MONITORING SYSTEM

Abstract

A system for monitoring safety-relevant functions of a door closer for the leaf of a door being used in particular as a fire protection barrier, of a window, or the like comprises a sensor system associated with the door closer for detecting predefinable operating variables of the door closer and a control and/or evaluation device connected to the sensor system for monitoring compliance with predefinable safety functions of the door closer on the basis of the operating variables detected by the sensor system.

Claims

1. A system (24) for monitoring safety-relevant functions of a door closer (10) for the leaf (12) of a door being used in particular as a fire protection barrier, of a window, or the like, said system comprising a sensor system (26) associated with the door closer (10) for detecting predefinable operating variables of the door closer (10), and comprising a control and/or evaluation device (28) connected to the sensor system (26) for monitoring compliance with predefinable safety functions of the door closer (10) on the basis of the operating variables detected by the sensor system (26).

2. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the operating variables and/or the monitoring results detected by the sensor system (26) can be recorded, signaled, in particular displayed, and/or provided for retrieval by the control and/or evaluation device (28).

3. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that maintenance information can be provided and/or error notifications can be generated by the control and/or evaluation device (28) according to the monitoring results.

4. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a communications interface (30) for remote diagnostics.

5. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the safety functions of the door closer (10) to be monitored by the control and/or evaluation device (28) comprise a predefinable maximum closing time of the leaf (12) acted on by the door closer (10).

6. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the safety functions of the door closer (10) to be monitored by the control and/or evaluation device (28) comprise a predefinable closing moment and/or a predefinable closing moment profile.

7. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the safety functions of the door closer (10) to be monitored by the control and/or evaluation device (28) comprise a predefinable minimum closing time of the leaf (12) acted on by the door closer (10).

8. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the control and/or evaluation device (28) comprises a cycle counter for counting the opening and/or closing cycles of the leaf (12) acted on by the door closer (10).

9. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the operating variables detected by the sensor system (26) can be continuously analysed analyzed at least in part by the control and/or evaluation device (28).

10. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the control and/or evaluation device (28) and associated sensor system (26) are designed to detect the operating time of the door closer (10).

11. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the control and/or evaluation device (28) comprises at least one microcontroller.

12. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the sensor system (26) and/or the control and/or evaluation device (28) is integrated at least in part in the door closer (10).

13. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the sensor system (26) and/or the control and/or evaluation device (28) is designed at least in part in a modular manner and in particular as a module that can be retrofitted.

14. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the sensor system (26) comprises at least one or more of the following sensors: at least one acceleration sensor for detecting the acceleration of the leaf (12) acted on by the door closer (10); at least one proximity and/or motion sensor, such as in particular an active infrared sensor or the like; at least one sensor for detecting the time; at least one position sensor for detecting the position of the leaf (12) acted on by the door closer (10); at least one speed sensor for detecting the speed of the leaf (12) acted on by the door closer (10); at least one sensor for detecting the closing moment produced by the door closer (10); at least one pressure sensor for detecting the pressure in a damping medium, in particular hydraulic fluid, contained in the housing of the door closer (10).

15. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the control and/or evaluation device (28) is designed to determine the speed of the leaf (12), and from this the current closing speed of the leaf (12), by differentiation of the position of the leaf (12) acted on by the door closer (10), said position being detected by the position sensor.

16. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the control and/or evaluation device (28) is designed to check whether the detected or determined closing time of the leaf (12) acted on by the door closer (10) lies within a time interval determined by a predefinable minimum closing time and a predefinable maximum closing time.

17. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the control and/or evaluation device (28) is designed to count the opening and/or closing cycles of the leaf (12) acted on by the door closer (10) on the basis of the signals delivered by the at least one position sensor.

18. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the control and/or evaluation device (28) is designed to monitor a particular fire protection function and/or the closing speed of the leaf (12) acted on by the door closer (10) on the basis of the signals delivered by the at least one position sensor.

19. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the control and/or evaluation device (28) is designed to validate the signals delivered from the position sensor by including the signals delivered from the speed sensor and/or from the at least one acceleration sensor.

20. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the control and/or evaluation device (28) is designed to combine the signals delivered from the at least one position sensor with the sensor signals delivered from the at least one acceleration sensor and/or with the sensor signals delivered from the at least one proximity and/or motion sensor, in particular for identifying a break in an output or closer shaft of the door closer (10), a break in the door or window fitting, manipulations of the door closer and/or of the fitting, and/or the like.

21. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the control and/or evaluation device (28) is designed to determine the acceleration of the leaf (12) acted on by the door closer (10) by double differentiation of the position detected by the at least one position sensor and/or by single differentiation of the speed of the leaf (12) acted on by the door closer (10), said speed being detected by the at least one speed sensor, during the closing motion, so as to obtain therefrom a measurement for the closing moment.

22. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the control and/or evaluation device (28) is designed to determine the holding time of the leaf (12) in a rest position after an opening motion on the basis of the signals delivered by the at least one sensor for detecting the time, in particular so as to detect a fixing of the leaf (12) in the open position.

23. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the control and/or evaluation device (28) is designed to detect a fixing of the leaf (12) in the open position on the basis of the pressure of a damping medium of the door closer (10) detected by the at least one pressure sensor.

24. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the door closer (10) comprises a mechanical energy accumulator, which is loaded as the leaf (12) is opened and unloads to close the leaf (12).

25. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the door closer (10) is provided with a hydraulic and/or a generator-driven damping.

26. The system according to claim 2 characterized in that maintenance information can be provided and/or error notifications can be generated by the control and/or evaluation device (28) according to the monitoring results.

Description

[0055] The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of embodiments with reference to the drawing, in which the following are shown:

[0056] FIG. 1 a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a door closer installed on a leaf of a door, the safety-relevant functions of which can be monitored by means of a system according to the invention,

[0057] FIG. 2 a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a door closer installed on a door frame, the safety-relevant functions of which can be monitored by means of a system according to the invention, and

[0058] FIG. 3 a schematic representation of the sensor system and/or of the control and/or evaluation device of an exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention.

[0059] FIGS. 1 and 2 each show, purely by way of example, a door closer 10 for a leaf 12 of a door. Here, the door closer according to FIG. 1 is installed on the leaf 12 and according to FIG. 2 is installed on the frame 14 of the door. The door closer 10, however, can also be provided in principle for the leaf of a window, a fire protection cover or smoke protection cover, or the like. The door closer 10 can comprise a mechanical energy accumulator, such as a spring unit, which is loaded as the leaf 12 is opened and unloaded as the leaf 12 is closed. In addition, the door closer 10 can be provided with hydraulic and/or generator-driven damping.

[0060] An output shaft 16 rotatably mounted in the housing of the door closer 10 can be connected to a lever arrangement 18 being used for force transmission, which, for example, can comprise a sliding arm 22 guided in a sliding rail 20 (see FIG. 1 in particular) or a rod assembly. In particular, in the case of floor springs, the output shaft 16 of the door closer 10 can also be directly coupled to the axis of rotation of the leaf 12.

[0061] The leaf 12 in question can be in particular a fire protection barrier. In the case of a door leaf, it can thus be in particular the leaf 12 of a fire door.

[0062] The system according to the invention serves to monitor safety-relevant functions of a door closer 10 for the leaf 12 of a door being used in particular as a fire protection barrier, of a window, or the like. The system according to the invention comprises a sensor system 26 associated with the door closer 10 (see FIG. 3) for detecting predefinable operating variables of the door closer 10 and a control and/or evaluation device 28 connected to the sensor 26 for monitoring the compliance of predefinable safety functions of the door closer 10 on the basis of the operating variables detected by the sensor 26.

[0063] The operating variables and/or the monitoring results detected by the sensor system 26 can be in particular recorded, signalled, in particular displayed, and/or provided for retrieval by the control and/or evaluation device 28. Maintenance information in particular can also be provided and/or error notifications in particular can also be generated by the control and/or evaluation device 28 according to the monitoring results.

[0064] In addition, the monitoring system 24 can comprise a communications interface 30 (cf. FIG. 3) for remote diagnostics or the like.

[0065] The safety functions of the door closer 10 to be monitored by the control and/or evaluation device 28 can comprise, for example, a predefinable maximum closing time of the leaf acted on by the door closer 10, a predefinable closing moment and/or a predefinable closing moment profile, a predefinable minimum closing time of the leaf 12 acted on by the door closer 10, and/or the like.

[0066] Alternatively or additionally, the control and/or evaluation device 28, for example, can also comprise a cycle counter for counting the opening and/or closing cycles of the leaf 12 acted on by the door closer 10.

[0067] The operating variables detected by the sensor 26 can be continuously analysed or evaluated at least in part by the control and/or evaluation device 28. In principle, however, a merely temporary, for example, periodic analysis or evaluation is also conceivable.

[0068] The control and/or evaluation device 28 and associated sensor system 26 can additionally be designed to detect the operating time of the door closer 10. The control and/or evaluation device 28 can comprise at least one microcontroller in particular.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor system 26 and/or the control and/or evaluation device 28 can be integrated at least in part in the door closer 10. The sensor system 26 and/or the control and/or evaluation device 28, however, can also be designed at least in part in a modular manner and in particular as a module that can be retrofitted.

[0070] The sensor system 26 of the monitoring system 24 according to the invention can comprise in particular at least one or more of the following sensors: [0071] at least one acceleration sensor for detecting the acceleration of the leaf 12 acted on by the door closer 10; [0072] at least one proximity and/or motion sensor, such as in particular an active infrared sensor or the like; [0073] at least one sensor for detecting the time; [0074] at least one position sensor for detecting the position of the leaf 12 acted on by the door closer 10; [0075] at least one speed sensor for detecting the speed of the leaf 12 acted on by the door closer 10; [0076] at least one sensor for detecting the closing moment produced by the door closer 10; [0077] at least one pressure sensor for detecting the pressure in a damping medium, in particular hydraulic fluid, for example oil, contained in the housing of the door closer 10.

[0078] The control and/or evaluation device 28 can be designed to determine the speed of the leaf 12, and from this the current closing speed of the leaf 12, by differentiation of the position of the leaf acted on by the door closer 10 detected by the position sensor.

[0079] Alternatively or additionally, the control and/or evaluation device 28 can also be designed to check whether the detected or determined closing time of the leaf 12 acted on by the door closer 10 lies within a time interval determined by a predefinable minimum closing time and a predefinable maximum closing time.

[0080] Alternatively or additionally, the control and/or evaluation device 28 can also be designed to count the opening and/or closing cycles of the leaf 12 acted on by the door closer 10 on the basis of the signals delivered by the position sensor.

[0081] Alternatively or additionally, the control and/or evaluation device 28 can also be designed to monitor a particular fire protection function and/or the closing speed of the leaf 12 acted on by the door closer 10 on the basis of the signals delivered by the position sensor. In particular, the closing leaf 12 can thus optionally also be braked by the control and/or evaluation device 28.

[0082] Alternatively or additionally, the control and/or evaluation device 28 is additionally designed to validate the signals delivered from the position sensor by inclusion of the signals delivered from the speed sensor and/or from the acceleration sensor. The reliability of the monitoring is thus increased accordingly.

[0083] In addition, the control and/or evaluation device 28 can be designed in particular to also combine the signals delivered from the position sensor with the sensor signals delivered from the acceleration sensor and/or with the sensor signals delivered from the proximity and/or motion sensor, in particular for identifying a break in an output or closer shaft of the door closer 10, a break in the door or window fitting, manipulations of the door closer 10 and/or of the fitting, and/or the like.

[0084] Alternatively or additionally, an embodiment of the control and/or evaluation device 28 in which this device determines the acceleration of the leaf 12 acted on by the door closer 10 by double differentiation of the position detected by the position sensor and/or by single differentiation of the speed of the leaf 12 acted on by the door closer 10 detected by the speed sensor during the closing motion, so as to obtain therefrom a measurement for the closing moment, is also conceivable.

[0085] Alternatively or additionally, the control and/or evaluation device 28 is also designed to determine the holding time of the leaf 12 in a rest position after an opening motion on the basis of the signals delivered by the sensor for detecting the time, in particular so as to detect a fixing of the leaf 12 in the open position.

[0086] Alternatively or additionally, an embodiment of the control and/or evaluation device 28 in which this device detects a fixing of the leaf 12 in the open position on the basis of the pressure of a damping medium of the door closer 10 detected by the pressure sensor is also conceivable, for example.

[0087] As already mentioned, the door closer 10 can comprise, for example, a mechanical energy accumulator, such as a spring unit or the like, which is loaded as the leaf 12 is opened and unloaded to close the leaf 12. The door closer 10 can be provided, for example, with hydraulic and/or generator-driven damping.

[0088] The power supply of the monitoring system 24 or of the sensor system 26 and of the control and/or evaluation device 28 can be provided by the mains network and/or a primary battery and/or accumulator. The system 24 according to the invention can be used both with hydraulically damped door closers and with door closers damped in a generator-driven manner. In the case of drives damped in a generator-driven manner, the power supply can be provided at least in part also directly or optionally in an accumulator-buffered manner from the generator voltage. The control and/or evaluation device 28 or the microcontroller can record all of the information or selectively only some of the information. In the event that manipulation, an error, an outstanding maintenance issue and/or the like is determined, the control and/or evaluation device 28 or the microcontroller can generate a corresponding notification. This can be implemented for example via at least one light-emitting diode or a summer in the door closer 10 and/or, for example, also by a radio or electric signal sent to a maintenance centre. For example, remote diagnostics in particular is also possible via the aforementioned communications interface 30. On the basis of the monitoring according to the invention, regular maintenance can be disregarded, and instead maintenance can be performed only as required.

REFERENCE SIGN LIST

[0089] 10 Door closer [0090] 12 Leaf [0091] 14 Door frame [0092] 16 Output shaft [0093] 18 Lever arrangement [0094] 20 Sliding rail [0095] 22 Sliding arm [0096] 24 Monitoring system [0097] 26 Sensor system [0098] 28 Control and/or evaluation device [0099] 30 Communications interface