WIND SAFE DOOR

Abstract

The present invention concerns a motorized door for closing an area (3) at least partially defined by a frame, said Motorized door comprising: (A) a motorized driving mechanism (10) for moving a shutter between an open position (z=1) and a closed position (z=0) in a first direction (α) to close said area defined within said frame and in a second direction (β) to open said area; (B) a detection cell (5, 6) suitable for detecting an accidental event (eI), during the motion of the shutter. The motorized door further comprises a processing unit programmed to trigger a wind related safety function avoiding the yo-yo effect in case strong winds triggered the erroneous detection of an accidental event by the detection cell, said wind related safety function comprising the following steps: (C) a processing unit (CPU): (a) stop the movement of the shutter in the first direction (α), and reverse said movement into the second direction (β) and, after a brief reverse time, Δt, of the order of 0.8 to 3.0 s, (b) stop said movement in the second direction (β) and reverse the movement back into the first direction (α) towards the closed position (z=0) of the shutter.

Claims

1. A motorized door for closing an area at least partially defined by a frame, said motorized door comprising: (A) a motorized driving mechanism suitable for moving a leading edge of a shutter between an open position (z=1) and a closed position (z=0) in a first direction (α) to close said area defined within said frame and in a second direction (β) to open said area; (B) a detection cell suitable for detecting an accidental event (eI), wherein Iε, during a moving of the leading edge of the shutter in the first direction (α) to close said area, said accidental event a potential threat to a good functioning of the motorized door, (C) a processing unit programmed to trigger the following operations upon reception of a signal from the detection cell that an accidental event has occurred, during the moving in the first direction (α) of the shutter from the open position (z=1) towards the closed position (z=0): (a) define I=0 at t=0, wherein I is the number of accidental events (eI) detected by the detection cell during the moving of the leading edge of the shutter in the first direction (α) to close said area, and t=0 defines the time the shutter starts moving from the open position (z=1); (b) in case of a detection of an (M+i).sup.th accidental event (e(M+i)), wherein Mε, iε, and i>0, memorize the number of accidental events, I=(M+i), and (c) stop the movement of the leading edge in the first direction (α), and reverse said movement into the second direction (β); and (i) if the number of accidental events, I=(M+N), wherein N is a predefined number of wind-like repetitions, continue the movement into the second direction (β) until the leading edge reaches its open position (z=1) and keep the shutter in the open position; or (ii) if the number of accidental events, I<(M+N), after a brief reverse time, Δt, stop said movement in the second direction (β) and reverse the movement back into the first direction (a) towards the closed position (z=0) of the shutter; and (d) after step (c)(ii), in case an (M+i+1).sup.th accidental event (e(M+i+1)) is detected during the movement of the leading edge into the first direction (α), memorize the number of accidental events, I=M+i+1 and repeat step (c).

2. A motorized door according to claim 1, wherein in case an m.sup.th accidental event is detected between steps (a)&(b), with 0<m≦M, the processor triggers the following steps: memorize the number of accidental events, I=m, and stop the movement of the leading edge in the first direction (α), and reverse said movement into the second direction (β); until the leading edge reaches a predetermined stop position (z.sub.stop), located between the position of the m.sup.th accidental event and the open position (z=1), included, and reverse the movement back into the first direction (a) towards the closed position (Z=0) of the shutter.

3. A motorized door according to claim 1, wherein M=0, 1, 2, or 3.

4. A motorized door according to claim 1, wherein the brief reverse time, Δt, is not more than 3 s, preferably not more than 1 s, more preferably not more than 800 ms.

5. A motorized door according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit determines that an accidental event (eI) occurred by comparing with a predetermined reference value or reference range the value of a parameter measured or detected by the detection cell, said detection cell being selected among one or more of the following: (a) a cell suitable for detecting on the shutter a force applied transverse to a main surface of said shutter; (b) a cell suitable for detecting an increase in power or energy consumption required by a motor driving the motion of the shutter; (c) a cell suitable for measuring a torque of the motorized driving mechanism, (d) a cell suitable for measuring the velocity of the movement of the leading edge of the shutter; (e) a cell suitable for measuring the acceleration of the movement of the leading edge of the shutter; or (f) a cell suitable for detecting a stopping of the movement of the leading edge of the shutter.

6. A motorized door according to claim 1, wherein the predefined number of accidental events, M+N, is not more than 20, preferably not more than 15, more preferably not more than 10, or wherein the predefined number of wind-like accidental events, N, is not more than 18, preferably not more than 13, more preferably not more than 8.

7. A motorized door according to claim 1, wherein the shutter comprises two lateral edges engaged in parallel guiding rails defining two sides of the frame, and wherein the leading edge links the two lateral edges, and moves along the direction defined by the guiding rails upon closing and opening the shutter.

8. A motorized door according to claim 7, further comprising means for monitoring the instantaneous position and/or velocity of the leading edge of the shutter in its closing/opening trajectory in the direction defined by the guiding rails.

9. A motorized door according to claim 8, wherein the means for monitoring the instantaneous position and/or velocity of the leading edge of the shutter are selected among the following: an optical device suitable for counting a number of windows aligned at regular intervals along at least one lateral edge of the shutter; an optical device for measuring the time difference between two successive windows; or a device for counting the number of revolution of the motor driving the opening/closing of the shutter.

10. A motorized door according to wherein, at least one lateral edge of the shutter comprises a bead or a series of adjacent teeth, slideably engaged in an opening of the corresponding guiding rail and which can be extracted therefrom under the action of a defined pulling force directed transversely to the guiding rail provoked for example by an impact upon closing the shutter, and wherein: the motorized door further comprises a means for reinserting into the guiding rail opening the bead series or adjacent teeth that has been extracted therefrom, this means comprising a guide member which is positioned facing the guiding rail opening and which is designed so that, while the shutter is being opened, it deflects toward the guiding rail opening the bead or series of adjacent teeth that has been extracted from this guiding rail opening, wherein the guide member comprises at least one pair of rollers having fixed axes of rotation which are located symmetrically on each side of the mid-plane of the shutter, in the same plane substantially perpendicular to said mid-plane of the shutter and are directed obliquely with respect to said mid-plane of the shutter so that the rollers converge toward the bottom of the guiding rail opening and roll, as the shutter is moved in the opening direction, along the bead which has been extracted from the guiding rail opening, pushing it into the guiding rail opening.

11. A motorized door according to claim 1, wherein the shutter and motorized driving mechanism are selected from: (a) a flexible shutter wherein the motorized driving mechanism drives the rotation of a drum to move the leading edge in the first direction (α) to close the area by unwinding the flexible shutter from said drum, and to move it in the second direction (β) to open said area by winding the flexible shutter about said drum; (b) a deformable shutter comprising panels hinged to one another parallel to the leading edge, wherein the motorized driving mechanism drives the rotation of an axle about which the hinged panels rotate and change direction, or (c) a rigid shutter, wherein the motorized driving mechanism drives the rotation of an axle which moves the rigid shutter in the plane of said area in the first and second directions, preferably by means of a gear system; cables, or chains.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0048] For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0049] FIG. 1: shows three embodiments of motorized doors according to the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 2: shows the shutter position as a function of time in case of a number of accidental events detected by detection cells and the safety function thus triggered (a) according to one embodiment of the present invention with M=2 and (M+N)=10; and (b) according to the embodiment illustrated in (a) compared with prior art safety functions.

[0051] FIG. 3: shows the shutter position as a function of time in case of a number of accidental events detected by detection cells and the safety function thus triggered (a) according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention with M=2 and (M+N)=10; and (b) according to yet an alternative embodiment with M=0 and N=8.

[0052] FIG. 4: shows a flowchart illustrating a safety function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] FIG. 5: shows a flowchart illustrating a safety function according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a motorized door according to the present invention comprises a motorized driving mechanism (10) suitable for moving a leading edge (1L) of a shutter (1) in a first direction (α) to close said area defined within said frame and in a second direction (β) to open said area.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 1(a)&(d) the shutter can be a flexible shutter in the form of a flexible fabric or curtain, and the motorized driving mechanism (10) drives the rotation of a drum (11) to move the leading edge (1L) in the first direction (α) to close the area by unwinding the flexible shutter from said drum, and to move it in the second direction (β) to open said area by winding the flexible shutter about said drum.

[0056] FIG. 1(b) illustrates a deformable shutter comprising rigid panels (1p) hinged to one another parallel to the leading edge (1L), wherein the motorized driving mechanism (10) drives the rotation of an axle about which the hinged panels rotate and change direction. For example, notches in the axle may cooperate with the hinges between panels to ensure a slip-free movement of the deformable shutter. Alternatively, cables or chains can be used to drive the movement of the shutter.

[0057] FIG. 1(c) shows a third type of shutter in the form of a rigid shutter, wherein the motorized driving mechanism (10) drives the rotation of an axle which moves the rigid shutter in the plane of said area in the first and second directions. A gear system is illustrated in FIG. 1(c), but any means known to a person skilled in the art for moving up and down a rigid shutter, such as cables or chains can be used without affecting the present invention.

[0058] A shutter is a surface defined by a leading edge (1L) moving up (β) and down (α), in case of a vertical area (3) as illustrated in FIG. 1, said leading edge bridging two lateral edges parallel to one another. Regardless of the type of shutter used, the lateral edges are preferably engaged in guiding rails (7) suitable for guiding the shutter in its trajectory when opening or closing the area (3). An example of an automatic door comprising lateral edges of a shutter coupled to guiding rails is given e.g., in EP0587586 or WO2008155292, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

[0059] A motorized door according to the present invention must also comprise a detection cell (5, 6) suitable for detecting an accidental event (eI), wherein Iε, during a moving of the leading edge of the shutter in the first direction (a) to close said area. An accidental event is defined as being a potential threat to a good functioning of the motorized door. As discussed in the introduction, many detection cells (5, 6) are available in the art and the selection of one or the other does not affect the present invention as long as gusts of wind hitting the surface of the shutter may trigger a signal from such detection cells. A door according to the present invention must therefore comprise at least one such detection cell which can mistake wind blowing against the surface of the shutter as an accidental event. In particular, it comprises any detection cell capable of: [0060] (a) detecting a force on the lateral edges of the shutter; these comprise for example a dynamometer coupled to the edge of the shutter and running along the guiding rail; or [0061] (b) detecting an increase in power or energy consumption required by a motor driving the motion of the shutter due to the increased friction forces between the lateral edges of the shutter and the guiding rail as the wind blows against the shutter main surface; or [0062] (c) measuring a torque of the motorized driving mechanism, which may increase for the same reason as in (b); or [0063] (d) measuring the velocity of the movement of the leading edge of the shutter which may decrease because of a raise in the friction forces; or [0064] (e) measuring the acceleration of the movement of the leading edge of the shutter which may vary as a function of the magnitude of the friction forces; or [0065] (f) detecting a stopping of the movement of the leading edge of the shutter, when the friction forces are higher than the limiting power of the motorized mechanism.

[0066] The gist of the present invention is the control system, driven by a processing unit (CPU) which, upon reception of a signal from the detection cell that an accidental event may have occurred during the closing of the shutter in the first direction, α, triggers the following wind related function as illustrated in the graph of FIG. 3(b) and in the flowchart of FIG. 4: [0067] (a) Define I=0 at t=0, wherein I is the number of accidental events (eI) detected by the detection cell during the moving of the leading edge of the shutter in the first direction (α) to close said area, and t=0 defines the time the shutter starts moving from the open position (z=1); [0068] (b) in case of a detection of an (M+i).sup.th accidental event (e(M+i)), wherein Mε, iε, and i>0, memorize the number of accidental events, I=(M+i), and [0069] (c) stop the movement of the leading edge in the first direction (α), and reverse said movement into the second direction (β); and [0070] (i) if the number of accidental events, I=(M+N), wherein N is a predefined number of wind-related events, continue the movement into the second direction (β) until the leading edge reaches its open position (z=1) and keep the shutter in the open position; or [0071] (ii) if the number of accidental events, I<(M+N), after a brief reverse time, Δt, stop said movement in the second direction (β) and reverse the movement back into the first direction (α) towards the closed position (z=0) of the shutter.

[0072] After step (c)(ii), in case an (M+i+1).sup.th accidental event (e(M+i+1)) is detected during the movement of the leading edge into the first direction (α), memorize the number of accidental events, I=M+i+1, and repeat step (c) with the new value of I.

[0073] For any I.sup.th accidental event with I≦M, the control system considers a priori that said accidental event is not wind related and is caused by an obstacle, an object, or a person obstructing the path of the shutter. A different safety function is then triggered, referred to as non-wind related safety function). The number, M, of non-wind related events is predefined by the operator and can typically be equal to 0, 1, 2, 3, or even more repetitions. It is preferred that M=2, as more than two accidental events occurring during a single closing operation are likely to be wind related.

[0074] The non-wind related safety function triggered by the control system for any I.sup.th accidental event with I≦M detected by a detection cell may comprise the following steps as illustrated in FIGS. 2(a), 3(a) and 5: [0075] memorize the number of accidental events, I=m, and [0076] stop the movement of the leading edge in the first direction (α), and [0077] reverse said movement into the second direction (β); until the leading edge reaches a predetermined stop position (z.sub.stop), located between the position of the m.sup.th accidental event and the open position, z=1, included, and [0078] reverse the movement back into the first direction (α) towards the closed position (0) of the shutter.

[0079] The stop position, z.sub.stop, can be the opening position, z=1 as illustrated in FIG. 2(a) or, as illustrated in FIG. 3(a), it can be a position different from z=1 but in any case upstream from the position of the accidental event, to allow an opportunity for removing the obstacle. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” of a position being defined with respect to the first direction, α, of moving of the shutter. A stop position, z.sub.stop, different from z=1 is advantageous as it shortens the time sequence of re-opening the shutter, and closing it back. In a preferred embodiment, the non-wind related safety function can be as defined in US20120073200 which content is herein included by reference, with an opening to a stop position different from z=1, waiting for a predetermined time, closing of the shutter in the second direction, β, at a full speed, V1, until a short distance upstream from the position of the accidental event, whence it slows down to a reduced speed, V2<V1, as the shutter passes by said position. Absent a new event at the same position, the shutter proceeds in the second direction at full speed, V1. The safety function disclosed in US20120073200 is represented in FIG. 2(b) with dashed lines.

[0080] For any I.sup.th accidental event with M<I<M+N, wherein N is the predefined number of wind-related events, the control system considers that said accidental event is related to bursts of wind hitting the surface of the shutter. In order to prevent the yo-yo effect, the wind-related safety function defined by steps (a) to (c) discussed supra and illustrated in FIGS. 3(b) and 4 is applied. If M is defined as M=0 (cf. FIGS. 3(b) and 4), the wind related safety function is implemented upon detection of a first accidental event (e1).

[0081] As defined in step (c)(ii), the reversed movement in the second direction, β, following an (M+i).sup.th accidental event is stopped after a brief reverse time, Δt, and the shutter is moved back into the first direction (α) towards the closed position (z=0). The reversed time, Δt, is preferably quite brief, so that the interruption in the closing operation of the shutter can be as brief as possible. For example, the brief reverse time, Δt, can be not more than 3 s, preferably not more than 1 s, more preferably not more than 800 ms.

[0082] The efficacy of the wind-safe door is compared in FIG. 2(b) with doors of the prior art in case of strong winds causing several signals sent by the detection cell and erroneously interpreted by the processing unit as an accidental event (eI). The solid line corresponds to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 2(a), with M=2 and (M+N)=10. For the first two events, e1, e2 (M=2) identified by the detection cell, a non-wind related safety function is triggered which is comparable with any of the prior art safety functions. In FIG. 2(a), it consists of opening the shutter to its open position, z=1, followed by closing the shutter until a new accidental event is detected; in FIG. 3(a) the shutter is opened to a stop position, z.sub.stop, located downstream from the open position, z=1. For the third and following events, e3 to e(M+N), the wind related safety function is triggered, with a brief movement reversal prior to resuming the closing of the shutter. The wind related safety function proceeds until the shutter reaches the closed position, z=0, or until an (M+N).sup.th event (e10) is detected, at which point the shutter is opened to its open position, z=1, and the safety function ended. The predefined number of accidental events, M+N, is preferably not more than 20, preferably not more than 15, more preferably not more than 10. The predefined number of wind-related accidental events, N, is preferably not more than 18, preferably not more than 13, more preferably not more than 8.

[0083] A safety function according to the prior art with opening of the shutter up to the open position, z=1, followed by closing again the shutter until a next event is identified, is illustrated with dotted lines in FIG. 2(b). This kind of safety function provokes a typical yo-yo effect in case wind interferes with the detection cell. The safety function proposed in US20120073200 is illustrated with dashed lines in FIG. 2(b). The yo-yo effect is attenuated because the shutter stops at a stop position, z.sub.stop, located downstream from the open position, z=1. The safety function defined in U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,292, although not designed for reducing the damages in case of impact with an obstacle, since it does not comprise any reversing movement allowing such obstacle to be removed from the trajectory of the shutter, is represented in FIG. 2(b) as a mixed line. Since said safety function is triggered by detection of an increase in current consumption during the closing (or rather opening) of the shutter, it could be triggered by gusts of wind blowing against a main surface of the shutter. The wind related safety function of the present invention is advantageous over the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,292, in that though brief, the reversal of the shutter motion into the second direction, β, allows the force applied by a constant wind onto a main surface of the shutter to decrease as the exposed area of said main surface is decreased accordingly. The closing movement can thus be resumed more rapidly than if the area and therefore the force applied onto the main surface of the shutter remains constant.

[0084] The shutter preferably comprises two lateral edges engaged in parallel guiding rails (7) defining two sides of the frame, and wherein the leading edge links the two lateral edges, and moves along the direction defined by the guiding rails upon closing and opening the shutter. The motorized door preferably further comprises means for monitoring the instantaneous position, z, of the leading edge of the shutter in its closing/opening trajectory in the direction defined by the guiding rails (7).

[0085] The means for monitoring the instantaneous position and/or velocity of the leading edge of the shutter can be selected among the following: [0086] Optical device suitable for counting a number of windows aligned at regular intervals along at least one lateral edge of the shutter; or [0087] Optical device for measuring the time difference between two successive windows; [0088] Device for counting the number of revolution of the motor driving the opening/closing of the shutter.

[0089] A motorized door according to the present invention may comprise the following features: [0090] at least one lateral edge of the shutter comprises a bead or a series of adjacent teeth, slidingly engaged in an opening of the corresponding guiding rail (7) and which can be extracted therefrom under the action of a defined pulling force directed transversely to the guiding rail provoked for example by an impact upon closing the shutter or by a burst of wind against a main surface of the shutter, and wherein: [0091] the motorized door further comprises a means for reinserting into the guiding rail opening the bead series of adjacent teeth that has been extracted therefrom, this means comprising a guide member which is positioned facing the guiding rail opening and which is designed so that, while the shutter is being opened, it deflects toward the guiding rail opening the bead or series of adjacent teeth that has been extracted from this guiding rail opening, wherein the guide member comprises at least one pair of rollers having fixed axes of rotation which are located symmetrically on each side of the mid-plane of the shutter, in the same plane substantially perpendicular to said mid-plane of the shutter and are directed obliquely with respect to said mid-plane of the shutter so that the rollers converge toward the bottom of the guiding rail opening and roll, as the shutter is moved in the opening direction, along the bead which has been extracted from the guiding rail opening, pushing it into the guiding rail opening.

[0092] FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of a preferred embodiment of the safety function, wherein upon detecting an accidental event (eI) the door is stopped and the movement of the shutter is reversed into the second direction, β. The number of events is stored as an additional event, I+1.

[0093] If I+1≦M, the movement of the shutter in the second direction, β, is stopped at the stop position, z.sub.stop, The stop position, z.sub.stop, can be equal to the open position, z=1 as illustrated in FIG. 2(a), or it can be located downstream from the open position, as illustrated in FIG. 3(a). The shutter can remain at the stop position for a short time before reversing the movement back into the first direction, α, or the movement reversal may happen immediately after stopping the shutter. The shutter proceeds its closing trajectory until a further accidental event is detected. If no such accidental event is detected, the shutter may proceed until it reaches its closed position, z=0. Else, the non-wind related function is repeated with I=I+i until I+i=M.

[0094] If M<I+1<M+N, the processing unit triggers the wind related safety function, comprising stopping the movement in the second direction, β, of the shutter after a brief reverse time, Δt, of the order of 0.8 to about 3.0 s, to give time to the wind generated stress to decrease sufficiently to allow the movement of the shutter to be reversed back into the first direction, α, of closure. If no further accidental event occurs, the shutter is allowed to proceed its trajectory until it reaches its closed position, z=0. If a further accidental event is detected the wind related safety function is resumed with I=I+i until I+i=(M+N)−1.

[0095] If I+1=M+N, the processing unit considers that the shutter cannot be closed in good conditions, and the shutter is opened to its open position, z=1 and the safety process is ended.

[0096] The flowchart of FIG. 4 is a special embodiment of the flowchart of FIG. 5, wherein M is defined as M=0, corresponding to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3(b), with the wind related safety function being triggered upon detection of a first accidental event, e1.

[0097] The wind related safety function applied at a first accidental event or, preferably, at (M+1) accidental events and following, with the first M accidental events being handled as non-wind related events as known in the art is very advantageous to avoid the yo-yo effect observed with doors exposed to strong winds or to wind bursts. The yo-yo effect is highly undesirable, as it consumes much motor energy while leaving the indoor volume exposed to the outdoor environmental conditions. The limiting number of accidental events (M+N) after which the shutter is moved back to its open position, z=1 and the safety function is ended corresponds to a situation wherein it is considered that the shutter cannot be closed in safe conditions, and it is safer to let it open.

TABLE-US-00001 REF DESCRIPTION  1 shutter  1L leading edge of shutter  3 area to be closed and opened  5 detection cell  6 detection cell  7 guiding rail 10 motorized driving mechanism 11 rotating drum α first direction of leading edge displacement to close the area β second direction of leading edge displacement to open the area Δt brief reverse time eI I.sup.th accidental event M initial number of non-wind related accidental events N number wind-related accidental events M + N total number of accidental events before the shutter is permanently opened z (ei) position where accidental event (ei) occurred z.sub.stop shutter stopping position upon reversal after the first M events