Power Boost Module Harvesting Energy for Door Closing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic door closers often fail to provide sufficient closing force due to limited energy storage, leading to issues with door closure in adverse conditions such as HVAC pressure fluctuations and poor door hardware, necessitating either increased spring force or powered door operators to ensure security and compliance with ADA requirements.
Innovation Solution
A power boost module is integrated with the door closer, comprising a motor, gearing, and energy storage device that harvests energy during door operation and supplies a boost force to assist in closing the door, ensuring secure and compliant closure without increasing spring force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the closer spring force is increased to provide sufficient closing force, then the door closing force is improved, but the door may not meet the ADA requirement of 5 lbs. force to open the door
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the closing force by harvesting energy during door opening and storing it in a capacitor, then releasing this stored energy during terminal closing to provide additional boost force. This allows the spring force to remain at ADA-compliant levels while still achieving sufficient closing force through the added electrical boost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the energy delivery parameters by converting mechanical energy from door operation into electrical energy, storing it, and then releasing it as an electrical boost to the motor during closing. This parameter transformation allows independent control of opening and closing force characteristics.
2Reliability
If a powered door closing device such as an auto operator is used to ensure secure closure, then the door closing reliability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the door's own operational energy to charge the capacitor, making the boost function self-powered. The motor/generator harvests energy during door opening and uses it to provide terminal closing boost, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex control systems required by full auto-operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor serves multiple functions: it acts as a generator during door opening to harvest energy, stores energy in the capacitor, and then functions as a motor during terminal closing to provide boost force. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to dedicated powered operators.
3Ease of operation
If the hydraulic door closer is set to meet ADA requirement of 5 lbs. force to open the door, then the ease of operation is improved, but the door closing force becomes insufficient to overcome adverse conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the energy that would otherwise be lost during door opening into useful electrical energy by using the motor as a generator. This harvested energy is stored and then used to provide the additional closing force needed to overcome adverse conditions like HVAC pressure and friction, turning the opening operation into a benefit for closing.
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 power boost module effectively enhances the door's closing force, ensuring secure closure and compliance with ADA standards by utilizing harvested energy to overcome obstacles like HVAC pressure and poor door conditions, eliminating the need for increased spring force or powered operators.
Implementation Method 1
a motor adapted to generate electrical energy from rotational movement of the pinion
Implementation Method 2
an energy storage device adapted to store the electrical energy generated by the motor
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a door closer having a pinion adapted to be operably coupled to a door and rotate in a first direction in response to opening the door and to rotate in a second direction in response to closing the door, and a power boost module operably coupled to the pinion. The power boost module includes a motor adapted to generate electrical energy via rotational movement of the pinion and supply a boost force to the pinion to assist closing the door, a gearing operably coupled to the pinion and the motor and structured to back drive the motor to generate the electrical energy in response to rotation of the pinion, and an energy storage device adapted to store the electrical energy generated by the motor and supply stored electrical energy to the motor for the boost force.