Movable Optical Sensor for High-Speed Industrial Gate Collision Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed industrial gates and doors face challenges in reducing false alarms and associated downtimes due to deflections caused by wind loads and lack of bottom guides, leading to increased probability of false collision detections by fixed sensors.
Innovation Solution
A protective device with a horizontally movable optical sensor unit that monitors the closing edge from above, allowing for robust detection and reducing false alarms by maintaining optimal positioning relative to the closing edge, even during deflections, and interacting with the drive to reverse the gate in case of imminent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed sensors are used to monitor the closing edge, then collision detection capability is provided, but false alarms increase due to deflections from wind loads and lack of bottom guides
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is made movable along the closing edge instead of being fixed, allowing it to dynamically adapt to deflections of the closing element caused by wind loads or lack of bottom guides. This dynamic positioning maintains reliable collision detection while preventing false alarms triggered by normal deflections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces fixed mechanical sensor mounting with a movable sensor unit that can traverse along the closing edge. This substitution allows the sensor to maintain optimal detection positioning regardless of closing element deflection, resolving the contradiction between detection reliability and false alarm reduction.
2Productivity
If high closing speeds are used to maintain productivity, then output increases, but safety monitoring becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The movable sensor unit can dynamically adjust its position along the closing edge during high-speed operation, maintaining accurate collision detection capability even at high closing speeds. This ensures safety monitoring reliability is preserved despite increased productivity demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit is positioned to monitor the closing edge before collision occurs, and its movable nature allows it to maintain optimal detection positioning throughout the high-speed closing process, enabling early detection and prompt reversal action.
3Reliability
If bottom guides are added to prevent deflections, then false alarms reduce, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding static bottom guides to prevent deflection, the patent uses a dynamic sensor unit that moves with the closing edge. This approach achieves reliable monitoring without the complexity of additional guide structures, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit serves itself by moving along the closing edge to maintain optimal detection positioning, eliminating the need for additional guide structures or complex mounting mechanisms. This self-service approach reduces device complexity while maintaining monitoring accuracy.
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
The solution significantly reduces false alarms and downtimes by ensuring reliable monitoring of the closing edge, maintaining high productivity while adhering to safety regulations and allowing rapid operation of high-speed gates or doors.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor unit (70) with at least one sensor (72, 74) for monitoring a closing plane (18), wherein the sensor unit (70) has at least one optical sensor (72, 74)
Data Source
Figure 1~7
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a protective device (10, 110, 210, 310) for closing an opening (14, 114), in particular a building opening, with at least one horizontally movable closing element (26, 30; 126, 130; 226, 230; 326, 330), in particular a high-speed closing element (26, 30; 126, 130; 226, 230; 326, 330), with a closing edge (28, 32; 128, 132; 228, 232; 328, 332), wherein the closing element (26, 30; 126, 130; 226, 230; 326, 330) moves horizontally in a closing plane (18, 118, 218, 318). is movable between an open position and a closed position, a horizontal guide (48, 148, 248, 348) on which at least one horizontally movable slide (58, 60, 158, 160) is mounted, which carries the closing element (26, 30; 126, 130; 226, 230; 326, 330), a drive (38, 238) for driving the closing element (26, 30; 126, 130; 226, 230;326, 330), and a monitoring device (68, 168, 268, 368) with at least one sensor unit (70, 170, 270, 370) for monitoring the closing edge (28, 32; 128, 132; 228, 232; 328, 332) of the closing element (26, 30; 126, 130; 226, 230; 326, 330), wherein at least one sensor (72, 74; 172, 174; 272, 274; 372, 374) of the sensor unit (70, 170, 270, 370) of the closing edge (28, 32; 128, 132; 228, 232; 328, 332) of the closing element (26, 30; 126, 130; 226, 230; 326, 330), and wherein the at least one sensor (72, 74; 172, 174; 272, 274; 372, 374) and the closing edge (28, 32; 128, 132; 228, 232; 328, 332) of the closing element (26, 30; 126, 130; 226, 230; 326, 330) are jointly horizontally movable.;