FR2937998A1 - Motorized opening/closing device for mobile element i.e. casement of gate, has damping unit for exerting damping force on mobile element for opposing sliding of moving part to fix caster against ground - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a fixed part (2) fixed at a mobile element, and a moving part (3) slid with respect to the fixed part. A caster (34) is connected with the ground for displacing the mobile element, and a damping unit exerts damping force of 150 Newton on the mobile element for opposing sliding of the moving part with respect to the fixed part to fix the caster against the ground, where the damping force is constant irrespective of the position of the moving part with respect to the fixed part.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a device for motorized opening and closing of gate leaves or the like.

STATE OF THE ART Motorized door opening and closing devices are known, comprising a fixed part intended to be fixed to the movable element, and a mobile part able to slide relative to the fixed part and including a wheel intended to be in contact with the ground to drive the mobile element on the move. This type of device makes it possible to adapt to the irregularities of the ground. FR 2,711,173 A1 discloses an opening and closing device comprising a frame fixed on a leaf and a frame supporting a motor and wheel assembly. The frame is slidably mounted relative to the frame by means of rods trapped in translation in a set of rollers mounted to rotate freely on the frame. In this device, the wheel is applied to the ground under the effect of the weight of the own weight of the moving assembly which carries it. Although this device is satisfactory in terms of efficiency and simplicity, it is often necessary to add an extra weight to ensure a satisfactory support of the wheel against the ground. FR 2 793 831 A1 discloses an opening and closing device comprising a plate fixed on a leaf and a movable assembly carrying a wheel slidably mounted in a substantially vertical direction on the plate by means of guiding means. The guide means comprise three mounted rollers 30 rotating on the plate and a guide bar of non-circular section belonging to the movable assembly and able to slide between the rollers. The bar is made of a solid metal to give the movable assembly sufficient weight to obtain good adhesion of the wheel.

This document specifies that the bar has a mass of the order of 2 to 4 kilograms. This device avoids resorting to the addition of a separate weight, which would contribute to a size of the device. However, the weight of the moving assembly is not always sufficient to ensure good adhesion of the wheel, under certain extreme conditions, especially in the presence of wind acting on the leaf or in the case of a leaf with a significant weight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to improve the grip of the wheel on the ground. This problem is solved in the context of the present invention by means of a motorized opening and closing device for a movable element, such as a gate leaf, comprising a fixed part intended to be fixed to the movable element, and a moveable part slidable with respect to the fixed part and including a wheel intended to be in contact with the ground to drive the mobile element in displacement, characterized in that it comprises damping means capable of exerting on the moving part has a damping force tending to oppose the sliding of the movable part relative to the fixed part to press the caster against the ground, the damping force being substantially constant regardless of the position of the moving part relative to the fixed part. This device makes it possible to apply an additional force to the wheel, without the need to increase the mass of the moving part.

The device may furthermore have the following characteristics: the damping means comprise at least one jack, the jack is able to provide a force when it is caused to retract, the damping means comprise means for 30 demultiplier a force provided by the jack, - the gearing means comprise at least one cable connecting the fixed part to the movable part, the jack being able to apply the force on the cable, - the cable is folded to form several strands , the jack applying a force at a fold between two strands, - the damping means comprise a pulley fixed to one end of the jack, in which the cable passes and through which the jack applies the stress on the cable - the damping means comprise two jacks arranged on either side of the movable part.

PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES Other features and advantages will become apparent from the description which follows, which is purely illustrative and nonlimiting and should be read with reference to the appended figures, in which: FIG. 1 is an exploded diagrammatic perspective view of A device according to one embodiment of the invention, - Figures 2 and 3 are schematic views of the device in which the movable part is respectively in a low position and a high position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1, the device 1 for opening and closing leaves or the like comprises a fixed part 2 intended to be fixed on the leaf and a movable part 3 able to slide with respect to the fixed part. The fixed part 2 comprises a first plate 21 of horizontal section generally U-shaped, with a bottom plate 22 and two wings 23, 24. The bottom plate 22 has holes for fixing the plate on the leaf, for example by bolting, in the lower region of the leaf, opposite its pivot axis. The fixed part 2 also comprises a set of rollers 25, 26, 27, horizontal, each roller being rotatably mounted relative to the plate 21 along a horizontal axis. Each roller 25, 26, 27 extends in a horizontal direction and is mounted on a shaft carried by the wings 23, 24 of the plate 21.

The movable part 3 comprises a motorized assembly 31 including a motor 32, a housing 33 and two wheels 34 disposed on either side of the housing 33. The housing 33 contains a gearbox (not visible in Figure 1) for transmitting the rotational movement of the motor output shaft to the wheels. The movable portion 3 also comprises a rod or vertical rod 31 of rectangular section slidably mounted between the rollers 25, 26, 27. The bar 35 has a first end 351 (low end) and a second end 352 (high end). The bar is fixed on the motorized assembly at the first end 351. The movable part 3 is able to slide vertically with respect to the fixed part 2 by means of the bar 35 and the rollers 25, 26, 27 forming guiding means.

The device 1 also comprises a damping device 4 intended to exert on the mobile part 3 a damping force tending to oppose the upward sliding of the movable part 3 with respect to the fixed part 2 so as to flatten the wheels 34 against the ground. The damping device 4 comprises a second plate 41 intended to be fixed to the leaf. More specifically, the second plate 41 comprises a bottom plate 42 having orifices 43 for fixing the plate 41 to the leaf, and lower fixing tabs 44 and 45 arranged on either side of the plate 42. The lower fastening tabs 44 each include a notch 46 for receiving a cable end. The end of the cable can easily be fixed on the tab 44: for this purpose, a knot is formed at the end of the cable and the cable is slid into the notch 46, the knot preventing the removal of the cable out of the notch. The damping device 4 also comprises two gas cylinders 47, each gas cylinder being fixed on the plate 41 by means of the fixing lugs 45, 46. Each jack 47 comprises a cylindrical body 48 and a rod 49 adapted to slide relative to the body.

The damping device 4 further comprises two pulleys 411, each pulley 411 being attached to a free end of the rod 49 of a jack 47. Each pulley 411 comprises a sheave 412 whose periphery has a groove 413 adapted to receive a cable.

Finally, the damping device 4 comprises a plate 414 for attaching the cables. The plate 414 is adapted to be fixed on the bar 35 at the second free end 352 thereof. The plate 414 comprises two tabs 415, each tab 415 having a notch 416 for receiving a cable end.

The damping device 4 is adapted to be associated with a device for opening and closing leaf pre-existing, as needed, particularly in case of problems of adhesion of the wheels related to the wind or the weight of the leaf. The second plate 42 is interposed between the first plate 22 and the wall of the leaf. In this configuration, the gas cylinders 47 extend on either side of the movable part 3. FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic views of the device in which the mobile part 2 is respectively in a low position and a high position. As seen in these figures, the damping device 4 comprises a pair of cables 417, each cable 417 being fixed at a first end to a bracket 44 of the second plate 41 and at the level of a second end to a fixing lug 415 of the attachment plate 414. In addition, each cable 417 abuts in the groove of one of the sheaves 411. In this configuration, each cable 417 is folded in two parts. so that it comprises two strands, the jack 47 applying a force at the bending of the cable through the pulley 411. In Figure 2, the movable portion 3 is in the low position. The rods 49 of the cylinders 47 are in an extended position. In Figure 3, the movable portion 3 is in the upper position. The rods 49 of the cylinders 47 are in a retracted position inside the body 48.

When the mobile part 3 slides in the fixed part 2 upwards, the mobile part 3 pulls on the cables 417, which has the effect that the cables 417 slide in the pulleys 411. The cables 417 apply a compressive force on the rods 49 of the gas cylinders 47, this force tends to retract the rods 49 in the body 48 of the cylinders.

Each gas cylinder 47 exerts on the cable with which it is associated 417 a resisting force tending to oppose this retraction. This force is almost constant regardless of the position of the mobile part 3 with respect to the fixed part 4.

Each pulley assembly 411 + cable 417 forms reduction means, making it possible to divide the stroke of the bar 35. The stroke of the bar 35 (typically of the order of 240 millimeters) is converted into a stroke of the rod 49 of the cylinder 47 twice as small (about 120 millimeters). This allows to have cylinders 47 having a small footprint.

The damping device 4 generates on the moving part 3 a damping force tending to oppose the upward sliding of the movable part 3 relative to the fixed part 2 to press the rollers 34 against the ground. The damping force can be determined as follows:

F = n1x f n2 where F is the total damping force,

f is the force provided by a cylinder, nor is the number of cylinders, n2 is the multiplier coefficient due to the assembly pulley + cable, 25 (this coefficient is equal to the number of strands of the cable).

The force deployed by a gas cylinder 47 of the type used in vehicle safes is typically of the order of 150 Newton. This gives a total damping force F of the order of 2x120 = 150 Newtons, which adds to the weight of the part

Mobile which is typically of the order of 80 Newtons.

The proposed device thus makes it possible to considerably improve the grip of the rollers on the ground, while maintaining a space requirement and a reduced cost. In particular, the device makes it possible to apply a substantially constant damping force (150 Newtons) to the moving part despite the large stroke of the sliding mobile part relative to the fixed part (240 millimeters).

Claims (8)

REVENDICATIONS1. Device (1) for motorized opening and closing of a movable element, such as a gate leaf, comprising a fixed part (2) intended to be fixed to the movable element, and a movable part (3) suitable for sliding relative to the fixed part (2) and including a roller (34) intended to be in contact with the ground to drive the mobile element in displacement, characterized in that it comprises means (4) damping adapted to exert on the mobile part (3) a damping force tending to oppose the sliding of the movable part (3) with respect to the fixed part (2) to press the wheel (34) against the ground, in wherein the damping force is substantially constant regardless of the position of the movable portion (3) relative to the fixed portion (2). 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the damping means (4) include at least one jack (47). 3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the cylinder (47) is adapted to provide a force when it is caused to retract. 4. Device according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the damping means (4) comprise means (411, 417) for multiplying a force provided by the cylinder (47). 25 5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the means (411, 417) of reduction comprise at least one cable (417) connecting the fixed part (2) to the movable part (3), the cylinder (47) being adapted to apply the stress on the cable (417). 30 6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the cable (417) is folded to form several strands, the jack (47) applying a force at a fold between two strands. 5 7. Device according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the damping means (4) comprise a pulley (411) attached to one end of the jack (47), in which the cable (417) and the intermediate of which the cylinder (47) applies the force on the cable (417). 8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the damping means (4) comprise two cylinders (47) arranged on either side of the movable part (3). 10