SWING DOOR-BASED ENTRANCE SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED OPERABILITY IN EMERGENCY MODE

Abstract

An automatic door operator (30) in adapted for use in an entrance system (1) that comprises a swing door member (10) being operable between a closed position (18) which prevents passage, and an open position (19) which admits passage. The automatic door operator (30) has an electric motor (34), an activation sensor (15) configured for manual actuation by a person wishing to pass through the entrance system, and a controller (31) having a normal operating mode and an emergency mode. In the normal operating mode, the controller is responsive to the activation sensor (15) and configured for, when the activation sensor (15) is actuated, controlling the motor (34) to generate torque for causing the door member (10) in the entrance system (1) to move from the closed position (18) to the open position (19), and to stay in the open position (19) during a configured hold open period (43).

Claims

1. An automatic door operator (30) for use in an entrance system (1) that comprises a swing door member (10) being operable between a closed position (18) which prevents passage, and an open position (19) which admits passage, the automatic door operator (30) comprising: an electric motor (34); an activation sensor (15) configured for manual actuation by a person wishing to pass through the entrance system; and a controller (31) having a normal operating mode and an emergency mode, wherein, in the normal operating mode, the controller is responsive to the activation sensor (15) and configured for: when the activation sensor (15) is actuated, controlling the motor (34) to generate torque for causing the door member (10) in the entrance system (1) to move from the closed position (18) to the open position (19), and to stay in the open position (19) during a configured hold open period (43), and when the configured hold open period has lapsed and the activation sensor (15) is maintained actuated (44), controlling the motor (34) to generate torque for causing the door member (10) to remain in the open position (19) during an extended hold open period (45); wherein, in the emergency mode, the controller is responsive to the activation sensor (15) and configured for controlling the motor (34), when the activation sensor (15) is actuated, to generate torque for causing the door member (10) in the entrance system (1) to move from the closed position (18) to the open position (19), to stay in the open position (19) during the configured hold open period (43), but ignore a spurious indication of a maintained actuation (44) of the activation sensor (15) and thereby prevent the door member (10) from remaining in the open position (19) during an extended hold open period (45).

2. The automatic door operator (30) as defined in claim 1, wherein: in the normal operating mode, the controller (31) is responsive to the activation sensor (15) by being triggerable both by an edge (52) and by a level (54) of an output activation signal (15a) from the activation sensor (15); and in the emergency mode, the controller (31) is responsive to the activation sensor (15) by being triggerable by the edge (52) but not by the level (54) of the output activation signal (15a) from the activation sensor (15).

3. The automatic door operator (30) as defined in claim 2, wherein the activation sensor (15) comprises a switch (15b) which is an open circuit state when the manual activation sensor (15) is not actuated and switches from the open circuit state to a closed circuit state when the manual activation sensor (15) is actuated, the open circuit state causing the output activation signal (15a) from the activation sensor (15) to have a first output voltage level (50) and the closed circuit state causing the output activation signal (15a) from the activation sensor (15) to have a second output voltage level (54), different from the first output voltage level (50).

4. The automatic door operator (30) as defined in claim 3, wherein the first output voltage level (50) essentially corresponds to a supply voltage, and the second output voltage level (54) essentially corresponds to zero voltage or ground.

5. The automatic door operator (30) as defined in claim 1, wherein the extended hold open period (45) lasts as least during the duration of the maintained actuation of the activation sensor (15).

6. The automatic door operator (30) as defined in claim 1, further comprising an emergency detection function configured for detecting an emergency situation.

7. The automatic door operator (30) as defined in claim 6, wherein the emergency detection function is selected from the group consisting of: a smoke detector (SD); an excessive heat detector (EHD); and a communication interface (22) capable of receiving an external alarm signal (AS).

8. The automatic door operator (30) as defined in claim 6, wherein, in the normal operating mode, the controller (31) is responsive to the emergency detection function and configured for switching to the emergency mode.

9. An entrance system (1) comprising: the swing door member (10) being operable between the closed position (18) which prevents passage, and then open position (19) which admits passage; and the automatic door operator (30) as defined in claim 1.

10. A method (100) of operating an entrance system (1) which comprises a swing door member (10) being operable by an automatic door operator (30) between a closed position (18) which prevents passage, and an open position (19) which admits passage, the method involving: detecting (120) actuation (42) of an activation sensor (15) by a person wishing to pass through the entrance system; operating (130) the automatic door operator (30) to cause movement of the swing door member (10) between the closed position (18) and the open position (19), and to keep the swing door member (10) in the open position (19) during a configured hold open period (43); detecting (140) that the activation sensor (15) is maintained actuated (44) when the configured hold open period has lapsed; unless the automatic door operator (30) operates in an emergency mode (160) different from a normal operating mode (110), operating (150) the automatic door operator (30) to keep the swing door member (10) in the open position (19) during an extended hold open period (45); and when the automatic door operator (30) operates in the emergency mode (160), ignoring a spurious indication of the activation sensor (15) being maintained actuated (44) when the configured hold open period (43) has lapsed, thereby preventing the swing door member (10) from remaining in the open position (19) during an extended hold open period (45).

11. The method (100) as defined in claim 10, wherein: in the normal operating mode, the actuation (42) of the activation sensor (15) by the person wishing to pass through the entrance system is detected (120) as at least one of an edge (52) of an output activation signal (15a) from the activation sensor (15) or a level (54) of the output activation signal (15a) from the activation sensor (15); and in the emergency mode, the actuation (42) of the activation sensor (15) by the person wishing to pass through the entrance system is detected (170) as an edge (52) of the output activation signal (15a) from the activation sensor (15) but not as a level (54) of the output activation signal (15a) from the activation sensor (15).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Objects, features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will appear from the following detailed description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of an entrance system having a swing door member and an automatic door operator.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an automatic door operator according to one embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an activation sensor configured for manual actuation by a person wishing to pass through the entrance system.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating hold-open functionality for the swing door member.

[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates movement of the swing door member from a shut closed position to a swung open position.

[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates movement of the swing door member from the swung open position to the shut closed position.

[0037] FIG. 7A is a flowchart diagram illustrating a method of operating a swing door-based entrance system in a normal operating mode.

[0038] FIG. 7B is a flowchart diagram illustrating a method of operating a swing door-based entrance system in an emergency mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of the particular embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a swing door-based entrance system. The entrance system 1 comprises a swing door member 10 having a door leaf 12.

[0041] The swing door member 10 is pivotally supported at a vertical edge 14 by hinges 16 for allowing opening of the swing door member 10 from a closed position to an open position, as well as for allowing closing of the swing door member 10 from the open position to the closed position. The swing door member 10 is hence supported by a door frame 11 for pivotal motion around a rotational axis 18 which is coincident with the hinges 16.

[0042] The entrance system 1 comprises a motorized automatic door operator 30 capable of causing opening of the swing door member 10. A linkage (arm mechanism) 40 connects the automatic door operator 30 to the door leaf 12 of the swing door member 10. The door operator 30 may be arranged in conjunction with the door frame 11 and is typically a concealed overhead installation in or at the door frame 11 (hence, the linkage mechanism 40 and automatic door operator 30 are normally not as visible to the naked eye as appears to be the case in FIG. 1).

[0043] The automatic door operator 30 may be triggered by sensor equipment in the entrance system 1. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the sensor equipment includes activation sensors for this purpose. A first activation sensor S1 is automatic in the sense that it is adapted to detect an approaching user/person from some distance, without requiring physical interaction by the user/person, and accordingly trigger the automatic door operator 30 to open the swing door member 10. The automatic activation sensor may typically be implemented as an IR sensor, an image sensor or a radar sensor.

[0044] The sensor equipment in the entrance system 1 shown in FIG. 1 further includes a second activation sensor 15 which is configured for manual actuation by a user/person wishing to pass through the entrance system 1, wherein the manual actuation triggers the automatic door operator 30 to open the swing door member 10. The manual activation sensor 15 may typically be implemented as a mechanical push button, such as an “elbow switch” actuator as can be seen in FIG. 1.

[0045] The entrance system 1 will typically also allow the user/person to open or close the swing door member 10 by pulling or pushing a door handle 13 by manual force, i.e. without using the motorized automatic door operator 30.

[0046] The automatic door operator 30 may provide automatic opening of the swing door 10 in various possible applications. Such applications include, for instance, facilitating a disabled person's access to his or her private home, providing access through entrance ports or internal doors at healthcare buildings, office premises, industries or retail stores, providing comfort access to hotel rooms, etc.

[0047] FIG. 5 illustrates the opening of the swing door member 10 in one embodiment of the entrance system 1 from a shut closed position 18 to a swung open position 19. The opening movement is indicated by an arrow 2. As can be seen in FIG. 5, during the opening 2 of the swing door member 10, the door leaf angle α will span from about 0° to about 90°, or slightly more than 90°. In other embodiments, the swung open position may be at a door leaf angle α different from about 90°, such as for instance about 180°.

[0048] FIG. 6 correspondingly illustrates the closing of the swing door member 10 of the entrance system 1 from the swung open position 19 to the shut closed position 18. The closing movement is indicated by an arrow 3. As can be seen in FIG. 6, during the closing 3 of the swing door member 10, the door leaf angle α will span from about 90°, or slightly more than 90°, to about 0°. In other embodiments where the swung open position is at a door leaf angle α different from about 90°, such as for instance about 180°, the door leaf angle α will of course start spanning from such other door leaf angle α.

[0049] To avoid dangerous situations where a present, approaching or departing person or object (including but not limited to pets or articles brought by the person) might be hit or jammed by the door leaf 12 of the swing door member 10, the entrance system 1 further comprises a safety sensor S2. The safety sensor S2 is typically mounted to the door leaf 12 at an appropriate position on the surface of the door leaf 12. As can be seen in FIG. 1, such a position is often at an uppermost part of the door leaf 12.

[0050] The purpose of the safety sensor S2 is to monitor a zone PD, or volume, at or near the door leaf 12 for presence or activity of a person or object. If a person or object is detected in the monitored zone, the automatic door operator 30 shall not be allowed to move the swing door member 10 in a direction in which the swing door member 10 may hit or jam that person or object. Accordingly, the automatic door operator 30 is configured to receive monitoring data from the safety sensor S2. If the monitoring data indicates presence or activity of a person or object in the monitored zone, the automatic door operator 30 is configured to refrain from driving a motor of the automatic door operator 30 to cause movement of the swing door member 10, and/or force the motor to stop an ongoing movement of the swing door member 10.

[0051] Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which illustrates an embodiment of the automatic door operator 30 in more detail. The automatic door operator 30 is adapted for use in the entrance system 1 that, as already mentioned, comprises the swing door member 10 which is operable between the closed position 18, in which passage is prevented, and the open position 19, in which passage is admitted.

[0052] The automatic door operator 30 comprises a motor 34, typically an electrical motor, being connected to a transmission 35. An output shaft 35a of the transmission 35 rotates upon activation of the motor 34 and is connected to the linkage 40. The linkage 40 translates the motion of the output shaft 35a into an opening motion of the door leaf 12 with respect to the door frame 11 (c.f. opening movement 2 in FIG. 5).

[0053] The automatic door operator 30 also comprises a control arrangement 20 including a controller 31 which is configured for performing different functions of the automatic door operator 30. One or more of these functions relates to opening of the door leaf 12 with respect to the door frame 11. Accordingly, the controller 31 has a control output 31a connected to the motor 34 for controlling the actuation thereof.

[0054] In addition to the controller 31, the control arrangement 20 comprises a number n of sensor functions, including or consisting of the aforementioned first activation sensor S1, second activation sensor 15 and safety sensor S2. The sensor functions are operatively connected with the controller 31 to report detection results or measurement readings to the controller 31.

[0055] A revolution counter 33, such as an encoder or other angular sensor, is provided at the motor 34 to monitor the revolution of a motor shaft of the motor 34. The revolution counter 33 is connected to an input 31b of the controller 31. The controller 31 is configured to use one or more readings of the revolution counter 33, typically a number of pulses generated as the motor shaft rotates, for determining a current angular position, e.g. door leaf angle α, of the door leaf 12 of the swing door member 10.

[0056] The controller 31 may be implemented in any known controller technology, including but not limited to microcontroller, processor (e.g. PLC, CPU, DSP), FPGA, ASIC or any other suitable digital and/or analog circuitry capable of performing the intended functionality. The controller 31 may be implemented as a single unit or as a cluster of units in a cooperative configuration for providing the functionalities as described in this document.

[0057] The controller 31 has an associated memory 32. The memory 32 may be implemented in any known memory technology, including but not limited to E(E)PROM, S(D)RAM or flash memory. In some embodiments, the memory 32 may be integrated with or internal to the controller 31. As seen at 32a, the memory 32 may store program instructions for execution by the controller 31, as well as temporary and permanent data used by the controller 31.

[0058] The embodiment of the automatic door operator 30 shown in FIG. 2 is intended for fire door usage and includes a forced close arrangement 36. The forced close arrangement 36 is adapted to provide mechanical energy via a transfer mechanism to the linkage 40, so as to cause forced closing of the door leaf 12 with respect to the door frame 11 in the event of a fire alarm. In the disclosed embodiment, the forced close arrangement 36 comprises a helical compression spring.

[0059] During opening of the swing door member 10 by the torque generated by the motor 34, the compression spring is tensioned by the rotation of the output shaft 35a, as can be seen at 36a. During the forced closing cycle, the accumulated spring force of the compression spring is transferred to the output shaft 35 at 36a by means of the transfer mechanism, which in the disclosed embodiment includes a pressure roller that acts on a cam curve being connected to the output shaft 35a. In other embodiments, the forced close arrangement 36 may comprise a different kind of spring, and its transfer mechanism may comprise a different kind of mechanism.

[0060] The controller 31 may receive an alarm signal AS via a communication interface 22 and generate a control signal 31c to the forced close arrangement 36, so as to cause release of the accumulated spring force.

[0061] The swing door-based entrance system 1 has a hold open function, as was described in the Background section of this document. During the hold open period, the controller 31 keeps on actuating the electric motor 34 to prevent the swing door member 10 from closing. This facilitates passage through the entrance system 1.

[0062] The automatic door operator 30 has a configured hold open period, such as 5 seconds, after triggering by the activation sensor 15 (or S1). The configured hold open period may be a default hold open period predefined already at manufacturing, or a hold open period subsequently defined by an installer or service person during configuration or service of the entrance system 1. As explained in the Background section, the configured hold open period may be insufficiently long in some situations, and the user may thus extend the hold open period by keeping the manual activation sensor 15 actuated for as long as the user finds appropriate, in effect making a manual override of the configured hold open period. Hence, by actuating the manual activation sensor 15 (for instance in the form of a depressible “elbow switch” actuator) for 10 seconds, the effective hold open period will be extended to at least 10 seconds, and typically a few seconds more depending on configuration of the entrance system.

[0063] The controller 31 of the automatic door operator 30 monitors the manual activation sensor 15 to detect a change in voltage of the output activation signal 15a from the sensor 15. When the user actuates the manual activation sensor 15, an electric switch 15b (see FIG. 3) will be switched from an open circuit state (essentially infinite resistance and therefore an output voltage essentially corresponding to a supply voltage, such a +5 V) to a closed circuit state (essentially zero resistance and therefore essentially zero output voltage).

[0064] As is illustrated in FIG. 4, the controller 31 of the automatic door operator 30 is therefore configured to monitor the output voltage from the manual activation sensor 15. When the manual activation sensor 15 has not yet been actuated (see 41), the output voltage level 50 will be high, e.g. at supply voltage level such as +5 V, since the electric switch 15b is in the open circuit state.

[0065] As the user actuates the manual activation sensor 15 at 42, the electric switch 15b will switch to the closed circuit state. The controller 31 is configured to detect a resulting edge 52 in the output voltage from the manual activation sensor 15 when the output voltage level changes at 52 from high (e.g. +5 V) to low (e.g. about 0 V). Accordingly, the automatic door operator 30 causes the swing door member 10 to open and remain open during the configured hold open period 43 by actuation of the motor 34.

[0066] To allow manual override of the configured hold open period 43, the controller 31 of the automatic door operator 30 moreover monitors the voltage level of the output activation signal 15a from the manual activation sensor 15 when the configured hold open period 43 lapses. As seen at 44 in FIG. 4, if the user keeps the manual activation sensor 15 actuated, the voltage level will remain at the low level 54 when the configured hold open period has lapsed. The controller 31 of the automatic door operator 30 is configured to interpret this as a manual override of the configured hold open period and thus keep on actuating the motor 34 to keep the swing door member 10 in the open position during an extended hold open period, which is seen at 45 in FIG. 4.

[0067] As was touched upon in the Background section of this document, it is desired to keep automated entrance systems operative even when there is an emergency situation, such as smoke and fire. This will allow people to pass and escape more easily during the emergency situation. The hold-open functionality is seen in this context as an important safety feature since it facilitates the passage of people through the entrance system.

[0068] The following problematic situation is recalled from the Background section of this document. If the emergency situation develops into an actual fire, then massive heat generation will occur. The massive heat may melt either the manual activation sensor 15, or the electrical wiring that connects the sensor 15 to the control arrangement 20 of the automatic door operator 30. In either case, a short circuit may occur that causes the output activation signal 15a to go permanently low (see 54 in FIG. 4, about 0 V), spuriously indicating a permanently closed switch 15b. The automatic door operator 30 would then not only open the swing door member 10 in response to the edge 52 in the output voltage when the short circuit occurs, but also keep the swing door member 10 open for a long, undefined hold open period—because the short circuit keeps the output voltage level low. As a result, the automatic door operator 30 would fail to close the swing door member to entrap the fire when really needed.

[0069] In the disclosed embodiment of the present invention, this problem has been solved as follows.

[0070] The controller 31 of the automatic door operator 30 has a normal operating mode and an emergency mode. The automatic door operator 30 has an emergency detection function which is configured for detecting an emergency situation. The emergency detection function may be implemented as or associated with a smoke detector SD, and/or an excessive heat detector EHD, that may be mounted at an appropriate position in the entrance system 1, as is exemplified in FIG. 1. Alterna-tively or additionally, the emergency detection function may be implemented as or associated with the communication interface 22, being capable of receiving an external alarm signal such as the aforementioned alarm signal AS (see FIG. 2). Being in the normal operating mode, the controller 31 is responsive to the emergency detection function and configured for switching to the emergency mode.

[0071] In the normal operating mode, the controller 31 is responsive to the activation sensor 15 and configured for the following functionality. When the activation sensor 15 is actuated, the controller 31 in response controls the motor 34 to generate torque for causing the swing door member 10 in the entrance system 1 to move from the closed position 18 to the open position 19, and to stay in the open position 19 during the configured hold open period 43. When the configured hold open period 43 has lapsed and the activation sensor 15 is maintained actuated (see 44, FIG. 4), the controller 31 controls the motor 34 to generate torque for causing the swing door member 10 to remain in the open position 19 during the extended hold open period 45. Subject to configuration of the entrance system 1, the extended hold open period 45 typically lasts as least during the duration of the maintained actuation of the activation sensor 15, possibly a few seconds longer if the system is set up in that way.

[0072] In the emergency mode, the controller 31 is responsive to the activation sensor 15 and configured for the following functionality. When the activation sensor 15 is actuated, the controller 31 in response controls the motor 34 to generate torque for causing the swing door member 10 in the entrance system 1 to move from the closed position 18 to the open position 19, and to stay in the open position 19 during the configured hold open period 43. In contrast to the normal operating mode, the controller 31 is configured in the emergency mode to ignore a spurious indication of a maintained actuation 44 of the activation sensor 15 and thereby prevent the door member 10 from remaining in the open position 19 during an extended hold open period 45.

[0073] As previously explained, the safety sensor S2 is typically disabled in the emergency mode, to avoid spurious detection of smoke which may otherwise be mistaken for a person or object and thus prevent door opening or stop an ongoing opening of the door.

[0074] In the disclosed embodiment, the above functionality has been implemented as follows. Beneficial use is made of the fact that the activation sensor 15 comprises the aforementioned switch 15b which is in an open circuit state when the manual activation sensor 15 is not actuated and switches from the open circuit state to a closed circuit state when the manual activation sensor 15 is actuated. As has been explained above, the open circuit state causes the output activation signal 15a from the activation sensor 15 to have a first output voltage level 50, whereas the closed circuit state causes the output activation signal 15a from the activation sensor 15 to have a second output voltage level 54, different from the first output voltage level 50. It is recalled that in the disclosed embodiment, the first output voltage level 50 essentially corresponds to a supply voltage and the second output voltage level 54 essentially corresponds to zero voltage or ground.

[0075] In the normal operating mode, the controller 31 is responsive to the activation sensor 15 by being triggerable both by the edge 52 and by a level (or more specifically the low level 54) of the output activation signal 15a from the activation sensor 15.

[0076] In the emergency mode, on the other hand, the controller 31 is responsive to the activation sensor 15 by being triggerable by the edge 52 but not by the level 54 of the output activation signal 15a from the activation sensor 15.

[0077] Accordingly, the automatic door operator 30 can remain operative also in a situation of emergency, e.g. involving smoke or fire, and may in particular offer hold-open functionality to facilitate evacuation through the entrance system 1, at the same time preventing hazardous extended hold-open caused by a spurious constant low voltage level in the output activation signal 15a from the activation sensor 15, due to component melt-down and a resulting short circuit.

[0078] The functionality performed in accordance with the present invention as described herein is illustrated as a method 100 in the flowchart diagram shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. FIG. 7A illustrates the functionality of the method 100 when the automatic door operator 30 operates in normal operating mode 110. FIG. 7B illustrates the functionality of the method 100 when the automatic door operator 30 operates in emergency mode 160, different from the normal operating mode 110.

[0079] As is understood from FIGS. 7A and 7B, the method 100 involves a step 120 (in the normal operating mode 110) and 170 (in the emergency mode 160), respectively, of detecting actuation 42 of the activation sensor 15 by a person wishing to pass through the entrance system 1.

[0080] The method 100 then involves a step 130 (in the normal operating mode 110) and 180 (in the emergency mode 160), respectively, of operating the automatic door operator 30 to cause movement of the swing door member 10 between the closed position 18 and the open position 19, and to keep the swing door member 10 in the open position 19 during a configured hold open period 43.

[0081] In the normal operating mode 110, the method 100 then involves detecting in a step 140 that the activation sensor 15 is maintained actuated 44 when the configured hold open period 43 has lapsed, and operating in a step 150 the automatic door operator 30 to keep the swing door member 10 in the open position 19 during an extended hold open period 45.

[0082] This is unless the entrance system 1 operates in the emergency mode 160. If so, as seen at 190 in FIG. 7B, the method 100 instead ignores a spurious indication of the activation sensor 15 being maintained actuated 44 when the configured hold open period 43 has lapsed, thereby preventing the swing door member 10 from remaining in the open position 19 during an extended hold open period 45

[0083] The invention has been described above in detail with reference to embodiments thereof. However, as is readily understood by those skilled in the art, other embodiments are equally possible within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims. It is recalled that the invention may generally be applied in or to an entrance system having one or more movable door member not limited to any specific type.