MXPA05011999A - Door with a safety antenna - Google Patents

Abstract

A door system (10) includes an antenna-based proximity sensor with a releasable electrical connector (14) that enables the sensor to function with a breakaway feature of the door. The sensor includes a signal generator (44) and a door-mounted antenna (38) for sensing a body or an obstruction near the door. The signal generator ( or oscillator) can be installed at various locations between a power source (46) and the antenna. In some cases, the wiring between the antenna and the power source includes a rotatable feature to accommodate the rotation of a drum that carries a wrap-up, pliable door panel. The rotatable feature may be a rotatable electrical connector, or it may be a wire having sufficient length and flexibility to twist about itself within the hollow interior of the drum.

Description

DOOR WITH SECURITY ANTENNA Background of the Invention Field of the Invention The subject invention generally pertains to a system for detecting the presence of a body near a door, and more specifically to a system that includes an antenna for detecting the body.

Description of Related Art There is a wide variety of devices available to detect the presence of a body, such as a person or an object, near an entrance door. Such detection devices, known as proximity sensors, photoelectric eyes, motion detectors, etc., operate under various principles including, ultrasound; active and passive detection or infrared radiation; detection of electromagnetic radiation (including detecting radio waves or detecting changes in capacitance or impedence); detect a microwave Doppler slip; and laser. In response to the detection of a nearby body, the detector may simply trigger a light or an alarm or the device may affect the operation of a door.

Some proximity sensors comprise an antenna that creates an electromagnetic field along the pointer of a door that operates vertically. When a nearby body interrupts the field, the sensor can trigger a controller to stop or reverse the closing action of the door. If the antenna moves vertically with the door and the controller and the power supply are stationary, then the wiring between the antenna and the controller must allow the movement of the antenna. This can be achieved by using a flexible spiral cable between the controller and the antenna. However, a spiral cable has its limitations. For example, many doors have a separation feature that allows a door to temporarily separate from its guide rails if the collision occurs between the door and a vehicle or other obstruction. During the collision, the separation feature allows the door to yield without permanently damaging the door or its guide rails. After the collision, the door is easily restored in its normal operation. Although a spiral cable may have sufficient flexibility to allow a door to open and close, such a cable may become entangled with the door, rail or vehicle during a collision.

Thus, there is a need for a way to use a proximity sensor based on an antenna on a door having a separation characteristic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In some embodiments, a vertically translating door with a separation feature includes an antenna arranged along the pointer of the door. A releasable electrical connector between the antenna and a stationary power source allows the door to temporarily separate from its vertical guide rails in the event of a collision between the door and an obstruction. In some embodiments, a counter rail engages a door panel with two vertical rails that help guide the vertical movement of the door. A releasable mechanical connector between the door and the counter rail allows the door panel to separate during a collision. And a signal generator (e.g., an oscillator) associated with a proximity sensor based on an antenna is carried by the counter rail. In some embodiments, the releasable electrical connector is incorporated within the releasable mechanical connector.

In some embodiments, the releasable mechanical connector is selectively releasable for the use of a magnet. In some embodiments, the releasable electrical connector is between the antenna and a signal generator that applies a signal to the antenna. In some embodiments, the releasable electrical connector is between the signal generator and a stationary electrical power source. In some embodiments, a proximity sensor based on an antenna is applied to a detachable door having a roller door panel. In some modalities, a proximity sensor based on an antenna is applied to a separable door having a series of pivotally interconnected panels. In some embodiments, a vertically translated door with a proximity sensor based on an antenna includes a signal generator installed at a fixed location. In some embodiments, a roll-up door with a proximity sensor based on an antenna includes a wiring with a rotatable feature that allows the wiring to wrap around the same drum that supports the roll-up door.

In some embodiments, the rotatable feature of the wiring is a rotatable electrical connector. In some embodiments, the rotatable feature of the cabling is provided by a cable that is capable of twisting about itself. In some embodiments, the wiring between the antenna and the electrical power source extends through the drum supporting a roll-up door, whereby the wires can adjust their twisting around themselves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a front view of a partially open translating door panel including a proximity sensor based on an antenna and a separation feature for the panel. Figure 2 is a front view of the same door as in Figure 1 but showing the door panel still further open. Figure 3 is a front view of the same door as in Figure 1 but showing a lower portion of the door panel separated from the door frame. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a proximity sensor based on an antenna.

Figure 5 is a front view similar to Figure 1 but showing another embodiment of a translation door system. Figure 6 is a front view of the same door as in Figure 5 but showing a lower portion of the door panel separated from the door frame. Figure 7 is a front view similar to Figure 1 but showing a door system having pivotally interconnected panel members. Figure 8 is a front view similar to the Figure 1 but showing another embodiment of a translation door system. Figure 9 is a front view of the same door as in Figure 8 but showing a lower portion of the door panel separated from the door frame. Figure 10 is a front view similar to Figure 1 but showing another embodiment of a translation door system. Figure 11 is a front view similar to Figure 1 but showing yet another embodiment of a translation door system.

Description of the Preferred Modality A door system 10, shown in Figures 1-3, includes a proximity sensor 12 based on an antenna having a releasable electrical connector 14 that allows a sensor 12 to operate with a separation feature. of the door. Figure 1 shows a door system 10 with its door panel 16 in a closely closed position, Figure 2 shows a door panel 16 in a more open position, and Figure 3 shows a door panel 16 that has been released by the characteristic of the door. In some embodiments, the door panel 16 is made of a foldable curtain that winds around a rotatable drum 18, which in turn is supported by a group of carriers 20. To open and close the door relative to the bay 22 of the door, a unit 24 rotates the drum 18 in any direction. The direction of rotation of the drum determines whether the drum 18 picks up or loosens the panel 16. To guide a pointer 26 of the panel 16 along a generally vertical path, the door system 10 includes a door frame 28 with a rail 30. The rail 30 and the door frame 28 may be separate parts, or both may be a single part with a rail 30 which is an integral feature of the door frame 28. A back rail 32, which is confined to travel along the rail 30, couples the panel 16 to the door frame 28. The door frame 28, the rail 30 and the counter rail 32 are schematically illustrated to represent all types of door frames, rails and counter rails. Examples of lane 28 include, but are not limited to, a channel, a slot, a rail, etc. Examples of counter rail 32 include, but are not limited to, a wheelbarrow, a sliding block, a linear bearing, etc. Some detailed examples of back rail 32 can be found in U.S. Patents 4,887,659; 6,098,695 and 6,352,097 which are specifically incorporated for reference herein. To avoid the damage related to the impact of the door panel 16, the door frame 28, the rail 30, or the counter rail 32, the separation characteristic of the door system 10 is provided by a releasable mechanical connector 34 that releasably connects the door panel 16 to the back rail 32. If the door panel 16 is subjected to a predetermined external force, due to a closure of the panel 16 in an obstruction or something that strikes the door, the connector 34 reacts upon releasing the panel 16 (it is said, releasing at least one end 36 of the pointer 26 of the door panel) of the rail 30 or the door frame 28. After the connector 34 releases the panel 16, the connector 34 and the panel 16 can easily be returned to their normal operating conditions. The connector 34 is schematically illustrated to represent any mechanism that allows a door panel to release in a returnable manner from its door rail or frame. A few examples of the releasable mechanical connector 34 are described in US Patents 6,148,897; 6,321,822; 5,957,187; 5,887,385; 5,638,883; 5,620,039; 5,271,448; and 5,025,847 which are specifically incorporated for reference herein. In some embodiments, the connector 34 and the counter rail 32 are held together by a magnetic force of a predetermined amount. The pointer 26 of the door panel may be rigid or flexible, and depending on the type of door, the door panel itself may be flexible or rigid. To help avoid an impact between a closing door panel 16 and a body or a nearby object, the proximity sensor 12 includes an antenna 38 disposed along the pointer 26 of the panel 16. When a body or a nearby object interrupting an electromagnetic field 40 around the antenna 38, a controller 42 reacts to activate an alarm and / or affect the operation of the door system 10. In some cases, for example, a transmission 43 from the controller 42 may cause the traction unit 24 to stop or reverse the movement of the door panel 16. The operation of the proximity sensor 12 based on an antenna can be understood with reference to Figure 4 and / or with reference to U.S. Patent 5,337,039, which is specifically incorporated herein by reference. In Figure 4, the proximity sensor 12 based on an antenna is shown as comprising a controller 42, a signal generator 44 (eg, an oscillator), and an antenna 38. The controller 42, which can be activated by a source 46 of conventional electrical power (e.g., 120 VAC), provides electrical power to the signal generator 44 through electric lines 48 and 50. A third line 52 between the controller 42 and a signal generator 44 provides a ground connection. In a currently preferred embodiment, a signal generator 44 functions as a conventional oscillator that provides an antenna 38 with a signal 54 that creates the electromagnetic field around the antenna 38. The releasable electrical connector 14 and the lines 56 and 58 transmit the signal 54 to antenna 38. The actual voltage, electrical power and frequency of signal 54 may vary; however, in some cases signal 54 is around 9 volts peak-to-peak at a nominal frequency of about one megahertz. The antenna 38 may comprise a coaxial cable 60 whose conductive sheath 62 and the center cable 64 are welded or otherwise connected to each other at an end 66 on the outside of the antenna 38. An end 68 within the sheath 62 it is connected to the signal generator 44 through a resistor 70 of 47k ohms, and the line 72 is connected at one end inside the cable 64 to the signal generator 44. Under normal conditions where field 40 is generally uninterrupted, the signal generator 44 oscillates at its nominal frequency (e.g., one megahertz). The frequency (or the change thereof) of this signal is communicated back to the controller 42 via the line 74. When a body or object interrupts the field 40 by altering the capacitive coupling between the antenna 38 and the ground, the signal generator 44 tends to oscillate at some lower frequency below the nominal frequency of one megahertz. This drop in frequency is what identifies that a nearby obstruction may be present. The actual magnitude of the delta frequency depends on the type of interruption and the geometry of the antenna. The drop in frequency is detected by comparing the oscillation frequency of the signal generator 44 with a conventional phase-locked loop circuit that can be incorporated in the signal generator 44 or the controller 42. When the door panel 16 is separated of the door frame 28, damage to the proximity sensor 12 based on an antenna can be avoided by installing a releasable electrical connector 14 between the power source 46 and the antenna 38.

Although the actual structure and location of the connector 14 may vary, in some cases, the connector 14 comprises a conventional socket 76 and an outlet 78 installed between the signal generator 44 and the antenna 38. Depending on the particularities of the connection between the generator 44 and antenna 38, connector 14 may or may not need to be a coaxial connector. When the door panel 16 is released or detached from the door frame 28, the plug 76 is simply detached from the receptacle 78 as shown in Figure 3. The plug 76 that separates from the receptacle 78 interrupts the electrical path between the supply 46 of power and the antenna 38. Then, the connectors 14 and 34 can each be returned to their normally-attached conditions to restore the electrical path between the controller 42 and the antenna 38 and to restore the door system 10 back to its operation normal. To simplify the reconnection of connectors 14 and 34, the structures of the two connectors 14 and 34 can be operatively connected or combined to operate in unison, whereby connectors 14 and 34 are separated and reconnected as a unit rather than as mechanical connectors. and separate electric. In Figures 5 and 6, for example, the receptacle 78 is fixed relative to the counter rail 32 and the plug 76 is fixed relative to the mechanical connector 34. The signal generator 44 can be installed adjacent to the outlet 78 to minimize or eliminate the wiring between the generator 44 and the outlet 78. The signal generator 44 can also be mounted in a stationary location as shown in Figure 7. In this case, a long flexible cable 80 (eg, a spiral electric cable) connects the signal generator 44 to the antenna 38. The cable 80 is of sufficient length and flexibility to allow the door panel 16 'to separate from a rail 30' of a door frame 28 '. Although in this example, the door panel 16 'comprises a series of pivotally interconnected rigid or semi-rigid panel members 82, a folding door panel or curtain is also within the scope of the invention. When heavier rigid panels are used, a spring 84 or counterweight may be used to assist in decentering the weight of the door panel members. A releasable mechanical connector 34 'allows the door panel 16' to be separated from the rail 30 '. In another embodiment, shown in Figures 8 and 9, a door system 86 has a signal generator 44 attached to the door panel 16, and a releasable electrical connector 14 'is interposed between the generator 44 and the controller 42. In this In this case, the connector 14 'has multiple conductors to carry both the signal voltage on line 74 and the supply voltage of the generator. Figure 8 shows the door system 86 in its normal operating condition, and Figure 9 shows one end of the pointer 26 of the door panel separated from the door frame 28. The separation and reconnection of connectors 14 and 34 are similar to that of door system 10. In Figure 10, a door system 88 has a generator 44 attached to a door panel 90, and a cable 92 with a rotatable feature that connects the generator 44 to the controller 42. In this case, the rotatable feature is a connector 93. rotating electric that allows a portion 94 of the cable 92 to rotate relative to a stationary portion 96 of the cable 92. Such rotatable electrical connectors are well known to those skilled in the art. The portion 98 of the cable 92 lies along the face of the panel 90 and wraps around the drum 18 as the door opens. The dotted lines 100 show the rolled portion of the cable 92. At some point, the portion 100 of the cable 98 is fed through a radial hole in the drum 18, and a section of the cable 102 runs through the interior of the drum 18 between the connector 93 and the radial hole of the drum 18. With this design, an electrical separation connector is not needed. Figure 11 shows another door system 104 that does not need an electrical separation connector. The door system 104 is similar to the door system 88; however, the rotatable characteristic of a cable 106 between the controller 42 and the antenna 38 is provided by one or more cable sections 106 and / or 108 that are capable of being screwed around themselves within the hollow interior of the drum 18. In this example, the cable 106 lies along one side of a door panel 110 with a portion 112 of the cable 106 that is wound around the drum 18. The cable 106 extends through a radial hole in the drum 18 , and the cable section 108 extends from that orifice to the signal generator 44. The cable section 106 connects the generator 44 to the controller 42. Although the generator 44 is shown near the center of the drum 18, the generator 44 could be at either end of the drum 18 or even mounted adjacent to the controller 42 or adjacent to the antenna 38 Placing the generator 44 adjacent to the controller 42 could eliminate or minimize the length of the cable section 106. Although the invention is described with respect to a preferred embodiment, modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the invention is determined by reference to the claims, which follow.

Claims (21)

1. CLAIMS 1. A door system associated with a power source, comprising: a door frame; a door panel having a pointer that is vertically movable in translation along the door frame, wherein the pointer has at least one end that can be released from the door frame by a force applied above a certain magnitude; an antenna arranged adjacent to the pointer and that is vertically movable in translation therewith; a signal generator electrically coupled to the antenna, by means of which the signal generator creates an electromagnetic field adjacent to the antenna; and a releasable electrical connector that selectively provides and interrupts an electrical path between the antenna and the power source, wherein the releasable electrical connector interrupts the electrical path in reaction to one end of the pointer that is released from the door frame. The door system of claim 1, further comprising: a counter rail movably attached to the door frame for vertical movement in translation along the door frame; and a releasable mechanical connector that releasably couples the pointer of the door panel to the counter rail, wherein the signal generator is carried by the counter rail. The door system of claim 2, wherein the releasable electrical connector is operatively connected to the releasable mechanical connector, by means of which the releasable electrical connector interrupts the electrical path in response to the releasable mechanical connector that is released from one end of the pointer of the counter rail 4. The door system of claim 2, wherein the releasable mechanical connector operates by virtue of magnetic attraction. 5. The door system of claim 1, wherein the signal generator is carried by the door panel. The door system of claim 1, wherein the releasable electrical connector is interposed between the antenna and the signal generator. The door system of claim 1, wherein the releasable electrical connector is interposed between the signal generator and the power source. The door system of claim 1, wherein the door panel is a folding curtain. 9. The door system of claim 1, wherein the door panel comprises a series of pivotally interconnected panel members. 10. A door system associated with a power source, comprising: a door frame; a door panel having a pointer that is vertically movable in translation along the door frame, wherein the pointer has an end that can be released from the door frame by a force applied above a certain magnitude; an antenna arranged adjacent to the pointer and that is vertically movable in translation therewith; a signal generator in a substantially fixed location; and a flexible electrical connector that connects the signal generator to the antenna, whereby the signal generator creates an electromagnetic field adjacent to the antenna and the flexible electrical connector adjusts the movement of the antenna relative to the substantially fixed location of the generator of signal. The door system of claim 10, further comprising: a counter rail movably attached to the door frame for vertical translation movement along the door frame; and a releasable mechanical connector that releasably couples the pointer of the door panel to the counter rail, wherein the flexible electrical connector adjusts the movement of the pointer relative to the counter rail. The door system of claim 10, wherein the door panel is a folding curtain. The door system of claim 10, wherein the door panel comprises a series of pivotally interconnected panel members. 14. A door system associated with a power source, comprising: a door frame; a door panel having a pointer that is vertically movable in translation along the door frame, wherein the pointer has an end that can be released from the door frame by a force applied above a certain magnitude; an antenna arranged adjacent to the pointer and movable therewith; a signal generator electrically coupled to the antenna, by means of which the signal generator creates an electromagnetic field adjacent to the antenna; and a cable that provides an electrical path between the antenna and the power source and that has a rotatable characteristic that adjusts the movement of the antenna. 15. The door system of claim 14, further comprising a rotatable drum, wherein the door panel is entangled around the drum as the door panel moves to an open position, and the rotatable feature is the wire that is being able to wrap around the drum as the door panel moves towards the open position. The door system of claim 15, wherein the rotatable drum is hollow with the cable extending therethrough, and the rotatable feature further includes the cable that is capable of being screwed around itself within the drum rotatable as the door panel moves towards the open position. 17. The door system of claim 14, wherein the cable includes a rotatable electrical connector that provides a rotatable feature of the cable. 18. The door system of claim 17, wherein the rotatable electrical connector is interposed between the antenna and the signal generator. 19. The door system of claim 17, wherein the rotatable electrical connector is interposed between the signal generator and the power source. 20. The door system of claim 14, wherein the signal generator is fixed to the door panel. 21. The door system of claim 14, wherein the signal generator is in a substantially fixed location.