CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR ACCESS MEMBER, AND ACCESS MEMBER SYSTEM

Abstract

A control arrangement (20) for controlling movements of an access member (14), the control arrangement comprising a base structure (22); a drive member (32) rotatable about a rotation axis (28); an input member (38) arranged to be driven along an actuation axis (40) by rotation of the drive member, and arranged to move in a lateral direction (74, 76); an output member (50) arranged to be driven by the input member along the actuation axis; an electromagnetic generator (58) arranged to be driven by movement of the output member along the actuation axis to generate electric energy; and a force transmitting arrangement (42, 52; 116) arranged to transmit a relative movement between the input member and the output member along the actuation axis to a movement of the input member in the lateral direction towards the base structure for frictional braking between the input member and the base structure.

Claims

1. A control arrangement for controlling movements of an access member relative to a frame, the control arrangement comprising: a base structure; a drive member rotatable relative to the base structure about a rotation axis; an input member arranged to be driven relative to the base structure along an actuation axis by rotation of the drive member about the rotation axis, and arranged to move in a lateral direction with respect to the actuation axis relative to the base structure; an output member arranged to be driven by the input member relative to the base structure along the actuation axis; an electromagnetic generator arranged to be driven by movement of the output member along the actuation axis to generate electric energy; and a force transmitting arrangement arranged to transmit a relative movement between the input member and the output member along the actuation axis to a movement of the input member in the lateral direction towards the base structure for frictional braking between the input member and the base structure.

2. The control arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the force transmitting arrangement comprises an inclined surface, inclined relative to the actuation axis.

3. The control arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the inclined surface is inclined between 10 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the actuation axis.

4. The control arrangement according to claim 2, further comprising one or more rollers arranged to engage the inclined surface.

5. The control arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the input member is movable along the actuation axis in an opening direction and in a closing direction, opposite to the opening direction.

6. The control arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the input member is arranged to push the output member in the closing direction.

7. The control arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the input member is arranged to pull the output member in the opening direction.

8. The control arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the input member comprises an input pulling surface and the output member comprises an output pulling surface, and wherein the input member is arranged to pull the output member in the opening direction by contact between the input pulling surface and the output pulling surface.

9. The control arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the input pulling surface and the output pulling surface are substantially perpendicular to the actuation axis.

10. The control arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a connection device for connection between the access member and the frame, wherein a part of the connection device is fixed to the drive member for common rotation about the rotation axis.

11. The control arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a closing force device arranged to force rotation of the drive member about the rotation axis to thereby force movement of the input member along the actuation axis.

12. The control arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a generator wheel arranged to be rotationally driven by movement of the output member along the actuation axis, and a speed increasing generator transmission arranged to transmit a rotation of the generator wheel to a rotation of a rotor of the generator.

13. The control arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the input member and the output member are made of different types of materials.

14. The control arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a release force device arranged to force the input member and the output member away from each other along the actuation axis.

15. An access member system comprising the frame, the access member movable relative to the frame, and the control arrangement according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Further details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

[0043] FIG. 1a: schematically represents a front view of an access member system comprising a door closer having a control arrangement;

[0044] FIG. 1b: schematically represents a top view of the access member system in FIG. 1a;

[0045] FIG. 2a: schematically represents a front view of a further example of an access member system comprising a further example of a door closer having the arrangement;

[0046] FIG. 2b: schematically represents a top view of the access member system in FIG. 2a;

[0047] FIG. 3a: schematically represents a perspective view of one example of a control arrangement;

[0048] FIG. 3b: schematically represents a top view of the control arrangement in FIG. 3a;

[0049] FIG. 4: schematically represents a generator and a control system;

[0050] FIG. 5a: schematically represents a perspective view of a further example of a control arrangement;

[0051] FIG. 5b: schematically represents a top view of the control arrangement in FIG. 5a;

[0052] FIG. 6: schematically represents a top view of a further example of a control arrangement;

[0053] FIG. 7a: schematically represents a perspective view of a further example of a control arrangement; and

[0054] FIG. 7b: schematically represents a top view of the control arrangement in FIG. 7a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] In the following, a control arrangement for controlling movements of an access member relative to a frame, and an access member system comprising such control arrangement, will be described. The same or similar reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

[0056] FIG. 1a schematically represents a front view of an access member system 10a, and FIG. 1b schematically represents a top view of the access member system 10a. With collective reference to FIGS. 1a and 1b, the access member system 10a comprises a frame 12 and an access member, here exemplified as a door leaf 14. The door leaf 14 is rotatable relative to the frame 12 by means of two door leaf hinges 16.

[0057] The access member system 10a of this example further comprises a door closer 18a. The door closer 18a here comprises a control arrangement 20. The control arrangement 20 comprises a base structure 22. The base structure 22 of this example comprises a housing, here illustrated as a cuboid box. In this example, the base structure 22 is fixed to the door leaf 14. The base structure 22 may be arranged outside or inside the door leaf 14.

[0058] The door closer 18a of this specific example further comprises a first connection arm 24 and a second connection arm 26. The first and second connection arms 24, 26 constitute one example of a connection device according to the present disclosure. The first connection arm 24 constitutes one example of a part of a connection device according to the present disclosure. The first connection arm 24 is connected to the control arrangement 20 and is rotatable relative to the base structure 22 about a rotation axis 28. The rotation axis 28 is here vertical.

[0059] The second connection arm 26 is pivotally connected to each of the first connection arm 24 and the frame 12. When a user releases the door leaf 14 in an open position, the door closer 18a will pull the door leaf 14 to the illustrated closed position.

[0060] FIG. 2a schematically represents a front view of a further example of an access member system 10b, and FIG. 2b schematically represents a top view of the access member system 10b in FIG. 2a. With collective reference to FIGS. 2a and 2b, mainly differences to FIGS. 1a and 1b will be described. The access member system 10b comprises a further example of a door closer 18b. The door closer 18b comprises a connection device with only one arm, here represented as the first connection arm 24. Similarly to the door closer 18a, the first connection arm 24 of the door closer 18b is rotatable about the rotation axis 28. However, a second end of the first connection arm 24 is arranged to travel linearly in parallel with the frame 12. The door closer 18b comprises an external closing spring 30 for forcing the second end of the first connection arm 24 (to the right in FIGS. 2a and 2b) such that the door leaf 14 closes. The closing spring 30 is one example of a closing force device according to the present disclosure. The closing spring 30 is external to the base structure 22.

[0061] FIG. 3a schematically represents a perspective view of one example of a control arrangement 20a, and FIG. 3b schematically represents a top view of the control arrangement 20a in FIG. 3a. The control arrangement 20a may be used as the control arrangement 20 in any of the door closers 18a, 18b.

[0062] The control arrangement 20a comprises a drive member 32. The drive member 32 is rotatable about the rotation axis 28 relative to the base structure 22. In use, the drive member 32 may be fixed to the first connection arm 24 for common rotation about the rotation axis 28. The drive member 32 of this specific example comprises two drive gear wheels 34 and a cam profile 36. The cam profile 36 is here provided between the two drive gear wheels 34.

[0063] The control arrangement 20a further comprises an input member 38. The input member 38 is arranged to be driven linearly relative to the base structure 22 along an actuation axis 40 by rotation of the drive member 32 about the rotation axis 28. The input member 38 comprises an input inclined surface 42.

[0064] The control arrangement 20a of this specific example further comprises two input gear racks 44. The input gear racks 44 are here integrally formed with the input member 38. Each input gear rack 44 is in meshing engagement with a respective of the two drive gear wheels 34. The use of two drive gear wheels 34 and two input gear racks 44 stabilizes the input member 38 against rotation about the actuation axis 40. However, only one pair of drive gear wheel 34 and input gear rack 44 may alternatively be used.

[0065] The input member 38 of this specific example further comprises an input pulling surface 46. The input inclined surface 42 is here positioned between the input pulling surface 46 and the input gear rack 44 along the actuation axis 40.

[0066] The input member 38 of this example further comprises a first brake pad 48a. As shown in FIG. 3b, the first brake pad 48a is arranged to be brought into direct contact with the base structure 22.

[0067] The control arrangement 20a further comprises an output member 50. The output member 50 is arranged to be driven by the input member 38 relative to the base structure 22 along the actuation axis 40. The output member 50 comprises an output inclined surface 52.

[0068] The input inclined surface 42 and the output inclined surface 52 constitute one example of a force transmitting arrangement according to the present disclosure. In this example, the input inclined surface 42 and the output inclined surface 52 are parallel and angled approximately 30 to the actuation axis 40.

[0069] The control arrangement 20a of this specific example further comprises an output gear rack 54. The output gear rack 54 is here integrally formed with the output member 50.

[0070] The output member 50 of this specific example further comprises an output pulling surface 56. The output pulling surface 56 is here positioned between the output gear rack 54 and the output inclined surface 52 along the actuation axis 40. The input pulling surface 46 and the output pulling surface 56 are perpendicular to the actuation axis 40.

[0071] The output member 50 of this example further comprises a second brake pad 48b. As shown in FIG. 3b, also the second brake pad 48b is arranged to be brought into direct contact with the base structure 22 in this specific example.

[0072] The control arrangement 20a further comprises an electromagnetic generator 58. The generator 58 is arranged to be driven by movement of the output member 50 along the actuation axis 40 to harvest electric energy. To this end, the control arrangement 20a of this specific example further comprises a generator wheel 60 and a gearbox 62. The generator wheel 60 of this example is a generator gear wheel in meshing engagement with the output gear rack 54. The generator wheel 60 may however alternatively be driven by friction by an output part other than the output gear rack 54.

[0073] The gearbox 62 is a speed-reducing gearbox. That is, the gearbox 62 is configured to transmit a rotation of the generator wheel 60 at a first rotational speed to a rotation of a rotor of the generator 58 at a second rotational speed, higher than the first rotational speed. The gearbox 62 is one example of a generator transmission according to the present disclosure.

[0074] The control arrangement 20a of this specific example further comprises a cam follower 64 and an internal closing spring 66. The cam follower 64 is arranged to follow the cam profile 36. The cam follower 64 and the cam profile 36 constitute one example of a drive member transmission 68 according to the present disclosure. The drive member transmission 68 is configured to transmit a force from the closing spring 66 to a rotation of the drive member 32 about the rotation axis 28. The closing spring 66 is a further example of a closing force device according to the present disclosure.

[0075] The closing spring 66 is internal to the base structure 22. The closing spring 66 is here a compression spring, more specifically a compression coil spring. The closing spring 66 forces the cam follower 64 against the cam profile 36.

[0076] When a user opens the door leaf 14, the drive member 32 is caused to rotate about the rotation axis 28 (in a clockwise direction in FIGS. 3a and 3b), here due to the fixation between the first connection arm 24 and the drive member 32. The rotation of the drive gear wheels 34 drives the input gear racks 44, and the input member 38 fixed thereto, in an opening direction 70 along the actuation axis 40. Furthermore, when the drive member 32 is caused to rotate about the rotation axis 28, the drive member transmission 68 causes a deformation of the closing spring 66. In case the control arrangement 20a is used with the door closer 18b, also the external closing spring 30 is deformed.

[0077] During movement of the input member 38 in the opening direction 70, the input member 38 pulls the output member 50 in the opening direction 70 due to the engagement between the input pulling surface 46 and the output pulling surface 56. During this movement, there is little or no frictional contact between the first brake pad 48a and the base structure 22 and between the second brake pad 48b and the base structure 22.

[0078] Movement of the input member 38 in the opening direction 70 causes the output gear rack 54, here fixed to the output member 50, to also move in the opening direction 70. The output gear rack 54 thereby drives the generator wheel 60 such that the rotor of the generator 58 is driven to rotate to harvest electric energy. However, energy harvesting during opening is optional. In some implementations, the user should not be required to provide both the force for deforming the closing spring 66 and for driving the generator 58.

[0079] When the user releases the door leaf 14 in an open position, the closing spring 66 forces the drive member 32 to rotate in an opposite direction about the rotation axis 28 (in a counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 3a and 3b). The rotation of the drive gear wheels 34 now drives the input gear racks 44, and the input member 38 fixed thereto, in a closing direction 72 along the actuation axis 40, opposite to the opening direction 70. During closing of the door leaf 14, large forces act on the input member 38.

[0080] During movement of the input member 38 in the closing direction 72, the input member 38 pushes the output member 50 in the closing direction 72 due to the engagement between the input inclined surface 42 and the output inclined surface 52. Movement of the output member 50 in the closing direction 72 causes the output gear rack 54 to also move in the closing direction 72. The output gear rack 54 thereby drives the generator wheel 60 such that the rotor of the generator 58 is driven to rotate to harvest electric energy.

[0081] The electric energy harvesting by the generator 58 provides a counterforce to movements of the input member 38 in the closing direction 72. This counterforce may be referred to as a harvesting force. In case the force on the input member 38 in the closing direction 72 (generated by the closing movement of the door leaf 14) is larger than the harvesting force, the input inclined surface 42 will start sliding up on the output inclined surface 52. This causes the input member 38 to move in a lateral direction 74 such that the first brake pad 48a is pushed against the base structure 22. In this example, also the output member 50 is caused to move in a lateral direction 76, opposite to the lateral direction 74, such that the second brake pad 48b is pushed against the base structure 22. The movement of the input member 38 in the closing direction 72 along the actuation axis 40 is thereby frictionally braked. As a consequence, also the closing movement of the door leaf 14 is braked.

[0082] The input inclined surface 42 and the output inclined surface 52 thereby constitute one example of a force transmitting arrangement arranged to transmit a relative movement between the input member 38 and the output member 50 along the actuation axis 40 to a movement of the input member 38 in the lateral direction 74 towards the base structure 22 for frictional braking between the input member 38 and the base structure 22. When the input member 38 moves in the lateral direction 74, the input gear racks 44 will pivot slightly about their respective contact points with the drive gear wheels 34.

[0083] Since a large part of the energy added to the drive member 32 is transformed to heat during the frictional braking, the control arrangement 20a has a low efficiency. Even if large forces act on the drive member 32, only small forces will be transmitted to the output member 50. This is very valuable since the parts on the output side (here the output member 50, the output gear rack 54 and the generator wheel 60) can then be made small and with cheap materials. In this example, the drive member 32, the input gear racks 44 and the input member 38 are exposed to high forces and are made of steel, and the output member 50, the output gear rack 54 and the generator wheel 60 are exposed to low forces and are made of plastic. Also the rating of the generator 58 can be very low while still being capable of controlling braking of the door leaf 14.

[0084] An increase of the angle between the inclined surfaces 42, 52 and the actuation axis 40 will cause a reduction of the efficiency of the force transmission arrangement. A decrease of the angle between the inclined surfaces 42, 52 and the actuation axis 40 enables a rating of the generator 58 to be further reduced.

[0085] FIG. 4 schematically represents the generator 58 and one specific example of a control system 78 of the control arrangement 20a. In FIG. 4, the rotor 80 and a stator 82 of the generator 58 can be seen. The control system 78 of the specific example in FIG. 4 comprises power management electronics 84 and a microcontroller 86. The microcontroller 86 comprises a data processing device 88 and a memory 90. A computer program is stored in the memory 90. The computer program comprises program code which, when executed by the data processing device 88 causes the data processing device 88 to perform, or command performance of, various steps as described herein.

[0086] The power management electronics 84 in FIG. 4 comprises energy harvesting electronics including an electric energy storage, here exemplified as a capacitor 92, and four diodes 94 arranged in a diode bridge. The diodes 94 are arranged to rectify the voltage from the generator 58.

[0087] The control arrangement 20a further comprises a disconnection switch 96 and a shorting switch 98. The disconnection switch 96 and the shorting switch 98 are examples of control elements. The disconnection switch 96 and the shorting switch 98 are electrically powered by the generator 58.

[0088] Each of the disconnection switch 96 and the shorting switch 98 is controlled by the control system 78, more specifically by the microcontroller 86. FIG. 4 further shows a positive line 100 and a ground line 102. The positive line 100 and the ground line 102 are connected to respective terminals of the generator 58. In this example, the disconnection switch 96 is provided on the positive line 100. Each of the disconnection switch 96 and the shorting switch 98 may be implemented using a transistor, such as a MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor).

[0089] The disconnection switch 96 is arranged to selectively disconnect the generator 58. When the disconnection switch 96 is open, the electric resistance becomes high, and the rotor 80 rotates lightly, in comparison with when the rotor 80 is rotated to harvest electric energy.

[0090] The shorting switch 98 is arranged to selectively short-circuiting the terminals of the generator 58 over an electric resistor 104. When the shorting switch 98 is closed, the harvested electric energy is converted to heat in the resistor 104. The rotor 80 thereby rotates heavily in comparison with when the rotor 80 is rotated to harvest electric energy. Thus, when the shorting switch 98 is closed, a high counter torque is provided in the generator 58, making the rotor 80 heavy to rotate.

[0091] By selectively controlling the disconnection switch 96 and the shorting switch 98, the control system 78 can selectively change an electric load of the generator 58 and thereby adjust the harvesting force. In this way, a movement of the output member 50 in the closing direction 72 can be controlled. The amount of frictional braking of the door leaf 14 can thereby also be controlled. At the end of the closing movement, the frictional braking can be reduced to provide a stronger latching force of the door leaf 14. The control arrangement 20a enables a wide range of different closing behaviors of the door leaf 14 to be implemented in software in the control system 78.

[0092] The control system 78 may be configured to determine the position of the door leaf 14 relative to the frame 12 based on position data from the rotor 80. Alternatively, or in addition, a dedicated sensor (not shown) for providing the position of the door leaf 14 relative to the frame 12 may be added. Such sensor may for example be positioned in the door leaf hinge 16.

[0093] FIG. 5a schematically represents a perspective view of a further example of a control arrangement 20b, and FIG. 5b schematically represents a top view of the control arrangement 20b in FIG. 5a. The control arrangement 20b may be used as the control arrangement 20 in any of the door closers 18a, 18b. With collective reference to FIGS. 5a and 5b, mainly differences with respect to FIGS. 3a and 3b will be described. The control arrangement 20b comprises a first input member 38a and a second input member 38b.

[0094] The first input member 38a comprises a first input inclined surface 42a and the second input member 38b comprises a second input inclined surface 42b. The first input member 38a carries the first brake pad 48a and the second input member 38b carries the second brake pad 48b.

[0095] The control arrangement 20b further comprises a base portion 106 from which the input gear racks 44 extend in the opening direction 70. The first input member 38a is movable relative to the base portion 106 in the lateral direction 74. The second input member 38b is movable relative to the base portion 106 in the lateral direction 76. The base portion 106, and the input gear racks 44 fixed thereto, are however locked to the input members 38a, 38b along the actuation axis 40.

[0096] In the control arrangement 20b, the output member 50 is V-shaped and is positioned laterally between the input members 38a, 38b. The output member 50 comprises a first output inclined surface 52a parallel with the first input inclined surface 42a, and a second output inclined surface 52b parallel with the second input inclined surface 42b.

[0097] The control arrangement 20b further comprises first rollers 108a between the first input inclined surface 42a and the first output inclined surface 52a, and second rollers 108b between the second input inclined surface 42b and the second output inclined surface 52b. The rollers 108a, 108b reduce friction between the input inclined surfaces 42a, 42b and the output inclined surfaces 52a, 52b, and prevent locking between the input members 38a, 38b and the output member 50.

[0098] The control arrangement 20b further comprises a release spring 110. The release spring 110 is one example of a release force device according to the present disclosure. The release spring 110 is here exemplified as a compression coil spring connected between the base portion 106 and the output member 50. The release spring 110 is configured to force the input members 38a, 38b and the output member 50 away from each other along the actuation axis 40. This enables separation of the input members 38a, 38b and the output member 50 in the closed position of the door leaf 14.

[0099] FIG. 6 schematically represents a top view of a further example of a control arrangement 20c. The control arrangement 20c may be used as the control arrangement 20 in any of the door closers 18a, 18b. Mainly differences with respect to FIGS. 3a and 3b will be described.

[0100] The drive member 32 of the control arrangement 20c comprises only the cam profile 36. FIG. 6 also shows how the first connection arm 24 is rigidly connected to the cam profile 36.

[0101] The control arrangement 20c comprises a drive part 112, here exemplified as a rod, pivotally connected to each of the drive member 32 and the base portion 106. The first input member 38a is pivotally connected to the base portion 106 by means of a first hinge 114a and the second input member 38b is pivotally connected to the base portion 106 by means of a second hinge 114b. In this way, the first input member 38a can move in the lateral direction 74 relative to the base portion 106, and the second input member 38b can move in the lateral direction 76 relative to the base portion 106, to accomplish the frictional braking.

[0102] The control arrangement 20c of this example comprises the input inclined surfaces 42a, 42b, but no output inclined surfaces. Instead, the output member 50 is elongated and comprises the output pulling surfaces 56 protruding laterally and output rollers 108a, 108b for engaging the input inclined surface 42a, 42b.

[0103] FIG. 7a schematically represents a perspective view of a further example of a control arrangement 20d, and FIG. 7b schematically represents a top view of the control arrangement 20d in FIG. 7a. The control arrangement 20d may be used as the control arrangement 20 in any of the door closers 18a, 18b. With collective reference to FIGS. 7a and 7b, mainly differences with respect to FIGS. 3a and 3b will be described.

[0104] The control arrangement 20d comprises a force transmitting arm 116. The force transmitting arm 116 is a further example of a force transmitting arrangement according to the present disclosure. The force transmitting arm 116 is connected to the input member 38 at an input pivot 118 and to the output member 50 at an output pivot 120. The force transmitting arm 116 is rigid.

[0105] The control arrangement 20d of this example further comprises an optional base structure spring 122. The base structure spring 122 is one example of a base structure force device according to the present disclosure. The base structure spring 122 is here a tension coil spring connected to the output member 50 and to a pin 124 fixed to the base structure 22. The base structure spring 122 is arranged to force the output member 50 in the opening direction 70. As one alternative to the base structure spring 122, the input member 38 and/or the output member 50 can be made larger such that a lateral play therebetween is reduced or eliminated.

[0106] As shown, the control arrangement 20d does not comprise any inclined surfaces or pulling surfaces. Instead, the input member 38 pulls the output member 50 in the opening direction 70 by the force transmitting arm 116. In this example, the base structure pin 122 simultaneously pulls the output member 50 in the opening direction 70 such that the angle of the force transmitting arm 116 to the actuation axis 40 is maintained. Conversely, the input member 38 pushes the output member 50 in the closing direction 72 by the force transmitting arm 116. When the input member 38 moves faster than the output member 50 in the closing direction 72, the force transmitting arm 116 will rotate about the output pivot 120 such that the first and second brake pads 48a, 48b are forced laterally outwards to effect the frictional braking.

[0107] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to what has been described above. For example, it will be appreciated that the dimensions of the parts may be varied as needed. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention may be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.