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Active infrared sensors
The principle behind infrared automatic door sensors is the transmission and receiving of infrared light. An element known as a light emitting diode (LED) transmits active infrared light, which is reflected on the floor and received by an optical receiver known as a photo diode (PD). As long as there is no movement or object in the path of the light beam, the light pattern is static and the sensor remains in stand-by.
When a person or object crosses the beam, the reflection of the light is distorted. This is registered by the PD, which gives off an impulse for opening the door.
Sensors differ in the number of rows of active infrared spots. These spots are collectively referred to as the detection area.
Because objects cause a distortion in the reflected light pattern, active infrared sensors also react to shopping carts and other moving objects.
Initially, the sensor is set according to the situation at the location. Any time there is a change in this standard state, it is recognized. The sensor is also able to continue to recognize this situation.
Active infrared sensors are excellent as a safeguard at the door opening because of their ability to continue recognizing changes that occur in the detection area. Some sensors may incorporate a second row of detection areas to create a safety area in addition to the standard first row. The safety area prevents the door from closing prematurely.
As long as there is a person or object in the detection area, the sensor remains active, preventing the door from closing. This ensures an additional layer of safety over other types of sensors as the door does not close while someone is in the detection area. There is no theoretical limit to the maximum time that can be set for a sensor, though this does depend on the type of sensor. A safety area is sometimes employed for when the door is open for a long period of time.
Active infrared door sensors are generally immune to the effects of external factors such as rain, snow and falling leaves. Although the sensor registers this type of movement, intelligent software is employed to screen such factors out.
Passive infrared sensors
A passive infrared door sensor works on the basis of ambient temperature. It measures the temperature and emits a pulse as soon as there is a change, recognized as 1° C or about 1.8° F when a person is walking at 1.2 meters (4 feet) per second. A passive infrared sensor therefore reacts only to objects that radiate a particular temperature, such as humans or animals. Baby carriages, shopping carts and wheelchairs are not detected, though the person behind or in them are. In practice, a passive infrared sensor is mainly intended for use in a conditioned environment, such as inside buildings.
A door sensor using a microwave technique works according to a completely different principle than one based on infrared rays. With microwaves, an antenna constantly emits a "balloon" at a specific frequency (24.125 GHz). As soon as there is a change in the volume of the balloon, the sensor reacts. This may be triggered by either an object or a person. A microwave sensor thus reacts to baby carriages, shopping carts and wheelchairs as well as people.
A major difference from other sensor types is that the microwave sensor becomes accustomed to anything in its detection area if it remains. The microwave sensor therefore stops emitting the pulse for opening the door if a person or object stays in the area.
Most microwave sensors are available in two types, unidirectional or bi-directional. If a faster closing door is required, a unidirectional microwave type is recommended. Such sensors react only to exiting traffic.
Some microwave sensors also incorporate both functionalities. The desired function can be switched according to need.
Safety beams also use an active infrared technique. Safety beams are fitted in the door opening, serving to prevent the doors from closing prematurely. The transmitter and receiver are installed opposite each other. As long as the beam is interrupted between the transmitter and receiver, the door is prevented from closing.
A miniature safety beam guarantees stable and dependable operation, even in bad circumstances. The innovative design makes installation very simple and fits all door profiles.
Insensitive to sunlight
The safety beam is insensitive to horizontal, incident light, even sunlight. The infrared beam is emitted by a light emitting diode (LED) installed in the transmitter head and detected by a photo diode (PD) in the receiver head. The wavelength of the infrared beam is about 0.9 mm (near infrared).
The beam type used in the safety beam photo-electric detector is sensitive to a variety of light such as sunlight, car headlights and lightning flashes. A pulsating code is therefore used in the infrared beam to filter out these light sources from the emitted safety beam. The safety beam receiver is constructed so that it reacts only to interruptions in this pulsating infrared beam. Other light sources therefore do not affect the receiver.
Strong light filter system
Conventionally, safety beams are affected by directly incident sunlight in the receiver, resulting in non-activation. OPTEX has incorporated a light filter in the safety beam to ensure faultless operation even in strong sunlight.
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