Door Collision Warning Device Using Passive Infrared Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door collision warning systems are ineffective in preventing injuries and damages due to the inability to detect people or movable objects on the opposite side of doors or around blind corners, especially in poorly lit areas or when individuals are moving quickly, and require modifications to walls or doors for installation.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained device that can be hung over doors or attached to walls, using passive infrared sensors and indicators to provide visible and audible warnings of potential collisions on both sides of doors or around visual barriers, operating independently with its own power supply and adjustable sensing cones to minimize false warnings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a window is placed in the door to allow visual observation, then collision warning capability is improved, but privacy and security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual window observation system with an electronic sensor-indicator system. Sensors detect presence on either side of the door and trigger indicators to warn of potential collisions, eliminating the need for physical windows while maintaining safety functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensors and indicators as intermediary devices between the two sides of the door. These intermediaries detect and communicate presence information without requiring direct visual access, thus maintaining privacy while providing collision warning.
2Reliability
If sensors and indicators are mounted to walls or doors, then detection capability is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase due to modifications required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal mounting bracket design that can be attached to various surfaces (walls, doors, pillars) without requiring modifications to those surfaces. The bracket serves multiple functions: structural support, sensor mounting, and indicator mounting, making the system adaptable to different installation locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket is designed to be self-installing using simple attachment methods (screws, adhesives) that do not require specialized tools or modifications to the building structure. The system is self-contained and can be installed by end users without professional assistance.
3Area of stationary object
If the sensing area is expanded to cover more area, then detection coverage is improved, but false warnings from distant objects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple sensors with focused sensing cones directed at specific local areas rather than one wide-area sensor. Each sensor covers a localized zone, and the system integrates information from multiple sensors to determine overall presence, providing both broad coverage and precise localization to reduce false warnings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds angular/directional dimension to sensing by using sensors with specific field-of-view angles mounted at strategic positions. This creates overlapping conical sensing zones that cover the area around visual barriers from multiple angles, improving detection while maintaining spatial discrimination to reduce false positives.
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
Effectively warns of potential collisions on both sides of doors and around visual barriers without the need for wall modifications, providing reliable alerts in various lighting conditions and reducing the risk of injuries and damages by actively indicating the presence of people or objects.
Implementation Method 1
using passive infrared sensors and indicators to provide visible and audible warnings
Data Source
AI summary
A self-contained collision warning device warns of possible collisions between people and between people and moving objects on opposite sides of doors and other visual barriers. Motion sensors detect the presence of people or moving objects and activate indicators that warn of the presence of unseen people and moving objects. The device can be mounted to a door or wall without modification to the door or wall or access to electrical power.