EP1111180A1 - Safety device for automatic gate - Google Patents

Abstract

The switch comprises a cable extending along the door edge enabling detection of obstacle at any height. The safety device for an automatic door comprises a sensing bar intended to detect any obstacle obstructing closure of the door. This incorporates a cable (11) which extends in a direction which is transverse to the direction of movement of the door, and which has one end fixed securely to the door. The second end of the cable is linked to a core (17) which is mobile w.r.t. the door in a direction parallel to the cable. This core moves against the action of a spring (23). The core has a cylindrical shape, and includes two rings (18,19) of conducting material around its outside surface at its ends. These are linked internally by diodes, and brushes (15,16) make contact with the rings externally. If the core is moved, the electrical properties of the circuit are changed and detected.

Description

The present invention relates to a security device for a portal. automatic, intended to interrupt its operation when the leaf encounters an obstacle.

Automatic gates must meet a certain number of relatively strict safety standards governing different phases of their functioning.

Indeed, this type of portal can present certain dangers for users, especially when closing the leaf.

Whatever the type of automatic gate (sliding leaf, swing or with vertical opening), an anti-crushing device must be provided to to interrupt the operation of the gate in the event of an obstacle.

This type of device, called a safety edge, is associated with the cutting edge of the leaf and comprises a profile made of flexible elastic material, such as rubber, in which a presence detector is housed.

There is a safety device of the safety edge type, housed in a rubber profile, comprising a steel cable, one of the ends is fixed and the other is associated with a mobile device connected to a electrical signal transmitter.

The mobile device includes a link capable of acting mechanically on two electrical contactors, connected in series and capable to interrupt an electrical circuit.

The assembly is then connected by a wire link to a device for control comprising an electronic circuit.

When an obstacle tightens the steel cable during the movement of the leaf, or if the said cable is cut, the mobile device moves under the effect of a spring and acts on the contactors.

However, the known contactors, of the "micro switch" type, are sizes too large to meet the criteria set by the standards French.

Indeed, the rigid support elements of the mobile part of the device and those involved in fixing the cable at the other end of the cutting edge of the leaf, have dimensions such that they lead to a reduction of the active part of the safety edge.

In addition, the safety edges equipped with known mobile devices do not can meet the requirements of safety standards positive, especially in the event of a wired connection being crushed or a short circuit contactors.

Indeed, the safety edges are called to be exposed to bad weather and, if the profile is filled with water, the contactors are drowned without the device detecting a short circuit.

Thus, the electrical circuit is not altered and the actuation of a contactor, in the event of an obstacle for example, has no effect on the system of security.

The gate does not stop its movement, which can present a danger.

In this context, the invention proposes a security device for a portal. automatic small dimensions, easily accommodated in a bar which meets the requirements of current standards, in particular especially with regard to positive electrical safety.

To this end, according to the invention, the safety device for safety edge associated with the leaf of an automatic gate, comprising a cable transverse direction to the movement of said leaf and a first of which end is fixed relative to the leaf, the second end being linked to movable means relative to the leaf and capable of modifying the state of a electrical circuit controlling the leaf actuation means, is characterized in that said movable means comprise means of electrical conduction integrated into said electrical circuit.

Preferably, the mobile means consist of a mobile core in a direction substantially parallel to the cable and preferably confused with this one.

Advantageously, the electrical conduction means include sliding contact means, the movable core being of general shape cylindrical and the electrical conduction means comprising two conductive material rings.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the safety device for bar feeler associated with the leaf of an automatic gate, comprising a transverse direction cable to the movement of said leaf and one of which first end is fixed relative to the leaf, the second end being linked to means movable relative to the leaf and capable of modifying the state of an electrical circuit controlling the actuation means of the leaf, is characterized in that said mobile means comprise electrical conduction means integrated into said electrical circuit and interconnected by at least one electronic security component.

According to a preferred embodiment, the electronic component of security is a diode.

Advantageously, these are two diodes mounted in opposition in the electrical circuit.

Preferably, the device comprises an electronic card capable of continuously analyze the state of the electronic safety component.

According to a particular embodiment, the electronic card is suitable analyze the voltage across the diode (s) and includes a window comparator as well as a shaping device and signal amplification.

• La figure 1 est une vue latérale d'un vantail de portail automatique équipée du dispositif de l'invention ;
• La figure 2 est une vue du profilé élastique équipant le vantail de la figure 1 dans lequel est logé le dispositif de l'invention ;
• La figure 3 est une vue selon la coupe longitudinale A-A de la figure 2 ;
• La figure 4 est une vue en perspective éclatée d'une forme de réalisation du dispositif de l'invention ;
• La figure 5 est une représentation schématique du dispositif de l'invention.

The invention will be better understood in the light of the description which follows, relating to illustrative embodiments but in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a side view of an automatic gate leaf equipped with the device of the invention;
• Figure 2 is a view of the elastic profile fitted to the leaf of Figure 1 in which is housed the device of the invention;
• Figure 3 is a view along the longitudinal section AA of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the device of the invention;
• Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the device of the invention.

Figure 1 shows, in side view, an automatic gate leaf 1 sliding equipped with the safety device of the invention.

The leaf 1 is able to move in translation in contact on the ground S in the direction of the double arrow F, in the direction f1 for opening and the direction f2 for closing, by any known means such as casters.

It is understood that the security device of the invention is applicable to all other kinds of automatic gates, such as swing gates or with vertical opening, and even a large number of machines automatic.

Leaf 1, of generally classic rectangular shape, has a edge 2 (or cutting edge), perpendicular to the direction of movement of the leaf 1, and likely to come into contact with an obstacle (object, person...).

Said cutting edge 2 is associated with a rail 3 (not visible in FIG. 1) equipped a profile 4 made of elastic flexible material, such as rubber by example, extending over the entire length of the cutting edge 2 of the leaf 1.

FIG. 2 is a view in a direction parallel to that of the cutting edge 2, of the rail 3 associated with the cutting edge 2 and supporting the elastic profile 4.

Rail 3, of substantially quadrangular shape, is composed, in the present embodiment, of a hollow aluminum profile and is secured to the cutting edge 2 by any known means and not shown.

A cover 5 is associated with the end of the rail 3 and of the profile elastic 4 by any known method, such as by interlocking example.

The cover 5 has a substantially U shape whose branches 5a and 5b are slightly flared and the concavity is turned towards the rail 3 (and therefore leaf 1).

The faces constituting the branches 5a, 5b of the cover 5 are connected between them by a face 5c substantially planar and parallel to the rail 3, width equivalent to that of said rail 3.

The cover 5 is produced by any known method such as molding, and its outer shape is identical to that of the elastic profile 4 so that they are an extension of each other.

The cover 5 comprises a bottom 5d, substantially planar and described more in detail in FIG. 3, closing the end of the elastic profile 4.

In its part furthest from the rail 3, the bottom 5d has a housing 6 of generally cylindrical shape and able to receive part of the device security of the invention.

Figure 3 is a view along the longitudinal section A-A of Figure 2 of the assembly constituted by the rail 3, the elastic profile 4 and the cover 5.

For the sake of convenience, the total length of the rail 3 and the elastic profile 4 has not been shown.

The bottom 5d of the cover 5 is substantially flat and perpendicular to the rail 3.

In addition to the faces 5a, 5b and 5c, one or more tabs 7 allow to fit the cover 5 on the rail 3 as well as on the elastic profile 4.

The housing 6 constitutes, at the bottom 5d of the cover 5, a return projecting towards the inside of the elastic profile 4 in which is disposed a first part 8 of the safety device according to the invention.

This first part 8 of the security device will be described later, in relationship to Figure 4.

The housing 6 is generally cylindrical, the end being the side of the cover 5 being open, the second end having a bottom 6a provided with a through hole 6b.

Opposite the housing 6, the elastic profile 4 has a housing 9 of shape substantially identical to that of the housing 6 and for example molded in the elastic material of the profile 4, projecting towards the inside of the said elastic profile 4.

Inside the housing 9 is disposed the second part 10 of the device of the invention, connected to the first part 8 by a cable 11, by steel example.

This second part 10 is composed of a plug 12 of shape general cylindrical complementary to that of the housing 9, so as to be inserted there.

The plug 12 has a shoulder 12a, forming a collar, coming in abutment against the face 4a of the profile 4, parallel to the bottom 5d of the cover 5.

The cable 11 is able to pass through the plug 12 via a longitudinal bore opening out 12b partially threaded as well as a blind throat 12c.

A locking screw 13, once screwed into the threaded part of the bore opening 12b, immobilizes the cable 11 by crushing it against the wall of said through hole 12b.

The free strand 11a of the cable 11 then passes through the groove 12c to emerge through the face 4a of the elastic profile 4.

Figure 4 shows, in exploded perspective, the detail of a form of realization of the first part 8 of the safety device according to the invention.

This first part 8 comprises a sheath 14 (seen in partial section in FIG. 4) of substantially cylindrical shape, complementary to that of the housing 6 of the cover 5 in order to be inserted therein, and of axis substantially coincident with that of said housing 6 and cable 11.

The sheath 14, of length slightly less than that of the housing 6, is in the form of a hollow tube open at one of its ends and terminated by a bottom 14a at the other end, at the bottom 5d of the cover 5.

First conduction means consisting of two blades conductors 15 and 16 in an arc are arranged inside the scabbard 14.

The first conductive strip 15 is located substantially in the middle of the sheath 14, the second being at the open end of the says sheath 14.

The conductive strip 15 has a contact at each of its ends 15a, 15b.

Likewise, the second conductive strip 16 has contacts 16a, 16b each arranged at one of the blade ends 16.

These different contacts 15a, 15b, 16a and 16b project inwards sheath 14.

The first part 8 of the security device further comprises a core 17, of substantially tubular shape, of outside diameter as it is able to be placed in the sleeve 14.

The core 17 comprises, at its ends, two bearings 17a and 17b, of diameter smaller than the nominal diameter of the core 17, thus forming two shoulders 17c and 17d.

Sliding contact means consisting of two substantially rings annulars 18, 19 fit on the bearings 17a and 17b, until they come in abutment against the shoulders 17c, 17d.

In the exploded perspective of Figure 4, the ring 18 is positioned inside the conductive strip 15, bearing against the contacts 15a and 15b of the latter.

Once in position on the bearing 17b of the core 17 disposed in the sheath 14, the ring 19 is associated with the conductive blade 16 by through contacts 16a and 16b.

The rings 18 and 19 are electrically connected to each other by two electronic security components 20, 21, component 20 being alone visible in figure 4.

These electronic security components 20, 21 consist of preferably a diode, and are arranged respectively in a imprint 22a, 22b provided for this purpose in the core 17.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional representation of the invention, and mainly from the first part 8 of the safety device.

A spiral spring 23, also visible in FIG. 4, of such diameter that it is capable of being engaged in the core 17, comes into abutment, at one of its ends, against an inner crown 17th.

The other end of the coil spring 23 bears against the bottom 6a of the housing 6 made in the cover 5.

The steel cable 11 is, at a first end, in abutment against the inner ring 17e of the core 17, passes through the passage hole 6b of the housing 6 then is blocked at its second end by the plug 12.

The conductive strips 15 and 16 have each been shown very schematically by one of their contacts 15a, 15b and 16a, 16b with the rings 18, 19.

The conductive strips 15 and 16 are connected, via a wired link 24, at the input E of an electronic card 25, whose output S is connected to the means for actuating the opening and closing of the leaf 1.

The purpose of the electronic card 25 is to analyze the change in state of the electrical circuit formed by the conductive strips 15, 16 and the rings 18 and 16 connected by diodes 20, 21, in particular studying the voltage drops across diodes 20 and 21.

The diodes 20 and 21 are mounted head to tail, in opposition, in the electric circuit: the diode 20 authorizes the passage of the current only in the direction of the ring 18 towards the ring 19, the diode 21 authorizing the current flow in the opposite direction.

The electronic card 25 is able to determine whether the voltage of the assembly formed by the two diodes 20 and 21 is greater than or less than a certain predetermined value.

To do this, apply a DC voltage to the assembly formed by the two diodes 20 and 21, to which a window comparator 26 is associated at the output.

• un état haut si la tension aux bornes des diodes 20, 21 (tension d'entrée) est comprise dans une fenêtre définie par deux tensions encadrant la tension de seuil de la diode 20, 21 qui est passante,
• un état bas si la tension d'entrée est en dehors de cette fenêtre.

Comparator 26 provides at output, through a device for shaping and amplifying signal 27:

• a high state if the voltage across the diodes 20, 21 (input voltage) is within a window defined by two voltages surrounding the threshold voltage of the diode 20, 21 which is conducting,
• a low state if the input voltage is outside this window.

As soon as the voltage across the pass-through diode 20, 21 leaves the window, the output goes low which causes the opening of two relays 28 arranged in series and connected to the means for actuating the leaf 1.

The window comparator 26 is further connected to indicator lights 29 always indicating the state of the system.

The window comparator 26, the shaping device and signal amplification 27 and the relays 28 are conventional and known.

The general operation of the safety device is as follows:

When the gate and therefore leaf 1 is in motion:
As soon as an obstacle abuts on the elastic section 4, it exerts an action X which tightens the cable 11.

The tension of the cable 11 moves the core 17, the rings longitudinally 18, 19 are no longer in contact with the conductive strips 15, 16 and the circuit is open: the voltage across the diodes is no longer the same, the electronic card 25, via the relays 28, sends a information to the means of actuation of leaf 1 which stops its movement.

The small dimensions of the plug 12 and its direct implantation in the elastic profile 4, without the intermediary of an additional rigid part, increases the active length of the safety edge.

Indeed, any action on the elastic profile 4 at the level of the plug 12 deforms said profile 4 and therefore acts on cable 11 which is stretched and triggers the safety device.

When leaf 1 is moving or stationary:
If the cable 11 is broken, the core 17 is pushed back by the spring 23 in the opposite direction to that of the previous case, which interrupts the contact between the conductive blades 15, 16 and the rings 18, 19.

Again, the electronic card 25 transmits the information to the means leaf 1 which stops running, both when opening and when closing.

If the wire connection 24 is cut, the electrical circuit is open and the electronic card 25 transmits the information to the actuation means leaf 1.

In the event of the cable link 24 being overwritten or a short circuit due to example to the excessive presence of water in the device, the system always works thanks to the presence of diodes 20 and 21 which participate in the positive security of the whole.

At any time, the electronic card 25 analyzes the voltage across the terminals of the diodes 20, 21 and any change in this voltage causes the immediate movement of leaf 1, including in the event of destruction of said diodes 20 and 21.

It should be noted that the device also works with a single diode 20, 21, only the electronic card is then different.

Claims (8)

Safety device for safety edge associated with the leaf (1) of a automatic gate, comprising a cable (11) for transverse direction when said leaf (1) is displaced and a first end of which is fixed relative to the leaf (1), the second end being linked to a core (17) movable relative to the leaf (1) in a direction substantially parallel to the cable (11) and capable of modifying the state of a circuit electric controlling means for actuating the leaf (1), said mobile core (17) comprising electrical conduction means, characterized in that the movable core (17) is of general shape cylindrical and in that the electrical conduction means have two rings (18, 19) of conductive material. Safety device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical conduction means include means for sliding contact. Safety device for safety edge associated with the leaf (1) of a automatic gate, comprising a cable (11) for transverse direction when said leaf (1) is displaced and a first end of which is fixed relative to the leaf (1), the second end being linked to means movable relative to the leaf (1) and capable of modifying the state of a electric circuit controlling leaf actuation means (1), characterized in that said mobile means comprise electrical conduction means integrated into said electrical circuit and interconnected by at least one electronic security component. Safety device according to claim 2, characterized in that the electronic security component is a diode (20, 21). Safety device according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises two diodes (20, 21) mounted in opposition in the circuit electric. Safety device according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises an electronic card (25) capable of continuously analyzing the state of the electronic security component (20, 21). Safety device according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that it comprises an electronic card (25) capable of analyzing in permanently the voltage across the diode (s) (20, 21). Safety device according to claim 6, characterized in that the electronic card (25) includes a window comparator (26) as well a device for shaping and amplifying the signal (27).

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