DOOR ACTUATOR AND DOOR UNIT

Abstract

 The invention concerns a door actuator (1) for opening and/or closing a door, comprising a housing (2) which is configured to house a hydraulic actuating mechanism (4) for actuating the door and hydraulic fluid of the hydraulic actuating mechanism (4), the housing (2) further comprising a valve channel (3) for the hydraulic fluid and at least one aperture (6) in fluid connection with the valve channel (3). Further, the door actuator (1) comprises at least one regulating valve (5) for regulating a flow of hydraulic fluid in the valve channel (3), wherein the at least one regulating valve (5) is inserted in the at least one aperture (6). The regulating valve (5) comprises a valve stopper element (7) with at least one snap-fit portion (9) which is configured to snap into an undercut (8) of the aperture (6) upon insertion of the regulating valve (5). The invention also concerns a door unit (100) comprising a door (101) and the door actuator (1).

Description

[0001] The invention concerns a door actuator for opening and/or closing a door, a door unit comprising the door actuator, and a regulating valve.

[0002] Conventionally, door actuators are known to include hydraulic mechanisms for actuating a door and hydraulic fluid for the hydraulic actuating mechanism. Further, conventional door actuators include a valve channel in their housing through which the hydraulic fluid of the hydraulic actuating mechanism flows during opening and/or closing of the door. In order to regulate a damping effect of the door actuator for the closing and the opening movement of the door, conventional door actuators commonly comprise a regulating valve for regulating the flow of the hydraulic fluid through the valve channel. By varying the position of the regulating valve in the valve channel, the flow of hydraulic fluid through the valve channel is increased or suppressed. These common regulating valves pose a problem for a user or installer thereof in that loosening of the regulating valve to increase the flow rate of the hydraulic fluid in the valve channel can lead to an accidental removal of the valve, thereby leading to leakage of hydraulic fluid in conventional door actuators.

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a door actuator for opening and/or closing a door which can prevent the accidental removal of the regulating valve from the door actuator.

[0004] This object is solved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims contain advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

[0005] A door actuator for opening and/or closing a door of the present invention comprises a housing which is configured to house a hydraulic actuating mechanism for actuating the door and hydraulic fluid of the hydraulic mechanism. Therein, the housing further comprises a valve channel for the hydraulic fluid and at least one aperture in fluid connection with the valve channel. In addition, the door actuator comprises at least one regulating valve for regulating a flow of hydraulic fluid in the valve channel, wherein the at least one regulating valve is inserted in the at least one aperture. The at least one regulating valve comprises a valve stopper element with at least one snap-fit portion which is configured to snap into an undercut of the aperture upon insertion of the regulating valve.

[0006] The door actuator of the present invention has the advantage that the regulating valve is prevented from being accidentally removed from the aperture by the valve stop element which snaps into the undercut of the aperture upon insertion of the regulating valve. Therefore, the regulating valve and its valve stopper element may be easily inserted into the aperture and an accidental removal of the regulating valve is advantageously prevented when a user or installer adjusts the flow of hydraulic fluid through the valve channel via the regulating valve.

[0007] Preferably, the snap-fit portion of the valve stopper element is configured to elastically deform in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the valve stopper element upon insertion of the regulating valve into the aperture. In other words, the snap-fit portion is configured to elastically deform upon insertion of the regulating valve such that the regulating valve may be easily inserted into the aperture. Advantageously, the elasticity of the snap-fit portion allows for the snap-fit portion to snap into the undercut of the aperture once it reaches said aperture during insertion of the regulating valve.

[0008] Advantageously, the snap-fit portion is a snap finger comprising an outer circumference which has, in a fully inserted state of the valve stopper element, a slanted portion which is slanted from an axial direction of the valve stopper element. In other words, the slanted portion of the snap finger has an angle between and not including 0° and 90° with respect to the axial direction of the valve stopper element. This has the advantage that the snap-fit portion can be easily inserted into the aperture while being deformed, especially elastically deformed, thereby. The slanted portion especially allows the snap finger to be easily slid into the aperture of the housing.

[0009] Further advantageously, the outer circumference of the snap-fit portion has in axial direction a non-constant diameter, wherein the diameter increases in direction to the end of the regulating valve, where the valve stopper element is located. This has the advantage, that the regulating valve can be easily inserted into the aperture.

[0010] Further advantageously, the undercut of the aperture is a groove formed in at least a portion of a circumferential direction of the aperture. In other words, the undercut of the aperture is formed preferably as a partial-circle shape or a full-circle shape in a circumferential plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the aperture. This has the advantage that the valve stopper element can securely attach to the aperture and prevent the regulating valve from being accidentally removed therefrom.

[0011] Further advantageously, a length of the undercut in an axial direction of the aperture is larger than a length of the valve stopper element in an axial direction of the valve stopper element. Preferably, the length of the undercut is larger than a length of the snap-fit portion of the valve stopper element. This has the advantage that the valve stopper element, especially the regulating valve, can be variably moved within the aperture while also being prevented from being accidentally removed therefrom.

[0012] Preferably, the snap-fit portion comprises, especially in a top surface thereof, a recess configured to receive a tool for elastically deforming the snap-fit portion during insertion and/or removal of the valve stopper element into and/or from the aperture. This has the advantage that the valve stopper element may be easily removed from the aperture, wherein an accidental removal thereof is still prevented.

[0013] Further preferably, the valve stopper element and the undercut of the aperture are arranged in an end portion of the aperture that is opposite to the valve channel of the housing. This has the advantage that the valve stopper element and the regulating valve can be easily inserted into the aperture, even after the door actuator is assembled and/or mounted.

[0014] Advantageously, the valve stopper element comprises two or more and/or five or less snap-fit portions. This has the advantage that the valve stopper element can be securely inserted in and attached to the aperture. Further, even if one of the snap-fit portions were to break, the valve stopper element can still prevent an accidental removal of the regulating valve.

[0015] Advantageously, the valve stopper element is integral with the regulating valve. This has the advantage that no additional components and/or processes are necessary for providing means with which the regulating valve is prevented from being accidentally removed from the aperture, thereby also lowering the cost of manufacturing for the door actuator.

[0016] Further advantageously, the regulating valve and/or the valve stopper element are made of plastic. Therein, the regulating valve and/or the valve stopper element may be made of or comprise polyoxymethylene and/or polyurethane. This has the advantage that the regulating valve and/or the valve stopper element may be easily manufactured, for instance by injection molding, with a preferably low cost material.

[0017] Further preferably, the regulating valve and/or the valve stopper element may comprise a plurality of materials such as metal and/or plastic. Therein, it is especially preferable that the snap-fit portion of the valve stopper element comprises or is made of plastic, especially polyoxymethylene and/or polyurethane.

[0018] The present invention also concerns a door unit comprising a door and the door actuator according to any one of the foregoing advantageous examples. Therein, the hydraulic actuating mechanism is drivingly connected to the door or to a rod assembly connected to a door frame of the door such that an actuation of the actuating mechanism opens or closes the door. Therein, the regulating valve can regulate an amount of damping when opening or closing the door.

[0019] This has the advantage that a door unit can be provided, wherein an accidental removal of the regulating valve can be prevented, for example when a user or installer attempts to regulate the damping of the door.

[0020] The present invention also concerns a regulating valve for regulating a flow of hydraulic fluid in a valve channel of a door actuator, preferably the before mentioned door actuator. The regulating valve is preferably designed according to any one of the foregoing advantageous examples.

[0021] The regulating valve is configured to be inserted in an aperture of a housing of the door actuator and the regulating valve comprises a valve stopper element with at least one snap-fit portion which is configured to snap into an undercut of the aperture upon insertion of the regulating valve.

[0022] The snap-fit portion is preferably a snap finger comprising an outer circumference having a slanted portion which is slanted from an axial direction of the valve stopper element.

[0023] Further advantageously, the outer circumference of the snap-fit portion has in axial direction a non-constant diameter, wherein the diameter increases in direction to the end of the regulating valve, where the valve stopper element is located. This has the advantage, that the regulating valve can be easily inserted into the aperture.

[0024] The snap-fit portion preferably comprises, especially in a top surface thereof, a recess configured to receive a tool for elastically deforming the snap-fit portion during insertion and/or removal of the valve stopper element into and/or from the aperture.

[0025] The valve stopper element comprises preferably two or more and/or five or less snap-fit portions.

[0026] The valve stopper element is preferably integral with the regulating valve.

[0027] The regulating valve and/or the valve stopper element are preferably formed of plastic, especially of polyoxymethylene and/or polyurethane.

[0028] Further details, advantages, and features of preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the figures.

[0029] Therein,

Fig. 1

shows a schematic perspective view of a housing of a door actuator according to embodiments of the present invention,

Fig. 2

shows a schematic cross section of a regulating valve of the door actuator according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 3a, 3b, 3c

show schematic detail views of cross sections of the regulating valve of the door actuator according to the first embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 4

shows a schematic detail view of a cross section of a regulating valve of a door actuator according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and

Fig. 5

shows a schematic drawing of a door unit of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a housing 2 of a door actuator 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] The door actuator 1 comprises a housing 2 which is formed to house a hydraulic actuating mechanism (see: Fig. 5) for opening and/or closing a door 101. The housing 2 comprises two through holes 18 which receive a spindle connected to the hydraulic actuating mechanism, which is driven by the hydraulic actuating mechanism.

[0032] Further, the door actuator 1 comprises at least one, in this embodiment a plurality, of apertures 6 each containing a regulating valve 5. The configuration and functioning of the regulating valves 5 will be explained with reference to figures 2 to 4.

[0033] Therein, figure 2 shows a schematic cross section of a regulating valve 5 of the door actuator 1 according to the present embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] The regulating valve 5 is disposed in the aperture 6 of the housing 2. Further, the housing 2 comprises at least one valve channel 3. The hydraulic actuating mechanism drives or dampens the door during opening and/or closing of the door. During these motions, hydraulic fluid of the hydraulic actuating mechanism flows through the housing 2, in particular through the valve channels 3 of the housing 2.

[0035] As can be taken from figure 2, the regulating valve 5 includes a valve plug 20 which is configured to at least partially seal the valve channel 3. In the shown state of figure 2, the regulating valve 5, which is not fully inserted (compare figures 3a - 3c), does not seal the valve channel 3, thus allowing a flow of hydraulic fluid through said valve channel 3. In the fully inserted state, the regulating valve 5 also seals the aperture 6 such that hydraulic fluid cannot escape therefrom.

[0036] The depth of the regulating valve 5 in the aperture 6 of the housing 2 is set (by an installer or user) in order to configure the damping and/or opening force of the door actuator 1. For example, if the regulating valve 5 is deeper in the aperture 6, the valve plug 20 thereof limits the flow of hydraulic fluid through the valve channel 3 by sealing it at least partially. In this embodiment, this is achieved by a threaded portion 19 of the regulating valve 5. A user or installer can tighten or loosen the regulating valve 5 using a tool such as a screwdriver.

[0037] The regulating valve 5 of the present embodiment further includes a valve stopper element 7 which prevents the regulating valve 5 from falling out of the aperture 6, even when it is loosened. The details of the valve stopper element 7 will be discussed with reference to figures 3a - 3c.

[0038] Figures 3a, 3b, and 3c show schematic detail views of cross sections of the regulating valve 5 of the door actuator 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, figure 3a shows a state in which the regulating valve 5 is starting to be inserted into the aperture 6 of the housing 2. Further, figure 3b shows an advanced state of insertion, and figure 3c shows the fully inserted state of the regulating valve 5 in the aperture 6 of the housing 2. An insertion direction of the regulating valve 5 into the aperture 6 corresponds to an axial direction 11 of the valve stopper element 7. Once fully inserted, the depth of the regulating valve 5 may be set via tightening or loosening the regulating valve 5 in the aperture 6.

[0039] As figure 1 shows, the regulating valve 5, especially the valve stopper element 7 thereof, are circular in top view.

[0040] As can be seen in figure 3a, the valve stopper element 7 of the regulating valve 5 includes two snap-fit portions 9. These snap-fit portions 9 are configured to be elastically deformable (as seen in figure 3b) and to snap into an undercut 8 of the aperture 6.

[0041] For example, the snap-fit portions 9 and the undercut 8 are of a semi-circular shape in top view. That is, the snap-fit portions 9 are formed in at least a portion of a circumferential direction 16, which is in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction 11. The portions of the circumferential direction 16, in which the snap-fit portions 9 are provided, correspond to the portions of the circumferential direction 16, in which the undercut 8 is provided.

[0042] In another example, the snap-fit portions 9 and/or the undercut 8 of the aperture 6 may comprise a full-circle shape. That is, they may be formed along the entire circumferential direction 16 in a top view. In this case, the valve stopper element 7 may include one or more slits in the axial direction 11 which separate the snap-fit portions 9.

[0043] The valve stopper element 7 and the undercut 8 of the aperture 6 are arranged in an end portion of the aperture 6 opposite to the regulating valve 5. In other words, the valve stopper element 7 and the undercut 8 are arranged in an outer portion of the housing 2.

[0044] The snap-fit portions 9 of the present embodiment are snap fingers which comprise, in their outer circumference, a slanted portion 10 that is slanted from the axial direction 11 of the valve stopper element 7.

[0045] As can be taken from figure 3b, when the regulating valve 5 is inserted into the aperture 6, the aperture 6 forces the elastic snap-fit portions 9 to elastically deform in a direction 17 perpendicular to the axial direction 11. More specifically, the bending direction of the snap-fit portions 9 is a vector lying in a plane spanned by the axial direction 11 and the direction 17 perpendicular to the axial direction 11. As a comparison of figures 3a and 3b shows, the top of the snap-fit portions 9 moves in a semi-circular curve towards a center (denoted by the axial direction 11) of the valve stopper element 7.

[0046] When in the fully-inserted state, as shown in figure 3c, the snap-fit portions 9 of the valve stopper element 7 snap into the undercut 8 of the aperture 6. Thereby, when the regulating valve 5 is moved outwards of the aperture 6 in the axial direction 11 (direction upwards in figures 3a - 3c), the snap-fit portions 9 abut against the undercut 8, thereby preventing the regulating valve 5 from falling out of the aperture 6.

[0047] The undercut 8 of this embodiment has substantially the same shape as the valve stopper element 7, especially of the snap-fit portions 9 thereof. In this embodiment, a length 12 of the undercut 8 in axial direction 11 is the same as the length 13 of the valve stopper element 7 in axial direction 11.

[0048] A width of the undercut 8 in the direction 17 perpendicular to the axial direction is larger than the width of the valve stopper element 7, especially of the snap-fit portions 9 thereof, in the direction 17. Thereby, the valve stopper element 7 can loosely fit in the undercut 8 of the aperture 6. This allows for adjustment of the regulating valve 5, since the valve stopper element 7 can be moved in a restricted manner within the undercut 8.

[0049] In a further example of the aforementioned configuration, the length 12 of the undercut 8 may be larger than the length 13 of the valve stopper element 7, especially of the snap-fit portions 9 thereof, in the axial direction 11. With this, it is possible to configure a range of allowable motion in the axial direction for the valve stopper element 7, especially of the regulating valve 5, within the aperture 6 for setting the flow of hydraulic fluid in the valve channel 3.

[0050] Figure 4 shows a schematic detail view of a cross section of a regulating valve 5 of a door actuator 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] As can be taken from figure 4, the valve stopper element 7 of the regulating valve 5 comprises recesses 15 in its upper surface 14. These recesses 15 are configured to receive a tool (not shown) such as for example a pair of plyers or a tweezer tool in order to selectively remove the regulating valve 5 from the aperture 6.

[0052] Thereby, the tool can elastically deform the snap-fit portions 9 in the same manner as when the regulating valve 5 is inserted into the aperture 6, and thereby allow the regulating valve 5 to be removed therefrom.

[0053] The shape of the recess 15 is not limited to the one shown in figure 4. For example, the recess 15 may be hook-shaped or L-shaped, such that the tool can also exert a pulling force in the axial direction 11 thereon, without sliding out of the recess 15.

[0054] In the foregoing embodiments, the regulating valve 5 and the valve stopper element 7 are formed integrally, i.e. they constitute a single element. Further, the regulating valve 5 and the valve stopper element 7 may each or both be formed of metal or plastic, especially of polyoxymethylene and/or polyurethane. Each of the regulating valve 5 and the valve stopper element 7 may be made of the same material, or they may comprise or be formed of different materials and fused together, i.e. via welding or soldering.

[0055] In addition, the regulating valve 5 may be formed, especially integral with the valve stopper element 7, via injection molding.

[0056] Figure 5 shows a schematic drawing of a door unit 100 of the present invention.

[0057] The door unit 100 includes a door 101 and the door actuator 1 according to the embodiments discussed above. The hydraulic actuating mechanism 4 is connected to a rod assembly 102, wherein the rod assembly 102 is further connected to a door frame 103 of the door 101. More specifically, a spindle of the hydraulic actuating mechanism 4 is connected to the rod assembly 102. The spindle is actuated, more specifically rotated, by the actuating mechanism 4.

[0058] By rotating the spindle, the hydraulic actuating mechanism 4 opens or closes the door 101. Further, the hydraulic actuating mechanism 4 of the door actuator 1 dampens the door 101 when it is closed.

[0059] As explained with reference to figures 1 - 4, the door actuator 1 includes at least one, in particular a plurality, of apertures 6 and regulating valves 5 disposed in these apertures 6.

[0060] As shown in figure 5, the door actuator 1 may comprise the apertures 6 and the regulating valves 5 on any one or a plurality of sides of the housing 2 of the door actuator 1. Therefore, the regulating valves 5 may be easily accessed by a user or installer, especially independent of a mounting orientation of the door actuator 1.

List of Reference Numerals

[0061] 

1

door actuator

2

housing

3

valve channel

4

hydraulic actuating mechanism

5

regulating valve

6

aperture

7

valve stopper element

8

undercut

9

snap-fit portion

10

slanted portion

11

axial direction

12

length of the undercut

13

length of the valve stopper element

14

top surface of snap-fit portion

15

recess

16

circumferential direction

17

direction perpendicular to axial direction

18

through hole in housing

19

threaded portion of regulating valve

20

valve plug

100

door unit

101

door

102

rod assembly

103

doorframe

Claims

1. A door actuator (1) for opening and/or closing a door, comprising:

• a housing (2) which is configured to house a hydraulic actuating mechanism (4) for actuating the door and hydraulic fluid of the hydraulic actuating mechanism (4), the housing (2) further comprising a valve channel (3) for the hydraulic fluid and at least one aperture (6) in fluid connection with the valve channel (3); and

• at least one regulating valve (5) for regulating a flow of hydraulic fluid in the valve channel (3), wherein

• the at least one regulating valve (5) is inserted in the at least one aperture (6) and comprises a valve stopper element (7) with at least one snap-fit portion (9) which is configured to snap into an undercut (8) of the aperture (6) upon insertion of the regulating valve (5).

2. Door actuator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the snap-fit portion (9) of the valve stopper element (7) is configured to elastically deform in a direction (17) perpendicular to an axial direction (11) of the valve stopper element (7) upon insertion of the regulating valve (5) into the aperture (6).

3. Door actuator (1) according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the snap-fit portion (9) is a snap finger comprising an outer circumference having, in a fully inserted state of the valve stopper element (7), a slanted portion (10) which is slanted from an axial direction (11) of the valve stopper element (7).

4. Door actuator (1) according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the undercut (8) of the aperture (6) is a groove formed in at least a portion of a circumferential direction (16) of the aperture (6).

5. Door actuator (1) according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein a length (12) of the undercut (8) in an axial direction (11) of the aperture (6) is larger than a length (13) of the valve stopper element (7), especially of the snap-fit portion (9) of the valve stopper element (7), in the axial direction (11) of the valve stopper element (7).

6. Door actuator (1) according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the snap-fit portion (9) comprises, especially in a top surface (14) thereof, a recess (15) configured to receive a tool for elastically deforming the snap-fit portion (9) during insertion and/or removal of the valve stopper element (7) into and/or from the aperture (6).

7. Door actuator (1) according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the valve stopper element (7) and the undercut (8) of the aperture are arranged in an end portion of the aperture (6) opposite to the valve channel (3) of the housing (2).

8. Door actuator (1) according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the valve stopper element (7) comprises two or more and/or five or less snap-fit portions (9).

9. Door actuator (1) according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the valve stopper element (7) is integral with the regulating valve (5).

10. Door actuator (1) according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the regulating valve (5) and/or the valve stopper element (7) are formed of plastic, especially of polyoxymethylene and/or polyurethane.

11. A door unit (100), comprising:

• a door (101); and

• the door actuator (1) according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the hydraulic actuating mechanism (4) is drivingly connected to the door (101) or to a rod assembly (102) connected to a door frame (103) of the door (101) such that an actuation of the hydraulic actuating mechanism (4) opens or closes the door (101).

12. Regulating valve (5) for regulating a flow of hydraulic fluid in a valve channel of a door actuator, preferably a door actuator (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 10,

• wherein the regulating valve (5) is configured to be inserted in an aperture of a housing of the door actuator

• and wherein the regulating valve (5) comprises a valve stopper element (7) with at least one snap-fit portion (9) which is configured to snap into an undercut of the aperture upon insertion of the regulating valve.

13. Regulating valve (5) according to claim 12, wherein the snap-fit portion (9) is a snap finger comprising an outer circumference having a slanted portion (10) which is slanted from an axial direction (11) of the valve stopper element (7).

14. Regulating valve (5) according to any one of claim 12 or 13, wherein the snap-fit portion (9) comprises, especially in a top surface (14) thereof, a recess (15) configured to receive a tool for elastically deforming the snap-fit portion (9) during insertion and/or removal of the valve stopper element (7) into and/or from the aperture.

15. Regulating valve (5) according to any one of the claims 12 to 14, wherein the valve stopper element (7) comprises two or more and/or five or less snap-fit portions (9).

Drawing