DRIVE FOR A DOOR OR WINDOW LEAF

Abstract

Drive (10) for a leaf of a door, a window or the like, comprising a housing (12), an output shaft (14) rotatably mounted in the housing (12), and a piston (16) cooperating with the output shaft (14) and displaceably guided in the housing (12), wherein the drive (10) comprises means (18) cooperating with the piston (16) for energy conversion, by which the mechanical kinetic energy of the piston (16) can be converted into electrical energy and the electrical energy thus generated can be converted back into mechanical energy, wherein the means (18) for energy conversion comprise an electrical generator / motor unit (20) operable both as a generator and as a motor, and a gear (22) via which the piston (16) is coupled to the electrical generator / motor unit (20), characterized in that the gear (22) comprises a tappet mounted in the housing (12) displaceably in the direction of displacement of the piston (16). (24) includes,which is movable with the piston (16) and via which the translational movement of the piston (16) can be converted into a rotational movement.,

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a drive for a leaf of a door, a window or the like, comprising a housing, an output shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and a piston which cooperates with the output shaft and is displaceably guided in the housing.

[0002] The previously known drives of the type mentioned above include, in particular, hydraulic drives such as door closers with a working piston slidably guided in a housing, actuated in the closing direction by a spring unit, and interacting with an output shaft. The drive can be mounted either on a door leaf or on the fixed frame.

[0003] In conventional hydraulic drives or door closers, in which the housing is filled with a damping medium and the working piston is acted upon by a spring unit, the spring unit is compressed by the displacement of the working piston when the output shaft rotates while the door leaf is opened, so that it can serve as an energy store for the automatic closing of the leaf. The interior of the housing is usually divided into several chambers by the working piston. In conventional hydraulic drives or door closers, channels with associated regulating valves are arranged between these chambers to influence the damping medium flowing between the housing chambers, which serve to control the drive behavior. EP 1 340 877 A2 discloses such a hydraulic door closer.

[0004] A device for controlling swing doors, which uses an externally driven motor (62) to compress a spring (40) when the door is opened and thus store energy in the spring (40), is known from US 5 193 647 A. US 5 687 507 A relates to a device for selectively changing and controlling door movement modes, wherein the device is substantially non-hydraulic and includes a known mechanism that functions in one mode of operation independent of the device and includes a piston for controlling the door closing characteristics by selected fluid flow within the mechanism. Furthermore, US 5 048 151 A teaches a door check with continuously variable speed change for closing a door. US 2013 / 0340343 A1 reports a door closer system with a motor, spring, reduction gear set, and rack and pinion mechanism.US 2016 / 0024831 A1 discloses a door closer with an electrically motor-assisted closing function that can generate its own closing force and controls the opening and closing speed of the door during this generation. Finally, DE 10 2015 200 284 B3 communicates a braking device for a movable door leaf with an electric motor operating as a generator.

[0005] The hydraulic components required to control the drive behavior of conventional hydraulic drives and door closers are relatively complex, resulting in correspondingly high manufacturing costs. If the drive is to be installed on the door leaf, a door transition cable is also required to supply the electrical components, which must be laid from the frame to the door leaf equipped with the drive. In addition, corresponding cables for the required power connection often have to be laid first. The power supply to any electrical components that may be present is also relatively complex with existing drives, at least if they are to be installed on the door leaf.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of providing a drive of the type mentioned above that eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages. This is achieved with the simplest possible design and correspondingly cost-effective production, while ensuring, in particular, simpler and more variable control of the drive behavior and a simpler supply of electrical power to any electrical components provided.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention by a drive having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the drive according to the invention emerge from the subclaims, the subsequent description and the drawing.

[0008] The drive according to the invention for a leaf of a door, window, or the like comprises a housing, an output shaft rotatably mounted in the housing, and a piston that interacts with the output shaft and is displaceably guided in the housing. According to the invention, the drive comprises energy conversion means that interact with the piston, converting the mechanical kinetic energy of the piston into electrical energy and converting the electrical energy thus generated back into mechanical energy, in particular to supply at least one electrical component with electrical current, to generate a braking torque, and / or to drive the piston, in particular to assist the closing and / or opening movement.

[0009] This design ensures simpler and more variable control of the drive behavior as well as a simple supply of electrical power to any components that may be provided, with a simpler structure and correspondingly lower cost of manufacture. The hydraulic components previously required, in particular, to dampen the closing movement of the wing can be omitted. The respective damping of the wing movement can now also be easily influenced or controlled electrically. The electrical energy generated by the energy conversion means when opening and / or closing the wing can be used to supply at least one electrical component with electrical current, to generate a braking torque and / or to drive the piston at least in sections to assist the closing and / or opening movement.In the latter case, any stored electrical energy can be used, for example, to increase the closing force. The energy conversion devices now allow for a self-sufficient power supply for the drive, eliminating the previously required electrical connection. This also eliminates any additional installation effort.

[0010] The means for energy conversion comprise an electrical generator / motor unit that can be operated both as a generator and as a motor, as well as a transmission through which the piston is coupled to the electrical generator / motor unit.

[0011] In generator mode, for example, a rotor of the electrical generator / motor unit can be mechanically driven via the piston, thereby generating electrical energy in the windings of the stator of the electrical generator / motor unit. In generator mode, at least one electrical component can be supplied with current directly. Buffered electrical energy previously generated by the generator / motor unit can also be used to supply a particular electrical component with current. If, for example, current is fed back into the generator / motor unit via a short circuit, it generates a braking torque that is transmitted via the piston so that the wing can be electrically damped. Buffered electrical energy can also be used to drive the motor and, for example, to assist the opening movement of the wing when it is opened.By increasing the closing force accordingly, it can be ensured, for example, that the sash is closed reliably.

[0012] According to the invention, the transmission comprises a plunger which is mounted in the housing so as to be displaceable in the direction of displacement of the piston, which plunger is movable with the piston and via which the translational movement of the piston can be converted into a rotational movement.

[0013] The tappet is expediently slidably mounted in a housing cover or end wall provided at one end of the housing. This is particularly advantageous if the tappet extends through the housing cover or end wall and is held or engaged with the piston by an end protruding inward from the housing cover or end wall, and is coupled to a drive and / or input shaft of the electric generator / motor unit in the region of its end protruding outward from the housing cover or end wall.

[0014] According to an expedient practical embodiment of the drive according to the invention, the tappet is provided with a threaded spindle in the region of its end projecting outwardly from the housing cover or end wall, which spindle cooperates with a spindle nut provided with external teeth, via which the tappet is coupled to the output and / or drive shaft of the electrical generator / motor unit.

[0015] According to an alternative advantageous embodiment, the tappet is designed as a toothed rack in the region of its end projecting outwards from the housing cover or end wall, via which the tappet is coupled to the output and / or drive shaft of the electrical generator / motor unit.

[0016] According to an expedient practical embodiment of the drive according to the invention, the plunger is resiliently urged in the direction of the piston and is thereby held in engagement with it.

[0017] If the piston is moved away from the relevant housing cover or end wall when the wing is opened, the tappet, which is spring-loaded against the piston, is guided along the piston by the spring force and held in contact with it. The tappet only needs to be axially movable and not rotatable. With each movement of the tappet, at least one other gear element, such as the spindle nut mounted on the threaded spindle or a gear meshing with the rack, can be set in rotation via the threaded spindle or the rack, and the rotational movement can be transmitted to the generator / motor unit and vice versa. In this way, electricity can be generated when the wing is opened and closed, which can be used to control electrical components.If the current is fed back into the generator / motor unit via a short circuit, the motor generates a braking torque that is transferred to the piston via the mechanism, so that the drive or door closer can be electrically dampened.

[0018] If the tappet is spring-loaded in the direction of the piston, the tappet is advantageously mounted displaceably in a stepped bore in the housing cover or end wall of the housing and is loaded in the direction of the piston by a spring unit arranged in the bore, which is supported on the one hand on an inner shoulder of the stepped bore and on the other hand on a radial shoulder or collar of the tappet.

[0019] According to an alternative advantageous embodiment, the tappet can also be firmly connected to the piston in the region of its end facing the piston. The tappet is preferably positively and / or non-positively connected to the piston in the region of its end facing the piston.

[0020] With such a solid connection between the plunger and the piston, for example, a positive and / or non-positive connection, electrical damping is possible in both directions. A spring unit acting on the plunger is not required in this case, allowing for a more compact design.

[0021] To temporarily store the electrical energy generated by the energy conversion means, an energy storage device of any type and / or a rechargeable electrical storage unit such as a capacitor, an accumulator, and / or the like can be provided. As already mentioned, the temporarily stored electrical energy can be used, for example, to drive the motor and to assist in the opening and / or closing movement of the leaf. Alternatively or additionally, the temporarily stored electrical energy can also be used to supply any electrical components with electrical power.

[0022] It is also particularly advantageous if the electrical generator / motor unit includes a geared motor / generator. Accordingly, the generator / motor unit can comprise a combination of a generator / motor unit that can be operated both as a generator and as a motor, and a gearbox.

[0023] It is also particularly advantageous if the gear mechanism is designed in such a way that in at least one direction of movement of the wing, a freewheel is provided in sections between the piston and the means for energy conversion.

[0024] According to a further preferred practical embodiment of the device according to the invention, it comprises an electronic control unit via which the electrical generator / motor unit and / or at least one other component can be controlled.

[0025] Advantageously, the electric generator / motor unit can be controlled via the electronic control unit to influence the closing and / or opening movement of the leaf. It is also advantageously possible to actuate an electrically controlled valve, which holds the leaf in a position, e.g., the open position. If necessary, it can also be provided that the leaf can be closed again after a set time by controlling a timer that acts on the valve. The valve can be bistable or monostable.

[0026] According to a preferred practical embodiment of the drive according to the invention, the piston is acted upon in the closing direction by a spring unit.

[0027] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing, in which: Fig. 1 a schematic, sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a drive according to the invention, in which the tappet provided between the piston and the generator / motor unit is provided with a threaded spindle and is biased by a spring unit in the direction of the piston, Fig. 2 a schematic perspective front view of the drive according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a schematic, sectional partial view of the device according to Fig. 1 with the piston in its closed position, Fig. 4 a schematic sectional partial view of the device according to Fig. 1 with the piston moved into its open position, Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional partial view of another exemplary embodiment of a drive according to the invention, in which the tappet provided between the piston and the generator / motor unit is provided with a toothed rack and is urged by a spring unit in the direction of the piston, the piston assuming its closed position, Fig. 6 a schematic sectional partial view of the device according to Fig. 5 with the piston moved into its open position, Fig. 7 is a schematic sectional partial view of another exemplary embodiment of a drive according to the invention, in which the tappet provided between the piston and the generator / motor unit is provided with a toothed rack and is positively and / or non-positively connected to the piston, the piston assuming its closed position, Fig. 8 a schematic sectional partial view of the device according to Fig. 7 with the piston moved to its open position, and Fig. 9 a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of the electronic control unit of a drive according to the invention.

[0028] The Fig. 1 to 9 show, in a schematic representation, different exemplary embodiments of a drive 10 according to the invention for a leaf of a door, a window or the like.

[0029] The drives 10 each comprise a housing 12, an output shaft 14 rotatably mounted in the housing 12 and a piston 16 which interacts with the output shaft 14 and is displaceably mounted in the housing 12.

[0030] In addition, the drives 10 each comprise means 18 for energy conversion which interact with the piston 16 and by which the mechanical kinetic energy of the piston 16 can be converted into electrical energy and the electrical energy thus generated can be converted back into mechanical energy, in particular to supply at least one electrical component with electrical current, to generate a braking torque and / or to drive the piston 16, in particular to assist the closing and / or opening movement.

[0031] The means 18 for energy conversion each comprise an electrical generator / motor unit 20 which can be operated both as a generator and as a motor, as well as a transmission 22 via which the piston 16 is coupled to the electrical generator / motor unit 20.

[0032] The gear 22 comprises a plunger 14 which is mounted in the housing 12 so as to be displaceable in the direction of displacement of the piston 16, which plunger 14 is movable with the piston 16 and via which the translational movement of the piston 16 can be converted into a rotational movement.

[0033] The plunger 24 can be displaceably mounted in a housing cover or end wall 26 provided at one end of the housing 12. The plunger 24 can extend through the housing cover or end wall 26 and can be held in engagement with the piston 16 by an end protruding inward from the housing cover or end wall 26, or can be engaged and coupled to an output and / or drive shaft 28 of the electric generator / motor unit 20 in the region of its end protruding outward from the housing cover or end wall 26.

[0034] In the Fig. In the exemplary embodiments of the drive 10 according to the invention shown in Figures 1 to 4, the tappet 24 is provided in the region of its end projecting outwardly from the housing cover or end wall 26 with a threaded spindle 30 which cooperates with a spindle nut 32 provided with external teeth, via which the tappet 24 is coupled to the output and / or drive shaft 28 of the electrical generator / motor unit 20.

[0035] In contrast, the Fig. 5 to 8 show two different exemplary embodiments of the drive 10 according to the invention, in which the tappet 24 is designed as a toothed rack 34 in the region of its end projecting outwards from the housing cover or end wall 26, via which the tappet 24 is coupled to the output and / or drive shaft 28 of the electrical generator / motor unit 20.

[0036] According to the Fig. In the exemplary embodiments of the drive 10 shown in Figures 2 to 6, the plunger 24 is resiliently urged in the direction of the piston 16 and is thereby held in engagement therewith.

[0037] In this case, the tappet 24 can, as shown, for example, be displaceably mounted in a stepped bore 36 of the housing cover or end wall 26 of the housing 12 and can be acted upon in the direction of the piston 16 by a spring unit 38 arranged in the bore 36, which is supported on the one hand on an inner shoulder 40 of the stepped bore 36 and on the other hand on a radial shoulder or collar 42 of the tappet 24.

[0038] In contrast, the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of the drive 10 according to the invention, in which the plunger 24 is firmly connected to the piston 16 in the region of its end facing the piston 16. In this case, the plunger 24 can be connected to the piston 16, in particular, in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner, in the region of its end facing the piston 16.

[0039] When the wing is opened, the piston 16 of a respective drive 10 is moved in the illustrations according to the Fig. 1 and 3 to 8 are each shifted to the right. In the embodiments according to the Fig. 1 to 6, the spring unit 38 presses the plunger 24 against the piston 16. The plunger 24 must only be axially displaceable and not rotatable. With each movement of the piston 16, the plunger 24 is also displaced accordingly. In this case, the spindle nut 32 (see the Fig. 1 to 4) or via the rack 34, for example, a gear or pinion 44 connected to the output and / or drive shaft 28 of the generator / motor unit 20 (cf. Fig. 7 and Fig. 8) is set in rotation, whereby the rotational movement is transmitted to the generator / motor unit 20. When the leaf is closed, the piston 16 pushes the tappet 24 to the left. Thus, when the leaf is opened and / or closed, current is generated, which can be used, for example, to control electrical components. If the current is fed back into the generator / motor unit 20 via a short circuit, the motor generates a braking torque, which is transmitted via the mechanism to the piston 16, so that the drive 10 or door closer can be electrically dampened. If the tappet 24, as in the embodiment according to the Fig. 7 and Fig. If the piston 8 is firmly connected to the piston 16, electrical damping can be achieved in both directions. In this case, the spring unit 38 is not required.

[0040] For temporarily storing the electrical energy generated by the means 18 for energy conversion, an energy storage device 46 of any type and / or a rechargeable electrical storage unit 48 such as in particular a capacitor, a battery, an accumulator or the like can be provided.

[0041] The temporarily stored electrical energy can, for example, be used to drive the generator / motor unit 20 as a motor and to support the opening and / or closing movement of the wing. Alternatively or additionally, the temporarily stored electrical energy can also be used to supply any electrical components with electrical power.

[0042] The electric generator / motor unit 20 may, for example, comprise a geared motor / generator. Such a geared motor / generator comprises a combination of a generator / motor unit operable both as a generator and as a motor, and a transmission.

[0043] In addition, the drives can also each comprise an electronic control unit 50 via which the electrical generator / motor unit 20 and / or at least one other component can be controlled.

[0044] The electrical generator / motor unit 20 can be controlled via the electronic control unit 50, in particular to influence the closing and / or opening movement of the wing.

[0045] As can be seen in particular from the Fig. 1, the piston 16 of the drives 10 can each be acted upon in the closing direction by a spring unit 52.

[0046] The transmission 22 can be designed and / or the electric generator / motor unit 20 can be controlled by the electronic control unit 50 in such a way that in at least one direction of movement of the wing, a freewheel is produced in sections between the piston 16 and the means 18 for energy conversion.

[0047] By appropriately controlling the electric generator / motor unit 20 via the electronic control unit 40, the drive behavior, such as closing time profiles, closing force amplification and / or the like, can be controlled in the desired manner.

[0048] The electronic control unit 50 can, for example, have at least one microcontroller 54. It can, for example, be connected to at least one rotary encoder 56, at least one button 58, at least one switch 60, at least one sensor 62 and / or the like (see Fig. 9). The connection can be wired and / or wireless.

[0049] Alternatively or additionally, a respective electronic control unit 50 can also be assigned, for example, at least one communication interface 64 for wired and / or wireless communication (cf. again Fig. 9). The electronic control unit 50 can also, for example, be connected to at least one button provided on a controller or the like and / or communicate with at least one peripheral unit via an NFC or near-field communication connection and / or a Bluetooth connection and / or the like.

[0050] Via the means 18 for energy conversion, the respective electrical components, for example the electronic control unit 50, at least one electrical valve 66 associated with the drive, at least one sensor 68, at least one signal generator 70, for example at least one optical and / or at least one acoustic signal generator, at least one lighting element 72, an electrical drive unit 74 associated with the drive and / or the like, can be supplied with power (cf. again Fig. 9).

[0051] The inventive design enables variable control of the drive behavior, at least partially electrically influenced, with a relatively simple structure and correspondingly cost-effective manufacture. The energy conversion means 18 integrated in the drive 10 can both generate energy to supply components with power and dissipate energy from the drive or door closer, for example, to implement electrical damping. The hydraulic components previously required to dampen the drive or door closer can thus be eliminated. It is now also possible, among other things, to electrically control closing time sequences and / or to use the energy conversion means 18 as a drive to increase and / or amplify the closing force.

[0052] The respective transmission ratio and design of the gear 22 can be adapted to the respective prevailing force conditions. Freewheels, for example, are also conceivable in the gear 22, particularly in one direction. When the leaf is opened and / or closed, the piston 16 is displaced. When the piston 16 is displaced, the rotary movement is transmitted via the respective gear 22 to the electrical generator / motor unit 20 of this energy conversion means 18, which can be operated both as a generator and as a motor. If the current is fed back to the generator / motor unit 20, which is operated as a motor, via a short circuit, the motor generates a braking torque which is transmitted to the drive via the gear 22 and the piston 16, so that the drive or door closer can be electrically dampened, for example.

[0053] The electrical energy generated by the energy conversion means 18 can also be temporarily stored. The stored energy can then be used, among other things, to drive the motor and assist the opening and / or closing movement of the leaf. For secure closing of the leaf, the closing force can be increased accordingly via the motor.

[0054] The electrical energy generated by the energy conversion means 18 can be used to supply power to the electronic control unit 50 or its microcontroller 54 itself, and to electrical components 66 to 74, such as electrical valves, signal generators, lighting elements, and / or the like. Rotary encoders, buttons, and / or the like can, for example, provide the electronic control unit 50 or its microcontroller 54 with information about the status of the drive or door closer. If the energy conversion means 18 are used for damping, closing, and / or the like of the leaf, the electronic control unit 50 or its microcontroller 54 can adjust the motor power as needed. The electronic control unit 50 or its microcontroller 54 can exchange information and / or instructions with and / or receive information from associated components via at least one interface. List of reference symbols 10 Drive 12 housings 14 Output shaft 16 pistons 18 energy conversion agents 20 Generator / Motor Unit 22 gearboxes 24 tappets 26 Housing cover, front wall 28 Output and / or drive shaft 30 threaded spindle 32 spindle nut 34 rack 36 bore 38 spring unit 40 inner paragraph 42 radial attachment, collar 44 gear, pinion 46 energy storage 48 rechargeable storage unit 50 electronic control unit 52 spring unit 54 microcontrollers 56 encoders 58 buttons 60 switches 62 sensors 64 Communication interface 66 electric valve 68 Sensor 70 signal generators 72 lighting element 74 electric drive unit

Claims

[1] Drive (10) for a leaf of a door, a window or the like, comprising a housing (12), an output shaft (14) rotatably mounted in the housing (12), and a piston (16) cooperating with the output shaft (14) and displaceably guided in the housing (12), wherein the drive (10) comprises means (18) cooperating with the piston (16) for energy conversion, by which the mechanical kinetic energy of the piston (16) can be converted into electrical energy and the electrical energy thus generated can be converted back into mechanical energy, wherein the means (18) for energy conversion comprise an electrical generator / motor unit (20) operable both as a generator and as a motor, and a gear (22) via which the piston (16) is coupled to the electrical generator / motor unit (20). characterized bythat the gear (22) comprises a tappet (24) which is mounted in the housing (12) so as to be displaceable in the direction of displacement of the piston (16), which tappet is movable with the piston (16) and via which the translational movement of the piston (16) can be converted into a rotational movement. [2] Drive according to claim 1, characterized by that the plunger (24) is displaceably mounted in a housing cover or end wall (26) provided at one end of the housing (12). [3] Drive according to claim 2, characterized by that the tappet (24) extends through the housing cover or end wall (26) and is held or engaged with the piston (16) by an end projecting inwards from the housing cover or end wall (26) and is coupled to an output and / or drive shaft (28) of the electrical generator / motor unit (20) in the region of its end projecting outwards from the housing cover or end wall (26). [4] Drive according to claim 3, characterized by that the tappet (24) is provided in the region of its end projecting outwards from the housing cover or end wall (26) with a threaded spindle (30) which cooperates with a spindle nut (32) provided with external teeth, via which the tappet (24) is coupled to the output and / or drive shaft (28) of the electrical generator / motor unit (20). [5] Drive according to claim 3, characterized by that the tappet (24) is designed as a toothed rack (34) in the region of its end projecting outwards from the housing cover or end wall (26), via which the tappet (24) is coupled to the output and / or drive shaft (28) of the electrical generator / motor unit (20). [6] Drive according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the plunger (24) is resiliently urged in the direction of the piston (16) and is thereby held in engagement with it. [7] Drive according to claim 6, characterized bythat the tappet (24) is displaceably mounted in a stepped bore (36) of the housing cover or end wall (26) of the housing (12) and is biased in the direction of the piston (16) by a spring unit (38) arranged in the bore (36), which is supported on the one hand on an inner shoulder (40) of the stepped bore (36) and on the other hand on a radial shoulder or collar (42) of the tappet (24). [8] Drive according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the plunger (24) is firmly connected to the piston (16) in the region of its end facing the piston (16). [9] Drive according to claim 8, characterized by that the tappet (24) is positively and / or non-positively connected to the piston (16) in the region of its end facing the piston (16). [10] Drive according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat an energy store (46) of any type and / or a rechargeable electrical storage unit (48), such as in particular a capacitor, an accumulator or the like, is provided for temporarily storing the electrical energy generated by the energy conversion means (18). [11] Drive according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the electric generator / motor unit (20) comprises a gear motor / generator. [12] Drive according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it comprises an electronic control unit (50) via which the electric generator / motor unit (20) and / or at least one other component can be controlled. [13] Drive according to claim 12, characterized by that the electric generator / motor unit (20) can be controlled via the electronic control unit (50) to influence the closing and / or opening movement of the wing. [14] Drive according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the piston (16) is acted upon in the closing direction by a spring unit (52).

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