Autonomous Door Leaf Power Generation for High-Speed Industrial Doors

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-speed industrial gates face challenges with reliable and cost-effective power supply for sensors, as existing solutions like cables, batteries, and inductive energy transfer are prone to mechanical stress, contamination, and short maintenance intervals, leading to increased costs and operational restrictions.

Innovation Solution

An electrically self-sufficient door leaf device that converts non-electrical energy, such as mechanical energy from the gate's movement, into electrical energy using an energy converter, eliminating the need for external power sources and batteries, and integrating sensors and actuators for intelligent operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If cables or trailing cables are used to supply power to sensors, then power supply is achieved, but mechanical stress and wear increase during regular operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supplyVSAvoidmechanical stress and wear
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable power supply system with an inductive power transmission system. The moving object (gate leaf) is equipped with a receiver that wirelessly receives electrical energy from a transmitter located in the fixed structure. This eliminates the mechanical connection and associated wear, while maintaining reliable power supply to sensors and other electrical components throughout the gate's operational life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If inductive energy transfer is used to supply power, then maintenance interval is extended, but design complexity and susceptibility to failure increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance intervalVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inductive power transmission system is designed to be self-aligning and automatically active whenever the gate leaf is within the transmission range. The receiver on the moving gate leaf automatically couples with the transmitter in the fixed structure without requiring manual configuration or complex control systems. This self-service characteristic reduces design complexity while maintaining extended maintenance intervals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of repair

If solar panels are used for power supply, then maintenance is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to soiling and damage risk

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemaintenanceVSAvoidsoiling and damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary inductive power transmission system to deliver energy to the moving gate leaf. Instead of placing fragile solar panels directly on the gate leaf where they are exposed to soiling and damage, the power is transmitted wirelessly through the intermediary electromagnetic field between a protected transmitter in the fixed structure and the receiver on the gate leaf. This eliminates the reliability issues associated with exposed solar panels while maintaining low maintenance requirements.

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

The solution provides a reliable, maintenance-free, and cost-effective power supply for the gate's sensors and actuators, enhancing operational reliability and safety while reducing downtime and environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

an energy converter, which converts non-electrical energy into electrical energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP3580421B1Door with an intelligent door leaf which has an electrically autonomous door leaf device, and method for same
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 EFAFLEX TOR & SICHERHEITSSYSTEME GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3580421B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3580421B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3580421B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a door (1), in particular a high-speed industry door, comprising an intelligent door leaf (2). The door has a door leaf which is guided in lateral guides (3) and covers a door opening and which has a first and a second face. The door also has a drive device (4) for moving the door leaf between an open and a closed position, a door controller (5) for actuating the drive device, and an electrically autonomous door leaf device (20) which is arranged in the door leaf. The door controller additionally has a first communication unit. The door leaf device also has at least one sensor unit for detecting at least one physical variable, an energy converter which converts non-electric energy into electric energy, a second communication unit, and at least one actuator unit, said first and second communication unit communicating with each other wirelessly.