Opening / closing device

Abstract

To reduce problems associated with canceling of blanking control.SOLUTION: A multi-optical axis sensor 40 has a blanking control mode in which, every time a plurality of optical paths R are blocked in order in the closing direction, the presence or absence of blocking is ignored for the optical paths R located closer to the opening direction side, including these blocked optical paths R, and in which an output of the closing operation restriction signal is turned ON or OFF depending on the presence or absence of blocking for the optical path R located closer to the closing direction side than the ignored optical path, and a normal sensing mode in which the output of the closing operation restriction signal is turned ON or OFF depending on the presence or absence of blocking for a specific normal sensing optical path among the plurality of optical paths R. During the blanking control mode, if there is a change in the presence or absence of blocking of a predetermined fully closed optical path R among the many optical paths by the closing member provided on an opening / closing body, the multi-optical axis sensor 40 switches to the normal sensing mode after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time of the change.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an opening and closing device that closes an opening and closing body by partitioning a space, such as a shutter device, an overhead door, a roll blind device, a sliding door device, a sliding door, etc.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in this type of invention, a multi-optical axis sensor in which a large number of photoelectric sensors are arranged in the vertical direction to form a large number of optical paths is attached to left and right guide rails to detect obstacles in a wide range in the vertical direction. There is a shutter device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to such a shutter device, during the closing operation of the opening and closing body, if at least a part of the large number of optical paths is blocked by an obstacle, the opening and closing body stops. However, in order to prevent the opening and closing body during the closing operation from blocking the optical path and stopping, every time the lower end side of the opening and closing body during the closing operation blocks the optical paths of the two upper and lower photoelectric sensors, all the upper photoelectric sensors including these two photoelectric sensors are made insensitive. Such control may be referred to as blanking control. During this blanking control, detection of an obstacle is performed only by a photoelectric sensor located below the two photoelectric sensors. The blanking control is configured to be released when the lower end side of the opening and closing body during the closing operation passes below the lowest optical path.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a general shutter device, a shutter body is formed by connecting vertically slats with a concave cross-section formed by bending a metal plate. Therefore, a continuous through-space in the width direction is formed on the central side in the thickness direction of each slat. Therefore, in order to perform blanking control, a blocking member 101 for blocking the optical path passing through the space is provided on the lower end side of the shutter body 100 (see Fig. 11). When this blocking member 101 sequentially blocks the optical paths of the top two photosensors 201, 201 downward, blanking control is started (at the time point P1 in Fig. 11). During this blanking control, every time the optical paths of the two photosensors 201, 201 are sequentially blocked by the blocking member 101, the photosensors 201 above the optical path R1 immediately below the blocking member 101 become in a state of ineffective detection. Therefore, even if the optical path is blocked by the closing shutter body 100, it is not determined as an obstacle detection. When the blocking member 101 passes through the optical path of the lowermost photosensor 201 downward (at the time point P2 in Fig. 11), the blanking control is released, and the multi-axis optical sensor 200 returns to the normal detection state.

[0005] In this normal detection state, if the optical paths of all the photosensors 201 pass through the space in the slat and are not blocked, the non-detection state is maintained. However, if the shutter body 100 sways in the thickness direction due to wind or vibration and some slats block the optical path, it is regarded as an obstacle detection, and the closing operation of the shutter body 100 stops. For this reason, especially when the opening and closing stroke below the multi-axis optical sensor 200 becomes long depending on the site conditions, etc., the shutter body 100 stops before fully closing, and there is a possibility that a gap S is formed between the shutter body 100 and the floor surface or the like.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] In view of such problems, the present invention has the following configuration. An opening / closing device includes an opening / closing body that closes in a manner of partitioning a space, and a multi-optical axis sensor that forms a plurality of optical paths arranged in the opening / closing direction in the opening / closing path of the opening / closing body. A signal output from the multi-optical axis sensor is used as a closing operation limiting signal for limiting the closing operation of the opening / closing body. The multi-optical axis sensor ignores the presence or absence of interruption for optical paths located closer to the opening direction including the interrupted optical paths each time a plurality of optical paths are interrupted in the order of the closing direction, and outputs the closing operation limiting signal ON or OFF according to the presence or absence of interruption for optical paths on the closing direction side of the ignored optical paths. The multi-optical axis sensor has a blanking control mode and a normal sensing mode. In the blanking control mode, the multi-optical axis sensor outputs the closing operation limiting signal ON or OFF according to the presence or absence of interruption for a specific normal sensing optical path among the plurality of optical paths. When there is a change in the presence or absence of interruption by a blocking member provided on the opening / closing body of a predetermined all-closed-close optical path among the plurality of optical paths during the blanking control mode, the multi-optical axis sensor switches to the normal sensing mode after a lapse of a predetermined time from the time of the change.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to reduce problems associated with the release of blanking control.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] In this embodiment, the following features are disclosed. The first feature is an opening / closing device comprising an opening / closing body that closes in a manner partitioning space, and a multi-optical axis sensor that forms a plurality of optical paths arranged in the opening / closing direction in the opening / closing path of the opening / closing body, wherein a signal output from the multi-optical axis sensor is used as a closing operation limiting signal for limiting the closing operation of the opening / closing body. The multi-optical axis sensor has a blanking control mode in which, each time a plurality of optical paths are blocked in the order of the closing direction, the presence or absence of blocking is ignored for the optical paths located closer to the opening direction including the blocked optical paths, and the output of the closing operation limiting signal is turned ON or OFF according to the presence or absence of blocking for the optical paths on the closing direction side of the ignored optical paths, and a normal sensing mode in which the output of the closing operation limiting signal is turned ON or OFF according to the presence or absence of blocking for a specific normal sensing optical path among the plurality of optical paths. The multi-optical axis sensor switches to the normal sensing mode after a lapse of a predetermined time from the time of change when there is a change in the presence or absence of blocking of a predetermined all-closed-side-close optical path among the plurality of optical paths during the blanking control mode. (Refer to FIGS. 6 to 10).

[0010] According to this configuration, during the blanking control mode, if there is a change in the presence or absence of blocking for the all-closed-side-close optical path, it will enter the normal sensing mode after waiting for a lapse of a predetermined time from the time of change. That is, the blanking control mode is maintained during the lapse of the predetermined time. Therefore, immediately after the change in the presence or absence of blocking of the all-closed-side-close optical path, it switches to the normal sensing mode, preventing the opening / closing body from swaying in the thickness direction and being sensed by the multi-optical axis sensor, and preventing the closing operation of the opening / closing body from being restricted unintentionally (such as stopping or reversing and rising).

[0011] The second feature is that, in order to effectively execute the blanking control mode, the blanking control mode is executed on the condition that the optical path on the most open direction side and the optical path adjacent to it on the closing direction side are blocked in the order of the closing direction. (Refer to FIGS. 7 and 10).

[0012] The third feature is that, in order to effectively execute the normal sensing mode, the normal sensing optical path is set on the closing direction side of the two optical paths closest to the opening direction.

[0013] The fourth feature is that, in order to effectively utilize all of the numerous optical paths, the optical path closest to fully closed is constituted by the optical path closest to the closing direction and the optical path adjacent to the opening direction side of the said optical path.

[0014] The fifth feature is that the said predetermined time is set to be equal to or longer than the time from when there is a change in the presence or absence of interruption of the optical path closest to fully closed until the opening / closing body is substantially fully closed (see FIGS. 7 and 10). According to this configuration, it is possible to effectively prevent a situation where the normal sensing mode is entered before the opening / closing body is fully closed and the closing operation stops due to the detection of the opening / closing body.

[0015] The sixth feature is that, for the fully open-closest optical path located closest to the opening direction among the said numerous optical paths, when there is a change in the presence or absence of interruption in the opening direction of the opening / closing body and the said normal sensing optical path is not interrupted, the said closing operation limit signal is turned OFF (see FIGS. 7 and 10). According to this configuration, until the opening / closing body is opened to a certain extent, the closing operation of the opening / closing body can be restricted, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the opening / closing body from performing a closing operation from a relatively low position and contacting an obstacle.

[0016] As the seventh feature, after the elapse of the said predetermined time, the multi-optical axis sensor forcibly turns ON the said closing operation limit signal regardless of the presence or absence of interruption of any of the optical paths (see FIGS. 8 and 10). According to this configuration, after the elapse of the said predetermined time and during the subsequent opening operation, the closing operation limit signal can be turned ON regardless of the presence or absence of detection of the opening / closing body. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent a situation where a closing operation is performed at the initial stage of the opening operation.

[0017] <Specific Embodiment> Next, a specific embodiment having the above characteristics will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the "thickness direction of the opening / closing body" means the thickness direction of the opening / closing body in the closed state. Further, the "width direction of the opening / closing body" means a direction substantially orthogonal to the opening / closing direction of the opening / closing body and not the thickness direction of the opening / closing body. Further, the "opening / closing direction of the opening / closing body" means the direction in which the opening / closing body slides to partition or open the space.

[0018] The opening / closing device 1 includes an opening / closing body 10 that closes in a manner of partitioning a space, a storage portion 20 that stores or extends the opening / closing body 10 on the opening side thereof, two guide rails 30, 30 that respectively surround both end portions in the lateral width direction of the opening / closing body 10 in a concave cross-sectional shape and guide them in the opening / closing direction, a multi-optical axis sensor 40 that non-contact senses an obstacle below the opening / closing body 10, and a control circuit 50, and constitutes a shutter device mounted on a housing having a relatively wide opening such as a garage or a factory.

[0019] The opening / closing body 10 is configured by connecting a plurality of slats 11a formed by bending a horizontally long substantially rectangular metal plate so as to rotate between adjacent upper and lower slats 11a, 11a, connecting a fixed seat plate 12 to the lower end portion of the opening / closing body main body 11, and connecting a movable seat plate 13 to the lower end side of the fixed seat plate 12 so as to be relatively movable in the vertical direction.

[0020] At the end portions in the lateral width direction of the opening / closing body 10, there are provided retaining members 14 for preventing the opening / closing body from being pulled out from the guide rail 30 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). The retaining member 14 projects in the lateral width direction from the end portion of the opening / closing body 10 and integrally has a portion that expands in the width direction of the opening / closing body on the protruding end side.

[0021] Closing members 15, 16, 17 are respectively provided on the lowermost slat 11a, the movable seat plate 13, and the fixed seat plate 12 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). These closing members 15, 16, 17 are respectively attached to the end portions of the slat 11a, the movable seat plate 13, and the fixed seat plate 12 so as to block a space that communicates in the lateral width direction inside the lower end side of the opening / closing body.

[0022] The uppermost blocking member 15 is an integral member having a fixing piece portion 15a fixed to the back surface of the slat 11a and a closing piece portion 15b bent with respect to the fixing piece portion 15a to close the opening at the widthwise end of the slat 11a, as shown in FIG. 5(I). This blocking member 15 is fixedly attached to the slat 11a closest to the upper side of the fixed seat plate 12.

[0023] The central blocking member 16 is formed in a substantially block shape having a closing piece portion 16a that closes the opening at the widthwise end of the fixed seat plate 12 and a fixing portion 16b fixed to the fixed seat plate 12, and in the illustrated example, it is configured by combining a plurality of members.

[0024] The lowermost blocking member 17 is a member integrally having a closing piece portion 17a that is inserted into the movable seat plate 13 and blocks the optical path R that attempts to pass through the movable seat plate 13, and a fixing piece portion 17b fixed to the movable seat plate 13.

[0025] These blocking members 15, 16, and 17 are used in a blanking control mode that sequentially blocks two optical paths R at a time during the normal closing operation of the opening / closing body 10. Therefore, if these blocking members 15, 16, and 17 function in the same manner, it is possible to adopt forms other than the illustrated example, such as a single member, two members, four or more members, etc.

[0026] In a preferred example of this embodiment, in the thickness direction of the opening / closing body, the centers of a large number of optical paths R and the central portion of the opening / closing body 10 are made to coincide or substantially coincide. According to this configuration, the widthwise ends of the opening / closing body 10 can be brought close to the light projecting surface 40a1 (or light receiving surface) of the multi-optical axis sensor 40, preventing dirt, foreign matter, etc. from adhering to the light projecting surface 40a1 (or light receiving surface).

[0027] Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the storage unit 20 includes a take-up shaft 22 that winds up and pays out the opening / closing body 10 in a storage case 21 formed with an opening at the lower part for allowing the opening / closing body 10 to move in and out, an opening / closing machine 23 that drives and rotates or brakes the take-up shaft 22 via a power transmission mechanism such as a chain and a sprocket, and an opening / closing body control circuit 51 that is a part of the control circuit 50.

[0028] The storage case 21 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a hollow interior by side covers 21a at both ends and a case body 21b connected to the side covers 21a and extending in the width direction of the opening / closing body.

[0029] The opening / closing machine 23 is composed of a rotary electric motor, a braking mechanism, and the like. This opening / closing machine 23 is provided with a fully closed / fully open detection unit 23a that outputs contact signals at the fully closed position and the fully open position of the opening / closing body 10. This fully closed / fully open detection unit 23a is a switch with a mechanical counter structure that outputs a contact signal when the rotation amount of the rotating part of the opening / closing machine 23 reaches a predetermined value.

[0030] The opening / closing body control circuit 51 is an electronic circuit equipped with, for example, a microcomputer, and functions according to a program stored in advance. As will be described later, it processes a closing operation restriction signal from the multi-optical axis sensor 40, signals from an opening switch, a stop switch, and a closing switch (not shown), and other signals, and controls the opening / closing machine 23 according to the processing results. This opening / closing body control circuit 51 and the opening / closing machine 23 are arranged on one side (left side according to the illustrated example) in the width direction of the opening / closing body within the storage case 21.

[0031] Further, the guide rail 30 is configured to surround the widthwise end of the opening / closing body 10 in a concave shape on the side opposite to one side in the width direction of the opening / closing body. As shown in Fig. 2, this guide rail 30 includes a hollow fixed column 31 fixed to the immovable part on the housing side along the opening / closing direction of the opening / closing body, a guide rail body 32 detachably connected to the fixed column 31, and an inner guide rail 33 that engages with the anti-disengagement member 14 in the guide rail body 32 so as not to be disengaged. A multi-axis optical sensor 40 is fixed in the fixed column 31 on the back side of the guide rail body 32 by a bracket 48.

[0032] The inner guide rail 33 and the fixed column 31 are provided with light passing holes 33b1 that penetrate from the bottom of the inner guide rail 33 into the fixed column 31 at positions facing the end of the anti-disengagement member 14.

[0033] The light passing hole 33b1 is a through hole for passing the optical path R of the multi-axis optical sensor 40 and faces the light projecting surface 40a1 (or light receiving surface) of each photoelectric sensor 42 that constitutes the multi-axis optical sensor 40.

[0034] The multi-axis optical sensor 40 includes a first unit 40a extending in the vertical direction within the guide rail 30 on one side and a second unit 40b extending in the vertical direction within the guide rail 30 on the opposite side, and forms a number of optical paths R arranged at intervals in the opening / closing direction in the opening / closing path of the opening / closing body 10. The signal output from this multi-axis optical sensor 40 is used as a closing operation limit signal for limiting the closing operation of the opening / closing body 10.

[0035] The first unit 40a and the second unit 40b are each located at a predetermined dimension H away from the contact target part G (for example, the lower frame, floor surface, ground, etc.) of the opening / closing body 10 at the fully closed position in the opening direction side and are fixed to the back side (inside the fixed column 31) of the inner guide rail 33 and the guide rail body 32. The predetermined dimension H is set within the range of 150 to 1500 mm, and more preferably within the range of 150 to 500 mm. And these two units 40a, 40b form a number of optical paths R with a substantially constant interval in the vertical direction (see Fig. 1).

[0036] The first unit 40a has a number of light emitters (not shown) at substantially constant intervals in the longitudinal direction within a cubic case that is long in the opening / closing body opening / closing direction. These light emitters receive power supply from the electrical wiring 49 in the fixed support column 31 and emit light (e.g., infrared light) as an obstacle sensing medium.

[0037] The second unit 40b includes a number of light receivers (not shown) at substantially constant intervals in the longitudinal direction within a cubic case that is long in the opening / closing body opening / closing direction, and a sensor control circuit 41 that processes the sensing signals of these light receivers. Each light receiver of the second unit 40b and each light emitter of the first unit 40a facing it constitute a photoelectric sensor 42 that senses an object through the optical path R formed therebetween.

[0038] The sensor control circuit 41 processes the sensing signals from the light receivers, and as a result of the processing, switches between and executes a blanking control mode and a normal sensing mode described later, and in each mode, outputs a closing operation limit signal ON or OFF.

[0039] Here, the closing operation limit signal is a signal for restricting the closing operation of the opening / closing body 10, and for example, it may be a contact signal that changes between an OFF state and an ON state, or a voltage signal or the like. As will be described in detail later, this closing operation limit signal, for example, turns ON when the multi-axis sensor 40 senses an object such as a foreign object, an obstacle, or the opening / closing body 10, and turns OFF when it is in a non-sensing state. When this closing operation limit signal is ON, the opening / closing body control circuit 51 does not perform the closing operation of the opening / closing body 10 even if there is a closing command by a closing switch or the like. Also, when the closing operation limit signal becomes ON during the closing operation of the opening / closing body 10, the opening / closing body control circuit 51 stops the closing operation of the opening / closing body 10.

[0040] The electrical wiring 49 on the first unit 40a side and the electrical wiring 49 on the second unit 40b side are each led upward through the space portion in the guide rail 30 and are electrically connected to the opening / closing body control circuit 51 in the storage case 21. Particularly, in a preferred example of the present embodiment, the second unit 40b having a light receiver and its electrical wiring 49 are arranged to be biased toward the opening / closing control circuit 51 side in the width direction of the opening / closing body, so as to reduce electrical resistance, noise, etc. compared with the case of arranging them on the opposite side.

[0041] Regarding the relationship between the multiple optical paths R and the guide rail 30 in detail, a plurality of light passing holes 33b1 on the bottom side of the guide rail 30 are provided at intervals in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 3. Each light passing hole 33b1 is formed in a long hole shape extending in the vertical direction so as to allow a plurality (four in the illustrated example) of optical paths R, which are a part of the multiple optical paths R, to pass through. According to this long-shaped light passing hole 33b1, clogging of foreign matters such as dust can be reduced compared with the case where the light passing hole is a circular hole. In addition, since a plurality of optical paths R are corresponding to one long hole-shaped light passing hole 33b1, it is easy to align the optical axes in the vertical direction and the productivity is excellent.

[0042] The light passing hole 33b1 on the first unit 40a side has a width W slightly larger than the diameter of the light projecting surface 40a1 of the light projector of the multi-optical axis sensor 40. That is, the light projector emits light radially spreading at a predetermined angle. The width W of the light passing hole 33b1 is set so as to appropriately hold the radial spread. Also, the light passing hole (not shown) on the second unit 40b side is formed substantially in the same manner as the light passing hole 33b1. Therefore, even when the position of the light receiver facing the light projector is slightly displaced in the thickness direction of the opening / closing body (the width W direction in the drawing) due to manufacturing errors or the like, the light emitted from the light projector will be received.

[0043] Moreover, the width W of the light passing hole 33b1 is set to be smaller than the thickness dimension X (see FIG. 2) of the end surface in the width direction of the opening / closing body 10. Note that, according to an example of the present embodiment, the dimension X is the dimension in the thickness direction of the closing members 15, 16, 17. According to this configuration, when performing blanking control, the two optical paths R can be well blocked by the widthwise end portions of the opening / closing body 10. Moreover, since the hole width is relatively small, it is possible to effectively prevent foreign matter such as dust from adhering to the light passage hole 33b1. Also, it is possible to prevent the end portion side of the opening / closing body 10 from interfering with the inner edge of the light passage hole 33b1 or the like, and prevent damage to the light projection surface 40a1 (light receiving surface) due to the sliding contact or snagging of the opening / closing body 10.

[0044] According to an example of the present embodiment, the control circuit 50 is composed of the above-described opening / closing body control circuit 51 and the sensor control circuit 41, and controls the operation of the opening / closing device 1 through the cooperation of these two control circuits 51. As another example, it is also possible to configure this control circuit 50 with a single or three or more control circuits. When there are a plurality of control circuits 50, the function sharing of each function such as the blanking mode, the normal sensing mode, and the reset operation (command transmission and control) described later can be arbitrarily set. When there is a single control circuit 50, this single control circuit (for example, the opening / closing body control circuit 51) performs all of the blanking mode, the normal sensing mode, the reset operation, etc. described later.

[0045] Next, the basic operations of the sensor control circuit 41 and the opening / closing body control circuit 51 will be described. The sensor control circuit 41 executes one of the blanking control mode and the normal sensing mode according to a predetermined condition.

[0046] <Regarding the blanking control mode> The blanking control mode is a mode that is executed when the opening / closing body 10 during the closing operation passes through the optical path R of the multi-axis sensor 40. In this blanking control mode, when the plurality of optical paths are blocked in the closing direction in sequence, the sensor control circuit 41 ignores the presence or absence of blocking of the optical paths located closer to the opening direction including the blocked optical paths, and outputs the closing operation limit signal ON or OFF according to the presence or absence of blocking of the optical paths below the ignored optical paths. Here, according to an example shown in FIG. 1, the configuration of the "optical path located closer to the opening direction including the blocked optical path" is all optical paths from optical path R1 and above adjacent to the lower side of two optical paths blocked in the closing direction. In other words, this configuration refers to the optical paths of the photoelectric sensors 42 (the three uppermost ones in FIG. 1) facing the end in the lateral width direction of the opening / closing body 10 and the optical path R1 adjacent to the lower side of the optical path.

[0047] In addition, as another example other than the illustrated example, the "optical path located closer to the opening direction including the blocked optical path" can be all optical paths located above the optical path R1 without including the optical path R1 (that is, only the optical paths of all the photoelectric sensors 42 facing the end face of the opening / closing body 10).

[0048] Regarding the obstacle sensing operation in the blanking control mode, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the sensor control circuit 41 determines whether at least one of the plurality of optical paths R below the optical path R1 directly below the opening / closing body 10 is blocked (step S1). If it is blocked, the output of the closing operation limit signal is turned ON (step S2). If it is not blocked, the output of the closing operation limit signal is turned OFF (step S3). Then, the process returns to step S1.

[0049] <Regarding the normal sensing mode> The normal sensing mode is a mode that is executed when a reset operation is performed under a predetermined condition described later. In this normal sensing mode, the sensor control circuit 41 outputs the closing operation limit signal ON or OFF according to the presence or absence of blocking of at least a part of the normal sensing optical path R regardless of the order in the closing direction.

[0050] Here, the "optical path R for normal sensing" is a plurality of optical paths R that are on the closed direction side of the two upper and lower optical paths R and R closest to the open direction, and are on the open direction side of the two upper and lower optical paths R and R closest to the closed direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, it is formed by a plurality of normal sensing photoelectric sensors 42 on the central side in the vertical direction. Also, the "two upper and lower optical paths closest to the open direction" are two optical paths R and R located above the optical path R for normal sensing. These optical paths R and R may be referred to as "optical paths closer to fully open" in this specification. Also, the "two upper and lower optical paths closest to the closed direction" are two optical paths R and R located below the optical path R for normal sensing. These optical paths R and R may be referred to as "optical paths closer to fully closed" in this specification.

[0051] Next, the obstacle sensing operation in the normal sensing mode will be described in detail along the flowchart of FIG. 6(b). In the normal sensing mode, for the optical paths R and R closer to fully open, which are the ones located closest to the open direction among the numerous optical paths R, the sensor control circuit 41 turns off the closing operation limit signal (step S23) on the condition that there is a change in the presence or absence of blocking in the open direction of the opening / closing body and not all of the plurality of optical paths R for normal sensing are blocked (step S20), and otherwise proceeds to step S21. Here, the "change in the presence or absence of blocking in the open direction of the opening / closing body" specifically means that the two optical paths R and R closer to fully open arranged vertically at the uppermost side are sequentially released from the blocked state by the blocking members 15, 16, and 17 upward.

[0052] Also, in step S21, the output of the closing operation limit signal is turned on or off according to the presence or absence of blocking for the plurality of optical paths R for normal sensing. Specifically, the sensor control circuit 41 determines whether at least a part of the plurality of optical paths R for normal sensing is blocked. If it is blocked, the process proceeds to step S22 to turn on the output of the closing operation limit signal, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step S23 to turn off the output of the closing operation limit signal. After step S22 or S23, the process returns to step S20.

[0053] <Regarding the mode switching operation> Next, regarding the switching operation between the above-described blanking control mode and the normal sensing mode, it will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7.

[0054] When the power supply of the sensor control circuit 41 is turned on by energizing the opening / closing device 1 or the like, it performs a reset operation (step S31). In this reset operation, the initial state of the normal sensing mode is set.

[0055] In the next step S32, among a large number of optical paths R, it waits for the optical path R on the most open direction side and the optical path R adjacent to the optical path R on the closing direction side of the optical path R (in other words, two optical paths R, R close to fully open) to be blocked in the closing direction order. When they are blocked, the process proceeds to the next step S33.

[0056] In step 33, the mode of the sensor control circuit 41 is switched to the blanking control mode, and the process proceeds to the next step S34.

[0057] In step S34, while maintaining the blanking control mode, it waits for a change in the presence or absence of blocking of the optical paths R, R close to fully closed, and the process proceeds to the next step S35. Here, according to the illustrated example, the "change in the presence or absence of blocking" is a change in which the two optical paths R, R close to fully closed are sequentially released downward from the blocked state by the blocking members 15, 16, 17. As another example of this change, it is also possible to consider a change from the released state to the blocked state.

[0058] In step 35, it waits for a predetermined time to elapse, and after the elapse, the process proceeds to the next step S36. Here, the predetermined time is set to be longer than the time from when the lowermost optical path R close to fully closed changes from the blocked state to the released state until the opening / closing body 10 becomes substantially fully closed (including complete closure). According to a preferred example of the present embodiment, it is set to about 5 seconds.

[0059] In step S36, by performing the above reset operation, the normal sensing mode is switched to, and the process returns to step S32.

[0060] <Regarding the operation of the opening / closing control circuit> The opening / closing control circuit 51 controls the opening / closing machine 23 according to the closing operation restriction signal input from the multi-optical axis sensor 40, and restricts the closing operation of the opening / closing body 10. Explaining in detail along the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, the opening / closing control circuit 51 determines whether the closing operation restriction signal is ON (step S51). If it is ON, the process proceeds to the next step S52, and if it is OFF, the process moves to step S53.

[0061] In step S52, the opening / closing body 10 is made non-closable and openable. Specifically, when the opening / closing body 10 is in the closing operation, the opening / closing control circuit 51 stops the closing operation of the opening / closing body 10 by stopping the opening / closing machine 23 or the like. Further, when there is a closing signal due to the operation of a closing switch (not shown) or the like, the opening / closing control circuit 51 ignores the closing signal and does not perform the closing operation of the opening / closing body 10. On the other hand, in this step S52, when the opening / closing body 10 is in the opening operation, the opening operation is continued. For example, when the opening / closing body 10 is stopped and there is an opening signal due to the operation of an opening switch (not shown) or the like, the opening / closing body 10 is opened according to the signal.

[0062] Also, in step S53, the opening / closing body 10 is made closable and openable. Specifically, when the opening / closing body 10 is in the closing operation, the opening / closing control circuit 51 continues the closing operation. Further, when the opening / closing body 10 is stopped and there is a closing signal due to the operation of a closing switch (not shown) or the like, the opening / closing body 10 is closed according to the closing signal. On the other hand, in this step S53, when there is an opening signal due to the operation of an opening switch (not shown) or the like, the opening / closing body 10 is opened according to the signal.

[0063] Note that the opening / closing body 10 can be stopped at any point in the steps described above by operating a stop switch (not shown).

[0064] <Control example during actual operation> Next, a control example during the actual operation of the opening / closing body 10 will be described in detail. FIG. 10 is a time chart schematically showing the relationship between the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing body 10 and various signals.

[0065] First, when the opening / closing body 10 is stopped at the fully open position and the power is supplied to the opening / closing device 1 and the power of the sensor control circuit 41 is turned on, the sensor control circuit 41 performs a reset operation and enters the normal sensing mode (see the time point P0 in FIG. 10 and step S31 in FIG. 7).

[0066] Next, when there is an operation of the closing switch, the opening / closing body control circuit 51 starts the closing operation of the opening / closing body 10 (see the time point P1 in FIG. 10).

[0067] During the closing operation of the opening / closing body 10, when the closing members 15, 16, and 17 sequentially block the optical paths R and R near the fully open position, the sensor control circuit 41 switches from the normal sensing mode to the blanking control mode (see the time point P2 in FIG. 10 and steps S32 to S33 in FIG. 7).

[0068] In the blanking control mode, for example, when a foreign object or the like enters the closing direction side of the opening / closing body 10, the sensor control circuit 41 senses the foreign object or the like and turns on the output of the closing operation limit signal (see the time point P3 in FIG. 10 and steps S1 to S2 in FIG. 6). Therefore, the opening / closing body control circuit 51 makes the opening / closing body 10 unable to perform the closing operation and able to perform the opening operation (see steps S51 to S52 in FIG. 9).

[0069] After that, when the foreign object or the like is removed, the sensor control circuit 41 turns off the output of the closing operation limit signal. In this OFF state, for example, when there is an operation of a closing switch (not shown), the opening / closing body control circuit 51 resumes the closing operation of the opening / closing body 10 (see the time point P4 in FIG. 10).

[0070] Then, when the closing members 15, 16, and 17 of the opening / closing body 10 during the closing operation pass through the lowermost light paths R, R near the fully closed state downward, the presence or absence of the interruption of the light paths changes (refer to the time point P5 in FIG. 10). After that, the sensor control circuit 41 waits for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) to elapse from the time of the change. For this reason, during the elapse of this predetermined time, the opening / closing body 10 becomes in a substantially fully closed state (refer to the time point P6 in FIG. 10).

[0071] Next, when the predetermined time elapses, the sensor control circuit 41 performs a reset operation and switches the blanking control mode to the normal sensing mode (refer to the time point P7 in FIG. 10, steps S35 to S36 in FIG. 7).

[0072] Then, after the mode switching, when a part above the closing members 15, 16, and 17 in the opening / closing body 10 (specifically, any one of a plurality of slats 11a) blocks any one of the plurality of normal sensing light paths R, the multi - optical axis sensor 40 turns on the output of the closing operation limit signal. That is, after being switched to the normal sensing mode, usually, any one of the plurality of slats 11a blocks at least a part of the plurality of normal sensing light paths R, so that the output of the closing operation limit signal becomes ON.

[0073] In addition, as another example, as shown as step S37 in the flowchart of FIG. 8, after the elapse of the predetermined time, the photoelectric sensor 42 can also be configured to forcibly turn on the closing operation limit signal regardless of the presence or absence of the interruption of any light path. The flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is obtained by adding step S37 after step S36 to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7.

[0074] Next, when there is an operation of an opening switch (not shown) while the opening / closing body 10 is fully closed, the opening / closing body control circuit 51 starts the opening operation of the opening / closing body 10 (refer to the time point P8 in FIG. 10).

[0075] During this opening operation, before the closing members 15, 16, and 17 pass above the optical paths R, R closer to the fully open position, since the output of the closing operation limit signal is ON, as shown by the reference Q in FIG. 10, even if there is a closing signal from the closing switch, this closing signal is ignored and the opening operation of the opening / closing body 10 continues.

[0076] Then, during the above opening operation, when the closing members 15, 16, and 17 pass above the optical paths R, R closer to the fully open position and a plurality of normal sensing optical paths R are in the released state (non-blocked state), the output of the closing operation limit signal becomes OFF (refer to the time point P9 in FIG. 10 and steps S20 and S23 in FIG. 6(b)).

[0077] Furthermore, when the opening / closing body 10 during the opening operation reaches the fully open position, the opening / closing body control circuit 51 stops the opening / closing machine 23 (refer to the time point P10 in FIG. 10) based on the signal from the fully closed / fully open sensing unit 23a or a signal from a load sensing unit (not shown) and maintains the opening / closing body 10 at the fully open position.

[0078] Next, when there is a signal from the closing switch, the opening / closing body control circuit 51 starts the closing operation of the opening / closing body 10 by driving the opening / closing machine 23 (refer to the time point P11 in FIG. 10). During this closing operation, for example, if foreign matter is detected by the multi-optical axis sensor 40, the closing operation limit signal becomes ON, and thus the opening / closing body control circuit 51 stops the closing operation of the opening / closing body 10 (refer to the time point P12 in FIG. 10 and steps S21 - S22 in FIG. 6). And when the foreign matter is removed during this stop, the closing operation limit signal becomes OFF (refer to S21 and S23 in FIG. 6(b)). After that, when there is a signal from the closing switch, the opening / closing body control circuit 51 starts the closing operation of the opening / closing body 10 again (time point P13 in FIG. 10). During this closing operation, when the closing members 15, 16, and 17 block the optical paths R, R closer to the fully open position in sequence, the mode is switched back from the normal sensing mode to the blanking control mode again (refer to the time point P14 in FIG. 10 and steps S32 - S33 in FIG. 7).

[0079] Therefore, according to the opening and closing device 1 configured as described above, the reset operation (switching to the normal detection mode) is not performed immediately after the blocking members 15, 16, and 17 pass downward through the light paths R, R near the fully closed position, but after a predetermined time has elapsed since passing through. Thus, the reset operation can be extended until the opening and closing body 10 is substantially fully closed (see P5 to P7 in FIG. 10). For this reason, immediately after passing through, it is possible to prevent the output of the closing operation limit signal from becoming ON due to the slat 11a swinging in the thickness direction and blocking the light path, etc., and the opening and closing body 10 stopping before fully closing.

[0080] Also, when the opening and closing stroke changes depending on the on-site situation, for example, by providing a dip switch for setting changes, etc., the setting of the above-mentioned predetermined time can be changed, so there is no need to change the vertical length of the blocking members 15, 16, 17.

[0081] Furthermore, according to the opening and closing device 1, until the opening and closing body 10 during the opening operation passes upward through the light paths R, R near the fully open position, regardless of the adhesion of foreign matter to the photoelectric sensor 42 or the presence or absence of obstacles entering the light path, etc., the output of the closing operation limit signal is maintained ON, so the closing operation of the opening and closing body 10 can be restricted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the opening and closing body 10 that has started an opening operation from the fully closed position from performing a closing operation from a relatively low position, and to reduce the possibility of the opening and closing body 10 coming into contact with an obstacle.

[0082] <Regarding a modification example> Note that according to the above embodiment, the light paths near the fully closed position are the two upper and lower light paths at the bottom. However, as another example of the light paths near the fully closed position, it is also possible to adopt a mode where there is a single light path located at the lowermost side, or a mode where there are three or more light paths arranged vertically at the lowermost side.

[0083] Also, according to the above embodiment, the light paths near the fully open position are the two upper and lower light paths at the top. However, as another example of the light paths near the fully open position, it is also possible to adopt a mode where there is a single light path located at the uppermost side, or a mode where there are three or more light paths arranged vertically at the uppermost side.

[0084] Also, according to the above embodiment, the normal sensing optical path is set as a plurality of optical paths between the fully open side optical path and the fully closed side optical path. However, as another example, this normal sensing optical path can also be set as all the optical paths below the fully open side optical path.

[0085] Also, according to the above embodiment, as a particularly preferred example, the light passage hole 33b1 is a long hole that allows some of the optical paths R to pass through (see FIG. 3). However, as another example of this light passage hole 33b1, it can also be formed long in the vertical direction so as to include all the optical paths R. Furthermore, as another example of this light passage hole 33b1, it can also be formed in a notch shape or a slit shape. For example, the guide rail 30 can be composed of two members divided in the opening / closing body thickness direction, and notch portions are provided on one and the other of these members, and the two notch portions are combined to form the light passage hole 33b1.

[0086] Also, according to the above embodiment, the light projection surface 40a1 (or the light receiving surface) is configured to be exposed to the outside air on the opening / closing body 10 side in the width direction of the opening / closing body. However, as another example, each light passage hole 33b1 can be covered with a light-transmissive member (for example, a plate) or a transparent member. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the light projection surface 40a1 (or the light receiving surface) from being soiled or damaged by contact with an object or the like.

[0087] Also, according to the above embodiment, the light passage hole 33b1 is provided so as to penetrate the bottom walls of the inner guide rail 33 and the guide rail main body 32. However, as another example, in a configuration in which the escape prevention member 14 and the inner guide rail 33 are omitted from the illustrated example, a mode in which a light passage hole is provided only in the bottom wall of the guide rail main body 32, a mode in which a separate plate having a light passage hole is provided on the bottom side of the guide rail main body 32, etc. are also possible.

[0088] In addition, the first unit 40a and the second unit 40b constituting the multi-optical axis sensor 40 may have an inverse relationship between the light projector and the light receiver. That is, it is also possible to provide a large number of light receivers in the first unit 40a and a large number of light projectors facing them in the second unit 40b, respectively. As still another example, a light projector and a light receiver may be provided in one unit, and a reflector may be provided in the other unit so that the light emitted from the light projector is reflected and captured by the light receiver.

[0089] According to the above embodiment, the multi-optical axis sensor 40 is partially provided on the lower side of each guide rail 30. As another example, it is also possible to provide the multi-optical axis sensor 40 over substantially the entire height of the opening opened and closed by the opening / closing body 10.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the reset operation when the power is turned on and the reset operation executed after a predetermined time has elapsed when the blocking members 15, 16, 17 pass through the lowermost fully closed proximity optical path R downward and the presence or absence of the blocking of the optical path R changes are performed by the sensor control circuit 41. As another example, it is also possible to do the following. That is, as another example, for the reset operation when the power is turned on, the opening / closing system control circuit 51 may issue a reset command to the sensor control circuit 41, and based on this command, the sensor control circuit 41 may perform the reset operation.

[0091] As still another example, the sensor control circuit 41 may output a signal indicating that the blocking members 15, 16, 17 have passed through the lowermost fully closed proximity optical path R downward and the presence or absence of the optical path R has changed to the opening / closing system control circuit 51. Based on this signal, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the opening / closing system control circuit 51 may output a reset command to the sensor control circuit 41, and based on this command, the sensor control circuit 41 may perform a reset operation.

[0092] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0093] 10: Opening / closing body 11a: Slat 15, 16, 17: Closing member 20: Storage part 23: Opening / closing mechanism 30: Guide rail 40: Multi-optical axis sensor 40a: First unit 40b: Second unit 41: Sensor control circuit 42: Photoelectric sensor 50: Control circuit 51: Opening / closing body control circuit R, R1: Optical path

Claims

1. An opening / closing device comprising an opening / closing body that closes in a manner of partitioning a space, and a multi-optical axis sensor that forms a plurality of optical paths arranged in the opening / closing direction in the opening / closing path of the opening / closing body, wherein a signal output from the multi-optical axis sensor is used as a closing operation limit signal for restricting the closing operation of the opening / closing body, the multi-optical axis sensor has a blanking control mode in which, each time a plurality of optical paths are blocked in the order of the closing direction, the presence or absence of blocking is ignored for the optical paths located closer to the opening direction including the blocked optical paths, and the output of the closing operation limit signal is turned ON or OFF according to the presence or absence of blocking for the optical paths on the closing direction side of the ignored optical paths, and a normal sensing mode in which the output of the closing operation limit signal is turned ON or OFF according to the presence or absence of blocking for a specific normal sensing optical path among the plurality of optical paths, the multi-optical axis sensor is characterized in that, during the blanking control mode, when there is a change in the presence or absence of blocking by a blocking member provided on the opening / closing body of a predetermined all-closed-side optical path among the plurality of optical paths, it switches to the normal sensing mode after a lapse of a predetermined time from the time of the change.

2. The opening / closing device according to claim 1, wherein the blanking control mode is executed on the condition that the optical path on the most open direction side and the optical path adjacent to the closing direction side of the optical path are blocked in the order of the closing direction.

3. The opening / closing device according to claim 2, wherein the normal sensing optical path is set on the closing direction side of the two optical paths closest to the opening direction.

4. The opening / closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the all-closed-side optical path is composed of the optical path closest to the closing direction and the optical path adjacent to the opening direction side of the optical path.

5. The opening / closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the predetermined time is set to be equal to or longer than the time from the change in the presence or absence of blocking of the all-closed-side optical path until the opening / closing body is substantially fully closed.

6. The opening / closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when there is a change in the presence or absence of blocking in the opening direction of the opening / closing body for the all-open-side optical path located closest to the opening direction among the plurality of optical paths and the normal sensing optical path is not blocked, the closing operation limit signal is turned OFF.

7. The opening / closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the multi-optical axis sensor forcibly turns on the closing operation restriction signal regardless of the presence or absence of interruption of any optical path after the elapse of the predetermined time.

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