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What is an Elevator Door Detector?
An Elevator Door Detector also known as an elevator light curtain, elevator door sensor, is a sensor-based device installed in most commercial and residential elevators. The purpose of these detectors is to detect obstacles like humans or other materials in the elevator door. A functioning detector keeps the doors open until the obstacle is removed.
Having a good elevator door detector is important to prevent unnecessary injuries. For example, a door closing on a pet or human could be catastrophic. We’ll look at how elevator door sensors work, what they accomplish, and the top manufacturers that handle these products.
How Do Elevators Detect People?
Elevator door detectors use sensors to detect obstacles in their path. The mechanism uses a sender and receiver to find obstacles. The sender sends out an electromagnetic signal directly to the receiver usually in the form of invisible beams.
If an obstacle cuts the path of the beams, the light or signal cannot reach the receiver. The receiving sensor notices this and generates an electric signal. The sensors are attached to mechanical parts like the pulleys and doors.
Due to the obstruction signal, the mechanism opens the doors and keeps it open until the obstruction is removed. The type of sensor and extra accessories used can vary significantly according to manufacturer and product.
Different Types of Elevator Door Detectors
Most high-end elevators use multiple types of sensors for extra elevator door protection. The mechanisms and sensors used are as follows:
Infrared Sensors
These sensors use infrared electromagnetic waves to detect the presence of a person or object in their path. If something blocks the infrared waves from reaching the receptors, the sensors determine the presence of an obstruction to keep the doors from closing.
Photoelectric Sensors
These 3D detectors and elevator door sensors use light and the photoelectric effect to detect objects in their path. You can visualize it as a light curtain in the doorway that is blocked when something obstructs the elevator door. Photoelectric sensors are also known for finding the orientation of different obstacles.
Ultrasonic Sensors
These door sensors use sound to determine the distance of obstacles from the door. The echo and receiver help the mechanism understand the depth, orientation, and other aspects of obstacles. It’s a great way to keep the elevator doors open at the right point in time in an efficient and productive way.
Hall Effect Sensors
These sensors rely on electric currents and induction to determine the positioning, speed, and other aspects of obstacles. While these are rarely used in car doors, they are still an important part of elevators to prevent derailment.
Which Door Sensors Do Most Elevators Use?
Most elevators use a combination of Photoelectric and Infrared sensors for door protection. Photoelectric sensors are generally used in and near the doors to power the automatic open and close functions. These sensors have a detection range of 4000mm which provides unmatched precision and security.
Furthermore, these sensors supply a steady collection of 90 to 180 beams. Having this coverage allows it to detect even small obstacles with the utmost precision. Modern elevator door protection sensors are also fine-tuned to offer low power consumption.
Importance of Elevator Door Sensors
There are three main reasons to use an elevator door sensor:
- Automation: Having the right sensor configuration automates the closing and opening functions of an elevator door. It makes them more convenient to use, especially in commercial stores or industrial complexes.
- Safety: Getting caught in an elevator door is like a scene from a Final Destination movie. Having these sensors in place prevents them from closing pre-emptively and putting the passenger at risk.
- Legal Compliance: According to some elevator safety standards, the elevators have to be equipped with a door sensor for extra safety. While these rules aren’t universal, staying on the safe side won’t do you any harm.
The first two reasons hold the most precedence because they actively provide value and safety.
Elevator Door Detector Price
Elevator door detectors can cost between $45 and $60. The price varies according to the manufacturer, type of elevator door protection system that you’re installing, and the components that you’re buying with it. For example, some door sensor packages might not include a power supply.
Other costs that you might have to account for are the installation, adjustments, and extra power consumption. The latter cost of power is minimal thanks to the leading edge technology that modern elevator door detectors use.
List Elevator Door Detector Manufacture
While there are hundreds of bespoke door protection sensors, we only trust the best. Here are some of the best elevator door detector manufacturers:
1. Weco Elevator Door Detectors
WECO is one of the most reliable elevator door detector manufacturers. Door detectors from this manufacturer are spread in more than 100 countries. They are known for their quality and astounding quality of door detectors.
Some of their more popular elevator door detectors include the A, B, L, BMX, SIX, and SMX variations. WECO has a door detector for just about any situation and orientation.
2. Kone
Kone is another leading door detector manufacturer that combines modernity with safety and security. They combine 2D and 3D technology to give a comprehensive door safety solution. The base model for their elevator door detector is a door-mounted detector named Formula Safescreen.
It includes a patented infrared beam detector that works independently. It increases concise detection and works even when a few beams of the sensor fail. While it’s a great improvement, this model isn’t compatible with every type of elevator.
3. Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi is one of the world’s biggest and most well-established electronic parts manufacturers. The company is well known for its quality, assurance, and reliance. They present all these aspects even in their electric door sensors.
With fine-tuned Mitsubishi Light Curtain Door Sensors MX-84P-M7C, passenger safety is guaranteed. The only downside of Mitsubishi products is their steep price. Their door sensors cost twice the standard amount, which makes them unreasonable.
4. Dazen: Distributor of Weco
At DAZEN, we provide our customers with the most affordable and reliable solutions. That’s why we partner with solutions like Weco, which are known for their affordability, reliance, and safety. You can get all kinds of Weco products worldwide, with the extra assurance of DAZEN.
With DAZEN and Weco, you can find the best elevator door detectors for your residential or home elevators. We’ll help you around the clock, through the installation process, to ensure that everything is in working condition.
Contact us at info@dazenelevator.com to get started. Get modernization, security, and affordability, in an all-inclusive package.