Drive System

Abstract

A drive system for a garage door with an electric drive controlled by a control unit, by means of which drive the garage door is displaceable between a closed position and an open position. Furthermore, an operating unit is provided, into which input commands for controlling the garage door can be entered. An input command designed as a delivery input command is provided. When a delivery input command is entered, the operating unit causes a partial opening of the garage door for a preset time. After expiry of this time, the operating unit causes the garage door to automatically move to the closed position.

Claims

1. A drive system for a garage door (2) with an electric drive controlled by a control unit (4), by means of which the garage door (2) is displaceable between a closed position and an open position, and with an operating unit (7), into which input command for controlling the garage door (2) can be input, characterized in that an input command designed as a delivery input command is provided, that in the event of a delivery input code being entered, the operating unit causes a partial opening of the garage door (2) for a preset time, wherein after expiry of this time, the operating unit (7) causes the garage door (2) to move into the closed position.

2. The drive system according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating unit (7) has means for activating the delivery input command, which means are known to a delivery person delivering the item.

3. The drive system according to claim 2, characterized in that an operating element is provided as means for activating the delivery input command on the operating unit (7).

4. The drive system according to claim 3, characterized in that the operating element is formed by a separate key.

5. The drive system according to claim 2, characterized in that a code can be entered into the operating unit (7) as means for activating the delivery input command.

6. The drive system according to claim 5, characterized in that the code is input by entering a sequence of keys on the operating unit (7).

7. The drive system according to claim 5, characterized in that multiple codes can be input in order to trigger different delivery input commands.

8. The drive system according to claim 7, characterized in that different partial opening positions of the garage door (2) are effected by entering different codes.

9. The drive system according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for activating the delivery input command are communicated to the delivery person along with the order for the item being delivered.

10. The drive system according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating unit (7) forms a unit permanently installed in place.

11. The drive system according to claim 1, characterized in that the garage door (2) is capable of closing a door opening of a garage (1), wherein the operating unit (7) is arranged outside the garage (1).

12. The drive system according to claim 1, characterized in that a wireless connection is provided for a data exchange between the operating unit (7) and the control unit (4).

13. The drive system according to claim 1, characterized in that a light-barrier arrangement is provided as security means, wherein after an activation and subsequent clearing of the light-barrier arrangement during the time of the partial opening, the garage door (2) is closed immediately, and/or a video monitoring unit for the region of the garage door (2) is provided.

14. The drive system according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating unit (7) sends commands to a control unit (4) controlling the electric drive.

15. The drive system according to claim 14, characterized in that the control unit (4) sends an acknowledgment command back in response to a command from the operating unit (7), wherein if after a command from the operating unit (7) to close the garage door (2) the operating unit (7) does not receive an acknowledgment command from the control unit (4) to the effect that the garage door has been closed, the operating unit (7) sends the command to close the garage door (2) once again to the control unit (4).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] The invention is explained below based on the drawings. They show:

[0054] FIG. 1 Schematic depiction of the drive system according to the invention for a garage door on a door opening of a garage.

[0055] FIG. 2 Top-down view of the garage when the garage door is partially open.

[0056] FIG. 3 Expansion of the arrangement from FIGS. 1 and 2 to include a light barrier arrangement.

[0057] FIG. 4 Exemplary embodiment of an operating unit for the drive system from FIGS. 1-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0058] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional depiction of a garage 1, the door opening of which can be closed by means of a garage door 2. In the present case, the garage door 2 is formed as a sectioned door with an arrangement of sections 2a that are connected to one another in an articulated manner. FIG. 1 shows the garage door 2 in its closed position, in which the garage door 2 completely closes the door opening.

[0059] The drive system comprises an electric drive 3 and a control unit 4, which are arranged on a trolley 5 that is displaceable along a guide rail 6. For this purpose, the electric drive 3 can drive a drive wheel guided inside the guide rail 6.

[0060] The control unit 4 controls the electric drive, such that the trolley 5 can be moved along the guide rail 6, in order that the garage door 2 can be displaced between the closed position and an open position, in which the garage door 2 completely exposes the door opening.

[0061] FIG. 2 shows a top-down view of the garage 1 with the garage door 2 partially open.

[0062] On the outer side of the garage 1 or generally outside of the garage 1, an operating unit 7 is arranged, preferably stationary, as an additional component of the drive system. The operating unit 7 communicates with the control unit 4 by means of a wireless connection (not shown).

[0063] FIG. 3 shows an expansion of the drive system from FIG. 1. A safety means is provided there in the form of a light barrier 8. The light-beam 9 emitting transmitter 10 and the light-beam 9 receiving receiver 11 are arranged on opposing edges that border the door opening. The height at which the light-barrier is arranged is less than 30 cm above the ground delimiting the bottom of the door opening. With the light-barrier 8, the safety standard requirements are satisfied for the case that the operating unit 7 is arranged such that a user cannot see into the garage door 2 while operating the operating unit 7. In this case, a movement of the garage door 2 is stopped for safety reasons once an object is detected by the light-barrier 8. Alternatively, a reflection light barrier can also be provided.

[0064] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the operating unit 7. The components of the operating unit 7 are integrated into a housing that is fastened in a holder (not shown) outside the garage 1.

[0065] The operating unit 7 has number keys 0-9 as well as control keys 12, 13. Furthermore, a so-called parcel key 14 is provided, which is advantageously colored for emphasis.

[0066] The operating unit 7 can be used in a certain way to initiate the opening and closing of the garage door 2 by corresponding input commands, which are forwarded wirelessly to the control unit.

[0067] According to the invention, as shown in FIG. 2, a partial opening of the garage door 2 is effected via delivery input commands input into the operating unit 7. With the partial opening, the garage door 2 is only opened partially, such that a deliverer can push an item being delivered, especially a parcel, into the garage 1 through the exposed partial opening. After a preset time, the garage door 2 then closes again automatically, such that the item stored in the garage 1 is protected against unauthorized access. The entire process is controlled solely by the operating unit 7.

[0068] A means for activating the delivery input command is confidentially communicated to the delivery person, preferably on the order with which the item is preferably ordered online, such that only the delivery person, but not an unauthorized third party, can input the delivery input command into the operating unit 7.

[0069] In the present case, the parcel key 14 is used as the means, which is communicated to the delivery person on the order.

[0070] In this variant, there is the risk of an unauthorized third party pressing the parcel key 14 and thereby generating the delivery input command.

[0071] Alternatively, and especially in the case that the operating unit 7 does not have a parcel key 14, a code is entered as a means for activating the delivery input command using the number keys, which code is confidentially communicated to the delivery person. This represents a tamper-proof means for activating the delivery input command.

[0072] It is advantageous for the user to be able to change the code as needed in order to further augment access security.

[0073] Furthermore, various codes can be provided for activating different partial opening positions of the garage door 2.

[0074] It is advantageous for access security to be further augmented by having the light-barrier 8 integrated into the partial opening procedure. It is advantageous for the partial opening to be immediately ended before expiry of the preset time when an intervening object is detected by the light-barrier 8.

[0075] It is advantageous for access security to be even further augmented by providing a video monitoring unit for the region of the garage door 2, which unit is activated during the time of opening.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0076] (1) garage [0077] (2) garage door [0078] (2a) section [0079] (3) electric drive [0080] (4) control unit [0081] (5) trolley [0082] (6) guide rail [0083] (7) operating unit [0084] (8) light barrier [0085] (9) light beam [0086] (10) transmitter [0087] (11) receiver [0088] (12) control key [0089] (13) control key [0090] (14) parcel key