Virtual Safety Edge for Flexible Curtain Obstacle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fast-opening handling doors with flexible curtains lack effective means to ensure safe vertical movement and obstacle detection, potentially leading to curtain contact with obstacles during operation.
Innovation Solution
A virtual sensor bar system comprising horizontal safety beams positioned in the uprights of a handling door, a measurement and localization device, and electronic analysis to create a safety zone and control the curtain's trajectory, preventing collisions by monitoring real-time beam interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a physical safety edge bar is used to detect obstacles, then obstacle detection capability is improved, but the device complexity and risk of contact with obstacles increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical safety edge bar with an optical detection system consisting of light sources and receivers positioned at multiple heights. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact while maintaining obstacle detection capability, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical detection system is segmented into multiple independent detection levels (e.g., upper, middle, lower beams) that can independently detect obstacles at different heights. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage without requiring a single complex mechanical structure, reducing overall system complexity while improving detection reliability.
2Reliability
If horizontal safety beams are positioned at multiple vertical levels, then obstacle detection coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each optical detection unit serves multiple functions: it detects obstacles at its specific height level, contributes to the overall safety zone coverage, and can independently trigger the safety response. This multi-functionality allows comprehensive detection coverage without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If a virtual safety zone is created with multiple detection beams, then safety coverage area is improved, but the measurement and control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual copy of the physical safety zone using optical beams and electronic detection. This virtual safety zone encompasses the entire curtain path and can be positioned at multiple heights, providing comprehensive coverage without the mechanical complexity of physical barriers at each location.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The safety edge according to the present invention for a flexible curtain (5) of a handling door (1) moving in a vertical plane along opposite uprights (2, 3) between an open position and a closed position, characterized in that it consists of: • horizontal safety beams (fs1, fs2, fs3) positioned in the opposite uprights (2, 3) and from the threshold(s) of the handling door (1) on n vertical position(s) so as to delimit a virtual safety zone (ze) within which the flexible curtain (5) of said handling door (1) moves; • a measuring and localization device (7) for the position of the flexible curtain (5) during its movements in the safety zone (ze) and more particularly of the lower part of said curtain;• and electronic means (8) enabling real-time analysis of the information transmitted by the beams and the measuring device in order to verify that the flexible curtain does not encounter any obstacle during its movements by ensuring its passage in front of the safety beams.