Abstract:
An actuator for opening and closing a closure including a motor, a sprocket rotated by the motor, and a chain driven by the sprocket and having a first end connected to the closure and a second end positioned within a casing. The actuator also includes a support mounted so as to reciprocally movable relative to the sprocket and having a guide through which a portion of the chain is movable so that the movement of the support is due to the chain being driven by the sprocket.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention falls into the field of actuators for automatically maneuvering opening leaves of a house or a building in general, of the door or window type. It also falls into the field of closing assemblies comprising, amongst other things, such actuators. 
     2. Brief Description of the Related Art 
     Some of these actuators comprise a geared electric motor assembly capable of transmitting a movement to an arm, which pushes or pulls on the opening leaf, depending on the direction in which the geared motor unit is rotating. 
     In such an actuator, the arm may consist of a chain driven by a sprocket, itself connected to the output shaft of the geared motor unit by means optionally of an angle transmission. This chain is made up of links which may nest inside one another in such a way as to stiffen the chain so that it can be bent in only one direction. Thus, the rigid chain is able to transfer a mechanical force in order to pull or to push the opening leaf. The chain is generally folded up in a casing, around a guiding support which is fixed in the casing. It slides with respect to this guide when set in motion. 
     To maneuver large or heavy opening leaves, DE U 91 05 454 discloses the use of a device combining two assemblies each comprising a drive member and a maneuvering chain. The two drive members are electronically coupled so that they operate precisely at the same time. The differences in chain lengths or lash in the driveline create difficulties in adjusting and installing such a device. 
     Another approach is to use a mechanical synchronizing mechanism as described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,333,595. This mechanism is intended for the control of several opening leaves simultaneously or of one opening leaf that is heavy or unusually large in size. A double mechanism involving chains and sprockets is then used, the chains being connected at one end to the opening leaf and at the other end to a common drive member which moves longitudinally with respect to the opening leaf. As the drive member moves in a first direction of opening, the chains are driven and folded along guiding supports, from the drive element toward the opening leaf, and push on the latter in order to open it. Conversely, when the drive member is moved in an opposite second direction of closing, the chains are driven and folded along the guiding supports toward the drive member and pull on the opening leaf in order to close it. The mechanical structure of the chains allows the chains to be folded along the guiding supports. 
     On the other hand, EP-A-0 777 028 describes a mechanism the structure of which improves compactness and esthetics. This mechanism is also suited to automatically actuating heavy opening leaves or to countering the effect of the wind on windows that exhibit extensive windage, and to actuating opening leaves positioned side by side. An electric drive device, chains, return sprockets and guides for the chains are contained in a substantially closed casing provided with openings in a common face through which the chains leave. The guides are formed of grooves cut into the mass of the casing and in which the chains slide over their entire length. This is expensive and causes a great deal of slack in the movement of the chains. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to address the various problems mentioned hereinabove in a simple and economical way while at the same time offering a structure that is modular, practical, and provides a large flexibility for fitting and adapting to suit opening leaves of various sizes or weights. 
     To this end, the invention relates to an electromechanical actuator for maneuvering an opening leaf, this actuator comprising a motor, a sprocket driven by the motor and a chain driven by the sprocket and comprising a first end intended to be connected to the opening leaf that is to be actuated. This actuator is characterized in that it also comprises a support for a part of the chain, this support being mounted such that it is free in terms of translational movement along an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the sprocket and equipped with means of interacting with the chain, such that the translational movement of the support along the abovementioned axis is the result of the chain being driven by the sprocket. 
     Thanks to the invention, the position of the support along the axis along which it slides is automatically adapted, such that the support is always optimally positioned for guiding that part of the chain that lies between its second end and the drive sprocket, the length of which part of the chain varies with the movements to open and to close the opening leaf. 
     According to advantageous but non-compulsory aspects of the invention, such an actuator may incorporate one or more of the following features:
         the means of interaction comprise a guide, in which the chain can slide, this guide comprising two guide elements to which the chain selectively applies a force when driven by the sprocket;   the support is guided in a translational movement through cooperation of shapes with a casing of the actuator;   the support is mounted such that it can slide along a rod the longitudinal axis of which is fixed with respect to the casing;   the rod is kinematically linked to an output shaft of the motor so that rotation of this axle causes the rod to rotate, while the support is mounted such that it can slide freely along the rod;   the rod causes a second sprocket to turn in a way that is synchronized with the first sprocket, and a second chain is driven by the second sprocket and supported by a second support also mounted on the rod;   the second end of the chain is mounted fixed with respect to a casing of the actuator. As an alternative, the second end of the chain is free. In this case, the second end of the chain or the support advantageously comprise an immobilizing element allowing the chain to be retained relative to the support in a direction of movement of the chain that corresponds to the opening of the opening leaf.       

     The invention also relates to a closing assembly comprising an opening leaf able to move between an open position and a closed position, this assembly further comprising at least one actuator as mentioned hereinabove. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will become more clearly evident in the light of the description which will follow of nine embodiments of an actuator in accordance with the principle thereof, which is given solely by way of example and with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic longitudinal section of an actuator according to a first embodiment of the invention taken along line  1 - 1  of  FIG. 11 , 
         FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  for an actuator according to a second embodiment of the invention, 
         FIG. 3A  is a front view of a support used in the actuator of  FIG. 2 , 
         FIG. 3B  is a side view of the support in the direction of arrow B in  FIG. 3A , 
         FIG. 3C  is a section on C-C of  FIG. 3A , 
         FIG. 4  is a section similar to  FIG. 1 , but on a smaller scale, of an actuator according to a third embodiment of the invention, 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagrammatic depiction of an actuator according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagrammatic depiction of an actuator according to a fifth embodiment of the invention, 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagrammatic depiction of an actuator according to a sixth embodiment of the invention, 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagrammatic depiction of an actuator according to a seventh embodiment of the invention, 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic diagrammatic depiction of an actuator according to an eighth embodiment of the invention, and 
         FIG. 10  is a view similar to  FIG. 9  for an actuator according to a ninth embodiment of the invention, and 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom plan view of the actuator of  FIG. 1  taken along the direction of the arrow X 1  in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  schematically depicts, in section, an actuator  1  of the “single chain” type for the electromechanical maneuvering of an opening leaf such as a window or other closure F. A casing  10  is provided with a first opening  11  for the passage of an output shaft  81  of an electric motor  8  housed in a second casing  7  attached to the casing  10 . The casing  10  is of elongate shape and its longitudinal axis is denoted X 10 . The longitudinal axis of the shaft  81  about which this shaft rotates when the motor  8  operates is denoted X 8 . The axes X 8  and X 10  are parallel. 
     The shaft  81  allows a sprocket  3  to be rotated about its axis X 3  perpendicular to the plane of the drawing and to the axes X 8  and X 10 . Reduction gearing with an angle transmission, housed in a box  32 , provides the kinematic link between the shaft  81  and the sprocket  3 . 
     A rod  2  is connected to the box  32 . It may be mounted such that it is fixed or able to rotate with respect to the box. The rod  2  has its longitudinal axis X 2  coinciding with the axis X 8 . The axis X 2  may equally be laterally offset with respect to the axis X 8 , while at the same time remaining parallel thereto. 
     The sprocket  3  has teeth, not depicted, that allow it to mesh with the links  40  of a drive chain  4 . This chain  4  is arranged in the casing  1  and at least partially emerges from this casing  10  through a second opening  12  therein. The first end  41  of the chain, positioned on the outside of the casing  10 , is fitted with an end-of-travel element  43  which, on the one hand, allows the chain to be secured to the window F and, on the other hand, prevents the chain  4  from being completely retracted into the casing  10 , because the element  43  is unable to pass through the opening  12 . 
     The second end of the chain is immobilized on the box  32  of the sprocket  3  by a peg  49 , fixed to the box and over which the last link  40  of the chain  4  is engaged. 
     Provided in the actuator casing  10  is a support  5  comprising a guide  6  for the chain  4 , and around which the chain is folded inside the casing. This construction makes it possible to increase the available chain length without increasing the size of the complete actuator because the chain can be folded up on itself. The support  5  is mounted so that it can slide on the rod  2 . It therefore forms a slider free to effect a translational movement along the axis X 2 , that is to say parallel to the axes X 10  and X 81 , and is able to guide the chain at various levels along the casing  10 . The support or slider  5  is constructed in such a way that it accompanies the movement of the chain in both directions of motion. 
     The support  5  comprises a guide  6  in the form of a central peg  61  and of a semi-circular guide  62  between which the chain  4  passes. The chain  4  is curved around the central peg  61 , over approximately 180°, and this peg then forms a bearing about which the chain slides. 
     In the second embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , elements similar to those of the first embodiment bear the same references. In this embodiment, the rod  2  is mounted on the box  32  while being able to rotate about its longitudinal axis X 2  and being meshed with the gears positioned inside this box. It is thus possible for the electric motor  8  located inside the casing  7  to be connected to that end  21  of the rod  2  that is at the opposite end to the box  32 , this being with a view to transmitting the rotational movement of the output shaft  81  of the motor  8  to the sprocket  3 . 
     A sleeve  82  is positioned around the end  21  and around the adjacent end of the shaft  81  in order to secure this shaft to the rod  2  in terms of rotation. 
     As in the previous embodiment, a support  5  is mounted such that it can slide along the rod  2 , that is to say parallel to the axis X 2 , to the axis X 8  of rotation of the shaft  81 , and to a longitudinal axis X 10  of the casing  10 . 
     The support  5  is more specifically visible in  FIGS. 3A to 3C . It is obtained by machining a block of plastic. In an upper part, it has two guide elements, namely a central peg  61  and a semicircular guide  62  which together form the guide  6 . In a lower part, the support  5  is provided with a hole  64  allowing it to be mounted with the possibility of sliding freely on the rod  2  which, in this embodiment, is a drive rod that drives the sprocket  3 . This hole  64  is not necessarily centered with respect to the support  5 . 
     The support in the first embodiment has, on the whole, the same shape as that of the second embodiment, the hole  64  being arranged differently. 
     In the two embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 A to  3 C, the degree of freedom of the support  5  in translational movement along the axis X 2  allows the following effects: 
     When the motor  8  is started, the sprocket  3  turns and drives the chain  4 . Because the support  5  is able to move parallel to the axis X 10  of the casing  10 , it is driven by the chain and slides in the direction that allows the chain to move around the sprocket. The movement of the support  5  is therefore tied to that of the chain  4 . The support is pulled or pushed along the casing by the chain itself when it is maneuvered. 
     Once in place in the actuator casing  10 , the chain is then articulated in  5  parts, as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 :
         a first part  44  situated between the second end  42  and the support  5 ;   a second part  45 , partially wound in the guide  6 ;   a third part  46  situated between the support  5  and the driving sprocket  3  in one and the same plane;   a fourth part  47  partially wrapped around the drive sprocket  3 ;   a fifth part  48  between the sprocket  3  and the first end  43  of the chain, outside the casing.       

     The various parts of the chain  4  are arranged in one and the same plane parallel to that of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     In its retracted position, the chain is, for the most part, arranged along an axis parallel to the axis X 2 , the first  44  and third  46  parts being parallel. The chain is wrapped over a quarter of a turn around the sprocket  3 , so that it reemerges from the casing at right angle to the axis X 2 . 
     When the motor  8  rotates in a first direction depicted by the arrows F 1  in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and aimed at causing the chain  4  to exit the casing  1 , the sprocket  3  is itself rotationally driven in a first direction depicted by the arrows F′ 1 . The links of the chain mesh with the sprocket  3  and are moved out of the casing. Thus, the fifth part  48  of the chain lengthens, while the first and third parts  44  and  46  become shorter. This change in length of the chain between the end  42  and the sprocket  3  is possible thanks to the free translational movement of the support  5  parallel to the axis X 10  of the casing  10  and thanks to the sliding of the chain in the guide  6  around the peg  61 . 
     When the motor rotates in a second direction F 2  aimed at retracting the chain  4  into the casing  1 , the sprocket  3  is itself rotationally driven in a second direction F′ 2 . The links of the chain mesh with the sprocket  3  and are brought into the casing. Thus, the fifth part  48  of the chain shortens while the first and third parts  44  and  48  become longer. This change in length is once again possible by virtue of the free translational movement of the support  5  parallel to the axis X 10  of the casing  10  and thanks to the sliding of the chain in the guide  6  around the peg  61 . 
     According to an undepicted alternative form of embodiment of the invention, the second end  42  of the chain  4  may itself be fixed to the support  5 . In that case, the chain is articulated into just three parts similar to the parts  46 ,  47  and  48  mentioned hereinabove, and the change in length is obtained by the sliding of the support inside the casing  10  parallel to the axes X 2 , X 8  and X 10 . 
     The embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2  have the advantage of offering a longer length of chain for a total casing length equivalent to that of the undepicted alternative form of embodiment. 
     A “double-chain” actuator  1 ′ is depicted in  FIG. 4  and is made up of a casing  10 ′ equivalent to the casing  10  but longer and equipped with a first opening  11 ′ for the passage of the drive shaft  81 . This drive shaft is kinematically linked, via appropriate gearing, firstly to a drive rod  2 ′ and secondly to a sprocket  3 ′ so that the rotation of the drive shaft about its axis X 8  causes the drive rod  2 ′ to rotate about its longitudinal axis X 2 ′ and causes the sprocket  3 ′ to rotate about its axis X 3 ′. The axis X 3 ′ of the sprocket is perpendicular to the axis X 2 ′ of the rod  2 ′. The sprocket  3 ′ is mounted on a box  32 ′ which is fixed with respect to the casing  1 ′. A gearset, not depicted, and housed in the box  32 ′, is provided for the rotational drive of the sprocket  3 ′ and of the rod  2 ′. In that respect, the actuator is similar to the actuator described in  FIG. 1 . 
     The drive rod  2 ′ is, however, longer than for a single-chain actuator and its opposite end to the shaft  81  is kinematically linked, via appropriate gearing, to a second sprocket  3 ″ mounted on a second box  32 ″, this part being similar to the actuator described in relation to  FIG. 2 . 
     According to an alternative form of embodiment of the invention, the drive rod  2 ′ may be rotationally driven via the sprocket  3 ′. 
     Because the second sprocket  3 ′ is rotationally driven via the rod  2 ′ it is possible, by choosing appropriate gearing, for its rotation to be synchronized with that of the first sprocket  3 ′. What is meant here by synchronized is that the speeds are synchronized, with a possible reversal in the direction of rotation of the sprockets. Because this synchronizing is mechanical, it does not introduce the disadvantages mentioned hereinabove in respect of electronic synchronization. 
     The casing  10 ′ comprises two openings  12 ′ and  12 ″ through which two chains  4 ′ and  4 ″ respectively driven by the sprockets  3 ′ and  3 ″ exit. The sprockets  3 ′ and  3 ′&#39; are arranged substantially at the ends of the casing  1 ′. Two supports  5 ′ and  5 ″ are mounted on the drive rod  2 ′ and can slide parallel to its axis of rotation X 2 ′ accompanying the movement of the chains  4 ′ and  4 ″. The supports  5 ′ and  5 ″ are mounted between the sprockets  3 ′ and  3 ″ and are similar to those of the first two embodiments. 
     The supports  5 ′ and  5 ″ separate from one another when the chains  4 ′ and  4 ″ are driven towards the outside of the casing  10 ′, which corresponds to the opening of an opening leaf in the form of a window F, and move closer toward one another when the chains are driven toward the inside of the casing  10 ′, which corresponds to the closing of the opening leaf. 
     In another embodiment, which is not been shown, the supports  5 ′ and  5 ″ follow on from one another in a first direction, when the chains  4 ′ and  4 ″ are driven toward the outside of the casing  10 ′, which corresponds to the opening of the opening leaf, and in the second direction when the chains are driven toward the inside of the casing  10 ′, which corresponds to the closing of the opening leaf. In this embodiment, the box  32 ′ supporting the first sprocket  3 ′ is located at one end of the casing  10 ′, while the second box  32 ″ supporting the second sprocket  3 ″ is situated in a central part of the casing  10 ′. 
     In the various scenarios, the chains are positioned in relation to the sprockets and to the supports as was described hereinabove in conjunction with the single-chain actuators depicted in  FIG. 1  or  2 . 
     According to some non-represented alternative forms of the invention, the actuator may comprise more than two sprockets, thus making it possible to operate three or more chains. In that case, the rod  2 ′ is extended beyond the gap between the sprockets  3 ′ and  3 ″ in  FIG. 4 . As an alternative, a different rod may be used to transmit motion from the sprocket  3 ″. 
     Various constructions of the various elements of the actuator are possible, advantageously looking to rationalize the number of different components. 
       FIGS. 5 to 7  embody various uses of the single-chain or double-chain actuators described hereinabove. 
     Another type of double-chain actuator can be constructed from two single-chain actuators  1 ′ and  1 ″ one of which has no motor and the rods  2 ′ and  2 ″ of which are connected by a mechanical coupling element such as a sleeve  82 . Such an actuator  1  is schematically depicted in  FIG. 5 . Each actuator  1 ′ or  1 ″ comprises a sprocket  3 ′ or  3 ″ able to control the movements of a chain  4 ′ or  4 ″ which is engaged in a support  5 ′ or  5 ″ able to move along the rod  2 ′ or  2 ″ of the relevant actuator. The structure obtained is similar to that of  FIG. 4 , the main difference being that there is no need to provide a double-length casing, like the one  10 ′ in the third embodiment. 
     Moreover, as depicted in  FIG. 6 , a motor casing  7 ′ may be developed in such a way that it has two outputs with inverted axes  81   a  and  81   b  on either side of the casing. Thus, two single-chain actuators  1   a  and  1   b  can be coupled, one on each side of this motor casing, to the two outputs  81   a  and  81   b , to form a double-chain motorized actuator. 
     Finally, other combinations are possible, so as to create three-chain or four-chain motorized actuators. Thus, a single-chain actuator  1   b  and a double-chain actuator  1 ′ may be coupled one on each side of a motor casing  7 ′ with two outputs  81   a  and  81   b , to form a triple-chain motorized actuator as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
     The various motor casings depicted in  FIGS. 5 to 7  show axles merging from one or both sides of the casing. As an alternative, a motor casing with no protrusions may be provided. There are then two possible scenarios. In a first scenario, the casing  10  or  10 ′ containing the chains  4 ,  4 ′,  4 ″ has a protruding axle, which can be coupled at the motor casing, as depicted in  FIG. 1 . In a second scenario, use is made of a mechanical sleeve to transmit motion between the motor and the drive rod or sprockets, as depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
     Another embodiment is depicted in  FIG. 8 . The motorized actuator  1 ′ is then produced in just one casing  10 ′, the motor  8  being incorporated into this casing that also contains the chains  4 ′ and  4 ″, the sprockets  3 ′ and  3 ″, the supports  5  and  5 ′ and the rod  2 ′. 
     In the above embodiments, the second end  42  of the chains  4 ,  4 ,&#39; or  4 ″ is designed to be fixed with respect to the casing  10  and equivalent or to the box  32  and equivalent or connected directly to the support  5 . However, this end  42  may be designed to be free in relation to the casing and to the support. The support  5  does, however, still guide the chain over part of its path. 
     In this case, as depicted in  FIG. 9 , it is advantageous to provide on the chain  4  or on the support  5 , an immobilizing element  65  which immobilizes the passage of the second end  42  of the chain  4  in the guide  6 . Thus, if the chain is maneuvered in such a way as to leave the casing, for example if the support  5  is restrained by friction, the chain can slide in the guide  6  until the immobilizing element  65  restrains the chain  4  in relation to the support  5  by coming up against a face  51  of the support that faces toward the sprocket  3 . Then, if the driving of the chain  4  continues, the chain causes a translational movement of the support. When the chain enters the actuator casing, and if, conversely, it is restrained in the support  5  by friction, the latter can slide to the end of its travel and the chain can slide in the guide  6  thereafter. These movements of the chain and of the support may equally occur simultaneously. 
     In order to gain still further on available chain length and as depicted in  FIG. 10 , the second end  42  of the chain may also slide in the support  5  as far as an end stop  66  provided in this support  5  at the exit from the guide  6 . An immobilizing element  65  then restrains the end  42  of the chain  4  in the support  5  at this end stop  66  when the chain is maneuvered in such a way as to leave the casing. The immobilizing element  65  is, for example, in the form of a peg able to slide in a groove  67  made in the support  5 , this groove being closed at its end in order to form the end stop  66 . Other embodiments of the immobilizing element  65 , of the support  5  and/or the end stop  66  are of course conceivable. 
     In this embodiment, no guide rod is provided and the support  5  is guided in translational movement by cooperation of shapes with the internal faces of the casing  10 . 
     In all the embodiments discussed, the travel of the support in a maneuver may be representative of a deployed length of chain. It is therefore advantageous to provide an adjustable end stop  52  which limits the travel of the support  5  in the direction of deployment of the chain. As depicted in  FIG. 10  only, this adjustable end stop may be positioned along an adjusting strip  53  on an inner side of the casing  10  of the actuator and block the progress of the support at a given point. When the second end  42  of the chain  4  is free in relation to the support and to the casing, it is possible for the chain to continue to slide in the support  5  once the support is immobilized by the adjustable stop  52 . When the end  42  of the chain  4  itself becomes immobilized in relation to the support  5 , the deployed length of chain is at its maximum. Thus, the degree of opening of the opening leaf is dependent on the position of the adjustable stop  52 . In this case, the stopping of the motor is determined, for example, by monitoring torque or variations in torque. 
     Various other combinations are of course conceivable, it being possible for the motorized actuator thus produced to meet the various size and weight requirements of the opening leaves that have to be maneuvered. 
     Several sizes of motor may also be provided in order to supply the necessary power. 
     In all the embodiments that involve more than one chain, the directions of rotation of the sprockets are chosen appropriately so that the chains are set in motion simultaneously and in the same direction of maneuvering of the opening leaf. 
     The technical features of the embodiments envisioned hereinabove may be combined with one another. In particular, the supports  5  and equivalent of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 to 8  may be guided in the casings  10  and equivalent through cooperation of shapes, as depicted in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . In such a case, the rods  2  and equivalent may be omitted except when they have a driving function, in which case the clearance between the support and the rod can be increased.