Rack, actuation system and door assembly for a motorized door

Abstract

The present application relates to a rack for motorized doors, an actuation system and a door assembly, said rack (1) comprising: a rack body (10) which extends mainly in a longitudinal direction along a rack axis (X-X) and is made of only one piece of polymeric material, wherein in the rack body (10) an upper toothing (12) and a lower toothing (14) are formed, which are adapted to engage a gearwheel (110) of a drive member (120) in order to move a door (100). The upper toothing (12) and the lower toothing (14) are identical to each other and symmetrical with respect to the rack axis (X-X).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a rack for a motorized sliding door.

[0002] The present invention also relates to an actuation system and door assembly for a movable sliding door. Background Technology

[0003] Specifically, in a motorized sliding door, a rack is fixed to the base of the door. The rack has teeth that mesh with gears rotated by a drive mechanism to open and close the door.

[0004] Various racks are known from the prior art for use in sliding doors.

[0005] Racks are known to be made of steel, a material that ensures their strength and straightness. However, steel products have many disadvantages, including a lack of electrical insulation, the need for lubrication, oxidation, and noise.

[0006] It is also known that racks are made of polymer materials (e.g., nylon) and molded onto a metal core (e.g., steel bar). The use of a metal core is reasonable because it maintains the linearity of the molded product, especially when the rack is of a certain length, such as greater than 50 cm. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to obtain a rack that can overcome the shortcomings of existing racks.

[0008] Specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide a rack made only of polymer material but not including a metal core.

[0009] These objectives are achieved by means of the rack, actuation system, and door assembly according to the invention. Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the detailed description.

[0010] According to the present invention, a rack for a motorized door includes: a rack body extending longitudinally primarily along a rack axis and made of a single piece of polymer material, wherein upper and lower teeth are obtained in the rack body, the upper and lower teeth being adapted to mesh with gears of a drive member to move the door, wherein the upper and lower teeth are identical to each other and symmetrically obtained with respect to the rack axis.

[0011] Furthermore, the rack body forms a vertical wall, wherein each tooth extends across the vertical wall in a dimension perpendicular to the rack axis, wherein the vertical wall divides the rack body into a front portion and a rear portion.

[0012] Furthermore, the rack body is substantially hollow and forms reinforcing ribs, wherein each tooth includes a plurality of teeth separated by a plurality of recesses, and wherein each recess of at least one set of recesses of these teeth is connected by means of the reinforcing ribs to two corresponding recesses of at least one set of recesses of another tooth, the two recesses being axially offset relative to the recesses of the facing tooth to which they are connected.

[0013] Furthermore, each reinforcing rib is connected to the vertical wall.

[0014] Furthermore, a plurality of slotted fixing elements are obtained in the rack body and inserted between the upper and lower teeth, wherein each slotted fixing element has a through slot, for example, having a vertically extending through slot for a screw to pass through, thereby fixing the rack to the base of the door.

[0015] Furthermore, the upper tooth and the lower tooth include a front surface and a rear surface, wherein the slotted fixing element protrudes horizontally from a vertical rear plane defined by the rear surface of the upper tooth and the lower tooth.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the present invention, an actuation system for a movable door is provided, including a drive member, a gear rotatable by the drive member, and a rack meshing with the teeth of the gear.

[0017] Furthermore, the rack is configured to engage the gear with the upper or lower teeth of the rack.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a door assembly is provided, including the door described above and the actuation system for moving the door described above, wherein the rack is fixed to the door. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The features and advantages of the subject matter of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the subject matter of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1a and 1b These are two front views of an actuation system for a movable sliding door according to two embodiments, which is the subject of this invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a portion of the rack according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a front view of a portion of the rack according to the invention in a preferred embodiment;

[0023] Figure 3a express Figure 3 Enlarged image;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a plan view of a portion of the rack according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; and

[0025] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of a door assembly according to a preferred embodiment, which is the subject of this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] According to the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 1 is used to generally indicate the rack according to the invention. The rack 1 is suitable for use in the actuation system 500 of the door 100.

[0027] This actuation system 500, which includes the rack 1, is also part of the subject matter of this invention.

[0028] Specifically, the rack 1 is adapted to be fixed to the base of the door 100 so as to allow the door to slide open and close automatically. The actuation system 500 and the door 100 form a door assembly 900.

[0029] This door assembly 900, which includes the actuation system 500, is also part of the subject matter of this invention.

[0030] According to the present invention, the rack 1 includes a rack body 10 extending primarily along the rack axis XX in the longitudinal direction. The rack body 10 is manufactured as a single piece.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the rack body 10 is made of only polymer material.

[0032] For example, the rack body 10 is made of polyamide PA6 (commonly known as "nylon"). For example, this polyamide PA6 is reinforced with glass fiber. For example, this polyamide PA6 is reinforced with 30% glass fiber.

[0033] For example, the rack body 10 has a length of approximately 1 meter, such as 997 millimeters.

[0034] In the following description, the terms “lower,” “upper,” “front,” and “rear,” and their equivalents, refer to the configuration in which the rack is fixed to the base of the door 100, i.e., horizontally oriented and with its rear side facing the door 100.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, an upper tooth 12 and a lower tooth 14 are formed in the rack body 10, which are adapted to engage the gear 110 of the drive member 120 to move the door 100.

[0036] According to one aspect of the invention, the upper tooth portion 12 and the lower tooth portion 14 are identical to each other and symmetrical with respect to the rack axis XX.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the rack body 10 forms a vertical wall 20.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the vertical wall 20 divides the rack body 10 into a front portion and a rear portion. In other words, each tooth 12, 14 extends across the vertical wall 20 in a dimension perpendicular to the rack axis XX, i.e., in the direction of its breadth or width. In other words, the vertical wall 20 divides the rack body 10 into a front portion and a rear portion in the direction of the rack's breadth or width.

[0039] In one embodiment, the rack body 10 is divided substantially symmetrically by the vertical wall 20. In other words, the vertical wall 20 divides the rack body 10 into a substantially equal front and rear portion.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the rack body 10 is substantially hollow. Therefore, the front portion and the rear portion are respectively a front longitudinal cavity and a rear longitudinal cavity extending along the rack axis XX.

[0041] According to one embodiment, each tooth 12, 14 includes a plurality of teeth 131 separated by a plurality of recesses 132.

[0042] For example, the number of teeth 131 in the upper tooth portion 12 and the lower tooth portion 14 is equal to 79.

[0043] In one embodiment, the transverse distance between the two teeth 131 and the rack axis XX is equal to 32 mm.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the rack body 10 forms reinforcing ribs 40.

[0045] According to one embodiment, each depression 132 of at least one set of depressions 132H of teeth 12, 14 is connected by means of reinforcing ribs 40 to two corresponding depressions 132 of at least one set of depressions 132G of another tooth. For example, a set of depressions includes alternating depressions of the tooth, i.e., one depression every two depressions of a toothing.

[0046] In other embodiments, a set of recesses includes one of every four recesses of the teeth.

[0047] In one embodiment, the two recesses 132 are axially offset relative to the recesses 132 of the facing teeth to which they are connected. Specifically, with respect to the rack axis XX, the recesses 132 extending from the two reinforcing ribs 40 are positioned at an intermediate distance between the two recesses 132 of the opposing teeth connected by the reinforcing ribs.

[0048] In one embodiment shown in the figure, one of the two recesses 132A, 132B of the first tooth is connected by means of two reinforcing ribs 40 to two recesses 132C adjacent to the recess 132D of the second tooth, the recess 132D facing the recess 132A of the first tooth, and the reinforcing ribs 40 extending from the recess 132A.

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment, the reinforcing ribs 40 form a grid passing through each of the two longitudinal cavities (i.e., the front cavity and the rear cavity). In this grid, the reinforcing ribs 40 are alternately parallel to each other and symmetrical with respect to the rack axis XX.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, each reinforcing rib 40 is connected to the vertical wall 20.

[0051] According to one embodiment, a plurality of slotted fixing elements 16 are formed in the rack body 10 and inserted between the upper tooth portion 12 and the lower tooth portion 14.

[0052] For example, the number of slotted fixing elements 16 is equal to 5.

[0053] In one embodiment, the distance between the two slotted retaining elements 16 along the rack axis XX is between 213 and 214 mm, for example equal to 213.62 mm.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the distance between the end slotted element and the (nearest) end of the rack along the rack axis XX is between 73 and 74 mm, for example, equal to 73.42 mm.

[0055] According to one embodiment, a through slot 161 is formed in each of the slotted fixing elements 16 for a screw to pass through for securing the rack 1 to the base of the door 100. In other words, the fixing screw extends to engage the fixing slot 161. This means that the rack 1 and the door 100 are mechanically engaged with each other.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the groove 161 has a vertical extension.

[0057] In other embodiments, the rack according to the invention can be fixed to the base of the door by other fixing systems, for example, it can be glued to the door by means of a specific adhesive.

[0058] According to a preferred embodiment, the upper tooth 12 and the lower tooth 14 include a front surface 15 and a rear surface 17. In other words, each tooth 12, 14 extends between the front surface 15 and the rear surface 17.

[0059] In one embodiment, the distance between the front surface 15 and the rear surface 17 is equal to 20 mm.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the slotted fixing element 16 protrudes horizontally from a vertical rear plane defined by the rear surface 17 of the teeth 12, 14. This vertical rear plane is preferably parallel to the extension plane of the door 100 on which the rack 1 will be mounted.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment, the slotted element includes a front surface slotted element 165 and a rear surface slotted element 167.

[0062] According to a preferred embodiment, the front surface slotted element 165 is located on a plane defined by the front surface 15 of the teeth 12, 14.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, the rear surface slotted element 167 can be positioned tightly against the door 100. In other words, the rack 1 is fixed to the door 100 such that the front surface slotted element 165 contacts the door 100. In this way, the gear 110 can engage the rack 1 without directly contacting the door 100, thereby preventing vibration and wear on both the door 100 and the gear 110.

[0064] In one embodiment, the distance between the plane defined by the rear surface 17 of the rack 1 and the plane defined by the rear surface slotting element 167 is approximately equal to 10 mm.

[0065] For example, rack 1 has a weight between 394 and 395 grams, such as 394.8 grams.

[0066] As described above, the actuation system 500 for the movable door 100 is also part of the subject matter of this invention. The actuation system 500 includes a drive member 120, a gear 110 that can be rotatably actuated by the drive member 120, and a rack 1 that meshes with the teeth of the gear 110.

[0067] In one embodiment, the rack 1 is configured to engage the gear 110 with its upper tooth 12 or lower tooth 14. In other words, the gear 110 of the drive member 120 can engage the upper tooth 12 or the lower tooth 14 indiscriminately.

[0068] In the first embodiment, the rack 1 meshes with the gear 110 by means of the upper tooth portion 12, that is, the gear 110 is located on the axis XX.

[0069] In the second embodiment, the rack 1 meshes with the gear 110 by means of the lower tooth portion 14, that is, the gear 110 is located below the axis XX.

[0070] As described above, the door assembly 900 is also part of the subject matter of this invention. The door assembly includes a door 100 and an actuation system 500, wherein a rack 1 is fixed to the door 100.

[0071] According to one embodiment, door 100 extends primarily along the door axis YY in the longitudinal direction.

[0072] In one embodiment, rack 1 is fixed to door 100 such that rack axis XX is parallel to door axis YY.

[0073] In one embodiment, rack 1 is fixed to door 100 such that rack axis XX is parallel to the ground.

[0074] Innovatively, the rack for a motorized door, which is the subject of this invention, fully achieves its intended purpose. Similarly, the actuation system for a door, which is the subject of this invention and includes the rack, also fully achieves its intended purpose. Furthermore, the door assembly, which is the subject of this invention, also fully achieves its intended purpose.

[0075] Advantageously, considering the geometry of the rack, the absence of the steel core does not impair the straightness of the rack, regardless of its length.

[0076] The rack according to the invention can advantageously engage the teeth of a gear indiscriminately by means of the upper or lower teeth, that is, it can be used indiscriminately along one of the two longitudinal sides.

[0077] The rack of the present invention is very lightweight, and makes it easier to store, move and attach the rack to the base of the door.

[0078] Those skilled in the art can make several changes, adjustments, and substitutions to embodiments of the rack, actuation system, and door assembly according to the invention with other functionally equivalent elements to meet incidental needs without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Each feature described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be obtained independently of the other described embodiments.

Claims

1. A rack (1) for a motorized door, comprising: A rack body (10) extends longitudinally along a rack axis (XX) and is made of a single piece of polymer material, wherein an upper tooth (12) and a lower tooth (14) are obtained in the rack body (10), the upper and lower teeth being adapted to mesh with the gear (110) of a drive member (120) to move a door (100), wherein the upper tooth (12) and the lower tooth (14) are identical to each other and are obtained symmetrically with respect to the rack axis (XX); wherein the rack body (10) forms a vertical wall (20), wherein each tooth (12, 14) extends across the vertical wall (20) in a dimension perpendicular to the rack axis (XX), wherein the rack body (10) is substantially hollow and forms reinforcing ribs (40), wherein each reinforcing rib (40) is connected to the vertical wall (20).

2. The rack according to claim 1, wherein, The vertical wall (20) divides the rack body (10) into a front part and a rear part.

3. The rack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Each tooth (12, 14) includes a plurality of teeth (131) separated by a plurality of recesses (132), and wherein each recess (132) of at least one set of recesses (132H) of these teeth (12, 14) is connected by means of the reinforcing rib (40) to two corresponding recesses (132) of at least one set of recesses (132g) of another tooth, the two recesses (132) being axially offset relative to the recesses (132) of the facing tooth to which they are connected.

4. The rack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, A plurality of slotted fixing elements (16) are obtained in the rack body (10) and inserted between the upper tooth (12) and the lower tooth (14), wherein each slotted fixing element (16) has a vertically extending through slot (161) for a screw to pass through, thereby fixing the rack (1) to the base of the door (100).

5. The rack (1) according to claim 4, wherein, The upper tooth (12) and the lower tooth (14) include a front surface (15) and a rear surface (17), wherein the slotted fixing element (16) protrudes horizontally from the vertical rear plane defined by the rear surface (17) of the upper tooth (12) and the lower tooth (14).

6. An actuation system (500) for a movable door (100) comprising a drive member (120), a gear (110) rotatably actuated by the drive member (120), and a rack (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the rack engaging with the teeth of the gear (110).

7. The actuation system (500) according to claim 6, wherein, The rack (1) is configured to engage the gear (110) with the upper tooth (12) or the lower tooth (14) of the rack.

8. A door assembly (900) comprising a door (100) and an actuation system (500) for moving the door (100) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein, The rack (1) is fixed to the door (100).

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