(19)
(11) EP 4 123 117 A1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
25.01.2023 Bulletin 2023/04

(21) Application number: 22174414.7

(22) Date of filing: 19.05.2022
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
E06B 9/74(2006.01)
E06B 9/72(2006.01)
 E06B 9/76(2006.01)
E06B 9/80(2006.01)
(52) Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC):
E06B 9/74; E06B 9/76; E06B 9/72; E06B 2009/807
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
Designated Extension States:
BA ME
Designated Validation States:
KH MA MD TN

(30) Priority: 21.07.2021 IT 202100019373

(71) Applicant: Cherubini S.p.A.
25081 Bedizzole (BS) (IT)

(72) Inventor:
  • CHERUBINI, Lionello
    25081 Bedizzole (BS) (IT)

(74) Representative: Pulieri, Gianluca Antonio 
Jacobacci & Partners S.p.A. Piazza della Vittoria, 11
25122 Brescia
25122 Brescia (IT)

   


(54) EMERGENCY OPERATION UNIT FOR SHUTTERS


(57) An emergency operation unit (12) for shutters (2) comprises a pinion (22), a crown (28), and unidirectional slowing and braking means suitable for slowing or stopping the rotation of the crown (28) according to a first direction of rotation (DOWN). The means comprise at least one torsion spring (48;48a,48b), a fixed cylinder (56";56a";56b") onto which the spring (48;48a,48b) is fitted, opening flaps (52") rotatably integral to the crown (28) and arranged between the spring ends (48',48'') to enlarge said spring (48;48a,48b), and closing flaps (54"), rotatably integral to the shutter movement, between which are arranged the spring ends (48',48") to tighten the spring (48;48a,48b) on the fixed cylinder (56";56a";56b"), generating a resistant torque.




Description


[0001] The present invention is in the field of devices for the motorized raising and lowering of rolling awnings, blackout blinds, and shutters.

[0002] One of the most pressing needs in this sector is to equip such devices with an emergency operation unit, i.e., a manually operable unit that, in the event of a breakdown or power failure, allows the shutter to be raised or lowered.

[0003] Typically, the emergency operation unit is equipped with gears that make an irreversible kinematic chain, so that when the shutter is raised, it does not tend to lower itself again. For this purpose, the gear includes a sprocket-worm gear coupling with a high gear ratio (e.g., 17:1), which is irreversible. Unfortunately, this does not facilitate maneuvering operations in lifting; for example, for the case cited above, as many as 17 turns of the maneuvering rod are required for the gear wheel to make one turn. This fact is a major inconvenience, especially in the case of lifting maneuvers under emergency conditions.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to make an emergency operation unit for a motorized actuation device for rolling awnings, blackout blinds, or shutters, which meets the needs of the sector while overcoming the drawbacks mentioned above.

[0005] This object is achieved by an emergency operation unit according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe additional advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0006] The features and advantages of the emergency operation unit according to the present invention will be apparent from the description below, given by way of nonlimiting example in accordance with the figures in the attached drawings, wherein:
  • Fig. 1 shows an apparatus with a rolling shutter;
  • Fig. 2 shows an actuation device of the apparatus in Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is a side view of the actuation device in Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the actuation device in Fig. 3, according to the section line IV-IV in Fig. 3;
  • Fig. 5 and 6 shows an emergency operation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;
  • Fig. 7 shows some components of the emergency operation unit, according to a preferred embodiment;
  • Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the emergency operation unit;
  • Fig. 9 shows a brake casing of the emergency operation unit, according to another embodiment;
  • Fig. 10 shows an emergency operation unit, according to another embodiment of the invention;
  • Fig. 11a and 11b show an emergency operation unit, according to yet another embodiment of the invention;
  • Fig. 12 shows an emergency operation unit, according to another embodiment of the invention.


[0007] With reference to Fig. 1 to 4 in the appended drawings, 1 has been used to denote an apparatus comprising a rolling shutter 2, a box 4 in which the rolling shutter 2 is wound, and a motorized actuation device 6.

[0008] Said actuation device comprises a tubular element 8 that defines a main axis of rotation X, threaded into a winding roller 5 of the rolling shutter 2, on which the rolling shutter 2 winds. The actuation device 6 further comprises an actuation unit 10, which is partially housed in the tubular element 8 and joined to the winding roller 5 of the shutter 2 by means of a fitting 10‴.

[0009] The actuation unit 10 comprises a planetary unit 10', for which the fitting 10‴ constitutes a drive shaft and an electric motor 10" connected to the planetary unit 10' .

[0010] The actuation device 6 further comprises an emergency operation unit 12, which is partially housed in the tubular element 8 and fixed to a side 4" of the box 4.

[0011] Finally, the actuation device 6 comprises an electronic board 14 for the actuation of the electric motor 10", housed in the tubular element 8.

[0012] According to the embodiment of Fig. 5 through 8, the emergency operation unit 12 comprises a fastening casing 16, e.g., made of zamak, provided with a flange 18 for fixing to the side 4" of the box 4; the casing comprises a pinion seat 20, for housing a pinion 22 for engagement with the maneuvering rod 7. For example, the pinion 22 is held in place by a pinion bushing 24.

[0013] Preferably, moreover, the flange 18 is fitted with slots 26 for the angular adjustment of the position of the fixing casing 16, so as to orient the position of the pinion seat 20 as required.

[0014] The emergency operation unit 12 further comprises a crown 28 coaxial to the main axis X, which is housed in a crown seat 29 of the fixing casing 16.

[0015] The crown and pinion are adapted to mesh with each other and form a kinematic transmission of the bevel gear or "face" gear type. For example, the crown and the pinion have a gear ratio of pinion revs/crown revs from 2:1 to 4:1, e.g. equal to 2.6:1 or 3.6:1. Said kinematic transmission is reversible, in that a torque acting on the pinion is transmitted to the crown and causes the rotation thereof, and a torque acting on the crown is transmitted to the pinion and causes the rotation thereof.

[0016] In addition, on the front, the crown 28 has a plurality of backings 30, which are, for example, three in number, coaxial, angularly spaced, projecting axially, and having circumferential extension. For each backing 30, a first end 30' and a second end 30" are identified.

[0017] Between one backing 30 and the next backing 30, a compartment 32 is defined, delimited circumferentially by the first end 30' of the backing 30 and the second end 30" of the next backing 30'.

[0018] In each compartment 32 locking members are housed, such as, for example, a pair of rollers 34, typically made of steel, and, between the rollers of said pair of rollers 34, an elastic compression element 35, for example made of steel or elastomer, is housed.

[0019] Preferably, said compartments 32 are radially delimited externally by a fixed wall 36', e.g., composed of the side wall of a fixed container body 36 coupled at the front to the crown 28.

[0020] A camshaft 38, comprising a cam portion 38' and an extension 38" in the form of a cylindrical tang, is also provided; for example, the camshaft 38 is made in a single piece.

[0021] The cam portion 38', concentric to the main axis X, is fitted with a plurality of radial, angularly spaced ridges 42, between which a cam surface 44 that makes up a cam is located; for example, the cam surface 44 is a region of a cylindrical surface, eccentric to the main axis X.

[0022] Each ridge 42 of the camshaft 38 is housed in a respective backing 30 of the crown 28, between the ends 30', 30" of said backing.

[0023] The locking members 34, 35, i.e., the rollers 34 with the compression element 35, the cam portion 38', and the fixed wall 36', are preferably an example of unidirectional safety locking means of the emergency operation unit, suitable to lock the rotation in one direction of rotation for lowering the shutter, activatable by a predetermined locking torque, greater than a resistant torque discussed below.

[0024] The emergency operation unit 12 further comprises a fixed cylinder 56"; for example, the fixed cylinder 56" is made in one piece with a fixed brake casing 56, which is discussed later.

[0025] In addition, the emergency operation unit 12 comprises at least one torsion spring fitted on the fixed cylinder 56", preferably made of spring steel. Preferably, there are two torsion springs 48a, 48b, fitted on the fixed cylinder 56"; each spring 48a, 48b has a plurality of coils and ends with a first spring end 48' and a second spring end 48".

[0026] In addition, the emergency operation unit 12 comprises an opening exchanger 52 provided with a stem 52', coaxial to the main axis X, which, crossing the cylinder 56", engages with the camshaft 38 (specifically, with the extension 38" of said camshaft 38), and a pair of opening flaps 52", extending axially, from the same side as the stem 52', arranged radially outside the stem 52', in diametrically opposite positions.

[0027] The emergency operation unit 12 further comprises a closing exchanger 54, equipped with a closing tang 54', coaxial to the main axis X, and a pair of closing flaps 54", extending axially, on the side opposite to the closing tang 54', arranged radially externally with respect to the closing tang 54'.

[0028] The camshaft 38 is rotatably integral with the closing exchanger 52; for example, the stem 52' is inserted into the extension 38" with anti-rotation shape coupling. The closing exchanger 54 is superimposed on the opening exchanger 52 so that the opening flaps 52" are on the same side as the closing flaps 54", arranged angularly in an alternating way.

[0029] The opening flaps 52" are arranged with respect to the spring ends 48', 48" so that, when the direction of rotation for lifting the shutter is defined, at least one of said opening flaps 52" engages at least one respective spring end 48', 48" when it rotates according to the direction of rotation for lifting, so as to open the coils. The closing flaps 54" are arranged with respect to the spring ends 48', 48", so that at least one of said closing flaps 54" engages at least one respective spring end 48', 48" when it rotates according to a first direction of rotation (DOWN) corresponding to a lowering of the shutters, so as to close the coils, tightening them on the cylinder 56".

[0030] Specifically, the two spring ends 48', 48'' are placed between the two closing flaps 54" so that by bringing the spring ends 48', 48" closer, the spring tightens; between the two spring ends 48', 48" an opening flap 52" is placed, so that by moving the spring ends away, the spring widens; the other opening flap 52" is then placed between the two closing flaps 54".

[0031] Finally, the emergency operation unit 12 comprises a drive shaft 50, rotatably integral to the closing exchanger 54 as it is inserted into the closing tang 54', and a sleeve 60, integral to the drive shaft 50 and fixed to the tubular element 8.

[0032] The spring 48a, 48b, the fixed cylinder 56" on which the spring is fitted, the opening flaps 52" and the closing flaps 54'' are preferably an example of unidirectional slowing and braking means suitable for slowing or stopping the rotation in the first direction of rotation (DOWN), activatable by a pulling torque.

[0033] The springs 48a, 48b are sized, with special reference to the inner diameter of the coils, so as to obtain a predefined interference with the cylinder 56", e.g., according to the outer diameter of said cylinder 56".

[0034] Finally, the emergency operation unit 12 comprises a fixed brake casing 56, equipped with a cup 56', within which the fixed cylinder 56", the springs 48a, 48b, the opening exchanger 52, and the closing exchanger 54 are housed. The brake casing 56 is attached to the fixing casing 16.

[0035] During an emergency maneuver to lower the shutter, the manual actuation by means of the maneuvering rod 7 allows the shutter to descend; however, sometimes the shutter, due to its own weight, tends to descend faster than the speed at which the maneuvering rod 7 is rotated. This would result in a jerking descent of the shutter, that is, a lowering with a succession of abrupt descents and sudden blockages.

[0036] According to one aspect of the invention, however, the means of unidirectional slowing and braking allow for a smoother lowering of the shutter because, when the closing exchanger 54 rotates in the direction of rotation for lowering, the closing flaps 54" tend to tighten the coils of the springs 48a, 48b, which tighten on the fixed cylinder 56", slowing the rotation of the tubular element 8.

[0037] According to another aspect of the invention, in a rest configuration in which the shutter is raised, a torque due to the weight of the shutter is placed on the tubular element 8, which would tend to rotate the tubular element 8 in the first direction of rotation (DOWN). In this circumstance, the closing exchanger 54 tightens the springs 48a, 48b, which are sized to tighten on the fixed cylinder 56" so as to obtain enough braking torque by friction to stop the shutter in the suspended position.

[0038] The springs 48a, 48b, interacting with the fixed cylinder 56", generate a resistant torque. If the pulling torque exceeds the resistant torque, the excess torque activates the unidirectional safety locking means, which provide for locking the descent of the shutter. This occurs, for example, by breaking one of the springs.

[0039] According to yet another aspect of the invention, during an emergency operation for raising the shutter (second direction of rotation (UP) of the crown), the opening exchanger 52 rotates in the second direction of rotation (UP), and the opening flaps 52" tend to widen the coils of the springs 48a, 48b, releasing the clamping.

[0040] According to yet another aspect of the invention, in the event of breakage of one or both of the springs 48a, 48b, enough locking torque is transmitted to the camshaft 38 to drive the locking bodies 34, 35 to wedge between the cam surfaces 44 and the fixed wall 36', thus blocking the abrupt rotation for lowering the shutter.

[0041] In such a circumstance, it is still possible to perform an emergency operation to raise the shutter, as, when the crown 28 rotates in the second direction of rotation (UP), the backings 30 release the locking bodies 34, 35.

[0042] According to another embodiment (Fig. 9), a fixed cylinder 56a", on which the spring(s) 48a, 48b is fitted, is made by co-molding with the brake casing 56, preferably in a material different from the remaining part of the brake casing 56.

[0043] According to another embodiment of the invention (Fig. 10), the emergency operation unit 12, preferably comprising a single spring 48, includes unidirectional slowing means suitable to slow the rotation in a first direction of rotation (DOWN), activatable by a pulling torque, without stopping said rotation.

[0044] In other words, the spring 48 is sized to obtain a predefined interference with the fixed cylinder, such that it slows down a rotation in the first direction of rotation (DOWN), without stopping it.

[0045] At the same time, according to this embodiment, the locking bodies 34, 35, i.e., the rollers 34 with the compression element 35, the cam portion 38', and the fixed wall 36' are an example of unidirectional braking means of the emergency operation unit, suitable for stopping the rotation in the first direction of rotation (DOWN), activatable by a predefined braking torque.

[0046] According to yet another embodiment (Fig. 11a and 11b), the emergency operation unit 12 lacks the camshaft, locking bodies, and fixed wall. In such an embodiment, the spring(s) 48a, 48b, the fixed cylinder 56b", the opening flaps 52", and closing flaps 54" are said unidirectional means of slowing down and braking.

[0047] For example, the fixed cylinder 56b" is part of the fixing casing 16, e.g. made in one piece or by co-molding with the flange 18, made of a different material from the flange material.

[0048] For example, the opening exchanger 52 lacks the stem 52' and is made rotatably integral to the crown 28, for example, via a shape fitting.

[0049] According to yet another embodiment (Fig. 12), the emergency operation unit 12 lacks the camshaft, locking bodies, and fixed wall. In such an embodiment, only one spring 48 is provided. Said spring 48, the fixed cylinder 56b", the opening flaps 52" and the closing flaps 54" are said unidirectional means for slowing down and braking.

[0050] For example, the emergency operation unit lacks the opening exchanger, and the opening flaps 52" are part of the crown 28.

[0051] Innovatively, the emergency operation unit according to the present invention satisfies the needs of the industry and overcomes the drawbacks mentioned above.

[0052] In particular, the emergency operation unit allows the shutter to be raised or lowered manually in a short time.

[0053] At the same time, advantageously, the emergency operation unit according to the present invention prevents the shutter from encountering unwanted lowering from a resting configuration in which it is raised.

[0054] Advantageously, moreover, the emergency operation unit according to the present invention allows the shutter to be lowered manually in a smooth and continuous manner.

[0055] According to another advantageous aspect, the emergency operation unit according to the present invention is reliable and shows remarkable fatigue strength even after many manual lifting and lowering cycles.

[0056] It is clear that those skilled in the art may make changes to the emergency operation device described above in order to satisfy incidental needs, all falling within the scope of protection defined in the following claims.


Claims

1. An emergency operation unit (12) for a motorized actuation device (6) for shutters (2), comprising:

A) a manually rotatable pinion (22) and a crown (28), which meshes with the pinion (22), having a main rotation axis (X), wherein the pinion (22) and the crown (28) make a reversible kinematic transmission and wherein a rotation of the crown (28) in a first rotation direction (DOWN) corresponds to a lowering of the shutter and a rotation of the crown (28) in a second rotation direction (UP) corresponds to a lifting of the shutter;

B) unidirectional slowing and braking means adapted to slow or stop the rotation of the crown (28) according to the first rotation direction (DOWN), activatable by a pulling torque transmitted from the shutter to the emergency operation unit, comprising:

a) at least one torsion spring (48;48a,48b) provided with spring ends (48',48");

b) one fixed cylinder (56";56a";56b") onto which said at least one spring (48;48a,48b) is fitted;

c) opening flaps (52") rotatably integral with the crown (28) and arranged between the spring ends (48',48") to extend said at least one spring (48;48a,48b);

d) closing flaps (54"), rotatably integral on moving the shutter, among which said spring ends (48',48") are arranged for tightening said at least one spring (48;48a,48b) on the fixed cylinder (56";56a";56b") generating a resistant torque.


 
2. An emergency operation unit according to claim 1, further comprising
C) unidirectional safety locking means adapted to lock the rotation of the crown (28) in the first rotation direction (DOWN), activatable by a locking torque exceeding the resistant torque generated by the slowing and braking means.
 
3. An emergency operation unit according to claim 2, wherein the unidirectional safety locking means comprise a cam portion (38') rotatably integral with the opening flaps (52"), provided with at least one cam surface (44), a fixed wall (36'), at least one backing (30) integral with the crown (28), and locking bodies (34,35), said unidirectional safety locking means being configured to cause the locking bodies to wedge between the cam surface and the fixed wall, under the action of the backing (30).
 
4. An emergency operation unit according to claim 3, wherein the locking bodies (34,35) comprise a pair of rollers (34) and an elastic compression element (35) placed between said rollers (34).
 
5. An emergency operation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the crown (28) and the pinion (22) make a bevel gear or "face" gears.
 
6. An emergency operation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the crown and the pinion have a pinion revs / crown revs gear ratio from 2:1 to 4:1, e.g. equal to 2.6:1 or 3.6:1.
 
7. An emergency operation unit (12) for a motorized actuation device (6) for shutters (2), comprising:

A) a manually rotatable pinion (22) and a crown (28), which meshes with the pinion (22), having a main rotation axis (X), wherein the pinion (22) and the crown (28) make a reversible kinematic transmission and wherein a rotation of the crown (28) in a first rotation direction (DOWN) corresponds to a lowering of the shutter and a rotation of the crown (28) in a second rotation direction (UP) corresponds to a lifting of the shutter;

B) unidirectional slowing means adapted to slow the rotation of the crown (28) according to the first rotation direction (DOWN), activatable by a pulling torque transmitted from the shutter to the emergency operation unit, comprising:

a) at least one torsion spring (48;48a,48b) provided with spring ends (48',48");

b) one fixed cylinder (56";56a";56b") onto which said at least one spring (48;48a,48b) is fitted;

c) opening flaps (52") rotatably integral with the crown (28) and arranged between the spring ends (48',48") to extend said at least one spring (48;48a,48b);

d) closing flaps (54"), rotatably integral on moving the shutter, among which said spring ends (48',48") are arranged for tightening said at least one spring (48;48a,48b) on the fixed cylinder (56";56a";56b") generating a resistant torque;

C) unidirectional braking means adapted to stop the rotation in the rotation direction for the lowering of the shutter, activatable by a predefined braking torque exceeding the resistant torque generated by the pulling means.


 
8. An emergency operation unit according to claim 7, wherein the unidirectional braking means comprise a cam portion (38') rotatably integral with the opening flaps (52''), provided with at least one cam surface (44), a fixed wall (36'), at least one backing (30) integral with the crown (28), and locking bodies (34,35), said unidirectional braking means being configured to cause the locking bodies to wedge between the cam surface and the fixed wall, under the action of the backing (30).
 




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