[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic sliding door power drive assembly.
[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a power drive assembly for supporting
and automatically operating sliding doors. Use to which the following description
refers purely by way of example without this implying any loss of generality.
[0003] As is known, a sliding door is installed over a through opening in a wall, and substantially
comprises one or, more often, two rectangular sliding shutters fixed to/suspended
vertically from the wall and movable horizontally, still in the vertical position,
to and from a closed position, in which the sliding shutter/s is/are positioned over
the opening in the wall, usually with one shutter adjacent to the other, to completely
close/obstruct the opening and prevent human and/or other traffic through the opening.
[0004] The automatic sliding door power drive assemblies, on the other hand, are anchored
rigidly to the wall, directly above the opening to which the sliding door is fixed,
and are designed to directly support the sliding shutter/s and at the same time move
it/them horizontally to and from the closed position, while keeping them on their
own vertical reference laying plane.
[0005] More specifically, automatic sliding door power drive assemblies normally comprise:
a straight load-bearing longitudinal member suited to be fixed horizontally onto the
wall, just above the opening to which the sliding door is fixed; a number of shutter-supporting
carriages which are fixed to the longitudinal member with the capability of sliding
freely along it, parallel to its longitudinal axis, and are each provided with an
appendix that cantilevered projects downwards from the longitudinal member and is
structured to support the sliding shutter of the door while keeping the same shutter
substantially coplanar to the load-bearing longitudinal member; and an electric carriage
drive system which is fixed directly to the longitudinal member and is able to drive
the shutter-supporting carriages back and forth along the load-bearing longitudinal
member, so to move the sliding shutters synchronously in a direction parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the longitudinal member.
[0006] More specifically, currently marketed automatic sliding door power drive assemblies
have a longitudinal drive belt which is looped and tighten about two substantially
coplanar return pulleys fixed in axially rotating manner next to the two axial ends
of the longitudinal member; and a slip ring electric motor which is fixed to the longitudinal
member, next to one of the two return pulleys, and is connected to the return pulley
by a mechanical gear reducer which allows the electric motor to drive into rotation
the return pulley.
[0007] The shutter-supporting carriages are fixed to the straight top or bottom portion
of the drive belt, so as to move with the belt; and the electric motor is able to
drive into rotation the return pulley in both rotation directions, to move the two
straight portions of the drive belt back and forth in opposition to each other, thus
moving the shutter-supporting carriages back and forth synchronously along the longitudinal
member.
[0008] Unfortunately, because of the weight of some of their component parts, automatic
sliding door power drive assemblies of this type need at least two fitters to install,
thus increasing installation cost.
[0009] More specifically, wall-mounting the automatic sliding door power drive assembly
involves first fitting the carriage drive system to the load-bearing longitudinal
member, and then fixing/anchoring the load-bearing longitudinal member perfectly horizontally
to the wall using expansion anchoring screws .
[0010] This implies that the fitters have to lift an oblong body, weighting tens of kilograms,
up over the top of the sliding door; fix a first end of the longitudinal member roughly
to the wall using a first expansion anchoring screw; accurately adjust the angle of
the longitudinal member with respect to the vertical, so as to arrange the longitudinal
member perfectly horizontal; and, finally, fix the second end of the longitudinal
member to the wall using a second expansion anchoring screw, to prevent any further
movement of the longitudinal member on the wall.
[0011] EP0953708 discloses a sliding-door power-drive assembly comprising the features of the preamble
of claim 1 and wherein the load-bearing longitudinal member comprises a first straight
section bar which is structured to be rigidly fixed on the wall in a substantially
horizontal position; and a second straight section bar which engages onto said first
section bar and is structured to support the shutter-supporting carriages and the
carriage drive system.
[0012] It is the aim of the present invention to simplify and speed up assembly of currently
marketed automatic sliding door power drive assemblies.
[0013] In compliance to the above aims, according to the present invention, there is provided
an automatic sliding door power drive assembly as defined in Claim 1 and preferably,
though not necessarily, in any one of the dependent Claims.
[0014] A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example
with reference to the attached drawings, in which :
Figure 1 shows a view in perspective of a sliding door equipped with an automatic
sliding door power drive assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention;
Figure 2 shows a front view, with parts removed for clarity, of the Figure 1 sliding
door;
Figure 3 shows a section along line A-A of the automatic sliding door power drive
assembly in Figure 2;
Figure 4 shows a section along line B-B of the automatic sliding door power drive
assembly in Figure 2.
[0015] With reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, number 1 indicates as a whole an automatic
sliding door power drive assembly which is designed to support and to move horizontally
the shutter/s of a sliding door.
[0016] More specifically, the automatic sliding door power drive assembly 1 is structured
to be rigidly fixed to the wall P in which the sliding door 100 is installed, just
above the opening of wall P wherein the sliding door 100 to be driven is located,
and is able to support the sliding shutter/s 101 of sliding door 100.
[0017] In the example shown, in particular, the sliding door 100 preferably has two substantially
rectangular sliding shutters 101 which are fixed to/suspended from the power drive
assembly 1 so as to be vertically arranged, locally substantially coplanar and adjacent
to each other, with the capability to move in a horizontal direction d still remaining
on their own vertical laying plane, so as to shift to and from a closed position (see
Figure 2) in which the two sliding shutters 101 are stationary over the opening in
wall P, preferably closely shut to one another, to substantially completely close/obstruct
the opening and prevent human and/or other traffic through the opening.
[0018] Preferably, though not necessarily, the two sliding shutters 101 of door 100 are
also designed so that their straight bottom edges rest in axially sliding manner on
a straight horizontal rail (not shown) extending on and along the ground, substantially
coplanar to the laying plane of the sliding shutters 101.
[0019] The automatic sliding door power drive assembly 1 is designed to at least partly
support the two sliding shutters 101 of sliding door 100 and, at the same time, to
move horizontally the two sliding shutters 101 in direction d to and from the closed
position, in opposition to each other and while keeping the two sliding shutters 101
on their own laying plane.
[0020] More specifically, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, the automatic sliding door
power drive assembly 1 comprises :
- a straight load-bearing longitudinal member 2, which is suited to be anchored/fixed
rigidly to wall P in a substantially horizontal position and preferably also substantially
locally grazing wall P, above the opening in which sliding door 100 is installed;
- a number of shutter-supporting carriages 3, each of which is mounted in sliding manner
on longitudinal member 2 to run freely along longitudinal member 2, parallel to the
longitudinal axis L of longitudinal member 2 and preferably along substantially the
whole length of longitudinal member 2, and is designed to be rigidly fixed to the
body of a respective sliding shutter 101 underneath; and
- a carriage driving device 4 which is rigidly fixed to longitudinal member 2 and is
designed to move the various shutter-supporting carriages 3 back and forth along longitudinal
member 2.
[0021] More specifically, each shutter-supporting carriage 3 preferably comprises a projecting
bottom appendix 3a which cantilevered projects downwards from longitudinal member
2 and is designed to be rigidly fixed to the body of the sliding shutter 101 preferably,
though not necessarily, by means of anchoring screws.
[0022] Furthermore projecting bottom appendix 3a is preferably also designed to keep the
sliding shutter 101 locally substantially coplanar with, or at least substantially
parallel to, the longitudinal member 2.
[0023] Carriage driving device 4, on the other hand, is preferably designed so to move the
shutter-supporting carriages 2 synchronously back and forth along the longitudinal
member 2, thus to move the two sliding shutters 101 parallel to the longitudinal axis
L of longitudinal member 2 in opposition to each other.
[0024] With reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, carriage driving device 4 in turn comprises:
two substantially coplanar return pulleys 6 and 7 which are fixed in axially rotatable
manner to longitudinal member 2, preferably next to the two axial ends of the longitudinal
member 2, with their respective rotation axes R locally substantially perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis L of longitudinal member 2; a drive belt 8 which is looped
and tightened about pulleys 6 and 7 to form two straight adjacent portions substantially
parallel to longitudinal axis L of longitudinal member 2; and an electric motor 9
which is fixed to the longitudinal member 2, next to return pulley 7, and is mechanically
connected to pulley 7 so as to be able to drive said pulley into rotation about rotation
axis R.
[0025] More specifically, depending on which sliding shutter 101 they support, shutter-supporting
carriages 3 are attached to a first or second straight portion of drive belt 8 to
follow the movements of the belt 8; and electric motor 9 is able to drive pulley 7
into rotation about rotation axis R in both rotation directions so to move the two
straight portions of drive belt 8 back and forth in opposition to each other, thus
to move shutter-supporting carriages 3 synchronously back and forth along load-bearing
longitudinal member 2.
[0026] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, in the example shown, in particular, electric
motor 9 is preferably, though not necessarily, fixed to longitudinal member 2 so that
its output shaft 9a is locally substantially coaxial with return pulley 7, and the
distal end of output shaft 9a fits directly inside pulley 7 in angularly fixed manner,
e.g. by means of a key, so that pulley 7 is supported directly by output shaft 9a
of the motor and can be rotated both ways about rotation axis R.
[0027] In addition, in the example shown, electric motor 9 is preferably a brushless electric
motor 9, preferably, though not necessarily, of a permanent-magnet or variable-reluctance
type.
[0028] With reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, unlike currently marketed automatic sliding
door power drive assemblies, the load-bearing longitudinal member 2 comprises two
straight section bars 10 and 11 preferably having substantially the same length and
preferably made of metal, which extend parallel to longitudinal axis L, along substantially
the whole length of longitudinal member 2, and are designed to engage to one another
and firmly lock one above the other by gravity.
[0029] The first straight section bar 10 is designed to be rigidly fixed/attached directly
to wall P, in a substantially horizontal position and locally substantially grazing
wall P, above the opening to which sliding door 100 is fixed; whereas the second straight
section bar 11 is designed to directly support shutter-supporting carriages 3 and
driving device 4, and to engage onto straight section bar 10 and then firmly rest
in abutment on straight section bar 10 by force of gravity.
[0030] More specifically, straight section bar 10 is designed to form a shelf 10a for supporting
straight section bar 11, and which cantilevered projects from wall P while remaining
substantially parallel to the ground, i.e. horizontally, when the straight section
bar 10 is fixed horizontally to wall P; and straight section bar 11 is designed so
as to rest firmly on shelf 10a of straight section bar 10.
[0031] Return pulleys 6 and 7 are therefore fixed in axially rotatable manner to straight
section bar 11, preferably next to the two axial ends of section bar 11, with their
respective axes of rotation R locally substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis of section bar 11; and electric motor 9 is fixed to straight section bar 11,
next to return pulley 7, and is mechanically connected to pulley 7 so as to drive
into rotation said pulley about rotation axis R.
[0032] Preferably, though not necessarily, load-bearing longitudinal member 2 moreover has
one or more mechanical anchoring members 12 designed to lock the straight section
bar 11 stably in abutment on straight section bar 10.
[0033] With reference to Figures 1, 3 and 4, in the example shown, straight section bar
10 preferably has a substantially L-shaped cross section, and is designed to be fixed/attached
to wall P in a horizontal position, so that its bottom flat portion 10a cantilevered
projects substantially horizontally from wall P to form the supporting shelf for straight
section bar 11.
[0034] Straight section bar 11, on the other hand, preferably has a substantially C-shaped
cross section, is provided with two reciprocally facing longitudinal flat portions
11a and 11b, and is designed to engage onto and firmly lock gravity on L-section bar
10.
[0035] More specifically, C-section bar 11 is designed to engage its top edge 11c directly
onto the top edge 10c of L-section bar 10 and, at the same time, arrange its bottom
flat portion 11a firmly in abutment on the bottom flat portion 10a of L-section bar
10, so as to remain locked by gravity in abutment on L-section bar 10.
[0036] The top flat portion 11b of C-section bar 11, on the other hand, is suited to cantilevered
project from wall P, over bottom flat portion 11a, while remaining locally parallel
to and spaced apart from bottom flat portion 11a, i.e. while remaining substantially
horizontal.
[0037] Preferably the top flat portion 11b of C-section bar 11 is also wider than the bottom
flat portion 11a of C-section bar 11, so as to project beyond the edge of bottom flat
portion 11a.
[0038] With reference to Figures 3 and 4, in the example shown, in addition, load-bearing
longitudinal member 2 preferably also comprises a first longitudinal insert 13 made
of elastomeric material and which is interposed between the top edge 10c of L-section
bar 10 and the top edge 11c of C-section bar 11; and/or a second longitudinal insert
14 made of elastomeric material and which is interposed between the bottom flat portion
10a of L-section bar 10 and the bottom flat portion 11a of C-section bar 11.
[0039] In other words, longitudinal insert 14 is interposed between the straight section
bar 11 and the supporting shelf 10a of straight section bar 10.
[0040] The one or more mechanical anchoring member 12 instead preferably consist of one
or more through screws 12 that are arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis L of the longitudinal member, so that the threaded stem of each screw fits in
pass-through manner a slot in the body of section bar 11 and screws firmly into the
body of section bar 10. The head of each through screw 12 rests on the body of section
bar 11 with the interposition of an bushing 12a made of elastomeric material or other
vibration-damping element.
[0041] With reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, shutter-supporting carriages 3 are preferably
located inside the straight channel of C-section bar 11 with the capability to move
parallel to the longitudinal axis of C-section bar 11, i.e. parallel to the longitudinal
axis L of the longitudinal member, and preferably along substantially the whole length
of C-section bar 11.
[0042] More specifically, shutter-supporting carriages 3 are preferably fitted in axially
sliding manner on a straight rail 15 which is located on the upper face of the bottom
flat portion 11a of C-section bar 11, and which extends parallel to the longitudinal
axis of the C-section bar 11, i.e. parallel to the longitudinal axis L of longitudinal
member 2, preferably for substantially the whole length of C-section bar 11.
[0043] In the example shown, in particular, rail 15 is preferably fitted and rigidly locked
astride a straight projecting rib 16 which protrudes from the upper face of the bottom
flat portion 11a of C-section bar 11, and extends along the same bottom flat portion
11a parallel to the longitudinal axis of C-section bar 11, preferably for substantially
the whole length of C-section bar 11. Preferably a longitudinal insert 17 made of
elastomeric material and preferably, though not necessarily, with a Q-shaped cross
section is furthermore interposed between rail 15 and the straight rib 16 of C-section
bar 11.
[0044] Carriage driving device 4 is preferably hanged up beneath the top flat portion 11b
of C-section bar 11, so as to substantially face the longitudinal channel of C-section
bar 11.
[0045] With reference to Figures 3 and 4, load-bearing longitudinal member 2 preferably
also comprises a third straight section bar 18 which has a substantially C-shaped
cross section and is designed to rigidly lock onto and cantilevered project from the
longitudinal edge of the top flat portion 11b of section bar 11, with its concavity
facing the C-section bar 11, and also in this case preferably with the interposition
of a longitudinal insert 19 made of elastomeric material, so as to close the space
fronting the channel of section bar 11 along which shutter-supporting carriages 3
run, for covering and protecting the shutter-supporting carriages 3 and the carriage
driving device 4.
[0046] In the example shown, in particular, the straight section bar 18 is preferably made
of metal, and is substantially the same length as straight section bar 11.
[0047] In other words, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, load-bearing longitudinal member
2 preferably has two flat projecting shelves 2a, 2b of different widths, which are
parallel and faced to one another and, when longitudinal member 2 is fixed horizontally
to wall P, cantilevered project from wall P one over the other while remaining substantially
parallel to the ground, i.e. horizontally; and a front protective casing 2c which
is arranged astride the two flat projecting shelves 2a, 2b to close the space in front
of flat projecting shelves 2a, 2b.
[0048] The shutter-supporting carriages 3 are placed resting on the bottom flat shelf 2a
of longitudinal member 2, inside the straight channel laterally bounded by the flat
projecting shelves 2a, 2b of longitudinal member 2, with the capability to move parallel
to the longitudinal axis L of the longitudinal member.
[0049] Carriage driving device 4, on the other hand, is hanged up beneath the top flat shelf
2b of longitudinal member 2, so as to locally substantially face the mouth of the
channel bounded by the flat projecting shelves 2a, 2b of longitudinal member 2, behind
front casing 2c.
[0050] Obviously, the bottom flat portion 10a of section bar 10 and the bottom flat portion
11a of section bar 11 form the bottom flat shelf 2a of longitudinal member 2; and
the top flat portion 11b of section bar 11 forms the top flat shelf 2b of longitudinal
member 2. C-section bar 18, on the other hand, forms the front casing 2c of longitudinal
member 2.
[0051] As regards the carriage driving device 4, with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4,
in the example shown, return pulley 6 is preferably supported in axially rotatable
manner by a supporting bracket 20 which projects downwards from the top flat portion
11b of straight section bar 11, and which is preferably, though not necessarily, also
fixed to the straight section bar 11, or more specifically to the top flat portion
11b of section bar 11, in a rigid and stable, though easily removable manner.
[0052] Likewise, return pulley 7 is preferably supported in axially rotatable manner by
a supporting bracket 21 which cantilevered projects downwards from the top flat portion
11b of straight section bar 11, and which is preferably, though not necessarily, also
fixed to the straight section bar 11, or more specifically to the top flat portion
11b of section bar 11, in a rigid and stable, though easily removable manner.
[0053] More specifically, as shown in Figure 3, electric motor 9 is rigidly fixed directly
to supporting bracket 21, preferably with the interposition of vibration-damping joints
22; and return pulley 7 is rigidly fitted directly to the distal end of the output
shaft 9a of electric motor 9, so that electric motor 9 is able to directly support
and at the same time to drive into rotation the pulley 7 about its own rotation axis
R in both rotation directions.
[0054] In the example shown, the whole of carriage driving device 4 is therefore preferably
suspended in a rigid and stable, though easily removable manner, beneath the top flat
portion 11b of the straight section bar 11 of longitudinal member 2.
[0055] With reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, preferably supporting brackets 20 and 21
are moreover designed to keep the rotation axes R of return pulleys 6 and 7 locally
substantially parallel to each other and locally perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis of section bar 11, i.e. locally perpendicular to longitudinal axis L of longitudinal
member 2, and preferably also substantially horizontal, i.e. perpendicular to the
plane of sliding shutters 101.
[0056] Consequently, return pulleys 6, 7 and drive belt 8 preferably lie in a substantially
vertical reference plane which is locally substantially parallel to longitudinal axis
L of longitudinal member 2; and the two straight portions of drive belt 8 are offset
vertically, one over the other.
[0057] More specifically, with reference to Figures 1, 3 and 4, in the example shown, the
bottom face of the top flat portion 11b of straight section bar 11 has two projecting
longitudinal ribs 23 having a substantially L-shaped cross section, which project
from the bottom face of the top flat portion 11b of C-section bar 11, and extend substantially
parallel to and facing each other along the same top flat portion 11b, parallel to
the longitudinal axis of the C-section bar 11 preferably for substantially the whole
length of section bar 11, so as to form a substantially straight longitudinal groove
24 with a substantially T-shaped cross section.
[0058] As regards the supporting brackets 20 and 21, the supporting bracket 20 that supports
pulley 6 is preferably provided with a plate-like fastening head 20a which is designed
to fit in a rigid and stable, though easily removable manner, inside longitudinal
groove 24 of the straight section bar 11; and a supporting appendix 20b which cantilevered
extends from plate-like fastening head 20a and is shaped/designed to support the return
pulley 6 in axially rotatable manner and, when fastening head 20a is fitted inside
longitudinal groove 24, to keep the rotation axis R of return pulley 6 substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the straight section bar 11, i.e. substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of longitudinal member 2, and preferably
also locally substantially parallel to the top flat portion 11b of section bar 11,
i.e. substantially horizontal.
[0059] More specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the width s of the plate-like fastening
head 20a is preferably greater than the width w of the mouth of longitudinal groove
24, and is less than the sum of the width w of the mouth of longitudinal groove 24
and the width k
1, k
2 of the horizontal bottom portion of either of the L-section projecting longitudinal
ribs 23 bounding groove 24.
[0060] In addition, supporting bracket 20 preferably also has a lock screw or pin 25 which
screws through plate-like fastening head 20a and has the distal end of the threaded
stem/shaft in abutment on the bottom of the longitudinal groove 24 of section bar
11, so as to push and keep plate-like fastening head 20a resting firmly on the bottom
horizontal portions of the two projecting longitudinal ribs 23 bounding longitudinal
groove 24.
[0061] With reference to Figure 4, supporting appendix 20b of supporting bracket 20 is instead
preferably defined by a plate-like fin 20b which cantilevered extend from the plate-like
fastening head 20a perpendicularly to the latter, so as to become, when fastening
head 20a is fitted inside longitudinal groove 24 of section bar 11, locally substantially
parallel to longitudinal axis L of longitudinal member 2 and preferably also locally
substantially perpendicular to top flat portion 11b of straight section bar 11, i.e.
substantially vertical.
[0062] Return pulley 6 is therefore fixed to the plate-like fin 20b of supporting bracket
20, with its rotation axis R locally substantially perpendicular to the plane of plate-like
fin 20b, preferably with the interposition of a tensioning mechanism 26 preferably
of a screw-nut screw type, which is integral with plate-like fin 20b and is designed
to move the pin 27 that supports pulley 6 on plate-like fin 20b in a direction parallel
to longitudinal axis L of longitudinal member 2, so as to adjust the tension of drive
belt 8.
[0063] With reference to Figure 3, likewise supporting bracket 20, the supporting bracket
21 that supports pulley 7 is preferably also provided with a plate-like fastening
head 21a which is designed to fit in a rigid an stable, though easily removable manner,
inside the longitudinal groove 24 of straight section bar 11; and a supporting appendix
21b which cantilevered extends from the plate-like fastening head 21a, and is shaped/
designed to support the return pulley 7 in axially rotatable manner and, when fastening
head 21a is fitted inside longitudinal groove 24, to keep the rotation axis R of return
pulley 7 substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of straight section
bar 11, i.e. substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of longitudinal
member 2, and preferably also locally substantially parallel to the top flat portion
11b of section bar 11, i.e. substantially horizontal.
[0064] More specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the width t of plate-like fastening head
21a is preferably greater than the width w of the mouth of longitudinal groove 24,
and is less than the sum of width w of the mouth of longitudinal groove 24 and the
width k
1, k
2 of the horizontal bottom portion of either of the L-section projecting longitudinal
ribs 23 bounding groove 24.
[0065] In addition, likewise supporting bracket 20, the supporting bracket 21 preferably
also has a lock screw or pin 27 which screws through plate-like fastening head 21a,
and has the distal end of the threaded stem/shaft in abutment on the bottom of the
longitudinal groove 24 of section bar 11, so as to push and keep the plate-like fastening
head 21a resting firmly on the bottom horizontal portions of the two projecting longitudinal
ribs 23 bounding longitudinal groove 24.
[0066] Still with reference to Figure 3, supporting appendix 21b of supporting bracket 21
is preferably also defined by a plate-like fin 21b which cantilevered extends from
the plate-like fastening head 21a perpendicularly to the latter, so as to become,
when fastening head 21a is fitted inside longitudinal groove 24 of section bar 11,
locally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L of longitudinal member 2,
and preferably also locally substantially perpendicular to the top flat portion 11b
of straight section bar 11, i.e. substantially vertical.
[0067] Electric motor 9 is preferably cantilevered fixed to the plate-like fin 21b of supporting
bracket 21, preferably with the interposition of vibration-damping bushings 22 made
of elastomeric material, so that its output shaft 9a is locally substantially perpendicular
to the laying plane of plate-like fin 21b; and return pulley 7 is fitted directly
to the distal end of the output shaft 9a of the motor.
[0068] More specifically, in the example shown electric motor 9 and return pulley 7 are
preferably located on opposite sides of the plate-like fin 21b of supporting bracket
21, coaxial to a reference axis substantially perpendicular to the laying plane of
plate-like fin 21b; and electric motor 9 is arranged/oriented so that its output shaft
9a cantilevered extends through the plate-like fin 21b engaging in axially rotatable
manner a through hole specifically formed in the plate-like fin 21b up to reach pulley
7.
[0069] Operation of automatic sliding door power drive assembly 1 is clear from the above
description, with no further explanation required.
[0070] As regards the wall-mount of automatic sliding door power drive assembly 1, the fitter
firstly has to rigidly anchor/fix the section bar 10 to wall P, in a horizontal position
above the opening to which sliding door 100 is installed; and then to rest section
bar 11, fitted beforehand with carriage driving device 4, directly onto straight section
bar 10.
[0071] The design of longitudinal member 2 has major advantages.
[0072] Because of its light weight, straight section bar 10 can be fitted horizontally to
the wall quickly and easily by only one fitter.
[0073] Fitting straight section bar 11 to straight section bar 10 is equally quick and easy,
by involving no particularly accurate alignment of straight section bar 11 on straight
section bar 10, and can therefore also be done by one fitter.
[0074] Moreover, interposition of elastomeric-material inserts 13 and 14 between section
bars 10 and 11 provide for significantly damping/attenuating vibration of longitudinal
member 2, with all the advantages this affords. In fact, the operating noise level
of automatic sliding door power drive assembly 1 is much lower than that of conventional
automatic sliding door power drive assemblies.
[0075] Even interposition of elastomeric-material insert 17 between rail 15 and straight
section bar 11 allows to reduce the noise produced by shutter-supporting carriages
3 running along longitudinal member 2.
[0076] Moreover the fitting of return pulley 7 directly to the output shaft 9a of electric
motor 9, with the resulting elimination of the mechanical gear reducer, greatly improves
the energy efficiency of the carriage driving device 4 and reduces electric power
consumption.
[0077] Furthermore, eliminating the mechanical reducer greatly reduces the noise level of
automatic sliding door power drive assembly 1, with all the advantages this affords.
And using a brushless electric motor 9 with no mechanical gear reducer simplifies
routine maintenance and servicing of power drive assembly 1.
[0078] Finally, the system by which supporting brackets 20 and 21 lock inside the longitudinal
groove 24 of straight section bar 11 simplifies assembly and/or maintenance of carriage
driving device 4, with all the advantages this affords.
[0079] Clearly, changes may be made to automatic sliding door power drive assembly 1 without,
however, departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0080] For example, in case of a sliding door with one sliding shutter, automatic sliding
door power drive assembly 1 may comprise only one shutter-supporting carriage 3 supporting
the sliding shutter.
[0081] In a less sophisticated embodiment, carriage driving device 4 may also comprise a
slip ring electric motor.
[0082] Moreover, return pulley 7 may be connected to electric motor 9 by a mechanic gear
reducer.
1. An automatic sliding door power drive assembly (1) comprising : a straight load-bearing
longitudinal member (2) which is adapted to be fixed rigidly and in a substantially
horizontally position to a generic wall (P), above the sliding door (100); at least
one shutter-supporting carriage (3) which is slidingly mounted on the longitudinal
member (2) parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) of the longitudinal member, and is
structured so as to be rigidly fixed to the body of a corresponding sliding shutter
(101) of the sliding door (100); and carriage driving means (4) which are fixed to
the longitudinal member (2), and are designed to move said at least one shutter-supporting
carriage (3) back and forth along the longitudinal member (2);
the load-bearing longitudinal member (2) comprising a first straight section bar (10)
which is structured to be rigidly fixed on said wall (P) in a substantially horizontal
position; and a second straight section bar (11) which is structured to support said
at least one shutter-supporting carriage (3) and said carriage driving means (4),
and which engages onto said first section bar (10); whereby the said first section
bar (10) is structured to form a supporting shelf (10a) that cantilevered projects
substantially horizontally from the wall (P); and whereby said second section bar
(11) stably rests by gravity in abutment on the shelf (10a) of said first section
bar (10); characterized in that the load-bearing longitudinal member (2) additionally comprises a first longitudinal
elastomeric-material insert (14) interposed between the second section bar (11) and
the shelf (10a) of the first section bar (10).
2. Automatic sliding door power drive assembly as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the first section bar (10) has a substantially L-shaped cross section, and is structured
to fix to said wall (P) so that its bottom flat portion (10a) cantilevered projects
substantially horizontally from the wall (P); the second section bar (11) being designed
to rest on the bottom flat portion (10a) of the first section bar (10).
3. Automatic sliding door power drive assembly as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that the second section bar (11) has a substantially C-shaped cross section, is provided
with two reciprocally faced longitudinal flat portions (11a, 11b), and is structured
to engage its top edge (11c) onto the top edge (10c) of said first section bar (10)
and, at the same time, to rest its bottom flat portion (11a) stably in abutment on
the bottom flat portion (10a) of the first section bar (10), so as to remain locked
by gravity in abutment on said first section bar (10); the top flat portion (11b)
of the second section bar (11) cantilevered projecting from the wall (P), over the
bottom flat portion (11a) of the second section bar (11), while remaining locally
parallel to and spaced from said bottom flat portion (11a) of the second section bar
(11).
4. Automatic sliding door power drive assembly as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first longitudinal elastomeric-material insert (14) is interposed between the
bottom flat portion (10a) of the first section bar (10) and the bottom flat portion
(11a) of the second section bar (11).
5. Automatic sliding door power drive assembly as claimed in Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the top flat portion (11b) of the second section bar (11) is wider than the bottom
flat portion (11a) of the second section bar (11), so as to cantilevered extends beyond
the edge of the bottom flat portion (11a) of the second section bar (11).
6. Automatic sliding door power drive assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding
claims, characterized in that the top edge (11c) of the second section bar (11) is structured to engage on the
top edge (10c) of the first section bar (10).
7. Automatic sliding door power drive assembly as claimed in Claim 6, characterized in that the load-bearing longitudinal member (2) comprises a second longitudinal elastomeric-material
insert (13) interposed between the top edge (10c) of the first section bar (10) and
the top edge (11c) of the second section bar (11).
8. Automatic sliding door power drive assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding
claims, characterized in that the load-bearing longitudinal member (2) also comprises one or more mechanical anchoring
members (12) structured to lock the second straight section bar (11) stably in abutment
on the first straight section bar (10).
9. Automatic sliding door power drive assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding
claims, characterized in that said at least one shutter-supporting carriage (3) is fitted in axially sliding manner
on a straight rail (15) which in turn is fixed to the second section bar (11) with
the interposition of a longitudinal elastomeric-material insert (17).
10. Automatic sliding door power drive assembly as claimed in Claim 9, characterized in that said straight rail (15) is located on the upper face of the bottom flat portion (11a)
of the second section bar (11), and extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
second section bar (11) substantially for the whole length of the second section bar
(11).
11. Automatic sliding door power drive assembly as claimed in Claim 10, characterized in that said straight rail (15) is fitted and locked rigidly astride a straight projecting
rib (16) which protrudes from the upper face of the bottom flat portion (11a) of the
second section bar (11); the longitudinal elastomeric-material insert (17) being interposed
between said rail (15) and the straight rib (16) of the second section bar (11) .
12. Automatic sliding door power drive assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding
claims, characterized in that the carriage driving means (4) comprise : two substantially coplanar return pulleys
(6, 7) which are substantially coplanar to one another and are fixed in axially rotatable
manner to the second section bar (11) of the longitudinal member (2), next to the
two axial ends of the second section bar (11); a drive belt (8) looped about the two
return pulleys (6, 7); and an electric motor (9) which is fixed to the second section
bar (11) and is mechanically connected to one of the two return pulleys (7) to drive
into rotation said return pulley (7) about its rotation axis (R).
13. Automatic sliding door power drive assembly as claimed in Claim 12, characterized in that the two return pulleys (6, 7) are supported in axially rotatable manner by respective
supporting brackets (20, 21) which cantilevered extend downwards from the top flat
portion (11b) of the second section bar (11) and are fixed in a rigid and stable,
though easily removable manner, to the top flat portion (11b) of the second section
bar (11).
1. Antriebseinheit zur automatischen Bewegung von Schiebetüren (1) der Art, die Folgendes
umfasst: einen geraden Längsträger (2), der starr und in einer im Wesentlichen horizontalen
Position auf einer allgemeinen Wand (P) über der Schiebetür (100) befestigt werden
kann; mindestens einen Türflügel tragenden Laufwagen (3), der verschiebbar auf dem
Längsträger (2) und parallel zur Längsachse des Längsträgers (L) montiert wird und
so aufgebaut ist, dass er starr am Körper eines entsprechenden Schiebetürflügels (101)
der Schiebetür (100) befestigt wird; und Bewegungsmittel für die Laufwagen (4), die
auf dem Längsträger (2) befestigt und so aufgebaut sind, dass sie mindestens einen
Türflügel tragenden Laufwagen (3) längs des Längsträgers (2) vor- und zurückschieben
können.
Der Längsträger (2) umfasst ein erstes gerades Profil (10), das so aufgebaut ist,
dass es starr und in einer im Wesentlichen horizontalen Position direkt auf der Wand
(P) befestigt werden kann, und ein zweites gerades Profil (11), das so aufgebaut ist,
dass es mindestens einen die Türflügel tragenden Laufwagen (3) und die Vorrichtung
zur Bewegung der Laufwagen (4) tragen kann und sich am ersten Profil (10) einhängt.
Die Antriebseinheit zur automatischen Bewegung von Schiebetüren (1), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das erste Profil (10) so ausgebildet ist, dass es eine Stützkonsole (10a) bildet,
die auskragend im Wesentlichen horizontal aus der Wand (P) herausragt; dadurch, dass
das zweite Profil (11) durch die Schwerkraft fest im Anschlag auf der Konsole (10a)
des ersten Profils (10) aufliegt; und dadurch, dass der Längsträger (2) zusätzlich
und die Konsole (10a) des ersten Profils (10).
2. Wobei dass das erste Profil (10) einen im Wesentlichen L-förmigen Querschnitt aufweist
und so aufgebaut ist, dass es so an der Wand (P) angebracht werden kann, dass sein
unterer flacher Abschnitt (10a) auskragend aus der Wand (P) hervorsteht, wobei er
im Wesentlichen horizontal bleibt, und das zweite Profil (11) so aufgebaut ist, dass
es auf dem unteren flachen Abschnitt (10a) des ersten Profils (10) aufliegt.
3. Antriebseinheit zur automatischen Bewegung von Schiebetüren gemäß Patentanspruch 4,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das zweite Profil (11) einen im Wesentlichen C-förmigen Querschnitt aufweist, über
zwei sich gegenüberliegende längslaufende flache Abschnitte (11a, 11b) verfügt und
so aufgebaut ist, dass es seine obere Kante (11c) auf dem oberen Rand (10c) des ersten
Profils (10) einhaken kann und gleichzeitig seinen unteren flachen Abschnitt (11a)
fest auf dem unteren flachen Abschnitt (10a) auflegen kann, so dass er durch die Schwerkraft
auf dem ersten Profil (10) aufliegend festgeklemmt ist, wobei der obere flache Abschnitt
(11b) des zweiten Profils (11) dagegen auskragend über dem unteren flachen Abschnitt
(11a) des ersten Profils (11) aus der Wand (P) heraussteht und lokal parallel und
mit Abstand von dem unteren flachen Abschnitt (11a) bleibt.
4. Antriebseinheit zur automatischen Bewegung von Schiebetüren nach Patentanspruch 2
oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste längslaufende Einsatz aus Elastomer-Metall (14) zwischen dem unteren flachen
Abschnitt (10a) des ersten Profils (10) und dem unteren flachen Abschnitt (11a) des
ersten Profils (10) und dem unteren flachen Abschnitt (11a) des zweiten Profils (11)
eingesetzt wird;
5. Antriebseinheit zur automatischen Bewegung von Schiebetüren nach Patentanspruch 3
oder 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der obere flache Abschnitt (11b) des zweiten Profils (11) außerdem breiter ist als
der untere flache Abschnitt (11a) desselben Profils (11), so dass er auskragend über
den Rand des unteren flachen Abschnitts (11a) reicht.
6. Antriebseinheit zur automatischen Bewegung von Schiebetüren nach jedem der vorhergehenden
Patentansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Oberkante (11c) des zweiten Profils (11) so aufgebaut ist, dass sie auf der Oberkante
(10c) des ersten Profils (10) einrastet.
7. Antriebseinheit zur automatischen Bewegung von Schiebetüren nach Patentanspruch 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Längsträger (2) eine erste Längsdichtung aus elastomerem Material (13) umfasst,
die zwischen dem oberen Rand (10c) des ersten Profils (10) und der oberen Kante (11c)
des zweiten Profils (11) eingesetzt ist.
8. Antriebseinheit zur automatischen Bewegung von Schiebetüren nach einem beliebigen
der vorhergehenden Patentansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Längsträger (2) auch ein oder mehrere mechanische Verankerungsorgane (12) umfasst,
die so aufgebaut sind, dass sie das zweite gerade Profil (11) stabil in Auflage auf
dem ersten geraden Profil (10) festklemmen.
9. Antriebseinheit zur automatischen Bewegung von Schiebetüren nach einem beliebigen
der vorhergehenden Patentansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens ein Türflügel tragender Laufwagen (3) axial verschiebbar auf einer geraden
Schiene (15) angebracht ist, die ihrerseits auf einem zweiten Profil (11) mit Zwischeneinlage
einer Längsdichtung (17) aus elastomerem Material befestigt ist.
10. Antriebseinheit zur automatischen Bewegung von Schiebetüren nach Patentanspruch 9,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die gerade Schiene (15) über der Oberseite des unteren flachen Abschnitts (11a) des
zweiten Profils (11) liegt und sich parallel zur Längsachse des zweiten Profils (11)
im Wesentlichen über die gesamte Länge des zweiten Profils (11) erstreckt.
11. Antriebseinheit zur automatischen Bewegung von Schiebetüren nach Patentanspruch 10,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die gerade Schiene (15) rittlings auf einer hervorstehenden geraden Rippe (16), die
aus der Oberseite des unteren flachen Abschnitts (11a) des zweiten Profils (11) herausragt,
fest angebracht und fixiert ist, wobei die Längsdichtung (17) aus elastomerem Material
zwischen der Schiene (15) und der geraden Rippe (16) des zweiten Profils (11) eingesetzt
ist.
12. Antriebseinheit zur automatischen Bewegung von Schiebetüren nach einem beliebigen
der vorhergehenden Patentansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Bewegungsmittel der Laufwagen (4) Folgendes umfassen: zwei Umlenkrollen (6, 7),
die im Wesentlichen komplanar zueinander liegen und axial drehbar auf dem zweiten
Profil (11) des Längsträgers (2) in unmittelbarer Nähe der beiden Achsenden des zweiten
Profils (11) befestigt sind; einen Mitnehmerriemen (8), der ringförmig um die beiden
Umlenkrollen (6, 7) gespannt ist; und einen Elektromotor (9), der auf dem zweiten
Profil (11) befestigt und mechanisch so mit der ersten Umlenkrolle (7) verbunden ist,
dass er diese erste Umlenkrolle (7) um ihre Drehachse (R) in Drehung versetzen kann.
13. Antriebseinheit zur automatischen Bewegung von Schiebetüren nach Patentanspruch 12,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die erste (6) und die zweite Umlenkrolle (7) axial drehbar von den entsprechenden
Halterungen (20, 21) getragen werden, die sich auskragend aus dem oberen flachen Abschnitt
(11b) des zweiten Profils (11) nach unten erstrecken und starr und fest, aber leicht
entfernbar, am oberen flachen Abschnitt (11b) des zweiten Profils (11) befestigt sind.
1. La motorisation pour l'automatisation de portes à vantaux coulissants (1) du type
comprenant: un longeron rectiligne portant(2) en mesure d'être fixé fermement et en
position horizontale sur une paroi générique (P), au-dessus de la porte à vantaux
coulissants (100); au moins un chariot porte-vantail (3) monté et coulissant sur le
longeron (2) parallèlement à l'axe longitudinal du longeron (L), et qui est structuré
de manière à être fixé fermement au corps d'un vantail coulissant (101) de la porte
à vantaux coulissants (100); et les systèmes de déplacement des chariots (4) qui sont
fixés sur le longeron (2), et sont structurés de manière à pouvoir déplacer au moins
un chariot porte-vantail (3) en avant et en arrière le long du longeron (2);
Un longeron portant(2) comprend un premier profilé rectiligne (10) qui est structuré
de manière à être fixé fermement et en position horizontale directement sur cette
paroi (P), et un deuxième profilé rectiligne (11) qui est structuré de manière à supporter
au moins un chariot porte-vantail (3) et ce dispositif de déplacement des chariots
(4) qui vient s'accrocher sur ce premier profilé (10) ; selon lequel le premier profilé
(10) est structuré de manière à former une console de support (10a) qui ressort en
porte-à-faux de la paroi (P) tout en restant parallèle au sol ; et selon lequel le
deuxième profilé rectiligne (11) est structuré de manière à s'appuyer par gravité
de manière stable sur la console (10a) du premier profilé (10) ; caractérisé par le fait que le longeron portant (2) qui comprend un supplémentaire premier insert longitudinal
en élastomère (14) interposé entre le deuxième profilé rectiligne (11)et la console
(10a) sur le premier longeron (10) .
2. La motorisation pour l'automatisation de portes à vantaux coulissants selon la revendication,
caractérisée par le fait que le premier profilé (10) possède une section transversale en forme de L, et est structurée
pour être fixée fermement sur la paroi (P) de manière à ce que sa portion plane inférieure
(10a) ressorte en porte-à-faux de la paroi (P) tout en restant horizontale; le deuxième
profilé (11), est structuré pour être en appui sur la portion plane inférieure (10a)
du premier profilé 10.
3. La motorisation pour l'automatisation de portes à vantaux coulissants selon la revendication
4, caractérisée par le fait que le deuxième profilé (11) possède une section transversale en forme de C, est munie
de deux portions planes longitudinales (11a, 11b) l'une en face l'autre, et est structurée
de manière à pouvoir accrocher son coin supérieur (11c) sur le bord supérieur (10c)
de ce premier profilé (10), tout en pouvant placer sa portion plane inférieure (11a)
de manière stable en appui sur la portion plane inférieure (10a) du premier profilé
(10) ; la portion plane supérieure (11b) du deuxième profilé (11) ressort en porte-à-faux
de la paroi (P) au-dessus de la portion plane inférieure (11a) du même premier profilé
(11), en restant localement parallèle et éloignée de cette portion plane inférieure
(11a) .
4. La motorisation pour l'automatisation de portes à vantaux coulissants selon la revendication
2 ou 3, est caractérisée par le fait que le premier joint (14) longitudinal en élastomère est placé entre la portion plane
inférieure (10a) du premier profilé (10) et la portion plane inférieure (11a) du premier
profilé (10) et la portion plane inférieure (11a) du deuxième profilé (11) ;
5. La motorisation pour l'automatisation de portes à vantaux coulissants selon la revendication
3 ou 4, caractérisée par le fait que la portion plane supérieure (11b) du deuxième profilé (11) possède aussi une largeur
supérieure à la portion plane inférieure (11a) de ce même profilé (11), de manière
à s'étendre en porte-à-faux au-delà du bord de cette même portion plane inférieure
(11a).
6. La motorisation pour l'automatisation de portes à vantaux coulissants comme revendiqué
dans les revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que le coin supérieur (11c) du deuxième profilé rectiligne (11)est structuré pour que
s'engage sur le bord supérieur (10c) du premier profilé rectiligne (10).
7. La motorisation pour l'automatisation de portes à vantaux coulissants selon la revendication
6, caractérisée par le fait que le longeron portant (2) comprend un premier joint longitudinal en élastomère (13)
qui, interposé entre le bord supérieur (10c) du premier profilé (10) et le coin supérieur
(11c) du deuxième profilé (11).
8. La motorisation pour l'automatisation de portes à vantaux coulissants selon n'importe
quelle des revendications précédentes, caractérisée par le fait que le longeron portant (2) comprend aussi un ou plusieurs organes mécaniques d'ancrage
(12) structurés de manière à pouvoir bloquer le deuxième profilé rectiligne (11) de
manière stable en appui sur le premier profilé rectiligne (10).
9. La motorisation pour l'automatisation de portes à vantaux coulissants selon n'importe
quelle des revendications précédentes, caractérisée par le fait qu'au moins un chariot porte-vantail (3) est inséré de manière axiale et coulissante
sur un rail rectiligne (15) qui, à son tour, est fixé sur le deuxième profilé 11 au
moyen de l'interposition d'un joint longitudinal (17) en élastomère.
10. La motorisation pour l'automatisation de portes à vantaux coulissants selon la revendication
9, caractérisée par le fait que ce rail rectiligne (15) est positionné sur la face supérieure de la portion plane
inférieure (11a) du deuxième profilé (11) et s'étend parallèlement à l'axe longitudinal
du deuxième profilé (11) essentiellement sur l'entièreté de la longueur du deuxième
profilé (11).
11. La motorisation pour l'automatisation de portes à vantaux coulissants selon la revendication
10, caractérisée par le fait que ce rail rectiligne (15) est inséré et bloqué fermement à cheval sur une nervure rectiligne
saillante (16) qui ressort de la face supérieure de la portion plane inférieure (11a)
du deuxième profilé 11 ; le joint longitudinal (17) en élastomère est interposé entre
ce rail (15) et la nervure rectiligne (16) du deuxième profilé (11).
12. La motorisation pour l'automatisation de portes à vantaux coulissants selon n'importe
quelle des revendications précédentes, caractérisée par le fait que les systèmes de déplacement des chariots (4) comprennent : deux poulies de renvoi
(6, 7) qui sont coplanaires entre elles et sont fixées de manière axiale et pivotante
sur le deuxième profilé (11) du longeron (2), derrière les deux extrémités axiales
du deuxième profilé (11); une courroie d'entraînement (8) enroulée à anneau autour
des deux poulies de renvoi (6, 7); et un moteur électrique (9) qui est fixé sur le
deuxième profilé(11) et est raccordé mécaniquement à une première poulie de renvoi
(7) afin de pouvoir entraîner en rotation cette première poulie (7) autour de son
axe de rotation (R) .
13. La motorisation pour l'automatisation de portes à vantaux coulissants selon la revendication
12, caractérisée par le fait que la première (6) et la deuxième poulie de renvoi (7) sont supportées de manière axiale
et pivotante par des étriers de support (20,21), en se prolongeant en porte-à-faux
vers le bas de la portion plane supérieure (11b) du deuxième profilé (11), et sont
fixées à la portion plane supérieure (11b) du deuxième profilé (11) fermement et de
manière stable, mais facilement amovible.