Automated Door System with Portable Sensor for Hands-Free Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional powered door systems are inaccessible to users with disabilities, elderly individuals, and those with strollers or heavy loads due to the need for physical strength to activate buttons, and often fall into disrepair, leading to liability issues and non-compliance with accessibility standards.
Innovation Solution
An automated door system comprising a first door control module mounted in a fixed position and a second door control module carried by the user, connected via Bluetooth Low Energy, allowing for customized opening and closing of powered doors based on user proximity, eliminating the need for physical button activation and enabling hands-free operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional button-activated door systems are used, then the door can be opened with simple mechanical activation, but users with disabilities, elderly individuals, and those with strollers or heavy loads cannot access the door due to lack of physical strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical button-activation system with an automated sensor-based system. Sensors detect user approach and trigger the door opening automatically, eliminating the need for physical button pressing and making the door accessible to users with limited strength
Solution Approach 2:
The door system serves itself by automatically detecting user presence and initiating door opening without requiring user intervention. The system monitors for user approach and autonomously activates the door, making it accessible to all users regardless of physical capability
2Ease of operation
If handicap-labeled buttons are positioned in accessible locations, then users with disabilities can easily activate the door, but the system becomes more complex and prone to maintenance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the mechanical button component entirely by using sensor-based detection. This substitution reduces the number of physical parts that can fail, simplifying maintenance while maintaining ease of operation through automatic detection
3Ease of operation
If conventional door systems are installed, then the door can be controlled with simple controls, but the doors often fall into disrepair and fail to comply with accessibility standards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical controls with electronic sensor systems that have fewer moving parts and no wear-prone components. This substitution improves reliability by eliminating mechanical degradation while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor user approach and provide feedback to the control system, enabling automatic door opening. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable operation and compliance with accessibility standards while reducing maintenance needs
Data Source
AI summary
Many embodiments can include a system. The system can comprise one or more processors; and one or more non-transitory computer readable mediums storing computing instructions. The computing instructions can be configured to run on the one or more processors and cause the one or more processors to perform: receiving, at a first sensor coupled in a fixed position relative to an automated door, a signal from a portable sensor associated with a user; in response to receiving the signal from the portable sensor, facilitating a customized opening actuation of the automated door or a customized closing actuation of the automated door, wherein at least one of the customized opening actuation or the customized closing actuation is customized for the user.