Inline Power Monitoring for Automatic Access System Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic access systems, such as garage doors and security gates, lack effective monitoring and assessment of performance over time, leading to wear and tear, potential failure, and increased risk of injury or property damage due to suboptimal conditions from lack of maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring device embedded within the power supply path of the operator motor unit analyzes electric power consumption data to detect subtle changes in power consumption, enabling real-time or near-real-time detection of potential issues or inefficiencies, and incorporates machine learning to predict failures and provide proactive maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automatic access systems operate without continuous monitoring, then device complexity is reduced, but system reliability deteriorates due to undetected wear and potential failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically monitoring its own power consumption patterns and comparing them against baseline data to detect wear and potential failures without requiring external inspection
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring device continuously measures power consumption, compares it to baseline data, and provides feedback through notifications when deviations indicate potential failures, enabling proactive maintenance
2Reliability
If routine maintenance is performed frequently, then system reliability is improved, but loss of time and productivity increase due to system downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of wear and potential failures by monitoring power consumption patterns before actual failures occur, allowing maintenance to be scheduled at optimal times rather than responding to emergencies
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical inspection methods with electrical power consumption analysis to detect wear and potential failures, enabling more precise and less intrusive monitoring
3Use of energy by moving object
If the system operates under suboptimal conditions without detection, then energy consumption is reduced during normal operation, but loss of energy increases due to accelerated wear and premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring device provides feedback on power consumption patterns and compares them to baseline data to detect deviations indicating wear, allowing corrective action before accelerated energy consumption occurs
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relating to a monitoring device and system for analyzing the operation of an automatic access system, such as a garage door opener, are disclosed. The monitoring device is positioned inline within the power supply path to the operator motor unit of the auto-access system and includes electronic circuitry configured to collect and analyze operation data during various operational and idle states. The monitoring device processes this data and can transmit it to a server for further analysis. Upon detection of anomalies or fault conditions, the monitoring device or server generates alerts describing the issues and recommended actions, which are communicated to an electronic device of an individual associated with the access system.