FR2653485A2 - Device for controlling and limiting the load of swing doors of garages and the like with a view to raising or lowering them - Google Patents

Abstract

The device is noteworthy in that it comprises a set of several counterweights (24) (27) (28) (29) (31), (24) (33) which are combined with the movement of the panel in order to compensate for the load less a value representing the desired safe force, depending on the position of the panel, the counterweights being moved by a pull cable (16) associated with the lower base of the panel, and in that the drive motor (10) interacts with a means (34) capable of being coupled with or decoupled from the transmission shaft (11), the said means (34) being itself associated with a torque limiter (36).

Description

 The purpose of this addition certificate is a device for controlling and limiting the load of overhead doors in garages and the like with a view to raising or lowering them.

 The invention relates to the technical sector of garage and other overhead doors with manual or electric control.

 It will be recalled that the device defined in basic patent application 89.10688 is of the type where the doors comprise, in a frame, an apron arranged with rolling means moving on guide rails by the control of a geared motor group, the drive shaft is coupled to a transmission shaft disposed along the upper lintel of the frame, said shaft being associated at its ends with conveyor chains arranged on either side of the door to ensure tilting The device is remarkable in that the drive shaft is driven by a very low power motor-reduction unit, and in that it comprises one or more counterweights which are associated with the movement of the apron thus ensuring compensation of the load whatever the position of the deck, the counterweight (s) being moved by a set of pulleys and towing cables.

 As part of his personal research, the depositor has further attempted to improve the reliability of the device, its safety in use, and in particular on this last aspect, to find a solution which makes it possible to modify the position of the apron of the door in the event of an incident, if the apron is not in a closed position, thus constituting a safeguard, and allowing the lifting of the apron from the outside.

 Another aim sought was also to obtain a simplification of the device which is the subject of the initial invention and therefore a reduction in cost price.

 These objects are achieved by the improved device according to this addition.

 According to a first feature of the addition, the device is remarkable in that it comprises a set of several counterweights which are associated with the movement of the deck to ensure compensation of the load minus a value representing the desired safety force, according to the position of the bulkhead, the counterweights being moved by a towing cable associated with the lower base of the bulkhead, and in that the drive motor cooperates with a means capable of being coupled or uncoupled with the drive shaft, said means itself being associated with a torque limiter.

According to another characteristic of the addition, the means capable of being coupled or uncoupled with the drive shaft is a freewheel engaged and centered in an internal bore formed in the stepped head of the hub cooperating with the drive motor.
These characteristics and others will emerge clearly from the following description.

To fix the subject of the invention illustrated in a nonlimiting manner in the figures of the drawings where
FIG. 1 is a front view on the interior side of a door in the closed position and equipped with the counterweight device according to the invention and the freewheel with torque limiter,
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the counterweight device,
FIG. 3 is a side view in section illustrating the door or curtain in the open position and equipped with the counterweight device according to the invention,
FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate different characteristic positions of the door according to the invention,
- Figure 7 is a partial view on a larger scale showing the freewheel with torque limiter.

FIG. 8 is a variant view of the load compensation device,
- Figures 9 and 10 are alternative views of another implementation of the load compensation device in the positions of the open and closed deck.

 In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described in a nonlimiting manner illustrated in the figures of the drawings.

 It will be recalled beforehand that the supporting structure of the door comprises a frame (1) consisting of two vertical uprights (2) (3) profiled and connected by a horizontal upper lintel (4). To ensure the tilting of the apron in a lifting or lowering direction, the latter is arranged in the upper and lower parts of its lateral edges with rolling means (6) of the roller type moving along profiled runners (7 ) and (8) forming a guide ramp arranged on either side of the door opening on a support plane.

 These slides have a horizontal part (7.1) (8.1) and a substantially curvilinear forward part (7.2) (8.2). Furthermore, one of the lateral uprights is arranged with a support for a very low power motor-reduction unit (10) whose drive axis (10.1) is horizontal. This axis is coupled to a very long transmission shaft (11) disposed from and along the upper lintel. Endless conveyor chains (12) allow the door to be raised or lowered and are arranged on either side of the door and in particular in the side uprights. The chains are associated with the drive shaft and with a fixed position deflection roller (13) arranged in the lower part of the lateral uprights.

 The device aims to ensure a balance of the weight and the thrust force of the deck so that for an obstacle encountered ensuring a counter-force of approximately 10 to 30 kg and preferably 15 kg the drive motor stops . The device thus comprises a set of one or more counterweights which are associated with the movement of the apron when it is raised or lowered, thus ensuring compensation of the load whatever the position of the apron. Thus, the counterweight (s) are mounted on a cable (16), one strand (16.2) of which is fixed to a lug (18) or parachute directly secured to the lower roller (6) ensuring the guiding of the deck. This roller (6) and the parachute (18) are arranged in the U-shaped lateral upright of the frame behind the conveyor chain. The cable is guided by a return pulley (17) fixedly disposed on the frame in a plane substantially above the lateral upright opposite to that receiving the engine.

 According to the present addition, it was intended on the one hand to simplify and improve the methods of using the counterweights and on the other hand to provide additional security allowing manual lifting of the apron from the outside, if the latter is not not completely closed.

 As it appears in the figures of the drawings, the device includes in a frame (20) directly associated with the upright of the support frame opposite to the reception of the engine, or independently of this, complementary means of guidance and suspension counterweights.

 More precisely, in a first implementation, the frame is arranged in its upper part with a support (21) of a deflection pulley (22) of the cable as well as support bars (23) arranged transversely near the ends of the frame. . In the illustrated embodiment, several counterweights are used which are capable of exerting a counter-thrust by their suspended mass according to the open-close position of the apron and therefore of the apron relative to the guide ramps with a straight and curvilinear profile. .

 A first counterweight (24) is firstly secured to the end of the cable (16.1) while being held in position by a locking means (25). The counterweight (24) is thus arranged in its thickness with a central opening (24.1) for the passage and introduction of the cable, the end of the latter being fixed by means (25) established in the form of a disc for example. The counterweight (24) is arranged on its underside with flanges (24.2) receiving, by attachment, straps (26) capable of holding in suspension by suitable attachment means several other counterweights (27) (28) (29), the latter being of equal or different values. In addition, the support bars (23) receive in suspension by straps (30) one or more additional counterweights (31) disposed above the main counterweight (24). It should be noted that the total weight of all aforementioned counterweight (24-27-28-29-31) is equal to the weight of the apron minus an x value established in a range of 5 to 15 kg and preferably 10 kg corresponding to the payload to launch the apron for operations closing or lifting.

 When handling the apron, the counter-pushing force of the different counterweights is exerted according to the positions of the apron. Reference is made to the figures of the drawings. When the apron is in the closed position, the cable (16) whose lower end is fixed to the parachute (18) integral with the lower roller (6) is pulled to the maximum. Under these conditions, the length of the cable strand projecting from the deflection pulley (22) is minimum and the counterweight (24) is raised to the maximum carrying with it the counterweights (27-28-29) suspended at its base. Furthermore, during the lifting movement, the counterweight (24) in turn comes into contact with the counterweight (31) and proceeds to lifting the latter under the pulling effect of the cable, the suspension straps (30) becoming again cowards.

In this situation, the weight of the deck after compensation is limited to a thrust force of 10 kg.

 It should be noted that the length of the counterweight suspension straps (27-28-29-31) is judiciously established to allow a modulated and regulated variation of the load to compensate for the weight of the deck depending on the position of the last. Thus, prior to raising the deck, the counterweights (2728-29) are located substantially above the ground or a support plane. When lifting and lowering the tractor cable, the various counterweights come successively to the ground, reducing the value of the compensation load by the value of their own weight.

Similarly, as a result of the lowering of the counterweight (24), the latter releases the upper counterweight (31) which then comes into tension on its suspension straps (30).

 In the lifting position of the deck, only the counterweight (24) exerts a compensation load against the weight of the deck. The value of the counterweight (24) is therefore determined to facilitate the positioning of the apron in the raised position and subsequently for its lowering in the context of a new cycle.

 The number of counterweights of the aforementioned type and their respective positions can vary while respecting the constraints of the modulated and regulated compensation of the load of the deck, as a result of the transfer of the weight of the deck, the latter being distributed between the axis of the parachute ( 18) and the axis of the upper roller (6).

 In an alternative embodiment, according to FIG. 8, the load on the bulkhead can be compensated with the main counterweight (24), from which a plurality of counterweights are fixed by straps (32) 33), for example six, which come successively, resting on the ground when the deck is raised.

 Another implementation of the load compensation device has been illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings.

 The frame (20) is firstly arranged on its side walls with a plurality of holes (20.1) allowing the positioning and the variable height fixing of profiled brackets (39) arranged horizontally and on which the different counterweights. A first counterweight (40) is fixed in suspension at the end (16.1) of the towing cable and is arranged with two openings (40.1) allowing the passage of guide bars (41) of great length and arranged vertically. These bars are fixed by their lower end (41.1) by locking means (42) on the underside of a counterweight (43) located in the lower part of the frame opposite a support plane or the bottom of the built. Counterweights (44) (45) are mounted guided on the bars (41) and are arranged intermediate between the counterweights (40) and (43). As shown in the drawings, these counterweights rest in the non-biased position on the brackets (39) fixed on the side walls of the frame. These counterweights have declining dimensions according to their position from top to bottom of the frame to allow their respective displacement according to the position of the opening-closing apron. The counterweights thus come to bear on the abovementioned brackets whose horizontal wings (39.l) (39.2) are of progressive width.

 The upper end of the guide bars (41) is arranged with a limit stop (46) adjustable in height on the threaded part of said end. One or more other counterweights (47) (48) are disposed above the counterweight (40) and also slide through suitable openings on the guide bars. These intermediate counterweights are also of declining dimensions and come to bear respectively on the brackets whose horizontal wings have a progressive width. Referring to Figures 9 and 10, the operation of the assembly is described. In the raised deck position, that is to say in the open position, only the counterweight (40) is suspended on the end of the tractor cable (16), the other counterweights (43) (44) (45) (47 ) (48) either rest on their respective positioning brackets or rest on the bottom of the frame. When lowering the deck, the towing cable (16) pulls up the counterweight (40). The latter then successively raises the upper intermediate counterweights (47) and (48) until it comes into contact with the end of travel stops (46). As a result of the complementary upward movement due to the pulling of the tractor cable during the complementary lowering of the apron, the counterweight (40) causes the guide bars (41) to be raised and therefore the progressive and successive lifting of the lower counterweights ( 43) (44) (45).

 According to another arrangement of the addition closely combined with the load compensation device, there is arranged on the drive motor (10) a means ensuring a backup in the event of an incident and allowing the lifting of the deck from the outside. , if the latter is not in the closed position, ensuring manual troubleshooting.

This means is defined in the form of a free wheel "34) meshing in one direction with the drive shaft (11) as it appears in FIG. 7 of the drawings. To this end, the free wheel is engaged and centered in the inner bore of the shouldered head (35.1) of a hub (35) associated with the geared motor assembly (10) while at the end it has a torque limiter (36) produced for example and not limitatively with a set of washers (37) of the "Belleville" type with clamping nuts (38).

 The aforementioned freewheel associated with the shaft makes it possible to free the bulkhead from all the driving forces of the engine. It is in the disengaged or uncoupled position when the deck is lowered. There is therefore no longer any guaranteed drive and only the motor controls the speed of descent of the bulkhead, with progressive compensation by the load of the counterweights. When the freewheel is engaged, the operator can raise the deck.

 In the event of any incident, before the door closes, an incident appearing either in the lower part of the door or in the upper part of the door, it is then possible for an operator or user to act himself, manually, by lifting or lowering pushes on the deck. In the lower position of the apron, the freewheel is uncoupled, the apron can be partially mounted to clear the object of the incident. In the upper part, the freewheel being coupled, we act on the torque limiter to lower the bulkhead.

 The advantages emerge clearly from the description, the simplicity of the device is emphasized, its reliable operation and its low cost price. It also has the advantage of providing an additional means of safety by manual intervention on the deck.

Claims (9)

CLAIMS BF 8910688, characterized in that it comprises a set of several counterweights which are associated with the movement of the deck to compensate for the load minus a value representing the desired safety force, depending on the position of the deck, the counterweights being moved by a towing cable (16) associated with the lower base of the bulkhead, and in that the drive motor (10) cooperates with means (34) capable of being coupled or uncoupled with the transmission shaft (11), said means (34) being itself associated with a torque limiter (36). -1- Device for controlling and limiting the load of overhead doors in garages and the like for lifting or tilting, according to claim 1 of -2- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (34) capable of being coupled or uncoupled with the drive shaft is a freewheel engaged and centered in an internal bore formed in the shouldered head (35.1) of the hub (35) cooperating with the drive motor (10). -3- Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the torque limiter (36) comprises a set of washers (37) of the "Belleville" type with clamping nut (38). -4- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a set of counterweights (24) (27) (28) (29 and (31) arranged in a frame (20), the counterweight (24) being secured at the end of the towing cable (16.1), the other end of which is fixed to the parachute (18) associated with the lower roller of the bulkhead, said counterweight (24) being held by a locking means (25), and in that said counterweight (24) is arranged to receive in suspension, by attachment means, several other counterweights (27) (28) (29). -5- Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the frame (20) has in its upper part support bars (23), receiving in suspension by straps (30), one or more counterweights (31), arranged at above the counterweight (24). -6- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a counterweight (24) disposed in a frame (20), being secured to the end of the towing cable (16.1), the other end of which is fixed to the parachute (18) associated with the lower roller of the apron, said counterweight (24) being held by a locking means (25), and in that said counterweight (24) is arranged to receive in suspension, by attachment means , several other counterweights (33). -7- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a set of a counterweight (40) and intermediate counterweights (43, 44, 45, 47, 48), said counterweight (40) disposed in a frame (20), being secured to the end of the towing cable (16.1), the other end of which is fixed to the parachute (18) associated with the lower roller of the deck, said counterweight (40) being held by a locking means, and in that said counterweight (40) is arranged with openings allowing the passage of vertical guide bars (41), said bars allowing the positioning and sliding of intermediate counterweights, the lower ends of said bars being fixed to the counterweight (43) lower and upper ends receiving in adjustable position limit stops (46), and in that said intermediate counterweights are capable of coming to bear on profiled brackets disposed on the wings of the frame in adjustable position. -8- Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the intermediate counterweights (43) (44) (45) (47) (48) are decreasing in size from top to bottom of the frame and bear on the horizontal wings of brackets (39) of progressive width. -9- Device according to claims 7 and 8 together, characterized in that the counterweights (47) and (48) are arranged above the counterweight (40) and the counterweights (43) (44) (45) are located at - below the counterweight (40).