AU2021107423A4

AU2021107423A4 - Barrier Opening Systems

Info

Publication number: AU2021107423A4
Application number: AU2021107423A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Steven Ladics
Original assignee: Superlift Garage Door Openers Ltd
Current assignee: Superlift Garage Door Openers Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-25
Filing date: 2021-08-25
Publication date: 2021-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-25
Also published as: AU2022221505A1

Abstract

A barrier system comprises a barrier to a region, the barrier moveable between an open and a closed position by a barrier operator, the barrier comprising one or more magnets disposed about a periphery thereof, one or more magnetic sensors associated positioned so as to interact with the one or more magnets when the barrier is in the closed position. The sensors comprise at least one electrical terminal that is in a first condition when the barrier is closed and in a second condition when the barrier is open. 1/3 16 12 22 -220 18 204 24 26 24 28 5 FIG. 1 22 50 20 Magnet Door closed Magnet Ba;tte-ry Beam Sensor Sensor open FIG. 2 24

Description

1/3

16

12

22 -220

18

204

24 26

24

28 5

FIG. 1

22

50 20 Magnet Door closed

Magnet Ba;tte-ry Beam Sensor Sensor

open

FIG. 2

Barrier Opening Systems

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to barrier system, including but not limited to garage doors and gates.

Background

[0002] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0003] Barriers such as garage doors are usually have motorised and automated opening systems. When the system closes the barrier, an obstacle can be in the way of the closing barrier. Beam sensors can be used to detect the presence of an obstacle, which can cause the opener to stop and safety reverse. However these are often battery powered and wireless. When the beam sensor is continuously communicating with the opening system (such as a garage door opener motor module) battery life can be as little as a year. It is desirable to lengthen battery life.

[0004] Further thieves or other intruders can break into a premises by forcing the barrier open, or breaking out of a premises by activating a manual override which allows the barrier to be opened without use of the motor. It is desirable to be alerted when there is an intrusion in which the barrier is opened without the user actuating the opener.

[0005] The present invention has been developed with this background in mind.

[0006] Throughout the specification unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0007] Throughout the specification unless the context requires otherwise, the word "include" or variations such as "includes" or "including", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Summary of Invention

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a barrier system comprising:

a barrier to a region, the barrier moveable between an open and a closed position by a barrier operator, the barrier comprising one or more magnets disposed about a periphery thereof;

one or more magnetic sensors associated positioned so as to interact with the one or more magnets when the barrier is in the closed position;

the sensors comprising at least one electrical terminal that is in a first condition when the barrier is closed and in a second condition when the barrier is open.

[0009] In an embodiment the first condition is one of: closing a switch and opening a switch. In an embodiment the second condition is the opposite of the first condition.

[0010] In an embodiment the opening of the barrier causes the electrical terminal to connect a power source to one or more beam sensors wirelessly associable with the barrier operator for detection of an object in or passing through the region.

[0011] In an embodiment the closing of the barrier causes the electrical terminal to disconnect the power source from the one or more beam sensors.

[0012] In an embodiment the opening of the barrier causes a detector to determine whether a motor is activated to open the barrier and in the event that the motor is not activated to open the barrier, the detector generated an alert.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system of deactivating wireless safety beams of a barrier operator, the system comprising:

one or more magnetic sensors associated with the one or more beam sensors and positioned so as to interact with the one or more magnets when the barrier is in the closed position; one or more beam sensors wirelessly associable with the barrier operator, the or each beam sensor positioned in fixed relation to a frame of the barrier so as to be able to detect an object in or passing through the region; and wherein the one or more beam sensors are deactivated when the one or more magnets interact with the one or more magnetic sensors.

[0014] In an embodiment, the or each beam sensor comprises a power source. In an embodiment the power source in internal to the beam sensor.

[0015] In an embodiment, deactivating of the beam sensors comprise disconnecting power from being supplied to the one or more beam sensors.

[0016] In an embodiment, the one or more beam sensors are associated with respective one or more magnetic sensors by way of a wired connection.

[0017] In an embodiment, the magnetic sensor comprises a reed switch.

[0018] In an embodiment, the reed switch comprises a normally closed reed switch.

[0019] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a barrier system comprising:

one or more magnetic sensors associated with the one or more beam sensors and positioned so as to interact with the one or more magnets when the barrier is in the closed position;

a motor for opening the barrier; and

a detector for detecting when the barrier is opened by the magnetic sensors no longer detecting the magnets and when the motor is not activated to open the barrier.

[0020] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a barrier system comprising:

a barrier to a region, the barrier moveable between an open and a closed position by a barrier operator, the barrier comprising one or more magnets disposed about a periphery thereof; one or more magnetic sensors associated with the one or more beam sensors and positioned so as to interact with the one or more magnets when the barrier is in the closed position; a motor for opening the barrier; and a detector for detecting when the motor is turned on for opening the barrier and the magnetic sensors detecting the magnets.

[0021] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of detection of opening of a barrier to a region that is moveable between an open and a closed position comprising:

placing one or more magnets about a periphery of the barrier;

placing one or more magnetic sensors so as to detect to presence of the or each magnet when the barrier is closed;

sensing the one or more magnetic sensors when the barrier is in the closed position;

detecting when the barrier is opened by the magnetic sensors ceasing to sense the one or more magnetics and in that event changing a condition of an electrical terminal.

[0022] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of deactivating wireless safety beams of a barrier operator comprising:

placing one or more magnets about a periphery of the barrier;

disconnecting power to one or more beam sensors wirelessly associable with the barrier operator when magnetic sensors are proximal to the magnets;

connecting power to the one or more beam sensors when the one or more magnets are moved to no longer be proximal to the one or more magnetic sensors.

[0023] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of detecting opening of a barrier comprising:

placing one or more magnets about a periphery of the barrier; placing one or more magnetic sensors so as to detect to presence of the or each magnet when the barrier is closed; sensing with the one or more magnetic sensors when the barrier is moving from the closed position to an open position; detecting whether a motor for opening the barrier is operating and in the event that the barrier is moving from the closed position to the open position and the motor is not operating then generating an alert.

[0024] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising:

placing one or more magnets about a periphery of the barrier;

sensing with the one or more magnetic sensors when the barrier is moving from the closed position to an open position;

detecting whether a motor for opening the barrier is operating and in the event that the barrier is remains in the closed position and the motor is operating then generating an alert.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0025] In order to provide a better understanding, embodiments of the present invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is schematic perspective view of a barrier in the form of a garage door arranged according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of a circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the barrier in a closed state;

Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of a circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the barrier in an open state;

Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of a circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the barrier in a closed state and with the motor off;

Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram of a circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the barrier in an open state and with the motor on;

Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram of a circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the barrier in a closed state and with the motor off; and

Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram of a circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the barrier in a closed state and with the motor on.

Description of Embodiments

[0026] Figure 1 shows a barrier, such as a garage door 14 arrangement, with the door 14 closing an opening in a wall 12. The door 14 slides with a frame 18 and may be automatically opened or closed using a motorised opener device 16.

[0027] In order to prevent the door 14 closing on an obstacle 30 a beam sensor 20 is installed which generates a beam 28, such as an infrared light beam, which if broken, stops the operation of a motor 60 of the motorised opener device 16 so as to stop the door 14 from closing. Preferably the motor is connected to perform a safety reverse with raised the door 14. The beam sensor 20 typically connects wirelessly to the motorised opener device 16 and is typically battery powered. This avoids the need to connect the beam sensor 20 using wires.

[0028] The door 14 is installed with one or more (in this case two) magnets 22 adjacent to the lowermost periphery of the door 14. Further magnetic sensors 24 are installed (in this case on the ground 26) such that when the door 14 is closed the magnets 22 will be proximate to the sensors 24 and the sensors 24 will detect the presence of the magnets 22.

[0029] The magnets 22 and magnetic sensors 24 may be positioned at any suitable position such that when the door 14 is closed the magnets 22 will be proximate to the sensors 24 and the sensors 24 will detect the presence of the magnets 22. The magnets 22 may be of any suitable type but will preferably be strong permanent magnets. The sensors 24 will typically be reed switches, preferably normally closed reed switches, although normally open reed switches could be used with appropriate modification of the circuitry.

[0030] Referring to Figure 2, which shows a 'door closed' situation of one embodiment. The magnet(s) 22 are proximate to the sensor(s) 24 and in this case the circuit is open which disconnects the battery 50 from the beam sensors 20, which are not required when the door 14 is closed. The battery 50 is thus conserved.

[0031] Referring to Figure 3, which shows a 'door opened' situation. The magnet(s) 22 become no longer proximate to the sensor(s) 24 and in this case the circuit is closed which connects the battery 50 to the beam sensors 20, which are now required when the door 14 is opened. The battery 50 is only used when required. In an embodiment the sensors 24 may be wired such that each of two connects to a respective one of the beam sensors 20, thus when the door is opened each one is powered. In an embodiment, when powered, a transmitter of the beam sensor(s) 20 sends a signal to a receiver of the beams sensor(s) 20. When the door 14 is opening the beams sensor(s) 20 need not activate, or at least create a response. However, the door is closing and the beam 28 is broken an alert signal is sent to the device 16, which in turn may send an alarm preferably by transmission to a door opener, such as with Bluetooth TM. Further the motor 50 closing the door 14 can be stopped and preferably a safety reverse of the door 14 initiated.

[0032] Referring to Figure 4, which shows a 'door closed' situation of another embodiment. The magnet(s) 22 are proximate to the sensor(s) 24 and in this case the circuit is open and the motor 60 is off. A detector 62 of the opener device 16 determines that the door 14 is closed from an electrical terminal of the sensor(s) 24 and the motor 60 is off. No alert is generated by the detector 62.

[0033] Referring to Figure 5, which shows a 'door opened' situation. The magnet(s) 22 are no longer proximate to the sensor(s) 24 and in this case the circuit is closed and the motor 60 is on. The detector 62 determines that the door 14 is open from the electrical terminal of the sensor(s) 24 and that the motor 60 is on. No alert is generated by the detector 62.

[0034] Referring to Figure 6, which shows a 'door opened' in a possible intrusion situation. The magnet(s) 22 are no longer proximate to the sensor(s) 24 and in this case the circuit is closed and the motor 60 is off. The detector 62 determines that the door 14 is open from the electrical terminal of the sensor(s) 24 and that the motor 60 is off. This means that the door 14 has been opening without use of the motor 60. As this is unusual and may indicate and intrusion an alert 64 is generated by the detector 62.

[0035] Referring to Figure 7, which shows a 'door closed' in a possible failure situation. The magnet(s) 22 are proximate to the sensor(s) 24 and in this case the circuit is open and the motor 60 is on. The detector 62 determines that the door 14 is closed from the electrical terminal of the sensor(s) 24 and the motor 60 is on. This unusual as the door 14 should be opening when the motor 60 is on. This may indicate the door is locked closed or a mechanical failure so an alert 66 is generated by the detector 62.

[0036] The embodiments of Figures 2 and 3 may optionally be used with the embodiments of Figure 4 to 7.

[0037] The present invention provides one or more advantages allowing by allowing the beam sensors to be disconnected from the battery, prolonging its life when the door is closed and by raising one or both of a possible intrusion alert with door is opened without the motor or a failure alert when the motor is on but the door does not open.

[0038] The present invention is applicable to automatically closable barriers other than doors, such as for example gates and shutters.

[0039] Modifications may be made to the present invention within the context of that described and shown in the drawings. Such modifications are intended to form part of the invention described in this specification

Claims

1. A barrier system comprising:

2. A system for deactivating wireless safety beams of a barrier operator, the system comprising:

one or more beam sensors wirelessly associable with the barrier operator, the or each beam sensor positioned in fixed relation to a frame of the barrier so as to be able to detect an object in or passing through the region; and

wherein the one or more beam sensors are deactivated when the one or more magnets interact with the one or more magnetic sensors.

3. A barrier system comprising:

a barrier to a region, the barrier moveable between an open and a closed position by a barrier operator, the barrier comprising one or more magnets disposed about a periphery thereof; one or more magnetic sensors associated with the one or more beam sensors and positioned so as to interact with the one or more magnets when the barrier is in the closed position; a motor for opening the barrier; and a detector for detecting when the barrier is opened by the magnetic sensors no longer detecting the magnets and when the motor is not activated to open the barrier.

4. A barrier system comprising:

a motor for opening the barrier; and

a detector for detecting when the motor is turned on for opening the barrier and the magnetic sensors detecting the magnets.

5. A method of detection of opening of a barrier to a region that is moveable between an open and a closed position comprising:

placing one or more magnets about a periphery of the barrier;

6. A method of deactivating wireless safety beams of a barrier operator comprising:

placing one or more magnets about a periphery of the barrier; placing one or more magnetic sensors so as to detect to presence of the or each magnet when the barrier is closed; disconnecting power to one or more beam sensors wirelessly associable with the barrier operator when magnetic sensors are proximal to the magnets; connecting power to the one or more beam sensors when the one or more magnets are moved to no longer be proximal to the one or more magnetic sensors.

7. A method of detecting opening of a barrier comprising:

placing one or more magnets about a periphery of the barrier;

detecting whether a motor for opening the barrier is operating and in the event that the barrier is moving from the closed position to the open position and the motor is not operating then generating an alert.

8. A method comprising:

placing one or more magnets about a periphery of the barrier;