Door Actuator Switching Mechanism for Open Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door drives require complex and costly solutions to provide a simple electrical signal for the open position of a door leaf, often relying on rotary encoders that can be unreliable and expensive to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A door operator with an electrical switch actuated by a movable element, allowing for a straightforward electrical signal to indicate the open position of the door leaf, decoupled from rotary encoders, and integrated with an electric drive motor that can be switched off at the end stop, enabling simple and reliable monitoring of the door's open state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If rotary encoders are used to detect the open position of the door leaf, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from the complex rotary encoder system and implements it through a simple mechanical switch actuated by the movable element of the door operator. This separates the detection function from the control system, achieving open position detection without complex electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive rotary encoders with inexpensive mechanical switches that can be easily manufactured and replaced. The simple switch actuated by the movable element provides reliable detection at a fraction of the cost of electronic encoders.
2Measurement precision
If rotary encoders are used to detect the open position of the door leaf, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive rotary encoders with inexpensive mechanical switches that can be easily manufactured and replaced. The simple switch actuated by the movable element provides reliable detection at a fraction of the cost of electronic encoders.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable element of the door operator itself actsuates the switch, eliminating the need for separate sensing mechanisms. The existing mechanical components serve dual purposes: door operation and position detection, reducing overall manufacturing cost.
3Ease of operation
If a mechanical operative connection with movable elements is used between the drive unit and closer shaft, then the door operator can be actuated, but providing electrical information about open position becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the door actuation function and position detection function into a single mechanical linkage. The movable element that transmits motion from the drive unit to the closer shaft also actuates the switch, merging two functions into one component.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable element serves as an intermediary that transfers both mechanical motion for door actuation and positional information for switch actuation. This single intermediary component simplifies the system by eliminating separate sensing mechanisms.
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 a cost-effective and reliable method to detect the open position of a door leaf, ensuring the electric drive motor is switched off at the correct position, enhancing operational reliability and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the drive unit comprises only a spring energy store that has a closer spring that is tensioned when the door is opened manually, so that the closing movement of the door can be performed by the closer spring
Implementation Method 2
Further embodiments of door drives have an electric drive motor, which can drive the closer shaft either individually or in addition to the spring energy store
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2
AI summary
The actuator i.e. door drive (1) has a shutter shaft (2) actuating a door leaf that is driven from a electric drive motor (4), a flap carriage (5) and a spring force torque arm in a direction by a mechanical operative connection with the motor, carriage and the arm. The carriage implements a movement i.e. linear movement, during driving of the shutter shaft by the motor, carriage and the arm. An electric switch (3) is mechanically operated by the flap carriage such that electrical information about an opening position of a rotary leaf is provided.