Monitored radio frequency door edge sensor

• US 5,412,297 A
• Filed: 06/27/1994
• Issued: 05/02/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Stanley Home Automation, Inc. (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Clark, John E., Murray, James S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US08/265,761
• Time in Patent Office: 309 Days
• Field of Search: 318/16, 318/626, 318/651, 318/652, 318/127, 318/128, 318/255, 318/256, 318/264, 318/265, 318/266, 318/275, 318/286, 318/460, 318/466, 318/467, 318/468, 318/488, 49/26, 49/27, 49/28, 307/112, 307/119
• US Class Current: 318/468
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/42 Detection using safety edges
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/44 responsive to changes in electrical conductivity
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/668 for overhead wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/44 Sensors therefore E05Y2400/322, E05Y2400/33, E05Y2400/55, E05Y2400/56, E05Y2400/852 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/452 for saving energy
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/61 Power supply
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/612 Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/66 Wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/822 Light emitters, e.g. LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/46 in or on the wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages

Abstract

An improved door edge safety sensor for use with an automatic door operator which uses a motor to move a door between open and closed conditions with a controller for controlling operation of the motor and, an improved sensor comprising a tactile obstruction detector for generating a safety signal, a door vibration detector for detecting movement of the door, a safety signal transmitter operable in response to detected door motion, and control electronics which monitor the obstruction detector and the vibration detector and direct the signal transmitter to reverse the motor upon the door engaging an obstruction which reverses the door to an upward direction.

Claims

1. A door edge safety sensor for use with an automatic door operator having a motor coupled for moving a door between open and closed conditions to cover an opening and a controller for controlling operation of the motor corresponding to command signals, the sensor comprising:

a tactile obstruction detector for generating a safety signal;

a door vibration detector for detecting movement of the door between the opened and closed positions;

a safety signal transmitter operable in response to detected door movement to provide a coded radio frequency transmission for receipt by the automatic door operator such that the transmission varies between a first and second state corresponding with an active and deactive state, respectively, of such safety signal; and

control electronics with provision for a battery power supply electrically communicating with said obstruction detector, said vibration detector, and said signal transmitter and operable between a waiting and active state in response to said vibration detector detecting door movement, said control electronics operable in such active state to monitor status of the safety signal from said obstruction detector;

wherein said control electronics interrupt the transmission from said safety signal transmitter in response to said tactile obstruction detector detecting an obstruction and generating a safety signal indicative thereof, such that in response thereto the automatic door operator reverses the motor which moves the door to a fully open condition.

2. The door edge safety sensor of claim 1 wherein said safety signal transmitter provides a first state comprising said coded radio frequency transmission during movement of the door while in an unobstructed state.

3. The door edge safety sensor of claim 2 wherein said safety signal transmitter provides a second state comprising termination of such coded radio frequency transmission during movement of the door upon reaching a detected obstructed state.

4. The door edge safety sensor of claim 1 wherein said door vibration detector is a piezoelectric element.

5. The door edge safety sensor of claim 1 wherein said door vibration detector is an accelerometer.

6. The door edge safety sensor of claim 1 wherein said control electronics comprise a microprocessor in electrical communication with said door vibration detector and said safety signal transmitter to receive respective signals therefrom, said signal transmitter operable in response to control directives via said microprocessor for transmitting such coded radio frequency transmission to the automatic door operator.