Patent Application
20080007210
The above needs are at least partially met through provision of the method and apparatus for remote control described in the following detailed description, particularly when studied in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:
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 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 typically not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention.
Generally speaking, pursuant to these various embodiments, a rechargeable battery backup is provided for use with a barrier movement operator. The barrier movement operator normally receives power from a power source such as an electrical outlet. In the event, however, of a power disruption such as a power outage, the rechargeable battery backup may provide power to the barrier movement operator to allow the barrier movement operator to move a movable barrier. For example, the movable barrier may be a garage door. The rechargeable battery backup may be inserted in a battery charging station. In some embodiments, the battery charging station may allow receipt of multiple rechargeable backup batteries. In other embodiments, a single rechargeable battery may be utilized. Circuitry is electrically connected to the battery charging station and may electrically connect the rechargeable backup battery to the barrier movement operator in the event of a power failure. The circuitry may also electrically connect the battery charging station to a power source to charge the rechargeable battery backup in the event that the rechargeable battery backup is not fully charged. The power source may be the same power source that normally supplies power to the barrier movement operator.
The rechargeable battery backup may be electrically connected to the battery charging station by, for example, manual insertion into a sleeve or other battery receiving portion of the battery charging station. The rechargeable battery backup may also be utilized to power other devices such as electrically powered equipment. The electrically powered equipment may comprise, for example, a tool. The electrically powered equipment may be a saw, drill, light, garden tool, or any other equipment or tool which is capable of being powered by a battery. The rechargeable battery backup may be manually removed from the battery charging station and inserted into the electrically powered equipment. After the electrically powered equipment has been utilized, the rechargeable battery backup may be removed from the electrically powered equipment and reinserted into the battery charging station.
Referring now to drawings and especially to
The garage door operator 10 also includes a head unit 24 for providing motion to the garage door 16 via a rail assembly 26. The rail assembly 26 includes a trolley 28 for releasable connection of the head unit 24 to the garage door 16 via an arm 30. The arm 30 is connected to an upper portion 32 of the garage door 16 for opening and closing it. The trolley 28 is connected to an endless chain to be driven thereby. The chain is driven by a sprocket in the head unit 24. The sprocket acts as a power takeoff for an electric motor located in the head unit 24.
The head unit 24 includes a radio frequency receiver 50, as may best be seen in
A wall control unit 60 communicates over a line 62 with the head unit microcontroller 56 to effect control of a garage door operator motor 70, and a light 72 via relay logic 74 connected to the microcontroller 56. The entire head unit 24 is powered from a power supply 76. In addition, the garage door operator 10 includes an obstacle detector 78 which optically or via an infrared pulsed beam detects when the garage door opening 22 is blocked and signals the microcontroller 56 of the blockage. The microcontroller 56 then causes a reversal or opening of the door 16. In addition, a position indicator 80 indicates to the head unit microcontroller 56, through at least part of the travel of the door 16, the door position so that the microcontroller 56 can control the close position and the open position of the door 16 accurately. A battery charging station 82 is in electrical communication with the power supply 76 via circuitry 84, as discussed below with respect to
In the event that the power supply 76 is supplying sufficient power to the barrier movement operator 10, the circuitry 84 allows power from the power supply 76 to flow to the battery charging station 82 where it flows into the first removable rechargeable battery 104 and the second removable rechargeable battery 108. It should be appreciated that the battery charging station 82 may hold more or fewer than two removable rechargeable batteries, depending on the application.
In the event of an interruption of the supply of power from the power supply 76, the circuitry 84 may couple the battery charging station 82 to the head unit 24 of the barrier movement operator 10, such that the first removable rechargeable battery 104 and the second removable rechargeable battery 108 may provide power to permit the barrier movement operator 10 to function as though there had been no power supply 76 disruption.
In the event that the power supply 76 is supplying sufficient power and the first removable rechargeable battery 104 and the second removable rechargeable battery 108 are fully charged, the switch 122 may be open such that power from the power supply 76 is not supplied to the fully charged first removable rechargeable battery 104 and second removable rechargeable battery 108. Alternatively, in the event that the power supply 76 is supplying sufficient power and the first removable rechargeable battery 104 and the second removable rechargeable battery 108 are not fully charged, the switch 122 may be positioned such that power from the power supply 76 is supplied to charge the first removable rechargeable battery 104 and the second removable rechargeable battery 108. In another example, in the event that there is a disruption of power from the power supply 76 to the barrier movement operator 10, the switch 122 may positioned such that the stored power from the first removable rechargeable battery 104 and the second removable rechargeable battery 108 is provided to the barrier movement operator 10 to allow the barrier movement operator 10 to function.
At operation 168, a determination is made as to whether the removable rechargeable battery 144 is in electrical communication with the electrically powered equipment 140. If “yes,” processing proceeds to operation 170 where stored power from the removable rechargeable battery 144 is provided to the electrically powered equipment 140, and then processing returns to operation 168. If “no” at operation 168, processing returns to operation 160. The method illustrated in
The various embodiments described above provide a rechargeable battery backup for use with a barrier movement operator. The barrier movement operator normally receives power from a power source such as an electrical outlet. In the event, however, of a power disruption such as a power outage, the rechargeable battery backup may provide power to the barrier movement operator to allow the barrier movement operator to move a movable barrier. The rechargeable battery backup may be inserted in a battery charging station. In some embodiments, the battery charging station may allow receipt of multiple rechargeable backup batteries. In other embodiments, a single rechargeable battery may be utilized. Circuitry is electrically connected to the battery charging station and may electrically connect the rechargeable backup battery to the barrier movement operator in the event of a power failure. The circuitry may also electrically connect the battery charging station to a power source to charge the rechargeable backup battery in the event that the rechargeable battery backup is not fully charged. The power source may be the same power source that normally supplies power to the barrier movement operator.
The rechargeable battery backup may be electrically connected to the battery charging station by, for example, manual insertion into a sleeve or other battery receiving portion of the battery charging station. The rechargeable battery backup may also be utilized to power other devices such as electrically powered equipment. The electrically powered equipment may comprise, for example, a saw, drill, light, garden tool, or any other equipment or tool which is capable of being powered by a battery. The rechargeable battery backup may be manually removed from the battery charging station and inserted into the electrically powered equipment. After the electrically powered equipment has been utilized, the rechargeable battery backup may be removed from the electrically powered equipment and reinserted into the battery charging station.
By providing a rechargeable battery backup that can be used with both a barrier movement operator and an electrically powered equipment, instead of having to have separate batteries for both of these, a user can minimize the number of batteries needed to keep on hand. Also, a single battery charging station can be used for charging the rechargeable battery backup, instead of two separate battery charging stations or cradles as is required according to current system. Therefore, the user can conserve available space by simply using a single battery charging station.
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 ambit of the inventive concept.
