WO2017211758A1

WO2017211758A1 - Door operator

Info

Publication number: WO2017211758A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/063599
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sven-Gunnar SÖDERQVIST
Original assignee: Assa Abloy Entrance Systems Ab
Priority date: 2016-06-08
Filing date: 2017-06-05
Publication date: 2017-12-14

Abstract

The present invention relates to a door operator adapted for employing a first predetermined speed trajectory or a second predetermined speed trajectory, when moving at least one door leaf (1) from an open position (O) to a closed position (C). The first speed trajectory is initiated in response to a regular closing command received by the door operator, and the second speed trajectory is initiated in response to an emergency closing command received by the door operator.

Description

DOOR OPERATOR

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a door operator and a method of operating a door leaf, both during regular use and during an emergency situation.

Background of the invention

Automatic door sets are regulated by standards such as the European standard EN16005 which defines, i.e., pedestrian protection requirements for door sets. These regulations define, e.g., maximum kinetic energy, maximum closing force, opening and closing time, and use of safety sensors.

These regulations were created in order to minimise the risk of injuries to any individual located in the closing path of a door leaf during closing. The maximum closing force is usually sufficient during regular closing even though door leaves occasionally get stuck in a partially open position, e.g. when one swing door leaf gets stuck hanging against the locking cylinder of the opposing door leaf instead of, as intended, locking with the locking cylinder. Such partial opening is unallowable especially when the door set is a fire door, which has to close its door leaf/leaves completely against the door frame and/or each other, i.e. seals the door opening tight, during fire.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to mitigate the above problems, and to provide a solution for automatically closing a door softly yet sufficiently. According to a first aspect of the present invention, these objects are achieved by a door operator adapted for employing a first predetermined speed trajectory or a second

predetermined speed trajectory, when moving at least one door leaf from an open position to a closed position, wherein the first speed trajectory is initiated in response to a regular closing command received by the door operator, and the second speed trajectory is initiated in response to an emergency closing command received by the door operator.

Such a solution allows safe and rapid door leaf closing during regular use, as well as efficient emergency closing procedures, due to fast and simple change over between speed trajectories. Further, this solution does not require any significant rebuilding of existing door sets other than exchange of the door operator. In one embodiment, the second speed trajectory comprises moving the door leaf at an increased kinetic energy setting.

In a further embodiment, the increased kinetic energy setting comprises increasing the speed of the door leaf.

The door operator may comprise at least one safety sensor and/or IR-curtain for detecting objects located in a closing path of the door leaf, the safety sensor and/or IR-curtain being active during the first predetermined speed trajectory, and being inhibited during the second predetermined speed trajectory, facilitating safe door leaf closing during regular everyday use while still allowing more efficient and reliable emergency closing since the door leaf will be closed more rapidly during an emergency.

According to an aspect the door operator comprise a drive unit adapted to be connected to and to move the at least one door leaf between the open and closed position.

According to an aspect the drive unit comprise a motor arranged to be connected to the door leaf. According to an aspect the drive unit comprise a spring arranged to be connected to the door leaf.

According to an aspect the door operator comprise a control unit that is connected to the drive unit and arranged to control the movement of the drive unit to employ the first predetermined speed trajectory and the second predetermined speed trajectory .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, these objects are achieved by a door set comprising at least one door leaf and at least one door operator, as described above.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, these objects are achieved by a method of operating at least one door leaf when closing a door opening, the method comprising the steps of a) at least one door operator receiving one of a regular closing command and an emergency closing command, b) when receiving a regular closing command, the door operator moving the door leaf, along a first predetermined speed trajectory, from an open position to a closed position, c) when receiving an emergency closing command, the door operator moving the door leaf, along a second predetermined speed trajectory, from an open position to a closed position, allowing safe and rapid door leaf closing during regular use, and efficient emergency procedures. In one embodiment, the second speed trajectory comprises moving the door leaf at an increased kinetic energy setting.

The increased kinetic energy setting may comprise increasing the speed of the door leaf.

The method may further comprise the step of initiating movement of the at least one door leaf from the closed position to the open position, when a regular closing command or an emergency closing command no longer is received by the at least one door operator.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, etc.]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. Further, by the term "comprising" it is meant "comprising but not limited to" throughout the application.

Brief description of the drawings

This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing currently preferred embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of an embodiment according to the present invention, wherein one swing door leaf is arranged in an open position.

Figure 2 shows a schematic top view of another embodiment according to the present invention, wherein one swing door leaf is arranged in an open position and one swing door leaf is arranged in a closed position.

Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of a further embodiment according to the present invention, wherein one sliding door leaf is arranged in a closed position.

Figure 4 shows a schematic top view of yet another embodiment according to the present invention, wherein two sliding door leaves are arranged in a closed position.

Detailed description

The present invention relates to a door operator for different types of doors, door sets and door leafs. More specifically, the invention relates to door operators for both swing door sets and sliding door sets, since both types of door sets need to be closed safely and rapidly, while avoiding incomplete closing of the door opening. According to an aspect, a door operator system comprises one or more door operators connected to one or more door leafs 1 .

The door operator comprise a drive unit (not disclosed) and a control unit (not disclosed). The door operator further may comprises one or more of a battery (not disclosed), a belt transmission (not disclosed), a carriage wheel (not disclosed), an arm systems (not disclosed), springs (not disclosed) and presence and activation sensors (not disclosed). These components as such are known in the art and will not be described in detail herein. The door operator 1 can also comprise further components.

The drive unit is connected to the control unit. The drive unit comprise a motor and a gearbox (not disclosed). According to an aspect the drive unit further comprise a spring that is arranged to interact with the motor to move the door leafs 1 . The drive unit is adapted to be connected to a door/door leaf/door set and to move the door leafs 1 between an open and closed position, i.e. from an open position to a closed position and from a closed position to an open position. The drive units connection to the door leafs 1 as such is known in the art and will thus not be described in more detail herein.

The control unit controls when the drive unit should move the door leaf 1 between the open and closed position and how it should move it. The speed trajectory that the control unit controls the drive unit to move the door leaf 1 along comprise information one or more of which speed the door leaf 1 should be moved, acceleration, braking, the opening time, for how long the door should be open and/or the closing speed etc. The control unit is arranged to store different speed trajectories and control the drive unit to move the door leaf 1 along different trajectories. The control unit is according to some aspects connected to different sensors and systems and arranged to control the drive unit based on received information from the sensors and systems. According to an aspect the control unit is connected to an alarm system. According to an aspect the control unit is connected to a fire alarm system.

According to an aspect the control unit is arranged to control the drive unit to employ a first predetermined speed trajectory and a second predetermined speed trajectory, when moving at least one door leaf (1 ) from an open position (O) to a closed position (C). The first speed trajectory is initiated in response to a regular closing command received by said door operator. The second speed trajectory is initiated in response to an emergency closing command received by said door operator. A swing door set generally refers to a door set having one or two swing door leaves, i.e. a single leaf swing door set or a double leaf swing door set, where each swing door leaf is hinged or pivoted to the door frame at one of its edges. Each swing door leaf has a main opening/closing edge, arranged opposite to the hinge/pivot edge. In other words, the main opening/closing edge refers to the edge of a swing door leaf whose distance from a parallel, opposing edge or surface determines the usable opening of the swing door set. The opposing opening/closing edge refers to either an edge formed by the main opening/closing edge of a counter closing swing door leaf, or a fixed edge or a surface towards which the swing door leaf is moving, such as a door frame.

When the swing door set is provided with only one swing door leaf 1 , the swing door leaf 1 is hinged or pivoted at one edge to the door frame 2, while the main opening/closing edge 3 of the swing door leaf 1 closes against, and preferably locks with, the corresponding edge of the door frame 2.

When the swing door set is provided with two swing door leaves 1 , the swing door set may comprise two identical swing door leaves 1 a, b, arranged side by side with their respective opening/closing edges 3 in close proximity to each other when both door leaves are in the closed position.

Also, the swing door set may comprise a master swing door leaf 1 a, provided with a flange extending along its main opening/closing edge 3, and a slave swing door leaf 1 b. The flange of the master swing door leaf 1 a is adapted to protrude over the main opening/closing edge 3 of the slave swing door leaf 1 b, when both swing door leaves 1 a, 1 b are in the closed position. With such an arrangement, the swing door leaves can be pushed open in one direction only, preferably from the inside of a room or building in a direction outwards towards the exterior, a corridor, or an evacuation route. The main opening/closing edge 3 of the master swing door leaf 1 a closes against, and preferably locks into, an opposing opening/closing edge, i.e. the main opening/closing edge 3, of the slave swing door leaf 1 b.

Correspondingly, a sliding door set generally refers to a sliding door set having one or two sliding door leaves 1 , i.e. a single leaf sliding door set or a double leaf sliding door set, where each sliding door leaf hangs from, and slides along, a rail arranged in parallel with the upper horizontal edge of the door frame. Each sliding door leaf 1 has a main opening/closing edge, whose distance from an opposing edge, which refers to either an edge formed by the main opening/closing edge 3 of a counter closing sliding door leaf, or a fixed edge or a surface towards which the sliding door leaf 1 is moving, such as a door frame, determines the usable opening of the sliding door set.

When the sliding door set is provided with only one sliding door leaf 1 , the main opening/closing edge 3 of the sliding door leaf 1 closes against, and preferably locks with, an edge of the door frame 2.

When the sliding door set is provided with two sliding door leaves 1 a, b, the main opening/closing edge 3 of the first sliding door leaf 1 a closes against, and preferably locks with, the corresponding edge of a second sliding door leaf 1 b.

In order to provide safe door leaf movement, one or several sensors or IR- curtains may be used in order to detect any obstacles located in the path of the door leaf. For a swing door set, the door operator is preferably connected to safety sensors arranged on the opening/closing edge of the swing door leaf. For a sliding door set, the door operator is preferably connected to an IR-curtain, arranged above the door opening of the sliding door set.

In a swing door embodiment, the open position O means that the swing door leaf is opened to an angle a of approximately 80-1 10° in relation to the surrounding walls, which is a common door opening angle during regular use. The closed position C means that the swing door leaf is arranged at a 0° angle, i.e. the door opening is completely closed by the swing door leaf.

In a sliding door embodiment, the open position O means that the sliding door leaf is arranged in one of its end positions, i.e. the end position wherein the door opening is open. The closed position C means that the opening/closing edge of the sliding door leaf is arranged at the edge which it closes against, i.e. the door opening is completely closed. By "edge" is meant one side of a door frame or the

opening/closing edge of a further sliding door leaf.

As previously mentioned, the door set may comprise one or two door leafs, and the door set may be of the swing door type or the sliding door type. When having two door leafs, the first and second predetermined speed trajectories are preferably initiated simultaneously for both door leafs 1 a, 1 b, even though they may be initiated with some delay.

As mentioned above, the door operator is connected to at least one safety sensor or IR-curtain for detecting objects, e.g. humans, located in the closing path of the door leaf 1 . The door operator is adapted to employ a first predetermined speed trajectory or a second predetermined speed trajectory when moving the door leaf 1 , i.e. closing the door. Both predetermined speed trajectories comprise moving the door leaf 1 from the open position O to the closed position C.

The first predetermined speed trajectory is initiated, by the door operator, in response to a regular closing command and is performed with regular energy performance and fully active safety sensors/IR-curtain. The second predetermined speed trajectory is initiated, by the door operator, in response to an emergency closing command and is performed with an increased energy performance and inhibited safety sensors/IR-curtain,

A regular closing command is sent to the door operator when an individual, or other obstacle, is no longer detected in the closing path of the door, or after a predetermined time interval has passed from the time of opening the door set. An emergency closing command is sent to the door operator in response to a fire alarm or other emergency closing signal.

The expression "regular energy performance" is intended to correspond to "full energy performance". Full energy performance means that the door leaf 1 is closed at a speed which is normal for the specific door leaf 1 in question, with safety sensors/I R-curtains active in order to detect obstacles in the closing path.

The expression "increased energy performance" relates to an increase in door speed in relation to regular/full energy performance, and is used in order to ensure complete closure of the door. The safety sensors/I R-curtains are inhibited during increased energy performance.

A swing door set comprises of at least one swing door leaf 1 and at least one swing door operator. The swing door set preferably comprises of one of the following combinations: one swing door leaf 1 and one door operator, as shown in Fig. 1 , or two swing door leaves 1 a, 1 b and two door operators, each swing door leaf 1 a, 1 b being connected to its own door operator, as shown in Fig. 2.

When a regular closing command has been received by the door operator, the swing door leaf 1 is moved, using the first predetermined speed trajectory, from its open position O at an angle a of preferably 80-1 10°, to the closed position C. The closed position C equals the completely closed position, i.e. a 0° angle.

When an emergency closing command has been received by the door operator, the swing door leaf 1 is moved, using the second predetermined speed trajectory, from its open position O at an angle a of preferably 80-1 10°, to the closed position C. The closed position C equals the completely closed position, i.e. a 0° angle. When the evacuation command is received by the door operator, the safety sensors are inhibited.

In one specific embodiment, the swing door set comprises a master swing door leaf 1 a and a slave swing door leaf 1 b. The master swing door leaf 1 a has a flange which extends along its main opening/closing edge 3 and which is adapted to protrude over the main opening/closing edge 3 of the slave swing door leaf 1 b, when both swing door leaves 1 a, b are in the closed position. Each swing door leaf 1 a, b is connected to its own door operator, i.e. a master door operator and a slave door operator.

A sliding door set comprises at least one sliding door leaf 1 and at least one door operator. The sliding door set preferably comprises of one of the following combinations: one sliding door leaf 1 and one door operator, as shown in Fig. 3, two sliding door leaves 1 a, b and one door operator, operating both sliding door leaves 1 a, b, or two sliding door leaves 1 a, b and two door operators, each sliding door leaf 1 a, b being connected to its own door operator. Embodiments comprising two sliding door leaves 1 a, b is shown in Fig. 4.

When a regular closing command has been received by the door operator, the sliding door leaf 1 is moved, using the first predetermined speed trajectory, from its open position O to the closed position C. The open position O is the end position of the sliding door leaf which makes the door opening is as large as possible, and the closed position C is the opposite end position of the sliding door leaf which closes the door opening at least halfway.

When an emergency closing command has been received by the door operator, the sliding door leaf 1 is moved, using the second predetermined speed trajectory, from its open position O to the closed position C. When the evacuation command is received by the door operator, the IR-curtain is inhibited.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, a sliding door set may comprise of more than two sliding door leaves, arranged in the same way as discussed above.

Claims

1 . A door operator adapted for employing a first predetermined speed trajectory and a second predetermined speed trajectory, when moving at least one door leaf (1 ) from an open position (O) to a closed position (C),

wherein said first speed trajectory is initiated in response to a regular closing command received by said door operator, and

said second speed trajectory is initiated in response to an emergency closing command received by said door operator.

2. A door operator according to claim 1 , wherein said second speed trajectory comprises moving said door leaf (1 ) at an increased kinetic energy setting.

3. A door operator according to claim 2, wherein said increased kinetic energy setting comprises increasing the speed of said door leaf (1 ).

4. A door operator according to any of the previous claims, wherein said door operator comprises at least one safety sensor and/or IR-curtain for detecting objects located in a closing path of said door leaf (1 ), said safety sensor and/or IR-curtain being active during said first predetermined speed trajectory, and being inhibited during said second predetermined speed trajectory.

5. A door operator according to any of the previous claims, wherein the door operator comprise a drive unit adapted to be connected to and to move the at least one door leaf (1 ) between the open and closed position.

6. A door operator according to claim 5, wherein the drive unit comprise a motor arranged to be connected to the door leaf (1 ).

7. A door operator according to any of claim 5 and 6, wherein the drive unit

comprise a spring arranged to be connected to the door leaf (1 ).

8. A door operator according to any of the previous claims, wherein the door operator comprise a control unit that is connected to the drive unit and arranged to control the movement of the drive unit to employ the first predetermined speed trajectory and the second predetermined speed trajectory .

9. A door set comprising at least one door leaf (1 ) and at least one door operator according to any of claims 1 -8.

10. Method of operating at least one door leaf when closing a door opening,

said method comprising the steps of

a) at least one door operator receiving one of a regular closing command and an emergency closing command,

b) when receiving a regular closing command,

said door operator moving said door leaf (1 ), along a first predetermined speed trajectory, from an open position (O) to a closed position (C), c) when receiving an emergency closing command,

said door operator moving said door leaf (1 ), along a second predetermined speed trajectory, from an open position (O) to a closed position (C),

1 1 . Method of operating at least one door leaf according to claim 10, wherein said second speed trajectory comprises moving said door leaf (1 ) at an increased kinetic energy setting.

12. Method of operating at least one door leaf according to claim 1 1 , wherein said increased kinetic energy setting comprises increasing the speed of said door leaf (1 ).

13. Method of operating at least one door leaf according to any of claims 10-12, further comprising the step of initiating movement of said at least one door leaf (1 ) from said closed position (C) to said open position (O), when a regular closing command or an emergency closing command no longer is received by said at least one door operator.