Door opener control with adaptive limits and method therefor

Abstract

A garage door operator has a microcomputer based control which is programmed to measure door position from full open position by counting motor revolutions and to determine motor speed and deceleration for each revolution. The program learns the open and closed position limits as well as force sensitivity limits for up and down operation with minimal user input. During normal door operation the closed limit and the sensitivity limits are adaptively adjusted to accommodate changes in conditions. The lowest up and down motor speeds in each operation are stored for comparison with motor speeds in the next like operation for obstruction detection. Motor deceleration is also monitored for obstruction detection. For a more sensitive obstruction detection during closing, the motor speed is mapped for each revolution for the last several inches of closing. The map is stored after each successful closing operation and the corresponding speeds in the next closing are compared point-by point with the mapped speeds to detect slow down due to touching an obstruction.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.