US 6,082,053 A · Movable partition

Abstract

The movable partition system has a plurality of movable partition elements placed on a horizontal rail. Each of at least two of the movable partition elements has its own electric motor. Each electric motor has a current collector connected to it which passes along at least two conductor rails which are part of the electrical circuit when the electric motor is moved. These rails are connected via lines to a control unit which controls the power supply and the operation. One conductor rail is connected with a single line. On the other hand, at least one other conductor rail has a plurality of lines which lead to electrical connections or taps which are isolated from one another by insulators. This isolation permits the control unit to control the individual flow of current to each separate tap. This makes it possible to individually control and position the individual movable partition elements.

A movable partition system comprising:

at least two movable partition elements;
each of said at least two movable partition elements comprising a top portion and a bottom portion;
a guide rail;
said guide rail being fastened to a ceiling area;
said at least two partition elements being configured to be moved horizontally along said guide rail;
at least two first mounting elements;
each of said at least two first mounting elements to mount a corresponding movable partition element on said guide rail;
each of said at least two first mounting elements being attached to the top portion of its corresponding movable partition element;
each of said at least two first mounting elements comprising at least two rollers;
said at least two rollers being disposed to roll on or in said guide rail to permit movement of each of said at least two first mounting elements and its corresponding partition element along said guide rail;
at least two drive units;
each of said at least two drive units being attached to a corresponding partition element;
a base mounting element to mount each said drive unit on its corresponding partition element;
each said drive unit being configured and disposed to move its corresponding partition element;
each said drive unit comprising:
an electric motor;
a drive shaft arrangement;
said drive shaft arrangement being connected to said electric motor;
said drive shaft arrangement comprising a projection to project from said drive shaft arrangement;
a second mounting element;
a bearing to hold said projection;
said bearing being inserted in said second mounting element;
at least one spacer;
said second mounting element being connected to said base mounting element by said at least one spacer;
an engagement structure having a surface;
said engagement structure being one of:
a. attached to said guide rail;
and
b. disposed adjacent to said guide rail;
said drive shaft arrangement being configured and disposed to engage said engagement surface to permit movement of said at least two partition elements;
a bus bar system;
said bus bar system being disposed adjacent to said guide rail;
said bus bar system being electrically insulated;
at least two current collectors;
said at least two current collectors being configured and disposed to receive electrical current from said bus bar system;
said at least two current collectors being configured and disposed to transfer electrical current to each said electric motor;
a spring arrangement;
said spring arrangement being configured and disposed to produce a biasing force on said at least two current collectors to provide contact between said at least two current collectors and said bus bar system;
a control unit;
said control unit being configured to be programmed to control the positioning and movement of each of said at least two partition elements;
said control unit being configured to sense electrical current related to each said electric motor;
and
said control unit being configured to determine a position on said guide rail of each said drive unit and its corresponding partition element upon sensing the flow of electrical current related to each said electric motor of each said drive unit.

40 more elements

Movable partition

Life of this patent

Movable partition

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20