Patent Application
20230096802
One or more embodiments set forth herein relate to a multi-panel door system and a dual-synchronization drive assembly for such a multi-panel door system that is operable to cause synchronized actuation of a multi-panel door in a manner such that a drive force to initiate an opening/closing sequence to one door panel is synchronously transmitted to the other door panel.
There are known drive assemblies for multi-panel door systems having a plurality of linearly moveable panels. Such drive assemblies, however, have limitations and inconveniences.
One or more embodiments includes a multi-panel door system, and a dual-synchronization drive assembly having a structural configuration that facilitates both the simultaneous displacement of at least two door panels in a synchronized manner and at different speeds.
The components of the multi-panel door system are integrated in a pulley with easy installation and mounting. This technical solution eliminates the requirement for a separate drive system and separate motion synchronization device.
The multi-panel door system in accordance with one or more embodiments comprises a dual-synchronization drive assembly that provides custom motion ratio or door panel speed/velocity for door panels of different or unequal door widths.
In accordance with one or more embodiments, an example door system comprises one or more of the following: a door having a plurality of door panels linearly movable between an open position and a closed position; and a drive assembly operable to drive the door panels between the open position and the closed position, the drive assembly including: a dual gear unit operatively connected to the door panels to cause a synchronized linear movement of the door panels at different speeds which fully advances the door panels to the open position or the closed position simultaneously; and a transmission assembly including a first transmission belt operatively connected to the dual gear unit to transmit a drive power to a first door panel of the plurality of door panels which advances the first door panel between the open position and the closed position, and a second transmission belt operatively connected to the dual gear unit to transmit the drive power to a second door panel of the plurality of door panels which advances the second door panel between the open position and the closed position.
In accordance with one or more embodiments, another example door system comprises one or more of the following: a door having a plurality of door panels linearly movable between an open position and a closed position; and a drive assembly operable to generate a drive power to drive the door panels between the open position and the closed position at different speeds in a manner that synchronizes the linear movement of the door panels to fully advance the door panels to the open position or the closed position simultaneously.
In accordance with each example door system, the plurality of door panels comprises: a first door panel having a first width, and a second door panel having a second width that is different than the first length.
In accordance with each example door system, a carrier assembly is provided to operatively connect the door panels to the transmission assembly.
In accordance with each example door system, the carrier assembly comprises a first carrier member operable to connect the first door panel to the first transmission belt.
In accordance with each example door system, the carrier assembly comprises a second carrier member operable to connect the second door panel to the second transmission belt.
In accordance with each example door system, the dual gear unit comprises: a first gear operatively connected to the first transmission belt, and a second gear operatively connected to the second transmission belt.
In accordance with each example door system, an electro-mechanical actuation device is provided to generate drive power which simultaneously drives the first gear and the second gear.
In accordance with each example door system, a control device is provided to control the electro-mechanical actuation device.
In accordance with one or more embodiments, an example drive assembly is provided for a door system that includes a door having a plurality of door panels, the example drive assembly comprising one or more of the following: a dual gear unit operatively connected to the door panels to cause a synchronized linear movement of the door panels at different speeds which fully advances the door panels to the open position or the closed position simultaneously, the dual gear unit including a rotatable first gear operatively connected to the first transmission belt, and a rotatable second gear operatively connected to the second transmission belt; a first transmission belt operatively connected to the first gear to transmit a drive power to a first door panel of the plurality of door panels which advances the first door panel between an open position and a closed position; and a second transmission belt operatively connected to the second gear to transmit the drive power to a second door panel of the plurality of door panels which advances the second door panel between the open position and the closed position.
In accordance with the example drive assembly, an electro-mechanical actuation device is provided to generate drive power which simultaneously drives the first gear and the second gear.
In accordance with the example drive assembly, a control device is provided to control the electro-mechanical actuation device.
The various advantages of the exemplary embodiments will become apparent to one skilled in the art by reading the following specification and appended claims, and by referencing the following drawings, in which:
One or more embodiments set forth, illustrated, and described herein relate to a door system that includes a multi-panel door, and a dual-synchronization drive assembly for the door system. The dual-synchronization drive assembly has a structural configuration and functionality that combines a drive mechanism with a synchronization mechanism. The dual-synchronization drive assembly transmits a drive force in a manner that causes linear movement of door panels of the multi-panel door system between an open position and a closed position. The dual-synchronization drive assembly causes a synchronized movement of the door panels at different linear speeds/velocities to fully advance the door panels to the open position or the closed position simultaneously. The dual-synchronization drive assembly includes a dual gear unit that is configurable to allow for any motion/speed ratio necessary in order to obtain a specific performance objective of the door system.
The dual-synchronization drive assembly comprises a dual gear unit that simultaneously drives two transmission belts. The dual-synchronization drive assembly facilitates use of door panels of different widths by allowing one door panel to linearly move at a velocity that is greater than another door panel in order that all door panels fully reach the open position or the closed position simultaneously.
The synchronization of movement and speed/velocity of the door panels maximizes the clear door opening (CDO) when the door panels are advanced to a complete or fully open position. The dual-synchronization drive assembly is operable to convert rotational motion from an output shaft of an electric drive motor to linear motion of the door panels in order that the door panels reach the open position or the closed position simultaneously without restriction while maintaining a proper door panel overlap. By combining the drive system and synchronization mechanism, the dual-synchronization drive assembly has a much smaller footprint with fewer moving mechanical parts.
As illustrated in
In accordance with one or more embodiments, the door may include door panels of varying, i.e., different widths. For example, the first linearly moveable door panel 111 may have a first width wDP1, and the second linearly moveable door panel 112 may have a second width wDP2 that is different than the first width wDP1. The first width wDP1 may be greater than second width wDP2.
As illustrated in
The electro-mechanical actuation device 210 is operable to generate an actuation force. As further disclosed in detail herein, in accordance with one or more embodiments, the electro-mechanical actuation device 210 may be controlled by a control device 260 (
The electro-mechanical actuation device 210 may comprise an electric drive motor 211 that is operably connected to a gear box 212 (
As illustrated in
In accordance with one or more embodiments set forth, described, and/or illustrated herein, “processor” means any component or group of components that are configured to execute any of the processes described herein or any form of instructions to carry out such processes or cause such processes to be performed. The one or more processors may be implemented with one or more general-purpose and/or one or more special-purpose processors. Examples of suitable processors include graphics processors, microprocessors, microcontrollers, DSP processors, and other circuitry that may execute software. Further examples of suitable processors include, but are not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), an array processor, a vector processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic array (PLA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), programmable logic circuitry, and a controller. The one or more processors may comprise at least one hardware circuit (e.g., an integrated circuit) configured to carry out one or more instructions contained in program code. In embodiments in which there is a plurality of processors, such processors may work independently from each other, or one or more processors in the plurality may work in combination with each other.
As illustrated in
The first gear 221, having a first diameter dG1, includes a plurality of external gear teeth tG1. The second gear 222, having a second diameter dG2, has a plurality of external gear teeth tG2. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the first gear 221 has an overall diameter that is greater than the overall diameter of the second gear 222 (i.e., dG1>dG2). Meaning, the diameter ratio of the first gear 221 to the second gear 222 is x:y, where x>y. Moreover, the first gear 221 has a greater number of external gear teeth than the second gear 222 (i.e., tG1>tG2). The ratio of external gear teeth on the first gear 221 and the second gear 222 determine the motion ratio and linear speed/velocity of the first linearly moveable door panel 111 and the second linearly moveable door panel 112. The diameter ratio and the ratio of external gear teeth are adjustable to accommodate performance objections.
Although the illustrated embodiment shows a dual gear unit 220 for implementation in the example multi-panel door system 100, embodiments are not limited thereto. This disclosure contemplates the dual-synchronization drive assembly 200 may include other suitable gear architectures. For example, the dual-synchronization drive assembly 200 may include gear architecture in which a plurality of gears is not coupled together, and thus, may operate independently of each other.
As illustrated in
The first transmission belt/pulley 231 is operatively connected to the first gear 221 and a stationary main gear 225 to transmit the drive power of the electro-mechanical actuation device 210 to the first linearly moveable door panel 111. The first transmission belt/pulley 230, having a first belt length IB1, has a plurality external teeth that, in operation, mesh with or otherwise operatively engages the external gear teeth of the first gear 221 to bidirectionally advance the first linearly moveable door panel 111 between the open position and the closed position. The second transmission belt/pulley 232 is operatively connected to the second gear 222 and a stationary secondary gear 226 to transmit the drive power of the electro-mechanical actuation device 210 to the second linearly moveable door panel 112. The second transmission belt/pulley 232, having a second belt length IB2, has a plurality external teeth that, in operation, mesh with or otherwise operatively engages the external gear teeth of the second gear 222 to bidirectionally advance the second linearly moveable door panel 112 (simultaneously with the bidirectional advancement of the first linearly moveable door panel 111) between the open position and the closed position. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the first transmission belt/pulley 231 is greater in size than the second transmission belt/pulley 232. Meaning, the first transmission belt/pulley 231 has a belt length that is greater than the belt length of the second transmission belt/pulley 232 (i.e., IB1>IB2).
As illustrated in
The first carrier member 241 is operable to connect the first linearly moveable door panel 111 to the first transmission belt/pulley 231. The first carrier member 241 may be implemented as a bracket or header that is connected at an upper region thereof to the first transmission belt/pulley 231 and at an opposite lower region thereof to the first linearly moveable door panel 111. The lower region of the bracket may include spaced-apart flanges that define a space or opening which is sized to receive an upper region or header of the first linearly moveable door panel 111. Embodiments, however, are not limited thereto, and thus, this disclosure contemplates the first carrier member 241 being connected to the first linearly moveable door panel 111 via any suitable connection architecture.
The second carrier member 242 is operable to connect the second linearly moveable door panel 112 to the second transmission belt/pulley 232. The second carrier member 242 may be implemented as a bracket or header that is connected at an upper region thereof to the second transmission belt/pulley 232 and at an opposite lower region thereof to the second linearly moveable door panel 112. The lower region of the bracket may include spaced-apart flanges that define a space or opening which is sized to receive an upper region or header of the second linearly moveable door panel 112. Embodiments, however, are not limited thereto, and thus, this disclosure contemplates the second carrier member 242 being connected to the second linearly moveable door panel 112 via any suitable connection architecture.
The example and alternative embodiments described above may be combined in a variety of ways with each other. It should be noted that the present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, the embodiments set forth herein are provided so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the steps and number of the various steps illustrated in the figures may be adjusted from that shown. The accompanying figures and attachments illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention.
For definitional purposes and as used herein, “connected” or “attached” includes physical or electrical, whether direct or indirect, affixed or adjustably mounted. Thus, unless specified, “connected” or “attached” is intended to embrace any operationally functional connection.
As used herein, “substantially,” “generally,” “slightly” and other words of degree are relative modifiers intended to indicate permissible variation from the characteristic so modified. It is not intended to be limited to the absolute value or characteristic which it modifies but rather possessing more of the physical or functional characteristic than its opposite, and approaching or approximating such a physical or functional characteristic.
The terms “coupled,” “attached,” or “connected” may be used herein to refer to any type of relationship, direct or indirect, between the components in question, and may apply to electrical, mechanical, fluid, optical, electromagnetic, electro-mechanical or other connections. Additionally, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein only to facilitate discussion, and carry no particular temporal or chronological significance unless otherwise indicated. The terms “cause” or “causing” means to make, force, compel, direct, command, instruct, and/or enable an event or action to occur or at least be in a state where such event or action may occur, either in a direct or indirect manner.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad techniques of the exemplary embodiments may be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while the embodiments have been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the embodiments should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, specification, and following claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/248,817 filed on Sep. 27, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its complete entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63248817 | Sep 2021 | US |
