[0001] This design patent application concerns an electric gearmotor for metal rolling gates
counter-weighed by springs, equipped with a mechanical irreversibility device fitted
between the gearmotor and the motor.
[0002] More precisely said irreversibility mechanism is fitted at one end of the driving
shaft which performs a short axial stroke thanks to which it is possible to move away
and uncouple the mechanism from the gearmotor.
[0003] As mentioned above, the gearmotor in question is mounted above all on rolling gates
counter-weighed by springs which, as such, may also be lifted manually in that the
weight of the rolling gate is balanced by a series of springs which wind during the
downward stroke of the gate and unwind during the upward stroke.
[0004] In this type of compensated rolling gates customers often request an irreversible
gearmotor for two main reasons: first and foremost the irreversibility of the gearmotor
ensures the stable and automatic stop of the rolling gate in any position and opening
stage, even if the design or calibration of the compensation springs is not perfect.
[0005] Secondly, the irreversibility of the gearmotor prevents the rolling gate from being
lifted manually by burglars when lowered; in this sense the irreversibility of the
gearmotor offers further security against burglary attempts with respect to the locks
or keys generally used on compensated rolling gates.
[0006] In current gearmotors for compensated rolling gates the irreversibility of the movement
is ensured by an electric brake mounted on the driving shaft opposite to that of the
gearmotor.
[0007] The start-up of the motor entails the automatic deactivation, even if not instantaneous,
of the electric brake, which is operated by a spring and automatically and instantaneously
stops the driving shaft as soon as the electric supply is cut off.
[0008] These gearmotors are always fitted with a device for the manual release of the electric
brake, for emergency situations, when it is necessary to lift or lower the rolling
gate even in the case of temporary power failure of the electric plant or the mains.
[0009] Said manual release device is generally operated by pulling a metal cable attached
to the electric brake.
[0010] The purpose of this invention is to design a new gearmotor model for metal rolling
gates, counter-weighed by springs, whose movement irreversibility is provided by a
completely mechanical device in which the emergency cable that excludes said device
is attached to one end of the driving shaft.
[0011] The use of said mechanical irreversibility device offers two main advantages: the
first is an economical saving in that the mechanical device is less expensive than
the above electric brake; the second is an operating advantage in that said device
can instantaneously stop the driving shaft in the case of a power failure, contrary
to the electric brake whose action is not instantaneous.
[0012] The gearmotor according to the invention uses a mechanical irreversibility device
which is commonly known which permits the drive of the rotary motion only if said
motion is introduced on one of the two elements of the drive which is on the other
hand prevented in the reverse direction. Said irreversibility device is mounted at
the end of the driving shaft immediately in front of the gearmotor which is connected
to the irreversibility device by a mobile front connecting coupling.
[0013] The driving shaft is supported so as to perform a backward axial stroke in order
to release the irreversibility device from the gearmotor, in case of emergency in
order to allow the manual movement of the rolling gate.
[0014] The backward stroke of the driving shaft can be activated by a special emergency
cable attached to the driving shaft on the opposite end with respect to the end on
which the irreversibility device is mounted.
[0015] In order to move the driving shaft backwards, it is necessary to overcome the antagonist
force of the spring designed to push the irreversibility device against the gearmotor
so as to activate and stabilise the front connection between these two components
thus indirectly ensuring irreversibility of the motion until such time as the emergency
cable is pulled.
[0016] For major clarify the description of the invention continues with reference to the
enclosed drawings which are intended for purposes of illustration and not in a limiting
sense whereby:
- fig. 1 is an exploded axonometric view of a section of the gearmotor according to
the invention;
- fig. 2 is a cross-section on an axial plane of the gearmotor according to the invention
whereby the irreversibility device and the gearmotor are shown in engaged position;
- fig. 3 is a cross-section on an axial plane of the gearmotor according to the invention
whereby the irreversibility device and the gearmotor are shown in disengaged position.
[0017] With reference to the above drawings the gearmotor according to the invention consists
of a conventional electric motor (1) and a gearmotor (2) between which is fitted an
irreversibility device (3) consisting of two elements (3a and 3b) coupled so as to
allow transmission of the motion only in one direction.
[0018] In the case in question, transmission is possible only if the motion is introduced
on the element (3a) keyed at one end of the shaft (1a) of the motor (1).
[0019] The other element (3b) of this device (3) is provided with teeth (3c) which permit
a front connection type coupling between the device (3) and the gearmotor (2). The
shaft (1a) of the motor (1) ) is supported so as to perform a short axial stroke (d)
which makes it possible to engage and disengage the device (3) and the gearmotor (2)
which are coupled by means of a spring (4) fitted on the shaft (1a) and pressing against
the element (3a) keyed on the shaft in order to push and keep the device (3) pressed
against the gearmotor (2). A fork bracket (5), sliding within a housing (6) and fixed
to the motor (1) casing, is hooked at the end of the shaft (1a) opposite to the end
on which the device (3) is keyed.
[0020] The emergency cable (7) is in turn attached to said bracket (5); it being provided
that by pulling the cable (7) it is possible to slide back the shaft (1a) in order
to disengage the device (3) from the gearmotor (2). Naturally said cable (7) should
be pulled with enough force to overcome the resistance of the spring (4) which presses
against the above element (3a) - belonging to the irreversibility device (3) - keyed
on shaft (1a).
1. An electric gearmotor for metal rolling gates of the type consisting of a conventional
electric motor (1) and a gearmotor (2) characterised by:
- a conventional irreversibility device (3) consisting of two elements (3a and 3b)
coupled so as to allow transmission of motion only from the driving shaft (1a) to
the gearmotor (2) which is connected to the device (3) a mobile front connecting coupling;
- a driving shaft (1a) supported so as to perform a short axial stroke (d) which makes
it possible to engage and disengage the device (3) and the gearmotor (2) which are
normally engaged by means of a spring (4) fitted on the shaft (1a) and pressing against
the element (3a) keyed on the shaft (1a);
- a fork bracket (5) hooked at the end of the shaft (1a) opposite to the end on which
the device (3) is keyed and sliding in a housing (6) fixed to the casing of the motor
(1);
- an emergency cable (7) in turn attached to said bracket (5).