FR3120380A1 - Motorized device for opening and closing mobile structures such as gates or swimming pool enclosures - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention proposes a motorized device for opening and closing mobile structures (42) such as gates or swimming pool shelters. The motor is inscribed inside the wheels (7) with an epicyclic reduction at multiple levels. The gearmotor includes different action zones that allow linear or circular movements to be carried out. maneuver on a steep slope, for example. The assembly can be integrated into the very structure of the gate with the possibility of superimposing several motors in the lower part to increase grip and power. Figure of the abstract: Figure 11

Description

Motorized device for opening and closing mobile structures such as gates or swimming pool enclosures

Field of invention

The invention relates to a motorized device for opening and closing mobile structures such as gates or swimming pool enclosures.

State of the art

Similar systems for swing gates exist but they have some disadvantages of compactness and a risk of buttressing relative to the vertical linear guide and generate a risk of blockage and require more maintenance. Such a system is for example described in patent document FR 2 882 779 A1. In addition, such systems involve another aesthetic disadvantage in the case of a steeply sloping floor. In this configuration, the mechanism must have a substantial length depending on the stroke traveled by the wheels. This space becomes annoying especially because this system must be grafted to an existing door. Other systems exist with tilting with axes perpendicular to the direction of movement and most of them have a possibility of limited movement or an always vertical fold that is less interesting in terms of integration. There is therefore a need for a system that is as discreet as possible and only responds to the function of opening and closing the door without taking up a lot of space.

This problem of compactness and fluidity of operation is solved by the present invention by a device for opening and closing a mobile structure relative to a surface, of the gate or swimming pool shelter type, the device comprising at least one wheel intended to be brought into contact with the surface and a gear motor capable of rotating said at least one wheel to move the structure relative to the surface,

The device further comprising a retractable arm connecting said at least one wheel to the mobile structure, the retractable arm being articulated around a tilting axis secured to the mobile structure, the tilting axis extending parallel to the direction of the movement of the structure and being offset with respect to a median plane defined by the wheel(s). The retractable arm extends, in its rest configuration, in a substantially horizontal direction. The combination of these characteristics gives a satisfactory result, in terms of operation and potential integration inside the mobile structure of the portal type for example. The smaller the clearance sought, the more compact the device will be by reducing the length of the horizontal retractable arm.

According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, the or each wheel is a round or spherical wheel.

According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, the retractable arm is a double articulated arm, said retractable arm being further articulated on a support integral with the geared motor, around a pivot axis extending substantially in the median plane defined by the wheel(s), the tilting and pivoting axes being parallel to each other. The two parallel axes are separated by a sufficient distance to satisfy easy movement.

According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, the geared motor comprises an internal epicyclic gear train.

According to a particular technical feature of the invention, the internal epicyclic gear train is a multi-level gear train. By placing the motor inside the wheels with a reduction by multi-level epicyclic gear train, an even more compact reduction is obtained which multiplies the torque and generates fewer parts and therefore reduces manufacturing costs, too. this compactness undeniably makes it more discreet. The electric or pneumatic motor, depending on the energy available, which drives the assembly is equipped internally with its own epicyclic reduction which further reduces manufacturing costs and size. A final gear train at the output allows the speed to be fine-tuned to the desired use.

According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, the device further comprises a system for disengaging the wheels, said disengaging system consisting of a central pinion in sliding connection with a rotor of the geared motor, the central pinion being movably mounted and being operable between a first position of engagement with one or more idler gear(s) of the internal epicyclic gear train, and a second position of disengagement with respect to the idler gear(s). A possible and simple disengagement to implement consists in acting on the output pinion of the last level of the epicyclic train in order to disengage it manually, it is enough to pull on the central pinion. This is in sliding connection with the rotor of the motor. Positioning can be added to guarantee the two possible positions using a stopper.

According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, the device further comprises a wheel support, said geared motor being arranged inside the wheel support. The output pinion drives the cartridge-shaped wheel support which admits several active regions.

1. Au moins une région tronconique, configurée pour permettre un mouvement circulaire du dispositif autour de l’axe de rotation de la structure mobile lorsque le dispositif comporte au moins une roue conique ou tronconique montée sur ladite région tronconique.
2. Au moins une région cylindrique, configurée pour permettre un mouvement linéaire du dispositif lorsque le dispositif comporte au moins une roue cylindrique montée sur ladite région cylindrique.
3. Une région de transmission, configurée pour permettre un mouvement linéaire et d’entrainement du dispositif en modélisant une transmission par obstacle.

According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, the wheel support constitutes a single block in the form of a cartridge which comprises several active regions including:

1. At least one frustoconical region, configured to allow circular movement of the device around the axis of rotation of the mobile structure when the device comprises at least one bevel or frustoconical wheel mounted on said frustoconical region.
2. At least one cylindrical region, configured to allow linear movement of the device when the device includes at least one cylindrical wheel mounted on said cylindrical region.
3. A transmission region, configured to allow linear and drive motion of the device by modeling obstacle transmission.

On the wheel support there are several zones, these correspond to a use either linear or circular with a conical component.

Conical zone: on this part the wheel or wheels take on a conical shape relative to the difference in speed between the wheels. The cone of revolution of the latter converges to an unlimited length L of approximately 1400mm to adapt to leaves from 1000 to 2000mm. The flexibility of the wheel rubber refines and compensates for the shift in speeds which is still caused by the different trajectories. The number of wheels is not limited to two wheels in order to increase grip, while keeping this taper approach.
In this conical component we can integrate wheels with a rounded ovoid or triangular shape, notched or smooth to pick up the roughness of the ground and grip the gravel more, in order to give a more interesting dynamic movement at a lower cost. These wheels can be glued to the wheel support.

Circular zone: with at least one wide wheel in contact with the ground, this component ensures linear movements, to maneuver sliding gates or other structures in a linear fashion.

Toothed zone: A third component corresponds to the existence of an outlet to maneuver a belt or a pinion.

In addition, the gearmotor block has a cartridge shape that can be easily used by integrating it into various systems and allows different configurations. This type of gear is of course reversible and allows the motor to be maneuvered manually in the event of a breakdown, unlike a worm gear.

According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, the wheel support is secured to a crown.

According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, the device further comprises a rotation guidance system consisting of one or more bearing(s).

According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, the device further comprises a spring integral with the retractable arm, the spring preferably being a torsion spring, the spring being slidably mounted on the pulley of a connecting rod itself integral with the tilting axis. The presence of such a spring allows the articulated retractable arm to transmit the travel and the pressing force to the wheels. The assembly consisting of the spring and the connecting rod forms a support system on the ground in addition to the device's own weight.

According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, the device further comprises a screw for adjusting the tension of the spring, said screw being mounted on the tilting axis and being configured to allow a modification of the angular position of the connecting rod, resulting in a change in spring tension.

According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, the device further comprises an external protective cover.

According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, the device further comprises a module for locking the device in position, and a rod, the locking module being fixed to the retractable arm and being configured to cooperate with the rod for locking in position of the device, the rod being configured to fit into an orifice provided on the ground. Such a locking system on the ground is facilitated by the space saving induced by the compactness of the geared motor and the guide used. This locking must be done as close as possible to the tilting axis for reasons of rigidity.

A possibility of completely disengaging the mechanism exists and can be exploited; by simply lifting the wheels off the ground. By pivoting the assembly on the tilting axis until it is aligned with the fixed part on the gate. A floating pin or a simple screw can make the connection and the setting in the high position of the wheels in the event of failure of the device.

Another way to disengage the device is to use a motor coupled to a solenoid such as the starter of a car which deploys by sending current to the motor. It is possible to retract the output pinion to eliminate gear and motor resistance.

The device according to the invention is controlled by an electronic part which is not detailed in this application. A wireless or connected system allows remote operation. In the case of overlapping of several devices in the same leaf, the electronic board can manage the speed differences.

Regarding the circular movement, an angle of 1 to 4° is given to the tilt axis with respect to the perpendicular to the gate, to ensure the alignment of the wheels with the gate pivot axis, and thus ensure optimal operation. .

A functional and aesthetic option consists in adding a light function on the bonnet which lights the way at night, it can be activated each time it is used or only when a drop in ambient light is detected by a sensor, for example.

A locking system not shown here at the level of the lock can be incorporated into the device according to the invention. The simple detection of the manual opening of the door triggers the mechanism by a permanent magnet sensor for example which sends the information to the electronic control board.

The present invention also relates to a mobile structure with respect to a surface, of the pool gate or shelter type, comprising a device for opening and closing the structure as described above, the opening and closing device being integrated inside the mobile structure, preferably in the lower part of the mobile structure. Such a configuration makes it possible to arrange the device in the lower part of the mobile structure and horizontally, while keeping the possibility of a vertical displacement generated by a substantial slope during the kinematics of the movement.
The motorized assembly is therefore placed in the lower part and inside the gate structure itself. Consequently, the device becomes almost invisible. In addition, several devices and therefore several wheels can be aligned all along the lower part, which was not possible in the systems of the prior art with presentation in the vertical part. In this lower part a box can also be integrated in which batteries are installed and the control part which is also invisible. A removable hatch can be made to facilitate access for maintenance. A miniaturization of the assembly is also possible.
This configuration develops the compact side which influences the size on the one hand, and on the other hand ensures effective grip and operation by superimposing wheels.

According to particular embodiments:

By way of non-limiting example, and according to variants not illustrated, the ground support system can be done using a jack or a rubber spring.

By way of non-limiting example, and according to variants not shown, the mechanism can be adapted to interior doors such as house doors, for people with reduced mobility. With minimal travel the device can be even more compact.

By way of non-limiting example, and according to variants not illustrated, the number of components of the zones is not limited to two but may be strictly greater than two.

By way of non-limiting example, and according to variants not illustrated, the number of components of the zones may have different positions.

By way of non-limiting example, and according to variants not illustrated, the guiding of the geared motor can be carried out in a linear and vertical manner to adapt to small deflections, which does not require large strokes.

Brief description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following detailed description for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended figures which show:

, the is a perspective view of the gear motor cartridge

, the is a front view of the various useful areas of the geared motor

, the is a longitudinal sectional view of the geared motor.

, the is a cross-sectional view of the gearmotor.

, the is a representation of the mechanical kinematic diagram of the operation of the geared motor.

, the is an exploded perspective view of the gear motor cartridge.

, the is a side view of the tapered aspect of the wheels for circular operation.

, the is a perspective view of a rounded triangular bevel gear shape.

, the is a side view of the tapered appearance of rounded triangular wheels.

, the is a perspective view of a shape of smooth, cogged, rounded triangular triangular bevel gears.

, the is a perspective view of the device built into a swing gate and highlighting the tapered and compact approach.

, the is a perspective view of the device with the floor lock option.

, the is a perspective view of the device in the deployed position.

, the is a top view of the optimal operating angle of the swing gate.

, the is a perspective view of the device integrated into a swing gate and its cowling.

, the is a perspective view of the device with a gate maneuver with a high slope.

, the is a perspective view of the integration of the device inside the gate structure.

, the is a side view of the integration of the assembly inside the door structure.

, the is a perspective and exploded view of the device integrated into the structure of the gate.

, the is a local cross-sectional front view of the interior of the door structure with the wheels disconnected from the floor.

, the is a perspective view of the geared motor in short stroke linear motion configuration integrated on a swimming pool enclosure element.

, the is a perspective view of the geared motor in short stroke linear motion configuration in detail.

, the is a perspective view of the gearmotor in the disengageable configuration.

, the is a perspective view of the gear motor output pinion disengagement and its rotor in the retracted position.

, the is a perspective view of the gear motor output gear disengagement on the rotor and its position relative to the idler gears.

Figure drawings are not to scale. Like elements are generally denoted by like references in the figures. In the context of this document, identical or similar elements may bear the same references. Furthermore, the presence of reference numbers or letters in the drawings cannot be considered as limiting, including when these numbers or letters are indicated in the claims.
Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention

With reference to these drawings, the device according to the invention comprises a gear motor unit (1,2,3,4,5,8,9,10,11,13,14) coupled to wheels of different shapes (7,15 ,16,37) depending on the intended use. A motor support (1) is secured to an internal crown (9) by screws (8) and receives the movement of the idler gears (10) induced by a pinion (11) linked to the rotor of the geared motor (14). The rotation guidance is ensured by bearings (3.13) and an axial stop with rings (4.5). This gearmotor block is secured to a metal support (20) via the motor support (1) and screws (6,12), the screws (12) being housed in the thread of the gearmotor (14). This metal support (20) is articulated at the level of a pivot axis (23) and in conjunction with a retractable arm (19) which is articulated on the integral part of the gate at the level of a fixed tilting axis ( 21). The pivoting (23) and tilting (21) axes are parallel to each other, and parallel to the direction of movement of the gate (42). A torsion spring (18) is integral with the retractable arm (19) and acts on the fixed part of the gate by sliding on the pulley of a connecting rod (22) itself integral with the axis (21,17) and adjustable in rotation by means of a pressure screw (24).

On the wheel support (2) there is an area (A, A') which allows to receive the wheels (7) to create a conical component thereof. For this part, wheels with a rounded triangular shape (15, 16) as shown in the drawings in reference, keep the principle of conicity and participate in maneuvering a leaf door around its axis (R). Zone (B, B') receives coaxial wheels or tires (37). Finally, zone (C) receives an obstacle training module such as a toothed belt pulley. In the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, the wheels can be of conical or frustoconical shape (7), and in this case be mounted on the zone (A, A'); or cylindrical in shape (37), and in this case be mounted on the area (B, B'). According to a variant embodiment not shown in the figures, the wheels can be round or spherical. In this case, the device according to the invention may no longer have a pivot axis (23). By way of non-limiting example, the device may in this case comprise a single spherical wheel directly connected to the geared motor, which is integral with the retractable arm and articulated only once with respect to the gate, with the tilting axis parallel to the direction of gate movement.

The assembly is fixed to the gate (42) using a lug (17) integral with the axis (21), slightly inclined at an angle (β) of between 1 and 4 degrees relative to the plane of the gate.

In the case where the device according to the invention is integrated directly inside the structure of the gate (29), an axis (30) can be perpendicular to the plane of the gate and integral with it.

The average length (L) representing the taper of the wheels (7) is between 1300 and 1500mm. This length makes it easier to open and close the gate around its axis (R).

As an option and for locking the door on the ground, an electromagnet block (25) secured to the retractable arm (19) actuates a rod (26) to be introduced into an orifice (43) fixed to the ground. The locking of the rod (26) implies the blocking of the door.

A cowling (27) covers the assembly and accommodates low voltage lamps (28) at the end to light the way during opening. It is fixed on the one hand to the retractable arm (19) and on the other hand slides in relation to the metal support (20) to ensure freedom of movement.

If the motor is integrated into the gate as shown in the , an electronic box (34) and a battery (35) can also be incorporated into the structure (29) in the lower part. A hatch (32) facilitates maintenance. The disengagement of the wheels from the ground is carried out using a screw (33) which makes it possible to link the metal support (20) of the geared motor unit to the structure of the gate (29) while lifting the wheels off the ground.

The execution of a linear movement is carried out using wheels (37) mounted on the area (B, B'). On this type of movement, the relative travel is quite small, around 15 to 30mm. A simple compression spring (39) pushes the retractable arm (44) and the mounting bracket (38) using a nut (40) and a threaded rod integral with the bracket (38) which makes pivot the arm (44) around its axis (P).

For zone (C) a pinion is integrated into the wheel support (2) it can operate a toothed belt by fixing the metal support (20) to the ground or the reverse (in the latter case the support is stationary).

One possibility of disengaging the gear wheels consists of installing a central pinion (45) in sliding connection with the rotor (46) of the geared motor (14). The action of pulling or pushing manually on the central pinion (45) allows its engagement or disengagement with respect to the idler gears (10). A stop (47) is integral with the metal support (20) and ensures compliance with a minimum and maximum stroke.

Claims (15)

Device for opening and closing a structure (29, 42) movable relative to a surface, of the pool gate or shelter type, the device comprising at least one wheel (7, 37) intended to be brought into contact with the surface and a geared motor (14) capable of rotating said at least one wheel (7, 37) to move the structure (29, 42) relative to the surface,
characterized in that it further comprises a retractable arm (19) connecting said at least one wheel (7, 37) to the mobile structure (29, 42), the retractable arm (19) being articulated around an axis of tilting (21) secured to the mobile structure (29, 42), the tilting axis (21) extending parallel to the direction of movement of the structure (29, 42) and being offset with respect to a defined median plane by the wheel(s) (7, 37). Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the or each wheel (7, 37) is a round or spherical wheel. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the retractable arm (19) is a double articulated arm, the said retractable arm (19) being further articulated on a support (20) integral with the geared motor (14), around an axis of pivot (23) extending substantially in the median plane defined by the wheel(s) (7, 37), the tilting (21) and pivoting (23) axes being mutually parallel. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the geared motor (14) comprises an internal epicyclic gear train (9,10,11). Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the internal epicyclic gear train (9,10,11) is a multi-level gear train. Device according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that it further comprises a system for disengaging the wheels (7, 37), the said disengaging system consisting of a central pinion (45) in sliding connection with a rotor (46) of the geared motor (14), the central pinion (45) being movably mounted and being operable between a first position of engagement with one or more idler pinion(s) (10) of the epicyclic gear train (9,10, 11) internally, and a second release position with respect to the idler pinion(s) (10). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a wheel support (2), said geared motor (14) being arranged inside the wheel support (2). Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the wheel support (2) constitutes a single block in the form of a cartridge which comprises several active regions including:
- at least one frustoconical region (A, A'), configured to allow circular movement of the device around the axis of rotation (R) of the mobile structure (29, 42) when the device comprises at least one bevel wheel or frustoconical (7) mounted on said frustoconical region (A, A');
- at least one cylindrical region (B,B'), configured to allow linear movement of the device when the device comprises at least one cylindrical wheel (37) mounted on said cylindrical region (B,B'); and
- a transmission region (C), configured to allow linear movement and drive of the device by modeling a transmission by obstacle. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a rotation guidance system consisting of one or more bearing(s) (3, 13). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a spring (18) integral with the retractable arm (19), the spring (18) preferably being a torsion spring, the spring (18) being slidably mounted on the pulley of a connecting rod (22) itself secured to the tilting axis (21). Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it further comprises a screw (24) for adjusting the tension of the spring (18), said screw (24) being mounted on the tilting axis (21) and being configured to allow a modification of the angular position of the connecting rod (22), resulting in a modification of the tension of the spring (18). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises an external protective cover (27). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a module (25) for locking the device in position, and a rod (26), the locking module (25) being fixed to the retractable arm (19) and being configured to cooperate with the rod (26) for locking the device in position, the rod (26) being configured to fit into an orifice (43) provided on the ground. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wheel or wheels (15, 16) have a rounded triangular shape. Structure (29, 42) movable with respect to a surface, of the pool gate or shelter type, comprising a device for opening and closing the structure, characterized in that the opening and closing device conforms to the any of the preceding claims, the opening and closing device being integrated inside the mobile structure (29, 42), preferably in the lower part of the mobile structure (29, 42).