EP1245774B1 - Motorized roller shutter with stop of the motor upon detection of an obstacle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a rolling shutter comprising, on the one hand, a tree for winding and unwinding a apron defined by a juxtaposition of blades and having a free end provided with a final blade and, on the other hand, motorized drive means of said shaft winding, said roller shutter further comprising control means for stopping the drive motor in the event of detection of an obstacle in the path of said deck, especially during the development phase of the latter.

The present invention relates to the field of manufacturing roller shutters, more particularly, those fitted with a motorized drive device and which, therefore, require security measures to protect users.

It is already known rolling shutters of the type motorized intended to be installed at an opening in the form of a door, window or the like that has a building.

Such roller shutters are designed so that their opening and closing can be ordered, depending on the case, individually by intervening at the level of a housing dedicated to each of these components or in a grouped manner intervening at the level of a central control likely to manage several roller shutters simultaneously.

Such a central control is then connected to all of the shutters intended to be controlled simultaneously, such connection made through wiring or a link radio type or similar.

Thus, by intervening at the level of this central control, it it is possible to control the winding and / or the unwinding of the curtain of several rolling shutters simultaneously. At this We will observe that this central command can be located at a determined point from which it is not always possible to have a view on all the shutters ordered.

Also, it may be that during an unwinding maneuver or winding of the deck of one of these shutters, an obstacle located on the path of said deck.

Such an obstacle is likely to cause damage to the apron or motorized drive if movement of this deck is not interrupted.

Worse still, when a person, especially a child, is on the path of the apron, the latter can cause injuries, including trapping, to this person which is not acceptable.

Also, in order to avoid such disadvantages, it is known to equip said roller shutters with security means allowing, more particularly, to ensure protection of third.

Such security means are, in fact, constituted by a obstacle detector which, when said apron encounters a such obstacle, is designed capable of controlling the interruption of the operation of the shaft drive motor winding.

Also and according to a known embodiment, such a detector obstacle comprises a coding wheel placed at the end of a curtain winding shaft, such a coding wheel being, on the one hand, driven by a cable connected to the last blade of the apron and, on the other hand, associated with optical means.

When this last blade comes into contact with an obstacle, said cable no longer drives said encoder wheel which is detected by said optical means which operate on the drive motor for said shaft to interrupt the operation.

It should be noted that the cable connected to the last blade of the apron extends inside a lateral guide slide blades of said deck. Such an embodiment requires the placing, inside such a slide, said cable which turns out, in fact, to be an uneasy operation.

In addition, said blades of the deck are caused to move at the inside of this slide at the same time as said cable this which frequently causes a certain number of malfunctions roller shutter.

Another solution is to have a magnet at the level of the end of some deck slats while the end upper of a guide runner of the latter receives a ILS switch. This switch is designed to detect, on the one hand, the appropriate course of the apron during its deployment and, on the other hand, stopping the scrolling of this apron in case of blockage. So when a stop the scrolling of said apron, it is ensured a interruption of engine operation.

Such an embodiment has, in fact, a certain inertia so that when the obstacle is near the opening threshold, almost the entire weight of the deck comes to rest on said obstacle before the interruption of scrolling of said apron.

• une feuille de couverture interne composée d'une première couche non conductrice de couverture interne couverte d'un premier film conducteur raccordé à un câble électrique associé à un circuit électrique ;
• une couche de mousse piézo-résistive attachée, notamment par adhésion, audit premier film conducteur ;
• des moyens d'espacement associés à ladite couche de mousse piézo-résistive ;
• une feuille de couverture externe componée d'un second film conducteur, raccordé à un câble électrique associé à un circuit électrique, séparé de ladite couche de mousse piézo-résistive par les moyens d'espacement et couvert d'une seconde couche non conductrice de couverture externe.

It is also known from document US-5,856,644 a contact detector capable of equipping the lower end of a sliding door or the like. Such a contact detector is similar to a switch and is in the form of a stack of layers which, from the inside to the outside of this detector, comprises:

• an internal cover sheet composed of a first non-conductive layer of internal cover covered with a first conductive film connected to an electric cable associated with an electric circuit;
• a layer of piezoresistive foam attached, in particular by adhesion, to said first conductive film;
• spacing means associated with said layer of piezoresistive foam;
• an outer cover sheet comprising a second conductive film, connected to an electric cable associated with an electric circuit, separated from said layer of piezoresistive foam by the spacing means and covered with a second non-conductive cover layer external.

Another disadvantage is that the detectors state of the art obstacle are only designed able to operate when the deck is moving under the impetus of motorized drive means.

Such detectors are, however, not designed to be capable of detect a break-in attempt during which it is exerted an action on the final blade in order to ensure the lifting the apron to push it back inside from his box.

The present invention seeks to overcome the drawbacks of obstacle detectors of the state of the art.

To this end, the present invention relates to a rolling shutter comprising, on the one hand, a shaft for winding and unfolding of an apron defined by a juxtaposition of blades and having a free end provided with a final blade and, on the other hand, motorized type drive means of said winding shaft, said rolling shutter further comprising control means for stopping the drive motor in the event of detection of an obstacle in the path of said deck, especially during the development phase of the latter, such means associated with the lower end of the blade final and being defined by at least one device, connected said engine by means of connecting means, and designed on the one hand, capable of being deformed under the effect of contact with an obstacle and, on the other hand, to react to such a deformation by emitting and / or modifying an electrical signal capable of stop the engine, this device being defined by at minus an electromechanical transducer. This component is characterized by the fact that such an electromechanical transducer is consisting of a piezoelectric sensor placed inside a longitudinal internal cavity that includes a seal sealing seal fitted to the lower end of the blade final, especially the lower song of the latter.

According to another characteristic, the piezoelectric sensor is defined as a piezoelectric ceramic, a piezoelectric polymer or the like, this sensor being made integral with the lower edge of said final blade.

An additional characteristic concerns the fact that the cavity internal longitudinal seal is delimited by an inner wall at which a layer is added of a piezoelectric polymer defining said piezoelectric sensor.

In fact, the piezoelectric polymer layer has a thickness between 20 and 100 µm and extends over a part at least the length of the threaded joint.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the device reacting to a deformation is designed capable of emitting and / or modify an electrical signal with characteristics different depending on the nature of the obstacle with which this device comes into contact.

An additional feature concerns the fact that control means are supplemented by means capable of ensuring their inactivation when the final slide is near immediate or in contact with the threshold of a door, window or analog equipped with said rolling shutter.

According to another characteristic, said device capable of reacting to a deformation is connected to an alarm center for a peripheral protection of a building, in particular of a dwelling.

The advantages of the present invention are that the obstacle detector comprises at least one device designed capable to react to deformation, in particular to crushing.

Such a device, when the deck is in motion, comes first of all in contact with an obstacle which, then and according to the case, exerts pressure on this device or is pressed against the latter by the apron. This device then undergoes a crushing deformation which causes a reaction of said device, this reaction being able to command the stopping of the engine.

In fact, such a device is designed capable, under the effect of a action by an obstacle, to be issued and / or modified immediately an electrical signal. This signal is immediately passed on to the engine which interprets it as a sound command shutdown which instantly causes the immobilization of the apron.

Such a device is associated with the final blade of the deck, especially at the lower edge of this blade, which, on the one hand, facilitates its accessibility and, on the other hand, allows to deport said device, for the most part, outside of apron guide rails.

Said device consists of a transducer electromechanical defined in a piezoelectric material, which, under the effect of a deformation, resulting in particular from a force applied to it, is likely to generate and / or modify an electrical signal. Such a device is, for therefore and advantageously, capable of generating a signal electric without necessarily requiring a energy supply, especially on a continuous basis electric for its operation.

In addition, said device is arranged to the inside of a seal fitted to the final blade of the roller shutter deck.

According to another advantageous characteristic, said device is designed to present a reaction related to the nature of the obstacle with which it comes into contact. This allows, depending on this obstacle (obstacle, threshold, shock ...), to issue a particular type of electrical signal and / or modify in particular such a signal, said signal being representative of the nature of the obstacle encountered. In analyzing this signal, it is advantageously possible to cause a determined reaction of said roller shutter (pursuit of the apron unfolding, raising the apron ...) and / or associated devices (triggering of a alarm ...) in response to a specific type of obstacle.

La figure 1 est une vue schématisée, de face et en coupe partielle d'un volet roulant destiné à équiper une ouverture que présente un bâtiment.

La figure 2 est une vue schématisée d'un détail du tablier du volet roulant de la figure 1 équipé de moyens de commande d'arrêt selon l'invention.

Les figures 3 et 4 sont des vues schématisées, en perspective et en coupe partielle, d'une lame finale équipée d'un dispositif constitué par au moins un transducteur électromécanique sous la forme d'un capteur piézo-électrique, ceci selon deux modes de réalisation.

Les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues similaires aux figures 3 et 4 et correspondent à un dispositif constitué par au moins un transducteur électromécanique sous la forme d'une couche d'un polymère piézo-électrique selon deux modes de réalisation.

The invention is set out in more detail in the description which follows relating to an embodiment given by way of example and illustrated in the figures of the attached drawing.

Figure 1 is a schematic front view in partial section of a roller shutter intended to equip an opening that has a building.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a detail of the apron of the roller shutter of Figure 1 equipped with stop control means according to the invention.

Figures 3 and 4 are schematic views, in perspective and in partial section, of a final blade equipped with a device consisting of at least one electromechanical transducer in the form of a piezoelectric sensor, this according to two modes of production.

Figures 5 and 6 are views similar to Figures 3 and 4 and correspond to a device consisting of at least one electromechanical transducer in the form of a layer of a piezoelectric polymer according to two embodiments.

The present invention relates to the field of manufacturing motorized roller shutters intended to equip a door, a window or the like located at an opening that presents a building.

The invention will find application both in the context of the renovation of a building only when the latter is equipped origin of such roller shutters.

In a manner known per se and as shown in Figure 1, such roller shutter 1 has a winding shaft 2 on which rolls up and from which takes place an apron 3 made up by a juxtaposition of blades 4 whose ends 5 are able to move in lateral slides 6, 6 '.

In fact, among these juxtaposed blades 4 it will be noted, from a part, a first blade (not shown) through which said deck 3 is made integral with said winding shaft 2, and, on the other hand, a final blade 7 defining the end free and distal of said apron 3.

This roller shutter 1 is completed by means 8 of the type motorized, associated with said winding shaft 2, and suitable for ensure the training of the latter 2 to proceed, according to case, to the winding or unfolding of said deck 3.

In this regard, it will be observed that, for security reasons, it is known to supplement these motorized means 8 with means 9 able to control the shutdown of the deck drive motor 8 3 if an obstacle is detected in the path of this apron 3, especially during the unfolding phase of the latter.

According to the invention, the control means 9 are associated with the final blade 7 and are defined by at least one device 10 designed to be deformed, in particular by crushing, under the effect of contact with an obstacle.

In fact, such a device 10 is designed capable of reacting to a such distortion by emitting and / or modifying a signal electric capable of controlling engine stop 8.

A first solution consists in defining said device 10 by at least one electromechanical transducer 11 connected, by through connecting means 12, to the means motorized drive 8, this electromechanical transducer 11 being associated with said final blade 7 at its end lower 13, in particular at the level of its lower edge 14.

Such an electromechanical transducer 11 is designed capable, under the effect of a distortion, to issue and / or modify a signal electric, such a signal being transmitted, via said connecting means 12, to the drive means motorized 8 to stop the engine.

According to a first embodiment not shown said electromechanical transducer 11 can be defined by a sensor pressure, in particular supplied with electrical energy, and delivering an electrical reference signal. Such a sensor, under the force of an obstacle, causes a modification of the reference electrical signal, such modification constituting an engine stop command 8.

Such an embodiment therefore requires ensuring supply of said pressure sensor with electrical energy to the less as long as the deck 3 is in motion. In fact, such feeding can be ensured, for example, via connecting means 12.

However and according to a preferred embodiment, said electromechanical transducer 11 consists of a sensor piezoelectric 15 defined in a piezoelectric material.

In this regard, it will be observed that such a type of transducer electromechanical 11 may, again, require a power supply in energy for its operation. However and according to a mode advantageous implementation, it is possible to use a piezoelectric sensor 15 of autonomous type and not requiring no electric power supply for its operation.

Such a piezoelectric sensor 15 is, in fact, designed capable, under the effect of a deformation, resulting for example from a force exerted on it by an obstacle, to be emitted, in particular to generate, and / or modify an electrical signal constituting a engine stop control 8.

It is, more particularly, through connecting means 12 that this electrical signal emitted is passed on to the motorized drive means 8 so that these take into counts the engine stop command 8.

In this connection, it will be observed that such connecting means 12 can, according to a first embodiment, be constituted by a wired type connection capable of connecting said electromechanical transducer 11 to the drive means motorized 8.

However and according to a preferred embodiment, such connecting means 12 can be constituted by means of remote transmission, in particular of the radio or similar type, and comprising, on the one hand, a transmitter of the stop command constituted by the electrical signal, in particular amplified, emitted by said electromechanical transducer 11. Such a transmitter is associated with said electromechanical transducer 11 and is located, preferably at the level of said final blade 7. It will be observed that this transmitter can be associated with supply means autonomous and can be designed capable of being triggered by the signal electric emitted by the electromechanical transducer 11.

On the other hand, such transmission means include a receiver, capable of receiving said stop command from said transmitter, and preferably located near or at level of motorized drive means 8.

As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the transducer electromechanical 11 can take the form of a piezoelectric sensor 15 associated with the final blade 7, more particularly the lower end 13 of the latter 7.

According to a first embodiment shown in Figure 3, such sensor 15 is secured to the lower edge 14 of this final blade 7.

In fact and as can be seen in this same figure, the final blade 7 may include a plurality of these piezoelectric sensors 15 able to define said device 10 reacting to the deformation.

Such sensors 15 are then distributed, preferably of evenly, at the lower edge 14 of the blade final 7.

Said sensors 15 can, in a complementary manner, be associated, for example by bonding, to a connecting member 16, especially in the form of a rod or a bar, suitable for extend over at least part of the length of the blade final 7. Such a connecting member 16 is designed capable of transmit to at least one of these piezoelectric sensors 15 an action exerted by an obstacle on the apron 3 at the level of its final blade 7.

In this regard, it will be observed that a particular embodiment consists in equipping said final blade 7 with two sensors 15, arranged near each of the lateral ends of this final blade 7, and associated with a connecting member 16 of rigid type.

As visible in FIG. 3, the final blade 7 can, from in addition, be completed with a seal 17 engaged over its lower edge 14 as well as over said piezoelectric sensors 15. These are then arranged inside a longitudinal internal cavity 18 that includes said seal 17.

Figures 4 to 6 show embodiments of the invention corresponding to piezoelectric sensors 15 associated with a seal 17 itself associated with the lower end 13 of the final blade 7, in particular at lower edge level 14 of the latter.

As can be seen in these same figures, such a seal 17 has a longitudinal internal cavity 18 inside which is arranged at least one electromechanical transducer 11 defined by at least one piezoelectric sensor 15.

Thus, there is shown in Figure 4 an embodiment in which several piezoelectric sensors 15 are engaged in such an internal cavity 18 in order to define a device 10 able to react to deformation, in particular to crushing. These sensors 15 can then be fixed on a support 19 intended to be engaged inside this internal cavity 18. There still, these sensors 15 can be supplemented by a link 16 of the type mentioned above.

According to an additional feature of this invention, such sensors 15 are defined in a material piezoelectric, more particularly of a piezoelectric ceramic, made of a piezoelectric polymer or the like.

In this regard, it has been shown in Figures 3 and 4 of such sensors 15 defined in a piezoelectric material (ceramic, polymer or the like) and taking the form of a tablet or the like.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, sensors 15 have been represented. defined in a piezoelectric polymer material or the like.

In these same figures, it will be observed that the lower edge 14 of the final blade 7 is fitted with a seal 17 comprising a longitudinal internal cavity 18 delimited by a internal wall 20. It is, more particularly, at the level of this internal wall 20 which is added at least one layer 21 of a piezoelectric polymer capable of defining a piezoelectric sensor 15 constituting a device 10 capable of reacting to the deformation. This layer 21 of piezoelectric polymer is connected, in particular at at least one of the ends lateral of said final blade 7, to the connecting means 12.

In this regard, it should be observed that such a layer of polymer 21 extends over at least part of the length of the threaded joint 17 but that, according to a preferred embodiment, this layer 21 extends over the entire length of the latter 17.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, said seal 17 is of the open type and has a longitudinal slot 22 authorizing access to the longitudinal internal cavity 18.

Such an embodiment allows, at first, to ensure the manufacture of such a seal 17 and to give it immediately its final shape, like joints seal known in the prior art. Subsequently, a layer 21 of piezoelectric polymer is ensured after having opened said seal 17 at its longitudinal slot 22.

It is also possible to ensure the presence of such a layer 21 of polymer before giving said seal 17 its shape final.

In this regard, it should be noted that good results are obtained for a layer 21 of piezoelectric polymer of which the thickness is between 20 and 100 μm, preferably around 30 µm. Such a piezoelectric polymer is, from preferably a polymer of fluorinated type, in particular PVDF.

Thus and as mentioned above, the device 10 means 9 engine stop control 8 is designed capable of reacting to a deformation, in particular to crushing, resulting from contact with an obstacle.

In this regard, it should be observed, on the one hand, that the obstacles likely to come into contact with the device 10 can be of different types and, on the other hand, that these obstacles come into contact in a particular way, even specific, with this device 10.

For example, a person or an object, lying on the trajectory of the moving deck 3, comes into contact with said device 10 over at least part of its length and for a fixed period.

Another situation is that the deck 3, in phase final stage, comes into contact with threshold 23 of door, window or the like. Such contact is produced over most of the length of said device 10 and for an extended period.

When a constraint, resulting for example from an attempt break-in by lifting the deck 3, affects the device 10, the latter 10 undergoes localized contact on part of his length and, in particular, of short duration, even instantaneous. In in such a case, the apron 3 can be either in motion or motionless in a partial or complete concealment position.

In addition, an attempted break-in consisting in acting on the deck 3 (in particular by drilling, sawing, deformation ...) causes, at the level of this deck 3, vibrations reflected at the level of said device 10. Under the effect of these vibrations, this device 10 undergoes deformations resulting in ensure remission and / or modification of a signal electric.

Also and according to another characteristic of the control means 9 of the present invention, the device 10, reacting to the deformation, is designed capable of emitting and / or modifying a signal electric with characteristics (shape, intensity and / or duration) different depending on the nature of the obstacle with which this device 10 comes into contact.

According to a particular embodiment, the intensity of this electrical signal may depend on the strength of the force exerted on the electromechanical transducer 11, in particular on a pressure sensor. This allows, for example, to detect an attempted break-in, by lifting the deck 3, and perpetrated by exerting significant force under the final blade 7.

The intensity of this signal may still depend, as the case may be, on the number of sensors 15 of the device 10 on which a force resulting from the action of an obstacle on the means of control 9 or, again, the extent of the layer 21 of polymer on which such a force is exerted.

This allows, for example, to determine if the force exerted is localized as can be that exerted by an obstacle, in particular an object or a person, located on the trajectory of the apron 3. This again makes it possible to determine whether the force is exerted over a major part of the length of the device 10 as is the case when the apron 3 comes to a stop against threshold 23, in the final phase of deployment of this deck 3.

This electrical signal can also have a shape and / or a different duration depending on the nature of the obstacle meet.

Thus and in the event of contact with an obstacle constituted, by example by an object or a person, this signal can present the shape of at least one weakly damped sinusoid and specified period. However and in the event of a shock, by example, of an attempted break-in, this signal may present the shape of at least one highly damped, short sinusoid period.

Finally, when the apron 3 abuts against the threshold 23, the signal may have the form of a Gauss curve, in bell or the like.

Thus, the rolling shutter 1 according to the invention can also be supplemented by means capable of analyzing the electrical signal issued and / or modified by the device 10 for, depending on the characteristics of this signal, command an appropriate reaction roller shutter 1 and / or devices associated with it (stop of deck 3, stop + rise of deck 3, activation an alarm system ...).

According to another characteristic of the present invention, the control means 9 can be supplemented by suitable means to ensure the inactivation of these control means 9 when the final blade 7 is located in the immediate vicinity or in contact with threshold 23 of a door, window or the like equipped with said shutter rolling 1.

According to a first embodiment, such means inactivation can be defined by a stopper that comprises said roller shutter 1, more particularly at the level from one of the side slides 6,6 '. Such a stop is designed to cooperate with the deck 3, in particular with the blade final 7 of the latter, this when this final blade 7 located in the immediate vicinity or in contact with said threshold 23. Through such cooperation, the threshold 23 of cause deformation of said device 10 during the unfolding of the deck 3.

Such inactivation means can then be supplemented by suitable timing means, after a certain period of time (in particular suitable for being programmed), reactivating the means 9 and / or to stop the engine 8.

Such an embodiment makes it possible to immobilize said apron 3 in at least partially openwork position.

According to another characteristic of the present invention, the control means 9, defined by at least one suitable device 10 to react to deformation, are connected to a central alarm (not shown) for peripheral protection of a building, more particularly of a dwelling.

According to a particular embodiment, this central alarm is likely to be activated, directly or indirectly, by the control means 9, in particular by depending on the characteristics of the electrical signal emitted and / or modified by device 10.

In this regard, it will be observed that such a rolling shutter 1 can be designed so that the said alarm center is capable of to be activated whatever the state (in motion or at the stop) and / or the position of the deck 3 (complete blanking or partial, open position ...).

Claims (8)

1. Roller shutter (1) including, on the one hand, a shaft (2) for winding up and unwinding an apron (3) defined by a juxtaposition of slats (4) and having a free end provided with an end slat (7) and, on the other hand, means (8) for a motorised control of said winding-up shaft (2), said roller shutter (1) also including means (9) for stopping the motor (8) when detecting an obstacle on the path of said apron (3), namely during the phase of unfolding of the latter (3), such control means (9) being associated with the lower end (13) of the end slat (7) and b being defined by at least one device (10) connected to said motor (8) through connecting means (12) and designed capable, on the other hand, of being distorted under the action of a contact with an obstacle and, on the other hand, of reacting to such a distortion by transmitting and/or modifying an electrical signal capable of stopping the motor (8), this device (10) being defined by at least an electromechanical transducer (11), characterised in that such an electromechanical transducer (11) is formed of a piezoelectric sensor (15) arranged in a longitudinal inner cavity (18) included in a continuous seal (17) provided for on the lower end (13) of the end slat (7), namely the lower edge (14) of the latter.
2. Roller shutter (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the piezoelectric sensor (15) is made of piezoelectric ceramics, a piezoelectric polymer or the like.
3. Roller shutter (1) according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the piezoelectric sensor (15) is made integral with the lower edge (14) of said end slat (7).
4. Roller shutter (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the longitudinal inner cavity (18) of the seal (17) is delimited by an inner wall (20) at the level of which is inserted a layer (21) of piezoelectric polymer defining said piezoelectric sensor (15).
5. Roller shutter (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the layer (21) of piezoelectric polymer has a thickness between 20 and 100 µm and extends over at least a portion of the length of the continuous seal (17).
6. Roller shutter (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the device (10) reacting to the distortion is designed capable of transmitting and/or modifying an electrical signal having different characteristics depending on the nature of the obstacle which this device (10) enters into contact with.
7. Roller shutter (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the control means (9) are completed with means capable of ensuring their inactivation when the end slat (7) is located in the immediate vicinity or into contact with the dwell (23) of a door, window or the like provided with said roller shutter (1).
8. Roller shutter (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the device (10) capable of reacting to the distortion can be connected to an alarm unit for a peripheral protection of a building, namely a house.

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