EP0748916A1 - Actuator for a gate or other closure panel - Google Patents

Abstract

The operating system comprises an actuator (10) and two pivots (15) with a mechanism for uncoupling two parts of the actuator system. The uncoupling mechanism has a locker (18,22) with a latch (22) carried by one of the parts, and a bolt (18) carried by the other part. The latch has a control part allowing freeing of the bolt. The force necessary for operating the control part being much less than and independent of the pulling force tending to separate the bolt from the latch. The locker is of the type used in seat belt buckles. The actuator is pivoted near one of its ends about a spindle (14) on a metal fitting (12) fixed on the door panel. The locker is located between the other end of the actuator and the adjacent end (20) of the metal fitting.

Description

The present invention relates to motorized devices for actuating movable closure panels, such as a door or a gate.

In the case, for example, of a portal, the latter comprises at least one movable leaf articulated on a fixed structure, pillar or wall, around an axis materialized by hinges. The actuation device is then placed between the fixed structure and the movable leaf, this device comprising an actuator proper, of any known suitable type, hydraulic or electromechanical and at least two articulations of axes substantially parallel to the axis of articulation of the leaf on the fixed structure, one of these articulations being arranged in the vicinity of the fixed structure and the other in the vicinity of the leaf.

In the event of failure of the device, due to any malfunction, the leaf being locked in the closed position, it is necessary, in order to be able to open it, to neutralize it, this operation generally being carried out by uncoupling the device from leaf actuation.

However, in known devices, this uncoupling is not easy because in the closed position, the actuator exerts a bracing force, so that the means which are provided for disconnecting or uncoupling the actuation device from the leaf, are difficult to maneuver. This is the case, for example, with a device described in document FR-A-2,469,543 which provides for an articulation between the actuator proper and a tab which is guided in a slide fastened to the leaf and which can be made secured to this slide by means of a locking screw, acting by friction, so that more the friction force is high and the more difficult the release.

A first object of this invention is to provide an actuating device, in particular for a gate, which does not have this drawback and which on the contrary can be easily uncoupled in the event of any breakdown or malfunction.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for actuating a movable closure panel, articulated on a fixed structure, this actuation device being disposed between the fixed structure and the movable panel and comprising at least one actuator and at least two articulations, means being provided for uncoupling two elements of the actuating device and thus releasing the movable panel, in the event of a malfunction, characterized in that said means comprise a locking mechanism of the type comprising a keeper carried by the one of the elements and a bolt carried by the other element, the keeper comprising a control member making it possible to release the bolt, the force necessary to operate the control member being much weaker than, and substantially independent of, the tensile force tending to separate the bolt from the strike.

Conveniently, the locking mechanism is of the type used in the buckles of safety belts or straps fitted to vehicles.

• le dispositif d'actionnement, du type comprenant un moto-réducteur articulé au voisinage d'une de ses extrémités sur une ferrure fixée sur le panneau mobile, est caractérisé en ce que le mécanisme de verrouillage est disposé entre l'autre extrémité du moto-réducteur et l'extrémité adjacente de la ferrure ;
• le dispositif d'actionnement, du type comprenant au moins un bras articulé sur la structure fixe et sur un coulisseau reçu dans une glissière fixée sur le panneau mobile, est caractérisé en ce que le mécanisme de verrouillage à gâche et pêne est disposé entre le coulisseau et la glissière ;
• la glissière porte la gâche et le coulisseau porte le pêne.

According to other characteristics:

• the actuating device, of the type comprising a geared motor articulated in the vicinity of one of its ends on a fitting fixed to the movable panel, is characterized in that the locking mechanism is disposed between the other end of the motor reducer and the adjacent end of the fitting;
• the actuating device, of the type comprising at least one arm articulated on the fixed structure and on a slide received in a slide fastened on the movable panel, is characterized in that the locking mechanism with strike and bolt is arranged between the slide and the slide;
• the slide carries the strike and the slide carries the bolt.

Furthermore, it is important to be able to close the gate, while the actuating device is still broken, and to be able to relock it in the closed position. This operation can be made difficult by the fact that during the uncoupling of the device, there is a release of the games which, in normal operation, are caught up under the effect of the bracing force exerted to keep the panel in closed position against the stop shoe.

In order to solve this particular problem, the device according to the invention comprises means for compensating for the clearances released during its uncoupling.

These means can be arranged in various locations of the device. They can for example be integrated into one of the articulations whose axis can occupy at least two positions corresponding, respectively, one to normal operation and the other to a device failure situation.

According to a particular embodiment, the articulation of the arm on the slide is carried out by means of an articulation piece which can occupy at least two positions, so as to be able to modify the position of the axis of the articulation.

These means can also be incorporated into the lock mechanism with strike and bolt, and comprise an additional locking member, cooperating with the bolt so as to lock the latter in a position different from that in which it is normally locked in the keeper, this additional blocking member being erasable so as to be able to release the bolt.

Another disadvantage of the known devices lies in the fact that the uncoupling of the actuating device can only be carried out from inside the gate, that is to say on the side where the actuating device is located, which is extremely annoying if the enclosure closed by the gate does not have a gate, which can be opened independently.

In order to solve this problem, according to a preferred embodiment, the actuation device according to the invention comprises a lock carried by the movable panel and accessible at least from the outside of the latter, this lock being adapted to be able to act on the control member of the locking mechanism and release the bolt from the striker;

• la serrure est du type comprenant un corps fixe et un canon amovible, relié par un lien à l'organe de commande de la gâche ;
• la serrure est disposée au voisinage de la gâche et traverse la glissière et le panneau mobile, cette serrure comportant un panneton mobile coopérant avec un organe intermédiaire relié à l'organe de commande de la gâche ;
• l'organe intermédiaire est un étrier muni de deux rebords en prise sur l'organe de commande et dont l'âme coopère avec le panneton de la serrure, cette dernière s'étendant dans l'espace délimité entre ladite âme et la gâche.

According to other characteristics:

• the lock is of the type comprising a fixed body and a removable barrel, connected by a link to the strike control member;
• the lock is arranged in the vicinity of the strike and crosses the slide and the movable panel, this lock comprising a movable bit cooperating with an intermediate member connected to the control member of the strike;
• the intermediate member is a stirrup provided with two flanges engaged on the control member and whose core cooperates with the bit of the lock, the latter extending in the space delimited between said core and the keeper.

• la figure 1 représente de façon schématique un portail équipé d'un dispositif d'actionnement suivant un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective à plus grande échelle d'une partie du dispositif de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 2 représentant le dispositif en position désaccouplée ;
• les figures 4 et 5 sont des vues analogues à celles des figures 2 et 3, d'une variante de réalisation ;
• la figure 6 représente un portail équipé d'un dispositif d'actionnement d'un type différent, perfectionné selon l'invention ;
• la figure 7 est une vue en perspective à plus grande échelle d'une partie du dispositif de la figure 6 ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en perspective avec arrachement montrant le dispositif en position désaccouplée ; et
• les figures 9 à 12 sont des vues en coupe représentant dans quatre positions différentes une variante de réalisation.

The invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, given only by way of examples and in which:

• Figure 1 schematically shows a portal equipped with an actuating device according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of part of the device of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 showing the device in the uncoupled position;
• Figures 4 and 5 are views similar to those of Figures 2 and 3, of an alternative embodiment;
• FIG. 6 represents a gate equipped with an actuation device of a different type, improved according to the invention;
• Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of part of the device of Figure 6;
• Figure 8 is a perspective view with cutaway showing the device in the uncoupled position; and
• Figures 9 to 12 are sectional views showing in four different positions an alternative embodiment.

We see in Figure 1 a portion of a portal, comprising a movable leaf V mounted by hinges G on a pillar P. In the closed position, this leaf abuts against a shoe S fixed in the ground.

It is equipped with a motorized actuating device which, in the embodiment shown, comprises a motor-reduction unit 10 carried by a fitting 12, itself fixed to the leaf by any suitable means (Figures 2 and 3) .

The gear motor constituting an actuator is articulated on the fitting around an axis 14 and it comprises at its end opposite to that where the articulation is located, a stirrup 16 delimiting a bolt 18 constituted by a lug in which a notch 19 is formed.

The fitting 12 supporting the gear motor is folded at its end at 20 to receive the striker portion 22 of a locking mechanism of the type used in the buckles of seat belts for vehicles or any other mechanism fulfilling the same function. The mechanism constituting this keeper is known per se and will therefore not be described in detail. A description of such a mechanism can be found in particular in documents DE-A-19 38 380, SE-A-389798, DE-27 54 389, WO-80/00404, FR-A-2.349.296, FR- A-2,379.995, FR-A-2.509.969.

It will simply be indicated that this loop comprises a blocking member intended to cooperate with the bolt 18, coming to engage in the notch 19 formed in this bolt, as well as a control button 24 making it possible to release the blocking member and to release the bolt, a spring being moreover provided in the keeper to push back the bolt when it has been released. These mechanisms are designed to be able to withstand relatively large tensile forces exerted between the bolt and the strike and so that the force required to actuate the control key and release the bolt remains low and preferably substantially constant.

The actuation device is completed, in a known manner, by two arms articulated together at 27 and of which the first 26 is integral with the output shaft 15 of the geared motor group, while the other 28 is articulated at 29 on a fitting 30 itself fixed on the pillar.

The operation of such a device is the following: in normal operation, the gear motor 10 is made integral with the fitting 12 fixed to the leaf, by means of the locking mechanism 18, 22, as shown in FIG. 2. The opening and closing of the leaf are obtained by supplying the gear motor and rotating its output shaft, respectively, in one direction or the other.

In the event of a breakdown, due to any malfunction of the device or of its electrical supply, the user can disconnect this device simply by acting on the control button 24 of the locking mechanism. The gear motor 10 can then rotate around the articulation 14. Although a bracing effort is exerted between the bolt and the strike, the actuation of the control key can be carried out without effort, this which makes it possible to solve the problem encountered with previous devices.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show part of an actuating device of the same general type described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, but comprising an additional improvement. This is how the leaf is provided with a lock 40 disposed in the vicinity of the locking mechanism, this lock 40 being able to be actuated by means of a key, from outside the leaf V. The lock 40 comprises a body 42 fixed on the leaf and a barrel 44 connected by a cable 46 to the control button 24 of the locking mechanism.

The lock used is of the type known per se, in which in the closed position, the barrel is integral with the body of the lock, while in the open position, this barrel is released from the body and can be extracted therefrom, as shown in Figure 5.

The operation of this device is very simple: while in the embodiment of the Figures 1 to 3 the actuating device could only be uncoupled from the inside, thanks to the presence of the lock 40, in the event of a breakdown, the user can from the outside of the leaf open the lock, extract the barrel removable 44 and exerting via the cable 46 a traction having the effect of displacing the control key and releasing the bolt from the striker, as shown in FIG. 5.

Figures 6 to 8 show another embodiment of a device according to the invention. This figure shows part of a portal, comprising a movable leaf V articulated by hinges G on a pillar P. The actuating device, the overall design of which is known, comprises a support 50 fixed on the pillar P, an arm 52 articulated on this support around an axis 54, a bent arm 56 articulated, on the one hand, in 57 on the arm 52 and on the other hand on a yoke 58 via a pin , materialized by a pin 59 (Figure 7).

The articulation 57 between the arm 52 and the bent arm 56 comprises a drive mechanism of the gear wheel and worm type, the latter being able to be driven in rotation from an electric motor, not shown in the drawing, housed for example in the support 50 or in the arm 52. Such drive means constitute an actuator. They are also known and will therefore not be described in detail.

The end of the bent arm is articulated on the yoke 58 by means of the spindle 59 which, in normal operation of the device, is received in a first set of orifices 60 formed in the branches of the yoke (Figure 8). According to an original characteristic, which will be explained below, the yoke preferably comprises a second set of holes 62, in which the pin can be received in order to move the location of the axis of articulation between the arm 56 and the yoke.

The yoke 58 is carried by a slide 64 having a U shape and which is integral with a lug 66 constituting a bolt, this bolt comprising in the vicinity of its free end a notch or a hole 68. The slide 64 is received in a slide 70 fixed on the leaf. This slide is formed by a section of rectangular section whose face 71 directed towards the actuating device is indented at 72 so as to allow the passage and the displacement of the yoke 58. This indentation 72 opens at the end of the slide furthest from the pillar, as seen in Figure 7.

Inside the slide 70 is fixed the striker portion 74 of a locking mechanism (Figure 8), which as in the previous embodiment, is of the type used in the buckles of seat belts for vehicles. This keeper 74 is fixed by means of a screw 76 and locked and centered by a cut and folded part 78 of the slide 70. The keeper 74 is completed by a piece 80 in the shape of a stirrup, the two longitudinal branches 81 of which include in the vicinity of their ends, two folded edges 82 engaging the control button 84 of the locking mechanism.

The device is completed by a lock 90 of the European barrel type, this lock having a sufficient length to be able to cross the slide and be accessible from the inner face and from the outer face of the leaf. The lock extends in the space left free between the keeper 74 of the locking mechanism and the core 83 of the stirrup 80, and it is arranged in such a way that its movable bit 92, actuated during the rotation of the key and the barrel can come into contact with the core 83 of the stirrup 80, push the latter and move the control button 84.

The operation of such a device is as follows: when the gate is in the closed position, the actuator exerts a certain force, which applies the leaf against the shoe S. This bracing effort is necessary to avoid games and leaf deflections, as well as the resulting noises. If for any reason the device breaks down, the user can, by acting on the lock 90, cause the movement of the stirrup 80 and the actuation of the control button 84 of the locking mechanism, this actuation having for effect of releasing the bolt 66 carried by the slide 64, and consequently of uncoupling the leaf actuation device. It is then easy to open the latter, the slide and the yoke being able to be released from the slide by the open end of the notch 72. The lock can be actuated from the inside or from the outside.

To re-couple the actuating device to the leaf, the user just has to engage the slide 64 in the slide 70, and move the leaf to its closed position, until the bolt 66 is reset. in the keeper 74 of the locking mechanism.

To facilitate this operation, before closing the leaf, it is necessary to move the articulation axis between the bent arm 56 and the slide 64, by releasing the spindle 59 and placing it in the second set of orifices 62 provided in the yoke 58. The position of this second set of articulation orifices is chosen so as to take account of the clearances which are caught up when the device is in the bracing position, the leaf being closed.

Figures 9 to 12 show a variant to the arrangement which has just been described of a hinge pin which can occupy two positions.

In this variant, the means making it possible to take account of the clearances which are released during the uncoupling of the actuating device are incorporated into the bolt and keeper locking mechanism. In order to facilitate the identification of the different parts, the parts corresponding to those shown in Figures 7 and 8 are designated in Figures 9 to 12 by the same reference numerals, increased by 100.

There is therefore a slide 164 carrying a bolt 166 and received slidingly in a slide 170. This bolt has two holes or notches 168, 169, instead of one as in the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8.

The keeper 174 is carried by a support 175 itself fixed on the slide 170. This keeper has a control key 184 and a locking member 173 intended to cooperate with the hole 168. Between the bottom of the slide and the support 175 is arranged a second locking member constituted by a metal tongue 200 elastically deformable, comprising at one end a hook 202, intended to cooperate with the second hole 169 of the bolt, and at its opposite end a tab 204 intended to cooperate with the bit d 'a lock, also optional. This lock 190 has been shown in phantom in FIG. 9.

The tongue 200 further comprises two lateral tabs 206 extending substantially perpendicularly to its plane and which are received in two lateral housings 208 of the control button 184. The tongue 200 is thus made integral with the control button, in translation in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the bolt relative to the keeper.

The operation of such a device is as follows: in the position of FIG. 9, the bolt is in the approach position, before being engaged in the keeper. This engaged position is shown in Figure 10 in which we can see that the locking member 173 is engaged in the hole 168 of the bolt. The locking hook 202 is then elastically erased under the bolt.

In the position of Figure 11, the locking of the bolt is obtained by the cooperation of the hook 202 and the second hole 169 formed in the bolt. This position of the bolt is offset from the previous one by a distance d which corresponds to the value of the clearances which are released when the actuating device is uncoupled.

This uncoupling corresponds to the situation represented in FIG. 12 where the control key 184 has been moved to the right by considering the drawing, at the same time as the tongue 200, which has the effect of erasing the hook 202 by an effect ramp intervening between the front edge 175a of the support 175 and an inclined part 201 of the tongue 200. The bolt is then released from one or the other of the two locking members and can move to the left considering the drawing to then be released from the slide, as has already been explained in connection with FIGS. 6 to 8.

The actuation of the control key 184 can be carried out manually by acting directly on this key, or else by means of the lock 190 whose angularly movable pin acts on the end tab 204 of the tongue.

• le désaccouplement du dispositif d'actionnement est rendu extrêmement facile, par l'utilisation d'un mécanisme de verrouillage et de déverrouillage dans lequel l'effort nécessaire lors de la manoeuvre de déverrouillage est faible et pratiquement indépendant de l'effort d'arc-boutement exercé par le dispositif ;
• ce résultat est obtenu en utilisant un mécanisme qui est connu par ailleurs dans des applications tout à fait différentes, et qui, étant fabriqué en grande série représente un coût relativement faible. L'adaptation du dispositif, pour l'incorporation d'un tel mécanisme est relativement simple et peu coûteuse ;
• lorsque le mécanisme de verrouillage est associé à une serrure accessible soit de l'extérieur, soit de l'intérieur et de l'extérieur du panneau mobile, un avantage supplémentaire important est obtenu puisque l'utilisateur peut très facilement désaccoupler le dispositif d'actionnement aussi bien de l'intérieur que de l'extérieur du portail ;
• dans les modes de réalisation des figures 6 à 8 et des figures 9 à 12, le dispositif d'actionnement peut être replacé en position d'utilisation et en position de blocage du portail, du fait de la prise en compte des jeux qui sont libérés lors du désaccouplement et qui sont habituellement résorbés par l'effort d'arc-boutement exercé en position de fermeture. Le coulisseau étant simplement réintroduit dans la glissière, l'utilisateur peut ensuite en étant à l'extérieur du portail, et en refermant ce dernier, provoquer le reverrouillage du pêne, sans avoir à agir directement sur le mécanisme.

It appears from the foregoing description, that in its various embodiments, the device according to the invention offers substantial advantages compared to previous arrangements:

• the uncoupling of the actuating device is made extremely easy, by the use of a locking and unlocking mechanism in which the effort required during the unlocking operation is low and practically independent of the arcing effort. buttressing exerted by the device;
• this is achieved using a mechanism which is known elsewhere in quite different applications, and which, being mass produced, represents a relatively low cost. The adaptation of the device, for the incorporation of such a mechanism is relatively simple and inexpensive;
• when the locking mechanism is associated with a lock accessible either from the outside, or from the inside and outside of the movable panel, an important additional advantage is obtained since the user can very easily uncouple the actuating device both inside and outside the portal;
• in the embodiments of FIGS. 6 to 8 and of FIGS. 9 to 12, the actuating device can be replaced in the position of use and in the locking position of the gate, due to the taking into account of the clearances which are released during uncoupling and which are usually absorbed by the bracing force exerted in the closed position. The slide being simply reintroduced into the slide, the user can then by being outside the gate, and by closing the latter, cause the bolt to be relocked, without having to act directly on the mechanism.

This possibility of relocking without great effort and from the outside undoubtedly constitutes a very important advantage of the device according to the invention.

Of course, similar means or equivalents can be provided in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, in order to be able to easily relock the gate in the closed position.

The invention can be applied to any device for actuating gates or the like, whatever the type of actuator used, hydraulic or electro-mechanical and whatever the kinematics of the means connecting the gate to the fixed structure on which it has climbed.

Claims (19)

Device for actuating a movable closing panel (V), articulated on a fixed structure (P), this actuating device being disposed between the fixed structure and the movable panel and comprising at least one actuator (10) and at at least two joints (15, 27, 29; 54, 57, 59), means being provided so as to be able to decouple two elements of the actuating device and thus free the movable panel, in the event of a malfunction, characterized in that said means comprise a locking mechanism (18, 22; 66, 74) of the type comprising a keeper (22; 74) carried by one of the elements and a bolt (18; 66) carried by the other element, the keeper comprising a member control to release the bolt, the force required to operate the control member being much lower than and substantially independent of the tensile force tending to separate the bolt from the strike. Actuation device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking mechanism is of the type used in the buckles of safety belts or straps fitted to vehicles. Actuating device according to either of Claims 1 and 2, of the type comprising a geared motor (10) articulated in the vicinity of one of its ends around an axis (14), on a fixed fitting (12) on the movable panel (V), characterized in that the locking mechanism (18, 22) is arranged between the other end of the gear motor (10) and the adjacent end (20) of the fitting (12). Actuation device according to claim 3, characterized in that the fitting (12) is folded at its end (at 20) to support a part (22) of the locking mechanism. Actuation device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the fitting (12) carries the keeper (22) and the gear motor (10) carries the bolt (18). Actuation device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, of the type comprising at least one arm (52, 56) articulated on the fixed structure (P) and on a slide (64) received in a fixed slide (70) on the movable panel (V), characterized in that the latch (74) and bolt (66) locking mechanism is arranged between the slide (64) and the slide (70). Actuation device according to claim 6, characterized in that the slide (70) carries the keeper (74) and the slide (64) carries the bolt (66). Actuating device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises means for compensating for the clearances released during its uncoupling. Actuation device according to claim 8, characterized in that said means are integrated into one of the articulations of the device and are adapted to be able to modify the position of the axis of this articulation. Actuation device according to claim 9, combined with one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the articulation of the arm (56) on the slide (64) is produced by means of an articulation piece ( 59) which can occupy at least two positions (60, 62). Actuation device according to claim 8, characterized in that said means (169, 202) are incorporated in the strike and bolt mechanism. Actuation device according to claim 11, characterized in that said means comprise an additional locking member (202), cooperating with the bolt so as to lock the latter in a position different from that in which it is normally locked, this additional locking member being erasable so as to be able to release the bolt. Actuation device according to claim 12, characterized in that the bolt (166) has two holes or notches (168, 169), the first (168) adapted to cooperate with the keeper and the second (169) adapted to cooperate with the end (202) of an elastically deformable tongue (200), this tongue being movable in translation, at the same time as the keeper control member (184), and cooperating with a fixed bearing surface (175a ), to be erased and release the bolt, when the body (184) for controlling the keeper is actuated in the unlocking direction. Actuation device according to claim 13 limited to its combination with one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the tongue (200) is placed between the keeper (174, 175) and the bottom of the slide (170) and comprises two folded side tabs (206), received in housings (208) of the control member (184) of the strike. Actuation device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it comprises a lock (40; 90; 190) accessible at least from the outside of the movable panel (V) and which is adapted to be able act on the control member (24; 74; 174) of the locking mechanism so as to release the bolt from the keeper. Actuation device according to claim 15, characterized in that the lock (40) is of the type comprising a fixed body (42) and a removable barrel (44), connected by a link (46) to the member strike control (24). Actuating device according to claim 15, combined with any one of claims 6 to 14, characterized in that the lock (90; 190) is arranged in the vicinity of the keeper (74) and passes through the slide (70; 170 ) and the movable panel (V), this lock comprising a movable bit (92) cooperating with an intermediate member (80; 200) connected to the control member (84; 184) of the keeper. Actuation device according to claim 17, characterized in that the intermediate member is a stirrup (80) provided with two flanges (82) engaged on the control member (84) and whose core (83) cooperates with the bit (92) of the lock, the latter extending in the space delimited between said core and the keeper. Actuation device according to one of claims 17, 18 combined with claim 14, characterized in that the tongue (200) has at its end opposite to that which cooperates with the bolt, a lug (204) with which can cooperate the movable bit of the lock (190), for actuating the tongue and the strike control member.

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