Patent Description:
Automatic entrance systems are equipped with door operators for controlling the operation of the door member or door members. The door operators are commonly provided with a drive unit and a controller for said purpose.

To provide selective entrance through the door, the door member or door members may be provided with locks or alternatively, the door operator in itself may have a locking function. In such entrance systems there is a need for assessing whether the door is locked or not. For solving said problem the entrance system may be provided with additional hardware in the form of switches sending signals to the controller of the operator when the door is locked. The electronic switches leads to a more complex entrance system and requires the implementation of additional hardware and further digital inputs to the controller. Furthermore, to retrofit an existing entrance system with the required features to assess whether the door is locked is a relatively complex, cumbersome and expensive process.

The <CIT> and <CIT> disclose automatic entrance systems with locks.

The present inventor has realized that there is room for improvement in this field.

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide one or more improvements in the field of entrance systems.

According to an aspect an automatic door operator for an entrance system according to claim <NUM> is provided. The entrance system has at least one movable door member. The automatic door operator is arranged to operate the movable door member. The automatic door operator comprises a drive unit for moving the movable door member between a closed position and an open position. The automatic door operator further comprises a controller configured to control said drive unit and a sensor operatively connected to said controller. The sensor is configured to monitor the operation of the movable door member and transfer sensor data to said controller.

The controller is configured to receive a lock detection command and in response to said lock detection command cause the drive unit to attempt to move the movable door member towards a position disposed between the closed position and open position.

Further, the controller is configured to determine a door member status indicating whether the movable door member is locked based on sensor data obtained from the sensor during the attempt to move the movable door member to the position and generate a door member status signal based on said door member status.

According to an aspect an entrance system according to claim <NUM> is provided. The entrance system has at least one movable door member and further comprises an automatic door operator (<NUM>) according to the above.

According to an aspect a method of operating an automatic door operator for an entrance system according to claim <NUM> is also provided. The entrance system has at least one movable door member, whereby the automatic door operator is arranged to operate the movable door member. The automatic door operator comprises a drive unit for moving the movable door member between a closed position and an open position, a controller (<NUM>) configured to control said drive unit and a sensor operatively connected to said controller. The sensor is configured to monitor the operation of the movable door member and transfer sensor data to said controller.

The method comprises receiving a lock detection command and in response to the lock detection command causing the drive unit to attempt to move the movable door member to a position disposed between the closed position and open position.

The method further comprises determining a door member status indicating whether the movable door member is locked based on sensor data obtained from the sensor during the attempt to move the movable door member to the position and generating a door member status signal based on said door member status.

Objects, features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will appear from the following detailed description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. The terminology used in the detailed description of the particular embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram illustrating an entrance system <NUM>. The entrance system <NUM> comprises one or more movable door members D1. Dm, and an automatic door operator <NUM> for causing movements of the door members D1. Dm between closed and open positions. In <FIG>, a transmission mechanism <NUM> conveys mechanical power from the automatic door operator <NUM> to the movable door members D1.

<FIG> illustrates one embodiment of the automatic door operator <NUM> in more detail. Pursuant to the invention, a controller <NUM> is provided for the entrance system <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be part of the automatic door operator <NUM> as seen in the embodiment of <FIG>.

The embodiment of the automatic door operator <NUM> shown in <FIG> will now be described in more detail. The automatic door operator <NUM> may typically be arranged in conjunction with a frame or other structure which supports the door members D1. Dm for movements between closed and open positions, often as a concealed overhead installation in or at the frame or support structure.

In addition to the aforementioned controller <NUM>, the automatic door operator <NUM> comprises a drive unit <NUM>, typically an electrical motor, being connected to an internal transmission or gearbox <NUM>. An output shaft of the transmission <NUM> rotates upon activation of the motor <NUM> and is connected to the external transmission mechanism <NUM>. The external transmission mechanism translates the motion of the output shaft of the transmission <NUM> into an opening or a closing motion of one or more of the door members D1. Dm with respect to the frame or support structure.

The controller <NUM> is configured for performing different functions of the automatic door operator <NUM> in the different operational states of the entrance system <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is operatively connected to the sensor S1. Hence, the sensors S1 is connected to data inputs of the controller <NUM>. At least some of the different functions performable by the controller <NUM> have the purpose of causing desired movements of the door members D1. To this end, the controller <NUM> has at least one control output connected to the motor <NUM> for controlling the actuation thereof.

The controller <NUM> may be implemented in any known controller technology, including but not limited to microcontroller, processor (e.g. PLC, CPRPU, DSP), FPGA, ASIC or any other suitable digital and/or analog circuitry capable of performing the intended functionality.

The controller <NUM> also has an associated memory <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may be implemented in any known memory technology, including but not limited to E(E)PROM, S(D)RAM or flash memory. In some embodiments, the memory <NUM> may be integrated with or internal to the controller <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may store program instruction for execution by the controller <NUM>, as well as temporary and permanent data used by the controller <NUM>.

In one aspect of the invention, the automatic door operator <NUM> is for the entrance system <NUM> having at least one movable door member D1. The automatic door operator <NUM> is arranged to operate the movable door member D1. The automatic door operator <NUM> comprises the drive unit <NUM> for moving the movable door member D1 between a closed position and an open position. The closed position is herein defined as a position wherein the movable door member D1 seals of passage through the entrance system <NUM>. Correspondingly, the open position is herein defined as a position wherein the movable door member D1 enables passage through the entrance system <NUM>.

The automatic door operator <NUM> further comprises the controller <NUM> configured to control the drive unit <NUM> and the sensor S1 operatively connected to said controller <NUM>. The sensor S1 is configured to monitor the operation of the movable door member D1 and transfer sensor data to said controller <NUM>.

Worded differently, said sensor S1 is configured to monitor the operation of the movable door member D1 by means of monitoring parameters associated with the operation of the movable door member D1.

Again referring to <FIG>, the automatic door operator comprises a receiving communication interface X1 operatively connected to the controller <NUM>, said receiving communication interface X1 being configured to receive the lock detection command from an external device E1 which will be further described in <FIG>.

The automatic door operator may further comprise a transmitting communication interface X2 operatively connected to the controller <NUM>. The transmitting interface X2 may be configured to transmit the door member status signal to an external device E2 which will be further described in <FIG>.

<FIG> depicts an exemplary entrance system implementing the automatic door operator according to an embodiment of the present invention. The entrance system <NUM> is an overhead door system with the movable door member D1 moving between a vertical closed position and an horizontal open position. The movable door member D1 is movable along a track by means of the automatic door operator <NUM> being in driving connection with said movable door member D1. The movable door member D1 comprises a plurality of interconnected door sections <NUM>.

The drive unit of the automatic door operator <NUM> is connected to a drive shaft in driving connection with the movable door member D1. The drive shaft is connected to the transmission mechanism <NUM> which according to the entrance system depicted in <FIG> is in the form of a cable drive for transferring the torque from the drive shaft to the movable door member D1.

In many cases automatic entrance systems are provided with locks, for example in the form of mechanical locks, which serves to hold the movable door member in the closed position. In some entrance systems with a plurality of movable door members such as slide doors, the lock may serve to hold the plurality of movable door members in the closed position. To check if the door is locked, electric switches have been used in the past. However, such arrangements require additional hardware as well as electrical connections in the entrance system.

Hence, according to the invention the controller is configured to receive a lock detection command and in response to said lock detection command cause the drive unit <NUM> to attempt to move the movable door member D1 towards a position P disposed between the closed position and open position. The position P is disposed between said closed position and open position along the movement trajectory of the movable door member D1. The position P is disposed substantially closer to the closed position than the open position. This may be advantageous for security reasons due to the door not opening so as to allow access through the entrance system when being at its position P.

In order to perform a check whether the door member D1 is locked, the controller <NUM> is further configured to determine a door member status indicating whether the movable door member D1 is locked based on sensor data obtained from the sensor S1 during the attempt to move the movable door member to the position P. Worded differently, the controller is configured to determine a door member status associated with the movable door member being locked or a door member status associated with the movable door member being unlocked based on said sensor data.

To provide the user an indication of the door member status, e.g. whether the door member D1 is locked, the controller <NUM> is further configured to generate a door member status signal based on said door member status.

Hence, an automated check to detect if the movable door member D1 is locked may be performed without requiring components not included in a conventional entrance system. Further, the above described automatic door operator makes it possible to retrofit existing automatic door operators with the functionality due to the check only utilizing the standard components of the automatic door operator. Said retrofitting may be achieved by simply reconfiguring the automatic door operator to perform the check.

The controller <NUM> is further configured to cause the drive unit <NUM> to attempt to move the movable door member D1 towards the position P during a predefined time period TSET. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may only urge the drive unit <NUM> to move the movable door member D1 during a certain time period. Hence, the drive unit is not subjected to unnecessary load and wear due to attempting to move the movable door member D1 to the position P when the door member D1 is locked for extended time periods of time.

The controller <NUM> is configured to, after the predefined time period TSET has passed, cause the drive unit <NUM> to move the movable door member D1 to the closed position. Hence the movable door member D1 may return to its closed position after the check has been performed. In one embodiment, the controller <NUM> may be configured to cause the drive unit <NUM> to move the movable door member D1 to the closed position after a second predefined time period TSET2. The second predefined time period TSET2 may be longer than the predefined time period TSET, this may allow for ventilating air to pass through the entrance system before closing.

In one embodiment, the sensor S1 is configured to monitor the current provided to the drive unit <NUM> for powering said drive unit <NUM> or the position and/or movement of the movable door member D1. Accordingly, the sensor S1 may be configured to monitor the current provided to the drive unit <NUM> for powering said drive unit <NUM>. Alternatively, the sensor S1 may be configured to monitor the position and/or movement of the movable door member D1.

In one embodiment, the entrance system may have a plurality of movable door members. In one embodiment, the sensor S1 may be configured to monitor each movable door member. In one embodiment, the automatic door operator may comprise a plurality of sensors each being configured to monitor one of the plurality of movable door members.

In one embodiment, wherein the sensor S1 is configured to monitor the position and/or movement of the of the movable door member D1, the controller <NUM> is configured to determine a door member status indicating that the movable door member D1 is locked if the movement of the movable door member D1 is halted prior to said movable door member D1 reaching the position P. Hence, the controller <NUM> may be configured to determine a door member status indicating that the movable door member is unlocked if the movement of the movable door member D1 reaches the position P.

In one embodiment, the controller <NUM> is configured to determine a door member status indicating that the movable door member D1 is locked if the movable door member D1 has not reached the position P during the predefined time period TSET. Consequently, the controller <NUM> may be configured to determine a door member status indicating that the movable door member is unlocked if the movement of the movable door member D1 reaches the position P during the time period TSET.

The movement and/or position may be monitored by any conventional means known in the field of automatic door operators. For example, the sensor S1 for monitoring said movement and/or position may be an encoder configured to monitor the rotational movement of the drive shaft connected to the drive unit <NUM>. The drive shaft is in driving connection with the movable door member D1. The sensor S1 may alternatively or additionally be a position sensor mounted to the movable door member D1 configured to monitor the position and/or movement of the movable door member D1. The position sensor may be any type of position sensor known in the prior art, such as a hall-effect sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a capacitive transducer and an optical sensor.

In one embodiment, wherein the sensor S1 is configured to monitor the current provided to the drive unit <NUM> for powering said drive unit <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may hence be configured to determine a door member status indicating that the movable door member D1 is locked if said current exceeds a threshold current TC. The threshold current TC is indicative of the movement of the movable door member being obstructed. This may be due to the drive unit <NUM> trying to force the door open against the lock. The controller <NUM> may be configured to determine door member status indicating that the movable door member D1 is unlocked if said current does not exceed the threshold current TC. Preferably, the controller <NUM> is configured to determine a door member status indicating that the movable door member D1 is unlocked if said current does not exceed the threshold current TC during the time period TSET.

Further referencing <FIG>, the sequence performed by means of the controller according to an embodiment is further depicted. In <FIG> the controller has received the lock detection command. The controller <NUM> is configured to cause the movable door member D1 to move to the closed position in response to the lock detection command prior to causing the drive unit <NUM> to attempt to move the movable door member D1 towards the position P.

In some instances, the door may not have been closed properly which may cause an incorrect assessment regarding the door member being locked. By means of securing that the door member being in the closed position a more reliable manner of assessing whether door member is locked is achieved.

The lock detection command is sent from the external device E1. Hence, the operator may by means of a user interface of the external device E1 send the lock detection command to the automatic door operator <NUM>. More specifically the external device E1 is configured to send the lock detection command to the receiving communication interface X1 of the automatic door operator <NUM>. Said receiving communication interface X1 is in turn configured to transfer the lock detection command to the controller <NUM>, whereby the sequence for determining if the door member is locked is performed in response to the controller <NUM> receiving said lock detection command.

In one embodiment, the external device E1 may be for example a user control panel. The user control panel may be arranged in the vicinity of the entrance system <NUM>. The user control panel may be connected to the automatic door operator <NUM>, e.g. the receiving communication interface X1, by means of any conventional signal transferring system, e.g. by wire or by means of a wireless connection.

In one embodiment, the external device E1 may be a computing device, such as a smart phone, tablet or computer. By means of the user interface of the computing device a user may send the lock detection command to automatic door operator <NUM>, e.g. the controller <NUM> by means of the receiving communication interface X1. Hence, the computing device may be operatively connected to the receiving communication interface X1. The computing device may be connected to the receiving communication interface X1 via any commonly known suitable wireless connection such as for example Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, mobile network (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, GSM etc.) , or by means of a wire connection, such as Ethernet cable, USB etc..

In one embodiment, the receiving communication interface X1 and the external device E1 are connected via a server. The external device E1 may hence be configured to send the lock detection command via the server. The external device E1 and the receiving communication interface X1 may be operatively connected to the external server. The computing device may be connected to the receiving communication interface X1 via any commonly known suitable wireless connection such as for example Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, mobile network (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, GSM etc.) , or by means of a wire connection, such as Ethernet cable, USB etc. The server may be a cloud-based server.

To exemplify, a user may request a check whether the door is locked by sending a lock detection command from the computing device. The controller may initiate the sequence for determining whether the door member is locked and output a door member status signal to the computing device, whereby the GUI of the computing device indicates whether the door is locked based on the door member status signal.

As depicted in said <FIG>, the entrance system <NUM> may further comprise a lock <NUM> arranged to selectively lock the movable door member D1 in place. The lock <NUM> may be arranged to lock the movable door member D1 in the closed position.

In one embodiment the lock <NUM> may be in the form of an automated lock unit <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is operatively connected to the automated lock unit <NUM> for prompting said automated lock unit <NUM> to lock the movable door member D1.

Referencing <FIG>, the controller D1 is further configured to, in response to the lock detection command, prompt the automated lock unit <NUM> to lock the movable door member D1. As seen in said <FIG> this may be performed after the movable door member D1 has been caused to move to the closed position. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may be configured to prompt the automated lock unit <NUM> to lock the movable door member D1 after moving the movable door member D1 to the closed position in response to receiving the lock detection command. This allows for the user to get an indication whether the lock in itself is malfunctional.

With reference to <FIG>, the movable door member D1 is prompted to move towards the position P. The position P may be defined as a distance d, e.g. a vertical distance, from the closed positon, e.g. the floor of the entrance system. It is recognized that depending on the entrance system properties the position P may be defined differently. According to the present example, the distance d may be under <NUM>. In a swing door system the position P may be defined as an angle of the movable door member D1 in relation to the movable door member angle in the closed positon. After the predefined time period TSET has passed the movable door member D1 is moved back to the closed positon and the movement sequence is finished.

The lock detection command is sent from the external device E1. Hence, the operator may by means of a user interface of the external device E1 send the lock detection command to the automatic door operator <NUM>. More specifically the external device E1 is configured to send the lock detection command to the receiving communication interface X1 of the automatic door operator <NUM>. Said receiving communication interface X1 is in turn configured to transfer the lock detection command to the controller <NUM>, whereby the lock detection check is performed in response to the controller <NUM> receiving said lock detection command.

The generated door member status signal is transferred to the external device E2. In one embodiment, the external device E2 may be an indicating device, such as a light or speaker, operatively connected to the transmitting communication interface X2. Said indicating device may be configured to generate an alert or indication based on the generated door member status. The indicating device may be arranged in the vicinity of the entrance system <NUM>. In one embodiment, the external device configured to send the lock detection command and the external device configured to receive the door member status signal are the same external device.

In one embodiment, the external device E2 may be for example a user control panel. The user control panel may be arranged in the vicinity of the entrance system <NUM>. The user control panel may be connected to the automatic door operator <NUM>, e.g. the transmitting communication interface X2, by means of any conventional signal transferring system, e.g. by wire or by means of a wireless connection. The user control panel may comprise a graphical user interface (GUI) for presenting information to the user based on the generated door member status signal. For example, the GUI may present a graphical representation indicating a locked door or an unlocked door based on said door member status signal. The user control panel may be operatively connected to both the transmitting communication interface and the receiving communication interface.

In one embodiment, the external device E2 may be a computing device, such as a smart phone, tablet or computer. The user may thus be alerted regarding the door being locked by means of a GUI of the computing device. Hence, the computing device may be operatively connected to the transmitting communication interface X2. The computing device may be connected to the transmitting communication interface X2 via any commonly known suitable wireless connection such as for example Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, mobile network (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, GSM etc.) , or by means of a wire connection, such as Ethernet cable, USB etc. The computing device may comprise the graphical user interface (GUI) for presenting information to the user based on the generated door member status signal. For example, the GUI may present a graphical representation indicating a locked door or an unlocked door based on said door member status signal. The computing device may be operatively connected to both the transmitting communication interface and the receiving communication interface.

In one embodiment, the transmitting communication interface X2 and the external device E2 are connected via a server. The external device E2 may hence be configured to receive the door member status signal via the server. The external device E2 and the transmitting communication interface X2 may be operatively connected to the external server. The computing device may be connected to the transmitting communication interface X2 via any commonly known suitable wireless connection such as for example Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, mobile network (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, GSM etc.), or by means of a wire connection, such as Ethernet cable, USB etc. The server may be a cloud-based server.

Notably, the entrance system may be any one of the following: an overhead entrance system, an industrial port system, a garage port system, a revolving door system, a swing door system, a rolling door system and a sliding door system.

According to an aspect, an entrance system is provided. The entrance system has at least one movable door member D1. The entrance system <NUM> may further comprise the automatic door operator <NUM> in accordance with any of the described embodiments.

The method for performing the locked door check depicted in <FIG> is further described with reference to <FIG>. The method <NUM> comprises receiving a lock detection command <NUM> and in response to the lock detection command causing the drive unit <NUM> to attempt to move the movable door member D1 to the position P disposed between the closed position and open position.

The method further comprises determining a door member status indicating whether the movable door member D1 is locked based on sensor data obtained from the sensor S1 during the attempt to move the movable door member D1 to the position P and generating a door member status signal based on said door member status. Worded differently, the method comprises determining a door member status associated with the movable door member being locked or a door member status associated with the movable door member being unlocked based on said sensor data.

As described with reference to <FIG>, the sensor S1 may be configured to monitor the current provided to the drive unit <NUM> for powering said drive unit <NUM> or the position and/or movement of the movable door member D1.

The drive unit <NUM> is caused to attempt to move the movable door member D1 to the position P during the predefined time period TSET.

Turning to <FIG>, the method may further comprise to, in response to receiving the lock detection command, cause the movable door member D1 to move to the closed position, prior to causing the drive unit <NUM> to attempt to move the movable door member D1 towards the position P.

The method further comprises causing the drive unit <NUM> to move the movable door member D1 to the closed position after the predefined time period TSET has passed.

In one embodiment, the method may further comprise in response to receiving the lock detection command causing the movable door member D1 to move to the closed position, prior to causing the drive unit <NUM> to attempt to move the movable door member D1 towards the position P.

As described with reference to <FIG>, the controller <NUM> may be operatively connected to the automated lock unit <NUM> for prompting said automated lock unit <NUM> to lock the movable door member D1. Hence, the method may further comprise to, in response to the lock detection command, prompting the automated lock unit <NUM> to lock the movable door member D1.

In one embodiment, wherein the sensor S1 is configured to monitor the position and/or movement of the of the movable door member D1 whereby the method may further comprise determining a door member status indicating that the movable door member D1 is locked if the movement of the movable door member D1 is halted prior to said movable door member D1 reaching the position P.

The sensor S1 may be configured to monitor the position and/or movement of the movable door member D1. Accordingly, the method may comprise determining a door member status indicating that the movable door member D1 is locked if the movable door member D1 has not reached the position P during the predefined time period TSET. Said sensor S1 may be an encoder configured to monitor the rotational movement of a drive shaft connected to the drive unit <NUM>, said drive shaft being in driving connection with the movable door member D1. Alternatively, the sensor S1 may be a position sensor mounted to the movable door member D1 configured to monitor the position and/or movement of the movable door member D1.

The sensor S1 may be configured to monitor the current provided to the drive unit <NUM> for powering said drive unit <NUM>. The method may further comprise determining a door member status indicating that the movable door member D1 is locked if said current exceeds a threshold current TC.

The method further comprises receiving the lock detection command from the external device E1, by means of the receiving communication interface X1.

In one embodiment, the method may further comprise transmitting the door member status signal to the external device E2, preferably by means of the transmitting communication interface X2.

In one embodiment, the method may further comprise receiving the lock detection command from the external device and transmitting the door member status signal said external device E2. Accordingly the external device may be configured to both receive the door member status signal and send the lock detection command.

Claim 1:
An automatic door operator (<NUM>) for an entrance system (<NUM>) having at least one movable door member (D1), whereby the automatic door operator (<NUM>) is arranged to operate the movable door member (D1), said automatic door operator (<NUM>) comprising a drive unit (<NUM>) for moving the movable door member (D1) between a closed position and an open position, a controller (<NUM>) configured to control said drive unit (<NUM>), a receiving communication interface (X1) operatively connected to the controller (<NUM>), and a sensor (S1) operatively connected to said controller (<NUM>), said sensor being configured to monitor the operation of the movable door member (D1) and transfer sensor data to said controller (<NUM>),
whereby the receiving communication interface (X1) is configured to receive a lock detection command from an external device (E1), and
whereby the controller is configured to:
receive the lock detection command and in response to said lock detection command cause the drive unit (<NUM>) to attempt to move the movable door member (D1) towards a position (P) disposed between the closed position and open position during a predefined time period (TSET),
determine a door member status indicating whether the movable door member (D1) is locked based on sensor data obtained from the sensor (S1) during the attempt to move the movable door member to the position (P),
generate a door member status signal based on said door member status, and
after the predefined time period (TSET) has passed, cause the drive unit (<NUM>) to move the movable door member (D1) to the closed position.