Emergency Door Release Backup Power Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Emergency door release systems face challenges in maintaining operation during power outages, as they often inadvertently release doors due to loss of mains power, which can be hazardous in non-emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A microcontroller-powered emergency door release device using a non-chargeable battery and a large holding capacitor ensures the door closes only in response to emergency conditions, regardless of power loss, by switching between mains and backup power sources and utilizing an electromagnet to control the door's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the emergency door release device always releases the door upon loss of mains power, then the door can close during power outages, but this causes hazardous unnecessary closures in non-emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-chargeable battery as an intermediary power source between the mains power and the microcontroller. This battery, combined with a holding capacitor, ensures the microcontroller remains powered during brief power interruptions, allowing it to distinguish between transient power loss and actual emergency conditions, thereby preventing false door closures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-charging the holding capacitor during normal operation. When mains power is lost, this pre-charged capacitor immediately takes over to keep the microcontroller running, allowing the system to respond appropriately to the power loss event rather than defaulting to door closure.
2Device complexity
If the emergency door release device uses mains power only, then the system is simple, but the door cannot close during power outages when emergency conditions exist
Solution Approach 1:
The non-chargeable battery serves as a mediator power source that bridges the gap between mains power availability and microcontroller operation. It provides continuous power to the microcontroller during brief mains power interruptions, enabling the system to maintain operational reliability without requiring a complex rechargeable battery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a non-chargeable (disposable) battery instead of a rechargeable battery system. This simpler, less expensive power source is sufficient for the application's needs, providing backup power during brief interruptions without the complexity of charging circuits and battery management systems.
3Ease of operation
If the microcontroller remains powered during power loss, then it can distinguish emergency conditions, but this requires additional power sources and circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The non-chargeable battery acts as an intermediary power source that simplifies the overall system architecture. Rather than using complex rechargeable battery systems with charging circuits, the disposable battery provides straightforward backup power to the microcontroller, maintaining operational simplicity while enabling emergency condition discrimination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a non-chargeable battery with capacity exceeding what would be needed for a rechargeable system, ensuring sufficient power is available during the critical transition period. This excessive capacity approach simplifies the power management logic while guaranteeing microcontroller operation during power interruptions.
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
Ensures the door closes only in emergency situations, preventing unnecessary door closures during power outages without emergency conditions, maintaining operational reliability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a DC voltage regulator during the presence of mains input power
Implementation Method 2
a large holding capacitor that assures that the microcontroller stays powered long enough to effect the switch-over from mains input power to back-up power
Implementation Method 3
utilizing an electromagnet to control the door's position
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an emergency door release operable to release or command-to-close a rolling emergency door from its uppermost, or open, position to its lowermost, or closed, position, in response to an emergency condition even when there is a loss of mains input power, while also avoiding releasing the door solely upon a loss of mains power. The emergency door release comprises an emergency detector for detecting an emergency condition, a microcontroller for closing/releasing the rolling door in response to the emergency condition, a backup power means for providing backup power to the microcontroller during a loss of mains power, and a door retention system for retaining the rolling door when powered, and releasing the door when power is removed from the door retention system.