Electric door closer

Abstract

To provide an electric door closer capable of easily holding a door in a fully closed position while suppressing power consumption. [Solution] The system includes an electric drive unit for opening and closing the door 1, and a control unit for controlling the electric drive unit. The control unit includes a fully closed hold mode that holds the door 1 in a fully closed position 90 by brake. The fully closed hold mode includes a fully closed check control. The fully closed check control releases the brake hold and temporarily drives the electric drive unit in the closing direction when a predetermined time has elapsed after the door 1 has closed to the fully closed position 90. If the door 1 has shifted from the fully closed position 90 in the opening direction, the control unit closes the door 1 back to the fully closed position 90.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an electric door closer that electrically opens and closes a rotating door. [Background technology]

[0002] The applicant has already proposed an electric door closer that opens and closes a door electrically, as shown in Patent Document 1 below. The door automatically opens from the fully closed position to a preset fully open position, is held in the fully open position for a predetermined time, and then automatically closes to the fully closed position. When an electric latch is not used, the door needs to be held in the fully closed position by an electric drive unit, but low power consumption is required. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7051558 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention aims to provide an electric door closer that can easily hold a door in the fully closed position while suppressing power consumption. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The electric door closer according to the present invention is an electric door closer that electrically opens and closes a door that rotates around a predetermined axis, and comprises an electric drive unit that drives the door to open and close, and a control unit that controls the electric drive unit, wherein the control unit includes a fully closed hold mode that holds the door in the fully closed position by brake, and the fully closed hold mode includes a fully closed check control, which, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the door has closed to the fully closed position, releases the brake hold and temporarily drives the electric drive unit in the closing direction, and if the door has shifted in the opening direction from the fully closed position, closes the door back to the fully closed position.

[0006] The electric door closer with this configuration has a fully closed hold mode. In the fully closed hold mode, the control unit controls the electric drive unit to brake and hold the door in the fully closed position. This ensures a stable fully closed state. On the other hand, if a large external force in the opening direction, such as a strong wind, acts on the door, the door may shift from the fully closed position in the opening direction. The control unit performs a fully closed check control in the fully closed hold mode. When a predetermined time has elapsed after the door has closed to the fully closed position, the control unit temporarily releases the brake and temporarily drives the electric drive unit in the closing direction. Therefore, even if the door shifts from the fully closed position in the opening direction, the door will be returned to the fully closed position. Then, once the door is returned to the fully closed position, the control unit stops driving the electric drive unit in the closing direction and returns to brake hold control. In this way, the control unit checks whether the door remains in the fully closed position after a predetermined time has elapsed after the door has closed to the fully closed position. This allows the door to be held in the fully closed position with low power consumption.

[0007] In particular, it is preferable that the control unit repeatedly performs the full-close check control at regular intervals during the full-close hold mode. With this configuration, the door can be kept in the fully closed position continuously during the full-close hold mode. Also, power consumption can be reduced compared to when the electric drive unit is continuously driven in the closing direction.

[0008] Preferably, the control unit further includes a selector switch for switching the fully closed hold mode on and off, and when the selector switch is on, the control unit initiates automatic opening control to automatically open the door when the door is manually opened from the fully closed position to a first activation angle. When the selector switch is off, the control unit initiates automatic opening control when the door is manually opened from the fully closed position to a second activation angle greater than the first activation angle. With this configuration, by operating the selector switch, users, including installers, can freely select and set the fully closed hold mode depending on the site and circumstances. For example, the fully closed hold mode can be set differently depending on whether the door is equipped with an electric latch. If the door is equipped with an electric latch, the fully closed hold mode can be set to off to reduce power consumption. If the door is not equipped with an electric latch, the fully closed hold mode can be set to on to hold the door in the fully closed position even without an electric latch.

[0009] When the full-close hold mode is set to ON, the door is braked to hold it in the fully closed position, and the full-close check control is also executed. Therefore, the door can be easily held in the fully closed position even in a location where the door is likely to be exposed to wind. The user must then operate the door in the opening direction with a relatively strong force, but the automatic opening control is initiated by opening the door to the relatively small first activation angle. This ensures good operability.

[0010] On the other hand, when the full-close hold mode is set to OFF, the door is not braked to hold the fully closed position, and the full-close check control is not executed. This allows the user to operate the door in the opening direction with a light force. Meanwhile, the automatic opening control does not start unless the door is opened to the relatively large second activation angle. As mentioned above, if an electric latch is installed, it is preferable to set the full-close hold mode to OFF. Even if an electric latch is installed, a user may accidentally release the electric latch and push the door. Even in such a case, the automatic opening control does not start unless the door is opened to the relatively large second activation angle, thereby preventing unintended automatic door opening. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] As described above, in the full-close hold mode, the brake is held and the full-close check control is performed, so the door can be easily held in the full-close position while suppressing power consumption. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing the usage state of an electric door closer in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Enlarged view of the main part of Figure 1. [Figure 3] Enlarged view of the main components of the electric door closer. [Figure 4] (a) through (c) are schematic plan views illustrating the operation of a door equipped with the electric door closer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An electric door closer according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The electric door closer electrically opens and closes a door 1. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the electric door closer. While FIG. 1 shows a left-opening (left-handed) door 1 as an example, a right-opening (right-handed) door 1 may also be used. The electric door closer of this embodiment is compatible with both left- and right-handed doors, and the door 1 can be selected using a selector switch 51, which will be described later. The door 1 rotates around a predetermined axis, specifically, rotates horizontally around an axis in the up-down direction. The door 1 is rotatably attached to a door frame 2 via hinges (not shown). An electric latch may also be attached to the door 1.

[0014] The electric door closer includes a main body 3 attached to the door 1, a link mechanism 4 connecting the main body 3 to the door frame 2, and a power supply device 5 supplying power from a commercial power source 9 to the main body 3. The main body 3 is attached to the upper front surface of the door 1 near the hinge. The main body 3 is attached to the door 1 via a mounting plate (not shown). The main body 3 includes a main shaft 10, an electric drive unit 11 that drives the main shaft 10 to open and close the door 1, a control unit 12 that controls the electric drive unit 11, and a main body interface 13 for connection to an external device. A first external terminal 31 (described later) is arranged on the main body interface 13. As shown in FIG. 2 , the link mechanism 4 includes an arm 6, a link 7, and a bracket 8.

[0015] <Power supply device 5> The power supply device 5 is disposed between the main body 3 and a commercial power source 9. The power supply device 5 is a power supply path that supplies power to the main body 3. The commercial power source 9 is, for example, an AC 100V power source wired to a building. One end of the power supply device 5 is connected to the commercial power source 9, and the other end is connected to the main body 3.

[0016] The power supply device 5 includes a first cord 20, an AC adapter 21, a second cord 22, a junction box 23, and a third cord 24. The first cord 20 connects the commercial power source 9 to the AC adapter 21. The first cord 20 includes a power plug 25, which is inserted into a socket (outlet) of the commercial power source 9. The socket of the commercial power source 9 is installed on a wall surface of a building. The first cord 20 is connected to the AC adapter 21. The AC adapter 21 converts AC power input from the commercial power source 9 into DC power and outputs the DC power. For example, it converts AC 100 V into DC 12 V. The AC adapter 21 is attached, for example, to the vertical frame 2b of the door frame 2 or to a wall surface nearby. The second cord 22 connects the AC adapter 21 to the junction box 23.

[0017] The relay box 23 is installed near the main unit 3. The relay box 23 is installed, for example, on the top of the vertical frame 2b of the door frame 2, the upper frame 2a of the door frame 2, or on a nearby wall surface. In other words, the relay box 23 is installed on a fixed part such as the door frame 2 or a wall surface.

[0018] The relay box 23 houses a secondary battery 26, a circuit board 27, and a second external terminal 32. The secondary battery 26 is for supplying power to the main body 3 in the event of a power outage. The secondary battery 26 may be provided in the main body 3. The circuit board 27 controls switching between charging and discharging the secondary battery 26. The circuit board 27 discharges power from the secondary battery 26 in the event of a power outage, and charges the secondary battery 26 when electricity is being supplied (normal operation) without a power outage.

[0019] The third cord 24 connects the relay box 23 and the main unit 3. The third cord 24 is preferably made of a flexible cord, such as a coiled cord (spring cord). The third cord 24 has power lines and signal lines.

[0020] The electric door closer has external terminals to which an external device is connected. In this embodiment, the external terminals include a first external terminal 31 and a second external terminal 32. The first external terminal 31 is provided on the main body 3, and the second external terminal 32 is provided on the relay box 23. The first external terminal 31 and the second external terminal 32 are input / output terminals. Signals from external devices are input to the first external terminal 31 and the second external terminal 32, and signals are output therefrom to external devices. The control unit 12 receives signals from external devices and controls the electric drive unit 11. The control unit 12 may output signals to the external devices. The external devices may be various, but representative examples include an electric lock, a monitoring sensor such as a human detection sensor that monitors the area near the door 1, a start switch such as a touch sensor, push button, or non-contact button that allows a passerby to issue a door opening command, a wireless device that receives or transmits wireless media such as radio waves or infrared rays, a personal computer (PC), etc.

[0021] External devices are connected to either the first external terminal 31 or the second external terminal 32. When two types of external devices are connected, the first external device and the second external device are each connected to either the first external terminal 31 or the second external terminal 32. For example, both the first and second external devices may be connected to the first external terminal 31, both may be connected to the second external terminal 32, or the first external device may be connected to the first external terminal 31 and the second external device may be connected to the second external terminal 32.

[0022] The second external terminal 32 of the relay box 23 is connected to the first external terminal 31 of the main interface 13 via the signal line of the third code 24. The first external terminal 31 is connected to the control unit 12. In other words, the second external terminal 32 is connected to the control unit 12 via the first external terminal 31. Alternatively, the second external terminal 32 may be connected directly to the control unit 12 without being connected to the first external terminal 31.

[0023] <Spindle 10> The main shaft 10 rotates about its vertical axis. One end of the arm 6 is connected to the upper end of the main shaft 10. The arm 6 rotates together with the main shaft 10. The arm 6 rotates horizontally about the main shaft 10. The other end of the arm 6 is rotatably connected to one end of the link 7. The other end of the link 7 is rotatably connected to the bracket 8. The bracket 8 is attached to the lower surface of the upper frame 2a of the door frame 2.

[0024] <Electric drive unit 11> The electric drive unit 11 includes a motor 41 for driving the spindle 10 and a transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the motor 41 to the spindle 10. The motor 41 is, for example, a brushless DC motor. The stator of the motor 41 is a coil, and the rotor of the motor 41 is a permanent magnet. The motor 41 is equipped with a Hall element (not shown). The Hall element detects the position of the rotor by detecting the magnetic field of the rotor and outputs a detection signal. The detection signal is sent to the control unit 12. The control unit 12 drives the motor 41 based on the output signal of the Hall element. The control unit 12 supplies current to the coils of the motor 41 to drive the motor 41 in accordance with the rotational position of the rotor of the motor 41. The motor 41 has a rotation axis (center line) that runs in the left-right direction. The motor 41 is equipped with a motor shaft 42 on the rotation axis. The motor shaft 42 rotates integrally with the rotor.

[0025] A transmission mechanism is provided between the motor shaft 42 and the main shaft 10. The transmission mechanism includes a torque limiter 43 and a gear mechanism. The torque limiter 43 is mounted on the tip of the motor shaft 42. The torque limiter 43 uses the motor shaft 42 as its input shaft. The torque limiter 43 has an output shaft 44 coaxial with the motor shaft 42. Normally, the motor shaft 42 and the output shaft 44 rotate synchronously. If an excessive load is applied to the output shaft 44, the torque limiter 43 slips, creating a rotational difference between the output shaft 44 and the motor shaft 42. A gear mechanism is provided between the output shaft 44 of the torque limiter 43 and the main shaft 10. A first gear 45 is fixed to the output shaft 44 of the torque limiter 43, and the first gear 45 meshes with a second gear 46 located at the bottom of the main shaft 10. The first gear 45 and the second gear 46 constitute the gear mechanism. The first gear 45 and the second gear 46 convert the rotation of the output shaft 44 around its left-right axis into rotation of the main shaft 10 around its up-down axis. An encoder (not shown) is provided on the output shaft 44 of the torque limiter 43. The encoder detects the rotation of the output shaft 44 and outputs a detection signal. The detection signal is sent to the control unit 12. Based on the output signal of the encoder, the control unit 12 determines the position, speed, and direction of the door 1 and controls the motor 41.

[0026] <Control Unit 12> The control unit 12 controls the driving of the motor 41. The control unit 12 is disposed on the opposite side of the motor 41 from the main shaft 10. The control unit 12 is provided with an operation unit that is operated by the user. FIG. 3 shows the operation unit. The operation unit may have various shapes, numbers, and types, but in this embodiment, it is provided with a power switch 50 that switches the power on and off, a selector switch 51 that switches between various setting conditions, and an adjustment knob 52 that is rotated to adjust various setting conditions such as the opening and closing speed of the door 1. The operation unit is provided with an indicator 53 that indicates that the power is on. The indicator 53 lights up when the power switch 50 is turned on.

[0027] Although the number of selector switches 51 may be one, in this embodiment, a plurality of selector switches 51 are provided, specifically, four are provided. The number of switchable setting items is determined by the number of selector switches 51. When four selector switches 51 are provided, a total of four setting items, first to fourth, can be switched. The setting items switched by the selector switches 51 may be various, but in this embodiment, one of the four selector switches 51 is assigned with a setting of whether to brake and hold the door 1 in the fully closed position 90. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the control unit 12 has a fully closed hold mode that brakes and holds the door 1 in the fully closed position 90, and the fully closed hold mode can be switched ON and OFF by the selector switches 51. Note that other setting items of the selector switches 51 include, for example, switching the door 1's hand-held direction.

[0028] There may be only one adjustment knob 52, but in this embodiment, multiple adjustment knobs, specifically seven, are provided. The adjustment knob 52 can be rotated, for example, with a fingertip, or by inserting the tip of a tool such as a screwdriver into the groove on the tip surface of the adjustment knob 52. Various items can be adjusted using the adjustment knob 52, such as the fully open position 91, the stop time at the fully open position 91, the speed in the opening direction, the speed in the closing direction, and the angular position at which the speed changes.

[0029] <Automatic opening / closing mode> The control unit 12 has an automatic opening / closing mode as a control mode for controlling the motor 41 to open and close the door 1. In the automatic opening / closing mode, the door 1 is opened from the fully closed position 90 to a preset fully open position 91 as shown in FIG. 4(a), and then the brake is applied to hold the door 1 at the fully open position 91 for a preset stopping time, and then the door is closed to the fully closed position 90. The fully open position 91 is set by the adjustment knob 52.

[0030] The automatic opening / closing mode has automatic opening control, brake control for the fully open position 91, and automatic closing control. Automatic opening control is a control for opening the door 1 from the fully closed position 90 to the fully open position 91. The automatic opening control may be performed with one unified control over the operating range from the fully closed position 90 to the fully open position 91, or the operating range may be divided into multiple sections and different controls may be performed for each section. The speed in the automatic opening control is set by the adjustment knob 52. Automatic closing control is a control for closing the door 1 from the fully open position 91 to the fully closed position 90. The automatic closing control may be performed with one unified control over the operating range from the fully open position 91 to the fully closed position 90, or the operating range may be divided into multiple sections and different controls may be performed for each section. The speed in the automatic closing control is set by the adjustment knob 52.

[0031] When the door 1 is opened to the fully open position 91 by the automatic opening control, the control unit 12 stops the rotation of the motor 41 and brakes the motor 41 to stop the door 1. At the fully open position 91, the motor 41 is braked to hold the door 1 at the fully open position 91. When a preset stop time has elapsed at the fully open position 91, the control shifts to automatic closing control. The stop time at the fully open position 91 can be adjusted using the adjustment knob 52.

[0032] <Standby mode> When the door 1 is closed to the fully closed position 90 by the automatic closing control, the control unit 12 stops the rotation of the motor 41 and applies a brake to the motor 41 to stop the door 1. The electric door closer is equipped with a fully closed sensor (not shown). The fully closed sensor detects that the door 1 is in the fully closed position 90 and sends a detection signal to the control unit 12. The fully closed sensor is, for example, a photoelectric sensor and is positioned, for example, on the upper part of the main shaft 10. When the door 1 is closed to the fully closed position 90, the fully closed sensor detects that the door 1 has reached the fully closed position 90 and sends a detection signal to the control unit 12. When the control unit 12 receives the signal from the fully closed sensor, it stops the motor 41 from driving, resets the stored fully closed position 90, and stores the fully closed position 90 again. Then it switches to standby mode.

[0033] Two standby modes are provided. One is a fully closed hold mode in which the door 1 is held in the fully closed position 90 by the brake. The other is a free mode in which the door 1 is not held in the fully closed position 90 by the brake. The fully closed hold mode and the free mode can be arbitrarily selected and switched using the changeover switch 51 described above. When the changeover switch 51 is turned ON, the fully closed hold mode is selected, and when the changeover switch 51 is turned OFF, the free mode is selected. Note that the fully closed hold mode is suitable when the door 1 is not equipped with an electric latch, and the free mode is suitable when the door 1 is equipped with an electric latch.

[0034] <Fully closed hold mode> The fully closed hold mode is a mode in which the door 1 is braked and held at the fully closed position 90. The fully closed hold mode has a fully closed check control. The fully closed check control is a control for returning the door 1 to the fully closed position 90 when the door 1 is deviated from the fully closed position 90 in the opening direction. After the door 1 is closed to the fully closed position 90, the control unit 12 releases the brake hold and temporarily drives the motor 41 in the closing direction when a preset time has elapsed. If the door 1 is deviated from the fully closed position 90 in the opening direction, the control unit 12 drives the motor 41 in the closing direction until the door 1 returns to the fully closed position 90, and when the door 1 returns to the fully closed position 90, stops driving the motor 41 and brakes the motor 41 again to brake and hold the door 1. On the other hand, if the door 1 is not deviated from the fully closed position 90 in the opening direction, the control unit 12 stops driving the motor 41 and brakes the motor 41 again to brake and hold the door 1.

[0035] The time from when the door 1 is closed to the fully closed position 90 until the motor 41 is driven in the closing direction may vary. If this time is defined as the check time, the check time is preferably 10 minutes or less, and more preferably 5 minutes or less.

[0036] Furthermore, the control unit 12 repeatedly performs full-close check control while the full-close hold mode continues. The interval at which the full-close check control is performed may be the same as or different from the check time. For example, if the check time is 5 minutes, the brake on the motor 41 is released and the motor 41 is driven in the opening direction every 5 minutes. This operation is performed until the full-close hold mode ends. In other words, the full-close check control is repeatedly performed at regular intervals until the standby mode ends and the door is opened.

[0037] <Door opening activation> When an open door signal is input from an external device to the external terminal, the standby mode is terminated and the door is opened. That is, the control unit 12 transitions from the standby mode to the automatic opening control of the automatic opening / closing mode and opens the door 1. When the open door signal is input, the control unit 12 starts the door opening regardless of the signal from the encoder. The open door signal may be input, for example, from a start switch, a wireless device, or a PC. If the door 1 is equipped with an electric latch, the electric latch is electrically released when the open door signal is input.

[0038] On the other hand, when the door 1 is manually pushed and rotated rather than receiving a door open signal, the control unit 12 receives a signal from the encoder. When the control unit 12 recognizes from the signal from the encoder that the door 1 has opened to a preset angle (activation angle), it activates the door open function. If the door 1 is provided with an electric latch, the electric latch is manually released. In this embodiment, the movement, stop, and movement direction of the door 1 are determined by the signal from the encoder, but this determination may also be made using a signal from a Hall element.

[0039] The activation angle may be constant regardless of whether the selector switch 51 is ON or OFF, but in this embodiment, it differs depending on whether the selector switch 51 is ON or OFF. When the selector switch 51 is ON, i.e., when the fully closed hold mode is selected as the standby mode, the control unit 12 activates the door opening when the door 1 from the fully closed position 90 is manually opened to a first activation angle 101, as shown in FIG. 4(b). On the other hand, when the selector switch 51 is OFF, i.e., when the free mode is selected as the standby mode, the control unit 12 activates the door opening when the door 1 from the fully closed position 90 is manually opened to a second activation angle 102, as shown in FIG. 4(c). The second activation angle 102 is greater than the first activation angle 101. The first starting angle 101 and the second starting angle 102 can be various, but as an example, the first starting angle 101 is set to 9 degrees of rotation of the spindle 10, and the second starting angle 102 is set to 18 degrees of rotation of the spindle 10. In this way, it is preferable that the second starting angle 102 is set to twice the first starting angle 101.

[0040] As described above, in the electric door closer of this embodiment, when the full-close hold mode is selected as the standby mode, the full-close check control is executed after the door 1 is closed to the full-close position 90. Therefore, even if the door 1 deviates from the full-close position 90 in the opening direction, the full-close check control returns the door 1 to the full-close position 90. Since the full-close check control temporarily drives the motor 41 in the closing direction, it is possible to reduce power consumption compared to a configuration in which the motor 41 is constantly driven in the closing direction to urge the door 1 in the closing direction, and the durability of the electric drive unit 11 such as the motor 41 is also improved.

[0041] Moreover, in the full-close hold mode, the full-close check control is repeatedly executed at regular intervals until the door is opened, so the door 1 is held in the full-close position 90 not only immediately after it is closed to the full-close position 90, but also thereafter until the door is opened. Therefore, even if the door 1 is not equipped with an electric latch, the door 1 can be reliably held in the full-close position 90.

[0042] In the fully closed holding mode, when manually pushing door 1 to open it, the user needs to operate door 1 in the opening direction with relatively stronger force than in the free mode. However, since it is only necessary to open door 1 to a relatively small first starting angle 101, good operability is ensured.

[0043] Additionally, the selector switch 51 can be used to select standby mode, and free mode can be selected instead of fully closed hold mode. If the door 1 is equipped with an electric latch, selecting free mode can reduce power consumption. When manually pushing the door 1 to open it, the user can operate the door 1 in the opening direction with a light force. On the other hand, the door 1 needs to be opened to the relatively large second activation angle 102. Even if the door 1 is equipped with an electric latch, the user may accidentally release the electric latch and push the door 1. Even in such a case, the automatic opening control will not start unless the door 1 opens to the relatively large second activation angle 102, thereby preventing unintended automatic door opening. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1 Door 2 Door frame 2a Upper frame 2b vertical frame 3 Main unit 4 Link Mechanism 5 Power supply device 6 Arms 7 Links 8 brackets 9 Commercial power supply 10 spindle 11 Electric drive unit 12 Control Unit 13 Main Interface 20 First Code 21 AC adapters 22 Second Code 23 Relay Box 24 Third Code 25 Power plug 26 Secondary battery 27 Circuit boards 31 First external terminal 32 Second external terminal 41 Motor 42 Motor shaft 43 Torque Limiter 44 Output shaft 45 1st Gear 46 2nd gear 50 Power switch 51 Changeover switch 52 Adjustment knob 53 Indicators 90 Fully closed position 91 Fully open position 101 First starting angle 102 Second starting angle

Claims

1. An electric door closer that electrically opens and closes a door that rotates around a predetermined axis, an electric drive unit that drives the door to open and close; a control unit that controls the electric drive unit, The control unit has a fully closed hold mode that brakes the door to hold it in the fully closed position, The full-close hold mode includes a full-close check control. The full-close check control is an electric door closer that releases the brake and temporarily drives the electric drive unit in the closing direction when a predetermined time has passed after the door has closed to the fully closed position, and returns the door to the fully closed position if the door has shifted from the fully closed position in the opening direction.

2. 2. The electric door closer according to claim 1, wherein the control unit repeatedly performs the full-close check control at regular intervals during the full-close hold mode.

3. Equipped with a switch to switch the fully closed mode ON and OFF, 3. The electric door closer according to claim 1, wherein the control unit starts an automatic opening control to automatically open the door when the door in the fully closed position is manually opened to a first activation angle when the changeover switch is ON, and starts the automatic opening control to automatically open the door when the door in the fully closed position is manually opened to a second activation angle that is larger than the first activation angle when the changeover switch is OFF.

Images