DE20105045U1 - Power-operated door and gate systems with contactless information transfer of signals and switching impulses between safety devices and control units - Google Patents

Description

Kämpfe Tortechnik GmbH & Co. KG
Dorfstrasse 10
99438 Possendorf

Power-operated door and gate systems with contactless information transmission of signals and switching impulses between safety devices and control units

The invention includes an information transmission system. This is primarily intended for contactless information transmission of signals and switching impulses between safety devices and control units on power-operated door and gate systems. However, the use of this contactless information transmission system is also conceivable in all other applications in which information must be transmitted from a moving safety device to a fixed control unit, e.g. lifting platforms or crane systems.

In accordance with DIN EN 12453, protective devices must be provided for all power-operated door and gate systems. All main and secondary closing edges must be secured in such a way that no danger is posed by the operation of the gate system. In the case of a side-sliding gate, this means that a safety device on the moving gate leaf secures the main closing edge at the front of the gate and, if necessary, the secondary closing edge at the rear of the gate. The technical problem is the power supply and the transmission of information from the gate leaf to the fixed control unit.
It is possible to mount a battery-solar cell combination on the door leaf to provide power. This type of energy supply is known as state of the art and is mentioned, among other things, in the utility models DE 20001473 111 and DE 29718707 U1.

Contact strips are the preferred safety device. These are known from companies such as ASO GmbH, 33154 Salzkotten; Wampfler GmbH, 79576 Weil a.R.; Bircher Deutschland GmbH, 71063 Sindelfingen; Gel Bau GmbH, 50997 Cologne; and Fraba GmbH, 51063 Cologne.

The current state of the art shows several possible ways of transmitting information from a moving safety device to a stationary control unit. The first option is a power transmission rail mounted on the door leaf, with the help of which an electric current can be transmitted to the safety device. The transmission of signals and switching impulses also takes place via trailing cables in a power transmission rail. This system is known from products by Wampfler GmbH in 79576 Weil a. Rhein. The disadvantage of this variant is that it requires a lot of installation work and is relatively susceptible to faults due to cable breakage. The second option is inductive transmission using a steel cable and a fixed and a moving magnetic core. The magnetic field of the moving core is changed via resistance changes in the safety device and an inductive transmission to the fixed core enables an evaluation. This system is known from products by ASO GmbH 33154 Salzkotten. Another option for data transmission is named in the utility model DE 20001473 U1. The method of data transmission is not described in detail in this utility model. JDje a.bgebi|d.e.ten. ^&mgr;&Ggr;&bgr;&eegr; let

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assume that it is a transmission using radio signals. This system was presented by Bircher Deutschland GmbH 71063 Sindelfingen, also the owner of the utility model D 2001473 U1, in spring 2000 at the R + T trade fair in Stuttgart. The disadvantage of this variant described in the GM is that it is only possible to monitor the main and secondary closing edges on the door leaf and not to completely monitor the door travel path. A major disadvantage of transmission using radio signals is the uncertainty caused by interference with the radio signal. The disadvantage of all known variants is that the evaluation electronics are very expensive. The disadvantages of the first two information transmission systems on the market, in addition to those already mentioned, are primarily related to their design. These transmission systems can only be mounted visibly on the door. These disadvantages and the relatively high acquisition costs mean that safety devices are often not installed on sliding gate systems, especially in non-commercial areas. An optical signal can also be used to transmit information. This type of information transmission is known as state of the art and is mentioned, among other things, in the patent specification DE 353 0939.

The object of the invention is to develop a transmission system in which the above-mentioned disadvantages are eliminated. Information is to be transmitted from one or more safety devices on a door leaf to a control unit. The main and secondary closing edges on the door leaf and the door travel path are to be monitored and obstacles in the door travel path are to be detected and transmitted as information to the control unit. The transmitted information is to be evaluated by the control unit and the door drive is to be stopped and/or reversed. The contact strips used as a safety device on the door leaf can be used as both openers and closers.
According to the invention, the problem was solved as follows: A safety device is mounted on the door leaf. This safety device preferably consists of one or more contact strips. An optical transmission system is mounted on the door leaf to transmit information. This can be a light barrier for visible or infrared light or even a weak laser. An infrared light barrier is preferably used. If the safety device on the door leaf is activated or if there is an obstacle in the door's path, the circuit for signal transmission is interrupted by the light barrier. This information is converted by the control unit of the door drive into a stop or reverse command. The door stops or moves in the opposite direction, depending on the programming of the control unit. Once the cause for the contact strip being activated has been eliminated, the door function can be resumed with a start command.
The main advantages of the new system are:

In addition to monitoring the main and secondary closing edges on the door leaf, the information transmission also secures the travel path of the door.
The information is transmitted without mechanical stress on the transmission system. This avoids disruptions caused by cable breakage, as is the case with power transmission rails.

The appearance of the gate is improved because there are no external information transmission elements that impair the view. The design freedom for architects and planners is improved.
The risk of mechanical destruction of the security system is significantly reduced.

Fewer components are needed to transmit information. This minimizes susceptibility to interference and makes information transmission more secure.

The information transmission system is cheaper to purchase and easier and simpler to install. This makes it possible to make the required safety standards of the Machinery Directive accessible to private consumers.

The invention is described in more detail below using an embodiment with reference to position information in the figures.

The figures show the following:

Figure 1 Side view of a sliding gate

Figure 2 Functional diagram of the safety devices

Figure 3 Functional diagram for signal transmission (opening function)

Figure 4 Functional diagram for signal transmission (normally open function)

The sliding gate system, see Figure 1, consists of the main components of the gate leaf (1), guide column (2), overrun column (3), drive station (4), safety device (5) and control and regulation devices (6). The gate leaf (1) consists of a frame construction (7) with embedded decorative and reinforcing struts (8). The first gate leaf profile (9) and the overrun column (3) form the main closing edge (10) of the gate. The last gate leaf profile (11) and a possible obstacle form a secondary closing edge (12) of the gate. The gate leaf (1) and the guide column (2) also form one or more secondary closing edges (12). The main closing edge (10) and the secondary closing edge (12) on the gate leaf (1) are monitored by a safety device (5), preferably a contact strip. This safety device (5) provides a signal when the gate leaf (1) encounters an obstacle. The signal must now be transmitted from the safety device (5) to the control device (6). An overview of the arrangement of the safety devices on a sliding gate is shown in Figure 2. To transmit the signal from the safety device (5) to the control device (6), a transmitter of an infrared light barrier (13) is mounted on the gate leaf (1). The receiver of the infrared light barrier (14) is mounted on the overrun column (3). It is also possible to mount the receiver (14) on the control device (6) or on the guide column (2). In this case, the gate travel path is not monitored. Since this would eliminate a significant advantage of the invention, this variant will not be discussed in more detail below. The power supply to the receiver (14) is provided by the control device (6). The transmitter of the infrared light barrier (13) is supplied with power by the battery-solar cell combination (15) mounted on the gate leaf (1). The battery-solar cell combination (15), the safety device (5) and the transmitter of the infrared light barrier (13) are connected to one another. Figure 3 and Figure 4 show how this connection can be implemented. Figure 3 shows the connection of a safety device (5) with a normally open function and Figure 4 shows the connection of a safety device (5) with an normally closed function. When the safety device (5) is connected with a normally open function (Fig.3), the transmitter of the infrared light barrier (13) is permanently supplied with energy. When the safety device (5) is activated, the current flow to the transmitter of the infrared light barrier (13) is interrupted by means of a relay (6). When a safety device (5) with an normally closed function is used (Fig.4), the transmitter of the infrared light barrier (13) and the safety device (5) are connected in series and supplied with energy. When the safety device (5) is activated, the current flow to the transmitter of the infrared light barrier (13) is interrupted. The

Interruption of the power supply to the transmitter of the infrared light barrier (13) results in the receiver of the infrared light barrier (14) receiving information about a fault in a safety device (5). The receiver of the infrared light barrier (14) also receives information about a fault if there is an obstacle in the door's path. This information is evaluated by the control unit (6) and the drive station (4) stops or reverses the movement of the door leaf (1).

Claims (3)

1. Power-operated door and gate system with a contactless information transmission of signals and switching impulses between safety devices and control units, characterized in that the information transmission takes place by an optical signal. 2. Power-operated door and gate system according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical signal transmitter and signal receiver are attached to the gate in such a way that the gate travel path is also secured during the information transmission. 3. Power-operated door and gate system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the power supply of the optical signal generator is via a solar-battery combination.