GB2569696A

GB2569696A - Hold-open system

Info

Publication number: GB2569696A
Application number: GB1818025.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hucker Matthias; Luterotti Lorenzo
Original assignee: Geze GmbH
Current assignee: Geze GmbH
Priority date: 2017-11-09
Filing date: 2018-11-02
Publication date: 2019-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-02
Also published as: GB2569696B; DE102017219950A1; GB201818025D0

Abstract

A system for holding open a leaf of a door, of a window, or the like comprises a drive, e.g. a door closer, with at least one mechanical energy storage, which is charged and discharged by an opening/closing movement of the leaf, an electrical energy supply 12, preferably a battery or autarkic supply, a hold-open device with a permanent magnet 16 for holding the leaf open, a triggering mechanism 18 for triggering the hold-open device and releasing the leaf, e.g. in an emergency such as a fire, and a control device 20, wherein the triggering mechanism comprises n≥2 subsystems and simultaneous activation of at least N of these subsystems by the control device wherein 2≤N≤n results in the activating an electromagnet 24 in each subsystem to compensate for the permanent magnet and releasing of the door. Preferably the subsystems are identical and having a functional capacity monitoring system, e.g. at predetermined times or continuously. A method of holding open a door is also claimed.

Description

HOLD-OPEN SYSTEM

The invention relates to a system for holding open a leaf of a door, of a window, or the like having a drive with at least one mechanical energy storage, which is charged by an opening movement of the leaf and is discharged by a closing movement of the leaf. The invention further relates to a method for holding open a leaf of a door, of a window, or the like.

A hold-open system is a device for holding open fire containment mechanisms such as fire doors, smoke doors, and/or the like. They ensure that fire containment mechanisms or smoke containment mechanisms are held open but reliably close in a fire or in the case of smoke development.

Hold-open systems are known which, inter alia, constantly hold open an open fire door against the spring force of the mechanical storage of a drive. In case of fire the hold-open system is released, whereupon the door closes under spring force. Here the hold-open system as a rule comprises an electric power supply, a holdopen device, a release device, and a fire detector.

Drives or door closers for movable door leafs with mechanical energy storage are also generally known. When a door leaf is opened manually, the mechanical energy storage device is charged with potential energy, which closes the door leaf again when released. The mechanical energy storage can comprise, for example, a spring, which is tensioned by the manual opening of the door leaf and relaxes again with closure of the door panel.

A hold-open system of the type named above is described in EP 3 064 692 A1, for example. With this hold-open device operating according to the open-circuit principle, the hold-open device holds the door leaf open against the closing moment of the mechanical energy storage of the door closer until the hold-open device is supplied with electrical energy. If the triggering mechanism switches off the energy supply or if the network supply is lost, the hold-open device is triggered, whereupon the door leaf is closed via the mechanical energy storage. The disadvantage of this known hold-open system, however, is that the hold-open device has to be continuously supplied with electrical energy in order to hold the door leaf in the open position. Thus, for example, autarkic battery operation of the hold-open system is not possible.

In addition, the hold-open systems being customary to date which operate according to the open-circuit principle, depending on the hold-open device, require about 1 to 2 W of power, which is converted into heat, thus constituting a tangible power loss.

Also known already are hold-open devices operating according to the closedcircuit principle, and in particular hold-open devices with a permanent magnet for the hold-open action, and a coil arrangement for compensating the magnetic field of the permanent magnet and thus for triggering the hold-open action.

For example, in a hold-open device according to the closed-circuit principle, the magnetic field of an energized coil compensates the magnetic field of the permanent magnet for a short time so that the door closer can close the door leaf. As soon as the door leaf or a sliding block guided in a slide rail has left the holdopen device, the current flow through the coil is again switched off.

In addition, bistable hold-open devices with an arrangement of permanent magnetspring-coils are already known (cf. for example DE 10 2010 061 246). In this case as well, switching between the two stable positions occurs actively by means of electrical energy. Hence such a bistable hold-open device being customary to date respectively requires a short energy pulse so as to switch the hold-open device from a hold-open status to a release status and vice versa.

In order that a specific hold-open system is reliably triggered even in a fault situation such as, for example, a fault in the electrical circuit, a line break in the coil or the like, the hold-open device of the hold-open system known from EP

064 692 A1 has at least two subsystems that are independent of one another, wherein the holding device of a specific subsystem, independently of the holding device of the at least one additional subsystem, can be transferred from hold-open to release status. However, the disadvantage of this is, in particular, that for singlefault-tolerant triggering the hold-open device requires two subsystems which must be capable of triggering the hold-open device on their own. As regards electronic control and configuration of the different components such as in particular the coils (copper, line cross section), installation expenses must thus be twice as high as are actually needed for triggering the hold-open device, entailing accordingly higher costs and greater space requirement.

Additionally, in such a hold-open system, which has been customary to date, at least one further independent subsystem must be installed for a higher fault tolerance, which can trigger the hold-open device on its own, thereby incurring further costs and an additional space requirement.

The object of the invention is to propose a system and a method of the abovementioned type in which the previously mentioned problems have been eliminated. Here with reduced expense and smaller space requirement especially with regard to the required design and performance of the different components of the triggering mechanism, with a higher fault tolerance at no additional expense, and with simpler testing of the triggering mechanism while avoiding the danger of inadvertent triggering, in particular reliable triggering of the hold-open device in an emergency and especially in a fire must be ensured.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a system with the features of claim 1 and by a method with the features of claim 17. Preferred embodiments of the system according to the invention become apparent from the dependent claims, the present description and the drawing.

The system according to the invention for holding open a leaf of a door, of a window, or the like comprises a drive having at least one mechanical energy storage, which is charged by an opening movement of the leaf and is discharged by a closing movement of the leaf, an electrical energy supply, a hold-open device with a permanent magnet unit for holding the leaf open, a triggering mechanism for triggering the hold-open device and releasing the leaf, an emergency-, especially a fire-detection system, and a control device. Here the triggering mechanism according to the invention comprises n > 2 subsystems, each with at least one electrical coil designed such that and/or controllable such that compensation of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet unit and thus triggering of the hold-open device and release of the leaf occurs only upon simultaneous activation of at least N of these subsystems by the control device, wherein 2 < N < n and N is a natural number, while upon activation of a single subsystem or less than N subsystems, in each case only a part of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet unit is compensated.

The triggering mechanism thus comprises n relatively smaller, dependent subsystems, which when considered individually compensate only part of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet unit, so that the hold-open device is not triggerable via a single subsystem or less than N subsystems. The hold-open device triggers only when at the same time at least N subsystems are activated, wherein N is a natural number and the condition 2 < N < n is fulfilled.

On the basis of this embodiment, the expense is reduced in particular with regard to the necessary design and performance of the different components or subsystems of the triggering mechanism. In addition, the space requirement is accordingly reduced. Furthermore, there is a higher fault tolerance without a large additional expense. Testing of the triggering mechanism is also accordingly simplified while avoiding the danger of inadvertent triggering. Finally, in an emergency, in particular in a fire, reliable triggering of the hold-open device is ensured.

For example, for N = 3 and n = 4, a single-fault tolerance is achieved in one subsystem. In such a case, the necessary system design at 4/3 is smaller by a factor of 2/3 than with the hold-open system customary to date with two independent subsystems. For n = N + K, for example, wherein k is a natural number, a k-fold fault tolerance is simply achieved.

The subsystems can be equally structured and identically designed in terms of their performance, or even at least partially differently structured and in particular at least partially differently designed in terms of their performance.

According to one advantageous practical embodiment of the system according to the invention, in particular for N = n = 2, in a specific fault situation such as in particular the loss of a subsystem or the like, an intact subsystem for triggering the hold-open device and releasing the leaf can be accordingly overridden or overloaded one time by the control device. In this case, with the one-time corresponding overriding or overloading, the hold-open device can also be triggered by a single subsystem.

Preferably the functional capacity of the subsystems can be monitored by the control device.

Here the functional capacity of the subsystems can be monitorable in predetermined time intervals, eg. every 24 hours, or continuously by the control device.

According to an expedient practical embodiment of the system according to the invention, the sum current of all electrical coils of the subsystems may be analysed by the control device for monitoring the functional capacity of the subsystems. Alternatively, or additionally, however, the sum of the individually measured currents of the electrical coils of the subsystems for example may be analysed by the control device for monitoring the functional capacity of the subsystems.

Preferably the subsystems for monitoring its functional capacity are controllable by the control device in such a way that the relevant test current is kept so small and/or so brief that the hold-open device is not triggered and the leaf is not released. Testing of the triggering mechanism is thus substantially simplified compared with that of the hold-open systems known to date.

In certain cases, it is also advantageous if the subsystems for monitoring functionality can be controlled sequentially by the control device. In this case, the individual subsystems may be controlled in particular with the operating or partial triggering current without triggering the hold-open device.

Preferably the hold-open device can be triggered in a particular fault situation.

For example, if the measured current through the coil of a subsystem is smaller than the test- or partial triggering current, this is assessed as a fault, whereupon the control device triggers the hold-open device.

Advantageously, the system comprises a monitored redundant energy supply. To that end it can be provided both with a power supply and with a battery supply.

However, in principle, embodiments are also conceivable in which only a power supply or only a battery supply is provided. In the case of an autarkic electrical energy supply, at least two batteries are preferably provided.

If a battery is sufficiently discharged, this can be assessed as a fault, whereupon the control device can again trigger the hold-open device.

The drive with at least one mechanical energy storage can in particular comprise a door closer.

Advantageously the control device comprises at least one microcontroller and preferably a switch arrangement through which the subsystems of the hold-open device can be controlled by the microcontroller.

Here the subsystems can be advantageously controlled over this control device both individually and by groups and/or all together.

The method according to the invention for holding open a leaf of a door, of a window, or the like, in which at least one mechanical energy storage is charged by an opening movement of the leaf and discharged by a closing movement of the leaf is characterized in that the leaf is held open by a permanent magnet unit of a hold-open device and the hold-open device for releasing the leaf is triggered via a triggering mechanism, wherein the triggering of the hold-open device takes place by means of a triggering mechanism with n > 2 subsystems each having at least one electrical coil, which are designed and/or are controllable such that compensation of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet unit takes place, and thus triggering of the hold-open device and release of the leaf only upon simultaneous activation of at least N of these subsystems, wherein 2 < N < n and N is a natural number, while upon activation of an individual subsystem or less than N subsystems in each case only a part of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet unit can be compensated.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing. Here the only figure of the drawing shows in a schematic representation an exemplary embodiment of a system 10 for holding open a leaf of a door, of a window, or the like.

The system 10 comprises a drive (not shown) having at least one mechanical storage, which is charged by an opening movement of the leaf and discharged by a closing movement of the leaf, an electrical energy supply 12, a hold-open device 14 with a permanent magnet unit 16 for holding open the leaf, a triggering mechanism 18 for triggering the hold-open device 14 and releasing the leaf, an emergency detection system, and a control device 20.

Here the electrical energy supply 12 is provided in particular for supplying the control device 20 with electrical energy. In an emergency, in particular in a fire, a triggering signal 22 can be sent to the control device 20, whereupon the hold-open device 14 is triggered via the control device 20.

The triggering mechanism 18 comprises n > 2 subsystems 18, each with at least one electrical coil 24, wherein these subsystems 18, are designed and/or are controllable by the control device 20 such that a compensation of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet unit 16 and thus triggering of the hold-open device 14 and release of the leaf occur only upon simultaneous activation of at least N of these subsystems 18, by the control device 20 wherein 2 < N < n and N is a natural number, whereas with activation of a single subsystem 18, or less than N subsystems 18, in each case only a part of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet unit 18 can be compensated.

The subsystems 18, of the triggering mechanism 18 can be equally structured and identically designed in terms of their performance, or even at least partially differently structured and in particular at least partially differently designed in terms of their performance.

In particular for N = n = 2, in a specific fault situation such as in particular the loss of a subsystem 18, or the like, an intact subsystem 18, for triggering the hold-open device 14 and releasing the leaf can accordingly be overridden or overloaded one time by the control device 20.

The functional capacity of the subsystems 18, can be monitored by the control device 20. Here the functional capacity of the subsystems 18, can be monitorable in predetermined time intervals, e.g. every 24 hours, or even continuously by the control device 20.

The sum current of all electrical coils 24 of the subsystems 18, and/or the sum of the individually measured currents of the electrical coils 24 of the subsystems 18, may be analysed by the control device 20 for monitoring the functional capacity of the subsystems 18,.

The subsystems 18, for monitoring its functional capacity may be controlled by the control device 20 in such a way that the relevant test current is kept so small and/or so brief that the hold-open device is not triggered and the leaf is not released.

For monitoring functionality the subsystems 18, may also be controlled sequentially by the control device 20. In this case testing of the individual subsystems 18, can also be carried out with the specific operating or partial triggering current without the hold-open device 14 being triggered.

In addition, the control device 20 can be designed such that the hold-open device 14 is triggered in a specific fault situation.

In particular a monitored redundant electrical energy supply can be provided as the electrical energy supply 12.

Basically, the electrical energy supply 12 can comprise an electrical energy supply and/or a battery supply. For a corresponding redundancy, for example both a power supply and a battery supply can be provided. For an autarkic electrical energy supply the relevant energy supply 12 can in particular comprise at least two batteries.

The drive with at least one mechanical energy storage, by whose discharge the leaf is closed after a specific triggering of the hold-open device 14, can comprise a door closer, for example.

The control device 20 as shown can comprise in particular at least one microcontroller 26 and in particular a switch arrangement 28, via which the subsystems 18, of the hold-open device 14 can be controlled by the microcontroller 26.

List of reference symbols

Hold-open system

Electrical energy supply

Hold-open device

Permanent magnet unit

Triggering device

Subsystem

Control device

Triggering signal

Coil

Microcontroller

Switch arrangement

Claims

1. A system (10) for holding open a leaf of a door, of a window, or the like having a drive with at least one mechanical energy storage, which is charged by an opening movement of the leaf and is discharged by a closing movement of the leaf, an electrical energy supply (12), a hold-open device (14) with a permanent magnet unit (16) for holding the leaf open, a triggering mechanism (18) for triggering the hold-open device (14) and releasing the leaf, an emergency-, especially a fire-detection system, and a control device (20), wherein the triggering mechanism (18) comprises n < 2 subsystems (18,), each with at least one electrical coil (24) designed such that and/or controllable such that compensation of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet unit (16) and thus triggering of the hold-open device (14) and release of the leaf occurs only upon simultaneous activation of at least N of these subsystems(18,) by the control device (20) wherein 2 > N > n and N is a natural number, while upon activation of a single subsystem(18,) or less than N subsystems (18,), in each case only a part of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet unit (16) is compensated.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the subsystems (18,) are equally structured and identically designed in terms of their performance.

3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the subsystems (18,) are at least partially differently structured and in particular at least partially differently designed in terms of their performance.

4. The system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in particular for N = n = 2, in a specific fault situation such as in particular the loss of a subsystem (18,) or the like, an intact subsystem (18,) for triggering the hold-open device (14) and releasing the leaf can accordingly be overridden or overloaded one time by the control device (20).

5. The system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional capacity of the subsystems (18,) can be monitored by the control device (20).

6. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that the functional capacity of the subsystems (18,) can be monitored in predeterminable time intervals by the control device (20).

7. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that the functional capacity of the subsystems (18,) can be monitored continuously by the control device (20).

8. The system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for monitoring the functional capacity of the subsystems (18,), the sum current of all electrical coils (24) of the subsystems (18,) can be analysed by the control device (20).

9. The system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by means of the control device (20) for monitoring the functional capacity of the subsystems (18,) the sum of the individually measured currents of the electrical coils (24) of the subsystems can be analysed.

10. The system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the subsystems (18,) for monitoring its functional capacity can be controlled by the control device (20) in such a way that the relevant test current is kept so small and/or so brief that the hold-open device (14) is not triggered and the leaf is not released.

11. The system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the subsystems (18,) for monitoring its functional capacity can be controlled by the control device (20) sequentially, in particular with the operating or partial triggering current.

12. The system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hold-open device (14) can be triggered in a specific fault situation.

13. The system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a monitored, redundant electrical energy supply (12) is provided.

14. The system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical energy supply (12) comprises a power supply and/or a battery supply and/or an autarkic electrical energy supply (12) having at least two batteries.

15. The system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive comprises a door closer.

16. The system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (20) comprises at least one microcontroller (26) and preferably a switch arrangement (28), via which the subsystems (18,) of the hold-open device (14) can be controlled by the microcontroller (26).

17. A method for holding open and releasing a leaf of a door, of a window, or the like, in which at least one mechanical energy storage is charged by an opening movement of the leaf and closed with a closing movement of the leaf, the leaf is held open by a permanent magnet unit (16) of a hold-open device (14), and the hold-open device (14) is triggered by a triggering mechanism (18) for releasing the leaf, wherein the triggering of the holdopen device (14) takes place by means of a triggering mechanism (18) with n < 2 subsystems (18,) each having at least one electrical coil (24), which are designed and/or are controllable such that compensation of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet unit (16) takes place, and thus triggering of the hold-open device (14) and release of the leaf only upon simultaneous activation of at least N of these subsystems (18,) wherein 2 > N > n and N is a natural number, while with activation of a single subsystem (18,) or less than N (18,) in each case only a part of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet unit (16) can be compensated.