped. Then follows a step E ₃ between instants t ₂ and t ₃ during which the angle  decreases linearly, then a step E ₄ between instants t ₃ and t ₄ during which the angle  is kept constant . Finally, during a final step E ₅ , between instants t ₄ and t ₅ , the angle  decreases linearly.

The steps E ₂ and E ₄ mentioned above are remarkable steps where the leaf remains in the intermediate position, which does not fail to attract the attention of a person being nearby.

In the variant of the method represented in FIG. 6, the steps E ₁ , E ₃ and E ₅ are similar to those of the method of FIG. 5, while the steps E ₂ and E ₄ correspond to phases of limited reopening of the leaf 12, the angle  increasing during these steps, the motor 32 then being controlled to operate in the opposite direction to that in which it operates during steps E ₁ , E ₃ and E ₅ .

The method represented in FIG. 7 corresponds to the synthesis of the methods represented in FIGS. 4 and 6 insofar as an initial step E ₀ is provided during which the leaf is momentarily opened before the actual closure of the latter begins. ci, consisting of steps E ₁ to E ₅ . It is noted here that the momentary opening speed of the leaf represented by the slope of steps E ₀ , E ₂ and E ₄ may be greater than the closing speed represented by the slope of steps E ₁ , E ₃ and E ₅ . This increases the remarkable nature of steps E ₀ , E ₂ and E ₄ .

The pilot 34 is advantageously programmable and includes a memory 34 a for storing motor control parameters 32 according to steps E ₀ and E ₁ , etc. Several possible sequences or “gestures” can be stored in memory 34, buttons 34b for selecting the sequence to be used.

In all cases, the "particular gestures" of the leaf under the effect of motor 32, which is detected by a user observing for example the free edge 12a of the leaf 12, awakens the attention of an individual located near bay bay B.

The displacement during steps E ₁ , E ₃ , E ₅ etc ... is not necessarily such that the angle  varies linearly. Other laws of movement can be envisaged.

Other variants of the process of the invention can be considered during which steps are planned where the speed, amplitude or direction of movement of a pivoting leaf are modified in relation to displacement regular to attract attention.

The invention has been shown with a bay unit of which the leaf is articulated around an axis 14 overall horizontal located in the upper part. It does however apply to any closing device whose leaves can be articulated around substantially horizontal axes located in the lower part, or even substantially vertical. The leaf can be a window or a door. The leaf can also be a sun shade curtain holder.

Claims (13)

Automatic method of closing a pivoting leaf of a closing or sun protection installation by means of a motor, characterized in that it comprises at least one step (E ₀ , E ₂ , E ₄ ) in which said motor (32) is stopped (E ₂ , E ₄ ) or actuated in an opening direction (E ₀ , E ₂ , E ₄ ). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said step (E ₀ ) with opening is implemented from the start of said closing process (E ₀ -E ₅ ). Method according to claim 2, characterized in that said initial step (E ₀ ) with momentary opening is followed by a closing step (E ₁ ) and at least one other step (E ₂ , E ₄ ) in which said motor (32) is stopped or activated in a momentary opening direction. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in said step (E ₂ , E ₄ ) during which said motor is momentarily stopped is situated temporally between two steps (E ₁ and E ₃ , E ₃ and E ₅ ) during which said motor is actuated in a closing direction of said leaf (12). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the speed of said leaf (12) during the opening stages (E ₀ , E ₂ , E ₄ ) is greater than its speed during the closing stages (E ₁ , E ₃ , E ₅ ). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is implemented independently of the activation of an anti-crushing safety device. Automated closing mechanism for closing or sun protection installation comprising a pivoting leaf actuated by a motor to which it is connected by at least one force transmission member, characterized in that it comprises a member (34) capable of controlling said motor (32) according to a predetermined closing sequence of said leaf (12) during which said leaf is stopped (E ₂ , E ₄ ) or actuated in an opening direction (E ₀ , E ₂ , E ₄ ). Mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that said leaf (12) is pivotable about a horizontal axis (10). Mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that said member (34) is programmable and provided with a memory (34a) for storing at least one predetermined closing sequence and, optionally, means (34b) for selecting the sequence to use. Mechanism according to one of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it does not have an anti-crushing device other than said member (34) and said motor (32) which it controls. Mechanism according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a member (26) for elastic transmission of the movement between said motor (32) and said leaf (12). Mechanism according to claim 11, characterized in that said elastic transmission member is a helical spring (26) ensuring the rotational connection between a driving element (24) and a driven pinion (20) on which meshes a chain (18) d 'drive of said leaf (12). Locking or sun protection installation comprising a mechanism (18-34) according to one of claims 7 to 12.

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