Abstract:
Movable partition systems includes a movable partition engaged with and movable along a longitudinal track and a lead drive box coupled to the movable partition and engaged with the track. The lead drive box is configured to move along the track and move the movable partition along the track. The lead drive box includes a trolley for disposition within the track, a motor coupled to the lead drive box, and a rotatable drive member coupled to the lead drive box and the motor. The rotatable drive member engages an elongated drive member extending along the track to motivate the lead drive box and the movable partition attached thereto along the track when engaged with the motor and the motor is rotating. An electronics module disposed within the lead drive box is configured for controlling operation of the motor responsive to signals originating from sources carried by the lead drive box.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    Embodiments of the present invention are directed to the field of movable partitions used for partitioning space, as sound barriers, as fire barriers, security barriers, and for various other applications. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Movable partitions are utilized in numerous situations and environments for a variety of purposes. Such partitions may include, for example, a movable partition comprising foldable or collapsible doors configured to enclose or subdivide a room or other area. Often such partitions may be utilized simply for purposes of versatility in being able to subdivide a single large room into multiple smaller rooms. The subdivision of a larger area may be desired, for example, to accommodate multiple groups or meetings simultaneously. In other applications, such partitions may be utilized for noise control depending, for example, on the activities taking place in a given room or portion thereof. 
         [0003]    Movable partitions may also be used to provide a security barrier, a fire barrier, or both a security barrier and a fire barrier. In such a case, the partition barrier may be configured to automatically close upon the occurrence of a predetermined event such as the actuation of an associated alarm. For example, one or more accordion or similar folding-type partitions may be used as a security barrier, a fire barrier, or both a security barrier and a fire barrier wherein each partition is formed with a plurality of panels connected to one another with hinges. The hinged connection of the panels allows the partition to fold and collapse into a compact unit for purposes of storage when not deployed. The partition may be stored in a pocket formed in the wall of a building when in a retracted or folded state. When the partition is deployed to subdivide a single large room into multiple smaller rooms, secure an area during a fire, or for any other specified reason, the partition may be extended along an overhead track, which is often located above the movable partition in a header assembly, until the partition extends a desired distance across the room. 
         [0004]    When deployed, a leading end of the movable partition, often defined by a component known as a lead post, complementarily engages another structure, such as a wall, a post, or a lead post of another door. 
         [0005]    Automatic extension and retraction of the movable partition may be accomplished through the use of a motor located in a pocket formed in the wall of a building in which the movable partition is stored when in a retracted or folded state. The motor, which remains fixed in place within the pocket, may be used to drive extension and retraction of the movable partition. A motor for automatically extending and retracting a movable partition may also be mounted within the movable partition itself, such that the motor travels with the movable partition as the movable partition is extended and retracted using the motor. 
         [0006]    The inventors have appreciated that there is a need for apparatuses, and methods for moving and controlling a movable partition with a lead drive box bearing a motor and control components. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Embodiments of the present disclosure include apparatuses, and methods for moving and controlling a movable partition with a lead drive box bearing a motor and control components. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, a lead drive box for use with a movable partition includes at least one trolley coupled to the lead drive box and configured for disposition at least partially within a track extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end. A motor is coupled to the lead drive box. A rotatable drive member is coupled to the lead drive box and operably coupled to the motor. The rotatable drive member is configured for engaging a fixed drive member extending along the track to motivate the lead drive box and the movable partition attached thereto along the track when engaged with the motor and the motor is rotating. An electrical components module is disposed within the lead drive box and is configured for controlling operation of the motor responsive to one or more signals originating from one or more sources carried by the lead drive box. A casing forming at least a partial enclosure for the lead drive box is coupled to the at least one trolley and is configured for bearing the electrical components module and the one or more signal sources. 
         [0009]    In other embodiments, a movable partition system includes a movable partition engaged with and movable along a track extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end and a lead drive box coupled to the movable partition and the track. The lead drive box is configured to move along the track and move the movable partition along the track. The lead drive box includes at least one trolley coupled to the lead drive box and is configured for disposition at least partially within the track. A motor is coupled to the lead drive box. A rotatable drive member is coupled to the lead drive box and operably coupled to the motor. The rotatable drive member is configured for engaging a fixed drive member extending along the track to motivate the lead drive box and the movable partition attached thereto along the track when engaged with the motor and the motor is rotating. An electrical components module is disposed within the lead drive box and is configured for controlling operation of the motor responsive to one or more signals originating from one or more sources carried by the lead drive box. A casing forming at least a partial enclosure for the lead drive box is coupled to the at least one trolley and is configured for bearing the electrical components module and the one or more signal sources. 
         [0010]    In additional embodiments, the present disclosure includes methods of moving a movable partition along a track. The methods include engaging a rotatable drive member carried by a lead drive box with a fixed drive member extending along the track and having fixed, laterally offset opposite ends. A motor carried by the lead drive box is actuated to drive rotation of the rotatable drive member to move the lead drive box and the movable partition attached thereto along the track. Operation of the motor is controlled with an electrical components module carried by the lead drive box and responsive to one or more signals originating from one or more sources carried by the lead drive box. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming that which is regarded as the present disclosure, the advantages of this disclosure may be more readily ascertained from the description of embodiments of the disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIGS. 1A-1C  show a perspective view, a side view and a top view, respectively, of a system with a movable partition in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  shows a cross-section view of a track that may be used when accompanied with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a lead drive box for coupling to a movable partition; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a portion of the lead drive box of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the lead drive box of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates a possible embodiment of box roller assemblies for the lead drive box; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a portion of the lead drive box showing possible locations for electrical components modules; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is another perspective view of a portion of the lead drive box showing electrical components modules disposed in the lead drive box. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the disclosure in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
         [0021]    Furthermore, specific implementations shown and described are only examples and should not be construed as the only way to implement or partition the present disclosure into functional elements unless specified otherwise herein. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced by numerous other partitioning solutions. 
         [0022]    In the following description, elements, circuits, and functions may be shown in block diagram form in order not to obscure the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. Additionally, block definitions and partitioning of logic between various blocks is exemplary of a specific implementation. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced by numerous other partitioning solutions. Those of ordinary skill in the art would understand that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof. Some drawings may illustrate signals as a single signal for clarity of presentation and description. It will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the signal may represent a bus of signals, wherein the bus may have a variety of bit widths and the present disclosure may be implemented on any number of data signals including a single data signal. 
         [0023]    The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. 
         [0024]    Also, it is noted that the embodiments may be described in terms of a process that may be depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a process may describe operational acts as a sequential process, many of these acts can be performed in another sequence, in parallel, or substantially concurrently. In addition, the order of the acts may be re-arranged. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. Furthermore, the methods disclosed herein may be implemented in hardware, software, or both. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on computer readable media. Computer readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. 
         [0025]    It should be understood that any reference to an element herein using a designation such as “first,” “second,” and so forth does not limit the quantity or order of those elements, unless such limitation is explicitly stated. Rather, these designations may be used herein as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, a reference to first and second elements does not mean that only two elements may be employed there or that the first element must precede the second element in some manner. In addition, unless stated otherwise, a set of elements may comprise one or more elements. 
         [0026]    Embodiments of the present disclosure include apparatuses, and methods for moving and controlling a movable partition with a lead drive box bearing a motor and control components. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate an embodiment of a movable partition system  100  of the present disclosure. The movable partition system  100  is an automatic movable partition system, in that the system  100  includes a movable partition  120  that may be automatically extended, automatically retracted, or both automatically extended and automatically retracted. The movable partition  120  may be used for partitioning space, as a sound barrier, as a fire barrier, as a security barrier, for combinations of such purposes, or for other purposes. 
         [0028]    The movable partition  120  may comprise, for example, an accordion-type door, as shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C . The movable partition  120  may be formed with a plurality of panels  104  that are connected to one another with hinges or other hinge-like members  106 . The hinged connection of the panels  104  allows the panels  104  to fold, and the movable partition  120  to collapse, as the movable partition  120  is retracted, which allows the movable partition  120  to be compactly stored in a pocket  108  (may also be referred to herein as a storage compartment) formed in a wall  110 A of a building when in a retracted or folded state. In other embodiments, the movable partition  120  may comprise a sliding door, or another type of movable partition  120 . As a non-limiting example, the panels  104  may be configured in a manner that they interlock, while still allowing the pivoting between the panels  104  where they are interlocked. For simplicity in explanation, and not for limitation, the pivot-like coupling may be referred to herein as using hinges  106  or couplings  106 . 
         [0029]    When it is desired to deploy the movable partition  120  to an extended position, the movable partition  120  is driven along a track  114  or track assembly across the space to provide an appropriate barrier. When in a deployed or an extended state, a leading edge of the door  120 , shown in the presently described embodiment as a male lead drive box  300 , matingly (i.e., complementarily) engages with a jamb or recessed striker  118  that may be formed in a wall  110 B of a building. In other embodiments, the lead drive box  300  may simply meet flush with the wall  110 B. In some embodiments, the lead drive box  300  and movable partition  120  may extend longitudinally substantially from the track  114  on one surface (e.g., a ceiling) to an opposing surface  134  (e.g. a floor). 
         [0030]    As can be seen in  FIG. 1C , an accordion-type door  120  may include a first sheet  120 A of panels  104  and a second sheet  120 B of panels  104  that is laterally spaced from the first sheet  120 A. Such a configuration may be utilized as a fire door wherein one sheet  120 A acts as a primary fire and smoke barrier, a space between the two sheets  120 A and  120 B acts as an insulator or a buffer zone, and the second sheet  120 B acts as a secondary fire and smoke barrier. Such a configuration may also be useful in providing an acoustical barrier when the movable partition  120  is used to subdivide a larger space into multiple, smaller rooms. 
         [0031]    The lead drive box  300 , which may include, for example, a drive mechanism  322  with one or more rotatable drive members  340  for coupling to a fixed drive member  355 , which may be configured to open and close the movable partition  120  upon actuation thereof. The movable partition system  100  may further include various sensors and switches to assist in the control of the movable partition  120  through appropriate connection with a motor (not shown). 
         [0032]    It is also noted that, while the exemplary embodiment shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 1A-1C  is directed to a single accordion-type door  120 , other movable partitions may be utilized. For example, a two-door, or bi-part door, system may be utilized wherein two similarly configured doors extend across a space and join together to form an appropriate barrier. Also, the present disclosure may be applicable to movable partitions or barriers other than the accordion-type doors that are shown and described herein in example embodiments. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  shows a cross-section view of a track  114  that may be used when accompanied with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The track  114  is illustrated merely as an example of a type of track that may be used with movable partitions  120  with embodiments of the present disclosure. A support system may comprise the track  114 , which may comprise an elongated drive guide member  160  located generally centrally in the track  114 , and two elongated roller guide members  180  disposed on opposite lateral ends of the elongated drive guide member  160 . In some embodiments, the drive guide member  160  and roller guide members  180  may comprise separate bodies or structures that are attached to one another, or simply installed proximate one another. In other embodiments, the drive guide member  160  and roller guide members  180  may comprise different regions of a single, unitary body or structure. 
         [0034]    The drive guide member  160  may comprise a hollow body having internal surfaces defining a drive channel  165  that extends longitudinally through the drive guide member  160  and is located generally centrally in the track  114 . The drive channel  165 , also known as an internal channel, defined by the drive guide member  160  may be used to at least partially house rollers (e.g., wheels), drive mechanism components (e.g., a fixed drive member), or other components of the movable partition system  100  (not shown). Each of the roller guide members  180  may also comprise a hollow body having internal surfaces defining internal roller channels that extend longitudinally through each roller guide member  180  and are located at opposing lateral ends of the drive guide member  160 . The roller channels may be partially defined by a bottom surface and innermost side surfaces internal to the roller guide members  180 . Thus, the bottom and innermost side surfaces may define portions of the internal roller channels of the track  114 . Portions of the partition system  100 , such as, for example, the movable partition  120  and the lead drive box  300  (see  FIG. 1C ), may be suspended from (i.e., hang from) a trolley  310   FIG. 3  (also referred to herein as a partition support member  150   FIG. 2 ) and move along the track  114  by the rolling of partition support rollers  170   FIG. 2  (e.g., wheels or bearings) within and along the roller channels that extend through the roller guide members  180  of the track  114  in a direction at least substantially parallel to a direction of movement of the movable partition  120 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the lead drive box  300  for coupling to the movable partition  120  ( FIGS. 1A-1C ).  FIG. 4  is a side view of a portion of the lead drive box  300  and FIG.  FIG. 5  is a top view of the lead drive box  300 . FIGS,  3 ,  4 , and  5  are referred to together in describing the lead drive box  300 . 
         [0036]    The lead drive box  300  may include a trolley  310  coupled to a support bar  305  and configured for coupling with the drive channel  165  ( FIG. 2 ). The drive mechanism  322  may include the rotatable drive member  340  connected to a drive shaft of a motor  320 , such that the motor  320  may be used to drive rotation of the rotatable drive member  340 . As discussed in further detail below, the rotatable drive member  340  may be positioned adjacent the track  114  ( FIG. 2 ) (e.g., within the drive channel  165  of the track  114 ), and may be configured to interact with an elongated, fixed drive member  355  (shown in  FIG. 1C ) such as, for example, a fixed chain, also positioned adjacent the track  114 . 
         [0037]    The drive mechanism  322  may hang from the trolley  310  and move along the track  114  by the rolling of trolley wheels  312  attached to the trolley  310 . The trolley  310  and trolley wheels  312  may be disposed fully or partially within the drive channel  165  ( FIG. 2 ) in the track  114 . The rotatable drive member  340  may also be disposed within the drive channel  165  of the track  114 . The elongated, fixed drive member  355 , which, in some embodiments, may comprise a chain fixed in place, may be disposed within the track  114  so as to be engaged with the rotatable drive member  340  when the drive mechanism  322  is in an engaged state. In this configuration, when the motor  320  drives the rotatable drive member  340  and the rotatable drive member  340  is engaged with the fixed drive member  355 , the movable partition  120  is extended or retracted along the track  114 . 
         [0038]    A diagonal bar  307  may be attached to the support bar  305  and the lead drive box  300 . Thus, the lead drive box  300 , support bar  305 , and diagonal bar  307  may form a triangle to structurally support the drive mechanism  322  lead drive box  300  and components encased therein. In some embodiments, an additional trolley  310 A with additional trolley wheels  312 A may be included near where the support bar  305  and the diagonal bar  307  meet to provide additional support and guidance for the lead drive box  300  as it traverses the track  114 . 
         [0039]    As illustrated, the rotatable drive member  340  includes three sprocket gears through which a chain, as the fixed drive member  355 , may be threaded. Of course, fewer or more gears and sprockets may be used. 
         [0040]    When the rotatable drive member  340  is engaged with the fixed drive member  355 , the rotation of the rotatable drive member  340  causes the movable partition  120  to be pulled or pushed along the track  114  of the movable partition system  100  into a desired position.  FIG. 1C  shows the fixed drive member  355  as a fixed chain that is complementary to the teeth of a sprocket that serves as the rotatable drive member  340 . The fixed drive member  355  may be fixed at both longitudinal ends of the track  114 , such as in the pocket  108  in the wall  110 A and at the jamb or recessed striker  118  in the wall  110 B. The fixed drive member  355  may further be secured to the track  114  intermittently or continuously along its length for increased stability. 
         [0041]    In additional embodiments, the fixed drive member  355  may comprise a rack and the rotatable drive member  340  may comprise a pinion, or the fixed drive member  355  may comprise a belt and the rotatable drive member  340  may comprise one or more pulleys. Any of these configurations or their equivalents may be used to drive the movable partition  120  along the track  114  in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0042]    An optional gearbox (not shown) may be installed between the motor  320  and the rotatable drive member  340 . The gearbox may be desirable for better control or increased power when driving the rotatable drive member  340 , for example. In embodiments that use a gearbox, the motor  320  may drive a drive shaft, which is also the input shaft for the gearbox. The gearbox may transfer the power from the motor  320  to the drive shaft. The drive shaft may be connected to the rotatable drive member  340  to drive the rotation of the rotatable drive member  340 . When the rotatable drive member  340  is engaged with the fixed drive member  355 , the rotation of the rotatable drive member  340  causes the movable partition  120  to be pulled or pushed along the track  114  of the movable partition system  100 . The drive mechanism  322  may not include a gearbox in some embodiments. In such embodiments, the motor  320  may drive the drive shaft directly, which is attached to the rotatable drive member  340 . 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, a clutch (not shown) may be operatively connected, such that a drive shaft of the motor  320  drives the rotation of a drive shaft (i.e., output) of the clutch when the clutch is in an engaged state. The rotatable drive member  340  may be operatively connected to the drive shaft of the clutch, such that the motor  320  may be used to drive rotation of the rotatable drive member  340  when the clutch is engaged. In other embodiments, there may be no clutch device installed between the motor  320  and the rotatable drive member  340 . 
         [0044]    As a non-limiting example, the motor  320  may include a brushed DC motor and the gearbox may include a planetary gearbox. Of course, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that other components may be used for the motor  320  and gearbox in practicing the described embodiment. Additionally, other mechanisms may be used for driving the movable partition  120  along the track  114 . 
         [0045]    A casing  399  may be attached to the trolley  310 , support bar  305 , diagonal bar  307 , or combinations thereof to form at least a partial enclosure  390 . As seen in  FIG. 5 , the casing  399  may include a front side  394  and two opposing sides  392  that extend substantially perpendicular from the front side  394  and run substantially parallel with a direction of travel defined by movement of the trolley  310  in the track  114 . The front side  394  may engage with the wall  110 B ( FIG. 1C ) or the recessed striker  118  and in some embodiments the front side  394  may be substantially planar. As seen in  FIG. 1A , the lead drive box  300  may extend from the track  114  to the opposing surface  134 . In addition, when stacked, the lead drive box  300  may be configured and sized such that the front side  394  may substantially fill, and possibly be flush with, the front of the pocket  108  ( FIG. 1C ) in the wall  110 A, which may eliminate the need for pocket cover doors to hide the folding door when not in use. 
         [0046]    The lead drive box  300  may also include box roller assemblies  318 , which may be attached to the trolley  310 , support bar  305 , diagonal bar  307 , casing  399 , or combinations thereof and be configured for engaging with the drive channel  165  ( FIG. 2 ) or channels for the partition support rollers  170  ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0047]      FIG. 6  illustrates a possible embodiment of the box roller assemblies  318 . In this embodiment, the box roller assemblies  318  may include rollers  323  and an adjustment mechanism  324  (e.g., a threaded attachment member) for adjustment when attached to the lead drive box  300  such that the lead drive box  300  can be plumbed in relation to the pocket wall  110 A ( FIG. 1C ), the strike wall  110 B ( FIG. 1C ), or a combination thereof. Other embodiments of the lead drive box  300  may also include similar adjustment mechanisms for the trolley wheels ( 312  and  312 A) of the trolleys ( 310  and  310 A) to enable alternate or additional adjustment points of the plumb angle of the lead drive box  300 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a portion of the lead drive box  300  showing possible locations for electrical components modules.  FIG. 8  is another perspective view of a portion of the lead drive box  300  showing electrical components modules disposed in the lead drive box  300 . In  FIG. 8 , a motor control module  384  with electrical and electronic components for controlling operation of the motor  320  is illustrated. A post control module  382  with electrical and electronic components for controlling other operations of the lead drive box  300  is also illustrated. 
         [0049]    These other operations may include operations such as receiving input from various sensors, switches, buttons, or other sources of control signals and command signals. In some embodiments, these control signals, command signals and sensor signals may be multiplexed together with a multiplexer board  386  to save wiring between modules such as the post control module  382  and the motor control module  384 . 
         [0050]    The various electrical component modules (e.g., the motor control module  384 , post control module  382 , and multiplexer board  386 ) and the motor  320  may be configured to fit substantially within the partial enclosure  390  of the lead drive box  300 . In addition, optional partial covers  391  may be configured for holding, covering, or a combination thereof one or more electrical components modules in the form of the motor control module  384 , the post control module  382 , the multiplexer board  386 , and various combinations thereof. 
         [0051]    In conventional movable partitions many of the electrical components are disposed in one or both walls  110 A and  110 B ( FIG. 1C ). For example, some conventional movable partitions may include a motor, various switches, various sensors, and control electronics at either end of the track. 
         [0052]    In contrast, in embodiments of the present disclosure the motor  320 , various switches, various sensors, and control electronics may all be carried by the lead drive box  300 . Thus, there is no need for wires carrying signals between the walls  110 A and  110 B and to the lead drive box  300 . This integrated arrangement in the lead drive box  300  creates many benefits. 
         [0053]    As non-limiting examples, the integrated lead drive box  300  may be completely configured and tested as an integrated drive assembly before shipping such that assembly in the field may require as little as attachment to the track  114  and attachment to power wires. Testing and repair may be much simpler because all of the drive elements are located in the same assembly. For example, some installation regulations may require a clearance (e.g., 3 feet) around operational components for access by a technician. This clearance requirement can cause problems with components installed in a wall  110 A or  110 B. However, with embodiments of the present disclosure, the lead drive box  300  may be moved partially along the track  114  for easy access to all sides and areas of the lead drive box  300  and the components carried thereby. 
         [0054]    The embodiment of  FIG. 7  illustrates a longitudinal arrangement of the motor  320 , the motor control module  384  and the post control module  382  within the partial enclosure  390 . This longitudinal arrangement can reduce space and enable the overall dimensions of the lead drive box  300  to be much smaller by efficiently utilizing the volume available in the longitudinal direction. In the embodiment of  FIG. 8  more space may be available allowing placement of the motor control module  384  side-by-side with the motor  320 . Of course, many other configurations, combinations, and placements of the various control electronics (e.g., the motor control module  384 , post control module  382 , and multiplexer board  386 ) are possible within the partial enclosure  390  region of the lead drive box  300 . 
         [0055]    The various electrical components modules may include a variety of electrical and electronic components such as, for example, transistors, relays, resistors, capacitors, inductors, multiplexers, microprocessors, microcontrollers, and memory for carrying out functions of the motor  320  and lead drive box  300 . 
         [0056]    With embodiments of the present disclosure, control switches and sensors can be carried with the lead drive box  300  rather than positioned on or within the walls  110 A and  110 B. As non-limiting examples, some of the controls, switches, sensors, and control electronics are shown in  FIGS. 3-8  and discussed herein. Of course, other controls, switches, and sensors may be used and the control electronics may be configured with different partitioning from those discussed herein. 
         [0057]    The movable partition  120  may include an emergency actuator  364  (e.g., a switch), commonly referred to as “panic hardware.” Operation of the emergency actuator  364  allows a person to cause the door to retract, open, or open partially if it is closed, or to stop while it is closing, allowing access through the barrier formed by the movable partition  120  for a predetermined amount of time. Moreover, the automatic door system  100  may further include, or may be associated with, an alarm system which, upon providing an appropriate signal, results in deployment or retraction of the movable partition  120  depending on the specific situation. 
         [0058]    In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the emergency actuator  364  may be positioned on one or more of the two opposing sides  392  of the casing  399 . As a result, when the automatic door system  100  is stacked, the lead drive box  300  may substantially fill, and possibly be flush with, the front of the pocket  108  ( FIG. 1C ) in the wall  110 A, which would position the emergency actuator  364  in a protected position within the pocket  108 . This protected position may help protect the emergency actuator  364  and related hardware from damage or destruction during operation of the automatic door system  100  as well as environmental elements when the automatic door system  100  is stacked within the pocket  108 . 
         [0059]    Other user controlled switches  360  may also be included such as, for example a general operation switch and keyed switch. The keyed switch may be used by authorized personal such as facility managers or Fire Department personnel for controlling operation of the movable partition  120 . The general operation switch may be used by any person for controlling operation of the movable partition  120 . As non-limiting examples, the user controlled switches  360  and the emergency actuator  364  may directly, or indirectly through electrical components modules, generate movement signals such as an open-or-close command, a stop-or-go command, or an emergency command. 
         [0060]    As seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , vision panels  370  (may also be referred to as light kits) may be included as a cutout or window on each of the opposing sides  392  so that a person can see a region on the other side of the movable partition  120 . For example, the vision panels  370  may be useful for verifying that is safe to operate the movable partition  120  based on what can be seen of the region on the other side. 
         [0061]    A door display  372  may be included to present various status messages to the user about operation of the lead drive box  300 , temperature or other environmental information on either side of the movable partition  120 , or other information. 
         [0062]    Determination of the position of the lead drive box  300  may be desirable so that the automatic movable partition system  100  may be able to properly control the engagement of the lead drive box  300  with the jamb or recessed striker  118 , the opening and closing of the movable partition  120 , driving of the movable partition  120  to a desired position, and combinations thereof. This control may be useful after the door has been manually moved by maintenance personnel or a firefighter, for example. An encoder  388  is illustrated in  FIG. 5  as disposed near one of the rotatable drive members  340 , which may be engaged with the elongated, fixed drive member  355 . The encoder  388  may optically or magnetically track the number of revolutions or partial revolutions of the rotatable drive member  340 . It can be determined how many revolutions the rotatable drive member  340  will make per unit length of the fixed drive member  355  (e.g., inches or feet), and by determining how many revolutions the rotatable drive members  340  has made, it can be determined how far the rotatable drive members  340  has traveled along the fixed drive member  355 . The encoder  388  may be coupled with the electrical components modules via a connection  389  to calculate the position of the movable partition  120 . 
         [0063]    In one embodiment, the encoder  388  may include an optical encoder using an LED to emit light onto a codewheel surface, projecting an image back on a photodetector, causing the output to change as the rotatable drive member  340  rotates. However, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that other components may be used for the encoder  388 . 
         [0064]    While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and implementation in alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of examples in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the following appended claims and their legal equivalents.