DE3416546A1 - Safety device for stopping motor-driven objects - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to achieve an improved response of a safety device, which has a light-barrier arrangement, for stopping motor-driven garage doors, the light-barrier arrangement consists of a light transmitter and a light receiver (5, 6) which are arranged at both ends of a profiled rail (10) which exhibits a light duct (9). In the event of striking against an obstruction, the profiled rail (10), which consists of elastically deformable material, is squeezed together, thus reducing the cross-section of the light duct (9), so that the light beam (8) is interrupted. <IMAGE>

Description

Safety device for stopping

Motorized Objects The invention relates to a safety device for stopping motorized objects, with a light barrier arrangement and a switching device connected to it for the one moving the object Motor drive.

Such safety devices are used in a wide variety of fields for use. Examples of this are, for example, automatically closing gates, Doors and leaves, such as automatic elevator doors and garage doors.

In the following, the case in particular is intended as an illustrative example of a garage door. However, the invention relates generally to safety devices of the type mentioned above for all objects that have a similar safety-related Problem occurs as with garage doors, wings or elevator doors.

In the case of garage doors that are moved with the help of an electric motor, be it with Garage doors for spacious underground garages or multi-storey car parks, be it for individual garages with an ultrasonic remote control, for example, the garage door closes or opening electric motor by, for example, a remote control mechanism generated switch-on signal switched on, so that the garage door is moved, and the motor is switched off when the garage door has reached its end position Has. While opening a garage door don't always take special safety precautions makes necessary, different cases are possible when closing a garage door, in which premature stopping of the garage door drive motor is either essential is necessary or at least desirable.

For example, assume that the user is a The underground car park via a key switch installed outside the garage door starts the garage door-opening motor. After opening the garage door passes a certain time interval until the garage door automatically closes again Position is moved. If the car is for any reason, for example because of a breakdown, stops in the area of the garage door, the closing one strikes Garage door on the vehicle and will certainly damage the vehicle and possibly also the drive mechanism of the garage door. Similar accidents can occur if the vehicle passes the garage door too late or too early.

A far greater danger with motorized garage doors consists in the fact that a person is in the area of automatically closing Garage door is located and has no way of stopping the moving garage door to evade. In such cases, the garage door must be stopped under all circumstances will.

The problem outlined above is not only diverse in the case of garage doors Type (roller gates, sectional gates, swing gates and the like) given, but in in a corresponding manner, for example, when securing shop windows for Use of rolling or scissor bars, for elevator doors and the like.

In order to avoid accidents with such systems, it has already been proposed that A switching device that switches off the motor drive via a light barrier arrangement to operate. The light barrier arrangement can, for example at the lower edge of a garage door.

There is a light-emitting one at one corner of the garage door Element from which light is transmitted to a light receiving element arranged at the other corner is given. If the light beam is through an obstacle, for example by a Vehicle body, interrupted, it is in the to the light barrier arrangement connected switching device generates a switch-off signal for the motor drive.

The known light barrier arrangements, however, have certain disadvantages. A particular disadvantage is in it too.

see that basically as with almost all light barriers interference through FrendlichteViluss are possible. In addition, with pollution of the both light barrier elements and thus an impairment of the functionality the light barrier to be expected. Another disadvantage to be taken into account is that especially in the case of a garage door the light barrier arrangement and thus the The light path that is decisive for switching off the motor drive is usually in the direction of movement of the garage door is arranged. Imagine a moving vehicle before, which is pivoted in the direction of an obliquely downward in the closing direction Garage door moving too, so you can imagine the moving vehicle hits the side of the garage door before the light barrier assembly can address at all. In other words: the well-known light barrier arrangement speaks essentially only in one direction of movement of the moving object respond to any obstacles.

The invention is based on the object of a safety device of the type mentioned in such a way that one in comparison to the known Devices increased reliability when stopping the motorized objects is achieved.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in a safety device of the type mentioned above achieved in that the light path of the light barrier arrangement is surrounded by a closed profile rail made of elastic material.

The light barrier arrangement is in contrast to the prior art now no longer free, but the light path is from the profile rail in its longitudinal direction completely enclosed. The two light barrier elements are expedient arranged at both ends of the profile rail. This is a disruptive influence switched off by extraneous light as well as functional impairment due to contamination the light barrier elements.

If now the motor-driven object with its in the direction of movement the front edge hits an obstacle, the elastic one deforms Material existing profile rail by being squeezed together.

This squeezing action creates the light path between the two Light barrier elements interrupted, so that the movement of the object through Switching off the motor drive and / or stopped by actuating a brake mechanism will. It is less important from which side the profile rail is from is deformed, i.e. regardless of whether the profile rail is in the direction of movement or encounters an obstacle perpendicular to the direction of movement, an interruption occurs of the light beam.

A particular advantage arises when, for example, a vehicle is head-on opens onto a closing garage door. In such a rear-end collision the garage door is damaged and deformed. If with a light barrier arrangement without the profile rail according to the invention such an accident occurs, the motor drive not switched off because the light barrier arrangement was not interrupted directly and a deformation, for example, in the central area of the garage door, is not necessary either such a rotation of the light barrier elements must have the consequence that the light barrier arrangement appeals to. If, on the other hand, the described accident happens with one with the one according to the invention Safety device equipped garage door or the like, it causes deformation deformation of the door, for example a kinking or bending of the inventive Profile rail and thus an interruption of the light beam between the two Light barrier elements. The invention ensures a compared to State of the art significantly improved protection.

Although there are already known safety devices that are based on a Address deformation of loops, namely pneumatically operated devices, however, these are not reliable for a variety of reasons. On the one hand the response threshold for the switching membrane responding to air pressure very difficult to adjust. On the other hand, there is an air leak in the rubber hose the entire safety device inoperative. Such leaks can for example due to holes or aging of the material Cracks.

In a special application, the object is one of a kind Electric motor movable door, especially a garage door, and the profile rail is located on the edge that precedes the gate when the gate is closed. The special one Application of the invention to garage doors is of particular importance, as experience has shown here most problems arise. While, for example, with elevator doors or the like a "simple" light barrier arrangement can be sufficient because the elevator doors are due their relatively small mass can be moved very easily and quickly is a comparatively quick response of a safety device with the usual relatively heavy garage doors not possible. Therefore, a particularly reliable, i.e. one before incorrect response and one before late or non-response Protected safety device plays a special role.

In the simplest embodiment, the profile rail according to the invention consist of a simple hose. This embodiment is special cheap, but requires a not inconsiderable effort for assembly. In a A special embodiment of the invention is therefore provided that the profile rail a continuous, approximately T-shaped attachment attachment for attaching the profile rail in a groove formed on the object, an approximately circular light channel Cross-section, at least one, preferably two cable ducts and preferably one has a sickle-shaped cross-section having compensation profile, which on formed on the opposite side of the light channel from the attachment attachment is. With this special configuration of the profile rail, for the self-employed Protection is asserted is in addition to the protection of the light barrier arrangement and simple assembly due to the improved functionality explained above of the attachment approach possible. Furthermore allow the cable ducts a convenient guidance of the electrical required for the light barrier arrangement Cables. The compensating profile, which is tight fit, is particularly advantageous the profile rail and thus the closing edge of the object or the garage door on the substrate made possible without the light channel being squeezed and thereby the light barrier arrangement responds. The compensation profile takes minor deformations caused by unevenness in the ground, stones lying around and the like will. When the garage door reaches its end position, the compensation profile at least slightly indented in some places. To the end position of the object and thus the extent to which the profile rail is squeezed together, in particular the precisely define the compensation profile attached to it or integrated therein, the invention provides that the arranged at the two ends of the rail Light barrier elements are housed in box-shaped housings, which are from the The leading edge of the gate protrudes a little less than the profile rail. When the moving object reaches its end position, the compensation profile becomes something pressed together until roughly the sides of the housing that are at the front in the direction of movement reach their end position, for example hit the floor.

In a development of the invention it is provided that both the light-emitting as well as the light-receiving element of the light barrier arrangement a lens is assigned. Such a lens allows the beam path to be within broaden the light path, for example, so that the light barrier arrangement with appropriate Adjustment can already respond when, for example, a third or the Half of the light beam cross-section interrupted is.

The above-mentioned improved functionality of the inventive Safety device in relation to the angle of impact of the motorized object with regard to an obstacle can be further improved in that the profile rail not only protrudes from the leading edge of the moving gate, but also protrudes perpendicular to the plane of the gate on both sides. Achieved by this measure comprehensive protection without the need for additional light barrier arrangements Need to become.

To a defined impact of the closing edge of the moving object to achieve at the opposite closing edge and at the same time the elements of the light barrier arrangement To protect effectively, the invention provides that the light barrier elements or whose housings are designed as force-absorbing stop elements. While closing of the object, this is supported on the stop elements.

Basically, the largest possible area is aimed for in which the safety device is effective. In the case of one in side guide rails guided roller shutter is provided according to the invention that the light barrier elements or their housing are dimensioned such that they are each within the associated Find space for the guide rail. This measure ensures that the two Front sides of the profile rail can lie close to the guide rails, so that practically the entire clear width of the opening to be closed by the roller door can be protected. Namely, the rail ends a little before the respective guide rail, it can lead to accidents, for example if someone with a foot stands directly next to a guide rail or a Object is leaning against the guide rail.

In order to increase general safety, the invention provides that the switching device has a self-monitoring function before each Actuation of the motor drive is activated.

In the following, embodiments of the invention are based on the Drawing explained in more detail. 1 shows a front view of part of a Garage door with safety device in the form of a light barrier arrangement, Fig. 2 shows a cross section of a profile rail attached to the lower edge of a garage door, and FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a safety device according to the invention.

The garage door 1 shown partially and schematically in FIG for example a roller door known per se with guide rails 2 and from these held slats 3. The lower edge of the garage gate 1 is through a conclusion ledge 4 formed. At the end strip 4 close as an extension of the guide rails 2 box, ö = ae housing 5 or 6, the housing 5 being a not shown here Light receiver and the housing 6 receives a light transmitter. Left 1 shows how the light transmitter in the housing 6 is preceded by a lens 7 is, of which the light beam emitted by the light transmitter is, for example, such is bundled that parallel light rays with an overall relatively large cross section develop. This light beam is indicated by the reference number 8 in FIG.

The light beam runs in a light channel 9 within a, for example Profile rail 10 made of rubber or relatively soft plastic.

The profile rail 10 is shown in cross section in FIG. she has a T-shaped extension 11, with which it is in a groove 12 in the lower edge the end strip 4 can be fastened. The light channel 9 takes up the largest space in the Cross section of the profile rail 10. Between the T-shaped extension 11 and the Light channel 9, two cable channels 13 and 14 are formed. This is an easy one Connection of the light transmitter and the light receiver in the box-shaped housings 6 and 5 possible. In the lower area of the profile rail 10 is a compensation profile 15 approximately sickle-shaped cross-section is provided.

As shown at the bottom right in FIG. 1, the lower edge 17 ends of the housing 5 slightly above the lower edge 16 of the profile rail 10. As in the Partial sectional view can be seen at the bottom left in Figure 1, the lower edge ends the housing 5 and 6 approximately in the central area of the sickle-shaped recess 15. The The closing movement of the garage door 1 is indicated by the arrow S in FIG.

3 shows a simplified block diagram of an inventive Safety device. The light transmitter and the light receiver that are here with the the same reference numerals are provided as the respective associated housing 6 or 5, are connected to a switching device 18.

In addition, the switching device 18 has an on / off switching mechanism 19 connected. When the switching mechanism 19 is operated, the garage door becomes 1 driving motor M switched on by the switching device 18. Normally the motor M moves the garage door 1 to a defined end position in which the Garage door, for example, actuates a limit switch that controls the switching device 18 causes the motor M to be switched off. The limit switches and those interacting with them Parts are not shown in detail in the drawing.

If now during the closing movement of the garage door 1 an obstacle is present on which the profile rail 10 meets, this is indicated by the arrows P in Figure 3 identified light interrupted so that the light receiver 5 no Receives light. As a result, the switching device 18 receives a corresponding signal, which is an immediate shutdown via a circuit that is not of further interest here of the motor M or switching from the downward movement directly to the upward movement causes. Alternatively or additionally, a brake mechanism can be actuated. the Switching device 18 can contain special functions, such functions can for example, a preliminary check of the proper functioning of the light barrier arrangement include. The dependent on the strength of the light received by the light receiver 5 Response threshold can be set by suitable switching means in the switching device Adjust 18.

When the garage door 1 moved in the closing direction S is its defined When the end position is reached without hitting an obstacle in the meantime, the Underside 20 of the profile rail 10 on the floor, the sickle-shaped compensation profile 15 absorbs any unevenness in the floor to avoid undesirable response to the To avoid light barrier arrangement.

As shown in Figure 2, the side walls 21, 22 protrude from the profile rail 10 over the side walls of the end strip 4 and thus over the sides of the garage door something out. The light barrier arrangement does not only respond when the profile rail in Fig. 2 is squeezed together from bottom to top, but also when there is a squeezing from one side or the other takes place here. The effectiveness of the safety device is also guaranteed if if, for example, a vehicle hits the roller door shown in FIG. 1 head-on on drives. According to Fig. 2, this means that the vehicle is seen from above on the right, for example of the T-shaped extension 11 impinges on the garage door. With a light barrier arrangement without the profile rail, the light beam would not be interrupted, and that Tor would keep moving, potentially causing even more damage could. For example, the final strip 4 is from the bumper of a vehicle hit, this end strip will deform, and along with this Deformation will also deform the profile rail 10, so that the light path 8 is interrupted. The safety device according to the invention also speaks on when the light path is not interrupted directly, but only indirectly due to a deformation of mechanically connected to the profile rail Share.

According to FIG. 1, the two light barrier element housings 5 and jump 6 somewhat inward into the clear area of the roller door 1 to be closed opening before. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the two light barrier elements are including the associated lenses 7 so dimensioned that they are completely in each of a guide rail 2 are added. So together with the moving ones Photoelectric barrier elements that move parts of the roller shutter are permanently through the guide rails 2 protected.

A particular advantage here is to be seen in the fact that the both end faces of the profile rail 10 to very close to the inner sides of the respective Guide rails 2 can be guided so that the entire clear width of the door opening is secured.

If the light barrier arrangements protrude too far inwards, so the profile rail 10 is shortened, and narrow areas remain on each side, that are not covered. In the case of a garage door, it could then happen that someone has set foot in this area and because of the ineffective safety device get hurt.

The switching device 18 of the safety device shown schematically in FIG. 3 contains a self-monitoring function, which consists of a logical combination and Memory elements existing circuit is. If the motor drive is used to move the If the garage door is switched on, a self-check is carried out before the motor is started in such a way that the light source is darkened by the switch-on signal the Light barrier arrangement is controlled, this darkening in turn result has that a switch located in the circuit of the drive motor, e.g.

a relay switch, opens. This opening of the switch then has result that due to the condition motor drive switched on and light barrier arrangement functional "the circuit of the drive motor is finally closed.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment presented above limited, but also applicable to elevator doors, concertina bars, sliding garage doors and the same.

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Claims (9)

Safety device for stopping motorized objects Claims 1. Safety device for stopping motorized objects, with a light barrier arrangement and a switching device connected to it for the motor drive moving the object, thus not indicated e t that the light path (8,9) of the light barrier arrangement (5, 6) from a closed Profile rail (10) made of elastic material is surrounded. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the object a door that can be moved by an electric motor (M), in particular a garage door (1), and that the profile rail (10) on the edge preceding when the gate is closed (4) of the gate is arranged. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rail has a continuous, approximately T-shaped attachment attachment (11) for fastening the profile rail (10) in one formed on the object Groove (12), a light channel (9) approximately circular cross-section, at least one, preferably two cable ducts (13, 14) and one, preferably one sickle-shaped Has cross-section having compensating profile (15), which on the attachment approach (11) opposite side of the light channel (9) is formed. 4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, in particular according to claim 3, characterized in that the arranged at the two ends of the profile rail (10) Light barrier elements are housed in box-shaped housings (5, 6) which protrude a little less from the leading edge of the gate than the profile rail (10). 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that that both the light emitting and the light receiving element of the light barrier arrangement a lens (7) is assigned. 6. Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that that the profile rail not only from the leading edge of the moving gate protrudes, but also protrudes perpendicular to the plane of the gate on both sides. 7. Device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that that the light barrier elements or their housing (5, 6) as force-absorbing stop elements are trained. 8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the moving object is a roller door guided in lateral guide rails (2) (1) and that the light barrier elements or their housing (5, 6) are dimensioned in this way are that they can each find space within the associated guide rail (2). 9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the switching device has a self-monitoring function before each Actuation of the motor drive is activated.