Overhead door spring malfunction detection and notification
AssigneeGentex Corporation
InventorTodd R. Witkowski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for detecting broken springs in overhead doors having automatic door openers includes an automatic door opener having a motor, a sensor configured to monitor performance of the motor in the door opener, and a processor in communication with the sensor. The processor is configured to compare the motor performance with a predetermined threshold level and send an alert when motor performance exceeds the predetermined threshold level.
Claims9
A system for detecting breakage of a spring in overhead doors equipped with automatic door openers comprising:
- an automatic door opener having a motor;
- a sensor configured to monitor motor performance;
- and
- a processor in communication with the sensor and configured to:
- compare motor performance to a predetermined threshold motor performance level;
- and
- communicate with a rearview assembly when motor performance exceeds the threshold performance level.
A system for detecting broken springs in overhead doors having automatic door openers with motors comprising:
- an automatic door opener having a motor;
- a sensor in communication with the motor and configured to monitor a load on the motor;
- a processor in communication with the sensor and configured to compare the load on the motor with a predetermined threshold level and to cause a signal to be sent to a controller when the load on the motor exceeds the predetermined threshold level;
- and
- a rearview assembly comprising the controller and configured to display a message when the controller receives the signal indicating the motor loading has exceeded the predetermined threshold level;
- wherein the processor is configured to communicate with the controller.
A method of sending an alert when a door spring breaks comprising the steps of:
- providing a sensor configured to monitor performance of a door opener motor, and a processor in communication with the sensor;
- monitoring the motor performance with the sensor;
- comparing, by the processor, the motor performance with a predetermined threshold level;
- and
- causing, when the motor performance exceeds the predetermined threshold level, an alert to be generated and transmitted to a rearview assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.