Fitting system for opening / closing a pivotable part of a unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fitting system for a unit comprising a pivotable part such as a door, a hatch or the like comprising an actuator for moving pivotable part between a closed and an open position. In particular, the invention relates to a fitting system comprising an actuator (2) configured to force the pivotable part (1) between a closed position where the pivotable part (1) is near or in contact with the frame (3) and an open position where the pivotable part (1) is pivoted or rotated away from frame (3) around the hinge (4), the actuator (2) comprises a first end (2a) and a second end (2b) and the first end (2a) is rotatably mounted to a lifting arm (7) and the second end (2b) is rotatably mounted to a pressure arm (10) and during operation the actuator (2) is extended when opening the pivotable part (1). The pivotable part (1) comprises guiding means (5) configured to guide a first end of the lifting arm (7) relative to the pivotable part (1), and the frame (3) or a connecting part (8) being stationary relative to the frame (3) comprises a guiding unit (6) configured to guide a part of the pressure arm (10) relative to the frame (3). Further, the lifting arm (7) is at a first position (7a) at the first end movably mounted to the pivotable part (1) via the guiding means (5) and at a third position (7c) rotatably mounted to the pressure arm (10) and at a fourth position (7d) the lifting arm (7) is rotatably mounted to the guiding unit (6), and the pressure arm (10) is at a first position (10a) rotatably mounted to the actuator (2), at a second position (10b) the pressure arm is rotatably mounted to the lifting arm (7) and at a third position (10c) the pressure arm (10) is guided relative to the guiding unit (6).

Description

[0001] Fitting system for opening / closing a pivotable part of a unit

[0002] The present invention relates to a fitting system for a unit comprising a pivotable part such as a door, a hatch or the like comprising an actuator for moving pivotable part between a closed and an open position.

[0003] Background of the invention

[0004] The simplest possible embodiment of a fitting system providing opening or closing of a pivotal part of a unit is a linearly extending actuator positioned between a frame and the pivotal part, i.e. where a first end of the actuator is mounted rotatably to a stationary frame and a second end is mounted rotatably to the pivotal part and when the linear actuator is extended, the pivotal part is pushed away from the frame into an open position. However, as a standard linear actuator may normally only be extended to the double-length of the linear actuator in its most compact form, it is difficult to position the linear actuator in such a way that the pivotal part may be opened more than 90° relative to the frame.

[0005] EP2.003.262 A2 relates to a ventilation opening (1) which is built into a roof construction and which includes a frame part (2) and a lid part (3). In case of fire or smoke formation, the lid part (3) is opened and under normal conditions it may be used for comfort ventilation. The ventilation opening is provided with mechanical means (5) including at least one controlled linear actuator (9) and the direction of movement of the linear actuator (9) is away from the front edge. The actuator (9) is pivotably fastened to a crossbar (6) at one end and to a rod mechanism at the other end, and the rod mechanism is via a movable bearing connected to a displacing bearing / slide groove (22) which is in fixed connection with the lid part (3) of the ventilation opening. This ventilation opening (1) offers a solution wherein an actuator with relatively short stroke can be used for opening even large ventilation openings. The present invention may be seen as offering an alternative and simpler solution.

[0006] Hence, an improved but still simple fitting system would be advantageous, where "simple" means that the fitting system comprises relatively few and robust components.

[0007] The fitting system according to the invention allows the pivotable part to be opened very wide e.g. up to 180° relative to the frame due to that the second end (2b) of the actuator (2) during an opening movement is lifted above the frame thereby allowing the actuator (2) to extend horizontally.

[0008] Summary of the invention

[0009] Thus, an object of the present invention relates to overcome the problems related with prior art and provide a robust and inexpensive solution.

[0010] Thus, a first aspect of the invention relates to a fitting system for opening and closing a pivotable part of a unit which pivotable part (1) at a first side is fastened to a frame (3) by a hinge (4), the fitting system comprises an actuator (2) configured to force the pivotable part (1) between a closed position where the pivotable part (1) is near or in contact with the frame (3) and an open position where the pivotable part (1) is pivoted or rotated away from frame (3) around the hinge (4), the actuator (2) comprises a first end (2a) and a second end (2b) and the first end (2a) is rotatably mounted to a lifting arm (7) and the second end (2b) is rotatably mounted to a pressure arm (10) and during operation the actuator (2) is extended when opening the pivotable part (1), the pivotable part (1) comprises guiding means (5) configured to guide a first end of the lifting arm (7) relative to the pivotable part (1), the frame (3) or a connecting part (8) being stationary relative to the frame (3) comprises a guiding unit (6) configured to guide a part of the pressure arm (10) relative to the frame (3), the lifting arm (7) is at a first position (7a) at the first end movably mounted to the pivotable part (1) via the guiding means (5) and at a third position (7c) rotatably mounted to the pressure arm (10) and at a fourth position (7d) the lifting arm (7) is rotatably mounted to the guiding unit (6), the pressure arm (10) is at a first position (10a) rotatably mounted to the actuator (2), at a second position (10b) the pressure arm is rotatably mounted to the to the lifting arm (7) and at a third position the pressure arm (10) is guided relative to the guiding unit (6).

[0011] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the lifting arm (7) may comprise openings or protruding parts which at the first position (7a) is slidably and / or rotatably mounted to the pivotable part (1), at a second position (7b) is rotatably mounted to the actuator (2), at the third position (7c) is rotatably mounted to the pressure arm (10) and at a fourth position (7d) is rotatably mounted to the frame (3) or to the connecting part (8) or to another part being stationary relative to the frame (3).

[0012] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the guiding unit (6) may comprise an extending part which may extend in direction of the pivotable part (1) when the pivotable part (1) is in the closed position, the extending part may correspond to a part placed at the fourth position (7d) of the lifting arm (7) e.g. by comprising an opening or a protruding part corresponding to a protruding part or opening of the lifting arm (7).

[0013] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the first (10a), the second (10b) and the third (10c) positions of the pressure arm (10) may form a triangle, i.e. if straight lines are drawn between the centres of the three positions (10a, 10b, 10c) the three straight lines form a triangle.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the guiding means (5) may comprise a straight track guiding the first position (7a) of the lifting arm (7) in a straight line along or parallel to the pivotable part (1) back and forth relative to the first side of the pivotable part (1).

[0015] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the guiding means (5) may be embedded into the pivotable part (1) e.g. in form of metal rails.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the guiding unit (6) may comprise a track or a surface (6a) guiding a protruding part of the pressure arm (10) while also allowing rotation of the protruding part of the pressure arm (10).

[0017] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the connecting part (8) being stationary relative to the frame (3) may be constituted of a support beam (8) extending in the length of the pivotable part (1) where the length of the pivotable part (1) is considered to extend between the first side where the hinge (4) is positioned and the opposite side (11). According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the fitting system may comprise two lifting arms (7) and one or two pressure arms (10) and one or two actuators (2) being rotatably mounted to an axis extending respectively between the second positions of the two lifting arms (7) and between the first positions (10a) of the two pressure arms (10), optionally each lifting arm (7) may be rotatably mounted to one or two guiding unit(s) (6) at the fourth position.

[0018] According to a second aspect, the invention may relate to a unit such as a door or a hatch or the like comprising a pivotable part (1) and a stationary part (3, 6) which unit comprises a fitting system according to the first aspect.

[0019] Brief description of the figures

[0020] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a fitting system according to the invention where the pivotable part is closed.

[0021] Figure 2 shows the same embodiment as fig. 1 of a fitting system according to the invention where the door is open.

[0022] Figure 3 shows a cut-through view of the embodiment of the invention shown in figs. 1 and 2 which view shows the components of the fitting system.

[0023] Figure 4 illustrates the shift of position of the components during and opening / closing operation.

[0024] Detailed description of the invention

[0025] Definitions

[0026] Prior to discussing the present invention in further details, the following terms and conventions will first be defined :

[0027] In general - If this expression is used in the text, the feature defined may be used with all embodiments of the invention, also if the expression is used in the detailed part of the specification.

[0028] It should be noted that embodiments and features described in the context of one of the aspects of the present invention also apply to the other aspects of the invention.

[0029] Fig. 1 discloses a fitting system according to the invention which is mounted with a unit comprising a door or a hatch which unit in fig. 1 is in a closed position. Fig. 2 discloses same unit with the same embodiment of a fitting system in an open position. Fig. 3 shown a cut- through view of the same embodiment of the fitting system where it is possible to see the individual parts and units.

[0030] The unit comprises a pivotable part 1 which in the closed position is in touching contact with a frame 3, and at a first side the pivotable part 1 is fastened to the frame 3 by a hinge 4. The fitting system comprises an actuator 2 such as a linear actuator configured to force the pivotable part 1 between a closed position where the pivotable part 1 is near or in contact with the frame 3 and an open position where the pivotable part 1 is pivoted or rotated away from frame 3 around the hinge (4).

[0031] The actuator 2 comprises a first end 2a and a second end 2b and the first end 2a is rotatably mounted to a lifting arm 7 and the second end 2b is rotatably mounted to a pressure arm 10 and during operation the actuator 2 is extended when opening the pivotable part 1.

[0032] The pivotable part 1 comprises guiding means 5 which guiding means are configured to guide a first end of the lifting arm 7 relative to the pivotable part 1, and more precisely in a longitudinal direction of the pivotable part 1 toward the hinge 4.

[0033] Either the frame 3 or a connecting part 8 mounted stationary or in a fixed way relative to the frame 3 comprises a guiding unit 6 configured to guide a part of the pressure arm 10 relative to the frame 3. The guiding unit 6 need not be a separate unit but may be a part constituted as a part of the frame 3. However, if the guiding unit 6 is a separate unit, it is possible to construct the guiding unit 6 of a material which is particularly hard and durable and therefore adapted to the specified use.

[0034] The lifting arm 7 is at a first position 7a movable mounted to the pivotable part 1 via the guiding means 5 and at a third position 7c the lifting arm 7 is rotatably mounted to the pressure arm (10). That the lifting arm 7 is movably mounted at a first position 7a via the guiding means 5 means that the lifting arm 7 at the first position are restricted in sideward movements and movements towards and away from the surface of the pivotable part 1 and that the lifting arm 7 at the position 7a can only move in the longitudinal direction of the pivotable part 1 being defined by the guiding means 5, i.e. the position 7a of the lifting part can according to the embodiment shown in figs. 1 and 2 only move back and forth in a direction parallel to the pivotable part 1.

[0035] The guiding means 5 may comprise a straight track guiding the first position 7a of the lifting arm (7) in a straight line along or parallel to the pivotable part 1 to and from the first side of the pivotable part (1) during opening or closing. The guiding means 5 may be embedded into the pivotable part 1 and / or may comprise rails e.g. metal rails.

[0036] The pressure arm 10 is at a first position 10a rotatably mounted to the second end 2b of the actuator 2, at a second position 10b the pressure arm 10 is rotatably mounted to the to the lifting arm 7 at the position 7c of the lifting arm, and at a third position the pressure arm 10 is movably mounted relative to the guiding unit 6 and guided between two extreme positions by a track or surface 6a of the guiding unit 6.

[0037] Both the lifting arm 7 and the pressure arm 10 may move both linearly and rotatably relative to the frame 3.

[0038] The embodiment disclosed in figs. 1 and 2 comprises two lifting arms 7, two pressure arms 6 and two guiding units 6. Using two of each of this components of the fitting system makes it possible to increase the rigidity of the system. In the embodiment shown in figs. 1 and 2, the actuator 2 is a linear actuator placed between the two lifting arms 7, in the shown embodiment each lifting arm 7 is mounted to each a pressure arm 10 and a guiding unit 6 i.e. the system comprises two pressure arms 10 and two guiding units 6. According to a not shown embodiment, a fitting system according to the invention may comprise two lifting arms 7 which two lifting arms 7 are mounted to one common pressure arm 10 and to one common guiding unit 6.

[0039] The lifting arm 7 may comprise either openings or protruding parts or attached rolling parts at the first, second, third and fourth position which openings and / or parts are configured to interact with corresponding parts or positions of the other parts of the fitting system e.g. in a sliding or rotating way.

[0040] At the first position 7a the lifting arm 7 may comprise a through-going opening which allows for insertion of a rod 9 or the like providing an axis of rotation e.g. the rod 9 may be made of steel or a similar hard and durable material. The rod 9 providing an axis of rotation may comprise one or two ends which fit into one or two track(s) functioning as guiding means 5. According to this embodiment, the trough-going opening of the lifting arm 7 may then rotate around the rod 9.

[0041] At the second position 7b and the third position 7c, the lifting arm 7 is rotatably mounted respectively to the actuator(s) 2 and the pressure arm(s) meaning that the angle between the lifting arm 7 and respectively the actuator(s) 2 and the pressure arm(s) 10 changes during an opening or closing action. Both the actuator(s) 2 and the pressure arm(s) 10 move relative to the frame 3 during an opening or closing action.

[0042] At the fourth position 7d, the lifting arm 7 is rotatably mounted to either the frame 3 or to the connecting part (8) or to another unit being stationary relative to the frame (3). As the fourth position 7d is stationary relative to the frame 3, this position defines the rotating axis of the lifting arm 7 and the height of the position together with the height of the frame 3 defines how wide the pivotal part 1 may be opened.

[0043] According to the shown embodiment, a part of the guiding unit 6 extends in direction of the pivotable part 1 in the closed position, this extending part of the guiding unit 6 may be adapted for rotatably mounting of the lifting arm (7) by either comprising an opening or a protruding part corresponding to a part at the fourth position 7d of the lifting arm 7.

[0044] The guiding unit (6) may comprise a track or a surface 6a configured to guide a protruding part or corresponding surface of the pressure arm 10, normally while also allowing rotation of the protruding part or corresponding surface of the pressure arm 10.

[0045] The pressure arm(s) 10 may overall be shaped as a triangle, i.e. the first 10a, the second 10b and the third 10c positions of the pressure arm (10) are not positioned on a straight line but forms a triangle if straight lines are drawn between the centres of the three positions. Preferably, the angle between two of the three straight lines connecting two positions 10a, 10b and 10c are at least 50 degrees.

[0046] The unit comprising the fitting system may also comprise a connecting part 8 which is stationary relative to the frame 3 and which may be constituted of a support beam 8 extending in the length of the pivotable part 1 mounted either below or at level with the frame 3. The length of the pivotable part 1 is normally defined as the distance between the first side of the pivotable part 1 where the pivotal part 1 is attached to the hinge 4 and the opposite side 11.

[0047] Units suitable for application of a fitting system according to the invention may be a door or a hatch or any kind unit comprising a pivotal part placed in contact with a frame in the closed position.

[0048] Fig. 4 illustrates how a pivotal part 1 moves during an opening or closing operation when mounted with a fitting system according to the invention. In position I, the pivotable part 1 is in a closed position where the pivotable part 1 is in contact with the frame 3 and may seal access though an opening. The actuator 2 is in a non-extended state.

[0049] In position II, the actuator 2 has been extended, this forces the third position of the pressure arm upwards along the surface 6a, and simultaneously pivot the lifting arm 7 around the fourth point 7d where the lifting arm 7 is mounted to the guiding unit 6 or another stationary point.

[0050] In position III, the actuator is further extended and the point 10c of the pressure arm 10 has reached a top position, the pivotable part 1 has reached an opening of 90 degrees.

[0051] In position IV, the actuator is fully extended and the actuator 2 is lifted above the frame 3, the pivotable part 1 has reached an opening of close to 180 degrees.

Claims

Claims1. A fitting system for pivoting a pivotable part of a unit which pivotable part (1) at a first side is fastened to a frame (3) by a hinge (4),- the fitting system comprises an actuator (2) configured to force the pivotable part (1) between a closed position where the pivotable part (1) is near or in contact with the frame (3) and an open position where the pivotable part (1) is pivoted or rotated away from frame (3) around the hinge (4), the actuator (2) comprises a first end (2a) and a second end (2b) and the first end (2a) is rotatably mounted to a lifting arm (7) and the second end (2b) is rotatably mounted to a pressure arm (10) and during operation the actuator (2) is extended when opening the pivotable part (1),- the pivotable part (1) comprises guiding means (5) configured to guide a first end of the lifting arm (7) relative to the pivotable part (1),- the frame (3) or a connecting part (8) being stationary relative to the frame (3) comprises a guiding unit (6) configured to guide a part of the pressure arm (10) relative to the frame (3), characterized in that the lifting arm (7) is at a first position (7a) at the first end movably mounted to the pivotable part (1) via the guiding means (5) and at a third position (7c) rotatably mounted to the pressure arm (10) and at a fourth position (7d) the lifting arm (7) is rotatably mounted to the guiding unit (6),- the pressure arm (10) is at a first position (10a) rotatably mounted to the actuator (2), at a second position (10b) the pressure arm is rotatably mounted to the lifting arm (7) and at a third position (10c) the pressure arm (10) is guided relative to the guiding unit (6).

2. A fitting system according to claim 1, wherein the lifting arm (7) comprises openings or protruding parts which at the first position (7a) is slidably and / or rotatably mounted to the pivotable part (1), at a second position (7b) is rotatably mounted to the actuator (2), at the third position (7c) is rotatably mounted to the pressure arm (10) and at a fourth position (7d) is rotatably mounted to the frame (3) or to the connecting part (8) or to another part being stationary relative to the frame (3).

3. A fitting system according to claim 2, wherein the guiding unit (6) comprises an extending part which extends in direction of the pivotable part (1) when the pivotable part (1) is in the closed position, the extending part corresponds to a part placed at the fourth position (7d) of the lifting arm (7) e.g. by comprising an opening or a protruding part corresponding to a protruding part or opening of the lifting arm (7).

4. A fitting system according to any previous claim, wherein the first (10a), the second (10b) and the third (10c) positions of the pressure arm (10) form a triangle i.e. if straight lines aredrawn between the centres of the three positions (10a, 10b, 10c) the three straight lines form a triangle.

5. A fitting system according to any previous claim, wherein the guiding means (5) comprises a straight track guiding the first position (7a) of the lifting arm (7) in a straight line along or parallel to the pivotable part (1) back and forth relative to the first side of the pivotable part (1).

6. A fitting system according to any previous claim, wherein the guiding means (5) are embedded into the pivotable part (1) e.g. in form of rails, such as metal rails.

7. A fitting system according to any previous claim, wherein the guiding unit (6) comprises a track or a surface or edge (6a) guiding a protruding part of the pressure arm (10) while also allowing rotation of the protruding part of the pressure arm (10).

8. A fitting system according to any previous claim, wherein the connecting part (8) being stationary relative to the frame (3) is constituted of a support beam (8) extending in the length of the pivotable part (1) where the length of the pivotable part (1) is considered to extend between the first side where the hinge (4) is positioned and an opposite side (11).

9. A fitting system according to any previous claim, wherein the fitting system comprises two lifting arms (7) and two pressure arms (10) and the actuator (2) is rotatably mounted to an axis extending respectively between the second positions of the two lifting arms (7) and between the first positions (10a) of the two pressure arms (10), optionally each lifting arm (7) may be rotatably mounted to one or two guiding unit(s) (6) at the fourth position.

10. A unit such as a door or a hatch or the like comprising a pivotable part (1) and a stationary part (3, 6) which unit comprises a fitting system according to any of the claims 1- 9.

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