Login| Sign Up| Help| Contact|

Patent Searching and Data


Title:
MOVEMENT CONTROL FOR SCREENS OR PANELS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/1997/025762
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The movement of a screen or panel between first and second positions is controlled by a control system having data storage capacity for storing data representative of a predetermined parameter at a plurality of differing displacements of the screen or panel between the first and second positions. The system compares measured data relating to the parameter with the stored data and enables an output stimulus dependent thereon to be triggered.

Inventors:
REES JOHN CHRISTOPHER (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB1997/000010
Publication Date:
July 17, 1997
Filing Date:
January 03, 1997
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
REES JOHN CHRISTOPHER (GB)
International Classes:
H02H1/06; H02H7/085; (IPC1-7): H02H7/085
Foreign References:
DE3539265A11987-05-07
DE9217563U11993-04-01
GB2282639A1995-04-12
US5278480A1994-01-11
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims:
1. A control system for controlling the movement of a screen or panel between first and second positions, the control system comprising control means having data storage means for storing data representative of a predetermined parameter at a plurality of differing displacements of the screen or panel between the first and second positions, and means for comparing measured data relating to the parameter with the stored data and trigger an output stimulus dependent thereon.
2. A control system according to claim 1, wherein the output stimulus is arranged to be triggered when the measured data and the stored data being compared differ by a predetermined threshold amount.
3. A control system according to claim l or claim 2, wherein the output stimulus is arranged to trigger a warning means and/or act to inhibit further movement of the panel or screen.
4. A control system according to any preceding claim, the control system further comprising motive means arranged to effect opening/closing of the panel or screen.
5. A control system according to claim 4, wherein the motive means is arranged to effect opening/closing of the panel or screen in response to an output signal from the control means.
6. A control system according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the motive means comprises an electric motor, the output stimulus from the control means being arranged to cause the motor to be cut.
7. A control system according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the parameter for which data is stored and measured is an operating parameter of the motive means.
8. A control system according to claim 7, wherein the motive means is electrically powered and the parameter for which data is stored and measured is related to the operating current drawn by the motor.
9. A control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the control means comprises microprocessor control means arranged to hold the stored data relating to the relevant parameter and also compare the stored data with the measured data.
10. A control system according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control means comprises discrete data storage means and comparator means to store and compare the data respectively.
11. A control system according to claim 10, wherein the comparator output is passed to microprocessor control means which triggers the output stimulus.
12. A control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the data storage means is programmable to store the parameter data.
13. A control system according to claim 12, wherein the data storage means is programmable to store the parameter data by means of sampling the parameter in a test run of moving the screen or panel between the first and second positions.
14. A control system according to claim 13, wherein parameter data is sampled for a plurality of test runs, data relating to average measured test parameters being stored at the data storage means.
15. A control system according to any preceding claim, further comprising: i) motive means arranged to effect opening/closing of the panel or screen; and, ii) power means arranged to power the motive means to effect opening /closing of the screen or panel.
16. A control system according to claim 15, wherein the power means comprises a rechargeable low voltage electric battery which is arranged to be recharged from a primary power source.
17. A control system according to claim 16, wherein the battery is arranged to be "trickle charged" from the primary source during periods when the control system is not active in driving the panel or screen.
18. A control system according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the primary power source comprises alternative primary supplies.
19. A control system according to any of claims 16 to 18, wherein the primary power source comprises mains electricity and/or solar generated electricity supplied by a dedicated solar generator comprising the system.
20. A control system according to claim 18, wherein switching means is provided to switch between the alternative primary power supplies.
21. A control system according to claim 20, wherein the switching means is controlled by control means comprising the control system.
22. A method of controlling the movement of a screen or panel between first and second positions, the method comprising: i) storing data representative of a predetermined parameter at a plurality of differing displacements of the screen or panel between the first and second positions; ii) comparing measured data relating to the parameter with the stored data; and, iii) triggering an output stimulus dependent upon the result of the comparison of stored and measured data to affect movement of the screen or panel.
23. A control system according to any of claims l to 21, for an access system for controlling opening/closing of a closure panel or screen such as a garage door, security shutter, window or the like.
24. A method according to claim 22, for operating an access system for controlling opening/closing of a closure panel or screen such as a garage door, security shutter, window or the like.
Description:
Movement Control for Screens or Panels

The present invention relates to a control system and method for controlling the movement of a screen or panel between first and second positions.

Control systems are known for moving panels such as garage doors between open and closed positions. Such systems usually comprise a mains powered electric motor which is arranged to drive the door panel between its open and closed positions usually via a chain drive. The motor is typically actuated by a simple manual or remote control switch to cause the door panel to open or close to its full extent.

An improved control system and method has now been devised.

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a control system for controlling the movement of a screen or panel between first and second positions, the control system comprising control means having data storage means for storing data representative of a predetermined parameter at a plurality of differing displacements of the screen or panel between the first and second positions, and means for comparing measured data relating to the parameter with the stored data and trigger an output stimulus dependent thereon.

It is preferred that the output stimulus is arranged to be triggered when the measured data and the stored data being compared differ by a predetermined threshold amount.

Desirably, the output stimulus is arranged to trigger a warning means and/or act to inhibit further movement of the panel or screen.

In a preferred embodiment, the control system further comprises motive means arranged to effect opening/closing of the panel or screen, preferably in response to an appropriate output signal from the control means. The motive means preferably comprises an electric motor, in which case the output stimulus

from the control means is advantageously arranged to cut the motor.

It is preferred that the parameter for which data is stored and measured is an operating parameter of the motive means, preferably representative of the operating current drawn where the motive means is electrically powered.

In one embodiment, the control means comprises microprocessor control means arranged to hold the stored data relating to the relevant parameter and also compare the stored data with the measured data. In an alternative embodiment, the control means may comprise discrete data storage means and comparator means to store and compare the data respectively. In the latter embodiment, the comparator output is advantageously passed to microprocessor control means which triggers the output stimulus as appropriate.

It is preferred that the data storage means is programmable to store the parameter data, preferably by means of sampling the parameter in a test run of moving the screen or panel between the first and second positions. Preferably parameter data is sampled for a plurality of test runs, data relating to average measured test parameters being stored at the data storage means.

It is preferred that the control system further comprises power means arranged to power the motive means to effect opening /closing of the screen or panel. The power means preferably comprises a rechargeable low voltage electric battery which is arranged to be recharged from a primary power source.

It is believed that such an arrangement is novel and inventive per se and according to a second aspect, the invention therefore provides a control system for controlling the movement of a screen or panel between first and second positions, the control system comprising: i) electrically operable motive means arranged to drive the panel or screen between the first and second positions; and, ii) power means arranged to power the motive means, the power means comprising a rechargeable low voltage

electric battery which is arranged to be charged from a primary power source.

It is preferred that the battery is "trickle charged" from the primary source during periods when the control system is not active in driving the panel or screen.

In one embodiment the primary source may comprise mains electricity preferably via a step down transformer and rectifier. Alternatively, or more preferably in addition, the primary source may comprise solar generated electricity, preferably supplied by a solar generator, such as a solar generator panel.

Where the primary supply comprises alternative primary supplies (such as mains supply and solar generator supply) it is preferred that switching means is provided to switch between the alternative primary supplies. Advantageously the switching means is controlled by control means (preferably microprocessor control means) comprising the control system.

It is preferred that the power voltage supplied to the motive means is d.c. voltage, preferably in the range 12V-24V. The motive means preferably comprises a low voltage d.c. operable electric motor.

According to a further aspect, the invention provides a method of controlling the movement of a screen or panel between first and second positions, the method comprising: i) storing data representative of a predetermined parameter at a plurality of differing displacements of the screen or panel between the first and second positions; ii) comparing measured data relating to the parameter with the stored data; and, iii) triggering an output stimulus dependent upon the result of the comparison of stored and measured data to affect movement of the screen or panel.

Preferred aspects of the method according to the invention correspond to functions performed by the preferred features of the control system according to the invention.

The control system and method according to the invention are particularly suited for use in an access system for

opening/closing a closure panel or screen such as a garage door, security shutter, window or the like.

The invention will now be further described in a specific embodiment by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an access control system according to the invention; and

Figure 2 is an alternative schematic representation of the access control system of Figure l.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an access control system l for use in operating an "up and over" garage door 2 of a garage 3.

The access control system comprises a microprocessor control unit 4 which is arranged to receive an input from an electric motor 5 (actuatable to open or close garage door 2) powered by a 12/24 volt rechargeable battery 6. Outputs from the microprocessor control unit 4 are provided to control operation of the door motor 5, a loud speaker 7 and switching unit 8 which is arranged to switch charging power between a mains transformer unit 9 and a solar electricity generating panel 10.

The microprocessor control unit 4 and the rechargeable battery 6 (and also optionally switching unit 8) are provided in a housing 11 which is located in the interior of garage 3. Door motor 5 powers a chain or other drive to which door 2 is connected such that, when actuated in forward and reverse directions, the garage door 2 is caused to open or close respectively. The solar panel unit 10 is mounted on the garage roof, whereas the loud speaker 7 can optionally be mounted internally or externally of the garage.

The system can either be operated manually using an appropriate switch (not shown) to trigger the microprocessor unit 4 to operate the door motor 5, or, more preferably remote control means may be used to operate the system. For example a control input into the microprocessor unit may be provided from a remote sensor (such as a radio frequency or infra-red sensor) ; the appropriate control stimulus being provided from a remote control transmitter device (again not shown) .

In use a control stimulus is provided by the control switch or remote device, which stimulus is interpreted the microprocessor unit 4 to operate the door motor 5 to open garage door 2. An output signal from the door motor is fed to the microprocessor representative of the instantaneous current being drawn by motor 5 in opening the door. The instantaneous current is compared with stored current data representative of "normal" door opening conditions, which data is either stored in the microprocessor unit 4 itself or in an associated data store. If the instantaneous current deviates from the corresponding stored value by more than a predetermined threshold amount, the door motor can be switched off and/or the loud speaker operated to give an audible warning that there is a door malfunction.

This facility provides advantages in at least two situations. Firstly where an unidentified obstruction hinders opening or closing of the door (e.g. such as when a person/vehicle obstructs opening/closing of the door) ; the excess current (current overload) drawn in attempting to close/open the door causes the instantaneous current to be greater than the corresponding stored "normal" value for opening/closing the door. If the difference between the instantaneous current value and the corresponding stored value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold amount, the door motor 5 is deactivated and/or the warning loudspeaker 7 activated. Alternatively, deviation of the instantaneous current value from the stored value may occur when components of the door are approaching failure due to wear over time. In such circumstances, the loudspeaker 7 can give an audible warning that door components need replacing.

The motor current data stored for "normal" opening/closing of the door can be preset into the microprocessor (or associated store) however in a preferred embodiment when the access system is installed in a garage situation, several test openings of the door are performed, and the "mean" value of current data sampled at predetermined instants in opening and closing the garage door 2. The microprocessor unit (or associated data store) therefore contains detailed data

concerning motor 5 current and door 2 displacement.

Power for the d.c. motor unit 5 (typically 12 volt or 24 volt d.c.) is provided by the rechargeable battery 6; microprocessor controlled switching unit 8 ensures that electricity supply to charge the battery is provided either via the mains transformer unit 9 or the solar panel 10. The unit is therefore always operated through the battery 6 which is "trickle charged" by either the mains source or the solar panel unit depending on predetermined conditions. The use of the battery 6 to power the low voltage motor unit 5 provides that, even in the event of a mains failure the door 2 can be opened or closed. Furthermore, the use of solar power to charge battery 6 enables the system to be employed in locations where mains electricity is not provided.