TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention generally relates to an electronic circuit for a control unit,
to a control unit comprising the electronic circuit and to a control board for opening
and closing a door.
[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic circuit or electronic
device to be applied to a control unit of a control board in order to control, for
instance by means of relays (deviation voltage free contacts), the opening and closing
of a so-called automatic door.
[0003] It is herein pointed out that, throughout the present description, the term "door"
or "automatic door" is to be intended in broad sense, and is meant to include rolling
shutters, doors for driveways, gates and any other automatically controlled device
allowing or preventing access to determined areas.
PRIOR ART
[0004] Control boards for controlling the opening and closing of automatic doors are well
known.
[0005] The prior art control boards generally include a control unit arranged to control
the functions of the automatic door, safety devices, such as a main switch for stopping
the door, and a set of connections to devices configured to both supply the control
unit with power and control, by interacting with the control unit, the various functions
of the automatic door.
[0006] In the prior art control boards, there are provided connections to means of different
kinds, such as photocells, end-of-stroke detectors, safety flaps, infrared or radio
detectors, which are for instance arranged, under the control of the control board,
to:
- actuate the door opening and closing by means of suitable motors;
- stop the door movement if the presence of a body, a vehicle or any other object is
detected in the movement path of the door or rolling shutter;
- switch on, for instance in intermittent manner, light signalling devices when the
door is moving.
[0007] In the prior art control boards, the control units preferably also include a plurality
of ancillary contacts that can be configured to control additional devices depending
on whether, for instance, the automatic door is open, is closed, is being opened or
is being closed.
[0008] The Applicant has realised that the prior art automatic doors, controlled by a control
board with an electronic control unit, have a common problem: maintenance is not programmed
depending on the actual wear of the electronic, electromechanical and/or mechanical
parts, but is programmed based on predetermined time intervals (months, years). The
same remark applies of course to the guarantee that generally, for the automatic doors,
is valid for a predetermined time period.
[0009] In synthesis, the Applicant has realised that the maintenance or the guarantee, set
according to predetermined time intervals, do not take into account several factors,
namely:
- the automatic doors, depending on their application, can undergo amounts of daily
operations that are different depending on the field of use: for instance, the doors
of a carrier can be operated tens of times a day, whereas the doors of a workshop
can be operated only a few times a day;
- the automatic doors can have different sizes in respect of length, height and weight,
so that the wear of the electronic and mechanical parts of the control boards, the
control units and the doors can vary as the above characteristics vary:
- the automatic doors are installed in different kinds of environments, for instance
dusty, wet, high temperature or low temperature environments, so that the average
operating life thereof can vary independently of the period of use.
[0010] According to the Applicant, the whole of the above problems cannot be faced if the
guarantee or the maintenance are set according to predetermined time intervals,
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic circuit for a control
unit that allows solving in simple and cheap manner the problem of the guarantee and
the programmed maintenance of the automatic doors and the control boards of the control
units.
[0012] According to the present invention, the above object is achieved through the electronic
circuit for a control unit having the features defined in the appended claims.
[0013] The present invention also concerns a door control unit and a door control board.
[0014] The claims are integral part of the technical teaching provided herein in respect
of the invention.
[0015] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the electronic circuit for a door control
unit includes detecting means arranged to detect the number of actuations of an automatic
door and signalling means arranged to signal that the number of actuations has attained
a predetermined value.
[0016] In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the signalling means
include a plurality of LED's of different colours, e.g. green, orange and red LED's,
which can be selectively switched on to indicate progressive thresholds for the number
of door actuations and the possible need for precautionary maintenance interventions.
[0017] In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the electronic circuit
includes a display arranged to display the number of door actuations.
[0018] The control board according to the invention includes a box housing the electronic
circuit and signalling elements, located on an outer wall of the box and associated
with signalling means of the electronic circuit, whereby the attainment of a predetermined
number of actuations is signalled outside the box.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0019] The above and other features of the present invention will become apparent from the
following description of a preferred embodiment, made by way of non limiting example
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which elements denoted by a same or
similar numerical reference correspond to components having the same or similar function
and construction, and in which:
- Fig. 1 is a general diagram of an automatic door with a control board; and
- Fig. 2 shows a door control unit.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] Referring to Fig. 1, a control board 10 includes electrical connections 7 and suitable
motors 9 for actuating and controlling the opening and closing of an automatic door
5.
[0021] Control board 10 further includes: a body or box 11, preferably equipped with a door
19 that can be opened for instance by means of a handle 96 having associated therewith,
for instance, a disconnecting switch 41; a plurality of switches 14 arranged to cause
and/or control the operation of the automatic door; and a control unit 12.
[0022] Preferably, box door 19 has control devices 91, 92, 95, 97, which can be accessed
from the outside by a user and are arranged to control automatic door 5.
[0023] The control devices for instance include, among other devices, a safety/emergency
pushbutton 91 arranged to switch off the power supply.
[0024] Body 11 of control board 10 has, preferably internally, control unit 12 that is connected,
through electrical connections, to switches 14 and is arranged to actuate and control
the movements of door 5.
[0025] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, switches 14 in control board 10, of known
type, include:
- disconnecting component 41 arranged to switch off the power supply to motors 9 of
door 5; such a component is preferably included in body 11 of board 10;
- a remotely controlled switch 42 arranged to actuate the door opening: such a component
is preferably included in body 11 of board 10 and it can be operated by means of a
pushbutton 92 provided on box door 19;
- a remotely controlled switch 43 arranged to actuate the door closing: such a component
is preferably included in body 11 of board 10 and it can be operated, for instance,
by means of the same pushbutton 92 actuating the opening, a different pushbutton or
an external remote control device;
- one or more end-of-stroke photocells 45, arranged to stop the door opening or closing;
such a component is preferably located near the door;
- one or more hit detectors or safety flaps 46 arranged to detect bodies interfering
with the door movements and to stop the door; such a component is preferably located
on the door itself.
[0026] Control unit 12, in the preferred embodiment, includes an electronic circuit 20 with
a microprocessor 21, for instance microcontroller model PIC16F819 manufactured by
company Microchip Technology Inc. Preferably, microprocessor 21 has stored therein
program modules arranged to control the operation of door 5 and, more particularly,
to count and store the number of openings/closings (actuation cycles or actuations)
of door 5.
[0027] Electronic circuit 20 in control unit 12 further includes contacts and connections
23 to different elements in board 10, mains fuses 35 and low voltage fuses 37, as
well as, for instance, a door opening relay 32 and a door closing relay 33, all such
components being of known type. More particularly, relays 32 and 33 are controlled,
in known manner, by microprocessor 21 that is connected, through contacts and connections
23, with pushbutton 92 for opening/closing door 5. The door opening and closing relays
are also connected in known manner, through contacts and connections 23, to remotely
controlled switches 42 and 43, which actually operate motor 9 so that it opens and
closes door 5.
[0028] In the preferred embodiment, electronic circuit 20 in control unit 12 also includes
a set of LED's (Light Emitting Diodes) 25, preferably of different colours, for instance
three LED's 25a, 25b and 25c with green, orange and red colour, respectively, whose
switching on is selectively controlled by microprocessor 21 depending on the number
of actuations of door 5, which number is stored in microprocessor 21.
[0029] In the preferred embodiment the set of LED's 25 represents a warning light arranged
to indicate the number of door actuations and to signal that, for instance, such a
number of actuations has attained such a value that maintenance of door 5 and/or board
10 associated with door 5 is required.
[0030] Preferably, the various numbers of actuations that have been set and that are arranged
to cause the selective switching on of the LED's, and the numbers of actuations that
are detected or counted are stored in a non-volatile memory, for instance a flash
memory in microprocessor 21 or outside the microprocessor, so that the numbers of
actuations that have been set and detected remain stored therein, even in the absence
of power supply.
[0031] In accordance with other embodiments, electronic circuit 20 in control unit 12 includes,
in alternative or in addition to the set of LED's (warning light) 25, a display 27,
of known type, arranged to display at least the number of actuations of door 5.
[0032] Most preferably, control unit 12 further includes a reset device 29, for instance
a key-protected device, arranged to enable resetting the number of actuations, for
instance upon a maintenance or repair intervention carried out by specialised staff.
[0033] In further embodiments, the control unit includes a connector 28, for instance a
serial connector, in order to enable programming microprocessor 21 and/or setting
limits associated with the number of actuations, which limits take into account the
environmental conditions of use of automatic door 5.
[0034] In yet further embodiments, warning light 25 and/or display 27, besides being included
in electronic circuit 20 in control unit 12, are provided also on box door 19, so
as to enable each user of the automatic door to know through such devices, denoted
95 and 97 respectively, the need, if any, for maintenance of the automatic door.
[0035] Preferably, at least one LED 95c is provided on external door 19 and is arranged
to take a red colour when a predetermined number of actuations is exceeded.
[0036] The operation of the control board and the control unit described hereinbefore is
as follows.
[0037] In the design phase of control board 10, three numbers of actuation cycles (cycles
or actuations), e.g. 0 cycles, 9,500 cycles and 10,000 cycles, are preferably stored
into the memory of microprocessor 21.
[0038] During operation, electronic circuit 20, under the control of microprocessor 21,
detects the number of actuations and keeps green LED 25a on if, upon a comparison
with the numbers of actuations having been set and stored, the detected actuations
are in the range 0 to 9,499 cycles, in the example.
[0039] If, as a result of a comparison, microprocessor 21 detects for instance that 9,500
cycles have been attained, electronic circuit 20 controls for instance the switching
off of green LED 25a and the switching on of orange LED 25b, until 9,999 cycles are
attained.
[0040] If, upon a comparison of the detected actuations with the number having been set
and stored, the attainment for instance of 10,000 cycles is detected, electronic circuit
20 controls for instance the switching off of orange LED 25b and the switching on
of red LED 25c.
[0041] The switching on of red LED 25c in electronic circuit 20 and external red LED 95c
signals the need for maintenance interventions by specialised staff on parts of the
control board and/or the automatic door.
[0042] Once the maintenance intervention has been completed, the specialised staff will
reset the number of detected actuations by means of reset device (key) 29, so that
the count can start again from value 0 stored for instance in the memory of microprocessor
21.
[0043] Of course, in case of particularly severe operating conditions of the door, the specialised
staff can reduce, by using for instance connector 28, the stored number of cycles
so as to provide for more frequent maintenance interventions.
[0044] Even if the use of a multi-LED signalling device has been envisaged in the description,
the skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the signalling may also be performed
by means of a polychromatic LED or by means of acoustic signals.
[0045] Thanks to the provision of the warning light, the manufacturer of the automatic door
and the control board may set the guarantee period based upon the actual use of the
door.
[0046] On the other side, the user can take the cycles of use of the door under control
and can timely request maintenance interventions.
[0047] The maintenance interventions will enable the specialised staff to reset the actuation
counter so that subsequent programmed maintenance interventions can be carried out
based on the actual use.
[0048] Thus, the provision of the warning light results in a number of advantages both for
the manufacturer of the automatic doors and the associated control boards, and for
the users of such equipment.
[0049] Obvious changes and modifications to the above description in respect of size, shape,
materials, components, circuit elements, connections and contacts, as well as in respect
of the details of the illustrated circuitry and construction are possible without
departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
1. An electronic circuit for a door control unit, comprising:
- operating means (32, 33) configured to operate a door (5) to open and/or close it;
- control means (21) connected to the operating means and configured to control the
actuation of the operating means;
characterised in that said control means (21) are configured to detect and store at least the number of
actuations of the door (5); and
in that signalling means (25, 25a, 25b, 25c) are provided, which are arranged to signal that
said number of actuations has attained at least one predetermined number of actuations.
2. The electronic circuit as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said signalling means are light signalling means and comprise one or more light elements,
in particular LED's.
3. The electronic circuit as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said light elements include LED's of different colours, in particular three different
colours.
4. The electronic circuit as claimed in claim 3,
characterised in that:
- said at least one predetermined number of actuations is representative of at least
one threshold; and
- said control means are arranged to cause the selective switching on of one of the
colours depending on whether said number of actuations:
- is between a first and a second threshold;
- is between the second and a third threshold;
- has attained the third threshold.
5. The electronic circuit as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said signalling means include a display (27) arranged to display at least said number
of actuations.
6. The electronic circuit as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that said control means (21) have at least said one predetermined number and said number
of actuations stored in a non-volatile memory.
7. The electronic circuit as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised by a reset device (29) configured to reset the number of actuations of the door (5).
8. The electronic circuit as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that said at least one predetermined number of actuations is adjustable depending on the
operating conditions of the door.
9. A control unit for a control board (10) for an automatic door (5), wherein the control
unit comprises connecting means (23) connectable to means (14) for actuating said
automatic door (5) and is characterised by an electronic circuit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8.
10. A control board for an automatic door (5), comprising:
- a box (11); and
- a door (19) closing said box (11);
the board being
characterised in that it comprises an electronic circuit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, and
in that said box closing door (19) has, at a visible location, at least one signalling element
(95, 97) connected to said electronic circuit (20) and arranged to signal that the
door has been actuated at least one predetermined number of times.
11. The control board as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that said signalling element is a light signalling element.
12. The control board as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that said signalling element is a light signalling element and includes a plurality of
light elements of different colours which can be selectively switched on by said electronic
circuit.
13. The control board as claimed in any of claim 10 to 12, characterised in that said signalling element includes at least one display (27) arranged to display at
least the number of actuations of said automatic door.
14. The control board as claimed in any of claim 10 to 12,
characterised in that said box closing door further includes:
- at least one emergency pushbutton (91);
- at last one door actuation pushbutton (92);
said pushbuttons being connected to said electronic circuit (20).