How Does an Automatic Door Work?

Automatic doors are such a natural part of everyday lives that you barely notice how efficient they are—until, perhaps, you start wondering how does an automatic door works. Well, most people realize sensors play a part, but there’s a lot more happening behind the scenes than the simple magic as you get close to them.

Let’s take a closer look at what automatic doors are and break down how they work step by step.

What is an Automatic Door?

An automatic door is one that opens and closes by itself, without requiring manual effort. Their general aim is to ease entry and exit in high-traffic places like hospitals, shopping malls, and office buildings. Though there are also numerous other benefits.

The whole setup consists of several components including two-three kinds of sensors,  control mechanisms, and electric motors that work together to first detect the presence of a person or object, open the door automatically, and then close again after they pass.

How Does an Automatic Door Work? 

Let’s break down the process of how does an automatic door work; detecting, opening, and closing by itself.

Step 1: A Sensor Activate

Sensors are the “eyes” of an automatic door system that detect when a person or object approaches and trigger the mechanical parts. There are several types of sensors with different triggers:

1. Motion Sensors detect movement within a certain range, using infrared cameras or ultrasound devices. So when someone enters this detection zone, the camera registers the movement and signals the door to open.
2. Pressure Sensors are placed on the ground, embedded in the mats or floor. When someone steps on them, their weight activates the sensor and triggers the door to open.
3. Optical Sensors use light or laser beams to create an invisible “net” around the door area. So when someone breaks the beam it prompts the door to open.
4. Push buttons aren’t fully automatic options, but still are useful to prompt the door to open from afar or as a backup when sensors might miss movements.

Step 2: Transmission to the Control Mechanism

The control mechanism is essentially the “brain” of the system, which receives a positive signal from the sensors and then weights if it meets the activation condition. Let’s say a small bird flies close to the door, the sensors might register its presence and signal the door to open. However, the control system will analyze and conclude that the movement is too small or too fast. So, it will block the signal, and the door will remain closed.

This feature essentially fine-tunes the operation, keeping the doors responsive only to people or large objects, and reducing unnecessary openings.

Step 3: Opening Mechanism

Once the control system gives the green light, it sends the signal to a motor that moves the door panels. The way they open depends on the type of door:

1. Automatic sliding doors slide sideways on a track, with the motor either pushing or pulling the panels along. You’ll often see these in places that need a wide entrance, like malls or airports.
2. Automatic swinging doors use a motorized arm to open inward or outward. They’re less common and usually found where aesthetics or design matter more.
3. Revolving Doors are common in high-traffic areas where climate control is important, such as hotels lobbies and office buildings. They rotate in a circular motion, allowing people to enter and exit without significant air exchange.

Step 4: Safety Checks and Obstacle Detection

Many automatic doors come equipped with additional safety features that make them “intelligent.” For example, once the door opens, sensors along the door’s edges or on the floor scan for anything in the way. If a person or object is in the path, the door either stays open or re-opens if it is starting to close. 

Some doors will even trigger an alarm if something is blocking the way too long, reminding people to clear the space. This all makes for a smoother, hands-free experience while keeping people safe.

Step 5: Closing the Door

Finally, once you’ve walked through, the door either senses the path is clear or relies on a timer to begin closing after a few seconds, mostly, it’s the timer. This time interval can be adjusted based on the volume of traffic and environmental needs. 

If the sensors pick up an obstacle, though, they’ll pause the closing until the path is clear. 

Here’s an animated video explaining concepts of how different components of an automatic door work. 

Why do you Need an Automatic Door?

Apart from just convenience of entering and exiting a place, automatic doors provide several other benefits, including:

1. Energy Efficiency – By opening only when necessary and closing immediately afterwards, automatic doors help to minimize air exchange and minimize the heating and cooling bills.
2. Enhanced Security – With an integrated access control system, automatic doors act like guards that only allow entry to authorized personnel without the need for constant surveillance.
3. Accessibility – The hands-free approach makes the experience of passing doors much easier for the elderly, people carrying items, pushing strollers, or those with mobility challenges.
4. Hygiene and Health – With minimum contact from people, these doors reduce the spread of germs by manifold, especially useful in a healthcare setting.

Conclusion

Now that you understand how does an automatic door works, it’s easy to see why they’ve become essential in modern business infrastructure. With the convenience, efficiency, and accessibility they offer, it’s likely we’ll see automatic doors enhancing other environments in the near future. 

MANLEE offers high-quality automatic doors with a full range of customizable options, no matter the setting. Contact us today to get tailored quotes from our team of expert door designers and bring seamless, stylish solutions to your space.

FAQs

Q: How do automatic doors know when to open and close?

Automatic doors use sensors to detect the movement or presence of a person and trigger the opening mechanism. Once the area is clear, they close automatically, often after a certain time or based on detection from additional sensors.

Q: What triggers automatic doors?

Various triggers are available, including motion sensors, pressure mats, push buttons, and access controls like keypads or intercom systems that activate automatic doors.

Q: How are automatic doors programmed?

The automatic doors’ control mechanism is programmed to interpret signals from sensors and activate the door’s motor system based on pre-set parameters like timer settings or proximity.

Q: How do automatic door sensors work?

Automatic door sensors either detect motion with infrared camera, ultrasounds, or depend on pressure sensors integrated into floor or floor mats. If the detection comes positive, they pass the signal to the control system to open the door.