Patent Grant
8100163
The field of the invention relates to moveable barrier systems and, more specifically, to controlling the movement of barriers within these systems.
Different types of moveable barrier systems have been sold over the years and these systems have been used to control the movement of various types of moveable barriers. For example, garage door operators have been used to move garage doors and gate operators have been used to open and close gates. In another example, fire doors and shutters are closed when a fire occurs in order to contain a fire within a building or other structure.
Previous fire door and fire shutter systems were often configured so that they would naturally close due to the force of gravity. These previous approaches typically provided that the door closed when a fire occurred upon the release of some form of door holding mechanism. Some previous door holding mechanisms were controlled by cables that provided a link to the door and the link was constructed of a material that melted at high temperature. When the link melted, the door holding mechanism released the door and the door fell in a downward direction at a speed of decent controlled by a separate governor that was attached to the barrier.
Other previous fire door and fire shutter systems used a separate control apparatus to control the door release system. In some of these previous systems, this function was performed by a separate electronic device that released a cable (that was attached to the door), while in others of these previous systems, a separate magnetic apparatus released the barrier.
Unfortunately, in all of the above-mentioned previous systems the functions of holding the barrier, releasing the barrier, and controlling movement of the barrier (as the barrier moves in a downward direction) were implemented in separate complicated mechanisms or devices. The use of separate devices to provide each function increased the complexity of the system thereby increasing the maintenance costs and the overall cost of the system. These previous systems also became more difficult to operate as the number of parts and complexity of the individual parts increased.
Approaches are provided whereby the holding, releasing, and movement halting capabilities of a barrier movement control system are combined into a single apparatus or device. These approaches use a single mechanism to perform these functions, are simple to use, and do not require use of a clutch or similar mechanism. In implementing the functions of the barrier control system in a single apparatus or device, the complexity of the system, cost of the system, and maintenance expenses associated with the system are significantly reduced.
In many of these embodiments, an apparatus for controlling movement of a barrier is provided. The apparatus includes a governor with a preload member. The preload member provides a preload force that releasably and magnetically couples the preload member to the governor. The preload member is configured and arranged to provide a sufficient holding force to the governor in order to hold the barrier in place. The governor is configured and arranged to, upon the preload force being selectively decoupled from the preload member, allow for the downward movement of the barrier while also forming and applying an intentional braking force to the barrier to slow the downward movement of the barrier.
The preload member and the governor can be coupled together using a variety of arrangements and components. In one approach, the preload member and the governor are coupled together via at least one coupling member and at least one magnetic member. In some examples, the coupling member includes at least one lever.
The barrier may be any type of barrier. For example, the barrier may be a rolling garage door, rolling shutters, or a fire door. Other examples of barriers are possible.
In some of these approaches, the magnitude of the preload force is adjustable. For instance, in some of these examples, the governor includes a centrally connected rod and the preload force is adjusted by varying a tension of the centrally connected rod.
The governor may be structured in a variety of different ways and, in one example, may include a first centripetal member (e.g., a first centripetal weight), a second centripetal member (e.g., a second centripetal weight), and at least one brake pad. In this example, the first centripetal member and the second centripetal member are configured and arranged to form the braking force. The one or more brake pads are configured and arranged to receive the braking force and responsively slow the downward movement of the barrier. The first centripetal member and the second centripetal member are configured and arranged to form the braking force when speed of the downward movement of the barrier exceeds a predetermined threshold.
In others of these embodiments, a barrier position is secured by a governor using a preload force to responsively cause a barrier to be held in place in the open position. The preload force is released from the governor and this release responsively allows the barrier to travel in a downward movement. The speed of the barrier is sensed and when speed of the barrier exceeds a predetermined threshold while traveling in the downward movement, a braking force in the governor is created and applied to the barrier so as to slow the speed of the barrier.
The preload force may be transferred by a preload member. The governor may be magnetically coupled to the preload member. In some examples, the preload force may be adjusted. In other examples, the barrier may be returned to the open position. In still other examples, the holding force may be adjusted to be large enough to hold the barrier in place but small enough to be overcome by a force provided by a driving element. The driving element may be any variety of elements such as a manual hoist or a motor.
Thus, approaches are provided whereby the holding, releasing, and movement halting capabilities of a barrier movement control system are combined into a single apparatus. These approaches are simple to use and employ a single brake and no clutch. In combining the functions of the barrier control system in a single apparatus, the complexity of the system, cost, and maintenance expenses associated with the system are significantly reduced.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.
Referring collectively now to
The moveable barrier apparatus 100 includes a gear 101 that alternatively drives or is driven by a belt 102. The movement of the belt 102 rotates a rotatable cylinder 103 that, in turn, responsively moves a rolling door 104. More specifically, the rotation of the rotatable cylinder 103 in one direction causes the rolling door 104 to move in an upward direction while the rotation of the rotatable cylinder 103 in the opposite direction causes the rolling door 104 to move in a downward direction.
A coupling arm or rod 110 is centrally connected between a magnetic plate 111 and a governor 114. The magnetic plate 111 can be held in place by an electromagnet 112. The coupling arm 110 is connected to the magnetic plate 111 by an adjustment bracket 107. The coupling arm 110 is connected to a fulcrum 131. The other end of the coupling arm 110 is connected to a preload member 113. The position of the preload member 113 adjusts the holding force. Adjustment bracket 107 allows for adjustment of the distance between the plate 111 and the coupling arm 110. In this regard, the bracket 107 moves within slots 138 and 139 thereby moving the magnetic plate 111 and varying the distance between the magnetic plate 111 and the coupling arm 110. By adjusting the distance between the magnetic plate 111 and the coupling arm 110, the position of the preload member 113 is also adjusted and, therefore, the holding force is adjusted. In some examples, a wire or cable 108 is connected to the coupling arm 110 and is used to apply tension to the position of the magnetic plate 111 as an alternate or a supplement to the forces supplied by the electromagnet 112.
The electromagnet 112 may be any suitable electromagnet, combination of magnets or electromagnets, or any type of magnetic device that is securable to another component. The coupling arm or rod 110 may be composed of metal or a similar strong material and is configured to be attached to the electromagnet 112 with the adjustment bracket 107.
The above-described elements act to regulate the movement of the rolling door 104 in a variety of ways. For example and as described in greater detail herein, the force provided by the preload member 113 is sometimes used to hold the rolling door 104 in place. Under these circumstances, the electromagnet 112 attaches to the magnetic plate 111 which holds the bracket 107 at a specific distance which is translated by the fulcrum 131 to a specific location for the preload member 113 (via the bracket or lever 107) and the force supplied by the preload member 113 holds the door in place via the preload member 113 applying the preload force to the governor 114.
Other configurations of the system allow free movement of the rolling door 104. More specifically and as also described in greater detail herein, the functions provided by the electromagnet 112 may be supplemented or replaced by the wire 108. The wire 108 holds the magnetic plate 111 in the same position that the electromagnet 112 would hold the plate. This allows either the electromagnet 112 or the wire 108 to keep the preload on the governor. When both the wire 108 and the electromagnet 112 are released, the rolling door 104 is free to move in a downward direction.
In other examples, and also as described in greater detail herein, the speed of the rolling door 104 may be regulated. More specifically, as the rolling door 104 moves downward, its speed or acceleration may reach a level where it would be desirable to slow and/or halt the movement of the rolling door 104. In this case, action by components of the governor 114 slows the movement of the rolling door 104 and may eventually halt its movement.
The preload member 113 surrounds and receives a rotating governor member 121. The force arm 113 and rotating governor member 121 are constructed of any suitable material such as metal or plastic or the like.
Referring now collectively to
The centripetal weights 115 and cams 116 may be constructed from any suitable metal or similarly suitable material and move outward due to the speed that the governor 114 is rotating. This outward movement causes the moving plate 117 to press against the brake pads 118 and the brake pads 118 apply a thrust or braking force to the stationary plate 119. In other words, the brake pads 118 are applied against the stationary plate 119 to eventually halt the movement of the rotatable cylinder 103. Consequently, when the first governor arm 140 and second governor arm 142 extend outward, a braking force is applied to the rolling door 104.
A worm wheel 120 interacts with a worm 122. More specifically, as the worm wheel 120 turns, it rotates the worm 122, which in turns rotates the rotating governor member 121. The worm 122 is coupled to or coextensive with the rotating governor member 121. As described herein, when the speed of rotation increases above a threshold value, the first governor arm 140 and second governor arm 142 are extended outward. As the first governor arm 140 and the second governor arm 142 extend outward, the centripetal weights 115 also move outward and the cams 116 apply a force to the moving plate 117. The moving plate 117 applies pressure on the brake pads 118. The brake pads 118 slow the movement of the rotating governor member 121. Through the worm 122, this action slows and may eventually halt the movement of the worm wheel 120, which in turn halts the movement of the rolling door 104.
The worm 122 and worm wheel 120 may be any standard worm and worm wheel. As an example, the reduction worm 122 and worm wheel 120 may be the reduction worm and worm wheel found in the Chamberlain Model PD612D garage door operator manufactured by the Chamberlain Group, Inc. of Elmhurst Ill.
When the rolling door 104 needs to be reopened, the preload member 113 is reset (i.e., the magnet 111 is detached or the holding force overcome) and a person can use a chain hoist 132 to pull the rolling door 104 into an open position. Alternatively, a motor may be used rather than manual force.
In one example of the operation of the system of
The amount of preload force can be adjusted. In one example, the amount of force can be set to a level that holds the rolling door 104 in place but which also allows a person to hoist the barrier into the open position. Adjustment of the preload force can be accomplished by adjusting the distance between the magnetic plate 111 and the coupling arm 110. By adjusting the distance between the magnetic plate 111 and the coupling arm 110, the position of the preload member 113 is changed.
In another example of the operation of the system of
In another example of the operation of the system of
As the speed of the rolling door 104 reaches and exceeds a threshold value, the centripetal weights 115 (on the first governor arm 140 and second governor arm 142) are centripetally influenced outward due to the speed that the governor 114 is rotating. The cams 116 move inward causing the moving plate 117 to press against the brake pads 118 and apply a braking force to the stationary plate 119. The stationary plate 119 is attached to the rotatable cylinder 103 and the action of the brake pads 118 halts the movement of the rotatable cylinder 103.
In still another example of the operation of the system of
Referring now especially to
Thus, approaches are provided whereby the holding, releasing, and movement halting capabilities of a barrier movement control system are combined into a single apparatus. These approaches are simple to use and use a single brake and no clutch. In combining the functions of the barrier control system in a single apparatus, the complexity of the system, cost, and maintenance expenses associated with the system are significantly reduced.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the scope of the invention.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20100013424 A1 | Jan 2010 | US |
