GB2573376A

GB2573376A - Drive apparatus for a door leaf and a door arrangement equipped therewith

Info

Publication number: GB2573376A
Application number: GB1902359.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wörner Benjamin
Original assignee: Geze GmbH
Current assignee: Geze GmbH
Priority date: 2018-02-23
Filing date: 2019-02-21
Publication date: 2019-11-06
Also published as: DE102018202812A1; GB201902359D0

Abstract

A drive apparatus 10 for a door closer, having a housing 12, a closing piston 14 which is displaceably arranged in the housing for coupling to a door leaf, and a spring arrangement 24 in the housing having a closing spring 26 providing a closing force on the closing piston, and an auxiliary spring 38 arranged in the same side of the housing as the closing spring, and which can be switched between an active (Fig 1a) and an inactive state (Fig 2b) via adjustment of a stop 30 54 60 for a compression element 46 acted on by the auxiliary spring. The stop may be continuously adjustable allowing the auxiliary spring to vary the force applied before having it removed altogether. The stop can be manually, electrically or electromagnetically adjusted. The closing spring and auxiliary spring may be co-axial and may overlap with each other. The compression element may move as a result of the stop within the closing spring. A tension element 48, e.g. a rod, chain, belt, cable may transfer the force from the stop to the auxiliary spring.

Description

Drive apparatus for a door leaf and a door arrangement equipped therewith

The present invention relates to a drive apparatus for door leaves, in particular a door closer, as well as a door arrangement comprising a movably mounted door leaf and such a drive apparatus.

Prior art document DE 10 2010 030 914 B4 discloses a door closer apparatus, which comprises a housing and a closing spring arranged in the housing. Pretensioning of the closing spring can be manually altered by a spring plate that can be adjusted using an adjustment spindle so as to adapt the closing force of the door closing apparatus. Such an adjustment is carried out in particular once during installation of the door closing apparatus. Here, the closing force is configured such that the door closes reliably and, at the same time, the door can be opened conveniently and/or with only slight effort.

However, it is possible for the preconfigured closing force to be insufficient for reliably closing the door or for the door to require greater force to be opened because of a temporary occurring draught. Manually altering the closing force of the closing spring, however, involves a lot of effort, relatively speaking, and is hardly practical in particular in light of the usually short duration of draught conditions.

In this respect, the aim of the present invention is to provide a drive apparatus for a door leaf which ensures improved ease of operation with increased operating reliability. The aim is also to provide a corresponding door arrangement.

In respect of the drive apparatus, the aim is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1. A door arrangement according to the invention is the subject matter of claim 24.

A drive apparatus according to the invention for a door leaf is preferably in the form of a door closer, particularly preferably in the form of an apparatus for automatically closing a door leaf. A drive apparatus according to the invention has a housing and a closing piston which is displaceably arranged in the housing and the which can be coupled to a door leaf. Such a coupling between the closing piston and a door leaf can be implemented, for example, via a gearing which can have a rack and pinion gear, for example.

A drive apparatus according to the invention further has a spring arrangement which is arranged in the housing and has a closing spring for providing a closing force acting on the closing piston. Therefore, the spring arrangement can be configured so as to act directly or indirectly on the closing piston and thereby to produce a closing force.

According to the invention, the spring arrangement has an auxiliary spring for adaptively adjusting the closing force, which is arranged in the housing relative to the closing piston on the side of the closing spring and can be switched between an active and an inactive state, wherein switching is carried out by adjusting a stop for a compression element acted upon by the auxiliary spring. In other words, the spring force of the auxiliary spring is optionally connectable.

By means of the arrangement of an auxiliary spring for adaptively adjusting the closing force, it is possible to adapt the closing force in each case according to the prevailing operating conditions. To this end, the auxiliary spring can be selectively active, for example, i.e. only under predetermined prerequisites can it affect the closing force. In other predetermined operating conditions, the auxiliary spring is thus inactive and thus has no influence on the closing force of the spring arrangement. This ensures a high degree of functionality of the drive apparatus.

Furthermore, the auxiliary spring ensures that a closing force adjustment can be made in particular independently of the configured pretensioning of the closing spring so that any closing force adjustment requires only a small amount of effort. In particular, this can take place without manually altering spring pretensioning by means of an adjustment spindle.

The closing force can be adaptively adjusted using an auxiliary spring, for example, according to the prevailing draught in each case. Likewise it is possible in principle for the closing force to be adjusted in a time-dependent manner and/or according to the current position of the closing piston or of a door leaf coupled to the closing piston.

A generally space-saving or compact structure of the drive apparatus can be ensured in that the auxiliary spring is arranged in the housing on the side of the closing spring relative to the closing piston.

Finally, adjustability of the stop can be achieved with little design effort. In addition, the stop can be adjusted in an unloaded state, i.e. without being loaded by pretensioning forces of the spring, as explained in more detail below. Adjustment of the stop can thus be carried out using only little effort, so inexpensive components can be used accordingly to this end or only little manual effort is required.

It can be advantageous if the auxiliary spring can be switched between the active and the inactive state automatically and/or by means of manual adjustment.

Automatic switching between the active state and the inactive state can occur, for example, because of the position of the door leaf and/or in a time-dependent manner. In this case, the switching between the active state and the inactive state takes place without alteration of the stop position. Automatic switching can be brought about, for example, by a control, in particular by a computer-aided control, which in particular takes advantage of sensor data. This ensures a high degree of operational convenience of the drive apparatus or of the door leaf driven by the drive apparatus in each case. Furthermore, principally manual adjustability can be ensured with low equipment complexity, which is associated with only low cost. Automatic or manual switching between an active state and an inactive state can take place in particular by adjusting the stop.

Advantageously, the stop can be adjusted manually or automatically and/or by means of an electrically operated apparatus, in particular an apparatus which is operated by an electric motor and/or electromagnetically. Manual adjustability can be achieved in a structurally simple manner, wherein adjustability by means of an apparatus operated by an electric motor and/or operated electromagnetically ensures a high level of operational convenience.

An especially high level of operational reliability can also be achieved when the stop is configured as an adjustable screw. The free end of the screw can be used as a stop surface, wherein the threaded section allows the screw to be screwed into a threaded section for continuous adjustability of position of the stop surface. The screw can be screwed in and out, for example, by hand or also by a separately arranged electric motor. Since the screw forms only a stop surface, it is not under a constant load and can therefore be adjusted using only a small amount of effort by being screwed in and out of the position.

It is, furthermore, also possible for the stop to be configured as a pivotably mounted latch element. Possible pivoting movements can be performed manually or can be initiated an electric motor or an electromagnetic apparatus.

Preferably, the stop is continuously adjustable, which can be achieved with only little effort and thus easily manually or with inexpensive components.

According to one advantageous embodiment, the auxiliary spring can be configured to increase and/or decrease the closing force. For example, the auxiliary spring can be configured to reduce or increase the closing force of the spring arrangement in the active state. The auxiliary spring in the active state, depending on the design and/or arrangement in the housing, can counteract the closing spring or can support same. If the auxiliary spring counteracts the closing spring in active state, the closing force of the spring arrangement can be thereby be reduced, whereas when the closing spring is supported, the closing force of the spring arrangement can be increased. Activation of the auxiliary spring to increase the closing force can bring about improved closing reliability in draft conditions, and activation of the auxiliary spring to reduce the closing force can improve operational convenience.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the degree of compression of the auxiliary spring in the active state is variable, in particular by displacing the closing piston in the housing. Thus the auxiliary spring in the active state can be releasable and/or compressible. Therefore, it can be possible for the degree of compression of the auxiliary spring in the inactive state to be unchangeable and/or independent of the movement position of the closing piston in the housing. In the inactive state, the closing piston can be moved in the housing without it affecting the degree of compression of the auxiliary spring.

In a further preferred embodiment, the closing piston in the inactive state of the auxiliary spring can be displaced in a predetermined range of motion without affecting the degree of compression of the auxiliary spring, wherein the predetermined range of motion preferably can be altered by adjusting the stop. In this way, according to the position of the stop the auxiliary spring can remain inactive in a specific range of motion of the closing piston, and can be transferred to an active state by motion of the closing piston beyond that point.

Furthermore, it can be advantageous when the auxiliary spring is supported directly or indirectly on the compression element, in particular via a free end of the auxiliary spring, particularly preferably via an end of the auxiliary spring facing away from the closing piston and/or facing the stop. This ensures that the compression element can exert influence in a suitable manner on the functionality of the auxiliary spring since the support of the auxiliary spring on the compression element is crucial for the degree of compression or the compressibility of the auxiliary spring when the drive apparatus is operating.

More preferably, the compression element, can be displaceable according to the position of the stop in the housing and/or the stop can limit the displaceability of the compression element at least on one side. In this way, via the stop or its adjustment, influence can be exerted on the mobility of the compression element and thus on the compressibility of the auxiliary spring. Furthermore, the displaceability of the compression element for adaptively adjusting the closing force of the spring arrangement can be optionally fixable and/or releasable, in particular mechanically fixable and/or releasable. In this case, the compression element can be fixed in an active state of the auxiliary spring. It is thus possible to optionally permit displaceability of the compression element as well as optionally inhibit it. The position of the compression element can, in this way, be influenced or altered as well as optionally fixed.

Preferably, the compression element has a supporting surface for supporting the auxiliary spring, wherein the supporting surface further preferably is configured on a support collar. The support collar is in particular configured peripherally on the compression element for example as a peripheral collar. Such an embodiment allows force and/or motion to be transferred reliably between the auxiliary spring and the compression element.

It can, furthermore, be advantageous if the compression element has a contact surface for bearing on the stop. The compression element preferably extends between the above-named supporting surface and the contact surface. Likewise, the compression element can be configured for transferring compression forces between the above-named supporting surface and the contact surface. In this way, the compression element can be reliably limited in its motion by the stop and thereby ensure support for the auxiliary spring.

Furthermore, the compression element can be guided in the housing and/or a structure associated with the housing, in particular along its longitudinal extension. For example, the compression element can be movably guided in particular in a front-side housing closure, in particular along its longitudinal extension. In this way a concentric arrangement of the compression element in the housing can be ensured, and thus continuous functionality is guaranteed.

Further preferably, the auxiliary spring is coupled with the closing piston via a tension means for receiving tensile forces. By means of such a tension means, for example, the auxiliary spring can be pretensioned if so desired in the specific application.

According to a preferred embodiment, the tension means at least in the active state or the inactive state of the auxiliary spring is configured to transfer force and/or motion between the auxiliary spring and the closing piston. The motion of the closing piston and the coupled door leaf in each case can, in this way, be influenced with only slight effort by means of the auxiliary spring. For example, the tension means can ensure that in a starting position of the closing piston, the compression element maintains a distance from the stop despite the configured pretensioning of the auxiliary spring. By moving the closing piston out of the starting position in the direction of the stop, the compression element likewise can be moved in the direction of the stop without this influencing the degree of compression of the auxiliary spring. In this way, an inactive state of the auxiliary spring can thus be set. Likewise such a tension means ensures that a compression element displaced in this manner can be reset by an oppositely oriented motion of the closing piston, i.e. likewise to its starting position.

In particular, the tension means is configured to transfer tensile forces and/or tensile-force-induced motions, which can be done using space-saving components. Preferably the tension means is configured to exclusively transfer tensile forces and/or tensile-force-induced motions between the auxiliary spring and the closing piston. The tension means can thus be configured to transfer any compression forces. In predetermined operating conditions, a motion of the closing piston can occur in this manner without influencing the position or the degree of compression of the auxiliary spring.

The tension means can be configured, for example, as a structurally rigid tensile element, in particular a pull rod, a pull cable, a chain or a belt. Such tension means ensure a high degree of reliability in the transfer of force and/or motion.

Furthermore, the tension means can be coupled via a carrier device to the closing piston and/or can be movably guided relative to the closing piston, in particular in a pre-defined range of motion, which particularly preferably can be configured by means of the adjustable stop. By means of such a carrier device, a positive-fit coupling is ensured between the closing piston and the tension means in one orientation of motion. In contrast, a relative motion oriented the other way around between the closing piston and the tension means is enabled by the carrier device. In this way, depending on the design of the drive apparatus and the prevailing operating conditions, free mobility of the closing piston independently of the position of the tension means and/or of the compression element is possible. At the same time, the carrier device, depending on the design of the drive apparatus and the prevailing operating conditions, can ensure that the tension means or the compression element associated therewith are reset back into a starting position from a displaced state. The carrier device can thus enable relative motion between the closing piston and the tension means when the closing piston moves in the direction of the closing spring, and limit it in the opposite direction.

The carrier device can advantageously have a projection arranged on the tension means, which preferably can be configured peripherally on the tension means. Such a projection can be a nut, for example, which is screwed onto one end of the tension means. Likewise, the carrier device can have a supporting section arranged on the closing piston for the aforementioned projection and/or a guide, arranged on the closing piston, for the tension means. In this manner, the tension means can be reliably guided within the closing piston and arrive at the stop on the supporting section of the closing piston via the projection, which is configured as a nut, for example, in a predefined position. A relative motion beyond the stop position between the closing piston and the tension means can thereby be avoided.

Particularly preferably, the tension means can be fixedly coupled to the compression element and/or can be configured as a single piece and/or integrally with the compression element. In this way, a high degree of reliability is ensured in the transfer of force and/or motion between the compression element and the tension means.

Furthermore, the tension means can be surrounded at least in sections by the closing spring and/or the auxiliary spring. Likewise the tension means can be guided within the auxiliary spring and/or the closing spring along its longitudinal extension. This provides an as symmetrical as possible transfer of force between the auxiliary spring and the closing piston via the compression element and as well as a space-saving arrangement.

Further preferably, the auxiliary spring can be pretensioned in the active and/or the inactive state, in particular by the aforementioned tension means. By means of pretensioning, the functionality of the auxiliary spring can be provided directly. Likewise, such pretensioning can ensure that an inactive state is configured in which the closing piston is displaceable without affecting the degree of compression of the auxiliary spring in the housing.

It is further possible for the auxiliary spring to be transferrable between an active and an inactive state by displacing the closing piston in the housing and/or by a relative motion between the closing piston and the compression element. Therefore, initially a minimal motion of the closing piston can be necessary before the auxiliary spring is made active. The operating characteristic of the auxiliary spring can be changeable according to a position of the closing piston in the housing and thus according to a position of a door leaf coupled with the closing piston.

According to a further embodiment, the auxiliary spring is supported and/or supportable directly or indirectly on a closing piston or a supporting structure that moves with the closing piston, in particular via a free end of the auxiliary spring, particularly preferably via an end of the auxiliary spring facing the closing piston and/or facing away from the supporting surface. By means of such an arrangement, the auxiliary spring can in particular be used to increase the closing force of the spring arrangement in active state, i.e. to support the closing spring in the active state.

Alternatively, it is possible for the auxiliary spring to be supported directly or indirectly on the housing or a supporting structure immovably connected to the housing. In this manner, the auxiliary spring can be permanently supported and/or fixed at least on one side in the housing so that the auxiliary spring can be used advantageously to reduce the closing force of the spring arrangement in the active state, and thus to counteract the closing spring. Advantageously, the auxiliary spring is supported via a free end on the housing and/or a supporting structure immovably connected to the housing, particularly preferably via an end of the auxiliary spring facing the closing piston and/or facing away from the compression element.

In a further preferred manner, it is possible for the auxiliary spring and the closing spring to overlap one another in their longitudinal extension at least in sections and/or be arranged within one another. In this case, the auxiliary spring at least in sections can be arranged in the closing spring and/or can be surrounding by the closing spring at least in sections. When there is only a small installation space, this ensures a high degree of functionality both through the closing spring and through the auxiliary spring.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the closing spring and the auxiliary spring are connected in parallel, in particular in the active state of the auxiliary spring. In this manner, the two springs can influence the closing force of the spring arrangement independently of one another.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the closing spring is supported and/or supportable directly or indirectly on the housing or on a supporting structure immovably connected to the housing, in particular via a free end of the closing spring. The free end of the closing spring is in particular an end facing away from the closing piston. Owing to the support on a housing or on a supporting structure immovably connected to the housing, the closing force applied by the closing spring to the closing piston is reliably provided and in particular is increased by a movement of the closing piston in the housing. In this case, the closing spring can preferably be supported on a supporting structure configured independently of the compression element, for example in particular on a front housing closure. The closing force produced by the closing spring is thus independent of the position of the compression element in the housing.

Finally, the closing spring, according to an advantageous embodiment, can be pretensioned, in particular be pretensioned in a starting position of the closing piston in the housing. It is possible for the closing spring to always be active. Irrespective of the position of the closing piston in the housing, a closing force acting on the closing piston is produced by the closing spring.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a door arrangement is equipped with a movably mounted door leaf and an above-described drive apparatus, wherein the closing piston of the drive apparatus is coupled to a door leaf, preferably via a gearing. Such a door arrangement ensures a high degree of reliability since reliable closing can be ensured even under changing operating conditions. Likewise, adaptively adjusting the closing force can increase user convenience in that, for example, high closing forces, caused by temporary draughts, can be avoided.

The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. Brief description of the schematic drawings:

Fig. 1A shows a cross-sectional view of a drive apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, having an active auxiliary spring in the closed position of a door leaf.

Fig. 1B shows the drive apparatus in figure 1A for an active auxiliary spring and the open position of a door leaf.

Fig. 2A shows the drive apparatus shown in figure 1 a with an inactive auxiliary spring in the closed position of a door leaf.

Fig. 2B	shows the drive apparatus shown in figure 2A for an inactive auxiliary spring and the open position of a door leaf.
Fig. 3A	shows a cross-sectional detail view of the drive apparatus according to a further exemplary embodiment for an active auxiliary spring and the closed position of a door leaf.
Fig. 3B	shows the drive apparatus shown in figure 3A for an inactive auxiliary spring and the closed position of a door leaf.
Fig. 4A	shows a cross-sectional detailed view of the drive apparatus according to a further exemplary embodiment for an active auxiliary spring.
Fig. 4B	shows the drive apparatus shown in figure 4A for an inactive auxiliary spring.

Figures 1A to 2B show a drive apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention in various operating positions.

The drive apparatus 10 has a housing 12, which can be closed by a front housing closure 13, and a closing piston 14 displaceably arranged in the housing 12. The movement of the closing piston 14 in the housing 12 can be coupled with that of the door leaf (not shown). For coupling the movement of the closing piston 14 and a door leaf, in particular a gearing 16 can be provided. Here, the gearing 16 can in particular be a toothing 18 configured on the closing piston 14, a pinion 20 operatively connected to the toothing 18, as well as a closing shaft 22, on which the pinion 20 is mounted for conjoint rotation. The arrangement ensures that a displacement of the piston 14 in the housing 12 produces a rotational motion of the pinion 20 and thus also of the closing shaft 22. The closing shaft 22 can further be connected to a linkage or coupling gearing (not shown). The linkage or coupling gearing can again be connected to the door leaf so that a displacement of the closing piston 14 in the housing 12 is forcibly coupled with the movement of a door leaf (not shown). Displacement of the closing piston 14 in the housing 12 thus brings about movement of the coupled door leaf in each case. Similarly, owing to the arrangement of the closing piston 14 along with the gearing 16, a movement of the door leaf (not shown) can initiate a displacement of the closing piston 14 in the housing 12.

Furthermore, a spring arrangement 24 is provided in the housing 12. The spring arrangement 24 is designed to provide a closing force acting on the closing piston 14. The spring arrangement 24 here has a closing spring 26 which is supported via a free end on the closing piston 14 or applies a closing force to the latter. The opposite end of the closing spring 26 is supported on a supporting structure 28, which is immovably connected to the housing 12 or immovably arranged in the housing 12. In particular, the supporting structure 28 can be fixed by the housing closure 13 relative to the other sections of the housing 12.

By a movement of the closing piston 14 in the direction of the housing closure, the closing spring 26 is tensioned and thus exerts a restoring closing force on the closing piston 14 so that after a completed opening process of a door leaf coupled with the closing piston 14, the latter is again automatically closed because of the closing piston 26.

Furthermore, an adjustable stop 30 is provided in the housing closure 13, which can be configured in the present exemplary embodiment as a screw. Consequently, an outer thread 32 is configured on the stop 30, which is screwed into an inner thread 34 of the closure. Furthermore, a stop surface 36 is configured on the stop 30, in particular on the free end of the stop 30 configured as a screw, said stop surface in particular being able to face the interior of the housing. Through screwing in and out of the stop 30 configured as a screw, the position of the stop surface 36 relative to the housing 12 or to the housing closure 13 can be altered.

The spring arrangement 24 further has an auxiliary spring 38 for adaptively adjusting the closing force. In this regard, the auxiliary spring 38 is arranged in the housing 12 on the side of the closing spring 26 relative to the closing piston 14. The auxiliary spring 38, owing to its arrangement in the housing 12, makes adaptively adjusting the closing force possible. Thus the active state of the auxiliary spring 38 can be adjusted by adjusting the stop 30.

For this purpose, the auxiliary spring 38 can be supported between a compression element 46 movably arranged in the housing 12 and the closing piston 14 or a contact disc 15 fixedly connected to the closing piston 14. The auxiliary spring 38 is supported on the compression element 46 in particular via an end facing away from the closing piston 14 and/or an end facing the stop 30, and is supported elsewhere on the closing piston 14 or a contact disc 15 connected thereto via an end facing the closing piston 14.

For supporting the auxiliary spring 38, a support collar 42 having a supporting surface 44 thereon can be configured on the compression element 46. Furthermore, a contact surface 47 for bearing on the stop 30 or the stop surface 36 can be configured on the compression element 46. The contact surface 47 in particular faces the stop surface 36.

As describe above, the compression element 46 is, in principle, movably arranged in the housing 12. The movability can be limited or fully inhibited, however, by choosing the position of the stop 30. The movability of the compression element 46 in the housing 12 can thus optionally be arrested and again enabled, specifically by mechanically adjusting the stop 30 in the housing closure 13. The stop 30 can adjusted, for example, by screwing the stop 30, configured as a screw, in and out, wherein the range of motion of the compression element 46 in the housing is predetermined. The auxiliary spring 38 can be configured in this manner between an active and an inactive state.

Furthermore, a tension means 48 can be provided, via which the auxiliary spring 38 is coupled to the closing piston 14. Here, the tension means 48 can be configured in particular as a pull rod. Furthermore, the tension means 48 can be configured as a single piece with the support collar 42 and/or the compression element 46 or can be fixedly connected to the support collar 42 and/or the compression element 46.

The tension means 48 is coupled via a carrier device 50 to the closing piston 14. The carrier device 50 can enable a relative motion between the closing piston 14 and the tension means 48 in a relative direction and limit a relative motion in the opposite relative direction in each case. For this purpose, a projection 52 can be provided on the tension means 48, said projection being supported on a supporting section of the closing piston 14. The supporting section of the closing piston 14 can be formed by the contact disc 15. Therefore, the auxiliary spring 38 can be supported on one side of the contact disc 15, and the projection 52 of the carrier device 50 can be supported on the opposite side. The projection 52 can in particular be configured as a nut which is screwed onto an end of the tension means 48. The disc 15 can, furthermore, define a guide for the tension means 48 so that the tension means 48 can be moved in a suitable manner relative to the closing piston 14.

In the operating position shown in figure 1A, the closing piston 14 is arranged in a starting position which corresponds to a closed position of a door leaf coupled with the closing piston 14. Furthermore, the auxiliary spring 38 is in an active state since the compression element 46 is arrested because of the position of the stop 30. In the position shown in figure 1A, the auxiliary spring 38 can be pretensioned or else fully relaxed.

In figure 1B, an operating position of the drive apparatus 10 is now shown after the closing piston 14 has been moved in the direction of the housing closure 13 or in the direction of the stop 30. By moving the closing piston 14, the closing spring 26 is tensioned or its degree of compression is increased. At the same time, the auxiliary spring 38 is also tensioned or its degree of compression is increased since the position of the compression element 46 is determined by the position of the stop 30. The compression element 46 thus cannot yield to a movement of the closing piston 14. The auxiliary spring 38 is thus in an active state due to the position of the stop 30.

In this case, the embodiment of the carrier device 50, proceeding from the position shown in figure 1A, allows a movement of the closing piston 14 in the direction of the housing closure 13 and/or of the stop 30, without the tension means 48 having to move out of its position. The tension means 48 is movably guided in the closing piston 14 for this purpose, so the relative motion indicated in figure 1B can reliably occur.

In the active state of the auxiliary spring 38 shown in figures 1A and 1B, the closing force applied to the closing piston 14 is thus produced jointly by the closing spring 26 and the auxiliary spring 38.

The operating principle of the drive apparatus 10 with an auxiliary spring 38 in the inactive state is now described with reference to figures 2A and 2B. The auxiliary spring 38 is made active by unscrewing the stop 30 relative to the position shown in figures 1A and 1B. In this way, the mobility of the compression element 46 in the housing 12 is enabled. The compression element 46 is thus freely movable within the housing 12, in particular in a defined range of motion. Since the auxiliary spring 38 is supported via one of its ends on the compression element 46, a displacement of the closing piston 14 can occur without altering the degree of compression of the auxiliary spring 38 because of the movable arrangement or enabling of the compression element 46.

Proceeding from the operating position shown in figure 2A, the closing piston 14 can be moved by opening a door leaf coupled to the closing piston 14 in the direction of the housing closure 13 or in the direction of the stop 30. As described above, in this way the closing spring 26 is tensioned and thereby produces a closing force acting on the closing piston 14. The motion of the closing piston 14, however, in the case of a relatively greatly unscrewed position of the stop 30, does not result in a change in the degree of compression of the auxiliary spring 38. This is because the auxiliary spring 38 is supported via one end on the compression element 46 which, because of its mobility, can follow the motion of the closing piston 14.

Thus the auxiliary spring 38, when the closing piston 12 moves in the direction of the housing closure 13 or in the direction of the stop 30, produces a correspondingly acting force on the compression element 46, which is displaced in its position because of the now available mobility. The tension of the auxiliary spring 38 thus remains unchanged. The displacement of the compression element 46 with unchanged compression of the auxiliary spring 38 is shown in figure 2B. The auxiliary spring 38 thus has no influence on the closing force and, owing to the position of the stop 30, is thus in an inactive state.

If, proceeding from the position shown in figure 2B, a closing movement of the closing piston 14 is initiated by the closing spring 26 of the spring arrangement 24, i.e. in a direction facing away from the stop 30, the carrier device 50 simultaneously ensures that the compression element 46 likewise moves away from the stop 30, and the position shown in figure 2B is again assumed.

In the starting position of the closing piston 14, as shown in figures 1A and 2A, the stop 30 is not acted on or scarcely acted on by the spring forces of the auxiliary spring 38, so an adjustment can now take place with only little effort. For example, it is possible to screw the stop 30, configured as a screw, in and out of the housing closure 13 by hand so as to adjust the position of the stop surface 36. To this end, the screw head of the stop 30, configured as a screw, projects out of the housing closure 13 and can be easily accessed and gripped by an operator.

The drive apparatus 100 according to the embodiment in figures 3A and 3B differs from the embodiment in figures 1A to 2B only in the design of the stop 54 or its adjustability. The stop 54 is likewise configured as a screw and adjustable in the housing closure 13 by screwing it in or out of its position. For adjustment of the stop 54, however, an electrically driven apparatus is provided, in particular an electric motor 56. A drive shaft 57 of the electric motor 56 engages the screw head of the stop 54, configured as a screw, in a form-fitting manner and thus, depending on the drive direction, allows the stop 54 to be screwed in or out. Owing to the small forces that are necessary for screwing the stop 54 in or out, an electrically driven apparatus having only low power can be sufficient. In figure 3A, the stop 54 is screwed far into the housing closure 13. As is shown in figure 3B, by rotating the stop 54 in a direction of rotation indicated by the arrow 58, in particular in a counterclockwise direction, the stop 54 can be moved in a direction indicated by the arrow 59.

The drive apparatus 200 according to the embodiment of figures 4A and 4B differs from the embodiments of figures 1A to 3B in the design of the stop 60 or its adjustability. The stop 60 is configured as a latch element which is pivotably mounted in the housing 12 or in the housing closure 13. By pivoting the stop 60, a choice can be made between an arrested and an enabled position. In the position shown in figure 4A, the stop is in an arrested position and in figure 4B in an enabled position. In the arrested position according to figure 4A, the stop 60 blocks the mobility of the compression element 46, whereas in the release position according to figure 4B the stop 60 does not restrict the mobility of the compression element 46.

The stop 60 can be pivoted by an electromagnetically operated apparatus 62. In the apparatus 62, an electromagnetically driven armature 64 can be linearly displaceable. By bearing and/or sliding the armature 64 against/off a guide surface 66 of the stop 60, a rotational motion, indicated by the arrow 68, can be produced, as illustrated in figure 4B. In the pivoted position achieved thereby, the compression element 46 is enabled and can be moved in a direction indicated by the arrow 70.

In the embodiments according to figures 1A to 4B, the closing force is increased in an active state of the auxiliary spring 38, and the closing force is reduced in an inactive state. In an active state, the auxiliary spring 38 supports the closing spring 26. Likewise, however, according to an embodiment not shown here, it is possible for the auxiliary spring 38 in an active state to cause a reduction in the closing force, i.e. to counteract the closing spring 26. This can be achieved in that the auxiliary spring 38, instead of supporting on the closing piston 14 or on the contact disc 15, is supported on the housing 12 or a structure fixedly or immovably connected to the housing 12. This applies in particular to the end of the auxiliary spring 38 facing the closing piston 14.

List of reference signs

200 Drive apparatus

Housing

Housing closure

Closing piston

Contact disc

Gearing

Toothing

Pinion

Closing shaft

Spring arrangement

Closing spring

Supporting structure

Stop

Outer thread

Inner thread

Stop surface

Auxiliary spring

Supporting collar

Supporting surface

Compression element

Contact surface

Tension means

Carrier device

Projection

Stop

Electric motor

Drive shaft

Direction of rotation

59	Direction of motion
60	Stop
62	Electromagnetically operated apparatus
64	Armature
66	Guide surface
68	Direction of rotation
70	Direction of motion

Claims

1. A drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) for door leaves, in particular door closers, comprising a housing (12) having a closing piston (14) which is displaceably arranged in the housing (12) and is couplable with a door leaf, and comprising a spring arrangement (24) arranged in the housing (12) and having a closing spring (26) for providing a closing force which acts on the closing piston (14), characterised in that the spring arrangement (24) has an auxiliary spring (38) for adaptively adjusting the closing force, which is arranged in the housing (12) on the side of the closing spring (26) relative to the closing piston (14), and which can be switched between an active and an inactive state, wherein the switching is carried out by adjusting a stop (30, 54, 60) for a compression element (46) acted upon by the auxiliary spring (38).

2. The drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to claim 1, characterised in that the stop (30, 54, 60) can be adjusted manually, automatically and/or by an electrically operated apparatus (56, 62), in particular operated by an electric motor and/or electromagnetically, and/or that the stop (30, 54) is configured as an adjustable screw (30, 54) or a pivotably mounted latch element (60).

3. The drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the stop (30, 54) is continuously adjustable.

4. The drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the auxiliary spring (38) is configured for raising and/or lowering the closing force, and/or that the auxiliary spring (38) is configured to increase or decrease the closing force of the spring arrangement (24) in the active state and/or that the auxiliary spring (38) in the active state counteracts the closing spring (26) or supports same.

5. The drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the degree of compression of the auxiliary spring (38) in the active state can be altered, in particular by displacing the closing piston (14) in the housing (12), and/or that the auxiliary spring (38) in the active state is releasable and/or compressible, and or that the degree of compression of the auxiliary spring (38) in the inactive state is unchangeable and/or dependent on the movement position of the closing piston (14) in the housing.

6. The drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the closing piston (14) in the inactive state of the auxiliary spring (38) in a predetermined range of motion can be displaced without influencing the degree of compression of the auxiliary spring (38), wherein the predetermined range of motion preferably may be altered by adjustment of the stop (30, 54, 60).

7. The drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the auxiliary spring (38) is supported directly or indirectly on the compression element (46), in particular via a free end of the auxiliary spring (38), particularly preferably via an end of the auxiliary spring (38) facing away from the closing piston (14) and/or facing the stop (30, 54, 60).

8. The drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the compression element (46) according to the position of the stop (30, 54,

60) in the housing (12) is displaceable and or that the stop (30, 54, 60) limits the displaceability of the compression element (46) on one side and/or fixes the latter, and/or that the displaceability of the compression element (46) can optionally be fixed for adaptively adjusting the closing force of the spring arrangement (24) and/or can be released, in particular is mechanically fixable and/or releasable, and/or that the compression element (46) is fixed in an active state of the auxiliary spring (38).

9. The drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the compression element (46) has a supporting surface (44) for supporting the auxiliary spring (38), wherein the supporting surface (44) preferably is configured on a supporting collar (42), wherein the supporting collar (42) preferably is configured peripherally on the compression element (46).

10. The drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the compression element (46) has a contact surface (47) for bearing on the stop (30, 54, 60), wherein preferably the compression element (46) extends between a supporting surface (44) and the contact surface (47) and/or for transferring compression forces is configured between a supporting surface (44) and the contact surface (47), and/or is guided in the housing (12) and/or in a structure (28) connected to the housing (12), in particular along the longitudinal extension thereof

11. The drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the auxiliary spring (38) is coupled to the closing piston (14) via a tension means (48) for receiving tensile forces.

12. The drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to claim 11, characterised in that the tension means (48) at least in the active or the inactive state of the auxiliary spring (38) is configured for force- and/or motion transfer between the auxiliary spring (38) and the closing piston (14), in particular for transfer of tensile forces and/or tensile-force-induced motions, preferably for exclusive transfer of tensile forces and/or tensile-force-induced motions between the auxiliary spring (38) and the closing piston (14).

13. The drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that the tension means (48) as a structurally rigid tensile element, in particular configured as a pull rod, a pull cable, a chain or a belt, and/or that the tension means (48) is coupled via a carrier device (50) to the closing piston (14) and/or is movably guided relative to the closing piston (14), in particular in a predefined range of motion, which particularly preferably can be adjusted by means of the adjustable stop (30, 54, 60).

14. The drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to claim 13, characterised in that the carrier device (50) has a projection (52) which is arranged on the tension means (48) and preferable is configured peripherally on the tension means (48), and/or that the control device (50) has a supporting section which is arranged on the closing piston (14) for a projection and/or a guide, for the tension means (48), arranged on the closing piston.

15. The drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that the carrier device (50) enables a relative motion between the closing piston (14) and the tension means (48) in the case of motion of the closing piston (14) in the direction of the closing spring (26), and restricts same in the opposite direction thereto.

16. The drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterised in that the tension means (48) is fixedly coupled to the compression element (46) and/or is configured in a single piece and/or integrally with the compression element (46).

17. The drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to at least one of the claims 11 to 16, characterised in that the tension means (48) at least in sections is surrounded by the closing spring (26) and/or the auxiliary spring (38), and/or that the tension means (48) is guided inside the auxiliary spring (38) and or the closing spring (26) in the longitudinal extension.

18. The drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the auxiliary spring (38) is pretensioned in the active and/or the inactive state, in particular by a tension means (48).

19. The drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the auxiliary spring (38) is supported and/or supportable directly or indirectly on the closing piston (14) or a supporting structure that is movable with and/or connected to the closing piston (14), in particular via a free end of the auxiliary spring (38), particularly preferably via an end of the auxiliary spring (38) facing the closing piston (14) and/or facing away from the supporting surface (44).

20. The drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the auxiliary spring (38) and the closing spring (26) along the longitudinal extension thereof overlap one another at least in sections and/or are arranged within one another, and/or that at least in sections the auxiliary spring (38) is arranged in the closing spring (26) and/or is surrounded by the closing spring (26) at least in sections.

21. The drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the closing spring (26) and the auxiliary spring (38) are connected in parallel, in particular in the active state of the auxiliary spring (38).

22. The drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the closing spring (26) is supported and/or can be supported directly or indirectly on the housing (12) or on a supporting structure (28) immovably connected to the housing (12), in particular via a free end of the closing spring (26), particularly preferably via an end facing away from the closing piston (14), and/or that the closing piston (26) is supported on a supporting structure (28) configured independently of the compression element (46).

23. The drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the closing spring (26) is pretensioned, in particular is under pretension independently of the position of the closing piston (14) in the housing, and/or that the closing spring (26) is permanently active.

24. A door arrangement comprising a movably mounted door leaf and comprising a drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closing piston of the drive apparatus (10, 100, 200) is preferably coupled to the door leaf via a gearing (16).