Motorized Door Opening Device with Friction Wheel Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized door opening devices lack efficient and user-friendly solutions for individuals, especially the elderly and handicapped, to easily open and close doors without manual effort, as they often require complex setup processes and may not adapt to varying door resistance and floor conditions.
Innovation Solution
A motorized door opening device with a wheel actuator and electric motor that lowers and raises a wheel in response to signals, featuring a control circuitry that adjusts force based on friction and resistance, allowing for automatic or manual operation, and includes sensors for door position and obstacle detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a motorized door opening device uses a wheel that contacts the floor surface to rotate and move the door, then the door can be opened with less manual effort, but the device becomes more complex due to the need for wheel actuation mechanisms and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical door opening with an electric motor that rotates a wheel on the floor surface. The motorized system eliminates the need for manual pushing or pulling forces, allowing individuals with mobility issues to open doors easily through electrical actuation rather than mechanical effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel acts as an intermediary element between the electric motor and the door. Instead of directly pushing the door, the motor rotates the wheel which contacts the floor and uses friction to generate the force needed to move the door, simplifying the direct mechanical connection while maintaining effectiveness.
2Reliability
If the device applies constant pressure through the wheel on the floor surface, then the wheel can maintain consistent contact for rotation, but the device cannot adapt to varying door resistance and floor conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring mechanism that dynamically adjusts the pressure applied by the wheel to the floor surface. The spring can compress and extend based on encountered resistance, allowing the system to adapt to varying door weights, friction conditions, and floor surfaces while maintaining reliable wheel contact for rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates sensors that detect door position, wheel rotation, and resistance levels. This feedback information is used by the control system to adjust motor power output and spring pressure in real-time, enabling the device to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining reliable operation.
3Extent of automation
If the wheel is lowered to the surface to rotate and move the door, then door opening is enabled, but the device cannot allow manual operation when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel position is made dynamic through the actuation mechanism that can lower the wheel to the surface for motorized operation or raise it for manual operation. This dynamic positioning allows the system to switch between automated and manual modes, providing flexibility in operation based on user needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is segmented into distinct modes: automated mode where the motor rotates the wheel, and manual mode where the wheel can be raised or held in a position that allows direct manual manipulation of the door. This segmentation enables independent operation modes without interfering with each other.
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 easy and reliable door opening and closing for individuals with mobility issues by adapting to different door resistances and floor conditions, reducing wear on device components and allowing manual operation when needed.
Implementation Method 1
wheel actuator forces said at least one wheel against said surface with a force greater than gravity
Implementation Method 2
rotation of said motor after lowering of said at least one wheel causes said wheel to rotate in contact with said surface and move said door
Data Source
AI summary
A motorized door opening device, includingat least one wheel, configured to be lowered to a surface and forced thereagainst with a force sufficient to ensure friction between the wheel and the surface and to prevent slipping of the wheel relative to the surface;an electric motor including a rotor coupled to rotate the wheel;a wheel actuator, coupled between the door and the wheel, to lower the wheel to the surface in response to a wheel lowering signal; and control circuitry to signal the wheel actuator to lower the wheel by generating the wheel lowering signal and push down the wheel to create friction; and a door attachment member to attach the motor and the wheel actuator to a bottom part of the door;whereby rotation of the wheel after lowering of the wheel causes the wheel to rotate in contact with the surface and move the door.