How to Choose auto sensores?

Many people believe that automatic doors are modern inventions.

Click here to get more.

Not quite. It’s a surprise for you that automatic doors are around for half a century. Over the years, the technology on automatic doors or gates become sophisticated.  Well, this technological advancement paves the way to the rise of other different sensors responsible for opening or closing a door.

Have you wondered how these doors detect the presence of an individual?  You would think that there’s the magic behind the principle of automatic doors.

No, there’s no magic involved here. Sensors play an important role in why the doors open or close. Most automatic doors or gates have optical and motion sensors that the door’s opening/closing mechanisms. You can see these sensors on either side of the door. Some sensors are mounted on the wall or controlled by a remote.

Automatic door sensors are present in homes and industrial buildings. The commercial establishment has door sensors to allow people (especially the elderly and disabled) have full access to the building.

Let’s say you want to buy an automatic door sensor for your home or office. What sensor would you need?

For you to answer such a question, let’s first get familiar with the different types of automatic doors in the market.

Types of Automatic Door Sensors

Pressure Sensors

If your grandparents told you about the control mats, you might have an idea about this type of sensor. During the s control mats are used to detect approaching pedestrians. The mats can detect pressure or weight on a particular area on the ambles ore back of a door or gate.

How does pressure sensors work?

It’s simple. Once there’s pressure or weight in a specific part of the mat, the door would open. Control mats have set limits that are less than human weight. If a person stands on the mat, the trigger limit or exceeds limit would activate and open the door.

Different Needs for Pressure Sensors

People on a building wouldn’t need to touch or open the door to open it. For example, your hands Are full of documents, you only stand on the pressure-sensitive area of the mat, and the door would open.

It’s the same way with seniors and disabled people who wouldn’t experience in entering or exiting a building because of pressure sensors.

Why?

Since the door remains open when a person is standing or walking in the mat, the doors would close in on the person.

Motion or Optical Sensors

Like pressure sensors, motion sensors are used to open or close doors in buildings or even homes. But, motion sensors detect for motion in front of a door or gate.

For example, a person walks and stands near the door. Microwave beams in the sensors detect the movement, and the door would open. The beam stems from an antenna that’s installed on the door’s header.

Motion sensors are effective, but here’s a downside. These sensors can only find and detect motion coming from the outside of the door or gate. A person walks slowly or stands on the door wouldn’t be detected.

Let’s take a look at this example:

If a senior citizen manages to enter the door but walks slowly halfway on the entrance, the doors would close. Hence, the senior citizen would get into an accident.

Different Needs for Motion Sensors

Most office and industrial establishments use motion sensors to allow the easy and swift entrance of employees. You can also install motion sensors at home, especially if you have senior relatives living there.

But, take note: possible accidents might happen if the sensors don’t detect motion. It’s best to accompany senior citizens when they enter an automatic door that has motion sensors.

Infrared Sensors

Through the use of infrared technology, infrared sensors trigger a door to open or close. The unique thing about these sensors is that it detects changes in temperature outside the doors. So, when a person approaches a door, the sensors would detect heat coming from the person. Then, the door would open.

Different Needs for Infrared Sensors

Most industrial buildings use infrared sensors due to its reliability and efficiency. These sensors allow office employees to enter an automatic door without touching it. Persons with disabilities (PWDs) face no hassles in entering doors due to infrared sensors. 

If you’re carrying bags and can’t open the door, infrared sensors enable you to enter the building easily.

Featured content:
Questions You Should Know about shacman l3000 4x2 lorry trucks

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Autolin.

But, here’s the problem, not all these sensors don’t work 100% efficiently. You have to combine different sensors in a single system so that you or other people can open an automatic door more successfully.

So, the need to use sensor combinations arise.

Sensor Combinations

A single automatic sensor might result in oversight or hiccups on any person who would enter the door. So, different sensor combinations are used to allow people to use doors more efficiently.

Here’s an example:

Motion sensors can detect motions from a person walking or standing near the door. But, what would happen if the person (such as senior citizen) walks slowly?

Yes, you’re right! The motion sensors wouldn’t detect any motion. So, pressure sensors are used to identify the weight of a person. In this way, the doors wouldn’t close in even if the person moves away from the door.

How to Pick the Best Sensor?

Automatic door sensors are all effective, regardless of the style and design of the door. But, some of these sensors have little downside. For example, motion sensors only detect motion coming from a person entering the room. The doors would close in if the person (such as an elderly) saunters to the door.

Meanwhile, infrared sensors only detect body heat from an approaching individual and close the door when the sensors can no longer detect the heat signature.

So, you choose the best sensor, depending on your needs and safety.

For example, pressure sensors are an excellent choice for people entering a building. The doors wouldn’t close in as the person in pressure area near the door. Motion sensors are also the right choice but keep in mind to check on the seniors using the door.

Also, instead of choosing a single sensor, why not use sensor combinations such as motion and pressure sensors to open the door successfully. Your choice would still depend on you!

As technology rapidly evolves, our lives are undergoing major transformations. From the convenience of e-commerce and mobile payments thanks to the growth of 5G, the Internet of Things, and breakthrough innovations in smart transportation, healthcare, autonomous vehicles, and artificial intelligence, we are moving into an era that is becoming ever more intelligent and digital.

A notable example can be seen in our everyday travel experiences. When we enter or exit hotels, airports, stations, shopping malls or even convenience stores, we no longer have to manually open or close doors. Instead, these entryways have been replaced with sleek, convenient and intelligent automatic doors. This not only enhances our ease of access but also improves safety. Furthermore, when equipped with the right sensors, these doors can conserve energy and increase efficiency for property owners, serving multiple purposes at once!

The Importance of Sensors for Automatic Doors

The performance and functionality of automatic doors differ based on their application. For instance, office buildings require doors with identity recognition and minimal noise operation, while nursing homes and residential areas calls for a high level of safety. Clean rooms of pharmaceutical and food processing facilities need doors with enhanced sealing whereas in shopping malls and stations, traffic flow and pedestrian safety are key considerations. In addition to the door operator’s design and performance, the choice of sensor is also a crucial factor.

Sensors in automatic doors have two key functions: Activation and Safety. First, it triggers the door to open by sending a signal to the door operator when it detects signals indicating the need for the door to open. Second, it acts as a safety measure, preventing the door panel from striking pedestrians during opening and closing cycles. Additionally, identity recognition systems such as access control cards, fingerprint scanners, facial recognition, also fall under the category of sensors.

How to Select Opening Sensors for Automatic Sliding Doors?

Microwave radar sensors have become the preferred choice for opening sensors due to their high stability and strong environmental adaptability. When selecting microwave sensors, it is crucial to consider the compliance of the emission frequency and power, as well as the stability of the detection area, ensuring that the performance remains unaffected by rain, door panel movement, or vibrations). Sensors with direction recognition capabilities can distinguish whether pedestrians are approaching or moving away, and only responding those who are approaching. This minimizes unnecessary openings, saving energy for air conditioning and heating, and supports energy conservation goals by improving energy efficiency and lower carbon footprint.

Which microwave sensors are recommended?

BEA offers a variety of microwave sensors that have been reliable in the market for years, including the classic and well-established products such as MW8, ZEN and Eagle 6+. A standout, highly recommended option would be the Eagle ARTEK. Thanks to its unidirectional radar technology, the door opens only when a pedestrian approaches, reducing unnecessary openings, contributing to energy savings.

How to Select Safety Sensors for Automatic Sliding Doors?

Safety protection is another key function of automatic doors. In accordance with both domestic and international industry standards, all automatic doors must be equipped with safety measures to ensure pedestrian safety and prevent any accidental collisions with the door leaf. Common safety solutions in the market include photo beams and infrared light curtain sensors.

Photo Beams

Traditional photo beams have drawbacks, such as application limitations and complicated installation. While they offer some protection, their coverage range is limited, and the installation process can be complex. Aligning photo beams is difficult, wiring can be complex, and the sensors are prone to interference from sunlight and other reflective objects, leading to missed or false detections. This issue is present especially for frameless glass doors where installations pose to be particularly challenging. Therefore, photo beams are generally not advised for safety protection.

Infrared Light Curtain Sensors

As shown from the video, it clearly demonstrates that infrared light curtain offers significant superior protection compared to photo-beams, making it more reliable, stable and a preferred choice. When light curtain sensors are installed on both the interior and exterior of an automatic door, the infrared light sensor generates a light curtain on each side of the door.

Photo Beam vs Infrared Sensor

When an object passes through and “interrupts” the light curtain, it triggers the safety mechanism, causing the movement of the door leaf to either stop or reverse. This design not only enhances safety but is easy to install too. Thanks to the Background Analysis technology that is adopted in light curtain sensors, it is less affected by light interference and relatively more stable in sunlight and glass-reflective environments. It is especially ideal for modern frameless glass doors, and provides comprehensive and safety protection for pedestrians using automatic doors.

Comparison of Safety Protection Sensor Technologies on the Market Photo Beam Infrared Light Curtain Laser Curtain

Which light curtain sensors are recommended?

The two-in-one sensor, which integrates microwave technology for activation and infrared light curtain technology for safety protection, is an ideal solution for automatic doors.

BEA’s two-in-one sensor, ZENSAFE, is a great alternative to photo beams to the traditional photo beams. The infrared light curtain features 24 infrared light spots, ensuring stable detection of test bodies that meet the required standards. ZENSAFE provides reliable performance, a straightforward set up installation and is easy to maintain.

For door control systems that must adhere to Chinese or European standards, BEA’s two-in-one products from the VIO and IXIO series are excellent choices. These products feature two light curtains for safety protection, meeting the standards EN ISO -1 PL «c» CAT. 2 and European TUV certification. They have been widely adopted in the global market for years and are highly regarded by users for their reliability and performance.

For specific doors with openings that exceed standard dimensions in width or height, laser sensors are an ideal solution due to their high precision and long-range detection capabilities. Such sensors are especially well-suited for ultra-high, ultra-wide door openings, ensuring comprehensive safety coverage.

The BEA’s LZR-FLATSCAN SL is a laser sensor specially designed for automatic sliding doors. With a maximum installation height of 5 meters and a protection width of up to 6 meters, it effectively covers hazardous areas of the various types of sliding doors. In addition, the FLATSCAN-SL features a virtual button function for door opening, providing increased flexibility and convenience. It is widely used in both hospital and balcony doors.

In addition to providing solutions for sliding doors, BEA offers a diverse range of sensor products that can be adapted to different types of doors, including swing and revolving doors, catering to a wide range of application scenarios.

For more auto sensoresinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.