U.S. patent application number 14/453237 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-11 for methods and systems to indicate the status of door operations.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ryan P. Beggs, Perry W. Knutson, Ben Lietz, Kyle Nelson, Pete Olsen, Jon Schumacher, John Sealy. Invention is credited to Ryan P. Beggs, Perry W. Knutson, Ben Lietz, Kyle Nelson, Pete Olsen, Jon Schumacher, John Sealy.
Application Number | 20160040469 14/453237 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53901130 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160040469 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lietz; Ben ; et al. |
February 11, 2016 |
Methods and Systems to Indicate the Status of Door Operations
Abstract
Example methods and systems to indicate the status of door
operations are disclosed. An example door system includes a door
panel having a leading edge to be moved in a travel direction
between an open position and a closed position relative to the
doorframe. The door panel to block the passageway when the leading
edge is at the closed position. The door panel to unblock the
passageway when the leading edge is at the open position. The
example door system also includes a series of lights distributed
along the travel direction proximate the doorframe. The example
door system further includes a controller to switch the lights
between a first state and a second state to provide a visual effect
of movement corresponding to the operating status of the door
system.
Inventors: |
Lietz; Ben; (Fond Du Lac,
WI) ; Sealy; John; (Platteville, IA) ;
Schumacher; Jon; (Hubertus, WI) ; Nelson; Kyle;
(Cedarburg, WI) ; Knutson; Perry W.; (Lancaster,
WI) ; Olsen; Pete; (Mequon, WI) ; Beggs; Ryan
P.; (Dubuque, IA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lietz; Ben
Sealy; John
Schumacher; Jon
Nelson; Kyle
Knutson; Perry W.
Olsen; Pete
Beggs; Ryan P. |
Fond Du Lac
Platteville
Hubertus
Cedarburg
Lancaster
Mequon
Dubuque |
WI
IA
WI
WI
WI
WI
IA |
US
US
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53901130 |
Appl. No.: |
14/453237 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
49/13 ; 49/25;
49/29; 49/31; 49/70 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05F 2015/765 20150115;
E06B 2009/6809 20130101; E06B 2009/6818 20130101; E05Y 2400/30
20130101; E05Y 2900/11 20130101; E05F 15/77 20150115; E05F 15/40
20150115; E06B 9/82 20130101; E05F 15/70 20150115; E06B 2009/6836
20130101; G08B 5/36 20130101; E05F 15/79 20150115; E06B 9/68
20130101; H02J 7/00 20130101; E05Y 2400/44 20130101; E05F 15/78
20150115; E05F 15/668 20150115 |
International
Class: |
E05F 15/70 20060101
E05F015/70; H02J 7/00 20060101 H02J007/00; E05F 15/78 20060101
E05F015/78; E05F 15/77 20060101 E05F015/77; E05F 15/668 20060101
E05F015/668; E05F 15/79 20060101 E05F015/79 |
Claims
1.-17. (canceled)
18. A door system for a passageway between a work area and a
personnel area, the work area containing a work-in-process, the
work-in-process having a processing period extending between a
start time and a completion time, the door system comprising: a
door panel having a leading edge to be moved between an open
position and a closed position, the door panel to block the
passageway when the leading edge is at the closed position, the
door panel to unblock the passageway when the leading edge is at
the open position; and a signal generator to emit a first signal
during the processing period prior to the completion time, the
first signal occurring proximate in time to the completion time to
indicate the completion time of the processing period is
impending.
19. The door system of claim 18, further comprising a doorframe
along which the door panel is to move between the open position and
the closed position, and the signal generator comprising a light
proximate the doorframe.
20. The door system of claim 18, wherein the signal generator is a
projector and the first signal is a light projected onto the door
panel.
21. The door system of claim 18, wherein the first signal comprises
a displayed countdown timer indicating when the door panel will
move to the open position.
22. The door system of claim 18, wherein the signal generator is to
emit a second signal indicating the door panel is moving to the
open position, the second signal being distinguishable from the
first signal.
23. The door system of claim 18, wherein the signal generator is to
emit a second signal indicating the door panel is moving to the
open position, the second signal being distinguishable from the
first signal by virtue of a color characteristic of at least one of
the first signal or the second signal.
24. The door system of claim 18, wherein the signal generator is to
emit a second signal indicating the door panel is moving to the
open position, the second signal being distinguishable from the
first signal by virtue of a flashing characteristic of at least one
of the first signal or the second signal.
25. The door system of claim 18, wherein the signal generator is to
emit a second signal indicating the door panel is moving to the
open position, the second signal being distinguishable from the
first signal, and at least one of the first signal or the second
signal is audible.
26. A door system for a passageway, the door system comprising: a
door panel having a leading edge to be moved between an open
position and a closed position, the door panel to block the
passageway when the leading edge is at the closed position, the
door panel to unblock the passageway when the leading edge is at
the open position; a light distributed along the leading edge of
the door panel; and a power storage unit carried by the door panel
and to provide electrical power to the light.
27. The door system of claim 26, further comprising: a door
movement sensor carried by the door panel, the door movement sensor
to receive the electrical power from the power storage unit, the
door movement sensor to provide a trigger signal in response to
sensing movement of the door panel; and a light activation circuit
carried by the door panel, the light activation circuit having an
active mode and a sleep mode, the light activation circuit to
consume more electrical power in the active mode than in the sleep
mode, the light activation circuit to receive the trigger signal
and the electrical power, the light activation circuit in the
active mode to transmit the electrical power to the light, the
light activation circuit in the sleep mode to isolate the
electrical power from the light, the light activation circuit to
switch from the sleep mode to the active mode in response to
receiving the trigger signal from the door movement sensor.
28. The door system of claim 27, wherein the door movement sensor
comprises an accelerometer.
29. The door system of claim 27, wherein the door movement sensor
comprises a micro-electromechanical machine pressure
transducer.
30. The door system of claim 27, further comprising: a wireless
receiver associated with the light activation circuit; a controller
to provide an output signal; a drive unit to drive the door panel
to move the leading edge between the open position and the closed
position in response to the output signal from the controller; and
a wireless transmitter associated with at least one of the
controller or the drive unit, the wireless transmitter emitting a
wireless signal to the wireless receiver indicative of movement of
the door panel, the wireless signal to maintain the light
activation circuit in the active mode after the trigger signal
causes the light activation circuit to switch from the sleep mode
to the active mode, and the light activation circuit to disregard
the wireless signal when the light activation circuit is in the
sleep mode.
31. The door system of claim 27, further comprising a door
operation sensor carried by the door panel, the door operation
sensor to provide a door operation signal to the light activation
circuit in response to movement of the door panel, the door
operation signal to maintain the light activation circuit in the
active mode after the trigger signal causes the light activation
circuit to switch from the sleep mode to the active mode.
32. The door system of claim 31, wherein the door operation sensor
comprises a passive infrared motion sensor.
33. The door system of claim 31, further comprising: a doorframe to
guide movement of the door panel; and a reflector mounted at a
substantially fixed location proximate the doorframe and being
detectable by the door operation sensor when the leading edge is at
one of the open position or the closed position.
34. The door system of claim 27, further comprising an ambient
light sensor carried by the door panel, the light activation
circuit to adjust the electrical power to the light in response to
input from the ambient light sensor.
35. A door system for a passageway and being connectable to an
external power source, the door system comprising: a door panel
having a leading edge movable to a charging position and a range of
self-powered positions, a light distributed along the leading edge
of the door panel; a power storage unit carried by the door panel
and being moveable therewith, the power storage unit to provide
electrical power to the light; and a charging system to convey
charging power from the external power source to the power storage
unit when the leading edge is at the charging position, the
charging system to inhibit the charging power from reaching the
power storage unit when the leading edge is within the range of
self-powered positions.
36. The door system of claim 35, wherein the leading edge of the
door panel is movable selectively to an open position and a closed
position, the door panel to block the passageway when the leading
edge is at the closed position, the door panel to unblock the
passageway when the leading edge is at the open position.
37. The door system of claim 36, wherein the charging position
coincides with the closed position.
38. The door system of claim 36, wherein the charging position
coincides with the open position.
39. The door system of claim 35, wherein the charging system is to
provide an inductive coupling between the external power source and
the power storage unit when the leading edge is at the charging
position.
40. The door system of claim 35, wherein the power storage unit
comprises a capacitor.
41. The door system of claim 35, wherein the power storage unit
comprises a rechargeable battery.
42. The door system of claim 35, further comprising an ambient
light sensor carried by the door panel, the power storage unit to
adjust the electrical power provided to the light in response to an
input from the ambient light sensor.
43.-52. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to doors and more
specifically to methods and systems to indicate the status of door
operations.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A variety of power-operated doors have movable door panels
for selectively blocking and unblocking a passageway through a
doorway. Door panels come in various designs and operate in
different ways. Examples of some door panels include a rollup panel
(e.g., pliable or flexible sheet), a rigid panel, a flexible panel,
a pliable panel, a vertically translating panel, a horizontally
translating panel, a panel that translates and tilts, a swinging
panel, a segmented articulated panel, a panel with multiple folding
segments, a multilayer thermally insulated panel, and various
combinations thereof
[0003] Some power-operated doors have audio or visual signaling
systems that indicate various conditions pertaining to the door or
nearby area. Examples of such systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,821,024; US published patent application 2013/009785 A1; and
US published patent application 2008/0022596 A1; all of which are
specifically incorporated by reference herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a front view of an example door system constructed
in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a front view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the
example door about one-third open.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a front view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the
example door about two-thirds open.
[0007] FIG. 4 is a front view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the
example door fully open.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a front view of another example door system
constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein.
[0009] FIG. 6 is a front view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the
example door about one-third open.
[0010] FIG. 7 is a front view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the
example door about two-thirds open.
[0011] FIG. 8 is a front view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the
example door fully open.
[0012] FIG. 9 is a front of another example door system constructed
in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. Some electronic
portions are shown schematically.
[0013] FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial front view of the example
door system of FIG. 9 but with the example door fully closed.
[0014] FIG. 11 is a side view of another example door system
constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein.
[0015] FIG. 12 is a side view similar to FIG. 11 but showing an
example work-in-process near its start time.
[0016] FIG. 13 is a side view similar to FIG. 12 but showing the
example work-in-process further along.
[0017] FIG. 14 is a side view similar to FIG. 13 but showing the
example work-in-process nearly complete.
[0018] FIG. 15 is a side view similar to FIG. 14 but showing the
example work-in-process at completion.
[0019] FIG. 16 is a side view similar to FIG. 11 but showing the
example work-in-process complete and the example door opening.
[0020] FIG. 17 is a front view of another example door system
constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein.
[0021] FIG. 18 is a front view similar to FIG. 17 but showing
portions of the example door system having changed colors (e.g.,
from blue in FIG. 17 to red in FIG. 18).
[0022] FIG. 19 is a side view of another example door system
constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein.
[0023] FIG. 20 is a front view of another example door system
constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Example methods and apparatus disclosed herein provide
visual signals on, alongside, or otherwise proximate to a movable
door panel. Some such example methods and apparatus include lights
that provide a visual effect of movement (e.g., via animation
techniques) coinciding with a travel direction of a door panel's
leading edge. In some examples, lights are placed on a door's
control box. In some examples, a battery or super-capacitor is
disposed on a door panel to provide portable electrical power to a
series of lights installed along the door panel's movable leading
edge. In some examples, the lights provide various signals
indicating a door is about to open due to impending completion of a
work-in-process behind the door. In some examples, a portion of the
door is made of a thermochromic material and/or changes color in
response to the temperature of the door.
[0025] FIGS. 1-20 show various example door systems which provide
visual signals indicating the operating status of the door and/or
conditions on the other side of the door. Example visual signals
include (1) sequentially activated variable state lights to
generate a visual effect of movement along a doorframe and/or on a
control box, (2) lights disposed on and moving with the leading
edge of a door panel, (3) a light projected on a door panel, and/or
(4) a thermochromic area on a doorframe or on a moving door panel.
Example operating statuses of the door include the door opening,
the door closing, the door being about to open, and/or the door
being about to close. Example conditions on the other side of the
door include temperature, humidity, the presence of a person or
object, and impending completion of a manufacturing process on the
other side of the door.
[0026] FIGS. 1-4 show an example door system 10 having a series of
lights 12 (plurality of lights) that are controlled to provide a
visual effect of movement that indicates movement of a door panel
14 and/or indicates impending movement of the door panel 14. That
is, while individual lights in the series of lights 12 in the
illustrated example are at fixed locations, the controlled
activation/deactivation of individual (e.g., successive) ones of
the series of lights 12 gives the appearance of a light signal
moving along the series of lights 12. The term, "door panel"
represents any structure that is moveable to selectively block and
unblock a passageway (e.g., a doorway or other access opening).
Example door panels include a rollup panel (e.g., pliable or
flexible sheet), a rigid panel, a flexible panel, a pliable panel,
a vertically translating panel, a horizontally translating panel, a
panel that translates and tilts, a swinging panel, a segmented
articulated panel, a panel with multiple folding segments, a
multilayer thermally insulated panel, and various combinations
thereof.
[0027] The term, "light" refers to any one or more elements
providing illumination or one or more surfaces. Examples of a light
include a single illuminating element (e.g., an LED, light bulb,
etc.), a single illuminating element of a single color, a single
illuminating element functional to provide selectively different
colors, multiple discrete illuminating elements, multiple
illuminating elements of a single color, multiple illuminating
elements of different colors, one or more light emitting diodes
(LEDs), a rope light comprising a series of LEDs, one or more
incandescent bulbs, and a target surface illuminated by a projector
(or other light source) through air or through light-passing
material (e.g., fiber optics).
[0028] In the particular example shown in FIGS. 1-4, the door
system 10 comprises a doorframe 16 proximate a passageway 18, the
door panel 14 (rollup style in the illustrated example), and the
series of lights 12 distributed along the doorframe 16. To open and
close the door system 10, a drive unit 20 rotates a take-up drum 22
that draws the door panel 14 up or pays it out to selectively move
a leading edge 24 of the panel 14 in a travel direction 26 between
an open position (FIG. 4) and a closed position (FIG. 1). The
doorframe 16 helps guide the lateral edges of the panel 14 as the
door system 10 opens and closes. Some examples of the door panel 14
include a seal along its leading edge 24.
[0029] In some examples, a controller 28 and/or a sensor 30
controls the operation of the door system 10. For instance, in some
examples, the controller 28 includes a manually operated open
button 32 and a close button 34 that initiate the conveyance of an
output signal 36 to drive unit 20 for opening and closing the door
system 10. The term, "controller" refers to any device for
directing, determining, commanding, regulating or otherwise
controlling the door's operation.
[0030] In addition or alternatively, in some examples, the sensor
30 triggers the opening or closing of the door system 10 depending
on whether the sensor 30 detects the presence or movement of a body
near the door system 10. In some examples, the sensor 30 is part of
the controller 28. The term, "sensor" refers to any device for
providing a trigger or feedback signal in response to detecting the
presence or movement of a body (e.g., a person, vehicle, obstacle,
etc.). Sensors detecting presence or movement operate under various
known principles, examples of which include active infrared,
passive infrared, ultrasonic, radar, microwave, laser,
electromagnetic induction, pressure pad, ultra-IR LED,
time-of-flight pulse ranging technology, photoelectric eye,
thermal, video camera, video analytics, and various combinations
thereof.
[0031] In some examples, the controller 28 also controls the lights
12 in such a way as to provide a visual indication of the door's
operation. The visual indication can warn those in the vicinity of
the door system 10 that the door panel 14 is opening, about to
open, closing or about to close. In some examples, each discrete
light of the series of lights 12 is individually switchable
selectively to a first state and a second state. Examples of first
and second states of any given light 12 include on and off,
energized and de-energized, red and green, color-1 and color-2,
bright and dim, steady and flashing, etc.
[0032] The lights 12, in some examples, are switched in a certain
pattern such that lights 12 provide a visual effect of movement in
the travel direction 26 of the leading edge 24 of the door panel
14. For instance, in some examples, individual ones of the lights
12 change between their first and second states in substantial
synchrony with the traveling movement of the leading edge 24 of the
door panel 14. With such a synchronous control scheme, a light
signal generated by the lights 12 appears to travel at
substantially the same velocity (e.g., within 10% of the actual
velocity) as the leading edge 24 of the door panel 14 and/or
appears to travel at substantially the same elevation (e.g., within
one foot of the actual elevation) of the leading edge 24.
[0033] More specifically, in the illustrated example, when the door
panel 14 is moving or is about to move, the lights 12 above the
leading edge 24 are energized and the lights 12 below the leading
edge 24 are de-energized. In other words, a given light 12'
adjacent to the leading edge 24 changes state as the leading edge
24 passes the position of the light 12'. Consequently, all the
lights 12 are turned on when the door system 10 is fully closed, as
shown in the illustrated example of FIG. 1. When the door system 10
is about one-third open, as shown in the illustrated example of
FIG. 2, the upper two-thirds of the lights 12 are energized, and
the lower third are de-energized. When the door system 10 is about
two-thirds open, as shown in the illustrated example of FIG. 3, the
upper third of the lights 12 are energized while the lower
two-thirds are de-energized. When the door system 10 is fully open,
as shown in the illustrated example of FIG. 4, all or nearly all of
the lights 12 are de-energized. In other examples, all or nearly
all of the lights 12 are energized when the door system 10 is fully
open while the lights 12 are de-energized when the door system 10
is fully closed.
[0034] Some examples of door system 10 include additional or
alternative control schemes. In some examples, the lights 12 are
controlled to provide a visual effect of movement having a greater
or slower speed as that of the leading edge 24 but with the same
travel direction (e.g., up and down, left and right, or some other
two directions of movement). This provides the benefit of not
having to coordinate the travel speed indicated by the visual
effect of movement generated by the lights 12 with the actual
movement of the door panel 14. In some examples, the visual effect
of movement has a speed that varies to represent different
conditions (e.g., actual door movement vs. impending door
movement). In some examples, when the door panel 14 is moving or is
about to move, the lights 12 above the leading edge 24 are one
color and the lights 12 below the leading edge 24 are a different
color. This creates a visual effect of movement while maintaining
the full length of the series of lights 12 lit to help illuminate
the passageway 18.
[0035] In some examples, the lights 12 provide selectively a first
signal and a second signal that are distinguishable from each other
by virtue of some characteristic such as different colors, flashing
vs. continuous, different flashing frequencies, different flashing
patterns, and different brightness. The distinguishable
characteristic can be used for indicating different operating
conditions, such as actual door movement and impending door
movement.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 5-8, as an addition or alternative to the
lights 12 distributed along the doorframe 16, a door system 38 has
a plurality of lights 40 borne by an enclosure 42 of a controller
44. Similar to the lights 12 of FIGS. 1-4, the lights 40 are
individually switchable between first and second states in a
pattern that provides a visual effect of movement related to the
operation of the door system 38. When the lights 40 are distributed
in a circular layout, as shown in the illustrated example of FIGS.
5-8, the visual effect of movement is rotational. In examples where
the lights 40 are distributed in a linear layout on the enclosure
42, the visual effect of movement is linear. Similar to the lights
12 of FIGS. 1-4, the lights 40 can be controlled in various ways,
examples of which include visually representing clockwise
rotational movement, visually representing counterclockwise
rotational movement, visually representing horizontal movement,
visually representing vertical movement, varying an apparent speed
of the visually represented movement, selectively flashing a some
or all of the lights simultaneously, individual discrete lights
selectively energized and de-energized, individual discrete lights
selectively switched between different colors, different signals
indicating door movement or impending door movement, and various
combinations thereof.
[0037] In some examples, an appreciable length of the doorframe 16
is made of a light transmitting material (e.g., a clear material, a
translucent material, and combinations thereof). In such examples,
one or more lights 15 project one or more light beams through the
doorframe 16 itself. In some examples, a single light 15 at an
upper or lowered end of the doorframe 16 projects a light beam
vertically through the doorframe 16 to illuminate all or at least
much of the doorframe's length.
[0038] FIGS. 9 and 10 show an example door system 45 that includes
at least one light 46 installed along the leading edge 24 of the
door panel 14. In the illustrated example, the light(s) 46 not only
highlights the panel's impact-vulnerable leading edge 24 but, in
some examples, also provides various visual signals that indicate
the operating status of the door system 45. To avoid the difficulty
and expense of having to run electrical power from an external
stationary power source to the light(s) 46 on the moving panel 14,
in some examples, the door system 45 includes a power storage unit
48 (e.g., battery, capacitor, super-capacitor, etc.) mounted to the
panel 14 so that both the power storage unit 48 and the light(s) 46
generally travel together.
[0039] To prolong the power storage life of the power storage unit
48, the door system 45 includes means for minimizing power
consumption. In some examples, the means for reducing power
consumption involves the door panel 14 carrying a door movement
sensor 50 and a light activation circuit 52. Upon sensing door
panel movement, the sensor 50 sends a trigger signal 54 to the
light activation circuit 52. In response to the trigger signal 54,
the light activation circuit 52 switches from a reduced-power sleep
mode to an active mode. In the active mode, the circuit 52
activates the light(s) 46 to illuminate the leading edge 24 of the
door panel 14. So, in some examples, the light(s) 46 are normally
off but turn on when the panel 14 is moving to open or close the
door system 45.
[0040] In some examples, the door movement sensor 50 is an
extremely low power component and, in some examples, it is the only
fully active electrical component on the panel 14 when the door
system 45 is not in use (e.g., not being opened or closed).
Although the light activation circuit 52 in the active mode
consumes more power than the sensor 50, the light activation
circuit 52 is only in its active mode when needed to activate the
light(s) 46. Examples of electrical circuits switchable between
active modes and low power sleep modes are well known to those of
ordinary skill in the art. Examples of the door movement sensor 50
include an accelerometer and a micro-electromechanical machine
pressure transducer (MEMS).
[0041] Examples of the light(s) 46 include a single illuminating
element (e.g., an LED, light bulb, etc.), a single illuminating
element of a single color, a single illuminating element functional
to provide selectively different colors, multiple discrete
illuminating elements, multiple illuminating elements of a single
color, multiple illuminating elements of different colors, one or
more light emitting diodes (LEDs), a rope light comprising a series
of LEDs, one or more incandescent bulbs, and one or more devices
employing principles of fiber optics.
[0042] To avoid problems caused by intermittent or false trigger
signals 54 from the sensor 50, some examples of the door system 45
further include a door operation sensor 56, which is schematically
illustrated to represent any device that can confirm the movement
or position of the door panel 14. To conserve power, some examples
of the door operation sensor 56 are inactive until the light
activation circuit 52 or the door movement sensor 50 triggers it to
operate. When operating and confirming that the door panel 14 is
either actually moving or is neither fully open nor fully closed,
the door operation sensor 56 commands the light activation circuit
52 to keep the light(s) 46 energized regardless of any trigger
signal 54 or lack of signal 54 from the door movement sensor 50. In
some examples, the door operation sensor 56 is a motion sensor
(e.g., passive infrared, laser, optical, ultrasonic, etc.) that
detects relative motion between the sensor 56 and a floor 58, or
detects relative motion between the sensor 56 and some other
convenient target surface (e.g., ceiling, the doorframe 16, an
overhead surface 60 of the door system 45, etc.).
[0043] In some examples, the door operation sensor 56 is directed
laterally to detect one or more reflectors 62 attached to the
doorframe 16. Upon detecting one of the reflectors 62, the sensor
56 can determine that the panel 14 is either fully open or closed.
That information in combination with a lack of the trigger signal
54 would strongly indicate that door panel 14 is not moving, and
thus, the light(s) 46 can be turned off. If the reflectors 62 are
not in view of the sensor 56 in the illustrated example, that would
indicate the door panel 14 is moving or has paused between the door
panel's fully open and fully closed positions, and thus, the
light(s) 46 should be energized.
[0044] In addition or alternatively, to confirm actual door panel
movement, some examples of the door system 45 include a wireless
transmitter 64 associated with the controller 28 or the drive unit
20. A wireless communication link 66 connects the transmitter 64 in
wireless communication with a wireless receiver 68 associated with
the light activation circuit 52. The communication link 66 conveys
information from the drive unit 20 and/or from the controller 28,
wherein the information indicates whether the door panel 14 is
moving, fully closed, fully open or at some partially open
position. To conserve energy, the light activation circuit 52 and
the wireless receiver 68 remain generally inactive until the
trigger signal 54 from the door movement sensor 50 switches the
light activation circuit 52 from its sleep mode to its active mode.
That is, in some examples, the light activation circuit 52 and the
wireless receiver 68 disregard wireless signals transmitted via the
communication link 66 when the light activation circuit 52 is in
the sleep mode. In some examples, once the light activation circuit
52 is switched to the active mode (based on the trigger signal 54),
the wireless signal from the transmitter 64 maintains the light
activation circuit 52 in the active mode (e.g., until the trigger
signal 54 and the wireless signal indicate the door panel is no
longer moving).
[0045] In some examples, a charging system 70 periodically (or
aperiodically) recharges the power storage unit 48 automatically
when the door panel 14 is fully closed, fully open or at some other
charging position. When the leading edge 24 of the door panel 14 is
at the charging position, as shown in the illustrated example of
FIG. 10, the charging system 70 conveys a charging power 72 from an
external power source 74 to recharge the power storage unit 48.
When the leading edge 24 of the door panel 14 is not at the
charging position, the leading edge 24 may be within a range of
self-powered positions 76, as shown in the illustrated example of
FIG. 9. When the leading edge 24 is within the range of
self-powered positions 76 (i.e., not in the charging position), the
charging system 70 inhibits the charging power 72 from reaching the
power storage unit 48. In such examples, the stored charge in the
power storage unit 48 is what powers the light(s) 46 as the door
opens and closes.
[0046] The charging system 70 is schematically illustrated to
represent any separable electrical coupling between the power
storage unit 48 and the external power source 74. Examples of the
charging system 70 include an inductive coupling, a mating
electrical plug and receptacle, and an electrically conductive
brush with an associated electrical contact surface.
[0047] In some examples, the charging system 70 is an inductive
coupling that, when the door system 45 is closed, recharges a
super-capacitor form of the power storage unit 48. Super-capacitors
charge relatively quickly, which is an important feature with doors
that are operated frequently. Some batteries take longer to charge
but can store more energy, so rechargeable batteries can work well
with doors that have extended periods of use and extended periods
of non-use. For instance, a battery form of power storage unit 48
might be useful for doors that are extremely busy during the day
but are left closed for most of the night, whereby the battery can
be recharged with enough power during the night to meet all of the
power needs for the next day.
[0048] Some examples of door system 45 include an ambient light
sensor 55. In response to input from the light sensor 55, the light
activation circuit 52 adjusts the power to the light(s) 46. To
conserve power and prolong the life of the power storage unit 48,
the light activation circuit 52 delivers less power to the light(s)
46 during low ambient light conditions and delivers more power
during high ambient light conditions.
[0049] FIGS. 11-16 show an example door system 78 for separating a
personnel area 80 from a work area 82. In the illustrated example,
a machine tool 84 is shown performing a work-in-process in the work
area 82 such as machining a part 86 or performing some other
process (e.g., assembling, mixing, painting, heating, forming,
cleaning, welding, sorting, etc.). A machine tool operator 88 is
shown in the personnel area 80, and a closed door panel 14 shields
the operator 88 from the work as it is being performed between a
start time and a completion time of the work-in-process. Upon
completion of the work, a controller 90 commands the drive unit 20
to move a leading edge 24 of the door panel 14 from a closed
position 92 to an open position 94 to unblock a passageway 96 (FIG.
16) between the work area 82 and the personnel area 80.
[0050] In some examples, the controller 90 is a door controller 98
for the door panel 14 of the door system 78 and is separate from a
machine controller 102 of the machine tool 84. The term, "door
controller" refers to a device dedicated to the operation of a door
and not to any machine being shielded by the door. The term,
"machine controller" refers to a device primarily meant for
commanding the operation of a process other than just opening or
closing a door. In some examples, the controller 90 is a
combination of both the door controller 98 and the machine
controller 102.
[0051] In some examples, the controller 90 commands the door system
78 to emit a first signal 100 from one or more signal generators
(e.g., an audio speaker, a light source, etc.) that notifies the
operator 88 when the door system 78 will be opening soon due to the
work-in-process nearing completion or the work-in-process being
within a predetermined period prior to completion. This provides
the operator 88 with some time to prepare for the next job or least
prepare for attending to the current one prior to the door system
78 opening. In some examples, when the work-in-process is
completed, the controller 90 commands the door system 78 to open
automatically in response to a job-complete feedback 104 from the
machine controller 102 to the door controller 98.
[0052] In some examples, the first signal 100 occurs closer to the
process's completion time than to its start time. Examples of the
first signal 100 include an audible signal and/or a visual signal.
Referring to FIG. 14, more specific examples of the first signal
100 include one or more lights (similar to the lights 12 of FIG. 1)
distributed along the doorframe 16 of the door system 78, the
controller 90 emitting a light (first signal 100a), a leading edge
24 of the door panel 14 emitting a light (first signal 100b), the
controller 90 projecting (e.g., via a light projector or other
light source) onto the door panel 14 a light or image (first signal
100c), and the controller 90 emitting (e.g., via a speaker) a sound
(first signal 100d). In some examples, the first signal 100c is a
projected image of a clock or countdown timer that indicates the
amount of time before the door system 78 will begin opening and/or
the amount of time before the work-in-process will be completed.
Additionally, or alternatively, in some examples, the first signals
100a, 100b may be adapted to indicate the time associated with such
a clock or countdown timer.
[0053] In addition or alternatively, in some examples, the door
system 78 emits a second signal 105 that indicates the door panel
14 is actually moving, as shown in FIG. 16. Examples of the second
signal 105 include an audible signal and/or a visual signal. An
audible version of the second signal 105 can be at any convenient
location. Example locations of visual versions of the second signal
105 include on the controller 90, on the door panel 14, on the
doorframe 16, etc. Referring to FIG. 16, specific examples of the
second signal 105 include one or more lights (similar to the lights
12 of FIG. 1) distributed along the doorframe 16, the controller 90
emitting a light (second signal 105a), the leading edge 24 emitting
a light (second signal 105b), and the controller 90 emitting a
sound (second signal 105c). In some examples, the first signal 100
and the second signal 105 are distinguishable from each other by
virtue of some characteristic such as different colors, flashing
vs. continuous, audible vs. visual, different flashing frequencies,
different flashing patterns, different locations (e.g., on
doorframe 16 and on leading edge 24), and different levels of
brightness.
[0054] One example operation of the door system 78 is as shown in
FIGS. 11-16 sequentially. FIG. 11 shows the door system 78 closed
with the work-in-process about to begin. FIG. 12 shows the
work-in-process having already started. FIG. 13 shows further
progress of the work-in-process. FIG. 14 shows the emitting of the
first signal 100 (e.g., at least one of the first signals 100a,
100b, 100c, 100d) as an indication that the work-in-process is
nearly complete. FIG. 15 shows the work-in-process at completion.
FIG. 16 shows the emitting of the second signal 105 (e.g., at least
one of the second signals 105a, 105b, 105c) as an indication that
the door system 78 is opening at the end of the work-in-process
cycle.
[0055] FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 show an example door system 106, wherein
at least a portion 108 of the door panel 14 and/or at least a
portion 109 of the doorframe 16 changes color in response to a
change in a thermodynamic condition existing proximate the door
system 106. Examples of such thermodynamic conditions include a
temperature of a first area 110 adjacent a first side of the door
panel 14, a temperature of a second area 112 adjacent a second side
of the door panel 14, a temperature of the doorframe 16, a
temperature of the door panel 14, a humidity of the first area 110,
and a humidity of the second area 112. In some examples, the first
area 110 is a refrigerated room for storing perishable goods 114,
and the door panel 14 is thermally insulated.
[0056] In some examples, the portion 108 and/or the portion 109 is
thermochromic and thereby changes color in response to its
temperature. In other examples, the controller 28 receives a
feedback signal 116 from a thermodynamic sensor 118 (e.g.,
temperature sensor, humidity sensor, barometric pressure sensor,
etc.). Based on the feedback signal 116, the controller 28 projects
light 120 of different colors to represent the changing
thermodynamic conditions measured by the sensor 118. In some
examples, the light 120 is projected onto the portion 108 and/or
the portion 109 to change their color without the portions 108, 109
having to be of a thermochromic material.
[0057] FIG. 20 shows an example door system 122 having a matrix
display 124 having a two-dimensional array of lights 126 that is
communicatively coupled to the controller 44. In some examples, the
lights 126 are different colors to render icons, symbols, and/or
animations on the matrix display 124 having one or more colors
based on input from the controller 44. In some examples, the shapes
of the icons and/or symbols are such that a brief glance at the
matrix display 124 quickly indicates to an observer the operational
status of the door system 122. For example, a down arrow (as shown)
may indicate the door panel 14 is closing (or about to close)
whereas an up arrow may indicate the door panel 14 is opening (or
about to open). Further, in some examples, different colors of the
icons and/or symbols, the use of flashing and/or animation
indicates the importance of the icon and/or symbol. For example, a
yellow down arrow may signify the door panel 14 is about to close
(e.g., preannounces the closing) while a red down arrow may signify
the door panel 14 is actually closing. A green square may indicate
the door panel 14 is opening and waiting for further input while a
green timer (e.g., a clock or an hourglass icon) may indicate the
door is open but on a timer. In some such examples, the clock or
hourglass is animated to indicate how much time remains before the
door is to close. In some examples, a red octagon may indicate the
door panel 14 is closed but is about to open (e.g., preannounces
the opening). In some examples, a prohibition symbol (e.g., a
circle with a slash through it) may indicate the interlock is
disabled while an inverted triangle may serve as a warning of cross
traffic. In some examples, the matrix display 124 may render an
exclamation point to indicate a maintenance alert. In some
examples, a large X on the matrix display 124 may indicate the door
system 122 has faulted. Other icons and/or symbols may
alternatively be used to represent other operational states and/or
any of the operational states mentioned above. Further, any of the
icons and/or symbols described above may be in any color capable to
be rendered by the matrix display 124. In some examples, if the
matrix display 124 loses communication with the controller 44, the
matrix display 124 will generate a fault icon.
[0058] In some examples, the matrix display 124 is used in
conjunction with the lights 12 on the doorframe 16, the lights 40
on the enclosure 42 of the controller 44, and/or any of the other
example door systems described herein. In other examples, the
matrix display 124 is used instead of the other example door
systems described herein. In some examples, the matrix display 124
is positioned above the passageway 18 of the door. Additionally or
alternatively, in some examples, the matrix display 124 is
positioned to the side of the passageway 18. In some examples, the
matrix display 124 is incorporated into the enclosure of the
controller 44. The matrix display 124 may be of any suitable size
to enable an observer to easily identify the icons or symbols
rendered thereon after a brief glance. In some examples, the matrix
display 124 is approximately 8.times.8 inches with 32.times.32
lights 126.
[0059] Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of
manufacture have been described herein, the scope of the coverage
of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent
covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly
falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or
under the doctrine of equivalents.
* * * * *