Sliding barrier tracking system

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a sliding door system including a motor, a driveshaft coupled to the motor, and a coupling mechanism fastened to the sliding door. The coupling mechanism is configured to convert rotation of the driveshaft into linear motion of the sliding door, such that movement of the coupling mechanism is directly correlated to movement of the sliding door. The sliding door system also includes a rotary encoder, a belt mechanically coupled to the coupling mechanism. The belt, as moved by the coupling mechanism, is configured to turn the rotary encoder as the sliding door moves, such that movement of the rotary encoder is directly correlated to movement of the sliding door and not directly correlated to movement of the motor and driveshaft.

Claims

1. A barrier operating system comprising: a barrier operator configured to move a barrier; a position detector comprising a rotary encoder mechanically coupled to the barrier, mechanically operated by movement of the barrier, and configured to generate a position output as a function of movement of the barrier, wherein the position detector is mechanically decoupled or decouplable from the barrier operator such that there is no direct correlation between movement of the barrier operator and the position output generated by the position detector; control circuitry configured to determine a position of the barrier as a function of the position output; and a pulley mechanically coupled to the barrier and a belt mechanically coupling the pulley to the rotary encoder.

2. The barrier operating system of claim 1, wherein the barrier operator comprises an electric motor, a driveshaft coupled to the electric motor, and a coupling mechanism mechanically coupling the driveshaft to the barrier such that rotation of the driveshaft by the electric motor causes movement of the barrier.

3. The barrier operating system of claim 2, wherein the barrier operator further comprises a clutch configured to move with the barrier and mechanically coupling the driveshaft to the barrier and configured to decouple rotation of the driveshaft from movement of the barrier when torque applied by the driveshaft to the clutch exceeds a threshold.

4. The barrier operating system of claim 2, wherein rotation of the driveshaft by the electric motor is not directly correlated to the position output generated by the position detector.

5. The barrier operating system of claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises a horizontally sliding door.

6. The barrier operating system of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to control the barrier operator based on the position of the barrier.

7. The barrier operating system of claim 6, wherein the barrier operator includes a motor; and wherein the control circuitry controls a speed of the motor based on the position of the barrier.

8. The barrier operating system of claim 7, wherein the control circuitry controls the motor so as to move the barrier between open and closed positions; and wherein the control circuitry controls the speed of the motor so as to decrease as the barrier moves within a threshold distance of the closed position.

9. The barrier operating system of claim 1, further comprising: a clutch secured to the barrier.

10. A method of providing a barrier operating system, the method including: providing a barrier operator configured to move a barrier, wherein providing the barrier operator comprises providing an electric motor, providing a driveshaft coupled to the electric motor, and providing a coupling mechanism mechanically coupling the driveshaft to the barrier such that rotation of the driveshaft by the electric motor causes movement of the barrier, wherein providing the barrier operator further comprises providing a clutch configured to move with the barrier and mechanically coupling the driveshaft to the barrier and configured to decouple rotation of the driveshaft from movement of the barrier when torque applied by the driveshaft to the clutch exceeds a threshold; providing a position detector mechanically coupled to the barrier, mechanically operated by movement of the barrier, and configured to generate a position output as a function of movement of the barrier, wherein the position detector is mechanically decoupled or decouplable from the barrier operator such that there is no direct correlation between movement of the barrier operator and the position output generated by the position detector; and providing control circuitry configured to determine a position of the barrier as a function of the position output.

11. The method of providing the barrier operating system according to claim 10, further comprising providing a pulley mechanically coupled to the barrier and a belt mechanically coupling the pulley to the position detector.

12. The method of providing the barrier operating system according to claim 10, wherein rotation of the driveshaft by the electric motor is not directly correlated to the position output generated by the position detector.

13. A barrier operating system of claim 1, further comprising: a barrier operator configured to move a barrier; a position detector mechanically coupled to the barrier, mechanically operated by movement of the barrier, and configured to generate a position output as a function of movement of the barrier, wherein the position detector is mechanically decoupled or decouplable from the barrier operator such that there is no direct correlation between movement of the barrier operator and the position output generated by the position detector; control circuitry configured to determine a position of the barrier as a function of the position output; and a belt, wherein the belt is directly coupled to the position detector and is indirectly coupled to the barrier operator by a coupling device fixed to the barrier.

14. The barrier operating system of claim 13, wherein the belt may remain stationary when a driveshaft of the barrier operator is rotated.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a barrier operating system in accordance with this disclosure.

(2) FIG. 2 is a close up front view of the pulley of the barrier operating system of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a front view of the motor, driveshaft, and coupling mechanism of the barrier operating system of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4 is a front view of the driveshaft, coupling mechanism, and rotary encoder of the barrier operating system of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 5 is a close up front view of the rotary encoder of the barrier operating system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) In the following detailed description and the attached drawings, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure may be practiced, in some instances, without such specific details. In other instances, well-known elements have been illustrated in schematic or block diagram form in order not to obscure the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. Additionally, for the most part, specific details, and the like, have been omitted inasmuch as such details are not considered necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present disclosure, and are considered to be within the understanding of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.

(7) With reference to FIGS. 1-5, but with particular emphasis on FIG. 1, a barrier operating system 100 is now described. The barrier operating system 100 includes a sliding door 118 that rides on rails 116. A barrier operator 101 actuates the sliding door 118 and moves it along the rails 116.

(8) The barrier operator 101 includes a motor 102 which is mechanically coupled to a driveshaft 104. A coupling mechanism 106 couples the driveshaft 104 to the sliding door 118, and converts rotational motion of the driveshaft 104 into linear motion to move the sliding door 118. The coupling mechanism 106 includes a clutch that slips when a predetermined level of torque is applied by the driveshaft 104, thereby mechanically decoupling the driveshaft 104 from the sliding door 118.

(9) Since the coupling mechanism 106 itself is physically connected to the sliding door 118, linear movement of coupling mechanism 106 equates to linear movement of the sliding door 118. Linear movement of the coupling mechanism 106, and thus linear movement of the sliding door 118, moves a belt 114 stretched between a pulley 110 and rotary encoder 112. Thus, movement of the sliding door 118 causes rotation of the rotary encoder 112, via movement of the belt 114. Based on this movement, the rotary encoder 112 generates a position output signal, which is used by control circuitry 108 to determine the position of the sliding door 118.

(10) It should be understood that that the movement of the rotary encoder 112 is completely decoupled from movement of the driveshaft 104 and motor 102 such that the driveshaft 104 and motor 102 may turn without any movement (or change in output) of the rotary encoder 112 occurring as a result, such as may happen when the clutch of the coupling mechanism 106 slips. That is, there is no direct correlation between movement of the driveshaft 104 and motor 102 and movement (or change in output) of the rotary encoder 112, while movement of the sliding door 118 itself directly correlates to movement (or change in output) of the rotary encoder 112.

(11) This setup provides for precise determination of the actual location of the sliding door 118 by the control circuitry 108, contrary to prior art setups which include a direct correlation between movement of their driveshafts or motors and their rotary encoders. The control circuitry 108 is coupled to the motor 102 for control thereof, and controls the motor 102 so as to move the sliding door 118 between open and closed positions. Through knowledge of the precise location of the sliding door 118, the control circuitry 108 can control the motor 102 such that the speed of the sliding door 118 decreases as the position of the door on its route from the open position to the closed position crosses a threshold distance. Indeed, through this knowledge of the precise location of the sliding door 118, the control circuitry 108 can affect any desired control of the speed of the motor 102 such that the sliding door 118 travels at any desired speed at any desired point along its route from the open position to the closed position.

(12) Various adaptations and alterations may be made to the various embodiments provided herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims provided below. For example, while the barrier operating system 100 is described above as having a sliding door 118, any form of sliding barrier may be used, and that sliding barrier may open horizontally or vertically. In addition, while the barrier operating system 100 has been described as utilizing a rotary encoder 112, any position determining device that receives a mechanical input and provides an electrical output may be used. In accordance with FIGS. 1-5, but as specifically illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, the belt 114 may be cogged, together with the rotary encoder 112 and pulley 110, so as to preclude slipping of the belt 114 with respect to the rotary encoder 112. Moreover, further specific illustration of aspects of the motor 102, the driveshaft 104, and the coupling mechanism 106 are emphasized in FIGS. 3 and 4 which depict a coupling mechanism 106 at different positions along a range of travel. Thus one may appreciate that while various figures are referenced individually and/or in combination with other figures, various embodiments are contemplated including some or all of the features of each of FIGS. 1-5 in combination with some or all of the features of other figures from among FIGS. 1-5.

(13) Although the preceding description has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, it extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.