FR2715429A1 - Electro-thermal operation of window or door opening mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

The operation of the door or window is initiated from a pushbutton (15). The frame (5) of the opening part of the door or window (4) houses a box (10), which encloses the mechanism that displaces one of two parallel rods (8,8'). The rods are displaced by a toothed wheel (31) meshing with rack teeth (29,30) on the outside of the rods. The two rods operate a lock bolt. One of the rods is carried on a mobile support (22) for an electro- thermal actuator (23). The supply to the electro-thermal actuator is through a mechanical logic circuit made up of three adjacent contacts. One contact is carried by the actuator support, another by the rod of the actuator and the third on a slider (47) operated by a cam (40) which is driven by the displacement of the opening part of the window.

Description

 The present invention relates to a device for causing the automatic and controlled movement of a mobile element, ensuring in particular the locking or unlocking, depending on its relative position, of a door, window or other opening element, in particular by acting on a member of the type of a locking bolt of such an opening relative to its fixed frame, by cooperation and engagement of this bolt in a keeper carried by this frame.

 The invention therefore applies more particularly to the control of one and preferably of two rods or rods for the lever, the ends of which each form an electric lock bolt penetrating into its keeper, and more generally to the control of an element mobile ensuring the locking of a single or so-called multi-point lock in particular. It nevertheless applies more generally to the movement of any mobile member or actuator, capable of achieving the locking of a mobile part with respect to a fixed part.

 The opening of a casement window is carried out in a conventional manner by means of two rods of lever, carried by the frame of the opening of this window and actuated in opposite directions by a handle or crutch, of which a first movement of rotation unlocks the two rods by removing them from the upper and lower strikes mounted on the fixed or standing frame receiving this opening. In a second step, the user pulls on the handle to pivot the window sashes and open it. When closing and vice versa, the user must exert a thrust on the sash in order in particular to compress against the frame of the frame seals carried by it or by the sash itself, before locking the window by rotating the stand.

 Such an operation therefore requires that a certain force be exerted on the opening, both when it is pushed and when the handle is rotated, when locking or unlocking, which can be difficult to achieve by an elderly or disabled person.

 The subject of the present invention is a device for controlling the position of a locking element which avoids these drawbacks, by allowing assisted closing or opening of the window, the effort required being minimal, consisting in particular in a simple application with reduced pressure of the door against the frame to bring it into a pre-locking position or, before the actual closing, automatically starts the process of compressing the seals and maneuvering the rods relative to their strikes .

 The device according to the invention thus requires, when the window is closed, no significant pressure on the seals mounted between the door and the frame, as in conventional solutions. In addition, this device is designed so that, upon opening the window, following the unlocking of the latter by the release of the bolt from its keeper, the operation of the rods is automatically carried out, following the engagement of 'A simple push button carried by the door which causes the operation of the rods of the lever, this opening can also be obtained at any time, whether the locking of these rods during the closing process is or is not completed.

 To this end, the device for causing the automatic displacement of a locking element or actuator, in particular for the opening of a window, door or the like, according to the invention, comprising a control push button and, at the inside of a profile of the opening, a housing housing an operating mechanism for the displacement of one and preferably of two parallel rods in opposite directions under the effect of a toothed pinion meshing with racks integral with the end of the two rods inside the case to engage or disengage their ends forming a bolt against a keeper carried by a fixed frame receiving the leaf, is characterized in that the or one of the rods is carried by a mobile support for an electro-thermal actuator, whose body is linked to the support and whose electrical tension is controlled by a mechanical logic mechanism consisting of three adjacent blades, one of which is linked to the support and the second to the cylinder rod, the third being integral with a slide actuated by a cam, itself controlled by the movement of the opening element brought without compression into an initial pre-locking position.

 Thanks to these provisions and as the description given below of two embodiments 1 'will explain in detail, the mechanical logic is designed so that the first blade identifies the position of the jack support, the second that of the 'end of the rod thereof, the third having the function of cutting the power to this cylinder when the opening of the door or window is unlocked by means of the push button carried by the latter.

 According to a particular characteristic, a spiral spring is mounted around the axis of the pinion so as to automatically return the two rods to the opening position of the leaf where the bolt is released from its keeper, in the absence of tension electric control on the cylinder.

 According to an additional characteristic, the pinion of the pinion cooperates with an optional locking handle, for manual control of the displacement of the rods, the unlocking of the opening being carried out in all cases by the push button exclusively.

 According to yet another characteristic, the case housing the control mechanism comprises a slot receiving a fixed finger carried by the frame, so that the movement of this finger in the slot under the effect of the progressive application of the opening against the frame, determines the pivoting of the cam around an axis offset with respect to the slot and carried by the housing, having a radial drive fork in which the finger engages.

 Advantageously, the cam comprises a stud engaged in an open housing of the slide movable longitudinally relative to the housing whose position depends on that of the cam around its axis.

 According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the movable support of the jack on the one hand, the rod of this jack on the other hand, and finally the slide, each have an index, the three indexes each being engaged in a slot of training of a blade belonging to the mechanical logic mechanism.

 Also preferably and in a first embodiment of the invention, the three blades of the mechanical logic consist of metal plates, the end of which includes the drive slot of one of the three indexes, the opposite extensions of the blades overlapping each other and each having a recess, offset from one to the other of these blades, so that for a determined relative position of the three blades, these together define an open notch into which the end can penetrate the arm of a micro-switch, mounted in the electric circuit for controlling the jack.

 According to yet another characteristic, the case internally comprises a rocking member articulated on a transverse axis and able to be pivoted by means of the push button carried by the case, this rocker being provided with three pistons, realizing the blocking of the three indexes in the occupied position by the rocker under the effect of a return spring mounted inside the housing, and their release as a result of the pivoting of the rocker against this return spring, following its movement under the effect of the button -pusher.

 Advantageously, each piston is retractably mounted on the rocker member, against a spring associated with this piston, mounted movably in a hole in the rocker receiving it.

 According to another characteristic, the jack comprises a fixed body filled with an expandable material, capable of undergoing a rapid increase in volume under the effect of a temperature rise created by an electrical resistance integrated in or associated with the jack, placed under tension by means of an external source, the expandable material being confined in the body of the jack by a flexible and waterproof membrane, exerting a force on the end of the movable rod of this jack to produce a thrust thereon.

 In particular, the cylinder rod is permanently subjected to the thrust of a spring bearing on the internal wall of the housing on the one hand and on the index finger secured to this rod on the other hand, so as to ensure its return in initial position retracted in the absence of force exerted by the expandable material through the waterproof membrane.

 In another variant, which makes it possible in particular to avoid the use of a breaker as in the first aforementioned embodiment, the three movable blades of the mechanical logic are constituted by adjacent composite blades and applied one against the other, each comprising a conductive part sandwiched between two insulating parts, these conductive parts flush with a determined narrow area provided on one of the sides of the corresponding blade, each of the two outer blades further comprising a sliding metal contact, welded on its conductive part in the flush area thereof and allowing an electrical connection with the conductive part of the intermediate blade, so that the conductive parts of the three blades are only in contact for a determined relative position thereof, by establishing then the electric circuit for controlling the jack.

Other characteristics of a device for controlling the automatic movement of a locking element, in particular for a window, door or the like opening according to the invention, will become more apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment and of '' a variant of the latter, given for information and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
- Figure 1 is a partial schematic view, in perspective, of a door or window opening, provided with a housing comprising a device according to the invention.

 - Figure 2 is an enlarged view, in exploded perspective, of the main components involved in the production of the control unit.

 - Figure 3 is a side view of the case considered.

 - Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view on a larger scale of this box.

 - Figure 5 is a partial top view of the same housing, more particularly illustrating the control cylinder.

 - Figure 6 is a detailed view of the elements that make up the mechanical logic, in a first embodiment thereof.

 - Figure 7 schematically illustrates an alternative embodiment of the mechanical logic.

 Figure 1 very schematically illustrates a system 1 comprising a frame 2 consisting essentially of a fixed frame 3 sealed in a wall or a similar support element, this frame being designed to receive a movable opening 4 also consisting of a frame peripheral 5, pivotally articulated around hinges such as 6 on the frame 3 of the frame 2. The opening 4 may include, inside its frame 5, a central panel 7, glazed or not, the structure 1 thus corresponding to that of a door or window with a pivoting leaf.

 It should be noted, however, that the invention applies equally to an opening of this kind pivoting with respect to its frame, as to other similar structures of door, window or the like, in which the opening is in particular slidably mounted relative to its frame.

 Usually in the art, the frame 5 of the opening comprises at least one and preferably two locking rods or rods mounted inside this frame and capable, by means of an appropriate mechanism, of projecting at the outside of the opening, or on the contrary to retract therein, so as to ensure the immobilization and the blocking of the opening vis-à-vis the frame, or conversely its release, the opening which can then be pivoted on its hinges or slid in the frame.

 The locking rods 8 of the opening (only one of which appears in FIG. 1) are usually controlled in synchronism, each of them, when it projects outside the chassis 5 upwards and / or towards the low relative to the opening, being adapted to penetrate into a receiving keeper 9 provided opposite in the upper or lower rebate of the frame 3 of the frame.

 In accordance with the invention and in the nonlimiting example shown, the opening 4 comprises a box 10, incorporating all of the mechanisms necessary for the position control of the locking rods 8, this mechanism being arranged so that it can be implemented without requiring that the frame 5 of the sash is previously applied with force against a seal 11 carried by the frame 3 of the frame, in particular before the rods are driven so as to s 'engage in their respective wastes. As a variant, the seal 11 could be carried by the profile 5.

 More particularly, the housing 10 includes a lateral slot 12, in which a finger 13 carried by the chassis 3 can freely engage, this finger, acting in the manner described in detail below, on a cam assembly housed in the box 10 and such that, once it is triggered when the leaf 4 is simply pushed effortlessly towards the frame 2, the sequence of operations automatically takes place which will make it possible to obtain complete locking of the leaf on the frame 2 with suitable compression of the seal 11, without any other effort on the part of the user.

 For this purpose, the ends of the locking rods 8 comprise, in a manner already known, a bevel face 14, suitably inclined, coming to cooperate with the edge of the keeper 9 where this rod engages, sliding on this edge as and as the latter moves to progressively bring the sash closer to the frame and ensure, at the end of their travel, their mutual mutual locking and compression of the seals.

 In Figure 1, the housing 10 is schematically illustrated provided with a push button 15, the latter being provided to control in all cases the unlocking of the device and in particular to inhibit the effect of the control mechanism triggered by the finger 13 penetrating into its slot 12, an action on this button, by reversing the displacement of the rods 8 which, in this case, retract in the chassis 5 whatever the stage reached during the preceding locking phase by releasing the opening and authorizing its opening relative to the frame.

 Figures 2 to 5 illustrate with all the necessary details, the particular structure of a first embodiment of the control mechanism and of the various elements housed inside the housing 10 carried by the frame 5 of the leaf 4, in particular allowing to explain how the finger 13 secured to the frame 5 of the frame ensures, when it enters the slot 12 of the housing, the triggering of this mechanism.

 In these Figures, we also find, diagrammatically illustrated, at least one of the two locking rods 8, the sliding of which with respect to the frame of the opening blocking of the latter in the manner already indicated. There is also the push button 15 carried by the housing 10.

This comprises a body 16, having in section a U-shaped profile with a bottom 17 parallel to the plane of the opening and two bearing edges 18 and 19 on the latter. The body 16 is closed laterally by flanges such as 20, only one of which, which includes the slot 12 for receiving the finger 13, is shown in the perspective view of the
Figure 2 and the side view of Figure 3, this flange having holes 21 allowing its immobilization on the body 16 by screws or the like (not shown).

 Inside the housing is housed a mobile support 22 for an electro-thermal cylinder 23, the details of which will be more particularly explained in relation to FIG. 5, this mobile support comprising a flange 24 on which the end of the one of the rods, here the rod 8, by means of a connecting pin 25 carried by this rim and penetrating into a hole of the same diameter provided at the corresponding end of the rod which is preferably in the form of '' a flat and elongated rod.

 Also shown in Figure 2 is the second locking rod 8 ', which is itself secured by means of a pin 26 of the end 27 of a sliding part 28. The latter is arranged so as to be able to slide on the mobile support 22, in order to produce relative displacements for the two rods 8 and 8 ′, carried out in opposite directions from one another relative to the housing 10 in order to achieve, as the case may be, the blocking of the opening when the rods protrude out of its chassis 5 as already specified, or vice versa its release when these rods retract in the chassis towards each other.

 Also in FIG. 2, the arrows F and F 'respectively show diagrammatically the mutual displacements of the rods in the locking direction where they move away from one another by deploying from the housing 10, unlocking occurring naturally following their movements in the opposite direction.

 The control of the two rods is obtained by placing on the movable support 22 on the one hand, on the sliding part 28 on the other hand, two racks, respectively 29 and 30, added or coming from manufacture with this housing and this part, these two racks being parallel to each other and spaced in the housing 10 by a distance such that it allows the mounting between them of a return pinion 31, the teeth 32 of which permanently mesh with those 33 of the racks 29 and 30.

 The pinion 31 is secured to an axis 34 by means of a locking screw 31a (Figure 4), this axis 34 extending perpendicular to its plane and allowing the support of this pinion in the vicinity of the internal face of the bottom 17 of case 10.

 Advantageously but not necessarily, the axis 34 passes through a bore 35 formed in this bottom 17 and is extended beyond the housing by a manual control handle 36, allowing a user to control the movement of the locking rods 8 and 8 'in the desired direction, independently of the control mechanism itself, the latter being arranged to tolerate without damage the manual effort possibly exerted on the rods by the handle 36. Note however that the use of the latter is in principle exceptional since the invention aims precisely to allow locking or unlocking of the opening vis-à-vis the frame which is automatic and obtained without any direct effort from the user. The handle 36, which is not illustrated in FIG. 1, therefore has only an occasional or emergency role, in the event of blockage or damage to the mechanism, creating a malfunction.

 The pinion 31 is in all cases associated with a return means 37, preferably constituted by a strong spiral spring mounted around the axis 34 and the ends of which, respectively 38 and 39, are secured to the first of the body of the pinion 31 and for the second from the bottom 17 of the housing. In this way, the displacement with symmetrical but inverted movements of the rods 8 and 8 'and as a result of the support 22 and the part 28 to which they are linked consecutively to the relative movement of the racks 29 and 30 with respect to the pinion 31 , causes a torsion of the spring 37 progressively bandaged around the axis 34, allowing the automatic return of these rods to their initial retracted position, under conditions which will be specified below.

 The lateral closing flange 20 of the housing 10 also comprises, in the vicinity of the slot 12 receiving the finger 13 triggering the mechanism carried by the frame 3 of the frame 2, a cam 40 pivotally mounted on the flange around a axis 41. This cam 40 has laterally a fork 42, delimited between two parallel arms 43 and 44 respectively, the arm 43 having a length substantially greater than that of the arm 44 in such a way that the first extends continuously across the slot 12, whatever the angular position of the cam 40 around its pivot axis 41, the second arm 44 in turn extending across the slot only for sufficient rotation of this cam.

 Figures 2 and 3 illustrate more particularly these arrangements, Figure 2 showing in particular the cam 40 before the finger 13 has entered the slot 12 and has caused the pivoting of this cam following a push without excessive force exerted on the sash in the direction of application of it on its frame.

 On the other hand, when as a result of this movement of the opening, the finger 13 is brought to the bottom of the slot 12, it can be seen, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3, that this finger is then held between the two arms 43 and 44 of the fork 42 and held therein.

 A spiral spring 40a (Figure 4) is mounted around the axis 41 of the cam 40 and at its ends respectively connected to the flange 20 on the one hand, to the cam 40 on the other hand, so that, in the absence of thrust on the opening engaging the finger 13 in the slot 12, this cam 40 is automatically returned to its position illustrated in Figure 2, the finger 13 then being outside the slot.

 The cam 40 also comprises a stud 45, disposed in the vicinity of its outer peripheral edge, this stud engaging in an open housing 46 of a slide 47 mounted inside the bolt-holder 10 and advantageously guided in its movement relative to at the edge 48 of the flange 20 thanks to a return 49 of this slide (Figure 2). Pawns, respectively 50 and 51, are also advantageously provided in the flange 20 and engage in elongated slots 52 and 53 of the slider, so that the latter is permanently held in place without hampering its movement longitudinal, parallel to that of the rods 8 and 8 ′, under the effect of the rotation of the cam 40 driving this slide 47 by its stud 45.

 The slide 47 also comprises an indexing and control index 54, projecting upwards, in particular in the direction of the bottom 17 of the housing and whose role will be explained below.

 If we now refer to FIG. 5, we can see in more detail the structure of the mobile support 22 carrying the electro-thermal cylinder 23.

 This support has an end wall 55 provided with a circular flange 56, suitable for serving as a guide for the rod 57 of the actuator 23, the latter, of the general type known under the term of thermal actuator being here constituted of a body 58 filled with an expandable material 59, capable of undergoing a rapid and significant increase in volume under the effect of a rise in temperature created by an electrical resistance 60 integrated into the jack, when the latter is energized in a circuit (not shown), itself collected from an appropriate external source. As a variant, the resistor 60 can be wound around the body of the jack, electrically isolated beforehand by a suitable material such as a glass cloth. The assembly is in this case also thermally insulated to promote the heating rate created by the electrical resistance.

 The material 59 contained in the body 58 of the jack is confined in the latter by means of a flexible membrane 61, tight with respect to this material and capable of accommodating the increase in volume due to the rise in temperature. produced due to the electrical tensioning of the resistor 60, by exerting on the rod 57 of the jack 1 corresponding pushing force. The rod 57 passes through a passage 62 formed in an abutment plate 63 on which the body 58 of the jack 23 is fixed. The rod 57 is moreover secured, by means of a connection 64 schematically shown in the drawing, with a second index 65 extending upwards inside the housing 10 and disposed substantially parallel to the index 54 of the slide 47. A return spring 66 is mounted between a bearing surface 67 secured to the index 65 and the wall end 55 of the movable support 22, so as to permanently exert a force between the housing 22 and the body 58 of the jack 23, such that the rod 57 of this jack returns to the initial position during the cooling of the expandable material 59, before solidification of it.

 In the position illustrated in Figure 5, the spring 66 is relaxed, so that, when the actuator 23 is tensioned and the volume of the material 59 increases, the force exerted through the membrane 61 on the rod 57, translates, due to the blocking of the index 65 linked to this rod produced in the manner indicated below, by a displacement, from left to right in the drawing, of the mobile support 22 , causing the rod 8 in the direction of locking the opening on the frame and, due to the return made by the pinion 31, the displacement of the same amplitude but in the opposite direction of the rod 8 '.

 This movement of the mobile support 22 is only authorized due to the natural blocking in position of the index 65 which serves as an anchor point and on which the reaction of the membrane 61 bears on the rod 57, by ensuring the displacement with respect to the latter of the stop plate 63 and consequently of the support 22 and therefore, with the latter, of the locking rod 8. The means suitable for authorizing this blocking will be described below. -after.

 The control mechanism housed in the housing 10 also includes a third index 68 (see Figures 2 and 4 in particular), linked to the mobile support 22, this index preferably being obtained by cutting and folding an element of the wall of this latest. This index 68 like the indexes 54 (for the slide 47) and 65 (for the rod 57 of the jack 23), is directed upwards, towards the bottom 17 of the housing 10.

 Associated with the three indexes 54, 65 and 68, the mechanism finally comprises a rocking member 69 pivotally mounted inside the case around an axis 70, this rocking member being in the form of a plate on one of the ends of which applies the push button 15, so that a force exerted on it pivots this rocker 69 about its axis 70. In the absence of such a force, the rocker member remains pivoted in the opposite direction, while being held in this position by a return spring 71, mounted between the bottom 17 of the housing 10 and the rocker 65 and pressing on the latter in the vicinity of its edge remote from the axis 70.

 The rocker 69 also comprises, inside one of the appropriate housings provided in its surface, three pistons 72, 73 and 74 (FIG. 2), suitable for blocking each of the indexes 54, 65 and 68 separately, respectively provided for or integral with the slide 47, the piston rod 57, and the movable support 22.

These pistons protrude from below the rocker member 69 and thus block the movement to the left of Figures 2, 3 and 5 of the aforementioned indexes, as long as the rocker remains in the position illustrated on these
Figures, under the effect of spring 71 which presses it down. On the other hand, in the event of a pushing force on the rocker, created by the push button 15, the pistons 72, 73 and 74, driven by this rocker, disengage upwards, releasing the three indexes, which are then liable to move from right to left in the drawings.

 Furthermore and for the reasons specified below, each of the pistons 72, 73 and 74 is associated on the rocker, with a return spring 75 allowing these pistons to retract momentarily when the index 54, 65 or 68, associated moves from left to right, relative to the rocker. Each of these indexes advantageously comprises for this purpose a beveled end 76, suitable for pushing the piston against the spring 75, before the latter recalls it in place behind the index when the latter has crossed the corresponding position, the piston thus returned to the position which can then again play the role of stop for the index, as already specified.

 The control mechanism thus produced, mounted inside the housing 10, is also associated with a mechanical logic assembly L, of which Figure 6 illustrates a particular embodiment.

 Each of the indexes, respectively 54, 65, 68, is engaged through a slot 77 provided at the end of a metal plate, the three plates thus associated with the three indexes being respectively designated under the references 78, 79 and 80 In FIG. 6, the rocker member 69 has also been shown diagrammatically, pivoting about its axis 70, as well as the locking pistons 72, 73 and 74, carried by this rocker and which, being placed behind the index fingers, form lateral stops for immobilizing the latter.

 The plates 78, 79 and 80 associated with the three indexes 54, 65 and 68, include extensions 81, 82 and 83, provided to be superimposed at their end opposite to their slot receiving the corresponding index, these rod extensions 57.

 This rod 57 being normally immobilized by its index finger 65 bearing on the piston 73 of the rocker, this effort causes a reaction on the mobile support 22 which moves relatively relative to the housing 10, from left to right, driving the rod locking 8 with it and, as a result of the transmission of the movement in the opposite direction, produced by the racks 29 and 30 and the pinion 31, by moving the second rod 8 'in the opposite direction.

 The plates 78, 79 and 80 in line with their extensions 81, 82 and 83, are housed together in a block 91 mounted in the housing 10 and incorporating the switch 89, the source of electrical voltage connected to the latter being disposed at the inside or outside the case as appropriate. In general, this supply is of the type used in the automotive industry, with a rechargeable battery and a very low voltage supply transformer, capable of supplying the electro-technical actuator with a sufficient service life the control power. necessary.

 The implementation of the control device according to the invention can now be explained with reference to the description of the various parts of the mechanism as just made above.

 In the initial position, it is assumed that the opening 4 is as for example shown in Figure 1, that is to say in the open position before it is locked against the frame 2 where the frames 3 and 5 of the two parts of the window are then tightly applied to one another, with compression of the seal 11, the locking rods 8 penetrating into their keepers 9 with progressive clamping effect by their inclined slope 14.

 In this first position, the trigger finger 13 engages in the open slot 12 of the housing 10, the effort required to apply the door leaf to the frame by causing the relative movement of this finger in this slot being practically insignificant.

 In its movement, the finger 13 engages the arms 43 and 44 of the fork 42 provided on the pivoting cam 40, which gradually rotates around its axis 41 until the opening is brought into a position called pre-locking, in which the finger 13 reaches the bottom of the slot 12, as illustrated by the dotted lines in FIG. 3.

 In its displacement thus produced under the effect of the finger 13, the cam 40 drives by its stud 45 the slide 47, which slides relative to the edge 48 of the flange 20 thanks to the pins 50 and 51 moving in the slots 52 and 53.

 The index 54, carried by the slide 47, thus moves from the left to the right in the drawing of Figures 2 and 3 in particular, until the beveled end 76 of this index comes into contact with the piston 72 which associated with it on the rocker 69, crossing the latter which momentarily disappears by compressing its spring 75 (Figure 3), before returning to the position where this piston protrudes behind the index, preventing it from turning back, ctest that is, in this case from right to left.

 In this same pre-locking position, the index 65, integral with the rod 57 of the jack 23 (see Figure 5), is itself disposed behind the piston 73 carried by the rocker 69, so that the two indexes 54 and 65 are thus placed side by side and immobilized with regard to any movement from right to left, as long as the rocker 69 remains in the position illustrated in the Figures, due to the force exerted on it. ci by the spring 71. On the other hand, a simple pushing force on the button 15 will cause the rocker 69 to pivot in the opposite direction and make the pistons 72 and 73 escape the indexes 54 and 65.

 Still in this same pre-locking position, the third index 68 secured to the support 22 on which the jack 23 is mounted is located outside and to the left of the rocker 69, as shown in FIG. 5, the rod 8 linked to this support by the pin 25 being retracted inside the housing, due to the force exerted on the rack 33 by the pinion 31, itself driven and maintained in this position by the strong spiral spring 37. The second rod 8 ', the movement of which is symmetrical and inverted with respect to that of rod 8, is therefore also retracted, the opening 4 then being free vis-à-vis the frame.

 When the parts of the mechanism are thus brought into the pre-locking position, where the three indexes 54, 65 and 68 are arranged relatively to each other as indicated, as illustrated in particular in Figure 6, the notches 84, 85 and 86 provided in the cut out extensions 81, 82 and 83 of the plates 78, 79 and 80 of the mechanical logic, which cooperate by their slot 77 with each of the aforementioned indexes, are opposite one another, such so that the profiled end 87 of the pivoting arm 88 of the microswitch 89 can be struggled and engage in this notch under the effect of the pusher 90.

 In this situation, the microswitch 89 closes the electrical circuit in which the resistor 60 of the jack 23 is mounted, by placing this resistor under an appropriate voltage such that the expandable material 59, contained in the body 58 of this jack, expands rapidly by exerting, via the flexible membrane 61, a notable pushing force on the end of the rod 57.

 This rod 57 being itself immobilized with respect to the index 65 by the link 64 (Figure 5), and this index being blocked by the piston 73 of the rocker 69 which prohibits its movement from right to left on the drawings, this results in a reaction on the body 58 which, on the contrary, will move from the left to the right with respect to the rod 57.

 The body 58 of the jack 23 being secured to the stop plate 63 carried by the mobile support 22, the latter will therefore follow the movement of the jack in the same direction, bringing with it the rod 8, which, via teeth 33 of the racks 29 and 30 and the return from one to the other of their respective movements by the toothed pinion 31, will cause the symmetrical and reverse movement of the second rod 8 '.

 Under these conditions, the two rods 8 and 8 'move away from one another relative to the housing 10 (Figure 1), gradually penetrating into their keepers 9 and achieving the locking of the opening 4 on the frame 2, simultaneously with the appropriate compression of the seals 11, mounted between the frames 3 and 5 of these two parts of the door or window considered.

 Thanks to the “floating” mounting of the jack 23 thus produced, the locking of the opening by the rods 8 and 8 ′ takes place automatically, until the index finger 68, carried by the mobile support 22, which moves with it the third blade 80 of the mechanical logic due to the engagement of this index in the slot 72 provided on this blade, in turn crosses the third piston 74 provided on the rocker 69 and finally stops behind it ci, the relative dimensions of the various parts thus used being determined so that this crossing of the piston 74 corresponds in practice to the maximum extension stroke provided for the rods 8 and 8 ', penetrating at the bottom of their respective keepers 9.

 The particular shape of the notch 86 is such that, for the maximum locking stroke, the tongue 87 is pushed back against the pusher 90, which causes the opening, therefore the cut, of the electrical circuit supplying the resistor 60 of the jack 23 .

 In the previous final position, where the opening is thus immobilized and locked on the frame, the opening of the window is carried out in a particularly easy manner, by simple action on the push button 15 appearing on the external face of the housing 10, by pivoting the rocker 69 around its axis 70 with compression of the return spring 71, this movement of the rocker therefore making the three pistons 72, 73 and 74 escape the three indexes 54, 65 and 68 respectively.

 Due to the tension of the spiral spring 37, created by the previous extension movement of the rods 8 and 8 ', the latter are then immediately returned to the retracted position, since the index 68, forming a stop for the movable support 22 behind the piston 74, has erased itself. The pinion 31, rotating around its axis 34, thus brings the racks 29 and 30 back to the initial position, in which the spring 37 is relaxed.

Simultaneously, the piston 72 releases the index 54 carried by the slide 47, the latter being in turn returned to the initial position by the effect of the spring 40a (Figure 4) mounted around the axis 41 of this cam, bringing the fork 42 thereof in the position illustrated on the
FIG. 2, at the same time as the opening 4 emerges from its frame, in particular under the opening force due to the relaxation of the seal 11, compressed during the previous locking between the chassis 3 and 5.

 On the other hand, the index 65 integral with the rod 57 remains in position, the jack 23 whose electrical supply has been interrupted from the start of the relative movement of the blades 78, 79 and 80 of the mechanical logic, not exerting in this no effort on the rod.

 The different indexes are found in these conditions in the initial situation, the opening can be freely maneuvered until the moment when, under the effect of a new approach vis-à-vis the frame, the finger 13 again enters the open groove 12 and moves the slide 47 again, the process which has just been explained being repeated identically.

 The above device allows, however, not only to obtain the automatic unlocking of the opening after blocking due to the complete extension of the rods 8 and 8 'in their keepers 9 as described above, but also to achieve this unlocking at any time, by interrupting the movement of the rods and their return to the retracted position even if they are not fully engaged in their keepers.

 In particular, such a situation may arise while the force exerted on the push button 15 is engaged but before the jack 23 has fully relaxed, that is to say with the expandable material 59 contained in the body 58 of the expanded cylinder, and therefore, before the rods 8 and 8 'are completely displaced, the index 68 secured to the movable support 22 not having yet crossed the position of the piston 74 forming a stop for these stems.

 In this case, in fact, when the button 15 rotates the rocker 69 as already indicated, the index 65 escapes from the piston 73, so that the current effort, due to the expansion of the material 59 inside of the body 58 of the jack 23, determines a thrust on the rod 57 which, then, is no longer immobilized by the index 65 of which it is integral.

 The movement of the movable support 22 relative to the rod 57 is therefore immediately stopped since the latter is no longer immobilized and no longer provides a reaction point which, in the previous operation, precisely allows the displacement of the rods 8 and 8 '.

In all cases, whether the rods 8 and 8 ′ are completely or partially engaged in their respective keepers 9, pressing the button 15 will simultaneously cut off the electrical supply to the resistor 60 of the jack 23. The cooling of the material 59 then allows progressive relaxation of the spring 66, pushing the rod 57 to the right in the drawing of the
Figure 5, which causes pressure on the membrane 61, the material 59 shrinking.

 This allows the rod 57 to return to the initial position before the material 59 has completely solidified.

 In this position, the index 65 is below (on the left in the drawing) of the rocker 69, which corresponds to its initial position when the window sash is in the open position.

 When the rods 8 and 8 ′ are actuated normally until the leaf is completely locked, the mechanical logic L cuts the power supply to the resistor 60 and causes, in the same way, the return to the initial position of the rod 57.

 This movement is then carried out from left to right in the drawing, thus causing the index 65 to the right, in a direction in which it is free to move.

 Simultaneously, the notch 85 is also moved to the right, beyond the notch 86, which condemns any new electrical supply to the resistor 60, until the respective positions of the blades of the mechanical logic are reset during later opening of the window.

 An automatic control device is thus produced which is more particularly adapted to the movement of the locking rods of an opening vis-à-vis a frame, in which the closure corresponding to the engagement of these rods in their keepers is assisted, so that no particular effort is to be deployed by the user, which has a very particular advantage for disabled or elderly people.

 Of course, such an application has no exclusive character, the control device can likewise be used for the implementation of a lock or more generally of any assembly requiring a limited and controlled movement of a movable element, with faculty to retract it at any time.

 Note also that the device described can perfectly be used in addition to a traditional device for operating the locking rods, as moreover illustrated in the embodiment described above, the control of the pinion 31 which results in its rotation the movement of the racks 29 and 30 and consequently of the rods 8 and 8 'until the latter are blocked by the stop of the index 68 behind the piston 74 of the rocker 69, which can be produced independently, the indexes 54 and 65 as well as their associated mechanisms normally performing their respective movements without damage.

 In all cases, the unlocking is carried out following the pivoting of the rocker, the spring 37 stretched by the movement of the handle 36, bringing the rods into the retracted position as soon as the index 68 escapes its piston 74.

 Figure 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the mechanical logic and in particular of the structure of the plates 78, 79 and 80 in the slots 72 which engage the indexes 54, 65 and 68 respectively, these plates being in the previous example consisting of simple metal blades.

 In the variant considered, the mechanical logic, designated as a whole under the reference 91, is arranged so that each blade is composite and has a sandwich structure, with a central conductive part 92, 93 and 94 respectively, disposed between two insulating parts 95 on each side.

 These blades can slide relative to each other according to their plane, under the effect of the displacements which are imposed on them by the indexes 54, 65 and 68. Their conductive parts are moreover designed so as to be flush in an area narrow limited on the sides of these blades, the two conductive parts of the end blades 92 and 94 respectively comprising returns 96 and 97 provided at the level of the flush parts of these blades and such that they can come into sliding contact with the conductive part of the central blade 93, for an appropriate mutual position of these three blades.

 In this case, an electrical connection is established between them which, in the same manner as already indicated, closes the circuit of the jack 23 and triggers the device. This variant makes it possible, under these conditions, to avoid the use of a micro-switch, without otherwise modifying the principle and the methods of implementing the logic used.

 Of course, and as already follows from the above, it goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiment more specifically described and shown, no more than the variant indicated; on the contrary, it embraces all the adaptations and modifications which fall within the scope of the claims below.

Claims (12)

 1 - Device for causing the automatic displacement of a locking element or actuator, in particular for the opening of a window, door or the like, comprising a control push-button (15) and, inside the chassis ( 5) of the opening (4), a housing (10) housing an operating mechanism for the movement of one and preferably two parallel rods (8, 8 ') in opposite directions under the effect of a toothed pinion (31) meshing with racks (29, 30) integral with the end of the two rods inside the housing to engage or disengage their ends forming a bolt opposite a keeper (9) carried by a fixed frame (2) receiving the opening, characterized in that the or one of the rods is carried by a mobile support (22) for an electrothermal actuator (23), the body (58) of which is connected to the support and whose electrical power is controlled by a mechanical logic mechanism (91) consisting of three l adjacent souls (78, 79, 80), one of which (80) is linked to the support and the second (79) to the rod (57) of the jack, the third (78) being integral with a slide (47) actuated by a cam (40), itself controlled by the movement of the opening element brought without compression to an initial pre-locking position.  2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a spiral spring (37) is mounted around the axis (34) of the pinion (31) so as to automatically return the two rods (8, 8 ') in opening position of the opening (4) where the bolt is released from its strike (9), in the absence of electrical control voltage on the jack (23).  3 - Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the axis (34) of the pinion (31) cooperates with an optional locking handle (36), for manual control of the displacement of the rods, the unlocking being in all cases exclusively controlled by the push button (15).  4 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the housing (10) housing the control mechanism comprises a slot (12) receiving a fixed finger (13) carried by the frame (2), so that the movement of this finger in the slot under the effect of the progressive application of the opening (4) against the frame, determines the pivoting of the cam (40) pivoting on an axis (41) offset vis- opposite the slot and carried by the housing, having a radial drive fork (42) in which the finger engages.  5 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cam (40) comprises a stud (45) engaged in an open housing (46) of the slide (47) movable longitudinally relative to the housing (10 ) whose position depends on that of the cam around its axis (41).  6 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the movable support (22) of the jack (23) on the one hand, the rod (57) of this jack on the other hand, and finally the slide (47), each have an index, the three indexes (54, 65, 68) each being engaged in a drive slot (72) of a blade (78, 79, 80) belonging to the mechanical logic mechanism.  7 - Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the three blades (78, 79, 80) of the mechanical logic consist of metal plates, the end of which comprises the drive slot of one of the three indexes (54, 65 , 68) respectively, the opposite extensions (81, 82, 83) of the mutually overlapping plates and each having a recess (84, 85, 86), offset from one to the other in these plates, so that for a determined relative position of the three blades, these together delimit an open notch into which the end (87) of the arm (88) of a micro-switch (89), which is mounted in the electrical circuit for controlling the cylinder (23).  8 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the housing (10) internally comprises a rocker member (69) articulated on a transverse axis (70) and able to be pivoted by means of a button -pusher (15) carried by the housing, this rocker being provided with three pistons (72, 73, 74), realizing the blocking of the three indexes (54, 65, 68) in the position occupied by the rocker under the effect of 'a return spring (71) mounted inside the housing, and their release as a result of the pivoting of the rocker against this return spring, following its movement under the effect of the push button.  9 - Device according to claim 8, characterized in that each piston (72, 73, 74) is retractably mounted on the rocking member (69), against a spring (75) associated with this piston , movable in a hole of the rocker receiving it.  10 - Device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the jack (23) comprises a body (58), filled with an expandable material (59), capable of undergoing a rapid increase in volume under the effect of a temperature rise created by an electrical resistance (60) integrated in or associated with the jack, tensioned by means of an external source, the expandable material (59) being confined in the body (58) of the jack (23) by a membrane (61), flexible and tight, exerting a force on the end of the movable rod (57) of this jack to produce a thrust thereon.  11 - Device according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the rod (57) of the jack (23) is permanently subjected to the thrust of a spring (66), bearing on the internal wall ( 55) of the housing (10) on the one hand and on the index (65) integral with this rod (57) on the other hand, so as to ensure its return to the initial retracted position in the absence of force exerted by the expandable material (59) through the waterproof membrane (61).  12 - Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the three mobile blades (78, 79, 80) of the mechanical logic are constituted by adjacent composite blades and applied one against the other, each comprising a conductive part ( 92, 93, 94) sandwiched between two insulating parts (95), these conductive parts flush with a determined narrow zone provided on one of the sides of the corresponding blade, each of the two outer blades further comprising a sliding metal contact (96 , 97), welded on its conductive part in the flush area thereof and allowing an electrical connection with the conductive part of the intermediate blade, so that the conductive parts of the three blades are only in contact for a determined relative position of these.