Segmented Sensing Edge for Motorized Door Obstruction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized door safety edges lack the ability to provide detailed information about the location and nature of obstructions, leading to reliability and maintenance issues, as they can only indicate the presence of an obstruction without specifying its location or type.
Innovation Solution
A segmented sensing edge system that uses tactile sensors and a programmable controller to determine the location of obstructions along the door edge, allowing for precise data collection and transmission to control the door's operation, including incremental closure in case of fires or other hazards, and integrating additional sensors for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional safety edges are used to detect obstructions, then the door can be halted or reversed when an obstruction is encountered, but the system cannot provide information about the location or type of obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing edge is divided into multiple discrete segments or zones, each capable of independently detecting obstructions. This segmentation allows the system to determine not only that an obstruction exists but also its specific location along the door edge, thereby resolving the information loss problem while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design
2Reliability
If pneumatic air activated systems are used, then obstruction detection is achieved through hose compression, but reliability and maintenance problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pneumatic mechanical systems with electrical sensing elements embedded in the sensing edge. This substitution eliminates the reliability and maintenance issues associated with pneumatic hoses and seals while maintaining effective obstruction detection capability, thereby improving system reliability without significantly complicating manufacturing
3Loss of information
If electric-activated edges with conductive strips are used, then obstruction detection is achieved through circuit completion, but no additional information about the obstruction can be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing edge incorporates multiple sensing elements with different properties or configurations at different locations along the edge. This local differentiation allows the system to detect not only the presence but also characteristics of obstructions based on which specific elements are activated, providing additional information while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
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 precise control of motorized doors by providing detailed data on obstruction locations, improving safety and reliability by allowing for targeted responses to obstructions, such as incremental closure during fires and triggering alarms for unauthorized access, while reducing maintenance needs through accurate fault detection.
Implementation Method 1
A segmented sensing edge system that uses tactile sensors and a programmable controller to determine the location of obstructions along the door edge
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing edge is made in segments that can be used to determine at which point along the edge an obstruction occurred. Data collected can be used to determine a point in a process that the fault occurred by addressing each segment individually or as a whole. A programmable controller can be operatively coupled to the sensing edge, and can include logic to control the door and/or other equipment using data collected from the sensing edge.