Arm Actuator Visual Alignment for Safe Door Leaf Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of arm actuators for leaf movement, such as gates or shutters, is challenging due to the difficulty in measuring the 'break' angle to limit closing force, leading to potential jamming or pinching risks, as existing methods rely on estimating a perpendicular offset which is hard to achieve accurately.
Innovation Solution
An arm actuator design with visual identification marks on the motor and leaf arms allows for intuitive and simple determination of the relative angular position, reducing the risk of error by defining angular ranges and exclusion zones, enabling correct alignment without relying on imaginary straight lines or precise measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the installer uses the traditional method of measuring perpendicular offset to determine arm angular position, then the closing force can be controlled, but the installation becomes complex and error-prone due to the difficulty of locating imaginary straight lines and measuring precise offsets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual marks (analogous to color changes) on the motor arm and leaf arm to indicate angular position. The marks provide intuitive visual feedback that replaces complex measurement procedures, allowing installers to determine correct angular orientation through simple visual alignment rather than precise measurement of imaginary lines
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical measurement system (measuring tapes, imaginary straight lines, perpendicular offset calculations) with a visual identification system. The visual marks on the arms substitute for complex geometric measurements, making the installation process simpler and more intuitive
2Ease of operation
If the installer estimates the lateral offset by eye, then the installation process is simplified, but the accuracy deteriorates leading to excessive closing force or actuator jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The visual marks on the motor arm and leaf arm provide clear visual indicators that eliminate the need for eye estimation. The marks are positioned at specific angular locations, and when correctly aligned, they provide unambiguous visual confirmation of proper angular orientation, preventing both underestimation and overestimation errors
3Stability of the object's composition
If the arm geometry is fixed by engaging a screw in orifices, then the structure is immobilized, but the adaptability is reduced as installers cannot adjust the angular position
Solution Approach 1:
The visual marks are pre-positioned on the motor arm and leaf arm during manufacturing. These marks indicate the correct angular orientation that should be achieved during installation. The marks are positioned in advance to correspond with specific angular locations, allowing installers to achieve the correct geometry without complex adjustment procedures
Data Source
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AI summary
The actuator (10) has a driving arm (16) driven at an end side (162) and rotated around an axis (Z1) by an end of an electric motor (12). An opening arm (18) is articulated on a side (182) and rotated around another axis (Z2), which is parallel to the former axis, on a second end side (164) of the driving arm. The driving arm and the opening arm are rotated at the second end side of the driving arm and at side of the opening arm, respectively. Visual identification units (165, 185, 187) visually identify the relative angular orientation of the arms around the latter axis. An independent claim is also included for a method for assembling an arm actuator.