DRIVE UNIT, WINDOW OR DOOR AND METHOD FOR UNLOCKING A DRIVE

Abstract

 A drive unit (1) for a movable leaf, in particular a window, having a drive (8) which drives a linearly movable drive element (9) which is in engagement with an entrainer (10) which, upon movement, drives a drive rod (14) of a fitting with at least one bolt (13) for locking and unlocking the movable leaf, wherein the entrainer (10) is pretensioned by a spring (15) into an engagement position with respect to the drive element (9) and, for emergency unlocking, can be moved into an unlocking position against the force of the spring (15). Furthermore, the invention relates to a window or a door and to a method for unlocking a drive on a movable leaf.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a drive unit for a movable leaf, in particular a window, having a drive which drives a linearly movable drive element which is in engagement with an entrainer which, upon movement, drives a drive rod of a fitting with at least one bolt for locking and unlocking the movable leaf, to a window or a door and to a method for unlocking a drive of a movable leaf.

[0002] DE 10 2014 111 131 A1 discloses a device for locking and unlocking a window leaf in which a locking element is disposed on a first and a second coupling element, which can be displaced from a fixing working position to an emergency unlocking position in which the two coupling elements can be displaced with respect to each other. Although this permits non-destructive emergency unlocking, numerous components are required and the displacement during emergency unlocking can be sluggish.

[0003] It is therefore the object of the present invention to create a drive unit for a movable leaf and a method for unlocking a drive of a movable leaf, which is compact in construction and is easier to handle during emergency unlocking.

[0004] This object is achieved by a drive unit having the features of claim 1 and a method for unlocking a drive having the features of claim 10.

[0005] In the case of the drive unit in accordance with the invention, the entrainer in engagement with a movable drive element is pretensioned by a spring into an engagement position with respect to the drive element, and for emergency unlocking the entrainer can be moved into an unlocking position against the force of the spring. In this way, the operational reliability is increased since the spring pretensions the entrainer into the engagement position. For the purposes of emergency unlocking, only the pre-tensioning forces of the spring need to be overcome, which simplifies handling.

[0006] The entrainer is preferably mounted so as to be displaceable substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of a drive rod. The entrainer can engage with a foot portion into a receiver between two webs of a holder and can be pretensioned against a stop which is formed e.g. by an angular offset on the webs. In this way, the mechanism used for emergency unlocking can be comparatively simple and compact in construction. The entrainer can be in engagement with the drive element by means of a head portion protruding over the two webs in the engagement position. The drive element can comprise e.g. two protrusions which engage around the entrainer on opposite sides so that the entrainer can be moved in opposing directions by the drive.

[0007] The entrainer can comprise an angular head portion, wherein an actuating portion of a tool acts on a limb of the angular head portion which can be disposed behind a sealing strip between a leaf frame profile and a fixed frame profile. This facilitates the locating of the entrainer by a tool, in particular when a guide surface is formed on the tool so that the actuating portion can be disposed at a predetermined distance from an outer side of the leaf frame profile or fixed frame profile.

[0008] The drive can be formed e.g. as a spindle drive in which a spindle, which can rotate relative to a spindle nut, effects a linear movement of the drive element. By means of the spindle drive, the drive element can be moved in opposing directions in order to lock or unlock the leaf.

[0009] The drive unit in accordance with the invention is preferably used in a window or a door, wherein the drive unit is disposed in a rebate space between a leaf frame profile and fixed frame profile. In this way, the drive unit is disposed in a concealed manner and cannot be seen from outside. The drive unit can also be used in a flap or another movable leaf. A plurality of drive units are preferably provided on the leaf, e.g. in the case of a leaf frame it is possible to provide, on at least two, three or four sides, corresponding drive units for locking and unlocking purposes. The actuation of the drive unit can be wired or wireless, wherein preferably a control operation of an opening system actuates the drive unit.

[0010] In the case of the method in accordance with the invention for unlocking a drive of a movable leaf, firstly an actuating portion of a tool is inserted between a fixed frame profile and a leaf frame profile in order then to move an entrainer, which is in engagement with a drive element, against the force of a spring from an engagement position into an unlocking position in order then to displace a drive rod with at least one bolt using the tool. This permits rapid emergency unlocking, e.g. when the power supply for the drive unit is interrupted or other problems arise with the control operation. The actuating portion of the tool preferably engages behind a sealing strip which is disposed between a leaf frame profile and a fixed frame profile so that the locking mechanism can be disposed so that it is protected behind the sealing strip.

[0011] The invention is explained in greater detail hereinunder with the aid of an exemplified embodiment and with reference to the attached drawings. In the figures:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a drive unit in the installed state;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the drive unit of figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a view of the drive unit without the leaf frame profile;

Figure 4 shows a view of the drive unit without the fixed frame profile;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the entrainer and of the drive rod in an engagement position, and

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the entrainer and of the drive rod in an unlocking position.

[0012] A drive unit 1 serves to lock and unlock a movable leaf which can be formed e.g. as a window or flap. The leaf comprises a leaf frame profile 2 which can be locked on a fixed frame profile 3. A rebate space 4 is formed between the leaf frame profile 2 and the fixed frame profile 3, a drive 8 being disposed in said space. In the illustrated exemplified embodiment, the drive 8 is fixed to the fixed frame profile 3 but can also be fixed to the leaf frame profile 2. The drive 8 is formed as a spindle drive and can be supplied with power in a wired manner or by battery as selected. By means of the drive 8, a drive element 9 can be moved linearly and can move an entrainer 10 in opposing directions in order to effect locking or unlocking.

[0013] Between the fixed frame profile 3 and leaf frame profile 2, an inner seal, a middle seal 6 and an outer seal 7 are provided, wherein the inner seal 5 and the outer seal 7 seal the rebate space 4.

[0014] As shown by the view of figure 2, the entrainer 10 is disposed adjacent to a web 11. Furthermore, a bolt 13 of a locking mechanism can be seen which can be brought into engagement with a locking plate, not shown. The bolt 13 is fixed to a drive rod 14 which can be displaced together with the entrainer 10. The drive rod 14 is fixed to the leaf frame profile 2 e.g. by means of a clamping element 12 which, with two spring webs, engages behind an undercut groove on the leaf frame profile 2.

[0015] Figure 3 illustrates the drive unit without the leaf frame profile 2. The drive 8 serves for linear movement of a drive element 9 which acts laterally on the entrainer 10 in order to move same in the longitudinal direction of the fixed frame profile 3 and in so doing to effect unlocking and locking of the bolts 13.

[0016] Figure 3 also illustrates a tool 20 which has an angular actuating portion 21 in which a web can move against a limb or web 22 of the angular head portion of the entrainer 10. In this way, by means of the actuating portion 21, the entrainer 10 can be displaced perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal direction of the fixed frame profile 3.

[0017] Figure 4 illustrates the drive unit 1 with the leaf frame profile 2 and without the fixed frame profile 3. The actuating portion 21 engages behind the strip-like seal 7 which is fixed to the leaf frame profile 2. The entrainer 10 is disposed behind the seal 7 and can be moved via the actuating portion 21. The tool 20 further comprises a web 23 which can be laid against an outer side of the leaf frame profile 2 so that the actuating portion 21 engages behind the seal 7 at a predetermined distance from the outer side of the leaf frame profile 2 in order to move the entrainer 10.

[0018] Figure 5 shows the entrainer 10 on the drive rod 14 in detail. The entrainer 10 includes a foot portion 16 which is pretensioned into an engagement position by a spring 15. The foot portion 16 is held between two webs 11, wherein each web 11 has an inwardly protruding stop 17 which prevents the foot portion 16 from falling out. Figure 5 illustrates the entrainer 10 in the engagement position in which a head portion 19 protruding beyond the webs 11 is provided and can be laterally contacted and moved by the drive element 9. The head portion 19 is angular, wherein the tool 20 can engage with the actuating portion 21 on the protruding web 22 for the purposes of emergency unlocking.

[0019] The webs 11 are fixed to the drive rod 14 on which two bolts 13 are fixed which can be brought into engagement with a locking plate for locking purposes. The length of the drive rod 14 and the number of bolts 13 can be selected freely depending on the application.

[0020] Figure 6 shows the entrainer 10 in an unlocking position in which engagement with the drive element 9 is avoided. For this purpose, the entrainer 10 has been moved towards the drive rod 14 against the force of the spring 15 so that a limb of the head portion 19 is now disposed between the webs 11 and only the web 22 is still protruding but is not in engagement with the drive element 9.

[0021] In the unlocking position, the entrainer 10 forms a surface which is disposed substantially on the same plane as a surface 18 of the webs 11. In this way, the entrainer 10 can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the fixed frame profile 3 independently of the drive element 9, wherein, by means of the movement of the entrainer 10, the webs 11, the drive rod 14 and the bolts 13 are also moved in order to effect unlocking or locking.

[0022] The words "comprises/comprising" and the words "having/including" when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination.

Reference list

[0023] 

1

Drive unit

2

Leaf frame profile

3

Fixed frame profile

4

Rebate space

5

Seal

6

Seal

7

Seal

8

Drive

9

Drive element

10

Entrainer

11

Web

12

Clamping element

13

Bolt

14

Drive rod

15

Spring

16

Foot portion

17

Stop

18

Surface

19

Head portion

20

Tool

21

Actuating portion

22

Web

23

Web

Claims

1. Drive unit (1) for a movable leaf, in particular a window, having a drive (8) which drives a linearly movable drive element (9) which is in engagement with an entrainer (10) which, upon movement, drives a drive rod (14) of a fitting with at least one bolt (13) for locking and unlocking the movable leaf, characterised in that the entrainer (10) is pretensioned by a spring (15) into an engagement position with respect to the drive element (9) and, for emergency unlocking, can be moved into an unlocking position against the force of the spring (15).

2. Drive unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the entrainer (10) is mounted on a holder so as to be displaceable substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the drive rod (14).

3. Drive unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the entrainer (10) is displaceably held with a foot portion (16) in a receiver between two webs (11) of the holder and is pretensioned against a stop (17) by the spring (15).

4. Drive unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein, in the engagement position, the entrainer (10) protrudes with a head portion (19) over the two webs (11) and the head portion (19) is in engagement with the drive element (9).

5. Drive unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the engagement position, the entrainer (10) is inserted between two protrusions of the drive element (9).

6. Drive unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the entrainer (10) has an angular head portion (19).

7. Drive unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive (8) is formed as a spindle drive and can move in opposing directions.

8. A window or door comprising a drive unit according to any of claims 1 to 7.

9. The window or door according to claim 8 wherein the drive unit (1) is disposed in a rebate space between a leaf frame profile (1) and a fixed frame profile (3).

10. The window or door as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that a plurality of drive units (1) are provided between a leaf frame of the leaf and a fixed frame.

11. Method for unlocking a drive (8) of a movable leaf, comprising the following steps:

- inserting an actuating portion (21) of a tool (20) between a fixed frame profile (3) and a leaf frame profile (2);

- moving an entrainer, which is in engagement with a drive element (9), against the force of a spring (15) into an unlocking position, and

- displacing a drive rod (14) with at least one bolt (13) using the tool (20).

12. Method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the actuating portion (21) engages behind a sealing strip (7) between the leaf frame profile (2) and the fixed frame profile (3) in order to press the entrainer (10) into an unlocking position.

Drawing