EP0711376B1

EP0711376B1 - A coupling device for connecting an electrical operator device with an operating member

Info

Publication number: EP0711376B1
Application number: EP94918305A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Klemens Schlachter; Claus Börge BRADE
Original assignee: VKR Holding AS
Current assignee: VKR Holding AS
Priority date: 1993-07-28
Filing date: 1994-06-07
Publication date: 1996-12-27
Anticipated expiration: 2014-06-07
Also published as: EP0711376A1; WO1995004204A1; DE69401281T2; DE4325328C1; ATE146847T1; DE69401281D1; AU6968894A

Abstract

An electrical operator device for opening and closing a window comprises a case (6) connected with the main frame structure and a push element (12) extending from there in the direction of the frame. The operator device is disengageably connected with an operating member (4) for a locking mechanism, which operating member is pivotally mounted on the frame, by means of a coupling device comprising a male part having a head portion (20) connected with the free end of the push element, for disengageable engagement with a female part with a recess (22), in connection with an insertion opening (21), mounted on the operating member (4). The head portion (20) of the male part and the recess and opening (21) of the female part are elaborated and adapted to each other in such a way that the head portion (20), in a position of the pivotal operating member (4) corresponding to activation of the locking mechanism when the window is closed, can be guided into and out of the opening, but in a swung-out position of the operating member (4)in relation thereto, corresponding to a release of the locking mechanism, is prevented from passing out through the insertion opening. The operator device is controlled in such a way that in the first mentioned position, the male part is disengaged from the female part.

Description

The invention relates to a coupling device for connecting an electrical operator device for opening and closing a window with an operating member for a locking mechanism, which operating member is pivotally mounted on the window frame, the operator device comprising a case connected with the main frame structure opposite said operating member, and a push element extending from there in the direction of the frame, the effective length of which push element may be increased or reduced for opening and closing, respectively, of the window by activating the operator device, in which the coupling device comprises a first coupling element connected with the free end of the push element, which coupling element is elaborated for disengageable engagement with a second coupling element mounted on said operating member.
Windows having a frame pivotal about an axis, in particular a central axis, are especially used as roof windows. Such windows are increasingly being automatized, i.e. opening and closing of the pivotal frame is done by means of an electrical operator device and a corresponding push element.
The window is normally elaborated with the operator device being placed on the main frame top member or on a permanent part located on this, and in such a way that the push element is guided to a frame member or through the top member of the frame and is fastened to an operating member connected with the top frame member.
When opening the window frame, the push element, after a corresponding activation of the operator device, is set in forward direction. Thereby the operating member is swung out and the window is disengaged. During the further forward movement of the push element, the window is then opened correspondingly. The closing is performed in the opposite way.
The disadvantage of these windows is the fact that the firm connection between the push element and the operating member requires automatic operation.
It is thus not possible to perform manual operation of the window without using technical aids. In several cases, however, manual operation of the frame is desirable and advantageous. When e.g. cleaning the window it is necessary to turn this around completely, i.e. almost 180°. With the windows described above, however, this is not possible without using technical aids, because in order to readjust the operator device, the push element connected with the operating member must be disconnected.
It is a further disadvantage that the electrical operator device can stall in emergencies, for instance in case of fire, and a temporary blocking of the window in its position at the time may occur. This can result in the window, for instance in case of fire, no longer being able to open or in the window being locked in an opening angle which makes it impossible to escape through the roof window.
Also in other cases, for instance to permit quick ventilation of the room, manual operation is preferable.
From DK-B-168 405 and the published PCT applications W093/01386 and W094/04782, it is known in connection with electrically operated windows to make use of a coupling which, by operating a separate release element, can release the motion-transferring element from its fastening to the window frame. However, such arrangements, in which the possibility of manual operation is conditional on separate operation of the release element, do not fully take into account the need for quick manual operation in emergencies, like for instance fire.
Against the background hereof it is the object of the invention to provide a device which permits automatic or manual operation of a window described in the above, technical aids or operation of a separate release element not being required for this purpose. In addition to that, the device should be simple, inexpensive and designed in such a way that it is possible to provide existing windows with the device.
This object is achieved with a coupling device, which is characterized in that one of said coupling elements is elaborated as a male part with a head portion and the other as a female part with a recess for receiving the head portion of the male part and, in connection with an insertion opening, in that the head portion of the male part and the recess and insertion opening of the female part are elaborated and adapted to each other in such a way that the head portion, in a position of the pivotal operating member corresponding to activation of the locking mechanism when the window is closed, may be guided into and out of the insertion opening, but in a, in relation thereto, swung-out position of the operating member corresponding to a release of the locking mechanism, is prevented from passing out through the insertion opening, and in that the operator device is controlled in such a way that the male part, in first mentioned position, is disengaged from the female part.
The coupling device according to the invention is especially distinguished by manual operation being possible right away in the closed position of the window, the opening being performed directly by manually swinging out the operating member. As the male part is situated in the immediate vicinity of the opening of the female part, but out of this, the operating member can be swung out freely and the window be opened or closed at subsequent operation.
At automatic operation of the window, the push element is set in forward movement at corresponding activation of the operator device in the closed position of the window. Hereby the head portion of the male part is guided through the opening of the female part and into the recess of this.
At the subsequent swinging out of the operating member, where the locking mechanism is released, the head portion of the male part is locked in the recess of the female part, thereby establishing a firm connection between the male part and the female part and a firm but disengageable connection between the operating member and the operator device.
The automatic closing takes place in a similar way. After corresponding activation of the operator device, the push element is set in backward movement and the window is closed. During the backward movement of the push element, the operating member is swung back to its initial position after closing of the window. Thereby the push element with the male part is again brought back to the initial position, i.e. just outside the insertion opening of the female part.
Either automatic or manual operation can then be performed.
Not only does the invention offer the advantage of operating a window automatically as well as manually; it furthermore offers the advantage that with the window open it is easy to readjust the operation from automatic to manual in an emergency. Thereby the reliability of electrically operated windows is increased considerably.
Further details, characteristics, and advantages of the present invention will be given in the following description of an example of an embodiment by means of the drawing, in which

fig. 1 shows a sectional view of the structure of the roof window,
fig. 2 the position of the coupling elements on the main frame and the top member of the frame, respectively, in a first embodiment,
fig. 3 a sectional view of the second coupling element with the mutually angled bores,
fig. 4 a plane view of the second coupling element,
fig. 5 an embodiment of the first coupling element with a ball and a neck portion,
fig. 6 a perspective view of a window with a coupling device according to a second embodiment,
figs. 7 and 8 sectional views of the second embodiment, and
fig. 9 a schematical sectional view of a third embodiment.

Fig. 1 gives a sectional view of the structure of a roof window 1, pivotal about a central axis, which is placed in a roof 2. In the following the invention will be explained by means of such roof window 1. The roof window 1 placed in the roof 2 comprises a main frame 3 and a pivotal frame with a bottom member 11 and a top member 5. At the top member 5 of the frame an operating member is placed in the form of a tilting flap 4. In the example shown, the tilting flap serves to open and close the window 1 as well as to provide ventilation. The other details marked in fig. 1, such as a ventilation system, roof slabs, and a roof construction, are not relevant to the invention.
Fig. 2 shows a section of the roof window shown in fig. 1 at the frame member 5, in which a coupling device according to the invention is placed.
In the example shown, an operator device comprising a driving unit placed in case 6 is pivotally fastened to the main frame 3 and is provided with a power-transmitting chain 12 as a push element. The push element is connected with the first coupling element 8, which is elaborated as a ball head with a neck portion. By means of the positioning element 10, which in this case is elaborated as a guidance device, the driving unit with the power-transmitting chain 12 and the first coupling element 8 connected with this is positioned in such a way in relation to the second coupling element 7 that the ball head of the first coupling element 8 is placed in the immediate vicinity of the largest bore in the coupling element 7.
The coupling element 7 is placed on the side facing the top member 5 of the frame. For protection of the ventilation and the driving unit, the main frame 3 has a flashing 9. The case 6 of the driving unit is pivotally connected with a joint 19 through a holder 18.
Fig. 3 gives a sectional view (section D, fig. 4) of the second coupling element 7 with its mutually angled bores 13, 14. The first, large bore 13 forms a base angle of 90° in relation to the small bore 14. The small bore 14 forms an angle with basis of 34°. This angle corresponds to the maximum opening angle of the tilting flap 4. In the upper section 15, the large bore is elaborated with a conical widening, forming a ball guidance. This appropriate elaboration serves to keep the ball head of the first coupling element 8 in the immediate vicinity of the large bore 13 when the window is closed. Thereby a precise realignment is further supported. The large bore 13 has a diameter A which is larger than the diameter of the ball head of the first coupling element 8. In this way it is ensured that the ball head is introduced into the hollow C formed by the bores 13 and 14 by the corresponding progress at electrical operation of the window. When operating the tilting flap 4, the push element 12 connected with the ball will be tilted from the first bore 13 and into the second bore 14. The ball is thereby rotated in the hollow C formed by the bores 13 and 14 and is hooked. The push element 12 or the neck portion connected thereto is now, when swinging it out, guided through the opening of the small bore 14. The small bore 14 has a diameter B which is adapted in such a way that, on one hand, the ball head of the first coupling element 8 cannot get through and, on the other hand, the push element 12 or the neck portion of the ball on the first coupling element 8 can get through by retilting. In this way a firm connection is provided between the push element 12 via the first coupling element to the second coupling element 7.
At further forward movement of the push element, the window 1 is now brought into the desired open position.
The window is closed by corresponding activation of the driving unit. At the backward movement of the push element 12 firmly connected with the tilting flap 4, the window is closed. When the roof window 1 is closed, the tilting flap is swung back to its initial position. During this process, the push element 12 is again guided back from the small bore 14 to the large bore 13. Thereby the ball will get back to its initial position in the immediate vicinity of the large bore 13. The window 1 may then be operated either manually, i.e. by swinging out the tilting flap 4, whereby the ball head of the first coupling element 8 does not engage with the second coupling element 7, and the window may be operated freely either manually or automatically, as described above.
In the embodiment in figs. 1-5, it is possible, when the window 1 at automatic operation of the roof window 1 is locked due to power failure, to readjust the window in the open position of this for manual operation by simply disengaging the firm connection between the first coupling element 8 and the second coupling element 7. For this purpose only a single grip is required to push the ball head from its locking position and into the large bore 13.
Fig. 4 is a plan view of the coupling element 7. Via two fastening means 16, the coupling element 7 is connected with the inner side of the tilting flap 4, i.e. with the side facing the main frame 3. As described, the large bore 13 is elaborated with a conical widening in the upper section 15, forming a ball guidance. Hereby a reliable positioning of the ball head of the first coupling element 8 is obtained when the roof window is closed. The coupling element 7 is preferably made of V2A steel to minimize the wear originating in the rubbing caused by the ball in the hollow C formed by the bores 13 and 14. The diameter of the small bore 14 is adapted in such a way that, on one hand, the ball of the first coupling element 8 cannot get through, but on the other hand the push element 12, for instance in the form of a power-transmitting chain, or the neck portion of the ball can get through this opening.
Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the first coupling element 8 in a form where the ball head via a neck portion is connected with the push element 12, which could be a power-transmitting chain. This neck portion is preferably elaborated in such a way that in its upper section, i.e. in the end facing the ball head, it has a holder element 17. The first coupling element 8 is placed so that the neck portion of the coupling element 8 or the push element 12 itself at swinging out the tilting flap 4 and a subsequently accomplished rotation of the ball, is guided into the small bore 13. The holder disk 17 is thereby outside the bore 13 and provides a further fixation of the ball.
Fig. 6 shows a window with a coupling device in an other embodiment, where for parts of the same type as described above the same reference numbers have been applied.
Figs. 7 and 8 are sectional views of the coupling device in the closed and swung-out position, respectively, of the operating member 4.
The male part of the first coupling element 8 is elaborated as a transverse pin 20 with a non-circular cross-section. The second coupling element 7 has an insertion opening in the form of a slot 21 elaborated as an outwardly widened wedge-shaped opening, and a principally circular recess 22. The smallest transverse measurement of the slot 21 is between the smallest and the largest transverse measurement of the pin 20, i.e. the pin 20 can be introduced into the recess 22 in a direction corresponding to the transverse direction of the smallest transverse measurement of the pin 20, but cannot be guided into and out of the slot 21 in a direction corresponding to the transverse direction of the largest transverse measurement. The recess 22 has a diameter which a little larger than the largest transverse measurement of the pin 20, so that the dowel 20 can be received in this. In the closed position of the tilting flap 4 shown in fig. 7, the pin 20 is positioned in its initial position outside the recess 22, and the tilting flap 4 can thus be operated manually for releasing the locking mechanism, after which the window can be opened. In automatic operation, the driving unit 6 is activated and the push element 12 moves the pin 20 all the way into the recess 22. At continued movement of the pin, the tilting flap 4 is swung out, whereby the recess 22 so to speak closes around the pin 20. The slot 21 prevents the pin 20 from being removed from the recess 22, and a firm connection is established between the male part and female part of the coupling elements 7 and 8. In an emergency, or if manual operation is desired, with a partly open window and swung out tilting flap 4, the first coupling element 8 can be disengaged from the free end of the push element 12. This disengagement can e.g. be achieved with a not further illustrated disengageable snap connection, where with a single grip, e.g. a push button 29, the first coupling element 8 can be disengaged from the push element 12.
As a further security against the possibility of the free end of the push element 12 once again being manually connected with the first coupling element 8 in the open position of the window, a contact member, e.g. in the form of a Hall element 30, may be placed at the free end of the push element, so that in combination with a magnet on the female part, it can signal that the window is either closed/open or that, due to the connection to the Hall element having been interrupted by disengagement of the coupling element 8, it actuates the driving unit of the operator device in such a way that the push element 12 can only be moved in the closing direction, i.e. towards the case 6 of the operator device.
The connection between the operator device and the Hall element can be established by means of wires drawn in the push element through a disconnectable electrical connection between the push element and the coupling 8. In addition to the connection to the Hall element, the wires may have several conductors which can serve as electricity supply to various electric devices on the openable frame.
Fig. 9 shows a third embodiment, where by a fully drawn line it is shown how the male part in the form of a ball head on the first coupling element 8, after having been guided into the insertion opening and the recess of the female part of the second coupling element 7, is secured by a locking member 24 actuated by a spring 23, which locking member together with the spring is mounted in a recess 25 in a slide bar 26 placed slidably and preloaded by a spring 28 in the second coupling element 7. The preload of the spring is dimensioned in such a way that the ball head can be disengaged by tightening the push element, overcoming the sealing pressure of the window during the closing. The preload of the spring 28 can be adjusted by means of an adjustment device comprising an adjusting screw 27, which via the spring 28 loads the slide bar 26 for changing the free with which the locking member 24 loads the ball head of the first coupling element 8.

Claims

A coupling device for connecting an electrical operator device for opening and closing a window with an operating member (4) for a locking mechanism, which operating member is pivotally mounted on the window frame, the operator device comprising a case (6) connected with the main frame structure opposite said operating member, and a push element (12) extending from there in the direction of the frame, the effective length of which push element may be increased or reduced for opening and closing, respectively, of the window by activating the operator device, in which the coupling device comprises a first coupling element (8) connected with the free end of the push element, which coupling element is elaborated for disengageable engagement with a second coupling element (7) mounted on said operating member, characterized in that one of said coupling elements is elaborated as a male part with a head portion and the other as a female part with a recess for receiving the head portion of the male part and, in connection with an insertion opening, in that the head portion of the male part and the recess and insertion opening of the female part are elaborated and adapted to each other in such a way that the head portion, in a position of the pivotal operating member corresponding to activation of the locking mechanism when the window is closed, may be guided into and out of the insertion opening, but in a, in relation thereto, swung-out position of the operating member corresponding to a release of the locking mechanism, is prevented from passing out through the insertion opening, and in that the operator device is controlled in such a way that the male part, in first mentioned position, is disengaged from the female part.
A coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the male part constitutes the first coupling element and the female part the second coupling element.
A coupling device according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the head portion of the male part is elaborated as a ball head (8) connected with the free end of the push element (12), whereas the recess and the insertion opening of the female part are elaborated as a first bore (13) in the second coupling element (7) elaborated as a locking device, and in that said second coupling element furthermore includes a second bore (14) which forms an angle in relation to the first bore and has a smaller diameter than the first bore.
A coupling device according to claim 3, characterized in that the two bores (13, 14) form an angle of approx. 90.
A coupling device according to claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the second bore (14) forms an angle with a basis defined by the operating member (4), substantially corresponding to the maximum opening angle of the operating member.
A coupling device according to any one of the above claims, characterized in that the maximum opening angle of the operating member is approx. 34°.
A coupling device according to claims 3, 4, or 5, characterized in that an insertion end (15) of the first bore (13) is provided with a conical widening, forming a ball guidance.
A coupling device according to one of the claims 3-5 and 7, characterized in that the ball head (8) is connected with the setting element (12) via a narrowed neck portion.
A coupling device according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the male part of the first coupling element (8) is composed of a pin (20) connected with the free end of the push element and substantially transverse to the arm, having an oblong non-circular cross-section, and in that, the recess of the female part of the second coupling element (7) is substantially circular and connected with an insertion opening in the form of an outwardly wedge-shaped, widened slot (21), the smallest transverse measurement of which is between the smallest and the largest transverse measurement of said pin.
A coupling device according to any one of the above claims, characterized in that the case (6) of the operator device is pivotally mounted in relation to the main frame structure (3).
A coupling device according to any one of the above claims, characterized in that the setting element (12) is a power-transmitting chain.
A coupling device according to claim 11, characterized in that, on the side of the frame (5) facing the main frame structure (3) a positioning element (10) is placed which is flush with the first bore.
A coupling device according to claim 12, characterized in that the positioning element (10) is formed by an appropriate design of the frame structure.
A coupling device according to claim 12, characterized in that the positioning element (10) is composed of a guidance device connected with the frame structure (5).
A coupling device according to on of the claims 1-10, characterized in that the setting element is a substantially rigid setting arm.
A coupling device according to any one of the above claims, characterized in that the first coupling element is disengageably connected with the free end of the push element.
A coupling device according to claim 16, characterized in that the operator device is actuated by a contact means placed by the free end of the push element in such a way that the push element, when disconnecting the first coupling element, is prevented from moving in the opening direction.
A coupling device according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the male part, having been guided into the insertion opening of the female part, is secured by a spring preloaded element (24), the preload of which is dimensioned in such a way that by tightening the push element, overcoming the sealing pressure of the window during the closing, the male part is released and disengaged for assuming the first mentioned position.
A coupling device according to claim 18, characterized in that said spring preload is adjustable.