Claims
- 1. A selectively operable automatic opening and closing device for use with a closure system comprising,
- a reversible motor means having a drive shaft to generate a driving force for opening or closing of a closure system,
- control circuit means associated with said motor means being responsive to a plurality of actuation signals to affect operation of said motor means to drive said drive shaft in a predetermined direction and at a selected speed dependent upon the position of said closure system,
- a drive train coupled to said output shaft including adjustable slip clutch means wherein said slip clutch means may be selectively adapted to slip during initial operation of said motor means to slowly initiate movement of said closure system,
- an adjustable linkage means coupled to said drive train and said closure system to translate said driving force of said output shaft to said closure system,
- remote signal transmission means adapted to selectively generate a plurality of actuation signals received by said control circuit means to affect operation of said motor means to selectively open or close said closure system.
- 2. The automatic opening and closing device of claim 1, wherein,
- said control circuit means includes a light detecting means which will first receive remotely transmitted optical actuation signals to generate control signals and a preamp to receive and boost said first control signals to useable levels in said circuit.
- 3. The automatic opening and closing device of claim 2, wherein,
- said control circuit means includes a power supervision circuit comprising an FET device normally in a non-conducting state which is coupled to said preamp wherein said preamp will supply a proper polarity electrical current signal to turn said FET device conducting to power up other portions of said control circuit means.
- 4. The automatic opening and closing device of claim 1, wherein,
- said control circuit means includes a clock means and a logic integrated circuit which receive said boosted control signals, wherein said logic integrated circuit will act to decode said first control signals to be matched with a stored instruction in said control circuit means wherein upon matching of said decoded first control signal and said stored instruction, the control circuit will initiate operation of said motor means to drive said drive shaft for opening or closing of said closure system.
- 5. The automatic opening and closing device of claim wherein,
- said control circuit means includes an optical feedback circuit comprising a means to monitor the position of said closure system and said optical feedback circuit generates second control signals adapted to affect automatic stopping of the closure system during an opening sequence or to slow movement of said closure system during a closing sequence thereof.
- 6. The automatic opening and closing device of claim 5, wherein,
- said means to monitor the position of said closure system is a stop ring coupled to said drive shaft of said motor means having at least one aperture therein which is associated with light emitting and receiving means positioned in fixed predetermined relationship to said closure system to define at least one predetermined position of said closure system wherein upon movement of said closure system, to said predetermined position, said aperture will allow light transmission from said light emitting means to said light detecting means to generate said second control signals.
- 7. The automatic opening and closing device of claim 6, wherein,
- said at least one aperture in said stop ring is a slot in one side thereof which extends over a predetermined angular extent relative to the maximum rotational movement of said closure system, wherein said slot will allow transmission of light from said light emitting means to said light detecting means at predetermined positions relative to fully closed or fully opened positions of said closure system to indicate the position of said closure system at said predetermined positions.
- 8. The automatic opening and closing device of claim 6, wherein,
- said stop ring includes a plurality of apertures therein which will allow light to be transmitted from said light emitting means to said light detecting means at a plurality of positions between fully opened or fully closed positions of said closure system to monitor the position of said closure system at a plurality of positions between said fully opened or fully closed positions.
- 9. The automatic opening and closing device of claim wherein,
- said control circuit means comprises a microprocessor means which is responsive to said plurality of actuation signals to develop control signals to initiate operation of said motor means to drive said drive shaft in a predetermined direction and at a selected speed to affect an opening or closing sequence for said closure system.
- 10. The automatic opening and closing device of claim wherein,
- said drive train further includes reducing gear means having a high reduction gear ratio to supply a desired amount of torque to said linkage means for opening and closing of said closure system.
- 11. The automatic opening and closing device of claim 1, wherein,
- said adjustable slip clutch means includes a drive plate coupled to said drive shaft of said motor means and a driven plate coupled to said linkage means, and having a friction disc disposed between said drive plate and said driven plate with means to apply an adjustable pressure between said drive plate and said driven plate by means of said friction disc to generate a predetermined torque on the driven plate upon rotation of said drive plate.
- 12. The automatic opening and closing device of claim 11, wherein,
- said means to apply an adjustable pressure between said drive plate and said driven plate is a Belleville washer acted upon by a lock nut, wherein said lock nut may be adjustably positioned against said washer to vary the downward force placed upon said driven plate and against friction disc relative to said drive plate.
- 13. The automatic opening and closing device of claim 1, wherein,
- said adjustable linkage means comprises a first arm portion rotationally coupled to said drive train, a second arm portion telescopically slidable within said first arm portion at one end thereof and having means at the other end thereof to secure said second arm portion to said closure system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application is a continuation-in-part of opening U.S. patent application Ser. No. 394,561 filed Aug. 16, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,629.
The present invention is directed to an automatic opening device which may be controlled from a remote location in response to a signal generated from a remote control signal generating means of one or more remotely located sensing devices used to generate remote signals. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an opening device which may be remote controlled and which includes means by which operation of the door can be selectively controlled to determine proper operation of the door upon actuation from a remote location.
There are known door opening devices such as utilized for opening and closing of swing doors wherein an operator may be mounted in close proximity to the door frame and coupled to the swing door to control the operation of the door. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,679, there is disclosed a system for automatically controlling operation of a swing door which includes an electronic controller responsive to various input signals such that initiation of an opening sequence may be accomplished by conventional actuation means such as floor mats or other conventional systems. After the door is opened, closing thereof occurs after a short delay. The electronic controller of this prior invention is responsive to an input signal to select a voltage value from an array of pre-established voltages so as to derive motor voltage and polarity signals therefrom. The motor drive shaft is coupled through a transmission system to an operator shaft which is in turn coupled to a mechanical linkage system comprising a bi-pivotal arm which is coupled to the door. The transmission system includes pulley belt units for translating motion of the motor drive shaft to an idler shaft, and the linkage system includes a crank arm coupled to the operator shaft at a fixed angular relationship to achieve leverage advantages. The device as shown in this prior patent is an industrial model door opening device which is commonly used at retail stores or other commercial areas and must operate from a 120 volt line source and effects intermittent opening of the door in response to a weight actuated floor mat control of the like.
Another example of automatic door opening and closing device are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,545 which includes a drive motor having its drive shaft coupled to a plurality of speed reducing, torque increasing pulleys and drive belts. A friction clutch connecting the drive train with the motor driven pulley is stated to prevent damage to the drive train in the event the door is blocked when the motor is energized and permits manual override of the system. The device is again actuated by means of a weight actuated floor mat control or the like and allows intermittent opening of the door, wherein the door will automatically close after providing a sufficient time for a pedestrian to clear the door area. Other automatic door opening devices are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,367,610 and 3,084,927.
There are also other systems which provide remotely controlled, opening and closing of doors, windows or the like such as found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,337,992. In this patent, a remote sensing device is utilized to actuate a mechanical door opening or closure system in response to various selected physical conditions or other criteria. This system includes programming means to control the overall operation of the system enabling various functions to be selectively achieved. The system is complicated and cumbersome to utilize effectively, and may be prone to breakdown and inefficient operation. Another system for opening and closing windows is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,257,757 utilizing vacuum pressure to affect opening and closing of the windows upon activation from a device coupled to the system at a remote location. Other systems are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,660,324, and 4,598,494.
In the prior art, there has been found a need to provide a remote controlled opening and closing device for closure systems such as doors, windows and the like which has anon-board power source and will effectively operate to open or close the door or other device regardless of conditions which may exist which would inhibit operation of other known devices such as power outages, fires or similar occurrences. Additionally, it is desired that the remote control opening and closing device be easily installed so as to enable retrofitting to an existing door or window structure or which can be easily incorporated into a new construction. The device should be easily operated from a remote location by means of control signals sent from a hand held remote device having means to accommodate a variety of control signals to prevent accidental opening or closing from occurring based upon control signals generated from another remote device. It is also desired that the opening and closing system operate efficiently and over an extended period of time in a quiet and constant manner while being cost effective and convenient to use.
Based upon the foregoing, it is a main object of the present invention to provide a remote controlled opening and closing device which allows efficient and extended operation to automatically and selectively open or close a door, window or other closure system.
Another object of the invention is to provide an opening and closing device which can be operated from a hand-held remote signal generating device which sends control signals utilized by the opening and closing device to effect operation thereof. With such a system, the capabilities are expanded as a number of independent channels may be provided for operation of individual doors, windows or other closure devices. Similarly, user selection of the channels is provided to avoid interference from outside sources of signals which may induce accidental opening or closing of the closure systems.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide an auxiliary input for master control of all opening and closing devices regardless of the frequency at which they are tuned or external sources which may effect operation thereof making the system especially useful for emergency situations.
Another object of the invention is to provide an opening and closing system wherein the system is battery operated or includes a back up battery system for effective operation of the system regardless of power outages or other external variables which may inhibit operation of the system otherwise. Additionally, the system is provided with means by which battery power may be conserved so as to extend the useful life of the battery and reduce the necessity of recharging the batteries except at relatively long intervals during use of the system.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide an opening and closing system which is easily installed on existing door, window or the frames thereof for retrofitting the system easily and conveniently. Alternatively, the system can be mounted within a door frame or window frame during construction so as to incorporate the system easily into the new construction for use therewith.
Another object of the invention is to provide an opening and closing system which includes a slip clutch assembly which is adjustable to provide selective drive characteristics for a particular load as well as to enable manual operation of the door without harming the drive train of the apparatus.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a control circuit which allows for selective operation of the opening and closing device upon actuation from a hand held remote control device, and yet is simple and cost effective in its construction.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide an optical feed back system which allows selective operation of the opening and closing device, and may provide control signals to the control circuit of the device to perform various functions such as controlling the speed of opening or closing initiated by the device.
Other objects and advantages of the invention are found in the ability to use this system with either right hand or left hand hinged closure systems, to provide latch control for a door or the like as well as providing adjustability of operation and selective control by the user.
These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by an opening and closing system comprising a small light weight mechanical system which will operate to smoothly and effectively open and close a closure device upon actuation from a remote control. The mechanical system includes a DC motor generating a desired drive output which is coupled to a gear reduction means for effectively transferring the driving power from the motor into the proper amount of torque and driving power for opening and closing a door or window. As the power or torque requirements may change with the load being operated on by the system, the system is adjustable to provide selected operating characteristics to accommodate such changes. An adjustable slip clutch assembly may be coupled to the driven shaft of the reducing gear to allow accommodation of the particular load being opened or closed by the system as well as allowing manual operation of the door. This system allows a wide variety of driving forces to be employed for different closure devices and does not require high power consumption or generate excessive heat which may present safety problems. The adjustable slip clutch also allows "soft" starts and stops as an additional safety precaution and helps to prevent damage to the closure device or system at the end of travel during opening and closing. The system also allows minimal restriction when non-actuated, to allow manual movement of the door whenever desired. The mechanical system is small and light weight and may be mounted on a door or window or the frame thereof and includes an adjustable arm linkage for retrofit installation. The system may be easily and conveniently installed using bolts or tape to conveniently mount the system. The mechanical system is effectively controlled by control logic and control circuitry to effect proper and selective operation of the system upon actuation from a remote control device.
US Referenced Citations (11)
Continuation in Parts (1)
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394561 |
Aug 1989 |
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Patent Grant
5040331
