Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
  • E05F15/00—Power-operated mechanisms for wings
  • E05F15/40—Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions
  • E05F15/41—Detection by monitoring transmitted force or torque; Safety couplings with activation dependent upon torque or force, e.g. slip couplings
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
  • E05F15/00—Power-operated mechanisms for wings
  • E05F15/60—Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators
  • E05F15/603—Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators using rotary electromotors
  • E05F15/665—Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators using rotary electromotors for vertically-sliding wings
  • E05F15/668—Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators using rotary electromotors for vertically-sliding wings for overhead wings
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
  • E05F15/00—Power-operated mechanisms for wings
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
  • E05F15/00—Power-operated mechanisms for wings
  • E05F15/40—Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions
  • E05F15/42—Detection using safety edges
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2400/00—Electronic control; Electrical power; Power supply; Power or signal transmission; User interfaces
  • E05Y2400/10—Electronic control
  • E05Y2400/52—Safety arrangements associated with the wing motor
  • E05Y2400/53—Wing impact prevention or reduction
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2400/00—Electronic control; Electrical power; Power supply; Power or signal transmission; User interfaces
  • E05Y2400/10—Electronic control
  • E05Y2400/52—Safety arrangements associated with the wing motor
  • E05Y2400/53—Wing impact prevention or reduction
  • E05Y2400/54—Obstruction or resistance detection
  • E05Y2400/55—Obstruction or resistance detection by using load sensors
  • E05Y2400/554—Obstruction or resistance detection by using load sensors sensing motor load
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2400/00—Electronic control; Electrical power; Power supply; Power or signal transmission; User interfaces
  • E05Y2400/10—Electronic control
  • E05Y2400/52—Safety arrangements associated with the wing motor
  • E05Y2400/53—Wing impact prevention or reduction
  • E05Y2400/54—Obstruction or resistance detection
  • E05Y2400/58—Sensitivity setting or adjustment
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2400/00—Electronic control; Electrical power; Power supply; Power or signal transmission; User interfaces
  • E05Y2400/80—User interfaces
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2800/00—Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
  • E05Y2800/20—Combinations of elements
  • E05Y2800/246—Combinations of elements with at least one element being redundant
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
  • E05Y2900/10—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for buildings or parts thereof
  • E05Y2900/106—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for buildings or parts thereof for garages

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a garage door operator system for use on a closure member moveable relative to a fixed member. More particularly, the present invention relates to an operator-controlled motor for controlling the operation of a closure member, such as a gate or door, between a closed position and an open position. More specifically, the present invention relates to a door or gate operator, wherein the operator automatically adjusts a force threshold depending upon whether an external secondary entrapment device is connected to the operator.
• BACKGROUND ART For convenience purposes, it is well known to provide garage doors which utilize a motor to provide opening and closing movements of the door. Motors may also be coupled with other types of movable barriers such as gates, windows, retractable overhangs and the like. An operator is employed to control the motor and related functions with respect to the door. The operator receives command signals for the purpose of opening and closing the door from a wireless remote, from a wired wall station or other similar device. It is also known to provide safety devices that are connected to the operator for the purpose of detecting an obstruction so that the operator may then take corrective action with the motor to avoid entrapment of the obstruction.
• Safety devices come in many forms for use with a garage door operator.
• One of the more widely used devices is a photoelectric eye which projects a light beam across the door's travel path. If the light beam is interrupted during closure of the door, the operator stops and/or stops and reverses the travel of the door. This is sometimes referred to as a non-contacting or an external secondary entrapment device.
• Contact type safety devices such as an edge-sensitive pressure switch, which is attached to the bottom edge of the door and runs the complete width of the door, may also be used.
• Other contact safety devices directly monitor the operating characteristics of the driving motor to determine whether an obstruction is present. Typically, shaft speed of the motor is monitored by projecting an infrared light through an interrupter wheel.
• Hall effect switches or tachometers can be used to monitor shaft speed.
• the motor current could be monitored such that when an excessive amount of current is drawn by the motor — which indicates that the motor is working harder than normal — it is presumed that an obstruction has been encountered.
• a sliding potentiometer wherein a rate of change is equated to the speed of the door and wherein unexpected slowing of the door triggers corrective action by the operator.
• the safety devices their purpose is to ensure that individuals, especially children, are not entrapped by a closing door. Opening forces of the door are also monitored to preclude damage to the operating system for instances where an object or individual is caught upon a door panel as the door moves upwardly.
• an input jumper switch is set to disable and the fifteen pound force threshold is used during barrier movement. If the end-user selects an operator model with the external secondary entrapment feature, then the input jumper is permanently enabled and the force threshold value is set at a higher value, typically twenty-five pounds. If the end-user desires to later add the external secondary entrapment feature, then the jumper must be physically moved from a disabled position to an enabled position. If the jumper is not moved to an enabled position then the external secondary entrapment feature will work, but the force threshold remains at fifteen pounds. It has been found that the fifteen pound threshold is quite sensitive and as a result phantom obstructions are encountered.
• the operator falsely detects and reacts to a non-existent obstruction in the barrier's path.
• Such false detections may be the result of the wind, temperature, debris in the door track and the like. These false detections cause the barrier to reverse direction and require the user to wait unnecessarily for the barrier to complete its opening or closing cycle.
• the present invention contemplates a method for adjusting an internal force setting for a motorized garage door operator comprising checking for the presence of an external secondary entrapment safety feature and increasing a force threshold setting from a first value to a second value if the external secondary entrapment safety feature is detected.
• the invention contemplates a method for adjusting an internal force setting for a motorized garage door operator, comprising checking for the presence of an external secondary entrapment safety feature, and decreasing a force threshold setting from a first value to a second value if the external secondary entrapment safety feature is not detected.
• the invention further contemplates an operator system for controlling the operation of a movable barrier comprising a motor for moving the barrier between open and closed positions, an operator for controlling the operation of said motor so that said motor applies a force within a threshold of force value, and a controller carried by said operator for detecting the presence of an external safety device and adjusting said threshold of force value accordingly.
• Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view depicting a sectional garage door and showing an operating mechanism embodying the concepts of the present invention
• Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an operator mechanism
• Fig. 3 is an operational flow chart employed by operator of the present invention for adjusting the force setting.
• a system and related method for adjusting an internal obstruction force setting for a motorized garage door operator is generally indicated by the numeral 10 in Fig. 1 of the drawings.
• the system 10 is employed in conjunction with a conventional sectional garage door generally indicated by the numeral 12.
• the door 12 is most likely an anti-pinch type door.
• the opening in which the door is positioned for opening and closing movements relative thereto is surrounded by a frame, generally indicated by the numeral 14, which consists of a pair of a vertically spaced jamb members 16 that, as seen in Fig. 1, are generally parallel and extend vertically upwardly from the ground (not shown).
• the jambs 16 are spaced and joined at their vertically upper extremity by a header 18 to thereby form a generally u-shaped frame 14 around the opening for the door 12.
• the frame 14 is normally constructed of lumber or other structural building materials for the purpose of reinforcement and to facilitate the attachment of elements supporting and controlling the door 12.
• L-shaped vertical members 20 Secured to the jambs 16 are L-shaped vertical members 20 which have a leg 22 attached to the jambs 16 and a projecting leg 24 which perpendicularly extends from respective legs 22.
• the L-shaped vertical members 20 may also be provided in other shapes depending upon the particular frame and garage door with which it is associated.
• Secured to each projecting leg 24 is a track 26 which extends perpendicularly from each projecting leg 24.
• Each track 26 receives a roller 28 which extends from the top edge of the garage door 12. Additional rollers 28 may also be provided on each top vertical edge of each section of the garage door to facilitate transfer between opening and closing positions.
• a counterbalancing system generally indicated by the numeral 30 may be employed to move the garage door 12 back and forth between opening and closing positions.
• a counterbalancing system is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,419,010, which is incorporated herein by reference.
• the counter-balancing system 30 includes a housing 32, which is affixed to the header 18 which contains an operator mechanism generally indicated by the numeral 34 as seen in Fig. 2.
• tensioning assemblies 38 Carried within the drive shaft 36 are counterbalance springs as described in the '010 patent.
• a header-mounted operator is specifically discussed herein, the control features to be discussed later are equally applicable to other types of operators used with movable barriers.
• the teachings of the present invention are equally applicable to other types of movable barriers such as single panel doors, gates, windows, retractable overhangs, and any device that at least partially encloses an area.
• a remote transmitter 40 or a wall station transmitter 42 may be actuated.
• the remote transmitter 40 may use infrared, acoustic or radio frequency signals that are received by the operator mechanism to initiate movement of the door.
• the wall station 42 may perform the same functions as the remote transmitter 40 and also provide additional functions such as the illumination of lights and provide other programming functions to control the manner in which the garage door works.
• the wall station 42 may either be connected directly to the operator mechanism 34 by a wire or it may employ radio frequency or infrared signals.
• an external secondary entrapment system which is designated generally by the numeral 50, may be included with the system 10.
• the entrapment system 50 is a photoelectric sensor which has a sending device 52 and a receiving device 54.
• the sending device 52 is mounted to either the jamb 16 or the track 26 near the floor of the door area.
• the devices 52 and 54 are mounted at about 5 inches above the floor and on the inside of the door opening to minimize any interference by the sun. It will be appreciated that the position of the devices 52 and 54 may be switched if needed.
• the sending device 52 emits a light beam, either laser or infrared, that is detected by the receiver 54 which is connected to the operator mechanism 34.
• the receiver relays this information to the controller which initiates the appropriate corrective action. In this way, if an object interrupts a light beam during a downward motion of the garage door the motion of the door is at least stopped and/or returned to the opening position.
• other external secondary entrapment features or systems such as a contact-type safety edge on the bottom panel of the door, motor speed detectors, shaft speed detectors, motor current detectors, door speed monitors or the like may be used with the present invention.
• Fig. 2 it can be seen that the operator mechanism employs a controller 58 which receives power from batteries or some other appropriate power supply.
• the controller 58 includes the necessary hardware, software, and a memory device 60 to implement operation of the operator 34.
• a receiver 64 receives the signal and converts it into a form useable by the controller 58. If a valid signal is received by the controller 58, it initiates movement of the motor 62 which, in turn, generates rotatable movement of the drive shaft 36 and the door is driven in the appropriate direction.
• the external secondary entrapment system 50 particularly the sending and receiving units 52, 54, are also connected to the controller 58 to provide appropriate input.
• a flow chart, designated generally by the numeral 100 is representative of the software embodied and contained within the controller for controlling operation of the operator.
• the operator is installed and if desired, the external secondary entrapment system is also installed.
• the external secondary entrapment system 50 is not required for operation of the operator 34.
• the controller 58 limits the power applied to the motor 62 to a threshold of about fifteen pounds. In other words, the controller with the use of various force sensors and the like, is able to determine the amount of force applied by the motor at any instant during travel of the door from an open position to a closed position or vice versa.
• the controller 58 From this base line application of force, the controller knows to allow application of fifteen pounds more or fifteen pounds less to the base line force profile. Accordingly, if an obstruction is detected which is greater than fifteen pounds or less than fifteen pounds from the force profile, the controller 58 takes the appropriate corrective action.
• the controller 58 determines whether an external secondary entrapment system such as the photoelectric sensor 50 has been attached to the operator mechanism 34. If not, then at step 108, the lower threshold value, which in the preferred embodiment is fifteen pounds, is set and implemented. Accordingly, at step 112, the system is operational and the appropriate functions are performed. It will be appreciated that at step 112 the controller 58 monitors to determine whether the external secondary system is still connected to the operator by returning to the decision step 106.
• a higher threshold level is set which, in the preferred embodiment is twenty-five pounds. In other words, the motor is allowed to deviate twenty-five pounds plus or minus from the operational force profile set by the controller 58.
• the controller proceeds with its normal operation. The methodology then returns to step 106 to check to ensure that the external secondary entrapment system is still attached. If, for some reason, the sensor is rendered inoperative and not detected, then the lower force threshold profile is used.
• an operator system may be used which allows the force threshold setting to be automatically changed, depending upon the type of external secondary entrapment systems associated with the operator. If an external secondary entrapment feature is not attached to the operator, then a minimal force threshold is set and provides the most sensitivity for detecting obstructions that impede with travel of the door. And the system also provides that if an external secondary entrapment system is attached to the operator then the threshold can be set at a higher level to reduce the occurrence of phantom detections. By automatically detecting the presence or absence of the external secondary entrapment system, the user is not physically required to move a jumper or attach ajumper when installing the safety feature.

Landscapes

• Power-Operated Mechanisms For Wings (AREA)
• Operating, Guiding And Securing Of Roll- Type Closing Members (AREA)

Priority Applications (5)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=29399957

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (9)

Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (35)

Citations (1)

Family Cites Families (24)

• 2002
  • 2002-05-10 US US10/142,642 patent/US6873127B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2003
  • 2003-03-24 AT AT03726105T patent/ATE343697T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2003-03-24 EP EP03726105A patent/EP1504167B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-03-24 AU AU2003228357A patent/AU2003228357A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-03-24 CA CA002483539A patent/CA2483539C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2003-03-24 JP JP2004503755A patent/JP2005525489A/ja active Pending
  • 2003-03-24 CN CNB038095661A patent/CN100338326C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2003-03-24 WO PCT/US2003/008985 patent/WO2003095779A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2003-03-24 DE DE60309310T patent/DE60309310T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2004
  • 2004-07-08 US US10/888,685 patent/US20040261317A1/en not_active Abandoned
• 2005
  • 2005-02-22 US US11/063,671 patent/US7075256B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events