Non-contact sensor system

• US 20020046494A1
• Filed: 10/02/2001
• Published: 04/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Miller Edge, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Miller Edge, Inc.
• Inventors: Anderson, Michael, Leigh, Gary, Castello, Timothy, Miller, Bearge D.
• Granted Patent: US 6,651,385 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 49/26
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/42 Detection using safety edges
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/43 responsive to disruption of energy beams, e.g. light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/47 Springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/50 Weights
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/13 by motors, magnets, springs or weights
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/94 characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated

Abstract

A non-contact sensor system controls movement of a door moving in a first direction by actuation of a device. The system includes a transmitter extending a predetermined distance beyond a leading edge of the door at a first door end for transmitting a signal toward a second door end. The transmitter is attached to the door by a first movable member which is capable of engaging a surface when the door closes and moving to a retracted position. The sensor system further includes a receiver extending a predetermined distance beyond the leading edge of the door at the second end in alignment with the transmitter for detecting the signal, and for generating an output signal when the signal is blocked. The receiver is attached to the door by a second movable member which is capable of engaging the surface when the door closes and moving to the retracted position.

Claims

1. A non-contact sensor system that controls movement of a door moving in a first direction by actuation of a device, the sensor system comprising:

(a) a transmitter extending a predetermined distance beyond a leading edge of the door at a first door end for transmitting a signal toward a second door end, said transmitter being attached to the door by a first moveable member, said first moveable member being capable of engaging a surface when the door closes and moving to a retracted position; and

(b) a receiver extending a predetermined distance beyond the leading edge of the door at the second door end in relative alignment with the transmitter for detecting the signal and for generating an output signal when the signal is blocked, said receiver being attached to the door by a second moveable member, said second moveable member being capable of engaging the surface when the door closes and moving to the retracted position, the output signal being suppressed when the second moveable member is in the retracted position.

2. The non-contact sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the leading edge of the door includes a recess proximate the first and second door ends and wherein the first and second moveable members move into the recess as the door closes to establish the retracted position of the first and second members, and move to an extended positions relative to the leading edge of the door as the door opens.

3. The non-contact sensor system according to claim 2, wherein the first and second moveable members are each pivotally attached to the leading edge of the door and wherein said members rotate toward a position parallel and adjacent to the leading edge of the door as the door closes until the first and second moveable members reach the retracted position, and rotate toward the extended position relative to the leading edge of the door as the door opens.

4. The non-contact sensor system according to claim 2, wherein the first and second moveable members are each formed of a resilient, flexible material that folds into the recess in the leading edge of the door as the door closes until the first and second moveable members reach the retracted position, and unfolds to the extended position relative to the leading edge of the door as the door opens.

5. The non-contact sensor system according to claim 2, wherein the first and second moveable members each have a coil spring housing that bends into the recess in the leading edge of the door as the door closes until the first and second moveable members reach the retracted position, and flexes to the extended position relative to the leading edge of the door as the door opens.

6. The non-contact sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined distances are a function of a speed the door is traveling and a stopping distance required to stop the door after the receiver generates the output signal.

7. The non-contact sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter is of a unidirectional type.

8. The non-contact sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are of an infrared type.

9. The non-contact sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second moveable members extend to a position substantially on a plane defined by the door and are parallel with the leading edge of the door.