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(11) | EP 3 425 144 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | MOTOR-DRIVEN SLIDING DOOR OR WINDOW |
| (57) Described is a motor-driven sliding door or window comprising: a fixed frame (1);
a sash (2) which slides horizontally relative to the frame (1); a carriage (3, 4),
associated, in use, on a lower crosspiece (2a) of the sash (2) and resting on a horizontal
base track (5) to allow the sliding of the sash (2) in both the opening and closing
directions; locking / unlocking elements (6), located on operating rods (7) which
slide along at least one vertical upright (2b) of the sash (2); a control unit (9)
composed of a kinematic unit (10) connected, on one side, to the operating rods (7)
and, on the other side, to an activating element (11) for controlling the sliding
movement of the rods (7), in both directions, and allow the configurations for opening
and closing the sash (2); the control unit (9) comprises a box-shaped body (12) positioned
inside the vertical upright (2b) of the sash (2); the box-shaped body (12) houses
the kinematic unit (10) connected, using a drive element (13), to the operating rods
(7) and an element (11) motor-driven by a source of outside energy, defining the activation
unit, connected to the kinematic unit (10) for activating the operating rods (7) by
external control. [FIG. 1]
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[0001] This invention relates to a motor-driven sliding door or window, in particular a door or window of the lift & slide type.
[0002] The doors or windows of the lift & slide type, whether they are of a manual or motor-driven type, comprise:
- a fixed frame;
- at least one movable sash, horizontally slidable relative to the fixed frame between an open position and a closed position;
- at least one carriage unit, which is associated with the bottom crosspiece of the sash and is guided by a horizontal base track to allow the sliding of the sash to and from the above-mentioned open and closed positions;
- a control unit comprising a handle (for manual sash) positioned on the sash, which, firstly, allows the sash to be lifted so as to move the lower seals of the sash away from the sides of the track and thereby allow the sliding of the latter to and from the above-mentioned open and closed positions, and, secondly, allows the sash to be lowered in the closed position so as to seal the door or window;
- locking / unlocking or operating elements connected to the control unit, which act between the vertical upright of the sash and the fixed frame for locking/unlocking the sash in its closed position under the action of the above-mentioned handle.
[0003] The control (and operating) unit applied to these sliding doors or windows comprises:
- the handle operated by the user;
- a kinematic unit (comprising, for example, a gear wheel and a rack) to which is connected the handle using a square shaft engaged in a corresponding seat on the kinematic unit;
- drive rods which are slidably housed at least in the vertical upright of the movable sash and which are connected / controlled by the kinematic unit in such a way as to move along the upright in both directions.
[0004] A part of the above-mentioned locking / unlocking or operating elements are connected on the rods, which can be coupled or housed in striker elements or seats present on the upright of the fixed frame to define the sequences of raising the sash with relative releasing of the sash from the fixed frame, and the lowering of the sash with relative closing on the fixed frame.
[0005] The kinematic unit is usually housed in a box-shaped body which is mounted inside the upright of the sliding sash, which has a suitable through seat to allow the connection of the kinematic unit the grip.
[0006] The main difference between a manual sliding door or window (described above) and a motor-driven door or window is due to the presence of an electrically controlled motor-driven device applied outside the upright of the sash in place of the handle for manual operation.
[0007] The motor-driven device is provided with a protruding square shaft (defining a motor-driven axis by means of a kinematic connection with the motor) which is inserted in the seat of the upright of the sash to connect with the kinematic unit inside the upright.
[0008] The motor-driven device (comprising an outer box-shaped body and relative connection with a power source) has a control unit which can be programmed to perform, in sequence, at least the operation of lifting the sash with relative release of the sash from the fixed frame, and the lowering of the sash with relative closing on the fixed frame thanks to the rotation of the square motor-driven shaft.
[0009] This motor-driven system (which in fact uses the existing control structure) has, however, several drawbacks.
[0010] The presence of an outer box-shaped body which is rather bulky and associated with the upright adversely affects the appearance of the structure of the sash in its entirety.
[0011] Moreover, in the event of a power failure or a fault of the motor-driven device, the user, in order to operate the sash during opening and closing, must perform a complete and laborious removal of the motor-driven device (and disconnection from the power supply source) and then insert a handle for manual operation in the seat of the upright.
[0012] This operation is not always possible for the users who, in fact, must request the intervention of a qualified technician.
[0014] The aim of the invention is to provide a motor-driven sliding door or window which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, the aim of this invention is to provide a motor-driven sliding door or window which is able to simplify the structure of the sash, thus improving the appearance of the sash.
[0015] A further aim of this invention is to provide a motor-driven sliding door or window structured in such a way as to simplify the operations for manual opening and closing of the sash in the event of a power failure to the sash. These aims are fully achieved by a motor-driven sliding door or window according to this invention, as characterised in the appended claims.
[0016] The features of this invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of it, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a door or window according to the invention;
- Figure 2 is a perspective view of an enlarged detail of the control unit;
- Figure 3 is a schematic front view, with some parts cut away in order to better illustrate others, of the control unit of Figure 2;
- Figure 4 is a schematic exploded view of the components of the control unit of Figure 3;
- Figures 5 and 6 are front views of the connecting / separating elements present in the control unit in two different operating configurations.
[0017] With reference to the accompanying drawings, and in particular with reference to Figure 1, this invention relates to a sliding door or window, labelled 100 in its entirety, of the motor-driven type.
[0018] The doors or windows 100 basically comprise: a fixed frame 1, at least one sash 2 movable by at least one but preferably by a pair of sliding carriages 3 and 4 and a control unit 9.
[0019] In light of this, the sash 2 is slidable relative to the fixed frame 1 between a closed position (see Figure 1) and an open position (not illustrated).
[0020] It should be noted that the sash 2 is slidable horizontally along a fixed track 5 positioned at the base of the fixed frame 2 and, in its fully open position (not illustrated), can (purely by way of example) be superposed over a fixed sash or a sash that is also mobile.
[0021] The pair of carriages 4, 5 are associated with the bottom crosspiece 2a of the sash 2 and are guided by the track 5 to allow the sliding of the sash 2 to and from the above-mentioned open and closed positions.
[0022] The door or window 100 comprises locking / unlocking elements 6 (for example bosses), located on operating rods 7 which slide along at least one vertical upright 2b of the sash 2.
[0023] The locking / unlocking elements 6 interact with corresponding striker elements 8 positioned on the frame 1 fixed at least in order to lock/unlock the sash 2 between the closed position and the open position and vice versa.
[0025] This control unit 9 is composed of a kinematic unit 10 connected, on one side, to the operating rods 7 and, on the other side, to an activating element 11 for controlling the sliding movement of the rods 7, in both directions and along the upright 2b, and allow the configurations for opening and closing the sash 2.
[0026] The solution of motor-driven door or window 100 according to this invention may be of the simple horizontally sliding type or of the "lift & slide" type, that is to say, the sash 2 is raised using the control unit and the operating rods in order to move away the lower seals of the sash 2 from the sides of the track 5 and thereby allow the sliding of the sash to and from the above-mentioned open and closed positions or lowering the sash 2 to the closed position to move the seals to close the door or window 100. The solution described here can therefore be used on both types of door or window without limiting the scope of protection.
[0027] As illustrated, the control unit 9 comprises a box-shaped body 12 positioned inside the vertical upright 2b of the sash 2.
[0028] The box-shaped body 12 houses the kinematic unit 10 connected, using a drive element 13, to the operating rods 7 and an element 11 motorised by a source of outside energy, defining the activation unit, connected to the kinematic unit 10 for activating the operating rods 7 by external control.
[0029] In other words, the control unit in its entirety (that is, the kinematic system and motor-driven element) are inside the sash and therefore not in view (as shown in Figures 1 to 4).
[0030] This makes it possible to improve the appearance of the sash, whilst maintaining a high level of reliability in the use of the door or window.
[0031] In light of this (see Figures 2 to 4), the kinematic unit 10 has elements 14 for connection / separation between the drive element 13 and the motor-driven element 11 to allow, when required, an emergency manual movement of the rods 7 using a shaft 15 of a handle 16 connectable, from the outside, to the drive unit 13 through a through cavity 17 made on the vertical upright 2b of the sash 2.
[0032] In light of this, the connecting / separating elements 14 are movable between a connected position between the drive unit 13 and the motor-driven element 11, and a separated position between the drive element 13 and the motor-driven element 11 which can be activated, in use, at the inlet of the shaft 15 of the handle 16 (see figured 5 and 6).
[0033] In other words, the solution according to this invention enables the sash to be kept operational (in the case of a power failure) just with an outer handle (equipped with an operating shaft, with a square cross-section) which may be inserted in a seat on the sash and with which, thanks to the connecting / separating elements, it is possible to operate freely on the operating rods just like a standard manual sash, by-passing the motor-driven unit which at that moment cannot be used.
[0034] Preferably, the kinematic unit 10 comprises at least a first gear wheel 18 for the transfer of motion between the motor-driven element 11 and the drive element 13 and rotatably constrained inside the box-shaped body 12.
[0035] The first gear wheel 18 is rotatably connected with the drive element 13 using the connecting / separating elements 14.
[0036] Preferably, the drive element 13 comprises a bushing 19 coaxially coupled inside the first gear wheel 18 and rotatably constrained to the first gear wheel 18 by the connecting / separating elements 14.
[0037] In light of this, the bushing 19 has a seat 20 for housing the shaft 15 of the handle 16 (the seat 20 preferably has a square cross-section).
[0038] The bushing 19 has a lever 21 protruding radially from the bushing 19 and positioned in a plane parallel to the first gear wheel 18.
[0039] Moreover, the lever 21 is articulated, at its free end, at the end of an arm 22 connected to the operating rods 7 and movable along the plane parallel to the first gear wheel 18.
[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting / separating elements 14 comprise at least two pin units 23, 23a each slidably positioned in corresponding radial seats 24, 25 made both on the first gear wheel 18 and on the bushing 19 and positioned coaxial to each other at the connecting position between the first gear wheel 18 and the drive elements 13.
[0041] In light of this, between each pin unit 23, 23a and the first gear wheel 18 there are elastic means 26 which are able to keep the pin units 23, 23a in the connected position between the bushing 19 and the first gear wheel 18, and to at least allow the withdrawal of the corresponding pin unit 23, 23a, at the inlet of the shaft 15 of the handle 16 in such a way as to release the bushing 19 from the first gear wheel 18.
[0042] Preferably, the connecting / separating elements 14 comprise at least four pin units 23, 23a which are equidistant from each other (approximately at a right angle to each other to cover the 360°) and housed in corresponding seats 24 and 15 presented by the first gear wheel 18 and by the bush 19 (see Figures 5 and 6).
[0043] Each of the pin units 23, 23a has a corresponding elastic element 26 interposed between the pin unit and the first gear wheel 18.
[0044] Preferably, each pin unit comprises (see Figures 5 and 6) a first pin 23 slidably housed in a corresponding seat 24 of the first gear wheel 18.
[0046] In particular, the lower base 23c is hollow to allow the stable housing of the end of the elastic element 26.
[0047] Again, the first pin 23 has a top 23d partly housed in the seat 25 of the bushing 19 at the connecting position between the first gear wheel 18 and the drive elements 13.
[0048] The assembly pin also comprises a second pin 23a slidably housed in a corresponding seat 25 of the bushing 19.
[0049] The second pin 23a has a top 23e protruding from the seat 25 of the bushing 19 (in the connected position between the first gear wheel 18 and the drive elements 13) and a lower base 23f in contact with the top 23d of the first pin 23 in such a way as to radially push the first pin 23, at a position of separation between the drive element 13 and the motor-driven element 11 which can be activated, in use, at the inlet of the shaft 15 of the handle 16.
[0050] In other words, when the square shaft is inserted it intercepts the four tops 23e of the second pin 23a making them withdraw. This withdrawal movement allows each top 23e to push on the head 23d of the first pin 23 which, in effect, withdraws until completely housing in the seat 24 of the first gear wheel 18 compressing the elastic element 26.
[0051] Each second pin 23a is positioned, on the other hand, completely inside the corresponding seat 25 of the bushing 19 and with the relative lower base 23f positioned flush between the outer surface of the bushing 19 and the inner surface of the first gear wheel 18.
[0052] In this way, during the manual rotation of the bushing 19 carried out using the handle 16, the lower base 23f of the second pin 23a keeps or moves the first pin 23 inside the seat 24 of the first gear wheel 18.
[0053] As may be noted from Figures 2 to 4, the motor-driven element 11, housed in the box-shaped body 12, has a drive shaft 27 rotating about its own longitudinal axis, and equipped with a worm screw 28 engaged on a second gear wheel 29 which is rotatably connected inside the box-shaped body 12.
[0054] In light of this, the second gear wheel 29 is engaged on a third idle gear wheel 30, housed inside the box-shaped body 12, and engaged in turn on the first gear wheel 18 to allow the passage of the motion (see figure 3). This kinematic mechanism allows a constant and precise movement of the rods on the command of the motor-driven element even in the presence of heavy sashes (especially for the lift & slide type where it is necessary to perform a raising and lowering of the sash).
[0055] As illustrated, the box-shaped body 11 is fixed inside the vertical upright 2b of the movable sash 2.
[0056] The box-shaped body 12 has a front groove from which protrude at least two elements 31 for coupling to the operating rods 7.
[0057] These elements 31 for coupling to the operating rods 7 are connected to the drive elements 13.
[0058] The preset aims are achieved thanks to this structure of a motor-driven sliding door or window.
[0059] The control unit, including the motor-driven element, is inserted completely inside the sash so as to allow a simple and fast assembly of the control system and an attractive appearance of the door or window, whilst maintaining a high level of reliability during use.
1. A motor-driven sliding door or window comprising:
- a fixed frame (1);
- a sash (2) which slides horizontally relative to the frame (1), between an open position and a closed position;
- at least one carriage (3, 4), associated, in use, on a lower crosspiece (2a) of the sash (2) and resting on a horizontal base track (5) to allow the sliding of the sash (2) in both the opening and closing directions;
- locking / unlocking elements (6), located on operating rods (7) which slide along at least one vertical upright (2b) of the sash (2); the locking / unlocking elements (6) interacting with corresponding striker elements (8) positioned on the frame (1) fixed at least in order to lock/unlock the sash (2) between the closed position and the open position and vice versa;
- a control unit (9) composed of a kinematic unit (10) connected, on one side, to the operating rods (7) and, on the other side, to an activating element (11) for controlling the sliding movement of the rods (7), in both directions, and allow the configurations for opening and closing the sash (2); the control unit (9) comprising a box-shaped body (12) positioned inside the vertical upright (2b) of the sash (2); the box-shaped body (12) housing the kinematic unit (10) connected, using a drive element (13), to the operating rods (7) and an element (11) motor-driven by a source of outside energy, defining the activation unit, connected to the kinematic unit (10) for activating the operating rods (7) by external control;
characterised in that the kinematic unit (10) has elements (14) for connection / separation between the drive element (13) and the motor-driven element (11) to allow, when required, an emergency manual movement of the rods (7) using a shaft (15) of a handle (16) connectable, from the outside, to the drive unit (13) through a cavity (17) made on the vertical upright (2b) of the sash (2); the connecting / separating elements (14) being movable between a connected position between the drive unit (13) and the motor-driven element (11), and a separated position between the drive element (13) and the motor-driven element (11) which can be activated, in use, at the inlet of the shaft (15) of the handle (16).2. The door or window according to claim 1, wherein the kinematic unit (10) comprises
at least a first gear wheel (18) for the transfer of motion between the motor-driven
element (11) and the drive element (13) and rotatably constrained inside the box-shaped
body (12); the first gear wheel (18) being rotatably connected with the drive element
(13) using the connecting / separating elements (14).
3. The door or window according to claim 1 and 2, wherein the drive element (13) comprises
a bushing (19) coaxially coupled inside the first gear wheel (18) and rotatably constrained
to the first gear wheel (18) by the connecting / separating elements (14); the bushing
(19) having a seat (20) for housing the shaft (15) of the handle (16), and a lever
(21) protruding radially from the bushing (19) and positioned in a plane parallel
to the first gear wheel (18); the lever (21) being articulated, at its free end, to
the end of an arm (22) connected to the operating rods (7) and movable along the plane
parallel to the first gear wheel (18).
4. The door or window according to any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the connecting
/ separating elements (14) comprise at least two pin units (23, 23a) each slidably
positioned in radial seats (24, 25) made both on the first gear wheel (18) and on
the bushing (19) and positioned coaxial to each other at the connecting position between
the first gear wheel (18) and drive elements (13); between each pin unit (23, 23a)
and the first gear wheel (18) there are elastic means (26) which are able to keep
each pin unit (23, 23a) in the connected position between the bushing (19) and the
first gear wheel (18), and to at least allow the withdrawal of the corresponding pin
unit (23, 23a), at the inlet of the shaft (15) of the handle (16) in such a way as
to release the bushing (19) from the first gear wheel (18).
5. The door or window according to claim 4, wherein the connecting / separating elements
(14) comprise at least four pin units (23, 23a) which are equidistant from each other
and housed in corresponding seats (24, 25) presented by the first gear wheel (18)
and the bushing (19); each pin unit (23, 23a) having a corresponding elastic element
(26).
6. The door or window according to any of the claims 4 or 5, wherein each pin unit comprises:
- a first pin (23) slidably housed in a corresponding seat (24) of the first gear wheel (18) and having a lower base (23c) of contact with the corresponding elastic element (26); the first pin (23) having a top (23d) partly housed in the seat (25) of the bushing (19) at the connecting position between the first gear wheel (18) and drive elements (13);
- a second pin (23a) slidably housed in a corresponding seat (25) of the bushing (19); the second pin (23a) having a top (23e) protruding from the seat (25) of the bushing (19) and a lower base (23f) in contact with the top (23d) of the first pin (23) in such a way as to radially push the first pin (23), at a position of separation between the drive element (13) and the motor-driven element (11) which can be activated, in use, at the inlet of the shaft (15) of the handle (16).
7. The door or window according to any one claims 2 to 6, wherein the motor-driven element
(11), housed in the box-shaped body (12), has a drive shaft (27) rotating about its
own longitudinal axis, and equipped with a worm screw (28) engaged on a second gear
wheel (29) which is rotatably connected inside the box-shaped body (12); the second
gear wheel (29) being engaged on a third idle gear wheel (30), housed inside the box-shaped
body (12), and engaged in turn on the first gear wheel (18) to allow the passage of
the motion.
8. The door or window according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the box-shaped
body (11) is fixed inside the vertical upright (2b) of the movable sash (2); the box-shaped
body (12) having a front groove from which protrude at least two elements (31) for
coupling to the operating rods (7); the coupling elements (31) being connected to
the drive elements (13).