EP1818498A2 - Motorised roller shutter with motor stop upon detection of obstacle - Google Patents

Abstract

The blind has control units (9) controlling stopping of a motor, are defined by a control unit (10), an emitting or modifying unit (12) and a measuring unit. The unit (10) is unwinded inside a slide (6). The unit (12) extends longitudinally inside the slide and emits and/or modifies an electrical signal in continuous manner under the effect of continuous deformation by the unit (10). The measuring unit measures electrical characteristics of the signal and controls stopping of the motor in case of measurement of characteristics corresponding to a contact of an apron (3) with an obstacle.

Description

The present invention relates to a roller shutter comprising motorized drive means for controlling the winding and unwinding of an apron defined by a juxtaposition of blades whose lateral ends are capable of moving in lateral guiding slides, said rolling shutter comprising engine stop control means in the event of detection of an obstacle on the path of the deck.

The invention relates to the field of manufacture of roller shutters, more particularly those equipped with motorized type means for driving their apron and which, therefore, require safety means capable of ensuring the protection of users.

We already know, buildings with openings equipped with shutters whose operation is motorized.

Such shutters can be controlled not only individually by acting on a control box which is dedicated to each of them but also in a grouped manner and through a central control capable of managing the simultaneous operation several roller shutters.

To do this, it is necessary to connect said flaps together, or even to said central control, which can be achieved through specific wiring, by remote communication means of the radio type or the like or by carrier current.

Through such an embodiment, it is possible to control the winding and / or unwinding of the apron of several roller shutters simultaneously, this in acting on a control member located at a given control point from which it is not always possible to have a view of all the shutters ordered.

Also, it is necessary to equip these shutters with the help of security means to ensure that, on the one hand, at the time of the intervention of the movement control, including closing, the apron and, on the other hand, when the latter is moving, said apron is not likely to injure by wedging a person, including a child, located on its path.

In this regard, it will be observed that there already exist such security means constituted by an obstacle detector which, when said apron meets such an obstacle, is designed capable of interrupting the operation of the engine. driving the winding shaft.

Thus, it is known to place an encoder wheel on the end of a winding shaft of the apron, such a coding wheel being, on the one hand, driven by a cable connected to the last blade of the apron and, of on the other hand, associated with optical means. When the latter blade comes into contact with an obstacle, said cable no longer causes said encoder wheel which is detected by said optical means which intervene on the drive motor of said shaft to interrupt its operation.

It should be noted that the cable connected to the last leaf of the apron extends inside a lateral slide for guiding the blades of said apron. Such an embodiment requires the introduction, within such a slide, said cable which turns out, in fact, be a little easy operation.

In addition, said apron blades are caused to move inside this slide together with said cable which frequently generates a number of malfunctions of the shutter.

Another solution is to have a magnet at the end of some blades of the deck while the upper end of a guide slide of the latter receives an ILS switch. This switch is designed capable of noting, on the one hand, the appropriate unwinding of the deck during its deployment and, secondly, stopping the scrolling of this deck in case of blockage. Thus, when it is found a stop scrolling said apron, it is ensured an interruption of the operation of the engine.

Such an embodiment has, in fact, a certain inertia so that, when the obstacle is near the threshold of the opening, almost the entire weight of the deck comes to rest on said obstacle before the interruption of scrolling of said apron.

The present invention is intended to provide a solution to the disadvantages of obstacle detectors of the state of the art.

For this purpose, the present invention relates to a roller shutter comprising motorized drive means for controlling the winding and unwinding of an apron defined by a juxtaposition of blades whose lateral ends are able to move in lateral slides guide, said shutter comprising motor stop control means in the event of detection of an obstacle on the path of the deck, characterized in that the stop control means are defined, on the one hand, by a control member associated with the apron and able to scroll inside one of the lateral slides and, on the other hand, by means extending longitudinally inside this lateral slide, and conceived fit, under the effect of a continuous deformation caused by said moving control member, to transmit and / or to modify, continuously, at least one electrical signal, and, secondly, by means able to measure the electrical characteristics of this signal and controlling the stopping of the motor when measuring an electrical characteristic corresponding to contact of said apron with an obstacle.

According to another characteristic, the means capable of emitting and / or modifying at least one electrical signal are defined by an electrical circuit which is either naturally closed or naturally open, this electrical circuit being designed capable, under the influence of said organ command, to come open, respectively close to emit and / or modify such an electrical signal.

An additional feature is that the electric circuit is defined by at least two electrical conductors extending longitudinally in said lateral channel, these conductors being, on the one hand, located, naturally, at a determined distance one of the other and, on the other hand, conceived suitable, under the effect of a deformation caused by said control member, to establish an electrical connection between them to, as appropriate, close or open the electrical circuit.

Yet another characteristic relates to the fact that at least one of said conductors has an increasing resistance, especially proportionally, as a function of its length while said control member is designed capable of ensuring, constantly, a deformation of the means capable of transmit and / or modify an electrical signal.

A complementary characteristic relates to the fact that the means able to measure the electrical characteristics of the signal emitted and / or modified are defined by means for measuring the resistance of the electrical circuit.

Another complementary feature relates to the fact that the means capable of measuring the electrical characteristics of the transmitted and / or modified signal are defined by means for measuring an electrical intensity crossing said electrical circuit.

According to a complementary characteristic, the means capable of measuring the electrical characteristics of the electrical signal are completed by means able to ensure a comparison between the value of the measured characteristics and a determined value of these characteristics.

An additional feature relates to the fact that the control means are completed by means capable of ensuring their inactivation when the final blade is in close proximity or in contact with the threshold of a door, window or the like equipped with said shutter.

Finally, a complementary feature concerns the fact that the means capable of transmitting and / or modifying at least one electrical signal are connected to an alarm center for peripheral protection of a building, particularly a dwelling.

The advantages of the present invention consist in that the stop control means comprise means able to emit and / or modify at least one electrical signal, these means being permanently disposed inside a lateral slide and being made integral with the latter which avoids the risk of snagging and malfunction due, for example, a cable scrolling in such a slide.

In addition, such means make it possible to immediately react to an anomaly in the running of the apron, as the case may be, in emitting an electrical signal, by modifying the periodic or continuous transmission of such a signal. The detection of such a signal, its absence or its modification makes it possible to react without delay at the engine causing it to stop.

According to a first operating principle of the invention, the coming into contact of an obstacle with the apron causes, immediately, the emission and / or the modification of an electric signal interpreted, at the level of the shutter, as a engine stop command.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the means for transmitting and / or modifying an electrical signal are completed by means for detecting such an electrical signal. These detection means comprise means capable of ensuring a count of a number of transmitted electrical pulses. This advantageously makes it possible to determine, when there is an interruption of a periodic emission of pulses and according to the number of these pulses counted, whether the apron is in full or partial deployment position. Such an embodiment makes it possible, for example, to highlight the appearance of an obstacle in the path of the deck which allows an appropriate intervention at the level of the shutter (in particular, a rise of the deck ...) and / or at the level of the devices associated therewith (triggering of an alarm and / or alarm system ...).

Thus and according to a second operating principle of the invention, the interruption or the modification of the periodicity of an electrical signal is immediately detected and interpreted, at the roller shutter, as an engine stop command.

According to a third operating principle of the invention, a variation of the electrical characteristics of a signal of not in accordance with what is provided in the context of the scrolling of an apron in the absence of an obstacle is immediately detected and interpreted as an engine stop command.

The invention is explained in more detail in the following description relating to an embodiment given by way of example and illustrated in the figures of the attached drawing.

Figure 1 is a schematic view, front and partial section of a roller shutter for fitting an opening that presents a building.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a detail of the roller shutter of Figure 1 equipped with stop control means according to the invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic view from above of a side slider and the deck of a shutter equipped with stop control means according to a first operating principle.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view, from the side and in section along IV-IV of the shutter shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 and corresponds to stop control means comprising an electrical circuit and able to operate according to this first operating principle.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3 and corresponds to a shutter equipped with stop control means according to a second operating principle.

FIG. 7 corresponds to a diagrammatic, side and sectional view along VII-VII of the roller shutter shown in FIG.

Figures 8 to 10 are views similar to Figure 7 and correspond to stop control means according to various other embodiments and operable according to this second principle of operation.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 7 and corresponds to stop control means comprising an electric circuit and able to operate according to a third operating principle.

The present invention relates to the field of manufacture of motorized roller shutters intended to equip a door, a window or the like implanted at an opening that presents a building.

The invention will find an application both in the context of the renovation of a building than when it is originally equipped with such shutters.

In a manner known per se and as visible in FIG. 1, such a shutter 1 comprises a winding shaft 2 on which rolls up and from which an apron 3 consisting of a juxtaposition of blades 4 whose ends 5 are adapted to move in lateral slides 6, 6 '.

In fact, among these juxtaposed blades 4 we will notice, on the one hand, a first blade (not shown) through which said apron 3 is secured to said winding shaft 2, and, on the other hand, a final blade 7 constituting the free and distal end of said apron 3.

This roller shutter 1 is completed by means 8 of motorized type, associated with said winding shaft 2, and adapted to ensure the drive of the latter 2 to proceed, as appropriate, the winding or the unwinding of said deck 3 .

In this respect, it will be observed that, for safety reasons, it is known to supplement these motorized means 8 by means 9 able to control the stopping of the driving motor 8 of the shaft 2 in the event of detection of an obstacle in the path of this deck 3, especially in the unwinding phase of the latter.

According to the invention, these control means 9 are defined, on the one hand, by at least one control member 10 associated with the apron 3, more particularly with one of the blades 4 of the latter 3, preferably with the blade final 7.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, this control member 10 is preferably associated with the end 5 of such a blade 4, 7 so that it is located in the internal volume 11 delimited by a slide lateral 6 inside which said control member 10 is able to scroll, in particular unwinding phase or winding of said apron 3.

Such control means 9 are defined, on the other hand, by means 12 designed capable, under the effect of a deformation caused by said control member 10, to transmit and / or modify at least one electrical signal constituted for example, by an electrical pulse.

Such means 12 for transmitting and / or modifying an electrical signal extend longitudinally inside said lateral slide 6, this on at least part, but preferably all, of the length of this slide 6.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, these means 12 are connected, preferably at the level of the upper end 13 of said slide 6 and via connection means 14, in particular of the wire type, to the motorized drive means 8 .

FIGS. 3 to 5 show the means 9 for stopping the motor 8 designed to be able to control such a stop, this according to a first operating principle.

In this regard, it should be noted that, according to this first operating principle, the means 12 are designed capable of transmitting and / or modifying an electrical signal, this in a specific manner and in case of contact of an obstacle with said apron 3.

Thus, in these FIGS. 3 to 5, the apron 3 of a roller shutter 1 has been illustrated in the unwinding or winding phase, on the one hand and in full lines, in the absence of obstacles, and on the other hand and in broken lines, in the presence of an obstacle (not shown) coming into contact with said apron 3.

It will be observed that in the absence of an obstacle, the control member 10 is in the inactive position of the means 12 able to transmit and / or modify an electrical signal. In such a case, this control member 10 may be located at a distance from these means 12, or even be in contact with the latter without exerting on them a force capable of causing a deformation resulting in the emission and / or modification of an electrical signal.

However, when an obstacle comes into contact with said apron 3, the latter moves, laterally and in a direction D, inside the lateral slide 6 so that said control member 10 comes to cooperate with the means 12 which, under the effect of a deformation caused by this control member 10, emit and / or modify at least one electrical signal.

In fact, said apron 3 is capable of moving laterally and in a direction D, this, either in the plane of said apron 3, or (preferably) so perpendicular to the plane of this apron 3 (Figures 3 to 5), the means 12 then being provided accordingly in said guide slide 6 (in the bottom and / or on at least one side wing of such a slide).

The transmission and / or modification of an electrical signal is reflected in the motorized drive means 8, in particular via the connecting means 14, and constitutes a stop command of the motor 8.

According to a first embodiment, the means 12 capable of emitting and / or modifying at least one electrical signal take the form of a band 15 attached to the internal side 16 of the lateral slide 6, such a band 15 extending on at least part (preferably all) of the length of the latter 6.

Such a band 15 is defined in a piezoelectric material or the like which, under the effect of a deformation (more particularly of a crushing), is able to emit and / or modify an electrical signal.

In this regard, it will be observed that such a piezoelectric material may, according to a first embodiment, be designed capable of emitting at least one electric pulse under the effect of a deformation (crushing), this without the fact that such an emission does not require a supply of this material with electrical energy.

However, according to another embodiment, such a piezoelectric material may be designed capable of modifying an electrical signal under the effect of a deformation, while this material is supplied with electrical energy and provides, in the inactive position, means 12, an electrical reference signal.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, such a piezoelectric material is constituted by a piezoelectric polymer, in particular a fluorinated polymer, more particularly PVDF. This material has a thickness of between 20 and 100 μm, preferably of the order of 30 μm.

It should be observed that the piezoelectric material of said strip 15 has, according to a preferred embodiment visible in FIG. 4, a uniform longitudinal polarization. However, according to another embodiment (not shown) this band 15 has no polarization.

According to a second embodiment visible in FIG. 5, the means 12 capable of emitting at least one electrical pulse take the form of an electric circuit 17 which is either naturally closed or naturally open.

This electrical circuit 17 is designed able, under the impulse of a deformation caused by said control member 10, to come open, respectively close, to emit and / or modify an electrical signal for the stop command of the motor 8.

In fact, FIG. 5 shows an electrical circuit 17 defined by at least two electrical conductors 18, 18 'extending longitudinally in said lateral slide 6, preferably over the entire length of the latter 6.

These conductors 18, 18 'are located, naturally, at a determined distance from one another and are designed capable, under the effect of deformation (crushing) caused by said control member 10 during a contact apron 3 with an obstacle, to come closer to contact to establish a direct electrical connection between them to, as appropriate, close or open the electrical circuit 17.

Such an embodiment requires supplying this circuit 17 with electrical energy, such a supply being, in particular, capable of being performed through the connection means 14.

FIG. 5 shows an electric circuit 17 of naturally open type and comprising two conductors 18, 18 'connected together by means of a resistor 19 and at least one of which is supplied with electrical energy.

During a contact between the deck 3 and an obstacle, the control member 10 pushes one of the conductors 18 against the other 18 'so that a direct electrical connection is established between said conductors 18, 18 causing a short circuit (representation in broken lines). The establishment of such a short circuit results in the modification of an electrical signal, in particular that recorded at the level of the electric circuit 17 and resulting from the power supply of the latter 17 with electrical energy. Such an electrical signal modification constitutes a stop command of the motor 8.

It should be noted that the presence of such a resistor 19 is in no way indispensable. Thus, during a contact with an obstacle, an electrical connection is established between the conductors 18, 18 '(one of which is supplied with electrical energy) which results in the emission of an electrical signal at the 17. Such an emission then constitutes an engine stop command 8

As can be seen in FIG. 5, said conductors 18, 18 'may be arranged inside a seal 20 fitted to the lateral slide 6.

As evoked above, the emission and / or the modification of an electrical signal by means 12 (strip 15 of a material piezoelectric or electrical circuit 17) is carried out under the influence of said control member 10.

In this regard, it will be observed that, according to a particular embodiment, such a control member 10 may be constituted by the deck 3 itself, in particular by a blade 4, 7 that includes the latter.

However, according to a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, such a control member 10 adopts the shape of a control finger 21 in the form of, for example, a button, a pin or the like.

FIGS. 6 to 10 show the means 9 for stopping the motor 8 designed to be able to control such a stop and proceeding from the same inventive step as the control means 9 mentioned above but designed to operate according to a second principle. Operating.

Such control means 9 comprise, again, a control member 10 associated with the apron 3 and able to scroll inside one of the 6 of the side slides 6, 6 '.

These control means 9 also comprise means 12 capable of transmitting and / or modifying at least one electrical signal, these means 12 extending longitudinally inside this slide 6.

In fact, in this second operating principle, these means 12 are designed capable of transmitting and / or modifying, periodically, at least one electrical signal, this under the effect of a deformation caused by said control member 10 scrolling in said slide 6 and as this scroll is not thwarted by the presence of an obstacle on the path of said apron 3.

When such an obstacle appears and comes into contact with the apron 3, the periodicity of the transmission and / or modification of this electrical signal is changed, either this emission and / or this periodic modification is interrupted.

Also and according to another characteristic of the present invention, the control means 9 are completed by means 22 designed to detect the emission and / or modification of an electrical signal. Such detection means 22 are designed able, on the one hand, to highlight, as the case may be, an alteration of the periodicity of emission and / or modification of this signal or an absence of this periodicity, resulting from the contacting the apron 3 with an obstacle and, secondly and in this case, to control the stopping of the motor 8.

In this regard, it will be observed that such detection means 22 are connected to the means 12 able to transmit and / or modify an electrical signal, in particular via the connection means 14. These detection means 22 can also be connected the motorized drive means 8, or even be an integral part thereof 8.

FIGS. 6 to 10 show different embodiments of these means 12 capable of ensuring periodic transmission and / or modification of at least one electrical signal, this being under the influence of said control member 10 in running order.

As can be seen from FIGS. 7 to 9, these means 12 may, again, take the form of a band 15 attached to the internal side 16 of the lateral slide 6, such a band 15 extending over at least one part (preferably on the entirety) of the length of this slide 6.

Such a strip 15 is defined in a piezoelectric material (for example a piezoelectric polymer, especially a polymer fluorinated, more particularly PVDF) or the like which, under the effect of a deformation (in particular a crushing), is able to emit at least one electrical pulse and / or to modify at least one electrical signal.

It should be observed that the piezoelectric material of said strip 15 may have, according to a preferred embodiment visible in FIG. 7, a uniform longitudinal polarization, especially at the surface. However, according to another embodiment (not shown) this band 15 has no polarization.

In such a case (uniform polarization or absence of polarization), said control member 10 is designed capable of exerting, periodically during its running in the slideway 6, a pressure on said strip 15 in view of the emission and / or the modification, by the latter 15 and periodically, at least one electrical signal.

Thus, and according to a preferred embodiment visible in this FIG. 7, said control member 10 is defined by a wheel 23 equipping the deck 3 at the lateral end 5 of one of its blades 4, preferably of the final blade 7.

This wheel 23 is able to roll on the surface of said strip 15 during the running of the deck 3 in the slide 6.

It will be observed that said wheel 23 is designed so that, through its rolling on the strip 15, this wheel 23 exerts, periodically (in broken lines in FIG. 7), on the strip 15 a pressure capable of provoking, at the level of of the latter 15, the emission and / or modification of at least one electrical signal.

For this purpose, said wheel 23, is in the form of an ellipse 24, an eccentric or the like, or has a portion of different radius of curvature (especially upper), a flat or the like.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show two other embodiments using a strip 15 made of a piezoelectric material.

Thus, in FIG. 8, such a strip 15 has, in the longitudinal direction, an alternation, preferably regular, of polarized portions 25 and unpolarized portions 26.

Another embodiment, represented in FIG. 9, shows a strip 15 of piezoelectric material comprising, in the longitudinal direction, an alternation, preferably regular, of portions having an opposite polarization 27, 28.

As can be seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, the means 12 able to transmit and / or modify an electrical signal are completed by a control member 10 defined by a control finger 29, a wheel or the like.

It should be observed that this control member 10 must constantly be held in abutment against said strip 15 and exert on the latter a sufficient force to allow the emission and / or modification of an electrical signal.

In this regard, it will be noted that, according to a first embodiment, said control member 10 is held in abutment against said strip 15 under the effect of the own weight of the deck 3 or the blade 4, 7 receiving this control member 10.

However, according to a preferred embodiment, said control member 10 is associated with means 30 capable of ensuring its maintaining support against said strip 15 of piezoelectric material.

Such means 30 may be constituted by means able to push said control member 10 against said strip 15, such repulsion means being associated, as the case may be, with the slide 6 or the apron 3.

FIGS. 6 to 9 show various repulsion means 30 associated with said apron 3 and able to bear against said slide 6, in particular at a wing 32 substantially parallel to the wing 31 equipped with said piezo tape 15. electric.

As can be seen in these same figures, such means 30 able to push back said control member 10 may be constituted, for example, by an elastic blade 33 (FIG. 9), a support heel 34 (FIG. 7), a wheel 35 (FIG. 8) or the like associated with said apron 3.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the means 12 capable of transmitting and / or periodically modifying at least one electrical signal may, again, be defined by an electric circuit 17, either naturally closed or naturally open .

Such an electrical circuit 17 is designed able, under the influence of a control member 10, to come open, respectively close, to ensure the emission and / or modification of such an electrical signal.

Again, such a circuit 17 may be defined by at least two electrical conductors 18, 18 'extending longitudinally in said lateral slide 6, preferably over the entire length of the latter 6.

These conductors 18, 18 'are located, naturally, at a determined distance from each other and are designed capable, under the effect of a deformation (including crushing) caused by said control member 10, to come come closer to contact in order, as the case may be, to close or open the electrical circuit 17.

Like the electric circuit 17 described above, the conductors 18, 18 'are, again, supplied with electrical energy and may, optionally, be connected by a resistor.

In fact and according to a first embodiment, the conductors 18, 18 'are designed capable of allowing electrical conduction over their entire length. In such a case, said control member 10 is, in turn, designed to ensure, periodically, a deformation of the means 12 and, therefore, a direct and periodic electrical connection between these two conductors 18, 18 'in view of the transmission and / or modification, periodically, of an electrical signal. It will be observed that such a control member 10 may, like the embodiment corresponding to a piezoelectric strip shown in FIG. 7, be in the form of a wheel provided with a flat part, a portion of different radius of curvature or the like.

According to another embodiment visible in FIG. 10, at least one of the electrical conductors 18, 18 'has conductive portions 36 (charged ink, carbon, metallization, etc.) separated, in particular in a regular manner, by insulating portions. 37. In such a case, said control member 10 is designed able to bear against the means 12 to ensure a constant deformation of the latter 12 and a permanent contact between the two conductors 18, 18 ', according to the case, in the active position (representation in broken lines) or passive (representation in solid lines) of means 12 for transmitting and / or modifying an electrical signal.

In such a case, said control member 10 may, again, be in the form of a control finger, a wheel or the like.

It should be observed that this control member 10 is held in abutment against the electric circuit 17, either under the effect of the own weight of the apron 3 or of the blade 4, 7 receiving this control member 10, or by the intermediate means 30 capable of ensuring such support in support, such means 30 being, for example, similar to those described above.

As mentioned above, a shutter 1 equipped with means 12 able to transmit and / or modify, periodically, at least one electrical signal is completed by means 22 designed to detect the emission and / or the modification of such a signal.

According to a first embodiment, such detection means 22 comprise, on the one hand, means capable of counting electrical pulses and, on the other hand, means able to ensure a comparison of the number of these pulses counted with a number of pulses determined.

Such an embodiment makes it possible to record the number of pulses transmitted and to compare it with the number of pulses (for example determined by learning means included in the shutter 1, in particular during a learning phase) to be issued for full deployment of deck 3.

Another embodiment consists in that these detection means 22 comprise, on the one hand, means capable of counting the number of modifications of an electrical signal and, on the other hand, means capable of ensuring a comparison of the number of these modifications counted with a determined number of modifications.

This makes it possible to record the number of modifications of an electric signal and to compare it with the number of modifications (for example determined by means of learning which comprises the shutter 1, in particular during a learning phase) to be identified for a complete deployment of the deck 3.

By making such a comparison, these detection means 22 make it possible to demonstrate, during the interruption or the alteration of a transmission and / or a periodic modification of an electrical signal, a total deployment of the apron 3 or an incomplete deployment of the latter resulting from the appearance of an obstacle in the path of this deck 3. In the latter case, it can be provided an appropriate intervention at the level of the shutter 1 (including a rise apron 3 ...) and / or at the level of the devices that are associated with this shutter 1.

It will be observed that such an intervention can also be provided during the emission and / or modification of at least one electrical signal by the means 12 in the event of obstacle detection, this in the context of the first operating principle of the shutter 1 according to the invention (Figures 3 to 5).

FIG. 11 shows control means 9 for stopping the motor 8 designed to be able to control such a stop and proceeding from the same inventive step as the control means 9 mentioned above but designed to operate according to a third principle of operation. .

Such control means 9 comprise, again, means 12 able to transmit and / or modify at least one signal electrical under the effect of a deformation caused by a control member 10 that include these control means 9.

However, according to this third operating principle, these means 12 are designed capable of transmitting and / or modifying an electrical signal in a continuous manner during the movement of said control member 10 in the slide 6, this under the impulse of a deformation continuous caused by this control member 10.

It should be observed that this control member 10 must constantly be held in abutment against the means 12, either under the effect of the own weight of the apron 3 or the blade 4, 7 receiving this control member 10 or through means 30 able to ensure its maintenance in support.

In such a case, the control means 9 are further defined by means designed able, on the one hand, to measure the electrical characteristics of at least one electrical signal emitted and / or modified by the means 12 and, on the other hand, on the other hand, to control the stopping of the motor 8 according to the measured characteristics corresponding to the entry into contact of an obstacle with the apron 3.

As seen in this figure 11, such means 12 are in the form of an electrical circuit 17 which is either naturally closed or naturally open. This circuit 17 is designed able, under the influence of said control member 10, to come open, respectively close, to transmit and / or modify at least one electrical signal.

Again, such an electrical circuit 17 is defined by at least two conductors 18, 18 'extending longitudinally in the slide 6. Such conductors 18, 18' are, on the one hand, located, naturally, on a determined distance 18 of the other 18 'and, secondly, conceived suitable, under the effect of a deformation caused by said control member 10, to establish a direct electrical connection between them in order, as the case may be, to close or open the electric circuit 17.

According to another characteristic of this electric circuit 17, at least one of the conductors 18, 18 'has an increasing electrical resistance R as a function of its length, such a resistor R being, in particular, proportional to this length.

Such an embodiment involves a continuous variation of the resistance RC of the electric circuit 17 under the influence of a constant deformation of the latter 17 caused by said control member 10 running in the slideway 6.

In this regard, it should be noted that the means capable of measuring the electrical characteristics of a signal emitted and / or modified by the means 12 may, according to a first embodiment, be constituted by means for measuring the resistance RC of the electric circuit 17, such means being, for example, integrated or located at the motorized drive means 8.

Such means for measuring the resistance RC are furthermore designed capable of controlling the stopping of the motor 8 when they measure a constant resistance value RC corresponding to a stopping of the running of the apron 3, more particularly when the latter 3 come into contact with an obstacle.

It should also be observed that these means for measuring the resistor RC can be supplemented by means able to ensure a comparison between the value RC of the measured resistance and a determined resistance value corresponding, for example, to that of the electric circuit 17 in total unwinding position of the apron 3.

Thus, when measuring a constant value of resistance RC, these comparison means make it possible to highlight, as the case may be, a total or incomplete deployment of said apron 3 for, in the latter case and as mentioned above, to carry out an appropriate intervention at the level of the shutter 1 (in particular an ascent of the deck 3 ...) and / or at the level of the devices that are associated with this rolling shutter 1 (central alarm ...).

According to another embodiment, the measuring means consist of means able to measure the electrical intensity passing through the electric circuit 17.

Such measuring means make it possible to detect the stopping of the running of the apron 3, in particular when the latter comes into contact with an obstacle, this through the measurement of a constant intensity. In such a case, a stop command of the engine 8 is made.

Here again, these measuring means can be supplemented by means capable of ensuring a comparison between the measured intensity and a determined intensity value corresponding, for example, to that passing through the electric circuit 17 in the total unwinding position of the apron 3. .

Again, it is possible to highlight a total or incomplete deployment of said deck 3 to intervene appropriately at the level of the shutter 1 and / or at the level of associated devices.

It should be noted that, according to one particular embodiment of the invention, the means 12 able to transmit and / or modify at least one electrical signal defined by an electrical circuit 17 constituted by at least two conductors 18, 18 ' R increasing resistance can also be used for use according to the first and / or second operating principle as described above.

Again, through a measurement of the resistance and / or intensity in case of stopping of the deck 3, it is possible to highlight a total or partial deployment of the deck 3 for a appropriate intervention on the shutter 1 and / or associated devices.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said shutter 1 may, again, comprise means capable of ensuring the inactivation of the control means 9 when the final blade 7 is in close proximity or in contact with the threshold 38 of a door, window or the like equipped with said shutter 1.

Such inactivation means may be defined by said means for detecting an electrical signal and / or by said means for measuring the electrical characteristics of such a signal.

Thus, in case of detection of a number of emissions and / or modifications of an electrical signal or in the event of measurement of an RC resistor or of a corresponding electrical intensity, for example, at the point of contact of the final blade 7 with the threshold 38, it is proceeded to the inactivation of the control means 9 and the engine stop command 8. This motor 8 continues driving the shaft 2 and, according to the case, unwinding or winding the apron 3.

Such inactivation means can then be supplemented by delaying means capable, after a certain period of time (particularly capable of being programmed), of reactivating the control means 9 and / or of controlling the control means 9. stopping the engine 8.

Such an embodiment makes it possible to immobilize said apron 3 in at least partially openwork position.

According to another characteristic, the shutter 1 according to the invention can be associated with a central alarm (no shown) for peripheral protection of a building, in particular a dwelling.

These are, more particularly, the means 12 able to transmit and / or modify at least one electrical signal which are connected to such an alarm center, in particular via the connecting means 14.

Such a connection makes it possible, either during the emission and / or the modification of at least one electrical signal (according to the first operating principle of the invention), or during an alteration or an interruption of a transmission and / or periodic modification of such a signal (according to the second operating principle of the invention), or when measuring a constant electrical characteristic (according to the third operating principle), to cause an appropriate reaction at this central alarm or its peripherals, in particular a triggering of an alarm system and / or alarm ...

Claims (9)

Roller shutter (1) comprising motorized drive means (8) for controlling the winding and unwinding of an apron (3) defined by a juxtaposition of blades (4) whose lateral ends (5) are capable of move in lateral guiding slides (6, 6 '), said roller shutter (1) comprising means (9) for stopping the motor (8) when an obstacle is detected on the path of the apron (3), characterized by the fact that the stop control means (9) are defined, on the one hand, by a control member (10) associated with the apron (3) and able to scroll inside the one (6) of the lateral slides (6, 6 ') and, on the other hand, by means (12), extending longitudinally inside this lateral slide (6), and designed suitable under the effect of a continuous deformation caused by said scrolling control member (10), to continuously transmit and / or modify at least one if electrical signal, and, secondly, by means able to measure the electrical characteristics of this signal and to control the stopping of the motor (8) when measuring an electrical characteristic corresponding to a contact of said apron ( 3) with an obstacle. Roller shutter (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (12) capable of emitting and / or modifying at least one electrical signal are defined by an electric circuit (17) which is either naturally closed or Naturally open, this electric circuit (17) being designed able, under the impulse of said control member (10) to come open, respectively close to emit and / or modify such an electrical signal. Roller shutter (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the electric circuit (17) is defined by at least two electrically extending conductors (18, 18 ') extending longitudinally in said lateral slide (6), these conductors (18, 18 ') being, on the one hand, located, naturally, at a determined distance one (18) from the other (18') and, on the other hand, it is conceivable that, under the effect of a deformation caused by the said control member (10), it is possible to establish an electrical connection between them in order, as the case may be, to close or open the electric circuit (17). Roller shutter (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of said conductors (18, 18 ') has an increasing resistance (R), in particular proportionally, as a function of its length while said member control unit (10) is designed capable of ensuring, constantly, a deformation of the means (12) able to emit and / or modify an electrical signal. Roller shutter (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the means capable of measuring the electrical characteristics of the transmitted and / or modified signal are defined by means for measuring the resistance (RC) of the electric circuit (17). Roller shutter (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the means capable of measuring the electrical characteristics of the transmitted and / or modified signal are defined by measuring means of an electrical intensity passing through said electric circuit (17). Roller shutter (1) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the means capable of measuring the electrical characteristics of the electrical signal are supplemented by means able to ensure a comparison between the value of the measured characteristics and a determined value of these characteristics. Roller shutter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control means (9) are completed by means capable of ensuring their inactivation when the final blade (7) is in close proximity or in contact with the threshold (38) of a door, window or the like equipped with said shutter (1). Roller shutter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (12) able to emit and / or modify at least one electrical signal are connected to an alarm control unit for peripheral protection. 'a building, including a dwelling.

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