Sliding Door Control System with Dynamic Movement and Edge Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door systems, particularly sliding door systems, often experience inappropriate opening or closing movements due to delayed or premature responses from sensor units, leading to inefficiencies and potential collisions with people or objects.

Innovation Solution

A control system with dual control modules, where a first module dynamically controls door movement based on person position, movement, and contour, and a second module ensures closing edge protection by independently evaluating sensor data to prevent collisions, using a redundant sensor setup with overlapping detection areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a simple sensor unit is used to detect person presence, then the device complexity is reduced, but the door movement response becomes inappropriate (too early or too late)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor unit complexityVSAvoiddoor movement response timing
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is divided into multiple independent control modules (first control module for movement control, second control module for safety protection) that each process sensor data separately and can operate autonomously. This segmentation allows each module to optimize its response timing without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between simple sensor design and precise response timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors sensor data and adjusts door movement parameters in real-time based on feedback from the sensor unit. The control modules receive continuous updates on person position, movement, and contour, allowing dynamic adjustment of door operation timing to match actual user needs, eliminating premature or delayed responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If a single sensor unit is used for person detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the safety protection function cannot react sufficiently quickly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor unit quantityVSAvoidclosing edge protection response speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is divided into multiple independent control modules (first control module for movement control, second control module for safety protection) that each process sensor data separately and can operate autonomously. This segmentation allows each module to optimize its response timing without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between simple sensor design and precise response timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second control module is specifically designed to evaluate sensor data in advance before door movement occurs, identifying potential collision risks beforehand. This preliminary safety assessment allows the system to prevent collisions before they happen, ensuring rapid response for closing edge protection without requiring additional sensor units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the door system responds quickly to sensor detection, then productivity is improved, but the risk of collision with people or objects increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor operation speedVSAvoidcollision risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors sensor data and adjusts door movement parameters in real-time based on feedback from the sensor unit. The control modules receive continuous updates on person position, movement, and contour, allowing dynamic adjustment of door operation timing to match actual user needs, eliminating premature or delayed responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The second control module is specifically designed to evaluate sensor data in advance before door movement occurs, identifying potential collision risks beforehand. This preliminary safety assessment allows the system to prevent collisions before they happen, ensuring rapid response for closing edge protection without requiring additional sensor units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4265873B1Method for controlling a door system
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 DORMAKABA DEUT GMBH
  • EP4265873B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4265873B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling a door system (100), in particular a sliding door system, wherein the door system (100) has a door drive (10) with which a movement of at least one leaf element (11) of the door system (100) is carried out, and wherein at least one sensor unit (12) is provided for supplying sensor data (13), which has a sensor detection area (14), wherein persons (15) within the sensor detection area (14) are detected by means of the sensor unit (12) and their position and/or movement and/or contour are output as sensor data (13).According to the invention, a control system (16) is provided for receiving sensor data (13), wherein the control system (16) comprises: - a first control module (16a) with which the movement of at least one wing element (11) of the door system (100) is continuously and dynamically controlled as a function of the position, movement and/or contour of at least one person (15), and - a second control module (16b) with which a closing edge protection of the at least one wing element (11) of the door system (100) is implemented based on the sensor data (13). The invention further relates to a door system (100) with a control system (16) for carrying out the method.