Automatic doors are incredibly convenient and safe these days. But how do they know when it’s the right time to open?
Mechanics is the branch of Physics that deals with motion. It is typically divided into two parts: kinematics and dynamics. Kinematics focuses on the motion of objects without considering their causes.
Controls
Automated door safety compliance is convenient in several commercial and industrial settings. They offer climate control (keeping them open or closed) and equal access, particularly for disabled users.
Most of these systems rely on sensors to detect movement around them and send signals to the door operator to open or close them. Different types of sensors are available, including motion detectors and infrared scanners. Some even utilize pressure mats to detect weight and pressure changes.
Many of these systems use multiple sensors as a failsafe to prevent the doors from closing on a person or object in their path. This excellent safety feature is used across many industries, including schools, hospitals, and shopping centers. Push buttons, fobs, or swipe cards can also trigger the sensors.
Sensors
Automatic doors rely on sensors that allow them to open when someone is in the vicinity. When these sensors detect a change in pressure or weight, they automatically signal the mechanism that opens the door.
Some popular automatic door sensors use microwave beams or infrared technology to recognize body heat. This allows them to respond to motion as soon as a person approaches, and an intercom button or mobile device can also trigger them. The sensors then pass a message to an electronic drive train that connects to the door panels and uses cog wheels and rubber belts to regulate the opening/closing movements of the doors. These mechanisms provide a safe and convenient hands-free entry experience for multifamily residents, visitors, and building staff.
Motors
The motor mechanism stores electricity and appropriately distributes it to the belts that help your automatic doors open and close. It also controls the speed and accuracy of the door’s movement.
Sensors act as the ‘eyes’ of the system, detecting movement or presence near the door to trigger its opening or closing. A push button can activate them or detect signals from access control systems like key cards, fobs, or remote controls.
Infrared sensors use passive infrared technology to detect sudden changes in temperature, such as a person’s heat signature approaching the doors. Others may use weight sensors, often disguised as mats, to trigger the doors when pedestrians stand on them. Many other types of sensors are available to suit different environments and applications.
Belts
We’ve all seen automatic doors at supermarkets, hotels, hospitals, and office buildings. They are a welcome convenience that enables people to enter and exit buildings without touching the door handles, a vital requirement in the post-COVID-19 era.
This feature is essential for wheelchair users, children, older adults, and others with mobility issues or limited strength. It also makes a building more welcoming to customers.
A sensor detects someone approaching and sends a signal to the door operating mechanism, which opens the door. Several door operators exist, including sliding, swing, and revolving doors. Each operates a bit differently, but all have the same essential components. These include the door controller and gear motor. The motor drives the belts and pulleys that open the door.
Rollers
There are many kinds of automatic doors, but all rely on sensors to open upon sensing a person’s approach. Microwave pulses, infrared sensors, or a simple floor mat actuator can activate the sensors.
Once the sensors detect a person, they signal the door operator. The door operator is a motorized device attached to the door panels. This motor can move sliding, swing, or revolving doors into place.
Many businesses prefer to install automatic doors because they promote safety, a clean environment, and a seamless, hand-free entry experience for their customers. They can also improve the image of a business by conveying a sense of efficiency and modernity. In addition, they comply with ADA requirements for accessibility and can help maintain a consistent indoor temperature, saving energy costs.
