Patent Grant
8857015
This is a U.S. national stage of application No. PCT/EP2008/006264, filed on Jul. 29, 2008 which claims priority to the German Application No.: 10 2007 038 846.4, filed: Aug. 16, 2007; the content of both incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a carriage for the suspension of a panel to be suspended and to be moved along a travel path, as well as to a suspension system utilizing such carriages.
2. Prior Art
Suspension systems utilizing carriages, in particular for sliding door leaves, are well known. Such carriages usually have rollers which run on respectively one guiding rail.
One problem with such suspension systems is the readjusting of the sliding door leaf with regard to the suspension device. Over the time, a guiding rail may sag for example, such that the sliding door leaf may start to drag on the floor. The sliding door leaf then needs to be realigned with regard to its height adjustment.
Another problem arises in that the carriages are stationarily connected to the sliding door leaf. This means they do not change their position with regard to the sliding door leaf. When installing a sliding door suspension with several guiding rails, on which rollers of the carriages run, it may occur that the carriages are not precisely guided in, respectively on the guiding rails. Already a very slight inclination of the carriage, seen horizontally in a direction transversely to a longitudinal extension of the guiding rails, leads to a transverse load on the suspension for the sliding door leaf in the carriage and possibly on the guiding rails as well.
In case of relatively heavy sliding door leaves, for example made from glass, this might lead to an excessive load, to an excessive rubbing of the rollers in the guiding rails and/or at the profile and possibly to an uneven and possibly excessive load on the guiding rails. There might be the risk that the guiding rails, respectively a carrying profile bend or warp in transverse direction, which might lead to an irregular and jerky movement of the sliding door leaf.
An object of the invention is to provide a carriage and a suspension system for panels to be moved along at least one travel path, in which the suspension thereof eliminates or at least reduces the aforementioned shortcomings.
An inventive carriage comprises a body, at which at least one first roller is freely rotatably disposed, and a first suspension member, which, with an upper terminal section, is supported at or in the body and, with regard to the body, is pivotally supported about at least one axis of rotation extending parallel with regard to a longitudinal extension of the carriage. The first suspension member, with a lower terminal section, extends in a vertically downward direction towards a panel to be moved along a travel path. By the pivotal support, respectively the rotational support of the first suspension member with regard to the carriage, respectively the body thereof, it is achieved that a possibly occurring transverse inclination of the carriage with regard to a movement plane, respectively rolling plane of the at least one roller, respectively of the entire carriage can be automatically compensated for. The lower terminal section is adapted, respectively serves to suspend the panel to be moved. An axis of rotation of the at least one first roller extends transversely to the above described downward direction and transversely to a tangent of the travel path of the at least one panel to be moved in an area of the at least one first roller. In the case of a circular travel path for example, the axis of rotation of the at least one first roller is thus formed by a radius line or diameter line of the circle, which line intersects an axial center of this roller.
The inventive carriage preferably has at least one second roller. Analogously to the above described first roller, an axis of rotation of the at least one second roller extends transversely to the above described downward direction as well as transversely to the tangent of the travel path of the panel to be moved, this time in an area of the at least one second roller. In addition, the axis of rotation of the at least one second roller, seen in the direction of action of the rollers, has a predetermined vertical distance to the axis of rotation of the first roller, in a plane of action, which is formed by a direction of action of the rollers and a direction of extension of the axes of rotation of the rollers. In an installed condition, the rollers are disposed at different heights with regard to the plane of action, such that the lower one of the rollers can roll on a lower guiding rail and the upper one of the rollers can roll on an upper guiding rail.
In addition, the inventive carriage may have at least one third roller. Analogously to the above described first roller, an axis of rotation of the at least one third roller extends transversely to the above described downward direction as well as transversely to the tangent of the travel path of the at least one panel to be moved, this time in an area of the at least one third roller. In addition, the axis of rotation of the third roller, seen in the plane of action in a direction of action of the rollers, is disposed to be aligned with the axis of rotation of the first or of the second roller. The aligned disposed pair of rollers is thus disposed at the same height with regard to the plane of action, such that it may either roll on one and the same guiding rail or on two guiding rails, which, with regard to the plane of action, have the same height position. Thereby an additional stabilizing of the carriage is achieved. In addition, the rollers and the guiding rails may respectively have a flat running surface.
When seen in the course direction, respectively the extension direction of the axes of rotation, the first and the third rollers are preferably disposed at a front side of the carriage. The second roller is disposed at a rear side, which is opposite the front side and facing away from it. The corresponding guiding rails are thus disposed to extend at opposite sides of the carriage, serving to stabilize of the carriage. In addition such guiding rails are simple to incorporate into a carrying profile.
Furthermore, when seen in the direction of action of the rollers, the body of the inventive carriage may have an arm projecting to the front and/or an arm projecting to the rear. When seen in a direction transverse to the plane of action, each arm has a smaller depth, respectively thickness or gauge than a central section of the body. If there is one arm, when seen in the direction of action, the arm is adjoined by the central section of the body. If there are two arms, the central section is configured between the arms. The body is formed by the arms and of the central section. Respectively at least one roller is mounted to respectively one free end of each one arm. The at least one second roller is preferably mounted to the central section of the body. The smaller material thickness of the arms results in a resilient support of the rollers mounted to the arms such that possible jerky movements or unevenness in the guiding rail or on the running surface of one or more rollers can be dampened. In addition, possible inclinations, of the panel to be moved, in the direction of the travel path can be compensated for within certain limits. The first suspension member is received and supported at or in the central section of the body.
In an inserted condition of the carriage, in which the carriage is fitted in or inserted into the guiding rails, a vertical distance between respective rollers is preferably smaller than in a non-inserted condition of the carriage. Thus, the rollers do not only serve as a support and a spring for the carriage between the guiding rails, but also as an additional brace. The stability of the carriage, with regard to the guiding rails, is thereby improved.
The inventive carriage is preferably configured such that the first suspension member, with the upper terminal section, is, pivotally supported about an arbitrary axis. It is thereby achieved that not only transverse inclinations, but also other inclinations of the carriage can be compensated for. The upper terminal section of the first suspension member is preferably configured in the shape of a sphere which may be configured flattened at least at an end, which is formed by means of the upper terminal section of the first suspension member. The spherical shape of the upper terminal section, at least in a lower section, is a simple possibility to achieve the pivotability about arbitrary axes. As an alternative, the sphere may be configured flattened at least at an end, which is formed by means of the upper terminal section of the first suspension member and faces away from the panel to be moved.
According to the invention, the upper terminal section of the first suspension member is freely rotatably received and supported in a recess of the body. The recess is configured complementary to an exterior contour of the upper terminal section of the first suspension member with which the first suspension member reaches contact in the recess. In the case of the spherical shape, the recess has a partially hollow spherical shape.
As an alternative, the upper terminal section of the first suspension member is freely rotatably received and supported in a hollow space of the body. The upper terminal section is completely surrounded by the body. The hollow space, at least in an area, on which, respectively in which the upper terminal section of the first suspension member reaches contact, is configured complementary to the exterior contour of the upper terminal section of the first suspension member. Thus, the upper terminal section does not necessarily contact an inner surface of the hollow space with its entire surface, a circumstance which reduces friction between the hollow space and the first suspension member and thus reduces possible increased wear.
The first suspension member is preferably resiliently supported at an end, which is formed by the upper terminal section and faces away from the panel to be moved. The spring suspension is preferably realized by a spring, which, in case of a support in the hollow space of the body, is supported at an upper interior wall of the hollow space of the body at an end facing away from the first suspension member. This is in particular made possible by the fact that, as already described above, the hollow space reaches a direct contact with the upper terminal section only in a seating area.
In case of a recess, the spring is supported by a support at an end facing away from the first suspension member. The support, which preferably consists of a retaining ring, is stationarily accommodated in the recess.
Furthermore, the body of the inventive carriage has preferably a through-opening, which, from a seating surface of the recess or of the hollow space with regard to the first suspension member, extends in a direction away from the first suspension member towards the panel to be moved, i.e. parallel to the above described vertically downward direction.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the first suspension member is preferably adapted for mounting a second suspension member. The second suspension member in turn can be attached to the proper panel to be moved. As an alternative, it may be integrally configured with the panel to be moved or, in case of a framed sliding door leaf, it may be integral with the frame element thereof. The first suspension member has preferably a bushing in a lower terminal section. The bushing is freely rotatably disposed on the lower terminal section and protrudes from the lower terminal section with a section of predetermined length. This section preferably has a female thread section. At its upper terminal section facing the first suspension member, the second suspension member has a male thread section, configured complementary to the female thread section. The first and the second suspension members are mounted to each other by screwing the bushing onto the second suspension member. The bushing, at least in a partial section, has a non-circular exterior contour, which has the shape of an external hexagon for example. It is thus possible to mount the suspension members to each other and to adjust them, even if the panel to be moved is attached at the second suspension member or is integrally configured with it. In case of an external hexagon, simply a wrench is required. As the non-circular exterior contour is accessible from the outside, a simple height readjustment of an already suspended panel to be moved is possible.
In case of free rotatability of the first suspension member, the bushing is preferably integrally configured with the lower terminal section of the first suspension member. This is advantageous in that no support needs to be provided between the first suspension member and the bushing, which support, depending on the weight of the panel to be moved, might be exposed to enormous loads. In this case, it is not the bushing, but the first suspension member itself that is screwed to the second suspension member.
As an alternative, it might be intended that the bushing is disposed with the female thread section at the second suspension member such that its section of predetermined length projects from the second suspension member in the direction towards the first suspension member, the above described male thread section being configured at the lower terminal section of the first suspension member. In this case, an additional section with a non-circular exterior contour is configured at the first suspension member between the male thread section and the upper terminal section, such that the first suspension member can be screwed to the second suspension member.
The body of the inventive carriage is preferably configured block-shaped and it is furthermore preferred is made from plastic material. It is thereby possible to manufacture the body in a particularly simple manner, for example by injection moulding or extrusion.
Advantageously respectively one reception in the shape of a bore or of a through-opening is configured in the body for each rotational axis of the at least one roller. In an inner space, the respective reception has preferably one projection, which, in a plane transverse to a longitudinal extension of the respective rotational axis reception, is configured to project from an inner surface of the reception into its inner space. The rotational axis of the respective roller has a recess, which is configured essentially complementary to the projection such that, when inserting the rotational axis into the reception, the projection of the respective rotational axis reaches engagement with the projection of the reception. This state of engagement achieves an arresting of the rotational axis in the reception at least such that the respective rotational axis is prevented from a movement in a direction parallel to its longitudinal extension, i.e. out of the body or further into the body. The projection and the recess can be formed such that the rotational axis is additionally prevented from rotating. This is for example possible, if opposite edges of the projection and the reception are executed to be flat.
An inventive suspension system has at least one first, for example upper guiding rail. In addition, it has at least one panel to be moved along a travel path. The at least one panel to be moved is stationarily mounted to second suspension members of at least two, above described carriages, or is integrally configured with them. The respective rollers of the carriages roll on the at least one first guiding rail.
In addition, the inventive suspension system may have at least one second guiding rail. In this case, the carriages preferably have respectively at least two rollers. One of the at least two rollers of the respective carriage rolls on the at least one first guiding rail and the respective other roller of the respective carriage rolls on the at least one second guiding rail. In this case, running surfaces of the at least one first and second guiding rails are configured to face each other.
According to the invention, the guiding rails are disposed in a carrying profile or are configured integrally with it. This offers the advantage of forming the carrying profile and guiding rails for example as an extruded profile, which allows for an inexpensive manufacturing.
It is furthermore preferred the inventive suspension system has a profile, in which the carriages are stationarily received. The profile is open at a side facing the at least one panel to be moved and extends essentially parallel to a travel direction of the panel to be moved. The profile serves for positioning the carriages with regard to each other. In case of the above described circular travel path, when seen in the above described downward direction, the profile thus preferably extends along a reference line of the travel path. In addition, the profile and the carriage together may form a module, which can be installed as one entire part.
Furthermore, the inventive suspension system may have an additional carriage. It likewise comprises a body, at which, analogously to the above described carriages, at least one roller is freely rotatably mounted, an axis of rotation of the at least one roller extending transversely to a longitudinal extension of the additional carriage and transversely to the above explained downward direction. This at least one additional carriage is likewise disposed in the profile preferably between the above described carriages, from which one and the same panel to be moved is suspended. The difference to the above described carriages is that this at least one additional carriage does not have a reception for a first suspension member. It serves exclusively to stabilize the profile. In particular with very wide doors, a relatively long profile is required, which may sag or warp in operation and, under certain circumstances, might start to drag, for example along a guiding rail. The additional carriage helps to avoid this problem in a simple way.
The inventive profile has through-openings for inserting, respectively pushing through the rotational axes of the rollers of the carriages. The through-openings are disposed to be aligned with the respective rotational axis reception of the corresponding carriage body, thus they extend in a direction parallel to a longitudinal extension of the rotational axes. During installation, the respective body is inserted, respectively pushed into the profile to the positions of the through-openings. The rotational axes, if needed with rollers mounted at one side, are then introduced from the outside through a respective through-opening of the profile, into the respective rotational axis reception. Overall, this results in a very simple installation process for the carriages.
As an alternative, the through-openings are configured at two opposite sidewall sections of the profile such that the rotational axes are pushed through these two openings. Thereby the rotational axis is supported by means of the through-openings. In addition, this circumstance allows for mounting two rollers at both sides of one and the same rotational axis.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the profile has a C-shaped cross-section. In addition, when seen in cross-section, at free ends of the legs, it might have respective projections, which are configured to extend towards each other. Thus, a reception space for the carriages has been created, which allows for easy insertion of the bodies of the carriages from a front side of the profile into the reception space.
Preferably, the profile is composed of several parts, which are adapted to be stationarily mounted to each other. It is thereby possible to manufacture shorter and thus standardized profile pieces, by means of which profiles can be simply assembled, which have different lengths and executions, respectively dispositions with regard to the above described through-openings. Preferably, at sides facing each other, the profiles parts have respectively one part of a clip connection, or of a latching connection.
It is furthermore preferred the inventive suspension system has a linear drive system, which is preferably formed by means of a linear motor. The linear motor has a stator and a rotor. The stator is formed by means of a row of coils, which, at a predetermined distance to a side of the profile facing away from the panel to be moved, is stationarily disposed and extends at least over a portion of a travel path of the at least one panel to be moved. The linear motor drive system allows for an enormously low-wear drive system. The profile is preferably made from a magnetizable material and can be used itself as a rotor of the linear motor. Costs for otherwise necessary magnets are thus saved. However, according to the invention, the rotor may be likewise formed solely by a row of magnets or in conjunction with the profile, as long as the rotor is made from magnetizable material.
As an alternative, the linear drive system may be likewise formed by means of a spindle drive or a flexible drive.
The panel to be moved may be for example a sliding door leaf, a curved sliding door leaf, a partitioning wall module or a folding door leaf.
Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, in which:
As illustrated in
The sliding door leaf 30, at its upper border, is attached to sliding door leaf suspension members 20. At an upper terminal section 21, the suspension members 20 have respectively one male thread section 22 extending to the top, i.e. in y-direction in
At an upper end, each carriage suspension member 10 is received and pivotally supported in a body 101 of a respective carriage 100.
Rollers 102 are freely rotatably mounted to the body 101, preferably by means of rotational axes 105. In
Obviously, the guiding rails 1, 2 may be configured separate from the carrying profile 3 or the carrying profile 3 may be entirely omitted.
Even if respectively four rollers 102 are provided per carriage 100, more rollers 102 or also fewer rollers 102 may be provided.
On the left side in
Advantageously, the rollers 102 are supported by ball bearings on the rotational axes 105, as diagrammatically illustrated on the left side in
Preferably, each rotational axis 105 has an arresting recess 108 in the shape of a groove-shaped recess. At a corresponding location, the body has an arresting projection 107, which essentially is configured complementary to the arresting recess. The arresting projection 107 extends in a direction ±y, transversely to a plane of action x-z of the respective roller 102. The plane of action is defined by the direction of action ±x of the carriage 100, i.e. its direction of movement, and a horizontal direction ±z, transversely to the direction of action ±x of the carriage 100.
An interior diameter of the reception 106 is preferably equal to a maximum exterior dimension of the respective rotational axis 105. However, it might be slightly smaller than the exterior dimension such that, when being introduced into the respective reception 106, the respective rotational axis 105 will be clamped in it. In this case, the arresting projection 107 and the arresting recess 108 can be omitted.
In the center of
The carriage suspension member 10, with a lower area of the upper terminal section 12, is received in a recess 110 of the body 101 and rotatably supported about at least one x-coordinate axis illustrated in
A sectional view of the sliding door suspension along a line C-C in
According to a second embodiment of the invention illustrated in
In
According to an embodiment of the invention shown in
A body 101, according to another embodiment of the invention illustrated in
A body 101, according to yet another embodiment of the invention illustrated in
The disc springs 17 may be likewise disposed rotated by 180° about an axis parallel to the horizontal plane x-z, such that the disc springs 17 bear against each other at a side, which has the smaller exterior diameter. In addition, the spring element may be likewise composed of only one or of more than two disc springs 17. The two arrows on the right side in
As an alternative, the spring element can be supported to the top at a cover member 112 of the carriage 100, such as shown in
Such an arrangement with a cover member 112 simplifies the installation of a carriage 100, because, after manufacturing the body 101, the spring element can be inserted into the carriage 100. Furthermore, with this execution it is possible to exchange a spring which has broken during operation, which helps to reduce repair costs.
The spring element is not limited to the described arrangements with disc springs and helical springs. Any spring element is conceivable, which can be incorporated into the body 101 of the carriage 100. The spring element may be formed by a hinge spring for example, the legs thereof bearing against the carriage suspension member 10, respectively at an inner side of a hollow space 111 or at a support surface.
On the one hand, the arrangement with the cover member 112 is readily applicable to the disc spring arrangement shown in
According to another embodiment of the invention shown in
As shown in a lower part of
When inserting the carriage 100 into a carrying profile 3, illustrated on the bottom of
A body 101, according to another embodiment of the invention, is illustrated in
The curved form of the arms 103 results in an advantageous transfer of forces from the exterior ends of the arms 103 into the central section of the body 101, thus the load-bearing capacity and stability of the arms 103 can be increased. In addition, the lower attached arms 103 offer a longer spring deflection of the free ends of the arms 103.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention shown in
Instead of or in addition to the arms 103, it may be provided to resiliently support the rotational axes 105. This may be realized for example like described in conjunction with the carriage suspension member 10 in the body 101. This means, the respective rotational axis reception 106 has a larger inner space than the exterior dimensions of the respective rotational axis 105. It is of advantage to have an oval shaped external bushing in cross-section, into which an internal bushing is fitted. The respective internal bushing has a through-opening for the reception of the respective rotational axis 105 and is resiliently supported in the external bushing. The external bushing (with the resiliently supported internal bushing) is fitted into the body. Thereupon, the rotational axis can be fitted into the internal bushing, resulting in a very simple installation.
Three rollers 102 are shown by way of example in
The rotational axis 105 may be configured conically towards its free end, such that a cross-sectional area of the rotational axis 105 at the end, facing away from the roller 102, is smaller than a cross-sectional area for example in the vicinity of the roller 102. Introducing the rotational axis 105 into the body 101 is thus made easier. This is particularly favourable, if the arresting projections 107 and arresting recesses 108 are provided.
In
On the one hand, a depth abutment is thereby created with regard to an insertion into a body 101. This means, the shape of the rotational axis 105 determines a maximum depth up to which the rotational axis 105 can be pushed maximally into a body 101. On the other hand, an abutment for placing a roller 102 is formed at the same time.
The embodiments of a carriage suspension member 10 shown in
However, the lower terminal section 13 can be configured such as already described above. In a first embodiment shown on the left side in
According to an embodiment shown on the right side in
According to an embodiment shown on the left side in
In another embodiment shown on the right side in
If the curvature of the seating surface is circular, as for example shown at the top right side in
It is however not required to configure the upper terminal section 12 in an upper section with a semi-circular cross-section. According to embodiments, illustrated in
The seating surface of the upper terminal section 12, i.e. the surface, which rests on a corresponding surface of the body 101, may be flattened, such as illustrated in
A sliding door suspension member 20, as illustrated on the left side in
The same applies to a framed sliding door leaf 30. On the right side in
But such a sliding door suspension member 20 is likewise applicable with a frameless glass sliding door leaf 30. As illustrated on the left side in
As an alternative, a sliding door suspension member is conceivable, as illustrated on the right side in
The sliding door suspension member 20, except for the male thread section 22, may be designed according to aesthetical aspects. In
Even if respectively one roller 102 is freely rotatably mounted only to one side of the rotational axis 105 in the here illustrated embodiments, obviously executions are possible, in which at least one rotational axis 105 projects from both ends of the body 101, a roller 102 being freely rotatably mounted to each end.
In addition, it may be intended that the rollers 102 have a predetermined play on the rotational axes 105 in a direction transversely to their direction of action ±x, ie. in ±z-coordinate direction in the Figures. Thus the rollers are additionally adapted to move in the direction transversely to their direction of action ±x and thus to compensate for possible deformations of a respective guiding rail 1, 2 or of a carrying profile 3. This play may be realized in that a respective rotational axis 105 has inner and exterior abutments. These abutments can be realized in that the rotational axis 105 has a circumferentially surrounding groove at a respective location, in which respectively one retaining ring is placed. This has the advantage that the rollers 102 can be exchanged even afterwards. As an alternative, at least the inner abutment is integrally configured with the rotational axis 105.
The play in the support is particularly advantageous, if the rollers 102, seen in the direction of action ±x, have a groove-like running surface for example, and the corresponding guiding rail(s) have a complementarily, preferably crowned configured running surface or vice versa. In this case, the rollers 102 themselves are not able to compensate for tolerances in ±z-coordinate direction in the Figures.
Furthermore, it is possible to dispose the rotational axis 105 freely rotatably in the body 101 instead of disposing it torque-proof with regard to the body 101. This may be realized in that a ball bearing supported bushing is fitted, pressed, or in any other way torque-proof disposed in the body 101 in a rotational axis reception 106. The respective rotational axis 105 is fitted in the bushing such that the rotational axis 105 can not move or only move with little play in the ±z-coordinate direction in the Figures. The respective rollers(s) 102 is (are) disposed torque-proof or again freely rotatably on the rotational axis 105.
Manufacturing the body 101, here preferably configured as one piece, is very simple. Preferably, at least the upper terminal section 12 of the carriage suspension member 10, at least in a reception area, in which it is to be received in a recess 110 or in a hollow space 111 of the body 101, is made from a material which, by a predetermined measure, expands more with heat than a material from which the body 101 is made at least in the corresponding reception area, formed by the recess 110 or the hollow space 111. Preferably, at least the upper terminal section 12 is made from metal in this area, and the body 101, in the corresponding area, is made from plastic material. When manufacturing the body 101, the upper terminal section 12 of the carriage suspension member 10 or, in case of a recess 110, a production piece, identically manufactured at least in the said reception area of the upper terminal section 12, is heated to a temperature according to a predetermined expansion, which piece can be used several times for manufacturing purposes. Preferably, the heated piece is inserted or pushed into an injection mouldand moulded-in the plastic material for the body 101. During the following cooling, the body 101 and the heated piece separate from each other such that the carriage suspension member 10 can be rotated in the body 101 or the manufacturing tool can be non-destructively removed from the body.
As an alternative, the body 102 can be shaped by extrusion around the carriage suspension member 10 or around the manufacturing tool.
The body 101 may be likewise composed of two halves, which are fixed to each other for example by attachment screws.
The here presented carriages 100 are in particular suitable for installations in which a linear drive is utilized for moving the panel(s) to be moved.
Preferably, the linear drive is formed by one or several linear motors. Usually a linear motor consists of a stator, which is stationarily mounted to a carrying profile for example, and of at least one rotor mounted to the respective panel to be moved. Typically the stator is formed by a row of coils, which are disposed next to each other. Typically, the row of coils extends along at least one portion of the travel path of the at least one panel to be moved 30. Winding wires are wound around the coils according to an n-phased connection diagram, in which: nεN, n≧1. The rotor consists typically of either magnetizable material or of a row of permanent magnets. The rotor essentially extends parallel to a longitudinal extension of the stator.
If the C-shaped profile 42 is made from a magnetizable material, as an alternative, the rotor 40 may be formed solely by the profile 42.
In the embodiment shown in
At locations, at which the rotational axis receptions 106 of a respective carriage 100 are disposed, the profile 42 has through-openings 43. Seen in ±z-coordinate direction, the through-openings 43 are configured aligned with the rotational axis receptions 106. The respective rotational axis 105 projects with one or with both ends, to which a roller 102 is mounted, from the respective carriage and the profile 42 to the outside, i.e. in +z-, respectively −z-coordinate direction.
In case of one roller 102, respectively mounted to only one end of a rotational axis 105, there are two variants. In a first variant shown in
Preferably, all through-openings 43 are configured complementary to a receiving, respectively to a supporting section of a respective rotational axis 105, i.e. preferably with a circular cross-section.
As explained above, one task of the profile 42 is to position the carriages 100, 100′ with regard to each other. However, it is only necessary to stationarily mount one of the carriages 100, 100′ to the profile. Therefore, it is intended, according to a further development of the invention, that only at least one through-opening 43, respectively one pair of through-openings 43 configured at opposite sidewalls of the profile 42, is complementarily configured to the respective rotational axis 105. At least one of the other through-openings 43, as shown by way of example in
As illustrated at a larger scale on the bottom right side in
If the rotor 41 has a row of magnets 41, it is preferably intended, as shown in
A sectional view of the arrangement along a line E-E in
In addition, a carriage 100′ is disposed in the centre of the profile 42. The carriage 100′ differs from the carriage 100 mainly in that it has neither a recess 110 nor a hollow space 111 for the reception of a carriage suspension member 10. It simply serves support purposes for the profile 42 in non-illustrated guiding rails 1, 2, in order to counter the risk of unwanted bending or warping of the profile 42.
This precaution measure is in particular required if the profile 42 is a component of a rotor 40 of a linear motor. In this case, a distance to a stator is substantially guaranteed within a relatively small tolerance range.
As can be in particular seen in
Thus the profile 42 guarantees a precise positioning of the carriages 100, 100′ with regard to the profile 42, whereas the carriages 100, 100′ guarantee the precise positioning of the rotor 40 with regard to a non-illustrated stator.
The disposition of the rotor 40 with regard to guiding rails 1, 2 will be explained in more detail in the following, reference being made to
Even if
The rotor 40 is disposed between upper guiding rails 1 and lower guiding rails 2. Below, as already described, a sliding door leaf 30 is suspended by sliding door suspension members 20 at carriage suspension members 10 of carriages 100.
According to an advantageous further development of the invention, it is intended that the carriages 100, 100′ are not received in a single profile 42. The suspension system has at least two profiles 42.
The latching noses 45 and latching receptions 46 are preferably rotation-symmetrically disposed at the front sides. This means, the latching noses 45 and the latching receptions 46 are disposed such that both front sides, seen from the front, respectively have the same appearance. Therefore, it does not make any difference with which front side the profile 42 is clipped or latched to another non-illustrated profile 42, which makes mounting easier.
To prevent the latching noses 45 from canting or breaking off, according to an embodiment of the invention shown in
As an alternative, there are two types of profiles 42, one with exclusively projecting interior wallings at the front side, and another one with exclusively projecting exterior wallings at the front sides. For visual reasons there could be a third and fourth type of profiles 42, in which, at one of the front sides, no placing section and no latching noses nor latching receptions are provided. When considering the entire profile, these profiles 42 represent lateral terminal profiles.
In a profile 42 shown in
In
The profiles 42, shown in
The embodiments shown in
If a magnetic force of attraction of the here described row of magnets 41 with regard to the stator 4 is larger than a weight force of the suspended panel to be moved 30 including the profile 42, the carriages 100, 100′ and the suspension members 20, the lower guiding rails 2 and the rollers 102 rolling thereon can be foregone. The rollers 102, rolling on the upper guiding rails 1, are still provided in order to guarantee a distance within certain limits between the row of magnets 41 and the stator 4.
Instead of a linear motor as the drive system, likewise a spindle drive may be provided. For this purpose, at least one driver bushing is attached at the profile 42 or at one or more carriages 100, 100′. The one or more bushings is, respectively are disposed in the upper reception space of the carrying profile 3 and extend in ±x-coordinate direction in the Figures. Each bushing is screwed onto a threaded spindle, which is likewise disposed in the upper reception space of the carrying profile 3 such as to extend in the same direction and is operatively connected to an output shaft of a drive motor.
As an alternative, likewise a flexible drive may be provided. For this purpose, at least one driver is attached at the profile 42 or at one or several carriages 100, 100′. The one or more drivers projects, respectively project from the profile 42 or from the respective carriage 100, 100′ and protrude into the upper reception space of the carrying profile 3. Each driver is attached at a traction device the flexible drive. The traction device is likewise disposed in the upper reception space of the carrying profile 3, such as to extend in ±x-coordinate direction, and is preferably guided around two deflection pulleys. Preferably one of the deflection pulleys is operatively connected to an output shaft of a drive motor. A traction rope, a traction or toothed belt for example are suitable as traction devices.
The described embodiments are likewise applicable to manually operated sliding door installations, in this case just the row of magnets 41 and possibly the profile 42 are foregone.
Even if the invention has been described based on a suspended sliding door leaf, which is guided along a straight travel path, it is applicable to other suspension systems as well.
In case of a (partially) circular-shaped travel path, such as it is usual in curved sliding doors for example, the carriages 100, 100′ may be configured such that respectively two rotational axes 105 are configured to be not precisely axially parallel with regard to each other, but have an angle with regard to each other corresponding to the curvature of the travel path. In this case, the angle corresponds to an angle included in two lines of a circle radius, which extend from axial centres of the respective two rotational axes 105 to a centre of a circle, which is defined by the travel path. In case of a linear drive, profile 42, row of magnets 41 and stator 4 are preferably formed, respectively configured according to the curvature of the travel path.
In case of folding leaf doors for example, it may be intended to mount the carriage 100 torque-proof or freely rotatably at pivot points between two directly adjacent folding leaves. This means, the carriages 100 do not move the folding door leaf itself, but the pivot joints thereof, by which the individual folding leaves are articulately connected to each other. In case of hinges between the folding leaves, it may be intended to provide a driver, for example in the shape of a pin between the carriages and the hinge. A torque-proof disposition with a respective pivot point is possible, if the pivot joint is freely rotatably disposed with regard to the directly articulated folding leaves.
In case of partitioning walls or sliding doors, which are to be moved along a curved travel path, carriages 100 are likewise provided, which are articulately supported with regard to a respective partitioning wall module or to a respective sliding door leaf.
Altogether, the described carriages, as well as the suspensions are very flexible in terms of their application.
Thus, while there have shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2007 038 846 | Aug 2007 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2008/006264 | 7/29/2008 | WO | 00 | 2/16/2010 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2009/021627 | 2/19/2009 | WO | A |
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