EP4630641A1

EP4630641A1 - Overhead door operator system

Info

Publication number: EP4630641A1
Application number: EP23818474.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Daniel Eliasson
Original assignee: Assa Abloy Entrance Systems AB
Current assignee: Assa Abloy Entrance Systems AB
Priority date: 2022-12-08
Filing date: 2023-12-06
Publication date: 2025-10-15
Also published as: AU2023389044A1; WO2024121235A1

Abstract

ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems AB has developed an overhead door operator system (1) for opening and closing an opening (2), the overhead door operator system (1) comprising a control device (100) for controlling the overhead door operator system (1); a door frame (3) comprising a first frame section (4) at a first side (7) of the opening (2) and a second frame section (6) at a second side (5) of the opening (2) opposite the first side (7); a door (8) arranged to be moved between an open (O) and closed (C) position, the door (8) being movably connected to the door frame (3); a drive unit (10) mounted on the door (8), the drive unit (10) comprising at least one motor (11) arranged to move the door (8) from the closed position (C) to the open position (O); and an elongated transmission member (19) extending along the first side (7) of the opening (2) and the first frame section (4).

Description

OVERHEAD DOOR OPERATOR SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an overhead door operator system and a method for operating an overhead door operator system.

BACKGROUND

An entrance system typically comprises one or more movable door members, each door member being arranged in a door frame, and an automatic door operator being arranged to move the door members. Entrance systems may be used in a variety of different private or public locations, for instance in garages, logistic facilities, airports, shopping malls or stores, to name a few. The door members may be, for instance, industrial vertical-lifting doors, overhead sectional doors, folding doors, swing doors, sliding doors or revolving doors.

In a conventional overhead sectional door system, an automatic door operator system is mounted generally in the ceiling above the door member and adapted to pull the door member by means of an elongated transmission element, e.g. wires, chains or belts, being attached to the door member. Such an overhead sectional door system often implements balancing springs to reduce the force required to open the door.

Other, more sophisticated, automatic door operator systems known in the art involve arranging an automatic door operator unit in conjunction with a transmission system, wherein the automatic door operator unit is mounted directly to the door member, and more specifically to the door leaf thereof. The automatic door operator, comprising a motor, drives a drivable member of the transmission system into connection with an elongated member. The elongated member is accordingly adapted to interplay with the drivable member such that the drivable member is driven along the elongated member on at least one side of the associated door frame. The door member can thus be driven up and down, i.e. between an open and closed position, with respect to the door frame. Two (and sometimes even more) separate and individually operable automatic door operators having the above explained functionality are typically arranged at a respective lateral side of the door leaf of the door member. An example of this type of automatic door operation procedure is disclosed in detail in the PCT patent application no. WO 2021/260085, filed by the present applicant.

Industrial doors often need to add some kind of lock to secure that they cannot be opened from the outside or inside. In many cases, a manual lockbolt or an external electric lock is utilized. Both prevents the door mechanically to move upwards from a closed position. Doors where there is a balancing system need to be locked physically, often with some kind of lock bolt, in order to prevent unwanted door openings. The motors in such doors can be disengaged, which means that if unlocked, the door can easily be opened manually both from the inside and from the outside.

There is a need to make sure the doors are securely closed and prohibit forced entry. This requires use of a separate lock added after installation of the door. The lock may be mounted on a section of the door or on the track of the door. The lock adds cost and complexity to the door. Furthermore, potential implementation of electronic control of the lock requires additional steps in the installation of the door.

It is therefore desired to provide an efficient and non-complex manner of preventing unwanted opening of the door in an overhead door operator system. The present inventor has identified the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, and are in the present disclosure suggesting an improved solution to the problems discussed herein.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a solution to, or at least a mitigation of, one or more of the problems or drawbacks identified in the background section above.

In this disclosure, a solution to the problems outlined in the background section is proposed. In a first aspect of the proposed solution, an overhead door operator system for opening and closing an opening.

The overhead door operator system comprises a control device for controlling the overhead door operator system. The overhead door operator system comprises a door frame. The door frame comprises a first frame section at a first side of the opening and a second frame section at a second side of the opening opposite the first side. The overhead door operator system comprises a door arranged to be moved between an open and closed position. The door is movably connected to the door frame. The overhead door operator system comprises a drive unit mounted on the door, the drive unit comprising at least one motor arranged to move the door from the closed position to the open position and an elongated transmission member extending along the first side of the opening and the first frame section.

The drive further comprises a driven transmission member in driving connection with the motor, the driven transmission member being movably connected to the elongated transmission member and arranged to interplay with said elongated transmission member for driving the driven transmission member along said elongated transmission member so as to move the door between the closed and open position.

The control device is configured to operate in an operational mode, wherein the control device is configured to cause operation of the overhead door operator system based one or more instruction signals.

The control device is configured to operate in a restricted access mode, wherein the control device is configured to disable control of the overhead door operator system based on the one or more instruction signals.

The control device is configured to receive restricted access instruction data and based on said data switch between operating in the operational mode and the restricted access mode.

An overhead door operator system according to the above allows for a user to temporarily limit the manner of which the door can be operated in a simple manner, e.g. without requiring additional components than the components required for the normal operation of the door.

In one embodiment, the control device may be configured to validate the received restricted access instruction data and switch between the restricted access mode and the operational mode based on the validation. Thereby, it may be ensured that the instructions for switching between the restricted access and operational mode is received from a trusted source.

Advantageously, the restricted access instruction data comprises identification data associated with the source of the restricted access instruction data, whereby the control device is configured to validate said received restricted access instruction data based on the identification data.

In one embodiment, the control device in the operational mode may be configured to be enabled to cause movement of the door in response to at least one of the one or more instruction signals. Thus, the control device may serve as a locking system by not enabling control based on instruction signals prompting movement of the door in the restricted access mode. Hence, the use of the control device in the restricted access mode may replace a mechanical locking system, which makes the overhead door operator system cheaper, less complex and easier to install.

In one embodiment, the control device may be configured to cause activation of a brake function for preventing rotation of an output shaft of the at least one motor in response to the control device operating in the restricted access mode. Hence, redundancy is achieved in the system during when the control device is operated in the restricted access mode as the connection between the drive unit and the elongated transmission member as well as the braking function contributes to locking the door in position.

In one embodiment, the drive unit may further comprise a reduction gearing, said reduction gearing connecting the driven transmission member and the motor. The reduction gearing increases the gear ratio for the entire movable connection between the drive unit and the elongated transmission member which increase the torque provided by the drive unit and further ensures that the door cannot be manually operated/lifted from the closed position. Furthermore, the reduction gearing reduces the risk of the drive unit forcefully being disengaged from the elongated transmission member significantly if a forced entry is attempted. This due to gear ratio provided by the reduction gearing making it very difficult to manually move the driven transmission member.

In one embodiment, the driven transmission member may be arranged to interplay with the elongated transmission member for driving the driven transmission member along said elongated transmission member by means of the elongated transmission member at least partially wrapping around the driven transmission member. This strengthens the engagement between the elongated transmission member and the driven transmission member, thus further ensuring that the door cannot be manually operated/lifted from the closed position.

In one embodiment, the elongated transmission member is a chain or a belt such as a cogged belt.

In one embodiment, the overhead door operator system may further comprise a first elongated transmission member extending along the first side of the opening and the first frame section and a second elongated transmission member extending along the second side of the opening and the second frame section. The overhead door operator system may further comprise a first and second driven transmission member being movably connected to the first and second elongated transmission member and arranged to interplay with said first and second elongated transmission member, respectively, for driving the driven transmission member along said first and second elongated transmission member so as to move the door between the closed and open position. The additional engaging interfaces further ensures that the door cannot be manually operated/lifted from the closed position.

Advantageously, the first and second driven transmission member may be arranged to interplay with the first and second elongated transmission member by means of the first and second elongated transmission member at least partially wrapping around the first and second driven transmission member, respectively.

The drive unit may comprise a first motor being in driving connection with the first driven transmission member and a second motor being in driving connection with the second driven transmission member.

Advantageously, the drive unit may further comprise a first reduction gearing connecting the first drive transmission member and the first motor and a second reduction gearing connecting the second driven transmission member and the second motor. The additional reduction gearing further increases the gear ratio for the entire movable connection between the drive unit and the elongated transmission members which increase the torque provided by the drive unit and further ensures that the door cannot be manually operated/lifted from the closed position. In one embodiment, the control device may be configured to receive the restricted access instruction data from an external device. Thus, the switching between the modes can be initiated in a simple and user friendly manner.

The external device may be an external computing device. The control device may be configured to receive the restricted access instruction data from the external computing device via a wireless network.

The external device may be a switch. The switch may comprise an access device for controlling access to the switch for transmitting the restricted access instruction data to the control device. Preferably, the access device may be a physical key lock, a code lock or a biometric scanner.

According to an aspect, an overhead door system is provided. The overhead door system may comprise one or more overhead door operator systems according to any one of the above described embodiments. The overhead door system may further comprise an external device. The control device of the one or more overhead door operator systems may be configured to receive restricted access instruction data from said external device and based on said restricted access instruction data switch between operating in the operational mode and the restricted access mode. Such a system may allow for a user controlling the access through a plurality of doors in a simple and user friendly manner.

According to an aspect, a method for operating an overhead door operator system for closing and opening an opening is provided. The overhead door operator system may comprise a door frame comprising a first frame section at a first side of the opening and a second frame section at a second side of the opening opposite the first side. The overhead door operator system may comprise a door arranged to be moved between an open and closed position. The door may be movably connected to the door frame. The overhead door operator system may comprise a drive unit mounted on the door, the drive unit comprising at least one motor arranged to move the door from the closed position to the open position. The overhead door operator system may comprise an elongated transmission member extending along the first side of the opening and the first frame section. The drive unit may further comprise a driven transmission member in driving connection with the motor. The driven transmission member may be movably connected to the elongated transmission member and arranged to interplay with said elongated transmission member for driving the driven transmission member along said elongated transmission member so as to move the door between the closed and open position.

The method may comprise operating a control device of the overhead door operator system in an operational mode, wherein the control device is configured to cause operation of the overhead door operator system based one or more instruction signals, operating the control device in a restricted access mode, wherein the control device disables control of the overhead door operator system based on the one or more instruction signals, receiving restricted access instruction data, and switching between operating in the operational mode and the restricted access mode based on said data. Hence, a method for operating the overhead door operator system allowing for a user to temporarily limit the manner of which the door can be operated in a simple manner, e.g. without requiring additional components than the components required for the normal operation of the door is achieved.

In one embodiment, the method may further comprise validating the received restricted access instruction data, and switching between the restricted access mode and the operational mode based on the validation. Thereby, it may be ensured that the instructions for switching between the restricted access and operational mode is received from a trusted source.

In one embodiment, the method may further comprise in the operational mode enabling the control device to cause movement of the door in response to at least one of the one or more instruction signals. Thus, the control device may serve as a locking system by not enabling control based on instruction signals prompting movement of the door in the restricted access mode. Hence, the use of the control device in the restricted access mode may replace a mechanical locking system, which makes the overhead door operator system cheaper, less complex and easier to install.

In one embodiment, the method may further comprise activating a brake function for preventing rotation of an output shaft of the at least one motor in response to the control device operating in the restricted access mode. Hence, redundancy is achieved in the system during when the control device is operated in the restricted access mode as the connection between the drive unit and the elongated transmission member as well as the braking function contributes to locking the door in position.

In one embodiment, the method may further comprise receiving the restricted access instruction data from an external device. Thus, the switching between the modes can be initiated in a simple and user friendly manner.

It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. All terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of the example embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the example embodiments.

Figure l is a perspective view of an overhead door operator system according to one embodiment.

Figures 2a-b are schematic illustrations of the movement of the door of an overhead door operator system according to one embodiment.

Figure 3 is a side view of parts of a drive unit for an overhead door operator system according to one embodiment.

Figure 4 is a front view of parts of a drive unit for an overhead door operator system according to one embodiment. Figure 5 is a schematic front view of an overhead door operator system according to one embodiment.

Figure 6a is a schematic front view of an overhead door operator system according to one embodiment.

Figure 6b is a schematic front view of an overhead door operator system according to one embodiment.

Figure 7 is a schematic drawing of an overhead door operator system according to one embodiment.

Figure 8 is a flow-chart of a method of operating an overhead door operator system according to one embodiment.

Figure 9 is a flow-chart of a method of operating an overhead door operator system according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of the particular embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

Figures 1-6 all illustrates a sectional overhead door operator system. However, as should be understood by a person skilled in the art, the inventive aspects of the present invention are also applicable to a door operator system that is a single blade door operator system.

Figure 1 and 2 are schematic views of a door operator system 1 in which the inventive aspects of the present invention may be applied. The door operator system comprises a door frame 3, a drive unit 10 (shown in Figure 3) and a door 8. The door operator system 1 is arranged to be installed in an opening 2 defined by a wall and a floor. The door 8 is connected to the door frame 3. The door operator system 1 is arranged to open and close the opening 2 by moving the door 8 between an open position O and a closed position C.

In this embodiment, the door 8 is a sectional door 8 comprising a plurality of horizontal and interconnected sections 9a-e connected to the door frame 3. In one embodiment, the door is a garage door. In an alternative embodiment, the door is an industrial door. The door 8 is arranged to be moved along the door frame 3 between the closed position C and the open position O.

As shown in Figure 1, the door operator system 1 may comprise a first terminal 13 and a second terminal 14. The at least one terminal 13, 14 is configured to transmit energy for charging an energy storage device, such as a battery, for powering the motor of the drive unit.

In one embodiment, the door operator system is an up and over door operator system. A up and over door operator system is a system in which the door in the closed position C is arranged substantially vertical and in the open position O is arranged substantially horizontal and inside of the opening.

In an alternative embodiment, the door operator system is an up and up door operator system. A up and up door operator system is a system in which the door in the closed position C is arranged substantially vertical and in the open position O is arranged substantially vertical above the opening.

In a further alternative embodiment, the door operator system may be a door operator system in which the door in the closed position C is arranged substantially vertical and in the open position O is arranged in an inclined position disposed between a substantially vertical and a substantially horizontal position. For example, the door may be arranged at a 45 degrees angle from a horizontal position in the open position O, as the skilled person recognizes however the door may be arranged at any angle disposed between the horizontal and vertical orientation of the door in the open position O.

The door frame 3 comprises a first frame section 4 at a first side 7 of the opening 2 and a second frame section 6 at a second side 5 of the opening 2. The door frame 3 may be connected to a wall and/or to the floor 150. In one embodiment, the first frame section 4 comprises a substantially vertical part and a substantially horizontal part. The second frame section 6 comprises a substantially vertical part and a substantially horizontal part. The vertical part and the horizontal part may be connected to create a path for the door 8 to glide on and a track for the drive unit 10 to interact with. In one embodiment, wherein the door operator system is an up and up door operator system the first and second frame section are vertical.

Referencing Figure 1, the door 8 is directly or indirectly connected to the door frame 3. The door 8 is at a first side moveably connected to the first frame section 4 and at a second side moveably connected to the second frame section 6. In one embodiment, one or more of the plurality of sections 9a-e is connected to the first frame section 4 at said first side 7 and to the second frame section 6 at said second side 5.

As shown in Figure 1, the overhead door operator system 1 comprises a control device 100 for controlling the overhead door operator system 1. The control device 100 may be configured to control the overhead door operator system 1. The control device 100 may be configured to control the operation of the door operator system 1. Thus, the control device 100 may be operatively connected to the drive unit 10. The control device 100 may be configured to control the drive unit 10.

The control device 100 may be mounted to the door 8. It may also be envisioned that the control device 100 may be mounted to a wall or bracket next to or proximal to the wall as depicted in Figure 1. It may also be envisioned that the control device 100 may be mounted at an external location and may be in operative communication with the drive unit via for example a wireless network. In one embodiment, the control device 100 may comprise a plurality of control units/controllers. In one embodiment, one control unit/controller may be mounted next to the door 8 and at least one of the control units/controllers may be mounted to the door 8.

With reference to Figure 3 and 4, the drive unit 10 is mounted on the door 8. The drive unit 10 comprises at least one motor 11. The at least one motor 11 is arranged to move the door 8 from the closed position C to the open position O. The at least one motor 11 is thus mounted on the door 8.

To allow for the driving of the door 8, the overhead door operator system 1 further comprises an elongated transmission member 19 extending along the first side 7 of the opening 2 and the first frame section 4. The drive unit 10 further comprises a driven transmission member 18 which is in driving connection with the motor 11. The driven transmission member 18 is movably connected to the elongated transmission member 19 and arranged to interplay with said elongated transmission member 19 for driving the driven transmission member 18 along said elongated transmission member 19.

The driven transmission member 18 may be arranged to interplay with the elongated transmission member 19 by means of the elongated transmission member 19 at least partially wrapping around the driven transmission member 18. Thus, the elongated transmission member 19 is arranged to at least partially envelope said driven transmission member 18.

An elongated transmission member wrapping around the driven transmission member does in comparison with a fixed rack provide a more cost-efficient solution both in terms of manufacturing and installation. Furthermore, the elongated transmission member allows for relative movement between the door 8 and the frame and does not require a high accuracy and proper aligning in the same manner as a fixed rack solution. The elongated transmission member may thus be arranged to allow for a degree of movement along a direction orthogonal to the first frame section 4.

Further, the elongated transmission member enables a safer door operator system due to said elongated transmission member following and keeping the engagement with the driven transmission member, at least to some extent, even if the door is pushed away from the rail. In addition, the elongated transmission member is more silent and resistant to wear compared to a fix rack and less likely to malfunction due to pinching of external objects.

The elongated transmission member 19 may be in the form of a suspended bendable transmission member. It is noted that bendable in this context does not necessarily imply that said transmission member necessarily is flexible but only that it allows for wrapping around the driven transmission member. Accordingly, the transmission member 19 may be considered to be arranged to be in engagement with the driven transmission member 18 and provide for relative movement between the driven transmission member 18 and a direction of movement of the door 8 as defined by the frame 3. Worded differently said transmission member may be considered as a non-fix transmission member or a suspended transmission member. The elongated transmission member may accordingly be arranged to engage the driven transmission member independently of the frame.

The drive unit 10 is moveably connected to the elongated transmission member 19. Accordingly, drive unit 10 is connected to said elongated transmission member 19 so as to allow for relative movement between the door and the frame, whereby the drive unit is fix to the door. The drive unit 10 comprises at least one motor 11. The drive unit 10 is arranged to move the door 8 from the closed position to the open position. To provide power to the motor 11, the at least one motor 11 may be connected to at least one energy storage device, such as a battery, arranged to power the at least one motor 11. The drive unit 10 is arranged to move the door 8 from the closed position C to the open position O.

In one embodiment, the drive unit 10 is arranged to move the door from the open position O to the closed position C. In one embodiment, the door 8 is arranged to move from the open position O to the closed position C by means of the weight of the door 8. In one embodiment, the drive unit 10 is arranged to brake the door 8 when moving from the open position O to the closed position C.

In one embodiment, the elongated transmission member may be suspended only by means of a top end and a bottom end.

The elongated transmission member 19 may be biased. The biasing of the elongated transmission member 19 enables keeping of the tension of the resilient elongated member 19 at a suitable level and further compensates for wear and potential tolerance issues.

In one embodiment, the elongated transmission member 19 may be biased by means of a spring arrangement. A top end of the elongated transmission member 19 may be fixedly mounted and a bottom end of said elongated transmission member 19 may be spring-loaded. This allows for easier access for an operator performing service work involving the spring. In one embodiment, the top and bottom end of the elongated transmission member 19 is mounted to the frame, for example the first frame section 4.

In one embodiment, the overhead door operator system further comprises at least one guide member 92. The at least one guide member 92, 93 is mounted to the door 8. The guide member 92, 93 may be arranged to interplay with the elongated transmission member 19 for guiding the door 8 along the elongated transmission member 19 by means of the elongated transmission member 19 at least partially wrapping around the at least one guide member 92, 93.

In one embodiment, at least one of the guide members 92, 93 may preferably be a rotatable guide member 93 which may be mounted to the door 8 by means of a bearing. Thus, the elongated transmission member 19 is arranged to at least partially envelope said guide member 92.

In one embodiment, at least one of the guide members 92, 93 may be a fix guide member 92. The guide member 92 may comprise a sliding surface 101 for guiding the elongated transmission member 19. Hence, the elongated transmission member 19 may be adapted to slide on said sliding surface 101. The sliding surface 101 maybe have a curvature which is configured to urge the elongated transmission member 19 to flex and follow the curvature.

Further referencing Figure 3, the elongated transmission member 19 may be arranged to wrap around and interplay with a portion of the driven transmission member 18 and a portion of the at least one guide member 92, 93. The portion of the driven transmission member 18 interplaying with the elongated transmission member 19 being opposite to the portion of the guide member 92, 93 interplaying with said elongated transmission member 19. This achieves a larger interface between the driven transmission member, guide member and elongated transmission member, whereby a more stable overhead door operator system which requires less torque to operate may be achieved.

As shown in Figure 2a-e, the elongated transmission member 19 is preferably suspended along the first side of the opening.

The elongated transmission member 19 may be any conventional elongated transmission member 19 providing the required slack to compensate for horizontal or diagonal movement of the drive unit and/or door. The elongated transmission member may be a belt or a chain.

In one embodiment, the elongated transmission member 19 may be a belt. Thus, the rotatable guide member 93 and the driven transmission member 18 may be pulley elements arranged to interface with said belt. In one embodiment, the belt may be a cogged belt or a ribbed belt, whereby the rotatable guide member 93 and the driven transmission member 18 may be cogged wheels interfacing with the ribs of said cogged or ribbed belt.

The elongated transmission member 19 may also be a chain, which is depicted in Figure 3. The chain may be provided with slots for receiving cogs. Accordingly, the driven transmission member 18 may be a cogged wheel arranged to interplay with the chain, e.g. the slots of the chain. The driven transmission member 18 may be a sprocket. Further, the rotatable guide member 93 may be a cogged wheel arranged to interplay with the chain, e.g. the slots of the chain. The rotatable guide member 93 may be a sprocket. In one embodiment, the rotatable guide member 93 may be a ribbed wheel for interplaying with the chain. In one embodiment, the chain is an endless chain enveloping the guide member(s) and the driven transmission member(s). In one embodiment, the chain is a non-endless chain, e.g. a single chain only partially enveloping the guide member(s) and the driven transmission member(s).

In one embodiment, the door 8 is a sectional door. Hence, the door comprises a plurality of horizontal and interconnected sections 9a-e (as depicted in Figure 1).

In one embodiment, the drive unit 10 is mounted to the bottommost section 9e of the door 8 (shown in Figure 1). Hence, the at least one motor 11 may be mounted to the bottommost section 9e.

In one embodiment, the overhead door operator system comprise a pair of elongated transmission members to allow for a more stable movement pattern of the door 8. A first elongated transmission member 19 extends along the first side 7 of the opening 2 and the first frame section 4. A second elongated transmission member 19 extends along the second side 5 of the opening 2 and the second frame section 6. The guiding and driving arrangements discussed with reference to the first side of the door may accordingly be mirrored to the second side of the door.

The first driven transmission member 18 may be movably connected to the first elongated transmission member 19. The second driven transmission member 18 may be movably connected to the second elongated transmission member 19. The first driven transmission member 18 may be arranged to interplay with the first elongated transmission member 19 and the second transmission member 18 may be arranged to interplay with the second elongated transmission member 19 so as to move the door 8 between the closed and open position.

Thus, the overhead door operator system may further comprise a first and second driven transmission member 18 arranged to interplay with the first and second elongated member 19 by means of the first and second elongated transmission member at least partially wrapping around the first and second driven transmission member, respectively.

The first and second driven transmission member 18 may be driven by means of a single or multiple motors 11. In one embodiment, a single motor 11 is in driving connection with the first and second transmission member 18. The single motor 11 may be connected to the first and second driven transmission members 18 by means of a first and second shaft extending from the motor 11. As will be further described with reference to Figure 4, the drive unit 10 may comprise a first and a second motor each being in driving connection with the first and second driven transmission member 18, respectively.

Analogously to the first vertical side of the door, the second side of the door may have one or more guide members mounted thereon. In one embodiment, the overhead door operator system further comprises at least one guide member 92, 93 mounted to the door 8 arranged to interplay with the second elongated transmission member for guiding the door 8 along the second elongated transmission member 17 by means of the second elongated transmission member at least partially wrapping around said guide member. Worded differently, said door operator system comprises at least one first guide member 92, 93 mounted on the door 8 arranged to interplay with the first elongated transmission member 19 and at least one second guide member 92, 93 mounted on the door 8 arranged to interplay with the second elongated transmission member 19 by means of the first and second elongated transmission member at least partially wrapping around the first and second guide member, respectively.

Both the elongated transmission members 19 may be biased by means of spring arrangements. A top end of the elongated transmission members 19 may be fixedly mounted and a bottom end of said elongated transmission members 19 may be spring- loaded. This allows for easier access for an operator performing service work involving the spring. In one embodiment, the top and bottom ends of the elongated transmission members 19 are mounted to the frame, .e.g. to the first and second frame section, respectively.

In one embodiment, which is exemplified in Figure 3 and 4, the first driven transmission member 18 may be arranged between a first upper guide member 93 and a lower guide member 92. The first upper guide member 93 and the first lower guide member 92 are arranged to interplay with the first elongated transmission member 19 by means of the first elongated transmission member at least partially wrapping around the first upper and lower guide member. Similarly, the second driven transmission member 18 may be arranged between a second upper guide member 93 and a lower guide member 92. The second upper guide member 93 and the second lower guide member 92 are arranged to interplay with the second elongated transmission member by means of the second elongated transmission member at least partially wrapping around the second upper and lower guide member. This enables additional guiding of the elongated transmission member(s) both before and after the driven transmission member(s) in the driving direction without requiring a surplus of components. Hence, a less complex operator assembly may be achieved. Further, this achieves a larger interface between the elongated transmission member and the guiding members over the driven transmission member, resulting in a more stable door operator system which requires less torque to operate.

In the depicted embodiment, the first and second upper guide members are rotatable guide members and the first and second lower guide members are fix guide members. As the skilled person recognizes, the type of guide member may be chosen freely between a fix and rotatable guide member.

The first and second driven transmission member 18 may thus be arranged to extend from the door 8 in opposite directions towards the first and second elongated transmission member 19, respectively. The first driven transmission member 18 may be arranged proximal to a first vertical face of the door, said first face being adjacent to the first elongated transmission member when the door is in the closed position. Similarly, the second driven transmission member 18 may be arranged proximal to a second vertical face of the door, said second face being adjacent to the second elongated transmission member when the door is in the closed position.

The elongated transmission members 19 may be arranged to wrap around and interplay with a portion of the driven transmission member 18 and a portion of the upper and lower guide members 92 93. The portion of the driven transmission member

18 interplaying with the elongated transmission member 19 being opposite to the portions of the upper and lower guide member 92, 93 interplaying with said elongated transmission member 19. This achieves a larger interface between the driven transmission member, guide member and elongated transmission member, whereby a more stable overhead door operator system which requires less torque to operate may be achieved.

In one embodiment, wherein only a first elongated transmission member is in driving connection with the transmission member, the door operator system may only comprise a first upper and lower guide member according to the above.

In one embodiment wherein the drive unit 10 is mounted to a section 9e of the door 8, a first upper guide member 93 arranged to interplay with the first elongated transmission member 19 may be arranged adjacent to a top face of the section 9e. A first lower guide member 92 arranged to interplay with the first elongated transmission member 19 may be arranged adjacent to a bottom face of the section 9e. A second upper guide member 93 arranged to interplay with the second elongated transmission member

19 may be arranged adjacent to a top face of the section 9e. A second lower guide member 92 arranged to interplay with the second elongated transmission member 19 may be arranged adjacent to a bottom face of the section 9e.

As depicted in Figure 3, the drive unit 10 may comprise a reduction gearing 76 to provide additional torque between the motor and the driven transmission member 18. The reduction gearing 76 connects the driven transmission member 18 and the motor 11. The reduction gearing may be in the form of a gearbox 76. A gearbox 76 enables selective torque control between for example a high speed mode and a high torque mode of the door operator system. The reduction gearing may comprise a worm gearing. In one embodiment, the reduction gearing may have a gear ratio smaller than 1 : 10. In one embodiment, the reduction gearing may have a gear ratio smaller than 1 :20. Preferably, the reduction gearing may have a gear ratio of 1 :28.

In one embodiment wherein the drive unit 10 comprises a single motor, the motor is connected to the reduction gearing 76 which may be in the form of the gearbox, whereby an output shaft of the gearbox is connected to the first and second driven transmission member 18 so as to transfer torque to said first and second driven transmission member 18, or in the case of the operator system only having one elongated transmission member, the single driven transmission member.

In one embodiment wherein the drive unit 10 comprises the first and second motor. The first motor may be connected to a first reduction gearing, such as a gearbox, in turn connected to the first driven transmission member. The second motor may be connected to a second reduction gearing, such as a gearbox, in turn connected to the second driven transmission member.

The overhead door operator system may further comprise at least one transmission member protector 61. The transmission member protector 61 is arranged to at least partially enclose the driven transmission member 18 and a portion of the elongated transmission member 19 interplaying with said driven transmission member 19. The transmission member protector 61 is for preventing the elongated transmission member 19 being brought out of engagement with the driven transmission member 18. Hence, a safer overhead door operator system may be achieved. The transmission member protector 61 may also serve as a mean to prevent a human to come into contact with the elongated transmission member 19.

The transmission member protector 61 may be arranged to extend outwardly, i.e. horizontally, from the door 8 across the elongated transmission member 19 to cover said elongated transmission member 19. The transmission member protector 61 may be attached to the door 8 or the drive unit 10.

In one embodiment, in which a plurality of driven transmission members 18 are utilized, the overhead door operator system may comprise a plurality of transmission member protectors 61. Each transmission member protector 61 may be arranged to at least partially enclose a corresponding driven transmission member 18 and the portion of the elongated transmission member 19 interplaying with said driven transmission member 18.

As seen in Figure 4, the overhead door operator system may further comprise a resilient panel 91. The resilient panel 91 is attached to the door 8. The resilient panel 91 extends from the bottom horizontal edge of the door and is further arranged to come into contact with a floor of the opening 2 when the door is in the closed position C. Said resilient panel 8 deforms when coming into contact with the floor upon the door 8 closing, whereby the door 8 is protected from the impact and wear due to coming into direct contact with the floor. Further the resilient panel 91 may provide a sealing effect between the floor and the door when the door is in the closed position. In one embodiment, the resilient panel 91 may be in a rubber material.

Referencing Figure 4, the door 8 may be provided with a plurality of guide elements 17. The guide elements 17 may be in the form of guide rollers. The overhead door operator system may comprise a first set of guide elements 17 and a second set of guide elements 17. The first set of guide elements 17 may be mounted to the door 8. The second set of guide elements 17 may be mounted to the door 8. The first set of guide elements 17 may be arranged to interplay with the first frame section 4 and the second set of guide elements 17 may be arranged to interplay with the second frame section 6. The guide elements 8 may move together with the door 8 in a guided manner along the trajectory formed by the frame, e.g. the first frame section 4 and the second frame section 6.

The present inventor has realized that the door of an overhead door operator system in accordance with the previously described embodiments is, due to its design, weight and most importantly the interaction between the elongated transmission member(s) and the drive unit, not manually operable, e.g. not possible to lift by hand in order to move from the closed position. This is even further accentuated in the case of the elongated transmission member wrapping around the driven transmission member and/or the drive unit comprising a reduction gearing. This further increases the gear ratio of the torque transferring connection between the door and the elongated transmission member(s) via the drive unit, further ensuring that the door cannot be lifted manually, i.e. without the motor(s) of the drive unit assisting the movement. Hence, if any control signal urging the opening of the door are being disregarded or ignore, the door will essentially be locked.

Thus, to fulfill the need of making sure that the door of the overhead door operator system is “locked”, i.e. not allowing for movement of the door 8, the present inventor has realized that only the control device 100 may be required.

Accordingly, the control device 100 may be configured to operate in an operational mode and a restricted access mode.

In the operational mode, the control device 100 may be configured to cause operation of the overhead door operator system 1 based on one or more instruction signals. In the operational mode, the overhead door operator system 1 may be controlled based on the one or more instruction signals.

In the restricted access mode, the control device 100 is configured to disable control of the overhead door operator system 1 based on the one or more instruction signals. In the restricted access mode, the overhead door operator system 1 may be prevented from being controlled based on the one or more instruction signals. Hence, in the restricted access mode, the control device 100 disables control of the overhead door operator system 1 based on the one or more instruction signals. Worded differently, the control device 100 is configured to disregard and/or ignore at least one of the one or more instruction signals when operating in the restricted access mode.

The control device 100 may be further configured to receive restricted access instruction data. The control device 100 may be configured to switch between operating in the operational mode and the restricted access mode based on the restricted access instruction data.

The overhead door operator system 1 may be devoid of any mechanical lock. Thus, the overhead door operator system 1 may solely rely on the control device 100 for locking the door 8.

In one embodiment, in the operational mode, the control device 100 may be configured to be enabled to cause movement of the door 8 in response to at least one of the one or more instruction signals. Hence, the one or more instruction signals may include signals associated with an instruction for causing movement of the door 8 from the closed position to the open position. Correspondingly, in the restricted access mode, the control device 100 may be configured to disregard and/or ignore one or more signals associated with an instruction for causing movement of the door 8.

As depicted in Figure 5, the overhead door operator system 1 may comprise a drive unit comprising two motors I la, 1 lb. The first I la and second motor 1 lb may be arranged on the same section 9e of the door 8. The first and second motor may be arranged on the bottommost horizontal section 9e of the door 8. The first motor I la and the second motor 1 lb may be mounted at different vertical sides of the door 8, e.g. the first motor I la may be disposed at a vertical side of the door 8 proximal to the first side 7 of the opening and the second motor 1 lb may be disposed at a vertical side of the door 8 proximal to the second side 5 of the opening.

In one embodiment, the drive unit 10 at least comprises a first motor I la and a second motor 1 lb, the first motor I la and the second motor 1 lb may be mounted at the same vertical sides of the door 8. The first and second motor may be arranged on the same horizontal section of the door 8. The first and second motor may be arranged on the bottommost horizontal section 9e of the door 8.

In one embodiment, the first motor 1 la is moveably connected to the first elongated transmission member 19 by means of the first driven transmission member 18 and the second motor 1 lb is moveably connected to the second elongated transmission member 19 by means of the second driven transmission member 18.

The motors 11 and the drive unit 10 are preferably arranged on the same main face of the door 8, e.g. an outer or inner face of the door 8. To protect the motors 11 and drive unit 10, said motors and drive unit are arranged on an inner face of the door in the form of an interior facing door face of the door 8.

In one embodiment, the motor(s) 11 of the drive unit 10 is a direct current DC motor 11. In a preferred embodiment, the motor(s) 11 is a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor(s). It may however be envisioned that other motors are utilized

The control device 100 may be in operative communication with the drive unit 10. The control device 100 may be in wired communication with the two motors I la, 11b or be in a wireless communication.

The control device 100 may be configured to control the movement of the drive unit 10, i.e. when and how the drive unit 10, and its associated motors I la, 1 lb, should move the door 8. The control device 100 is configured to receive input of if the door 8 should be opened or closed. In one embodiment, the control device 100 is arranged to receive the input from one or more of a user interface, a mechanical button or a remote control. In one embodiment, the control device 100 is configured to receive input from sensors for automatic operation of the door.

The drive unit may further comprise additional motors which will now be described further.

In one embodiment schematically depicted in Figure 6a, the drive unit 10 comprise a third and a fourth motor 1 Ic-d mounted on a second horizontal section 9 of the horizontal sections and arranged to assist the first and second motors 1 la-b when moving the sectional door 8 from the closed position C to the open position O. The third and fourth motors 11 are connected to the control device 100 and configured to be controlled by the control device 100 in the same way as described above in relation to the first and second motor 11.

In one embodiment, the first and second motor I la, 11b are arranged on one section 9e and the third and fourth motor 11c, 1 Id are arranged on another section 9c. The drive unit 10 may hence comprise a third driven transmission member 18 mounted to the door 8. The third driven transmission member 18 being movably connected to the first elongated transmission member 19 for driving said third driven transmission member 19 along said first elongated transmission member 19. Further, the drive unit may comprise a fourth driven transmission member 18 mounted to the door 8. The fourth driven transmission member 18 being movably connected to the second elongated transmission member 19 for driving said fourth driven transmission member 19 along said second elongated transmission member 19 for driving said fourth driven transmission member 19 along said second elongated transmission member 19.

In one embodiment, the first and second motor I la, 11b are arranged on a section 9e that is located on the section 9 of the door being closest to the floor in the closed position C. However, it should be noted that the section 9e could for example also be the section 9d which is the section being arranged next to the section being closest to the floor in the closed position C. In one embodiment schematically depicted in Figure 6b, the drive unit 10 comprise a fifth and a sixth motor 1 le-f mounted on a third horizontal section 9 of the horizontal sections 9 and arranged to assist the other motors 11 when moving the sectional door 8 from the closed position C to the open position O. The fifth and sixth motors 1 le-f are operatively connected to the control device 100 and configured to be controlled by the control device 100 in the same way as described above in relation to the first and second motor 1 la-b. In one embodiment, the system 1 comprises six motors 1 la-f and the control device 100. The first and second motor I la, 11b are arranged on one section 9e, the third and fourth motor 11c, 1 Id are arranged on another section 9c, and the fifth and sixth motor l ie, 1 If are arranged on another section 9d. The drive unit 10 may hence comprise a fifth driven transmission member 18 mounted to the door 8. The fifth driven transmission member 18 being movably connected to the first elongated transmission member 19 for driving said fifth driven transmission member 19 along said first elongated transmission member 19. Further, the drive unit may comprise a sixth driven transmission member 18 mounted to the door 8. The sixth driven transmission member 18 being movably connected to the second elongated transmission member 19 for driving said sixth driven transmission member 19 along said second elongated transmission member 19 for driving said sixth driven transmission member 19 along said second elongated transmission member 19. The drive unit may further comprise guide wheels and guide rollers associated with the fifth and sixth driven transmission member in accordance with what is described with reference to Figure 3-4.

In the embodiments where additional sections 9a-e are arranged with motors, these may be arranged on every other section, every section or at one section being arranged above the section 9e.

In one embodiment the first, second, third or the first, second, third and fourth motor may be arranged on a section 9. Preferably, said motors may be arranged on the bottommost section 9e.

In one embodiment, the drive unit 10 is mounted to a section 9e, i.e. one of said plurality of horizontal and interconnected sections, of the door 8. The first motor I la and the second motor 1 lb are arranged on the same section 9e. Preferably, the first motor 1 la and the second motor 1 lb are arranged at different vertical sides of the section 9e. Each motor I la, 1 lb is thus arranged in conjunction to the first frame section 4 and the second frame section 6, respectively.

In one embodiment, the door 8 could be horizontal, or at least at an angle in view of the closed position C, and the door 8 is positioned inside of the opening 2 and above the opening 2. When moving from the closed position C to the open position O, the sections 9 of the door that are interconnected will push on each other such that the whole door 8 will move upwards. The sections 9 will rotate and move in relation to each other when moving from a vertical position to the horizontal position.

An embodiment of the door operator system 1 is schematically depicted in Figure 7.

As depicted in Figure 7, the control device 100 may be configured to receive the restricted access instruction data from an external device 200.

To ensure that only a small, trusted group of people can cause the control device 100 to switch between the operational mode and the restricted access mode thereby locking and unlocking the door different measures may be taken which now will be described in further detail.

In one embodiment, the control device 100 may be configured to validate the restricted access instruction data. Based on the validation the control device 100 may be configured to switch between the restricted access mode and the operational mode.

For example, the restricted access instruction data may comprise identification data associated with the source of the restricted access instruction data. The control device 100 may be configured to validate the received restricted instruction data based on the identification data.

Hence, the control device 100 may be configured to validate the restricted access instruction data by determining the source of said restricted access instruction data based on the identification data. In response to the determined source being one of one or more predefined trusted sources, the control device 100 may be configured to switch between the operational mode and the restricted access mode.

In one embodiment, the external device 200 may be an external computing device. The control device 100 may be configured to receive the restricted access instruction data from the external computing device via a wireless network. Thus, the control device 100 is configured to be operatively connected to said external computing device. The control device 100 may be connected to the external computing device by means of any wireless communication standards known in the art. Wireless communication may be established by means of short-range or long-range communication interfaces based on IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15, ZigBee, WirelessHART, WiFi, Bluetooth®, BLE, RFID, WLAN, MQTT loT, CoAP, DDS, NFC, AMQP, LoRaWAN, Z-Wave, Sigfox, Thread, EnOcean, mesh communication, any other form of proximity -based device-to-device radio communication signal such as LTE Direct, W-CDMA/HSPA, GSM, UTRAN, or LTE. The external computing device may be any type of conventional external computing device such as a phone, tablet, computer etc.

Thus, a user may via a user interface of the external computing device send a command signal to the control device 100. The control device 100 is configured to receive said command signal and based on said signal be configured to switch between the restricted access mode and the operational mode.

In one embodiment, the external device 200 is a switch. The switch may be a mechanical switch configured to send a command signal to the control device 100. The switch may comprise a keypad or button. The switch may be arranged in the vicinity of the door operator system. The control device 100 may be configured to receive said command signal and based on said signal be configured to switch between the restricted access mode and the operational mode.

In one embodiment, the switch may comprise an access device for controlling the access to the switch for transmitting the restricted access instruction data to the control device 100. Hence, the access device may be configured to selectively provide access to the switch for transmission of the restricted access instruction data to the control device 100.

Preferably, the switch is a key-activated switch. The switch may thus comprise an access device in the form of a physical key lock. Hence, the switch may include a lock for activating the switch requiring a user to turn the lock with an associated key before operation of the switch is enabled. In one embodiment, the switch may comprise an access device in the form of a code lock. Thus, the switch may not be operable until the correct code has been provided via the code lock.

In one embodiment, the switch may comprise an access device in the form of a biometric scanner. Thus, the switch may not be operable until a trusted person has been recognized.

The switch may be operatively connected to the control device 100. The switch may be connected to the control device 100 by means of any wired or wireless communication standards known in the art. Wireless communication may be established by means of short-range or long-range communication interfaces based on IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15, ZigBee, WirelessHART, WiFi, Bluetooth®, BLE, RFID, WLAN, MQTT loT, CoAP, DDS, NFC, AMQP, LoRaWAN, Z-Wave, Sigfox, Thread, EnOcean, mesh communication, any other form of proximity -based device-to-device radio communication signal such as LTE Direct, W-CDMA/HSPA, GSM, UTRAN, or LTE.

As aforementioned, the control device 100 may be configured to control the movement of the drive unit 10, i.e. when and how the drive unit 10, and its associated motors I la, 1 lb, should move the door 8. The control device 100 is configured to receive input of if the door 8 should be opened or closed. In one embodiment, the control device 100 is configured to receive input from sensors for automatic operation of the door. The input may be in the form on or more instruction signals, whereby the control device 100 is configured to cause operation of the overhead door system 1 based on said one or more instruction signals in the operational mode and disregard and/or ignore said one or more instruction signals in the restricted access mode.

Further referencing Figure 7, a user interface 201 may be utilized for sending one or more instruction signals to the overhead door operator system 1. The user interface 201 may be in the form of any conventional user interface such as a keypad, a button etc. The user interface 201 may in one embodiment be comprised in an external computing device such as a cellphone, tablet or computer. The control device 100 may be configured to cause operation of the overhead door system 1 based on said one or more instruction signals sent from the user interface 201 in the operational mode and disregard and/or ignore said one or more instruction signals sent from the user interface

201 in the restricted access mode.

In one embodiment, the user interface 201 may be comprised in the device 200. It may however also be envisioned that the user interface 201 is provided separately from the device 200.

In one embodiment, the control device 100 is configured to cause activation of a brake function for preventing rotation of an output shaft of the at least one motor 11 in response to the control device 100 operating in the restricted access mode. It is however pointed out that although contributing to the locking of the door in position in the restricted access mode, the brake function is not required for achieving a restricted access mode wherein the door 8 is not manually operable, this may still be achieved only with the overall design of the overhead door operator system. The activation of the brake function may thus serve to further increase the forces holding the door in position in the restricted access mode.

The braking function may be provided by the at least one motor 11 comprising a parking brake system. The parking brake system may be configured to selectively brake the output shaft of the at least one motor 11.

Further referencing Figure 7, the control device 100 may comprise one or more controllers 100a, 100b. In one embodiment, the control device 100 may comprise a plurality of controllers 100a, 100b. Each controller 100a, 100b may be configured to control one of the motors I la, 1 lb of the at least one motor 11. It may however be envisioned that each motor may be controlled by means of a single controller comprised in the control device 100.

As depicted in Figure 7, the control device may comprise a controller 100a having an associated memory Ma and program instructions stored therein. The drive unit may comprise a motor I la and a power supply I l la.

The controller 100a is adapted to cause controlled actuation of the motor I la by means of electrical power from the power supply I l la. The controller 100a is configured to control the feeding of electricity into the motor 1 la thereby controlling the speed and torque of the motor I la. The control device 100 is configured for performing different functions of the overhead door operator system. The control device 100 may be implemented using instructions that enable hardware functionality, for example, by using computer program instructions executable in a general-purpose or special-purpose processor that may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium (disk, memory, etc.) to be executed by such a processor. The control device 100 is configured to read the instructions in the memory Ma, Mb and execute these instructions to control the operation of the overhead door operator system 1. The control device 100 may be implemented in any known controller technology, including but not limited to microcontroller, processor (e.g. PLC, CPU, DSP), FPGA, ASIC or any other suitable digital and/or analog circuitry capable of performing the intended functionality. The memory Ma, Mb may be implemented in any known memory technology, including but not limited to E(E)PROM, S(D)RAM or flash memory. In some embodiments, the memory Ma, Mb may be integrated with or internal to the control device 100.

In one embodiment, the control device 100 may comprise a control unit 101. The control unit 101 may be operatively connected to the controllers 100a, 100b.

In one embodiment, the control unit 101 may be configured to receive the restricted access instruction data from an external device 200. In one embodiment, the control unit 101 may be configured to cause the control device 100 to switch between the operational mode and the restricted access mode.

In one embodiment, the control unit 101 may be configured to validate the restricted access instruction data. Based on the validation the control unit 101 may be configured to cause the control device 100 to switch between the restricted access mode and the operational mode.

In one embodiment, the control unit 101 may be configured to be operatively connected to the external device 200. The unit 101 may thus be configured to receive the restricted access instruction data from the external device 200.

The control unit 101 may be configured to receive input of if the door 8 should be opened or closed. In one embodiment, the control unit 101 may be configured to receive input from sensors for automatic operation of the door. The input may be in the form on or more instruction signals, whereby the control unit 101 is configured to cause operation of the overhead door system 1 via the one or more controllers 100a, 100b based on said one or more instruction signals in the operational mode and disregard and/or ignore said one or more instruction signals in the restricted access mode.

The control unit 101 may be configured to cause operation of the overhead door system 1 via the one or more controllers 100a, 100b based on said one or more instruction signals sent from the user interface 201 in the operational mode and disregard and/or ignore said one or more instruction signals sent from the user interface 201 in the restricted access mode.

In one embodiment, the control unit 101 may be mounted next to the door 8 while the one or more controllers 100a, 100b may be mounted to the door 8.

In one embodiment, the control device 100 may comprise a central controller. The central controller may be configured to be in operable communication with the drive unit. The drive unit 10 may be connected to the central controller by means of any wired or wireless communication standards known in the art. Wireless communication may be established by means of short-range or long-range communication interfaces based on IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15, ZigBee, WirelessHART, WiFi, Bluetooth®, BLE, RFID, WLAN, MQTT loT, CoAP, DDS, NFC, AMQP, LoRaWAN, Z-Wave, Sigfox, Thread, EnOcean, mesh communication, any other form of proximity -based device-to- device radio communication signal such as LTE Direct, W-CDMA/HSPA, GSM, UTRAN, or LTE.

According to an aspect, an overhead door system is provided. The overhead door system may comprise one or more overhead door operator systems 1. The overhead door operator systems 1 may be overhead door operator systems 1 in accordance with any embodiment described herein. The overhead door system may further comprise an external device 200. The external device 200 may be an external device 200 in accordance with any embodiment described herein.

The control devices 100 of the one or more overhead door operator systems 1 may be configured to receive restricted access instruction data from the external device 200. The control devices 100 of the overhead door operator systems 1 may be configured to, based on said restricted access instruction data, switch between operating in the operational mode and the restricted access mode. Accordingly, a plurality of doors may be locked and unlocked via the same external device and by means of a single operation, thus saving personnel plenty of time and effort compared to physically locking each door.

Figure 8 and 9 depicts flow-charts of embodiments of a method 700 of operating an overhead door operator system 1 for opening and closing an opening 2.

The overhead door operator system 1 may be an overhead door operator system 1 as described with reference to any one of Figures 1-7.

Referencing Figure 8, the method 700 may comprise operating the control device 100 of the overhead door system 1 in the operational mode 710. In the operational mode, the control device 100 is configured to cause operation of the overhead door operator system 1 based on one or more instruction signals.

The method 700 may comprise operating the control device 100 in the restricted access mode 720. In the restricted access mode, the control device 100 disables control of the overhead door operator system 1 based on the one or more instruction signals.

The method 700 may further comprise receiving restricted access instruction data 750 and based on said restricted access instruction data, switch 735 between operating in the operational mode and the restricted access mode. In one embodiment, the method 700 comprises receiving the restricted access instruction data 750 from the external device 200.

Turning to Figure 9, the method 700 may further comprise validating 790 the received restricted access instruction data and switching 735 between the restricted access mode and the operational mode based on the validation.

In one embodiment, the method 700 may comprise to in the operational mode enable the control device 100 to cause movement of the door 8 in response to at least one of the one or more instruction signals.

In one embodiment, the method 700 comprises activating 795 a brake function for preventing rotation of an output shaft of the at least one motor 11 in response to the control device 100 operating in the restricted access mode.

An example of the method is depicted in Figure 9.

Upon the control device 100 operating in the operational mode, a user may by means of the external device 200 send restricted access instruction data from said external device 200 to the control device 100. The control device 100 thus receives said restricted access instruction data 750.

Upon receiving said restricted access instruction data 750 said data is validated 790 and in response to the validation, the mode is switched 735 from the operational mode to the restricted access mode. The control device 100 thus operates in the restricted access mode 720. The operation in the restricted access mode may cause the activation 795 of the brake function.

The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims.

Claims

1. An overhead door operator system (1) for opening and closing an opening (2), the overhead door operator system (1) comprising: a control device (100) for controlling the overhead door operator system (1); a door frame (3) comprising a first frame section (4) at a first side (7) of the opening (2) and a second frame section (6) at a second side (5) of the opening (2) opposite the first side (7); a door (8) arranged to be moved between an open (O) and closed (C) position, the door (8) being movably connected to the door frame (3); a drive unit (10) mounted on the door (8), the drive unit (10) comprising at least one motor (11) arranged to move the door (8) from the closed position (C) to the open position (O); and an elongated transmission member (19) extending along the first side (7) of the opening (2) and the first frame section (4), whereby the drive unit (10) further comprises a driven transmission member (18) in driving connection with the motor (11), the driven transmission member (18) being movably connected to the elongated transmission member (19) and arranged to interplay with said elongated transmission member (19) for driving the driven transmission member (18) along said elongated transmission member (19) so as to move the door (8) between the closed (C) and open (O) position, the control device (100) being configured to:

- operate in an operational mode, wherein the control device (100) is configured to cause operation of the overhead door operator system (1) based one or more instruction signals,

- operate in a restricted access mode, wherein the control device (100) is configured to disable control of the overhead door operator system (1) based on the one or more instruction signals,

- receive restricted access instruction data and based on said data switch between operating in the operational mode and the restricted access mode.

2. The overhead door operator system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control device (100) is configured to:

- validate the received restricted access instruction data and switch between the restricted access mode and the operational mode based on the validation.

3. The overhead door operator system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the restricted access instruction data comprises identification data associated with the source of the restricted access instruction data, whereby the control device (100) is configured to validate said received restricted access instruction data based on the identification data.

4. The overhead door operator system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (100) in the operational mode is configured to be enabled to cause movement of the door (8) in response to at least one of the one or more instruction signals.

5. The overhead door operator system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (100) is configured to cause activation of a brake function for preventing rotation of an output shaft of the at least one motor (11) in response to the control device (100) operating in the restricted access mode.

6. The overhead door operator system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby the drive unit (10) further comprises a reduction gearing (76), said reduction gearing (76) connecting the driven transmission member (18) and the motor (11).

7. The overhead door operator system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby the driven transmission member (18) is arranged to interplay with the elongated transmission member (19) for driving the driven transmission member (18) along said elongated transmission member (19) by means of the elongated transmission member (19) at least partially wrapping around the driven transmission member (18).

8. The overhead door operator system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongated transmission member (19) is a chain or a belt, such as a cogged belt.

9. The overhead door operator system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a first elongated transmission member (19) extending along the first side (7) of the opening (2) and the first frame section (4) and a second elongated transmission member (19) extending along the second side (5) of the opening (2) and the second frame section (6), whereby the overhead door operator system (1) further comprises a first and second driven transmission member (18) being movably connected to the first and second elongated transmission member (19) and arranged to interplay with said first and second elongated transmission member (19), respectively, for driving the driven transmission member (18) along said first and second elongated transmission member (19) so as to move the door (8) between the closed (C) and open (O) position.

10. The overhead door operator system (1) according to claim 9, wherein first and second driven transmission member (18) are arranged to interplay with the first and second elongated transmission member (19) by means of the first and second elongated transmission member (19) at least partially wrapping around the first and second driven transmission member (18), respectively.

11. The overhead door operator system (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the drive unit (10) comprises a first motor (I la) being in driving connection with the first driven transmission member (18) and a second motor (1 lb) being in driving connection with the second driven transmission member (18).

12. The overhead door operator system (1) according to any one of claim 9 to 11, whereby the drive unit (10) further comprises a first reduction gearing (76) connecting the first drive transmission member (18) and the first motor (I la) and a second reduction gearing (76) connecting the second driven transmission member (18) and the second motor (1 lb).

13. The overhead door operator system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (100) is configured to receive the restricted access instruction data from an external device (200).

14. The overhead door operator system (1) according to claim 13, wherein the external device (200) is an external computing device and the control device (100) is configured to receive the restricted access instruction data from the external computing device via a wireless network.

15. The overhead door operator system (1) according to claim 14, wherein the external device (200) is a switch, wherein the switch comprises an access device such as a physical key lock, a code lock or a biometric scanner for controlling access to the switch for transmitting the restricted access instruction data to the control device (100).

16. Overhead door system comprising one or more overhead door operator systems (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and an external device (200), wherein the control device (100) of the one or more overhead door operator systems is configured to receive restricted access instruction data from said external device (200) and based on said restricted access instruction data switch between operating in the operational mode and the restricted access mode.

17. Method (700) for operating an overhead door operator system (1) for opening and closing an opening (2), the overhead door operator system (1) comprising a door frame (3) comprising a first frame section (4) at a first side (7) of the opening (2) and a second frame section (6) at a second side (5) of the opening (2) opposite the first side (7); a door (8) arranged to be moved between an open (O) and closed (C) position, the door (8) being movably connected to the door frame (3); a drive unit (10) mounted on the door (8), the drive unit (10) comprising at least one motor (11) arranged to move the door (8) from the closed position (C) to the open position; and an elongated transmission member (19) extending along the first side (7) of the opening (2) and the first frame section (4), whereby the drive unit (10) further comprises a driven transmission member (18) in driving connection with the motor (11), the driven transmission member (18) being movably connected to the elongated transmission member (19) and arranged to interplay with said elongated transmission member (19) for driving the driven transmission member (18) along said elongated transmission member (19) so as to move the door (8) between the closed (C) and open (O) position, the method comprising:

- operating a control device (100) of the overhead door operator system (1) in an operational mode (710), wherein the control device (100) is configured to cause operation of the overhead door operator system (1) based one or more instruction signals,

- operating the control device (100) in a restricted access mode (720), wherein the control device (100) disables control of the overhead door operator system (1) based on the one or more instruction signals,

- receiving restricted access instruction data (750), and

- switching (735) between operating in the operational mode and the restricted access mode based on said data.

18. Method (700) according to claim 17, further comprising:

- validating (790) the received restricted access instruction data, and

- switching (735) between the restricted access mode and the operational mode based on the validation.

19. Method (700) according to claim 17 or 18, further comprising:

- in the operational mode enabling the control device (100) to cause movement of the door (8) in response to at least one of the one or more instruction signals.

20. Method (700) according to any one of claim 17 to 19, further comprising:

- activating (795) a brake function for preventing rotation of an output shaft of the at least one motor (11) in response to the control device (100) operating in the restricted access mode.

21. Method (700) according to any one of claim 17 to 20, further comprising:

- receiving the restricted access instruction data (750) from an external device (200).