FIG. 7 when the access member is in an open position;

FIG. 9a: schematically represents a perspective side view of the arrangement in FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 9b: schematically represents a partial perspective side view of the arrangement in FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10a: schematically represents a cross-sectional perspective side view of the arrangement in FIGS. 7 to 9;

FIG. 10b: schematically represents a cross-sectional side view of the arrangement in FIGS. 7 to 9;

FIG. 11: schematically represents a perspective view of a further access member system comprising an access member in a closed position and a further example of an arrangement;

FIG. 12a: schematically represents a perspective side view of the arrangement in FIG. 11;

FIG. 12b: schematically represents a partial perspective side view of the arrangement in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13a: schematically represents a cross-sectional perspective side view of the arrangement in FIGS. 11 and 12; and

FIG. 13b: schematically represents a cross-sectional side view of the arrangement in FIGS. 11 and 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following, arrangements for closing an access member rotatable relative to a frame, and access member systems comprising such arrangements, will be described. The same or similar reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

FIG. 1 schematically represents a perspective view of an access member system 10a. The access member system 10a comprises a frame 12 and an access member 14, here exemplified as a door leaf. The access member 14 is rotatable relative to the frame 12 about a hinge axis 16. The hinge axis 16 is vertical in this example. In FIG. 1, the access member 14 is in a closed position 18.

The access member system 10a further comprises an arrangement 20a for closing the access member 14. The arrangement 20a of this example is a door closer. The arrangement 20a serves both as a hinge and as a door closer for the access member 14. The arrangement 20a may optionally be upgraded to a door operator.

The arrangement 20a comprises a hollow elongated body, here exemplified as a tubular body 22. In this example, the tubular body 22 is arranged concentric with the hinge axis 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the arrangement 20a has a very slim and unobtrusive design. The tubular body 22 of this section has a circular exterior profile with a constant exterior diameter along the hinge axis 16.

FIG. 2 schematically represents a perspective view of the access member system 10a when the access member 14 is in an open position 24. The access member 14 is rotatable about the hinge axis 16 from the closed position 18 to the open position 24 with an opening movement 26, and from the open position 24 to the closed position 18 with a closing movement 28.

FIG. 3 schematically represents a perspective side view of the arrangement 20a. The arrangement 20a comprises a frame part 30 and an access member part 32. The frame part 30 is fixed to the frame 12 and the access member part 32 is fixed to the access member 14.

FIG. 4a schematically represents a perspective side view of the access member part 32. The access member part 32 comprises a tube and an access member attachment structure 34 extending radially out from the tube (with respect to the hinge axis 16). The access member attachment structure 34 is here exemplified as a plate having through holes for receiving fasteners to fix the access member part 32 to the access member 14. The tube of the access member part 32 here forms the tubular body 22.

FIG. 4b schematically represents a perspective side view of the frame part 30. The frame part 30 comprises two tube sections separated by a gap 36, and a frame attachment structure 38 extending radially out from the tube sections (with respect to the hinge axis 16). The frame attachment structure 38 is here exemplified as a plate having through holes for receiving fasteners to fix the frame part 30 to the frame 12.

FIG. 5a schematically represents a cross-sectional side view of the arrangement 20a, and FIG. 5b schematically represents a cross-sectional perspective side view of the arrangement 20a. With collective reference to FIGS. 5a and 5b, the arrangement 20a further comprises a closing spring 40. The closing spring 40 is one example of a mechanical force device according to the present disclosure. The closing spring 40 of this example is a torsion coil spring concentric with the hinge axis 16. The closing spring 40 is arranged inside the tubular body 22. In the closed position 18, the closing spring 40 is pretensioned and exerts a closing torque on the access member part 32 that holds the access member part 32 and the access member 14 in the closed position 18.

The arrangement 20a further comprises an optional driven member 42. The driven member 42 is fixed to the access member part 32, here through the gap 36. A first end 44 (here the upper end) of the closing spring 40 is fixed to the driven member 42. The first end 44 may alternatively be fixed directly to the access member part 32. A second end 46 (here the lower end) of the closing spring 40 is fixed to the frame part 30.

The first end 44 rotates together with the access member part 32 and the access member 14 about the hinge axis 16. The second end 46 remains stationary when the access member part 32 and the access member 14 rotate about the hinge axis 16. The closing spring 40 thereby becomes more deformed during the opening movement 26 and less deformed during the closing movement 28.

The arrangement 20a of this example further comprises an electromagnetic generator 48. The generator 48 is arranged to harvest electric energy by movements of the access member part 32 and the access member 14 about the hinge axis 16. The generator 48 comprises a stator and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator about a generator axis 50. As shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, the generator axis 50 of this example is concentric with the hinge axis 16. Moreover, the generator 48 is arranged inside the tubular body 22.

The arrangement 20a of this example further comprises a generator transmission 52. The generator transmission 52 is here positioned between the generator 48 and the closing spring 40 along the hinge axis 16. The generator transmission 52 is arranged inside the tubular body 22 and is here concentric with the hinge axis 16.

The generator transmission 52 comprises an input member 54 and an output member 56. Each of the input member 54 and the output member 56 is concentric with the hinge axis 16 in this example. The generator transmission 52 is here a speed increasing transmission such that the output member 56 rotates faster than the input member 54. To this end, the generator transmission 52 may for example comprise a planetary gearing. The rotor is here fixed to the output member 56.

The arrangement 20a of this example further comprises a freewheel 58. The freewheel 58 is arranged to disengage during the opening movement 26 and to engage during the closing movement 28. The freewheel 58 is arranged inside the tubular body 22 and is in this example concentric with the hinge axis 16. As shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, the driven member 42, the freewheel 58 and the input member 54 are positioned in a common plane transverse to the hinge axis 16.

In case the arrangement 20a is upgraded to a door operator, the freewheel 58 may be omitted. The first end 44 may then be fixed to the input member 54.

One part of the freewheel 58 is fixed with respect to the access member part 32, here fixed to the driven member 42. Another part of the freewheel 58 is fixed to the input member 54. When the driven member 42 is rotated in a first direction during the opening movement 26, the freewheel 58 is disengaged such that the driven member 42 rotates relative to the input member 54, which remains stationary. When the driven member 42 is rotated in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, during the closing movement 28, the freewheel 58 is engaged such that the driven member 42 and the input member 54 rotate in common about the hinge axis 16.

The arrangement 20a of this example further comprises a control system 60. The generator 48 is here arranged between the control system 60 and the generator transmission 52. The control system 60 is arranged inside the tubular body 22, here in an uppermost region of the tubular body 22.

The control system 60 is in signal communication with the generator 48. The control system 60 comprises an electrical energy storage, such as a capacitor or a battery, and is electrically powered by the generator 48. The control system 60 is configured to control an electric load of the generator 48. In this way, movements of the access member part 32 and the access member 14 can be accurately braked.

The tubular body 22 provides lots of space vertically to house various components. Except for the access member attachment structure 34 and the frame attachment structure 38 that protrude outside the tubular body 22, all mechanical and electrical components of the arrangement 20a are packaged inside the slim tubular body 22. The arrangement 20a therefore has a very compact and unobtrusive design. As can be gathered from FIG. 1, the tubular body 22 can be extended further along the hinge axis 16 to provide additional space inside the tubular body 22.

FIG. 6 schematically represents the generator 48 and the control system 60. In FIG. 6, the rotor 62 and the stator 64 of the generator 48 can be seen. The control system 60 of the specific example in FIG. 6 comprises power management electronics 66 and a microcontroller 68. The microcontroller 68 comprises a data processing device 70 and a memory 72. A computer program is stored in the memory 72. The computer program comprises program code which, when executed by the data processing device 70 causes the data processing device 70 to perform, or command performance of, various steps as described herein.

The power management electronics 66 in FIG. 6 comprises energy harvesting electronics including an electric energy storage, here exemplified as a capacitor 74, and four diodes 76 arranged in a diode bridge. The diodes 76 are arranged to rectify the voltage from the generator 48.

The arrangement 20a further comprises a disconnection switch 78 and a shorting switch 80. The disconnection switch 78 and the shorting switch 80 are examples of control elements. The disconnection switch 78 and the shorting switch 80 are electrically powered by the generator 48.

Each of the disconnection switch 78 and the shorting switch 80 is controlled by the control system 60, more specifically by the microcontroller 68. FIG. 6 further shows a positive line 82 and a ground line 84. The positive line 82 and the ground line 84 are connected to respective terminals of the generator 48. In this example, the disconnection switch 78 is provided on the positive line 82. Each of the disconnection switch 78 and the shorting switch 80 may be implemented using a transistor, such as a MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor).

The disconnection switch 78 is arranged to selectively disconnect the generator 48. When the disconnection switch 78 is open, the electric resistance becomes high, and the rotor 62 rotates lightly, in comparison with when the rotor 62 is rotated to harvest electric energy.

The shorting switch 80 is arranged to selectively short-circuiting the terminals of the generator 48 over an electric resistor 86. When the shorting switch 80 is closed, the harvested electric energy is converted to heat in the resistor 86. The rotor 62 thereby rotates heavily in comparison with when the rotor 62 is rotated to harvest electric energy. Thus, when the shorting switch 80 is closed, a high counter torque is provided in the generator 48, making the rotor 62 heavy to rotate.

By selectively controlling the disconnection switch 78 and the shorting switch 80, the control system 60 can selectively change an electric load of the generator 48 in order to brake movements of the access member 14.

When the access member 14 is in the closed position 18, a user may push or pull the access member 14 to perform the opening movement 26. During the opening movement 26, the closing spring 40 is increasingly deformed and the freewheel 58 is disengaged. When the user releases the access member 14 in the open position 24, the access member 14 is forced by the closing spring 40 to perform the closing movement 28. During the closing movement 28, the freewheel 58 is engaged such that the input member 54 of the generator transmission 52 rotates in common with the access member 14. The generator transmission 52 thereby drives the generator 48 to harvest electric energy. The control system 60 controls the electric load of the generator 48 to selectively brake or stop the closing movement 28 of the access member 14, for example based on a rotational speed of the access member 14. The braking may be released at the end of the closing movement 28, such as at the last five degrees of the closing movement 28. In this way, latching of the access member 14 to the frame 12 can be made stronger.

FIG. 7 schematically represents a perspective view of a further access member system 10b. The access member system 10b comprises a further example of an arrangement 20b for closing the access member 14. Mainly differences with respect to arrangement 20a and the access member system 10a will be described. In FIG. 7, the access member 14 is in the closed position 18. As shown in FIG. 7, a vertical gap between the access member 14 and the frame 12 is slightly larger than in FIG. 1. Moreover, a top of the frame part 30 of the arrangement 20b is visible in the closed position 18.

FIG. 8 schematically represents a perspective view of the access member system 10b when the access member 14 is in the open position 24. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the arrangement 20b causes the access member 14 to be lifted vertically during the opening movement 26, as shown by arrow 88. Conversely, the arrangement 20b causes the access member 14 to be lowered vertically during the closing movement 28, as shown by arrow 90.

FIG. 9a schematically represents a perspective side view of the arrangement 20b. As shown in FIG. 9b, the access member attachment structure 34 is positioned slightly lower than the frame attachment structure 38 in the closed position 18. As a consequence, a part of a tube section of the frame part 30 extends upwardly from the tube of the access member part 32. Both the tube of the access member part 32 and the protruding tube section of the frame part 30 here form the tubular body 22.

FIG. 9b schematically represents a partial perspective side view of the arrangement 20b. In FIG. 9b, the frame part 30 and the access member part 32 are removed. The arrangement 20b does not comprise a closing spring. Instead, the arrangement 20b comprises a lifting transmission 92. The lifting transmission 92 is a further example of a mechanical force device configured to store mechanical energy from the opening movement 26 of the access member 14, and configured to release mechanical energy to the closing movement 28 of the access member 14. The lifting transmission 92 is arranged inside the tubular body 22. Moreover, the lifting transmission 92 is concentric with the hinge axis 16 in this example.

The lifting transmission 92 of this example comprises a lifting cam profile 94 and a lifting cam follower 96 arranged to follow the lifting cam profile 94. The lifting cam profile 94 is fixed to the frame part 30, here in a lower end thereof. The lifting cam profile 94 comprises a helical track, here concentric with the hinge axis 16. As shown in FIG. 9b, an inclination of the lifting cam profile 94 with respect to horizontal is steeper in a last section, e.g. the section of the lifting cam profile 94 contacted by the lifting cam follower 96 during the last ten degrees of the closing movement 28.

The lifting transmission 92 further comprises a male spline 98. The lifting cam follower 96 is here a roller connected to the male spline 98 and protruding radially outwards therefrom. The lifting cam follower 96 is only movable relative to the male spline 98 about a roller axis perpendicular to the hinge axis 16. Alternatively, the lifting cam follower 96 may be fixed to the male spline 98.

The male spline 98 is fixed to the access member part 32 and is thus rotatable in common with the access member part 32 about the hinge axis 16. Moreover, the male spline 98 is vertically lifted and lowered in common with the access member part 32.

FIG. 9b further shows a brake spring 100 and a female part 102 of a friction brake of the arrangement 20b.

FIG. 10a schematically represents a cross-sectional perspective side view of the arrangement 20b, and FIG. 10b schematically represents a cross-sectional side view of the arrangement 20b. With collective reference to FIGS. 10a and 10b, it can be seen that the arrangement 20b further comprises a female spline 104. The male spline 98 mates with the female spline 104. The female spline 104 is here fixed to the driven member 42 and rotates in common with the male spline 98 about the hinge axis 16.

FIGS. 10a and 10b further show the friction brake 106 of the arrangement 20b. In addition to the brake spring 100 and the female part 102, the friction brake 106 of this example further comprises a male part 108. The male part 108 and the female part 102 are examples of a first brake part and a second brake part, respectively. The friction brake 106 of this example is a cone brake. The friction brake 106 is arranged inside the tubular body 22. In this example, the friction brake 106 is concentric with the hinge axis 16.

The male part 108 is here fixed to the output member