Door Position Detection Using Sensor State Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
After a power outage or initial operation, existing door systems struggle to accurately determine the door position, leading to potential damage due to the lack of a reference point for sensors like absolute encoders, which require a safe and controlled movement to re-establish the door's position.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses sensor elements, such as light barriers or proximity switches, to detect the door's position by determining the state change of these sensors, allowing the control unit to fix the door position and decide the travel direction, enabling automated and accurate position determination without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If absolute encoders are used to determine door position, then position accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional transmission components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the position detection function from the motor assembly and places sensor elements directly in the door's travel path. This eliminates the need for absolute encoders and their associated transmission components, while still providing accurate position determination through direct sensing of the door element's location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical encoder system with an optical or electromagnetic sensing system. Instead of using mechanical transmission components to encode position information, the system uses sensor elements that directly detect the door element's position through optical or electromagnetic fields, eliminating mechanical complexity.
2Device complexity
If incremental encoders are used to reduce costs, then device complexity is reduced, but position determination reliability deteriorates after power outage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a reference position detection mechanism that automatically establishes a known position reference after power restoration. The control unit commands the door to move to a predefined reference position and uses sensor elements to detect when the door element reaches this position, thereby re-establishing position information without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-initialization after power outage by automatically detecting the reference position using sensor elements and storing this information in the control unit. This eliminates the need for manual position setting or trained personnel intervention, making the system self-sufficient in recovering position information.
3Measurement precision
If manual position setting is required after power outage, then position accuracy can be ensured, but ease of operation deteriorates due to need for trained personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the reference position using sensor elements and stores this information in the control unit without requiring manual intervention. The control unit independently completes the initialization process by detecting when the door element passes the reference position and establishing position information, eliminating the need for trained personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual position setting operations with automated sensor-based detection. Instead of requiring personnel to physically position and set the door, the system uses sensor elements to automatically detect the reference position and establish position information through electronic means.
4Reliability
If door travels to reference position after power outage, then position information is restored, but mechanical strain increases due to unnecessary movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-positions sensor elements at specific locations along the door's travel path, including at the reference position. This allows the system to quickly detect position information by monitoring sensor element states rather than requiring the door to physically travel to and stop at the reference position, thereby reducing mechanical strain while maintaining position recovery capability.
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 the door system to automatically determine and validate its position post-power outage or initial operation, reducing mechanical strain and eliminating the need for trained personnel, ensuring safe and reliable door control operations.
Implementation Method 1
detecting the state of the at least one sensor element... with the arrangement position of the sensor element corresponding to the door element on a change of state of the sensor element
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a position of a door in a door system having a rail guiding a movable door element (50) of the door and a sensor element (10) for detecting movement of the door element along a free movement path of the door element (50), involves detecting a state of the sensor element (10) as the door element is moved to and fro. A door control determines the door changes in the state based on the position of the sensor element (10).