FR3080140A1 - DEVICE COMPRISING A DRIVE ACTUATOR FOR A WINDING TUBE FOR A ROLLER SHUTTER INSTALLATION AND AN ELASTIC RING - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device comprising an actuator (2) for driving a winding tube (4) for a closing device (I), the actuator comprising an outer peripheral groove (26). The device is characterized in that it further comprises an open elastic ring (12) mounted inside the groove (26). The invention also relates to an assembly comprising such a device and a ring gear (8) intended to be connected in rotation with the winding tube (4) of the complementarily shaped installation between the outer surface of the ring gear (8). ) and the inner surface of the winding tube (4). The elastic ring (12) is disposed, inside the groove (26) of the actuator, radially between the actuator (2) and the ring (8).

Description

Device comprising an actuator for driving a winding tube for installing a shutter and an elastic ring

The present invention relates to a device comprising an actuator for driving a winding tube for a rolling shutter installation

Conventionally, a rolling shutter installation includes an apron winding tube. The winding tube is rotated by an actuator qualified as tubular, since it is housed inside the winding tube. This actuator comprises a motor and a reduction gear housed in a tubular casing or casing. An actuator output shaft rotates the winding tube via a linkage wheel. The actuator being inserted in the winding tube, the latter is in rotation on the housing of the actuator, in particular on a ring, also called crown, forming a bearing.

Some actuators include a peripheral groove for mounting a connecting ring between the actuator and the winding tube. This crown is specifically adapted for this type of actuator, and includes an interior flange intended to be engaged inside the groove. The outer surface of the crown is formed by reliefs, in particular by reliefs complementary to those formed inside the winding tube, so as to ensure a connection in rotation by complementarity of male-female shapes.

The problem is that these actuators are not compatible with other types of crown, in particular with crowns without an inner flange. Indeed, some crowns have an interior surface which is smooth. In addition, the internal diameter of this type of crown is not standard: in practice there are deviations greater than 1 mm. These differences in diameter, as well as the presence of the groove, mean that the crown is not held stably against the inner surface of the winding tube, which causes noise during operation.

It is to these drawbacks that the invention more particularly intends to remedy, by proposing a new actuator device making it possible to combine an actuator provided with a peripheral groove with any type of crown, and in particular with a crown which is not specifically adapted to this actuator geometry.

To this end, the invention relates to a device comprising an actuator for driving a winding tube for a closing installation, the actuator comprising an outer peripheral groove. The device further includes an open elastic ring mounted inside the groove.

Thanks to the invention, the elastic ring makes it possible, on the one hand, to compensate for the presence of the peripheral groove on the external radial surface of the actuator and, on the other hand, to make up for any radial play between the actuator and installation crown. Indeed, the elastic ring can be provided with an outside diameter slightly greater than the inside diameter of the crowns, so that the elastic ring is in fact slightly compressed inside the crown. The elastic ring then seeks to return to its initial shape, that is to say its shape in the non-deformed state, and exerts radial stresses on the crown which press the latter against the internal wall of the winding tube . It is thus possible to combine a grooved actuator with any type of crown. Indeed, the elastic ring makes it possible to suppress any degree of mobility of the crown in the radial direction, which makes it possible to stabilize the crown against the interior surface of the winding tube. In other words, the elastic ring keeps the crown in a fixed position relative to the winding tube, which makes it possible to avoid noises of tossing of the crown inside the winding tube. The elastic ring also allows axial positioning of the crown on the actuator, by friction.

According to advantageous, but not mandatory, aspects of the invention, the device can include one or more of the following characteristics, taken in any technically admissible combination:

The ring comprises at least one, preferably several so-called external portions, the internal and external radii of which are respectively greater than the internal and external radius of the rest of the ring.

Said external portions are angularly spaced at a regular interval from one another, and are preferably three in number.

- Each portion has a variable outer radius, while the outer radius is preferably maximum at the center of the portion.

The thickness of the outer portions is less than the thickness of the remaining so-called inner portions of the ring.

The actuator comprises a mounting head on a fixed part of the closure installation, while the groove is formed around the mounting head.

The actuator comprises a casing inside which is received in particular an electric motor, while the groove is disposed axially between the casing and the mounting head.

The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a device as defined above and a crown intended to be linked in rotation with the winding tube of the installation by complementarity of shapes between the outer surface of the crown and the inner surface of the tube. winding. The elastic ring is arranged, inside the actuator groove, radially between the actuator and the crown.

Advantageously, the elastic ring has, in the non-deformed state, a maximum external diameter which is greater than the internal diameter of the crown.

Finally, the invention relates to a closing installation, such as a rolling shutter installation, comprising such an assembly.

The invention and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of an embodiment of an actuator device in accordance with its principle, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a partial section of a closing installation, in particular of a rolling shutter installation, comprising an actuator device according to the invention, comprising an actuator provided with an outer peripheral groove and a ring elastic mounted inside the throat,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of box II of FIG. 1,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the device, shown with a guide ring for the winding tube of the closure installation, and Figure 4 is a cross section in the plane of the elastic ring and the crown.

In Figure 1 is shown a closing installation I, in particular a rolling shutter installation. However, it is clear that the invention could be applied to other types of installation, such as blackout blinds, curtains, garage doors, etc.

Thus, by the expression "closing installation", we cover all the applications in which there is an opening made in a building (window, French window, sliding window, etc.) and a home automation screen (shutter, blind, curtain, etc.) to selectively close the opening.

The installation I comprises a winding tube 4 around which a shutter curtain T is wound (or takes place) when the shutter is opened (or closed). The rotation of the winding tube 4 is controlled by an actuator 2 housed inside the winding tube 4. The actuator 2 has an elongated shape allowing it to be inserted inside the winding tube 4 We are therefore talking about a tubular actuator.

The X2 axis is defined as a longitudinal axis of the actuator. In what follows, any “axial” or “radial” direction should be interpreted with respect to this axis X2. The axis X2 is parallel, here combined, with the axis of rotation of the winding tube 4.

In FIG. 1, only part of the installation I is shown. In particular, the drawing has been truncated lengthwise, that is to say in fact across the width of the apron T, so that the winding tube 4 is cut in length.

The actuator 2 also comprises an output shaft 28 linked in rotation with a wheel 10, which is itself linked in rotation with the winding tube 4. Typically, the wheel 10 is linked to the inner surface of the tube d 'winding 4 by complementarity of male-female forms. Here, the wheel 10 forms the male part and the winding tube 4 the female part.

This means that the inner wall of the winding tube 4 is not smooth, and therefore of non-circular section. It is then possible to make a connection in rotation by providing that the wheel 10 has the same section.

Alternatively or in addition, one could also make the connection between the wheel 10 and the winding tube 4 by means of a fixing member of the screw, rivet, etc. type.

The winding tube 4 is guided in its rotational movement at its ends by two bearings, including a crown 8, guided in rotation on the actuator itself. The crown 8 is linked in rotation with the winding tube 4 by complementarity of male-female shapes between the external radial surface S8e of the crown 8 and the internal radial surface S4i of the winding tube 4 or by a fixing member of the screw, rivet type ... Typically, and as visible in FIG. 4, the crown 8 comprises several ribs 82, each capable of being engaged inside a complementary groove of the winding tube 4. Here, the crown 8 therefore forms the male part and the winding tube 4 the female part. The bearing at the other end of the winding tube may be the same or different from the crown 8.

The crown 8 has a smooth internal diameter, that is to say an internal radial surface S8i of circular section. Each ring 8 is therefore designed to rotate around a fixed part of the installation I, so as to indirectly support and guide the winding tube 4 during the opening and closing movements of the shutter apron T.

In particular, the crown 8 is designed to rotate around the actuator 2 of the installation I. This crown 8 comprises an annular flank 80 which extends radially outwards.

In FIGS. 1 and 3, the actuator 2 is cut in length for the clarity of the drawings: in fact only the two longitudinal ends are seen. Actually, actuator 2 is much longer.

Advantageously, the actuator 2 comprises a head 20 for mounting on a fixed part 6 of the closing installation I. Typically, this fixed part 6 can be a box cheek or a frame. Indeed, the winding tube 4 is often housed inside a box mounted in the upper part of the installation, and therefore in the upper part of the opening.

In practice, the mounting head 20 is located at a longitudinal end of the actuator 2, more precisely at the end opposite to the output shaft 28. The mounting head 20 advantageously comprises one or more threads for receiving screws of fixation. Also, the mounting head 20 can comprise the electrical connectors for the electrical supply of the motor 22.

In the example, the actuator 2 also comprises a tubular casing or casing 24 inside which is received in particular an electric motor 22. Preferably, and as visible in FIG. 3, the casing 24 also houses a reduction gear 23, an electronic control and supply unit (not shown) and possibly a brake 29. As a variant, the electric motor 22 and the reduction gear 23 form a single geared motor unit.

In the example of the figures, the casing 24 abuts axially against an external peripheral flange 21 of the mounting head 20. The mounting head 20 comprises, for its part, a tubular part 20.1, engaged at least partially in the casing 24 and a portion 20.2 in the form of a plate, centered on the longitudinal axis X2 of the actuator 2 and external to the casing 24. In the assembled position, the annular flank 80 of the crown comes to bear on one face of this plate 20.2.

The actuator comprises an outer peripheral groove 26 which is here formed around the mounting head 20, in particular around the tubular part 20.1 of the head

20. As the name suggests, the groove 26 extends over the circumference of the actuator 2, precisely on the outer peripheral surface of the actuator 2. This means that the groove 26 is visible from outside the actuator 2, from any perspective.

In the particular embodiment of the figures, the peripheral groove 26 has a U-shaped section with a flat bottom.

The groove 26 is disposed between the collar 21 and the plate 20.2 of the mounting head 20. In particular, one of the side walls of the groove 26 is in fact a side of the collar 21.

In the example, the groove 26 is arranged axially between the casing 24 and the mounting head 20. The groove 26 is precisely at the location where the crown 8 is positioned. To avoid this groove 26 being problematic for guiding in rotation of the crown 8 around the actuator 2, an open elastic ring 12 is mounted inside the groove 26. This elastic ring is an open ring, with a certain propensity to deform elastically in the radial direction, that is to say to open more or close more compared to its position at rest.

Advantageously, the width of the ring 12, measured in a direction parallel to a central axis X12 of the ring 12, is identical, apart from play, to the width of the peripheral groove 26. This ensures that the ring 12 does not move axially during operation of the installation.

Advantageously, the ring 12 comprises at least one, preferably several portions 120, called external, whose internal radii r120i and external r120e are respectively greater than the internal radius r12i and external r12e of the rest of the ring 12.

In this embodiment, the external portions 120 are identical, but one could very well imagine, as a variant, that they are of different shape.

In this document, a "portion" of a ring is, in common sense, an angular section of the ring, that is to say a section delimited between two radial planes passing through the center of the ring . Also, when we speak of an interior or exterior "radius", we actually designate the radial distance between the point of the interior or exterior surface of the ring from which we take the measurement and the center of the 'ring.

Thus, the outside radius r120e of each portion 120 is variable depending on the angle considered. In the example, the internal radius r120i of each portion 120 is, optionally, also variable.

Typically, the outside radius r120e of each portion 120 is maximum at the center of the portion 120. Thus, there is, on each portion 120, an external boss at the center of the portion.

Advantageously, the external portions 120 are angularly spaced at a regular interval from one another, and are preferably three in number.

This particular geometry of the ring 12 makes it possible to define zones alternately in contact with the actuator 2 and with the crown 8. More precisely, in the configuration assembled inside the winding tube 4, the external portions

120 of the ring 12 are in abutment against the crown 8 exclusively, while the remaining so-called internal portions 121 of the ring 12 are in abutment exclusively against the actuator 2, and in particular against the bottom of the peripheral groove 26. The remaining portions 121 include the two sections defined between the external portions 120 and the two sections respectively defining the free ends 122 and 124 of the ring 12.

Advantageously, and like the external portions 120, the internal portions 121 have an internal radius and a constant external radius.

The external portions 120 and the internal portions 121 are interconnected by transition zones, slightly at an angle relative to the circle passing through the internal portions 121. The external portions 120 have a thickness of material that is less than the internal portions 121, which makes them more radially flexible than the internal portions 121. The external boss at the center of each external portion 120 therefore has a radial clearance between the bottom of the groove 26 and the interior of the crown 8. It is therefore likely to move radially. The outer portions act as a spring to push the crown 8 outward radially.

Also, the fact that the external portions 120 are evenly distributed around the elastic ring 12 makes it possible to push the crown 8 against the wall S4i of the winding tube 4 in a generally evenly distributed manner, which ensures a very stable maintenance of the crown 8 inside the winding tube 4, and therefore little or no noise in operation.

According to a preferred embodiment, the elastic ring 12 is made of polymer, in particular of thermoplastic polymer, of the polyketone or polyoxymethylene type. The advantage of polymers, and in particular of thermoplastic polymers, is that they are capable of accepting significant deformations without plasticizing.

Advantageously, the elastic ring 12 has, in the state of rest, or non-deformed, a maximum external diameter which is greater than the internal diameter of the crown 8. Thus, when the crown 8 is mounted around the actuator 2, l the elastic ring 12 is slightly compressed inside the groove 26. More specifically, the elastic ring 12 will tend to close, that is to say that its two free ends 122 and 124 will approach l one of the other. The ring 12 seeks to return to its initial shape by elastic return of the material. In other words, the ring 12 will seek to open slightly, that is to say that its two ends will tend to move away from one another. The ring 12 then exerts, on the crown 8, radial forces directed towards the outside, and this permanently because these forces are the result of the elastic return of the material constituting the elastic ring 12 towards its non-deformed state. .

Here, the maximum external diameter is the diameter of the ring 12 measured at the center of one of the external portions 120.

The rest or non-deformed state is the state of the ring when no stress is applied to the surfaces of the ring. Typically, the elastic ring 12 is manufactured using the injection molding technique. The non-deformed state of the ring 12 is therefore the state of the ring leaving the mold, for example.

In operation, the crowns 8 rotate integrally with the winding tube 4 on two respective supports, one of which is formed by the actuator 2 of the installation. The elastic ring 12 is capable of rotating 10 jointly with the crown 8, depending on the characteristics of the movement (speed, torque).

The characteristics of the embodiment of the figures and of the different variants not shown can be combined with one another to generate new embodiments of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. Device comprising an actuator (2) for driving a winding tube (4) for a closing installation (I), the actuator comprising an external peripheral groove (26), characterized in that the device comprises further an open elastic ring (12) mounted inside the groove (26). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the ring (12) comprises at least one, preferably several portions, called external (120), whose inner (r120i) and outer (r120e) radii are respectively greater than inner (r12i) and outer (r12e) radius of the rest of the ring. 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said external portions (120) are angularly spaced at a regular interval from one another, and are preferably three in number. 4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that each portion (120) has an outer radius (r120e) variable and in that the outer radius (r120e) is preferably maximum in the center of the portion. 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thickness of the external portions (120) is less than the thickness of the remaining portions (121), called internal, of the ring (12). 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator comprises a head (20) for mounting on a fixed part (6) of the closure installation (I) and in that the groove (26 ) is formed around the mounting head (20). 7. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the actuator comprises a housing (24) inside which is received in particular an electric motor (22) and in that the groove (26) is disposed axially between the housing (24) and the mounting head (20). 8. Assembly comprising a device according to one of the preceding claims and a crown (8) intended to be linked in rotation with the winding tube (4) of the installation by complementarity of shapes between the outer surface (S8e) of the crown (8) and the inner surface (S4i) of the winding tube (4), characterized in that the elastic ring (12) is arranged, inside the groove (26) of the actuator, radially between the actuator (2) and the crown (8). 9. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the elastic ring (12) has, in the non-deformed state, a maximum external diameter which is greater than the internal diameter of the crown (8). 10. Locking installation, such as a rolling shutter installation, comprising an assembly according to claim 8 or 9.