Power savings in a door operator and a door operation system

Abstract

The present invention relates to operating a door. The operating comprising, at a door operator configured to operate the door, upon, from an activation device, receiving an initiation signal for initiating an operation on the door, switching the door operator from a standby mode to an operation mode. The switching comprises: providing a safety sensor with operation power, thereby transitioning the safety sensor from an inactive mode to an active mode, the transitioning having an activation time; instructing the door operator to operate the door, thereby starting an opening cycle for the door; during the activation time of the safety sensor, monitoring, by the door operator, a degree of opening of the door; and after the activation time has lapsed and the safety sensor has been set in the active mode, sending a current degree of opening of the door to the safety sensor. A door operator and a door operating system are also presented.

Description

[0001] POWER SAVINGS IN A DOOR OPERATOR AND A DOOR OPERATION SYSTEM

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a door operator and door operation system designed to open and close automatically a door, such as a swing door or a slide door. Specially the present invention relates to facilitate power savings in such door operator and door operation system.

[0004] BACKGROUND ART

[0005] A door with a door operator, also known as an automatic door opener or closer, is a type of door operation system designed to open and close automatically. These systems are commonly used in commercial buildings, hospitals, airports, and other public spaces to provide convenient and accessible entry and exit points.

[0006] The system is typically powered by electricity via a power supply connected to mains via an electrical system of the building in which the door is arranged. Hence, in order for the door to be opened electric power is needed. Further, in order for the door operator to operate the door without idle time the system typically must be in a normal operation mode, during which the door operator and a safety sensor in the system are in an active mode. This since at least the safety sensor typically require a start-up time in the order of seconds going from an inactive state to the active state. Such start-up time are considered by the user of the door as annoying and is hence typically avoided by having the components in an active state instead.

[0007] However, there is a need in consuming as little power as possible. Saving electrical power is essential for environmental sustainability, energy security, economic efficiency, and social well-being. It plays a crucial role in addressing global challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and unequal access to energy resources. This is why authorities, such as the European Union is aiming at introducing regulations at reducing electrical power consumption for electronic devices. Especially, regulations for reducing electrical power consumption for electronic devices upon not in use.

[0008] Accordingly, there is a need in finding possibilities in saving energy for door operation system designed to open and close automatically a door. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention is set out in the appended set of claims.

[0010] According to a first aspect a door operator configured to operate a door is presented.

[0011] The door operator is configured to be coupled to a safety sensor configured to detect whether an operating region for the door is clear and upon an obstacle being detected in the operating region issue a safety signal. The door operator is further configured to be coupled to an activation device configured to generate an initiation signal for initiating an operation on the door upon the activation device being actuated. The door operator comprising: an opening mechanism; an electric motor configured to operate the opening mechanism to open the door; control circuitry; and a power supply configured to power the electric motor and the control circuitry. The door operator is configured to be in a standby mode during which the power supply is set to provide standby voltage to the control circuitry. The door operator is configured to be in an operation mode during which the power supply is set to provide operation voltage to the electric motor and the control circuitry. The standby voltage is provided such that a safety sensor coupled to the door operator is maintained in an inactive mode. The inactive mode being a mode in which the safety sensor is not operational. Maintaining the safety sensor in the inactive mode is typically made by limiting the voltage supplied thereto, or even not supplying the safety sensor with any voltage. Upon the door operator being in the standby mode and is receiving an initiation signal from an activation device coupled to the door operator, the control circuitry is configured to instruct the electric motor to initiate an opening cycle to start opening the door and to activate the safety sensor by providing operation voltage to the safety sensor. During an activation time of the safety sensor, an encoder, comprised in the control circuitry, is configured to monitor a degree of opening of the door. After the activation time has lapsed and the safety sensor has been set in an active mode, the control circuitry is configured to send a current degree of opening of the door to the safety sensor.

[0012] According to the present invention its enabled to set the door operator in a standby mode but at the same time be able to start operate without annoying idle times for the user. This by monitoring the degree of opening of the door during the activation time of the safety sensor and upon the safety sensor has been set in the active mode, provide a current degree of opening of the door to the safety sensor. Doing so the safety sensor can operate correctly even though the door has opened to some degree before the safety sensor is in operation. Also initiating the opening of the door before the lapse of the activation time will avoid annoyance for the user. This is because the user can see that something starts to happen once he / she / they actuate the activation device. In more detail, the safety sensor is preferably arranged on the moving door. In order for the safety sensor to sense if there is an obstacle in an operation region of the door it needs to know its current position in space. This since the safety sensor is moving together with the door. The current position in space is determined in relation to a home position of the door, such home position is typically the closed position of the door. Hence, for the safety sensor to function it needs to be active when the door starts to move from the home position. However, the present invention presents a solution so that the door can start to move even with an inactive safety sensor. The door can start the opening cycle while the safety sensor is being activated. Such activation typically takes some seconds. Once the safety sensor is activated, it will be provided with the current degree of opening of the door, this allow for the safety sensor to operate correctly once it has been activated. This since the safety sensor will know its current position in space even though it has been moved from the home position.

[0013] The control circuitry may be configured to instruct the electric motor to initiate an opening cycle to start opening the door and to activate the safety sensor by providing operation voltage to the safety sensor substantially simultaneously, or together, with zero to minimal delay between the two acts.

[0014] During the activation time of the safety sensor, the control circuitry may be configured to instruct the electric motor to operate the opening of the door with a first door operation speed. Upon the safety sensor being in the active mode, the control circuitry may be configured to instruct the electric motor to operate the opening of the door with a second door operation speed. The second door operation speed is faster than the first door operation speed.

[0015] Using the first door operation speed during the activation time of the safety sensor allow for the door to start opening but in a slow manner minimizing the risk of the door to hit an obstacle in the operating region for the door.

[0016] The control circuitry may be configured to instruct the electric motor to stop operate the door and / or to reverse the operation of the door, upon a safety signal is received from the safety sensor.

[0017] The standby voltage may be in the range of 2-8 V. The operation voltage may be in the range of 12-36 V.

[0018] The activation time may be in the range of 1-10 seconds.

[0019] According to a second aspect, a door operation system configured to operate a door is provided. The door operation system comprising: an activation device configured to generate an initiation signal for initiating an operation on the door upon the activation device being actuated; a safety sensor configured to detect whether an operating region for the door is clear and upon an obstacle is detected in the operating region issue a safety signal; and a door operator configured to operate the door. The door operator comprising: an opening mechanism; an electric motor configured to operate the opening mechanism to open the door; control circuitry; and a power supply configured to power the electric motor, the control circuitry and the safety sensor. The door operator is configured to be in a standby mode during which the power supply is set to provide standby power to the control circuitry, and in an operation mode during which the power supply is set to provide operation power to the electric motor, the control circuitry and the safety sensor. During the door operator being in the standby mode, the door operator is configured to maintain the safety sensor in an inactive mode. The inactive mode being a mode in which the safety sensor is not operational. Maintaining the safety sensor in the inactive mode is typically made by limiting the voltage supplied thereto, or even not supplying the safety sensor with any voltage. Upon the door operator being in the standby mode and is receiving an initiation signal from the activation device, the control circuitry is configured to instruct the electric motor to initiate an opening cycle to start opening the door and to activate the safety sensor by providing operation power to the safety sensor. During an activation time of the safety sensor, an encoder, comprised in the control circuitry, is configured to monitor a degree of opening of the door. After the activation time has lapsed and the safety sensor has been set in an active mode, the control circuitry is configured to send a current degree of opening of the door to the safety sensor.

[0020] The safety sensor may be mounted on the door. The safety sensor may be configured to detect whether the operating region for the door is clear based on a degree of opening of the door.

[0021] The above-mentioned features of the door operator, when applicable, apply to this second aspect as well. In order to avoid undue repetition, reference is made to the above.

[0022] According to a third aspect a method for operating a door is provided. The method comprising, at a door operator configured to operate the door, upon, from an activation device, receiving an initiation signal for initiating an operation on the door, switching the door operator from a standby mode to an operation mode. The switching comprises: providing a safety sensor with operation power, thereby transitioning the safety sensor from an inactive mode to an active mode, the transitioning having an activation time; instructing the door operator to operate the door, thereby starting an opening cycle for the door; during the activation time of the safety sensor, monitoring, by the door operator, a degree of opening of the door; and after the activation time has lapsed and the safety sensor has been set in the active mode, sending a current degree of opening of the door to the safety sensor.

[0023] The method may comprise, after the safety sensor having received the current degree of opening of the door, running the door operator in the operation mode.

[0024] The opening cycle may comprise, during the activation time of the safety sensor, operating the door with a first door operation speed. The opening cycle may further comprise, upon the safety sensor being in the active mode operating the door with a second door operation speed. The second door operation speed is faster than the first door operation speed.

[0025] The above-mentioned features of the door operator and / or the door operation system, when applicable, apply to this second aspect as well. In order to avoid undue repetition, reference is made to the above.

[0026] A further scope of applicability will become apparent from the detailed description given below. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples are given by way of illustration only.

[0027] It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may include several devices, and the like. Furthermore, the words "comprising", "including", "containing" and similar wordings does not exclude other elements or steps. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The above and other aspects will now be described in more detail, with reference to appended figures. The figures should not be considered limiting; instead, they are used for explaining and understanding.

[0029] As illustrated in the figures, the sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes and, thus, are provided to illustrate the general structures. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0030] Fig. la schematically illustrates an example of a door operation system configured to operate a door, in this example the door is a swing door.

[0031] Fig. lb schematically illustrates another example of a door operation system configured to operate a door, in this example the door is a slide door.

[0032] Fig. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of a method for operating a door, especially a door as illustrated in Fig. la or Fig. lb.

[0033] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms.

[0035] The present invention is directed towards operation of a door 110 with a door operator 120. The door 110 may be embodied as a swing door or a slide door. An example of a door operation system 100 for operating on a swing door is illustrated in connection with Fig. la. An example of a door operation system 100 for operating on a slide door is illustrated in connection with Fig. lb.

[0036] A swing door, see Fig. la, typically comprises a door blade 112 and a door frame 114.

[0037] Typically, the swing door is mounted in a wall structure 10. The door blade 112 being pivotably connected to the door frame 114 via a hinge mechanism 116 such that the door blade 112 can swing to open / close the swing door. The operation of the swing door with a door operator 120 involves several components working together in the door operation system 100. The door operation system 100 typically includes: the door operator 120, an activation device 130 and a safety sensor 140.

[0038] A slide door, see Fig lb, typically comprises a door blade 112 and a support structure 115. Typically, the slide door is mounted in a wall structure 10. The door blade 112 being slidable connected to the support structure 115 such that the door blade 112 can slide to open / close the slide door. The operation of the swing door with a door operator 120 involves several components working together in the door operation system 100. The door operation system 100 typically includes: the door operator 120, an activation device 130 and a safety sensor 140.

[0039] The door operator 120 comprises an electric motor 122 and an opening mechanism 124. The electric motor 122 drives the opening mechanism 124. Typically, the rotational force of the electric motor 122 is transmitted to the door opening mechanism 124 via a gear assembly 123. Such transmission of rotational force of the electric motor 122 to the opening mechanism 124 allow for controlled and smooth movement of the door 110. For a swing door, the opening mechanism 124 typically comprise mechanical linkage that connects the door operator 120 to the swing door itself. The mechanical linkage translates the rotational force of the electric motor 122 into a swinging motion of the swing door. The mechanical linkage is typically attached to a top portion of the swing door. For a slide door, the opening mechanism 124 typically comprise a slide mechanism that connects the door operator 120 to the slide door itself. The slide mechanism translates the rotational force of the electric motor 122 into a slide motion of the slide door. The slide mechanism is typically attached to a top portion of the slide door. In summary, regardless of the type of door 110, the door operator 120 is configured to instruct the electric motor 122 to operate the opening mechanism 124 to open the door 110. Further, the door operator 120 may also be configured to instruct the electric motor 122 to operate the opening mechanism 124 to close the door 110.

[0040] The activation device 130 initiate the operation of the door 110. Some common activation devices 130 include: push buttons, motion sensors and access control systems. Push buttons may be located near the door, users can press a button to activate the door. Motion sensors are configured to detect the motion within a defined range, triggering the door to open. They can use various technologies such as infrared sensors or radar. Access control systems may be operated using e.g. swipe cards, key fobs, or other access control devices. The activation device 130 is configured to generate an initiation signal for initiating an operation on the door 110 upon the activation device 130 being actuated.

[0041] The safety sensor 140 is configured to detect whether an operating region for the door

[0042] 110 is clear and upon an obstacle is detected in the operating region issue a safety signal. In this context, "clear" means that the operating region for the door 110 is free from obstacles, i.e. the operating region is unobstructed. Hence, the safety sensor 140 is used to prevent the door 110 from hitting someone or something upon the door is in motion to be opened or closed. The safety sensor 140 is typically installed on the moving door 110. In case of the door 110 being a swing door, the safety sensor 140 is typically mounted on a hinged side of the swing door. Since the safety sensor 140 is moving during an operation cycle, its current position in space is needed in order to correctly monitor the operating region of the door 110. In order for the safety sensor 140 to know its current position it needs to know the start position of the movement, the start position being the home position, i.e. the closed position, of the door 110. Thereafter, during an opening cycle of the door 110 the safety sensor 140 is keeping track of its movement based on a data of a gyroscope within the safety sensor 140. In line with the above discussion, the safety sensor 140 is designed to detect obstacles or obstructions in the path of the opening or closing door 110, ensuring that the door 110 stops or reverses its motion to prevent injury or damage. The exact location of the safety sensor 140 may vary depending on the specific type and model of the door 110, but it is generally positioned in a way that allows it to effectively monitor the opening / closing path of the door 110. Different technologies may be used for the safety sensor 140. Some examples are infrared sensors, radar sensors, camera sensors, laser sensors and time of flight sensors. In summary, the safety sensor 140 is used to detect obstructions in the opening / closing path of the door 110 during operation of the door 110.

[0043] The door operator 120 further comprises control circuitry 160. The control circuitry 160 may include a processor, such as a central processing unit, CPU, a graphics processing unit, GPU, a microcontroller, or a microprocessor. The processor is configured to execute program code stored in a memory, in order to carry out functions and operations of the door operator 120. The memory may be one or more of a buffer, a flash memory, a hard drive, a removable medium, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a random access memory, RAM, or another suitable memory unit. In a typical arrangement, the memory may include a non-volatile memory for long term data storage and a volatile memory that functions as system memory for the control circuitry 160. The memory may exchange data with the processor over a data bus. Accompanying control lines and an address bus between the memory and the processor also may be present. Functions and operations of the door operator 120 may be embodied in the form of executable logic routines (e.g., lines of code, software programs, etc.) that are stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium (e.g., the memory) and are executed by the control circuitry 160 (e.g., using the processor). Furthermore, the functions and operations of the door operator 120 may be a stand-alone software application or form a part of a software application that carries out additional tasks related to the door operator 120. The functions and operations may be considered a method that the door operator 120 is configured to carry out. Also, while the described functions and operations may be implemented in software, such functionality may as well be carried out via dedicated hardware or firmware, or some combination of hardware, firmware and / or software.

[0044] The control circuity 160 is configured to receive signals (e.g. the initiation signal and the safety signal) from the activation device 130 and / or the safety sensor 140. Based on a received initiation signal from the activation device 130, the control circuity 160 is configured to initiate an opening cycle for opening the door 110. During the opening cycle the electric motor 122 is instructed to operate the opening mechanism 124 to open the door 110. Based on a potential security signal from the safety sensor 140, the control circuity 160 is configured to instruct the electric motor 122 to stop operation on the door 110 and / or to operate the door 100 to reverse its current path. Hence, the door 110 is kept stationary or is reversed in order to avoid hitting an obstacle in the operating region for the door 110. The control circuity 160 may also be configured to manage different settings for the door 110, such as door operation speed, opening width, and hold-open times.

[0045] The components of the door operation system 100 are typically powered by electricity. This is governed by a power supply 150 of the door operation system 100. The power supply 150 is forming part of the door operator 120. The power supply 150 is typically connected to mains via an electrical system of the building in which the door 110 is arranged.

[0046] The sequence of operation of the door operator 120 generally involves to keep the door 110 remaining in a closed position and in response to a signal from the activation device 130 initiate an opening cycle. When a person or object interacts with the activation device 130 an initiation signal is generated by the activation device 130, the control circuitry 160 is acting on this initiation signal and triggers the electric motor 122 to operate the opening mechanism 124 to open the door 110. In this disclosure this operation is referred to as an opening cycle. During the opening cycle, the safety sensor 140 is configured to detect whether the operating region for the door 110 is clear. Upon, during the opening cycle, an obstruction is detected in the operating region by the safety sensor 140, the safety sensor 140 generates a safety signal for the door operator 120 to stop the operation on the door 110 and / or to reverse the movement of the door 110. Based on such a safety signal, the control circuitry 160 instructs the electric motor 122 to stop operation on the opening mechanism 124 and / or instructs the electric motor 122 to reverse the movement of the door 110. Upon the door 110 being in an open state, after a predetermined time (often referred to as a hold-open time), and possibly also upon the safety sensor 140 detects that the operating region for the door 110 is clear, the control circuitry 160 instructs the electric motor 122 to operate the opening mechanism 124 to close the door 110. This will hereinafter be referred to as a closing cycle. During the closing cycle the safety sensor 140 is configured to detect whether the operating region for the door 110 is clear. Upon, during the closing cycle, an obstruction is detected in the operating region by the safety sensor 140, the safety sensor 140 generates a safety signal for the door operator 120 to stop the operation on the door 110 and / or to reverse the movement of the door 110. Based on such a safety signal, the control circuitry 160 instructs the electric motor 122 to stop operation on the opening mechanism 124 and / or instructs the electric motor 122 to reverse the movement of the door 110. Hence, both during the opening cycle and the closing cycle the safety sensor 140 ensure that the door 110 will not hit an obstruction detected in the operating region for the door 110.

[0047] The control circuitry 160 further comprises an encoder 162. Typically, this portion of the control circuity 160 is physically located at the electric motor 122, nevertheless the encoder 162 is forming part of the control circuitry 160. The encoder 162 is used to monitor and provide feedback on the position and movement of the door 110. Encoders are commonly employed in automated door operation systems 100 to ensure precise control over the motion of the door 110 and to gather information about a current degree of opening of the door 110. A current degree of opening of a door is a measure of the doors current position in relation to a home position, such a home position is typically a closed position of the door. The current degree of opening being a measure of how much, e.g. what percentage and / or what opening angle, the door has opened from the home position. A current degree of opening being 0% and / or 0° indicate that the door is in the home position. A current degree of opening being 100% and / or a maximum opening angle indicate that the door is in a fully opened position. For example, for a swing door, a current degree of opening refers to an opening angle of the swing door. Such an opening angle typically is to be seen at the angle between the door blade 112 and the door frame 114. This opening angle is 0° when the door 110 is in its closed state, i.e. in the home position, and increases as the door blade 112 moves from the closed state toward a fully open state. Moreover, for a slide door, a current degree of opening refers to an amount of opening of the slide door in percentage. That is, 0% referring to that the slide door is in the closed state, i.e. in the home position, and 100% referring to that the slide door is in the fully open state, any percentage in between referring to that the slide door is in a partly open state. The encoder 162 is typically attached to the electric motor 122 or to the opening mechanism 124, that controls movement of the door 110. As the door 110 opens or closes, the encoder 162 generates electrical signals that correspond to the door's current position, i.e. it's current degree of opening. This information may be used for different purposes by the control circuitry 160. For example, feedback from the encoder 162 allows the control circuitry to accurately determine the door's current position, i.e. current degree of opening, at any given time. Such precise position information may be used for controlling the speed, acceleration, and deceleration of the door 110 during its movement. The use of an encoder 162 creates a closed-loop system in which the control circuitry 160 continuously receives feedback about the current position of the door 110 and may adjust the electric motor operation to maintain desired performance. The feedback from the encoder 162 further allows for customization of the door operator 120. Parameters such as opening and closing speed, hold-open times, and acceleration profiles can be precisely controlled based on the real-time information provided by the encoder 162. The encoder 162 can also help in detecting faults or malfunctions. Sudden changes in the signals from the encoder 162 may indicate issues with the opening mechanism 124 and / or the electric motor 122.

[0048] As discussed above there is a need in finding possibilities in saving energy for a door operation system 100 designed to open and close automatically a door 110 with a door operator 120. The door operator 120 is consuming energy even when it is waiting for an initiation signal from the activation device 130. This since all components of the door operation system 100 are active and are consuming energy. A solution to save energy would be to shut down the door operator 120 and other components of the door operation system 100 completely. However, doing so, it will take time, in the order of seconds, to activate the components of the door operation system 100 upon an initiation signal from the activation device 130 has been issued. This is especially true for the safety sensor 140, this since the safety sensor 140 arranged in the door 110 is moving while the door 110 is moving. As discussed above in connection with the initial discussion of the safety sensor 140, in order for the safety sensor 140 to operate properly, its current position in space is needed. The current position of the safety sensor 140 is typically determined in relation to the home position, i.e. the closed position of the door 110. Accordingly, in order for the safety sensor 140 to operate properly it need to be fully functional and start its operation while the door 110 is in the home position, i.e. the closed position. In case the safety sensor 140 being in an inactive mode it typically takes several seconds for the safety sensor 140 to become fully operational. Accordingly, after an initiation signal from the activation device 130 has been issued it will take several seconds for the door 110 to start moving due to the activation time of the safety sensor 140. Such activation time will be perceived as annoying by the user. The present invention provides a solution by starting the opening in a low energy setup and change it during the opening to full power. The inventors have realized that by using the encoder 162 to provide the current degree of opening of the door 110 to the safety sensor 140 once it has been activated the opening of the door 110 may be started even without the safety sensor 140 being active. Thereafter, as soon as the safety sensor 140 is actively working it gets a current degree of opening no matter where in the opening cycle the door operator 120 is and the safety sensor 140 may continue from there on as a fully active safety sensor 140. This means that a first part of opening corresponding to the first degrees of opening in the opening cycle are done in low energy without the safety sensor 140 active and as soon as the safety sensor 140 and door operator 120 have exchanged data and it is safeguarded that the safety sensor 140 knows the current degree of opening, the opening cycle can continue in full power. A possible advantage of the invention is then that the door operator can be set in standby mode all the time when it is not active. This will allow for a reducing in energy consumption with up to 85%.

[0049] Hence, in order to save energy, the door operator 120 is configured to be in a standby mode upon not being in operation. The standby mode may also be referred to as a low power mode, i.e. a mode during which the door operator 120 is consuming a low amount of power as compared with a normal operation mode. During the standby mode the power supply 150 is set to provide standby voltage to the control circuitry 160. The standby voltage may be in the range of 2-8 V. According to one specific example, the standby voltage is 5 V. The standby voltage is set high enough to power key functionality in the control circuity 160, e.g. so that the control circuity 160 can act on an initiation signal received from the activation device 130. However, the standby voltage is not enough to keep the security sensor 140 in an active mode. Hence, in the standby mode the security sensor 140 is inactive. In other words, during the door operator 120 being in the standby mode, the door operator 120 is configured to maintain the safety sensor 140 in an inactive mode. The inactive mode being a mode in which the safety sensor 140 is not operational. Maintaining the safety sensor 140 in the inactive mode is typically made by limiting the voltage supplied thereto, or even not supplying the safety sensor 140 with any voltage. Hence, maintaining the safety sensor 140 in the inactive mode is done by not providing the safety sensor 140 with a high enough voltage to keep it active.

[0050] The door operator 120 is further configured to be in an operation mode. The operation mode may also be referred to as a full power mode. Upon being set in operation mode the power supply 150 is set to provide operation voltage (may also be referred to as full power) to components of the door operation system 100, e.g. to the control circuitry 160, the electric motor 122 and the security sensor 140. The operation voltage shall be high enough so that security sensor 140 can be operated in active mode being provided with the operation voltage. The safety sensor 140 may only generate a safety signal upon being in the active mode. The operation voltage is typically in the range of 12-36 V. According to one specific example, the operation voltage is 24 V.

[0051] Upon the door operator 120 being in the standby mode and is receiving an initiation signal from the activation device 130, the control circuitry 160 is configured to activate the safety sensor 140 by providing operation voltage to the safety sensor 140. Upon the safety sensor 140 being provided with the operation voltage it will transition from the inactive mode it is currently in into an active mode. However, such transition of the safety sensor 140 from the inactive mode into the active mode takes some time, herein referred to activation time. The activation time is typically in the range of 1-10 seconds. During the activation time the safety sensor 140 is not in operation.

[0052] Upon the door operator 120 being in the standby mode and is receiving an initiation signal from the activation device 130, the control circuitry 160 is further configured to instruct the electric motor 122 to initiate an opening cycle to start opening the door 110. In line with the discussion above, the activation device 130 is configured to generate an initiation signal upon the activation device 130 being actuated e.g. by a user wanting to pass the door 110.

[0053] Since, the safety sensor 140 is not in operation during the activation time, the control circuitry 160 may be configured to, during the activation time of the safety sensor 140, instruct the electric motor 122 to operate the opening of the door 110 with a first door operation speed. The first door operation speed being a relatively slow operation speed. The first door operation speed may be referred to as low energy mode operation of the door 110. Using the first door operation speed during the activation time of the safety sensor 140 allow for the door 110 to start opening but in a slow manner minimizing the risk of the door 110 to hit an obstacle in the operating region for the door 110. Also initiating the opening of the door 110 before the lapse of the activation time will avoid annoyance for the user. This since the user can see that something starts to happen once he / she / they actuate the activation device 130.

[0054] During the activation time of the safety sensor 140 the encoder 162 is configured to monitor a degree of opening of the door 110. The degree of opening of the door 110 for a swing door and a slide door, respectively, are defined above. Further, after the activation time has lapsed, i.e. upon the safety sensor 140 has been set in the active mode, the control circuitry 160 is configured to send a current degree of opening of the door 110 to the safety sensor 140. Upon receiving the current degree of opening of the door 110, the safety sensor 140 may start operating by detecting whether the operating region for the door 110 is clear and upon an obstacle is detected in the operating region issue a safety signal. This since the safety sensor 140 is configured to detect whether the operating region for the door 110 is clear based on a current degree of opening of the door 110. The safety sensor 140 is typically configured to monitor the degree of opening of the swing door 110. However, it can only do so upon being in the active state. Further, for the safety sensor 140 to be able to monitor the degree of opening of the door 110 it typically needs to starting the monitoring from a closed door 110. However, by sending the current degree of opening from the door operator 120 upon the safety sensor 140 being activated it is made possible to have the security sensor 140 to monitor the degree of opening also starting with a partly open door 110, i.e. the door 110 being opened to a current degree of opening. Hence, the encoder 162 may play a role in enabling the door operator to be set in standby mode but at the same time be able to start operate without annoying idle times for the user. This by monitoring the degree of opening of the door 110 during the activation time of the safety sensor 140 and upon the safety sensor 140 has been set in the active mode, provide a current degree of opening of the door 110 to the safety sensor 140 so that the safety sensor 140 can operate correctly even though the door 110 has opened to some degree before the safety sensor 140 is in operation. Upon the safety sensor 140 being in the active mode, i.e. the safety sensor 140 being in operation, the control circuitry 160 may be configured to instruct the electric motor 122 to operate the opening of the door 110 with a second door operation speed. The second door operation speed being a relatively fast operation speed. The second door operation speed may be referred to as full power operation of the door 110. Hence, the second door operation speed is faster than the first door operation speed.

[0055] Fig. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of a method 200 for operating a door. Below, the different steps is described in more detail. Even though illustrated in a specific order, the steps of the method 200 may be performed in any suitable order, in parallel, as well as multiple times. Some of the steps, or even all steps, of the method 200 may be executed by the door operator 120 discussed above. However, at least some of the steps may be executed at another device such as a safety sensor 140.

[0056] At a door operator 120 configured to operate the door 110, upon, from an activation device 130, receiving an initiation signal for initiating an operation on the door 110, switching S202 the door operator 120 from a standby mode to an operation mode. The standby mode and the operation mode are discussed above and in order to avoid undue repetition referrers is made to that discussion.

[0057] The switching S202 comprises providing S204 a safety sensor 140 with operation power, thereby transitioning the safety sensor 140 from an inactive mode to an active mode, the transitioning having an activation time. More details on how the safety sensor 140 is functioning and how to transition the safety sensor 140 from the inactive mode to the active mode are discussed above and in order to avoid undue repetition referrers is made to that discussion.

[0058] The switching S202 comprises instructing S206 the door operator 120 to operate the door 110, thereby starting an opening cycle for the door 110. How the door operator 120 is operating on the door 110 and how the opening cycle for the door 110 is functioning are discussed above and in order to avoid undue repetition referrers is made to that discussion.

[0059] The switching S202 comprises instructing, during the activation time of the safety sensor 140, monitoring S208, by the door operator 120, a degree of opening of the door 110. How monitoring a degree of opening of the door 110 upon the safety sensor 140 being inactive is discussed above and in order to avoid undue repetition referrers is made to that discussion. The switching S202 comprises, after the activation time has lapsed and the safety sensor 140 has been set in the active mode, sending S210 a current degree of opening of the door 110 to the safety sensor 140. How and for what the safety sensor 140 can use the current degree of opening are discussed above and in order to avoid undue repetition referrers is made to that discussion.

[0060] The method may further comprise, after the safety sensor 140 having received the current degree of opening of the door 110, running S212 the door operator 120 in the operation mode. Running the door operator 120 in the operation mode is discussed above and in order to avoid undue repetition referrers is made to that discussion.

[0061] The opening cycle may comprise, during the activation time of the safety sensor 140, operating the door 110 with a first door operation speed. The opening cycle may further comprise, upon the safety sensor 140 being in the active mode, operating the door 110 with a second door operation speed, wherein the second door operation speed is faster than the first door operation speed.

[0062] The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to what is explicitly described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

[0063] For example, after the door has been closed, the door operator 120 may be set to remain in the operation mode for predetermined time. That is, the door operator 120 will not be set in standby mode immediately after the door 110 has been closed. By this, it may be avoided that the door operator 120 is going into standby mode for someone coming just behind the first person passing the door 110. The predetermined time for going back to standby mode may be set in the control circuitry 160.

[0064] Further, in case of power failure or for manual use, the door operator 120 may comprise a manual release mechanism. This allows users to open or close the door 110 manually without resistance from the electric motor 122.

[0065] Additionally, variations can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A door operator (120) configured to operate a door (110), the door operator (120) being configured to be coupled to a safety sensor (140) configured to detect whether an operating region for the door (110) is clear and upon an obstacle being detected in the operating region issue a safety signal, and to be coupled to an activation device (130) configured to generate an initiation signal for initiating an operation on the door (110) upon the activation device (130) being actuated, the door operator (120) comprising: an opening mechanism (124); an electric motor (122) configured to operate the opening mechanism (124) to open the door (110); control circuitry (160); and a power supply (150) configured to power the electric motor (122) and the control circuitry (160), wherein the door operator (120) is configured to be in a standby mode during which the power supply (150) is set to provide standby voltage to the control circuitry (160), and in an operation mode during which the power supply (150) is set to provide operation voltage to the electric motor (122) and the control circuitry (160), wherein the standby voltage is provided such that a safety sensor (140) coupled to the door operator (120) is maintained in an inactive mode, wherein, upon the door operator (120) being in the standby mode and is receiving an initiation signal from an activation device (130) coupled to the door operator (120), the control circuitry (160) is configured to instruct the electric motor (122) to initiate an opening cycle to start opening the door (110) and to activate the safety sensor (140) by providing operation voltage to the safety sensor (140), wherein, during an activation time of the safety sensor (140), an encoder (162), comprised in the control circuitry (160), is configured to monitor a degree of opening of the door (110), and wherein, after the activation time has lapsed and the safety sensor (140) has been set in an active mode, the control circuitry (160) is configured to send a current degree of opening of the door (110) to the safety sensor (140).

2. The door operator (120) according to claim 1, wherein during the activation time of the safety sensor (140) the control circuitry (160) is configured to instruct the electric motor (122) to operate the opening of the door (110) with a first door operation speed and upon the safety sensor (140) being in the active mode, the control circuitry (160) is configured to instruct the electric motor (122) to operate the opening of the door (110) with a second door operation speed, wherein the second door operation speed is faster than the first door operation speed.

3. The door operator (120) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control circuitry (160) is configured to instruct the electric motor (122) to stop operate the door (110) and / or to reverse the operation of the door (110) upon a safety signal is received from the safety sensor (140).

4. The door operator (120) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the standby voltage is in the range of 2-8 V.

5. The door operator (120) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the operation voltage is in the range of 12-36 V.

6. The door operator (120) according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the activation time is in the range of 1-10 seconds.

7. The door operator (120) according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the door (110) is a swing door and wherein the degree of opening refer to an opening angle between a door blade (112) and a door frame (114) of the swing door.

8. The door operator (120) according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the door (110) is a slide door and wherein the degree of opening refer to an amount of opening of the slide door in percentage.

9. A door operation system (100) configured to operate a door (110), the door operation system (100) comprising:an activation device (130) configured to generate an initiation signal for initiating an operation on the door (110) upon the activation device (130) being actuated; a safety sensor (140) configured to detect whether an operating region for the door (110) is clear and upon an obstacle is detected in the operating region issue a safety signal; and a door operator (120) according to any one of claim 1-8.

10. The door operation system (100) according to claim 9, wherein the safety sensor (140) is mounted on the door (110) and is configured to detect whether the operating region for the door (110) is clear based on a degree of opening of the door (110).

11. A method for operating a door (110), the method comprising: at a door operator (120) configured to operate the door (110), upon, from an activation device (130), receiving an initiation signal for initiating an operation on the door (110), switching the door operator (120) from a standby mode to an operation mode, wherein the switching comprises: providing a safety sensor (140) with operation power, thereby transitioning the safety sensor (140) from an inactive mode to an active mode, the transitioning having an activation time, instructing the door operator (120) to operate the door (110), thereby starting an opening cycle for the door (110), during the activation time of the safety sensor (140), monitoring, by the door operator (120), a degree of opening of the door (110), and after the activation time has lapsed and the safety sensor (140) has been set in the active mode, sending a current degree of opening of the door (110) to the safety sensor (140).

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising, after the safety sensor (140) having received the current degree of opening of the door (110), running the door operator (120) in the operation mode.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the opening cycle comprises, during the activation time of the safety sensor (140), operating the door (110) with a first door operation speed, and, upon the safety sensor (140) being in the active mode, operating the door (110) with a second door operation speed, wherein the second door operation speed is faster than the first door operation speed.

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