Door opening control apparatus

• US 6,341,563 B1
• Filed: 03/13/2000
• Issued: 01/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sensotech, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sensotech, Inc.
• Inventors: Gal, Eli, Agam, Uri, Jashek, Ronen, Ben-Bassat, Eli
• Primary Examiner(s): Pape, Joseph D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BLANKENSHIP, GREGORY A
• Application Number:
  US09/445,943
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 105/425, 105/427, 105/430, 105/432, 105/433, 105/444, 105/449, 105/341, 104/28, 49/25, 49/31
• US Class Current: 104/28
• CPC Class Codes: B61D 19/026 Safety devices for preventing passengers from being injured by movements of doors or variations in air pressure safety devices in passenger lifts for preventing trapping of passengers between closing doors B66B13/26; acting on power-operated mechanisms for wings E05F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/40 Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/52 Safety arrangements associated with the wing motor
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/51 for railway cars or mass transit vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/04 Systems determining presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/88 Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting G01V1/00

Abstract

A platform sensing and control system including a wireless sensor (10, 12) for sensing at least the presence of a platform (26) opposite a door (32) of a railcar and providing an output indication of at least a platform presence in response thereto, and a door control controller (14) operative in response to the output indication of at least platform (26) presence for enduring that normally a door (32) is not opened other than when a platform (26) is located opposite such door (32).

Claims

1. A platform sensing and control system comprising:

an active wireless sensor for sensing at least the passive presence of a platform opposite a door of a railcar; and

providing an output indication of at least platform presence in response thereto; and

a door control controller operative in response to said output indication of at least platform presence for ensuring that normally the door is not opened other than when a platform is located opposite said door.

28. A platform sensing and control system according to claim 1 and wherein said wireless sensor is operative to provide an output indication of at least platform height and transverse distance from the railcar door to the platform.

29. A platform sensing and control system according to claim 28 and also comprising a selectably positionable step or platform assembly associated with the railcar door.

30. A platform sensing and control system according to claim 28 and also comprising:

an audio annunciator to provide information to travelers regarding at least one of the following;

which doors are being opened;

transverse distance between the railcar and the platform; and

relative height between the railcar and the platform.

31. A platform sensing and control system according to claim 29 and also comprising:

an audio annunciator to provide information to travelers regarding at least one of the following;

which doors arc being opened;

transverse distance between the railcar and the platform; and

relative height between the railcar and the platform.

32. A platform sensing and control system according to claim 28 and also comprising:

an visual indicator to provide information to travelers regarding at least one of the following;

which doors are being opened;

transverse distance between the railcar and the platform; and

relative height between the railcar and the platform.

33. A platform sensing and control system according to claim 29 and also comprising:

an visual indicator to provide information to travelers regarding at least one of the following;

which doors are being opened;

transverse distance between the railcar and the platform; and

relative height between the railcar and the platform.

34. A platform sensing and control system according to claim 30 and also comprising:

an visual indicator to provide information to travelers regarding at least one of the following;

which doors are being opened;

transverse distance between the railcar and the platform; and

relative height between the railcar and the platform.

35. A platform sensing and control system according to claim 31 and also comprising:

an visual indicator to provide information to travelers regarding at least one of the following;

which doors are being opened;

transverse distance between the railcar and the platform; and

relative height between the railcar and the platform.

2. A platform sensing and control system comprising:

a wireless sensor for sensing at least the presence of a platform opposite a door of a railcar and providing an output indication of at least platform presence in response thereto; and

a door control controller operative in response to said output indication of at least platform presence for ensuring that normally the door is not opened other than when a platform is located opposite said door,

and wherein said wireless sensor is operative to provide an output indication of at least platform height and transverse distance from the railcar door to the platform.

3. A platform sensing and control system according to claim 2 and also comprising a selectably positionable step or platform assembly associated with the railcar door.

4. A platform sensing and control system according to claim 2 and also comprising:

an audio annunciator to provide information to travelers regarding at least one of the following;

which doors are being opened;

transverse distance between the railcar and the platform; and

relative height between the railcar and the platform.

5. A platform sensing and control system according to claim 3 and also comprising:

an audio annunciator to provide information to travelers regarding at least one of the following;

which doors are being opened;

transverse distance between the railcar and the platform; and

relative height between the railcar and the platform.

6. A platform sensing and control system according to claim 2 and also comprising:

an visual indicator to provide information to travelers regarding at least one of the following;

which doors are being opened;

transverse distance between the railcar and the platform and

relative height between the railcar and the platform.

7. A platform sensing and control system according to claim 3 and also comprising:

an visual indicator to provide information to travelers regarding at least one of the following;

which doors are being opened;

transverse distance between the railcar and the platform; and

relative height between the railcar and the platform.

8. A platform sensing and control system according to claim 4 and also comprising:

an visual indicator to provide information to travelers regarding at least one of the following;

which doors are being opened;

transverse distance between the railcar and the platform; and

relative height between the railcar and the platform.

9. A platform sensing and control system according to claim 5 and also comprising:

an visual indicator to provide information to travelers regarding at least one of the following;

which doors are being opened;

transverse distance between the railcar and the platform; and

relative height between the railcar and the platform.

10. A method for platform sensing and control comprising:

indicating whether a platform is present at least one side of a railcar;

utilizing an active wireless sensor for sensing at least the passive presence of a platform opposite a door of a railcar and providing an output indication of at least platform presence in response thereto; and

ensuring, in response to said output indication of at least platform presence, that normally the door is not opened other than when a platform is located opposite said door.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein said indicating is performed automatically by a sensor.

12. A method according to claim 10 wherein said indicating is performed manually.

13. A method according to claim 10, wherein performance of said method begins when said railcar comes to a full stop.

14. A method according to claim 11, wherein performance of said method begins when said railcar comes to a full stop.

15. A method according to claim 12, wherein performance of said method begins when said railcar comes to a fill stop.

16. A method according to claim 10, wherein performance of said method begins when said railcar is still in motion, approaching said platform.

17. A method according to claim 11, wherein performance of said method begins when said railcar is still in motion, approaching said platform.

18. A method according to claim 12, wherein performance of said method begins when said railcar is still in motion, approaching said platform.

36. A method according to claim 10 and comprising providing an output indication of at least platform height and transverse distance from a railcar door to the platform.

37. A method according to claim 11 and comprising providing an output indication of at least platform height and transverse distance from a railcar door to the platform.

38. A method according to claim 12 and comprising providing an output indication of at least platform height and transverse distance from a railcar door to the platform.

39. A method according to claim 13 and comprising providing an output indication of at least platform height and transverse distance from a railcar door to the platform.

40. A method according to claim 14 and comprising providing an output indication of at least platform height and transverse distance from a railcar door to the platform.

41. A method according to claim 15 and comprising providing an output indication of at least platform height and transverse distance from a railcar door to the platform.

42. A method according to claim 16 and comprising providing an output indication of at least platform height and transverse distance from a railcar door to the platform.

43. A method according to claim 17 and comprising providing an output indication of at least platform height and transverse distance from a railcar door to the platform.

44. A method according to claim 18 and comprising providing an output indication of at least platform height and transverse distance from a railcar door to the platform.

19. A method for platform sensing and control system comprising:

indicating whether a platform is present at least one side of a railcar;

sensing at least the presence of a platform opposite a door of a railcar and providing an output indication of at least platform presence in response thereto; and

ensuring, in response to said output indication of at least platform presence, that normally a door is not opened other than when a platform is located opposite said door,

and comprising providing an output indication of at least platform height and transverse distance from a railcar door to the platform.

20. A method for platform sensing and control system comprising:

indicating whether a platform is present at least one side of a railcar;

sensing at least the presence of a platform opposite a door of a railcar and providing an output indication of at least platform presence in response thereto; and

ensuring, in response to said output indication of at least platform presence, that normally a door is not opened other than when a platform is located opposite said door,

wherein said indicating is performed automatically by a sensor,

and comprising providing an output indication of at least platform height and transverse distance from a railcar door to the platform.

21. A method for platform sensing and control system comprising:

indicating whether a platform is present at least one side of a railcar;

sensing at least the presence of a platform opposite a door of a railcar and providing an output indication of at least platform presence in response thereto; and

ensuring, in response to said output indication of at least platform presence, that normally a door is not opened other than when a platform is located opposite said door,

wherein said indicating is performed manually,

and comprising providing an output indication of at least platform height and transverse distance from a railcar door to the platform.

22. A method for platform sensing and control system comprising:

indicating whether a platform is present at least one side of a railcar;

sensing at least the presence of a platform opposite a door of a railcar and providing an output indication of at least platform presence in response thereto; and

ensuring, in response to said output indication of at least platform presence, that normally a door is not opened other than when a platform is located opposite said door,

wherein performance of said method begins when said railcar comes to a full stop,

and comprising providing an output indication of at least platform height and transverse distance from a railcar door to the platform.

23. A method for platform sensing, and control system comprising:

indicating whether a platform is present at least one side of a railcar;

sensing at least the presence of a platform opposite a door of a railcar and providing an output indication of at least platform presence in response thereto; and

ensuring, in response to said output indication of at least platform presence, that normally a door is not opened other than when a platform is located opposite said door,

wherein said indicating is performed automatically by a sensor and performance of said method begins when said railcar comes to a full stop,

and comprising providing an output indication of at least platform height and transverse distance from a railcar door to the platform.

24. A method for platform sensing and control system comprising:

indicating whether a platform is present at least one side of a railcar;

sensing at least the presence of a platform opposite a door of a railcar and providing an output indication of at least platform presence in response thereto; and

ensuring, in response to said output indication of at least platform presence, that normally a door is not opened other than when a platform is located opposite said door,

wherein said indicating is performed manually and performance of said method begins when said railcar comes to a full stop,

and comprising providing an output indication of at least platform height and transverse distance from a railcar door to the platform.

25. A method for platform sensing and control system comprising:

indicating whether a platform is present at least one side of a railcar;

sensing at least the presence of a platform opposite a door of a railcar and providing an output indication of at least platform presence in response thereto; and

ensuring, in response to said output indication of at least platform presence, that normally a door is not opened other than when a platform is located opposite said door,

wherein performance of said method begins when said railcar is still in motion, approaching said platform,

and comprising providing an output indication of at least platform height and transverse distance from a railcar door to the platform.

26. A method for platform sensing and control system comprising:

indicating whether a platform is present at least one side of a railcar;

sensing at least the presence of a platform opposite a door of a railcar and providing an output indication of at least platform presence in response thereto; and

ensuring, in response to said output indication of at least platform presence, that normally a door is not opened other than when a platform is located opposite a door,

wherein said indicating is performed automatically by a sensor and performance of said method begins when said railcar is still in motion, approaching said platform,

and comprising providing an output indication of at least platform height and transverse distance from a railcar door to the platform.

27. A method for platform sensing and control system comprising:

indicating whether a platform is present at least one side of a railcar;

sensing at least the presence of a platform opposite a door of a railcar and providing an output indication of at least platform presence in response thereto; and

ensuring, in response to said output indication of at least platform presence, that normally a door is not opened other than when a platform is located opposite said door,

wherein said indicating is performed manually and performance of said method begins when said railcar is still in motion, approaching said platform,

and comprising providing an output indication of at least platform height and transverse distance from a railcar door to the platform.