GB2265180A

GB2265180A - Automatic door control apparatus.

Info

Publication number: GB2265180A
Application number: GB9205924A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shun-Cheng Ho
Original assignee: HO SHUN CHENG
Current assignee: HO SHUN CHENG
Priority date: 1992-03-18
Filing date: 1992-03-18
Publication date: 1993-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2012-03-18
Also published as: FR2689560A3; FR2689560B3; AU640333B1; GB2265180B; GB9205924D0

Abstract

An apparatus 10 for controlling the opening and closing of an automatic door. The apparatus 10 includes an L-shaped housing 1 having a lower portion 12 disposed below ground level 7 for housing a speed reduction mechanism 2 and an upper portion 11 disposed above ground level 7 and positioned behind a door port 8 for housing a motor 3 and a timer 4. The speed reduction mechanism 2 includes a gear train to provide a desired reduced motor speed and the timer is to control operating time of the motor 3 and to control the opening and closing angle of the door. <IMAGE>

Description

AUTOMATIC DOOR CONTROL APPARATUS DESCRIPTION The present invention generally relates to the field of technology pertaining to automatic door control apparatus, and particu1ar1y to an improved apparatus provided with a motor which drives a speed reduction mechanism and an oscillating arm.

Generally, automatic doors have several types of known control apparatus, including the double-rail or mono-rail reciprocal type driven by a chain and sprocket, the double-rail or mono-rail rotational type driven by a rack and pinion, and the rotational type driven by pair of bevel gears and a swinging arm.

Specifically, there are two types of automatic door control apparatus which are considered related to the present invention. The first type has its motor and speed reducing mechanism disposed in a door post to facilitate maintenance, but this type of apparatus is difficult to install. The second type has its motor and speed reducing mechanism disposed under ground level, but this type of apparatus is easily damaged by moisture.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a control apparatus for an automatic door whereby the apparatus overcomes the disadvantages found in the conventional control apparatus of the same type.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a control apparatus for an automatic door wherein the apparatus includes an L-shaped housing for accommodating a motor, a speed reduction mechanism and a timer.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, when considered in conzunction with the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to corresponding parts in the several views.

Embodiments of the invention are described by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front elevational sectional view showing the speed reduction mechanism, the timer and the motor disposed within the L-shaped housing; Fig. 2 is a top view of the speed reduction mechanism showing a worm shaft driving a worm gear, and rotation of the main shaft; Fig. 3 is a partial fragmental perspective view of a structure between the control apparatus and a door where it is installed according to the present invention; Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the control apparatus of the invention as installed on a door and post assembly; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the control apparatus with its upper part concealed in a post.

With initial reference to Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, there is depicted a control apparatus 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Apparatus 10 includes an L-shaped housing 1 for accommodating a speed reduction mechan; sm sm 2, a motor 3 and a timer 4.

The speed reduction mechanism 2 includes a bevel gear 21 and a worm shaft 22 mounted on the opposite ends of an output shaft 23 which in turn supported for rotation on a pair of bearing assemblies 24 and 24'.

The bevel gear 21 is engaged with an output gear 31 mounted on the output shaft 32 of a motor 3, while the worm shaft 22 is engaged with a worm gear 23, as shown in Fig. 2, the latter being mounted on a main shaft 26 that includes an upper end which extends out of the housing 1. This arrangement permits a preferred reduction of the rotating speed of the shaft 26 to about one revolution per minute (RPM), so that a door 5 is caused to open or close slowly as desires. As also apparent, the speed reduction mechanism 2 is substantially entirely disposed within a lower portion 12 of the housing 1.

As also seen in Figs. 1 and 3, the upper end of main shaft 26 extends outwardly above the lower portion 12 of the housing 1 and is connected to an oscillating arm 61, and capped by a conical-shaped bearing assembly 62. The door 5 is provided with a sleeve member 63 disposed at its bottom and in rotatable engagement with bearing assembly 62. When electric power is shut off or when the control apparatus 10 malfunctions, the door 5 is still permitted to be manually operated.

As seen in Fig. 3, a screw hole 611 is provided in the oscillating arm 61 and a hole 52 is formed in a block 51 secured to the bottom of the door 5. The screw hole 611 and the hole 52 are aligned for receiving a bolt 64 therethrough. An upper door shaft 65 is provided on the door 5 to define a pivot axis with the main shaft 26 so that the door 5 may pivot about such axis with the oscillating arm 61 in synchronism.

However, the screw 64 may be removed to disconnect the engagement of the door 5 from the control apparatus 10 in order to permit manual operation of the door 5.

Please refer to Fig. 1, the motor 3 and the timer 4 are located in the upper portion 1l of the L-shaped housing 1, and the speed reduction mechanism 2 is located in the lower portion 12. In the installation, the upper portion 11 of the L-shaped housing 1 is placed on ground level 7, and the lower portion is embedded below ground level 7.

The timer 4 is to control operating time of the motor 3, and consequently controls door opening angle, cuts off power supply automatically when the door is closed.

This arrangement conserves installation space and provides a compact and neat appearance. This arrangement further facilitates maintenance and prevents damage by moisture and possible electricity leak.

Please refer to Figs. 4 and 5, the upper portion 11 of the L-shaped housing 1 can be installed at a side of a door post 8 as shown in Fig. 4, or in interior space of the door post 8 as shown in Fig. 5. The installation as shown in Fig. 5 can increase door opening angle to 1800.

Claims

1. A door control apparatus comprising: a) an L-shaped housing including a lower portion for disposition below ground level and an upper portion extending upwardly from the lower portion for disposition above ground level; b) a motor disposed within the upper portion of the housing and including an output shaft, and an output bevel gear and a driven spur gear secured to the output shaft; c) a speed reduction mechanism disposed in the lower portion of the housing and including a bevel gear engaged with the output bevel gear of the motor, a worm shaft, a worm gear, and a main shaft including an upper end extending outwardly of the lower portion of the housing, the worm gear being secured to the main shaft and disposed in engagement with the worm shaft;; d) a timer disposed within the upper portion of the housing to control operating time of the said motor; and e) an oscillating arm mounted on the upper end of the main shaft and means carried by the oscillating arm for mounting a door thereon to define a pivot axis through which the door may be opened and closed at a predetermined speed and angle by the motor driving the speed reduction mechani in synchronism with the timer.

2. The door control apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the means for mounting a door on the oscillating arm includes: a) a block for attachment to the bottom of the door and a hole formed through the block; b) a screw hole formed in the oscillating arm; and c) a bolt insertable through the hole and screw hole to connect the door to the oscillating arm.

3. The door control apparatus of Claim 2 further including a conical-shaped bearing assembly secured to the upper end of the main shaft for rotatable engagement with the bottom of the door to permit manual operation of the door when the bolt is removed from the hole and the screw hole.

4. A door control apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 of the accompanying drawings.