LOCKING PLANT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a holding device for holding an open wing of a door, window or the like, with an energizable coil which, when energized, is designed to block automatic closing of the wing by a drive connected to the wing, and a supply voltage input for the coil.

[0002] Hold-open devices are designed to hold a sash in an open position and, if necessary, release it from this position. US 3,777,423 A discloses, for example, a hold-open device for a sash according to the preamble of claim 1. Conventional hold-open devices are typically designed for a defined supply voltage applied to the input voltage, for example, 24 V DC, for which the current flowing through the coil corresponds to a defined, predetermined value within the coil's nominal operating range. If, however, the hold-open device is operated with an excessively high supply voltage, for example, 48 V DC, the coil can be overloaded due to the higher current, and high torques outside the permissible standard range may then be required to manually close the sash.In the worst case, overloading can cause the coil to burn out, resulting in irreversible damage to the hold-open device. Conversely, if the supply voltage is too low, for example 12V DC, the hold-open device may not be able to provide the necessary release torque to lock the wing.

[0003] The invention is therefore based on the objective of creating a locking system which reliably performs its function even over a wide range of the supply voltage applied to the supply voltage input.

[0004] This problem is solved by a locking system with the features of claim 1, and in particular by an electronic control device which is configured to energize the coil when switched on and subsequently to regulate the current flowing through the coil to a predetermined value, wherein the current flowing through the coil is detected for current control.

[0005] For a standard-compliant holding function of the hold-open device, the current flowing through the coil must generate a holding torque that exceeds the closing torque of the drive by 40 Nm to 120 Nm. This allows the sash to be reliably held in its open position, while still enabling an operator to manually overcome the resulting holding force and close the sash. Since the holding torque of the hold-open device is highly sensitive to the current flowing through the coil, it is crucial for the standard-compliant holding function that the current flowing through the coil remains constant during operation and that its current intensity corresponds to the specified value, which may vary depending on the required holding torque.

[0006] With regard to the above requirements, the hold-open system according to the invention fulfills several functions: Since the hold-open system, when switched on by means of the electronic control unit, regulates the current flowing through the coil to the specified value for any value of the supply voltage, the hold-open system can also be operated reliably with supply voltages that vary over a wide range, in particular in a 12V DC network or a 48V DC network.

[0007] Furthermore, by regulating the current flowing through the coil, fluctuations in the supply voltage applied to the supply voltage input, such as those that can occur in building networks due to other switching operations, are compensated for.

[0008] Furthermore, the current control compensates for parameter changes, in particular changes in the ohmic coil resistance due to heating caused by the current flowing through the coil.

[0009] The last two control interventions represent scenarios that, particularly after commissioning, especially during operation of the hold-open system, allow the current flowing through the coil to remain at a constant, predetermined value.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims, the description of the figures and the drawing.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, a measuring resistor, in particular one connected in series with the coil, can be provided, and the electronic control unit can be configured to detect the current flowing through the coil by means of the measuring resistor. This enables simple detection of the current flowing through the coil, thereby facilitating a simple current control design. In principle, the current flowing through the coil can also be detected by other means, for example, by means of capacitive and / or inductive coupling.

[0012] According to a further embodiment, a parameter input is provided, and the electronic control unit is configured to set the predetermined value via this input. This allows the predetermined value to be changed quickly and easily. This may be particularly necessary when drives with different closing torques are to be equipped with a hold-open device according to the invention. By setting the respective predetermined value, the corresponding required holding torque of the hold-open device can be adjusted. Alternatively or additionally, the predetermined value can be stored in the control unit.

[0013] Preferably, the locking system comprises an electronic switching element, in particular a field-effect transistor, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to control the electronic switching element with a pulse-width modulated signal having a duty cycle and to regulate the current flowing through the coil to the predetermined value by adjusting the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulated signal. The combination of the electronic switching element and its control by means of the pulse-width modulated signal allows for simple, yet fast, precise and low-loss control of the current flowing through the coil.

[0014] In another embodiment, the electronic control unit is configured to compare the current flowing through the coil with a predetermined value to adjust the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulated signal and to adjust the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulated signal based on this comparison in order to regulate the current flowing through the coil to the predetermined value. In particular, the electronic control unit is configured to decrease the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulated signal if the current flowing through the coil is greater than the predetermined value, and to increase the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulated signal if the current flowing through the coil is less than the predetermined value.

[0015] A further development involves connecting the measuring resistor in series with the coil, whereby the coil and the measuring resistor form an RL element with a time constant corresponding to the quotient of the coil's inductance and the measuring resistor's resistance. This allows for a particularly simple measurement of the current flowing through the coil.

[0016] Preferably, the control device, the switching element, and the coil define a control loop with a dead time, wherein the control loop is designed such that the dead time is less than 20% of the time constant, preferably less than 10% of the time constant, and most preferably less than 2% of the time constant. This allows for rapid control of the current flowing through the coil to the predetermined value. Furthermore, this reduces the risk of overload.

[0017] Preferably, a preset duty cycle is stored in the electronic control unit, and the electronic control unit is configured to control the electronic switching element with the pulse-width modulated signal at the preset duty cycle when switched on. Preferably, the preset duty cycle is 100%. This reduces the time it takes for the current flowing through the coil to be regulated to the predetermined value.

[0018] Advantageously, the locking system is designed to regulate the current flowing through the coil to the specified value within a period of less than 1.5 s, preferably within a period of 500 ms to 1 s.

[0019] Preferably, the electronic control device for regulating the current flowing through the coil comprises a proportional (PL) control system, particularly with an anti-windup element. This advantageously minimizes the control deviation. The anti-windup element can take into account limitations on the control input relative to unattainable manipulated variables, thereby reducing the risk of a malfunction of the closed-loop control system. For example, when increasing the manipulated variable, the control system with an anti-windup element can consider that the duty cycle cannot exceed 100%.

[0020] In general, the coil can be designed as part of an electromagnet, which is intended to block a sliding block of the drive guided in a slide rail when the coil is energized, in order to block automatic closing of the wing.

[0021] The coil can, for example, also be designed as part of an electro-hydraulic valve, which is intended to assume a closed valve position when the coil is energized in order to interrupt a hydraulic circuit in the drive in order to block automatic closing of the wing.

[0022] Preferably, the hold-open system can be designed for a supply voltage in a voltage range of 10 V DC to 70 V DC, in particular 20 V DC to 56 V DC, and the electronic control unit can be configured to regulate the current flowing through the coil to the specified value for each supply voltage within the voltage range. This covers all common supply voltages used in building technology.

[0023] In particular, the specified value can lie within a current range of 20 mA DC to 100 mA DC, especially 30 mA DC to 90 mA DC. These values ​​have proven to be particularly suitable for operating the holding-open system according to the invention.

[0024] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the RL element is designed such that the time constant lies in a range of 100 ms to 300 ms, in particular from 150 ms to 250 ms.

[0025] In particular, the ohmic resistance of the measuring resistor can be less than 10 ohms, preferably less than 5 ohms, and / or the inductance of the coil can be in the range of 100 mH to 300 mH, particularly 100 mH to 200 mH. This allows for sufficient holding force and low-loss detection of the current flowing through the coil.

[0026] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a door, a window or the like, with a sash, a drive for automatically closing the sash and a holding device according to the invention.

[0027] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for holding an open sash of a door, window, or the like in the open position by means of a holding-open device, wherein the holding-open device comprises: an energizable coil designed to block automatic closing of the sash by a drive connected to the sash when energized, a supply voltage input for the coil, and an electronic control unit. A characteristic feature of the method is that the electronic control unit performs the following steps: energizing the coil upon activation and subsequently regulating the current flowing through the coil to the predetermined value, wherein the current flowing through the coil is measured for current regulation.

[0028] It is understood that the advantageous embodiments of the holding system according to the invention, in which the electronic control unit is designed to perform a specific action, apply mutatis mutandis to the method according to the invention, which is carried out by the electronic control unit.

[0029] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the drawing. It schematically shows Fig. 1 shows a circuit diagram of a holding system according to the invention.

[0030] In Fig. 1Figure 11 is a schematic circuit implementation of a hold-open device 11 for holding an open sash of a door, window, or the like, comprising a currentable coil 13, a supply voltage input 15 for the coil 13, and an electronic control unit 17. The hold-open device 11 also includes a measuring resistor 21, which is connected in series with the coil 13, and a parameter input 23. The coil 13 and the measuring resistor 21, whose values ​​in this embodiment are 150 mH and 1 ohm, respectively, form an RL element 13, 21 with a time constant of 150 ms. Furthermore, the hold-open device 11 includes an electronic switching element 25, which can be controlled by the electronic control unit 17 by means of a pulse-width modulated signal to regulate the current flowing through the coil 13 to a predetermined value. The predetermined value is specified in Figure 17. Fig. 1In the illustrated embodiment, the current is set to 70 mA during production and can be adjusted to a different value by the electronic control unit 17 by applying a corresponding signal to parameter input 23, which is connected to another input 33 of the electronic control unit 17. A circuit board 27 is also shown, on which the electronic control unit 17, the electronic switching element 25, and the measuring resistor 21 are arranged. For its own power supply, the electronic control unit 17 has a power input 29, which is connected to the supply voltage input 15. The supply voltage applied to the supply voltage input 15, which is generally higher, is converted to the nominal operating voltage of the electronic control unit 17 by means of a voltage converter for the purpose of supplying power only to the electronic control unit 17.In particular, known switching regulators or linear regulators can be used for this purpose, which can provide a defined output voltage of, for example, 3.3V DC or 5V DC as the nominal operating voltage for different input voltages. Alternatively, the electronic control unit 17 can also be powered by a different supply network than the supply voltage applied to the supply voltage input 15.

[0031] When the locking system 11 is switched on, the coil 13 is energized, and subsequently the current flowing through the coil 13 is regulated to the specified value.

[0032] For this purpose, the electronic control unit 17 controls the electronic switching element 25 via a signal output 31 with a pulse-width modulated signal. Upon switch-on, the current flowing through the coil 13 increases exponentially, and the pulse-width modulated signal has a preset duty cycle, which can be, in particular, 100%. The current flowing through the coil 13 generates a voltage drop across the measuring resistor 21. Using a measuring input 19, the electronic control unit 17 detects the current flowing through the coil 13 via this voltage drop. The value of the current flowing through the coil 13 is thus fed back to the electronic control unit 17.

[0033] The electronic control unit 17 further comprises a PI controller, to which it feeds a control deviation derived from the feedback value of the current flowing through the coil 13 and the preset value. Based on the manipulated variable output by the PI controller, the electronic control unit 17 adjusts the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulated signal accordingly. The electronic control unit 17, the electronic switching element 25, and the coil 13 define a controlled system with a dead time of 2.5 ms in this embodiment. The control loop is closed via the feedback of the current flowing through the coil 13. Furthermore, to reduce the risk of a malfunction of the closed control loop, the PI controller includes an anti-windup element, which ensures that when the manipulated variable is changed to adjust the duty cycle, the duty cycle can only assume values ​​from 0% to 100%.

[0034] After adjusting the duty cycle, the electronic control unit 17, taking the dead time into account, again detects the current flowing through the coil 13 and feeds the control deviation, calculated from the preset value and the feedback of the current flowing through the coil 13, back to the PL control. As a result of this cycle of steps, the electronic control unit 17 regulates the current flowing through the coil 13 to the preset value.

[0035] Since the control system intervenes during the dynamic rise phase of the current flowing through the coil during switch-on, and the short dead time compared to the time constant enables rapid control, the current flowing through the coil can be regulated to the preset value before reaching impermissibly high levels. This allows the locking system 11 to operate, particularly with a supply voltage of 12 V DC, 24 V DC, or 48 V DC applied to the supply voltage input 15, for which the electronic control unit 17 regulates the current flowing through the coil 13 to the preset value without overloading the coil 13. Reference symbol list

[0036] 11 Hold-open device 13 Coil 15 Supply voltage input 17 Electronic control unit 19 Measuring input 21 Measuring resistor 23 Parameter input 25 Electronic switching element 27 Circuit board 29 Power input 31 Signal output 33 Additional input

Claims

1. Hold-open installation (11) for holding open an open wing of a door, a window or the like, having an energizable coil (13) which is intended to block automatic closing of the wing in the energized state by a drive connected to the wing, and a supply voltage input (15) for the coil (13), characterized by an electronic control device (17) which is designed to energize the coil (13) upon being switched on and to then regulate the current flowing through the coil (13) to a predefined value, wherein, in order to regulate the current, the current flowing through the coil (13) is measured.

2. Hold-open installation (11) according to Claim 1, characterized in that a measuring resistor (21) is provided and the electronic control device (17) is designed to measure the current flowing through the coil (13) using the measuring resistor (21).

3. Hold-open installation (11) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a parameter input (23) is provided and the electronic control device (17) is designed to adjust the predefined value via the parameter input (23), and / or in that the predefined value is stored in the control device (17).

4. Hold-open installation (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electronic switching element (25), in particular a field effect transistor, is provided and the electronic control device (17) is designed to control the electronic switching element (25) using a pulse-width-modulated signal having a duty factor and to regulate the current flowing through the coil (13) to the predefined value by adjusting the duty factor of the pulse-width-modulated signal.

5. Hold-open installation (11) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the electronic control device (17) is designed, in order to adjust the duty factor of the pulse-width-modulated signal, to compare the current flowing through the coil (13) with the predefined value and to adjust the duty factor of the pulse-width-modulated signal on the basis of the comparison in order to regulate the current flowing through the coil (13) to the predefined value.

6. Hold-open installation (11) according to one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the measuring resistor (21) is connected in series with the coil (13), wherein the coil (13) and the measuring resistor (21) form an RL element (13, 21) with a time constant that corresponds to the quotient of the inductance of the coil (13) and the ohmic resistance of the measuring resistor (21).

7. Hold-open installation (11) according to Claim 6 and Claim 4, characterized in that the electronic control device (17), the electronic switching element (25) and the coil (13) define a controlled system with a dead time, wherein the controlled system is designed such that the dead time is less than 20% of the time constant, preferably less than 10% of the time constant, particularly preferably less than 2% of the time constant.

8. Hold-open installation (11) according to one of Claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the electronic control device (17) stores a preset duty factor, preferably of 100%, and the electronic control device (17) is designed, upon being switched on, to control the electronic switching element (25) using the pulse-width-modulated signal with the preset duty factor.

9. Hold-open installation (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic control device (17) comprises a PI regulator, in particular with an anti-windup element, in order to regulate the current flowing through the coil (13).

10. Hold-open installation (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coil (13) is designed as part of an electromagnet which is intended to block a sliding block of the drive, which is guided in a sliding rail, in the energized state of the coil (13) in order to block automatic closing of the wing, or in that the coil (13) is designed as part of an electrohydraulic valve which is intended to assume a closed valve position in the energized state of the coil (13) in order to interrupt a hydraulic circuit in the drive in order to block automatic closing of the wing.

11. Hold-open installation (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hold-open installation (11) is designed for a supply voltage in a voltage range of 10 V DC to 70 V DC, in particular 20 V DC to 56 V DC, and the electronic control device (17) is designed to regulate the current flowing through the coil (13) to the predefined value for each supply voltage within the voltage range.

12. Hold-open installation (11) according to one of the preceding claims, <b>characterized in that the predefined value is within a current range of 20 mA DC to 100 mA DC, in particular 30 mA DC to 90 mA DC; and / or in that the ohmic resistance of the measuring resistor (21) is less than 10 ohms, preferably less than 5 ohms; and / or in that the inductance of the coil (13) is in a range of 100 mH to 300 mH, in particular 100 mH to 200 mH.

13. Hold-open installation (11) according to one of Claims 6 to 12, characterized in that the RL element (13, 21) is designed such that the time constant is in a range of 100 ms to 300 ms, in particular 150 ms to 250 ms.

14. Door, window or the like, having a wing, a drive for automatically closing the wing and a hold-open installation (11) according to one of the preceding claims.

15. Method for holding open an open wing of a door, a window or the like using a hold-open installation (11), wherein the hold-open installation (11) comprises: an energizable coil (13) which is intended to block automatic closing of the wing in the energized state by a drive connected to the wing, a supply voltage input (15) for the coil (13), and an electronic control device (17), characterized in that the electronic control device (17) energizes the coil (13) upon being switched on and then regulates the current flowing through the coil (13) to a predefined value, wherein, in order to regulate the current, the current flowing through the coil (13) is measured.