U.S. patent number 3,653,154 [Application Number 05/010,454] was granted by the patent office on 1972-04-04 for door actuator.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Power Car Door Corporation. Invention is credited to William Hayday.
United States Patent |
3,653,154 |
Hayday |
April 4, 1972 |
DOOR ACTUATOR
Abstract
A door actuator device to automatically, by means of a remotely
actuated electrical switch, complete the opening as well as closing
and locking cycle of a door. The actuator device is driven by a D.
C., externally powered motor. In the opening cycle of a closed and
locked door, the motor drives a latch mechanism which releases the
door wherein the door lock and latch are interconnected and release
of the latch also releases the lock. In the closing cycle of an
open door, an automatic locking mechanism latches and locks the
door member. The operator has the option of overriding the actuator
device to open and close the door manually.
Inventors: |
Hayday; William (Flawborogh,
near Orston, EN) |
Assignee: |
Power Car Door Corporation
(Cherry Hill, NJ)
|
Family
ID: |
21745831 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/010,454 |
Filed: |
February 11, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
49/280;
192/45.017; 49/281; 49/358 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05F
15/63 (20150115); E05F 15/619 (20150115); E05Y
2600/46 (20130101); E05Y 2201/434 (20130101); E05Y
2900/132 (20130101); E05Y 2201/724 (20130101); E05Y
2900/531 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E05F
15/12 (20060101); E05f 015/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;49/139,140,280,281,300,302,358 ;192/45,44,15B,84PM |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Bell; J. Karl
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A door actuator device to operate the locking and latching
mechanisms of a door and to open and close the door by respectively
rotating the moveable section of the door free from, and into
engagement with a stationary post comprising:
a. motor means,
b. drive means actuated by said motor means said drive means being
movable (1) in a first direction forcing an opening rotational
movement of said door section, and (2) in a second direction
forcing a closing rotational movement of said door section,
c. latch means responsive to the initial actuation from a initial
position of said drive means by said motor means for operating said
locking and said latching mechanisms to unlock and unlatch said
moveable door section prior to said moveable door section having
imparted thereto a rotational velocity, and
d. locking means driven by said drive means in response to said
second direction movement of said drive means for operating said
locking mechanism to lock said moveable door section upon
engagement of said moveable door section with said stationary
post.
2. The door actuator device of claim 1 wherein said drive means
includes a drive plate rigidly coupled to a chain drive means, said
drive plate in contact with said latch means to sequentially
actuate said latch means, to contact and linearly translate said
locking means, to return to said initial position upon completion
of a cycle.
3. The door actuator device of claim 2 wherein said latch means
comprises a spring loaded cylindrical rod moving in linear
translation responsive to the movement of said drive plate, and in
contact with said stationary post of said door.
4. The door actuator device of claim 3 wherein said spring loaded
cylindrical rod includes a flexible actuator coupling cylindrical
in nature attached in a rigid manner to allow said door actuator
device to rotate through an opening cycle.
5. The door actuator device of claim 3 wherein the latch means
includes a spring actuated rod with a moveable cable capable of
movement with respect to said door actuator causing a release of
said locking and said latching mechanisms.
6. The door actuator device of claim 1 wherein said locking means
includes moveable head means coupled to said locking mechanism,
said drive means contacting and moving said moveable head until a
lock position of said locking mechanism is attained, means for
thereafter returning said drive means to an initial position
thereby allowing free translation of said moveable head and said
locking mechanism allowing manual operation of said locking
mechanism.
7. The door actuator device of claim 6 wherein said drive means is
moved by a resilient and spring means to said initial position upon
actuation of said locking mechanism.
8. The door actuator device of claim 6 wherein said moveable head
means includes a forcing rod rigidly attached to a moveable plate,
said forcing rod moving responsively upon contact pressure between
said forcing rod and said drive means.
9. The door actuator device of claim 8 wherein said moveable head
means is responsively driven by said chain drive plate in linear
translation within a locking means track machined into the base of
said door actuator device, thereby allowing said moveable head
motion with one degree of freedom.
10. The door actuator device of claim 6 wherein said locking means
has rigidly coupled to it a locking cable passing through a
stationary locking cable housing attached to said moveable section
of said door, wherein motion of said locking means being driven by
said chain drive plate causes stress to be exerted on said locking
mechanism thereby actuating said locking mechanism.
11. A door actuator device to operate the locking and latching
mechanisms of a door and to open and close the door by respectively
rotating the moveable section of the door free from, and into
engagement with a stationary post comprising:
a. D. C. operated permanent magnet, self excited motor means,
b. remote actuation means to operate said motor means from varying
locations,
c. means for reducing the rotational velocity of said motor means
and increase the applied load said actuator device imparts to said
stationary post to provide sufficient force to respectively rotate
the moveable section of the door free from, and into engagement
with said stationary post,
d. engaging and disengaging means actuated by the rotational
velocity of said motor means allowing free rotation of said motor
means without any load applied through said actuator device when
said door is operated manually, further applying a forcing load to
be transmitted through said actuator device to said door when said
actuator device is actuated by said motor means,
e. flexible coupling means actuated by said motor means, connected
rigidly to said motor means on one end and further connected to
said engaging and disengaging means on the opposing end,
f. drive means actuated by said motor means for opening and closing
said moveable door section by forcing a rotational velocity to be
imparted to said moveable door section,
g. latch means responsive to the initial actuation from an initial
position of said drive means by said motor means for operating said
locking and said latching mechanisms to unlock and unlatch said
moveable door section prior to said moveable door section having
imparted thereto a rotational velocity, and
h. locking means responsive to said drive means for operating said
locking mechanism to lock said moveable door section upon
engagement of said moveable door section with said stationary
post.
12. The door actuator device of claim 11 wherein the remote
actuation means includes electrical wiring connected to said motor,
traversing to a remote location, terminating in a switchbox with
corresponding means to allow operation of said motor from said
remote location.
13. The door actuator device of claim 11 wherein said means for
reducing the rotational velocity of said motor means include a set
of bevel gears to allow a change in the rotational plane through an
angle of ninety degrees, a spur gear rigidly attached to one of
said bevel gears, contacting a second spur gear to force actuation
of said driving means responsively as a function of said engaging
and disengaging means directly couples to said bevel gears.
14. The door actuator device of claim 11 wherein said locking means
comprise a contact roller rigidly connected to said drive means to
contact a moveable plate flexibly coupled to the base of said
actuator device wherein said moveable plate freely translates in
one degree freedom of motion responsive to the motion of said
contact roller.
15. The door actuator device of claim 14 wherein said moveable
plate is coupled to a locking cable passing through a stationary
locking cable housing rigidly attached to said moveable door
member, wherein translation of said moveable plate causes movement
of said locking cable attached in rigid manner to said locking
mechanism, whereby said locking mechanism is forced into a closed
position.
16. The door actuator device of claim 11 wherein said locking means
actuates said locking and latching mechanisms within said door
through a pivot means free to rotate about an axis through said
pivot means.
17. The door actuator device of claim 11 wherein said pivot means
include a pivot bar pinned through an axis of rotation to said
moveable door member, wherein said pivot bar is attached at one end
to said latching cable, and movement of said latching cable forces
rotation of said pivot bar around the axis of rotation causing
contact and relative movement at different points of said pivot bar
between said pivot bar and said locking mechanism as well as
between said pivot bar and said latching mechanism, to cause
sequential opening respectively of said locking mechanism and said
latching mechanism.
18. The door actuator device of claim 17 wherein said locking
mechanism is actuated by movement of a locking cable connected to
said pivot bar, whereby movement of said locking cable imparts a
rotative force to said pivot bar causing contact between said pivot
bar and said locking mechanism, whereby said locking mechanism is
linearly translated to affect a locking of said door.
19. The door actuator device of claim 11 wherein latch means and
lock means of said device are actuated responsively to the drive
means wherein said device is moved in linear translation by said
motor means.
20. The door actuator device of claim 19 wherein means for
unlocking and unlatching said door are actuated by movement of said
device compressing a spring encased within metal tubing whereby
said spring applies force to a screw rigidly attached to said door
and further extending laterally through said metal tubing, being
free to translate with respect to said metal tubing through a slot
machined into opposing surfaces of said metal tubing, whereby said
latching cable is provided motion due to relative movement between
said metal tubing and said screw.
21. The door actuator device of claim 20 wherein means for locking
said door is actuated by a locking cable attached rigidly to said
metal tube whereby a stationary locking cable housing is rigidly
attached to said screw, and said locking cable is rigidly attached
to said metal tube on one end and said locking mechanism on the
opposing end, movement of said metal tubing with respect to said
door imparts motion respectively to said locking cable and said
locking mechanism, thereby forcing said door to a lock
position.
22. A door actuator device to operate the locking and latching
mechanisms of a door and to open and close said door by
respectively rotating a moveable section of said door free from,
and into engagement with a stationary post comprising
a. drive means having a drive member moveable (1) in a first
direction forcing an opening rotational movement of said door
section and (2) in a second direction forcing a closing rotational
movement of said door section,
b. latch means for operating and releasing said locking and said
latching mechanisms prior to said moveable door section having said
rotational movement imparted thereto, and
c. locking means driven by said drive means in response to said
second direction movement of said drive member for operating said
locking mechanism to lock said door.
23. The device as recited in claim 22 wherein said locking means is
moved in said second direction for locking said door.
24. The device as recited in claim 23 wherein said drive member is
moveable (1) through a first predetermined displacement in said
first direction, and (2) through a second predetermined
displacement in said second direction.
25. The device as recited in claim 24 wherein said second
displacement is greater than said first displacement.
26. The device as recited in claim 25 wherein said drive member
engages said locking means when said drive member moves in said
second direction.
27. The device as recited in claim 26 wherein said drive member
engages said locking means through only a portion of said second
displacement.
28. The device as recited in claim 26 wherein said drive member
engages said locking means only during a termination phase of said
second displacement.
29. The device as recited in claim 27 wherein said locking means
driven in said second direction is linearly translated.
30. The device as recited in claim 26 including means for
disengaging said locking means from said drive member after said
door is locked.
31. The device as recited in claim 30 wherein said disengaging
means provides freedom of movement of said locking means in said
first direction.
32. The device as recited in claim 30 wherein said disengaging
means moves said drive member in said first direction.
33. The device as recited in claim 22 wherein said drive means
includes a moveable member rigidly secured to said stationary post,
said drive member being resiliently connected to said moveable
member.
34. The device as recited in claim 33 wherein said latch means is
coupled to said moveable member for releasing said locking and
latching mechanisms when said moveable member moves from an initial
position in said first direction.
35. The device as recited in claim 34 wherein said moveable member
is linearly moveable in a first direction only when said drive
member moves from said initial position in said first direction
through a distance sufficient to provide a resilient force
providing an opening rotational movement of said door section.
36. A door actuator device to operate the locking and latching
mechanisms of a door and to open and close the door by respectively
rotating the moveable section of the door free from, and into
engagement with a stationary post comprising:
a. motor means,
b. drive means actuated by said motor means for opening and closing
said moveable door section by forcing a rotational velocity to be
imparted to said moveable door section,
c. locking means responsive to said drive means for operating said
locking mechanism to unlock said moveable door section before
release of said moveable door section from said stationary
post,
d. latch means responsive to actuation from an initial position of
said drive means by said motor means for operating said latching
mechanism to unlatch said moveable door section prior to said
moveable door section having imparted thereto a rotational
velocity,
e. means responsive to said drive means for operating said locking
mechanism to lock said moveable door section upon engagement of
said moveable door section with said stationary post, and
f. a drive plate responsively driven by said driving means in
linear translation within a locking means track machined into the
base of said door actuator device.
37. The door actuator device of claim 36 wherein said drive plate
comprises, a lock trip plate contacted by said driving means to
translate said drive plate in a first direction, a locking cable
connected to said drive plate to actuate said locking means into a
lock position, a trip arm contacted by said driving means to
translate said drive plate in a motion opposite to said first
direction, an unlocking cable connected in rigid fashion to said
drive plate to operate said locking means to unlock said locking
mechanism, and a set of rollers contacted by said trip arm to allow
relative motion of said drive plate and trip arm relative to said
rollers, to allow return of said driving means to said initial
position and manual control of said locking mechanism.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the filed of door actuators which allow
for automatic latching or unlatching, locking and unlocking, as
well as providing a mechanism to let the movable door member swing
free of the stationary post or chassis by means of a remotely
actuated motor.
2. Prior Art
Actuator devices to open and close doors are known in which a door
is latched and a mechanism allows a movable door member to swing
free or come in contact with a stationary post or chassis. Until
this time automatic unlocking of the door could only be
accomplished where the unlatching mechanism was directly connected
to the lock mechanism and upon actuation of the latch would force
the lock to an opening position.
In prior devices actuation of the lock mechanism to a locking
position was a manual operation. Such manual operation of the lock
mechanism might cause the operator to assume an added motion in
locking the door, as well as being a negative safety feature in
that the operator may forget to complete the locking operation.
Until this time actuators were operated either by vacuum
compression which had the disadvantage of only allowing such a
device to operate from a piston type motor drive such as an auto
engine, further not permitting the actuator to be operated
continuously after shutdown of the motor drive; or by D. C. drive
separately excited field motors which had to be controlled by a
number of resistors, and relays to provide reasonable opening and
closing characteristics of the door. When a motor has previously
been used to operate the actuator, the motor has been directly
connected to the actuator thereby restricting the possible mounting
locations within a door.
There has not, in the prior art, been provided an engaging clutch
from motor to actuator. Without a clutch mechanism, applied force
by the operator when opening the door manually is greatly
increased, thereby causing additional strain on the gears, motor
and driving mechanism thereby lowering the life cycle of the entire
actuator device.
A further disadvantage of prior devices has been that driving
forces applied to the latching and door rotation devices have been
accomplished by either gear interaction or direct linkage movement.
This mode of operation produces high stress concentrations over
individual gear teeth or at specific points in the linkage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A door actuator device to operate the locking and latching
mechanisms of a door and to open and close the door by respectively
rotating the moveable section of the door free from, and into
engagement with a stationary post. A motor actuates a driving
mechanism which forces a rotational velocity to be imparted to the
moveable door section. However, a latching device moves
responsively to the actuation of the driving mechanism unlocking
and unlatching the moveable door section prior to the moveable door
section having a rotational velocity imparted to it. A locking
device is responsive to the actuation of the driving mechanism and
locks the moveable door section upon engagement of the moveable
door section and the stationary post.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the movable door section and the
door stationary post with a cutout section showing the operational
door actuator within the movable door section;
FIG. 2 is an isometric drawing of the door actuator housing showing
an exploded view of the gear box housing mechanisms;
FIG. 3 is an elevational drawing of the door actuator locking and
latching mechanisms;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the door actuator mechanisms;
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the door actuator locking
mechanisms;
FIG. 6 is an isometric drawing of the door actuator latching
device;
FIG. 7 is an elevational drawing of the clutch mechanism and its
attachment to the actuator motor;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional drawing of the clutch;
FIG. 9. is a perspective drawing of the door actuator locking
device attached to the chain drive;
FIG. 10 is a side view of the embodiment wherein a pivot bar
operates the door locking and latching mechanism;
FIG. 11 is an elevational drawing of the movable door actuator with
associated locking and latching devices;
FIG. 12 is a top view of the embodiment wherein locking and
unlocking mechanisms utilize the lower track of actuator
housing;
FIG. 13 is an elevational section view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Referring now to FIGS. 1-7 with special emphasis on FIG. 1, there
is seen a movable door member 1 which has rotational capabilities
about an axis through a plurality of hinges 3 attached to
stationary chassis 5 at one end and to movable door member 1 on the
other end. An electrical switchbox 10 is attached to stationary
chassis 5 at a convenient location for the operator. An electrical
switch 15 on electrical switchbox 10 activates actuator motor 25.
Electrical cabling 20 passing between electrical switchbox 10
through stationary chassis 5 to movable door member 1, and then
attached to actuator motor 25 is the electrical conduit for
operation of actuator motor 25. Where door actuator 40 is in use to
operate automobile doors the remote means stated for the actuation
of the device may include switchbox 10 to be installed external to
the automobile, on the fender or some such convenient place, where
operation of door actuator 40 would still be operated by electrical
switchbox 10 by electrical switch 15 or a key insert wherein
turning the key to different positions would have the effect of
opening different auto doors.
Actuator motor 25 is separately excited and is of the permanent
magnet type. Actuator motor 25 is a 12 volt, two directional type,
drawing between 18 and 120 watts which allows the necessary power
to operate the actuator, but not so much power that when movable
door member 1 is free and all of the load taken away that motor 25
would begin to turn at a very high RPM. Thus with the load removed,
the motor does not gallop away in the manner of a separately
excited field motor. Motor 25 allows for a minimum change in RPM
between a heavy load condition and a no load condition.
Actuator motor 25 drives flexible shaft 30 attached at one end to
actuator motor 25 and at the other end to clutch box 35. Flexible
shaft 30 is constructed of a base wire bound cable enclosed in a
flexible casing of cylindrical form with layered, suitably
resilient material such as steel or fiberglass. End fitting 32
attaches flexible shaft 30 to actuator motor 25 on one end and on
the opposing end to clutch box 35. Clutch box 35 will later be
described in detail. Flexible shaft 30 allows actuator motor 25 to
be placed at various locations on movable door member 1 which point
is dictated by the ease of installation. Flexible shaft 30 also has
the advantage of minimizing the noise level that may occur if a
rigid drive were incorporated between motor 25 and door actuator
40.
As is shown in FIG. 2 bevel gear input shaft 50 is driven from
clutch box 35 on one end, thus causing rotation of bevel gear 55
upon engagement of actuator motor 25. Bevel gear 55 is rotated and
in contact with bevel gear 60. The ratio of gear teeth between
bevel gear 60 and the pinion bevel gear 55 is approximately 4:1.
Upon engagement the axis of rotation is changed by 90.degree. from
the original axis described by the bevel gear input shaft 50, and
an included speed reduction of approximately one-half the original
rotational speed.
Bevel gear 60 is force fitted into gear pin 70 which is also force
fitted to spur gear 65 approximately one-half the diameter of bevel
gear 60. Bevel gear 60 and spur gear 65 are forced into contact on
mating surfaces in the plane of rotation. In order to assume
contact with no slipping between the surfaces, two flat screws 66
are attached through bevel gear 60 to spur gear 65. Extending from
the upper surface of bevel gear 60 is gear pin 70 which further
extends through gear box cover plate 75 through a hole 100 which of
sufficient diameter to allow rotation of bevel gear 60. Pin 70 also
extends below the lower surface of spur gear 65 and rotates freely
in a pin hole 80 of sufficient diameter in the base of gear box
housing 45 to allow complete rotation of the gear mechanism.
Spur gear 65 in a driving mode comes in contact with driving
actuator gear 85 which in turn drives the actuating mechanism.
Driving gear pin 90 extends through the gear box cover plate pin
holes 100 allowing free rotation of driving actuator gear 85. Gear
Pin 90 is force fit on the driving actuator gear 85 to prevent
slipping and passes through gear box housing 45 to actuate the
mechanism for locking and opening the door. Drive gear pin 90
passes through a drive pin hole 105 drilled into the base surface
of gear box housing 45 and is of sufficient diameter to allow free
rotation of drive gear pin 90. In order to seal gear box housing 45
from the external environment, gear box housing 45 is fitted by
gear box upper plate 75 and attached to gear box housing 45 by
screw members 115 passing through gear box cover plate 75 into gear
box housing 45 and thereby rigidly attaching the aforesaid members
to each other.
As shown in FIG. 2 bevel gear input shaft 50 enters gear box
housing 45 from vertical surface 52, however, input shaft 50 may
enter through adjacent vertical surface 57 or the opposing surface
without causing any change in the operation of the device or
significantly changing the invention. Entrance of input shaft 50
through vertical surface 57 or its opposing side may be
necessitated by location restrictions placed on actuator motor
25.
As shown in FIG. 3 and 4, to be used in conjunction with FIG. 1,
door latch and opening mechanism 110 is activated by drive sprocket
120 attached to drive gear pin 90 which in turn is driven by
driving actuator gear 85. Drive sprocket 120 is rigidly attached to
drive gear pin 90 and drives chain drive 125 which is in contact on
one surface with drive sprocket 120 and on the other end to movable
sprocket 130. Movable sprocket 130 is force fit to movable sprocket
pin 135. A movable sprocket pin hole 345, of sufficient diameter to
allow free rotation of the movable sprocket pin 135 is drilled into
door actuator housing 40 which in turn allows rotation of movable
sprocket 130. Chain drive plate 140 is rigidly attached to chain
drive 125 by way of two rigid pin members 138. Chain drive plate
140 is contacted by latch bar 145. Rotation of the drive sprocket
120 causes translation of chain drive plate 140 and by necessity
the same linear translation by latch bar 145.
Latch bar 145 is essentially a piece of flat steel rectangular in
shape with a head end surface 146 and a rear surface 147 bent at an
angle of 90.degree. to the upper surface 148. Latch bar upper
surface 148 has slot 149 milled into it which continues around to
the head end surface 146. The width of slot 149 is sufficient to
allow passage of the latch release cable 180 but not sufficient in
width to allow passage of the latch release cable head 175 which
rests against the latch bar head end 146. To allow latch release
cable head 175 to be placed in the proper position an enlarged slot
opening 151 is drilled into latch bar 145 at the end of slot 149.
Latch bar rear surface 147 has a hole drilled into it of sufficient
diameter to allow passage and free translation of latch rod
153.
In order to open door member 1 drive sprocket 120 moves chain drive
125 which in turn causes translation of chain drive plate 140 and
latch bar 145. Translation of latch bar 145 causes compressive
stresses on latch spring 152 and tension stresses on lock actuator
spring 150 which are in turn coiled around latch rod 153. Lock
actuator spring 150 is free floating and not joined to drive plate
140, and further is in a pre-compressed position before actuation
of door actuator 40. Latch rod 153 is cylindrical in shape and
holds both lock actuator spring 150 and latch spring 152 in place
by their attachment to lock spring head 156 and latch spring head
158 at opposing ends of latch rod 153. In addition, lock actuator
spring 150 and latch spring 152 are separated from each other by
latch bar rear surface 147 and are in contact with latch bar 145 on
opposing surfaces 205 and 210 respectively. Translation of latch
bar 145 will not move latch rod 153 and its attached member
cylindrical bar 155, however, movement of latch bar 145 does cause
latch release cable 180 to move. Latch release cable 180 is
attached to latch bar 145 by latch release cable head 175. Movement
of latch release cable 180 causes a tension stress to be applied to
latch mechanism 200 which in turn opens the latch and lock
mechanism. In order to allow for placement of latch release cable
180 in various positions in movable door member 1, latch release
cable 180 is surrounded by a stationary flexible cable housing 185
which is rigidly attached to movable door member 1 through cable
housing head 190 by a set of cable housing screw attachments
195.
When latch mechanism 200 is released, movable door member 1 is then
free to move away from stationary chassis 5 and does so by release
of the compressive stresses placed on latch rod 153. Latch rod 153
is rigidly attached to rigid cylindrical bar 155 which in turn is
attached on its opposing end by a flexible cylinder spring 160
which in turn is attached to clevis 170. Movement of the relatively
rigid mechanism causes clevis 170, flexible cylinder 160, rigid
cylindrical bar 155 and latch rod 153 to move within movable door
member 1 and relative to stationary chassis 5 thereby allowing
movable door member 1 to swing free of stationary chassis 5.
In order to close and lock the movable door member 1, drive
sprocket 120 is driven in the opposing direction thereby causing
chain drive plate 140 to translate, putting latch spring 152 in
tension and pulling with it latch rod 153, rigid cylindrical 155,
flexible cylinder 160, and clevis 170. Movable door member is thus
brought into contact with stationary chassis 5, thereby closing the
door. Chain drive plate 140 then comes in contact with locking
mechanism 215. Chain drive plate 140 comes in contact with locking
pin 220 which is a thin cylindrical rod rigidly attached to movable
head 255. Movable head 255 moves in locking mechanism track 250
provided in door actuating housing 40. In order to provide a stop
mechanism for locking device 215 when moving in locking mechanism
track 250, rigid plate 225 is attached to door actuator housing 40
by plate screw 230. On the opposing end of locking mechanism track
250 there is also provided stop control 260 consisting of a rigidly
attached plate which makes contact with movable head 255 thereby
stopping locking mechanism 215 when the door has been locked.
Locking cable 235 is rigidly attached to plate 225 by a locking
cable head 240. Locking cable 235 passes through movable head 255
on the opposing side from which locking pin 220 is attached.
Movement of movable head 255 causes locking cable 235 to move
relative to stationary locking cable housing 245 which in turn
forces lock 270 closed. Stationary locking cable housing 245 is
rigidly attached by way of locking cable housing attachment 265 to
movable door member 1 thereby allowing no relative motion between
stationary locking cable housing 245 and movable door member 1 but
allowing relative motion between locking cable 235 and stationary
locking cable housing 245. Once locked, movable head 255 is in
contact with stop control 260, due to the tension placed on latch
spring 152, chain drive plate 140 now reverses its translation and
moves chain drive 125 to its original closed position. This
movement provides a space between locking pin 220 and chain drive
plate 140, and further allows the operator to lift lock 270
manually if he wishes. When lock 270 is lifted manually if he
wishes. When lock 270 is lifted manually the process reverses
wherein movable head 255 is translated with its locking pin 220 to
come in contact with chain drive plate 140.
In order to manually override the entire mechanism clutch 275 is
attached to one end of flexible shaft 30 and on the opposing end to
gear box housing 45. On manual override the clutch will negate any
of the input loading on such components as the gears and other
mechanisms and by keeping such a strain to a minimum the life of
the unit is increased.
As shown on FIGS. 7 and 8 clutch mechanism input shaft 280 is
attached to flexible shaft 30, movement of input shaft 280 in a
rotational mode of operation causes a rotation of input plate 290.
Input plate 290 is basically a circular plate with a segment of the
base circle cut out on either side of the axis, taking the shape of
a rounded rectangle sitting on top of a semi-circle. Input plate
290 is smaller in diameter than the outer cylinder 305 and
therefore is free to rotate without making contact. Composition of
input plate 290 must be of a non-magnetic material such as
fiberglass or plastic.
Assuming actuator motor 25 is turned on and drives flex shaft 30
thereby driving input shaft 280 and finally rotating input plate
290 it is seen that input plate 290 initially is not in contact
with outer cylinder 305. Assuming counterclockwise motion once
input plate 290 begins its rotation, ferrite roller 300, due to
friction, mass drag, and centrifugal forces are forced in an upward
direction against outer cylinder 305, thus causing a friction block
between input plate 290 and outer cylinder 305. Once outer cylinder
305 begins to rotate, output shaft 285 which is rigidly attached to
outer cylinder 305, begins to rotate thereby driving bevel gear 55.
The gap between outer cylinders 305 and input plate 290 is a very
small magnitude and can be as little as one thirty-second inch.
Upon completion of the cycle actuator motor 25 stops, roller 300
made of a ferrite material is moved by inertial forces and
attracted by permanent magnet 295 which is attached to input plate
290. Roller 300 is constructed either as a ball or as a cylindrical
rolling section. Input plate 290 must be constructed of a
non-ferrite material in order that roller 300 is not attracted to
input plate 290. Attachments of permanent magnet 295 to the input
plate 290 may be accomplished by screws, gluing, or press fit. This
action is predicated on counterclockwise rotation of input plate
290 as is seen in FIG. 8, during counterclockwise rotation roller
301 remains attached to permanent magnet 296, during clockwise
rotation of input plate 290 the process is reversed and roller 301
is acted upon by the same forces, and operates in the same manner
as roller 300 does in counterclockwise rotation with the exception
then being that roller 301 is attracted by permanent magnet
296.
In the manual override basic concept it can be seen that output
shaft 285 is moved, thereby forcing a rotation of outer cylinder
305 but causing no movement of input plate 290 due to the fact that
rollers 300 are attached to permanent magnet 295. Since there is no
connection between outer cylinder 300 and input plate 290 no
movement of flex shaft 30 or of actuator motor 25 will occur
thereby lowering the amount of force necessary to operate the door
in manual operation.
Door actuator housing 40 is basically rectangular in nature,
symmetrically cast in order to allow general movement of latching
rod mechanism 153 to be placed either in upper track 310 or in
lower track 315. This symmetrical design allows for flexibility in
constructing the entire mechanism, and further allows an embodiment
which will be later explained in detail. Elongated opening 320
passes entirely through door actuator housing 40 and is centrally
located. Elongated opening 320 allows the door actuator housing 40
to be attached by means of screw enplacements to movable door
member 1 at various locations. Two housing coverplates 330 and 335
are used to protect door actuator housing 40 from external
environment and are separate and distinct in order that any repairs
in one section can be made without opening the other cover plate.
Driving sprocket 120 passes through a hole 340 sufficient in
diameter to allow free movement of driving sprocket pin 90. Driving
sprocket hole 340 extends throughout the width of door actuator
housing 40. Movable sprocket hole 345 is drilled on the opposing
side of the elongated opening 320, this movable sprocket hole 345
is sufficient in diameter to accept the pin from movable sprocket
130.
An embodiment to the actuating mechanism includes locking device
215 to utilize lower track 315 of door actuator housing 40.
Attached to drive chain 125 is contact roller 380 held in place and
in rigid fashion to chain drive 125 by bolt 385 and nut 390 on the
opposing surface of chain drive 125 with contact between contact
roller 380 and chain drive 125 interspersed with plate 395. Upon
actuation of the locking cycle contact roller 380 moves until it is
in contact with contact end plate 355, the entire catch plate 350
now is translated along lower track 315. Catch plate 350 is held in
movable contact with lower track 315 by a movable screw 370 through
slot 365 in the lower base of catch plate 350. Contact between
contact roller 380 and contact end plate 355 and subsequent
movement allows for a translation of latch release cable 185 which
is attached to locking cable end plate 360 through a locking cable
hole 375 which is sufficient in diameter to allow free movement of
latch release cable 185 but not sufficient to allow passage of
latch release cable head 175. Movement of latch release cable 185
actuates the lock which in turn locks the door.
Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 10 wherein release of the door
latch mechanism 425 does not automatically release the lock 270.
This embodiment is seen on certain types of automobile doors and
the attachment to automatically release both the lock 270 and the
separate door latch mechanism 425 is added for the sake of
completeness. Pivot bar 350, made of hardened steel, is pivoted
around a pivot bar pin 375 and is rigidly attached to structural
members on the movable door member 1.
In the operation of opening the movable door member 1, latch
release cable 180 has a tensile load applied which is transmitted
to pivot bar 490 through latch cable washer 500 which rests on the
upper surface of pivot bar 490. Latch cable washer 500 is rigidly
attached to latch release cable 180 which extends through pivot bar
490 within pivot bar latch cable hole 495 of sufficient diameter to
allow passage of latch release cable 180 but not of large enough
diameter to allow passage of latch cable washer 500.
Movement of pivot bar 490 causes a tension induced movement on door
latch cable 410 which is connected to pivot bar 490 by door latch
washer 405 resting on the upper surface of pivot bar 490. Pivot bar
door latch cable hole 407 is of sufficient diameter to allow
passage of door latch cable 410 but not large enough to allow
passage of door latch washer 405. Door latch cable 410 is encased
in a stationary door latch cable housing 420 which is attached
rigidly to movable door member 1 through door latch cable housing
head 415. Movement of door latch cable 410 causes unlatching of
door latch mechanism 425.
In addition to the unlatching process, pivot bar 490 also moves
against a helical lock spring 505 wrapped around lock 270, in
contact with the upper surface of pivot bar 490 on one side and
with upper lock washer 510 on the other side. Upper lock washer 510
is rigidly attached to lock 270 and is of diameter in excess of
diameter of lock spring 505. Compressive loads are transmitted from
upper surface of pivot bar 490 through helical lock spring 505 to
upper lock washer 510 and finally to lock 270 causing a movement in
an upward direction to unlock movable door member 1.
In a closing operation movable door member 1 closes automatically
latching door latch mechanism 425. Locking cable 235 compresses
with respect to stationary locking cable housing 245 attached
rigidly to movable door member 1 by locking cable housing
attachment 265. Movement of locking cable 235 forces pivot bar 490
to rotate about pivot bar pin 515. Force is applied to pivot bar
490 through lock cable washer 520 which is sufficient in diameter
not to pass through pivot bar lock cable hole 525. Movement of
pivot bar 490 forces the lower surface to come in contact with
lower lock washer 530 attached rigidly to lock 270. Movement of
lower lock washer 530 causes lock 270 to move in a downward
direction, thereby completing the locking cycle.
A further embodiment provides for a movable door actuator housing
40 within movable door member 1. Such an embodiment may be
necessitated by the need associated with a particular door opening
mechanism. Internal operation and activation within door actuator
housing is similar in nature to the base invention and will not be
discussed for the sake of brevity, however, the latching and
locking process, which covers the embodiment are described in
detail.
Door actuator housing 40 is attached to movable door member 1 by
two slot bolts 430, which extend through door actuator housing 40
and are rigidly attached to movable door member 1. Slot bolts 430
have a smaller diameter than the width of elongated opening 320,
thereby allowing linear translation of door actuator housing 40.
Upon actuation of the opening cycle, actuator motor 25 which is now
attached to adjacent vertical surface 57, forces clevis 170 against
stationary chassis 5. Actuator housing 40 moves with respect to
slot bolts 430 causing a compression of latch actuator spring 435.
Latch actuator spring 435 is coiled within latch tube 440.
Compressive forces of latch actuator spring 435 are transmitted to
latch plate 445 which allows linear movement of latch tube 440 with
respect to latch bolt 450. Latch bolt 450 is rigidly attached to
movable door member 1 on one end and allows movement of latch tube
440 by two latch slots 455 milled into the upper and lower surface
of latch tube 440. Movement of latch tube 440 causes latch release
cable 180 to compressively stress latching mechanism 425 by causing
latch release cable 180 to move with respect to stationary cable
housing 185 which is rigidly attached to latch tube end plate 460.
Latch deactivation spring 465 coiled within latch tube 440 and in
contact with latch plate 445 on one end and latch tube end plate
460 on the other end, forces door actuator housing 40 to a
non-stressed position.
In a locking operation, door actuator housing 40 translates in the
opposite direction leading to compressive spring stresses of latch
deactivation spring 465 on latch plate 445. Locking pin bar 475,
attached to latch tube 440 by lock rigid pin 470 pulls locking
cable 235 with respect to stationary locking cable housing 245
which in turn is rigidly attached to latch bolt 450. Operation of
this action pulls lock 270 to a closed position, thereby
automatically locking the door.
A further embodiment is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 wherein lower
track 315 is utilized to permit unlocking of movable door member 1
by a separate and distinct mechanism not related to the unlatching
procedure. Lock plate 540 is free to translate in lower track 315
of door actuator 40. In the locking operation, lock bar 545,
rigidly connected to chain drive 125 is translated, and acting in
response to chain drive 125 motion, contacts lock trip plate 550.
Lock trip plate 550 being rigidly attached to lock plate 540 forces
movement of lock plate 540 within lower track 315. Lock cable 555
is attached through stationary lock cable housing 560 to lock trip
plate 550. Stationary lock cable housing 560 is rigidly connected
to mounting bracket 565 which in turn is attached in rigid fashion
to the base of lower track 315. Movement of lock plate 540, and in
turn lock trip plate 550 causes tension loading on lock cable 555
which in turn is connected to lock 270 and causes lock 270 to be
forced into a lock position.
In the unlocking mode of operation, chain drive 125 moves in the
opposite direction thereby causing lock bar 545 to contact trip arm
570 which is constructed of one or two metal plates rigidly
attached so that adjacent edges form a right angle wherein a trip
arm pin 575 extends through trip arm 570 and is connected to lock
plate 540. Trip arm pin 575 allows rotation of trip arm 570 with
respect to lock plate 540. Contact with, and subsequent motion of
trip arm 570 causes lock plate 540 to translate with respect to the
base of door actuator 40. Trip arm 570 comes in rolling contact
with lock rollers 585 and moves with rolling contact along contact
roller trip arm surface 580. Lock rollers 585 are free to rotate,
however, are fixed in location with respect to the base of door
actuator 40 by lock roller bolts 590 which are rigidly attached to
base of door actuator 40. Motion of lock plate 540 is possible in
this mode of operation because of a lock plate slot 595 whose width
is large enough to allow passage of lock roller bolts 590 but
smaller in width than diameter of lock rollers 585.
Unlock cable 600 attached to lock plate 540 through unlock cable
stationary housing 605 and unlock cable head end 610 which is
rigidly attached to lock plate 540, is compressed, thereby forcing
locking mechanism on moveable door section 1 to move and be forced
to an unlock position.
Upon completion of the unlocking procedure trip arm 570 is no
longer in contact with lock rollers 585 and freely rotates out of
the way of contact with lock bar 545, thereby allowing free
movement of chain drive 125 and further allowing manual operation
of locking mechanism if the operator desires such.
* * * * *