GB2239896A

GB2239896A - Window or door actuator

Info

Publication number: GB2239896A
Application number: GB9100597A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip David Harvey
Original assignee: BICKERSTAFFE ELECTRONICS LIMIT
Current assignee: BICKERSTAFFE ELECTRONICS LIMIT
Priority date: 1990-01-13
Filing date: 1991-01-11
Publication date: 1991-07-17
Also published as: GB9000805D0; GB9100597D0

Abstract

An actuator for opening and/or closing a window 40 or door comprises signal sensing means, a motor controller, a motor 12 and a linkage 46, 48 between the motor and the window or door, whereby a signal such as an infra red signal is used to actuate the motor controller and hence the motor. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Actuators DESCRIPTION This invention concerns an aperture actuator that may be used to open or close, for example, a window or a door.

Opening or closing windows or doors can be difficult, for handicapped or elderly persons even if suitable mechanical assistance devices are provided that are readily accessible to a person, as operation thereof may still be difficult.

Furthermore windows may be provided that are openable but in difficult to reach locations, so that opening thereof has to be by means of window poles or complicated mechanical linkages.

An object of this invention is to provide an actuator that may be used for opening and/or closing apertures remotely, which actuator may be operated relatively easily.

According to this invention there is provided an actuator suitable for opening and/or closing an aperture member, such as a window or a door, which actuator is operable remotely by means of a signal direct thereto or from a remote source.

The actuator may be caused to operate by means of a signal passed down a wire, such as from a control switch. Alternatively and preferably the signal is from a remote source such as an infra red signal. Any other suitable form of radiation type signal may, of course, be used to cause operation of the actuator.

The actuator may be arranged to operate in one direction only, such as in an opening direction for a particular aperture member. On the other hand it may be possible to incorporate means for determining current status of an aperture member, i.e. open or closed, and for the actuator to operate oppositely e.g. if the aperture member is open, the actuator when operated will close it.

The actuator of the invention preferably comprises a signal sensing means, a motor controller a motor and a linkage for between the motor and an aperture member to be opened and/or closed.

The signal sensing means may primarily have a signal receiver, amplifier and filter means, a decoder and a comparator. Thus, a signal can be received, amplified, filtered, decoded and compared to stored data so that when a match is found the appropriate signal is sent to the motor controller.

The actuator of the invention may also include sensors for detecting extent of movement of the aperture member in order to prevent movement beyond a desired extent. Additionally or alternatively the actuator of the invention may include timing means, whereby the period of operation of the actuator may be limited.

Furthermore, the actuator of the invention may include presence sensing means for use in stopping movement of the aperture to prevent a person being hurt by being caught in the actuation process. For any of these features the actuator of the invention may include a limited torque motor.

Another possible feature of the actuator of the invention is the provision of overall timing means, so that, for example, if an aperture member has been open for a certain length of time it is then automatically closed. That is envisaged as a safety measure in case, for example, the aperture member has been left open by mistake.

It is preferred that, when a signal is received by the actuator, any sensors present in the actuator will be interrogated to ensure that it is safe for the actuator to be operated and any timers present reset and/or started.

The linkage between the motor and the aperture member to be moved may be of any suitable type.

Examples of suitable linkages include a leadscrew preferably with limit switches and a pivot to extend the range of actuation and a rotary mechanism with a direct lever connection to the aperture member.

The controller may also be used to switch ancillary products when in predetermined states, such as an electromechanical lock.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows schematically an actuator for opening/closing an aperture; and Figure 2 shows schematically one application of the actuator of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings an actuator 10 for opening/closing an aperture member comprises a motor 12 and a mechanical linkage 14 between the motor and the aperture member, the motor being operated via a controller 16. The controller 16 is activated by various signals. The main signal is an infra red signal from a remote infra red signal transmitter to be operated by a person wishing to open or close the aperture member. The signal is received by a receiver 18 and passed to an amplifier/filter- 20 prior to a decoder 22. From the decoder 22, a decoded signal is passed to a comparator 24. In the comparator 24, the decoded signal is compared with an internal address and, if a match is found, an enabling signal is output to the motor controller 16.

The actuator 10 further includes a safety sensor 26 for detecting presence near the aperture member to prevent a person being hurt by being caught during movement of the aperture member. The actuator 10 also includes sensors 28, 30 respectively for detecting whether the aperture member is open or closed a manual switch 32 for operation of the actuator and a timer 34.

Those items 28, 30 and 32 are each linked to the controller 16 and to the timer 34 and the timer 34 to the comparator. That enables interrogation of the sensors 28, 30 and manual switch 32 as well as resetting/starting of the timer 34.

One further feature of the actuator 10 is an electromechanical lock 36 operable by the controller at any predetermined point in the actuation cycle such as upon closing of the aperture.

Turning to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a window 40 connected by hinges 42 to one side of a frame .44, the frame being rebated to receive the window 40 when closed. A connector bar 46 is attached at one end to the window and at the other end to rotatable gear wheel 48. The wheel 48 is arranged to rotate between two positions by means of a gear 50 on a shaft of 52 of the motor 12. The trajectory of the connector bar in going from window open to window closed is indicated by broken lines.

In operation, the receiver accepts infra red input which is amplified after unwanted signals have been removed. The signal is then decoded and compared with the internal address. If a match is found an enabling signal is output to the motor controller. At the same time the timer is started and the various sensors interrogated.

The motor starts to move the window until either the motor becomes stalled, which in that instance is indicated by a shorter period timer, just greater than the ideal opening period, the window becomes opened or the window becomes closed. Both the latter are indicated by the open/close sensors which may be mechanical or positional switches.

If the window has been opened a longer time period is started and, upon expiry of that period, the actuator will automatically operate to close the window.

If the window has been closed a secondary switch is activated toe activate the electromechanical lock, providing additional security.

Claims

1. An actuator suitable for opening and/or closing an aperture member, such as a window or a door, which actuator is operable remotely by means of a signal direct thereto or from a remote source.

2. An actuator as claimed in claim 1, which is operable by means of a signal passed down a wire.

3. An actuator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the signal is sent by operation of a control switch.

4. An actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal is a radiation type signal.

5. An actuator as claimed in claim 4, wherein the signal is an infra red signal.

6. An actuator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 having means for detecting current status of an aperture member and means for causing the actuator to operate oppositely.

7. An actuator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 comprising signal sensing means, a motor controller, a motor and a linkage for between the motor and an aperture member to be opened and/or closed.

8. An actuator as claimed in claim 7, wherein the signal sensing means has a signal receiver amplifier and filter means, a decoder and a comparator, whereby a signal can be received, amplified, filtered, decoded and compared to stored data, so that when a match is found an appropriate signal is sent to the motor controller.

9. An actuator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 further comprising sensors for detecting extent of movement of the aperture member.

10. An actuator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising timing means, wherein, the period of operation of the actuator may be limited.

11. An actuator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 further comprising presence sensing means.

12. An actuator as claimed in claim 9, 10 and 11, wherein the motor is a limited torque motor.

13. An actuator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 further comprising overall timing means.

14. An actuator as claimed in any one claims 1 to 13, wherein any sensors present in the actuator will be interrogated to ensure that operation of the actuator is safe and any timers present reset and/or started.

15. An actuator as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the linkage comprises a leadscrew.

16. An actuator as claimed in claim 15, wherein the linkage further comprises limit switches and a pivot to extend the range of actuation.

17. An actuator as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the linkage comprises a rotary mechanism with a direct lever connection to the aperture member.

18. An actuator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 further comprising means for switching an ancillary product when the actuator is in predetermined state.

19. An actuator as claimed in claim 18, wherein the ancillary product is an electromechanical lock.

20. An actuator suitable for opening and/or an aperture member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.