Pass gate

Abstract

In the area of ​​airlocks for passages limited by guide elements, it is important to restrict the passage using mounted locking bars. For this purpose, the locking bar is rigidly held in the drive mechanism and can be moved between a passage and a blocked position. In the event of a malfunction or emergency, however, it is of paramount importance that such an airlock presents a minimal obstacle. This is achieved in the invention described above by means of a cost-effective mechanism requiring minimal maintenance. For this purpose, the drive mechanism is rotatably mounted in a drive cage and can be pivoted out of engagement as a whole in an emergency.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a through-gate for a passage limited by guide elements, comprising a support column with a locking bar, to which a drive for moving the locking bar along a linear guide between a locking position and a release position is assigned.

[0002] Similar gate systems are already known from WO 2024 051874 A1. This patent describes a gate system that restricts passage via a pivotally mounted locking bar, where the locking bar is rigidly held in the drive mechanism and can tilt in the event of a malfunction. While such tilting makes passage possible, proper operation requires at least one joint between the locking bars described in this patent and their mounting for such a tilting mechanism. However, this approach is prone to maintenance issues and involves high production costs.

[0003] Further prior art can be found in EP 4 019 733 A1, DE 43 42 751 A1, DE 10 2006 054 745 A1 and EP 2 957 703 A1.

[0004] Against this background, the present invention aims to create a passageway that provides a simple folding mechanism for emergency situations and releases the passageway as completely as possible when folded down.

[0005] This is achieved by means of a through-gate according to the features of independent claim 1. Useful embodiments of such a through-gate can be found in the subsequent dependent claims.

[0006] The invention provides for a through-gate for a passage delimited by guide elements, comprising a support column with a locking bar, to which a drive for moving the locking bar along a linear guide between a locking position and a release position is assigned. According to the invention, such a through-gate is characterized in that the drive is housed in a drive cage rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation, which can be locked to the support column in an operating position in a rotationally fixed manner by means of a pawl electrically actuated against the restoring force of a spring element.

[0007] In an emergency, a hinged mechanism designed in this way allows for unobstructed passage in the event of a power outage. This enables a large number of people to reach safety through the airlock as freely as possible in an emergency. Prior art airlocks fold down at the locking bars and require additional components. Furthermore, they must be manually moved into the release position and do not offer completely unobstructed passage. In an emergency, however, it is extremely advantageous to create a barrier that itself presents as little obstacle as possible. A rotating hinged mechanism is cost-effective and low-maintenance due to its simple design, while ensuring reliable operation.

[0008] In an initial design, it seems sensible for the locking pawl to hold the drive cage securely in the operating position only when power is supplied. In specific situations, such as a power outage, a person located between the locking bars can quickly reach safety. Subsequent individuals in the area secured by the airlock can also leave quickly and unhindered. Furthermore, in other emergency situations, immediate passage can be enabled at any time by interrupting the power supply. This eliminates the airlock as an obstacle to escape routes in such emergencies and also allows for easy operation at comparatively low manufacturing costs.

[0009] Furthermore, it appears advantageous if the locking bar is mounted eccentrically in the drive cage. This eccentric mounting ensures that, after the pawl is released, the locking bar exerts sufficient weight and torque to rotate the drive cage towards a release position. Since the weight force continues to act without external influence, manual or automatic intervention is therefore unnecessary.

[0010] In a further embodiment, a positioning mechanism for rotating the drive cage back into its operating position can be provided. Such a positioning mechanism can be implemented with a solenoid, an electric motor (e.g., with a belt), or with the existing drive mechanism of the locking bar. This allows a single person to simultaneously commission multiple airlocks, even those located far apart. This significantly reduces the commissioning time required by the operator, ensuring more efficient work while simultaneously reducing waiting times for people passing through the airlocks.

[0011] Preferably, a coupling can be associated with the positioning mechanism, with the coupling being disengaged in the operating position. Using a coupling enables a controlled connection between the positioning mechanism and the drive cage, allowing for smooth acceleration or deceleration that prevents damage to mechanical components. Simultaneously, the coupling can protect the positioning mechanism from overload by allowing the connection between the drive cage and the positioning mechanism to be disconnected. Furthermore, a coupling allows the use of a less powerful motor for returning the drive cage to the operating position.

[0012] Additionally, the locking pawl can be configured as a latch, preferably designed as an inclined latch or a roller latch. A roller latch is a mechanical locking system in which an end-mounted bolt rotates through the shape of the housing and engages in a closed position. This embodiment is advantageous for quiet and low-friction applications. An inclined latch is automatically held in position by engaging and offers a practical solution in applications where engagement is desired. This results in the drive cage, with the locking bar it contains, being automatically secured as soon as it is moved into the operating position. This ensures that the drive cage remains reliably secured and prevents accidental tilting. Thus, continuous, safe, and low-maintenance operation of the airlock is guaranteed.

[0013] Preferably, the drive cage is equipped with a linear guide featuring guide rollers for the secure guidance of the locking bar. This ensures that the locking bar, housed within the drive cage, is securely held in position and guided between the locking and release positions without any play, which could otherwise lead to additional stress on individual components within the drive cage. Furthermore, the locking bar experiences less play and the associated potentially abrasive vibration forces with this secure guidance, significantly extending its service life. The linear guidance of the locking bar is provided by two cassettes located at the ends of the drive cage, each containing four guide rollers arranged at right angles to one another.The cassettes are pivotable relative to the drive cage about their own vertical axis, allowing the gap between the vertical rollers and the locking bar to be adjusted. They are preferably fastened to the drive cage at the top and bottom with three screws each, with a central screw serving as the pivot point and the lateral screws engaging in elongated holes in the drive cage, the elongated holes describing a circular arc around the pivot point. An arrangement of only one lateral screw at the top or bottom is also considered sufficient.

[0014] Furthermore, it appears advantageous that the drive is a linear drive. With the aid of the linear drive, a rotary motion originating from an electric motor is converted into a linear, rectilinear motion. In the present embodiment, such a conversion can be achieved via a toothed pulley attached to the electric motor, which interacts with a toothed belt provided in the locking bar and thus controls it.

[0015] Additionally, it can be provided that the locking bar has at least a partial elliptical shape in its longitudinal direction. If such a locking bar is inserted into a drive cage with eccentric outlets, it can describe an approximate elliptical path when extended.

[0016] The invention described above will be explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment. They show

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a passage lock in an oblique view, Figure 2 the passage lock according to Figure 1 with folded-down locking bars, Figure 3 a schematic representation of the passage lock according to Figure 1 with extended locking bars in a top view, Figure 4 a rear view of a support column of the passage lock according to Figure 1 with the cover removed, Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a drive cage with a locking bar included in it in an operating position of the through-lock according to Figure 1 , Figure 6 the drive cage according to Figure 5 outside the support column with a locking bar included therein in an oblique view, Figure 7 the drive cage according to Figure 5 outside the passage lock with a locking bar included therein in a side view, as well as Figure 8 an enlarged view of the mounting and guidance of the locking bar in the drive cage according to Figure 5 .

[0018] Figure 1Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a passage gate 1 in a locking position 3 for the case where two opposing locking bars 2-1 and 2-2 project from both sides of a support column 1-1, thus limiting the passage routed past the support column 1-1. Both locking bars 2-1 and 2-2 each describe an elliptical segment, preferably a circular segment, and are assigned to separate drive cages 5, which are installed one above the other in the support column 1-1. The drive cages 5-1 and 5-2 are arranged such that they extend the locking bars 2-1 and 2-2 in opposite directions. Alternatively, only one locking bar 2-1 or 2-2 can be installed in a support column 1-1 to allow for a solution that can be individually adapted to prevailing conditions. It can also be a passage lock with locking bars 2-1 and 2-2 made of several cooperating support columns 1-1.

[0019] The drives for the barrier bars 2-1 and 2-2, installed in the support column 1-1, retract the barrier bars 2-1 and 2-2 at different times. This means that a person (not shown here) first encounters the first barrier bar 2-1, walks towards it, and stops in front of it. Then, a barrier bar 2-2 extends behind the person (who is walking to the left in the image), and the person stops immediately next to the support column 1-1 of the airlock 1 within a restricted area 10. This ensures that during a check, only one person is ever in the area defined by the barrier bars 2-1 and 2-2. The person can then be checked in this restricted position 3. After the check is complete, the first barrier bar 2-1 in front of the person retracts, allowing the checked person to pass through.After a person has passed through, the first locking bar 2-1 is extended into the locking position and the second locking bar 2-2 is disengaged, allowing another person to undergo the same check. By enabling the separation of groups of people for the individual check of each person, the airlock ensures a regulated process for checking people.

[0020] Figure 2 shows in a schematic representation the in Figure 1The described airlock 1 is in a release position 4 in an emergency. For example, in the event of a power failure or an alarm, waiting persons or a person already inside the airlock 1 can immediately reach safety when the extended locking bars 2-1 and 2-2 of the airlock 1 fold downwards. The locking bars 2-1 and 2-2 are moved out of the way so that they do not protrude further into the passage than the support column 1-1 itself. As a result, the entire airlock 1 no longer presents an obstruction.

[0021] Figure 3Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of the gate 1. The locking bars 2-1 and 2-2 are fully extended from the support column 1-1 to the left and right in the locking position 3. Both locking bars 2-1 and 2-2 are identically shaped and together describe at least two-thirds of a complete circle, the area of ​​which marks the restricted area 10. Boundary elements, such as guardrails or walls, are arranged above and below the gate 1 (not shown here) to prevent simple passage past the gate 1.

[0022] The locking position 3 is designed so that a person (not shown here) can be held for inspection within the restricted area 10 defined by the locking bars 3 of the airlock. Retracting the locking bars 2-1 and 2-2 positions them next to the support column 1, thus allowing passage. It is also possible to retract only the front locking bar 2-1 or the rear locking bar 2-2. Multiple locking bars 2 can also be arranged one above the other and controlled individually.

[0023] Figure 4Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the airlock 1 with two locking bars 2-1 and 2-2. The support column 1-1 is shown in a rear view for illustrative purposes, without the cover that is normally installed there. The drive cages 5-1 and 5-2 are in their respective operating positions 7, with the inclined latches 6 engaged. To ensure a secure hold, the locking bars 2-1 and 2-2 are designed to always protrude from both sides of the support column 1-1. This means that each locking bar 2-1 and 2-2 is completely enclosed in its drive cage 5-1 and 5-2 and can be guided by it in any position.

[0024] Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of one of the in Figure 4 depicted drive box fig 5 in an oblique view. On the outside of the drive housing fig 5A locking pawl in the form of an inclined latch 6 is attached, which can engage in a locking and holding manner with a strut 12 attached to the housing 11 of the support column 1, but is now already released and frees the locking bar downwards. The drive box figure 5 The locking bar 2, which is incorporated therein, rotates around its longitudinal axis from its operating position 7 and completely opens the passage after a rotation of 90° which is not shown here.

[0025] Figure 6 shows the drive box removed from the support column 1 figure 5 including the jamb 2 incorporated therein in an oblique view. The drive box figure 5 It has round plates at the ends and guides the locking bar 2 through its interior in an eccentric position 13. Centrally in the drive housing figure 5 A drive element 14 is attached, which continuously moves the locking bar 2 through the drive box. figure 5moved. In this specific embodiment, 9 toothed belts 15 are assigned to the locking bar 2 along its longitudinal direction, which interact with a toothed belt pulley attached to the drive element 14 (not shown here) and enable stepless extension.

[0026] Figure 7 shows, analogous to Figure 6 , also the drive box removed from the support column 1 figure 5 including the integrated splint 2 in a frontal view. The drive cage is surrounded by a housing 11. In the center of the drive cage fig 5 A recess is provided in the housing 11, through which it becomes apparent that the drive element 14 is rigidly connected to the toothed belt pulley 16 and that the toothed belt pulley 16 interacts with the toothed belt 15 provided in the locking bar 2 for stepless control. A slant latch 6 is attached to the lower housing frame, which, as shown in Figure 5 described, the drive box figure 5by means of a strut 12 provided in the support column 1, which is not shown here, it is held in the operating position 7 and the drive box figure 5 in an emergency situation, it releases, causing it to fold downwards due to gravity.

[0027] Figure 8 shows, analogous to Figure 6 , also the drive box removed from the support column 1 figure 5 including the integrated locking bar 2 in a side view. It can be seen that at the end in the drive housing figure 5 Guide rollers 8 are provided for the secure holding and guidance of the locking bar 2. The guide rollers 8 are each designed as bearings, preferably as rolling bearings, and hold the locking bar 2 in its eccentric position relative to the drive housing. figure 5intended position. A total of four guide rollers 8 are provided, with the horizontal guide rollers 8-1 being larger than the vertical guide rollers 8-2. They can also be the same size. Fewer guide rollers can also be provided.

[0028] The above description describes a passageway gate which provides a simple folding mechanism for emergency situations and completely clears the passageway when folded down. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0029] 1. Through-gate 1-1. Support column 2. Locking bar 2-1. First locking bar 2-2. Second locking bar 3. Locking position 4. Release position 5. Drive cage 5-1. First drive cage 5-2. Second drive cage 6. Inclined latch 7. Operating position 8. Linear guide 8-1. Horizontal guide roller 8-2. Vertical guide roller 9. Longitudinal direction 10. Locking area 11. Housing 12. Strut 13. Eccentric position 14. Drive element 15. Timing belt 16. Timing belt pulley

Claims

1. A passage lock for a passage delimited by guide elements, comprising a support column (1) with a locking bar (2) to which a drive for moving the locking bar (2) along a linear guide (8) between a locking position (3) and a release position (4) is assigned, characterized by the fact that the drive is housed in a drive cage (5) which is rotatably mounted within the support column (1) about a horizontal axis of rotation and can be locked in an operating position (7) with the support column (1) by means of a locking pawl designed as a latch (6) which is electrically actuated against the restoring force of a spring element.

2. Transit lock according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that The drive cage (5) is locked in the operating position (7) by the pawl in a rotationally fixed manner when power is supplied.

3. Transit lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact thatthe linear guide (8) is mounted in the drive cage (5) eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the drive cage.

4. Transit lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that The drive cage (5) is assigned an automated positioning mechanism for rotating the drive cage (5) around the axis of rotation into the operating position (7).

5. Transit lock according to claim 4, characterized in that a coupling is assigned to the positioning mechanism, wherein the coupling is disengaged in an operating position (7) of the drive cage (5).

6. Transit lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the trap lock is designed as an inclined trap (6) or a rolling trap.

7. Transit lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that The linear guide (8) of the drive cage (5) is assigned guide rollers (8-1, 8-2) for the safe guidance of the locking bar (2).

8. Transit lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that The drive is a linear drive, wherein a toothed element is assigned to the locking bar along its longitudinal extent, which interacts with a drive gear of the linear drive.

9. Transit lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the locking bar (2) in its longitudinal direction (9) has at least partially the shape of an elliptical segment, preferably a circular segment.

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