← Back to Patent Explorer
US4625291A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Process for monitoring a driven, movable door or the like

Assignee: Marantec Antriebs und Steuerungstechnik GmbH and Co KG
•
Filing: 1983-01-11
•
Granted: 1986-11-25
•
Expires: 2003-01-11
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A process for controlling the movement of a motorized door is disclosed. Also, a control apparatus that has a close loop feedback system for use in controlling a motorized door is disclosed. The invention provides for improved safety by incorporating improved obstacle sensing thresholds through the use of a comparator system.

Inventors

  • 👤 Michael K. Hormann

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 04:42
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05F; E05F15/00; E05F15/40; E05F15/41; E05F15/60; E05F15/603; E05F15/665; E05F15/668; E05Y; E05Y2201/00; E05Y2201/40; E05Y2201/47; E05Y2400/00; E05Y2400/10; E05Y2400/30; E05Y2400/31; E05Y2400/315; E05Y2400/52; E05Y2400/53; E05Y2400/54; E05Y2400/55; E05Y2400/554; E05Y2400/58; E05Y2600/00; E05Y2600/10; E05Y2600/13; E05Y2800/00; E05Y2900/00; E05Y2900/10; E05Y2900/106; H; H02; H02H; H02H7/00; H02H7/08; H02H7/085; H02H7/0851

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim 233 words
An apparatus of monitoring the movement of a drivable, single-piece or multipiece leaf of a door along a track between an open position and a closed position and for interrupting this movement when said door encounters an obstacle in the path of the door as said door moves, comprising: a door; a track guiding said door in a predetermined path and allowing said door to open and close; a motor connected to said door for providing a driving force to open or close said door; sampling means for continuously sampling the value of said driving force used to open or close said door; means for receiving the position of said door relative to said track; comparator means operatively connected to said sampling and said receiving means whereby the sampled force dependent on the motor driving force when driving said door, for each position of said door, is compared with recorded sample force applied by the motor when driving said door under a previous recorded condition when said path of the door is free from an obstacle, said comparator means having an output providing a difference signal representing a variation in the driving force of said motor for a given position of said door; and means for comparing said difference signal to a preset difference signal and generating an interrupt signal for interrupting movement of the door when said present difference value is exceeded.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 233 words
An apparatus of monitoring the movement of a drivable, single-piece or multipiece leaf of a door along a track between an open position and a closed position and for interrupting this movement when said door encounters an obstacle in the path of the door as said door moves, comprising: a door; a track guiding said door in a predetermined path and allowing said door to open and close; a motor connected to said door for providing a driving force to open or close said door; sampling means for continuously sampling the value of said driving force used to open or close said door; means for receiving the position of said door relative to said track; comparator means operatively connected to said sampling and said receiving means whereby the sampled force dependent on the motor driving force when driving said door, for each position of said door, is compared with recorded sample force applied by the motor when driving said door under a previous recorded condition when said path of the door is free from an obstacle, said comparator means having an output providing a difference signal representing a variation in the driving force of said motor for a given position of said door; and means for comparing said difference signal to a preset difference signal and generating an interrupt signal for interrupting movement of the door when said present difference value is exceeded.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said sampling means comprises an analog-digital converter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 56 words
The apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said analog-digital converter includes a component carried by the door along the track during movement of said door, said component including a sawtooth pattern with alternating zones of different magnetic conductivities, a fixed sensor responding to changes in the resulting magnetic field between said sawtooth pattern and said sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 24 words
The apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said sawtooth pattern is prepared in the circumferential region of a disk driven by said driving force.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said sampling means provides an analog output converting from linear movement input to a corresponding voltage output.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 220 words
A process for monitoring and controlling the movement of a motor driven door along a track between an open and closed position and for interrupting the movement when the door encounters an obstacle or other abnormal resistance to its movement comprising the steps of: generating signals corresponding to the force used to drive said door along said track, and sampling said signals at given positions along said track during a recorded previous operation of said door when an obstacle was not encountered by said door; generating signals corresponding to the force used to drive said door along said track and sampling said signals at said given positions along said track, during a present operation of said door, said force varying as a function of a position along said track; storing the signals corresponding to the force used to drive the door along the track during said recorded previous operation of the door when an obstacle was not encountered by the door; comparing said signals corresponding to the sampled values of force for said recorded previous operation and said present operation to derive a difference value thereof for each sampled position of the door; comparing said difference value to a preset value representing a desired safety margin; and generating an interrupt signal when said derived difference value exceeds said preset value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 220 words
A process for monitoring and controlling the movement of a motor driven door along a track between an open and closed position and for interrupting the movement when the door encounters an obstacle or other abnormal resistance to its movement comprising the steps of: generating signals corresponding to the force used to drive said door along said track, and sampling said signals at given positions along said track during a recorded previous operation of said door when an obstacle was not encountered by said door; generating signals corresponding to the force used to drive said door along said track and sampling said signals at said given positions along said track, during a present operation of said door, said force varying as a function of a position along said track; storing the signals corresponding to the force used to drive the door along the track during said recorded previous operation of the door when an obstacle was not encountered by the door; comparing said signals corresponding to the sampled values of force for said recorded previous operation and said present operation to derive a difference value thereof for each sampled position of the door; comparing said difference value to a preset value representing a desired safety margin; and generating an interrupt signal when said derived difference value exceeds said preset value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 24 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said preset value is preset at a constant value over the entire range of positions of said door.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 46 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said signals corresponding to the force used to drive the door along the track during said recorded previous operation of the door are stored for normal unobstructed operation after installation of said door and track at the place of use.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 22 words
The process of claim 8 wherein said signals are sampled and stored again after a certain number of operations of said door.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 20 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the sampled force is derived by sampling the force output of said motor directly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 18 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the sampled force is derived by sampling the torque of said motor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 39 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the sampled force is derived by measuring an angle of rotation between two rotary members coupled elastically with one another, and arranged one after the other in the direction of the drive force.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 25 words
The process of claim 9 whereby the sampled force is derived by sensing the electrical drive power of an electric drive motor for said door.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 20 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the sampled force is derived by sampling the force output of said motor directly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 18 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the sampled force is derived by sampling the torque of said motor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 39 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the sampled force is derived by measuring an angle of rotation between two rotary members coupled elastically with one another, and arranged one after the other in the direction of the drive force.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 25 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the sampled force is derived by sensing the electrical drive power of an electric drive motor for said door.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 42 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said signals corresponding to the force used to drive the door along the track during said recorded previous operation of the door are sampled and stored again after a certain number of operations of said door.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 20 words
The process of claim 18 wherein the sampled force is derived by sampling the force output of said motor directly.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 18 words
The process of claim 18 wherein the sampled force is derived by sampling the torque of said motor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 39 words
The process of claim 18 wherein the sampled force is derived by measuring an angle of rotation between two rotary members coupled elastically with one another and arranged one after the other in the direction of the drive force.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 25 words
The process of claim 18 wherein the sampled force is derived by sensing the electrical drive power of an electric drive motor for said door.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 32 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said signals corresponding to the force in the recorded previous operation and the present operation are derived by sampling the force output of said motor directly.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 30 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said signals corresponding to the force in the recorded previous operation and the present operation are derived by sampling the torque of said motor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 51 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said signals corresponding to the force in the recorded previous operation and the present operation are derived by measuring an angle of rotation between two rotary members coupled elastically with one another and arranged one after the other in the direction of the drive force.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 37 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said signals corresponding to the force in the recorded previous operation and the present operation are derived by sensing the electrical power drive of an electric drive motor for said door.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 46 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said signals coresponding to the force used to drive the door along the track during said recorded previous operation of the door are stored for normal unobstructed operation after installation of said door and track at the place of use.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 42 words
The process of claim 27 wherein said signals corresponding to the force used to drive the door along the track during said recorded previous operation of the door are sampled and stored again after a certain number of operations of said door.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 20 words
The process of claim 28 wherein the sampled force is derived by sampling the force output of said motor directly.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 18 words
The process of claim 28 wherein the sampled force is derived by sampling the torque of said motor.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 39 words
The process of claim 28 wherein the sampled force is derived by measuring an angle of rotation between two rotary members coupled elastically with one another and arranged one after the other in the direction of the drive force.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 25 words
The process of claim 28 whereby the sampled force is derived by sensing the electrical drive power of an electric drive motor for said door.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 32 words
The process of claim 27 wherein said signals corresponding to the force in the recorded previous operation and the present operation are derived by sampling the force output of said motor directly.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 18 words
The process of claim 27 wherein the sampled force is derived by sampling the torque of said motor.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 38 words
The process of claim 27 wherein the sampled force is derived by measuring an angle of rotation between two rotary members coupled elastically with one another arranged one after the other in the direction of the drive force.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 25 words
The process of claim 27 wherein the sampled force is derived by sensing the electrical drive power of an electric drive motor for said door.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 42 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said signals corresponding to the force used to drive the door along the track during said recorded previous operation of the door are sampled and stored again after a certain number of operations of said door.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 32 words
The process of claim 37 wherein said signals corresponding to the force in the recorded previous operation and the present operation are derived by sampling the force output of said motor directly.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 18 words
The process of claim 37 wherein the sampled force is derived by sampling the torque of said motor.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 39 words
The process of claim 37 wherein the sampled force is derived by measuring an angle of rotation between two rotary members coupled elastically with one another and arranged one after the other in the direction of the drive force.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 25 words
The process of claim 18 wherein the sampled force is derived by sensing the electrical drive power of an electric drive motor for said door.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 32 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said signals corresponding to the force in the recorded previous operation and the present operation are derived by sampling the force output of said motor directly.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 18 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the sampled force is derived by sampling the torque of said motor.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 39 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the sampled force is derived by measuring an angle of rotation between two rotary members coupled elastically with one another and arranged one after the other in the direction of the drive force.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim 25 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the sampled force is derived by sensing the electrical drive power of an electric drive motor for said door.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 18 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said comparing step is controlled by the actual position of the door.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim 28 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said sampling and storing begin at the beginning of the door movement and continue regardless of the actual movement of said door.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3376486A Cited
US4328540A Cited
US4261440A Cited
US4347465A Cited
US4338553A Cited
US4342379A Cited
US4408146A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1989-11-24 1990-05-26 1990-11-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1993-11-24 1994-05-26 1994-11-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1997-11-24 1998-05-26 1998-11-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag