Door actuator and closure system comprising the same

Abstract

A door actuator (3) includes an elongated housing configured to be mounted on a support of a closing system. The circuitry of the door actuator includes a first section circuit (31) and a second section circuit (32), wherein the first section circuit is electrically connected to the second section circuit via a diode 50. The second section circuit includes: a motor control circuit (100) electrically connected to a conductive path downstream of the diode at a motor-side voltage (215) to control a direct current (DC) motor; and a braking resistor circuit (200), also electrically connected to the conductive path downstream of the diode at a motor-side voltage (215). The door actuator also includes an external load resistor electrically connected to the braking resistor circuit (200), wherein a first connection terminal of the external load resistor is connected to the conductive path downstream of the diode at a motor-side voltage (215), and wherein the braking resistor circuit (200) is configured to activate the external load resistor when the motor-side voltage (215) reaches a first predetermined voltage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention generally relates to a door actuator for opening and closing a closure system having a support member and a closing member connected to each other by hinges. The invention also relates to a closure system including a door actuator. Background Technology

[0002] Various types of door actuators are known in the art, such as the spring-biased door actuator disclosed in WO 2012 / 103572; the hydraulically damped spring-biased door actuator disclosed in WO 2018 / 228729; and the electric door actuator disclosed in WO 2019 / 048359. The present invention generally relates to electrically actuated door actuators operated by an electric motor.

[0003] The door closer disclosed in WO 2019 / 048359 includes: an elongated housing configured to be mounted against a support member, the elongated housing extending in a longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end; an electric motor mounted in the housing, the electric motor having an output shaft near the first end of the elongated housing, and the output shaft being rotatable about the longitudinal direction in a first rotational direction when the electric motor is activated; and a driver operatively connected to the output shaft (i.e., via a hinge connected to an eye bolt), the driver being configured to push a closing member to its closed position when the output shaft rotates in the first rotational direction.

[0004] In the door closers specified in WO 2019 / 048359, the actuator is directly mounted on the output shaft of the electric motor. While this provides a very compact design, there is a risk of damaging the electric motor when the door undergoes a sudden change of direction. For example, a user wishing to pass through the door may appear while it is closing and thus push against the closing door. This force requires the electric motor to rotate in a sudden reverse direction. This sudden reversal is a known cause of damage to the electric motor.

[0005] Another problem with this type of door actuator is that when someone pushes the closing member, the electric motor may generate energy. This energy enters the door actuator's circuitry, which may damage the electronic equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved door actuator.

[0007] For this purpose, the door actuator according to the invention comprises: an elongated housing configured to be mounted on a support, the elongated housing extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end; a direct current (DC) motor mounted in the housing, the motor having an output shaft near the first end of the elongated housing, and the output shaft being rotatable about the longitudinal direction when the motor actuates or a closing member rotates; a driver operatively connected to the output shaft, the driver being configured to rotate the closing member when the output shaft rotates, and to rotate the shaft when the closing member rotates; and a printed circuit board mounted in the housing and including circuitry, wherein the circuitry is electrically connected to the DC motor to control the DC motor, wherein the circuitry includes a first portion of circuitry and a second portion of circuitry, wherein the first portion of circuitry is electrically connected to the second portion of circuitry via a diode, wherein the diode... The circuit is connected from the first part to the second part, thereby providing a motor-side voltage in the second part after the diode. The second part includes: a motor control circuit electrically connected to the conductive path after the diode at the motor-side voltage to control a DC electric motor, wherein the motor control circuit includes at least one metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET); and a braking resistor circuit electrically connected to the conductive path after the diode at the motor-side voltage. The gate actuator also includes an external load resistor electrically connected to the braking resistor circuit on the printed circuit board, wherein a first connection terminal of the external load resistor is connected to the conductive path after the diode at the motor-side voltage, and wherein the braking resistor circuit is configured to activate the external load resistor when the motor-side voltage reaches a first predetermined voltage.

[0008] This gate actuator ensures that any energy generated by the electric motor is controlled. First, by dividing the circuit into a first section and a second section, with a diode between the two sections, any critical components in the first section will never be exposed to any voltage increases in the system caused by the electric motor. Second, the second section ensures that when the voltage in the second section reaches a predetermined voltage, an external load resistor is activated. This external load resistor consumes energy, thus reducing the voltage in the second section.

[0009] In some embodiments of the invention, the braking resistor circuit is configured to activate an external load resistor when the door actuator is not powered and the motor-side voltage reaches a second predetermined voltage.

[0010] This function anticipates the safe operation of the door actuator during power outages. There are many possible reasons for a door actuator to lose power, including a complete power failure, power supply failure, or transformer disconnection. When this occurs, energy is generated by pushing the closing member. This energy enters the door actuator's electronics, which ensures that an external load resistor is active and will dissipate energy to reduce the voltage in the circuit.

[0011] In some embodiments of the invention, the braking resistor circuit further includes: a one-bit storage element including an output pin, wherein the one-bit storage element is configured to provide 0 volts (V) at the output pin when no voltage is received at the other pins of the one-bit storage element; and a Zener diode having a cathode pin and an anode pin, wherein the Zener diode is electrically connected at the cathode pin to the motor-side voltage and the output pin of the one-bit storage element, wherein the Zener diode is configured to interact with the Zener diode in the circuit when the motor-side voltage is at least equal to a third predetermined voltage. At the conductive path where the cathode pin of the tube is in direct electrical contact, the motor-side voltage is stabilized to a third predetermined voltage; a MOSFET electrically connected to the Zener diode, wherein the MOSFET is electrically connected to the motor-side voltage and ground at its other pins, wherein the conductive path between the motor-side voltage and the MOSFET is configured to allow current to flow through an external load resistor, and the MOSFET is configured to conduct when a second predetermined voltage is reached at the Zener diode, thereby causing the external load resistor to dissipate energy when the gate actuator is not powered and the motor-side voltage reaches the second predetermined voltage.

[0012] This design also ensures safe operation of the door actuator during power outages. It guarantees that the external load resistor is active when a predetermined voltage is reached. Furthermore, once activated, the external load resistor consumes energy to reduce the voltage in the circuit.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present invention, the braking resistor circuit further includes: a PNP transistor having a 24 V base pin, an emitter pin electrically connected to the motor side voltage, and a collector pin electrically connected to ground; and a fourth resistor that generates a first voltage in the conductive path preceding the PNP transistor when the PNP transistor is turned on, wherein the resistance value of the fourth resistor determines a first predetermined value.

[0014] This structure allows for the selection of predetermined values ​​based on the functions of the components on the board during the design process of the electronic board.

[0015] In some embodiments of the invention, the fourth resistor is 22 kiloohms (KOhm), and the first predetermined value is 47.4 V.

[0016] By selecting the value of the resistor, a favorable balance can be struck between minimizing the energy consumption in the electronic device and the activation time of the external load resistor.

[0017] In some embodiments of the invention, the braking resistor circuit includes a comparator having an IN+ pin electrically connected to a reference voltage source, wherein the voltage value of the reference voltage source determines a first predetermined value.

[0018] With this structure, the predetermined value at which the external load resistor is activated can be optimized by optimizing the selection of the power supply voltage of the comparator that determines the voltage at the IN+ pin.

[0019] In some embodiments of the invention, the reference voltage source is 2.5 V, and the first predetermined value is 47.4 V.

[0020] By selecting the voltage value at the comparator's IN+ pin, a favorable balance can be struck between minimizing energy consumption in the electronic device and the amount of time the external load resistor needs to be activated.

[0021] In some embodiments of the invention, the braking resistor circuit includes a Schmitt trigger electrically connected to the output pin of the comparator.

[0022] This avoids any failure of the door actuator due to noise or fluctuations in the circuit.

[0023] In some embodiments of the present invention, the braking resistor circuit includes a one-bit storage element.

[0024] This one-bit storage element ensures that the load resistor can be deactivated.

[0025] In some embodiments of the present invention, the braking resistor circuit includes a one-bit storage element having a storage element Q pin as an output terminal, a CLK pin for receiving a clock signal from a controller, and a storage element D pin as an input terminal, wherein when a clock pulse is detected at the CLK pin, the one-bit storage element copies data from the storage element D pin to the storage element Q pin.

[0026] This more specific element also ensures that the load resistor can be deactivated.

[0027] In some embodiments of the present invention, the one-bit storage element is a D flip-flop.

[0028] By using a D flip-flop, the external load resistor can be deactivated, and the circuit can be configured such that the external load resistor cannot be deactivated if the motor-side voltage is not lower than a predetermined threshold.

[0029] In some embodiments of the present invention, the braking resistor circuit includes an NPN transistor having an NPN base pin, an NPN emitter pin electrically connected to ground, and an NPN collector pin electrically connected to a conductive path in the circuit. The braking resistor circuit is configured to control the voltage in the conductive path directly electrically connected to the NPN collector pin in the circuit by controlling the voltage at the NPN base pin of the NPN transistor.

[0030] The use of this NPN transistor allows for the stable configuration of activating and deactivating external load resistors.

[0031] In some embodiments of the invention, the braking resistor circuit includes a Zener diode having a cathode pin and an anode pin, wherein the Zener diode is electrically connected at the cathode pin to the motor-side voltage and the NPN collector pin of the NPN transistor, wherein the Zener diode is configured to stabilize the motor-side voltage to a Zener voltage at a conductive path in the circuit that is in direct electrical contact with the cathode pin of the Zener diode when the NPN transistor is not activated.

[0032] This structure further ensures stable activation and deactivation of the external load resistor. It also ensures that the external load resistor will dissipate energy when the gate actuator is not powered.

[0033] In some embodiments of the present invention, the braking resistor circuit includes a MOSFET having a gate pin, a source pin, and a drain pin, wherein the drain pin is electrically connected to a second connection terminal of an external load resistor, wherein the source pin is electrically connected to ground, and wherein the braking resistor circuit is configured to provide a voltage higher than a threshold voltage value of the MOSFET at the gate pin when the motor-side voltage reaches a first predetermined voltage.

[0034] This structure ensures the safe and reliable activation and deactivation of the external load resistor. It also ensures that the external load resistor dissipates energy when the motor-side voltage exceeds the MOSFET threshold voltage, preventing the gate actuator from being powered.

[0035] In some embodiments, the gate pin of the MOSFET is electrically connected to a conductive path in the circuit that is in direct electrical contact with the cathode pin of the Zener diode, and the braking resistor circuit is configured such that the voltage at the gate pin of the MOSFET is the same as the voltage at the conductive path in the circuit that is in direct electrical contact with the cathode pin of the Zener diode.

[0036] This structure ensures stable and reliable activation and deactivation of the external load resistor.

[0037] In some embodiments of the invention, the braking resistor circuit includes a controller, wherein the controller is electrically connected to the braking resistor circuit to receive a signal, and wherein the controller is configured to determine, based on the signal, whether an external load resistor is activated.

[0038] This structure ensures that the controller can take any action based on the correct state of the external load resistor.

[0039] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to measure the motor-side voltage and to deactivate the external load resistor when the motor-side voltage drops below a fourth predetermined value.

[0040] This structure ensures safe operation under the control of the controller.

[0041] In some embodiments, the braking resistor circuit is configured to deactivate the external load resistor by switching the D flip-flop.

[0042] This structure ensures that the controller can deactivate the external load resistor while taking into account the motor-side voltage.

[0043] In some embodiments, the printed circuit board includes a controller configured to control a clock signal to the CLK pin, and wherein the braking resistor circuit is configured such that the controller cannot deactivate the external load resistor when the motor-side voltage is higher than a first predetermined value.

[0044] This design ensures safety. If the motor-side voltage remains too high, the controller cannot deactivate the external load resistor. Hardware conditions take precedence over any deactivation commands issued by the software.

[0045] In some embodiments of the present invention, when the motor-side voltage is higher than a first predetermined value, the voltage at the CLR pin of the D flip-flop is lower than the D flip-flop threshold voltage value.

[0046] This structure provides safety through hardware. The hardware ensures that the voltage on the motor side is low enough before the signal on the CLK pin can activate the external load resistor.

[0047] In some embodiments of the present invention, the threshold voltage value of the D flip-flop is 2 V.

[0048] This is the preferred value to ensure reliable operation.

[0049] In some embodiments of the present invention, the fourth predetermined value is lower than or equal to the first predetermined value.

[0050] This also ensures the optimal value for the safe and reliable operation of the door actuator.

[0051] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved closing system having a support member and a closing member connected to each other by at least one hinge, wherein the closing system further includes a door actuator according to any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0052] The advantages and effects of the above embodiments are also achieved by the following closing system: the closing system has a support member and a closing member connected to each other by at least one hinge, and the closing system also includes a door actuator as described in one of the above embodiments.

[0053] It will be readily apparent from the further description that the above-described embodiments of the invention (including preferred, more preferred, advantageous, even more advantageous, alternative, and / or other optionally indicated features) are not limited to individual elements, but can be combined with each other to implement other embodiments besides those already described, which may also be part of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Attached Figure Description

[0054] The invention will be further explained by the following description and accompanying drawings.

[0055] Figure 1 A perspective view of a closing system having a door actuator and a closing member in the open position, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is shown.

[0056] Figure 2 A perspective view of a closing system having a door actuator and a closing member in a closed position according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0057] Figure 3 A view of the installed door actuator is shown, indicating the location of the electric motor.

[0058] Figure 4 A circuit diagram of a gate actuator is shown, which illustrates two parts.

[0059] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a motor control circuit 100 for a DC electric motor according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0060] Figure 6 A braking resistor circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in more detail.

[0061] Figure 7 An external load resistor installed in the housing of a door actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0062] Figure 8 It shows Figure 7 A magnified view of the window in the image.

[0063] Figure 9 A perspective view of the door actuator is shown, with the housing opened to reveal the printed circuit board.

[0064] Figure 10 It shows Figure 8 A magnified view in the middle window shows the external load resistor and the connector on the printed circuit board for the external load resistor.

[0065] Figure 11 This is a partial electronic scheme of the door actuator shown in the electronic scheme software, illustrating the controller and the connection pins on the controller that connect to the braking resistor circuit.

[0066] Figure 12 An alternative braking resistor circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in more detail. Detailed Implementation

[0067] The invention will be described with reference to specific embodiments and certain accompanying drawings, but the invention is not limited thereto, but is defined only by the claims. The described drawings are merely illustrative and not restrictive. In the drawings, some elements may be enlarged and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. Dimensions and relative dimensions do not necessarily correspond to an actual reduction in practice of the invention.

[0068] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., used in the specification and claims are used to distinguish similar elements and are not necessarily used to describe a sequence or order. Where appropriate, these terms are interchangeable, and embodiments of the invention may operate in a different order than that described or shown herein.

[0069] Furthermore, the terms “top,” “bottom,” “above,” and “below,” etc., used in the specification and claims are for descriptive purposes. Such terms are interchangeable where appropriate, and the embodiments of the invention described herein may operate in orientations other than those described or shown herein.

[0070] Furthermore, although the various embodiments are referred to as "preferred", they should be interpreted as exemplary ways in which the invention can be implemented, rather than limiting the scope of the invention.

[0071] The term "substantially" includes variations of + / - 10% or less under specific conditions, preferably + / - 5% or less, more preferably + / - 1% or less, and even more preferably + / - 0.1% or less, provided that such variations are applicable to the function of the disclosed invention. It should be understood that the term "substantially A" is also intended to include "A".

[0072] This invention generally relates to methods for closing and opening, such as Figure 1The illustrated closing system includes an electrically driven door actuator 3. The closing system comprises a support member 1 (e.g., a wall or post) and a movable closing member 2 (e.g., a door, gate, or window). The closing member 2 is connected to the support member 1 via hinges 4. These hinges can be any type of hinge known in the art. A second support member 5 may be disposed on the other side of the closing member 3 and may be provided with a lock and retainer assembly, such as the locks disclosed in EP 1118559 or EP 2915939 (the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference) and the retainers disclosed in EP 1600584 or EP1680567 (the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference).

[0073] For example, as well as Figure 2 As shown, the door actuator 3 includes an elongated housing 9 extending longitudinally between a first end 9a and a second end 9b. The elongated housing 9 is preferably made of extruded aluminum, but other materials may also be used. The elongated housing 9 is connected to the support member 1 by any kind of fastening device. Alternatively, the door actuator may be partially or completely mounted within a hollow support member.

[0074] At the top of the housing 9, an actuator 7 (e.g., a rotating arm) is provided, which extends from the housing toward the closing member 2. At the free end of the actuator 7, the actuator 7 is connected to the closing member 2.

[0075] In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 7 is made of aluminum. In alternative embodiments, alternative materials known in the art can be used for the actuator 7.

[0076] Door actuator 3 includes Figure 3 The electric motor 8 is shown. This electric motor is a DC electric motor housed in the housing 9. One advantage of using an electric motor is its compactness. The electric motor includes a motor body having means for rotating an output shaft (not shown). This output shaft extends toward the top 9a of the housing 9. (WO2019 / 048359, incorporated herein by reference) Figure 7 An example of this internal structure is shown. When the electric motor 8 is activated to open and close the door member 2, the output shaft can rotate in both directions. The electric motor 8 is also equipped with a control device that allows calibration of the rest position of the actuator 8 once the door actuator 3 is installed on the closing system. The door actuator 3 also has a printed circuit board mounted in the housing 9. The printed circuit board 90 is in Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown in the figure, Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A magnified view in the middle window. Figure 10 A connector 340 on a printed circuit board 90 is shown, which is connected to an external load resistor 70.

[0077] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of circuit 30 of gate actuator 3. Circuit 30 is divided into two parts. The first part, circuit 31, is electrically connected to the second part, circuit 32, via diode 50. Diode 50 is positioned to allow current to flow from the first part of the circuit to the second part of the circuit.

[0078] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a motor control circuit 100 for a DC electric motor 8 for a door actuator 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The brushless DC motor 8 is designed with three wires. These three wires are connected to six metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) 105 that control the voltage on the three wires. This configuration of a three-wire brushless DC motor controlled by six MOSFETs is known in the art. The motor control circuit is located in a second section of circuit 32, separated from the first section of circuitry by diode 50.

[0079] The main input to the motor controller 95 is 24 V, such as Figure 5 As shown. During normal operation, MOSFET 105 conducts current from the main input terminal to the wires of the brushless DC motor 8. However, when the brushless DC motor 8 generates current instead of consuming current, MOSFET 8 allows this current to conduct in the reverse direction, i.e., from the brushless DC motor 8 to other components in the circuit. To avoid damage in larger circuits, the motor control section 32 of circuit 30 is separated from the rest of the gate actuator 3 circuit, and a diode 50 is placed before the 24V main input terminal of the motor control circuit. For this reason, as... Figure 4 As shown, the door actuator circuit 30 is divided into two parts, with the motor control circuit 100 located in the second part of the circuit 32. By placing the diode 50 at this location, no current can flow from the motor control circuit section to other parts of the door actuator circuit. The brushless DC motor generates current when someone pushes the door.

[0080] To control energy while the brushless DC motor 8 generates power, a braking resistor circuit 200 is integrated into circuit 30. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the braking resistor circuit 200 is also integrated into the second part of the circuit 32. Figure 6 The braking resistor circuit is shown in further detail below. The braking resistor circuit 200 is connected to the conductive path of diode 50 on the motor side. (See diagram below.) Figure 4 As shown, this conductive path is at motor-side voltage 215. When the motor is running in normal mode, motor-side voltage 215 is the same as the system's power supply voltage 210 located at the other end of diode 50, as shown. Figure 4 As shown. In Figure 6 In one embodiment, the voltage is 24V.

[0081] The motor-side voltage in the conductive path of the circuit directly connected to diode 50 is... Figure 6 The figure also uses reference numeral 215 to indicate this. When the brushless DC motor is operating under normal conditions, the motor-side voltage 215 is 24 V, meaning the motor is controlled at 24 V. However, if the brushless DC motor 8 is generating energy, i.e., when a user pushes the closing member 2 (e.g., a door) during opening or closing, the motor-side voltage 215 can change even if the DC motor 8 is not activated. In this case, the motor acts as a generator.

[0082] Figure 6 The braking resistor circuit 200 shown in the embodiment has a PNP transistor 202 that conducts from emitter pin 203 to collector pin 204 when current can flow from emitter pin 203 to base pin 205. The current flowing from emitter pin 203 to collector pin 204 is approximately 100 times the current flowing from emitter pin 203 to base pin 205. The typical base-emitter voltage of the PNP transistor is 0.7 V, and since base pin 205 is connected to 24 V, current will flow from the emitter to the base when the motor-side voltage 215 rises above 24.7 V. This base-emitter current produces an emitter-collector current approximately 100 times larger. The sum of these two currents will bring the system into equilibrium, where the voltage at emitter pin 203 remains at 24.7 V, independent of the voltage at motor-side voltage 215.

[0083] The total current flowing through the resistors 208 and 209 can be calculated as (motor-side voltage 215 – 24.7 V) / 200 kΩ, i.e., I = V / R. Due to the PNP transistor, approximately 99% of this current flows through collector pin 204 and the third resistor 211 and the fourth resistor 212. The remaining 1% flows from base pin 205 into the 24 V power supply.

[0084] The voltage generated in the conductive path before the fourth resistor 212 by the current flowing through the fourth resistor 212 is equal to: current I × 22K, that is, V = I R means that the resistance value of the fourth resistor 212 determines the voltage in the conductive path preceding the fourth resistor 212.

[0085] Capacitor 214 is positioned between the conductive path before resistor 212 and ground (GND) 220. The purpose of capacitor 214 is to filter out minor interference.

[0086] The braking resistor circuit 200 also includes a comparator 230. Comparator 230 compares the voltage at pin 231 (i.e., the IN- pin) with the voltage at pin 233 (i.e., the IN+ pin). Pin 233 (i.e., the IN+ pin) is connected to a stable external voltage reference 238 via a fifth resistor 237. Figure 6 In this embodiment, the external voltage reference 238 is 2.5 V. The IN-pin 231 is connected in circuit 200 to the conductive path preceding the fourth resistor 212. When the voltage at the IN-pin 231 is lower than the voltage at the IN+pin 233, the output pin 234 is not grounded and floats. Conversely, when the voltage at the IN-pin 231 is higher than the voltage at the IN+pin 233, the output pin 234 is grounded.

[0087] A stable power supply is provided to the comparator at the comparator VCC pin 235. This is achieved by connecting the comparator VCC pin 235 to a sixth resistor 240 and a second capacitor 239. The sixth resistor 240 is connected at its other end to a DC power supply 241, and the second capacitor 239 is connected at its other end to ground 220. Figure 6 In this embodiment, the DC power supply is 12 V, the sixth resistor 240 is 33 Ohm, and the capacitor is 100 nanofarads (nF).

[0088] The comparator's output pin 234 is connected to a conductive path with two resistors, namely the seventh resistor 243 and the eighth resistor 244. Through these resistors, when the voltage at pin 231 is lower than the voltage at pin 233, the voltage at output pin 234 is adjusted to 3.3 V in the subsequent conductive path 245, and when the voltage at pin 231 is higher than the voltage at pin 233, the voltage in the subsequent conductive path 245 remains at 0 V.

[0089] according to Figure 6 The braking circuit 200 in this embodiment also includes a Schmitt trigger 250. The Schmitt trigger 250 digitizes the comparator's output. The Schmitt trigger 250 achieves this by using a different threshold for low-to-high transitions than for high-to-low transitions. In the presence of small fluctuations or noise, the Schmitt trigger 250 is configured to keep its output stable.

[0090] according to Figure 6 In one embodiment, the subsequent component in the braking resistor circuit 200 is a flip-flop 270. The flip-flop 270 is a storage element capable of storing one bit of data. In an alternative embodiment, another type of one-bit storage element may be used, such as another type of flip-flop, latch, or any other one-bit element. Figure 6In this embodiment, when a clock pulse is detected on the CLK pin 271, the D flip-flop 270 copies the data on the D pin 273 to the Q pin 274. The CLR pin 276 is set to clear the memory, and the Q pin 274 is set low regardless of what happens on other pins. The CLR pin 276 is electrically connected in the braking resistor circuit to a conductive path that is directly electrically connected to the output pin 254 of the Schmitt trigger 250.

[0091] A third capacitor 280 and a fourth capacitor 281 are provided to provide stability to the power supply 285 of a single-bit storage element. Figure 6 In this embodiment, the power supply 285 for a single storage element is 3.3 V.

[0092] The conductive path connected to the storage element Q pin 274 of the flip-flop 270 also includes a ninth resistor 283. The other end of the ninth resistor 283 is connected to the NPN base pin 291 of the NPN transistor 290 and a tenth resistor 284, the other pin of which is connected to ground 220. The NPN emitter pin 292 of the NPN transistor 290 is also grounded. The combination of the ninth resistor 283, the tenth resistor 284, and the NPN transistor 290 forms a classic NPN circuit. When a voltage is applied to the ninth resistor 283, current flows through the NPN base pin 291 of the NPN transistor 290, and the NPN collector pin 293 is connected to ground 220 through the NPN emitter pin 292.

[0093] Figure 6 The braking resistor circuit 200 also includes a Zener diode 310, which is electrically connected to ground at its anode pin 312 and to the NPN collector pin 293 of the NPN transistor 290, the eleventh resistor 294, and the twelfth resistor 296 at its cathode pin 311. The eleventh resistor 294 is connected at its other end to a thirteenth resistor 295, which is connected at its other pin to the motor-side voltage 215. When the motor-side voltage 215 is higher than the Zener voltage, the eleventh resistor 294, the thirteenth resistor 295, and the Zener diode 310 together stabilize the motor-side voltage at the Zener voltage level. This is achieved by the Zener diode 310, which stabilizes the voltage at the Zener voltage when current flows through it. Figure 6 In one embodiment, the Zener diode 310 has a Zener voltage of 12 V.

[0094] Therefore, at position 315 in the braking resistor circuit 200, the voltage is stabilized at 12 V unless the NPN transistor 290 is activated, in which case the voltage at position 315 is approximately 0 V. The activation of the NPN transistor 290 is regulated by the current flowing into the base of the NPN transistor 290 at the NPN base pin 291. The base-emitter voltage of the NPN transistor is 0.7 V. When the voltage at the NPN base pin 291 is higher than 0.7 V, current will flow into the base of the NPN transistor 290, allowing amplified current to flow from the collector at the NPN collector pin 293 of the transistor 290 to the emitter at the NPN emitter pin 292 of the NPN transistor 290. Figure 6 In the embodiment, the magnification factor is approximately 300.

[0095] When the output 274 of the flip-flop 270 is 3.3 V, a current of (3.3 V – 0.7 V) / 10 K = 0.26 mA will flow through resistor 283. This current is shunt between resistor 284 and the base at pin 291 of transistor 290. Resistor 284 will consume approximately (0.7 V / 47 K) = 0.01 mA, and the remaining 0.25 mA will flow into pin 291 of transistor 290.

[0096] The 0.25 mA current in pin 291 will allow an approximate current of 0.25 mA from pin 293 to pin 292. (300) = 75 mA. This current is limited by two resistors 295 and 294 to (motor voltage 215 / 200k), so the current flowing through pin 293 will never reach 75 mA. Therefore, the voltage at pin 293 will be approximately 0 V. This is what is commonly referred to as a saturated transistor.

[0097] Resistor 296 is connected at one end to Zener diode 310, transistor 290, and resistor 294, and at the other end to resistor 317, diode 320, and transistor 300. Resistor 296, resistor 317, diode 320, and transistor 300 together form an emitter follower. This group of components together ensures that the voltage at position 325 in the braking resistor circuit 200 has the same value as the voltage at position 315, without requiring current to flow through resistors 294 and 295. This design of the braking resistor circuit 200 is arranged to quickly turn on MOSFET 330, which acts as a switch to control the load resistor 70 via connector 340, which connects to MOSFET 330 at pin 332 and is connected to the power supply voltage 215. An external load resistor, such as... Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, where Figure 8 yes Figure 7 An enlarged view of the circular window is shown. Two wires 71 and 72 on either side of the load resistor 70 are connected to the second connector 75. The second connector 75 is arranged to connect to connector 340. The external load resistor 70, connected to connector 340 via the second connector 75, is connected to the motor-side voltage 215 at the first connection 341 and to the drain pin 332 of the MOSFET 330 at the second connection 342. Therefore, the MOSFET 330 can control the external load resistor 70. When the MOSFET 330 is on, the external load resistor 70 is activated and consumes energy. When the MOSFET 330 is off, the external load resistor 70 is deactivated.

[0098] Operation of braking resistor circuit 200 When the motor-side voltage 215 is at the first predetermined value (in Figure 6 In one embodiment, the first predetermined value is more than 23.4 V higher than the system voltage 210. Figure 6 In this embodiment, when the system voltage is 24 V, current flows through the fourth resistor 212, generating a voltage higher than 2.5 V at the IN-pin 231 of the comparator 230.

[0099] Because pin 231 IN- of comparator 230 is higher than pin 233 IN+ of comparator 230 at this moment, the operation of the comparator switches, and the output at pin 234 becomes 0 V.

[0100] The Schmitt trigger 250 stabilizes the voltage without altering the signal. Consequently, pin 276 of the D flip-flop 270 is set to 0 V. This also makes the output of the D flip-flop at pin 274 0 V.

[0101] Because pin 274 of the flip-flop 274 is connected to transistor 290 via resistor 283, pin 291 of the transistor is also at 0 V. This turns off transistor 290, causing pin 315 of the braking resistor circuit 200 to be at 12 V.

[0102] Because position 315 of circuit 200 is connected to transistor 300 via resistor 296, pin 303 of transistor 300 also receives this voltage, and transistor 300 is turned on via pin 301 to pin 331 of MOSFET 330, i.e., the gate of MOSFET. This voltage at the gate of MOSFET 330 turns MOSFET 330 on. When the MOSFET is on, current flows through connector 340, and thus also through the external load resistor 70 connected to connector 340. As a result, current is drawn from the system, and the motor-side voltage 215 decreases.

[0103] The circuit board also includes a controller 95. The controller 95, such as... Figure 11 As shown. Controller 95 receives signals from braking resistor circuit 200 via conductive path MC_D_STAT350. Figure 6 The box MC_D_STAT in the diagram indicates the connection location of conductive path 350, while Figure 11 Conductive path 350 in the diagram shows the connection to pin 97 of controller 95. In braking resistor circuit 200, conductive path MC_D_STAT is electrically connected to a conductive path directly connected to Q pin 274 of D flip-flop 270. Controller 95 is configured to determine from signal 350 whether external load resistor 340 is activated.

[0104] The controller also measures the motor-side voltage 215 and is configured to disable the external load resistor 340 when the motor-side voltage 215 drops sufficiently, taking into account the supply voltage 210. The controller 95 generates a clock pulse via conductive path MC_D_RST 360. The controller 95 is connected to the CLK pin 271 of the D flip-flop 270 via a second pin 98 and conductive path MC_D_RST 360. By generating a clock pulse at pin 271 of the D flip-flop (i.e., at the CLK pin of the D flip-flop), the D flip-flop copies the data from pin 273 (D contact) of the D flip-flop connected to the power supply 285 to pin 274 (Q contact) of the D flip-flop. Figure 6 In this embodiment, power supply 285 is 3.3V. Only when CLR pin 276 is above the D flip-flop threshold voltage (in...) Figure 6 In the embodiment, when the voltage is 2 V, the D flip-flop copies data from the D contact to the Q contact. When the motor-side voltage 215 is higher than the first predetermined value at which the external load resistor is activated, the voltage at the output pin 254 of the Schmitt trigger is 0 V. Therefore, when the external load resistor is activated, the voltage at the CLR pin 276 is also 0 V. Therefore, the controller 95 cannot deactivate the external load resistor 340 until the motor-side voltage 215 is lower than the first predetermined value. When the system power supply voltage 210 is 24.0 V, the first predetermined value at which the external load is activated is... Figure 6 In this embodiment, the voltage is 47.4 V. With this specific structure, the controller 95 will never deactivate the external load resistor while the power supply voltage 215 is still above a first predetermined value (also known as a threshold) of the power supply voltage 215.

[0105] When the external resistor is deactivated, the Q contact of the D flip-flop goes high at pin 274. According to the datasheet, this voltage is at least 2.4 V. When pin 274 is high, transistor 290 is turned on. Therefore, the voltage at position 315 in the circuit is 0 V.

[0106] Transistor 300 conducts this voltage to position 325 in the circuit. When pin 331 of MOSFET 330 is 0 V, MOSFET 330 is turned off, and external load resistor 340 is disconnected.

[0107] The system is also configured so that the external load resistor 340 is always activated when the motor is activated even when the entire system is not powered. This prevents damage to the door actuator's electronics if someone manually operates the door and thus generates energy into it when the door actuator is not powered. Figure 6 In this embodiment, this is achieved by arranging a system in which the D flip-flop is configured such that its output is 0 V when the D flip-flop 270 is not powered. The following circuit configuration then prevents the voltage at point 315 from being pulled to ground. Point 315 follows the motor-side voltage 215 until it reaches 12 V, at which point the Zener diode 310 begins to conduct.

[0108] The voltage at position 315 in the circuit is also at pin 303 of transistor 300, and through transistor 300, this voltage is also at pin 331 of MOSFET 330. MOSFET 330 turns on once a predetermined threshold is reached. In a preferred embodiment, the threshold voltage of MOSFET 330 is 3.2 V. Figure 12 An alternative embodiment of the braking resistor circuit is shown. (Compared to...) Figure 6 Compared to the braking resistor circuit 200, Figure 12 The braking resistor circuit 400 includes an additional buffer 401 and an additional resistor 402. Buffer 401 is controlled by the conductive path MC_D_RST connected to controller 95 and the CLK pin 271 of flip-flop 270. For this purpose, input pin 404 is connected to this conductive path, and output pin 406 is connected to additional resistor 402. When the conductive path at input pin 404 is at a high voltage, additional resistor 402 is connected in parallel with fifth resistor 237, and the voltage at comparator reference pin IN+ 233 is the voltage of DC power supply 238, the same as in the first embodiment of braking resistor circuit 200. To achieve this, VCC pin 407 is connected to DC power supply 238. Figure 12 In this embodiment, the DC power supply 238 is 2.5 V. However, when the conductive path MC_D_RST is at a low voltage, the additional resistor 402 is grounded, and the voltage on the comparator reference pin IN+ 233 will drop. Figure 12 In this embodiment, the voltage at pin IN+ 233 drops to 0.45 V. This causes the braking resistor circuit 402 to trigger at a lower value of the motor-side voltage 215. Figure 12In this embodiment, the value of the motor-side voltage 215 is reduced to 28.5 V. In contrast, in Figure 6 In this embodiment, the value is 47.4 V.

[0109] Although various aspects of the invention have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be readily appreciated that these aspects may be implemented in other forms within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A door actuator (3) for closing and opening a closing system having a support (1) and a closing member (2) connected to each other by hinges, the door actuator comprising: - An elongated housing (9) configured to be mounted on the support, the elongated housing extending longitudinally between a first end (9a) and a second end (9b); - A DC electric motor 8 is installed in the housing, the electric motor having an output shaft near the first end of the elongated housing, and the output shaft being rotatable about the longitudinal direction when the electric motor is started or the closing member is rotated; - A driver (7), operatively connected to the output shaft, the driver being configured to rotate the closing member (2) when the output shaft rotates, and to rotate the shaft when the closing member rotates; and - A printed circuit board (90), which is mounted in the housing and includes circuitry (30) electrically connected to the DC electric motor to control the DC electric motor. Its features are: - The circuit includes a first part circuit (31) and a second part circuit (32), wherein the first part circuit is electrically connected to the second part circuit via a diode 50, wherein the diode is turned on from the first part circuit to the second part circuit, thereby providing a motor-side voltage (215) in the second part circuit at a position after the diode. - The second part of the circuit includes: a motor control circuit (100) electrically connected to a conductive path at the motor-side voltage (215) following the diode to control the DC electric motor, wherein the motor control circuit (100) includes at least one metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET); and a braking resistor circuit (200) electrically connected to a conductive path at the motor-side voltage (215) following the diode, and - The gate actuator further includes an external load resistor electrically connected to the braking resistor circuit (200) of the printed circuit board (90), wherein a first connection terminal of the external load resistor is connected to a conductive path at the motor-side voltage (215) after the diode, and wherein the braking resistor circuit (200) is configured to activate the external load resistor when the motor-side voltage (215) reaches a first predetermined voltage.

2. The door actuator according to claim 1, wherein, The braking resistor circuit (200) is configured to activate the external load resistor when the door actuator is not powered and the motor-side voltage reaches a second predetermined voltage.

3. The door actuator according to claim 2, wherein, The braking resistor circuit (200) further includes a one-bit storage element (270), which includes an output pin (274), wherein the one-bit storage element (270) is configured to provide 0 V at the output pin when no voltage is received at the other pins of the one-bit storage element. The braking resistor circuit further includes a Zener diode (310) having a cathode pin (311) and an anode pin (312). The Zener diode is electrically connected at its cathode pin to the motor-side voltage (215) and the output pin (274) of the one-bit storage element. The Zener diode is configured to stabilize the motor-side voltage to the third predetermined voltage at a conductive path in the circuit that is in direct electrical contact with the cathode pin of the Zener diode when the motor-side voltage (215) is at least equal to the third predetermined voltage. The braking resistor circuit further includes a MOSFET (330) electrically connected to the Zener diode (270), wherein the MOSFET is electrically connected at its other pins to the motor-side voltage (215) and ground, wherein the conductive path between the motor-side voltage and the MOSFET is configured to allow current to flow through the external load resistor, and the MOSFET is configured to conduct when the second predetermined voltage is reached at the Zener diode, such that the external load resistor consumes energy when the gate actuator is not powered and the motor-side voltage reaches the second predetermined voltage.

4. The door actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The braking resistor circuit (200) also includes a PNP transistor having a 24 V base pin (205), an emitter pin (203) electrically connected to the motor-side voltage (215), and a collector pin (204) electrically connected to ground. The braking resistor circuit further includes a fourth resistor (212). When the PNP transistor is turned on, the fourth resistor generates a first voltage in the conductive path before the resistor (212), and The resistance value of the fourth resistor (212) determines the first predetermined value.

5. The door actuator according to claim 4, wherein, The fourth resistor (212) is 22 KOhm, and the first predetermined value is 47.4 V.

6. The door actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The braking resistor circuit (200) also includes a comparator (230) having an IN+ pin (233) electrically connected to a reference voltage source (238), wherein the voltage value of the reference voltage source determines the first predetermined value.

7. The door actuator according to claim 6, wherein, The reference voltage source (238) is 2.5 V, and the first predetermined value is 47.4 V.

8. The door actuator according to any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein, The braking resistor circuit (200) also includes a Schmitt trigger (250) electrically connected to the output pin (234) of the comparator (230).

9. The door actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The braking resistor circuit (200) also includes a one-bit storage element (270).

10. The door actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The braking resistor circuit (200) further includes a one-bit storage element (270) having a storage element Q pin (274) as an output terminal, a CLK pin (271) for receiving a clock signal from the controller (95) and a storage element D pin as an input terminal, wherein when a clock pulse is detected at the CLK pin (271), the one-bit storage element (270) copies data from the storage element D pin (273) to the storage element Q pin (274).

11. The door actuator according to any one of claims 9 to 10, wherein, The one-bit storage element is a D flip-flop.

12. The door actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The braking resistor circuit (200) also includes an NPN transistor (290) having an NPN base pin (291), an NPN emitter pin (292) electrically connected to ground, and an NPN collector pin (293) electrically connected to a conductive path in the circuit. The braking resistor circuit is configured to control the voltage in the conductive path directly electrically connected to the NPN collector pin in the circuit by controlling the voltage at the NPN base pin of the NPN transistor.

13. The door actuator according to claim 12, wherein, The braking resistor circuit (200) also includes a Zener diode having a cathode pin (311) and an anode pin (312), and the Zener diode is electrically connected at the cathode pin to the motor-side voltage (215) and the NPN collector pin (293) of the NPN transistor (290), wherein the Zener diode is configured to stabilize the motor-side voltage (215) to a Zener voltage at a conductive path in the circuit that is in direct electrical contact with the cathode pin of the Zener diode when the NPN transistor 290 is not activated.

14. The door actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The braking resistor circuit (200) further includes a MOSFET (330) having a gate pin (331), a source pin (333), and a drain pin (332), wherein the drain pin (332) is electrically connected to a second connection terminal (342) of the external load resistor (70), wherein the source pin (333) is electrically connected to ground (220), and wherein the braking resistor circuit (200) is configured to provide a voltage higher than a threshold voltage value of the MOSFET at the gate pin of the MOSFET when the motor-side voltage (215) reaches the first predetermined voltage.

15. The door actuator according to claim 14, which is dependent on claim 13, wherein, The gate pin (331) of the MOSFET is electrically connected to a conductive path in the circuit that is in direct electrical contact with the cathode pin (293) of the Zener diode, and wherein the braking resistor circuit is configured such that the voltage at the gate pin (331) of the MOSFET is the same as the voltage at the conductive path in the circuit that is in direct electrical contact with the cathode pin of the Zener diode.

16. The door actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The printed circuit board (90) also includes a controller (95) electrically connected to the braking resistor circuit to receive a signal, and wherein the controller is configured to determine, based on the signal, whether the external load resistor (70) is activated.

17. The door actuator according to claim 16, wherein, The controller (95) is configured to measure the motor-side voltage (215), and wherein the controller is configured to deactivate the external load resistor when the motor-side voltage is reduced to below a fourth predetermined value.

18. The door actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The braking resistor circuit is configured to deactivate the external load resistor by switching the D flip-flop (270).

19. The door actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The printed circuit board (90) also includes a controller (95), wherein the controller is configured to control a clock signal to the CLK pin, and wherein the braking resistor circuit is configured such that the controller cannot deactivate the external load resistor when the motor-side voltage (215) is higher than the first predetermined value.

20. The door actuator according to claim 19, wherein, When the motor-side voltage (215) is higher than the first predetermined value, the voltage at the CLR pin 276 of the D flip-flop is lower than the D flip-flop threshold voltage value of the D flip-flop.

21. The door actuator according to claim 19, wherein, The threshold voltage value of the D flip-flop is 2 V.

22. The door actuator according to claim 17, wherein, The fourth predetermined value is lower than or equal to the first predetermined value.

23. A closure system having a support member (1) and a closing member (2) connected to each other by at least one hinge (4), characterized in that, The closing system further includes a door actuator (3) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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