Technical field Present invention relates to a door operator for a swing door operator, a swing door system and a method for operating a door operator for a swing door.

Background

Swing door operators with self-closing or self-opening functionality are commonly used today. The self-closing functionality may be provided with a counter-weight, spring or an hydraulic cylinder to allow the door to close or open without use of the motor of the door operator.

The self-closing functionality is of particular importance in swing door operators which are to be approved for use in fire door system. Standards and regulations such as EN 1154 and EN 17372 sets requirements for the closing and opening movement of the swing door leaf. Standards and regulations concerns for example latch, back check and speed control.

The behaviour of the door during the closing or opening movement have in the past been required to be automatically controlled to comply with the safety standards. For example, the only manner of which the closing movement may comply with the safety standards in cases where the door operator is in a passive mode has been with the implementation of a hydraulic system, which increases the complexity and cost of the door system.

The inventor has identified the need for providing a controllable self-closing functionality which does not require a hydraulic system and is operable when the operator operates in a passive mode.

Summary

According to an aspect, a door operator for a swing door system. The door operator is configured to operate a door leaf of the swing door system between at least a first position and a second position in a trajectory of the door leaf.

The door operator is further configured to operate in a powered mode and in a manual mode.

The door operator comprises a brushed DC motor arranged to operate the door leaf between the at least first position and the second position in the powered mode.

The door operator comprises a drive unit arranged to operate the door leaf between the at least first position and the second position in the manual mode. Further, the door operator comprises controlling circuitry comprising a first switch operably connected to the drive unit, wherein the first switch is configured to switch between a first speed control and a second speed control in the operation of the door leaf in the manual mode when an angle of the door leaf exceeds or becomes less than a corresponding threshold angle for the first switch. The first speed control and the second speed control are operatively connected to a respective semiconductor diode configured to provide a corresponding voltage for controlling the operation of the door leaf.

According to an aspect, a swing door system comprising a door leaf and a door operator according to the above. According to an aspect, a method for operating a door operator according to the above . The method comprises the steps being performed by controlling circuitry in the door operator of: determining a manual mode in the door operator, disconnecting the brushed DC-motor from operating the door operator, connecting the drive unit for operating the door operator, sensing the angle of the door leaf, switching to respective control based on the sensed angle of the door leaf, and controlling a speed of the door leaf based on the switched speed control.

Brief description of drawings

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 depicts a swing door system according to an embodiment.

Figure 2 depicts a door operator according to an embodiment.

Figure 3 depicts circuitry of an embodiment of the door operator.

Figure 4 depicts aspects of a swing door system according to an embodiment.

Detailed description

Aspects of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures. The assembly disclosed herein can, however, be realized in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the aspects set forth herein. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects of the disclosure only, and is not intended to limit the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Referencing Figure 1, a swing door system 1 with a door operator 30 according to the invention is depicted. The swing door system 1 comprises the door leaf 10 and the door operator 30. The door leaf 10 has a first door leaf surface 12 and an opposing second door leaf surface

(not seen in Figure 1). The swing door 10 is pivotally supported at a vertical door edge 14, also known as a secondary closing edge, by hinges 16 for allowing opening of the door leaf 10 from a closed position to an open position, as well as for allowing closing of the door leaf 10 from the open position to the closed position. The door leaf 10 is hence supported by a door frame 11 for pivotal motion around a rotational axis 18 which is coincident with the hinges 16.

The door operator 30 is a motorized automatic door operator 30 capable of causing opening and/or closing of the swing door 10 in an automatic mode, i.e. powered mode of the door operator 30.

Further, door operator 30 may also be capable of operating in a manual mode. In the manual mode, a motor of the door operator 30 may not provide any driving torque to the door leaf. The manual mode may be a non-powered mode.

Thus, the door operator 30 is configured to operate the door leaf 10 of the swing door system 1 between a first position and a second position in a trajectory of the door leaf 10. The door operator 30 is configured to operate in a powered mode and in a manual mode. Further referencing Figure 1 , a linkage mechanism 20 connects the automatic door operator

30 to the door leaf 10. The door operator 30 may be arranged in conjunction with the door frame 11, typically as a concealed overhead installation in or at the door frame 11.

The powered mode may be triggered by sensor equipment in the swing door system, such as, for instance, a door-open push button 15, radar or a sensor such as an IR motion detector. The automatic door operator 30 may provide automatic opening of the door leaf 10 in various possible applications. Such applications includes, for instance, facilitating a disabled person’s access to his or her private home, providing access through entrance ports or internal doors at healthcare buildings, office premises, industries or retail stores, providing comfort access to hotel rooms, etc. The door operator 30 may also be used in fire door applications. Since entrance systems with automatic door operators are typically used in public areas, user safety is crucial. Hazardous situations should be avoided so that a present, approaching or departing person or object (including but not limited to pets or articles brought by the person) will not be hit or jammed by the movable swing door. An embodiment of the door operator 30 is shown in Figure 2. The automatic door operator 30 comprises a brushed dc motor 34. The brushed DC motor 34 is arranged to operate the door leaf between the at least first position and the at least second position. The brushed DC motor 34 is connected to a transmission 35. An output shaft 35a of the transmission 35 rotates upon activation of the brushed dc motor 34 and is connected to the linkage mechanism 20. The linkage mechanism 20 translates the motion of the output shaft 35a into an opening or closing motion of the door leaf 10 with respect to the door frame 11.

The automatic door operator 30 may furthermore comprise a drive unit 36. The drive unit 36 is arranged to operate the door leaf 10 between the at least first position and the second position in the manual mode. The manual mode may be considered a mode in which the brushed dc motor

34 is disconnected from the power source of the door operator.

The drive unit 36 may be arranged to store mechanical energy from the door leaf 10 between the at least one first and second position in the powered mode.

The drive unit 36 may be a forced close arrangement or forced open arrangement which is adapted to provide mechanical energy via a transfer mechanism to the linkage 20, so as to cause forced closing or opening of the door leaf 10 with respect to the door frame 11. The forced close or open arrangement 36 may, for instance, comprise a helical spring. The helical spring may be arranged to urge movement of the door leaf 10 between the first and second open position.

In the case of a forced close arrangement, it may comprise a helical compression spring. During opening of the door leaf 10, the compression spring will be tensioned by the rotation of the output shaft 35a. During a forced closing cycle, the accumulated spring force will be transferred to the output shaft 35 by means of the transfer mechanism, for instance in the form of a pressure roller that acts on a cam curve being connected to the output shaft 35a.

In the case of a forced open arrangement, it may comprise a helical torsion spring. During closing of the door leaf 10, the torsion spring will be tensioned by rotation of the output shaft 25a.

During a forced opening cycle, the accumulated spring force will be transferred to the output shaft

35 by means of the transfer mechanism, for instance in the form of a pressure roller that acts on a cam curve being connected to the output shaft 35a.

In the case of the swing door system being a fire door for instance in the event of a fire alarm, the manual mode may be initiated in response to said fire alarm. The manual mode activates the forced closed arrangement urging the door leaf 10 to move to the closed position.

In one embodiment, the door operator is configured to receive a fire alarm signal. In response to the fire alarm signal the door operator may be configured to switch to the manual mode. It should be noted that several types of drive units suitable for the implementation in the door operator according to the invention are known and available for the skilled person. The drive unit may for example be a spring according to the above or a counter-weight arrangement.

The automatic door operator 30 also comprises a control arrangement 20 which is configured for controlling the automatic door operator 30 to perform different functions thereof. The control arrangement 20 comprises a controller 31. In one embodiment, the control arrangement may comprise a plurality of sensor functions for monitoring respective zones at the entrance system 10 for presence of a person or object. The sensor functions as well as other sensor equipment in the entrance system 1 like the door-open push button 15, are operatively connected with the controller 31 to report detection results to the controller 31.

The controller 31 may be implemented in any known controller technology, including but not limited to microcontroller, processor (e.g. PLC, CPU, DSP), FPGA, ASIC or any other suitable digital and/or analog circuitry capable of performing the intended functionality.

The controller 31 has an associated memory 32. The memory 32 may be implemented in any known memory technology, including but not limited to E(E)PROM, S(D)RAM or flash memory. In some embodiments, the memory 32 may be integrated with or internal to the controller 31. The memory 32 may store program instructions for execution by the controller 31, as well as temporary and permanent data used by the controller 31, as can be seen at 32a in Figure 2 One or more of the functions of the automatic door operator 30 relates to the opening 2 of the swing door 10 with respect to the door frame 11. Accordingly, the controller 31 of the control arrangement 20 has a control output 3 la connected to the motor 34 for controlling the actuation thereof.

The door operator 30 may comprise a position sensor 33. The position sensor 33 may be operatively connected to a control circuitry which will be described with reference to Figure 4. The position sensor 33 is configured to sense an angle of the door leaf 10.

In one embodiment, the position sensor 33 may be a revolution counter 33, such as an encoder or other angular sensor, is provided at the brushed dc motor 34 to monitor the revolution of a motor shaft of the motor 34. The revolution counter is connected to an input 31b of the controller 31. The controller 31 is configured to use one or more readings of the revolution counter

33 for determining a current angular position of the swing door 10.

The controller 31 has an associated memory 32. The memory 32 may be implemented in any known memory technology, including but not limited to E(E)PROM, S(D)RAM or flash memory. In some embodiment, the memory 32 may be integrated with or internal to the controller 31. The memory 32 may store program instruction for execution by the controller 31, as well as temporary and permanent data used by the controller 31.

The door operator 30 may be intended for fire door applications. As for the first embodiment, the second embodiment of the automatic door operator 30 comprises a controller 31, memory 32, revolution counter 33, motor 34 and transmission 35. In the depicted embodiment, the door operator 30 comprises a drive unit 36 which may be adapted to provide mechanical energy via a transfer mechanism 37 to the linkage 20, so as to cause forced closing of the door leaf 14 with respect to the door frame 12 in the event of a fire alarm.

In the disclosed embodiment, the forced close arrangement 36 comprises a helical compression spring. During opening of the door, the compression spring is tensioned by the rotation of the output shaft 35 a. During the forced closing cycle, the accumulated spring force is transferred to the output shaft 35 by means of the transfer mechanism 37 which in the disclosed embodiment includes a pressure roller that acts on a cam curve being connected to the output shaft 35a. In other embodiments, the forced close arrangement 36 may comprise a different kind of spring, and the transfer mechanism 37 may comprise a different kind of mechanism.

The controller 31 may receive an external fire alarm signal via a control input 3 Id and generate a control signal 36a to the forced close arrangement 36, so as to cause release of the accumulated spring force.

Figure 3 discloses the circuitry of an embodiment of the door operator according to the invention. As previously described with reference to Figure 1 and 2, the door operator is configured to operate the door leaf of the swing door system between at least a first position and a second position in the trajectory of the door leaf. The door operator is further configured to operate in the powered mode and the manual mode.

The door operator comprises the brushed DC motor 34. The brushed DC-motor 34 is arranged to operate the door leaf between the at least first position and the second position in the manual mode. In one embodiment, the brushed DC motor 34 is a permanent magnet DC motor.

The powered mode may comprise a mode wherein voltage is supplied to the brushed DC motor 34. Further, the manual mode comprises a mode wherein voltage supply to the brushed DC motor 43 is temporarily or permanently stopped. Further, as previously described with reference to Figure 2, the door operator comprises the drive unit. The drive unit is arranged to operate the door leaf between the at least first position and second position in the manual mode.

The door operator 30 comprises controlling circuitry 100. The controlling circuitry comprises a first switch 140. The switch 140 is configured to switch between a first speed control and a second speed control in the operation of the door leaf 10 in the manual mode. The switch 140 is configured to switch when an angle of the door leaf exceeds or becomes less than a corresponding threshold angle for said first switch 140.

The first and second speed control are operatively connected to a respective semiconductor diode 161, 162. Thus, the first speed control is operatively connected to a respective semiconductor diode 161 and the second speed control is operatively connected to a respective semiconductor diode 162.

The respective semiconductor diodes 161, 162 is configured to provide a corresponding voltage for controlling the operation of the door leaf.

The semiconductor diodes allows for shorting of the circuit over the semiconductor diodes 161, 162, whereby the speed of the door is controlled by means of the generator function of the brushed dc motor 34. Compared to shorting over normal resistors which provides a linear resistance, the semiconductor diodes allows for passing of a certain current before the resistance is provided. Thus, the motor must reach a certain speed (rpm) before the diodes provides resistance. As a result, the door may be operated by hand in the manual mode without becoming heavy and slow to move. Further, with the semiconductor diodes a greater resistance may be achieved at higher motor speeds, thus increasing the reliability of the speed control.

The controlling circuitry 100 may further comprise a second switch 130. The second switch 130 is operably connected to the drive unit. The second switch 130 is configured to switch to a third speed control in the operation of the door leaf in the manual mode when an angle of the door leaf exceeds or becomes less than a corresponding threshold for the second switch 130. The second switch allows for additional control of the speed of the door leaf 10 in the manual mode.

Notably, the corresponding threshold of first and second switch may be different. The corresponding thresholds are in the form of angle values of the door leaf. The operation of the door leaf in the manual mode comprises moving the door leaf at a controlled speed according to any of the first, second and third speed control. Thus, during the movement of the door leaf, the speed of the door leaf may be adjusted based on the corresponding thresholds of the switches.

The switches 130, 140 may be any one of a solid state switch such as hall elements or a mechanical switch. Preferably, the switches are mechanical switches since it allows for reliable switching even in a state where no current is provided to the switches. The mechanical switches may be micro switches. Thus, the first switch 140 may be any one of a solid state switch such as a Hall element, a mechanical switch and a micro switch. Similarly, the second switch 130 may be any one of a solid state switch such as a Hall element, a mechanical switch and a micro switch. The switches 130, 140 may be mechanical switches. This allows for the switches being operable even if the manual mode is a powerless mode. In one embodiment, one or both of the switches may be mounted to a cam disc arranged to move in response to the movement of the door leaf 10. The switches may be mounted to the cam disc such that the switches activates at the corresponding thresholds. In one embodiment, one or both the switches may be provided with Hall elements be arranged in a piston arrangement coupled to the linkage system.

As further depicted in Figure 3, the door operator may comprise an operational mode switch 120 operatively connected to the brushed dc motor 34 and a power supply of the door operator. The operational mode switch 120 is operatively connected to the controller (depicted in Figure 2). The operational switch 120 is configured to selectively cut of the current provided to the brushed dc motor 34 from the power supply of the door operator, thereby causing switching between the manual mode and the powered mode. In the manual mode, current is only provided by means of the brushless motor 34 functioning as a generator.

In one embodiment, the controller is configured to in response to receiving a fire alarm signal activate the switch to cause switching from the powered mode to the manual mode. Further referencing Figure 3, the respective semiconductor diode 161, 162 is configured to provide the corresponding voltage is comprised in a group of semiconductor diodes 160. Preferably, each semiconductor diode 161, 162 is configured to provide a differing voltage from the other semiconductor diodes in the group of semiconductor diodes 160. Thus, each semiconductor diode may be configured to provide a voltage, each voltage being different. The differing voltages in the group of semiconductor diodes 160 enable differing speeds in the operation of the door leaf in the manual mode.

In one embodiment, the group of semiconductor diodes 160 may be connected in series.

To enable the speed control, the group of semiconductor diodes 160 is configured to provide a drop in voltage. The semiconductor diodes may comprise Schottky diodes and/or P-N diodes. Thus, the group of semiconductor diodes 160 may include Schottky diodes and/or P-N diodes. Preferably, the group of semiconductor diodes 160 preferably constitutes Schottky diodes and/or P-N diodes.

The properties of the diodes are directly associated with the ability of the diode to discharge the heat generated by the current and the voltage drop generated over the diode. Commonly, Schottky diodes have a forward voltage drop of about 0,2 Volt while P-N diodes have a forward voltage drop of about 0,6 Volt. Schottky diodes are thus preferable in terms of temperature management. On the other hand, Schottky diodes has the disadvantage of a low reverse breakdown voltage and a high reverse leakage current. The choice between Schottky and P-N diodes may be determined by how long the motor current passes through the diode and at what speed the door moves.

Advantageously, the semiconductor diodes comprises a combination of Schottky and P-N diodes in order to achieve sufficient temperature management as well as sufficiently high reverse breakdown voltage and low reverse leakage current. The switches may be electrical or mechanical switches. In one embodiment, the door operator 30 comprises the position sensor 33 (previously described with reference to Figure 2) operatively connected to the control circuitry 100. The position sensor 33 may be configured to sense an angle a of the door leaf 10.

Referencing Figure 3 and 4, the above described speed controls may include a first, second and third speed control. The first and second position may correspond to the door leaf 10 being in a closed position C and the first position corresponds to the door leaf 10 being in an opened position O.

The speed controls may be a main speed control, a back check control or a latch control. As is well-known for a skilled person within the field a conventional speed control sets the general speed for movement of the door leaf 10, while back check and latch control is controlled of the speed of the door leaf in certain intervals of the trajectory.

Back check control involves a lowering of the speed of the door leaf 10 as the door leaf 10 approaches the opened position as the door leaf 10 moves from closed position towards said opened position. The back check control increases the safety of the swing door system due to the risk for collision during opening of the door is reduced.

Latch control involves an increase of the speed of the door leaf 10 as the door leaf 10 approaches the closed position as the door leaf 10 moves from the opened position towards said closed position. This allows for a firm closure of the door leaf and mitigates the risk for the door leaf not engaging the door frame properly in the closed position. With the door operator according to the above, the intended latch control and/or back check control may be achieved also in the manual mode without having to add complex hydraulic or transmission system.

As previously described with reference to Figure 2, the drive unit of the door operator may be arranged to move the door leaf 10 from the closed position to the opened position or from the opened position to the closed position.

In one embodiment in which the drive unit 36 is arranged to move the door leaf 10 from the opened position to the closed position in the manual mode, the second speed control may be a latch control. The first switch 140 may be configured to switch between the first speed control and the latch control in operation of the door leaf 10 in the manual mode when the angle of the door leaf 10 exceeds the corresponding threshold angle for the first switch 140.

According to said embodiment, the third speed control may be a back check control. The second switch 130 may be configured to switch between the first speed control and the back check control in the operation of the door leaf 10 in the manual mode when the angle of the door leaf 10 exceeds the corresponding threshold for the second switch 130.

In one embodiment in which the drive unit 36 is arranged to move the door leaf 10 from the closed position to the opened position in the manual mode, the second speed control may be back check control. The first switch 140 may be configured to switch between the first speed control to the back check control in operation of the door leaf 10 in the manual mode when the angle of the door leaf 10 exceeds the corresponding threshold angle for the first switch 140.

According to said embodiment, the third speed control may be a latch check control. The second switch 130 may be configured to switch between the first speed control and the latch check control in the operation of the door leaf 10 in the manual mode when the angle of the door leaf 10 exceeds a corresponding threshold for the second switch 130. Figure 3 depicts an example of the door operator according to the invention in which the second speed control is a latch control and the third speed control is a back check control. It may be envisioned however that the second speed control may be a back check control and the third speed control may be a latch control.

Further referencing Figure 3, the first switch 140 is connected to the semiconductor diodes by means of a first and second speed control circuit 151, 152. The first speed control circuit 151 and the second speed control circuit 152 each connects the brushless motor 34 to the controlling circuitry 100. Thus, the first switch 140 is configured to switch between said first control circuit 151 and the second speed control circuit 152. The first and second speed control circuit may be in the form of a first and second circuit leg each connected to the first switch 140. The switching between the first and second speed control thus involves switching between the first and second speed control circuit 151, 152, each speed control circuit comprising the respective semiconductor diode 161, 162 configured to provide the corresponding voltage for controlling the operation of the door leaf 10. The first and second speed control is operatively connected to a group of semiconductor diodes 160. The semiconductor diodes are configured to provide a differing voltage by means of being connected in series.

The control circuitry 100 comprise a plurality of connections 169 such as plug socket connections, plinths etc. each connection being connected to one of the semiconductor diodes 161, 162. This allows for adaptation by means of adapting the speed by means of connecting the first and second speed control circuit to a connection with a corresponding semiconductor diode. In one embodiment, the group of semiconductor diodes 161, 162 are connected in series and a connection 169 is provided between each semiconductor diode. One of the semiconductor diodes is connected to the first speed control circuit 151 and one of the semiconductor diodes is connected to the second speed control circuit. Thus, the first speed control circuit 151 is arranged to lead current through a first portion of the group of semiconductor diodes and the second speed control circuit 152 is arranged to lead current through a second portion of the group of semiconductor diodes. In the depicted example, the semiconductor diodes used for the first and second speed control are Schottky diodes, which have a lower forward voltage drop compared to P-N diodes making them more suitable for speeding up the door (latch control).

The controlling circuitry 100 further comprises the second switch 140, which is operably connected to the drive unit 36. The second switch 130 is configured to switch to the third speed control in the operation of the door leaf in the manual mode when the angle of the door leaf exceeds or becomes less than a corresponding threshold for the second switch 130. The third speed control is operatively connected to a respective semiconductor diode 194.

The second switch 130 is thus configured to selectively switch to a third speed control circuit 153, the third speed control circuit 130 connecting the brushless motor 34 and the second switch 130. The third speed control circuit comprises the semiconductor diode 194. Thus, when the third speed control is active, the second switch 130 allows for current passing through the third speed control circuit to the brushless motor 34.

In the depicted example, the semiconductor diode used for the third speed control is a P-N diode which has a higher forward voltage drop compared to Schottky diodes, making it more suitable for braking the door (back check control).

According to an aspect, a swing door system comprising a door leaf 10 and a door operator according to any one of the previously described embodiments of the door operator.

According to an aspect a method for operating a door operator 30 for a swing door system 1 according to any of the previously described embodiments. The method comprises steps being performed by controlling circuitry 100 in the door operator 30 of: determining the manual mode in the door operator 30, disconnecting the brushed DC motor (34) from operating the door operator 30, switching to respective speed control based on the angle of the door leaf 10, and controlling the speed of the door leaf 10 based on the switched speed control.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of connecting the drive unit 36 for operating the door operator 30, sensing the angle of the door leaf 10 and switching to respective control based on the sensed angle of the door leaf 10. In one embodiment, the latch control generates an accelerated speed in the operation of the at least one door leaf 10 so that the at least one door leaf 10 firmly completes the trajectory in an interval of angle comprising the second position during a set time interval.

In one embodiment, the first speed control generates a constant speed in the operation of the door leaf 10 such that the door leaf 10 follows the trajectory at the constant speed during a time interval or angular interval of the door leaf 10.

In one embodiment, the back check control comprises a decelerated speed such that the door leaf 10 completes the trajectory in a lowered speed in an interval of angle comprising the first position during a set time interval or angular interval of the door leaf 10.

The invention has been described above in detail with reference to embodiments thereof. However, as is readily understood by those skilled in the art, other embodiments are equally possible within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.