Patent Description:
There are known actuators for sliding barriers comprising an electric motor and a reduction gear, which has the input shaft coupled with the output shaft of the electric motor and the output shaft provided with a pinion. Generally, the electric motor and the reducer constitute a single unit (geared motor), which is connected to a specific base, usually made out of concrete, arranged near the sliding barrier to be moved, so that the output pinion can engage a rack integral with the barrier itself.

The rotation of the motor in either directions causes the barrier to open and close.

The need to couple the motor to a gearbox is linked to the fact that a normal electric motor fed by the network and designed to drive a sliding barrier has a rotation speed that is too high and unable to directly drive a pinion coupled to the barrier rack, and at the same time, given its necessarily limited size for reasons of space, generates a low torque, sometimes insufficient to move the barrier.

For this reason, the gearbox has the function of reducing the speed of rotation of the motor and increasing the torque at the same time, thus allowing a small electric motor powered by the network and suitable to perform a function that without the gearbox would hardly be able to perform.

An actuator of this type is, for example, described in <CIT> in which the pinion associated with the output shaft of the engine is coupled to a series of gears for reducing the rotation speed of the engine; in particular, then, the last gear engages the links of a chain which is integral with the barrier to be moved.

The gearbox also performs the important function of making the geared motor unit irreversible, since the high reduction ratio of the motor means that any attempt to rotate the pinion by direct thrust on the barrier is prevented by the nature of the gear unit itself. Consequently, if the motor is not powered, the movement of the barrier due to direct stress on the same is prevented, and therefore a forced opening of the barrier is prevented.

<CIT> discloses a mechanical actuator for sliding door panels with a motor and a speed reduction unit that are housed in a buriable casing emerging from the ground by a minimum portion that houses a horizontal shaft on which an operating pinion for the door panel is keyed.

<CIT> discloses a system for controlling a gate where the gate is driven by a chain which is engaged by a sprocket wheel. The sprocket wheel is powered by a motor through an appropriate drive train which includes gears.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus for controlling the motion of a swivel gate which comprises an electric drive motor and a reduction gear.

All these known solutions are not completely satisfactory due to the high number of components and, in particular, the presence of the gear transmission makes the apparatus complex, and prone to jamming.

The so-called torque motors, or "torque motors", are also known, that are engines of particular conception which develop a high torque at low rotation speed and which, thanks to these characteristics, would be directly usable in all those applications requiring this type of performance.

However, these torque motors have never been used until now to barriers, although they have characteristics of speed and torque suitable for this use, as they are not irreversible and that does not prevent the movement of the barrier by direct stress instead of by using the actuator on the same.

The object of the invention is to propose an actuator apparatus which allows overcoming the drawbacks and limitations present in traditional solutions.

Another object of the invention is to propose an actuator apparatus which allows to actuate a sliding barrier with a torque motor, which, with respect to a traditional actuator comprising a traditional electric motor and a reduction gear, is of simpler embodiment.

Another object of the invention is to propose a more compact actuator apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to propose a more economical actuator apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to propose an actuator apparatus for actuating a sliding barrier which, with the same barrier, results in less absorption of electrical energy.

Another object of the invention is to propose an actuator apparatus for actuating a sliding barrier with fewer components, to avoid or limit failures and malfunctions.

Another object of the invention is to propose an actuator apparatus for actuating a sliding barrier which ensures a mechanical locking of the barrier in any intermediate position between its extreme positions.

Another object of the invention is to propose an actuator which is perfectly in line with the safety requirements imposed by the sector legislation.

Another object of the invention is to propose an actuator that improves and/or is alternative to traditional ones.

Another object of the invention is to propose an actuator apparatus that is simple, quick and inexpensive to install.

Another object of the invention is to propose a sliding barrier which is provided with an actuator apparatus which is simple to manufacture, has a small size and is not expensive to manufacture and install.

All these objects, considered either individually or in any combination thereof, and others which will result from the following description are achieved according to the invention with a sliding barrier actuator as defined in claim <NUM>, as well as with an installation of closing an access or a passage as defined in claim <NUM>.

The present invention is hereinafter further clarified in some of its preferred embodiments, which are given purely by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, in which:.

As can be seen from the figures, the actuator apparatus <NUM> for a sliding barrier, according to the invention, comprises an electric motor which is a torque motor <NUM> configured to cause the rotation of its output motor shaft <NUM>. Appropriately, the torque motor <NUM> is brushless and synchronous.

Advantageously, the actuator apparatus <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM> which houses the stator <NUM> of the motor <NUM> and supports, by means of bearings <NUM>, the motor shaft <NUM>, to which the rotor <NUM> of the motor <NUM> is integral. Suitably, the torque motor <NUM> comprises only two functional elements: the stator <NUM> and the rotor <NUM>, which is coupled directly to the shaft <NUM> to be rotated.

Appropriately, the motor <NUM> is intended to be connected and managed by a control and command unit. Conveniently, said control and command unit comprises at least one electronic board.

Appropriately, the maximum rotation speed of the torque motor <NUM> under normal operating conditions is not higher than <NUM> revolutions per minute.

A pinion <NUM> is fitted together with the shaft <NUM>, or preferably they are made of a single body, intended to be coupled with a linear gear, preferably a rack <NUM> (but it could also be a chain), which is applied to the sliding barrier to be moved, not represented.

In particular, the output of the motor shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM> is provided with a pinion <NUM> which directly engages - that is, without the interposition of a transmission unit, a gear or other gears - the linear gear <NUM>, preferably a rack, which is integral with the sliding barrier to be moved.

Conveniently, the pinion <NUM> has a number of teeth comprised between eight and seventeen. Advantageously, the pinion <NUM> has a number of teeth not greater than seventeen, preferably not more than twelve and even more preferably not more than eight.

It is evident from what has now been described that, when the torque motor <NUM> is supplied, it causes the rotations of the pinion <NUM> in one direction or the other, and therefore the opening or closing movement of the sliding barrier, to which the linear gear <NUM>, preferably a rack, coupled directly with the pinion <NUM> associated with the output from the motor shaft <NUM>.

The actuator apparatus <NUM> also comprises a locking device comprising:.

Preferably, the bolt engagement member <NUM> is mounted on the housing of the torque motor <NUM>.

Said locking member <NUM> comprises a toothed wheel <NUM>' which is mounted neutral on the shaft <NUM> of the torque motor <NUM>.

Said damping mechanism <NUM> is interposed between the shaft <NUM> of the torque motor <NUM> and the locking member <NUM>. The locking member <NUM> comprises a toothed wheel <NUM>', in which at least one tooth is designed to be engaged by said bolt engagement member <NUM>, when said torque motor <NUM> is not supplied; said bolt engagement member <NUM> is associated with an electromagnetic actuator <NUM> of the monostable type, which brings it in a disengaged condition from said toothed wheel <NUM>' when it is powered and allows that the elastic reaction of at least one elastic element, preferably a spring <NUM>, brings it in an engaged condition when it is not powered.

Said damping mechanism <NUM> comprises at least one body <NUM> or <NUM> which is integral in rotation with the output shaft <NUM> and which is kept in contact with the locking member <NUM>.

Said damping mechanism <NUM> comprises at least one friction element <NUM> or <NUM>' which is interposed between the locking member <NUM> and said body <NUM> or <NUM> which is integral with rotation with the output shaft <NUM>.

Preferably, said damping mechanism <NUM> comprises a pair of jaws <NUM>', <NUM>' that are integral with rotation to the output shaft <NUM> and placed on both sides of said toothed wheel <NUM>' and held elastically clamped thereto. Preferably, each jaw <NUM>', <NUM>' is provided on the side facing said toothed wheel <NUM>' of a friction element <NUM>, <NUM>'.

Advantageously, the actuator apparatus <NUM> comprises a further locking member <NUM> integral with rotation to the output shaft <NUM> of the torque motor <NUM> and associated with a further engagement member <NUM> which is moved by a further electromagnetic actuator <NUM> which can be operated between one engagement condition of said further locking member <NUM>, when said motor <NUM> is stationary, and a condition for disengaging said further locking member <NUM> when said motor <NUM> is supplied. Conveniently, the switching of said further electromagnetic actuator <NUM>, being controlled by said control and command unit, coincides with the passage of motor <NUM> from the condition supplied to the unpowered condition and vice versa.

Preferably, said further locking member <NUM> is constituted by a body <NUM> of said damping mechanism <NUM> which is integral in rotation with the output shaft <NUM> and which is kept in contact with the first locking member <NUM>.

Advantageously, said bodies of the damping mechanism <NUM> comprise the annular jaw <NUM>' and a further toothed wheel <NUM>' which, preferably, acts as a jaw. In particular, advantageously, the annular jaw <NUM>' is coupled to the shaft <NUM> which is configured to be integral in rotation with the shaft itself and also to perform reciprocal movements parallel to the longitudinal direction of development of the rotation axis of the shaft <NUM>. Moreover, suitably, said further (second) toothed wheel <NUM>' is fitted together with the shaft <NUM>. Conveniently, between the jaw <NUM>' and the further toothed wheel <NUM>' is interposed the first toothed wheel <NUM>' (which defines said locking member), which however it is neutral on the shaft <NUM>.

Advantageously, both the jaw <NUM>' and the further toothed wheel <NUM>' are associated, on the side facing the first toothed wheel <NUM>', with friction rings <NUM>, <NUM>'.

Advantageously, the annular jaw <NUM>' is pushed in the direction of the further toothed wheel <NUM>' by one or more springs <NUM>, preferably adjustable in order to regulate the force, with which the interposed first toothed wheel <NUM>' is pressed between the two.

Advantageously, to the housing <NUM> of the motor <NUM> at the first toothed wheel <NUM>' it is applied a first bolt <NUM> axially movable between the engagement position of the teeth of the further toothed wheel <NUM>' and a position of disengagement therefrom.

Advantageously, the first bolt engagement member <NUM> is associated with a monostable electromagnet <NUM>; preferably, for this purpose, a spring <NUM> is provided, which tends to keep said first bolt <NUM> in the engagement position of the toothed wheel <NUM>', from which it is removed when its electromagnet <NUM> is energized by the same supply current of the torque motor <NUM>.

Advantageously, a second bolt <NUM> movable axially between the engagement position of the teeth of the further toothed wheel <NUM>' and a position of disengagement therefrom can also be applied to the housing <NUM> of the motor <NUM> at the further toothed wheel <NUM>'. Advantageously, the second bolt <NUM> is associated with a first bistable type electromagnet <NUM>.

Conveniently, in the illustrated example both the bolts <NUM>, <NUM> are provided with a single space engagement tooth delimited by two successive teeth of the respective toothed wheel <NUM>', <NUM>' , but an analogous result could also be obtained with two bolts <NUM>', <NUM>' (see <FIG>), having several teeth simultaneously engaged between several spaces delimited by several successive teeth of the two toothed wheels <NUM>', <NUM>' respectively; on the contrary, advantageously, in this case the engagement between bolts and toothed wheels could be easier, safer and more immediate.

Advantageously, a gear chain can be associated to the output shaft <NUM> of the torque motor <NUM>, indicated as a whole with the reference <NUM>, with a revolving gear reduction effect.

Appropriately, at least part of said gears of the chain <NUM> and/or of the respective rotation shafts are provided with magnetic means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> cooperating with sensors connected to said control and command unit for processing the signals generated by said sensors for determining the position of said barrier during its travel. Preferably, said magnetic means are constituted by a magnet <NUM> housed within the output shaft <NUM> of the pinion <NUM> and/or by magnets <NUM> and <NUM> housed within the rotation shaft <NUM> and <NUM> of the respective gears <NUM> and <NUM>, and having magnetization axis oriented in diametral direction.

Advantageously, the housing <NUM> of the torque motor <NUM> extends into a cylindrical portion <NUM>, which in addition to housing both the toothed wheels <NUM>', <NUM>' also houses the chain of gears <NUM> having the function of controlling the movement of the sliding barrier.

Preferably, in the embodiment shown, this gear chain <NUM> comprises a first gear <NUM> integral with the driving shaft <NUM> and a second gear <NUM>, coupled to the first gear <NUM> and such that the reduction ratio between the first gear <NUM> and the second gear <NUM> is preferably comprised between <NUM>: <NUM> and <NUM>: <NUM>. To the same shaft <NUM>, which supports the gear <NUM> with respect to the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, a smaller third gear <NUM> is also fitted together, which is coupled to a fourth gear <NUM>, with which it has a coupling ratio preferably comprises between <NUM>: <NUM> and <NUM>: <NUM>. Also the shaft <NUM>, which supports the fourth gear <NUM>, is fitted together a fifth gear <NUM>, of smaller diameter, which is coupled to a sixth gear <NUM>, of a larger diameter and such that also in this case the coupling ratio between the fifth gear <NUM> and the sixth gear <NUM> is preferably between <NUM>: <NUM> and <NUM>: <NUM>. A seventh gear <NUM> is fitted together with the shaft <NUM> supporting this sixth gear <NUM>, which in turn is coupled to an eighth gear <NUM> with a coupling ratio preferably of <NUM>: <NUM> - <NUM>: <NUM>. Therefore, preferably, the total coupling ratio between the first gear <NUM> and the eighth gear <NUM> is preferably between <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>: <NUM>.

Advantageously, moreover, in the shaft <NUM> of the first gear <NUM>, in the vicinity thereof, in the shaft <NUM> of the fourth gear <NUM> and in the shaft <NUM> of the eighth gear <NUM> is housed a small cylindrical magnet respectively <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, with the two diametrically opposed N and S polarities, interacting with corresponding sensors connected to the control and command unit (and in particular to a corresponding electronic board) that processes the signals received from them.

The operation of the actuator apparatus <NUM> according to the invention is as follows: in normal operating conditions, when the barrier is closed, the second electromagnet <NUM> maintains the second bolt <NUM> engaged with the further toothed wheel <NUM>' and the first electromagnet <NUM>, which is not powered, allows the elastic element (preferably spring-loaded) <NUM> to maintain the first bolt <NUM> engaged with the second toothed wheel <NUM>'. The overall result is that the two bolts <NUM>, <NUM> keep the motor <NUM> blocked, preventing the actuation of the barrier by direct manual thrust on it.

If the barrier is to be opened from this condition, it is sufficient to provide a suitable direct or radio command to the system management and control unit, which supplies the two electromagnets <NUM>, <NUM> and the motor <NUM>.

Conveniently, the activation of the first electromagnet <NUM> causes its stable switching in the disengagement position of the second bolt <NUM> from the further toothed wheel <NUM>'; the activation of the first electromagnet <NUM> causes the temporary disengagement of the first bolt <NUM> from the first toothed wheel <NUM>' in contrast with the elastic reaction of the spring <NUM>.

Appropriately, the power supply of the motor <NUM> causes the rotation of its pinion <NUM> which, by engaging directly with the linear gear <NUM> (preferably a rack), causes the opening movement of the barrier.

During this movement the gear chain <NUM> and the interaction between the rotating magnets <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the respective sensors allows the control and command unit to control the position of the barrier at any time.

Therefore, when the barrier has reached the limit switch in opening, the control and command unit itself detects this situation and, in addition to commanding the interruption of the power supply of the motor <NUM>, commands the interruption of the power supply of the first electromagnet <NUM>, so that the elastic reaction of the spring <NUM> controls the first bolt <NUM> to engage the teeth of the toothed wheel <NUM>'. Conveniently, when the barrier has reached the end of stroke, the control and command unit also controls the commutation of the second electromagnet <NUM>, so that the second bolt <NUM> engages the teeth of the further toothed wheel <NUM>'.

For the movement of the closing barrier, the same operations are carried out in a similar manner, with the rotation, however, of the motor <NUM> in the opposite direction.

In order to block the barrier in an intermediate position between the extreme ones (i.e. complete closing or full opening), it is planned to give the control and command unit a suitable manual or radio control, so that this acts as if the barrier were in an end position.

Advantageously, the slowest gear <NUM> of said gear chain <NUM> is configured to have a rotation period inferior to the duration of the travel of said barrier between the closed condition and the open condition. Preferably, in the embodiment described and represented, a complete rotation of the magnet <NUM> mounted on the shaft <NUM> of the eighth gear <NUM> corresponds to the maximum linear design excursion of the sliding barrier and this in order to maintain a biunique correspondence between the linear position of the barrier and the angular position of the magnet <NUM>.

Advantageously, the magnet <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> determines and also controls the rotation of the magnetic field, which causes rotation of the torque motor <NUM>.

Should the power supply to motor <NUM> suddenly fail for any reason while this is operating to move the barrier, the second bolt <NUM> would remain disengaged from the further toothed wheel <NUM>' while the first bolt <NUM> would be immediately activated while the barrier continues to move forward due to inertia, with the risk of damaging the first bolt <NUM> and/or the toothed wheel <NUM>', from this engaged. To avoid this, the damping and friction coupling is provided between the shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM> and the toothed wheel <NUM>', which allows the shaft <NUM>, which is mechanically coupled directly with the linear gear <NUM> (preferably rack), to continue its rotation by the inertia of the whole moving part, even if the toothed wheel <NUM> is locked.

What has been outlined now shows how it is possible to use as a torque motor a sliding barrier actuator, never used for this specific application, and to eliminate all the drawbacks linked to the non-irreversibility of this type of movement.

An advantage of the invention consists in the reduced overall dimensions of the actuator apparatus, thanks to the elimination of the reduction gear, which in the traditional actuators entails a significant encumbrance.

Another advantage of the invention, linked to the previous one, consists in the fact that the elimination of the gear reducer in addition to reducing costs for the elimination of an expensive component, also entails a greater reliability of the actuator <NUM>, since each further component involves further risks of breakdowns or breakages due to its presence.

In particular, unlike <CIT>, in the actuator apparatus <NUM> according to the present invention the motor is of the torque type and is coupled directly - without the interposition of transmission or reduction units - with the linear gear integral with the sliding barrier and this is particularly advantageous in that it allows completely eliminating all the intermediate gears which, in <CIT>, are interposed between the pinion secured to the output of the driving shaft and the chain integral with the sliding barrier. More in detail, the engine of <CIT> is not a torque engine as it requires precisely the presence of a plurality of gears to reduce the rotation speed of the shaft of the engine and to increase the torque at the same time. Moreover, unlike <CIT>, in the actuation apparatus <NUM> according to the present invention a locking member is provided which acts on the rotation shaft of the torque motor by means of a damping mechanism.

Claim 1:
Actuator apparatus (<NUM>) for sliding barrier, comprising an electric motor which is a torque motor (<NUM>) operated by a control and command unit and configured to cause the rotation of its output shaft (<NUM>) which is provided with a pinion (<NUM>) designed to be coupled directly with a linear gear (<NUM>) integral with said barrier, said actuator apparatus (<NUM>) further comprising a locking device comprising:
- at least one bolt engagement member (<NUM>) which is mounted on a fixed part (<NUM>) of said actuator apparatus (<NUM>),
- a locking member (<NUM>) acting on the shaft (<NUM>) of said torque motor (<NUM>) by means of a damping mechanism (<NUM>),
- means (<NUM>, <NUM>) for moving said bolt engagement member (<NUM>) between an engagement position of said locking member (<NUM>) and a disengagement position therefrom, said means being configured to automatically bring said engagement member (<NUM>) in said engagement position when said torque motor (<NUM>) is not powered,
wherein:
- said locking member (<NUM>) is mounted neutral on said shaft of said torque motor (<NUM>),
- said damping mechanism ( <NUM>) is interposed between said shaft (<NUM>) of said torque motor (<NUM>) and said locking member (<NUM>) and comprises at least one body (<NUM>, <NUM>) which is integral with the rotation of the output shaft (<NUM>) and which is maintained in direct or indirect contact with said locking member (<NUM>),
- said locking member (<NUM>) comprises a toothed wheel (<NUM>') of which at least one tooth is designed to be engaged by a bolt engagement member (<NUM>) when said torque motor (<NUM>) is not powered, to said bolt engagement member (<NUM>) being associated with an electromagnetic actuator (<NUM>) of the monostable type which brings it in a disengaged condition from said toothed wheel (<NUM>'), when it is powered, and it allows the elastic reaction of at least one elastic element (<NUM>) to bring it into a engaged condition when it is not powered,
- said damping mechanism (<NUM>) comprises at least one friction element (<NUM>, <NUM>') which is interposed between the locking member (<NUM>) and said body (<NUM>, <NUM>) that is integral with the rotation of the output shaft (<NUM>).