DOOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACTIVATING A CENTRAL CONTROL MODULE IN A DOOR SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a door system and a method for activating a central control module in a door system.

[0002] Modern door systems are usually equipped with a central intelligence, which is required, for example, to control an operating mode of the door system, also known as door mode, to control a door status and to communicate with other systems. However, since the design and equipment of door systems can vary, the devices included in the door system also differ. Therefore, there is no device or device type that is fundamentally present in every door system and to which the functionality of the central intelligence can always be assigned. For this reason, an additional device is usually provided that takes over the tasks of the central intelligence. However, this additional device entails additional acquisition costs, leads to greater complexity of the door system and requires more installation effort for the door system.

[0003] An intelligent control system for a door drive system with a bus system is known from publication DE 20 2005 021 457 U1. If the intelligent control system is installed, it assumes the master function of the bus system; otherwise, a master drive assumes the master function.

[0004] Further bus systems for doors or gates are disclosed in DE 43 44 729 A1, EP 1 764 663 A1 and WO 2015 / 135607 A1.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to reduce the degree of complexity and installation effort of a door system.

[0006] This object is solved by the subject matter of independent claims 1 and 4.

[0007] Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the subclaims.

[0008] The door system according to the invention comprises a door, a data communication system for providing a transmission path for data transmission among participants of the data communication system, and at least two devices with an electronic control unit that are connected to the data communication system as participants. At least two of the devices are provided with a central control module for controlling the door system.

[0009] The devices are in particular devices installed with the door system that are suitable for changing a state of the door or the door system: a door drive and a motor-driven door lock

[0010] The central control modules each have a central intelligence, so that the respective devices are suitable for controlling, for example, a door state and an operating mode of the door system by means of their electronic control unit, in particular also by controlling the other participants of the data communication system.

[0011] In the door system according to the invention, this control function of the central control module can be performed by devices equipped with a control module, which are part of the door system and are provided anyway. The provision of an additional device that can perform the control function of the door system is therefore obsolete. This reduces the number of devices in the door system, and thus the installation and configuration effort. Furthermore, the central intelligence can be automatically adapted to the size of the door system, namely to the type of devices installed, so that the central intelligence is always adapted to the size of the door system.

[0012] Because at least two devices are equipped with a control module, certain functions of the central intelligence can be taken over by the other device if one fails. A "single point of failure" then no longer exists.

[0013] The data communication system can be a bus system, for example CAN (Controller Area Network).

[0014] The central control module can be activated and deactivated on the devices. This is useful to prevent multiple devices from controlling the door system simultaneously. The devices are designed to activate or deactivate their respective central control modules during operation and / or at the start of operation of the door system.

[0015] The devices are configured to activate the respective central control module based on at least one predetermined criterion. The devices then check during operation and / or at the start of operation whether the criterion is met or not, and activate their central control module based on the result of the check. For example, the devices can be configured so that the check is performed only once each time the door system starts operating. Preferably, however, the devices can also perform the check cyclically to check the criterion regularly.

[0016] The devices are designed to activate the respective central control module based on a predetermined sequence. This sequence can, for example, determine which device typically controls the door system. If this device is not installed in the door system or is unavailable for other reasons, the next device in the predetermined sequence takes over control of the door system and activates its central control module.

[0017] The devices are designed to detect, by means of the data communication system, a device that has priority in the predetermined sequence and to activate the respective central control module if it is determined that no priority device is a participant in the data communication system.

[0018] For example, the predetermined sequence can stipulate that first a door operator, alternatively a motor lock, and then alternatively a device for escape door control, also known as a door control unit, takes over control of the door system and activates its central control module. If, for example, a motor lock detects that no door operator is installed or available in the door system, it automatically activates its central control module and takes over control of the door system.

[0019] Preferably, the devices are designed to control a door operating mode and / or a door state using the respective control modules. The operating mode, also referred to as door mode, can be, for example, normal or daytime operation, operation in a fire alarm, either as a fire protection or as an escape door, or operation in only one opening direction. The door state describes, for example, whether the door is open or closed and locked or unlocked. In particular, within an operating mode, individual, theoretically possible door states or the transition between certain door states can be blocked. It goes without saying, for example, that in the "fire alarm as fire protection" operating mode, the "open and unlocked" state must not be assumed. Rather, the "closed and locked" state should be achieved in this operating mode.

[0020] The devices can also be configured to store information on the system status and / or errors in the door system using the respective control modules. The system status information can, for example, contain details on door cycles or the maintenance status. This information, as well as stored errors in the door system, can advantageously be read out via an interface provided on the respective device using an external configuration and / or error reader.

[0021] The devices include a door operator, a motor lock, and preferably also a device for controlling the escape door. Other devices can also be part of the door system and connected to the data communication system as participants.

[0022] The inventive method according to claim 4 serves to activate a central control module in a door system, wherein the door system comprises a door, a data communication system for providing a transmission path for data transmission among participants of the data communication system, and at least two devices with an electronic control unit that are connected as participants to the data communication system. At least two of the devices are provided with a central control module for controlling the door system. The central control module can be activated and deactivated on the devices, wherein the devices are adapted to activate and deactivate their respective central control module themselves. The method comprises the following steps: Selecting a device based on at least one predetermined criterion and activating the central control module on the selected device.

[0023] The criterion check can be performed recurringly, especially cyclically, or once, for example, at the start of operation of the door system, and can be performed primarily by the devices themselves. Depending on which device was selected based on the criterion, the central control module on this selected device is activated. The central control modules on all other devices are deactivated so that they no longer control the door system. Control of the door system via the central intelligence is then always assigned to one of the devices, which can then also be referred to as the observer or controller.

[0024] The central control module is activated on the highest-ranking device among the devices in a predetermined order.

[0025] For example, the sequence can determine which device typically controls the door system. If this device is not installed in the door system or is unavailable for other reasons, the next device in the predetermined sequence takes over control of the door system and activates its central control module.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, if the highest-ranking device among the devices fails, the central control module can be activated on the next device in the predetermined sequence. This is particularly possible if the devices cyclically check whether the highest-ranking device is available.

[0027] The invention will be explained below using an exemplary embodiment. In the drawings, which schematically illustrate the exemplary embodiment, Fig. 1 a perspective view of a door system and Fig. 2 a section of a structural representation of the door system fromFig. 1 .

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a door system 10 with a door 11, which in the present example is designed as a revolving door.

[0029] In the present example, the door 11 is provided with several devices 15a, 15b, 15c, namely a door drive 15a, a motor lock 15b and, as shown in Fig. 2, a device 15c for escape door control, also referred to as a door control unit.

[0030] As can be seen from Fig. 2, the devices 15a, 15b, 15c are each equipped with an electronic control unit 17a, 17b, 17c and a control module 19a, 19b, 19c. However, it is conceivable that, unlike in the present example, not all devices provided in a door system are equipped with a control unit or a control module. All devices 15a, 15b, 15c are connected as participants to a data communication system 13, which in the present example is a CAN bus.

[0031] The control modules 19a, 19b, 19c can each implement a central intelligence of the door system 10, so that the devices 15a, 15b, 15c are each individually suitable for controlling the door system 10 by means of their electronic control unit 17a, 17b, 17c in order to set a door state and an operating mode of the door system 10.

[0032] To ensure that exactly one of the devices 15a, 15b, 15c takes over control of the door system 10, the central control modules 19a, 19b, 19c of the devices 15a, 15b, 15c can be activated and deactivated. The devices 15a, 15b, 15c are configured such that, during operation of the door system 10, the central control module 19a, 19b, 19c of one of the devices 15a, 15b, 15c is activated and the central control modules 19a, 19b, 19c of the other devices 15a, 15b, 15c are deactivated.

[0033] In order to determine which of the devices 15a, 15b, 15c takes over the control of the door system 10, the devices 15a, 15b, 15c are configured or programmed such that they know a predetermined order as a criterion for selecting the respective device 15a, 15b, 15c.

[0034] For example, in the present example, the predetermined sequence may stipulate that the door drive 15a has the highest priority in the sequence, the motor lock 15b follows the door drive 15a, and the escape door control device 15c has the lowest priority. If the motor lock 15b and the escape door control device 15c now determine that a higher-ranking device, namely the door drive 15a, is available in the door system 10, the respective central control modules 19b, 19c remain deactivated. The central control module 19a of the door drive 15a, however, is activated because no higher-ranking device is available, so that the control module 19a of the door drive 15a takes over control of the door system 10 and, in particular, controls the operating mode of the door 11 and the door state.

[0035] Furthermore, the control module 19a stores information on the system status, for example details on door cycles or the maintenance status, and errors of the door system 10. This information can then be read out via a dedicated interface, for example by means of an external configuration and / or error reading device (not shown).

[0036] Devices 15b, 15c cyclically check whether door drive 15a is available. If motor lock 15b detects a failure of door drive 15a and thus recognizes that no higher-ranking device is available in door system 10, it activates its own central control module 19b, allowing it to take over control of door system 10.

[0037] Due to the design of the door system 10, the control of the door system 10 can be handled by the devices 15a, 15b, 15c equipped with a control module 19a, 19b, 19c, so that no additional device is required to control the door system 10. This reduces the number of devices in the door system 10 and thus the installation and configuration effort.

[0038] Since the control of the door system 10 is carried out via the devices 15a, 15b, 15c already installed, the central intelligence of the control modules 19a, 19b, 19c is automatically adapted to the size of the door system 10. Furthermore, if one device fails, the other devices can at least partially take over the control function, so that proper functioning of the door system 10 is at least partially guaranteed even then. List of reference symbols

[0039] 10 Door system 11 Door 13 Data communication system 15a Device 15b Device 15c Device 17a Control unit 17b Control unit 17c Control unit 19a Control module 19b Control module 19c Control module

Claims

1. Door system (10), comprising a door (11), a data communication system (13) for providing a transmission path for data transmission amongst subscribers of the data communication system (13) and at least two devices (15a, 15b, 15c) which have an electronic control unit (17a, 17b, 17c) and are connected as subscribers to the data communication system (13), wherein at least two of the devices (15a, 15b, 15c) are provided with a central control module (19a, 19b, 19c) for controlling the door system (10), the central control module (19a, 19b, 19c) can be activated and deactivated on the devices (15a, 15b, 15c), the devices (15a, 15b, 15c) are suitable for activating and deactivating their respective central control module (19a, 19b, 19c) themselves, and the devices (15a, 15b, 15c) are designed to activate the respective central control module (19a, 19b, 19c) based on a predetermined sequence, and wherein the devices (15a, 15b, 15c) are designed to use the data communication system (13) to detect a device (15a, 15b, 15c) which takes priority in the predetermined sequence, and to activate the respective central control module (19a, 19b, 19c) when it is determined that no priority device (15a, 15b, 15c) is a subscriber of the data communication system (13), characterized in that the devices (15a, 15b, 15c) comprise a door drive (15a) and a motor lock (15b).

2. Door system (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the devices (15a, 15b, 15c) are designed to control a mode of operation of the door (11) and / or a door state by means of the respective control modules (19a, 19b, 19c).

3. Door system (10) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the devices (15a, 15b, 15c) are designed to store information relating to the system status and / or faults in the door system (10) by means of the respective control modules (19a, 19b, 19c).

4. Method for activating a central control module (19a, 19b, 19c) in a door system (10) according to Claim 1, having a door (11), a data communication system (13) for providing a transmission path for data transmission amongst subscribers of the data communication system (13), and at least two devices (15a, 15b, 15c) which have an electronic control unit (17a, 17b, 17c) and are connected as subscribers to the data communication system (13), wherein at least two of the devices (15a, 15b, 15c) are provided with a central control module (19a, 19b, 19c) for controlling the door system (10), the central control module (19a, 19b, 19c) can be activated and deactivated on the devices (15a, 15b, 15c) and the devices (15a, 15b, 15c) are suitable for activating and deactivating their respective central control module (19a, 19b, 19c) themselves, and wherein the method comprises the following steps: selecting a device (15a, 15b, 15c) based on at least one predetermined criterion and activating the central control module (19a, 19b, 19c) on the selected device (15a, 15b, 15c), wherein the central control module (19a, 19b, 19c) is activated on the highest-ranking device (15a, 15b, 15c) amongst the devices (15a, 15b, 15c) in a predetermined sequence, characterized in that the devices (15a, 15b, 15c) comprise a door drive (15a) and a motor lock (15b).

5. Method according to Claim 4, characterized in that, in the event of failure of the highest-ranking device (15a, 15b, 15c) amongst the devices (15a, 15b, 15c), the central control module (19a, 19b, 19c) is activated on the subsequent device (15a, 15b, 15c) in the predetermined sequence.