Adaptive Obstacle Detection in Motorized Drive Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized drive devices for home automation systems used in sun protection or concealment, such as blinds, face issues with a single obstacle detection threshold value that is not adaptable to different device dimensions, leading to inconsistent behavior and either ineffective or premature obstacle detection.
Innovation Solution
A method to automatically determine an obstacle detection threshold value by measuring the electric current flowing through the motor and determining its variation, allowing for adaptive obstacle detection based on the specific dimensioning of each concealment device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single obstacle detection threshold value is used for each electromechanical actuator, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability to different shading device dimensions deteriorates and reliability of obstacle detection worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of obstacle detection threshold from a fixed value to an automatically determined value based on measured electrical parameters (current, voltage, or power) and their variations during screen movement. This allows the threshold to adapt to different shading device dimensions, weights, and configurations while maintaining ease of manufacture through automated determination rather than manual configuration for each device variant.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromechanical actuator performs self-configuration by automatically determining its own obstacle detection threshold value during installation without requiring external calibration or manual input. The system measures its own electrical parameters during operation and uses these measurements to set the appropriate threshold, enabling the device to adapt to its specific application automatically.
2Ease of operation
If a single obstacle detection threshold value is determined by the manufacturer, then the ease of operation is improved during installation, but the reliability of obstacle detection deteriorates due to inconsistent behavior across different shading devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by measuring electrical parameters (current, voltage, or power) during screen movement and using these measurements to automatically determine the obstacle detection threshold. The control unit continuously monitors the electrical parameter variations and adjusts the threshold based on the actual operating conditions, ensuring reliable obstacle detection across different shading device configurations while maintaining ease of operation through automated adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The obstacle detection threshold is determined in advance during the installation phase through automatic measurement of electrical parameters, before the system enters normal operation. This preliminary automatic configuration ensures that the threshold is optimized for the specific shading device installation without requiring manual intervention during operation, combining ease of installation with reliable detection.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the obstacle detection threshold is set too high, then false detections are reduced, but the reliability of obstacle detection deteriorates as the threshold may never be reached
Solution Approach 1:
The obstacle detection threshold transitions from a static fixed value to a dynamic value that automatically adapts to the specific shading device installation. The threshold is determined based on measured electrical parameter variations during the actual screen movement, ensuring it is neither too high nor too low for the specific application. This dynamic adaptation eliminates false detections while maintaining reliable obstacle detection capability.
4Measurement precision
If the obstacle detection threshold is set too low, then obstacle detection sensitivity is improved, but the reliability worsens due to false obstacle detections when the screen is fully extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical calibration methods with electrical measurement-based automatic threshold determination. Instead of using mechanical test procedures or manual adjustment, the system measures electrical parameters (current, voltage, or power) and their variations during screen movement to automatically calculate the appropriate threshold. This substitution of mechanical calibration with electrical sensing and automated calculation achieves both high sensitivity and reliability without false detections.
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
Ensures consistent behavior of the motorized drive device across different concealment devices by adapting the obstacle detection threshold value, preventing both ineffective and untimely detections, thereby improving the reliability and accuracy of obstacle detection.
Implementation Method 1
an electronic control unit, the electronic control unit comprising: a measuring device for measuring a quantity of an electric current flowing through the electric motor
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for configuring a motorised drive device for a closure or solar protection unit, said method including: a step (E30) in which a low end-of-travel position of a screen is determined automatically; a step (E40) in which the magnitude of an electric current passing through an electric motor is measured by a measurement device; a step (E70) in which a variation in the value magnitude is determined; and a step (E90) in which an obstacle-detection threshold value is determined during the movement of the screen towards its unwound position, according to the variation in the measured magnitude.