WO2012050427A1

WO2012050427A1 - An apparatus for controlling movement of a door panel

Info

Publication number: WO2012050427A1
Application number: PCT/MY2011/000219
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chabau Kow@Tan Poi Heong Tan
Original assignee: Tan Chabau Kow Tan Poi Heong
Priority date: 2010-10-13
Filing date: 2011-10-13
Publication date: 2012-04-19
Also published as: MY148746A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus (100) for controlling movement of a door panel.characterised by an actuator (1) mechanically connected to a worm gear (2); a clutch (3) connected to the worm gear (2); an output shaft (5) connected to the output of said clutch (3); a swinging arm assembly (10) including a pair of hinged arm members (1 1) coupled to a clamp (12) including a circumferential friction belt (6); a stationary platform (20) coupled in between one of the walls (4) and said arm assembly (10); a plurality of magnetic field sensors (7) attached onto the stationery platform (20); a processor electrically connected to the actuator (1), an alarm means, a power source, and said sensors (7), wherein said sensors transmit signals to the processor for controlling the actuator (1) and activating the alarm means; a magnet (13) affixed on the hinged arm member (11) coaxially positioned with the sensors (7);

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING MOVEMENT OF A DOOR PANEL

Background of the Invention Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an apparatus for controlling movement of a door panel, and more particularly to an automated swing door operator.

Description of Related Arts

Many different types of door operators have been developed for controlling a swing type door operation. Some of the problems in the presently available swing door operators include high manufacturing costs, energy inefficiency, and lack of reliability over extended period of usage.

Patent US 6108975 disclosed an automatic door operator specifically for swing door type. The door operator includes a motor which is connected to a worm gear means as a right angle drive transmission. The worm gear in turn is connected to a plurality of gears, belts and belt pulleys for rotatably driving an output shaft, wherein rotation of the output shaft cause movement of the door arm connected thereto, thus opening the door. Simultaneously, the output shaft is also connected to a gear pinion and rack to exert force onto a spring, such that after the door is opened, the spring will force the output shaft to rotate in a reverse orientation, thus closing the door. The drawback of this invention is that the door panel movement conferred by the door operator cannot be controlled accurately due to lack of sensor means to detect positions of the door panels. The excessive movement of the door would cause banging of the door to the door frame. In addition, a voltage needs to be supplied to the motor for keeping the door opened, thus causing wastage of electrical power.

Patent US 4727679 disclosed an operator for swing door which employs an electronic control unit for controlling the operation of a motor. The operator includes a housing mounted above the swing door. Within the housing is an electric motor which is connected to a plurality of shafts and pulleys, eventually to a timing pulley with an operator shaft. The operator shaft is connected to a door arm for opening of closing the door. A brake assembly is employed wherein the door movement speed is slowed down near fully closed or fully opened position. The assembly works by having a timing cam plate coupled to the operator shaft, wherein the cam plates have a recess edge that turns on the switch at a predefined angular position, which then sends signals to the control unit to reduce speed. Also coupled to the operator shaft is an arm which engages with stopping means at certain angular position which mechanically inhibiting further movement of the operator shaft, consequently limiting and stopping the movement of the door. This operator is prone to spoilage after continuous operation due to the friction and impact caused by the mechanical engagement between the cam plates and the micro switch and between the arm and the stopping means.

Patent US5018304 disclosed an operator for moving a door between a closed and an opened position. The operator includes a motor assembly connected to a drive train assembly. The motor assembly drives the drive train assembly for rotating a drive shaft which is coupled to a linkage attached to a door. An input gearhead maybe be mounted between motor assembly and drive train assembly to reduce the speed by the motor and thus increasing the torque for the door's motion. The operator also includes a limit means which limits the swing of the door between opened and closed position. A secondary shaft is connected to the drive train assembly and coupled to a rotary limit switch via a chain drive. Thus, the position of the door can be monitored and the swing of the door can be limited. Similarly, the direct engagement between limit switch and the chain would easily wear off the limit means.

Therefore, there is a need for an invention that can overcome the shortcomings mentioned above. Summary of Invention

It is an objective of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for controlling movement of a door panel. It is also an objective of the present invention to provide an automated apparatus for controlling movement of a door panel that can be controlled by wireless means.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide an apparatus for controlling movement of a door panel with added security functions.

Accordingly, these objectives may be achieved by following the teachings of the present invention. The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling movement of a door panel .characterised by an actuator including a motor with a motor shaft mechanically connected to a worm gear for generating a rotational torque; a clutch including a housing, a gear train with an input and an output, wherein said input connected to the worm gear; a plurality of walls sandwiching said clutch, wherein said walls having a base for attaching to the building surface; an output shaft connected to the output of said clutch; a swinging arm assembly including a pair of hinged arm members coupled to a clamp including a circumferential friction belt wherein said belt is engaged with the output shaft and fastened by said clamp; a stationery platform coupled in between of the wall and said arm assembly; a processor electrically connected to the actuator, an alarm means, an input means and a power source, wherein said signals include signals sent by the input means for driving the actuator and signals received for determining the alarm means; a plurality of magnetic field sensors electrically connected to the input means and attached onto the stationery platform for transmitting signals to the processor; a magnet affixed on the hinged arm member coaxially positioned with the magnetic field sensors; wherein during swinging arm assembly movement to move the door panel, position of the magnet is detected by the magnetic field sensors that transmit signals to the processor to stop driving the actuator for preventing further door panel's movement. Brief Description of the Drawings

The features of the invention will be more readily understood and appreciated from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the exploded perspective view of an apparatus for controlling movement of a door panel. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the perspective view of the apparatus for controlling movement of a door panel.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the perspective view of the apparatus for controlling movement of a door panel from the direction of A.

Detailed Description of the Invention

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for claims. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modification, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words "include," "including," and "includes" mean including, but not limited to. Further, the words "a" or "an" mean "at least one" and the word "plurality" means one or more, unless otherwise mentioned. It is to be understood that the "door" or "door panel" stated in this document should be regarded to include any door, gate, or the likes. Where the abbreviations of technical terms are used, these indicate the commonly accepted meanings as known in the technical field. For ease of reference, common reference numerals will be used throughout the figures when referring to the same or similar features common to the figures. The present invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 1-3.

The present invention relates to an apparatus (100) for controlling movement of a door panel characterised by an actuator (1) including a motor with a motor shaft mechanically connected to a worm gear (2) for generating a rotational torque; a clutch (3) including a housing, a gear train with an input and an output, wherein said input connected to the worm gear (2); a plurality of walls (4) sandwiching said clutch (3), wherein said walls (4) having a base (8) for attaching to the building surface; an output shaft (5) connected to the output of said clutch (3); a swinging arm assembly (10) including a pair of hinged arm members (1 1) coupled to a clamp (12) including a circumferential friction belt (6) wherein said belt is engaged with the output shaft (5) and fastened by said clamp (12); a stationary platform (20) coupled in between of the wall (4) and said arm assembly (10); a plurality of magnetic field sensors (7) attached onto the stationery platform (20); a processor electrically connected to the actuator (1), an alarm means, a power source, and said sensors (7), wherein said sensors transmit signals to the processor for controlling the actuator (1) and activating the alarm means; a magnet (13) affixed on the hinged arm member (11) coaxially positioned with the magnetic field sensors (7); wherein during swinging arm assembly ( 0) movement to move the door panel, position of the magnet (13) is detected by the magnetic field sensors (7) that transmit signals to the processor to stop driving the actuator ( ) for preventing further door panel's movement.

The apparatus includes an actuator (1) primarily for generating a torque for driving the door's motion. The actuator (1) comprises a motor and a motor shaft connected to a worm gear (2) which acts as a right angle drive transmission. The worm gear (2), in turn, is connected to a clutch (3) including a housing, a gear train with an input and an output, wherein the worm gear (2) is connected to the input whereas an output shaft (5) is connected to the output. As will be apparent to any person skilled in the art, the gear train of the clutch (3) may be comprised of a plurality of gears, pinions, racks, pulleys, belts, or any combination thereof. The function of this gear train is to reduce the speed and increase the torque of the output shaft (5) rotation, which is well known in the arts.

In a preferred embodiment, two walls (4) are mounted on each side of the clutch (3). The wall includes a base (8) for attaching to the surface of building wall or attaching to a base plate of a casing, as will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, the apparatus (100) maybe enclosed within a casing coupled to the building wall above the door, wherein the casing has an aperture for the output shaft (5) extended externally to the casing.

A circumferential friction belt (6) is coupled onto the free end of the output shaft (5) which is then connected to a swinging arm assembly ( 0). The swinging arm assembly is comprised of a clamp (12) and two pivotally connected hinged arm members (11 ), wherein the clamp has an opening (14) to received the circumferential friction belt (6) mounted on the output shaft (5). Additionally, the clamp (12) also has a gap (15) for enabling tightening of the clamp by any fastening means. Rotation of the output shaft (5) causes movement of the swinging arm assembly (10), thereby opening or closing the door panel. The circumferential friction belt (6) enables manual operation of the door panel in case of power failure, electricity breakdown, or malfunctioning in any components of the actuator (1), worm gear (2), or clutch (3). In these circumstances, a force needs to apply to the door panel by utilizing a tool to overcome the friction between the clamps (12) and the friction belt (6). Reasonably, for security purpose, the force required must be more than a force that can be exerted by a human.

A stationary platform (20) is mounted in between one of the walls (4) and the clamp (12). The stationary platform (20) is in the form of a circular disc with a central opening, through which the output shaft (5) is extended. A plurality of arcuate slots (21) is found on the stationary platform (20) for attachment by two magnetic field sensors (7). A magnet (13) is affixed on the hinged arm member (11) coaxially positioned with the magnetic field sensors (7). At least one of the magnetic field sensors (7) is positioned on one side of the platform (20) to detect the magent (13) when the door is opened. At least another one of the magnetic field sensors (7) is positioned approximately 90° to the first of the magnetic field sensors (7) to detect the magnet (13) when the door is closed. The signals will be transmitted to a processor connected thereto for further action. The processor is also electrically connected to the actuator (1), a power source, and an alarm means. The processor can also receive signals sent by a remote control.

In operation, a user may use a remote control to switch open the door panel. The signal sent by the remote control will be received by the processor to channel electricity from the power source to the actuator (1), thus rotating the output shaft (5) in a direction that cause the opening of the door panel. Upon reaching fully opened position, the magnet (13) will be detected by one of the corresponding sensors (7) to send signal to the processor and stop the electricity supply to the actuator (1) thus stopping further movement of the door panel. Similarly, to close the door, a signal sent by a remote control energizes the actuator (1 ), but causing the output shaft (5) to rotate in a reverse direction, thus causing movement of the door panel back to the closed position. Upon reaching fully closed position, the magnet (13) is detected by the sensor (7), thus cutting off the electricity to the actuator (1). This also prevents banging of the door panel to the door frame. In addition, an alarm will be triggered when the door is forced open manually, wherein the magnetic sensors fails to detect the magnet (13) in closed position.

Claims

Claims I/We claim:

1. An apparatus (100) for controlling movement of a door panel .characterised by:

an actuator (1) including a motor with a motor shaft mechanically connected to a worm gear (2) for generating a rotational torque;

a clutch (3) including a housing, a gear train with an input and an output, wherein said input connected to the worm gear (2);

a plurality of walls (4) sandwiching said clutch (3), wherein said walls (4) having a base (8) for attaching to the building surface;

an output shaft (5) connected to the output of said clutch (3);

a swinging arm assembly (10) including a pair of hinged arm members (11) coupled to a clamp (12) including a circumferential friction belt (6) wherein said belt is engaged with the output shaft (5) and fastened by said clamp (12);

a stationery platform (20) coupled in between one of the walls (4) and said arm assembly (10);

a plurality of magnetic field sensors (7) attached onto the stationery platform (20);

a processor electrically connected to the actuator (1), an alarm means, a power source, and said sensors (7), wherein said sensors (7) transmit signals to the processor for controlling the actuator (1) and activating the alarm means;

a magnet (13) affixed on the hinged arm member (11) coaxially positioned with the magnetic field sensors (7);

wherein during swinging arm assembly (10) movement to move the door panel, position of the magnet (13) is detected by the magnetic field sensors (7) that transmit signals to the processor to stop driving the actuator (1) for preventing further door panel's movement; An apparatus (100) for controlling movement of a door panel according to claim 1 , wherein the processor receives signals sent by a remote control device for controlling the actuator.

An apparatus (100) for controlling movement of a door panel according to claim 1 , wherein the clutch (3) includes a plurality of interconnected gears for high torque low speed rotation of the output shaft (5).

An apparatus (100) for controlling movement of a door panel according to claim , wherein the clamp (12) has a gap (15) which can be tightened by a fastening means.

An apparatus (100) for controlling movement of a door panel according to claim , wherein the friction belt (6) engaged with the output shaft (5) and fastened by the clamp (12) allows the door to be opened and closed by manual means.