Design of the force measuring system for the hinged door: Analysis of the required operating torque

Abstract

An innovative force measuring system for the hinged door with and without a door closer was developed in this study. A self-designed quarter-arc guiding track device was especially applied in this system, and thus both the door operating force as well as the door operating torque was simultaneously and effectively measured. Then, a series of experiments in the laboratory were carried out to determine the door required operating torque (ROT). The results showed that as the door closer was utilized, the ROT of the door increased significantly. There were two characteristic measuring signals, the initial operating torque (IOT) and the ROT existed individually. The difference of these two toques became greater as a lower door opening speed and a bigger size of door closer was applied. The results showed that the application of the door closer would increase users' workload so as to make the door operate intermittently especially for people with poor individual capability. Thus, suggestions of the application of a door closer were further given in accomplishing a door with universal design. Relevance to industryAn appropriate operating force measuring system and methods for the hinged door were provided here. According to the measuring signals, the workload burden level of the door operation could be effectively evaluated. Moreover, the door opening capability (DOC) score defined by the ratio of the ROT to the door-opened time was proved to be effectively utilized as the indicator of the required individual capability for users.