Door operating system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a door operating system (1) for opening and closing an opening (2), comprising: a door frame (3) including a first frame section (4) on a first side (5) of the opening (2) and a second frame section (6) on a second side (7) of the opening (2); a door (8) movably connected to the door frame (3) and positioned to move between a closed (C) position and an open (O) position; and a driving unit (10) including at least one motor (11) mounted on the door (8) and positioned to move the door (8) from the closed (C) position to the open (O) position or vice versa. and includes an elongated transmission member (19) extending along at least one of the first side (5) and the second side (7) of the opening (2), and the driving unit (10) further includes a driven transmission member (18) drivenly connected to the motor (11), the driven transmission member (18) is movably connected to the elongated transmission member (19) and is arranged to interact with the elongated transmission member (19) to drive the driven transmission member (18) along the elongated transmission member (19) by the elongated transmission member (19) which wraps at least partially around the driven transmission member (18), and at least one guide member (92) mounted on the door (8) is arranged to interact with the elongated transmission member (19) to guide the elongated transmission member (19) to contact the driven transmission member (18), and the At least one guide member (92) includes a sliding surface (101) configured to allow the slender transmission member (19) to slide, and the sliding surface (101) has a curved portion, which is configured so that the slender transmission member (19) bends and follows the curved portion.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a door operator system for opening and closing an opening. Background Technology

[0002] A door operating system generally includes a door connected to a door frame and a drive unit positioned to move the door along the door frame between a closed position and an open position, or vice versa, to open or close the opening. Doors were typically used as garage doors or industrial doors. Mechanical units, such as springs or support motors, or motors may be used as the drive unit to move the door.

[0003] In conventional overhead sectional doors, an electric motor mounted above the door pulls the door using wires attached to the door. These overhead sectional doors often implement a balancing spring to reduce the force required to open the door.

[0004] Other known types of doors are driven by driven pinions that interface with a fixed rack extending along the intended trajectory of the door. These doors do not require balancing springs.

[0005] Another type of known door features a protective barrier or door curtain of interconnected rigid panels. In the open position, the door is moved upward in a horizontal position or wound onto a drum as a roll. During the opening process, the door slides into a fixed track located on both sides of the door opening and on the door lintels on both sides of the door. A lifting device, such as a timing belt, roller chain, or steel rope, is connected to a drive unit. The lifting device is fixed to one of the panels and configured to push the door upward.

[0006] A disadvantage of a door positioned horizontally in the open position is that the lowest part of the door must be supported by fixed tracks located on both sides of the door. Otherwise, the lowest part of the door will not follow the path of the fixed tracks in the transition area or track bend between the door's vertical closed position and horizontal open position.

[0007] The door may be equipped with a driving unit for opening and closing the door, and this driving unit may be positioned at the lowest portion of the door. Additionally, guide rollers may be positioned at the lowest portion of the door and may be configured to interact with fixed tracks or frame sections located on both sides of the door opening. The guide rollers ensure that the lowest portion of the door is supported by the fixed tracks.

[0008] It is necessary to provide a door operating system for opening and closing an opening that aims to mitigate, reduce, or eliminate one or more of the aforementioned defects and disadvantages in the field of technology, either alone or in any combination.

[0009] Therefore, in order to facilitate installation and reduce the need for maintenance, it is necessary to develop a door operating system for opening and closing openings with reduced complexity.

[0010] In addition, it is necessary to develop a door operating system for opening and closing openings using cost-effective elements.

[0011] In addition, there is a need to develop a door operating system for opening and closing openings with an operating force that is as low as possible.

[0012] Accordingly, the object of the present disclosure is to provide a door operating system that seeks to mitigate, reduce, or eliminate one or more of the aforementioned defects and disadvantages of the art, either alone or in any combination.

[0013] A further objective of the present invention is to develop a door operating system with reduced complexity to facilitate installation and reduce the need for maintenance.

[0014] A further objective of the present invention is to develop a door operating system that uses cost-effective elements.

[0015] A further objective of the present invention is to develop a door operating system capable of low operating force.

[0016] In the present disclosure, a solution to the problems outlined above is proposed. In the proposed solution, a door operating system for opening and closing an opening is described. A door operating system for opening and closing an opening comprises: a door frame comprising a first frame section on one side of the opening and a second frame section on the second side of the opening; a door movably connected to the door frame and positioned to move between a closed position and an open position; and a drive unit comprising at least one motor mounted on the door and positioned to move the door from a closed position to an open position or vice versa. The device comprises an elongated transmission member extending along at least one of the first and second sides of the opening, and the driving unit further comprises a driven transmission member drivenly connected to the motor, wherein the driven transmission member is movably connected to the elongated transmission member and is arranged to interact with the elongated transmission member to drive the driven transmission member along the elongated transmission member by at least partially wrapping the elongated transmission member around the driven transmission member, and at least one guide member mounted on the door is arranged to interact with the elongated transmission member to guide the elongated transmission member in contact with the driven transmission member, and the at least one guide member comprises a sliding surface configured to allow the elongated transmission member to slide, wherein the sliding surface has a curvature configured to facilitate the elongated transmission member bending and following the curvature.

[0017] Such a door operating system will mitigate, reduce, or eliminate one or more of the aforementioned defects and disadvantages of the art, either alone or in any combination. Additionally, the complexity of the door operating system will be reduced, and the need for maintenance will be reduced. The operating force of the door operating system is as low as possible. Furthermore, cost-effective elements are used in the door operating system.

[0018] The above door operating system can be applied to an overhead sectional door equipped with a frame section that bends at an angle that can be horizontal over the door opening. The above door operating system can also be applied to a vertical lift overhead door, where the wall above the door opening is at least the same height as the door, and the door moves vertically and is fully guided upward over the door opening by the frame sections when the door opens. Additionally, the above door operating system can be applied to a spiral door in which the door spirals upward over the door opening when the door opens.

[0019] The door frame is configured to guide and fix the door in the closed and open positions. Additionally, the door frame is configured to guide the door when it moves between the closed and open positions.

[0020] A first frame section on the first side of the opening is configured to guide the door on the first side of the door. A second frame section on the second side of the opening is configured to guide the door on the second side of the door. If the door operating system is an overhead door operating system, each of the first frame section and the second frame section may include a vertical extension part, a horizontal extension part, and a bent connection part. The door may follow the frame in a guiding manner that follows the trajectory formed by the frame, for example, the first frame section (4) and the second frame section.

[0021] Openings may be placed in buildings, walls, or fences. Openings may have a size and shape suitable for the specific purpose of the building, wall, or fence. If the building is a vehicle garage, the opening is preferably sized to allow a vehicle to pass through it.

[0022] The door is configured to cover an opening to prevent access through the opening, to prevent or restrict airflow through the opening, and / or to regulate the temperature inside the building. To enable the door to change shape during opening and closing, the door may be bendable, flexible, or foldable. The door may be configured to prevent fracture. The door may be insulated from heat and / or cold. The door may move from and to the opening to open and close the opening.

[0023] In the closed position, the door covers the opening or part of the opening.

[0024] In the open position, the door is moved away from the entire opening or from a part of the opening.

[0025] The above-described drive unit is configured to move the door from a closed position to an open position or vice versa. The drive unit includes elements that work together to move the door. Since the drive unit is mounted on the door, the drive unit also follows the movement of the door.

[0026] At least one motor may be an electric motor, a hydraulic motor, and / or a pneumatic motor. At least one motor is positioned to move the door along the door frame. At least one motor is positioned to move the door along the door frame from a closed position to an open position or vice versa. At least one motor may be positioned on one side of the door adjacent to the first side of the opening. At least one other motor may be positioned on the other side of the door adjacent to the second side of the opening.

[0027] The slender transmission member may extend along the first side of the opening. The slender transmission member may extend along the second side of the opening. The slender transmission member may extend along both the first and second sides of the opening.

[0028] The driven transmission member is driven by a motor. The motor can transmit torque to the driven transmission member. The motor can transmit rotational motion to the driven transmission member. A gearbox may be placed between the motor and the driven transmission member. The movable connection between the driven transmission member and the slender transmission member provides mobility of the drive unit, and thus mobility of the door along the slender transmission member. The movable connection between the slender transmission member and the driven transmission member can be achieved in that the slender transmission member wraps at least partially around the driven transmission member. When the slender transmission member wraps at least partially around the driven transmission member, the driven transmission member can engage with the slender transmission member.

[0029] At least one guide member may be mounted on the door. At least one guide member may be part of a drive unit. At least one guide member may be mounted on the drive unit. Thus, at least one guide member may be mounted on the door via the drive unit. Such a guide member may be small in size and therefore may require a small space in the door. The interaction between at least one guide member and an elongated transmission member may result in the elongated transmission member wrapping at least partially around a driven transmission member. At least one guide member guides the elongated transmission member to come into contact with the driven transmission member.

[0030] The sliding surface contacts the slender transmission member. The sliding surface has a low coefficient of friction, allowing the slender transmission member to slide easily on the sliding surface. To reduce friction between the sliding surface and the slender transmission member, a friction-reducing agent, such as a lubricant, may be supplied to the sliding surface and / or the slender transmission member. Reducing friction between the sliding surface and the slender transmission member can facilitate the opening and closing of the door. Reducing friction between the sliding surface and the slender transmission member can facilitate movement between the closed and open positions due to the lower operating force of the door operating system. Using at least one guide member including the sliding surface will reduce the complexity of the door operating system. In addition, the need for maintenance is also reduced.

[0031] The curvature of the sliding surface can be matched to the shape, type, and characteristics of the slender transmission member. When sliding or being placed on the sliding surface, the slender transmission member will bend and follow the curvature of the sliding surface. The curvature of the sliding surface and also the position of the sliding surface relative to the passive transmission member can be selected for effective interaction between the passive transmission member and the slender transmission member, so that the slender transmission member wraps at least partially around the passive transmission member.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the sliding surface includes a guide track for an elongated transmission member. The guide track can guide the elongated transmission member in the elongation direction of the elongated transmission member. Additionally, the guide track can prevent the elongated transmission member from sliding in a direction orthogonal to the elongation direction of the elongated transmission member. The guide track increases the interaction between the driven transmission member and the elongated transmission member, so that the elongated transmission member wraps at least partially around the driven transmission member. The elongated transmission member may be configured to create a guide track in at least one guide member. Thus, the guide member may be softer than the elongated transmission member. The guide track may be formed by surface pressure from the elongated transmission member acting on the sliding surface of the guide member. The guide track may also be formed by wear between the elongated transmission member and the sliding surface of the guide member. The slender transmission member may be composed of a surface harder than the sliding surface of the guide member. The slender transmission member may be composed of a surface with greater wear resistance than the sliding surface of the guide member. The slender transmission member may have a shape that brings high initial surface pressure to the guide member or the sliding surface of the guide member. After the initial formation of the guide track, the surface pressure will decrease due to the shape of the slender transmission member. The reduced surface pressure may reduce the further formation of the guide track.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the curvature of the sliding surface has a radius in the range of 15 mm to 50 mm. The curvature of the sliding surface can be matched to the shape, type, and characteristics of the slender transmission member. A radius in the range of 15 mm to 50 mm can enable the slender transmission member to bend and follow the curvature of the sliding surface. The driven transmission member may also have a radius in the range of 15 mm to 50 mm. The radius of the curvature of the sliding surface can correspond to the radius of the driven transmission member.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the slender transmission member is in the form of a suspended bendable transmission member. The slender transmission member may be suspended from a door frame. The slender transmission member may be suspended from a building, wall, or fence that includes a door opening. The slender transmission member may be bendable. The suspended bendable transmission member may be configured to convert rotational motion from a passive transmission member into linear motion of the door. The bendable characteristics of the suspended bendable transmission member may facilitate the suspended bendable transmission member wrapping at least partially around the passive transmission member. The bendable characteristics of the suspended bendable transmission member may facilitate the suspended bendable transmission member following a curve of a sliding surface.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the system further comprises an elastic panel attached to the door and extending from the bottom horizontal edge of the door, said elastic panel positioned to contact the floor of the opening when the door is in the closed position. The elastic panel may be elastically attached to the door so that the panel may be bent, curved, or pivoted relative to the rest of the door. The elastic panel may be elastically hinged to the door. The elastic panel may be elastic and flexible. When the door is in the closed position to close the opening, the elastic panel extends from the bottom horizontal edge of the door and contacts the floor.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the slender transmission member is a belt. The belt may be a timing belt. The belt may be equipped with teeth. The driven transmission member may be a toothed pulley configured to transmit a large amount of torque and force to the belt. Thus, the belt and the toothed pulley have a movable connection. The toothed pulley and the belt together can transmit high speeds. This transmission is reliable and requires minimal maintenance. This transmission is also compact and requires a small space. The belt may also follow the curvature of the sliding surface.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the slender transmission member is a drive chain. The driven transmission member may be a sprocket configured to transmit large torque and force to the drive chain. Thus, the drive chain and the sprocket have a movable connection. The sprocket and the drive chain together can transmit high speeds. This transmission is reliable and requires minimal maintenance. This transmission is also compact and requires a small space. The drive chain can also follow the curvature of the sliding surface.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the sliding surface has surface hardness, which provides a drive chain to form a guide track for the drive chain on the sliding surface.

[0039] The drive chain can be configured to create a guide track on the sliding surface of at least one guide member. Thus, the sliding surface of the guide member is softer than the drive chain. The guide track can be formed by surface pressure from the drive chain acting on the sliding surface of the guide member. The guide track can also be formed by wear between the drive chain and the sliding surface of the guide member. The drive chain can be composed of a surface harder than the sliding surface of the guide member. The drive chain can be composed of a surface with greater wear resistance than the sliding surface of the guide member. Due to the shape of the drive chain, the drive chain can apply a large initial surface pressure on the sliding surface of the guide member. After the initial formation of the guide track, the surface pressure will decrease due to the shape of the slender transmission member. The reduced surface pressure can reduce the further formation of guide drag.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the door comprises a plurality of horizontal and interconnected sections. The sections may be rigid. The sections may be pivotably connected to one another. The sections may be connected to one another by hinges. The sections are oriented horizontally. The interconnected sections may include mechanical hinges or hinges comprising flexible or elastic materials. The horizontal and interconnected sections may follow these sections during the movement of the door, provided that a vertical extension, a horizontal extension, and a vent connection are provided in the door frame. At least one driving unit may be mounted on one of the sections. At least one driving unit may be mounted on a plurality of sections. Two driving units may be mounted on one of the sections. At least one driving unit may be positioned on one side of a section adjacent to a first side of the opening. At least one other driving unit may be positioned on the other side of a section adjacent to a second side of the opening.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the system further comprises a first set of guide rollers mounted on the door and positioned to interact with a first frame section, and a second set of guide rollers positioned to interact with a second frame section. The guide rollers are configured to move along the door in a guided manner along a trajectory formed by the frame, for example, the first frame section and the second frame section. A driving unit may be mounted on the lowest section of the door. The first set of guide rollers may be positioned adjacent to the bottom horizontal end phase of the lowest section. This is particularly advantageous because it provides an excellent pivot position for the door. Thus, the guide rollers create a common low pivot point for the door when the door approaches the open position (O), when the door operating system is an up-and-over door operating system where the door is in a horizontal position in the open position. This significantly reduces the space required above the door opening compared to a door with passive sections utilizing, for example, a fixed rack.

[0042] According to one embodiment, a driving unit is mounted on a section of a door, thereby the first and second upper guide rollers extend from the section toward the first frame section and the second frame section, respectively, and the first and second lower guide rollers extend from the section toward the first frame section and the second frame section, respectively.

[0043] The first and second upper guide rollers thus extend from the section toward the first frame section and the second frame section, respectively. Similarly, the first and second lower guide rollers extend from the section toward the first frame section and the second frame section, respectively. This can increase the stability of the section where the drive unit can be mounted and reduce the load.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the drive unit is mounted on the lowest section of the door (8), and the first and second lower guide rollers are positioned adjacent to the bottom horizontal end surface of the lowest section. The section equipped with the second lower guide rollers may be the lowest section, and the lower guide rollers are positioned adjacent to the bottom surface of the lowest section. This is particularly advantageous because it provides an excellent pivot position for the door. Thus, the lower guide rollers create a common low pivot point for the door when the door approaches the open position (O), when the door operating system is an up-and-over door operating system where the door is in a horizontal position in the open position. This significantly reduces the space required over the door opening compared to a door with passive sections utilizing, for example, a fixed rack.

[0045] According to one embodiment, a guide roller is rotatably connected to each of at least one guide member at a position where the center axis of the guide roller is aligned coaxially with the center axis of the curve of the sliding surface of at least one guide member.

[0046] Coaxial arrangement reduces the force applied to the guide member because the frame and guide rollers bear part of the load while the door moves. Consequently, the resulting force on the drive unit and / or the door sections and bearings of the guide member is reduced. Additionally, coaxial arrangement enables more of the slender transmission member to be positioned behind the guide rollers, which reduces the exposure of the slender transmission member. The guide roller can be mounted to the door by a shaft. The guide roller can be mounted to the door via the guide member by a shaft. The shaft can be positioned on the guide member, and the guide roller is rotatably mounted on the shaft. The shaft can be fixedly attached to the guide member. The shaft can be axially displaced relative to the guide member. The shaft can be rotatably positioned on the guide member. The guide roller can be rigidly attached to the shaft. The center axis of the guide roller and the center axis of the shaft can be aligned coaxially with the center axis of the curvature of the sliding surface of the guide member. The coaxial alignment of the center axis of the guide roller and the center axis of the curve of the sliding surface of at least one guide member results in the center axis of the guide roller and the center axis of the curve of the sliding surface of at least one guide member having a linear extension along a common horizontal axis. The horizontal axis may extend between the first and second frame sections.

[0047] According to one embodiment, a first upper guide roller is rotatably connected to at least one upper guide member in a position where the center axis of the guide roller is aligned coaxially with the center axis of the curve of the sliding surface of at least one upper guide member. Coaxial alignment reduces the force applied to the upper guide member due to the frame and the first guide roller bearing part of the load while the door is moving. Accordingly, the resulting force on the drive unit and / or the door sections and bearings of the upper guide member is reduced. Additionally, coaxial alignment enables more of the elongated transmission member to be positioned behind the first guide rollers, which reduces the exposure of the elongated transmission member. The first guide roller may be mounted to the door by a shaft. The first guide roller may be mounted to the door via the upper guide member by a shaft. The shaft may be positioned on the upper guide member, and the first guide roller is rotatably mounted on the shaft. The shaft may be fixedly attached to the upper guide member. The shaft may be axially displaced relative to the upper guide member. The shaft may be rotatably disposed on the guide member. The first guide roller may be rigidly attached to the shaft. The center axis of the first guide roller and the center axis of the shaft may be aligned coaxially with the center axis of the curve of the sliding surface of the upper guide member. The coaxial alignment of the center axis of the first guide roller and the center axis of the curve of the sliding surface of at least one upper guide member results in the center axis of the first guide roller and the center axis of the curve of the sliding surface of at least one upper guide member having a linear extension along a common horizontal axis. The horizontal axis may extend between the first and second frame sections.

[0048] According to one embodiment, one of the guide rollers is rotatably connected to one of the guide members adjacent to the bottom horizontal edge of the door in a position where the center axis of the guide roller is aligned coaxially with the center axis of the curve of the sliding surface of at least one guide member. This is particularly advantageous because it provides an excellent pivot position for the door. The guide roller and guide member thus create a common low pivot point for the door when the door approaches its open position, when the door operating system is an up-and-over door operating system.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the guide roller is positioned to move along its central axis. The guide roller may be mounted on the door by a shaft. The guide roller may be mounted on the door through a guide member by a shaft. The shaft may be positioned on the guide member, and the guide roller is rotatably mounted on the shaft. The shaft may be displaced axially relative to the guide member. The shaft may be rotatably positioned on the guide member. The guide roller may be rigidly attached to the shaft. Alternatively, the shaft may be rigidly attached to the guide member, the guide roller may be rotatably positioned on the shaft, and the guide roller may be axially displaced on the shaft.

[0050] Accordingly, it should be understood that the invention disclosed herein is not limited to the specific element parts of the described device or the steps of the described methods, as such devices and methods may vary. Furthermore, it should be understood that the terms used herein are intended only to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to be limiting. As used in the specification and the appended claims, "one," "which," "that," and "the above" are intended to mean that there is one or more elements unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. Thus, references to, for example, "unit" or "the above unit" may include multiple devices, etc. Additionally, "comprising," "containing," and similar words do not exclude other elements or steps. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0051] The above objects, as well as additional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully understood by referring to the following exemplary and non-limiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic front view of a door operating system according to the present invention, in which the door is in a closed position. FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate schematic side views of a door operating system according to the present invention, in which the door is in an open position and a closed position. FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic detailed view of a door operating system according to the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic detailed view of a door operating system according to the present invention. FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate schematic front views of a door operating system according to the present invention, with the door in a closed position. FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic side view of a door operating system according to the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0052] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred exemplary aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. The disclosed aspects and embodiments are provided to adequately convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0053] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic front view of a door operating system (1) according to the present invention, in which a door (8) is in a closed position. The door operating system (1) is intended to open and close an opening (2). The door frame (3) includes a first frame section (4) on a first side (5) of the opening (2) and a second frame section (6) on a second side (7) of the opening (2). The door (8) is positioned to move between a closed (C) position and an open (O) position (Fig. 2a). The door (8) is movably connected to the door frame (3). Two driving units (10) are mounted on the door (8). The door (8) includes a plurality of horizontal and interconnected sections (9a-e). The door operating system (1) of FIG. 1 illustrates an overhead door operating system, wherein each of the first frame section (4) and the second frame section (6) may include a vertical extension part (4a, 6a), a horizontal extension part (4b, 6b), and a vent connection part (4c, 6c).

[0054] FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate schematic side views of a door operating system (1) according to the present invention, in which a door (8) is in an open (O) and closed (C) position. The door (8) can move from and to the opening (2) to open and close the opening (2). In the closed (C) position, the door (8) covers the opening (2) or a part of the opening (2). In the closed (C) position, the door 8 can be placed on the floor (15). In the open (O) position, the door moves away from the opening (2) or a part of the opening (2) and the door (2) is placed horizontally over the opening (2).

[0055] The door operating system can be an overhead door operating system.

[0056] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic detailed view of a door operating system (1) according to the present invention. A driving unit (10) includes at least one motor (11) positioned to move the door (8) from a closed (C) position to an open (O) position or vice versa. An elongated transmission member (19) extends along at least one of the first side (5) and the second side (7) of the opening (2). The driving unit (10) further includes a driven transmission member (18) drivenly connected to the motor (11). The driven transmission member (18) is movably connected to the elongated transmission member (19) and is positioned to interact with the elongated transmission member (19) to drive the driven transmission member (18) along the elongated transmission member (19) by the elongated transmission member (19) which wraps at least partially around the driven transmission member (18). The slender transmission member (19) is in the form of a suspended bendable transmission member. The slender transmission member (19) may be a belt or a drive chain. In FIG. 3, the slender transmission member (19) is a drive chain.

[0057] At least one guide member (92) mounted on the door (8) is positioned to interact with the elongated transmission member (19) to guide the elongated transmission member (19) to contact the passive transmission member (18). The at least one guide member (92) includes a sliding surface (101) configured to allow the elongated transmission member (19) to slide. The sliding surface (101) has a curved portion, which is configured to facilitate the elongated transmission member (19) bending and following the curved portion. The curved portion of the sliding surface (101) has a radius (R), which may be in the range of 15 mm to 50 mm.

[0058] At least one guide member (92) can be mounted to be fixed to the door (8). The sliding surface (101) can be fixed to the door (8).

[0059] In other words, at least one guide member (92) includes a sliding surface (101) arranged to be in sliding contact with the slender transmission member (19) to guide relative translational movement between the slender transmission member (19) and the sliding surface (101).

[0060] An elastic panel (91) is attached to the door (8) and extends from the bottom horizontal edge (20) of the door (8), and the elastic panel (91) is positioned to contact the bottom (15) (Fig. 2b) of the opening (2) when the door (8) is in the closed position (C).

[0061] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic detailed view of a door operating system (1) according to the present invention. A sliding surface (101) includes a guide track (12) for an elongated transmission member (19). The sliding surface (101) has a surface hardness, which provides a drive chain (19) to form a guide track (12) for a drive chain (19) on the sliding surface (101).

[0062] The sliding surface (101) may be a polymer material such as polyamide or polyurethane.

[0063] A guide roller (17) is rotatably connected to a guide member (92) at a position where the center axis of the guide roller (17) is positioned coaxially with the center axis of the curve of the sliding surface of at least one guide member (92). However, the center axis of the guide roller (17) and the center axis of the curve of the sliding surface of at least one guide member (92) may have different center axis arrangements. A guide roller (17) is rotatably connected to one of the guide members (92) adjacent to the bottom horizontal edge (20) of the door (8) at a position where the center axis (13) of the guide roller (17) is positioned coaxially with the center axis (14) of the curve of the sliding surface (101) of at least one guide member (92). The guide roller (17) is positioned to move in the direction of its center axis (13). A passive transmission member (18) is driven by a motor (11). The motor (11) can transmit torque to the passive transmission member (18). The motor (11) can transmit rotational motion to the driven transmission member (18). A gearbox (16) may be placed between the motor (11) and the driven transmission member (18). A movable connection between the driven transmission member (18) and the elongated transmission member (19) provides the mobility of the drive unit (10), and thus the door (8) (Fig. 3), along the elongated transmission member (19). A movable connection between the driven transmission member (19) and the elongated transmission member (19) can be achieved by the elongated transmission member (19) wrapping at least partially around the driven transmission member (18). When the elongated transmission member (19) wraps at least partially around the driven transmission member (18), the driven transmission member (18) can engage with the elongated transmission member (19).

[0064] FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate a schematic front view of a door operating system (1) according to the present invention, in which the door (8) is in a closed position (C). According to FIG. 5a, a first set of guide rollers (17) is mounted on the door (8) and arranged to interact with a first frame section (4), and a second set of guide rollers (17) is arranged to interact with a second frame section (6). Motors (11) are mounted on sections (9c and 9e) of the door. A guide member (92) is arranged coaxially with the guide rollers (17). According to FIG. 5b, the motors (11) are mounted on the lowest section (9e) of the door (8), thereby allowing the first and second upper guide rollers (17) to extend from section (9e) toward the first frame section (4), and the first and second lower guide rollers (17) to extend from section (9e) toward the second frame section (6). The first and second lower guide rollers (17) are positioned adjacent to the bottom horizontal end surface of the lowest section (9e). The upper guide member (92) is positioned coaxially with the first upper guide roller (17), and the center axis of the first upper guide roller (17) is rotatably connected to each of the at least one upper guide member (92) at a position where the center axis of the first upper guide roller (17) is positioned coaxially with the center axis of the curve of the sliding surface of at least one upper guide member (92). The motors (11) are each connected to the driven transmission member (18).

[0065] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic side view of a door operating system (1) according to the present invention. An elongated transmission member (19) may be suspended from a door frame. An elongated transmission member (19) may be suspended from a door frame (3). Alternatively, or in combination, the elongated transmission member (19) may be suspended from a fence (22) including a building, a wall, and a door opening (2). The elongated transmission member (19) may be bendable. The suspended bendable transmission member (19) may be configured to convert rotational motion from a passive transmission member (18) into motion of the door (2), which follows the shape of the first and second frame sections (4, 6). The bendable characteristic of the suspended bendable transmission member (19) may facilitate the suspended bendable transmission member (19) wrapping at least partially around the passive transmission member (18). The bendable characteristic of the suspended bendable transmission member (19) can facilitate the suspension bendable transmission member (19) following the curve of the sliding surface (101) of the guide member (92).

[0066] Those skilled in the art recognize that the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. They also recognize that modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, all aspects and embodiments of the present invention may be combined with other aspects and embodiments of the present invention. Additionally, variations of the disclosed embodiments may be understood and influenced by those skilled in the art when practicing the claimed invention from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claims

Claim 1 A door operating system for opening and closing an opening (2), comprising: a door frame (3) including a first frame section (4) on a first side (5) of the opening (2) and a second frame section (6) on a second side (7) of the opening (2); a door (8) movably connected to the door frame (3) and positioned to move between a closed (C) position and an open (O) position; and a driving unit (10) including at least one motor (11) mounted on the door (8) and positioned to move the door (8) from the closed (C) position to the open (O) position or vice versa.and includes an elongated transmission member (19) extending along at least one of the first side (5) and the second side (7) of the opening (2), and the driving unit (10) further includes a driven transmission member (18) drivenly connected to the motor (11), the driven transmission member (18) is movably connected to the elongated transmission member (19) and is arranged to interact with the elongated transmission member (19) to drive the driven transmission member (18) along the elongated transmission member (19) by the elongated transmission member (19) which wraps at least partially around the driven transmission member (18), and at least one guide member (92) mounted on the door (8) is arranged to interact with the elongated transmission member (19) to guide the elongated transmission member (19) to contact the driven transmission member (18), and the at least A system comprising a guide member (92) including a sliding surface (101) configured to allow the slender transmission member (19) to slide, wherein the slender transmission member (19) is configured to form a guide track (12) on the sliding surface (101), wherein the guide track is formed by wear caused by the slender transmission member (19) acting on the sliding surface (101) of the guide member (92), wherein the sliding surface (101) has a curved portion, wherein the curved portion is configured to facilitate the slender transmission member (19) bending and following the curved portion. Claim 2 A system according to claim 1, wherein the curved portion of the sliding surface (101) has a radius (R) in the range of 15 mm to 50 mm. Claim 3 In claim 1, the system is in the form of a slender transmission member (19) and a suspended bendable transmission member (19). Claim 4 A system according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic panel (91) attached to the door (8) and extending from the bottom horizontal edge of the door (8), wherein the elastic panel (91) is positioned to contact the bottom of the opening (2) when the door (8) is in a closed position (C). Claim 5 In claim 1, the above-mentioned elongated transmission member (19) is a belt, in the system. Claim 6 In claim 1 or 2, the system is such that the elongated transmission member (19) is a drive chain. Claim 7 In claim 6, the sliding surface (101) has surface hardness, which provides the drive chain (19) to form a guide track for the drive chain (19) on the sliding surface (101), a system. Claim 8 In claim 1, the system comprises a plurality of horizontal and interconnected sections (9a-e) for the door (8). Claim 9 A system according to claim 1, further comprising a first set of guide rollers mounted on the door (8) arranged to interact with the first frame section (4) and a second set of guide rollers arranged to interact with the second frame section (6). Claim 10 A system according to claim 9, wherein the drive unit (10) is mounted in a section (9a-e) of the door (8), thereby extending first and second upper guide rollers from the section (9a-e) toward the first frame section (4) and the second frame section (6), respectively, and extending first and second lower guide rollers from the section (9a-e) toward the first frame section (4) and the second frame section (6), respectively. Claim 11 A system according to claim 10, wherein the drive unit (10) is mounted on the lowest section (9e) of the door (8), and the first and second lower guide rollers are positioned adjacent to the bottom horizontal end surface of the lowest section (9e). Claim 12 A system according to claim 10, wherein one guide roller is rotatably connected to each of at least one guide member (92) at a position where the center axis (13) of the guide roller is positioned coaxially with the center axis (14) of the curved portion of the sliding surface (101) of at least one guide member (92). Claim 13 In claim 12, the system is rotatably connected to at least one upper guide member (92) at a position where the center axis (13) of the first upper guide roller is positioned coaxially with the center axis (14) of the curved portion of the sliding surface of at least one upper guide member (92). Claim 14 A system according to claim 12, wherein one of the guide rollers is rotatably connected to one of the guide members (92) adjacent to the bottom horizontal edge of the door (8) at a position where the center axis (13) of the guide roller is positioned coaxially with the center axis (14) of the curve of the sliding surface of at least one guide member (92). Claim 15 In claim 12, the guide roller is positioned to move in the direction of its center axis (13), in a system. Claim 16 delete

Images