Capacitive door safety systems in buses and trains: prevention of contact reduces the risk of falls

Ever more passengers, short cycle times, and people with limited mobility: today’s public transport faces tremendous challenges with respect to passenger safety. Due to more than 30 years of experience with safety systems Mayser today plays a leading role in preventing injuries in entry and exit areas, and equips vehicles around the world with its products. At InnoTrans 2018 Mayser will present its most important systems for buses and trains.
In addition to sensors and rubber profiles with safety elements and safety steps, Mayser also offers non-touch obstacle detection systems for doors and will present its Non-Touch Detection System for buses and trains at the trade fair. The system is an intelligent supplement to pressure-sensitive door safety systems, which prevent people from being caught and dragged along, but do not provide full protection against bumps and falls.

Measurement of electrical fields
The Non-Touch Detection System from Mayser operates on the basis of capacitive sensors, which are inserted in finger protection profiles with soft closing edges. If a person approaches the active zone of the sensor, then its electrical field changes. By means of a signal to the door control system the person is detected before contact occurs, and the movement of the door is stopped. The impossibility of contact with the door prevents the occurrence of serious accidents.

Precise and economical
Another major advantage: as opposed to light barriers or scanners, the Non-Touch Detection System responds only to conductive objects in the immediate danger area. Environmental influences such as snow, rain or drifting leaves therefore do not trigger a false detection, and cycle time delays are reduced.
The system has been tested extensively; it is suitable for different door types, such as internal swing doors and sliding swing doors, and is designed for easy retrofitting. This is an important economical aspect for public transport, which faces the pressure of rising costs. Operating companies can therefore more easily implement measures for increasing the safety of automatic vehicle doors.