IES86459Y1 - System for rotating a winding drum, windable closing screen and control method - Google Patents

Description

SYSTEM FOR ROTATING AWINDING DRUM, WINDABLE CLOSING SCREEN AND CONTROL METHOD The present invention relates to a system for rotating a winding drum for a flexible apron of a windable closing screen, as well as a winclable closing screen including such a driving system and a control method for such a system.

Windable closing screens include windable doors whereof the apron is provided to close an opening by itself, and windable flaps that can close an opening already provided with a closing system, such as a window.

Traditionally, a windable closing screen, such as a garage door, comprises a winding drum on which a flexible apron is fixed, such as an apron formed by strips hinged to each other. An electric motor rotates the drum to open or close the door.

The standards in force regarding windable doors in particular require providing for the possibility of handling the door in case of power outage. Furthermore, it is necessary to limit the stresses on the last lower strip of the apron, so as to avoid crushing if an obstacle is present. Traditionally, the forces applied on the last strip must not exceed 150 N. but the presence of intensity peaks of up to 400 N is allowed inasmuch as the forces comply with a required gauge over a given length of time.

To bo able to maneuver the door in case of power outage, it is known to insert a reducing gear between the electric motor and the winding drum. An output rod allows the temporary connection of a crank, so as to raise or lower the apron manually in case of power outage. The reducing gear makes it possible to decrease the force that must be provided using the crank. However, this gear reduction in the force involves performing a large number of crank revolutions to move the apron vertically, which is relatively inconvenient.

To limit the force on the last strip of the apron, it is known to place a feeler edge on the last strip that can be connected to a control unit of the door. in particular via a spiral cable or by radio waves. when an obstacle is detected by the feeler edge. a stop order is sent to the motor. This solution is relatively complex to implement, in particular because it requires adjustments and operations on or around the door.

The invention more particularly aims to resolve these drawbacks by proposing a system for rotating a winding drum of a flexible windable closing screen apron, which makes It possible to include a system for detecting obstacles and which makes it possible to maneuver the apron easily in case of power outage, as well as to limit the force applied on the last lower strip of the apron, simply. 886459.

To that end. the invention relates to a system for rotating a winding drum of a door apron winding around an axis. the drive system comprising: - an electric motor comprising an output shaft equipped with first rotational coupling means, - a movable member. movable with respect to the drum, including second rotational coupling means. - first elastic means that, by default. push the movable member into an engaged configuration, in which the rotational coupling means cooperate. so as to secure the output shaft of the motor and the movable member in rotation. - a traction element for pulling the movable member and allowing to bring the movable member into a disengaged configuration. in which the rotational coupling means are released. - a compensating spring exerting a torque that tends to rotate the drum around the axis against the weight of the apron. - a control unit comprising means for detecting an obstacle by analyzing the electrical current of the motor.

Owing to the invention, the electrical current from the direct current motor provides information relative to the driving torque of the drum, which allows easy integration of the obstacle detection means into the driving system. Furthermore, in case of power outage. the disengagement system makes it possibte to maneuver the screen by simply acting on the traction system. Additionally. the compensating spring limits the forces applied on the lower edge of the apron.

According to advantageous but optional aspects of the invention, such a drive system may include one or more of the following features. considered in any technically allowable combination: The member is movable relative to the drum in a direction parallel to the axis.

The control unit is integrated into an actuator including the electric motor.

The rotationat coupling means are made up of splines or claws.

The traction element is made up ofa cable attached to the movable member.

— The movable member is supported by an adapter that is secured to the drum, secured in rotation with the movable member, and that allows the translation of the movable member relative to the drum.

- The drive system comprises an electricity conversion member inserted between an alternating electricity source and the control unit.

- The electricity conversion member is an alternating-direct converter or a direct- direct converter.

The invention also relates to a windable closing screen that includes a winding drum for a flexible apron rotated by a system as described above.

Lastly. the invention relates to a method for controlling a system for rotating a winding drum of a closing screen apron windable around an axis. the drive system comprising: - a direct current electric motor comprising an output shaft equipped with first rotational coupling means. - a movable member. movable with respect to the drum. including second rotational coupling means, - first elastic means that, by default. push the movable member into an engaged configuration. in which the rotational coupling means cooperate. so as to secure the output shaft of the motor and the movable member in rotation. - a traction element for pulling the movable member and allowing to bring the movable member into a disengaged configuration. in which the rotational coupling means are released, - a compensating spring exerting a torque that tends to rotate the drum around the axis against the weight of the apron, - a control unit comprising means for detecting an obstacle by analyzing the electrical current of the motor. the method comprising stops consisting. for the control unit. of analyzing the electrical current of the electric motor and commanding the stop of the electric motor when an obstacle is detected.

According to advantageous. but optional aspects of the invention. such a control method may include one or more of the following features. considered in any technically allowable combination; - The value andtor variations of the electrical current of the electric motor are compared to first predetermined values allowing to detect the forces caused by the presence of an obstacle below the apron.

- The electric current from the electric motor is compared to second predetermined values, which correspond to a force curve.

The invention will be better understood , and other advantages thereof will appear more cleariy, in light of the following description of a system for rotating a door drum equipping a door according to the invention. provided solely as an example and done in reference to the appended drawings, in which: - figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a winding door comprising a drive system according to the invention, In an engaged configuration; ' — figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the door of figure 1 in a disengaged configuration; and - figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the electric power supply chain of an actuator that is part of the drive system.

Figures 1 and 2 show a winding door P that borders a rectangular opening that crosses through a facade of a building. not shown. The door P comprises two vertical posts 6A and 6B whereof the lower ends 61 rest on a horizontal slab (not shown) and whereof the upper ends 62 are each assembled to a bracket 5A or 5B.

In this description, the terms "upper" and "lower" refer to the orientation of the door P in figures 1 and 2. which corresponds to the actual orientation. where the brackets 5A and 58 are at the top and the slab is at the bottom.

The brackets 5A and 5B are connected to each other by a horizontal box 4 that deiimits a substantially cylindrical inner volume with a circular section and longitudinal axis A. A drum 3 that extends along the longitudinal axis A is housed inside the box 4. A flexible apron or curtain 2 is fastened along the drum 3. which forms a winding shaft for that apron or curtain. The apron 2 comprises several horizontal slats 22 hinged to each other. Alternatively, the apron 2 is made in a single flexible piece, optionally slatted.

A drive system 1 housed in the drum 3 is provided to rotate the drum 3 around the longitudinal axis A. The drive system '1 comprises an actuator 7 that includes a direct current electric motor 70. shown on the right in figures 1 and 2. on the side of the bracket 5B. The actuator 7 comprises a mounting head on the bracket 5B.

The direct current motor may be a brush motor and a manifold or a brushless motor with electronic switching.

According to one optional aspect of the invention. the actuator 7 may integrate a reducing gear anclror a brake 8.

As shown in figure 3, the actuator 7 is supplied with electricity by an electricity storage member 16, such as a battery. This storage member 16 is powered by an electricity source 17 such as the electricity grid or a photovoltaic solar panel. by means of an electricity conversion member 18 that adapts the current supplied by the electricity source 18 to the requirements of the storage member 16 and a control unit 74. The electricity conversion member 18 is inserted between the electricity source 17 and the control unit 74. For example. when the electricity source 17 is the electric grid. the electricity conversion member 18 is an alternating-direct electricity converter. When the electricity source 17 is a photovoltaic solar panel. the electricity conversion member 18 is a converter converting photoelectric energy Into direct current electricity, more generally a direct-direct electricity converter.

During normal operation, the storage member powers the actuator 7 and the electricity source recharges the storage member. In case of an outage of the power source, the storage member provides the actuator 7 with the electricity necessary for its operation.

When the drive system 1 rotates the drum 3 around the longitudinal axis A, the apron 2 winds or unwinds, around the drum 3, based on the direction of rotation of the actuator 7. The lateral ends 23 of the apron 2 then slide in guide rails formed in the posts 6A and 6B. The apron 2 thus moves between an open position. where the apron 2 is wound around the drum 3 and where the opening formed by the door P is freed. and a closed position. where the apron 2 closes the door P. The apron 2 is described as "flexible" because it is designed to be able to wind around the drum 3.

A control interface, not shown, allows the user to maneuver the rising and lowering of the apron 2.

An output shaft 71 of the actuator 7 is provided with first rotational coupling means 73. such as splines or claws.

The drive system 1 comprises a movable member 9 that includes a head 91, turned toward the output shaft 71 of the actuator 7. as well as a rod 92, turned toward the bracket 5A. The head 91 and the rod 92 are secured. "Secured" means that the relative movements of these parts are blocked.

The head 91 includes a recess 93 whereof the walls are equipped with second rotational coupling means 94. complementary to those of the output shaft 71 of the actuator 7. In the case at hand. the means 94 may be formed by splines complementary to the splines 73.

The rod 92 is supported by an adapter 10 that is secured to the drum 3. The adapter 10 is secured in rotation. around the axis A. with the movable member 9 and allows the translation. along the axis A. of the movable member 9 relative to the drum 3.

First elastic means. such as a return spring 11 of the helical or compression spring type. are positioned around the rod 92 and bear against the head 91 of the movable member 9 and against the adapter 10. By default. the return spring 11 pushes the movable member 9 into an engaged configuration shown in figure 1. In the engaged configuration. the movable member is moved to the right in figures 1 and 2. on the side of the actuator 7, In the direction of the arrow F. The output shaft 71 of the actuator 7 is then received in the housing 93 of the head 92 of the movable member 9. The coupling means 73 and 93 of the output shaft 71 and the movable member 9 cooperate so as to secure the output shaft 71 of the actuator 7 and the movable member 9 in rotation.

A traction element, formed by a disengaging cable 12. is attached to the movable member 9 and protrudes outside the box 4.

In case of power outage. for example if no energy is available in the storage member 16, the output shaft 71 of the actuator 7 is blocked, which prevents maneuvering of the apron 2. since the spring 71 keeps the member9 and the shaft 71 engaged.

When a user pulls on the disengaging cable 12, the movable member 9 moves to the left, against the force exerted by the return spring 11. The movable member 9 is then in a disengaged configuration, shown in figure 2. in which the housing 93 is kept separated from the output shaft Y1 of the actuator 7. which releases the rotational coupling means 73 and 94.

Alternatively. the cable 12 is replaced by another traction element of the movable member 9. that element optionally including a connecting part that is accessible from outside the box 4 and that makes it possible to attach another element making it possible to actuate the traction system to bring the movable member 9 into the disengaged configuration.

In the disengaged configuration. the rotation of the drum 3 around the axis A is no longer blocked by the actuator 7. which makes it possible to maneuver the door P easily, for example by acting directly on the tower strip of the apron 2. in fact, the compensating spring 13 makes it possible to reduce the force to be provided to maneuver the door P.

Thus. problems related to the use of a crank and a reducing gear are also eliminated.

The drive system 1 is equipped with second elastic means such as a compensating spring 13. which is inserted between two walls 14A and 14B perpendicular to the axis A. The wall 14/-\ is secured to the bracket 5A and the wall 148 is secured to the drum 3. The ends of the spring 13 are respectively secured to the walls 14A and 148. The compensating spring 13 is of the helical torsion spring type and exerts a torque on the wall 148 that tends to rotate the drum 3 around the axis A. This movement tends to move the apron 2 upward. as shown by the arrow T. against the weight of the apron 2.

Thus. in case of power outage and in the disengaged configuration. it is easy to raise the apron 2. since the compensating spring 13 prevents the apron 2 from lowering under the effect of its own weight.

The compensating spring 13 is installed so as to compensate the weight of the apron 2. in order to keep the apron 2 immobile in the disengaged configuration.

The rest of the description relates to a method for controlling the drive system 1.

This method is implemented using the control unit 74, shown in figure 3. For example. the control unit ‘I4 assumes the form of an electronic board integrated into the actuator 7. '7 Alternatively, the control unit 74 is integrated into the control interface of the door P or simply placed offset from the actuator inside or outside the box.

For the control unit 74. this method consists of analyzing the electrical current of the direct current motor 70. which varies based on the torque exerted by the motor 70 of the actuator 7 and the forces necessary to move the apron 2, and of controlling the stop of the motor 70 when an obstacle is detected. The control unit 74 thus comprises means for detecting an obstacle by analyzing the electric current of the motor 70. in a first embodiment. the control unit 74 analyzes the electric current of the motor 70 dynamically. The control unit 74 compares the value andfcr the variations of the electric current to first predetermined values that allow the control unit 74 to detect the forces caused by the presence of an obstacle below the apron 2. Thus. when an obstacle is detected, the control unit 74 cuts the power supply of the motor 70. in a second embodiment. the control unit 74 compares the electrical current of the motor 70 to second predetermined values, recorded beforehand, for example during installation of the door P. These values correspond to a predetermined force curve.

In a third embodiment, the control unit 74 compares the electrical current of the motor 70 to both the first and second predetermined values, so as to analyze that current dynamically and compare it to a predetermined force curve.

In all three embodiments of the control method. it is possible to consider having the control unit 74 take into account parameters such as the ambient temperature or operating time. so as to refine the analysis of the electrical current to best detect the obstacles and avoid false alarms and untimely stops.

Furthermore, in the three embodiments of the control method, the control unit 74 can adjust the predetermined values after each movement of the apron 2 to take the variations in current into account due in particular to aging of the door P and temperature changes.

The predetermined values can be defined as a function of time or the angular position of the output shaft 71 of the motor 70. if applicable, a metering system 15 known in itself allows precise detection of the angular position of the output shaft 71.

The motor 70 is a direct current motor. which makes it possible to provide an independent power source. such as a second backup storage member 19. to provide power in case of power outage on the electric grid, in place of the manual disengaging system described above. This backup battery 19 is added to the storage member 16 that powers the actuator 7 by default. For example, the backup battery 19 is connected to the output of the converter 18 and powers the actuator 7, and optionally the storage member 16.

When the moving member 9 goes from the disengaged position to the engaged position, the position of the apron 2 is recalibrated using a reference abutment position. for example in which the apron 2 is maximally open.

During installation of the door. the power of the actuator 7 may be used to pre- stress the compensating spring 13. in order to adjust the equilibrium point of the apron 2.

The power of the actuator 7 may also be used during maintenance operations to recalibrate the equilibrium point of the apron 2. without having to disassemble the drum 3.

The invention has been described for a windable door, such as a garage door. in which the apron 2 alone closes an opening. Alternatively, the invention relates to a windable flap that is capable of closing an opening already provided with a closing system. such as a window. The invention thus applies to windable closing screens. i.e.. both to windable doors and windable flaps.

In this application, the electric current of the motor is the electric current withdrawn by the motor as electric charge. for its operation.

Claims (5)

1.- A system (1) for rotating a winding drum (3) of a ctosing screen (P) apron (2) windable around an axis (A). the drive system (1) comprising: - a direct current electric motor (70) comprising an output shaft (71) equipped with first rotational coupling means (73), - a movable member (9). movabte with respect to the drum (3). including second rotational coupling means (94). - first elastic means (11) that, by default. push (F) the movable member (9) into an engaged configuration. in which the rotational coupling means (73. 94) cooperate. so as to secure the output shaft (71) of the motor (70) and the movable member (9) in rotation. - a traction element (12) for pulling the movable member (9) and allowing to bring the movable member (9) into a disengaged configuration, in which the rotational coupling means (73. 94) are released. ~ a compensating spring (13) exerting a torque that tends to rotate the drum (3) around the axis (A) against the weight of the apron (2). - a control unit (74) comprising means for detecting an obstacle by analyzing the electrical current of the motor (70).

2.- The drive system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (74) is integrated into an actuator (7 ) including the electric motor (70).

3.- The system according to one of the preceding claims. characterized in that the member (9) is movable relative to the drum (3) in a direction (F) parallel to the axis (A). in that the rotational coupling means (Y3. 94) are made up of splines or claws. in that the traction element is made up of a cable (12) attached to the movable member (9), and in that the movable member (9) is supported by an adapter (10) that is secured to the drum (3). secured in rotation with the movable member (9) and which allows the translation of the movable member (9) relative to the drum (3).

4.- The drive system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an electricity conversion member (18) inserted between an alternating electricity source (17) and the control unit (74) and in that the electricity conversion member (18) is an alternating-direct converter or a direct-direct converter. 10

5.- A method for controlling a drive system (1) for rotating winding drum (3) of a closing screen (P) apron (2) windable around an axis (A). the drive system (1) comprising: ~ a direct current electric motor (70) comprising an output shaft (71) equipped with several first rotational coupling means (73). - a movable member (9). movable with respect to the drum (3). including second rotational coupling means (94). - first elastic means (11) that, by default. push (F) the movable member (9) into an engaged configuration. in which the rotational coupling means (73, 94) cooperate. so as to secure the output shaft (71) of the motor (70) and the movable member (9) in rotation, - a traction eiement (12) for pulling the movable member (9) and allowing to bring the movable member (9) into a disengaged configuration. in which the rotational coupling means (73, 94) are released, - a compensating spring (13) exerting a torque that tends to rotate the drum (3) around the axis (A) against the weight of the apron (2). - a control unit (74) comprising means for detecting an obstacle by analyzing the electrical current of the motor (70), characterized in that it comprises steps consisting, for the control unit (74). of analyzing the electrical current of the electric motor (70) and commanding the stop of the electric motor (70) when an obstacle is detected.