Backplate for a door actuator

AU2021202040B2Pending Publication Date: 2026-08-06DORMAKABA DEUT GMBH
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
AU · AU
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
DORMAKABA DEUT GMBH
Filing Date
2021-04-01
Publication Date
2026-08-06

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Fire-rated door actuators using combustible fluids face the risk of overheating and potential ignition, as existing mounting solutions do not adequately address safety requirements, especially in fire scenarios.

Method used

A backplate with a connecting assembly that separates under thermal load, detaching the door actuator from the mounting surface, featuring a trigger element that activates at 90 °C to 200 °C to release the bar element, allowing the door actuator to detach and prevent fluid ignition, utilizing thermally intumescent materials and a compensating spring for controlled movement.

Benefits of technology

Effectively prevents the door actuator from overheating and igniting by detaching it from the mounting surface upon thermal activation, ensuring safety in fire conditions while maintaining a compact and conventional appearance.

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Abstract

- 26 Abstract The invention relates to a backplate (1) for a door actuator (102), comprising a first mounting element (3) and a second mounting element (4), one of the two mounting 5 elements (3) being formed for fastening to a mounting surface (101), in particular door, casing or wall, and the other mounting element (4) for accommodating the door actuator (102), at least one connecting assembly (5) with a bar element (14) mobile disposed at the first mounting 10 element (3) and a thermally activatable trigger element (15), wherein the bar element (14) is movable from a retaining position to a release position, wherein, in the retaining position, the bar element (14) retains the second mounting element (4) and, in the release position, releases is the second mounting element (4), and wherein, when thermally activated, the trigger element (15) releases a movement of the bar element (14) to the release position and / or, when thermally activated, the trigger element (15) moves the bar element (14) to the release position. 20 (Fig. 1) - 26- 2021202040 01 Apr 2021 20 21 20 20 40 0 1 A pr 2 02 1 1 8 0) 1 / 7 3 D 2 100 Fig. 1 2021202040 01 Apr 2021
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Description

ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title Backplate for a door actuator following statement is a full description of this invention, including the me of performing it known to me / us:- Description The invention relates to a backplate for a door actuator. Door actuators are used for closing and / or opening doors. In particular, door closers and door drives are designated as door actuators. Generally, in a door closer, the manual opening movement charges a spring accumulator. In this case, the stored energy is used for closing the door. For example, in the door drive, electro-mechanics or hydraulics allow for automatically open and / or close the door. Usually, door actuators are fastened to the door leaf or the casing, respectively the wall. Most of the time, mounting plates are used for fastening the door actuator. The mounting plate is fastened to the mounting surface thereof, namely the door, casing or wall. In turn the door actuator is fastened to the mounting plate. In particular, with fire-rated doors, it should be noted that often combustible fluids, in particular hydraulic oils, are used in the door actuators. In the event of a fire, as much as possible, suitable measures should allow for preventing the fluid in the door actuator from heating up too much and potentially from igniting. It is the object of the present invention to indicate a backplate for a door actuator, which fulfils dependable fastening of the door actuator and simultaneously safety relevant requirements, in particular in the event of a fire. The object is achieved with the features of the independent claim. Advantageous further configurations of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims. The invention describes a backplate, which is used instead of a conventional mounting plate for fastening the door actuator. The backplate includes a first mounting element and at least one second mounting element. The mounting elements are connected to each other via at least one connecting assembly. Under corresponding thermal load, the connecting assembly detaches so that the two mounting elements separate from each other. Thereby, the door actuator detaches from the mounting surface, namely the door, casing or wall. In particular in this case, it is assumed that the door actuator is located on the side of the door facing away from the fire. The door actuator detaching from the mounting surface thereof, prevents the door actuator from heating up too much, whereby the fluids in the door actuator are prevented from igniting. For describing directions, a mounting axis is defined at the backplate. The mounting axis is parallel to the screws, for example, which are used for screwing the backplate to the mounting surface. According to an alternative definition, the mounting axis is vertical to the output axis of the door actuator. According to another alternative definition, the mounting axis is vertical to the mounting surface, namely vertical to the surface of the door, casing or wall. As already described, the backplate comprises a first mounting element and at least one second mounting element. According to a herein described exemplary embodiment, the two mounting elements are plates, respectively plate-shaped elements, which rest against each other for forming the backplate. However, according to a second exemplary embodiment, several second mounting elements are used, in particular in the form of bushings, which are inserted in the first mounting element. For the sake of clarity, most of the time the second mounting element is described in singular; however, in this case, it is always disclosed that several second mounting elements having the corresponding embodiment can be used. In particular, it is provided the first mounting element with the rear surface thereof is fastened, in particular screwed, to the mounting surface. A door, casing or wall forms said mounting surface. Accordingly, the second mounting element is connected to the door actuator. In particular, the second mounting element has a front surface, to which the door actuator is fastened, in particular screwed. Preferably, the second mounting element is a self-contained component, to which the door actuator is fastened. However, as an alternative, the second mounting element can be an integral component of the door actuator. Furthermore, the inverse configuration is possible, whereby the first mounting element is formed for accommodating the door actuator and the second mounting element is fastened to the mounting surface. The backplate comprises at least one connecting assembly. In particular, one, two, three, four or five such connecting assemblies are provided. The individual connecting assembly comprises at least one bar element. The bar element is disposed mobile at the first mounting element. In particular, the bar element is disposed linearly mobile with regard to the first mounting element. The first mounting element is formed in particular as a plate, and accordingly includes a plate plane, which is vertical to the mounting axis. With the intention to achieve an as thin as possible a structure of the backplate, in particular it is provided that the bar element moves parallel to the plate plane and thus vertically to the mounting axis. Furthermore, the connecting assembly comprises at least one trigger element. The trigger element is thermally activatable, in particular in a temperature range of 90 °C to 200 °C. “Activating the trigger element” means the same as “triggering the trigger element’. For example, the trigger element is a glass vial filled with fluid, such as known in sprinkler systems, for example. The trigger element is formed so as to trigger at a corresponding temperature, which is appropriate for preventing the door actuator from uncontrolled leaking the fluid. The bar element is movable from the retaining position thereof to a release position. In the basic condition, namely when the trigger element has not been triggered, the bar element is in the retaining position thereof and, in this case, retains the second mounting element. If several second mounting elements are provided, in particular bushings, a bar element can retain even several second mounting elements. In the release position, the bar element releases the second mounting element, so that the two mounting elements (first and second mounting elements) can detach from each other. Thereby, the door actuator detaches from the mounting surface, namely the door, casing or wall. When thermally activated, the trigger element is formed for releasing the movement of the bar element to the release position thereof. In this case in particular, it is provided the trigger element just releases said movement and does not exert any force on the bar element for moving the same. Once the trigger element released the bar element, the same can be moved to the release position thereof under the load of gravity and / or by a so-called “drive element”. However, in an alternative embodiment, it is also possible, when thermally activated, the trigger element moves the bar element to the release position. This is in particular possible in that the trigger element comprises thermally intumescent material. Upon corresponding heating, said thermally intumescent material expands. Said expanding material can be used for moving the bar element in the desired direction. In this configuration, the bar element is blocked in the retaining position thereof, preferably via a mechanical blocking element. Said mechanical blocking element is detachable such as to detach, when, upon thermal activation, the trigger element moves, in particular pushes the bar element to the release position. For being detachable, in particular, the blocking element can be deformable and / or destructible and / or otherwise detachable under traction or pressure. However, particularly preferred and further described is the variant, in which the trigger element just releases the bar element and the movement of the bar element is realized otherwise, in particular under the load of gravity and / or by the drive element. In a preferred embodiment, it is provided, that the trigger element is disposed, in particular clamped between bar element and first mounting element, in order to block a movement of the bar element to the release position. For this purpose, it is in particular provided the trigger element is destructible and / or deformable and / or meltable under thermal load. An exemplary configuration for the trigger element is the above-described glass vial. Another example is a meltable alloy or a corresponding meltable, respectively thermally deformable plastic material. Preferably, the trigger element is clamped between first mounting element and bar element by a compensating spring. Said compensating spring avoids too strong a clamping, respectively unwanted destruction of the trigger element. Preferably, a screw is provided, by means of which the trigger element can be tightened against the compensating spring. Preferably, the bar element is seated in a recess of the first mounting element. Preferably, at least in sections, the recess is formed as a pocket for receiving the bar element and thus is closed on one of the two sides, which are vertical to the mounting axis. Preferably, in the retaining position thereof, the bar element and the second mounting element engage positively in each other. When configuring the second mounting element as a plate, preferably it is provided the second mounting element includes a plate body, from which extends at least one form closure element in the direction of the mounting surface. Preferably, said form closure element is seated in a corresponding recess of the first mounting elements formed as a plate. Preferably, in the retaining position, the bar element engages in the associated form closure element. When using several second mounting elements, for example formed as bushings, preferably, it is provided the second mounting elements include a groove at the outer circumference thereof. A fork-shaped section of the bar element can engage in said groove so that the second mounting element is secured against falling out. Furthermore, the outer circumference can be non-round in the groove, in particular include a polygon, so that the fork- shaped section of the bar element also secures the bushing against rotation. In a preferred embodiment, it is provided the connecting assembly comprises the already mentioned drive element. In particular said drive element comprises a thermally intumescent material and / or a spring. The drive element is formed for moving the bar element to the release position. Thus, the drive element moves the bar element in particular in a direction vertical to the mounting axis. As soon as the trigger element has triggered, the bar element ceases to be blocked. Thereby, the drive element can move the bar element to the release position, be it by the thermally intumescent material and / or a spring. Preferably, the drive element is seated in a recess of the first mounting element and / or in a recess of the second mounting element. In order to employ an as large as possible a drive element, in particular with thermally intumescent material, preferably, it is provided the two recesses in the two mounting elements are aligned with each other so that the drive element can be disposed in both mounting elements formed as plates. In this case, preferably, it is then also provided the bar element extends into the recess of the second mounting element so that the drive element is able to act on the bar element via an as large as possible a surface. Furthermore preferably, a detaching element is provided. The detaching element can likewise comprise thermally intumescent material and / or a spring. The detaching element is disposed to push the two mounting elements away from each other. Essentially, the detaching element performs a movement parallel to the mounting axis. In this case, the detaching element can directly act on the two mounting elements and push them apart. However, it is also possible the detaching element props up on the backside directly against the mounting surface. In the same manner, the detaching element can prop up on the front side directly against the door actuator. One essential function of the detaching element, after the movement of the bar element, is to have the door actuator move away from the mounting surface. Preferably, for a compact structure, it is provided the detaching element is located in a recess of the first mounting element and / or in a recess of the second mounting element. Furthermore preferably, it is provided to use thermally intumescent material for the detaching element, which triggers only at a higher temperature than the thermally intumescent material, which is used in the drive element. As already described, preferably, it is provided the first mounting element is formed as a plate. In a preferred embodiment, also the second mounting element is formed as a plate. The two plates have respectively one inner surface, which rest against each other. The first mounting element forms a rear surface, which comes to rest at the mounting surface, in particular the door, casing or wall. The second mounting element forms a front surface, to which the door actuator is fastened. As an alternative to the configuration of the second mounting element as a plate, preferably, it is provided to provide several second mounting elements. Preferably, said several second mounting elements are formed respectively as a bushing. Preferably, the bushings have a female thread. The door actuator can be screwed to the second mounting elements via said female thread. As an alternative to the configuration as a bushing, the second mounting elements can be formed as threaded pins for example, which protrude from the first mounting element. The backplate, independently of the second mounting element being formed as a plate or not, preferably has a thickness of maximum 60 mm, in particular maximum 40 mm. Said relatively thin configuration results in an appearance just like a normal mounting plate. In particular, the thickness is measured from the rear surface to the front surface. Potential positioning extensions or other elements, on which the door actuators are fitted, remain disregarded. Furthermore, the invention comprises an assembly, comprising the described backplate and a door actuator. In this case, the door actuator is fastened to the second mounting element, respectively to several second mounting elements. Preferably, the backplate is fastened to a mounting surface, in particular door, casing or wall. The invention is now described in more detail based on exemplary embodiments. In this case, it shows: Figure 1 an inventive assembly with inventive backplate according to a first exemplary embodiment, Figure 2 a rear surface of the inventive backplate according to the first exemplary embodiment, Figure 3 an inner surface of the second mounting element of the inventive backplate according to the first exemplary embodiment, Figure 4 an inner surface of the first mounting element of the inventive backplate according to the first exemplary embodiment, Figure 5 the section A - A identified in Figure 2, Figure 6 the section B - B identified in Figure 2, Figure 7 a diagrammatic view of the inventive backplate according to a first exemplary embodiment when the door actuator detaches, Figure 8 a rear surface of an inventive backplate according to a second exemplary embodiment, Figure 9 the section C - C identified in Figure 8, Figure 10 another sectional view of the inventive backplate according to the second exemplary embodiment, Figure 11 the section D - D identified in Figure 8, Figure 12 a first variant to the second exemplary embodiment, Figure 13 a second variant to the second exemplary embodiment. In the following, an assembly 100 and a backplate 1 are described in detail based on the Figures. Figures 1 to 7 show the configuration according to a first exemplary embodiment. Figures 8 to 13 show a second exemplary embodiment of the backplate 1. For describing the first exemplary embodiment, reference is made to the Figures 1 to 7. Figure 1 shows purely diagrammatically a mounting surface 101 of the assembly 100. A door, casing or wall forms said mounting surface 101, for example. A mounting axis 2 is defined vertically to the mounting surface 101. The backplate 1 is fastened to the mounting surface 101. The door actuator 102 is mounted in turn on the backplate 1. The door actuator 102, herein formed as a door closer, includes an output axis 103. The output axis 103 is vertical to the mounting axis 2. The mounting axis 2 is vertical to the mounting surface 101. The backplate 1 comprises a first mounting element 3 and a second mounting element 4. With the rear surface 6 thereof, the first mounting element 3 rests at the mounting surface 101. The two inner surfaces 7 of the two mounting elements 3, 4 rest against each other. The front surface 8 of the second mounting element 4 serves for accommodating the door actuator 102. Figure 2 shows the rear surface 6 of the backplate 1. Figure 3 shows the inner surface 7 of the second mounting element 4. Figure 4 shows the inner surface 7 of the first mounting element 3. Figure 5 shows the section A-A identified in Figure 2, and Figure 6 shows the section B-B identified in Figure 2. Figure 7 shows a diagrammatic view of the backplate 1 when the door actuator 102 detaches. The two mounting elements 3, 4 are respectively plate- shaped formed and are vertical to the mounting axis 2. The two mounting elements 3, 4 are connected to each other via three connecting assemblies 5. The second mounting element 4 includes a plate body 9, for example according to the illustration in Figure 3. Several form closure elements 10 extend from said plate body 9 in the direction of the first mounting element 3. Furthermore, the plate body 9 includes first recesses 11. Said first recesses 11 are passage recesses. Furthermore, the plate body 9 includes several second recesses 12, formed as pockets. At the inner surface 7, the second recesses 12 are open. The plate body 9 of the second mounting element 4 and the first mounting element 3 comprise several mounting openings 13. Said mounting openings 13 are passage recesses, in particular through-holes, which extend aligned through both mounting elements 3, 4. In particular, when installing the backplate, the two mounting elements 3, 4 are already connected to each other. The screws for fastening to the mounting surface 101 are placed from the front side 8 through both mounting elements 3, 4. The mounting openings 13 in the second mounting element 4 are correspondingly large and are used as tool openings, so as to be able to fasten just the first mounting element 3 to the mounting surface 101 with the screws. The individual connecting assembly 5 comprises respectively one bar element 14. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the single bar element 14 is formed U- shaped. The bar element 14 is located in a third recess 13 in the plate-shaped first mounting element 3. In said third recess 18, the bar element 14 is linearly mobile vertically to the mounting surface 2. For example, Figure 2 shows the bar elements 14 in the retaining position thereof. In this case, the bar elements 14 positively engage in the form closure elements 10 of the second mounting element 4. One trigger element 15 is provided in each connecting assembly 5. Herein, said trigger element 15 is formed as a glass vial. The trigger element 15 retains the associated bar element 14 in the upper retaining position. Furthermore, per connecting assembly 5, one drive element 16 is located in the third recess 18. The respective drive element 16 is disposed between bar element 14 and first mounting element 3. Herein, the drive element 16 is formed from thermally intumescent material. As for example the sectional view in Figure 6 shows, in the first mounting element 3, the third recess 18 continues in the first recess 11 in the second mounting element 4. Thereby, the bar element 14 and the drive element 16 can extend into both recesses 18, 11. Likewise, the sectional view in Figure 6 shows that the trigger element 15 is tensioned with a set screw 19 against a compensating spring 20. Thereby, the trigger element 15 is clamped between bar element 15 and first mounting element 3. A detaching element 17 (see Figure 4), herein likewise formed as thermally intumescent material, is located in the second recess 12 of the second mounting element 4. The trigger element 15 is destroyed at corresponding thermal load. Furthermore, the drive element 16 expands under the thermal effect and thereby presses the bar element 14 downwards. The form closure ceases between the two mounting elements 3, 4. As diagrammatically clarified in Figure 7, in the next step, the detaching element 17 expands and thereby pushes the two mounting elements 3, 4 apart in the direction parallel to the mounting axis 2. Thereby, the door actuator 102 detaches from the mounting surface 101. Figure 8 shows the rear surface 6 of the backplate 1 for the second exemplary embodiment. Figure 9 shows the section C-C identified in Figure 8. Figure 10 is a further sectional view to a section parallel to the drawing plane of Figure 8. Figure 11 shows the section D-D identified in Figure 8. Figures 12 and 13 show variants of the second exemplary embodiment. In the second exemplary embodiment, the bar elements 14 are not moved from top to bottom, but in horizontal direction. For this purpose, Figure 8 shows the rear surface 6 of the backplate 1. The retaining elements 14 are located in the retaining position. The second mounting element 4 is not formed as a plate. Rather herein, several second mounting elements 4 are used, in this example six. The individual second mounting elements 4 are formed as bushings with female thread 30. Said bushings are fitted in the plate-shaped first mounting element 3. In the illustration according to Figure 8, the upper right second mounting element 4 is masked. The second mounting elements 4, formed as bushings, have a groove, preferably with non-round cross-section. Said area serves as the form closure element 10. Corresponding fork-shaped areas of the bar elements 14 engage in said form closure elements 10. Thereby, the second mounting elements 4 are secured against rotation and against falling out. The door actuator 102 is directly connected, in particular screwed to the bushing-shaped second mounting elements 4, or via a further plate-shaped element. When the second mounting elements 4 detach from the first mounting element 3, the door actuator 102 also falls off. As for example Figure 10 clarifies, in the second exemplary embodiment as well, the trigger element 15 props up between bar element 14 and first mounting element 3. For this purpose, again a set screw 19 is provided, which allows for tensioning the trigger element 15 against a compensating spring 20. Again the drive element 16 is made from thermally intumescent material and, at corresponding thermal load and expansion resulting therefrom, pushes the bar element 14 to the release position thereof. Figure 11 shows the arrangement of the detaching element 17 in a corresponding recess in the first mounting element 3. This detaching element 17 directly pushes the door actuator 102 away from the first mounting element 3. The sectional views in both exemplary embodiments show the definition of the thickness 22 of the backplate 1 parallel to the mounting axis 2. Potential positioning extensions 21, on which the door actuator 102 is fitted, are not considered for the thickness 22. Figure 12 shows a variant for embodying the connecting assembly 5 in the second exemplary embodiment. Instead of a rigid bar element 14, herein is used a bar element 14 with two levers 31, which are rotatably supported to each other. Purely, diagrammatically, Figure 12 shows that upon the trigger element 15 triggering, the point of rotation between said two levers 31 can be displaced via a corresponding drive element 16, whereby the bar element 14 moves to the release position thereof - the fork-shaped sections of the two levers 31 detach from the second mounting element 4. Figure 13 shows a further purely diagrammatically illustrated variant to the second exemplary embodiment. Herein, the bar element 14 is again formed by two levers 31 rotatable with regard to each other. The axis of rotation of both levers 31 is stationary. On one side of the axis of rotation, the two levers 31 are connected via the trigger element 15. When the trigger element 15 does not keep both ends of the two levers 13 spaced apart any more, on the opposite side of the axis of rotation, the drive element 16, herein formed as a spring, can pull the two ends with the fork-shaped configurations to each other, so that the bar element 14 moves to the release position thereof. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this specification relates. The reference numerals in the following claims do not in any way limit the scope of the respective claims. of references numerals backplate mounting axis first mounting element second mounting element connecting assembly rear surface inner surfaces front surface plate body form closure element first recess second recess mounting openings bar element trigger element drive element detaching element third recess set screw compensating spring positioning extension thickness female thread lever assembly mounting surface door actuator output axis

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A backplate (1) for a door actuator (102), comprising a first mounting element (3) and a second mounting element (4), wherein one of the two mounting elements (3) is formed for fastening to a mounting surface (101), in particular door, casing or wall, and the other mounting element (4) for accommodating the door actuator (102), at least one connecting assembly (5) with a bar element (14) disposed mobile at the first mounting element (3) and a thermally activatable trigger element (15), wherein the bar element (14) is movable from a retaining position to a release position, wherein, in the retaining position, the bar element (14) retains the second mounting element (4), and in the release position, releases the second mounting element (4), and wherein, upon thermal activation, the trigger element (15) releases a movement of the bar element (14) to the release position and / or, upon thermal activation, the trigger element (15) moves the bar element (14) to the release position.

2. The backplate according to claim 1, wherein the trigger element (15) is disposed, in particular clamped between bar element (14) and first mounting element (3), in order to block a movement of the bar element (14) to the release position.

3. The backplate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, under thermal load, the trigger element (15) is destructible and / or deformable and / or meltable.

4. The backplate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bar element (14) is accommodated in a recess (18) of the first mounting element (3).

5. The backplate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, in the retaining position thereof, the bar element (14) and the second mounting element (4) positively engage in each other.

6. The backplate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting assembly (5) comprises a drive element (16), in particular with thermally intumescent material and / or a spring for moving the bar element (14) to the release position. (. The backplate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the drive element (16) is disposed in a recess (18) of the first mounting element (3) and / or in a recess (11) of the second mounting element (4).

8. The backplate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a detaching element (17) is provided, wherein, in particular, the detaching element (17) comprises a thermally intumescent material and / or a spring, wherein the detaching element (17) is disposed for pushing the first and the second mounting elements (3, 4) away from each other.

9. The backplate according to claim 8, wherein the detaching element (17) is disposed in a recess of the first mounting element (3) and / or in a recess (12) of the second mounting element (4).

10. The backplate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first mounting element (3) is formed as a plate.

11. The backplate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second mounting element (4) is formed as a plate.

12. The backplate according to any of the claims 1 to 10, wherein several second mounting elements (4) are provided, which are formed for accommodating the door actuator (102) and / or for fastening to the mounting surface (101).

13. The backplate according to claim 12, wherein the several second mounting elements (4), preferably formed as bushings with female thread (30), are fitted in the first mounting element (3).

14. The backplate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the backplate (1) has a thickness (22) of maximum 60 mm, preferably maximum 40 mm.

15. An assembly (100) comprising a backplate (1) according to any of the preceding claims and a door actuator (102), which is fastened to the backplate (1).

Citation Information

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