Flexible Curtain Door Obstacle Detection Inside the Bottom Edge
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible curtain rapid door detection systems are costly, prone to false alarms, and suffer from rapid wear, limited directional detection, and potential for causing injuries due to exposed detection means, with long response times that can lead to crushing or damage during collisions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating obstacle detection means within the flexible curtain itself, positioned upstream of the ballast and sealing element, which are protected by these elements and can detect collisions in any direction, using deformable beams or cables that trigger a response to stop the curtain from closing upon encountering an obstacle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If detection means are placed in the bottom portion of the curtain beneath the bottom rigid bar, then collision detection is achieved, but the detection means are exposed to much damage and wear from repeated contact with the ground and machines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible bar as an intermediary element between the detection means and the external environment. The detection means are mounted on this flexible bar, which acts as a protective mediator that shields the detection means from direct contact with the ground and machines while still allowing collision detection to function effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the flexible bar as a protective structure that combines flexibility with protective functionality. This flexible bar shields the detection means from damage while maintaining the ability to detect collisions, effectively using a flexible structural element for protection rather than a rigid shield.
2Reliability
If detection means are placed in the bottom portion of the curtain, then collision detection is achieved, but the response time is relatively long rendering them ineffective when fitted to flexible curtain rapid doors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the detection means on the flexible bar in advance, before collisions occur, so that they are already in optimal detection position. This preliminary positioning ensures that when a collision happens, the detection means can immediately respond without the delay that would occur if they were positioned lower and had to be activated from a less optimal position.
3Reliability
If perimeter of presence detectors are fitted around the door, then protection against crushing or damaging the curtain is achieved, but the system is costly and may be sensitive to false alarms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from the complex perimeter detector system and concentrates it into a single, simpler detection means mounted on the flexible bar. This extraction simplifies the overall system by removing the need for multiple perimeter detectors while maintaining effective protection against crushing and damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the detection function with the flexible bar structure itself, integrating the detection means into the existing curtain framework. This merging eliminates the need for separate, complex perimeter detector systems and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining protective functionality.
4Strength
If the curtain is fitted with reinforcing bars particularly in its bottom portion, then structural strength is improved, but the detection means exposed to machines may be caught or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible bar serves as an intermediary protective element between the detection means and the reinforcing bars. It allows the detection means to be positioned close to the reinforcing bars for effective detection while the flexible bar itself absorbs and mitigates potential damage from machine contact.
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 solution provides reliable, wear-resistant, and directionally sensitive collision detection, reducing the risk of injury and damage by integrating detection mechanisms within the curtain, ensuring timely and effective stopping of the door during collisions, regardless of collision direction.
Implementation Method 1
the ballast and sealing element deforming when it encounters an obstacle
Implementation Method 2
a beam-emitting cell and a beam-receiving cell, the beam being able to be cut by the ballast and sealing element when it encounters an obstacle
Data Source
AI summary
The inventive flexible curtain rapid door comprises a structure consisting of two posts and a transverse element for guiding a flexible curtain and electromechanical means supported by said structure for displacing the curtain between open and closed positions, wherein the flexible curtain (2) comprises a weight and sealing element (13). According to the invention, the door comprises obstacle detecting means which are carried at least partially by an reinforcing element, are adjacent to the weight and sealing element (13) and are disposed upstream thereof on the curtain closing path between the reinforcing element and the weight and sealing element (13) and said obstacle detecting means are integrated inside the lower part of the curtain (2).