Patent Publication Number: US-2022235595-A1

Title: A swing door operator for moving a swing door leaf in a swing path between an open and closed position, a swing door and a room with a swing door

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a swing door operator for moving a swing door leaf in a swing path between an open and closed position, a swing door and a room with a swing door. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a swing door operator for moving a swing door leaf in a swing path between an open and closed position, a swing door and a room with a swing door as defined in the introductory parts of claim  1 , claim  14  and claim  15 . 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Doors that open automatically are widely used throughout the modern society, especially in public buildings and offices. When automated doors are used in narrow compartments, as e.g. public toilets, the automated door is often equipped with a sensor for preventing the door from closing if a person is standing in the way of the door leaf In that way it is prevented that a person gets hit by the door leaf. Such a solution may, however, lead to that the sensor detects a person inside the narrow compartment and the door will not close since current sensors normally maintain its sensor detection field independent of door angle. This means that there is a safety field of a minimum of 200 mm from the door into the narrow compartment when the door is almost closed. The problem has been solved by ignoring the signal from the sensor when the door closes its last part of the closing cycle, which increases the risk of injury to the person inside the narrow compartment. 
     There is thus a problem in the industry when it comes to safety during the closing cycle of automatic doors. Further, the user experience is affected when an automatic door re-opens or the closing is delayed when the user is inside the room but close enough to the door to trigger the detector. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an object to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in any combination and solve at least the above mentioned problem. According to a first aspect there is provided a swing door operator for moving a swing door leaf in a swing path between an open and closed position, the swing door operator comprising at least one drive unit being arranged to move the swing door leaf between the open and closed position, the swing door operator further comprising a control unit being operatively connected to the drive unit and a first sensor, wherein the first sensor is configured to identify objects in front of a first side of the swing door leaf, the control unit is configured to react if an object is identified by the first sensor in a safety zone in front of the first side of the swing door leaf, the control unit is configured to adapt the size/area of the safety zone based on the swing path of the swing door leaf and the position of the swing door leaf. 
     The safety zone may thus be limited to the area in from of the first side of the door leaf in which area the door will travel during its path between an open and closed position during the closing operation of the door leaf. The safety zone is thus e.g. formed as a circle sector limited by the door leaf and the closed position or doorway/doorframe. This leads to the advantage that the safety zone can be active during the entire closing procedure of the door while still allowing a person inside a narrow compartment, as e.g. a toilet, to use the full space within the compartment without being detected by the first sensor. Also, there is no chance of the automatic door re-opening or delaying the closing due to a user that is fully inside the compartment but close to the doorway. 
     According to some embodiments, the swing door comprises a door position sensor to keep track of the position of the door at all times. The door position sensor may be an angle sensor or a gyroscope or any other suitable sensor for direct or indirect measurement of the door leaf angular position. The door leaf angular position is used for the control unit to limit the safety zone area. 
     According to some embodiments, the control unit is configured to reduce the size/area of the initial safety zone with area of the safety zone that is not in front of a first side of the swing door leaf at the current swing path position of the swing door leaf. 
     According to some embodiments, the control unit is configured to stop movement of the swing door leaf if an object is identified by the first sensor in a safety zone in front of the first side of the swing door leaf. To stop the swing door leaf movement when an object is detected in the safety zone is a safe way to avoid impact between the swing door leaf and the detected object. 
     According to some embodiments, the first sensor is adapted to measure distance to a detected object, and the reaction of the control unit upon detecting an object in the safety zone depends on a detected distance to the object. This may be used by the operator to slow down the movement of the swing door leaf if the distance to a detected object in the safety zone is above a predetermined threshold, and stop the movement if the distance to a detected object in the safety zone is below the predetermined threshold. The speed of the movement of the swing door leaf can e.g. be adjusted as a function of the detected distance so that the door will slow down and stop before impact with the detected object in a smooth way. If the detected object moves out from the safety zone after the swing door leaf has started to slow down, it may then speed up the closing movement again. This saves energy used to run the swing door operator as a detected object that is only temporary in the safety zone and at a distance from the door will only slow down the movement temporary. 
     According to some embodiments, the swing door operator comprises a second sensor configured to identify objects in front of a second side of the swing door leaf, wherein the control unit is configured to react if an object is identified by the second sensor in a second safety zone in front of the second side of the swing door leaf, the control unit is configured to adapt the size/area of the second safety zone based on the swing path of the swing door leaf and the position of the swing door leaf. Object can thus be detected also in the swing path of the swing door leaf when opening the door from a closed position to an open position. 
     According to some embodiments, the swing door operator comprises a memory and communication means, wherein the control unit is configured to set the maximum size of the safety zone and/or the second safety zone based on limitation information stored on the memory and wherein the limitation information may be changed via external connection to the communication means. 
     In that case different instructions to the control unit of the swing door operator can be given for different situations. E.g. if a fire alarm is set off, the second safety zone may be omitted to make sure that door will open. If a temporary obstacle, e.g. a vase is placed in the normal second safety zone, the open end position of the swing door leaf may be changed. 
     According to some embodiments, the swing door leaf may be manually opened also when the swing door operator has stopped the movement of the swing door leaf so as to make sure that the swing door operator can never trap a person in a room. 
     According to some embodiments, the swing door leaf is a door for small rooms or narrow compartments as e.g. a public toilet. 
     According to some embodiments, the first sensor, second sensor and/or the position sensor is at least one built-in sensor of the motor. 
     According to some embodiments, the control unit is configured to initiate/activate and perform autonomous operation of the door operator in cooperation with the sensor. When an open door e.g. detects via the first sensor a person going through the door, the closing of the swing door leaf may be initiated automatically. 
     According to some embodiments, the motor is an electric motor, which is convenient as electric motors may be small, strong and reliable. 
     According to a second aspect there is provided a swing door comprising a swing door operator according to the first aspect. 
     According to a third aspect there is provided a room with a swing door according to the second aspect, wherein the swing door is arranged to open in an outward direction. 
     Effects and features of the second and third aspects are to a large extent analogous to those described above in connection with the first aspect. Embodiments mentioned in relation to the first aspect are largely compatible with the the second and third aspects. 
     A further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given below. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only. Various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description. 
     Hence, it is to be understood that the herein disclosed invention is not limited to the particular component parts of the device described or steps of the methods described since such device and method may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context explicitly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a unit” or “the unit” may include several devices, and the like. Furthermore, the words “comprising”, “including”, “containing” and similar wordings does not exclude other elements or steps. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1 a    shows a top view of a public toilet with a swing door having a safety zone according to the prior art. 
         FIG. 1 b    shows a top view of a public toilet with a swing door having a safety zone according to the prior art where the door has problems closing. 
         FIG. 2 a    shows a top view of a public toilet with a swing door having a safety zone according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2 b    shows a top view of the public toilet of  FIG. 2 a    with the doors almost close, where the safety zone has been reduced in proportion to the angular position of the swing door leaf. 
         FIG. 3  is a detailed schematic view of a swing door operator according one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a swing door with a swing door operator according to one embodiment according to the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed top view of a swing door with a swing door operator according to one embodiment according to the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a detailed top view of a swing door with a swing door operator according to  FIG. 5  where the swing door leaf is partly closed and the safety zone has been reduced according to the angular position of the swing door leaf. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred example embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the herein disclosed embodiments. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person. 
       FIG. 1 a    shows a top view of a public toilet with a swing door  2  having a safety zone  3  according to the prior art. The public toilet comprises a toilet  52 , a sink  53  and a person is standing in the room. In  FIG. 1 b    the door of  FIG. 1 a    has problems closing due to the static safety zone  3  which moves with the door so that it gradually covers more and more space inside the toilet as the door leaf  2  closes. In the situation shown in  FIG. 1 b    the person  51  will be detected by door operator as he/she is within the safety zone and the door will re-open or stop closing. 
       FIG. 2 a    shows a top view of a room ( 50 ), e.g. a public toilet, with a swing door having a safety zone  30  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A swing door operator  10  can be seen with an arm holding the door leaf  20 . In  FIG. 2 b    the swing door leaf  20  in  FIG. 2 a    has almost closed, whereby the safety zone  30  has been reduced in proportion to the angular position of the swing door leaf  20 . 
       FIG. 3  is a more detailed schematic view of a swing door operator  10  according one embodiment of the invention showing a swing door operator  10  for moving a swing door leaf  20  in a swing path between an open and closed position. The swing door operator  10  comprises at least one drive unit  100  arranged to move the swing door leaf  10  between the open and closed position. The swing door operator  10  further comprises a control unit  103  that is operatively connected to the drive unit  100  and a first sensor  106 . The first sensor  106  is configured to identify objects in front of a first side  201  of the swing door leaf  20  and the control unit  103  is configured to react if an object is identified by the first sensor  106  in a safety zone  30  in front of the first side  201  of the swing door leaf  20 . The control unit  100  is further configured to adapt the size/area of the safety zone  30  based on the swing path of the swing door leaf  20  and the position of the swing door leaf  20 . The swing comprises a door position sensor  109  to keep track of the angular position of the swing door leaf  20 . The door position sensor  109  is e.g. an angle sensor or a gyroscope. The sensor  109  may be a built-in sensor of the motor  101  e.g. counting the revolutions of the motor so that the control unit  103  can calculate the corresponding door leaf  20  position. 
     As the door leaf closes the control unit  100  is configured to reduce the size/area of the initial safety zone  30  with area of the safety zone  30  that is not in front of a first side  201  of the swing door leaf  20  at the current swing path position of the swing door leaf  20 . If an object is identified by the first sensor  106  in a safety zone  30  in front of the first side  201  of the swing door leaf  20  the control unit  103  is configured to stop movement of the swing door leaf  20  so that a person standing in the safety zone will not be hit by the door leaf. In one embodiment, wherein the control unit  103  is configured to only stop movement of the swing door leaf ( 20 ) if an object is identified by the first sensor  106  in the safety zone  30  in front of the first side  201  of the swing door leaf  20 . 
     In some embodiments the first sensor  106  is adapted to measure distance to a detected object, and the reaction of the control unit  103  upon detecting an object in the safety zone  30  depends on a detected distance to the object. The operator may e.g. slow down the movement of the swing door leaf  20  if the distance to a detected object in the safety zone  30  is above a predetermined threshold, and stop the movement if the distance to a detected object in the safety zone  30  is below the predetermined threshold. Optionally the speed of the movement of the swing door leaf  20  I adjusted as a function of the detected distance to a detected object in the safety zone  30  so that a the door will smoothly come to a stop before it hits a person standing in the safety zone. It the person moves out from the safety zone, e.g. into the room, the door can increase the speed and continue the closing of the door leaf. 
     In one embodiment, the control unit  100  is configured to ignore objects detected by the first sensor  106  in the area of the safety zone  30  that is not in front of the first side  201  of the swing door leaf  20  at the current swing path position of the swing door leaf  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6  the swing door operator may comprise (or be connected to) a second sensor  107  configured to identify objects in front of a second side  202  of the swing door leaf  20 . The control unit  103  is configured to react if an object is identified by the second sensor  107  in a second safety zone  40  in front of the second side  202  of the swing door leaf  20 . The control unit  100  is in turn configured to adapt the size/area of the second safety zone  40  based on the swing path of the swing door leaf  20  and the position of the swing door leaf  20 . Compared to the prior art, the door will not detect objects placed behind the door in the open position of the door leaf  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3  the swing door operator may further also comprise a memory  111  and communication means  112 . The control unit  103  is configured to set the maximum size of the safety zone  30  and/or the second safety zone  40  based on limitation information stored on the memory  111 . The limitation information may be changed via external connection to the communication means  112  so that customized safety zones may be used or the safety zone may be changed for a door due to unique circumstances, e.g. if a permanent obstacle presents problems or if a temporarily object has to be placed in part of the safety zone  30  or the second safety zone  40 . 
     The swing door leaf  20  may further be manually opened also when the swing door operator  10  has stopped the movement of the swing door leaf  20  so that a person never can be trapped in a room by the door. This is especially important as the door has clear benefits for use in small rooms as public toilets and cupboards where there are often no other exit possibilities. 
     The control unit  103  may further be configured to initiate/activate and perform autonomous operation of the door operator  10  in cooperation with the sensor  106 . When an open door e.g. detects via the first sensor  106  a person  53  is going through the door frame  25 , the closing of the swing door leaf may be initiated automatically. 
     The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. The person skilled in the art further realizes that modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the first sensor  106  and/or second sensor  107  may be any suitable sensor able to detect the distance to objects over a sector area. The sensors may e.g. also be an array sensor row placed at the door leaf  20  top edge adapted to be controlled in line with the described invention. Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.