Integrated Position Sensor in Door Closer Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing entryway systems rely on supplemental sensors to determine the position of door closers, which increase complexity and cost, and may not accurately indicate the intermediate positions of entryway devices between open and closed states.
Innovation Solution
A method using a position sensor integrated within the door closer assembly to detect and transmit data to a processing device, which evaluates this data against reference sets to determine the current location of the door closer and communicate it to the lockset device, allowing for accurate positioning and calibration of the entryway system without additional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If supplemental sensors are added to determine door closer position, then position detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the position detection function with the door closer assembly itself by integrating a position sensor within the door closer. This merging eliminates the need for separate supplemental sensors, thereby maintaining position detection capability while reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The door closer assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides the closing force for the entryway device and simultaneously houses the position sensor to detect the door's position. This multi-functionality approach allows one component to serve dual purposes, reducing the overall number of components needed in the system.
2Measurement precision
If supplemental sensors are added to determine door closer position, then position detection capability is improved, but installation cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the position sensor within the door closer assembly, the patent eliminates the need for separate sensor installation, calibration, and preparation steps. The door closer installation process simultaneously provides both the mechanical closing function and the position detection capability, significantly reducing installation time and cost.
3Measurement precision
If traditional sensors are used, then open/closed position detection is achieved, but intermediate position information is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The position sensor integrated in the door closer assembly continuously monitors and provides dynamic position information throughout the door's movement range. Unlike traditional binary sensors that only detect open/closed states, this dynamic detection capability captures intermediate positions, providing comprehensive position data for the entire motion spectrum of the entryway device.
Data Source
AI summary
A door closer assembly for an entryway device having a position sensor that assists in determining the location of the door closer assembly, and thus the location of the associated entryway device, relative to at least an entryway. The position sensor can be coupled to, and/or part of, the door closer assembly. Information obtained by the position sensor may be used by one or processing devices of an access control system to determine whether the door closer assembly and/or the entryway device is at the closed location, among other locations, as well as the direction(s) of displacement of the entryway device. Such information may be utilized in calibrating other devices, as well as determining the occurrence of a number of events, including unauthorized displacement or holding of the entryway device. A timer may also be utilized to further evaluate the nature of the displacement of the entryway device.