Door System Assist Torque Control via Person Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door systems struggle to reliably differentiate between manual opening by a user and unwanted forces such as wind, leading to incorrect interpretation and unnecessary support moments.
Innovation Solution
A door system equipped with a sensor device that includes a person sensor to detect the presence of a user, and a control unit connected to the sensor device and drive unit, which provides a support moment only when a user is detected, thereby distinguishing between intended and unintended opening forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a force threshold is set for the drive to recognize manual opening, then the assist torque can be provided to support manual opening, but false triggering occurs due to wind force acting on the door leaf
Solution Approach 1:
A person sensor is introduced as an intermediary detection device between the user and the drive unit. The sensor detects the presence of a person in the detection area and sends a signal to the control unit, which then activates the drive unit to provide assist torque. This intermediary detection mechanism distinguishes between intentional manual opening (when a person is present) and unintentional forces like wind (when no person is present), thereby preventing false triggering while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the drive unit provides assist torque continuously, then manual opening is always assisted, but energy is wasted when no one needs to open the door
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit operates periodically rather than continuously. The person sensor continuously monitors the detection area, and when a person is detected, the control unit activates the drive unit to provide assist torque. When no person is detected, the drive unit remains inactive. This periodic activation based on detection events reduces energy consumption while maintaining ease of operation when needed.
3Strength
If the door requires high force to open manually, then the door can be securely closed, but accessibility is reduced for users with limited strength
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit is activated in advance when a person is detected in the detection area, before the user actually attempts to open the door. The control unit receives the sensor signal and pre-activates the drive unit to provide assist torque, so that when the user pulls the door, the assisting force is already present. This preliminary action reduces the effort required by the user while maintaining secure closing when the door is not being opened.
Data Source
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AI summary
A door system comprises a door having a leaf, a sensor device having at least one person sensor for detecting persons in a detection area surrounding the door, a drive unit for coupling with the leaf to transmit an assist torque to the leaf in a manual mode to assist a manual movement of the leaf, and a control unit connected to the sensor device via a signal link, which is configured to control the drive unit to assist the manual movement when at least one person has been detected in the detection area.