Automatic Door Bus Communication Failure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic door systems face challenges in detecting communication failures between units, leading to potential errors in door operation and safety issues due to varying specifications and the absence of a common door control unit that can handle different sensor and lock configurations.
Innovation Solution
An automatic door system utilizing a bus for communication between units, allowing the door control unit to call and respond to other units, enabling detection of communication failures and self-diagnosis, which facilitates immediate repair and operation without malfunctioning units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a-contact switches are used to connect sensors and electric locks to the door control unit, then the door control unit can be used for various specifications, but communication failures such as line disconnections cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the door control unit periodically checks the communication status with connected units by sending test signals through the a-contact switches. When a line disconnection occurs, the system receives feedback indicating the communication failure, allowing it to distinguish between a detected person state and an actual communication breakdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary diagnostic function that mediates between the a-contact switches and the door control unit. This intermediary mechanism monitors the communication path and detects line disconnections, enabling the system to identify communication failures without changing the a-contact switch architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors and units are connected through input/output circuits to a door control unit, then the system can handle various functions, but line interruptions between units and the control unit cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic feedback checks where the door control unit sends diagnostic signals through the input/output circuits to each connected unit. When a line interruption occurs, the feedback mechanism detects the loss of signal and notifies the control unit, enabling reliable detection of communication failures while maintaining multiple unit connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary diagnostic actions by continuously monitoring communication lines before they are needed for critical operations. The system proactively checks the status of connected units and detects line interruptions early, preventing potential safety issues before they occur.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a common door control unit is used for various specifications with different sensors, then system compatibility is improved, but false judgments occur when communication failures happen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback-based diagnostic system that continuously monitors communication status with connected sensors and units. When a communication failure is detected, the system receives feedback indicating the fault, allowing it to distinguish between actual sensor readings and communication errors, thereby maintaining accurate person detection despite using a common control unit for various specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies beforehand cushioning by preparing diagnostic routines and error handling mechanisms in advance. When communication failures occur, pre-programmed responses are activated to prevent false judgments, ensuring accurate person detection even when using a universal door control unit across different specifications.
Data Source
AI summary
Whether interruption is present in the connections of automatic door constituting units is detected.A plurality of automatic door constituting units (4, 8, 10, 12, 20, 24 and 26) are interconnected in such a manner that they can communicate with each other via a bus (2). The automatic door constituting units include a door controller (4) for controlling opening and closing of a door. The door controller (4) successively calls the other automatic door constituting units one by one via the bus (2), and the other automatic door constituting units send a response to the calling via the bus (2). The door controller (4) judges that the automatic door constituting unit the door controller (4) called is disconnected from the bus (2), when said called automatic door constituting unit does not send a response within a predetermined time after the calling.