Door Gap Finger Detection With Sensor-Triggered Stopper Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Children are prone to finger injuries from being caught or pinched between closing doors due to the force generated by the door's movement, and existing solutions fail to provide effective prevention.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using sensors mounted on doors to detect the presence of fingers in the door gap, generating a signal to stop the door panel and maintain a safe distance to prevent closure, utilizing ToF cameras, LiDAR, and ultrasonic sensors, along with a door stopper mechanism to regulate door movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a door is designed to close completely for security and insulation, then the door's closing force and sealing ability are improved, but the risk of finger pinching in the door gap increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system performs preliminary detection of fingers in the door gap before the door completes its closing motion. When a finger is detected in the hazardous zone, the system预先 triggers the door stopper mechanism to prevent full closure, thereby eliminating the pinching hazard while maintaining the door's security function through partial closure
Solution Approach 2:
The door stopper mechanism acts as an intermediary element between the door and the door frame. It inserts into the door gap to physically block the door from closing completely when a finger is detected, serving as a mediator that prevents direct contact between the door edge and the finger while still allowing the door to maintain a secured position
2Reliability
If sensors and door stoppers are added to prevent finger pinching, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service principles through automatic sensor detection and automated door stopper activation. The sensors continuously monitor the door gap and automatically trigger the stopper mechanism when a finger is detected, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex control systems while maintaining high safety performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical safety systems with a simplified sensor-based detection system combined with a mechanical door stopper. Instead of using complex mechanical interlocks or multiple safety mechanisms, the system uses optical or capacitive sensors to detect fingers and triggers a single mechanical stopper action, significantly reducing overall system complexity
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 prevents finger pinching by automatically detecting and responding to potential hazards, reducing the risk of injury and damage without human intervention.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one sensor includes one or more of a Time-of-Flight (ToF) camera
Implementation Method 2
the at least one sensor includes one or more of a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor
Implementation Method 3
the at least one sensor includes one or more of an ultrasonic sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for preventing a finger of a user from pinch in a door gap. The method comprises detecting, by a machine learning (ML) model a position and trajectory of one or more fingers or hands of the user, determining, based on the detected position and trajectory, whether the one or more fingers or hands are present in, or approaching within a threshold distance of, a door gap between the frame and the moving panel, detecting a potential pinch hazard based on the determination that the one or more fingers or hands are present in, or are moving toward, the door gap within the threshold distance, generating a control signal to regulate movement of the moving panel, and actuating the door stopper mechanism in response to the control signal.