Single-Strip Illuminated Sensing Edge for Swing Gate Barriers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Swing gate barrier systems face issues with unintended contact due to added weight and stress from multiple LED strips and sensing edges, leading to potential damage or injury, increased operational costs, and reduced motor life.
Innovation Solution
An illuminated sensing edge assembly with a triple-tiered body structure, incorporating a single LED strip and a sensing edge, mounted to the barrier arm for visibility from both sides, and configured to stop or reverse the barrier arm's closing operation upon force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple LED strips and sensing edges are added to the barrier arm, then visibility and safety are improved, but weight and stress on the motor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple LED strips into a single integrated LED strip that provides illumination for both the front and rear faces of the barrier arm. This merging approach maintains the safety and visibility functions while reducing the total weight and stress on the motor compared to using separate LED strips for each face.
Solution Approach 2:
The single LED strip is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously - illuminating both the front and rear faces of the barrier arm. This multi-functional design achieves the same safety and visibility objectives as multiple separate strips would provide, while minimizing the added weight and motor stress.
2Reliability
If multiple LED strips and sensing edges are added to the barrier arm, then visibility and safety are improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple LED strips into a single integrated unit, directly reducing the component count and associated costs. This approach maintains the required safety and visibility performance while lowering manufacturing expenses by eliminating the need for multiple separate strips and their individual mounting hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The single LED strip is designed with multi-functionality to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate components. This universal design achieves the same safety objectives while reducing material costs, assembly complexity, and overall manufacturing expenses.
3Reliability
If multiple LED strips and sensing edges are added to the barrier arm, then visibility and safety are improved, but operating life of the motor unit decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple LED strips into a single integrated strip, thereby reducing the cumulative weight that the motor must move. This reduction in moving mass decreases the mechanical stress on the motor unit during operation, helping to extend its operating life while maintaining the required safety and visibility functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The single multi-functional LED strip reduces the overall weight added to the barrier arm compared to multiple separate strips. This weight reduction lessens the burden on the motor unit, thereby preserving its operating life and reliability while still achieving the necessary safety and visibility performance.
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
Reduces operational stress on the motor, minimizes material degradation, and lowers costs by using a single LED strip while ensuring visibility and safety through a lightweight, efficient design.
Implementation Method 1
An LED strip axially extends through the second channel and is configured to emit light to notify individuals of the barrier arm
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminated sensing edge assembly has an axially elongate, triple tiered body including a first track, a second track and a third track. The first track is configured to connect with a swing gate barrier arm such that the body underlies the barrier arm when mounted thereto. The second track is constructed of an at least translucent material. An LED strip axially extends through the second channel and is configured to emit light to notify individuals of the barrier arm. A sensing edge underlies the body and is secured to the third track. The sensing edge is configured to elicit a stoppage or reversal of a closing operation of the barrier arm upon a force being applied to the sensing edge.