DOOR ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A BRAKE MEMBER

1. Field of the Invention [oooi] This invention generally relates to automatically moving doors. More particularly, this invention relates to controlling movement of an automatically moveable door.

2. Description of the Related Art [ooo2] There are various automated door arrangements used in various contexts. In some instances, the automated door slides in a direction parallel to the door panel between open and closed positions. This type of arrangement is commonly used for providing access to an elevator car.

[0003] Whenever an automated door moves toward a position where an edge of the door approaches another structural member in a closed position, it is possible for an object to get caught between the door and the other structural member. Various arrangements have been proposed to avoid such a situation.

[0004] In the case of elevator doors, it has been known to use a safety shoe that mechanically detects an obstacle near a closed position of a door by including a bar at the leading edge of the door. If an obstacle contacts the bar, that provides an indication that the door should not be fully closed automatically to allow for the obstacle to be removed so that it will not be caught between the door and another surface. Another example approach has been to use light-based detectors that generate a sensing light beam across an opening. If an obstacle is within the opening while a door is automatically closing and interrupts the light beam, the door will not be fully closed automatically to avoid the object being caught by the door.

[0005] There are limitations to such devices. For example, the safety shoe bar typically is not sensitive enough to detect relatively small objects such as a strap on a handbag or an individual finger. Additionally, such small objects may get caught if they are not located at the same position as the bar of the safety shoe. The light-based detectors are also limited in that an object may not be within the field of vision (e.g., the light beam) even though the object is in a position where it can be caught by the door. Another drawback to known light-based arrangements is that they are typically

exposed to dust or debris that can interfere with proper operation. Another potential issue is presented if other light sources interfere with the detectors.

[0006] Example arrangements of sensors for detecting when an object may be caught during a door opening operation are shown in Japanese Kokai Patent Application Nos. 2001-89054, 2002-348075 and 2004-18261. One potential shortcoming of such devices is that they rely upon electrical signals and control functions acting responsive to such signals. This requires additional wiring or complexity for a door system. Additionally, the processing requirements for responding to the signals may not always be as reliable as desired and there typically is some delay before the door is stopped after the object has been detected. Additionally, even if the response to the signals is immediate, the inertia of a door introduces the possibility of further door movement after the controller has issued a stop command.

[0007] It would be desirable to provide an improved arrangement for reliably stopping a door from moving when an object may be in a position to be caught by such movement of the door. This invention addresses that need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An exemplary door assembly includes a door panel that is automatically moveable between open and closed positions. A second panel is near the door panel with a spacing between them so that the door panel can move past the second panel during automatic door movement. The second panel has a moveable portion that moves responsive to an object contacting the moveable portion while the object is moving in a direction toward the spacing between the door panel and the second panel. A brake member moves into a braking position where the brake member engages the door panel to apply a braking force responsive to the movement of the moveable portion.

[0009] An example method of controlling movement of a door panel includes automatically moving the door panel relative to a second panel near the door panel with a spacing between them such that the door panel moves past the second panel. Moving a portion of the second panel responsive to an object contacting the second panel as the object approaches the spacing moves a brake member into engagement with the door panel to apply a braking force on the door panel.

[00010] The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00011] Figure 1 schematically illustrates an example door assembly.

[oooi2] Figure 2 schematically illustrates one example arrangement of a brake member for stopping movement of an example door panel.

[oooi3] Figure 3 schematically illustrates another example brake member arrangement in a first position.

[00014] Figure 4 schematically illustrates the example of Figure 3 in another example position.

[00015] Figure 5 schematically shows an example support for a moveable portion of the example embodiment of Figure 3. [00016] Figure 6 is a flowchart diagram summarizing one example control strategy useful in an embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[00017] Disclosed examples include a brake member on at least one of a door panel or a door frame that allow for responding to an object approaching a gap next to the door panel by applying a braking force on the door panel. With the example approach, a braking force for stopping a door is reliably applied without requiring complicated electrical sensor arrangements as have been previously proposed.

[00018] Figure 1 schematically shows selected portions of an example door assembly 20. Door panels 22 are automatically moveable between open and closed positions within an opening 24. The example of Figure 1 shows the door panels 22 in a closed position. In the illustrated example, each door panel 22 moves relative to a second panel 26 as the door panels 22 move between the open and closed positions.

The second panels 26 in this example are part of the door frame and are adjacent a pocket for receiving the corresponding door panel 22 in the open position. A controller 30 controls an automated door mover 32 in a known manner to cause desired movement of the door panels 22 between the open and closed positions.

[00019] Figure 2 schematically represents an end view of a door assembly as shown in Figure 1. Such an arrangement may be useful as an elevator door on the

elevator car side or the hoistway side, for example. A brake member 40 is positioned near an interface 42 between the door panels 22 and the corresponding second panels 26. Tn this example, the second panels 26 include a moveable portion 44 that moves responsive to contact with an object approaching the interface 42 where the object may become caught between the door panel 22 and the second panel 26. The movement of the moveable portion 44 causes movement of the brake member 40 into a braldng position where the brake member engages the door panel 22 for applying a braking force directly on the door panel 22. In one example, the braking force applied by the brake member 40 is sufficient to overcome a driving force applied by the door mover 32 so that the door panel 22 stops immediately when the brake member 40 sufficiently engages the door panel 22.

[00020] A variety of arrangements of a brake member 40 and a moveable portion 44 are useful in an embodiment of this invention. One example arrangement is shown in Figure 3. In this example, the brake member 40 comprises a roller that is supported on an arm 50, which is coupled with the moveable portion 44. In one example, the roller comprises rubber. In the illustrated example, the brake member 40 is supported near one end 52 of the arm 50 such that the roller is free to rotate relative to the arm 50. Another end 54 of the arm is pivotally supported by the moveable portion 44 so that the arm can pivot relative to the moveable portion 44 as the arm 50 and the moveable portion 44 move together.

[00021] The movable portion 44 is pivotally supported at 60 relative to a stationary portion 26' of the second panel 26. When the second panel 26 comprises a door frame member, the stationary portion 26' will be part of a door surround or wall structure adjacent the opening 24. When the second panel 26 comprises another door panel, the stationary portion 26' may move for purposes of opening the doors but is still considered stationary relative to the moveable portion 44 as the former does not move in the manner that the moveable portion 44 does for purposes of activating the brake member 40.

[00022] In the illustrated example, a linkage 62 is pivotally supported at one end 64 by the moveable portion 44 and at another end 66 by the stationary portion 26'. A biasing member 68, which is a spring in this example, biases a central portion 70 of the linkage 62 in a direction that biases the moveable portion 44 into the position shown in Figure 3 (e.g., counterclockwise about the pivotal connection 60 according to the drawing). This position corresponds to the brake member 40 being

spaced away from the door panel 22. The illustrated example includes braces 72 for maintaining the linkage 62 and, therefore, the moveable portion 44 in a desired position relative to the remainder of the door assembly 20 under normal operating conditions. [00023] Figure 5 shows how a plurality of linkages 62 are spaced vertically along the second panel 26 for supporting the movable portion 44. Only one brake member 40 is required in this example even though the moveable portion 44 extends vertically along the entire interface 42 between the door panel 22 and the second panel 26. Using one brake member 40 is advantageous for avoiding marking the door panel during a braldng application. Using a relatively small width roller further enhances this advantage in some examples.

[00024] Figure 4 shows an operating condition where the door panel 22 is moving toward an open position (e.g., to the right in the drawing). An object 80 is moving in the same direction approaching the interface 42 such that the object 80 may become caught between the door panel 22 and the second panel 26. As the object contacts the moveable portion 44, the force associated with the contact overcomes the bias of the biasing member 68 and the moveable portion moves in the door-opening direction from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 4 (e.g., pivots in a clockwise direction about the pivot 60). [00025] In this example, any object 80 that is larger than the size of the gap G at the interface 42 will tend to cause the movable portion 44 to move from the position shown in Figure 3. This allows the example arrangement to protect against even very small objects from becoming caught between the door panel 22 and the second panel 26. Another feature of the illustrated example is that the resiliency associated with the movement of the movable portion 44 serves as cushion to lessen the impact experienced by the object 80 as it contacts the second panel 26.

[00026] As the moveable portion 44 moves, the arm 50 and the brake member 40 move, also. In this example the roller brake member 44 rolls along a guide surface 82 of a guide member 84 into a position where the brake member 40 engages the door panel 22. The brake member becomes wedged between the guide surface 82 and the door panel 22 such that the door panel 22 can no longer move in the opening direction (e.g., to the right in the drawing). In this example, the direction that the door panel 22 moves in the opening direction urges the brake member 40 further into a braking position such that the force on the door panel for moving it actually contributes to

generating additional braking force when the brake member 40 engages the door panel 22.

[00027] The example guide surface 82 has one portion that is spaced from the door panel 22 a first distance that is greater than an outside dimension (e.g., a diameter) of the brake member 40 so that there is clearance between the door panel 22 and the brake member 40 in the condition shown in Figure 3. Another portion of the guide surface 82 is spaced from the door panel 22 a second, distance that is smaller than the outside dimension of the brake member so that the brake member 40 engages and stops the door panel 22 in the position shown in Figure 4. [00028] The illustrated example also includes a switch 90 supported on the guide member 84. The switch 90 is activated when the moveable portion 44 moves responsive to contact with the object 80. The switch 90 provides a signal to the controller 30 to stop the opening movement of the door mover 32. This ensures against damaging the motive components of the door mover 32 when the brake member 40 prevents further movement of the door panel 22, for example.

[00029] As summarized in the flow chart 100 of Figure 6, the indication from the switch allows the controller 30 to initiate a door reversal to facilitate removing the object 80 from the interface 42 in the event that the object has become caught. The example of Figure 6 includes beginning to open the door at 102. During an opening operation, a determination is made whether the switch 90 has been activated at 104. Under most circumstances, the moveable portion 44 will remain stationary in the position shown in Figure 3, for example. Under these conditions, the switch 90 remains inactivated and the door closing operation continues at 106 and 108.

[00030] If the switch 90 is activated responsive to movement of the moveable portion 44 sufficient for the brake member 40 to engage the door panel 22, then the controller 30 stops door movement at 110. A door closing operation is initiated at 112. This continues at 114 and 116 until the door is fully closed at 118 in this example. Once fully closed, the controller can then once again begin to open the door at 102. In this example, the door is fully closed to allow the controller 30 to know the position of the door panel 22 throughout the opening operation. In some examples, the door panel 22 need not move to a fully closed position before reversing the door direction for opening the door. In some such examples, the controller uses an indication from the switch 90 that the moveable portion 44 has returned to its normal,

rest position as an indication that the object 80 is no longer in a position where it will become caught at the interface 42.

[00031] In another example, no switch is provided and the controller is configured to determine when the door panel 22 has stopped before reaching a fully opened position. Such a controller automatically at least temporarily reverses the direction of door movement to facilitate removing an object that may have become caught in the interface 42.

[00032] The disclosed examples provide the advantage of providing a mechanical braking force on a door panel that immediately and reliably stops further door movement responsive to an object moving into a position where the object may become caught between the door panel 22 and the second panel 26. This is advantageous from a simplicity standpoint as complex controls are not necessary to protect such an object. In some examples, a control strategy is used along with the braking arrangement to provide even more enhanced performance. [00033] The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature.

Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this invention. The scope of legal protection given to this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.