Gate With An Emergency Opening Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gate with an emergency opening device, comprising a gate panel which is movable between an open and a closed position, a primary motor which drives the gate panel by way of a gate panel drive, and an auxiliary motor which is connected to an emergency power supply and is adapted to drive the gate panel. In order to improve such a gate to the extent that the emergency opening device is reliably usable to open the gate in the event of different types of failure of the main drive motor of the gate, it is proposed that the auxiliary motor be coupled by way of an auxiliary motor coupling to the gate panel and that the emergency power supply comprise an energy storage.

Claims

1. A gate with an emergency opening device, comprising a gate panel which is movable between an open and a closed position, a primary motor which drives said gate panel by way of a gate panel drive, and an auxiliary motor which is connected to an emergency power supply and adapted to drive said gate panel, characterized in that said auxiliary motor is coupled by way of an auxiliary motor coupling to said gate panel, and said emergency power supply comprises an energy storage.

2. The gate according to claim 1, characterized in that said auxiliary motor can be coupled and decoupled by way of said auxiliary motor coupling to said gate panel drive.

3. The gate according to claim 1, characterized in that said primary motor can be decoupled from said gate panel drive by way of a primary motor coupling.

4. The gate according to claim 1, characterized by a braking device which is adapted to hold said gate panel automatically in a position and to be released when powered by said emergency power supply.

5. The gate according to claim 4, characterized in that said braking device can be activated in the event of an interruption of a power supply to said braking device and can hold said gate panel in a position.

6. The gate according to claim 4, characterized by an emergency controller which is adapted to detect a failure of said primary motor and to activate said braking device.

7. The gate according to claim 5, characterized in that said emergency controller is adapted to decouple said primary motor from said gate panel drive in the event of failure of said primary motor.

8. The gate according to claim 7, characterized in that said emergency controller is adapted to couple said auxiliary motor to said gate panel drive in the event of failure of said primary motor.

9. A method for the emergency opening of a gate comprising a gate panel that is driven by a primary motor by way of a gate panel drive, is movable between an open and a closed position, and comprises an auxiliary motor connected to an emergency power supply, characterized in that power transmission from said auxiliary motor to said gate panel drive is effected by way of an auxiliary motor coupling.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that said auxiliary motor is initially decoupled from said gate panel drive and is coupled by said auxiliary motor coupling to said gate panel drive.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that said primary motor is initially coupled to said gate panel drive and decoupled from said gate panel drive by way of a primary motor coupling.

12. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that a braking device which automatically holds said gate panel is first triggered in the event of a failure of said primary motor.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that said braking device is released when powered by said emergency power supply.

14. The gate according to claim 1, characterized in that said auxiliary motor is functionally and spatially separated from said primary motor.

15. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that said auxiliary motor is functionally and spatially separated from said primary motor.

16. The gate according to claim 5, characterized by an emergency controller which is adapted to detect a failure of said primary motor and to activate said braking device.

17. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that said primary motor is initially coupled to said gate panel drive and decoupled from said gate panel drive by way of a primary motor coupling.

Description

[0028] The invention shall be explained hereafter with reference to some embodiments, where:

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a gate according to the invention,

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment in a sectional view,

[0031] FIG. 3 shows the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 in a side view,

[0032] FIG. 4 shows the enlarged section marked as A in FIG. 3, and

[0033] FIG. 5 shows the enlarged section marked as B in FIG. 2.

[0034] Same reference numerals are used for same or corresponding features in the different figures and with reference to different embodiments. An explanation of corresponding or same features regarding the subsequent figures is dispensed with if they have already been explained.

[0035] The following embodiments relate mainly to high-speed doors, i.e. doors whose door leaves reach vertical velocities of more than 1.5 m/s, 2 m/s and/or 4 m/s, and are in particular in the range of 2 to 4 m/s.

[0036] The gate shown in FIG. 1 is configured as a spiral gate, where gate panel 1 is constructed of a number of gate sections that are movable relative to each other and extend in the horizontal direction between two gate frames 6. The gate is shown open to about one third. Essential parts of the drive of the gate are provided in lintel 13 above the passage height and presently shown schematically. In the open state, the gate panel is stored in a spiral attached in lintel 13. Other configuration variants of the gate are possible according to the invention, for example, as a rolling gate which is wound on a winding shaft.

[0037] The gate shown also comprises no weight counterbalancing mechanism, which makes it relatively difficult to be opened manually in the event of failure of the motor. In alternative embodiments, weight counterbalancing mechanisms can be provided, for example, based on spring force.

[0038] A gate panel shaft 5 serves as a gate panel drive and extends horizontally approximately over the entire width of the gate. Not shown in the diagram, the gate comprises a pair of gear wheels which are embodied on both sides of the gate panel on the gate panel shaft. They engage drive chains which are connected on both sides at the gate panel in the region of the gate frames to the gate panel. With the rotation of gate panel shaft 5, the gear wheels mesh with the drive chains and thus convey gate panel 1 past gate panel shaft 5 into the spiral in the area of the gate lintel.

[0039] Gate panel shaft 5 is connected via a primary gearing 4, in which a switchable coupling is provided, to primary motor 3, so that during normal operation, the mechanical power of primary motor 3 is transmitted via primary gearing 4 to gate panel shaft 5 for opening or closing gate panel 1. Primary gearing 4 can be configured as a worm, spur or bevel gearing with chain or belt drives. Gearless versions are likewise conceivable in which a gate panel drive is connected directly to the primary motor shaft.

[0040] An auxiliary motor 10 is provided functionally and spatially separated from primary motor 3 and can be coupled and decoupled by way of an auxiliary motor coupling 9 to gate panel shaft 5. Primary motor 3 can be configured as a synchronous or asynchronous motor and driven, for example, with three-phase or alternating current. In advantageous embodiments, the auxiliary motor is configured having significantly less power than the primary motor. Since its task is to carry out an emergency opening of the gate, the speed of movement of the gate panel that can be achieved by way of the motor is of secondary importance.

[0041] In the example shown, the auxiliary motor is designed as a DC motor to be advantageously supplied from the energy storage intended as a DC power source.

[0042] A braking device 7 embodied as a spring-applied disk brake engages gate panel shaft 5 in the region of gate frame 12. In the embodiment, a brake disk is embodied in a rotationally fixed manner on the gate panel shaft. Two brake shoes 27 with brake pads mounted on both sides of the brake disk are pretensioned by spring force in the direction of the brake disk and kept spaced from the brake disk against the spring force by way of an electromagnet. To trigger catch brake 7, the electromagnets are deactivated so that the brake shoes are pressed by the spring force against the brake disk and brake the gate panel shaft. This arrangement has the further advantage that it is automatically activated and the brake is triggered in the event of a power outage. Primary motor 3, primary gearing 4 with the coupling, braking device 7 and auxiliary motor coupling 9 are connected to an emergency controller 8. Emergency controller 8 is able to detect a failure of primary motor 3 by way of the connection with primary motor 3, for example, due to a power outage or a technical failure of primary motor 3.

[0043] A manual control unit 12 is mounted at a location that can be reached from the exterior by an operator, for example, on a gate frame 6. Auxiliary motor 10 can be controlled by way of this control unit 12 to perform the emergency opening of the gate. Control unit 12 comprises a push-button with which a person can initiate the emergency opening of the gate. Pressing and holding the push-button initiates the emergency opening procedure during the power outage (etc.). The brake is bled and the gate panel is moved upwardly by the auxiliary drive. It must there be ensured that the brake re-engages when the push-button is released during the emergency opening.

[0044] In order to ensure the operation of the gate, in particular, the emergency opening and braking of the gate in the event of a complete power outage, braking device 7 and auxiliary motor 10 are connected to a rechargeable battery 11 which ensures the emergency power supply of the gate as the energy storage.

[0045] Rechargeable battery 11 is likewise connected to primary motor 3. The primary motor is capable of recovering energy released when closing or braking the gate, thereby charging the rechargeable battery.

[0046] One example of the structural design of a gate which can be equipped with an emergency opening device according to the invention is disclosed in EP 16 176 550.8. The gate described therein comprises a sectional gate panel which in the open state is stored in a spiral, where gear wheels engage drive chains embodied on both sides of the gate panel. The motor is coupled to a drive shaft of the gate panel by way of a belt.

[0047] During normal operation of the gate, gate panel shaft 5 is coupled via the coupling of primary gearing 4 to primary motor 5. A failure of primary motor 5, such as due to power outage or material failure in primary motor 5, is detected by emergency controller 8. In this case, the emergency controller 8 automatically triggers braking device 7, releases the coupling in primary gearing 4 and closes auxiliary motor coupling 9, so that the gate is in a state in which an emergency opening by way of auxiliary motor 10 can take place. The emergency opening is initiated manually by way of the control unit, if required.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a gate according to the invention in a partially opened state. When the gate is open, the gate panel is stored in a spiral 14 formed in lintel 13.

[0049] The controllers for the motors as well as emergency controller 8 and rechargeable battery 11 are embodied together with manual control unit 12 in a common housing in gate frame 6 on the right-hand side. In alternative embodiments, these elements can be embodied individually or together in the area of lintel 13.

[0050] Primary motor 3 is arranged inside gate spiral 14 and connected to a chain wheel 17 by way of a primary motor coupling 15. Said chain wheel 17 of the primary motor is connected via a primary chain 16 to a chain wheel 17 of gate panel shaft 5. Gate panel shaft 5 is supported on both sides by rolling bearings 19 in the region of gate frames 6. Embodied close to both ends of gate panel shaft 5 is a respective drive wheel which engages in a respective drive device in the gate panel and thus converts the rotation of the gate panel shaft to a vertical movement of the gate panel.

[0051] Arranged within spiral 14 on the left-hand side of the gate is auxiliary motor 10. In analogy to the connection of the primary motor, auxiliary motor 10 can be coupled by way of an auxiliary motor coupling 9 to a chain wheel 17 which drives a chain wheel 17 on gate panel shaft 5 by way of an auxiliary chain 18.

[0052] The gate shown in FIG. 2 is shown In FIG. 3 from the side. It can be clearly seen that primary motor 3 is embodied within spiral 14 which is presently shown in dashed lines. Primary chain 16 extends from chain wheel 17 of primary motor 3 to chain wheel 17 of the gate panel shaft laterally from spiral 14.

[0053] FIG. 4 shows enlarged auxiliary motor 10 as well as its coupling to gate panel shaft 5, as indicated in region A in FIG. 2. Auxiliary motor 10 is coupled via auxiliary motor gearing 21 to an intermediate shaft 22. A rolling bearing 23 is provided for mounting the intermediate shaft. Power transmission between the shaft of auxiliary motor 10 and intermediate shaft 22, which are aligned at approximately 90 relative to each other, is effected by way of a bevel gear. Alternatively, worm gearings or the like are conceivable.

[0054] Intermediate shaft 22 is connected by way of the switchable auxiliary motor coupling to a chain wheel 17 which transmits power via auxiliary motor chain 18 to chain wheel 17 on gate panel shaft 5. The power transmission in auxiliary motor coupling 9 is effected in a frictional manner between two coupling disks which are pressed against each other by spring force and are movable in an electrically operated manner.

[0055] Brake 7 is embodied as a spring-applied disk brake. In the embodiment, a brake disk 26 is embodied in a rotationally-fixed manner on the gate panel shaft. Two brake shoes 27 with brake pads mounted on both sides of the brake disk are pretensioned by spring force in the direction of brake disk 26 and kept spaced from the brake disk against the spring force by way of an electromagnet. To trigger catch brake 7, the electromagnets are deactivated so that brake shoes 27 are pressed by the spring force against the brake disk and brake gate panel shaft 5. This arrangement has the further advantage that it is automatically activated also in the event of a power outage and triggers the brake.

[0056] FIG. 5 shows in detail the part of the gate marked with reference symbol B in FIG. 2. Primary motor shaft 31 is mounted on a rolling bearing 30 and connected by way of a switchable primary motor coupling 15 to a chain wheel 17. Primary motor coupling 15 operates according to the same principle as the auxiliary motor coupling and comprises two coupling plates 30, 31 connected in a frictionally engaged manner which are pressed against each other by spring force.