Screen Actuator Obstacle Detection via Angular Deformation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing obstacle detection methods in home automation and sun protection systems using electromechanical actuators are imprecise and dependent on motor characteristics and load, with kinematic chains complicating the determination of accurate thresholds for obstacle detection.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the determination of angular displacement values of the rotor and winding shaft, conversion of these values using gearbox reduction ratios, and comparison to detect angular deformation, allowing for efficient and accurate obstacle detection without adding unnecessary weight to the screen, utilizing two lower-resolution sensors and an electronic control unit to process data from position detection devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical clearance devices and angular sensors are used to detect obstacles, then obstacle detection capability is provided, but the kinematic chain becomes complicated and threshold determination becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the obstacle detection function from the complex mechanical clearance device and angular sensor system. Instead of using the angular sensor to detect obstacles through complex kinematic chain analysis, the patent directly measures motor current to detect obstacles, removing the need for mechanical clearance devices and complex threshold determination based on angular variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical clearance device and angular sensor-based detection system with an electrical measurement approach. By measuring motor current directly, the system substitutes mechanical and optical sensing components with electrical sensing, simplifying the overall system architecture and eliminating complex kinematic chain dependencies.
2Device complexity
If speed or motor current analysis is used for obstacle detection, then detection is simpler, but precision is poor and highly dependent on motor and load characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a feedback mechanism where motor current measurements are continuously monitored and compared against dynamically determined thresholds. The system learns normal current profiles during operation and uses this feedback to distinguish actual obstacles from normal operational variations, improving precision while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the detection parameter from mechanical/angular measurements to electrical current measurements. By monitoring motor current characteristics and comparing them against learned profiles or dynamic thresholds, the system achieves both simplicity and improved precision, reducing dependency on specific motor and load characteristics through adaptive parameter adjustment.
3Measurement precision
If high-resolution sensors are used for accurate obstacle detection, then detection precision improves, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces high-resolution mechanical or optical sensors with a standard current sensing approach. By measuring motor current, the system achieves accurate obstacle detection without requiring high-resolution angular encoders or complex sensor systems, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining or improving detection precision.
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 quick and precise detection of obstacles by overcoming the limitations of kinematic chain impact, sensor accuracy, and threshold determination, ensuring reliable operation of home automation and sun protection systems.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor (16) comprising a stator (32) and a rotor (34)
Implementation Method 2
EP2256284A teaches the use of two Hall effect sensors to detect the angular position of a magnet
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting an obstacle opposing the movement of a screen in a home automation closure or sun protection system includes an electromechanical actuator driving movement of the screen. The electromechanical actuator includes a torque support, a housing, an output shaft, and an electric motor including a stator and a rotor. The system includes a winding shaft rotating the screen and a connecting accessory between the electromechanical actuator's output shaft and the winding shaft. The method includes: determining an angular displacement value of the rotor with respect to the stator; determining angular displacement of the winding shaft relative to the housing or torque support of the electromechanical actuator; determining angular deformation of the kinematic chain between the electric motor and the winding shaft by comparing these two angular displacements; and determining the presence of an obstacle to screen movement from an angular deformation exceeding a predefined value.