WO2024125940A1

WO2024125940A1 - Arrangement and access member system

Info

Publication number: WO2024125940A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/082077
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johan VON MATERN; Jonas MERKLAND
Original assignee: Assa Abloy Ab
Priority date: 2022-12-14
Filing date: 2023-11-16
Publication date: 2024-06-20
Also published as: SE2251453A1

Abstract

An arrangement (12) for controlling movements of an access member (16) relative to a frame (14), the arrangement (12) comprising an input element (26); a mechanical closing force device (52) arranged to force the input element (26) to perform an closing input movement (44) to a closed input position (28) for causing a closing movement (38) of the access member (16) to a closed position (20); a mechanical opening force device (64) arranged to assist the input element (26) to perform an opening input movement (40), opposite to the closing input movement (44); and an opening motor (66) arranged to preload the opening force device (64) while the input element (26) is in the closed input position (28). An access member system (10) comprising an arrangement (12), an access member (16) and a frame (14) is also provided.

Description

ARRANGEMENT AND ACCESS MEMBER SYSTEM

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to arrangements for controlling access members. In particular, an arrangement for controlling movements of an access member relative to a frame, and an access member system comprising an arrangement, an access member and a frame, are provided.

Background

A door closer may be used to control closing of a door leaf in a controlled manner. Some door closers comprise a closing spring for forcing the door leaf in a closing movement. In order to provide sufficient latching force of the door leaf, the closing spring may provide a relatively large closing force in a latching range at the end of the closing movement, just before the door leaf reaches a closed position.

Summary

Although closing springs of door closers may provide a sufficient latching performance of a door leaf, the relatively large force provided by the closing spring for the latching purpose makes the door leaf heavy to open. A door leaf provided with such door closer may be particularly heavy to open from a closed position through an initial latching range. If the door closer comprises an electromagnetic generator used to harvest electric energy from a closing movement of the door leaf, the generator may be driven as an electric motor to assist opening of the door leaf. However, this procedure is often not energy efficient. For example, if a human user opens the door leaf slowly, the electric motor has to be driven for a long time period to assist opening.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement for controlling movements of an access member relative to a frame. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved access member system comprising an arrangement.

These objects are achieved by the arrangement according to appended claim 1 and the access member system according to appended claim 14.

The invention is based on the realization that by providing a door closer comprising a closing spring, an opening spring and an opening motor arranged to preload the opening spring while a door leaf is in a closed position, the preloaded opening spring can later assist a human user to open the door leaf in an energy efficient manner.

According to a first aspect, there is provided an arrangement for controlling movements of an access member relative to a frame, the arrangement comprising an input element; a mechanical closing force device arranged to force the input element to perform a closing input movement to a closed input position for causing a closing movement of the access member to a closed position; a mechanical opening force device arranged to assist the input element to perform an opening input movement, opposite to the closing input movement; and an opening motor arranged to preload the opening force device while the input element is in the closed input position.

When the opening force device is preloaded, the opening force device counteracts the closing force device. As a consequence, a force required to open the access member is reduced. User experience is thereby improved. In the closed input position, an opening force provided by the preloaded opening force device on the input element may be equal to, or smaller than, a closing force provided by the closing force device on the input element.

The opening force device enables the opening motor to rotate while the input element is at standstill in the closed input position. When the arrangement is installed to control movement of the access member and the opening force device has been preloaded by the opening motor, the opening force device assists opening of the access member when a human user later opens the access member. Since the opening force device assists the input element to perform the opening input movement, the assisting opening force as such is provided by the opening force device, rather than by the opening motor. In contrast to if the assisting opening force would be provided directly by the opening motor, the arrangement thereby eliminates a need to detect when a user intends to open the access member. Instead, the opening motor may be deactivated when the opening force device has been preloaded and may be held in this deactivated state when a human user opens the access member and the opening force device assists the opening. Moreover, when the opening force device is preloaded, the opening force device can assist opening of the access member regardless of at which speed the access member is opened. The arrangement thus provides an energy efficient opening assistance of the access member.

The closing force device may comprise a closing spring. The closing spring may be configured to store potential energy by deformation, such as by compression or by extension. The closing spring may for example be a coil spring. Alternative ways to realize the closing force device, for example including a magnet or a weight, are however conceivable.

The closing input movement of the input element may be a linear movement or a rotating movement. In case the input element is rotatable, the input element maybe rotatable about an input axis. In case the access member is rotatable relative to the frame about a hinge axis, the input axis may be parallel with the hinge axis.

When the arrangement is installed to control movements of the access member, the closing input movement, the closed input position, the opening input movement and an open input position of the input element correspond to the closing movement, the closed position, an opening movement and an open position, respectively, of the access member. In case the access member is rotatable relative to the frame, the opening force device may be preloaded to a preloaded state such that the opening force device assists the input element to perform an opening input movement that corresponds to an opening movement of at least 5 degrees, such as at least 10 degrees. The opening motor may be an electric motor. The arrangement may further comprise a rotatable drive shaft. The drive shaft may be driven by the opening motor, either directly or via an opening transmission. The arrangement may further comprise one or more drive features. Each drive feature may be fixed to the drive shaft. The input element may comprise one or more input driven features.

The arrangement may be connected to each of the access member and the frame. The arrangement may comprise a connection device for connection between the access member and the frame. The connection device may be drivingly connected to the input element. The connection device may comprise one or more rigid arms. In this case, one of the at least one arm may be fixed to the input element. Alternatively, the connection device may comprise a flexible elongated element, such as a wire.

The arrangement may further comprise a closing force device transmission. The closing force device may be configured to store and release mechanical energy. The closing force device transmission may be configured to cause movements of the input element to be transferred to potential energy in the closing force device. Conversely, the closing force device transmission may be configured to cause potential energy stored in the closing force device to be transferred to movements of the input element. The closing force device transmission may comprise a cam profile and a cam follower arranged to follow the cam profile. One of the cam profile and the cam follower may be fixed to, or integrally formed with, the input element.

The opening force device may comprise an opening spring. The opening spring may be configured to be deformed, such as by compression or by extension, to be preloaded. The opening spring may for example be a compression spring or a torsion spring. According to one example, the opening force device comprises a plurality of opening springs. Alternative ways to realize the opening force device, for example including a magnet or a weight, are however conceivable. The arrangement may comprise a preloading element arranged to be driven by the opening motor to preload the opening force device while the input element is in the closed input position. The preloading element may be rotatable, for example about the input axis.

The preloading element may comprise one or more driven preloading features. Each driven preloading feature may be arranged to be engaged by an associated drive feature.

The preloading element may comprise teeth. The teeth may be external with respect to the input axis. Alternatively, or in addition, the preloading element may comprise one or more drive preloading features.

The arrangement may comprise a locking mechanism arranged to lock the preloading element after having being driven by the opening motor to preload the opening force device. This variant enables the opening motor to be driven only for a short period of time to preload the opening force device. The opening motor may then be deactivated while the locking mechanism holds the opening force device in the preloaded state. When the opening motor is only driven during a short time period, energy efficiency is improved. This is of great value in energy harvesting implementations.

The locking mechanism may comprise a ratchet. The ratchet may be movable between an engaged state where the ratchet engages the teeth of the preloading element, and a disengaged state where the ratchet is disengaged from the teeth. The ratchet may be rotatable between engaged state and the disengaged state. In any case, the ratchet may be arranged to move from the disengaged state to the engaged state by rotation of the opening motor.

The locking mechanism may further comprise a ratchet control element. The ratchet control element may be configured to move by a rotation of the opening motor to cause a movement of the ratchet from the disengaged state to the engaged state. The ratchet control element may contact and engage the drive shaft and/or the ratchet. The ratchet control element may comprise a ratchet spring, such as a flexible rod. The opening force device may contact and engage each of the preloading element and the input element when the opening force device is preloaded. The opening force device may contact a drive preloading feature of the preloading element. Alternatively, or in addition, the opening force device may contact an input driven feature of the input element.

The arrangement may comprise an electromagnetic generator drivingly connected to the input element for generating electric energy. The arrangement of this variant is an energy harvesting arrangement that may not need to be electrically powered from a mains supply.

The opening motor may be electrically powered by the generator. This makes the arrangement energy efficient. The generator may additionally be used to electrically powering various accessory functions.

The arrangement may comprise an electric energy storage arranged to store electric energy generated by the generator. In this case, the opening motor may be electrically powered by the generator via the electric energy storage. For example, in case a state of charge of the electric energy storage is sufficient, such as at least 8o %, electric energy in the electric energy storage may be used to drive the opening motor to preload the opening force device when the input element is in the closed input position. By using electric energy from the electric energy storage to drive the opening motor, a risk that the electric energy storage cannot store further electric energy generated during a later closing input movement, is reduced or eliminated. The arrangement of this variant is therefore energy efficient. The electric energy storage may for example comprise a battery or a capacitor.

The arrangement may comprise a generator transmission providing the driving connection between the input element and the generator. The generator transmission may comprise a plurality of gear wheels. Alternatively, or in addition, the generator transmission may be a speed increasing transmission such that the generator transmission is configured to transmit an input rotational speed of the input element to a generator rotational speed of the generator that is higher than, such as at least 100 times higher than, the input rotational speed. In the case of a generator transmission, the input element is indirectly connected to the generator. The input element may alternatively be directly connected to the generator.

The arrangement may further comprise an electronic control system electrically powered by the generator and arranged to control the opening motor. The control system may comprise at least one data processing device and at least one memory having at least one computer program stored thereon, the at least one computer program comprising program code which, when executed by the at least one data processing device, causes the at least one data processing device to command control of the opening motor. The at least one computer program may further comprise program code which, when executed by the at least one data processing device, causes the at least one data processing device to perform, or command performance of, any step described herein.

The arrangement may comprise a position sensor configured to provide a position signal associated with a position of the input element, such as any position between the closed input position and the open input position. In this case, the control system may be configured to control the opening motor based on the position signal. When the arrangement is installed to control movements of the access member, also a position of the access member can be determined based on the position signal. The control system may be configured to control the opening motor, e.g., with electric energy from the electric energy storage, to preload the opening force device upon determining based on the position signal that the input element is in the closed input position, and optionally only when a state of charge of the electric energy storage exceeds a threshold level, such as at least 8o %.

Alternatively, or in addition, the control system may be configured to control the opening motor to preload the opening force device upon receiving a user input from a human user. The user input may be provided to the control system in numerous ways as known to the skilled person, for example wirelessly from a cell phone application.

The arrangement may be a door closer. In this case, the access member may be a door leaf.

According to a second aspect, there is provided an access member system comprising the arrangement according to the first aspect, the access member and the frame.

The access member may be rotatable relative to the frame. Alternatively, the access member may be linearly movable relative to the frame. The access member may be a door leaf or a window sash. The arrangement, the access member and the frame may be of any type as described herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1: schematically represents a perspective view of an access member system comprising a door leaf and a door closer;

Fig. 2: schematically represents a top view of the access member system when the door leaf is in a closed position;

Fig. 3: schematically represents a top view of the access member system when the door leaf is in an open position;

Fig. 4: schematically represents a partial perspective side view of the door closer;

Fig. 5: schematically represents a further partial perspective view of the door closer;

Fig. 6: schematically represents a perspective view of a preloading element of the door closer;

Fig. 7a: schematically represents a partial cross-sectional bottom view of the door closer; Fig. 7b: schematically represents a further partial cross-sectional bottom view of the door closer in Fig. 7a;

Fig. 8a: schematically represents a partial cross-sectional bottom view of the door closer when a drive shaft of the door closer has been rotated in an opening direction;

Fig. 8b: schematically represents a further partial cross-sectional bottom view of the door closer in Fig. 8a;

Fig. 9a: schematically represents a partial cross-sectional bottom view of the door closer when the drive shaft has been rotated further in the opening direction;

Fig. 9b: schematically represents a further partial cross-sectional bottom view of the door closer in Fig. 9a;

Fig. 10a: schematically represents a partial cross-sectional bottom view of the door closer when the drive shaft has been rotated in a closing direction;

Fig. 10b: schematically represents a further partial cross-sectional bottom view of the door closer in Fig. 10a;

Fig. 11a: schematically represents a partial cross-sectional bottom view of the door closer when an input element of the door closer has been rotated in the opening input direction;

Fig. 11b: schematically represents a further partial cross-sectional bottom view of the door closer in Fig. 11a;

Fig. 12a: schematically represents a partial cross-sectional bottom view of the door closer when the input element has been rotated further in the opening input direction; and

Fig. 12b: schematically represents a further partial cross-sectional bottom view of the door closer in Fig. 12a.

Detailed Description

In the following, an arrangement for controlling movements of an access member relative to a frame, and an access member system comprising an arrangement, an access member and a frame, will be described. The same or similar reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

Fig. 1 schematically represents a perspective view of an access member system io. The access member system io comprises a door closer 12, a frame 14 and a door leaf 16. The door closer 12 and the door leaf 16 are examples of an arrangement and an access member, respectively, according to the present disclosure. The access member system 10 of this specific example comprises two hinges 18 enabling the door leaf 16 to rotate relative to the frame 14 about a vertical hinge axis (not shown). In Fig. 1, the door leaf 16 is in a closed position 20.

Fig. 2 schematically represents a top view of the access member system 10. Also in Fig. 2, the door leaf 16 is in the closed position 20. As shown in Fig. 2, the door closer 12 of this specific and non-limiting example comprises a primary element, here exemplified as a housing 22, and a secondary element, here exemplified as a tube 24. In this example, the tube 24 is fixed to the frame 14 and the housing 22 is fixed to the door leaf 16. The tube 24 is horizontally oriented in Fig. 2. As one alternative to the tube 24, the door closer 12 may comprise a rail that is not necessarily tubular.

The door closer 12 of this example further comprises an input element 26. In Fig. 2, the input element 26 is in a closed input position 28. The input element 26 is rotatable about an input axis 30. The input axis 30 is here vertical and fixed to the housing 22.

The door closer 12 of this example further comprises an arm 32. The arm 32 is one example of a connection device according to the present disclosure. The arm 32 is here straight and rigid. In Fig. 2, one end of the arm 32 is fixed to the input element 26, e.g., by a spline connection. The arm 32 is thereby drivingly connected to the input element 26. An opposite end (not denoted) of the arm 32, here a sliding element thereon, is slidably arranged within the tube 24. The arm 32 is thus connected between the door leaf 16 and the frame 14- Fig. 3 schematically represents a top view of the access member system io when the door leaf 16 is in an open position 34. The door leaf 16 can move from the closed position 20 to the open position 34 in an opening movement 36. Conversely, the door leaf 16 can move from the open position 34 to the closed position 20 in a closing movement 38.

In Fig. 3, the open position 34 is exemplified as the door leaf 16 being rotated 90 degrees from the closed position 20. An open position 34 is however not limited to this specific level of opening of the door leaf 16. Instead, an open position 34 of the door leaf 16 may be any position of the door leaf 16 relative to the frame 14 except the closed position 20.

When a human user pushes or pulls the door leaf 16 to open, the door leaf 16 performs the opening movement 36 from the closed position 20 to the open position 34. The opening movement 36 of the door leaf 16 causes the input element 26, and here also the arm 32, to perform an opening input movement 40 from the closed input position 28 to an open input position 42. During the opening input movement 40 of the input element 26, the arm 32 rotates about the input axis 30 (counterclockwise in Fig. 3) and travels linearly inside the tube 24 (to the left in Fig. 3).

When the user releases the door leaf 16 in the open position 34, the door closer 12 forces input element 26, and here also the arm 32, to perform a closing input movement 44 from the open input position 42 to the closed input position 28. During the closing input movement 44 of the input element 26, the arm 32 rotates (clockwise in Fig. 3) and travels linearly inside the tube 24 (to the right in Fig. 3). As a consequence, the door leaf 16 is forced by the door closer 12 to perform the closing movement 38 from the open position 34 to the closed position 20.

The open input position 42 of the input element 26 corresponds to the open position 34 of the door leaf 16. Conversely, the closed input position 28 of the input element 26 corresponds to the closed position 20 of the door leaf 16. In this example, an angular distance of the opening movement 36 by the door leaf 16 about the hinge axis is proportional to an angular distance of the opening input movement 40 by the input element 26 about the input axis 30. Conversely, an angular distance of the closing movement 38 by the door leaf 16 about the hinge axis is proportional to an angular distance of the closing input movement 44 by the input element 26 about the input axis 30 in this example.

Fig. 4 schematically represents a partial perspective view of the door closer 12. In Fig. 4, the housing 22 is removed. Moreover, the sliding element 46 of the arm 32 can be seen.

The input element 26 of this specific and non-limiting example comprises a cam profile 48 and a gear wheel 50. As shown, the door closer 12 of this example further comprises a closing spring 52, here a compression coil spring. The closing spring 52 is arranged to force the input element 26 to rotate about the input axis 30 from the open input position 42 to the closed input position 28 in the closing input movement 44, and hence to cause the closing movement 38 of the door leaf 16. The closing spring 52 is one example of a mechanical closing force device according to the present disclosure.

The door closer 12 of this example further comprises an electromagnetic generator 54. The generator 54 is drivingly connected to the input element 26. The generator 54 can thereby generate electric energy by the closing input movement 44 and optionally by the opening input movement 40.

The door closer 12 of this example further comprises a generator transmission 56. The generator transmission 56 is configured to transmit a rotation of the input element 26 about the input axis 30 to a rotation of the generator 54. The generator transmission 56 may also be configured to transmit a rotation of the generator 54 to a rotation of the input element 26 about the input axis 30 if the generator 54 is controlled to operate as an electric motor. The generator transmission 56 of this example is a speed increasing transmission such that a rotational speed of the generator 54 is higher than a rotational speed of the input element 26, e.g., 200 times higher. The generator transmission 56 of this example comprises a plurality of gear wheels, including the gear wheel 50 of the input element 26.

The door closer 12 of this example further comprises a closing force device transmission 58. The closing force device transmission 58 is arranged to transmit movements of the input element 26 to movements of the closing spring 52. More specifically, the closing force device transmission 58 is arranged to transmit the opening input movement 40 of the input element 26 (a clockwise rotation about the input axis 30 in Fig. 4) to a compression of the closing spring 52 to store potential energy in the closing spring 52, and is arranged to transmit an expansion of the closing spring 52 to the closing input movement 44 of the input element 26 (a counterclockwise rotation about the input axis 30 in Fig. 4) when releasing potential energy from the closing spring 52.

The closing force device transmission 58 of this example comprises the cam profile 48 and a cam follower 60. The cam follower 60 is arranged to engage and follow the cam profile 48. In this example, the cam follower 60 is connected to an end piece 62 at an end of the closing spring 52. The cam follower 60 is here rotatable relative to the end piece 62. The closing spring 52 and the closing force device transmission 58 provide a large latching force at the end of the closing movement 38 to ensure latching of the door leaf 16 into the closed position 20.

The door closer 12 further comprises an opening spring 64, here a compression coil spring. The opening spring 64 forms part of one example of a mechanical opening force device according to the present disclosure. The opening spring 64 is arranged to assist the input element 26 to perform the opening input movement 40.

The door closer 12 further comprises an opening motor 66, here an electric motor. The opening motor 66 is arranged to preload the opening spring 64 when the input element 26 is in the closed input position 28. The door closer 12 of this example further comprises an opening transmission 68 and a drive feature 70. The opening motor 66 is arranged to rotate the drive feature 70 about the input axis 30, here via the opening transmission 68. The opening transmission 68 is here a speed decreasing transmission, i.e., such that a rotational speed of the opening motor 66 is higher than a rotational speed of the drive feature 70.

The door closer 12 of this example further comprises a preloading element 72. The preloading element 72 is here rotatable about the input axis 30. The preloading element 72 of this example comprises a driven preloading feature 74. The driven preloading feature 74 is configured to be contacted and engaged by the drive feature 70.

The door closer 12 of this example further comprises a ratchet 76. The ratchet 76 is configured to engage the preloading element 72.

The door closer 12 of this example further comprises an electronic control system 78. The control system 78 is configured to control the opening motor 66, and here also the generator 54, such as controlling harvesting of electric energy by the generator 54.

The door closer 12 of this example further comprises an electric energy storage 80. The electric energy storage 80 is configured to store electric energy harvested by the generator 54. In this example, the opening motor 66 and the control system 78 are electrically powered by the generator 54, either directly or indirectly via the electric energy storage 80.

The door closer 12 of this example further comprises a position sensor 82. The position sensor 82 is configured to determine a position of the input element 26 about the input axis 30 relative to the housing 22. To this end, the position sensor 82 of this example detects a position of the gear wheel 50, here forming part of the input element 26. The position sensor 82 is further configured to send a position signal 84 indicative of this position to the control system 78. This position of the input element 26 about the input axis 30 corresponds to the rotational position of the door leaf 16 about the hinge axis. Although the position sensor 82 of this example is configured to directly determine a position of the input element 26 about the input axis 30, the position sensor 82 maybe positioned elsewhere, e.g., for measuring a position of the generator 54, to indirectly determine the position of the input element 26 about the input axis 30.

All components of the door closer 12 shown in Fig. 4, except the arm 32, may be arranged inside the housing 22.

A human user may push or pull the door leaf 16 such that the door leaf 16 undergoes the opening movement 36 from the closed position 20 to the open position 34 against deformation of the closing spring 52. During the opening movement 36, electric energy may or may not be harvested by the generator 54. When the human user releases the door leaf 16 in the open position 34, the closing spring 52 forces the door leaf 16 to undergo the closing movement 38. During the closing movement 38, electric energy is harvested by the generator 54 and stored in the electric energy storage 80.

Fig. 5 schematically represents a further partial perspective view of the door closer 12. As shown, the input element 26 of this example comprises two input driven features 86, here exemplified as circular sector-shaped blocks. The cam profile 48 is here positioned between the input driven features 86 and the gear wheel 50 along the input axis 30.

Fig. 6 schematically represents a perspective view of the preloading element 72. The preloading element 72 of this example comprises two drive preloading features 88, here exemplified as circular sector-shaped blocks. The preloading element 72 further comprises a plurality of teeth 90, here external with respect to the input axis 30.

Fig. 7a schematically represents a partial cross-sectional bottom view of the door closer 12. In Fig. 7a, the input element 26 is in the closed input position 28. Accordingly, the door leaf 16 is in the closed position 20. The door closer 12 of this example further comprises a drive shaft 92. The drive shaft 92 of this example is concentric with, and rotatable about, the input axis 30. The drive shaft 92 is rotationally drivable by the opening motor 66, here via the opening transmission 68. The drive feature 70 is fixed to the drive shaft 92. In Fig. 7a, the drive shaft 92 is in a starting position.

The door closer 12 of this example further comprises a ratchet control element 94, here exemplified as a ratchet spring in the form of a flexible rod. The ratchet control element 94 contacts and engages each of the drive shaft 92 and the ratchet 76. The ratchet 76 and the ratchet control element 94 form one example of a locking mechanism according to the present disclosure.

In Fig. 7a, the ratchet 76 is in a disengaged state 96. The ratchet 76 is movable between the disengaged state 96 and an engaged state 98 (see for example Fig. 8a). The ratchet 76 is here rotatable about a locking pivot 100 between the disengaged state 96 and the engaged state 98. In the disengaged state 96 shown in Fig. 7a, the ratchet 76 is disengaged from the teeth 90.

As shown in Fig. 7a, the door closer 12 of this example comprises two pairs of a drive feature 70 and a driven preloading feature 74. Since the cooperation of the drive feature 70 and the driven preloading feature 74 is the same for each pair, only one pair will be described. The door closer 12 may comprise only one or a plurality of such pairs. Moreover, any description given for one drive feature 70 or one driven preloading feature 74 equally applies to any drive feature 70 or any driven preloading feature 74, respectively.

Fig. 7b schematically represents a further partial cross-sectional bottom view of the door closer 12 in Fig. 7a. As shown in Fig. 7b, the input driven features 86 are received between the drive preloading features 88. The door closer 12 of this example comprises two sets of a drive preloading feature 88, an opening spring 64 and an input driven feature 86. Since the cooperation of the drive preloading feature 88, the opening spring 64 and the input driven feature 86 are the same for each set, only one set will be described. The door closer 12 may comprise only one or a plurality of such sets. Moreover, any description given for one drive preloading feature 88, one opening spring 64 or one input driven feature 86 equally applies to any drive preloading feature 88, any opening spring 64 or any input driven feature 86, respectively.

The opening spring 64 is arranged between, and contacts, the drive preloading feature 88 and the input driven feature 86. In Fig. 7b, the opening spring 64 is in a relatively relaxed state, here exemplified as an undeformed state.

Fig. 8a schematically represents a partial cross-sectional bottom view of the door closer 12, and Fig. 8b schematically represents a further partial cross- sectional bottom view of the door closer 12 in Fig. 8a. With collective reference to Figs. 8a and 8b, the control system 78 has commanded the opening motor 66 to rotate the drive shaft 92 about the input axis 30 from the starting position in an opening direction, as shown with arrow 102, until the drive feature 70 is brought into contact with the driven preloading feature 74. Before the drive feature 70 contacts the driven preloading feature 74, rotation of the drive shaft 92 does not cause the preloading element 72 to rotate. The opening spring 64 is therefore maintained in the relatively relaxed state.

When the drive shaft 92 is rotated, the ratchet control element 94 becomes tensioned and thereby forces the ratchet 76 to move from the disengaged state 96 to the engaged state 98 engaging the teeth 90. The ratchet 76 now locks the preloading element 72.

The control system 78 may be configured to command rotation of the drive shaft 92 in a manner described herein only when the input element 26 is in the closed input position 28, e.g., as determined based on the position signal 84. Alternatively, or in addition, the control system 78 may be configured to command rotation of the drive shaft 92 in the manner described herein only if a state of charge of the electric energy storage 80 is above a threshold level, such as 80 %. Alternatively, or in addition, the control system 78 may be configured to command rotation of the drive shaft 92 in the manner described herein in response to a user input.

Fig. 9a schematically represents a partial cross-sectional bottom view of the door closer 12, and Fig. 9b schematically represents a further partial cross- sectional bottom view of the door closer 12 in Fig. 9a. With collective reference to Figs. 9a and 9b, the control system 78 has commanded the opening motor 66 to rotate the drive shaft 92 further in the opening direction. Since the drive feature 70 is in contact with the driven preloading feature 74, rotation of the drive shaft 92 now causes the preloading element 72 to rotate about the input axis 30 in the opening direction, as shown with arrow 104. This rotation of the preloading element 72 causes preloading of the opening spring 64, here a compression of the opening spring 64 between the drive preloading feature 88 and the input driven feature 86. The opening spring 64 can thus be preloaded while the input element 26 is stationary in the closed input position 28. The preloading of the opening spring 64 may be a deformation from the relatively relaxed state to a preloaded state, such as a deformation from an undeformed state to a deformed state, or a deformation from a relatively low degree of deformation to a relatively high degree of deformation.

Fig. 10a schematically represents a partial cross-sectional bottom view of the door closer 12, and Fig. 10b schematically represents a further partial cross- sectional bottom view of the door closer 12 in Fig. 10a. With collective reference to Figs. 10a and 10b, the control system 78 has commanded the opening motor 66 to rotate the drive shaft 92 about the input axis 30 in a closing direction, opposite to the opening direction, as shown with arrow 106. The drive shaft 92 now again adopts the starting position shown in Fig. 7a.

The rotation of the drive shaft 92 in the closing direction causes the ratchet control element 94 to be relaxed. However, the ratchet control element 94 is intentionally made weak such that the ratchet control element 94 does not cause the ratchet 76 to disengage from the teeth 90 as long as the opening spring 64 is preloaded. When the opening spring 64 is preloaded, one of the teeth 90 is forced against the ratchet 76 and holds the ratchet 76 in the engaged state 98. The opening spring 64 can thus be held preloaded by the ratchet 76 when the drive shaft 92 has returned to the starting position and the opening motor 66 is deactivated.

Fig. 11a schematically represents a partial cross-sectional bottom view of the door closer 12, and Fig. 11b schematically represents a further partial cross- sectional bottom view of the door closer 12 in Fig. 11a. With collective reference to Figs. 11a and 11b, a human user has now initially opened the door leaf 16 from the closed position 20. As a consequence, the input element 26 has performed an initial rotation in the opening input movement 40. During this initial rotation of the input element 26, the closing spring 52 is deformed. However, the preloaded opening spring 64 assists rotation of the input element 26 against the force of the closing spring 52, and consequently opening of the door leaf 16. The opening spring 64 thereby counteracts the force from the closing spring 52 in an energy efficient manner. Due to the opening spring 64, this opening assistance is provided regardless of the speed of the opening movement 36.

The opening spring 64 will assist the input element 26 until the opening spring 64 again adopts the relatively relaxed state, e.g., during at least the 10 degrees initial degrees of the opening movement 36. When the opening spring 64 adopts the relatively relaxed state, the ratchet 76 is no longer forced by one of the teeth 90. This enables the ratchet control element 94 to force the ratchet 76 from the engaged state 98 to the disengaged state 96, as shown in Fig. 11a, such that the ratchet 76 can be maintained in the engaged state 98 during a subsequent closing movement 38.

Fig. 12a schematically represents a partial cross-sectional bottom view of the door closer 12, and Fig. 12b schematically represents a further partial cross- sectional bottom view of the door closer 12 in Fig. 12a. With collective reference to Figs. 12a and 12b, the input element 26 has been rotated further in the opening input movement 40. Since the opening spring 64 is relatively relaxed, the opening spring 64 no longer assists movement of the input element 26 in the opening input movement 40. However, the force from the closing spring 52 counteracting movements of the input element 26 in the opening input movement 40 is now smaller than in the state in Figs. 11a and 11b. The preloading element 72 now rotates together with the input element 26, as shown with arrow 108.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to what has been described above. For example, it will be appreciated that the dimensions of the parts may be varied as needed. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention may be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. An arrangement (12) for controlling movements of an access member (16) relative to a frame (14), the arrangement (12) comprising:

- an input element (26);

- a mechanical closing force device (52) arranged to force the input element (26) to perform a closing input movement (44) to a closed input position (28) for causing a closing movement (38) of the access member (16) to a closed position (20);

- a mechanical opening force device (64) arranged to assist the input element (26) to perform an opening input movement (40), opposite to the closing input movement (44); and

- an opening motor (66) arranged to preload the opening force device (64) while the input element (26) is in the closed input position (28).

2. The arrangement (12) according to claim 1, wherein the opening force device (64) comprises an opening spring.

3. The arrangement (12) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the arrangement (12) comprises a preloading element (72) arranged to be driven by the opening motor (66) to preload the opening force device (64) while the input element (26) is in the closed input position (28).

4. The arrangement (12) according to claim 3, wherein the arrangement (12) comprises a locking mechanism (76, 94) arranged to lock the preloading element (72) after having being driven by the opening motor (66) to preload the opening force device (64).

5. The arrangement (12) according to claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism (76, 94) comprises a ratchet (76).

6. The arrangement (12) according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the opening force device (64) contacts and engages each of the preloading element (72) and the input element (26) when the opening force device (64) is preloaded.

7- The arrangement (12) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the arrangement (12) comprises an electromagnetic generator (54) drivingly connected to the input element (26) for generating electric energy.

8. The arrangement (12) according to claim 7, wherein the opening motor (66) is electrically powered by the generator (54).

9. The arrangement (12) according to claim 8, wherein the arrangement (12) comprises an electric energy storage (80) arranged to store electric energy generated by the generator (54).

10. The arrangement (12) according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the arrangement (12) comprises a generator transmission (56) providing the driving connection between the input element (26) and the generator (54).

11. The arrangement (12) according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the arrangement (12) further comprises an electronic control system (78) electrically powered by the generator (54) and arranged to control the opening motor (66).

12. The arrangement (12) according to claim 11, wherein the arrangement (12) comprises a position sensor (82) configured to provide a position signal (84) associated with a position of the input element (26), and wherein the control system (78) is configured to control the opening motor (66) based on the position signal (84).

13. The arrangement (12) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the arrangement (12) is a door closer, and wherein the access member (16) is a door leaf.

14. An access member system (10) comprising the arrangement (12) according to any of the preceding claims, the access member (16) and the frame (14). 15- The access member system (10) according to claim 14, wherein the access member (16) is rotatable relative to the frame (14).