Control system and method for an automatic door or gate

A method of controlling the movement of a door or gate which is movable between an open position and a closed position by an automated operator, comprising the steps of:

• (a) dividing the door travel into a plurality of segments and subdividing each segment into a plurality of sectors;
• (b) sensing, at each sector, the resistance of the door or gate against opening and closing whilst moving between the open position and the closed position over a predetermined number of open-close cycles, and for each segment generating at least one signal representative of the sector in that segment having the highest resistance over the open-close cycles;
• (c) recording and storing each representative signal;
• (d) generating a resistance profile of the intervals for the door or gate over an open-close cycle of the door or gate;
• (e) calculating a resistance trip point for the door or gate for each segment based upon the resistance profile;
• (f) setting each trip point as a threshold for each segment;
• and
• (g) for each segment of movement of the door or gate, comparing such threshold to the resistance of the door or gate in the sectors of that segment and interrupting the movement of the door or gate if that threshold is exceeded.

A control system for a door or gate which is movable between an open position and a closed position by an automated operator, the automated operator including a drive motor the control system including:

• a) a pulse encoder associated with said motor generating pulses at a frequency proportional to the motor speed, with the number of pulses generated being an indication of the relative position of the door or gate, such that the pulse encoder is able to provide an indication of the resistance of the door or gate against opening or closing whilst moving between the open and the closed position over a predetermined number of open-close cycles, and thereby generates at least one signal representative of that resistance in each sector over the open-close cycles;
• b) a door travel organizer arranged to act upon the signals provided by said pulse encoder, the organiser dividing the door or gate travel into a plurality of segments, and each segment into one or more sectors, each sector being equivalent to the interval between two encoder pulses;
• c) a recorder connected to the sensor to receive each representative signal and to store such a signal;
• d) a comparator to compare each signal with a resistance trip point set for each segment and generate a resistance profile for the door or gate over an open-close cycle of the door or gate;
• e) a calculator to calculate the resistance trip point for the door or gate for each segment based upon the highest resistance encountered in any sector of that segment;
• and
• f) a controller to receive each trip point and each trip point as a threshold for each segment such that if resistance of the door or gate sensed by the sensor in any sector exceeds that threshold for that interval, the movement of the door or gate is interrupted.