FR2807787A1 - ROLLING SHUTTER WITH OBSTACLE DETECTOR - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a rolling shutter (1) comprising motor drive means, as well as means (6) for controlling the stop of the operation of this drive motor in the event of detection of an obstacle in the path. of the bulkhead (3), more particularly during deployment. Advantageously, said stop control means (6) comprise at least one pyroelectric detector (7, 7A), of the passive infrared type, with which optical means are associated (8) suitable for defining a substantially planar detection volume (9, 9A) extending immediately to the front, external side, and / or to the rear, internal side, and / or in the plane into which is brought deploying said apron (3).

Description

The invention relates to a rolling shutter comprising drive means.

  motorized for controlling the winding and unwinding of an apron provided capable of being deployed in at least one plane in front of a building opening of the door, window or similar type, this rolling shutter being provided, again control means for stopping the operation of the drive motor in the event of detection of an obstacle in the path of the bulkhead, more

  particularly during deployment.

  The present invention relates to the field of roller shutters, in particular those equipped with motor means for driving their deck and which therefore require the presence of means of

  security capable of ensuring user protection.

  It is more and more frequent to equip buildings with closing means whose operation is motorized, not only for reasons of convenience of use, but also for

increased security.

  This is the case with roller shutters and it is quite common for them to be able to control their operation, not only from the control unit which is associated with them each time, but also from a general control which then makes it possible to manage the simultaneous operation of several of these roller shutters. Note that this connection of these roller shutters to each other, or even to the central control can be achieved by specific wiring, by remote communication means of the radio type or the like or by carrier current. The latter solution is particularly advantageous taking into account the necessarily existing electrical connection of the shutter drive means.

  traveling to the household electrical network.

  This generalization of the group order of several roller shutters from a control point now requires the installation, almost systematically, of security means making it possible to ensure that when the order is made, in particular closing the 'a roller shutter, there is no risk of injury by jamming a person, or even a child, located at that time on the path of the deck of this shutter. It is obvious

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  that in the event of a group order of several of these components, it is

  impossible to monitor all of them simultaneously.

  Also, it is usual to equip these rolling shutters with obstacle detectors having precisely the function of stopping the electric drive motor in the event that an obstacle occurs.

  present on this path of the apron when it closes.

  The problem posed by most of these detectors lies in their operating reliability or in the difficulty of

  their implementation on roller shutters.

  Thus, by way of example, it is known to place on the end of a winding shaft of the deck, a coding wheel with which appropriate optical means are associated, while this coding wheel is driven by a cable. drive directly connected to the last blade of the deck. Consequently, when this blade abuts against an obstacle during the closing command, the drive of the encoder wheel is interrupted which is detected by the associated optical means which then control the stopping of the motor. If through such a solution there is no inertia in the engine stop command with respect to meeting the obstacle, it is particularly difficult to implement, since it is necessary to connect the first blade of the apron by a cable necessarily extending along the lateral slides in which the ends of the blades of this apron are made to move. Consequently, the presence of this cable is likely to cause frequent malfunctions at the level of the

roller shutter.

  Another solution consists in equipping at least some of the ends of the blades of the apron with a magnet, while at the upper end of a slide is placed an ILS switch. Thus, during the deployment of the roller shutter, the ILS switch observes the smooth running of the curtain, while in the event of blockage it detects the stop of the movement of the magnets equipping the

  apron blades to control engine stop.

  Unlike the previous solution, there is inertia between the moment when the engine is cut off and the arrival on obstacle

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  of the first blade of the deck. If the obstacle is located very close to the door or window threshold, almost the entire weight of the

  apron will rest on this obstacle before the stop occurs.

  It is also known to equip the first blade of the apron, in particular at one of its ends, with a magnet, while in the corresponding slide in which this blade end comes to move is provided with an inductive sensor at the terminals which one comes to detect a tension under the effect of the displacement of the blade and

  of its magnet, therefore during the deployment of the roller shutter.

  Consequently, once again, it is necessary to equip the slide (s) with an inductive sensor and, on the other hand, connect these sensors to an electronic card, an operation which cannot be carried out in the factory but necessarily on site, by the assembly operators. This solution again poses the problem of cost, but also that of reliability, taking into account the connections

that it imposes.

  The present invention is intended to respond to the above problems, on the one hand, by proposing a solution which facilitates the design of the roller shutter, while avoiding the drawback of inertia between the arrival on obstacle by the first blade of

  apron and the actual shutdown of the drive motor.

  Thus, the invention relates to a roller shutter comprising motor drive means for controlling the winding and unwinding of a deck provided intended to be deployed in at least one plane in front of a building opening of the type door, window or the like, this roller shutter being provided, again, with means for controlling the stop of the operation of the drive motor in the event of detection of an obstacle in the path of the curtain, more particularly during deployment, characterized in that said stop control means comprise at least one pyroelectric detector, of the passive infrared type, with which are associated appropriate optical means for defining a substantially planar detection volume extending immediately to the front, external side , and / or at the rear, internal side, and / or in the plane in which is

  caused to deploy said apron.

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  The advantages arising from the present invention consist in that this passive infrared detector can come to equip the roller shutter box in the factory, at a place where the assembly operators do not need to intervene, this in order to reduce the operations. assembly, but also in order to reduce the risk of failure. Obviously, the solution according to the invention leads to a simplification of the very design of the roller shutter, insofar as this obstacle detection no longer involves the side slides, without encountering the concern of detecting a late obstacle on the path of the deck. Better still, in this case this obstacle causes the engine to stop as soon as, precisely, it crosses this trajectory and, therefore, even before the first blade of the deck meets it. Deployment is simply not authorized if its control occurs while an obstacle arises in the detection plane of the detector. In addition, if an object or a person comes to be placed in this trajectory once the apron in movement, this one is immediately stopped under

the pulse of this detector.

  Thus equipped with a passive infrared detector, such roller shutters can effectively contribute to the peripheral protection of a home if they are connected to an alarm center. In particular, by placing, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the infrared detector and the associated optical means so that the detection plane extends between said rolling shutter and the door or window corresponding to opening in the building, an intrusion attempt can be immediately detected as soon as the intruder cuts this detection camp. The alarm center can then be informed, in particular by carrier current or any other

adapted means.

  In such a combined application, it will be observed that these passive infrared detectors have a very low energy consumption so that in the event of a cut in the supply of electrical energy through the network of the housing sector, this supply of these detectors can be ensured by a simple

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  tank capacity. Also, it is not necessary to associate therewith costly and bulky autonomous supply means, of the battery or similar type, which also have the drawback of a limited lifespan and which should therefore be , replace regularly. Other objects are advantages of the present invention

  will appear during the detailed description which follows

  relating to embodiments which are given only as

indicative and not limiting.

  Understanding this description will be facilitated by

  Referring to the attached drawing in which: - Figure i is a schematic representation of a roller shutter extending in front of a window of a building and comprising obstacle detection means according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a schematic representation in section on II-II of Figure I; - Figure 3 is a representation similar to Figure

  previous illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

  As shown in the figures of the attached drawing, the present invention relates to a motorized rolling shutter I for door,

window or similar 2.

  Thus, in a known manner this rolling shutter I comprises an electric drive motor (not shown) to ensure

  the winding and unwinding of the deck 3 of this rolling shutter 1.

  Note, in this regard, that this deck 3 is deployed at least in a plane 4 in front of this opening to which corresponds said door or window. In the figures are visible the side slides 5 in which the

  ends of the blades making up this deck 3.

  It is important to observe that if the installation of the roller shutter 1, shown here, corresponds to a renovation situation, the present invention is in no way limited to such a form of installation, since it will also find its application in the case of a construction fitted with such rolling shutters as original equipment.

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  It is also planned to equip this motorized roller shutter with means 6 for controlling the stop of the operation of the drive motor in the event of detection of an obstacle in the path of the deck 3, more particularly during the deployment of the latter. . According to the invention, these stop control means 6 comprise at least one pyroelectric detector 7, of the passive infrared type, with which are associated optical means 8 suitable for defining a substantially flat detection sector 9 extending immediately to the front, external side 10, and / or rear 11, internal side, and / or in the plane 4 in which said deployment is caused to deploy

apron 3.

  Advantageously, the optical means 8, associated with this detector 7 of the passive infrared type, consist of a Fresnel lens of the curtain type of small width, so that the detection volume is substantially plane. By way of example, the opening angle provided in one direction by means of such a lens could be of the order of 90 in one direction and 4 in a perpendicular direction. Anyway, this detection volume 9 is at least parallel to the plane 4 of the deck, if it is not confused with the latter. It is also limited by the frame 12 of the door or window 2 and to the extent that, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the detector 7 is integrated into the box 15 of the roller shutter 1, its lower limit is determined more particularly by threshold 13 of this window, door or

similar 2.

  Advantageously, this detection volume 9 extends from the internal side 11 of the plane of the deck 3, in a space 14 between the latter and the joinery, either the door or the like. In such a configuration, the deck does not interfere with the detection during

  shutter closing, but, in addition, this pyro- type detector

  electric 7 can intervene, advantageously, within the framework of a perimeter detection in an alarm installation of a

dwelling.

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  More particularly, once the control unit is activated, this detector may be able to detect, not an obstacle, but an intrusion attempt, whether or not the shutter is closed. Thus, when approaching door or window 2, this passive infrared detector is capable of detecting a temperature variation in order to generate a signal towards said alarm center by any appropriate means of communication and, in particular , by means of intercommunication means connecting, for example, several roller shutters together. Note in this regard that through such means of intercommunication a rolling shutter necessarily has all the means that are useful for

  guarantee this transfer of the signal resulting from the detector 7.

  Obviously, in the context of a construction as has been referred to above, detection can still take place when the deck 3 is fully, or even only partially deployed. Indeed, during an intrusion attempt, the aigrefin which raises the apron 3 is immediately detected as soon as it enters the space 14 delimited by this apron 3 and the door or

  window 2, before he even opened it.

  According to another embodiment, the roller shutter is equipped with a detector comprising two pyroelectric zones, or even as shown in FIG. 3 of two similar detectors 7, 7A whose detection volume 9.9A extends, respectively , in a plane at the rear, internal side 11, of plane 4 of the deck 3 and in a plane

  parallel. Thus, through this detector with several pyro-

  electric or these two detectors 7.7A it is not only possible to detect the presence of an obstacle in the path of this deck 3, but also, the direction of movement of the obstacle, either of a person or an animal. This enables perimeter detection to be activated through a home's alarm center, while maintaining, in particular, a half-opened high window. Under these conditions, only movements originating from the outside and passing through the detection volume are detected, first of all that corresponding to the pyroelectric zone or to the detector 7A located furthest outside, then that of the pyroelectric zone or the detector

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  interior 7. Conversely, a movement in the opposite direction can

  be ignored by this alarm center.

  It should also be observed that this detection of the direction of movement, in particular of a person, through an opening of a dwelling, in particular at the level of a door, offers

  multiple possibilities of control, statistics and others.

  If such a pyroelectric type detector comes advantageously to meet the constraints of obstacle detection, it also provides a certain number of advantages in terms of its integration into an alarm system. In particular, this type of detector has the particularity of requiring only a small amount

  energy supply to guarantee its functioning.

  In this regard, if its electrical connection in itself poses no problem insofar as the shutter itself includes, necessarily, a connection to the power supply sector of the home, it is important, in an application as as an intrusion detector, that its operation be ensured in the event of a mains supply failure. The solution to such a problem consists, of course, in resorting to autonomous electrical supply means, such as batteries or the like. In fact,

  thanks to this reduced consumption of these infrared type detectors

  passive red, their feeding can be guaranteed for several

  tens of hours with a simple tank capacity.

  As is apparent from the above description, the present

  The invention makes it possible to respond effectively to the problems of obstacle detection in the context of the operation of motorized roller shutters. In particular, this detection does not generate any discomfort in the mounting of these shutters. In addition, manufacturing does not prove to be considerably more expensive than a solution without necessarily associated means of detection and stop control.

  and which therefore offers no security.

  Thus, this or these infrared detector 7,7A can be integrated in the box 15 and in particular in the lower face 16, as can be seen diagrammatically in the figures. Such an implementation solution is possible, both in a

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  configuration of renovation than in a new construction that one

  comes originally fitted with roller shutters.

  Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, it is understood that it is in no way limited thereto and that it is possible to make various modifications to the forms, materials and combinations of these. various elements without

  for this to move away from the framework and the spirit of the invention.

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Claims (6)

  1) roller shutter (1) comprising motor drive means for controlling the winding and unwinding of an apron (3) provided capable of being deployed in at least one plane (4) in front of an opening of building of the door, window or similar type (2), this roller shutter (1) being provided, again, with means (6) for controlling the stop of the operation of the drive motor in the event of detection of an obstacle in the path of the apron (3), more particularly during deployment, characterized in that said stop control means (6) comprise at least one pyroelectric detector (7,7A), of passive infrared type, to which are associated with optical means (8) suitable for defining a substantially planar detection volume (9.9A) extending immediately to the front, external side (10), and / or to the rear, internal side (11), and / or in the plane (4) in which is caused to be deploy said apron (3).   2) Roller shutter (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical means (8) associated with the detector (7.7A) of passive infrared type, consist of a Fresnel lens of curtain type of small width, so that the detection volume (9.9A) approaches a plan.   3) Roller shutter (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2,   characterized in that the detection volume (9) extends from the internal side (11) of the plane of the bulkhead (3), in a space (14) between   the latter and the carpentry, either the door or the like (2).   4) Roller shutter (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3,   characterized in that the rolling shutter is equipped with a detector with two pyroelectric zones or with two similar detectors (7.7A) whose detection volume (9.9A) extends, respectively, in a plane immediately at the rear, internal side (11), of the plane (4) of the   deck (3), and in a parallel plane.   ) Roller shutter (1) according to any one of claims   1 to 4, characterized in that the pyroelectric detector (s)   (7,7A) are integrated into the box (15) of the rolling shutter (1).   il9 1 2807787 6) Roller shutter (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the pyroelectric detector (s) (7,7A) are integrated in the   level of the lower face (16) of the box (15).   7) Roller shutter (1) according to any one of claims   1 to 6, characterized in that the means (6) for stopping the obstacle, in the form of at least one pyroelectric detector (7,7A), are connected to an alarm center for peripheral protection of a house.   8) motorized roller shutter (1), comprising means of intercommunication with at least one other similar roller shutter, according to claim 7, characterized in that its controls   obstacle stop (6) in the form of at least one pyro-   electric (7.7A), are connected to an alarm center by   through said means of intercommunication.