Wireless Fall Detection for High-Speed Industrial Doors

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-speed industrial doors face challenges in detecting unintended falls due to high mechanical loads on drive components, which can lead to failures like torn ropes or broken brackets, and existing power supply methods for sensors are prone to wear and mechanical damage, increasing maintenance and safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A door leaf crash detection device with a wireless communication unit and an electromechanical energy converter that generates power from the door's movement, eliminating the need for external power sources and cables, allowing for self-sufficient operation and reliable detection of unintended movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If cables or trailing cables are used to power sensors on the gate leaf, then power supply is achieved, but mechanical wear and tear increases leading to higher failure risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply for sensorsVSAvoidmechanical durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable-based power supply system with a wireless power transmission system. The control unit transmits power wirelessly to the sensor device on the moving gate leaf, eliminating physical cables that are subject to mechanical wear, friction, and fatigue. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable power supply while removing the mechanical durability issues associated with cable-based systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Use of energy by moving object

If cables are used for power supply, then energy can be transmitted, but the protruding parts pose injury risk to people

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmissionVSAvoidsafety hazard to persons
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates protruding cable components by implementing wireless power transmission. The control unit on the stationary side communicates wirelessly with the sensor device on the moving gate leaf, removing all physical cable connections that could protrude and pose injury risks. This resolves the safety hazard while maintaining effective power transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If energy chains integrated into the gate leaf are used, then connections become invisible, but wear and tear and mechanical aging still occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic integrationVSAvoidmechanical lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the integrated energy chain system with wireless power transmission technology. Instead of embedding mechanical energy chains within the gate leaf structure, the system uses wireless communication between the control unit and sensor device to transmit power and data. This eliminates the mechanical wear and aging issues inherent in energy chains while maintaining the aesthetic advantage of invisible connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If high-quality cables or energy chains are used for cold storage or car washes, then reliability under harsh conditions improves, but space requirement increases due to bending radii

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance in harsh environmentsVSAvoidspace requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces cable and energy chain systems with wireless power transmission, eliminating the need for physical conduits and bending spaces. The wireless communication unit and control unit transmit power and data through electromagnetic fields, requiring no physical path clearance or bending radius accommodation. This resolves the space requirement issue while maintaining reliability in harsh environments like cold storage facilities or car washes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enhances operational safety by reliably detecting unintended door movements and reducing maintenance needs, preventing accidents and extending the lifespan of door components.

Implementation Method 1

a means for detecting an acceleration of the gate leaf fall detection device in at least one fall direction of the gate leaf fall detection device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcceleration detection: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

an electromagnetic energy converter, wherein the energy supply of the gate leaf fall detection device is provided by electrical energy from the energy converter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic energy conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3580422B1Device, system and method for detecting the falling of a door leaf
Publication Date: 2022.04.20 EFAFLEX TOR & SICHERHEITSSYSTEME GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3580422B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3580422B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3580422B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (100) for detecting the falling of a door leaf (2) of a door (1), preferably a high-speed industrial door (1), the device (100) for detecting the falling of a door leaf being provided on or in the door leaf (2). The device (100) for detecting the falling of a door leaf comprises a means for detecting the acceleration of said device (100) in at least one falling direction of the device (100), and a wireless communication unit (200) for emitting a falling warning signal in the event of a falling of the door leaf (2) being positively detected. The positive detection of the falling of the door leaf (2) is based on an acceleration being detected in the falling direction.