Technical field

The present disclosure relates to a door with a linear electric drive system for moving a door leaf between an open position and a closed position and a method for operating the door. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a door with a linear electric drive system for moving a door leaf between an open position and a closed position and a method for operating the door as defined in the introductory parts of the independent claims.

Background art

Industrial doors require electric drives for their operation. In most cases, asynchronous motors are used for this purpose. The motors are designed and dimensioned in the direction of the largest systems so that only one motor has to be developed for a series of door models. Motors for smaller gates are therefore often oversized in terms of performance. This means a power surplus and excess energy usage. It is also a potential risk in critical situations. If different sizes for different door sizes complexity of door development and storage increases instead.

There is thus a need in the industry for improved drive motors for operating doors. Summary

It is an object of the present disclosure to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies and disadvantages in the prior art and solve at least the above mentioned problem. According to a first aspect there is provided a door with a linear electric drive system for moving a door leaf between an open position and a closed position, the linear electric drive system comprising: at least one linear rotor part comprising an array of alternate-pole magnets arranged at at least one edge of the door leaf; a first linear stator part comprising a plurality of first active windings arranged fixedly in relation to the door hole in a wall at the side of the door hole corresponding to the edge or edges where the active windings are placed, the first active windings being arranged to interact with the linear rotor part as an electric linear motor; a control unit for controlling a current fed to the first active windings so as to control movement of the door between the open position and the closed position. By the disclosed solution, the electric drive of the door is easy modify in size and power by determining the number of linear rotor parts and the number of active windings in the first linear stator part. A more effective door mechanism is also achieved. As the linear electric drive system can be adjusted in size to fit the door in power, the risks using the door is decreased, the energy consumptions is reduced and costs are lowered. Further, using the same components for in different number to adjust drive power leads to less complicated designs, cheaper storage and lower costs for optimized electric drive motors for operating doors of different sizes. The door may be any type of door. The door may be any type of substantially vertically opening door, for instance, and not limited to, sectional doors, spiral doors, over head doors

According to some embodiments, the door is a sectional door wherein the door leaf comprises multiple sections; the at least one linear rotor part is arranged on at least one section of the sectional door along the at least one edge of the door leaf. According to some embodiments, the at least one linear rotor part is arranged on multiple sections or each section of the sectional door. This leads to the advantage that the linear electric drive system for moving the door leaf is automatically adjusted with the height of the door. The number of magnets in the array of alternate pole magnets of each linear rotor part may be used to adjust the power of the linear electric drive system dependent on the width of the door sections. Having the linear rotor part on multiple sections or each section may also be advantageous in providing enough power to efficiently move the door against gravity in a substantially vertical direction.

According to some embodiments, the door wherein the at least one linear rotor part is arranged on each section of the sectional door, wherein a number of magnets in the array of alternate- pole magnets is equal on each section. Accordingly, where the at least one linear rotor part is arranged on each section of the door leaf, the number of magnets in the array of alternate magnets of each linear rotor part is equal. By this, an efficient and/or a less costly production of sections of the sectional door may be achieved, such that a single design may be used for production of sections of the sectional door. As an example, a preproduction of the sections may be carried out, which may then be assembled to desire depending on, for example, a door height. According to some embodiments, the alternate-pole magnets of the at least one linear rotor part are electromagnets. In this way the strength of each magnet and thereby the power of the drive can be adjusted further in real time.

According to some embodiments, the electromagnets of the at least one linear rotor part are only provided current if they are in magnetic contact with the first linear stator part. This has the advantage of further energy reduction and cheaper operation costs for the door.

According to some embodiments, the active windings of the at least one linear stator part are only provided current if they are in magnetic contact with the first linear rotor part. This has the advantage of still further energy reduction and cheaper operation costs for the door.

According to some embodiments, the door comprises a frame guide with a slot for receiving an edge of the door leaf, wherein the slot comprises a first side of the slot and a second side of the slot opposite to the first side of the slot, wherein the first linear stator part is arranged at the slot. This has the advantage of guiding the door leaf whole at the same time aligning the linear rotor parts to the linear stator part.

According to some embodiments, the slot further comprises sliders arranged on the first side of the slot and wherein the first linear stator part is arranged on the second side of the slot, or at a side furthest into the slot. According to some embodiments, the linear stator part is arranged on the second side of the slot, and wherein the control unit is arranged to control the current fed to the active windings so as to both drive the door and to repel the linear rotor part so as to press the edge of the door leaf towards the first side of the slot. A robust and predictable movement is thereby achieved. The door will not be able to shake in the slot when pressed against the sliding arrangement, which may be a slider, wheels or any suitable sliding arrangement.

According to some embodiments, the door comprises a second linear stator part arranged on the first side of the slot, wherein second linear stator part comprises a plurality of second active windings, and wherein the control unit is arranged to control the current fed to the second active windings so as to force the received edge of the door leaf towards the middle of the slot and control movement of the door between the open position and the closed position. By having linear stator parts on both sides of the linear rotor part a levitation effect may be achieved while still driving the door leaf. The door leaf will be kept in the middle of the slot and the drive will be frictionless in relation to the slot. As a result, there may be less wear of the door components.

According to some embodiments, the first linear stator part is arranged at a lateral side of the door leaf furthest into the slot, and wherein the door further comprises levitation magnets on either side of slot, wherein the levitation magnets comprises second active windings, and wherein the control unit is arranged to control the current fed to the second active windings so as to force the received edge of the door leaf towards the middle of the slot. This leads to a frictionless drive of the door as the levitation magnets are arranged to keep the door leaf at the center of the slot. By having the first linear stator part at a lateral side of the door leaf furthest into the slot the drive system control is simplified.

According to some embodiments, the linear rotor part and the first linear stator part and/or second linear stator part interact as a linear motor type comprised in the group of: a brushless linear motor, a brush linear motor, a synchronous linear motor, and a linear induction motor.

According to a second aspect there is provided a method for operating the door according to the first aspect claims comprising: at the control unit receiving a first signal for opening the door; in response to receiving the first signal for opening the door, controlling the current fed to the active windings of the linear stator part so as to drive the linear rotor parts, and thereby the door leaf, upwards; at the control unit receiving a second signal for closing the door; in response to receiving the second signal for closing the door, controlling the current fed to the active windings of the linear stator part so as to drive the linear rotor parts, and thereby the door leaf, downwards.

According to some embodiments, when dependent on the first aspect is referred to, further the method comprises the step of: in response to receiving the first signal or in response to receiving the second signal, activating the second active windings of the levitation magnets.

Effects and features of the second aspect are to a large extent analogous to those described above in connection with the first aspect. Embodiments mentioned in relation to the first aspect are largely compatible with the the second aspect.

The present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given below. The detailed description and specific examples disclose preferred embodiments of the disclosure by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art understand from guidance in the detailed description that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the disclosure.

Hence, it is to be understood that the herein disclosed disclosure is not limited to the particular component parts of the device described or steps of the methods described since such device and method may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context explicitly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may include several devices, and the like. Furthermore, the words "comprising", "including", "containing" and similar wordings does not exclude other elements or steps.

Brief descriptions of the drawings

The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a perspective schematic view of a sectional door according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 shows a magnification of a linear rotor part of the door leaf of the door in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a section of an embodiment of the frame guide for the door leaf of the door in Figure 1 placed to guide the door leaf. 5 detailed description that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the disclosure.

Hence, it is to be understood that the herein disclosed disclosure is not limited to the particular component parts of the device described or steps of the methods described since such device and method may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context explicitly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may include several devices, and the like. Furthermore, the words "comprising", "including", "containing" and similar wordings does not exclude other elements or steps.

Brief descriptions of the drawings

The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Figure la shows a perspective schematic view of a sectional door according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure lb shows a magnification of a linear rotor part of the door leaf of the door in Figure la.

Figure 2 shows a section of an embodiment of the frame guide for the door leaf of the door in Figure la placed to guide the door leaf. 6

Figure 3 shows a section of an embodiment of the frame guide for the door leaf of the door in Figure la where the first linear stator part is placed at one side and a slider is placed on the opposite side of the slot inside the frame guide.

Figure 4 shows a section of an embodiment of the frame guide for the door leaf of the door in Figure la where the first linear stator part is placed at one side and a second linear stator part is placed at the other side.

Figure 5 shows a section of an embodiment of the frame guide for the door leaf of the door in Figure la where the first linear stator part is placed at a lateral side of the door leaf furthest into the slot and levitation magnets are placed on the other sides of the slot opposite each other.

Detailed description

The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred example embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the herein disclosed embodiments. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to the skilled person.

Figures la to 5 show embodiments of the first aspect of this disclosure. Figure la shows a door 1 with a linear electric drive system for moving a door leaf 2 between an open position and a closed position. In Figure la the door leaf 2 is in a closed position. The door is a sectional door wherein the door leaf comprises multiple sections 24 attached to each other with hinges 23. The at least one linear rotor part 3 is arranged on at least one section of the sectional door along the at least one edge of the door leaf, in Figure la on every section 24. In Figure la the mechanism for folding or rolling away the sections of the door at the top is not shown as it is not part of the invention. To the right a frame guide 8 is disclosed. The frame 7 guide on the right side is removed on the left side so that the edge 4 and the linear rotor parts 3 are visible.

With reference to Figures la to Figure 2 the linear electric drive system comprises at least one linear rotor part 3 comprising an array of alternate-pole magnets N,S arranged at at least one edge 4 of the door leaf; a first linear stator part 5 comprising a plurality of first active windings 6 arranged fixedly in relation to the door hole in a wall, the first active windings 6 being arranged to interact with the linear rotor part 3 as an electric linear motor; a control unit 7 for controlling a current fed to the first active windings 6 so as to control movement of the door between the open position and the closed position. The active windings are electromagnets with a core 61 to enhance the magnetic field.

The alternate-pole magnets N,S of the at least one linear rotor part 3 shown in the magnification of Figure lb may me permanent magnets or electromagnets.

If the alternate-pole magnets N,S of the at least one linear rotor part 3 are electromagnets they are preferably only provided current if they are in magnetic contact with the first linear stator part 5. Sections that are elevated past the highest part of the first linear stator part will not need any current as they do not contribute to the drive of the door leaf 2. The same applies to the active windings 6 of the at least one linear stator part 5. They are preferably only provided current if they are in magnetic contact with the first linear rotor part 3.

The frame guide 8 shown in Figure 2 has a slot 9 for receiving an edge of the door leaf 2. The slot comprises a first side of the slot 10 and a second side of the slot 11 opposite to the first side of the slot 10. The first linear stator part 5 is arranged at a lateral side 14 of the door leaf furthest into the slot.

With reference to Figure 3 the slot further comprises sliders 12 arranged on the first side of the slot 10. The first linear stator part 5' is arranged on the second side of the slot 11. The linear stator part 5' is arranged on the second side of the slot, and wherein the control unit 7 is arranged to control the current fed to the active windings 6' so as to both drive the door and to repel the linear rotor part 3 so as to press the edge of the door leaf towards the first side of the slot 10.

With reference to Figure 4 the first linear stator part 5' is arranged on the second side of the slot 11 and the door further comprises a second linear stator part 52 arranged on the first side of the slot 10 instead of the slider shown in Figure 3, wherein second linear stator 8 part 52 comprises a plurality of second active windings 62, and wherein the control unit 7 is arranged to control the current fed to the second active windings 62 so as to force the received edge of the door leaf towards the middle of the slot 9 and control movement of the door 1 between the open position and the closed position.

With reference to Figure 5 the first linear stator part 5 is arranged at a lateral side 14 of the door leaf furthest into the slot. The door further comprises levitation magnets 13 on either side 10, 11 of slot, wherein the levitation magnets comprises second active windings 15, and wherein the control unit 7 is arranged to control the current fed to the second active windings 15 so as to force the received edge of the door leaf towards the middle of the slot.

The linear rotor part 3 and the first linear stator part 5,5' and/or second linear stator part 52 of Figures 1 to 6 interact as a linear motor type comprised in the group of: a brushless linear motor, a brush linear motor, a synchronous linear motor, and a linear induction motor.

With reference to Figure 6 the second aspect of this disclosure shows a method for operating the door 1 according to the first aspect. The method comprises: at the control unit 7 receiving SI a first signal for opening the door 1. In response to receiving the first signal for opening S2 the door, the method controls the current fed to the active windings 6,6' of the linear stator part 5,4' so as to drive the linear rotor parts 3 , and thereby the door leaf 2, upwards. At the control unit 7 the method receives S3 a second signal for closing the door 2. In response to receiving the second signal for closing S4 the door, the method controls the current fed to the active windings 6,6' of the linear stator part 5,5' so as to drive the linear rotor parts 3 , and thereby the door leaf 3 , downwards.

In some embodiments the method comprises the step of: in response to receiving the first signal or in response to receiving the second signal, activating S5 the second active windings 15 of the levitation magnets 13.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present disclosure is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. The person skilled in the art further realizes that modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, in case the alternate pole magnets N, S are electromagnets, they could act as the stator part and the magnets in frame guide 8 could then be permanent magnets. Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.