Movable barrier operator having force and position learning capability
AssigneeThe Chamberlain Group, Inc.
InventorsJames J. Fitzgibbon, John V. Moravec, Bradley Farris
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A movable barrier operator 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. The movable barrier operator also includes a control unit with an ambient temperature detector which controls the motor to move at a specified force and is used to inhibit motor operation depending on the motor temperature derived from the temperatur detected by the temperature detector.
Claims4
A movable barrier operator having automatic force setting capabilities, the operator comprising:
- a motor coupled to a movable barrier to be moved;
- a temperature detector for detecting temperatures;
- and
- a controller operatively coupled to the motor and the temperature detector for estimating motor temperature as a function motor operation and elapsed time and commanding the motor to move at a maximum force, for changing the maximum force according to changes of estimated temperature, and for controlling the motor to stop moving the barrier when the maximum force is exceeded.
A method of selecting force settings for a movable barrier operator, the method comprising:
- controlling the movement of the barrier in response to a maximum force setting;
- detecting temperature changes;
- estimating motor temperature as a function of detected temperature, motor operation and elapsed time;
- and
- changing the maximum force setting according to the temperature change detected.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.