US 10,208,520 B2 · Method and apparatus for adjusting the closing force of a door

Abstract

A method of adjusting the closing force of a door coupled to a door closer assembly having a bias element. The method includes determining the kinetic energy of the door without using the weight or other dimensions of the door. The determined kinetic energy is used to adjust the closing force of an electro-mechanical door closer that includes a spring and a motor. The door includes the use of one, some of, or all of an accelerometer, an angular position sensor, a time to close, a breaking torque, and a controller to identify values of acceleration, velocity, and/or position of the door. The identified values are provided to the controller, which is configured to calculate the kinetic energy of the door. The calculated kinetic energy is used to determine the closing velocity of the door closure to ensure proper operation of the door at the point of installation.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for adjusting the closing force of a door coupled to a door closer assembly having a spring, comprising:

placing the door in a first position;
initiating movement of the door from the first position to a second position;
measuring movement of the door from the first position to the second position;
determining a net torque change between a starting torque and an end torque, wherein the starting torque is a torque exerted on the door when the door is in the first position, and wherein the end torque is a torque exerted on the door when the door is in the second position;
determining, based upon the measured movement of the door and the net torque change, a mass moment of inertia of the door;
determining the kinetic energy of the door as a function of the mass moment of inertia;
and
modifying a closing rate of the door closer assembly as a function of the determined kinetic energy to adjust the closing force of the door closer assembly.

5 more elements

A method for adjusting the closing force of a door coupled to a door closer assembly, the door closer assembly including a spring and a controller configured to regulate movement of the door from an open position to a closed position, the method comprising:

placing the door in a first angular position;
initiating movement of the door from the first angular position to a second angular position;
monitoring movement of the door as the door moves from the first angular position to the second angular position;
determining, based upon the first angular position, a first torque exerted by the spring on the door, wherein the first torque is exerted when the door is in the first angular position;
determining, based upon the second angular position, a second torque exerted by the spring on the door, wherein the second torque is exerted when the door is in the second angular position;
determining, based upon the first torque and the second torque, a net torque change;
determining, based upon the movement of the door and the net torque change, a mass moment of inertia of the door;
determining, based upon the movement of the door and the mass moment of inertia of the door, a kinetic energy of the door;
and
adjusting, by the controller, a closing rate of the door, wherein the adjusting is based upon the kinetic energy of the door.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for adjusting the closing force of a door

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for adjusting the closing force of a door

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20