Sensorized Door Closer for Smoke Pressure Peak Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Smoke protection pressure systems in buildings experience pressure peaks when doors close due to delayed reduction in system performance, leading to potential damage and safety risks from sudden pressure changes.

Innovation Solution

A door closer that measures the door's opening angle and transmits this information to the smoke protection pressure system, allowing for immediate adjustment of its performance to prevent pressure peaks by reducing the system's output as the door closes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the smoke control pressure system maintains overpressure in the protected area, then smoke prevention is effective, but pressure peaks occur when doors close causing damage and safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmoke prevention effectivenessVSAvoidpressure peak damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The door closer detects the door closing process in advance and transmits this information to the smoke control pressure system before the door actually closes. This allows the system to reduce its output proactively, preventing the pressure peak from occurring in the first place rather than reacting after the pressure has already built up

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The door closer acts as a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors door position and communicates this state to the smoke control pressure system. This closed-loop feedback enables the system to adjust its output dynamically based on real-time door status, coordinating pressure reduction with the door closing process to eliminate harmful pressure peaks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the smoke control pressure system output is reduced immediately when door closing is detected, then pressure peaks are prevented, but the system response time must be optimized to coordinate with door closing speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure peak eliminationVSAvoidsystem coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The door closer serves as an intermediary device between the mechanical door closing action and the pneumatic smoke control system. It translates mechanical door position into signals that the pressure system can understand and act upon, facilitating coordinated operation without requiring direct complex integration between the door mechanism and pressure control system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The door closer detects and signals door closing behavior in advance, allowing the smoke control pressure system to begin reducing its output before the door fully closes. This preliminary action ensures smooth coordination between the mechanical closing process and pneumatic pressure reduction, avoiding sudden transitions that would create pressure peaks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution effectively reduces or eliminates pressure peaks by synchronizing the smoke protection pressure system's performance with the door's closing process, preventing damage and ensuring safer operation.

Implementation Method 1

the door closer has a linear sensor (6) for measuring the linear position of the arm (2) or the component connected to it relative to the housing (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLinear position sensing:

Implementation Method 2

the door closer has a rotation angle sensor (7) for measuring the rotation angle of the arm (2) or the component connected to it relative to the housing (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational angle sensing:

Implementation Method 3

The actuating unit 3 comprises at least one spring 3a, 3b which exerts a rotational, tensile, or compressive force on the arm 2, thereby always forcing the door towards the closed position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 4

the smoke control pressure system maintains a defined overpressure within them, thus preventing smoke from entering

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4368803A1Door closer and method for controlling a smoke protection printing installation with said door closer
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 DEFORS GMBH
  • EP4368803A1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP4368803A1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP4368803A1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

The invention relates to a door closer comprising a housing (1), an arm (2) connected to the housing (1), and an actuating unit (3) for exerting a rotary, tensile, or compressive force on the arm (2), characterized by a linear sensor (6) or a rotary angle sensor (7) for measuring the linear position or rotary position of the arm (2) relative to the housing (1). The invention also relates to a method for controlling a smoke control pressure system for keeping a protected area of ​​a building free of smoke, wherein the protected area has at least one door equipped with the door closer according to the invention.