Door with drive mechanism

Abstract

 Door, in particular a sectional door, comprising at least one panel, guide means, which are adapted to guide the panel during displacement between an opened-positioned and a closed-position, and driving means for displacing said at least one panel, wherein said driving means comprising at least one conveyor element and a reduction device, such as a lifting tackle, wherein said reduction device comprises a displaceable element and a transmission element having a first end and an operative end, wherein said first end is mounted either to said displaceable element, while an intermediate portion of said transmission element is reversed at least once by a substantially stationary reverse element, or mounted substantially stationary with respect to said displaceable element, and said conveyor element is adapted to convert displacement of said displaceable element into displacement of said panel.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a door, in particular a sectional door, having at least one panel, guide means and driving means for displacing the panel.

[0002] Doors, in particular sectional doors, having a driving mechanism are known from the state of the art. For example, US 4,493,164 A relates to an upwardly opening door assembly comprising hinged segments. These hinged segments are driven by a drive mechanism, which consists of a connecting arm, which is pivotally secured at the topmost door segment. This connecting arm is also pivotally mounted to a connecting block member, that has connection points for a chain, which can be actuated by drive means, such as an engine. The connecting arm is adapted to slide within a track member, thereby lifting and lowering the door assembly upon actuation of the drive mechanism. These doors require an extensive space for housing the drive mechanism. Moreover, these conventional drive mechanisms are limited in the maximum load, which can be handled.

[0003] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a door, in particular a sectional door, which overcomes the above problems. This object is achieved by a door, in particular a sectional door having the features disclosed in claim 1. Preferred embodiments are subject of the dependent subclaims.

[0004] According to the invention, a door, in particular a sectional door, is provided, comprising at least one panel, guide means, which are adapted to guide the panel during displacement between an opened-positioned and a closed-position, and driving means for displacing said at least one panel, wherein said driving means comprising at least one conveyor element and a reduction device, such as a lifting tackle, wherein said reduction device comprises a displaceable element and a transmission element having a first end and an operative end, wherein said first end is mounted either to said displaceable element, while an intermediate portion of said transmission element is reversed at least once by a substantially stationary reverse element, or mounted substantially stationary with respect to said displaceable element, and said conveyor element is adapted to convert displacement of said displaceable element into displacement of said panel.
The door is preferably a sectional door, which can be formed of a plurality of generally horizontally extending sections or panels, each of which typically extends from one side of the door opening to the other side. The top section of each panel is attached to a lower section of an adjacent panel, wherein this attachment is provided preferably by means of hinges or the like. Additional sections can be mounted thereto in the same manner. The panel is arranged at guide means, which may be formed as at least one rail, shaft or the like, which extends substantially parallel to the opening and closing direction of the door, i.e. substantially parallel to the displacement path of the door panels. That is, at sectional doors of the over-head type, the guide means preferably comprise vertical sections blending into curved sections and terminating in a horizontal section. In the inventive door, a plurality of panels could be used, however, also solely one panel may be provided, which is adapted to close or cover the door opening.
The driving means are adapted to displace the at least one panel between an opened-position and a closed-position of the door. The driving means comprising at least one conveyor element and a reduction device. The reduction device is preferably adapted to reduce the force or load, which acts on an operative end of the transmission element. That is, the operative end is advantageously adapted to be operated by a person in order to activate (i.e. open and close) the door. Advantageously, the transmission element is in engagement with the displaceable element. That is, by motion or movement of the transmission element, the displaceable element is displaced. Preferably, the transmission element is at least partially wound around the displaceable element. The first end of the transmission element is mounted either to the displaceable element or mounted substantially stationary with respect to the displaceable element. If the first end is mounted to the displaceable element, an intermediate portion, which is provided between the first and the operative end, is reversed by a substantially stationary reverse element. In other words, the intermediate portion of the transmission element is preferably at least partially wound around the substantially stationary reverse element. The stationary reverse element is arranged stationary, i.e. substantially non-movable, with respect to the displaceable element. In a preferred embodiment, the first end of the transmission element is engaged or is at least partially wound around the displaceable element, then passed to the stationary reverse element and engaged or is at least partially wound around the stationary reverse element and thereafter passed back to the displaceable element and attached thereto. However, advantageously, the first end could be is at least partially wound around the stationary reverse element and the displaceable element more than once, so that the intermediate portion of the transmission element is multiple wound around the stationary reverse element and displaceable element thereby forming a block and tackle-device or -arrangement. Alternatively, the first end of the transmission element is mounted substantially stationary with respect to the displaceable element. That is, the first end is preferably mounted to a frame, a housing or the like, which preferably houses the driving means at least partially. In a preferred embodiment, the first end of the transmission element could be also mounted to the stationary reverse element, wherein the intermediate portion of the transmission element is preferably multiple wound around the stationary reverse element and the displaceable element, so as to form a block and tackle-device. Preferably, in the closed-position of the door, the first element or stationary reverse element and the displaceable element are spaced. Thereby, by operating the operative end of the transmission element, the displaceable element is preferably approximated to the stationary reverse element or the first end of the transmission element.
The conveyor element is adapted to convert the displacement of the displaceable element into a displacement of the panel. That is, preferably, the conveyor element is adapted to connect directly or indirectly the displaceable element with the at least one panel. Thereby, the door is brought into the opened-position. In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor element is adapted to be connected to the outermost of the panels, i.e. the panel which first enters the door opening, when closing the door. However, in a preferred embodiment, the conveyor element may be also adapted to connect more than one of the panels with the displaceable element. In the inventive door, the reduction device is preferably adapted to reduce the force or load acting on the operative end, so that the force acting on the operative end is an integer or common fraction of the force or load provided on the displaceable element caused by the at least one panel and the conveyor element(s).

[0005] Preferably, the substantially stationary mounted first end of the transmission element is preferably mounted to the substantially stationary reverse element and at least once wound around the displaceable element and the substantially stationary reverse element. That is, the first end could be either mounted to the substantially stationary reverse element or mounted in the vicinity of the substantially stationary reverse element at a frame structure of the door. The first end of the transmission element is at least once wound around the displaceable element and the substantially stationary reverse element. In other words, when assembling the door, the first end of the transmission element is at least partially wound around the displaceable element, then passed and at least partially wound around the stationary reverse element. Thereafter, the first end could be either passed back to the displaceable element and the above described winding could be one or more times repeated, the frist end could be also attached thereafter to the displaceable element or alternatively mounted stationary at the stationary reverse element or at a frame structure of the door.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor element having a first and second end portion, the first end portion is mounted to the panel and the second end portion is mounted to the displaceable element. Thus, advantageously, the displacement of the displaceable element can be easily transmitted via the conveyor element to the panel. The end portions of the conveyor element can be attached or mounted directly or indirectly to the displaceable element and/or the at least one panel. That is, the attachment to the panel could be provided by mechanical means, such as screws, bolts or rivets. However, the first end portion of the conveyor could be also molded into the panel structure, thereby being irreversible attached to the panel. The same applies also to the mounting of the second end portion to the displaceable element, wherein it is preferred to mount the second end portion releasable or disengageable via mechanical mounting means to the displaceable element.

[0007] In a further preferred embodiment, an intermediate portion of the conveyor element is reversed by at least one substantially stationary deflection element. That is, the intermediate portion of the conveyor element is partially wound around the deflection element. The deflection element is preferably fixedly or stationary mounted with respect to the displaceable element. The deflection element could be, for example, mounted to a frame structure of the door.

[0008] In a further preferred embodiment, at least two conveyor elements are provided. Preferably, intermediate portions of the at least two conveyor elements are reversed by the same or different, preferably adjacent, substantially stationary deflection elements. Preferably, the second end portions of the conveyor element are directly or indirectly mounted to the panel at different areas, portions, sections or zones of the panel. Further, the first end portions of the conveyor elements are mounted directly or indirectly to the displaceable element. That is, in a preferred embodiment, the first end portion of the conveyor elements could be also formed integrally, so that this integrally formed single first end portion of a multiplicity of conveyor elements is mounted to the displaceable element. The intermediate portions of the conveyor elements are preferably reversed or partially wound around the same deflection element. However, alternatively, for each conveyor element, a separate deflection element could be provided. In a preferred embodiment, the separate stationary deflection elements are arranged substantially adjacent to each other. That is, the distance between the deflection elements is preferably about 10 - 15% of the widthwise extension of the panel, more preferably about 5 - 8% of the widthwise extension of the panel and most preferably about 2%.

[0009] Advantageously, the conveyor elements are preferably equally distributed over the widthwise extension of the panel. That is, the mounting or attachement position of the second end portions of the conveyor elements are equally distributed over the widthwise extension of the at least one panel. Thereby, the load or forces acting on the panel can be advantageously equally distributed.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the displacement element and the transmission element are arranged in a plane corresponding or substantially parallel to the door opening plane. In other words, the reduction device is provided in a plane corresponding to the building structure, in which the door opening is provided or in a plane, which is substantially parallel thereto. Thus, the transmission element preferably extends when being operated in a plane which is parallel or corresponding to the door opening plane.

[0011] Further preferably, the displaceable element and/or stationary reverse element comprise at least one rotational element. The rotational element could be for example a block, a roller, a pulley, a wheel or the like. The rotational element is preferably rotationally secured via a shaft to a respective frame element. Additionally or alternatively, a sliding element could be also provided, on which the transmission element end/or the conveyor element slide.

[0012] Further preferably, the conveyor element and/or transmission element are formed as a flexible or bendable element, such as a cable or chain.

[0013] Additionally, according to the invention a method for driving a door, in particular a sectional door, is provided, comprising the steps of:

• Displacing an operative end of a transmission element;
• Converting the displacement of said operative end into a displacement of a displaceable element, wherein said displaceable element and transmission element forming at least a part of a reduction device and wherein a first end of said transmission element is mounted either to said displaceable element, while an intermediate portion of said transmission element is reversed at least once by a substantially stationary reverse element, or mounted substantially stationary with respect to said displaceable element;
• Converting the displacement of said displaceable element into displacement of at least one panel by means of at least one conveyor element; and
• Guiding said panel during displacement between an opened-position and a closed-position.

[0014] Further according to the invention, a driving means for driving a door, in particular a sectional door, is provided, wherein said driving means comprise at least one conveyor element and a reduction device (such as a lifting tackle), said reduction device having a displaceable element and a transmission element, with a first end and an operative end, wherein said first end is mounted either to said displacement element, while an intermediate portion of said transmission element is reversed by a substantially stationary reverse element, or mounted substantially stationary with respect to said displaceable element, and said conveyor element is adapted to convert displacement of said displacement element into displacement of a door panel. Thus, a driving means is provided, which advantageously can be provided for operating heavy-load doors, while being compact in size. Of course, all features and advantages mentioned with respect to the inventive door can be also applied to the inventive driving means.

[0015] Moreover, according to the invention, a use of the inventive driving means is provided for driving a door, in particular a sectional door, which is preferably of the over-head type.

[0016] These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that even though embodiments are separately described, single features thereof may be combined to additional embodiments.

Fig. 1

is a perspective view of an embodiment of the door according to the present invention.

Fig. 2

is a perspective view of an embodiment of the driving means according to the present invention.

Fig. 3

is a front view of a further embodiment of the driving means according to the present invention.

[0017] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the door according to the present invention. The door comprises preferably a plurality of a door panel 2 and guide means 4 for guiding the panels 2 during displacement thereof. For displacing the panels 2, a driving means is provided, which comprises at least one conveyor element 6 and a reduction device 8, such as e. g. a block and tackle or lifting tackle.

[0018] The door comprises at least one panel 2 for substantially closing a door opening of a building structure 50. By use of the door as a sectional door, a plurality of panels 2 are provided, which are arranged in an edge-to-edge relationship, hingedly connected by means of hinges 3 or the like. However, the door may also comprise solely one single panel 2, which preferably entirely covers or closes a door opening of building structure 50. The sectional door may be used as folding door, in which the door opening is opened and closed by substantially horizontal movement of the door, i.e. of the door panels 2. However, preferably, the sectional door may be employed in door systems of the overhead-type. In these door systems, the panels 2 are moved from a substantially vertical position (i.e. arranged in the door opening) to a substantially horizontal position (i.e. a plane substantially perpendicular to the door opening). However, the invention may be also employed in roll-up doors, in which a plurality of panels is - in the opened state of the door - wound up on e.g. a shaft. These door systems are typically employed in garages, industrial building structures or the like.

[0019] The panels 2 may be formed of wood or the like. Preferably, the panels 2 may be formed of at least two sheet metal or plastic shells. Between these two sheet metal or plastic shells, an insulation material may be provided. This insulation can be either glued to the shells or it is introduced into the shells by foaming (e.g. PU-foam). This results in a panel 2 having a reduced weight. Moreover, the panels 2 could be also reinforced, so that a high stability thereof can be ensured. The sheet metal of plastic shells may be of identical design or shape, thereby simplifying their manufacture. Thus, a symmetrically panel 2 is preferably provided. The connection between the sheet metal or plastic shells or elements may be achieved alternatively by means of a snap connection or other kind of mechanical connection.

[0020] The door comprises guide means 4 for guiding the panels 2 during displacement between an opened-position and a closed-position of the door. The guide means 4 are adapted to guide guiding elements provided at the door panels 2. The guiding elements can be formed as a sliding element or as a rotatable element, such as a roller. The guiding element is adapted to translate or move in the guide means 4, which might be formed as a rail element. The guide means 4 is preferably adapted to at least partially encapsulate the guiding element in order to prevent displacement of the panels 2 in a plane substantially normal or perpendicular to the displacement path of the panels. This is achieved by an inner configuration of the guide means 4, which is substantially adapted to the outer configuration of the guiding elements. By use of the door as an overhead-type door, the guide means 4 extend from a vertical position over a bent portion to a horizontal position.

[0021] The conveyor element 6 comprises a first end portion 10 and a second end portion 12. The second end portion 12 of the conveyor element 6 is mounted to at least one of the panels 2, wherein the second end portion 12 is preferably mounted at the outermost panel 2 (the lowest panel 2 in fig. 1). However, the second end portion 12 can be also mounted to more than one of the panels 2. The second end portion 12 is attached to the panels 2 by means of mechanical connection, e.g. by screws, bolts, rivets or the like. Thus, the second end portion 12 is detachably mounted at the panel 2. Alternatively, the second end portion 12 can be also integrally formed with the panel 2, e.g. molded therewith. However, the second end portion 12 of the conveyor element 6 can be preferably also mounted to the hinges 3. The outermost hinges 3, which are provided at the distal ends of the panels 2, may comprise the guiding elements for guiding the panels in the guide means 4. Most preferably, the second ends 12 of the conveyor element 6 are mounted to these outermost hinges 3. The conveyor element 6 is preferably formed as a bendable or flexible element. In particular, a chain, a cable or a belt could be used, wherein the geometric configuration thereof is adapted to the load acting thereon, particularly the weight of the panels 2. Further, the remaining distal end of the conveyor element 6 is defined as a first end portion 10. The first end portion 10 of the conveyor element 6 is mounted to a displaceable element 14 of the reducing device 8.

[0022] The displaceable element 14 is adapted to be in engagement with a transmission element 16 of the reducing device 8. The displaceable element 14 prefereably comprises a rotatable element, such as a wheel or drum. The rotatable element is rotatably housed in a housing element, such as a bracket 18. To the bracket 18, the first end portion 10 of the conveyor element 6 is mounted. The displaceable element 14, comprising the rotatable element and the bracket 18, constitutes an element, which is displaceable with respect to a stationary reverse element 20.

[0023] The reverse element 20 is preferably arranged stationary with respect to the displaceable element 14. In this context, stationary is defined as being not movable relative to or towards and away from the displaceable element 14, so that an approach of the reverse element 20 and the displaceable element 14 is provided only by movement or motion of the displaceable element 14. However, the reverse element 20 may comprise elastical means in order to compensate certain tolerances. That is, the reverse element 20, which is preferably formed as a rotatable element (such as a wheel, a drum or the like), can be preferably geared in a floating manner.

[0024] Between the stationary reverse element 20 and the displaceable element 14, the transmission element 16 is provided. The transmission element 16 comprises a first end 21 and an operative end 22. The first end 21 is preferably mounted to the reverse element 20. However, the first end 21 can also be mounted to a door frame member 24. The intermediate portion of the transmission element 16 is at least once wound around the stationary reverse element 20 and the displaceable element 14. However, when mounting the first end 21 to the door frame member 24, the intermediate portion of the transmission element 16 could be also partially wound around the displaceable element 14 solely. By this arrangement, a block and tackle-device is preferably provided as the reduction device 8, wherein the reduction ratio is dependent on the number of times the intermediate portion of the transmission element 16 is wound around the stationary reverse element 20 and the displaceable element 14. By operation of the operative end 22, i.e. by diplacement, movement or pulling away from the door frame member 24, the displaceable element 14 is displaced towards the reverse element 20. Thereby, the first end portion 10 is moved towards the reverse element 20, so that an opening of the door is caused.

[0025] The conveyor element 6 is deflected or reversed towards the displaceable element 14 by a deflection element 26. If more than one conveyor element 6 is provided, the conveyor element 6 can be guided over one deflection element 26, or - as shown in figs. 1 - 3 - each conveyor element 6 may be deflected by a separate deflection element 26. In this case, the deflection element 26 are preferably arranged adjacent with respect to each other, as their spacing influences the displacement range or distance of the panels 2. By the provision of two conveyor elements 6, it is preferred to arrange the conveyor elements 6 (e.g. mount their second end portions 12) at the outermost portions of the panel 2. That is, it is preferred to mount the second end portion 12 of the conveyor elements 6 spaced in the widthwise direction x of the panel 2. In order to pass one of the conveyor element 6 to the widthwise position of the other outermost conveyor element 6, a further deflection element 26, 28 is provided. The deflection elements 26, 28 can be preferably arranged in-line with the guide means 4 or - as shown in Fig. 1 - adjacent the guide means 4, preferably displaced between the guide means 4.

[0026] For operating the door, the operative end 22 can be translated or displaced manually, e.g. wound up on a pulley 30 via a handle. However, in a preferred embodiment, the operative end 22 is wound up on a pulley 30, which is driven by a motor. More preferably, the motor or the like can be mounted directly or indirectly (e.g. via a transmission) mounted to the pulley 30 and could be utilized as a power amplifier, so that the manual force, which has to be applied at the operative end 22, is reduced.

[0027] Fig. 1 shows the driving means substantially at the same plane as the door opening plane. However, the driving means could be also arranged at the distal end of the guide means 4. That is, the driving means can be arranged at the guide means 4 in the vicinity of the uppermost panel being in the opened-position of the door. Further, in particular at sectional door of the over-head type, the driving means can be arranged substantially above the door opening or at least substantially above the guide means 4, as shown in Fig. 1.

[0028] Thus, a door is provided, which comprises driving means for operating heavy-load doors, wherein the driving means can be arranged in a compact manner.

Reference numerals

[0029] 

2

panel

3

hinge

4

guide means

6

conveyor element

8

reducing device

10

first end portion

12

second end portion

14

displaceable element

16

transmission element

18

bracket

20

reverse element

21

first end

22

operative end

24

door frame member

26

deflection element

28

deflection element

30

pulley

50

building structure

x

widthwise direction

Claims

1. Door, in particular sectional door, comprising

- at least one panel (2);

- guide means (4), which are adapted to guide said panel (2) during displacement between an opened-position and a closed-position; and

- driving means (6, 8) for displacing said at least one panel (2),

wherein said driving means (6, 8) comprising at least one conveyor element (6) and at least one reduction device (8), such as a lifting tackle, wherein
said reduction device (8) comprises a displaceable element (14) and a transmission element (16) having a first end (21) and an operative end (22), wherein said first end (21) is mounted either to said displaceable element (14), while an intermediate portion of said transmission element (16) is reversed at least once by a substantially stationary reverse element (20), or mounted substantially stationary with respect to said displaceable element (14), and
said conveyor element (6) is adapted to convert displacement of said displaceable element (14) into displacement of said panel (2).

2. Door according to claim 1, wherein said substantially stationary mounted first end (21) of said transmission element (14) is preferably mounted to said substantially stationary reverse element (20) and at least once wound around said displaceable element (14) and said stationary reverse element (20).

3. Door according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said conveyor element (6) having a first and a second end portion (10, 12), said first end portion (10) is mounted to said panel (2) and said second end portion (12) mounted to said displaceable element (14).

4. Door according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an intermediate portion of said conveyor element (6) is reversed by at least one substantially stationary deflection element (26, 28).

5. Door according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two conveyor elements (6) are provided.

6. Door according to claim 5, wherein intermediate portions of said at least two conveyor elements (6) are reversed by the same or different, preferably adjacent substantially stationary deflections elements (26, 28).

7. Door according to one of the claims 5 or 6, wherein said conveyor elements (6) are preferably equally distributed over the widthwise extension (x) of said panel (2).

8. Door according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said displaceable element (14) and said transmission element (16) are arranged in a plane corresponding or substantially parallel to the door opening plane.

9. Door according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said conveyor element (6) and/or transmission element (16) are formed as a flexible element, such as a cable or a chain.

10. Method for driving a door, in particular a sectional door, comprising the steps of:

- Displacing an operative end (22) of a transmission element (16);

- Converting the displacement of said operative end (22) into a displacement of a displaceable element (14), wherein said displaceable element (14) and transmission element (16) forming at least a part of a reduction device (8) and wherein a first end (21) of said transmission element (16) is mounted either to said displaceable element (14), while an intermediate portion of said transmission element (16) is reversed at least once by a substantially stationary reverse element (20), or mounted substantially stationary with respect to said displaceable element (14);

- Converting the displacement of said displaceable element (14) into displacement of at least one panel (2) by means of at least one conveyor element (6); and

- Guiding said panel (2) during displacement between an opened-position and a closed-position.

Drawing