Adaptive Door and Window Drive With User-Tuned Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door and window drives, including hydraulic and generator-damped systems, lack the ability to adapt their behavior dynamically to the current needs of individual users after installation, failing to provide personalized and variable control over closing and opening dynamics.
Innovation Solution
A drive system incorporating a mechanical energy storage device, an electric motor operable as a generator, and control electronics that allows for user-defined and dynamically adjustable damping behavior, enabling personalized adaptation of the drive's operation based on user input and environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hydraulic door closers with fixed adjustable properties are used, then closing behavior can be adjusted during commissioning, but the properties cannot be changed afterward and remain static
Solution Approach 1:
The door closer system transitions from static hydraulic adjustment to dynamic adaptability through an electric motor with variable damping control. The control electronics enable the damping behavior to change dynamically based on user interaction, door position, and operational conditions, allowing the system to adapt its characteristics in real-time rather than being fixed during commissioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect door position, speed, and operational conditions, with control electronics that autonomously adjust damping characteristics without requiring manual intervention. The motor controller automatically adapts the drive behavior based on detected conditions, enabling self-adjustment rather than requiring external reconfiguration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If generator-damped door closers with dynamic damping behavior are used, then damping can change based on movement direction and speed, but the drive behavior cannot be individually adapted to current user needs
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect door position, speed, and operational conditions, providing feedback to the control electronics. Based on this feedback, the controller adjusts the motor's damping characteristics in real-time to match user needs and operational requirements, enabling personalized adaptation while maintaining ease of operation through automatic adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The control electronics dynamically change the electrical parameters (resistance, inductance) of the motor to modify damping characteristics. By varying these parameters based on detected conditions, the system can individually adapt to different user needs and operational scenarios without compromising ease of operation.
3Loss of energy
If the electric motor is operated as a generator for regenerative damping, then energy can be recovered during door movement, but control precision for variable damping adjustment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional mechanical damping mechanisms with an electric motor operating in generator mode. This substitution enables energy recovery through regenerative braking while maintaining precise control through electronic regulation of the motor's electrical parameters, achieving both energy efficiency and control precision.
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
Enables the drive to adapt its behavior to individual user needs, ensuring safe and convenient operation by adjusting damping and closing characteristics based on user interaction, environmental conditions, and usage patterns, enhancing usability for diverse user groups and scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electric motor, which is operatively connected to the sash via at least one motor shaft and can be operated as a generator to dampen the sash movements
Implementation Method 2
at least one mechanical energy storage device, which is charged by an opening movement of the sash and discharged by a closing movement of the sash
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A drive for a wing of a door, a window or the like comprises at least one mechanical energy store which is charged by an opening movement of the wing and discharged with a closing movement of the wing, at least one electric motor which is operatively connected to the wing via at least one motor shaft and can be operated as a generator for damping the wing movements, and control and/or regulating electronics for controlling the electric motor. The control and/or regulating electronics include means via which the drive behavior can be repeatedly variably specified by a respective user and/or via which the drive behavior can repeatedly be variably adapted depending on the behavior of a respective user.