door closer

Abstract

A door closer (10) with an axle (12), a piston (16) which is connected to the axle (12) via a gear mechanism and guided in a housing (14), and at least one spring (18) which interacts with the piston (16), which spring is tensioned by the piston (16) during the opening process and relaxes during the closing movement while driving the piston (16), wherein at least the axle (12), the piston (16), and the spring (18) of the door closer (10) are arranged coaxially to one another, and in that a guide element (28) is assigned to the axle (12), which guide element follows a guide path (30) of the piston (16) when the axle (12) rotates, whereby the piston can be moved in the axial direction counter to or supported by the force of the spring (18), characterized in that at least the piston (16) and a portion (20) of the axle (12) are arranged within the spring (18).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a door closer with an axle, a piston connected to the axle via a gear and guided in a housing, and at least one spring, in particular a compression spring, cooperating with the piston.

[0002] Such a door closer is known, for example, from EP 3 067 500 A1 and causes a door to close automatically, ensuring both the movement of the door leaf into the door frame and the engagement of the door lock latch into the strike plate. In each case, the aim is to ensure that the closing process is as controlled as possible. However, the controlled closing of revolving doors presents problems for the door closer, particularly in confined installation spaces. With floor springs, the longitudinal and transverse pivot point distance is of particular importance for the installation, as larger pivot point distances can lead to collisions with adjacent doors or the masonry. DE 32 40 192 A1 describes another door closer in which a spring is tensioned using a joint.

[0003] The invention is based on the object of providing a door closer of the type mentioned at the outset, with which the pivot point distances are significantly reduced while having the most compact design possible and an optimal torque distribution.

[0004] This object is achieved by a door closer having the features of claim 1 and in particular in that at least the axis, the piston and the spring of the door closer are arranged coaxially to one another.

[0005] This design results in significantly reduced pivot point distances, which also allows for concealed installation, such as with a floor spring. Furthermore, the door closer according to the invention can also be used as a floor bearing or as a door hinge. Since the force is now applied axially, only one axle bearing is required. The concentric arrangement of the spring, piston, and piston chamber results in a particularly short spring chamber length. When used as an overhead door closer, it can also be used for particularly small inactive leaves.

[0006] In addition, according to the invention, at least the piston and a portion of the axle are arranged within the spring, thus achieving a particularly compact structure.

[0007] According to a preferred practical embodiment of the door closer according to the invention, a guide element is assigned to the spindle, which, as the spindle rotates, follows a guide path of the piston, allowing the piston to move in the axial direction, either counteracting or assisted by the force of the spring. The guide element can comprise, for example, a particularly radial bolt or pin or a roller. The guide element in question can protrude, in particular, radially from a section of the spindle arranged within the spring. The piston is preferably connected to the housing in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0008] The closing and / or opening torque curve can be determined, in particular, by the piston's guide path. The piston's guide path can also define a mechanical locking of the axis and, accordingly, the door in question.

[0009] Preferably, chambers provided on opposite sides of the piston can be connected to each other via a check valve during the opening process. This allows fluid, such as oil, to flow between the two chambers during the opening process.

[0010] During the closing process, however, the two chambers are only connected to each other via a regulating valve, preferably with the check valve closed. In this case, the fluid in question can only flow through this regulating valve, enabling controlled closing of the door. This allows the closing process to be regulated accordingly via the regulating valve, with the closing speed, in particular, being adjustable as desired.

[0011] Preferably, the door closer is designed so that the spring is tensioned by the piston during the opening process and relaxes during the closing movement, taking the piston with it. Advantageously, the principle can be reversed, allowing the door closer to function as a door opener.

[0012] According to an expedient practical embodiment of the door closer according to the invention, the housing has a passage opening for the axis on one end face, while it is closed off by a closure cover on the opposite end face.

[0013] The door closer can, for example, be designed in such a way that the spring can be acted upon by the piston at its end facing the end face of the housing which has the passage opening for the axis and can be compressed towards the closure cover during the opening process.

[0014] In this case, at least a section of the closure cap forming the running area for the piston can be arranged within the spring.

[0015] By arranging both the piston and a section of the axle as well as a section of the closure cover forming the running area for the piston within the spring, the overall height of the door closer is significantly reduced.

[0016] According to an alternative expedient embodiment of the door closer according to the invention, the spring can be acted upon by the piston during the opening process at its end facing the closure cover and can be compressed by the piston towards the end face of the housing having the passage opening for the axis.

[0017] This type of door closer design offers, among other advantages, that the shaft area is pressureless, allowing for easier sealing of the shaft. During operation, air can be discharged from the damping side via the check valve in the piston. Even with a low oil fill level, a relatively small drop angle can be achieved. Due to a larger piston cross-section, lower pressures in the damping chamber are also possible. Furthermore, machining the cover plate is simplified, as there is no leakage.

[0018] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 a schematic sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a door closer according to the invention, Fig. 2 a schematic sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a door closer according to the invention, Fig. 3 a schematic sectional view of the door closer according to Fig. 1 during the opening process, Fig. 4 a schematic sectional view of the door closer according to Fig. 1 during the closing process, Fig. 5 a schematic side view of the guide track in the piston of the door closer according to Fig. 1, Fig. 6 the unwound slide track according to Fig. 5, Fig. 7 a schematic plan view of the piston of the door closer according to Fig. 1, Fig. 8 a schematic sectional view of the door closer according to Fig. 2 during the opening process, Fig. 9 a schematic sectional view of the door closer according to Fig. 2 during the closing process and Fig. 10 a schematic cross-sectional view of the housing and the piston according to Fig. 2.

[0019] Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a door closer 10 according to the invention, comprising an axle 12, a piston 16 connected to the axle 12 via a gear mechanism and guided in a housing 14, and at least one spring 18 interacting with the piston 16, which in this case is, for example, a compression spring. At least the axle 12, the piston 16, and the spring 18 of the door closer 10 are arranged coaxially with one another. Furthermore, at least the piston 16 and a portion 20 of the axle 12 are arranged within the spring 18.

[0020] As shown, the axle 12 can, for example, comprise an upper axle part 22 and a lower axle part 24, which are coupled to one another via a clamping-expansion screw 26.

[0021] The section 20 of the axle 12 arranged within the spring 18 is formed by a lower section of the axle lower part 24.

[0022] A guide element 28 is assigned to the axis 12, which, as the axis 12 rotates, follows a slide track 30 of the piston 16, allowing the piston 16 to move axially against or with the aid of the force of the spring 18. The guide element 28 can, in particular, comprise a radially extending bolt or mandrel or a roller.

[0023] The piston 16 is connected to the housing 12 in a rotationally fixed manner. The piston 16 can, for example, have a polygonal contour, as shown in the Fig. 7, and be positively connected to the housing 14. However, any other type of locking device is also conceivable that prevents rotation of the piston 16 relative to the housing 14.

[0024] A desired closing and / or opening torque curve can be specified via the guide track 30 of the piston 16. In particular, the guide track 30 can also be used to define a mechanical locking of the axis 12 and thus of the associated door.

[0025] During the opening process, chambers provided on opposite sides of the piston 16 can be connected to each other via a check valve 32. However, during the closing process, with the check valve 32 closed, the two chambers are only connected to each other via a regulating valve 34.

[0026] Thus, the closing process can be regulated via the regulating valve 34, whereby in particular the closing speed can be adjusted in the desired manner.

[0027] During the opening process, the spring 18 is tensioned by the piston 16. During the closing movement, the spring 18 can then relax again, taking the piston 16 with it.

[0028] The housing 14 has a through-opening 36 for the axle 12 on one end face. On the opposite end face, the housing 14 is closed by a cover 38. The upper through-opening 36 is defined by an upper axle cover 40. An O-ring 42 is provided between the axle cover 40 and the rest of the housing 14, and an O-ring 44 is provided between the axle cover 40 and the axle 12. Additional O-rings 46 are arranged between the lower cover 38 and the housing 14.

[0029] The axle 12 is rotatably mounted in the housing 14 via a ball bearing 48. The guide element 28 can be mounted in the lower axle part 24, in particular via a needle bearing 50, for radial movement.

[0030] In the present embodiment, during the opening process, the spring 18 can be acted upon by the piston 16 at its end facing the end face of the housing 14, which has the passage opening 36 for the axis 12, and can be compressed towards the closure cover 38. Furthermore, in this embodiment, at least a section 52 of the closure cover 38 forming the running area for the piston 16 is arranged within the spring 18. The piston 16 is sealed off from this section 52 of the lower closure cover 38 by a piston seal 54. The spring 18 is supported on the one hand on an upper radial flange 56 of the piston 16 and on the other hand on a base 58 of the lower closure cover 38.

[0031] Fig. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of the door closer 10 according to the invention. The present door closer 10 differs from that according to Fig. 1 essentially in that the spring 18 can be acted upon by the piston 16 during the opening process at its end facing the closure cover 38 and can be compressed by the piston 16 towards the end face of the housing 14 having the passage opening 36 for the axis 12. The spring 18 is supported on the one hand on a radial inner projection 60 of the housing 14 and on the other hand on a base 62 of the piston 16. Otherwise, this door closer 10 has at least essentially the same structure as the one in the Fig. 1 door closer 10 shown. Corresponding parts are assigned the same reference numerals.

[0032] In the present embodiment, the axle area is depressurized, which simplifies the sealing of axle 12. Due to the specific component arrangement, the air is discharged from the damping side during operation via the check valve 32 in the piston 16. This achieves the smallest possible drop angle, even with a lower oil fill level. The larger piston cross-section results in lower pressures in the damping chamber. The closure cap 38 is easier to machine because there is no outflow.

[0033] Fig. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of the door closer 10 according to Fig. 1 during the opening process. In Fig. 4 shows this door closer 10 during the closing process. The opening and closing process of this door closer according to Fig. 1 are explained in more detail below.

[0034] If the upper part of the axle 22 is actuated when opening the door, the guide element 28 located in the lower part of the axle 24, which corresponds to the guide track 30 (see also the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6) of the piston 16. As already mentioned, the guide element 28 can comprise, for example, a bolt, a mandrel, or a roller.

[0035] This causes the piston to move downwards in the axial direction, tensioning or compressing the spring 18, which in this case is a compression spring, for example. The piston 16 and the housing 14 are positively connected to prevent rotation of the piston 16. The piston 16 can, for example, have a polygonal contour (see also Fig. 7). In principle, however, any other securing device is also conceivable, which prevents rotation of the piston 16 relative to the housing 14. The guide rail or the guide track 30 of the piston 16 (cf. also the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6) can be designed to create a specific torque curve at the assigned door. For example, a decreasing opening torque to increase ease of use and / or a mechanical hold-open mechanism are conceivable (see again the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6).

[0036] During the opening process, the oil can flow from the lower chamber to the upper chamber through the check valve 32 in the piston 16.

[0037] When closing, the spring 18 relaxes and pushes the piston 16 in the opposite direction, whereby the lower axle part 24 is moved over the guide rail or the guide track 30 of the piston 16 (see again the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6) is turned and takes the door with it.

[0038] At the same time, the check valve 32 is closed, allowing the oil to flow only through the regulating valve 34, enabling controlled closing of the door. The closing speed can be adjusted via the regulating valve 34.

[0039] Fig. 8 shows a schematic sectional view of the door closer 10 according to Fig. 2 during the opening process. In Fig. 9 shows this door closer 10 during the closing process. The opening and closing process of this door closer 10 according to Fig. 2 are explained in more detail below.

[0040] If the upper part of the axle 22 is actuated when opening the associated door, the guide element located in the lower part of the axle 24 also rotates, which then follows the guide track 30 (see also the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6) of the piston 16. As already mentioned, the guide element 28 can comprise, for example, a bolt, a mandrel, or a roller.

[0041] The piston 16 is thereby moved upwards in the axial direction, whereby the spring 18, which in this case is also a compression spring, is tensioned or compressed.

[0042] The piston 16 and the housing 14 are positively connected to each other (see also Fig. 7) to prevent rotation of the piston 16 relative to the housing 14. In principle, however, any other locking device is also conceivable to prevent rotation of the piston 16 relative to the housing 14.

[0043] The slide guide or slide track 30 (see also the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6) is designed to create a specific torque curve at the door in the desired manner. For example, a decreasing opening torque to increase ease of use and / or a mechanical hold-open mechanism are conceivable (see again the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6).

[0044] During the opening process, the oil can flow from the upper chamber to the lower chamber through the check valve 32 in the piston 16.

[0045] During the closing process, spring 18 relaxes. It pushes piston 16 in the opposite direction, causing the lower axle section 24 to rotate via the guide rail or guide track 30 and the guide element 28. The door is moved along with it.

[0046] At the same time, the check valve 32 is closed, allowing the oil to flow only through the regulating valve 34, thus enabling controlled closing of the door. In particular, the closing speed can be adjusted as desired via the regulating valve 34.

[0047] Fig. 10 shows in a schematic cross-sectional view the housing 14 and the piston 16 of the door closer according to Fig. 2. As can be seen from this figure, the piston 16 in the present case is provided with pins 64 which cooperate with grooves 66 provided in the housing 14 in order to connect the piston 16 in a rotationally fixed manner to the housing 14, ie to prevent a relative rotation between the piston 16 and the housing 14. List of reference symbols 10 door closers 12 Axis 14 housings 16 pistons 18 spring Section 20 22 axle upper part 24 axle base 26 Clamping expansion screw 28 Guide element 30 slide track 32 Check valve 34 Regulating valve 36 Passage opening 38 caps 40 axle covers 42 O-ring 44 O-ring 46 O-ring 48 ball bearings 50 needle bearings Section 52 54 Piston seal 56 flange 58 bases 60 lead 62 bases 64 cones 66 grooves

Claims

[1] Door closer (10) with an axle (12), a piston (16) connected to the axle (12) via a gear mechanism and guided in a housing (14), and at least one spring (18) cooperating with the piston (16), which spring is tensioned by the piston (16) during the opening process and relaxes during the closing movement while driving the piston (16), wherein at least the axle (12), the piston (16) and the spring (18) of the door closer (10) are arranged coaxially to one another, and in that a guide element (28) is assigned to the axle (12), which, when the axle (12) rotates, follows a guide track (30) of the piston (16), whereby the piston can be moved in the axial direction counter to or supported by the force of the spring (18), characterized by that at least the piston (16) and a portion (20) of the axle (12) are arranged within the spring (18). [2] Door closer according to claim 1, characterized by that the spring (18) is a compression spring. [3] Door closer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the guide element (28) comprises a particularly radial bolt or mandrel or a roller. [4] Door closer according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the piston (16) is connected to the housing (12) in a rotationally fixed manner. [5] Door closer according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the closing and / or opening torque curve is determined by the guide track (30) of the piston (16). [6] Door closer according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the guide track (30) of the piston (16) also defines a mechanical locking of the axis (12). [7] Door closer according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that chambers provided on opposite sides of the piston (16) can be connected to one another via a check valve (32) during the opening process. [8] Door closer according to claim 7, characterized by that the two chambers can only be connected to each other via a regulating valve (34) during the closing process when the check valve (32) is closed. [9] Door closer according to claim 8, characterized by that the closing process can be regulated via the regulating valve (34). [10] Door closer according to claim 9, characterized by that the closing speed can be adjusted via the regulating valve (34). [11] Door closer according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the housing (14) has a passage opening (36) for the axis (12) on one end face and is closed off by a closure cover (38) on the opposite end face. [12] Door closer according to claim 11, characterized bythat the spring (18) can be acted upon by the piston (16) during the opening process at its end facing the end face of the housing (14) having the passage opening (36) for the axis (12) and can be compressed towards the closure cover (38). [13] Door closer according to claim 12, characterized by that at least one section (52) of the closure cover (38) forming the running area for the piston is arranged within the spring (18). [14] Door closer according to claim 11, characterized by that the spring (18) can be acted upon by the piston (16) at its end facing the closure cover (38) during the opening process and can be compressed by the piston towards the end face of the housing (14) having the passage opening (36) for the axis (12).

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