Barrier movement control and programming device

Abstract

 A control and programming unit for movement of a barrier such as a gate comprises a barrier movement and control unit (12,13) which comprises in turn a memory (17) containing operational parameters, a communication interface (18) for reception of data from the exterior and means (20) of transferring into said memory (17) as operational parameters of the data received from the interface (18). A portable programming unit (21) is connectable to the interface (18) for sending data corresponding to operational parameters of the movement and control unit.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a movement control and programming unit for a barrier such as a gate.

[0002] In the art of barrier movement and control units termed generally 'gate openers' there are known units made up of mechanical actuators and electronic control boards in which the various operational parameters such as opening and closing procedure, operating speed, operation upon detection of emergency conditions etcetera are set by means of switch boards (usually the dip switch type) or jumpers located on the electronic board. Because of the need to keep the electronic board simple, economical and small the number of switches or jumpers is necessarily limited. This obliges the supply of only a few programmable functions with such a system. In addition, because of the unavoidable oxidation of the electrical contacts the use of switches or jumpers reduces the long-term reliability of the system.

[0003] The general purpose of the present invention is to obviate the above mentioned shortcomings by making available a barrier movement and control unit which would permit flexible programming of a high number of operational parameters with low costs, small size and high reliability.

[0004] In view of this purpose it was sought to provide in accordance with the present invention a movement control and programming unit for a barrier such as a gate and comprising a barrier control and movement unit comprising in turn a memory containing operational parameters and a communication interface for reception of data from the exterior and means of transfering into said memory as operational parameters data received from the interface and a portable programming unit connectable to the interface for sending data corresponding to operational parameters of the barrier control and movement unit.

[0005] To clarify the explanation of the innovative principles of the present invention and its advantages compared with the prior art there is described below with the aid of the annexed drawing showing a block diagram of a unit in accordance with the present invention a possible embodiment thereof by way of non-limiting example applying said principles.

[0006] With reference to the drawing a unit indicated as a whole by reference number 10 for control and programming of the movement of a barrier 11 such as a gate comprises a barrier movement and control unit made up of a movement actuator 12 and an electronic control circuit 13. The electronic control circuit controls through a control unit 14 movement of the barrier by means of the actuator depending on the external signals 15 as an opening and closing pulse generated for example by a remote control unit or a key switch, stop signals, photoelectric barrier stop etcetera and internal signals 16 which set for example parameters such as actuator operating speed, system emergency behaviour, timed closing etcetera. Up to this point the virtually prior art has been described.

[0007] In accordance with the present invention the control circuit comprises a memory 17 containing operational parameters on the basis of which the movement and control unit acts. A communication interface 18 is connected to the control unit for reception of data arriving at a connector from the exterior. Transfer means 20 transfer data received from the interface 18 into the memory 17 as operational parameters.

[0008] A portable programming unit 21 is connectable to the interface by means of a connector 22 complementary to the connector 19 for sending data corresponding to operational parameters of the movement and control unit which it is desired to set. The programming unit comprises a data viewing display 23 and a data entry keyboard 24.

[0009] On the basis of the description given the practical provision of the electronic circuit is easily imaginable by one skilled in the art. In particular the control unit 14 could be an appropriately programmed microcontroller system which could also perform the function of the transfer means for example receiving the data from the interface, processing them and entering them in its own memory 17. Advantageously the memory 17 could be a known type holding the data even in case of power failure or the circuit could be equipped with appropriate electrical batteries for emergency power.

[0010] In use the installer of the movement unit is equipped with a programming unit with which to set the unit operational parameters on the basis of specific requirements. Since the operational parameters are not set with switches or jumpers the number of parameters which can be set can be very high depending in practice only on the capacity of the memory 17. It is thus possible to meet a large variety of operational requirements without the compromises typical of the prior art.

[0011] In addition there are no problems of poor long-term reliability and unauthorized modifications of the parameters set are prevented.

[0012] Naturally the above description of an embodiment applying the innovative principles of the present invention is given by way of non-limiting example of said principles within the scope of the exclusive right claimed here.

Claims

1. Control and programming unit for the movement of a barrier such as a gate and comprising a barrier movement and control unit (12,13) which comprises in turn a memory (17) containing operational parameters, a communication interface (18) for reception of data from the exterior and means (20) of transferring into said memory (17) as operational parameters the data received from the interface (18) and a portable programming unit (21) connectable to said interface (18) for sending data corresponding to operational parameters of the movement and control unit.

2. Unit in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the programming unit (21) comprises a data viewing display (23) and a data entry keyboard (24).

3. Unit (12,13) for control and movement of a barrier such as a gate and comprising a memory (17) containing operational parameters, a communication interface (18) for receiving data from the exterior and means (20) of entering in said memory (17) as operational parameters the data received from the interface.

4. Portable programming unit (21) having an output (22) of programming data and which is connectable to the interface (18) of the movement and control unit of claim 3 for sending data thereto.

Drawing