Optical Door Monitoring System for Early Obstruction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated door systems in vehicles and buildings often fail to detect obstructions in time, leading to potential damage or injury due to the inability of contact-type anti-pinch devices to initiate corrective action before physical contact occurs.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system utilizing optical sensors to detect the presence or absence of persons and objects within a defined field of view, allowing for the adjustment of door movement speed and direction to prevent contact, without the need for physical contact sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If contact type anti-pinch devices are used to detect obstructions, then the system can sense contact between door and object, but the corrective action is initiated too late after physical contact has already occurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical sensors to detect obstructions before the door makes physical contact with them. The sensor field extends beyond the door frame to detect objects in the door's path early, allowing the control system to initiate corrective action (halting or reversing door movement) before contact occurs, thus eliminating the time loss inherent in contact-based detection systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based detection systems with optical sensing technology. Instead of relying on physical contact between the door and object to trigger detection, optical sensors create an invisible detection field that identifies obstructions remotely, substituting mechanical interaction with optical field detection to achieve earlier and more reliable obstruction identification
2Reliability
If contact sensors are installed within the door frame region to detect obstructions, then the system can sense contact parameters, but the sensors are difficult to install and exhibit varying responses to ambient temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact sensors embedded in the door frame with optical sensors positioned to create a detection field. This substitution eliminates the need for complex installation within the door frame structure and removes the temperature sensitivity issues associated with mechanical contact sensors, as optical sensors are less affected by thermal expansion and contraction of surrounding components
3Productivity
If the door moves at high speed to improve productivity, then the loading and unloading process is faster, but the risk of damage from contact with objects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensors detect obstructions in advance before the door reaches them, allowing the control system to prepare corrective action. This preliminary detection enables the system to safely operate at high speeds by providing adequate warning time to halt or reverse door movement if an obstruction is detected, thus maintaining both high productivity and low damage risk
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the door's path using optical sensors and provides real-time feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism allows dynamic adjustment of door speed and movement based on detected conditions, enabling high-speed operation when clear and automatic correction when obstructions are present, thereby maintaining safety while maximizing productivity
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 system effectively prevents door contact with obstructions by using optical sensors to control door movement, reducing the risk of damage or injury by allowing for proactive adjustment of door speed and direction based on detected presence or absence of individuals or objects.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor that generates sensor signals indicative of a field of view of the optical sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A door monitoring system (100) may include an optical sensor (10) that may generate sensor (10) signals indicative of a field of view of the optical sensor (10). The field of view may include at least part of an interior vehicle floor (30) in front of a vehicle door (102; 302). The system (100) also may include controller (50) that receives the sensor (10) signals and that detects a presence or absence of one or more persons and/or objects within the field of view of the optical sensor (10). The controller (50) may change a speed at which the vehicle door (102; 302) moves based on the presence or the absence of the persons and/or objects that are detected responsive to detecting the presence or absence of the persons and/or objects.