Patent Application
20080047321
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for ease of understanding and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of the various embodiments of the present invention.
Referring now to the drawings and especially
The operator 114 comprises a controller 106 and an interface 108. The interface 108 receives signals from various sources. For instance, the interface 108 receives radio frequency (RF) signals 112 from a measurement tool 114. Alternatively or in addition to the RF signals 112, the interface 108 may receive signals via a wired connection 110 (e.g., a cable or wire).
The measurement tool 114 is a device that measures the impact force of the barrier 102. In this regard, the measurement tool 114 may use any type of mechanism (e.g., any type of sensing mechanism) that receives and measures the impact force. Once measured, the impact force measurement is communicated to the operator 104 by either or both of the connections 110 or 112.
A secondary safety device 116 may be installed as a result of the measurements made by the measurement tool 114. The secondary safety device 116 may be any type of safety device that determines whether obstructions exist in the pathway of the door. For instance, the secondary safety device may be a IR detector.
In one example of the operation of the system of
Various types of adjustments may be made to the operator 104. For example, if the impact force exceeds a threshold, the secondary safety device 116 may be required to be used. In another example, if the force has exceeded a threshold, the operator may lower the force setting. In yet another example, the rate of rise of the force may be determined, and if the rate of rise of the force is too high, the speed setting of the operator may be lowered. In still another example, the operator may inform the installer of the nature and extent of any corrective action, for instance, by presenting a message on a display for the user or installer to see.
Referring now to
At step 204, an adjustment for the parameters of the moveable barrier operator is determined. For example, if the impact force exceeds a threshold, the use of a secondary safety device may be required. In another example, the rate of rise of the force may be determined, and if the rate of rise is too high, the operator may lower the speed. In still another example, if the force has exceeded a threshold, the operator may lower the force setting of the operator.
At step 206, the adjustment determined at step 204 is applied to the operator. For example, if an adjustment of the speed or force profiles is determined at step 204, then that adjustment is made at step 204.
Referring now to
The measurement circuit 304 measures the impact force associated with an object in a pathway of the measurement tool. For example, an installer may place the tool 300 in the pathway of the door or other barrier and the impact force associated with the door may be measured.
The measurement circuit 304 includes appropriate electrical and/or mechanical components that are configured to receive a mechanical force and convert this received mechanical impact force into an electrical signal that is representative of the force.
The interface 302 receives the electrical signal representing the impact force measurement and (if needed) converts the signal into an appropriate form or format for transmission to a barrier operator. For example, the electrical signal received from the measurement circuit 304 may be converted into an RF signal for transmission to the operator. In another example, the electrical signal received from the measurement circuit 304 may be converted into a signal having appropriate voltage and/or current characteristics for transmission to the operator. In another example, the electrical signal received from the measurement circuit 304 may already be in the appropriate voltage and current form or format, so the interface 302 simply forwards the signal to the operator over a wire.
Referring now to
At step 402, the impact force is received from the measurement device and a compared to an excessive force threshold at step 404. If the excessive force threshold is exceeded, at step 406, the operator automatically lowers the force setting of the operator. Execution then continues at step 408.
At step 406, the impact force is compared to a safety force threshold. If the force measured exceeds the safety force threshold, the operator may require the use of a secondary safety device (e.g., an IR beam device) at step 410 until the force value is measured to be less than the safety force threshold. The values of the excessive force threshold and the safety force threshold may be the same or different depending upon the system and the needs of the user.
While there has been illustrated and described particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all those changes and modifications which fall within the true scope of the present invention.
