Arched Cabin Door Photoelectric Safety Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cabin door systems with circular openings, such as those found in elevators, face challenges in reliably preventing crushes due to obstacles since traditional photocell-based safety systems are ineffective for arched door panels, as the radiation beam is not detectable between opposing jambs.
Innovation Solution
A cabin door with a circular opening employs a photoelectric safety barrier comprising a first device emitting electromagnetic radiation and a second device receiving it, both shaped to follow the arched extensions of the guide means, ensuring an arched area of vertical radiation is maintained between the jambs, using flexible strips of emitters and receivers housed within tubular elements to detect obstacles effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional photocell-based safety systems are used with horizontal radiation beams, then the system works for rectilinear doors, but the radiation beam is not detectable between opposing jambs in circular systems with arched door panels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by shaping the photoelectric safety barrier to follow the arched extension of the guide means. The first device emitting electromagnetic radiation and the second device receiving it are both configured with curved geometries that match the circular opening, enabling the radiation beam to traverse the arched gap between opposing jambs effectively.
2Reliability
If photocells are arranged vertically on opposite sides to create a planar area of horizontal radiation, then obstacle detection at different heights is improved, but the system becomes ineffective for circular openings with arched door panels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional planar photoelectric barrier into a curved configuration that follows the arched extension of the guide means. This curvature adaptation enables the system to function effectively in circular elevator shafts while maintaining the vertical arrangement of photocells for multi-height obstacle detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The photoelectric safety barrier is divided into multiple photocell pairs arranged vertically along the arched extension. Each pair creates a localized radiation beam, and the collective arrangement covers the entire arched gap, enabling comprehensive obstacle detection throughout the circular opening.
3Reliability
If the photoelectric safety barrier is shaped to follow the arched extension of the guide means, then obstacle detection in circular systems is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the complexity issue by applying curved geometries to the photoelectric barrier components that directly match the existing arched guide means. This approach leverages the inherent circular geometry of the elevator shaft rather than fighting against it, making the adaptation more straightforward than creating entirely new detection geometries.
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 configuration allows for reliable detection and prevention of obstacles within the gap, ensuring safe operation by inverting the door panel movement when obstacles are present, and is universally applicable to guides with different curvatures and lengths.
Implementation Method 1
a photoelectric safety barrier comprising a first device (6) configured to emit electromagnetic radiation and a second device (7) configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation coming from the first device (6)
Data Source
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AI summary
A cabin door (1) with a circular opening, comprising: a lower jamb (2) and an upper jamb (3) having an arched extension, arranged substantially parallel and aligned; a plurality of door panels (4) having an arched extension; a photoelectric safety barrier comprising a first strip (16) of flexible material bearing a plurality of electromagnetic radiation and a second strip (17) of flexible material bearing a plurality of receivers, the first strip (16) being installed on the lower jamb (2) and the second strip (17) being installed on the upper jamb (3).