EP4775780A1

EP4775780A1 - Control unit for the movement in opening and closing a door, particularly an automatic door

Info

Publication number: EP4775780A1
Application number: EP26150624.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Angelo Menuzzo
Original assignee: Face Srl
Current assignee: Face Srl
Priority date: 2025-01-09
Filing date: 2026-01-07
Publication date: 2026-07-15

Abstract

The present invention relates a control unit for the movement in opening and closing a door, comprising a kinematic mechanism.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a control unit for the opening and closing motion of a door, particularly an automatic door as well as a door equipped with such a unit.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

As is known, automatic doors are associated with a drive unit consisting of a kinematic mechanism, rigidly connected to two arms.
In this regard, particularly with regard to the drive arm of a swing door actuator, the connecting arm is subjected to tensile and compressive stress.
The solutions proposed to date do not ensure safe and long-lasting operation.
Furthermore, the price of commercially available devices capable of ensuring good performance is high.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a new control unit for the opening and closing of a door, particularly an automatic door.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a unit as indicated above in which the arms or levers can be connected in a simple, reliable, and economical manner.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a unit as indicated above that is also aesthetically superior to currently commercially available solutions.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a unit in which the length of one or both arms can be varied very simply and quickly.
According to one aspect of the invention, a unit according to claim 1 is provided.
According to another aspect of the invention, a door according to claim 10 is provided.
The dependent claims refer to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood from the description of an embodiment of a unit and a door, illustrated for illustrative purposes in the accompanying drawings in which:

figures 1 and 2 are perspective views from respective sides of a unit according to the present invention,
figures 3 and 4 are perspective views of an enlarged-scale detail corresponding to the hinging area of the arms of a unit according to the present invention,
figures 5 and 6 are exploded views of an enlarged-scale detail corresponding to the hinging area of the arms of a unit according to the present invention,
figures 7, 8, and 9 are cross-sectional views of a detail corresponding to the hinging area of the arms of a unit according to the present invention,
figure 10 is a top view of a portion of a door according to the present invention in the open configuration.

In the attached drawings, identical parts or components are identified by the same reference numbers.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the attached figures, a control unit 1 for the opening and closing movement of a door 2, whether automatic or not, is illustrated, comprising a frame 2a and a leaf 2b hinged to the frame 2a.
The unit 1 comprises a kinematic mechanism 3, which includes a first lever or arm 4 designed to be hinged or pivoted at its first end 4a to the frame 2a of a door 2 or to actuation means 2c of the leaf 2b integral with the frame or mounted thereon, and at least one second lever or arm 5 with a first end 5a hinged to a second end 4b of the at least one first lever or arm 4.
The at least one second lever or arm 5 also has another end 5b that can be articulated or pivoted to the leaf 2b of a door 2.
The two levers or arms 4, 5 are angularly mutually movable between one first resting position and at least one second open position, so as to vary the angle or inclination between the levers when moving between these positions and thus, in use, the leaf 2b of the door 2 between a first closed configuration of the passage opening PO and at least one second open configuration of the passage opening PO.
Furthermore, the unit 1 comprises a hinging group for connecting the at least one first lever or arm 4 to the at least one second lever or arm 5, or rather, the first end 5a to the second end 4b. This group includes a block 6 fitted or inserted or connected to one among the at least one first lever or arm 4 and the at least one second lever or arm 5, for example, in the first end 4a of the first lever or arm 4.
The hinging group then comprises a connecting component 7 having a stem 7a that can be removably or non-removably inserted into a seat SE in the block 6 and with an eyelet 7b or component defining a hole or opening TH2 at one end of the stem 7a, which in use is outside the block 6 and thus outside the lever or arm 4, 5 to which it is fitted or connected.
For example, the stem 7a could be externally threaded and engaged by screwing (self-tapping if desired) with the block 6 and with the at least one first lever or arm 4 or with the at least one second lever or arm 5.
The seat SE and the stem 7a extend in a direction coinciding with or substantially parallel to the main extension direction of the respective lever or arm 4, 5, i.e. the lever or arm into which the block 6 is fitted or inserted or connected.
The hole or opening TH2 defined by the eyelet 7b extends in a direction orthogonal to the main extension direction of the respective lever or arm 4, 5.
Block 6 is made of plastic material, such as nylon, such as PA6FV30% nylon, or in any case softer than the connecting component 7 or at least the respective stem 7a.
The seat SE can have any suitable configuration, such as conical or truncated cone-shaped.
The seat SE preferably has a cross-section decreasing in the direction towards the inside of the respective lever or arm 4, 5, i.e. the insertion or connection direction for the block 6.
Block 6 could have any suitable dimensions, for example, a length between 30 and 60 mm, if desired between 40 and 50 mm, and a width between approximately 15 and 25 mm.
The hinging group then comprises a pin 8 fitted or mounted in the eyelet 7b and in the other between the at least one second lever or arm 5 and the at least one first lever or arm 4 (the one in which the block 6 is not fitted or inserted or connected) or better still in a hole or slot or opening TH1, through or not, delimited in the latter (for example in the first end 5a of the second lever or arm 5) and aligned with the hole or opening TH2 defined by the eyelet 7b. A washer or similar 8a can also be provided for the passage of the pin 8, with the eyelet 7b interposed between the pin 8 and the washer 8a.
The seat SE is also open towards one side (thus in a direction orthogonal to that of the main extension of the respective lever or arm 4, 5), so that the stem 7a is inserted in contact or forced, on one side, with the block 6 and, on the other side, through the lateral opening in the seat SE, with the at least one first lever or arm 4 or the at least one second lever or arm 5.
If desired, the block 6 is connected to one of the at least one first lever or arm 4 and the at least one second lever 5 by means of a screw, bolt, rivet, or set screw 9, for example made of steel or in any case of a material harder than the block 6. The screw, bolt, rivet, or set screw 9 is inserted or fitted into an end 6a of the block 6 distal from that 6b for the connection component 7 to be fitted or inserted into block 6 itself, preferably until it abuts against an internal face of the respective lever or arm 4, 5.
In this regard, according to the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the figures, by forcing the screw, bolt, rivet, or set screw 9 into the block 6, the latter widens so as to increase the connection with the lever or arm 4, 5 in which block 6 is inserted. In this regard, the block 6 could delimit, at end 6a, a hole or opening, for example through TH3 which is open or leads to the outside of the block 6 through a groove G in the respective defining wall, so that the now described widening action is increased.
According to the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the figures, the hole or opening TH3 and thus, in use, the screw, bolt, rivet, or set screw 9, extends in a direction orthogonal to the main extension direction of the respective lever or arm 4, 5, i.e., the lever or arm 4, 5 into which the block 6 is fitted or connected.
The block 6 could also have a head at the end 6b, in use, for insertion or connection of the connection component 7, which is external to the respective lever or arm 4, 5 and is also enlarged or flanged so as to abut, in use, against the end 4b for insertion of the block 6 into the respective arm 4, 5.
Regarding the specific embodiment illustrated in the figures, the lever or arm 4, 5 for fitting or insertion or connection of the block 6 is configured substantially in a C-shape, possibly with an intermediate main flat section 4c and two L-shaped terminal sections 4d, 4e each extending from a respective end of the main intermediate section 4c in the same direction away from the latter.
In this case, the block 6 could be inserted or fitted with its seat SE open toward the main intermediate section 4c, so that the stem 7a is inserted in contact or forced on one side with the block 6 and on the other side, through the opening in the seat SE, with the main intermediate section 4c of at least one first lever or arm 4 or of at least one second lever or arm 5.
The block 6 is made of plastic or in any case of a material softer than the arm 4, 5 or of the part 4f of the latter in which it is inserted.
In this regard, the arm 4, 5 in which block 6 is inserted is made of any suitable material, for example, aluminum.
Alternatively or in addition to this, the at least one first lever or arm 4 or the at least one second lever or arm 5 in which the block 6 is inserted comprises, at least for part of its extension, a shell component or profile 4f that is L-shaped as indicated above (4c, 4d, 4e) and a rod component 4g that is adjustably insertable into the shell component 4f and fixable to the latter in a plurality of positions using a screw, bolt, rivet, or set screw 10. The latter 10 extends, according to the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the figures, in a direction orthogonal to the main extension direction of the respective lever or arm 4, 5.
In this case, the rod component 4g is designed to be hinged to a leaf 2b or to a frame 2a or to actuation means 2c of the leaf 2b. Preferably, the rod component 4g protrudes from the shell component 4f so as to define the first end 4a of the at least one first lever or arm 4.
The configuration now described would allow the respective lever or arm 4 and 5 to be lengthened or shortened according to installation needs or preferences.
Of course, other arrangements could be made to vary the length of a lever or arm 4 and 5.
For example, one or more of the levers could be a gas spring or an electric, hydraulic, oleodynamic, or pneumatic cylinder and piston system.
Naturally, the configuration of the levers 4 and 5 of the kinematic mechanism 3 could be any suitable one.
Furthermore, the or each or some of the levers 4, 5 could be made of a single piece or even two or more pieces. If one of the levers is made of multiple pieces, they could be mutually connected to each other with or without adjustment. Naturally, in the case of an adjustable connection, it would be possible to vary the length of the respective lever.
The lever of the kinematic mechanism 3 or one or more of the levers 4, 5 of the kinematic mechanism could be substantially rectilinear in configuration, thus with a straight main axis, or even curved or with multiple inclined sections.
The present invention also relates to a door comprising a frame 2a and at least one leaf 2b hinged or articulated to the frame 2a, the latter defining a passage opening PO, and the door 2 also comprising a unit 1.
The at least one first lever or arm 4 is articulated or pivoted to the frame 2a or to actuation means 2c of the leaf 2b integral with the frame 2a or mounted thereon, while the at least one second lever or arm 5 is articulated or pivoted to the leaf 2b.
As regards the pin or articulation or hinging components of the kinematic mechanism 3, for example of a respective first lever to a frame or to actuation means of the leaf integral with the frame or mounted thereon, these can be made in any suitable manner.
Clearly, the kinematic mechanism 3 or rather the respective levers, arms 4, 5, can be moved or tilted between a first resting position and at least one second opening position so as to vary the angle or inclination between them in the passage between these positions and so as to move the leaf 2b with respect to the frame, respectively, between a first closing configuration of the passage opening PO and at least a second opening configuration of the passage opening PO.
The unit 1 is preferably mounted in a high position on the door 2, for example at the top thereof, or at least one meter, or better yet, one meter eighty, one meter ninety, or two meters above the floor.
The door 2 is advantageously an automatic door, so it comprises actuation means 2c for the unit, integral with, mounted on, or secured to the frame 2a and including a drive motor, for example, an electric motor, preferably brushless or another type of motor, for the unit 1, and movement of the unit between the first and second positions, thus moving the leaf, respectively, between a first closing configuration of the opening and a second opening configuration of that opening.
The motor is clearly connected, in any suitable manner, to actuate or rotate one of the levers of the kinematic mechanism 3, for example, the first lever 4, thereby also causing the rotation of the second lever 5.
In this regard, the actuation means are illustrated schematically in the figures.
The actuation means 2c, or rather their casing or containment box, can be mounted or fixed, with any suitable method, such as screws, bolts, rivets, interlocking, or hooking, to a door frame, for example at the top of the door.
Alternatively or in addition to the motor, an elastically yielding component may be provided, such as a spring, for example a gas spring, designed to act on the door or unit 1 so as to oppose the door opening force imposed by an operator or the motor and thus return the leaf 2b to the closed position once this force ceases or decreases.
Furthermore, the actuation means may, in addition to or as an alternative to the above, also include other components, such as, for example, a device for emergency opening of the automatic door.
The hinge axis of the leaf 2b to the frame 2a is preferably vertical.
The hinging axes of the kinematic mechanism 3 to the frame 2a or to the actuation means 2c and to the leaf 2b are preferably parallel to the pivot axis of the leaf 2b to the frame 2a, and are therefore preferably vertical. Furthermore, the relative pivot axis between the levers 4, 5 is preferably parallel to the pivot axis of the leaf 2b to the frame 2a.
With specific reference to the door, the kinematic mechanism 3, for example a respective second lever 5, is clearly articulated on a side or internal surface of the leaf 2b, i.e., on a surface of the leaf facing into or towards the passage opening PO defined by the frame 2a.
In any case, it will be understood that a unit 1 according to the present invention can be mounted on doors of any type, in particular on doors with so-called rotating or hinged leafs.
As will be seen, the present invention provides a simple and cost-effective connection between the levers of a door opening and closing control unit, without the need for complex mechanical machining.
Furthermore, such a unit is also aesthetically superior to currently commercially available solutions, as no special covers are required for the pivot area.
Moreover, the present invention also allows the length of the levers or arms to be varied with simple operations, reducing the possibility of drilling errors or the like.
Modifications and variations of the invention are possible within the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

Control unit for the movement in opening and closing a door, comprising a kinematic mechanism (3) including a first lever or arm (4) arranged to be articulated or hinged at one its first end (4a) to a frame (2a) of a door (2) or to actuation means (2c) of the leaf (2b) of a door (2) integral with the frame (2a) or mounted on it, and at least one second lever or arm (5) with a first end (5a) hinged to a second end (4b) of said at least one first lever or arm (4), said at least one second lever or arm (5) then having another end (5b) articulable or hingeable to the leaf (2b) of a door (2), said first lever or arm (4) and said second lever or arm (5) being angularly displaceable with respect to each other between a first resting position and at least one second opening position so as to vary the angle or inclination between said levers in the passage between such positions.
said unit comprising a hinging group of said at least one first lever or arm (4) to said at least one second lever or arm (5), said hinging group including a block (6) fitted or connected to one of said at least one first lever or arm (4) and said at least one second lever or arm (5) and further comprising a connection component (7) with a stem (7a) removably or not insertable into a seat (SE) in said block (6) and with an eyelet (7b) or component defining a hole or opening (TH2) at one end of said stem (7a), said group further comprising a pin (8) fitted or mounted in said eyelet (7b) or defining component and in the other of said at least one second lever or arm (5) and said at least one first lever or arm (4),

wherein said seat (SE) defined by said block (6) is open toward one side, so that said stem (7a) is inserted in contact or forcibly on one side with said block (6) and on the other side, through the lateral opening in said seat (SE), with said at least one first lever or arm (4) or said at least one second lever or arm (5).
Unit according to claim 1, wherein said seat (SE) and said stem (7a) extend in a direction coinciding with or substantially parallel to the main extension direction of the respective lever or arm (4, 5).
Unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lever or arm (4, 5) for fitting or insertion or connection of said block (6) is substantially C-shaped, with a flat main intermediate section (4c) and two terminal L-shaped sections (4d, 4e), each extending from a respective end of the main intermediate section (4c) in the same direction away from it, and
wherein said block (6) is inserted or fitted with its seat (SE) open toward the main intermediate section (4c), so that the stem (7a) is inserted in contact or forcibly on one side with the block (6) and on the other side, through the opening in the seat (SE), with the main intermediate section (4c) of the at least one first lever or arm (4) or the at least one second lever or arm (5).
Unit according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said block (6) is made of plastic material or a material softer than said connection component (7).
Unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said block (6) is made of plastic material or otherwise softer than the respective lever or arm (4, 5) or the part (4f) of the latter in which the block is inserted.
Unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said block (6) is connected to one among said at least one first lever or arm (4) and said at least one second lever (5) by means of a screw, bolt, rivet, or set screw (9).
Unit according to claim 6, wherein said block (6) delimits, at an end (6a) in which said screw, bolt, rivet or set screw (9) is inserted or fitted, a hole or opening (TH3) which is open or leads to the outside of the block (6) through a groove (G) in the respective delimiting wall, so that by forcing said screw, bolt, rivet or set screw (9) into the block (6), the latter widens so as to increase the constraint with the lever or arm (4, 5) in which said block (6) is inserted.
Unit according to claim 7, wherein said hole or opening (TH3) in said end (6a) of said block (6) and hence, in use, said screw, bolt, rivet or set screw (9), extends in a direction orthogonal to the main extension direction of the lever or arm (4, 5) into which said block (6) is fitted or connected.
Unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said stem (7a) is externally threaded and is engaged by screwing with said block (6) and with said at least one first lever or arm (4) or said at least one second lever or arm (5).
Unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one first lever or arm (4) or said at least one second lever or arm (5) in which said block (6) is inserted comprises a shell-like component or profile (4f) and a rod-like component (4g) adjustably insertable into said shell-like component or profile (4f) and fixable in a plurality of positions to the latter by means of a screw, bolt, rivet, or set screw (10), said rod-like component (4g) being arranged to be hinged to a leaf (2b) or frame (2a).
Unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said seat (SA) has a cross-section decreasing from the end toward the interior of the respective lever or arm (4, 5).
Door comprising a frame (2a) and at least one leaf (2b) hinged or articulated to said frame (2a), the latter defining a passage opening (PO), said door further comprising a unit according to any one of the preceding claims, said at least one first lever or arm (4) or said second lever or arm (5) being articulated or hinged to said frame (2a) or to actuation means (2c) of the leaf (2b) integral with the frame or mounted on it, while said at least one second lever or arm (5) is articulated or hinged to said leaf (2b).
Door according to claim 12, consisting of an automatic door and comprising actuation means of the unit (2c) integral with or mounted or fixed to said frame (2a) and including a motor for actuating the unit and moving it between the first and second positions so as to move said leaf (2b), respectively, between a first closing configuration of said passage opening (PO) and a second opening configuration of said opening.