Door Control Apparatus with Sensor-Based Hold-Open and Floor Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic doors may close on individuals or objects that fail to clear the doorway in time due to predetermined timing, posing a safety risk.
Innovation Solution
A door control apparatus that includes control circuitry and sensors to detect people or objects near the door, signaling the electromechanical door holder to hold the door open and using a light emitter to indicate when it is safe to enter or when the door is about to close, with adjustable timing to ensure safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automatic door closing is implemented with predetermined timing, then door operation automation is improved, but safety risk increases due to potential closure on persons or objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs sensors (photoelectric, ultrasonic, or motion detectors) that continuously monitor the doorway area and provide feedback to the control circuitry. When an object or person is detected within the safety zone, the system automatically adjusts door operation to prevent closure, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to real-time conditions rather than relying solely on predetermined timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of persons or objects in the doorway area before the door closing action is initiated. The sensor array continuously scans the safety zone, and if detection occurs, the control circuitry preemptively prevents or reverses the closing motion before it can cause harm, addressing the safety issue before it manifests.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sensor detection and light emitter warning systems are added, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuitry serves multiple functions: it processes sensor signals, controls the electromechanical door holder, operates the light emitter, and manages timing sequences. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional control unit, the patent reduces overall system complexity despite adding safety features. The light emitter also serves dual purposes as both a safety warning device and a visual indicator of system status.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the sensor detection system, control circuitry, light emitter, and door holder into an integrated door control apparatus. The sensor, light emitter, and electromechanical door holder are mounted in close proximity and coordinated by shared control circuitry, creating a compact unified system rather than separate distributed components, thereby minimizing spatial and operational complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the door is held open longer to ensure safety, then safety is improved, but time efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The door hold-open duration is not fixed but dynamically adjusted based on real-time sensor detection. When the sensor detects a person or object in the safety zone, the door is held open for an extended period. When the zone is clear, the door closes promptly according to the predetermined timing. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both safety and time efficiency by adapting the hold-open duration to actual conditions rather than applying a conservative fixed delay in all cases.
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
Prevents accidental door closures by maintaining the door open until it is safe for individuals to pass through, enhancing safety and user awareness through visual cues.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor is adapted to detect a person, object, or both in a first designated area proximate to the door
Implementation Method 2
a light emitter that is also connected to the control circuitry, which is operable to signal the light emitter to produce light
Data Source
AI summary
A door control apparatus and methods for controlling a door motion device for a hinged door and, optionally, illuminating a designated area on the floor. During the time the designated area is illuminated, a person can expect that the door will not close. The door control apparatus may include control circuitry, and a sensor, and optionally a light emitter and/or a sound emitter. The sensor detects a person proximate to the door and signals the control circuitry upon a detection event. The light emitter is also connected to the control circuitry. Upon a detection event, the control circuitry signals the light emitter to produce light and signals the door motion device to hold the door open. The light emitter directs light to form an image on the floor in the designated area. The light emitter may be, for example, a laser generator or a light emitting diode lamp.