Curtain Obstacle Detection Using Motor Current and Position Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing curtain control systems, such as fire and smoke curtains, lack accurate obstacle detection, often leading to misjudgment due to the use of sensors that are prone to errors and require complex wiring, which is costly and unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A curtain control system utilizing a motor, braking module, and current position detecting module to determine the absolute position of the curtain, calculating velocity and acceleration to detect obstacles without additional sensors, simplifying installation and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If infrared sensors are installed to detect obstacles, then obstacle detection capability is provided, but misjudgment occurs and detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical sensors (infrared) with a mechanical detection approach using the motor's current detection system. The motor controller monitors current consumption patterns during curtain operation to infer obstacle presence, substituting complex optical sensing with simpler electrical parameter analysis that is already inherent in the motor control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing motor and controller system performs dual functions: both driving the curtain and detecting obstacles through current monitoring. The system uses its own operational parameters (current, speed, acceleration) to detect obstacles, eliminating the need for separate detection hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If motion sensors are installed on the base plate to detect curtain motion, then obstacle detection is enabled, but device complexity and cost increase due to additional wiring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the obstacle detection function from separate sensor hardware and relocates it to the existing motor control system. By removing the need for additional sensors and their associated wiring, the system achieves obstacle detection capability while reducing device complexity and installation burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls motor operation for curtain movement and simultaneously monitors current parameters to detect obstacles. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated obstacle detection hardware and simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional sensors and wiring are installed for obstacle detection, then detection capability is provided, but installation cost and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motor control system provides obstacle detection as an inherent capability using its existing current sensing circuits. No additional sensors or wiring are required, as the system uses its own operational parameters to detect obstacles, thereby reducing installation costs and simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The obstacle detection function is merged with the motor control system. The same controller that manages motor operation also processes current data to detect obstacles, combining multiple functions into a single integrated system and eliminating the need for separate detection hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a curtain control system and a curtain control method. When a controller receives a curtain-releasing signal, a braking module releases a curtain so as to lower it, a current position detecting module detects an absolute position of the curtain, and the controller calculates a current velocity and a current acceleration of the curtain according to a variation per unit time of the absolute position. When the current velocity is equal to zero or the current acceleration is smaller than zero, the controller controls a motor to lift the curtain or controls the braking module to hold the curtain at a current position. Accordingly, the present invention uses the absolute position to calculate the current velocity and the current acceleration of the curtain so as to determine whether the curtain has encountered an obstacle.