Assembly of automatic gates comprising substantially identical motor assemblies and method for producing such an assembly

Abstract

This automatic gate assembly comprises at least one first automatic gate (10) and at least one second automatic gate. The or each first automatic gate (10) comprises a first frame (24A) defining a first passage (26A), at least one first obstacle (28A), chosen from the following obstacles: swing leaf (30), laterally sliding leaf, pivoting leaf, for selectively closing and opening the first passage (26A), and a first motor assembly (22A) for moving the first obstacle (28A). The or each second automatic gate comprises a second frame defining a second passage, at least one second obstacle, different to the first obstacle and chosen from the following obstacles: swing leaf, laterally sliding leaf, pivoting leaf, for selectively closing and opening the second passage, and a second motor assembly for moving the second obstacle. The first and second motor assemblies are substantially identical to each other.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a set of automatic gates, of the type comprising at least one first automatic gate and at least one second automatic gate, The first automatic gate(s) comprising: a first frame defining a first passage, at least one first obstacle, chosen from among the following obstacles: a swing gate, a side-sliding gate, or a pivoting gate, to selectively obstruct and release the first passage, and a first motor assembly for driving the first obstacle; the second automatic gate(s) comprising: a second frame defining a second passage, at least one second obstacle, different from the first obstacle and chosen from among the following obstacles: a swing gate, a side-sliding gate, or a pivoting gate, to selectively obstruct and release the second passage, and a second motor assembly for driving the second obstacle. The invention also relates to a method for producing such an assembly.

[0002] Such automatic gate systems are typically intended for use in access control systems for restricted areas such as pedestrian zones, building interiors, public transport networks, etc. They allow for the screening of users entering and, where applicable, exiting these restricted areas, thus limiting access to authorized users only. To this end, the gates are usually positioned in an extended position, spanning the access passage to the restricted area, and are moved by the gate's drive system into a retracted position away from the passage when an authorized user approaches the entrance.

[0003] Known automatic gates feature a wide variety of barrier types, but this discussion focuses specifically on gates with leaf-type barriers, meaning those formed by moving panels. There are three main categories of leaf types for automatic gates: tilting leaves, mounted pivoting relative to the frame around an axis parallel to the passage, lateral retracting leaves, mounted mobile in translation relative to the frame along an arc of a circle centered on an axis parallel to the passage, and pivoting leaves, mounted pivoting relative to the frame around a vertical axis.

[0004] Most often, each leaf is kinematically connected to the motor assembly by an intermediate mechanical device that converts the rotational motion of the motor shaft's output into a linear movement of the leaf between its retracted and extended positions. This intermediate mechanical device, generally composed of numerous parts, transmits and adapts the motion in terms of torque, speed, and geometry. It also typically absorbs forces that the motor assembly's output shaft could not withstand.

[0005] GB 2 305 204 is known, in which the access restriction installation comprises: a gateway laterally delimited by first and second terminals; a turnstile having a plurality of arms, connected to the first terminal and adapted to ensure the separation of individuals; a gate (P1) disposed at a selected distance from the turnstile, mounted to rotate about a predetermined vertical axis, and comprising an intermediate portion with a cutout of predetermined shape and dimensions allowing the turnstile arms to pass; and a processing device adapted to allow the turnstile and gate to function. The vertical axis of rotation of the gate is located near the second terminal, and the shape and dimensions of the cutout in the gate are selected to prevent any individual of average height from passing through.

[0006] One drawback of these known solutions lies in the wide variety of intermediate mechanical devices, a diversity linked in particular to the variety of obstacles. This wide variety complicates the mechanical design of the new gates, increases production costs, and necessitates keeping a large number of spare parts in stock.

[0007] One objective of the invention is to simplify the mechanical design of new automatic gates. Other objectives include reducing production costs and minimizing the number of spare parts required.

[0008] For this purpose, the invention relates to a set of automatic gates conforming to the independent claim of the set of automatic gates.

[0009] By "substantially identical," we mean that the first and second motor assemblies have the same electromechanical design. However, the components used in these motor assemblies may vary, within production tolerances.

[0010] According to particular embodiments of the invention, the automatic gate assembly also has one or more of the characteristics of the dependent claim(s) of the automatic gate assembly.

[0011] The invention also relates to a method for producing a set of automatic gates, in accordance with the independent claim of the method.

[0012] According to particular embodiments of the invention, the production process also has one or more of the characteristics of the process-dependent claim(s).

[0013] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: there Figure 1 is a front view of the first automatic gate in a set of gates according to the invention, the Figure 2 is a schematic, side view of the first automatic gate of the Figure 1 , there Figure 3 is a front view of a second automatic gate belonging to the same set of gates as the gate of the Figure 1 , there Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the automatic gate of the Figure 3 , taken according to the plan marked IV-IV on the Figure 3 , there Figure 5 is a front view of a third automatic gate belonging to the same set of gates as the gates of the Figures 1 and 2 , and the Figure 6is a flowchart illustrating a production process for the set of gates to which the gates of the Figures 1 to 5 .

[0014] Gates 10, 12, 14, shown on the Figures 1 to 5 , include a first automatic gate 10, a second automatic gate 12, and a third automatic gate 14. Each includes a door, respectively 20A, 20B, 20C, and at least one motor assembly, respectively 22A, 22B, 22C.

[0015] For each gate 10, 12, 14, the gate 20A, 20B, 20C comprises a frame, respectively 24A, 24B, 24C, defining a passage, respectively 26A, 26B, 26C, extending along a longitudinal circulation axis C-C'. The gate 20A, 20B, 20C also comprises at least one obstacle, respectively 28A, 28B, 28C, mounted movable relative to the frame 24A, 24B, 24C between a deployed position, in which the obstacle 28A, 28B, 28C extends across the passage 26A, 26B, 26C, and a retracted position, in which the obstacle 28A, 28B, 28C is away from the passage 26A, 26B, 26C. Preferably, each gate 20A, 20B, 20C includes two barriers 28A, 28B, 28C, as shown in the Figures.

[0016] For each gate 10, 12, 14, each obstacle 28A, 28B, 28C consists of a leaf 30, 32, 34, that is, a panel that moves relative to the frame 24A, 24B, 24C. This leaf 30, 32, 34 is chosen from the following list: tilting leaf, side-sliding leaf, pivoting leaf. It is different from the leaves 30, 32, 34 equipping the other gates 10, 12, 14; in other words, for each type of leaf listed above, only one of the gates 10, 12, 14 is equipped with leaves of that type.

[0017] In the case of the first gate 10, shown on the Figures 1 and 2 Each obstacle 28A is in particular constituted by a tilting leaf 30, that is to say by a leaf mounted pivoting relative to the frame 24A around a longitudinal axis of rotation A-A'. For this purpose, the leaf 30 is fixed to a longitudinal shaft 40 mounted movable around its axis relative to the frame 24A.

[0018] The leaf 30 includes, in particular, a first section 42 in the shape of a sector of a disk centered on the axis A-A'. Optionally, the leaf 30 also includes a second section (not shown), also in the shape of a sector of a disk centered on the axis A-A', movable relative to the first section 42 between a retracted position inside the first section 42 when the leaf 30 is in the retracted position and a deployed position outside the first section 42 when the leaf 30 is in the deployed position.

[0019] In the case of the second gate 12, shown on the Figures 3 and 4Each obstacle 28B consists of a side-retracting gate 32, that is, a gate mounted to move in translation relative to the frame 24B along an arc of a circle centered on a longitudinal axis B-B'. This axis BB' is the axis on which the arc of a circle described by the center of gravity of the gate 32 is centered when the gate 32 moves between its retracted and extended positions.

[0020] For this purpose, the leaf 32 is articulated to said frame 24B by means of a parallelogram of articulation 44.

[0021] This articulated parallelogram 44 includes, in a known manner, at least two connecting rods 46, 48, 50 substantially parallel to each other. Each of said connecting rods 46, 48, 50 is pivotally mounted about a primary longitudinal axis of rotation II' relative to the frame 24B and about a secondary longitudinal axis of rotation JJ' relative to the leaf 32. For each connecting rod 46, 48, 50, the distance between the primary axis of rotation II' and the secondary axis of rotation JJ' of said connecting rod 46, 48, 50 is substantially equal to the distance between the primary axis of rotation II' and the secondary axis of rotation JJ' of each other connecting rod 46, 48, 50. Furthermore, for each connecting rod 46, 48, 50, the distance from its primary axis of rotation II' to the primary axis of rotation II' of each other connecting rod 46, 48, 50 is substantially equal to the distance from its secondary axis of rotation JJ' to the secondary axis of rotation JJ' of said other connecting rod 46, 48, 50.

[0022] In the example shown, connecting rods 46, 48, and 50 are, in particular, three in number. They include retaining rods 46 and 48 and a drive rod 50.

[0023] Each retaining rod 46, 48 is mounted to the frame 24B via a first pivot joint 52 with axis I-I'. It is also mounted to the leaf 32 via a second pivot joint 54 with axis J-J'.

[0024] The drive rod 50 is mounted to the frame 24B via a pivot joint 56 with axis I-I', and to the door leaf 32 via a pivot joint with axis JJ' associated with a slide 58 whose direction is orthogonal to that of the pivot JJ' and, preferably, approximately orthogonal to the force applied by the drive rod 50 when the door leaf 32 is midway between its retracted and extended positions. The drive rod 50 is, in particular, interposed between the retaining rods 46 and 48.

[0025] In the case of the third gate, shown on the Figure 5 Each obstacle 28C consists of a pivoting leaf 34, that is to say, a leaf mounted to pivot relative to the frame 24C around a vertical axis of rotation D-D'. For this purpose, the leaf 34 is fixed to a vertical shaft 60 mounted to rotate about its axis relative to the frame 24C.

[0026] The gate 20A, 20B, 20C of each gate 10, 12, 14 also includes, in a known manner, a device (not shown) for controlling the access authorizations of users presenting themselves at the entrance of the passage 26A, 26B, 26C and for controlling the motor assembly 22A, 22B, 22C. Such a device typically includes a card reader adapted to communicate with a user's access card, and a control module programmed to activate or not the motor assembly 22A, 22B, 22C based on the data read by the card reader from a memory of the access card.

[0027] Each gate 10, 12, 14 includes a motor assembly 22A, 22B, 22C for each obstacle 28A, 28B, 28C. This motor assembly 22A, 22B, 22C is adapted to move the obstacle 28A, 28B, 28C to which it is associated between its retracted and deployed positions.

[0028] For this purpose, the motor assembly 22A, 22B, 22C includes an output shaft 62 and a motor 64 to drive the output shaft 62 in rotation around its axis, the output shaft 62 being kinematically linked to the obstacle 28A, 28B, 28C so that the rotation of the output shaft 62 around its axis causes the obstacle 28A, 28B, 28C to move between its retracted and deployed positions.

[0029] This motor assembly 22A, 22B, 22C is substantially identical for all gates 10, 12, 14. In other words, the motor assemblies 22A, 22B, 22C of the different gates 10, 12, 14 all have the same electromechanical design, the parts entering into the composition of these motor assemblies 22A, 22B, 22C may however vary, within production tolerances.

[0030] The motor assembly 22A, 22B, 22C also includes a reducer 66 ensuring a reduction in rotational speed and an increase in torque between the motor rotor 64 and the output shaft 62, and an electronic board 68 for controlling the motor 64, said reducer 66 and said electronic board 68 forming with the motor 64 and the shaft 62 a geared motor 67. The motor assembly 22A, 22B, 22C consists of this geared motor 67.

[0031] The electronic board 68 is programmed and configurable, that is to say, it is equipped with executable software comprising algorithms based on parameters, at least some of which can be modified in a data table stored in a rewritable memory of the board 68. These modifiable parameters typically include speeds, torques, directions of rotation and / or servo constants in one or more positions of the rotor of the motor 64.

[0032] Preferably, the settings of this electronic card 68 are different from one gate 10, 12, 14 to another.

[0033] The motor assembly 22A, 22B, 22C is assembled to the gate 20A, 20B, 20C in such a way as to minimize the intermediate mechanisms between the motor assembly 22A, 22B, 22C and the obstacle 28A, 28B, 28C.

[0034] For this purpose, the motor assemblies 22A, 22C of the first and third gates 10, 14 are each directly coupled to the obstacle 28A, 28B, 28C, that is to say that each drives the shaft 40, 60 to which the obstacle 28A, 28B, 28C is attached without conversion of motion between the motion of the output shaft 62 and the motion of said shaft 40, 60. Thus, in the case of the first gate 10, the output shaft 62 of the motor assembly 22A is coaxial with the shaft 40 and attached to the latter and, in the case of the third gate 14, the output shaft 62 of the motor assembly 22C is coaxial with the shaft 60 and attached to the latter.

[0035] With regard to the second gate 12, the motor assembly 22B is directly coupled to one of the connecting rods 46, 48, 50 of the articulation parallelogram 44, in particular to the drive connecting rod 50. Thus, the output shaft 62 of the motor assembly 22B is coaxial with the axis of rotation II' of said connecting rod 50 and is integral with this connecting rod 50.

[0036] Furthermore, in the case of the first gate 10, each obstacle 28A is adapted to absorb the longitudinal shocks that may be received by the leaf 30.

[0037] For this purpose, the leaf 30 comprises a rigid structure 70 attached to the shaft 40, a panel 72 mounted on the rigid structure 70 and, interposed between the panel 72 and the rigid structure 70, a shock absorption device 74 capable of deforming elastically along the longitudinal direction.

[0038] The shock absorption device 74 is typically formed by a plurality of elastic elements 76 interposed each between the panel 72 and the rigid structure 70, each elastic element 76 being typically formed by a sandwich of elastic strips (not shown) and rubber seals (not shown), the elastic strips and rubber seals following one another in the longitudinal direction.

[0039] A 100% production process for the set of gates 10, 12, 14 will now be described, with reference to the Figure 6 .

[0040] First, in the initial step 110, the motor assemblies 22A, 22B, 22C for gates 10, 12, 14 are supplied. As described above, these motor assemblies 22A, 22B, 22C are essentially identical to each other.

[0041] Then, during supply steps 120, 122, 124, gates 20A, 20B, 20C of gates 10, 12, 14 are supplied. In particular, gate 20A of gate 10 is supplied equipped with swing leaves 30 during step 120, gate 20B of gate 12 is supplied equipped with side-sliding leaves 32 during step 122, and gate 20C of gate 14 is supplied equipped with swing leaves 34 during step 124.

[0042] Then the motor assemblies 22A, 22B, 22C are each parameterized according to a specific operating mode during steps 130, 132, 134 respectively.

[0043] Finally, the motor assembly 22A is assembled to the gate 20A during a first assembly step 140 so as to form the first automatic gate 10, the motor assembly 22B is assembled to the gate 20B during a second assembly step 142 so as to form the second automatic gate 12, and the motor assembly 22C is assembled to the gate 20C during a third assembly step 144 so as to form the third automatic gate 14.

[0044] In particular, during assembly step 140, the motor assembly 22A is coupled directly to the leaf 30, during assembly step 142, the motor assembly 22B is coupled directly to the connecting rod 50 and, during assembly step 144, the motor assembly 22C is coupled directly to the leaf 34.

[0045] In an alternative (not shown), the motor assemblies 22A, 22B, 22C are parameterized after being assembled at their respective gate 20A, 20B, 20C, i.e. steps 130, 132, 134 take place after steps 140, 142, 144.

[0046] Thanks to the invention described above, it is possible to minimize the number of spare parts needed for the gates 10, 12, 14 since the intermediate mechanics for transmitting motion between the output of each motor assembly 22A, 22B, 22C and the obstacle 28A, 28B, 28C that it drives is reduced to a minimum.

[0047] Furthermore, the mechanical design of each gate 10, 12, 14 is simplified because, rather than having to design a separate transmission mechanism for each gate 10, 12, 14, it is sufficient to modify the parameters of the motor assembly 22A, 22B, 22C to adapt the rotational speed and output torque of the motor assembly 22A, 22B, 22C to the requirements. This also allows for a reduction in production costs.

[0048] It should be noted that the set of gates according to the invention does not necessarily include a single first gate 10, a single second gate 12 and a single third gate 14, as described above, but may include a plurality of each of the gates 10, 12, 14.

Claims

1. An automatic gate assembly, of the type including at least one first automatic gate (10) and at least one second automatic gate (12), the or each first automatic gate (10) including: - a first frame (24A) defining a first passage (26A), - at least one first obstacle (28A) for selectively closing and opening the first passage (26A), the first obstacle (28A) consisting of an obstacle of a first type: swing leaf (30), laterally sliding leaf, pivoting leaf, and - a first motor assembly (22A) for moving the first obstacle (28A), the or each second automatic gate (12) including: - a second frame (24B) defining a second passage (26B), - at least one second obstacle (28B) for selectively closing and opening the second passage (26B), and - a second motor assembly (22B) for moving the second obstacle (28B), wherein said second obstacle (28B) consists of an obstacle of a second type, different from the first type and chosen from the following obstacles: swing leaf, laterally sliding leaf (32), pivoting leaf; characterized in that: - the first and second motor assemblies (22A, 22B) are substantially identical to each other, in that each of the first and second motor assemblies (22A, 22B) is made up of a gear motor (67), and in that the gear motor (67) includes a motor (64) and an electronic board (68) for controlling the motor (64), said electronic board (68) being configurable.

2. The automatic gate assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first obstacle (28A) is made up of a swing leaf (30) or a pivoting leaf, and the first motor assembly (22A) is directly coupled to the first obstacle (28A).

3. The automatic gate assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first obstacle (28A) is made up of a swing leaf (30), said swing leaf (30) including a rigid structure (70) secured to an output shaft (62) of the first motor assembly (22A), a panel (72) mounted on the rigid structure (70) and, interposed between the panel (72) and the rigid structure (70), a shock absorbing device (74) able to deform resiliently in a direction parallel to the first passage (26A).

4. The automatic gate assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second obstacle (28B) is made up of a laterally sliding leaf (32) articulated to the second frame (24B) by means of an articulation parallelogram (44) including at least two connecting rods (46, 48, 50) that are substantially parallel to one another, each of said connecting rods (46, 48, 50) being mounted pivoting relative to the second frame (24B) around a primary axis of rotation (I-I') that is parallel to the second passage (26B), and relative to the second obstacle (28B) around a secondary axis of rotation (J-J') that is parallel to the second passage (26B), the second motor assembly (22B) being coupled directly to one of the connecting rods (50) of the articulation parallelogram (44).

5. The automatic gate assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, including at least one third automatic gate (14) including: - a third frame (24C) defining a third passage (26C), - at least one third obstacle (28C), different from the first and second obstacles (28A, 28B) and chosen from the following obstacles: swing leaf, laterally sliding leaf, pivoting leaf (34), for selectively closing and opening the third passage (26C), and - a third motor assembly (22C) for driving the third obstacle (28C), said third motor (22C) being substantially identical to the first and second motor assemblies (22A, 22B).

6. A method (100) for producing a set of automatic gates, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - providing (110) at least one first motor assembly (22A) and at least one second motor assembly (22B), - providing (120) at least one first door (20A) including a first frame (24A) defining a first passage (26A) and at least one first obstacle (28A) for selectively closing and opening the first passage (26A), the first obstacle (28A) consisting of an obstacle of a first type: swing leaf (30), laterally sliding leaf, pivoting leaf, - providing (122) at least one second door (20B) including a second frame (24B) defining a second passage (26B) and at least one second obstacle (28B) for selectively closing and opening the second passage (26B), and - configuring (130) the first motor assembly (22A) according to a first operating mode, - configuring (132) the second motor assembly (22B) according to a second operating mode, - assembling (140) the first motor assembly (22A) to the first door (20A) so as to form a first automatic gate (10), the first motor assembly (22A) moving the first obstacle (28A), and - assembling (142) the second motor assembly (22B) to the second door (20B) so as to form a second automatic gate (12), the second motor assembly (22B) moving the second obstacle (28B); the second obstacle (28B) consists of an obstacle of a second type, different from the first type and chosen from the following obstacles: swing leaf, laterally sliding leaf (32), pivoting leaf; said method being characterised in that: - provided first motor assembly (22A) and second motor assembly (22B) are substantially identical to one another; in that each of the first and second motor assemblies (22A, 22B) is made up of a gear motor (67); and in that the gear motor (67) includes a motor (64) and an electronic board (68) for controlling the motor (64), said electronic board (68) being configurable.

7. The production method (100) according to claim 6 wherein the first obstacle (28A) is made up of a swing leaf (30) or a pivoting leaf, and the first motor assembly (22A) is, during the assembly step (140), directly coupled to the first obstacle (28A).

8. The production method (100) according to claim 7, wherein the first obstacle (28A) is made up of a swing leaf (30), said swing leaf (30) including a rigid structure (70) secured to an output shaft (62) of the first motor assembly (22A), a panel (72) mounted on the rigid structure (70) and, interposed between the panel (72) and the rigid structure (70), a shock absorbing device (74) able to deform resiliently in a direction parallel to the first passage (26A).

9. The production method (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the second obstacle (28B) is made up of a laterally sliding leaf (32) articulated to the second frame (24B) by means of an articulation parallelogram (44) including at least two connecting rods (46, 48, 50) that are substantially parallel to one another, each of said connecting rods (46, 48, 50) being mounted pivoting relative to the second frame (24B) around a primary axis of rotation (I-I') that is parallel to the second passage (26B), and relative to the second obstacle (28B) around a secondary axis of rotation (J-J') that is parallel to the second passage (26B), the second motor assembly (22B) being, during the assembly step (142), coupled directly to one of the connecting rods (50) of the articulation parallelogram (44).

10. The production method (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the step (110) for providing motor assemblies (22A, 22B) comprises providing at least one third motor assembly (22C) substantially identical to the first and second motor assemblies (22A, 22B), the method (100) further comprising the following additional steps: - providing (124) at least one third door (20C) including a third frame (24C) defining a third passage (26C) and at least one third obstacle (28C), different from the first and second obstacles (28A, 28B) and chosen from the following obstacles: swing leaf, laterally sliding leaf, pivoting leaf (34), for selectively closing and opening the third passage (26C), - configuring (134) the third motor assembly (22C) according to a third operating mode, and - assembling (144) the third motor assembly (22C) to the third door (20C) so as to form a third automatic gate (14), the third motor assembly (22C) moving the third obstacle (28C).

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