Wireless self-sufficient monitoring system for a door lock mechanism

• US 9,041,360 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2010
• Issued: 05/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Ebeling, Stefan, Rowold, Lars, Pope, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, ARUN C
• Application Number:
  US13/144,218
• Publication Number:
  US 20120062184A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,959 Days
• Field of Search: 320/166
• US Class Current: 320/166
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/1407 Doors; surrounding frames
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 3/12 with latching action devices in which the securing part is formed or merely carried by a spring and moves only by distortion of the spring, e.g. snaps, E05C19/06; tilt-plate latches E05C19/007
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/80 Parts, attachments, accessories and adjuncts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8027 Condition indicators

Abstract

The invention relates to a monitoring system for monitoring a state of a door lock mechanism of a door or of a closure of a storage space of a means of transportation, comprising a generator and a sensor/actuator. The generator produces electrical energy from vibration energy, and the sensor detects the state of the door lock mechanism. The sensor uses the kinetic energy that is produced by the actuation of the door lock to generate an electrical signal, which is then transmitted to a microcontroller.

Claims

1. A monitoring system for a door locking mechanism of a door of a transport means, wherein the monitoring system comprises:

a generator for generating electrical energy out of vibration energy for operating the monitoring system; and

a sensor for detecting a pressure applied to a handle of the door locking mechanism, for converting the pressure into an electrical signal describing a current state of the door locking mechanism and for automatically sending the electrical signal to a controller, wherein the monitoring system is configured for energy autonomous operation.

2. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the vibration energy stems from a vibration of the transport means;

and

wherein the generator comprises frequency converters for generating the electrical energy from vibration.

3. The monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising:

an energy management unit for controlling an output voltage for a processor.

4. The monitoring system of claim 3, wherein the energy management unit comprises an energy storage device for storing at least a portion of the electrical energy for operating the monitoring system.

5. The monitoring system of claim 4, wherein the energy storage device comprises a capacitor.

6. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the door is a cage door of a passenger aircraft.

7. The monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising:

a microprocessor, coupled to the sensor and receiving a measuring signal from the sensor corresponding to the state of the door locking mechanism; and

a transceiver for wirelessly transmitting a signal corresponding to the measuring signal from the microprocessor to a control unit.

8. The monitoring system of claim 7, wherein the control unit is a controller for a trolley lift.

9. The monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising:

a display for indicating the state of the door locking mechanism.

10. A transport means with a door having a door locking mechanism and a monitoring system wherein the monitoring system comprises:

a generator for generating electrical energy out of vibration energy for operating the monitoring system; and

a sensor for detecting a pressure applied to a handle of the door locking mechanism, for converting the pressure into an electrical signal describing a current state of the door locking mechanism and for automatically sending the electrical signal to a controller, wherein the monitoring system is configured for energy autonomous operation.

11. The transport means of claim 10, wherein the transport means comprises an aircraft.

12. A method for monitoring a door locking mechanism of a door of a transport means, wherein the method comprises:

generating electrical energy from vibration-kinetic energy for operating a monitoring system; and

via a sensor of the monitoring system, detecting a pressure applied to a handle of the door locking mechanism, converting the pressure into an electrical signal describing a current state of the door locking mechanism and automatically sending the electrical signal to a controller.