Door Drive Slide Rail Displacement Sensor Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door drives with slide rails and sliding blocks lack a reliable method to determine the leaf angle over the entire range of movement, complicating the monitoring of door opening and closing movements.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a displacement sensor on or within the slide rail to measure the position of the sliding block, allowing for the determination of the door leaf angle through distance measurement, which can be wireless and integrated into a modular sensor housing for easy attachment and precise positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a displacement sensor is arranged on or in the slide rail, then the leaf angle can be determined simply and reliably over the entire range of movement, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleaf angle determinationVSAvoiddoor drive structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor housing is designed to form an integrated fastening device that combines the mounting function with the sensor housing function. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor housing serves multiple functions: it houses the displacement sensor, provides fastening attachment to the frame or door leaf, and can form an end cap for the slide rail. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, addressing the complexity issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the slide rail is mounted on the frame, then no movable cable connection is required, but the device complexity increases due to additional fastening requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring setupVSAvoidmounting structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor housing integrates the fastening device function directly into it, combining the mounting and sensor housing functions in a single component. This eliminates the need for separate cable connections and reduces overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor housing provides its own fastening capability through integrated mounting holes and fastening devices, allowing it to self-attach to the frame or door leaf without requiring external cable connections or additional mounting components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a wireless position sensor is used, then the ease of operation improves, but the reliability may be affected due to wireless signal interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor installationVSAvoidposition measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor housing acts as a protective intermediary structure that houses the wireless sensor and provides mechanical mounting. This intermediary structure protects the wireless sensor from environmental factors while maintaining the ease of wireless operation, balancing reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables simple and precise monitoring of the door leaf's opening and closing movements, allowing for accurate determination of leaf angles and end positions without the need for movable cable connections, enhancing the reliability and ease of installation of door drives.

Implementation Method 1

The displacement sensor is designed as a TOF sensor, for example, an optical, laser, radar, ultrasonic, and/or PMD sensor. 'TOF' stands for 'time-of-flight.'

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP4050187B1Door drive
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 GEZE GMBH
  • EP4050187B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4050187B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a door drive, in particular a door closer, with a slide rail and a sliding block guided in the slide rail, which is coupled to a drive unit of the door drive via a sliding arm, wherein a displacement sensor for determining a position of the sliding block in the slide rail is arranged on or in the slide rail.