High torque movable barrier actuation at low speeds utilizing a hub motor

Abstract

The present invention is a system for high torque operation of a movable barrier utilizing a compact hub motor device, which may be directly coupled to a movable barrier without the use of additional gearing systems. The flat geometry provides high dynamic acceleration with short electrical and mechanical time constants, and its planetary gearing system implemented within the device allows for compact, more efficient access systems. Eliminating a gear system in accordance with the present invention lowers maintenance requirements, increases efficiency, and streamlines operation of movable barriers.

1 . A movable barrier access system comprising:
 a movable barrier adapted to move on a track;   a hub motor, wherein said hub motor further comprises:
 one or more stators magnetically coupled to a rotor, and 
 one or more internal gears rotably coupled to said rotor; 
   a sprocket rotably coupled to said internal gears;   a chain directly coupled to said sprocket and said movable barrier in a manner so that said movable barrier moves at a speed substantially the same as a rotation speed of said sprocket, wherein said chain runs substantially parallel to said track;   a controller adapted to control said hub motor; and   a sensor connected to said controller, wherein said sensor is adapted to generate a signal after detecting a predefined event.   
     
     
         2 . The movable barrier access system of  claim 1 , wherein said controller activates said hub motor upon the generation of said signal by said sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The movable barrier access system of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor comprises a photo-sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The movable barrier access system of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor comprises an infra red sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The movable barrier access system of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor comprises a motion detection sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The movable barrier access system of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor comprises an inductive loop sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The movable barrier access system of  claim 1 , wherein said movable barrier comprises a swing gate. 
     
     
         8 . The movable barrier access system of  claim 1 , wherein said movable barrier comprises a roll-up gate. 
     
     
         9 . The movable barrier access system of  claim 1 , wherein said movable barrier comprises an articulated door. 
     
     
         10 . The movable barrier access system of  claim 1 , wherein said movable barrier comprises a sliding gate. 
     
     
         11 . A movable barrier operator, comprising:
 a hub motor, wherein said hub motor further comprises:
 one or more stators magnetically coupled to a rotor, and 
 one or more internal gears rotably coupled to said rotor; 
   a sprocket rotably coupled to said internal gears;   a chain directly coupled to said sprocket and said movable barrier in a manner so that said movable barrier moves at a speed substantially the same as a rotation speed of said sprocket, wherein said chain runs substantially parallel to said track;   a controller adapted to control said hub motor; and   a sensor connected to said controller, wherein said sensor is adapted to generate a signal after detecting a predefined event.   
     
     
         12 . The movable barrier operator of  claim 11 , wherein said controller activates said hub motor upon the generation of said signal by said sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The movable barrier operator of  claim 11 , wherein said sensor comprises an infra red sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The movable barrier operator of  claim 11 , wherein said sensor comprises a motion detection sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The movable barrier operator of  claim 11 , wherein said movable barrier comprises a swing gate. 
     
     
         16 . The movable barrier operator of  claim 1 , wherein said movable barrier comprises a sliding gate. 
     
     
         17 . A movable barrier operator comprising:
 a hub motor adapted to be directly coupled to a movable barrier in a manner so that said movable barrier can be adjusted to move at a substantially the same speed as a rotation speed of said motor, wherein said hub motor further comprises:
 at least one stator magnetically coupled to a rotor, and 
 at least one or more internal gears rotably coupled to said rotor; 
   an external gear system connected to said hub motor, wherein said external gear system is adapted to transfer a mechanical force generated by said hub motor to said movable barrier;   a controller adapted to control said hub motor; and   a sensor connected to said controller, wherein said sensor is adapted to generate a signal after detecting a predefined event.   
     
     
         18 . The movable barrier operator of  claim 17 , wherein said controller activates said hub motor upon the generation of said signal by said sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The movable barrier operator of  claim 17 , wherein said sensor comprises an infra red sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The movable barrier operator of  claim 17 , wherein said sensor comprises a motion detection sensor.