Door Closer Assembly with Controller for Automatic Valve Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door closers require manual adjustment of valve settings to achieve desired closing profiles, which can be cumbersome and often result in undesirable closing characteristics due to interactions between valves, leading to installation challenges and suboptimal performance.
Innovation Solution
A door closer assembly with a pinion, piston, and valve system that includes a controller to dynamically adjust the valve position based on sensed door angles, allowing for automatic regulation of hydraulic fluid flow and force application, thereby simplifying installation and ensuring desirable opening and closing cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual adjustment of valve settings is used to achieve desired closing profiles, then the door closer can be controlled to provide specific closing characteristics, but the installation becomes cumbersome and the closing characteristics may be suboptimal due to valve interactions
Solution Approach 1:
The door closer system automatically adjusts valve settings based on sensed door angles and position feedback, eliminating the need for manual installer adjustment. The controller autonomously optimizes the closing profile by dynamically controlling valve positions during door operation, allowing the system to self-tune without requiring installer expertise or time-consuming manual calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of valve settings with an automated electronic control system. Sensors detect door position and angle, and a controller electronically adjusts valve positions through actuators, substituting the manual mechanical tuning process with an automated electromechanical system that eliminates installer dependency and valve interaction problems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valves are used to control door closing profiles, then the door motion can be controlled at different stages, but the valve interactions make adjustment difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple valve control functions into a unified electronic control system. The controller coordinates all valve adjustments based on a single set of control algorithms that consider door angle, position, and desired closing profile, merging what would otherwise be separate manual adjustment tasks into one automated process that simplifies the overall adjustment procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to continuously monitor door position and angle, providing feedback to the controller which then adjusts valve positions in real-time. This closed-loop feedback system automatically compensates for valve interactions and optimizes the closing profile without requiring manual trial-and-error adjustment of multiple valves, reducing both complexity and adjustment time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If installers manually adjust valve settings, then the closing profile can be customized, but installers may be unwilling or unable to perform the adjustment or unaware that settings can be changed
Solution Approach 1:
The door closer system automatically adjusts valve settings based on sensed door angles and position feedback, eliminating the need for manual installer adjustment. The controller autonomously optimizes the closing profile by dynamically controlling valve positions during door operation, allowing the system to self-tune without requiring installer expertise or time-consuming manual calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of valve settings with an automated electronic control system. Sensors detect door position and angle, and a controller electronically adjusts valve positions through actuators, substituting the manual mechanical tuning process with an automated electromechanical system that eliminates installer dependency and valve interaction problems.
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
The solution enables automatic adjustment of door closer forces based on door angles, ensuring smooth and controlled door motion with reduced manual intervention, improving installation ease and achieving consistent, desirable closing profiles.
Implementation Method 1
The piston moves through a reservoir filled with a hydraulic fluid, such as oil. As the piston moves, it displaces hydraulic fluid, which may be forced through various valved ports.
Implementation Method 2
By allowing, limiting, or preventing flow of hydraulic fluid, the valved ports control the varying amounts of force applied to the door as a function of door angle.
Implementation Method 3
Spring means are disposed in the housing between the second end of the housing and the second end of the piston for urging the piston toward the first end of the housing in the door closing direction.
Data Source
AI summary
A door closer comprises a piston cooperating with a rotating pinion. Upon rotation of the pinion in the door opening direction, the piston moves toward the second end of the housing forcing fluid from a second variable volume chamber through a passage to a first variable volume chamber and compressing a spring assembly for storing energy. The spring assembly urges the piston toward the first end of the housing for forcing fluid from the first variable volume chamber to the second variable volume chamber and rotating the pinion in the door closing direction. A controller controls the position of a valve in the passage based on the sensed angular position of a door and the position of the valve for determining the amount of hydraulic fluid flowing through the valve.