Closure Drive Control Device for Constant Closing Edge Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power-operated doors, particularly up-and-over doors, pose a hazard due to varying impact forces when closing, which can result in injuries, especially at high speeds, as the speed of the door's closing edge is not proportional to the motor speed, leading to uneven force distribution across the door's travel.
Innovation Solution
A gate operator with a control device that includes a closing edge movement detection system using sensors to determine instantaneous speed and acceleration, allowing for precise control of the door's movement to maintain a constant closing edge speed, thereby ensuring safer operation by detecting obstacles, passengers, and weight balancer failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If motor speed is controlled based on motor parameters, then motor performance is improved, but closing edge speed remains variable leading to safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The control device receives feedback signals from sensors (encoder, acceleration sensor, position sensor) that provide information about actual motor speed, acceleration, and position. This feedback is used to continuously adjust motor control signals, enabling precise control of closing edge speed and eliminating the variability in impact forces that occurs with open-loop motor control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical speed control mechanisms with an electronic control system that uses sensors and a microcontroller to regulate motor operation. This substitution allows for more precise and flexible control of the closing edge speed compared to traditional mechanical governors or friction-based speed control.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sensors are added to detect closing edge movement, then safety control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls motor operation, processes signals from multiple different sensors (encoder, acceleration sensor, position sensor), detects various fault conditions, and adjusts closing edge speed. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single integrated control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions (position encoding, acceleration detection, velocity measurement) into a unified sensor system that feeds into a single control device. This merging reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate independent control systems for each function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If closing edge speed is maintained constant, then safety is improved, but motor speed must vary leading to control complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts motor speed based on real-time feedback from sensors to maintain constant closing edge speed. The system continuously modifies motor operating parameters (voltage, current, pulse width) in response to changing load conditions, door position, and detected obstacles, enabling adaptive speed control that prioritizes safety over simple operational complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a control unit (42) for a closure drive (41) for driving a wing (24) of a closure (22) for openings in buildings (20) or enclosures. The control device (42) comprises a closing edge motion detecting unit (52) and a closure drive control unit (54). The closing edge motion detecting unit (52) is designed to detect an instantaneous connecting edge velocity (vm) and/or an instantaneous connecting edge acceleration (am) of a closing edge (44, 46) of the wing (24). The closure drive control unit (54) is designed to control the closure drive (41) based on the detected instantaneous connecting edge velocity (vm) and/or the instantaneous connecting edge acceleration (am).