Automatic Sensor Positioning in Sliding Door Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The commissioning of automatic sliding door systems with multiple sensors is complex, costly, and prone to incorrect installation, making it difficult to ensure reliable operation and adapt to changes in the system.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that automatically determine the position of sensors in an automatic door system by using a data transmission system where sensors with transmitter and detector devices communicate via changed clock, transmission frequency, or modulation to identify their relative positions, eliminating the need for manual wiring and complex installation processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual wiring and assignment of sensors to controller inputs is used, then sensor position determination can be achieved, but commissioning becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system automatically determines its own position by using the detector device to detect light from adjacent sensors and identify its location based on the side of light reception, eliminating the need for manual wiring and assignment by the installer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical wiring process with an optical detection system where sensors use light transmission and detection to automatically identify their positions relative to the door system and each other
2Measurement precision
If manual wiring and assignment of sensors is used, then sensor positions can be determined, but the risk of incorrect installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor automatically determines its own position through optical detection from adjacent sensors, eliminating human error in manual assignment and ensuring correct installation without requiring installer expertise
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the detector device detecting light from adjacent sensors to automatically verify and confirm the correct position of each sensor, providing built-in error checking without manual verification
3Measurement precision
If manual wiring of multiple sensors is used, then sensor positions can be identified, but commissioning costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system performs self-configuration using optical detection between adjacent sensors, eliminating the need for paid installer time for manual wiring and assignment, thereby reducing commissioning costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive manual labor for wiring and sensor assignment with an automated optical detection system that uses light transmission and detection to determine sensor positions
4Reliability
If sensors are arranged in larger sliding door systems, then better door protection is achieved, but the complexity of commissioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensor in the array performs multiple functions: it detects objects for door protection and simultaneously participates in automatic position determination by detecting light from adjacent sensors, simplifying commissioning despite increased system size
Solution Approach 2:
The commissioning process is segmented into automatic individual sensor positioning through optical detection, where each sensor independently determines its position relative to adjacent sensors, making the overall complex system commissionable through simple individual actions
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
Simplifies and cost-effectively commissions larger sliding door systems, ensuring reliable operation by automatically determining sensor positions, reducing the risk of incorrect installation and facilitating easier adaptations to changes in the system.
Implementation Method 1
each have a transmitter device for emitting light and a detector device for detecting light
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
In a method for automatically determining the position of sensors in an automatic door system, in particular an automatic sliding door system, with several sensors, especially those serving as safety devices, which include at least one transmitter for emitting light and at least one detector for detecting light and are each designed in such a way that it can be determined from which side of the transmitter the detected light was received, the transmitters of the various sensors are first activated one after the other with a changed clock and/or transmission frequency and/or changed modulation to determine the positions of the sensors relative to each other, and/or the transmitters of the various sensors are switched off one after the other and the position is determined via the detector of a respective sensor that is not activated with a changed clock or transmission frequency or modulation.The system detects from which side light from a sensor controlled with a modified clock and/or transmission frequency or modified modulation is received, or, via the sensor's detector unit with the sensor unit switched off, detects from which side light from another sensor is received. Subsequently, the respective absolute position of the sensors is determined based on the determined positions of the sensors relative to each other.