Door Drive Angle Detection Using Integrated Rotary Encoder

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door drives face challenges in providing reliable information about the opening and closing state of the door leaf and are difficult to assemble due to complex structures and additional installation space requirements for incremental encoders.

Innovation Solution

A rotary encoder integrated within the door drive provides digital information about the door leaf's position and movement, allowing for precise control and error analysis, and can be easily assembled and replaced without disassembling the motor, using a modular design that allows for flexible motor selection and simplified installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an incremental encoder is arranged on the motor output shaft, then information about door leaf position and movement is obtained, but additional installation space is required and the door drive size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor leaf position detectionVSAvoiddoor drive installation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The encoder is integrated within the existing gear mechanism housing, nesting the detection component within the existing structural space rather than adding external components. The encoder housing utilizes the internal volume of the gear mechanism, eliminating the need for additional external installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Measurement precision

If an incremental encoder is arranged on the motor output shaft, then door position information is provided, but the encoder cannot be replaced without dismantling the drive motor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor leaf position detectionVSAvoidencoder replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The encoder is separated from the motor as an independent modular component. The encoder housing forms a distinct assembly that can be accessed and replaced independently of the motor, allowing maintenance personnel to service the encoder without dismantling the drive motor or gear mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If a pulse disk arrangement is integrated in a gear, then the pulse disc is spatially separated from the gearbox, but the structure becomes very complex and requires separate closing off

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor leaf position detectionVSAvoidencoder structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The encoder housing is merged with the gear mechanism housing to form a unified structural assembly. The encoder is positioned within the existing gear housing space, and the housing itself serves dual purposes as both the gear enclosure and the encoder protective casing, eliminating the need for separate closing-off structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 rotary encoder enables accurate monitoring of door leaf position and movement, facilitating control and error detection, while the modular design enhances assembly ease and flexibility, allowing for efficient operation with various motor types and sizes.

Implementation Method 1

The rotary encoder can have an optical, magnetic or capacitive sensor with which the rotary movement of the rotary encoder disc can be recorded

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical sensing: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The rotary encoder can have an optical, magnetic or capacitive sensor with which the rotary movement of the rotary encoder disc can be recorded

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic sensing: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

The rotary encoder can have an optical, magnetic or capacitive sensor with which the rotary movement of the rotary encoder disc can be recorded

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitive sensing: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP2212503B1Door drive comprising angle detection of the closing shaft
Publication Date: 2012.07.11 DORMA GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2212503B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2212503B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2212503B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a door drive (1) arranged on a door leaf, a door frame, a door lintel, a wall or the like, said drive comprising a drive unit (2) provided with at least one motor (3) and a transmission (4) co-operating with a closing shaft (5). According to the invention, the drive unit (2) comprises a shaft encoder (6) which provides information on the position and/or the movement of the door leaf by means of an electrical signal.