Accelerometer Collision Detection for Moving Frames

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for controlling the movement of moving parts, such as garage doors and gates, face challenges in effectively limiting forces during collisions due to limitations in coverage and response time, particularly with contact sensors and indirect force measurement in motion control systems, which struggle to distinguish between normal wear and actual bumps.

Innovation Solution

The integration of an electronic accelerometer securely attached to the moving part, providing continuous analogue and digital signals based on its angular position, allows for real-time regulation of movement speed and force limitation by sensing variations in speed and angle, enabling rapid response to collisions and preventing excessive force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If contact sensors are used to detect collisions, then immediate intervention is achieved, but complete coverage of the moving part is difficult and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision detection reliabilityVSAvoidsensor coverage complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces contact sensors (mechanical detection system) with an electronic accelerometer that measures acceleration forces. This substitution allows for complete coverage of the moving part with a single sensor, eliminating the complexity of installing multiple contact sensors while maintaining reliable collision detection through direct force measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic accelerometer acts as an intermediary element that directly measures collision forces on the moving part. By positioning the accelerometer on the moving part itself, it serves as a mediator between the collision event and the control system, providing accurate detection without requiring extensive sensor coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Force

If motion control with indirect force measurement is used, then force limitation is achieved, but response time is delayed due to upstream measurement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce limitationVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces indirect force measurement (through motor current monitoring upstream in the kinematic chain) with direct acceleration measurement using an electronic accelerometer mounted on the moving part. This substitution enables immediate detection of collision forces at the source, eliminating the time delay associated with upstream measurement and indirect inference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If motion control measures force indirectly through current absorption, then force sensing is achieved, but distinction between wear and real bumps becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce measurement precisionVSAvoidcollision signal clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces indirect force measurement through motor current absorption with direct acceleration measurement using an electronic accelerometer. This substitution provides clear, unambiguous collision signals by directly measuring the physical quantity of interest (acceleration/force) at the point of impact, eliminating the need to distinguish between wear patterns and actual collisions that plagues indirect measurement methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution ensures safer and more controlled movement by accurately identifying collisions and adjusting the movement accordingly, reducing the risk of damage and improving safety by providing precise control over the moving parts, even in complex scenarios involving various directions of impact.

Implementation Method 1

using an electronic accelerometer, similar to ones used in other applications on the market

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

sensing variations in speed and angle, enabling rapid response to collisions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertial sensing: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP1970516B1Device for controlling the safety of a frame during its movement
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 BALLAN
  • EP1970516B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP1970516B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

This is a device for controlling the safety of a frame during its movement, whose spatial motion includes a rotation, and which uses an electronic accelerometer (A, G) that emits signals with each bump and each obstacle encountered by said frame 1.