SensIQ sonic: A New Level of Passenger Safety with Ultrasonic Sensor Technology – The Next Generation in Door Safety Systems from HÜBNER
An innovative new development from HÜBNER: Ultrasonic sensor technology is the functional basis for SensIQ sonic – a new generation in door safety and anti-trap protection systems in public transport vehicles. At the InnoTrans in Berlin (20 – 23 September 2022), the HÜBNER Group will be presenting the latest development in the SensIQ product range as a world first.
Martin Breuniger, head of the Rail & Bus Business Unit in HÜBNER’s Material Solutions division, explained:Ultrasonic technology delivers significant advantages over conventional pneumatic systems in function-monitored sensor systems for the seals in closing doors. SensIQ sonic is maintenance-free and continues to function properly even if small fissures develop in the profile.
Greater Safety and Reduced Vehicle Downtime
Both transport operators and vehicle manufacturers will benefit from the advantages of ultrasonic technology.
Breuninger confirms:SensIQ sonic brings passenger safety to a new level and ensures reduced vehicle downtime.
An overview of SensIQ sonic benefits:
- Consistent sensitivity throughout the whole product life cycle
- Unaffected by chemical and physical influences throughout the whole product life cycle
- Minimal installation effort (plug and play)
- Maintenance-free and self-monitoring
- Consistent functional performance even with large temperature fluctuations (-40°C to +80°C)
- Similar function and sensitivity to pneumatic pressure wave switches and electrical safety edges
- Compatible with standard control devices: Electrical safety edges / Pneumatic pressure wave / Operating voltage 12V/24V in the vehicle electrical system
- Self-calibrating
- Compatible with all common elastomers
- Logging and readout of triggering times possible with circular buffer
SensIQ sonic Combines Advantages of Conventional Systems
Compared to conventional tactile safety edges, HÜBNER has developed an application that requires significantly less effort during installation.
Marcel Burhenn, development engineer in HÜBNER's Smart Solutions department, said:With SensIQ sonic, it is no longer necessary for a sensor element to be drawn into a profile over its full length. In addition to this, SensIQ combines the functional advantages of pneumatic systems with the monitoring capability of tactile safety edges.
Minimization of Potential Risks from Cleaning Agents and Rubber Additives
At the same time, the new technology is not subject to risks from the use of certain rubber additives or inappropriate cleaning agents. These can result in material fatigue which in conventional safety edge systems can lead to a loss in conductivity and impaired functionality. SensIQ sonic will be built into a compact housing, which is then inserted into one end of the elastomer profile. The other end can simply be closed with a cap or plug. Otherwise, all that remains to be done with this system is to run a cable to the door of the train or bus.
Currently, SensIQ sonic is still in the development stage.
Breuninger, said:We are very confident, however, that we will be able to deliver this next generation in protection profiles to our customers by the end of the 2023.
Prototype testing is planned for the middle of 2023.
This article was originally published by HÜBNER.
