US 6,310,451 B1 · Movable barrier operator having force and position learning capability

Abstract

A movable barrier operator includes a wall control switch module having a learn switch thereon. The switch module is connectable to a control unit positioned in a head of a garage movable barrier operator. The head unit also contains an electric motor which is connected to a transmission for opening and closing a movable barrier such as a garage door. The switch module includes a plurality of switches coupled to capacitors which, when closed, have varying charge and discharge times to enable which switch has been closed. The control unit includes an automatic force incrementing system for adjusting the maximal opening and closing force to be placed upon the movable barrier during a learn operation. Likewise, end of travel limits pan also be set during a learn operation upon installation of the unit. The movable barrier operator also includes an ambient temperature sensor which is used to derive a motor temperature signal, which motor temperature signal is measured and is used to inhibit motor operation when further motor operation exceeds or is about to exceed set point temperature limits.

Claims2

Dependent claims

A method of setting the motion limits of a garage door operator which includes a garage door within a frame comprising:

initiating a learn mode of said operator;
driving the garage door up to a desired up limit
storing a preselected value in a position counter of said operator;
driving the garage door down to a position fixed with respect to the frame;
changing the position counter value in response to the garage door downward movement;
storing a normalizing value in the position counter;
driving the garage door down to a fully closed position;
changing the position counter value in response to the garage door movement from a position corresponding to the normalizing value;
storing the position counter value as a down limit value;
optically generating a pass point signal for normalizing the position of the barrier;
and
changing the position counter in response to the pass point signal to effect normalization of the barrier position indication.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Movable barrier operator having force and position learning capability

Life of this patent

Movable barrier operator having force and position learning capability

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims2