Continuous Calibration of Garage Door Control Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current garage door control systems lack precision in determining the position of overhead garage doors, especially when partially open or closed, due to limitations in end limit switches, tilt switches, and accelerometers, which fail to accurately measure the opening distance and speed.
Innovation Solution
A control device equipped with a distance sensor and a processor that continuously calibrates the opening distance of garage doors by measuring the size of the opening and adjusting the elapsed time based on the speed of movement, allowing for precise control and accounting for environmental changes like weather conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If end limit switches, tilt switches, or accelerometers are used to determine garage door position, then the system can detect basic open/closed states, but the measurement precision for partial opening positions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sensors (limit switches, tilt switches, accelerometers) with an optical/time-of-flight distance sensor that measures the actual distance the garage door travels. This substitution enables precise measurement of partial opening positions by directly measuring displacement rather than inferring position from mechanical switch states or acceleration data.
2Measurement precision
If a distance sensor is introduced to improve position measurement precision, then accurate control of opening distance is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the distance sensor continuously measures the garage door's position, the controller compares the actual position with the target position, and adjusts the motor operation accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system enables precise control of opening distance while managing complexity through systematic error correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically determining the relationship between motor operations and actual door displacement through the distance sensor feedback. The controller learns and stores calibration data that maps control signals to actual position changes, enabling the system to self-adjust without external intervention and reducing operational complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If calibration is performed continuously to account for environmental changes, then adaptability to weather conditions improves, but the loss of time for calibration operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs calibration continuously during normal garage door operations rather than requiring separate calibration sessions. Every time the door opens or closes, the distance sensor collects position data that refines the calibration parameters. This continuous calibration approach maintains environmental adaptability while minimizing time loss by utilizing existing operational cycles.
Data Source
AI summary
A device has a distance sensor and a transmitter. The distance sensor, attached to a barrier, measures an opening formed by the barrier. The transmitter transmits a control signal to a barrier controller. The barrier controller controls a movement of the barrier based on the control signal. The device receives a requested size of the opening. The device transmits, to the barrier controller, a first control signal that instructs the barrier controller to move the barrier and a second control signal that instructs the barrier controller to stop the movement of the barrier after an elapsed time has expired. The device measures a final size of the opening and adjusts the elapsed time based on the final size of the opening and the requested size of the opening.