EP0894180A2

EP0894180A2 - Novel opening and closing device for a delimited building space

Info

Publication number: EP0894180A2
Application number: EP97918203A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Elie Assaad
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Assaad Elie
Priority date: 1996-04-11
Filing date: 1997-04-11
Publication date: 1999-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 2017-04-11
Also published as: ATE197335T1; EP0894180B1; WO1997038202A3; US6119759A; FR2747425B1; DE69703442D1; ES2153662T3; DE69703442T2; WO1997038202A2; FR2747425A1

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/FR97/00643 Sec. 371 Date Mar. 23, 1999 Sec. 102(e) Date Mar. 23, 1999 PCT Filed Apr. 11, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO97/38202 PCT Pub. Date Oct. 16, 1997An opening and closing device for use with a shutter system for protecting a building space, such as a slat-type roller blind for a window, includes a series of slats capable of sliding in two generally vertical, laterally positioned guides (4). The slats are hooked to each other by hooking systems (7), and include a male/female interlocking system along their length. The device can be used to lower or raise the shutter system to close or open the protected space, moving between a totally closed position and a partially or fully opened position. In the closed position, the lower slat rests against a horizontal surface and the slats are interlocked with one another along their length to form a continuous sheet. In the partially or fully opened position, the slats are disengaged and separated from each other by a space determined by the height of the hooking system (7). Mirrored elements (20) can be attached to the faces of at least some of the slats to give bottom floors of the protected space maximum natural illumination while the space remains completely private, and to illuminate upper floors by altering the openings of the slats so that incoming light can be inhibited and/or diffused. This permits regulation of the internal temperature of the building responsive to the openings of the slats. When the slats are completely closed, the internal surface of the shutter system forms a mirror capable of saving a considerable amount of energy.

Description

OPEN-CLOSE DEVICE OF A NEW TYPE FOR A BOUNDARY BUILDING SPACE

The present invention relates to an opening-closing device of a new type for a limited building space applicable for example to casement shutters, rolling doors, rolling shutters, etc.

Roller shutters, for example, are made up of slats, each secured

5 of the others by a system of hinges, so as to form a sheet sliding inside two lateral guides, said sheet being wound around a drum located at the top of the window or of another opening and allowing to completely clear the latter.

For closing, the flaps which are wound on the drum unwind slowly, allowing the blades to slide in the lateral guides, the blades not being pivoting, and thus to operate this closure.

The usual role of the shutters is essentially protective.

An object of the invention is to propose to fix arrays of mirrors or equivalent elements on the blades making up the shutters, to rotate them on 5 themselves and thus to offer a sample of complementary functions. Which will bring: for low floors.

- a maximum of natural light inside the building, thanks to the phenomenon of reflection, while preserving a total privacy of the room. 0 The intensity of the light as well as the degree of privacy are therefore regulated by a rotauon of the blades.

For the upper floors:

- lighting on request, by playing on the pivoting angle which can act both as an inhibitor or as a ray diffuser. The internal temperature can thus be regulated from the inside by opening only a few blades not exposed to the sun and thus preserving the freshness of the interior. For both cases: - the shutters, in a fully closed state, form a mirror on the inside of about the entire internal surface, which gives a certain illusion of space, a view comfort while adding a beautiful decor to the apartment,

- thick blades (used to accommodate the bars and the motor) help reduce noise nuisance and at the same time offer high thermal resistance to hot and cold,

- an appreciable energy saving is achieved,

- the use of πdeaux is useless.

To achieve this goal, the applicant has modified the design of the blades in order to be able to adapt mirror elements to them.

A document US-A-392 577 describes a door whose inclined blades carry mirror elements, but these blades are fixed and the lighting and temperature cannot be adjusted.

The invention consists of a closing-opening device for a free space in a building, for example a rolling shutter for window of the slat type which can slide in two lateral vertical guides, hooked to each other by fastening systems, and comprising over their length a male-female interlocking system, the device being able to be lowered or raised so as to close or open the space between a completely closed position in which the lower blade rests on a horizontal upright and in which the blades are all nested inside each other over their entire length so as to form a continuous ply and a partial or total open position in which the blades are nested and separated from each other by a space determined by the height of the system of 'hooking .characterized in that at least some blades of the device comprise a pivoting part on which is fixed a ba mirror rrette on one of its faces.

The invention will be better understood using the following description of a closing-opening device according to the invention applied to an example of a rolling shutter, description made with reference to the following appended figures: - Figure 1 : general view of a blade according to a first mode of réaiisauon of the invention,

- Figures 2a and 2b: vertical section view of two variants of blades according to the embodiment of Figure 1.

- Figures 3a and 3b: vertical sections of two types of interlocking relating to the variants of Figures 2a and 2b.

- Figure 4: diagram of the vertical interlocking of the blades.

- Figure 5: non-limiting example of a motoπsé pivoting device for the blades,

- Figure 6: detail of the pivot axis, - Figure 7. detail view of the drive axis of the device in figure

5,

- Figure 8: detail of a method of attachment of two successive blades,

- Figure 9: view of the interior of a shutter in the closed position,

- Figure 10: view from the outside of a shutter in the closed position, - Figure 11: view showing the disengagement of the blades before pivoting,

FIG. 12: view showing the opening of two of the blades of the shutter of FIG. 11, the other blades being disengaged,

- Figure 13: view showing the return to the closed position of the blades of Figure 12 not having rotated, - Figure 14: vertical section of blades equipped with mirror according to the first embodiment of the invention.

- Figure 15: view of a shutter fitted with mirrors in the closed position,

- Figure 16: location of a safety switch on a blade,

- Figure 17: electrical diagram of a non-limiting example of a control and safety box for shutters according to the mvenon,

- Figure 18: embodiment of the connection means between control box and blades.

- Figure 19: vertical section of a fixed side part of a salt blade in a second embodiment of the invenUon. - Figure 20: vertical section of a pivoting central part of a blade according to this second embodiment of the invention.

- Figure 21: side view of a blade showing the relative positions and shapes of the central and lateral parts.

- Figure 22: diagram showing a manual blade drive system according to the second embodiment of the invention.

- Figure 23: detail of a pivot axis of the blades according to the embodiment of Figure 22.

A first embodiment with a motoπsé pivoting system is presented below in figures. Figure 1 .

Slats, here making up a rolling shutter, can also be used for:

- swing shutters,

- rolling doors,

- gates, - or in general be sub-elements of a "closing / opening" device of any limited building space.

The blade, figure 1, is divided into three parts:

- a central part (2) of trapezoidal shape and two lateral parts (1 and 3) sliding in two vertical lateral guides (4), each in the form of a half of trapezoid.

The purpose of such a form is to:

1) - being able to completely free from all lateral friction the central blade (2) in order to be able to rotate it with a minimum of energy,

2) - prevent the central blade from making full turns on itself, 3) - limit the maximum angle of rotation as a function of the internal angles of the trapezium of the central blade,

4) - give the blades, in the case of closure and thanks to the interlocking system described below, a rigidity of a single piece resistant to vandalism, 5) - eliminate the effects of expansion caused by heat on the parts power stations.

For example, the shape of the central part (2) is a trapezoid and the two lateral parts (1 and 3) are in a semi-trapezoid.

This shape, in trapezoid and half-trapezoid, can undergo many variations according to the thickness, the weight of the material or according to the inspiration of the decoration. This variant can have rectangles on the three parts (1, 2 or 3), two trapezoids on the same blade or a trapezoid with rounded edges, etc.

Figures 2a and 2b:

Figure 2a shows a vertical section of the blade. This shape has a full tnangle on the upper side of the blade and an empty tπangle on its lower side. Shape variations, depending on the thickness of the blade and its material, can be easily adopted. By way of nonlimiting examples:

1) - a shape in double, triple, or several triangles,

2) - a trapezoid or double trapezoid shape or more, 3) - a semicircle or double semicircle shape or more (Figure 2b),

4) - finally more generally any form of male-female or female-male fitting of the blades in question.

It should be noted that the sides, bottom and top, can be reversed. Figures 3a and 3b: These Figures show by way of nonlimiting examples two possible shapes for the vertical fitting of the blades shown in Figures 2a and 2b. The nesting variants are numerous as mentioned above. Figure 4:

This figure shows the vertical interlocking, seen from above, of the three sub-assemblies of a blade (1, 2 and 3). The ends in full and empty angles are given only by way of example. As mentioned above (Figure 2) variants to this form can be adopted. And, in general, any form of nesting that can have the same uses for a similar product.

Figure 5: This figure shows the essential parts of a drive system (18) for motorized blade pivoting. This engine consists of the following elements:

1) - an electric motor (5) with two directions of rotation in order to carry out 1 Opening and closing of the central part (2) of the blade, 2) - an electromagnetic position brake (6),

3) - a hooking assembly (7) used to hang the parts (1) together as well as the parts (3) together,

4) - a stress reduction system (8),

5) - fixing bearings (9), 6) - a drive shaft (10),

7) - a sheath for the passage of electric wires (11) through the parts (1) and the parts (3) of the blades.

The drive system (18) can also be installed or housed in the central part (2) of the blade shown in Figure i. This represents one of the many possible variants of the location of this system.

Figure 6:

This figure clearly shows the degree of freedom of one end of the axis (10) in the central part (2) while the other end of the axis (10) is fixed in the part (1). Following a vertical translation of a value (h) of the lateral part (1) relative to the central part (2), this results in a dislocation or offset (h) of the blades.

Figure 7:

This figure shows the drive axis (10). It is composed as follows: 1) - a cylindrical part (11) hollow from the inside,

2) - a flat part (12) pierced from the inside to pass electrical wires. This part is to be engaged in the central part (2) of the blade,

3) - a clip (13) for hooking the central part (2) with the lateral part. The same clips from the opposite part will hook the side part (3) to the central part (2), 4) - two bearings (19),

- a toothed wheel (14) mounted on the cyhndπque part and forming part of a reduction gear

Figure 8 ^• This figure represents the architecture of a hanging system (7) as

1) - a lower part (14) fixed at the top of a non-pivoting part (1) or (3) by any suitable fixing means,

2) - an upper part (15) which is not fixed and which is called upon to engage with the part (1) or (3) of the lateral blade immediately higher at the time of closing,

3) - hinges (16) serving above all, at the time of the winding of the flaps on the upper drum, to allow the blades to match the shape of the drum. Figure 9 ^•

This figure shows a view of the interior of the shutters in the "Close" position. The drive system (18) has been shown in the drawings in an apparent manner in order to indicate its offset (d) relative to the median axis (17) of the central blade (2) (see also figure 5) to facilitate pivoting. Several variants, depending on demand and technical constraints, arise:

1) - the blades can be manual driven, therefore without motor and without assembly (18),

2) - the blades can receive a drive assembly (18) on each side of the central part (2), ie one assembly in the part (1) and one assembly in the part (3),

3) - the blades can receive a single drive assembly per blade which will be housed either in part (1) or in part (3),

- the drive system can also be installed or housed in the central part (2), - And finally all kinds of possible combinations between blades and drive assemblies can be considered.

Figure 10:

This figure shows an external view of the shutters. The oblique lines, although intentionally shown in the drawing, are not actually seen.

Figure 11:

This figure shows the disengagement of the blades pushed by a vertical force coming from the drum working under an order of opening of the flaps.

In this position, the central parts (2) are completely disengaged and hooked by the axis (10) or by the attachment assembly of Figure 8, on their median lines, ready to pivot on themselves.

Figure 12:

This figure shows that only the central parts (2) of two of the blades of a shutter, being in position (b and c) have pivoted on themselves from the vertical position corresponding to a closure, to the hoπzontal position corresponding to an opening. Of course, this decision is intended and is controlled by the buttons on the control box.

Figure 13:

This figure shows that once the pivoting has been carried out, all the other blades return to their initial closed position following a command to close the flaps. Thus the blades in position (b) and in position (c) remain open only while all the others are hermetically closed.

Figure 14:

This figure shows a vertical interlocking of two blades each having received a mirror strip (20) on its central part (2). Depending on the goal, all or only part of the blades can be fitted with mirror strips or reflective material. Mirrors can also be replaced by any reflective and adhesive sheet material or by any material with a predetermined reflection factor (eg 20%, 30%, going from white paint to the total silver mirror). shutters closed. With this storage, all the bars add up to make a one-piece mirror. This large mirror on about 80% of the opening surface gives an illusion of space, comfort of view and decorates the interior of the apartment. Figure 16:

This figure shows the location of a safety switch (21) in the middle of the bottom side of a central part (2). It is provided with a telescopic rod (22).

The contacts of this switch (21) are only closed when the total vertical disengagement of the blades is effected. All the switches (21) being closed, they then allow the rotors of the corresponding motors to execute the orders coming from the control and safety box. Figure 17: This diagram shows the operating pπncipe of a control box with a control assembly (25) and a safety assembly (26). An inverter (23) is used to reverse the direction of rotation of the motor (5). The control push button (24) controls both the motor (5) and the brake (6). It should be noted that this diagram is only given by way of example. Many possibilities exist. Two buttons, one for opening and the other for closing, thus replacing the inverter, are a completely possible variation, etc. In order to increase comfort, several drive systems can be moved with a single push button. There are then an infinity of tailor-made variants.

This diagram shows the operating principle of the safety assembly

(26) upon opening while central parts (2) are still open. It is a set of two electromagnetic release (27) and blocking coils

(28) which act on a latch placed on each side of the lowest blade called the lower blade. It is the blade that touches the bottom of the opening or window when the shutters are closed.

When the switches (21), placed in seπe, are closed, the release coil (27) is actuated. Once a switch (21) is open, the thyπstor (29) of the blocking coil (28) turns on and the blocking is activated. The lower blade is then fixed.

The switch (21) is placed on the axis (10) which indicates or not a rotation of the motor to the electromagnetic coils. The circuit also includes a transformer, filter, regulator and rectifier assembly within the reach of those skilled in the art and represented in the figure by a functional block (31).

Figure 18:

This figure shows the passage of the ducts (30) from the control and safety box (25,26) to the drive assemblies in the side slats (1 and 3).

The joining of the wires at the level of the drum will be done by a system of sliding the brushes on conductive rings. This is an example, several other methods can be performed. OPERATION OF THE SHUTTERS

Closed shutters:

OPENING OF ONE OR MORE BLADES:

1 °) - To open the slats, it suffices to partially raise the shutter to obtain Figure 11. It should be noted that this movement can be automated on command.

2 °) - The safety switch (21) located in the central part (2) will be closed, which will allow pivot orders to be executed. It then suffices to turn a single motor, at least, of a blade without adjusting its angle of rotation. This command activates both brake release and motor rotation.

3 °) - The lower blade blocking system is then activated, caused by the pivoting of a central part (2) and by the opening of its switch (21).

4 °) - Then proceed to close the shutters. The switches (21) of the blades not turned back to the position of inhibiting pivoting action, 4 °) - Then proceed to close the shutters. The switches (21) of the blades not turned back to the position of inhibition of pivoting action, while for the blades having pivoted, the motor is authorized to turn. This will give, at will, a comfortable adjustment of the angle of rotation of the blades, while the flaps are in the closed position.

5 °) - The blocking system remains activated because one or a few blades have turned, which has cut the circuit made up of switches (21) placed in series in the parts (1 or 3) (Figure 17). We can then start from the beginning to open other blades. We then only disengage the blades without being able to open the shutters.

- Take the time necessary to adjust the angle of rotation and thus adjust the desired internal lighting.

TOTAL SHUTTER OPENING:

1 °) - Activate the motor to slightly space the blades (decπt above).

2 °) - Start the motor but this time to close the central slats.

3 °) - When the central parts (2) are closed, the unlocking system with 1 flap opening is then activated and thus releases the lower blade to allow total opening. 4 °) - Completely or partially open the shutters.

A second embodiment of the invention, with a pivoting system with wires, is described below by way of nonlimiting example.

Figure 19, Figure 20, Figure 21

These figures respectively represent a non-pivoting side part (1,3), a pivoting central part (2), and the assembled assembly. The blades are of a conventional plastic or metal type with, on the inner side, a sliding part (la-3a) or (2a) closing the core (lb, 2b, 3b) of the blade. The particularity of this embodiment lies in the greater thickness of the lateral parts (1,3) and in the curved shape of the sliding parts (la, 3a) to allow the winding of the strip of blades on the shutter drum. rolling. This figure shows a wire drive system for a set of blades each mounted on an axis (34).

A primary wire (31) joining the upper axis to the shutter control system, secondary wires (32) join two successive axes together, and are driven by the primary wire.

Another primary wire (33) controls a second set of blades not shown in its entirety. The primary wires can be controlled manually or by a motor.

Figure 23 An axis (34) comprises a part (36) for example of square section, penetrating into a housing of corresponding shape (39) of the central part (2b) (see Figure 20) and a part (35) cylindπque crossing completely the side part (lb) or (3b) in its housing (40).

The axis (34) is extended by two pulleys (37) to cooperate with the control wires (31) or (32) and by a safety stop (38).

If, when it is desired to wind the shutter, certain blades are inclined, pressing their stop (38) makes it possible to automatically return them to the vertical position before winding on the drum.

In addition, a mark (39) shows the inclined position or not of the blade.

Claims

1. Closing-opening device for a free space in a building, for example a rolling shutter for window of the slat type which can slide in two lateral vertical guides (4), hooked to each other by fastening systems (7), and comprising along their length, a male-female interlocking system, the device being able to be lowered or raised so as to close or open the space between a completely closed position in which the lower blade rests on a vertical upright and in which the blades are all interlocked by gravity into each other over their entire length so as to form a continuous ply and a partial or total open position in which the blades are disengaged by gravity and separated from each other by a space determined by the height of the attachment system (7), characterized in that at least certain blades of the device comprise a pivoting part covered on a of its faces by a reflective material.

2. Device according to claim 1, caractéπsé in that all the blades have mirror bars (20).

3. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, caractéπsé in that each blade is composed of three parts (1,2,3) with two non-pivoting vertical side parts (1,2) each having one end guided vertically in a guide (4) and a central part (2) which can pivot between the vertical and an inclined position around hoπzontal axes (10) joining the central part and the lateral parts, the hoπzontal axes (10) having one end fixed in a blade part and one end movable vertically relative to the other blade part over a predetermined height (h) allowing a vertical offset between the non-pivoting side parts (1,2) and the pivoting central part (3) when pivoting

4. Device according to claim 3, caractéπsé in that each blade further comprises at least one motoπsé drive system (18) housed in one of the parts of said blade.

S. Device according to one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that the hoπzontal axes of pivoting (10) of the central parts (2) of the blades are offset by a distance (d) relative to the longitudinal hoπzontal axis of the blades.

6. Device according to one of claims 3 to 5, caractéπsé in that the parts (1,2,3) of the blades each have a trapezoidal shape.

7. Device according to claim 4, caractéπsé in that the motorized drive system composed of an electric motor (5), an electromagnetic brake (6), a stress reduction system (8), bearings (9).

8. Device according to one of claims 3 to 7, caractéπsé in that the attachment device (7) comprises a fixed lower part (14) on the top of a non-pivoting part (1,3) and a part upper (15) engaging inside a non-pivoting part of the immediately upper blade.

9. Device according to the preceding revendicaϋon, caractéπsé in that the parts (14, 15) are joined by hinges.

10. Device according to one of claims 3 to 9, caractéπsé in that each blade is equipped in the lower part with a safety switch (21) with telescopic rod (22).

1 1. Device according to one of claims 3 to 10, caractéπsé in that all the safety switches (21) are mounted in series, so as to activate when they are all closed a release coil (27) of a placed latch on the lower blade, and to activate when one of them is open, a blocking coil (28) of the same lock.

12. Device according to claim 5, caractéπsé in that the axis (10) of drive consists of a cylindπque part (11) hollow and a flat part

(12) engaging in the hollow part (11).

13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 2, caractéπsé in that each blade is composed of three parts (1,2,3) with two non-pivoting vertical side parts (1,2) and a central part which can pivot between the vertical and an inclined position around honzontal axes (34) joining the central part and the I o

side parts, the side parts (1,3) being thicker than the central parts (2) carrying the reflective material.

1 4. Device according to claim 13, caractéπsé in that the internal face la, 3a of the lateral parts is curved and the internal face 2a of the central part is planar.

1 5. Device according to one of claims 13 to 14, caractéπsé in that the axis (34) comprises a part (36) driving the central part (2) of a blade and a part (35) passing through a part side (1,3) of the same blade, and two drive pulleys (37) 1 6. Device according to claim 15, caractéπsé in that the axis (34) further comprises a safety stop (38).