Patent Application
20170226778
The present application generally relates to an exit device, and more particularly but not exclusively relates to a door mounted exit device which is operable to sense an approaching user and unlatch a latch in response to sensing the approaching user.
Present exit device assemblies suffer from a variety of limitations and problems such as high power consumption and high system installation costs. For example, certain exit device assemblies requires the user to exert a significant force in order to actuate a door latch. In some instances, a disabled or elderly user is incapable of exerting the amount of force necessary to actuate the door latch. In another example, a latch may be actuated in response to a wall mounted button or sensor, which requires time consuming installation steps such as wire routing through walls. Therefore, a need exists for further technological developments in the area of access control devices.
In one embodiment, an exit device assembly includes a center case, a push pad movably mounted on the center case, and a mechanical case coupled to the center case, wherein the exit device includes an opening. The assembly also includes a sensor aligned with the opening, wherein the sensor is structured to detect a user from a distance through the opening and to generate an output signal in response to detecting the user. The assembly also includes a latch and a latch actuator. The assembly also includes a controller in communication with the sensor and the latch actuator, wherein the controller is structured to transmit an actuating signal in response to receiving the output signal from the sensor, wherein the latch actuator is configured to move the latch from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to the actuating signal. Further embodiments, forms, features, and aspects of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
As used herein, the terms “longitudinal,” “lateral,” and “transverse” are used to denote motion or spacing along three mutually perpendicular axes, wherein each of the axes defines two opposite directions. In the coordinate system illustrated in
Additionally, the descriptions that follow may refer to the directions defined by the axes with specific reference to the orientations illustrated in the Figures. For example, the longitudinal directions may be referred to as “distal” (X+) and “proximal” (X−), the lateral directions may be referred to as “forward” (Y+) and “rearward” (Y−), and the transverse directions may be referred to as “up” (Z+) and “down” (Z−). These terms are used for ease and convenience of description, and are without regard to the orientation of the system with respect to the environment. For example, descriptions that reference a longitudinal direction may be equally applicable to a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, or an off-axis orientation with respect to the environment.
Furthermore, motion or spacing along a direction defined by one of the axes need not preclude motion or spacing along a direction defined by another of the axes. For example, elements which are described as being “laterally offset” from one another may also be offset in the longitudinal and/or transverse directions, or may be aligned in the longitudinal and/or transverse directions. The terms are therefore not to be construed as limiting the scope of the subject matter described herein.
With reference to
The exit device assembly 110 is mechanically coupled to the door 91 with a rear face of the exit device assembly 110 abutting a front face of the door 91. The exit device assembly 110 includes a housing assembly 140 including a mechanical case 111, a push pad 113, and a center case 115. The exit device assembly 110 further includes a sensor 117, a controller 119, a latch actuator 123, and a latch 127. As described in further detail below, the sensor 117 is aligned with an opening 114 in the housing assembly 140, and is structured to detect the presence of the user 210 when the user 210 is within the predetermined distance 212 of the exit device assembly 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 114 is formed in a front surface of the push pad 113. In other embodiments, the opening 114 may additionally or alternatively be formed in a front surface of the mechanical case 111 and/or the center case 115.
The sensor 117 is coupled to the push pad 113 and is aligned with the opening 114 of the pad 113. The sensor 117 is structured to detect the user 210 before the user 210 reaches the exit device 110 or exerts a force on the door 91. The sensor 117 may be configured to detect the user 210 in response to the user 210 performing a predetermined gesture. For example, the sensor 117 may detect the user 210 as the user 210 approaches the door 91, or the sensor 117 may detect the user 210 when the user 210 waves a hand in front of the sensor 117. The sensor 117 may be a proximity sensor, a motion sensor, an infrared sensor, an optical sensor, or any other type of sensor structured to detect a user 210 from a distance and generate an output signal in response to detecting a user. The sensor 117 may receive power from the power supply 97 or a battery housed in the exit device assembly 110.
The sensor 117 is in communication with the controller 119, and is structured to generate an output signal in response to detecting the user 210. In the illustrated form, the sensor 117 is in communication with the controller 119 by way of a wire 121, and the controller 119 is in communication with the latch actuator 123 by way of a wire 125. In other embodiments, the controller 119 may be in wireless communication with the sensor 117 and/or the latch actuator 123. The controller 119 is electrically coupled to the power supply 97 and is structured to receive power from the power supply 97 by way of power distribution line 129. In other embodiments, the controller 119 may receive power from a battery housed in the exit device assembly 110 instead of receiving power from the power supply 97.
As indicated above, the controller 119 is in communication with the sensor 117 and the latch actuator 123. The controller 119 may include an electrical circuit of the type described below with respect to
The latch actuator 123 is structured to move a latch 127 between a latched stated and an unlatched state. The latch actuator 123 is structured to receive power from the power supply 140 and move the latch 127 between the unlatched and latched states in response to receiving the actuating signal from the controller 119. In certain embodiments, the latch 127 may include an electric strike, and the latch actuator 132 may be operable to move the electric strike from the latched state to the unlatched state. In other embodiments, the latch 127 may include a latchbolt having an extended position in the latched state and a retracted position in the unlatched state. In such forms, the latchbolt may be moved from the extended position to the retracted position by each of the push pad 113 and the latch actuator 132.
In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 119 is structured to receive the output signal generated by the sensor 117 and transmit an actuating signal to the latch actuator 123 and the powered door operator 95. The controller 119 is electrically coupled to the powered door operator 95 by way of a wire 131. The powered door operator 95 is structured urge the door 91 from the closed position toward the open position in response to receiving an actuating signal from the controller 119. In certain embodiments, the door operator 95 may be operable to move the door 91 from the closed position to the open position without requiring the user 210 to exert a force on the door 91. In other embodiments, the user 210 may be required to exert a predetermined amount of force on the door, such as five pounds or less, in order to move the door 91 from the closed position to the open position.
While the embodiments described hereinafter may not specifically describe features analogous to the features of system 100, such features may nonetheless be employed in connection with the described systems.
With reference to
With reference to
The mounting assembly 410 generally includes a base plate 412 configured for mounting on a door, and a pair of mounting brackets 414 coupled to the base plate 412. Each of the mounting brackets 414 includes a pair of transversely spaced walls 415, which extend laterally away from the base plate 412. The mounting assembly 410 may further include a header plate 416, on which the latchbolt mechanism 450 may be mounted. Additionally, a mechanical case 411 may be mounted on the header plate 416 to enclose the latchbolt mechanism 450.
The drive assembly 420 generally includes a drive bar 422, a fork link 424 coupled to a proximal end of the drive bar 422, a collar 426 including a laterally-extending arm 427 and coupled to the drive bar 422, and a biasing element urging the drive assembly 420 toward the extended state. While other forms are contemplated, the illustrated biasing element is a main compression spring 428 through which the drive bar 422 extends. The drive assembly 420 may also include a link bar 425 coupling the drive assembly 420 to the latchbolt mechanism 450. The drive bar 422 is longitudinally movable in a proximal direction (X+) and a distal direction (X−).
Movement of the drive bar 422 is transmitted via the fork link 424 and the link bar 425 to the latchbolt mechanism 450. More specifically, movement of the drive bar 422 in the proximal or extending direction causes the latchbolt 452 to extend toward a latching position, and movement of the drive bar 422 in the distal or retracting direction causes the latchbolt 452 to retract toward an unlatching position. As such, the proximal direction may be considered a bolt-extending direction, and the distal direction may be considered a bolt-retracting direction.
In the illustrated form, the main spring 428 is compressed between the collar 426 and the distal mounting bracket 414. More specifically, the proximal end of the compression spring 428 is engaged with the collar 426, and the distal end of the compression spring 428 is engaged with the distal mounting bracket 414 through a washer 429. The distal mounting bracket 414 acts as an anchor for the washer 429, such that the compressed spring 428 exerts a main spring biasing force F428 on the collar 426. The biasing force F428 is an extensive biasing force urging the drive assembly 420 toward the extended state. In other forms, an extensive biasing force may be exerted on the drive assembly 420 in another manner.
The drive assembly 420 also includes a push pad assembly 430, which generally includes a manually-actuable push pad 432, a pair of push pad brackets 434 coupled to the push pad 432, and a pair of bell cranks 436 coupling the push pad 432 with the drive bar 422. The push pad 432 is laterally movable between an extended or forward position and a retracted or rearward position. As described in further detail below, the bell cranks 436 translate lateral movement of the push pad 432 to longitudinal movement of the drive bar 422. Each of the bell cranks 436 includes a first arm 437, a center portion 438, and a second arm 439 angularly offset from the first arm 437. Each of the first arms 437 is pivotally connected to one of the push pad brackets 434 by a first pivot pin 401, each of the center portions 438 is pivotally connected to one of the mounting brackets 414 by a second pivot pin 402, and each of the second arms 439 is pivotally connected to the drive bar 422 by a third pivot pin 403.
During operation of the exit device 400, a user manually actuates the drive assembly 420 by exerting an actuating force F432 sufficient to move the push pad 432 from the extended position to the retracted position. As the push pad 432 moves laterally inward (i.e. toward the base plate 412), the bell cranks 436 pivot about the pins 402 in the counter-clockwise direction (as viewed in
In certain circumstances, it may be desirable to eliminate or reduce the user-driven element of the actuating force required to retract the latchbolt 452. In such a case, an exit device such as the exit device 400 may include an electrical circuit operable to actuate the latchbolt 452. Exemplary forms of actuating electrical circuits are described with reference to
While the following descriptions are made with reference to the exit device 400 and elements and features thereof, it is to be understood that at least some of the actuating electrical circuitry may be utilized in combination with exit devices of other configurations. Additionally, at least some of the actuating electrical circuitry need not be included in an exit device at the time of sale. For example, certain actuating electrical circuitry may be configured for use with a particular configuration of exit device, and may be manufactured and sold as a retrofit kit for such exit devices.
Referring to
With additional reference to
Referring to
The exit device assembly 810 includes a center case 811, a push pad 813 movably mounted on the center case 811, and a mechanical case 815 coupled to the center case 811. The mechanical case 815 includes an opening 814 formed in the front surface and is structured to house a latch and latch actuator. A sensor 817 is aligned with the opening of the mechanical case 815. A controller 819 is housed within the assembly 810.
With additional reference to
Referring to
The exit device assembly 910 includes a retrofit kit assembly having a retrofit plate 911. The assembly 910 further includes a push pad 913 movably mounted on the plate 911, and a mechanical case 915 coupled to the plate 911. The retrofit kit assembly further comprises a sensor 920 aligned with the opening in the retrofit plate 911 and coupled to the retrofit plate 911. The retrofit kit assembly further comprises a controller structured to receive the output signal from the sensor 920 and to transmit an actuating signal to the latch actuator and an operating signal 970 to the powered door operator 950 in response to the output signal. As illustrated in
With additional reference to
Referring to
With additional reference to
Referring to
The chip 1110 is structured to couple to a ground 1125 by way of the pin 1111. The chip 1110 is structured initiate a timing sequence in response to receiving an active low signal by way of the pin 1112. The chip 1110 is structured to transmit an output signal during the time sequence by way of the pin 1113. The chip 1110 is structured to reset the timing sequence in response to receiving an active low signal by way of the pin 1114. The chip 1110 is structured to output a voltage at the pin 1115 of approximately two thirds of the input voltage received at the pin 1118. The chip 1110 is structured to receive a threshold voltage value by way of the pin 1116. The chip 1110 is structured to discharge a timing capacitor by way of the pin 1117.
The pin 1111 of the chip 1110 is coupled with a ground 1125 by way of line 1123. The pin 1112 of the chip 1110 is selectively coupled to the ground 1125 by way of a resistor 1111 and a sensor 1113. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor 1133 is a motion sensor. The sensor may be any of the sensors described previously in other embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the resistor 1131 is a 10,000 Ohm resistor. The resistor 1111 may be of any size sufficient to safely limit the current passing through the sensor 1133 to the ground 1125.
A power source 1129 is coupled to a line 1127 and is structured to provide power to the line 1127 at a voltage rating between 4.5 V and 16 V. The pin 1113 of the chip 1110 is coupled to a semiconductor device 1137 and is structured to selectively provide an actuating signal to the device 1137. The device 1137 is coupled to an automatic operator power supply 1139. In certain embodiments, the power supply 1139 is a latch actuator power supply. The device 1137 is also coupled to a ground 1145 by way of a resistive load 1141 and an indicator LED 1143. The resistive load 1141 may be a latch actuator or a powered door operator.
The pin 1114 of the chip 1110 is coupled to a power supply 1149 by way of a line 1167. The pin 1118 of the chip 1110 is coupled to the power supply 1149 by way of a line 1151 and a resistor 1153. The resistor 1153 is structured to reduce the current moving between the power supply 1149 and the chip 1110. The pin 1117 of the chip 1110 is coupled to the pin 1118 by way of a line 1155. The pin 1116 of the chip 1110 is coupled to a capacitor 1161. The anode of the capacitor 1161 is coupled to a line 1151 by way of a line 1159. The cathode of the capacitor 1161 is coupled to a ground 1163. The chip 1110 is coupled to the ground 1163 by way of the pin 1115, a line 1165 and a capacitor 1167. As illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, the grounds 1125, 1165, and 1163 are separate grounds. In certain embodiments, all grounds may be joined at one grounding point. Similarly, the power supplies 1129, 1149, and 1139 may represent the same power source.
The input/output device 1204 allows the computing device 1200 to communicate with the external device 1210. For example, the input/output device 1204 may be a network adapter, network card, interface, or a port (e.g., a USB port, serial port, parallel port, an analog port, a digital port, VGA, DVI, HDMI, FireWire, CAT 5, or any other type of port or interface). The input/output device 1204 may be comprised of hardware, software, and/or firmware. It is contemplated that the input/output device 1204 includes more than one of these adapters, cards, or ports.
The external device 1210 may be any type of device that allows data to be inputted or outputted from the computing device 1200. For example, the external device 1210 may be a sensor, mobile device, a reader device, equipment, a handheld computer, a diagnostic tool, a controller, a computer, a server, a printer, a display, an alarm, an illuminated indicator such as a status indicator, a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch screen display. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the external device 1210 may be integrated into the computing device 1200. It is further contemplated that there may be more than one external device in communication with the computing device 1200.
The processing device 1202 can be of a programmable type, a dedicated, hardwired state machine, or a combination of these; and can further include multiple processors, Arithmetic-Logic Units (ALUs), Central Processing Units (CPUs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) or the like. For forms of the processing device 1202 with multiple processing units, distributed, pipelined, and/or parallel processing can be utilized as appropriate. The processing device 1202 may be dedicated to performance of just the operations described herein or may be utilized in one or more additional applications. In the depicted form, the processing device 1202 is of a programmable variety that executes algorithms and processes data in accordance with the operating logic 1208 as defined by programming instructions (such as software or firmware) stored in the memory 1206. Alternatively or additionally, the operating logic 1208 for processing device 1202 is at least partially defined by hardwired logic or other hardware. The processing device 1202 can be comprised of one or more components of any type suitable to process the signals received from the input/output device 1204 or elsewhere, and provide desired output signals. Such components may include digital circuitry, analog circuitry, or a combination of both.
The memory 1206 may be of one or more types, such as a solid-state variety, electromagnetic variety, optical variety, or a combination of these forms. Furthermore, the memory 1206 can be volatile, nonvolatile, or a combination of these types, and some or all of memory 1206 can be of a portable variety, such as a disk, tape, memory stick, cartridge, or the like. In addition, the memory 1206 can store data that is manipulated by the operating logic 1208 of the processing device 1202, such as data representative of signals received from and/or sent to the input/output device 1204 in addition to or in lieu of storing programming instructions defining the operating logic 1208, just to name one example. As shown in
The processes in the present application may be implemented in the operating logic 1208 as operations by software, hardware, artificial intelligence, fuzzy logic, or any combination thereof, or at least partially performed by a user or operator. In certain embodiments, modules represent software elements as a computer program encoded on a computer readable medium, wherein a controller performs the described operations when executing the computer program.
A schematic flow diagram and related description which follows provides an illustrative embodiment of performing procedures of controlling an access control system such as the illustrated system 100 in
The following description of the process 1300 is made with reference to the door operator system 100 illustrated in
With reference to
With the sensor 117 installed, the process 1300 proceeds to an operation 1305, in which the sensor 117 begins to observe an area in front of the sensor 117, such as the sensing region 214. The process 1300 proceeds to a conditional 1307, which includes determining whether a user 210 has been detected within the sensing region 214. If no user has been detected (1307N), the process 1300 reverts to the operation 1305. If a user has been detected (1307Y), the process 1300 proceeds to an operation 1309. At the operation 1309, the sensor 117 transmits an output signal 1310 to a controller 119. The process 1300 then proceeds to an operation 1311, in which the controller 119 transmits an actuating signal 1312 to a latch actuator 123 for a time period. The process 1300 proceeds to an operation 1313, in which the controller 119 stops transmitting the actuating signal 1312 to the latch actuator 123. The process 1300 then proceeds to a terminus 1315, in which the process 1300 is terminated.
It is contemplated that the various aspects, features, processing devices, processes, and operations from the various embodiments may be used in any of the other embodiments unless expressly stated to the contrary. Certain operations illustrated may be implemented by a computer executing a computer program product on a non-transient computer readable storage medium, where the computer program product includes instructions causing the computer to execute one or more of the operations, or to issue commands to other devices to execute one or more operations.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions are desired to be protected. It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.
