Door Sensor Positioning Control for Reliable Traffic Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power-operated door systems face inefficiencies and safety issues due to improper sensor positioning and timing, leading to frequent breakaway events, false activations, and energy wastage, which can be exacerbated by factors like traffic speed and environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

A controller system that utilizes a network of sensors and actuators to adjust sensor positioning, orientation, and field of view, combined with motor control, to optimize door operations based on real-time feedback, including traffic detection and environmental factors, thereby reducing breakaway events and energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensor positioning and timing are fixed, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to improper sensor positioning and false activations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor positioning system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor positioning system is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. The system can modify sensor position, orientation, and field of view in real-time based on detected conditions, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity by allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor sensor performance and environmental conditions, then automatically adjust sensor positioning and timing parameters. This closed-loop control improves measurement precision while managing complexity through automated adjustment based on real-time feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If door operations are conservative to ensure safety, then reliability improves, but productivity decreases due to frequent breakaway events and extended door cycle times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor operation safetyVSAvoiddoor cycle frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of traffic and environmental conditions before initiating door operations. By anticipating potential issues and pre-positioning sensors and adjusting parameters in advance, the system can execute door cycles more confidently and efficiently, reducing unnecessary conservative delays while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes operational parameters such as door speed, timing, and sensor thresholds based on real-time conditions. This allows the door system to optimize between safety and productivity by adjusting parameters to match actual traffic patterns and environmental factors rather than using fixed conservative settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If sensors monitor extensive environmental factors and traffic conditions, then measurement precision improves, but use of energy increases due to continuous monitoring and dynamic adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor and actuator power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous monitoring, the system employs periodic sensing and dynamic adjustment at key moments in the door cycle. Sensors are activated and adjusted based on detected events or at predetermined intervals, reducing energy consumption while maintaining sufficient measurement precision for safe and efficient door operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Loss of energy

If door panels are designed for thermal insulation, then energy loss is reduced, but device complexity increases due to multilayer structures and segmented designs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal energy lossVSAvoidpanel structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The door panel is divided into multiple segments or layers that can be independently optimized for thermal insulation. This segmentation allows the system to achieve better energy retention while managing complexity through modular design, where each segment performs a specific thermal function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The door panel utilizes composite material structures combining different layers with complementary thermal properties. This approach achieves superior thermal insulation performance while organizing complexity into standardized composite constructions that can be manufactured and maintained more efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS12359493B2Methods and apparatus to monitor and/or adjust operations of doors

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 RITE HITE HLDG CORP

AI summary

Methods and apparatus to monitor and/or adjust operations of doors are disclosed. An apparatus includes processor circuitry to execute instructions to: monitor a position of a door panel associated with a door system; detect when a beam from a photo-eye sensor associated with the door system is in an unexpected non-triggered state based on the position of the door panel; and generate an alert or notification indicating a significance of the beam in the unexpected non-triggered state.