Door drive

A door operator for operating a swing leaf in a door assembly. The door operator is configured to be mounted to a reception body such as a door transom, a wall or the like, and has a connector module for connecting with at least one connecting line. The connector module from a direction of the reception body and from at least one lateral direction, has at least one opening, through which the connecting line can be optionally guided to the connector module.

PRIORITY CLAIM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a door operator for operating a swing leaf of a door assembly, wherein the door operator is configured to be mounted at a reception body such as a door transom, a wall, or the like, and has a connector module for connecting at least one connecting line.

2. Prior Art

Door operators are known, which are electro-mechanic or electro-hydraulic door operators and require a power supply via at least one external connecting line. Furthermore, external connecting lines may include various signal lines to connect the door operator to a central control, which is provided outside the door operator, for example in a building. Further connecting lines may include the junction link to sensors which are likewise provided outside the door operator at the door assembly. With the intention to reduce the multiplicity of variants of current door operators and to have standardized door operators qualify for more flexible mounting, solutions are necessary to provide door operators which, despite a uniform configuration, allow for most diverse mounting situations.

In particular door operators are in demand, which, in the shipping condition, are structured that a mechanic only needs to perform simple modifications during the installation on-site, to adapt the standardized door operator to the most diverse mounting situations and application possibilities. In this case, particular requirements relate to the configuration of the connector module which represents the interface of the door operator to external devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a door operator which is configured for flexible mounting in various mounting situations.

According to one embodiment of the invention the connector module, from the direction of the reception body and from at least one lateral direction, has at least one opening, through which the connecting lines can be optionally guided to the connector module.

According to one embodiment of the invention the connector module further increases the flexibility with regard to mounting the door operator in various mounting situations. In particular in the case of a wall mounting or when mounting the door operator at the door transom, an electrical connecting line may be already pre-installed such that the connecting line is led out of the wall or out of the door transom at a suitable location. If the connector module has an opening pointing into the direction of the reception body, the connecting line may be guided through this opening in order to constitute the supply connection or signal connection on the inside of the connector module.

However, if a connecting line is run in the direction towards the door operator on the outside on the reception body, the opening in the connector module pointing to the lateral direction is utilized. In particular at first the door operator can be mounted and subsequently the connecting line can be affixed. In this case, the opening in the lateral direction can be utilized. In particular the power supply can be guided through the opening from the direction of the reception body, whereas the connecting lines for the signal supply can be guided through the opening in the lateral direction. This creates a very flexible and variable mounting for a standardized door operator, wherein it is very often possible to decide only on-site during installation which connection type will be utilized to connect the door operator.

Preferably, at least one terminal connector component is accommodated in the connector module to establish an electrical connection for the connecting line. The terminal connector component serves to connect the power supply, wherein the door operator may comprise a mounting plate such that the terminal connector component is mechanically accommodated on the mounting plate. The terminal connector component may have latching projections for its reception on the mounting plate, which latch into insert recesses, which are provided in the mounting plate. For further simplifying the connection between the connecting line and the terminal connector component, the terminal connector component may have unlocking push buttons which can be manually operated. When operating the unlocking push buttons, the connecting line can be inserted into associated connecting terminals. The unlocking push buttons of the terminal connector component may be configured as spring-loaded such that, once the operation of the unlocking push buttons is terminated; the connecting line is firmly received in the terminal connector component.

Preferably, the unlocking push buttons are configured in a way that the connecting lines can be simply inserted into the terminal connector component without having to be operated separately and are retained in the terminal connector component at least in the pull-out direction, which simplifies the connecting procedure.

Furthermore, at least one distributor circuit board, which allows for a variable voltage supply distribution to at least one power supply unit provided in the door operator, may be accommodated in the connector module.

A connecting bridge line may be provided between the connector module and the distributor circuit board. This allows for establishing an electrical connection between the terminal connector component and the distributor circuit board.

The distributor circuit board may comprise a number of connecting sockets into which the associated connecting plugs are insertable. The connecting sockets of the distributor circuit board may comprise a first connecting socket for connecting to the terminal connector component, wherein another connecting socket for connecting to the power supply unit may be provided within the door operator. Furthermore, a third connecting socket for connecting another door operator provided on the distributor circuit board such that, in case of a double-leaf door, only one connecting line can supply two door operators. Furthermore, an ON-OFF switch may be provided on the distributor circuit board in order to manually switch the door operator on and off. For this purpose, the distributor circuit board can be accommodated in the connector module in such a way that at least the ON-OFF switch extends in the direction towards an outside of the connector module.

According to one embodiment of the door operator, the connector module may be positioned on the mounting plate via pilot pins and preferably be self-retainingly accommodated. In this case, the self-retaining reception concerns the reception of the door operator on the mounting plate in an intermediate mounting step. The mechanic may affix the modules of the door operator, comprising the connector module, in a precise position on the mounting plate via the pilot pins. In the following, it is not required to manually hold the door operator on the mounting plate such that the mechanic can effect the final screw connection between the door operator and the mounting plate in a simplified manner. The door operator may consist in particular of individual modules, wherein the connector module is one of the modules forming the door operator.

It is furthermore preferred the connector module be configured such as to protrude beyond the mounting plate in lateral direction. This results in the advantage of creating a free access for the connecting line from the direction of the reception body, i.e. from the direction of the mounting plate, to the terminal connector component. The mounting plate may be configured as a flat oblong sheet metal component, wherein the direction of extension of the sheet metal component corresponds to the longitudinal extension of the door operator. If the mounting plate is correspondingly shorter, it will terminate within the connector module and the terminal connector component can be mounted onto the mounting plate at the end side. For example, if the connecting line penetrates the reception body in the area between the end of the mounting plate and the end of the body of the connector module, establishing the connection between the connecting line and the terminal connector component is particularly simple. The connector module has in particular an inner compartment which offers sufficient storage space for excess cable length.

To create a mechanical reception for the connecting line in the door operator, at least one cable relief may be provided at the connector module. The cable relief may be formed in particular by a clamping element which is inserted into a clamping element reception at the connector module. The clamping element reception forms a type of insert by two lateral rails, into which the clamping element can be inserted. If the connecting line is guided through the clamping element, the latter may be finally screwed to the connector module, whereby the connecting line is simultaneously clamped. A cable relief is thereby created, wherein, when a mechanical tensile load on the connecting line occurs, the clamping element absorbs the force and the electrical connection between the connecting line and the terminal connector component is not under load. The cable relief is mounted at the underside in a vertical direction at the connector module and serves as a cable relief for a connecting line which is guided to the connector module via the lateral direction.

Furthermore, a cable relief element may be provided disposed at the terminal connector component. The cable relief element may have a U-shaped section for being positively inserted into the terminal connector component, which is adjoined by a T- or H-shaped section serving as a clamping lacing to the connecting bridge line and/or the connecting line. The connecting bridge line and/or the connecting line may be tied to the T- or H-shaped section of the cable relief element via a cable tie.

In its geometric configuration, the inventive connector module forms a shell or a basket, which is configured to form cavities and to have thin walls and is manufactured for example in a plastic material injection moulding process, from thermosetting plastic, in a deep-drawing process or in a metal die-casting process, The plastic material configuration has the advantage that the connector module is electrically insulated. In particular a frame to be inserted or to be clipped on the distributor circuit board may be provided at the connector module in a holding manner. In a conceptual form, the shell-like or basket-like shape of the connector module is a cube, which represents an end-side section of the cuboid door operator.

The door operator comprises a signal connecting circuit board, which serves in particular to connect the connecting lines which are required between the door operator and external sensors or an external control for example. The signal connecting circuit board may be clipped at the top side on the connector module by associated latching elements to be received and retained thereon. Advantageously the signal connecting circuit board is configured in a U-shape or horseshoe-shape. The central section, formed by the U-shape or the horseshoe-shape, corresponds to a top side opening within the basket-shaped connector module. If the signal lines are run through the opening from the direction of the reception body or through the opening from the lateral direction into the inner compartment of the connector module, the corresponding connecting lines can be connected to associated connecting terminals fitted on the signal connecting circuit board. As a consequence, the connecting lines can be led to the connecting terminals in a simple manner through the top side opening. The connecting terminals may comprise screw terminals, which are easily accessible for a mechanic, because they point to the top, i.e. from the mounting plate in the direction towards the connector module and consequently, if the connector module is already installed, they are easy to manipulate.

It is furthermore intended the connector module has a support area for supporting the signal connecting circuit board, wherein a partial area of the support area is configured at a support part which is foldably disposed at the connector module. Prior to clipping the signal connecting circuit board on the connector module, the support part may be folded-open, in order to establish the connections to the terminal connector component for example, which are provided on the lower side. Furthermore, the distributor circuit board may be slid in the inserting frame or clipping frame below the support part. If subsequently the support part is folded and latched, such that the partial surface forms one plane with the remaining support surface of the signal connecting circuit board, the inserting frame or clipping frame is closed in such a way that the distributor circuit board is firmly inserted in the connector module.

To further extend the signal links, which are led into the door operator via the connecting terminals on the signal connecting circuit board by the external connecting lines, a flat cable may be provided that leads the signal links towards a control unit within the door operator. In this case, the flat cable can be run above the individual modules forming the door operator. According to an advantageous further development of the connector module, at least one cable guide is located on the top side, in order to establish a predetermined path for the flat cable within the door operator.

In addition to the connector module, the door operator may have a drive module or a main module, which comprises a drive unit. The unit can be mechanically and self-retainingly connected to the connector module via at least one slip-on projection, wherein at least one slip-on recess, which is complementary to the slip-on projection, is provided at the connector module, into which the slip-on projection can be inserted. Furthermore, the connector module may be self-retainingly connected to the drive unit by a latching device which comprises at least one latching projection. As a consequence, at least the connector module can form a mechanical unit with the main module or the drive module, the mechanic is then able to handle this unit individually and to place it onto the mounting plate.

It may be furthermore provided that the drive unit has a shaft passage for a door operator output shaft to pass therethrough. The door operator output shaft may exit the drive unit at a first side and/or a second side of the door operator. The connector module may protrude from the drive unit over the area of the shaft passage, wherein a pocket-shaped recess may be provided in the connector module through which the door operator output shaft passes through the walling of the connector module.

Preferably, a first closure element is provided which can be inserted into the recess such as to form a shaft passage for the door operator output shaft in the connector module. If the door operator output shaft is led out of the door operator at the opposite side, a second closure element may be provided which is insertable into the recess in the connector module and completely closes the latter. As a consequence, the second closure element forms a type of blind plug, whereas the first closure element, together with the pocket-like recess, forms a circular passage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1is an embodiment of the inventive connector module1from an underside direction. It is from this underside direction that the connector module1is connectable to the mounting plate8via pilot pins9. A terminal connector component5for establishing an electrical connection of the connecting line2is received within the connector module1. According to the invention, the connecting line2may be guided to the connector module1either from the direction of a reception body, illustrated by an arrow3, or from a lateral direction4. By way of example the connecting line2is illustrated as power supply unit, wherein the connecting line2may likewise comprise signal lines to sensors or to a central control. The illustration shows the connecting line2arriving from the direction3of the reception body. The lateral direction4, illustrated as a dashed line, represents in this case an alternative guiding direction of the connecting line2.

The illustrated terminal connector component5has latching projections34via which the terminal connector component5is connected to the mounting plate8and is thereby disposed to be at least locked against rotation, in that the latching projections34latch in latching recesses35, which are provided in the mounting plate8. The mounting plate8has furthermore an electrical interconnect point36which serves for electrically contacting a grounding contact within the connecting line2.

In addition or as an alternative, preferably in the shipping condition, the terminal connector component5is attached at the mounting plate8in a releasable manner, for example by screwing or is permanently attached, for example by riveting.

FIG. 2is a perspective view of the connector module1from an underside direction, wherein both the direction3towards the reception body and the lateral direction4are indicated. According to this illustration, the connecting line—non-illustrated to simplify—can be guided to the connector module1via the lateral direction4. A cable relief10is provided for this purpose, which may serve for the mechanical cable relief of the connecting line and is located at the body of the connector module1. The cable relief10comprises a clamping element11, which is attached at the connector module1by a screw47, shown by way of example. The connecting line may extend through the clamping element11, such that a mechanical tensile load in the connecting line is absorbed by the clamping element11and not transferred to the terminal connector component5. A connecting bridge line7is provided between the terminal connector component5and a distributor circuit board6present in the connector module1, in order to continue the electrical supply, via the external connecting line from the terminal connector component5, to the distributor circuit board6.

FIG. 2ais a detailed view of the cable relief10according toFIG. 2. In this case, the clamping element11and the screw47are not shown, however it can be seen that a clamping element reception12is provided in the body of the connector module1. The clamping element reception12is configured like an insert such that the clamping element11can be inserted between two insert strips and screwed in the middle. The mechanical load, which is transferred from the connecting line to the clamping element11, is redirected to the connector module1.

FIG. 3is an enlarged perspective individual view of the connecting bridge line7disposed between the terminal connector component5and the distributor circuit board6. The terminal connector component5is shown on the mounting plate8in its installed disposition. The connecting bridge line7may be manually released from the terminal connector component5by unlocking push buttons28, respectively inserted and retained in the latter. Advantageously, the terminal connector component5is configured such as to require operating the unlocking push buttons28in order to remove a respective connecting line from the terminal connector component5. When connecting the connecting bridge line7, the respective line just needs to be inserted into the terminal connector component5, the arresting being automatically realized by the terminal connector component5. At the end side, the connecting bridge line7has a connecting plug30which can be plugged into a complementarily configured connecting socket29on the distributor circuit board6. By way of example, the connecting sockets29are threefold on the distributor circuit board6, wherein another connecting socket29serves for connecting the power supply of a power supply unit within the door operator, whereas the third connecting socket29is intended for supplying power to another door operator, which may be a component of a closing sequence controller for example. Furthermore, an ON-OFF switch is located on the distributor circuit board6by which the door operator can be switched on and off.

Although not illustrated inFIG. 3for the sake of clarity, power supply conductors of the connecting line2are understood as being plugged into the connecting terminals37, which are disposed in the terminal connector component5preferably next to the respective conductor of the connecting bridge line7. Thus, as a result of connecting lines2and7to terminal connector component5, an electrical coupling exists between the respective associated conductors, disposed next to each other, of the connecting lines2and7.

FIG. 4shows another perspective view of the terminal connector component5disposed on the mounting plate8and illustrated with pilot pins9mounted thereon. Furthermore, the unlocking push buttons28are again illustrated in the terminal connector component5such that, when manually operating the unlocking push buttons28, the connecting bridge line7and/or the connecting line2can be removed from the terminal connector component5. Furthermore, in order to provide a mechanical cable relief between the connecting bridge line7and the terminal connector component5, a cable relief element13is shown, which is positively inserted into the terminal connector component5. The connecting bridge line7is tied to the cable relief element13via the shown cable tie38, shown by way of example, such as to divert, with the connecting plug30, a mechanical tensile load of the connecting bridge line7into the cable relief element13. Possible embodiments of the cable relief element13are illustrated in more detail inFIG. 5.

FIG. 4is the connection of a neutral conductor, grounding line2aof the connecting line2, to the mounting plate8. Preferably, just the two other conductors2b,2c, configured as phase conductors, of the connecting line2configured by way of example as a 230V cable, are connected to the terminal connector component5.

As shown inFIG. 4, the edges of the cable relief element13can be slanted or rounded.

FIG. 5shows a first and a second embodiment of the cable relief element13,13′. The cable relief element13,13′ has a U-shaped section14, for a positive insert into the terminal connector component5, as well as a T- or H-shaped section is for a clamping connection to the connecting bridge line7and/or the connecting line2, for example by a cable tie38. The cable relief element13is integrally configured and can be manufactured as a stamped component from sheet metal. In order to prevent potential electrical short circuits, for example between the conductors of the connecting bridge line7, the cable relief element13is preferably made from plastic material. The terminal connector component5, like a European-style terminal strip, may have a central web which separates the two poles of the connecting line, or of the connecting bridge line7, from each other. The central web may be surrounded, preferably in a clamping manner, by the U-shaped section14. The T-shaped or H-shaped section15has two indentations, into which the cable tie38is inserted. In order to provide for a better latching of the cable relief element13in the terminal connector component5, latching noses39reaching into the U-shaped section14may be provided such that the clamping action can be foregone, or the holding force resulting therefrom can be increased or supported.

FIG. 6is the connector module1in a perspective view from the top side direction. A signal connecting circuit board16is affixed on the top side on the basket-shaped configured connector module1, wherein the board can be latched on the connector module1via latching element17. The signal connecting circuit board16is preferably U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped and, on its topside, it has several connecting terminals33. An opening32, corresponding to the U-shaped recess within the signal connecting circuit board16, is located on the topside in the connector module1, through which opening the signal lines, for example connecting line2′, can be guided to the connecting terminals33.

The connector module1has furthermore a support part19, which forms a partial area18for the support of the signal connecting circuit board16on the connector module1and is illustrated only by way of example in a folded-down form. When mounting the connector module1and when establishing the electrical connections, in particular of the power supply, the support part19may remain in the opened position to allow for access to the inside of the connector module1. Once the internal connections are established, and once the distributor circuit board is inserted into the connector module1, the support part19will be folded-up such that the partial area18thereof becomes a part of a whole support surface of the signal connecting circuit board16. As a consequence, during following work on the signal connections via the connecting terminals33, the high-voltage carrying components are concealed within the connector module1by the support part19. The connector module1has furthermore a cable guide20, which is configured as a support surface and serves for guiding a flat cable which extends between a flat cable connector40, in the shape of a plug or a socket, and a control unit provided in the door operator, wherein the flat cable is not illustrated in detail in the illustration.

The signal connecting circuit board16is preferably configured with visual indicators48, for example in the shape of LED and/or LCD displays, which display by way of example the operating and/or malfunctioning conditions of the door operator, an upcoming service or the like. With the enclosure in place, the visual indicators48are preferably visible from the outside.

FIG. 7is a perspective view of the top side of the connector module1, wherein it is revealed that the connector module1is basket-shaped or shell-shaped configured and manufactured for example in an injection moulding process or a metal die-casting process. All components are clipped on and to the connector module1or are inserted or latched via mechanical joining connections. The support part19is preferably integrally connected to the connector module1via a film hinge. It is furthermore revealed that the partial area18, with the support part19being folded-up, together with the support surface45, provided laterally at the latching element17, forms the entire support surface for the signal connecting circuit board16, which is not illustrated inFIG. 7. If the support part19is folded-up, in order to latch on the body of the connector module1, the latter has latching recesses41, into which the latching noses42can latch, which are conformed to the support part19.

FIG. 8ais a lateral view of the connector module1with a pocket-shaped recess26. The pocket-shaped recess26is located in a body section of the connector module1, which section may protrude beyond a drive unit21present in the door operator; however not illustrated inFIG. 8a. A door operator output shaft can be led out of the drive unit21, which shaft needs to break through the walling of the connector module1. Very often door operators have drive units from which the door operator output shaft may optionally exit at a first side and/or a second side of the door operator. As a consequence there is the need to provide a closure element27aand/or27b, shown inFIGS. 8cand8d, respectively, which either allows for the shaft passage or represents a blind plug, in order to close the pocket-shaped recess26. Consequently the closure element27ahas a contour, which, when inserted into the pocket-shaped recess26, forms preferably a circular hole within the walling of the connector module1. If the door operator output shaft is not led out of the shown side of the connector module1, the closure element27bis inserted into the pocket-shaped recess26without the shaft passage and is latched therein via latching recesses43.

If the output shaft exits on both sides of the drive unit21, a closure element27ais preferably mounted at the side of the connector module1, at which the door leaf is connected for example via an arm assembly. At the opposite side of the connector module1, preferably a closure element27bis accordingly fitted on, which covers the shaft passage in the connector module1.

By removing the closure element27, the output shaft is accessible, without having to take off an entire covering plate, which is more complicated.

In case of a so-called tandem-solution, in which two door operators are operatively coupled to each other, closure elements27aare mounted to the door operator, at which both the door leaf and the other door operator are directly connected.

FIG. 8bshows another variant of closure elements, in which closure element27ais configured similarly to the closure element27aofFIG. 8c, but closure element27bis replaced with closure element27c. However, if covering the output shaft of door operator1, two covering parts are utilized in this embodiment, on the one hand, the closure element27aand, on the other hand, closure element27c, which is configured in cross-section preferably circular such that, together with the closure element27a, it results in an output shaft covering which is formed similarly to the closure element27binFIG. 8d. In this case, the closure elements27a,27cmay be configured such that, prior to being placed onto the connector module1, they are fitted together to form substantially one complete covering part. As an alternative, the closure elements27cand27aare placed one after the other onto the connector module1. As shown inFIG. 8b, the closure elements27a,27cpreferably form an output shaft covering with a shape similar to the closure element27binFIG. 8d.

To form a respective output shaft covering, the closure elements27a,27bare placed onto the connector module1in the direction49, namely in the direction of the plane of the page inFIG. 8a.

The closure element27bis preferably configured according to the ones described above and placed onto the output shaft of the door operator1itself. In this case, only fastening elements for the closure element27aneed to be provided.

Advantageously, with the closure element27ain place, the closure element27bcan be removed from the connector module1, for example can be pried off. This is advantageous in that the closure element27b, with the door operator1installed and equipped with the enclosure, can be uninstalled at any time, in order to expose or to cover the respective end of the output shaft of the door operator1. Thereby a mechanic does not have to pay attention beforehand which closure element27a,27bhe has to place or to remove at what location, prior to installing the door operator1, which makes the installation more mounting-friendly.

This embodiment has the advantage of being able to utilize more shared components and of being able to choose simpler shapes for specific parts, namely the closure element27b, and thus of requiring less material.

In both embodiments, the first closure element27aexposes the respective end of the output shaft of the door operator1, and thus creates a shaft passage for the output shaft. The second closure element27bin turn covers the output shaft to the outside.

FIGS. 9aand9bfinally show the disposition of the connector module in relation to the drive unit21of the door operator in two perspective views. Slip-on projections22, which can be slipped into slip-on recesses23within the connector module1, are provided at the drive unit21. In this case, the disposition of the slip-on projections22corresponds to the slip-on recesses23, such that the connector module1can be pushed onto the drive unit21, preferably in a clamping manner, from a joining direction illustrated by the arrow44. In order to preferably latch the connector module1onto the drive unit21, latching elements are provided which are configured as latching projections24. The one latching projection24, shown by way of example, latches behind a latching surface46, configured at the drive unit21, thus in the installed condition engages the surface from behind. If the connector module1is latched on the drive unit21, both components1and21form a single item to be manipulated by the mechanic. Furthermore, the shaft passage25for guiding the non-illustrated door operator output shaft to the outside is illustrated in the drive unit21, which shaft can extend through the pocket-shaped recess26, located within the connector module1, and can protrude from the latter and serves to mechanically connect the swing leaf of the door system via an appropriate arm assembly.

The invention in its configuration is not limited to the above presented preferred embodiment. On the contrary, a number of variants are conceivable, which make use of the presented solution, likewise with basically different types of executions. All features and/or advantages including the constructional details, spatial dispositions and process steps, which result from the claims, the description or the drawings, may be essential to the invention, both by themselves and in their most various combinations. In particular the individual components of the connector module1, as well as related structural components are latched onto the connector module1. No connecting elements are required to establish the individual connections. The latching relates in particular to the distributor circuit board6, the signal connecting circuit board16, as well as to the closure elements27aand27b, which can be installed at the connector module1essentially without requiring any additional tools. Furthermore, the latching technique is applied to the connector module1which latches onto any other component of the door operator, for example the drive unit21.

Instead of or in addition to the described latching connections, other retaining mechanisms, such as clamping, screwing or the like are possible.

The described connecting sockets and connecting plugs may be replaced for example by continuous lines or cables.

The above described slip-on recesses23and slip-on projections24may be configured such that the drive unit21has the slip-on recesses23and the connector module the slip-on projections24.