WO2019197629A1

WO2019197629A1 - Assembly comprising a device with an actuator for driving a winding tube for a closing system

Info

Publication number: WO2019197629A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/059467
Authority: WO
Inventors: Quentin LEPINE
Original assignee: Somfy Activites Sa
Priority date: 2018-04-13
Filing date: 2019-04-12
Publication date: 2019-10-17
Also published as: FR3080140A1

Abstract

The invention concerns an assembly comprising a device, that comprises an actuator (2) for driving a winding tube (4) for a closing system (I), the actuator comprising an outer peripheral groove (26). The device further comprises an open elastic ring (12) mounted inside the groove (26). The assembly comprises a crown (8) intended to be linked in rotation with the winding tube (4) of the system by means of a positive fit between the outer surface of the crown (8) and the inner surface of the winding tube (4). The elastic ring (12) is arranged, inside the groove (26) of the actuator, radially between the actuator (2) and the crown (8).

Description

Assembly comprising a device with a drive actuator of a winding tube for a closing device

The present invention relates to an assembly comprising a device, which comprises a drive actuator of a winding tube for a closure installation, for example a rolling shutter installation, and relates to a closure installation comprising such an assembly.

Conventionally, a rolling shutter installation comprises a winding tube of the deck. The winding tube is rotated by a qualified tubular actuator because housed inside the winding tube. This actuator comprises a motor and a gearbox housed in a housing or tubular housing. An output shaft of the actuator rotates the winding tube, via a connecting wheel. The actuator being inserted into the winding tube, the latter is connected in rotation to the casing of the actuator, in particular on a ring, also called crown, forming a bearing.

Some actuators comprise a peripheral groove for mounting a connecting ring between the actuator and the winding tube. This crown is specifically adapted for this type of actuator, and comprises an inner flange provided to be engaged inside the groove. The outer surface of the ring is formed by reliefs, in particular by reliefs complementary to those formed inside the winding tube, so as to ensure a rotation connection by complementarity of male-female forms.

The problem is that these actuators are not compatible with other types of crown, especially with crowns without inner flange. Indeed, some crowns have an inner surface that is smooth. In addition, the inner diameter of this type of crown is not standard: there are in practice differences greater than 1 mm. These differences in diameter, as well as the presence of the groove, cause the crown is not maintained stably against the inner surface of the winding tube, which causes noise during operation.

FR 2 664 938 A1 discloses a blind drive device, in particular comprising a device for fixing the tubular motor to the recess. The fixing device comprises a female profile plate, fixed in the recess, and a motor equipped with a male profile piece, conjugated to the female profile to fit the plate. However, FR 2 664 938 does not deal with the compatibility of the actuator with the winding tube. EP 2 101 034 A2 and EP 1239 1 10 A1 also deal with to attach a tubular motor to the recess, without worrying about the compatibility between the tubular motor and the winding tube.

It is these drawbacks that the invention intends to remedy more particularly, by proposing a new assembly making it possible to combine an actuator provided with a peripheral groove with any type of crown, and in particular with a crown which does not is not specifically adapted to this actuator geometry.

To this end, the invention relates to an assembly comprising a device, which comprises a drive actuator of a winding tube for a locking device, the actuator comprising an outer peripheral groove, the device further comprising an elastic ring. open mounted inside the throat. According to the invention, the assembly comprises a ring intended to be connected in rotation with the winding tube of the installation by complementarity of shapes between the outer surface of the ring and the inner surface of the winding tube. According to the invention, the elastic ring is disposed, inside the groove of the actuator, radially between the actuator and the crown.

Thanks to the invention, the elastic ring makes it possible, on the one hand, to compensate for the presence of the peripheral groove on the radial outer surface of the actuator and, on the other hand, to compensate for any radial play between the actuator and the crown of the installation. Indeed, the elastic ring may be provided with an outer diameter slightly greater than the inner diameter of the rings, so that the elastic ring is actually slightly compressed inside the ring. The elastic ring then seeks to return to its original shape, that is to say its shape in the undeformed state, and exerts radial stresses on the crown which press the latter against the inner wall of the winding tube . It is thus possible to combine a throat actuator with any type of crown. Indeed, the elastic ring allows to remove any degree of mobility of the ring in the radial direction, which stabilizes the ring against the inner surface of the winding tube. In other words, the elastic ring maintains the ring in a fixed position relative to the winding tube, which makes it possible to avoid ringing noises from the ring inside the winding tube. The elastic ring also allows the axial positioning of the crown on the actuator, by friction.

According to advantageous, but not compulsory, aspects of the invention, the assembly may comprise one or more of the following features, taken in any technically permissible combination: The ring comprises at least one, preferably several portions, said external, whose inner and outer radii are respectively greater than the inner and outer radius of the rest of the ring.

Said outer portions are angularly spaced at a regular interval relative to each other, and are preferably three in number.

Each portion has a variable outer radius, while the outer radius is preferably maximum in the center of the portion.

The thickness of the outer portions is less than the thickness of the remaining portions, said internal, of the ring.

The actuator includes a mounting head on a fixed portion of the closure assembly, while the groove is formed around the mounting head. The actuator comprises a housing inside which is received in particular an electric motor, while the groove is disposed axially between the housing and the mounting head.

Advantageously, the elastic ring has, in the non-deformed state, a maximum outside diameter which is greater than the inside diameter of the ring.

The invention finally relates to a closure installation, such as a shutter installation, comprising such an assembly.

The invention and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of an embodiment of an actuator device according to its principle, given solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of a closure installation, in particular of a rolling shutter installation, comprising an actuator device according to the invention, comprising an actuator provided with an outer peripheral groove and a ring. elastic mounted inside the throat,

FIG. 2 is a view on a larger scale of the box II of FIG. 1,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the device, shown with a guide ring of the winding tube of the closure system, and Figure 4 is a cross section in the plane of the elastic ring and the ring.

In Figure 1 is shown a closure system I, including a shutter installation. However, it is clear that the invention could apply to other types of installation, such as blackout blinds, curtains, garage doors, etc.

Thus, by the expression "installation of closure", we cover all applications in which there is an opening made in a building (window, French window, sliding bay, etc.) and a home screen (shutter, blind, curtain) , etc.) to selectively close the aperture.

The installation I comprises a winding tube 4 around which wraps (or unrolls) a shutter apron T when opening (or closing) the shutter. The rotation of the winding tube 4 is controlled by an actuator 2 housed inside the winding tube 4. The actuator 2 has an elongate shape allowing it to be inserted inside the winding tube 4 So we are talking about a tubular actuator.

Axis X2 is defined as a longitudinal axis of the actuator. In what follows, any "axial" or "radial" direction will have to be interpreted with respect to this axis X2. The axis X2 is parallel, here merged, with the axis of rotation of the winding tube 4.

In Figure 1, only part of the installation I is shown. In particular, the drawing has been truncated in the direction of the length, that is to say in fact in the direction of the width of the apron T, so that the winding tube 4 is cut in length.

The actuator 2 furthermore comprises an output shaft 28 connected in rotation with a wheel 10, which itself is connected in rotation with the winding tube 4. Typically, the wheel 10 is connected to the inner surface of the tube winding 4 by complementarity of male-female forms. Here, the wheel 10 forms the male part and the winding tube 4 the female part.

This means that the inner wall of the winding tube 4 is not smooth, and therefore of non-circular section. It is then possible to make a connection in rotation by providing that the wheel 10 has the same section.

Alternatively or in addition, one could also make the connection between the wheel 10 and the winding tube 4 by means of a fastener of the screw type, rivet, etc..

The winding tube 4 is guided in its rotational movement at its ends by two bearings, including a ring 8, guided in rotation on the actuator itself. The ring 8 is connected in rotation with the winding tube 4 by male-female complementarity between the outer radial surface S8e of the ring gear 8 and the internal radial surface S4i of the winding tube 4 or by a fastening member of the type screw, rivet ... Typically, and as shown in Figure 4, the ring 8 comprises a plurality of ribs 82, each engageable inside a groove complementary to the winding tube 4. Here, the crown 8 so forms the part male and the winding tube 4 the female part. The bearing at the other end of the winding tube may be identical to or different from the ring 8.

The ring 8 has a smooth inner diameter, that is to say an inner radial surface S8i of circular section. Each ring 8 is designed to rotate around a fixed part of the installation I, so as to support and indirectly guide the winding tube 4 during the opening and closing movements of the shutter deck T.

In particular, the ring 8 is designed to rotate around the actuator 2 of the installation I. This ring 8 comprises an annular flank 80 which extends radially outwards.

In Figures 1 and 3, the actuator 2 is cut in length for the clarity of the drawings: in fact we see only the two longitudinal ends. In reality, the actuator 2 is much longer.

Advantageously, the actuator 2 comprises a mounting head 20 on a fixed part 6 of the closure device I. Typically, this fixed portion 6 may be a box cheek or a frame. Indeed, the winding tube 4 is often housed inside a box mounted in the upper part of the installation, and therefore in the upper part of the opening.

In practice, the mounting head 20 is at a longitudinal end of the actuator 2, more precisely at the end opposite the output shaft 28. The mounting head 20 advantageously comprises one or more threads for receiving screws. of fixation. Also, the mounting head 20 may comprise the electrical connectors for the power supply of the motor 22.

In the example, the actuator 2 also comprises a tubular housing or casing 24 inside which is received in particular an electric motor 22. Preferably, and as visible in Figure 3, the housing 24 also houses a gearbox 23, an electronic control and power unit (not shown) and possibly a brake 29. In a variant, the electric motor 22 and the gearbox 23 form a single geared motor unit.

In the example of the figures, the casing 24 is in abutment axially against an outer peripheral flange 21 of the mounting head 20. The mounting head 20 comprises, itself, a tubular portion 20.1 engaged at least partially in the casing 24 and a tray-shaped portion 20.2, centered on the longitudinal axis X2 of the actuator 2 and external to the housing 24. In the assembled position, the annular flank 80 of the ring bears on one face of this plate 20.2.

The actuator comprises an outer peripheral groove 26 which is here formed around the mounting head 20, in particular around the tubular portion 20.1 of the head 20. As the name suggests, the groove 26 extends over the circumference of the actuator 2, precisely on the outer peripheral surface of the actuator 2. This means that the groove 26 is visible from outside the housing. actuator 2, from any perspective.

In the particular embodiment of the figures, the peripheral groove 26 has a U-shaped section with a flat bottom.

The groove 26 is disposed between the collar 21 and the plate 20.2 of the mounting head 20. In particular, one of the side walls of the groove 26 is in fact a flank of the collar 21.

In the example, the groove 26 is disposed axially between the housing 24 and the mounting head 20. The groove 26 is precisely at the location where the crown 8 is positioned. To prevent this groove 26 from being problematic for guiding in rotation of the ring 8 around the actuator 2, an open elastic ring 12 is mounted inside the groove 26. This elastic ring is an open ring, with a certain propensity to deform elastically in the radial direction, that is to say, to open more or close more advantage in relation to its rest position.

Advantageously, the width of the ring 12, measured in a direction parallel to a central axis X12 of the ring 12, is identical, with the clearance, to the width of the peripheral groove 26. This ensures that the ring 12 does not move axially during operation of the installation.

Advantageously, the ring 12 comprises at least one, preferably several portions 120, said external, whose inner r120i and r120i inner rays are respectively greater than the inner radius r12i and outer r12e of the remainder of the ring 12.

In this embodiment, the outer portions 120 are identical, but one could very well imagine, alternatively, that they are of different shape.

In this document, a "portion" of a ring is, in accordance with the common sense, an angular section of the ring, that is to say a section delimited between two radial planes passing through the center of the ring. Also, when we speak of an inner or outer "radius", we mean in fact the radial distance between the point of the inner or outer surface of the ring from which we take the measurement and the center of the ring.

Thus, the outer radius r120e of each portion 120 is variable depending on the angle considered. In the example, the inner radius r120i of each portion 120 is optionally also variable. Typically, the outer radius r120e of each portion 120 is maximum in the center of the portion 120. Thus, there is found on each portion 120, an outer boss in the center of the portion.

Advantageously, the outer portions 120 are angularly spaced at a regular interval relative to each other, and are preferably three in number.

This particular geometry of the ring 12 makes it possible to define zones alternately in contact with the actuator 2 and with the crown 8. More precisely, in the assembled configuration inside the winding tube 4, the outer portions 120 of the 12 ring bear against the ring 8 exclusively, while the remaining portions 121, said internal, of the ring 12, bear exclusively against the actuator 2, and in particular against the bottom of the peripheral groove 26. remaining portions 121 include the two sections defined between the outer portions 120 and the two sections respectively defining the free ends 122 and 124 of the ring 12.

Advantageously, and like external portions 120, the inner portions 121 have an inner radius and a constant outer radius.

The outer portions 120 and the inner portions 121 are interconnected by transition zones, slightly obliquely to the circle passing through the internal portions 121. The outer portions 120 have a smaller thickness of material than the inner portions 121, which makes them more flexible radially than the internal portions 121. The outer boss in the center of each outer portion 120 thus has a radial clearance between the bottom of the groove 26 and the inside of the crown 8. It is therefore likely to move radially. The outer portions act as a spring to radially push the ring 8 outward.

Also, the fact that the outer portions 120 are evenly distributed around the elastic ring 12 makes it possible to push the ring 8 against the wall S4i of the winding tube 4 in a generally equilateral manner, which ensures a very stable maintenance of the ring 8 inside the winding tube 4, and thus little or no noise in operation.

According to a preferred embodiment, the elastic ring 12 is made of a polymer, in particular a thermoplastic polymer, of the polyketone or polyoxymethylene type. The advantage of polymers, and in particular of thermoplastic polymers, is that they are capable of accepting significant deformations without plasticizing.

Advantageously, the elastic ring 12 has, in the state of rest, or non-deformed, a maximum outside diameter which is greater than the inside diameter of the 8. Thus, when the ring 8 is mounted around the actuator 2, the elastic ring 12 is slightly compressed inside the groove 26. More precisely, the elastic ring 12 will tend to close, that is to say that its two free ends 122 and 124 will get closer to each other. The ring 12 seeks to return to its original shape by elastic return of the material. In other words, the ring 12 will seek to open slightly, that is to say that its two ends will tend to move away from each other. The ring 12 then exerts on the crown 8, radial forces directed outwards, and this permanently because these efforts are the result of the elastic return of the constituent material of the elastic ring 12 to its undistorted state .

Here, the maximum outer diameter is the diameter of the ring 12 measured at the center of one of the outer portions 120.

The state of rest or non-deformed is the state of the ring when no stress is applied to the surfaces of the ring. Typically, the elastic ring 12 is manufactured according to the injection molding technique. The non-deformed state of the ring 12 is therefore the state of the mold exit ring for example.

In operation, the rings 8 rotate integrally with the winding tube 4 on two respective supports, one of which is formed by the actuator 2 of the installation. The elastic ring 12 is rotatable together with the ring 8, depending on the characteristics of the movement (speed, torque).

The features of the embodiment of the figures and the different variants not shown can be combined with one another to generate new embodiments of the invention.

Claims

An assembly comprising a device, which comprises an actuator (2) for driving a winding tube (4) for a closing device (I), the actuator comprising an outer peripheral groove (26), the device further comprising an open elastic ring (12) mounted within the groove (26), characterized in that the assembly comprises a ring gear (8) to be rotatably connected with the winding tube (4) of the complementary shape installation between the outer surface (S8e) of the ring gear (8) and the inner surface (S4i) of the winding tube (4), and in that the elastic ring (12) is arranged , inside the groove (26) of the actuator, radially between the actuator (2) and the crown (8).

2. The assembly of claim 1, characterized in that the ring (12) comprises at least one, preferably several portions, said external (120), whose inner radius (r120i) and outer (r120e) are respectively greater than inner (r12i) and outer (r12e) radius of the rest of the ring.

3. The assembly of claim 2, characterized in that said outer portions (120) are spaced angularly at a regular interval relative to each other, and are preferably three in number.

4. An assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that each portion (120) has a variable outer radius (r120e) and in that the outer radius (r120e) is preferably maximum in the center of the portion.

5. An assembly according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the thickness of the outer portions (120) is less than the thickness of the remaining portions (121), said internal, of the ring (12).

6. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator comprises a head (20) for mounting on a fixed part (6) of the closing device (I) and in that the groove (26). ) is formed around the mounting head (20).

7. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the actuator comprises a housing (24) inside which is received in particular an electric motor (22) and in that the groove (26) is arranged axially between the housing (24) and the mounting head (20).

8. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic ring (12) has, in the undeformed state, a maximum outer diameter which is greater than the inner diameter of the ring (8).

Closure installation, such as a roller shutter installation, comprising an assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.