Hold-open system

Abstract

Hold-open system for an escape and / or fire protection door or hatch, comprising at least one electromechanical drive component such as a door closer or door drive, a control unit for controlling the drive component, and an electronic assembly (11) connected to the control unit via radio, namely a manual release button which is to be mounted at a mounting location (13) and is protected against sabotage by removal from the mounting location (13) by means of a protective device (25), wherein a distance measuring device (27) is provided which is arranged in relation to the electronic assembly (11) such that, when the electronic assembly (11) is mounted at the mounting location (13), it measures a fixed distance (50) in relation to the mounting location (13), which changes when the electronic assembly (11) is removed from the mounting location (13), and wherein the protective device (25) is designed to generate a sabotage signal when the distance measuring device (27) detects a change in distance.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hold-open system for an escape and / or fire protection door or hatch, comprising at least one electromechanical drive component such as a door closer or door drive, a control unit for controlling the drive component and an electronic assembly connected to the control unit via radio, namely a manual release button which is to be mounted at an installation location and is protected against sabotage by removal from the installation location by means of a protective device.

[0002] If an electronic assembly is mounted in an accessible location, such as on an interior wall, there is a risk that removing the assembly could sabotage the associated system, which is particularly problematic for security and monitoring systems. Protective devices of this type are designed to detect such acts of sabotage so that countermeasures can be initiated. For example, a hold-open device for an emergency exit door or fire door may have a manual release button mounted on the wall near the door or hatch. This button allows for the manual activation of the relevant safety function in an emergency, such as manually closing a fire door in the event of a fire.

[0003] With existing wiring, the connection between the electronic assembly and the control unit can be monitored by measuring resistance. However, this is not possible if the electronic assembly and the control unit are connected exclusively wirelessly. A tamper switch in the form of a push button could also be provided, which is pressed by a spring when the electronic assembly is mounted. However, the spring must be precisely adapted to the specific design and configuration of the electronic assembly and its surroundings, such as the size and shape of the mounting box, resulting in a wide variety of types.

[0004] DE 100 05 443 A1 discloses an anti-theft system with an object detector that is permanently assigned to the object to be secured, is equipped with theft sensors and / or sabotage sensors and can communicate with a radio station.

[0005] US Patent 5,878,530 A discloses a remote-controlled door drive with an electric motor and a drive linkage, wherein the shaft of the electric motor can be decoupled from the drive linkage.

[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide a holding system with a protective device of the type mentioned above, which is independent of a cable connection and is particularly flexible in its application.

[0007] The problem is solved by a locking system with the features of claim 1.

[0008] According to the invention, a distance measuring device is provided which is arranged in relation to the electronic assembly in such a way that, when the electronic assembly is mounted at the installation location, it measures a fixed distance in relation to the installation location, which changes when the electronic assembly is removed from the installation location.

[0009] According to the invention, the protective device is configured to generate a sabotage signal, in particular an electrical or electromagnetic signal, when the distance measuring device detects a change in distance. The control unit or a separate receiving unit can then initiate safety measures, for example, by triggering an alarm. In particular, evaluation electronics of the protective device connected to the distance measuring device can be configured to generate the sabotage signal.

[0010] The distance measuring device does not require a spring adapted to the specific application situation, so that a protective device according to the invention can be used for many different systems. For example, a protective device according to the invention can be used for manual release buttons in shallow device boxes as well as for manual release buttons in deep device boxes. Furthermore, the functionality of the distance measuring device can be provided regardless of whether additional cables are installed in the device box in question or not. It also makes no difference whether the device box is a flush-mounted box or a cavity box.

[0011] The electronics assembly can be connected to the control unit exclusively via radio, enabling quick, easy and flexible installation.

[0012] To increase the protective effect, the protective device can also include several distance measuring devices, each arranged in relation to the electronic assembly in such a way that, when the electronic assembly is mounted at the installation location, they measure a fixed distance relative to the installation location, which changes when the electronic assembly is removed from the installation location.

[0013] The distance measuring device can be positioned relative to the electronic assembly such that, when the electronic assembly is mounted at the installation location, it measures the distance between a reference surface (fixed relative to the distance measuring device) and an inner wall section of an enclosure housing the electronic assembly. As soon as the electronic assembly is removed from the enclosure, for example, through unauthorized disassembly or damage, the distance measured by the distance measuring device changes, which can be detected and, if necessary, reported. It is not necessary to provide a separate enclosure for the protective device and connect it to the enclosure of the electronic assembly.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the distance measuring device is arranged in relation to the electronic assembly such that, when the electronic assembly is mounted at the installation location, it measures the distance of the reference surface from a rear or side wall of a flush-mounted box or cavity box. Removal of the electronic assembly from the flush-mounted box or cavity box is immediately detectable by an increase in the measured distance.

[0015] The distance measuring device can comprise a transmitter for emitting signal waves or signal pulses, a receiver for receiving the emitted signal waves or signal pulses, and an evaluation unit designed to determine the distance traveled by the signal waves or signal pulses based on the time of flight elapsed between their emission and reception. Such distance measuring devices are generally referred to as "time-of-flight" sensors. They have a simple and compact design and require no moving parts. The determination of the distance traveled based on the time of flight takes into account the known propagation speed of the signal waves or signal pulses.

[0016] The transmitter can be designed to emit sound, especially ultrasound. This enables distance measurements that are independent of the current lighting conditions and the color of the target surface.

[0017] Alternatively, the transmitter can be designed to emit light, especially laser light. This enables particularly high measurement accuracy.

[0018] The receiver can be adapted to the type of radiation emitted by the transmitter.

[0019] A specific embodiment of the invention provides that the receiver is shielded against direct reception of signal waves or signal pulses emitted by the transmitter. This ensures that only signals reflected from the target surface are evaluated, resulting in increased reliability of the distance measurement.

[0020] The transmitter and receiver can be integrated into a single component to enable a particularly compact design. However, the transmitter and receiver could also be implemented as separate units.

[0021] The protective device can be configured to generate a sabotage signal when a distance increase detected by the distance measuring device exceeds a threshold. Thus, as soon as a significant increase in distance is detected, such as occurs when the distance measuring device is moved from its installation location, a sabotage report is generated. By selecting a suitable threshold, it is possible to ensure sufficient sensitivity for sabotage detection while simultaneously minimizing the risk of false alarms.

[0022] Preferably, the protective device is designed to transmit the generated sabotage signal to the control unit via a radio transmitter of the electronic assembly. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a separate radio transmitter for outputting the sabotage signal. Alternatively, it is also possible to transmit the generated sabotage signal via cable.

[0023] It is preferred that the protective device is configured to query the distance measured by the distance measuring device at predetermined time intervals. The reading of the distance measuring device is therefore preferably cyclical rather than continuous.

[0024] The protective device is also preferably designed to put the distance measuring device and / or the evaluation electronics connected to it into an energy-saving mode between two successive query processes in order to minimize power consumption.

[0025] Further developments of the invention can also be found in the dependent claims, the description and the accompanying drawings.

[0026] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the drawing. Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a manual release button of a hold-open system, which is mounted on a wall and is protected against sabotage by removal from the wall by a protective device designed according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0027] The in Fig. The manual release button 11 shown in Figure 1 is part of a hold-open system for a fire door (not shown) and serves to enable manual closing of the fire door. The manual release button 11 is mounted on a wall 13. A housing 15 with a first housing component 17 and a second housing component 19 is provided to house the manual release button 11. In the mounted state of the manual release button 11 shown, the first housing component 17 and the second housing component 19 are screwed or otherwise connected to each other. The first housing component 17 can be a standardized device box for flush or cavity mounting, in particular a device box designed according to DIN 49073. Alternatively, the first housing component 17 could be a component associated with the manual release button 11, which is inserted into a separate device box.The second housing component 19 can be a carrier component for a control element (not shown) as well as for electronic components of the manual release button 11. According to an embodiment (not shown), the control element and the electronic components are housed in separate enclosures.

[0028] The manual release button 11 comprises control electronics 21 with a radio signal transmitter 23. The radio signal transmitter 23 can signal to a control unit (not shown) of the hold-open system that the operating element has been activated. The control electronics 21 with the radio signal transmitter 23 is arranged on or in an insert 20, which is fixedly connected to the second housing part 19.

[0029] If the manual release button 11 is removed from the wall 13, for example by dismantling or knocking it off, the fire protection function cannot be manually triggered, which is undesirable and may violate official regulations. To detect such acts of sabotage, a protective device 25 in the form of a tamper contact for the manual release button 11 is provided. The protective device 25 includes a distance measuring device 27, which is implemented here as a time-of-flight sensor (TOF sensor). Specifically, the distance measuring device 27 has, in a generally known manner, a transmitter for emitting signal waves or signal pulses, a receiver for receiving the emitted signal waves or signal pulses, and an evaluation unit for determining a distance value using the time-of-flight method, which in Fig.1, however, is not shown in detail. Depending on the application, the time-of-flight sensor can be based on sound, ultrasound, or light signals. An evaluation electronics unit 29 of the protective device 25, which is arranged on or in the insert 20, is connected to the distance measuring device 27. The evaluation electronics unit 29 is also connected to the radio signal transmitter 23.

[0030] As shown, the distance measuring device 27 is attached to the second housing component 19 and aligned such that, with the manual release button 11 mounted, the emitted signals measure the distance 50 of the front surface 30 of the distance measuring device 27 or another fixed reference surface with respect to the distance measuring device 27 from the rear wall 39 of the first housing component 17.

[0031] The evaluation electronics 29 are configured to monitor the distance 50 detected by the distance measuring device 27. This monitoring is preferably carried out such that the distance 50 is not continuously queried, but only at predetermined time intervals. Between the query processes, the distance measuring device 27 and the evaluation electronics 29 are put into an energy-saving mode.

[0032] If the evaluation electronics 29 detect that a propagation delay or distance increase exceeding a predetermined threshold has occurred, it generates an alarm signal in the form of a tamper signal and transmits it to the radio signal transmitter 23. The radio signal transmitter 23 sends a corresponding radio message to the control unit. Therefore, should an act of sabotage occur in which the housing components 17 and 19 are separated, for example, if the second housing component 19, including the insert 20, is removed from the first housing component 17, this is detected by an increase in the distance measured by the distance measuring device 27 and reported to the control unit of the hold-open system. The control unit can then switch to an alarm state. The operator of the hold-open system consequently has the opportunity to arrange for the repair or replacement of the sabotaged manual release button 11.

[0033] According to an alternative embodiment of a manual release button (not shown), the distance measuring device is aligned such that, when the manual release button 11 is mounted, the emitted signals measure the distance 50 between the front surface 30 of the distance measuring device 27, or another fixed reference surface relative to the distance measuring device 27, and a side wall 40 of the first housing component 17. In this case as well, removing the second housing component 19, including the insert 20, from the first housing component 17 results in an increase in transit time or distance, which is detected by the evaluation electronics 29 and reported as sabotage to the control unit of the hold-open system via the radio signal transmitter 23.

[0034] The distance measuring device 27 could also be arranged at other locations on the manual release button 11 such that, when the manual release button 11 is mounted on the wall 13, it measures a fixed distance to the surroundings relative to the wall 13, which changes when the manual release button 11 is moved away from the wall 13. For example, the distance measuring device 27 could be located inside the first housing component 17 and measure a distance to a projection of the second housing component 19, or vice versa.

[0035] The described protective device 25 can be used not only to protect manual release buttons 11, but also to protect motion detectors, emergency switches and other electronic assemblies that are wirelessly connected to a control unit. Reference symbol list: 11 manual release buttons 13 Wall 15 cases 17 first housing component 19 second housing component 20 deployment 21 Control electronics 23 radio signal transmitters 25 Protective device 27 Distance measuring device 29 Evaluation electronics 30 Front surface 39 Back panel 40 side wall 50 distance

Claims

[1] Hold-open system for an escape and / or fire door or hatch, comprising at least one electromechanical drive component such as a door closer or door drive, a control unit for controlling the drive component and an electronic assembly (11) connected to the control unit via radio, namely a manual release button which is to be mounted at a mounting location (13) and is protected against sabotage by removal from the mounting location (13) by means of a protective device (25), wherein a distance measuring device (27) is provided which is arranged in relation to the electronic assembly (11) such that, when the electronic assembly (11) is mounted at the mounting location (13), it measures a fixed distance (50) in relation to the mounting location (13), which changes when the electronic assembly (11) is removed from the mounting location (13), and wherein the protective device (25) is configured to generate a sabotage signal when the distance measuring device (27) detects a change in distance. [2] Hold-open device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the distance measuring device (27) is arranged in relation to the electronic assembly (11) such that, when the electronic assembly (11) is mounted at the installation location (13), it measures the distance (50) of a reference surface (30) fixed with respect to the distance measuring device (27) from an inner wall section (39, 40) of a housing (15) accommodating the electronic assembly (11). [3] Hold-open device according to claim 2, characterized by , that the distance measuring device (27) is arranged in relation to the electronic assembly (11) such that, when the electronic assembly (11) is mounted at the installation location (13), it measures the distance (50) of the reference surface (30) from a rear wall (39) or a side wall (40) of a flush-mounted box or cavity box. [4] Hold-open device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the distance measuring device (27) comprises a transmitter for sending signal waves or signal pulses, a receiver for receiving the sent signal waves or signal pulses and an evaluation unit designed to determine the distance traveled by the signal waves or signal pulses on the basis of the transit time elapsed between sending and receiving the signal waves or signal pulses. [5] Hold-open device according to claim 4, characterized by that the transmitter is designed to emit sound, especially ultrasound. [6] Hold-open device according to claim 4, characterized by that the transmitter is designed to emit light, especially laser light. [7] Hold-open device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized by that the receiver is shielded against direct reception of signal waves or signal pulses emitted by the transmitter. [8] Hold-open device according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized by that the transmitter and receiver are integrated into a single component. [9] Hold-open device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the protective device (25) is designed to generate an electrical or electromagnetic sabotage signal when the distance measuring device (27) detects the change in distance. [10] Hold-open device according to claim 9, characterized by , that the protective device (25) is designed to generate the sabotage signal when an increase in distance detected by the distance measuring device (27) exceeds a threshold value. [11] Hold-open device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by , that the protective device (25) is designed to transmit the generated sabotage signal to the control unit by means of a radio signal transmitter (23) of the electronic assembly (11). [12] Hold-open device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the protective device (25) is designed to query the distance (50) measured by the distance measuring device (27) at predetermined time intervals. [13] Hold-open device according to claim 12, characterized by , that the protective device (25) is designed to put the distance measuring device (27) and / or an evaluation electronics (29) connected thereto into an energy-saving mode between two successive query operations.

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