EP2428631A2

EP2428631A2 - A drive device for a wing of a door, window or the like.

Info

Publication number: EP2428631A2
Application number: EP11180584A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dirk Adrian Cornelis Wien
Original assignee: Kone Deursystemen BV
Current assignee: Kone Corp
Priority date: 2010-09-08
Filing date: 2011-09-08
Publication date: 2012-03-14
Also published as: NL2005330C2; EP2428631A3

Abstract

A drive device for a wing of a door, window or the like, comprises a drive member for driving the wing. The drive member is rotatable about a rotation axis between two positions which corresponds to two positions of the wing. A drive motor is connected to the drive member for driving the drive member from the first position to the second position. A spring device is connected to the drive member for driving the drive member from the second position to the first position. The spring device comprises a spring means which is arranged between a stop and a spring seat. The stop has a fixed position relative to the rotation axis of the drive member. The spring seat is arranged on a slidable body so as to move the spring seat relative to the stop. A flexible connecting element is attached to the drive member and to the slidable body of the spring device for allowing a displacement of the slidable body along the elongate guide member so as to prestress the spring means when the drive member is driven from the first position to the second position. The flexible connecting element is arranged adjacent to and outside of the spring means and extends from the drive member substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means, is guided over a reversing guide member of the slidable body, and from there extends in a direction opposite to the first part.

Description

The invention relates to a drive device for a wing of a door, window or the like, comprising:

a support structure,
a drive member for driving the wing, which drive member is connected to the support structure so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis between a first position which corresponds to a first position of the wing and a second position which corresponds to a second position of the wing,
a drive motor which is connected to the drive member for driving the drive member from the first position to the second position,
a spring device which is connected to the drive member for driving the drive member from the second position to the first position, which spring device comprises a spring means having a longitudinal axis, the spring means being arranged between a stop and a spring seat, the stop having a fixed position relative to the rotation axis of the drive member, for example relative to the rotation axis of the drive member, and the spring seat being arranged on a slidable body which can be displaced in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the spring means along an elongate guide member so as to move the spring seat relative to the stop,
a flexible connecting element which is attached to the drive member, and which flexible connecting element is connected to the slidable body of the spring device for displacing, or allowing a displacement of, the slidable body along the elongate guide member so as to prestress the spring means when the drive member is driven from the first position to the second position, and in which the flexible connecting element comprises at least one part which extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means.

EP2009216 discloses a drive device for a wing of a door which can be swung between a closed position and an open position. The drive device comprises a housing which is mounted on the door frame above the door opening. The housing comprises an electrical drive motor having a motor shaft. The motor shaft is connected to a drive shaft via a transmission mechanism which includes toothed wheels. The drive shaft protrudes from the housing and is attached to a swing arm which is configured to actuate the wing of the door. The housing includes a cylindrical casing having an interior which is provided with a coil spring. One end of the coil spring rests against the inner side of a front end of the cylindrical casing. The other end of the coil spring abuts against a spring seat which is guided in a sliding manner within the cylindrical casing. A cable has one end which is attached to the spring seat. The cable extends from the spring seat through the interior of the coil spring and through a central opening in the front end of the cylindrical casing. The other end of the cable is attached to one of the toothed wheels of the transmission mechanism. When the drive shaft of the drive motor is rotated so as to open the wing of the door from its closed position, the toothed wheels of the transmission mechanism are also turned. The cable which is attached to one of the toothed wheels pulls the spring seat towards the front end of the cylindrical casing. Thus, the coil spring is prestressed into a compressed state. With the spring means prestressed in its compressed state, it can be used to close the wing of the door. When the drive motor fails, for example in case of a power failure, it can be relied upon that the wing of the door can be closed. This is useful for doors which are to be equipped with a fire-protection function.
A drawback of this drive device is that it takes up a relatively large space. If the cable is bent over a small radius, it will subjected to significant wear. For this reason, the toothed wheel defines a relatively large bending radius for the cable. As a result, the outer diameter of the toothed wheel is larger than half of the outer diameter of the coil spring and therefore the toothed wheel protrudes with respect to the outside of the coil spring. This affects the required dimensions of the housing of the drive device.
An object of the invention is to provide an improved drive for a wing of a door, window or the like.
This object is achieved according to the invention in that the slidable body comprises at least one reversing guide member, and the flexible connecting element comprises:

a first part which is arranged adjacent to and outside of the spring means and which extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means from the drive member to the reversing guide member of the slidable body,
a reversing part which is guided over the reversing guide member, and
a second part which is arranged adjacent to and outside of the spring means and which extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means from said reversing guide member in a direction opposite to the first part.

The spring means is arranged between the stop and the spring seat. The stop has a fixed or stationary position relative to the rotation axis of the drive member. The spring seat is arranged on the slidable body which can be displaced along the elongate guide member so as to move the spring seat relative to the stop. The flexible connecting element, such as a cable, band or belt, is not arranged through the interior of the spring means, such as a coil spring, but extends adjacent to and outside of the spring means. The flexible connecting element may be arranged at a distance from the outside of the spring means. Thus, the flexible connecting element runs at a distance from the longitudinal axis of the spring means.
As a result, the rotation axis of the drive member can be aligned with or arranged at a relatively small distance from the longitudinal axis of the spring means while it can be safeguarded that the drive member provides a minimum bending radius for the flexible connecting element. For example, the drive member is substantially in register with the spring means. In other words, the drive member may be situated adjacent to the stop and substantially in line with the longitudinal direction of the spring means. Consequently, the overall dimensions of the drive device according to the invention can be reduced.
In addition, the flexible connecting element is connected to the slidable body by means of a reversing guide member, for example a pulley. The flexible connecting element extends from the drive member to the reversing guide member of the slidable body, is guided over said reversing guide member and extends from said reversing guide member to the support structure. The use of the reversing guide member reduces stress in the flexible connecting element, which allows for the use of a relatively light flexible connecting element and prolongs the life of the flexible connecting element.
It is noted that EP624703 describes a chain operator for opening and closing a window, in particular a window designed for installation in an inclined roof surface. The chain operator comprises a housing which accommodates a chain which is guided by guide rails. One end of the chain is designed to extend outside the housing for coupling to the bottom sash member of the sash of the window. Inside the housing, the chain is in operative connection with a drive wheel forming a sprocket wheel for the chain. The sprocket wheel is rotatably mounted in the housing. A counterbalancing spring arrangement may comprise two tension springs connected in parallel. One end of each spring is connected to a common disc which is displaceable in an extension of the housing by means of an adjusting screw. The other end of each spring is connected to a flexible element like a wire or cord via a common coupling disc. The coupling disc forms a slidable body which comprises the spring seat for the tension springs. The flexible element is guided from the common coupling disc within the housing by a guide member to a connection on a shaft of the sprocket wheel. The flexible element is connected to and wound around the shaft, so that the flexible element winds up on the shaft as the window moves in a closing direction and unwinds as the window moves in an opening direction. The opening movement is facilitated by compensating for the weight of the window.
As the chain is situated between the flexible element and the tension springs, the overall dimensions of the housing are relatively large. In addition, the slidable body formed by the coupling disc does not include a reversing guide member which is moved together with the slidably body. As a result, the stress in the flexible element is relatively high, which affects the reliability of the chain operator.
It is also noted that EP1428965 describes a door opener having a drive motor. The motor spindle of the drive motor is connected to a shaft via a transmission mechanism. A tension cable is wound up onto the shaft, which is connected to a linear transmission. The linear transmission comprises two cable rollers. One of the cable rollers is attached to a displaceable carriage. The carriage is pushed away from the side the drive motor by springs so as to achieve a good tension in the tension cable within the linear transmission. The carriage is fitted to a plate, which is attached to a pull rod for pulling a connecting rod in the direction of the drive motor. The connecting rod is connected to a piston, which is coupled to a lever for opening and closing the door. With the opening movement of the door, the piston is moved against the force of a closing spring. The closing spring is received between the piston and a stop
The piston forms a slidable body which comprises the spring seat for the closing spring. The tension cable is not connected to the slidable body of the closing spring. In addition, the slidable body formed by the piston does not include a reversing guide member for the tension cable which is moved together with the slidably body.
In an embodiment according to the invention, the stop defines a first plane which extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the drive member and substantially transversely with respect to the elongate guide member, in which the spring seat defines a second plane which extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the drive member and substantially transversely with respect to the elongate guide member, and in which the first part of the flexible connecting element extends at least from the first plane up to the second plane. It is possible for the second part of the flexible element to extend at least from the second plane in the direction of the first plane.
It is possible according to the invention that the flexible connecting element has two ends, in which at least one end of the flexible connecting element is attached to the drive member, in which the first part extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means from the end which is attached to the drive member to the reversing guide member of the slidable body. The reversing part of the flexible connecting element is connected between the first part and the second part. The reversing part is turned over the reversing guide member, and the second part of the flexible connecting element extends back into the direction of the stop. It is possible that the other end of the flexible element is formed by the end of the second part, which may be attached to the support structure, for example in the vicinity of the stop.
In another embodiment, the reversing guide member defines a first reversing guide member and the reversing part defines a first reversing part, and the slidable body comprises a second reversing guide member, and in which the support structure is provided with a third reversing guide member, and in which the second part extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means from the first reversing guide member of the slidable body to the third reversing guide member of the support structure, and in which the flexible connecting element comprises:

a second reversing part which is guided over the third reversing guide member,
a third part which is arranged adjacent to and outside of the spring means and which extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means from said third reversing guide member to the second reversing guide member of the slidable body,
a third reversing part which is guided over the second reversing guide member, and
a fourth part which is arranged adjacent to and outside of the spring means and which extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means from said second reversing guide member to the drive member,

In the case of the flexible connecting element having two ends, in which at least one end of the flexible connecting element is attached to the drive member, the fourth part may extend substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means from said second reversing guide member to the other end of the flexible connecting element, which other end is attached to the drive member. However, the flexible connecting element may also be endless. For example, the two ends being attached to the drive member may be integrated into one part which is attached to the drive member.
In this case, the flexible connecting element is connected to the slidable body by means of the first and second reversing guide members and the flexible connecting element is connected to the support structure by means of the third reversing guide member. The flexible connecting element extends from the drive member to the first reversing guide member of the slidable body, is guided over said first reversing guide member, extends from said first reversing guide member to the third reversing guide member of the support structure, is guided over said third reversing guide member, extends from said third reversing guide member to the second reversing guide member of the slidable body, is guided over said second reversing guide member, and extends from said second reversing guide member to the drive member. The use of multiple reversing guide members significantly reduces the stress in the flexible connecting element, which allows for the use of a relatively light flexible connecting element and prolongs the life of the flexible connecting element.
The spring device may be constructed in various other ways. For example, it is possible for the spring device to be provided with a double flexible connecting element. Thus, in combination with the embodiments described above, the drive device may comprise a further flexible connecting element which is attached to the drive member, and in which the further flexible connecting element comprises:

a first part which is arranged adjacent to and outside of the spring means and which extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means from the drive member to the second reversing guide member of the slidable body,
a reversing part which is guided over the second reversing guide member, and
a second part which is arranged adjacent to and outside of the spring means and

It is preferred according to the invention that the first reversing guide member of the slidable body is formed by a first pulley having a first pulley axis, and the second reversing guide member of the slidable body is formed by a second pulley having a second pulley axis, and in which the first and second pulley axes are substantially coinciding. The first pulley and the second pulley of the slidable body can be aligned according to a common pulley axis. As a result, the spring device has a symmetrical construction such that the load exerted by the flexible connecting element onto the pulleys of the slidable body is distributed evenly. This improves the stability of the spring device and is advantageous for a smooth stroke of the slidable body.
In addition, it is possible that the spring means comprises an outer diameter, and in which the first pulley of the slidable body comprises a pulley diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the spring means. Furthermore, the pulley diameter of the first pulley
of the slidable body may be substantially equal to the pulley diameter of the second pulley of the slidable body. As a result, the flexible connecting element being guided over the pulleys of the slidably body is arranged at a relatively large distance from the longitudinal axis of the spring means. This reduces the stress in the flexible connecting element. In addition, any wear of the flexible connecting element is reduced.
In an embodiment, the first reversing guide member of the slidable body defines a first bending radius for the first reversing part of the flexible element, the first bending radius having a centre line, in which the rotation axis of the drive member and the centre line of the first reversing guide member run at a distance from each other and substantially parallel with respect to each other. When the first reversing guide member is formed by the first pulley, the rotation axis of the drive member and the first pulley axis run at a distance from each other and substantially parallel with respect to each other.
In a preferred embodiment, the third reversing guide member of the support structure defines a second bending radius for the second reversing part of the flexible element, the second bending radius having a centre line, and in which the centre line of the third reversing guide member runs substantially transversely with respect to the rotation axis of the drive member and substantially transversely with respect to the elongate guide member. For example, the third reversing guide member is formed by a third pulley having a third pulley axis which defines the centre line of the third reversing guide member. However, the third reversing guide member may also be formed by a friction block. As a result, a variation in the lengths of the parts of the flexible connecting element on either side of the third reversing guide member can be compensated by a slight displacement of the flexible element using the third reversing guide member. Also, the spring device according to the embodiment with four parts of the flexible connecting element which extend adjacent to and substantially parallel to each other has a symmetrical construction. This is advantageous for the stability of the spring device.
In an embodiment, the second bending radius defined by the third reversing guide member is smaller than the first bending radius defined by the first reversing guide member. In the case of pulleys, the pulley diameter of the third pulley is smaller than the pulley diameters of the first and second pulleys. If the flexible connecting element, such as a cable, band or belt, is bent over a small radius of a pulley, it will be subjected to significant wear when the pulley is turned frequently. However, with the symmetrical construction of the spring device as described above, the third pulley attached to the support structure will hardly, if at all, be rotated upon rotation of the drive member. The part of the flexible connecting element running over the third pulley forms the middle of the total length of the flexible connecting element as seen from the drive member. Thus, the flexible connecting element is substantially stationary at the location of the third pulley. When the lengths of the parts of the flexible connecting element running between the third pulley and the drive member deviate from each other, a small tumbling movement of the third pulley may compensate such deviation without leading to significant wear. Thus, the third pulley can be designed to be relatively small while the life of the spring device is not jeopardized.
In an embodiment, the spring means comprises an outer diameter, in which the drive member comprises a drive wheel having a wheel diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the spring means. The drive member may comprise a drive shaft which is connected to the drive motor and a drive wheel which is attached to the drive shaft.
In an embodiment, the spring means comprises two spring elements which are arranged between the stop and the spring seat, each spring element having a longitudinal axis, in which the first and second spring elements are arranged such that their longitudinal axes extend at a distance from each other and substantially parallel with respect to each other. With the design according to the invention, it is possible for the spring device to include two spring elements. The spring means may be situated such that the longitudinal axes of the first and second spring elements are arranged at a distance from each other in a transverse direction to their longitudinal axes and substantially parallel with respect to each other. Thus, the available space within the spring device is used efficiently as it contains a larger amount of spring material.
With an embodiment having two spring elements, the first spring element and the second spring element each comprise an outer diameter. For example, the outer diameter of the first spring element is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the second spring element. It is possible for the pulley diameter of the first pulley of the slidable body to be greater than the sum of the outer diameters of the spring elements. In addition, it is possible for the wheel diameter of the drive member to be greater than the sum of the outer diameters of the spring elements.
For example, each spring element comprises a coil spring. The length of each coil spring when it is mounted between the stop and the spring seat with the slidable body being in the first position may be 340-500 mm, for example 440 mm. The outer diameter of each coil spring is, for example, 15-35 mm, such as 24 mm. This leads to even spring characteristics of the drive device.
In a preferred embodiment, the spring means is enclosed within a housing having a substantially rectangular cross-section, in which the spring means comprises a substantially circular cross-section, and in which the flexible connecting element extends in the corners of the rectangular cross-section of the housing between the outer side of the spring means and the inner side of the housing. When the spring means comprises two coil springs, each coil spring defines a substantially circular cross-section. Then, the spring means comprise two substantially circular cross-sections which are situated adjacent to each other. The coil springs are surrounded by the housing, for example the housing encloses the coil springs in a close-fitting manner. The first, second, third and/or fourth parts of the flexible element extend in the corner spaces between the coil springs and the housing. The housing covers the guide member, the flexible connecting element and the slidable body. This improves safety, stability and also appearance of the drive device. The corner spaces of the housing are used to receive the flexible connecting element. Thus, the overall dimensions of the drive device remain relatively small.
The guide member can be constructed in various ways. In an embodiment, the guide member comprises at least one guide rod, in which the spring means is arranged over the guide rod, and in which the slidable body is provided with at least one opening which is configured to receive the guide rod in a sliding manner. The guide rod may be secured to the support structure. When producing the spring device, the spring means is pushed onto the guide rod.
Alternatively, the guide member may comprise at least one hollow guide element, in which the spring means is received within the hollow guide element, and in which the slidable body is provided with at least one opening which is configured to receive the hollow guide element in a sliding manner.
In an embodiment, the spring device comprises a central plane which extends parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means and perpendicular with respect to the rotation axis of the drive member, and in which the flexible connecting element is substantially symmetrical with respect to the central plane. The drive member and/or the third pulley of the support structure may also be substantially symmetrical with respect to the central plane.
It is also possible that the first pulley and the second pulley of the slidable body are arranged in a mirror symmetrical manner with respect to each other in which the central plane forms the plane of symmetry. Thus, the first pulley and the second pulley are mirror images with respect to the central plane. The symmetrical construction of the spring device leads to an even distribution of forces over the component of the spring device. This is advantageous for reliable operation of the drive device.
In an embodiment, the third reversing guide member is connected to the support structure by means of an adjustment device which is configured to adjust the position of the third reversing guide member in a direction parallel with respect to the longitudinal direction of the spring means so as to adjust the prestress in the flexible connecting element.
In an embodiment, the drive member is connected to an operating arm for pushing/pulling the wing of the door, window or the like between the first position and the second position, in which the operating arm is connected to the drive member without interposition of the spring device. Thus, the spring means of the spring device is not interposed between the operating arm and the drive member. For example, the operating arm may be directly secured to the drive member which is driven by the drive motor. The operating arm may be able to swivel about a swivel axis between the first position and the second position, in which the swivel axis of the operating arm and the rotation axis of the drive member are substantially parallel to each other. The swivel axis and the rotation axis of the drive member may be substantially coinciding.
The invention also relates to a method for producing a drive device for a wing of a door, window or the like, comprising:

providing a support structure,
providing a drive member for driving the wing,
connecting the drive member to the support structure so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis between a first position which corresponds to a first position of the wing and a second position which corresponds to a second position of the wing,
providing a drive motor which is connected to the drive member for driving the drive member from the first position to the second position,
providing a spring device, which is connected to the drive member for driving the drive member from the second position to the first position, which spring device comprises a spring means having a longitudinal axis, the spring means being arranged between a stop and a spring seat, the stop having a fixed position relative to the rotation axis of the drive member, and the spring seat being arranged on a slidable body which can be displaced in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the spring means along an elongate guide member so as to move the spring seat relative to the stop,
providing a flexible connecting element,
attaching the flexible connecting element to the drive member,
connecting the flexible connecting element to the slidable body of the spring device such that the slidable body is displaced along the elongate guide member so as to prestress the spring means when the drive member is driven from the first position to the second position,

This method can be configured according to one or more of the features of the claims and/or one or more of the features described above.
The invention will now be described merely by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a drive device for a wing of a door.
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a spring device of a drive device illustrated in figure 1.
Figure 3a shows a cross-sectional view of the spring device illustrated in figure 2.
Figure 3b shows a detail according to IIIb in figure 3a.
Figure 3c shows a detail according to IIIc in figure 3a.
Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view according to IV-IV in figure 3c.
Figures 5a-5c illustrate the operation of the spring device shown in figure 2.
Figures 6a, 6b show cross-sectional views of a second embodiment of a drive device according to the invention.
Figures 7a, 7b shows a third embodiment of a drive device according to the invention.

A drive device for a wing of a door is designated in its entirety by reference numeral 1. The drive device 1 comprises a housing which can be mounted on a door frame above a door (not shown). During use, the housing is closed off by a cover. The cover has been removed in figure 1 to depict the interior of the housing. The drive device 1 comprises an operating arm 2 which is configured to engage with the door.
In this exemplary embodiment, the drive device is configured to push the door from a first, closed position to a second, open position. It is noted that the drive device 1 may also be configured to pull the door from a first, closed position to a second, open position or to push/pull the door from an first, open position to a second, closed position (not shown).
The operating arm 2 is secured to a drive member 3 which can be driven by a drive shaft of a drive motor 5. The drive motor 5 is controlled by a control unit 6. The drive shaft of the drive motor 5 engages with the drive member 3. The drive member 3 is connected to a support structure 8 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis between a first position and a second position corresponding to the closed position and the open position of the door.
In this exemplary embodiment, the drive member 3 is configured as a drive wheel or drive disc. The drive member 3 comprises a central part 4 which has a substantially rectangular or square shape (see figures 2, 3a). The central part 4 is releasably secured to a surrounding annular part defining a substantially circular outer contour of the drive member 3. The central part 4 of the drive member can be engaged by the drive shaft of the drive motor 5.
The drive member 3 can be urged by a spring device 7 from the second position corresponding to the open position of the door to the first position corresponding to the closed position of the door. The spring device 7 comprises a spring means which is prestressed between a stop 9 and a spring seat 12. In this exemplary embodiment, the spring means 7 comprises two coil spring 10,11. The coil springs 10, 11 are situated at a distance from each other and substantially parallel to each other. The coil springs 10,11 define a longitudinal direction.
The stop 9 is defined by a side surface of the support structure 8 (see figure 3b). Thus, the stop 9 forms a stationary position with respect to the rotation axis of the drive wheel 3. As shown in figure 3c, the spring seat 12 is defined by a side surface of a slidable body 14. The spring seat 12 can be displaced with respect to the rotation axis of the drive wheel 3 by means of the slidable body 14 so as to compress or extend the coil springs 10,11.
The slidable body 14 is guided in a sliding manner by means of an elongate guide member 16. The elongate guide member 16 defines a guide path for the slidable body 14. In this exemplary embodiment, the elongate guide member comprises two guide rods 16 which are secured between the support structure 8 and an end plate 27 of the spring device 7 remote from the support structure 8. The slidable body 14 is provided with through openings for receiving the guide rods 16.
The coil springs 10,11 run parallel with respect to the guide rods 16. When the drive device 1 is assembled, the coil springs 10,11 are pushed onto the guide rods 16 such that they are prestressed between the stop 9 of the support structure 8 and the spring seat 12 of the slidable body 14. When the coil springs 10, 11 are mounted between the stop 9 and the spring seat 12 with the slidable body 14 being in the first position, the length of each coil spring is, for example, 440 mm. The outer diameters of the coil springs 10,11 are, for example, 24 mm.
The slidable body 14 comprises a first pulley 21 and a second pulley 22. The pulleys 21,22 are rotatably connected to the slidable body 14 by means of a bearing 24. The first pulley 21 and the second pulley 22 substantially have equal pulley diameters and are aligned with respect to each other, i.e. the first pulley 21 and the second pulley 22 substantially have a common pulley axis 25. The common pulley axis 25 is defined by the bearings 24 which are mounted within a central opening in the slidable body 14, for example using bolts. The common pulley axis 25 runs substantially parallel with respect to the rotation axis of the drive wheel 3.
A third pulley 23 is mounted to the support structure 9. As shown in figure 3b, the third pulley 23 has a pulley diameter which is smaller than the pulley diameters of the first and second pulleys 21,22. The third pulley 23 has a pulley axis which extends in a transverse direction relative to the rotation axis of the drive wheel 3 and also in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the coil springs 10,11. The position of the pulley axis of the third pulley 23 can be adjusted in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coil springs 10,11 by means of an adjustment screw (not shown).
A flexible connecting element 17 is attached to the drive wheel 3. In this exemplary embodiment, the flexible connecting element 17 is configured as a cable. The cable 17 has two ends which are attached to the drive wheel 3 at positions which are aligned with respect to each other in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the drive wheel 3. In this exemplary embodiment, each end of the cable 17 is provided with a bead 18 which is received in a corresponding groove 19 in the drive wheel 3 (see figure 3b). The grooves 19 are provided on either side of the drive wheel 3.
The cable 17 is arranged adjacent to and outside of the coil springs 10, 11. The cable 17 comprises a first part which extends from one end which is attached to the drive wheel 3 to the first pulley 21 of the slidable body 14. From there, the cable 17 is turned over the first pulley 21. The cable 17 comprises a second part which extends from the first pulley 21 of the slidable body 14 to the third pulley 23 being mounted to the support structure 8 and the cable 17 is guided over the third pulley 23. The cable 17 comprises a third part which extends from the third pulley 23 to the second pulley 22 of the slidable body 14. From there, the cable 17 is turned over the second pulley 22. The cable 17 comprises a fourth part which extends from the second pulley 22 to the drive wheel 3, where the other end of the cable 17 is secured to the drive wheel 3.
The operation of the spring device 7 will now be explained with reference to figures 5a-5c. In figure 5a, the drive wheel 3 has its first position corresponding to a closed door. Upon actuation of the drive motor 5, the drive shaft of the drive motor 5 rotates the drive wheel 3, for example over a turn of 140°. As the ends of the cable 17 are secured to the drive wheel 3, the cable 17 pulls the slidable body 14 towards the support structure 8 (as shown in figures 5b and 5c). The drive wheel 3 and the first and second pulleys 21,22 of the slidable body 14 have diameters such that the parts of the cable 17 are arranged at the outer portions of the spring device. This is advantageous for the distribution of forces and also prolongs the life of the cable 17. The third pulley 23 which is connected to the support structure 8 has a relatively small diameter. This does not lead to any significant wear because the third pulley 23 forms an equalization wheel. The middle of the cable 17 is situated at the third pulley 23 and consequently the third pulley 23 only has to compensate for deviations between the length of the first and second part of the cable 17 on the one hand and the length of the third and fourth part of the cable 17 on the other hand. The spring device 7 is symmetrical with respect to a central plane which is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drive wheel 3.
The outer diameter of the drive wheel 3 is situated between the parts of the cable 17. The spring device 7 together with the drive wheel 3 may have relatively small dimensions. For example, the dimensions of the spring device may be 71 x 33 x 603 mm. The width/height dimensions of the drive wheel 3 are equal to or smaller than the width/height dimension of the spring device 7. In other words, the drive wheel 3 does not need to protrude with respect to the height and width dimensions of the spring device 7. The drive wheel 3 only increases the length dimension of the spring device 7. As shown in figure 2, the spring device 7 may be covered by a cover housing 26.

Figure 6a, 6b show a second embodiment of a drive device according to the invention. The same and similar components are designated by the same reference numerals. The spring device 7 according to the second embodiment shown in figures 6a, 6b comprises only one coil spring 10 instead of two coil springs. The operation of the spring device 7 is otherwise the same.
Figures 7a, 7b show a third embodiment of a drive device according to the invention.

The same and similar components are designated by the same reference numerals. In these alternative embodiments, the elongate guide member comprises hollow guide elements 16. The hollow guide elements 16 may be provided with longitudinal grooves, whereas the slidable body 14 may comprise mating ribs (see figure 7b). This is advantageous for guiding the slidable body 14 with respect to the hollow guide elements 16.
The invention is not limited to the above described exemplary embodiments. The skilled person can make various modifications which are within the scope of the invention. For example, the cable 17 may be replaced by a band, belt or chain. Also, the coil spring or coil springs can be replaced by other spring means. In other words, the spring means may be any resilient member. The features mentioned in the description can be applied separately or in combination to the drive device according to one or more of the claims.
The invention can also be described by the following clauses:

1. A drive device for a wing of a door, window or the like, comprising:
- a drive member (3) for driving the wing, which drive member (3) is rotatable about a rotation axis between a first position which corresponds to a first position of the wing and a second position which corresponds to a second position of the wing,
- a drive motor (5) which is connected to the drive member (3) for driving the drive member (3) from the first position to the second position,
- a spring device (7) which is connected to the drive member (3) for driving the drive member (3) from the second position to the first position, which spring device (7) comprises a spring means (10, 11) having a longitudinal axis, the spring means (10, 11) being arranged between a stop (9) and a spring seat (12), the stop (9) having a fixed position, and the spring seat (12) being arranged on a slidable body (14) which can be displaced along an elongate guide member (16) so as to move the spring seat (12),
- a flexible connecting element (17) which is attached to the drive member (3), and which flexible connecting element (17) is connected to the slidable body (14) of the spring device (7) for displacing the slidable body (14) along the elongate guide member (16) so as to prestress the spring means (10, 11) when the drive member (3) is driven from the first position to the second position, and in which the flexible connecting element (17) comprises at least one part which extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means (10, 11),
  characterised in that
  the part of the flexible connecting element (17) which extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means (10, 11) is arranged adjacent to and outside of the spring means (10, 11).
2. A drive device as described in clause 1, in which the flexible connecting element (17) is attached to the drive member (3), and in which the flexible connecting element (17) comprises a first part which extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means (10, 11) from the drive member (3) to the slidable body (14), and in which the first part of the flexible connecting element (17) is arranged adjacent to and outside of the spring means (10, 11).
3. A drive device as described in clause 2, in which the drive device (1) comprises a support structure (8), to which the drive member (3) is rotatably connected, and in which the slidable body (14) comprises a first pulley (21), and in which the first part of the flexible connecting element (17) extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means (10, 11) from the drive member (3) to the first pulley (21) of the slidable body (14), and in which the flexible connecting element (17) comprises a second part which extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means (10, 11) from said first pulley (21) to the support structure (8), and in which the second part of the flexible connecting element (17) is arranged adjacent to and outside of the spring means (10, 11).
4. A drive device as described in clause 3, in which the slidable body (14) comprises a second pulley (22), and in which the support structure (8) is provided with a third pulley (23), and in which the second part extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means (10, 11) from the first pulley (21) of the slidable body (14) to the third pulley (23) of the support structure (8), and in which the flexible connecting element (17) comprises a third part which extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means (10, 11) from said third pulley (23) to the second pulley (22) of the slidable body (14), and a fourth part which extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means (10, 11) from said second pulley (22) to the drive member (3), in which the fourth part is attached to the drive member (3), and in which the third part and the fourth part of the flexible connecting element (17) are arranged adjacent to and outside of the spring means (10, 11).
5. A drive device as described in clause 4, in which the first pulley (21) of the slidable body (14) has a first pulley axis and the second pulley (14) of the slidable body has a second pulley axis, and in which the first and second pulley axes (25) are substantially coinciding.
6. A drive device as described in one of clauses 3-5, in which the first pulley (21) of the slidable body (14) has a first pulley axis, and in which the rotation axis of the drive member (3) and the first pulley axis run at a distance from each other and substantially parallel with respect to each other.
7. A drive device as described in one of clauses 4-6, in which the third pulley (23) of the support structure (8) has a third pulley axis, and in which the third pulley axis runs substantially transversely with respect to the rotation axis of the drive member (3) and substantially transversely with respect to the elongate guide member (16).
8. A drive device as described in one of clauses 4-7, in which the pulley diameter of the third pulley (23) is smaller than the pulley diameters of the first and second pulleys (21, 22).
9. A drive device as described in one of clauses 3-8, in which the spring means (10, 11) comprises an outer diameter, and in which the first pulley (21) of the slidable body (14) comprises a pulley diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the spring means (10, 11).
10. A drive device as described in one of clauses 4-9, in which the pulley diameter of the first pulley (21) of the slidable body (14) is substantially equal to the pulley diameter of the second pulley (22) of the slidable body (14).
11. A drive device as described in one of the preceding clauses, in which the spring means (10, 11) comprises an outer diameter, and in which the drive member (3) comprises a drive wheel having a wheel diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the spring means (10, 11).
12. A drive device as described in one of the preceding clauses, in which the spring means comprises two spring elements (10, 11) which are arranged between the stop (9) and the spring seat (12), each spring element (10, 11) having a longitudinal axis, in which the first and second spring element (10, 11) are arranged such that their longitudinal axes extend at a distance from each other and substantially parallel with respect to each other.
13. A drive device as described in clause 12, in which the first spring element (10) and the second spring element (11) each comprise an outer diameter, and in which the pulley diameter of the first pulley (21) of the slidable body (14) is greater than the sum of the outer diameters of the spring elements (10, 11).
14. A drive device as described in clause 12 or 13, in which the first spring element (10) and the second spring element (11) each comprise an outer diameter, and in which the drive member (3) comprises a drive wheel having a wheel diameter which is greater than the sum of the outer diameters of the spring elements (10, 11).
15. A drive device as described in one of the preceding clauses, in which the guide member (16) comprises at least one guide rod, and in which the spring means (10, 11) is arranged over the guide rod, and in which the slidable body (14) is provided with at least one opening which is configured to receive the guide rod (16) in a sliding manner.
16. A drive device as described in one of the preceding clauses, in which the guide member (16) comprises at least one hollow guide element, and in which the spring means (10, 11) is received within the hollow guide element (16), and in which the slidable body (14) is provided with at least one opening which is configured to receive the hollow guide element (16) in a sliding manner.
17. A drive device as described in one of the preceding clauses, in which the spring device (7) is arranged within a housing (26).
18. A drive device as described in one of the preceding clauses, in which the spring device (7) comprises a central plane which extends parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means (10, 11) and perpendicular with respect to the rotation axis of the drive member (3), and in which the flexible connecting element (17) is symmetrical with respect to the central plane.
19. A drive device as described in clause 18, in which the first pulley (21) and the second pulley (22) of the slidable body (14) are arranged in a mirror symmetrical manner with respect to each other in which the central plane forms the plane of symmetry.
20. A drive device as described in one of clauses 4-19, in which the third pulley (23) is connected to the support structure (8) by means of an adjustment device which is configured to adjust the position of the third pulley (23) in a direction parallel with respect to the longitudinal direction of the spring means (10, 11) so as to adjust the prestress in the flexible connecting element (17).
21. A method for producing a drive device (1) for a wing of a door, window or the like, comprising:
- providing a drive member (3) for driving the wing, which drive member (3) is rotatable about a rotation axis between a first position which corresponds to a first position of the wing and a second position which corresponds to a second position of the wing,
- providing a drive motor (5) which is connected to the drive member (3) for driving the drive member (3) from the first position to the second position,
- providing a spring device (7), which is connected to the drive member (3) for driving the drive member (3) from the second position to the first position, which spring device (7) comprises a spring means (10, 11) having a longitudinal axis, the spring means (10, 11) being arranged between a stop (9) and a spring seat (12), the stop (9) having a fixed position relative to the rotation axis of the drive member (3), and the spring seat (12) being arranged on a slidable body (14) which can be displaced along an elongate guide member (16) so as to move the spring seat relative to the rotation axis of the drive member (3),
- providing a flexible connecting element (17),
- attaching the flexible connecting element (17) to the drive member (3),
- connecting the flexible connecting element (17) to the slidable body (14) of the spring device (7) such that the slidable body (14) is displaced along the elongate guide member (16) so as to prestress the spring means (10, 11) when the drive member (3) is driven from the first position to the second position, and
- arranging the flexible connecting element (17) such that at least one part extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means (10, 11) and outside of the spring means (10, 11).

Claims

A drive device for a wing of a door, window or the like, comprising:
- a support structure (8)

- a drive member (3) for driving the wing, which drive member (3) is connected to the support structure (8) so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis between a first position which corresponds to a first position of the wing and a second position which corresponds to a second position of the wing,

- a drive motor (5) which is connected to the drive member (3) for driving the drive member (3) from the first position to the second position,

- a spring device (7) which is connected to the drive member (3) for driving the drive member (3) from the second position to the first position, which spring device (7) comprises a spring means (10, 11) having a longitudinal axis, the spring means (10, 11) being arranged between a stop (9) and a spring seat (12), the stop (9) having a fixed position relative to the rotation axis of the drive member (3), and the spring seat (12) being arranged on a slidable body (14) which can be displaced in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the spring means (10, 11) along an elongate guide member (16) so as to move the spring seat (12) relative to the stop (9),

- a flexible connecting element (17) which is attached to the drive member (3), and which flexible connecting element (17) is connected to the slidable body (14) of the spring device (7) for displacing the slidable body (14) along the elongate guide member (16) so as to prestress the spring means (10, 11) when the drive member (3) is driven from the first position to the second position,
characterised in that
the slidable body (14) comprises at least one reversing guide member (21), and
the flexible connecting element (17) comprises:

- a first part which is arranged adjacent to and outside of the spring means (10, 11) and which extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means (10, 11) from the drive member (3) to the reversing guide member (21) of the slidable body (14),

- a reversing part which is guided over the reversing guide member (21), and

- a second part which is arranged adjacent to and outside of the spring means (10, 11) and which extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means (10, 11) from said reversing guide member (21) in a direction opposite to the first part.
A drive device as claimed in claim 1, in which the stop (9) defines a first plane which extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the drive member (3) and substantially transversely with respect to the elongate guide member (16), and in which the spring seat (12) defines a second plane which extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the drive member (3) and substantially transversely with respect to the elongate guide member (16), and in which the first part of the flexible connecting element (17) extends at least from the first plane up to the second plane.
A drive device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the reversing guide member (21) defines a first reversing guide member and the reversing part defines a first reversing part, and in which the slidable body (14) comprises a second reversing guide member (22), and in which the support structure (8) is provided with a third reversing guide member (23), and in which the second part extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means (10, 11) from the first reversing guide member (21) of the slidable body (14) to the third reversing guide member (23) of the support structure (8), and in which the flexible connecting element (17) comprises:
- a second reversing part which is guided over the third reversing guide member (23),

- a third part which is arranged adjacent to and outside of the spring means (10, 11) and which extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means (10, 11) from said third reversing guide member (23) to the second reversing guide member (22) of the slidable body (14),

- a third reversing part which is guided over the second reversing guide member (22),
and

- a fourth part which is arranged adjacent to and outside of the spring means (10, 11) and which extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means (10, 11) from said second reversing guide member (22) to the drive member (3), and in which the fourth part of the flexible connecting element (17) is attached to the drive member (3).
A drive device as claimed in claim 3, in which the first reversing guide member (21) of the slidable body (14) is formed by a first pulley (21) having a first pulley axis, and the second reversing guide member (21) of the slidable body (14) is formed by a second pulley (14) having a second pulley axis, and in which the first and second pulley axes (25) are substantially coinciding.
A drive device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which the first reversing guide member (21) of the slidable body (14) defines a first bending radius for the first reversing part of the flexible connecting element (17), the first bending radius having a centre line, and in which the rotation axis of the drive member (3) and the centre line of the first reversing guide member (21) run at a distance from each other and substantially parallel with respect to each other.
A drive device as claimed in one of claims 3-5, in which the third reversing guide member (23) of the support structure (8) defines a second bending radius for the second reversing part of the flexible connecting element (17), the second bending radius having a centre line, and in which the centre line of the third reversing guide member (23) runs substantially transversely with respect to the rotation axis of the drive member (3) and substantially transversely with respect to the elongate guide member (16).
A drive device as claimed in claim 8, in which the third reversing guide member (23) is formed by a third pulley (23) having a third pulley axis which defines the centre line of the third reversing guide member (23).
A drive device as claimed in claim 6 or 7, in which the second bending radius defined by the third reversing guide member (23) is smaller than the first bending radius defined by the first reversing guide member (21).
A drive device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which the spring means (10, 11) comprises an outer diameter, and in which the drive member (3) comprises a drive wheel having a wheel diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the spring means (10, 11).
A drive device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which the spring means comprises two spring elements (10, 11) which are arranged between the stop (9) and the spring seat (12), each spring element (10, 11) having a longitudinal axis, in which the first and second spring element (10, 11) are arranged such that their longitudinal axes extend at a distance from each other and substantially parallel with respect to each other.
A drive device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which the spring means (10,11) is enclosed within a housing (26) having a substantially rectangular cross-section, and in which the spring means (10, 11) comprises a substantially circular cross-section, and in which the flexible connecting element (17) extends in the corners of the rectangular cross-section of the housing (26) between the outer side of the spring means (10, 11) and the inner side of the housing (26).
A drive device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which the guide member (16) comprises at least one guide rod, and in which the spring means (10, 11) is arranged over the guide rod, and in which the slidable body (14) is provided with at least one opening which is configured to receive the guide rod (16) in a sliding manner.
A drive device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which the guide member (16) comprises at least one hollow guide element, and in which the spring means (10, 11) is received within the hollow guide element (16), and in which the slidable body (14) is provided with at least one opening which is configured to receive the hollow guide element (16) in a sliding manner.
A drive device as claimed in one of claims 3-13, in which the third reversing guide member (23) is connected to the support structure (8) by means of an adjustment device which is configured to adjust the position of the third reversing guide member (23) in a direction parallel with respect to the longitudinal direction of the spring means (10, 11) so as to adjust the prestress in the flexible connecting element (17).
A drive device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which the drive member (3) is connected to an operating arm (2) for operating the wing of the door, window or the like between the first position and the second position, in which the operating arm (2) is connected to the drive member (3) without interposition of the spring device (7).
A method for producing a drive device (1) for a wing of a door, window or the like, comprising:
- providing a support structure (8),

- providing a drive member (3) for driving the wing,

- connecting the drive member (3) to the support structure (8) so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis between a first position which corresponds to a first position of the wing and a second position which corresponds to a second position of the wing,

- providing a drive motor (5) which is connected to the drive member (3) for driving the drive member (3) from the first position to the second position,

- providing a spring device (7), which is connected to the drive member (3) for driving the drive member (3) from the second position to the first position, which spring device (7) comprises a spring means (10, 11) having a longitudinal axis, the spring means (10, 11) being arranged between a stop (9) and a spring seat (12), the stop (9) having a fixed position relative to the rotation axis of the drive member (3), and the spring seat (12) being arranged on a slidable body (14) which can be displaced in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the spring means (10, 11) along an elongate guide member (16) so as to move the spring seat relative to the stop (9),

- providing a flexible connecting element (17),

- attaching the flexible connecting element (17) to the drive member (3),

- connecting the flexible connecting element (17) to the slidable body (14) of the spring device (7) such that the slidable body (14) is displaced along the elongate guide member (16) so as to prestress the spring means (10, 11) when the drive member (3) is driven from the first position to the second position,
characterised in that
at least one reversing guide member (21) is connected to the slidable body (14), and the flexible connecting element (17) comprises:

- a first part which is arranged adjacent to and outside of the spring means (10, 11) and which extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means (10, 11) from the drive member (3) to the reversing guide member (21) of the slidable body (14),

- a reversing part which is guided over the reversing guide member (21), and

- a second part which is arranged adjacent to and outside of the spring means (10, 11) and which extends substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring means (10, 11) from said reversing guide member (21) to the support structure (8).