Automatic electric sliding doors have quickly become the standard way for individuals to gain entrance to a building. But, even so, very few stop to think about the inner mechanics allowing these pieces of technology to function. This is how automatic sliding door mechanisms work.

Main Door Essentials

Before we can get into the specifics of how automatic sliding doors mechanisms open and close, it’s important to understand some of their fundamental parts. While there are certainly more pieces to an automatic door than can be listed here, a few of them are absolutely necessary to know. These are the main parts to keep in mind:

Door Panels

For starters, every electric sliding door consists of a series of panels. Two of these window panes will remain fixed to the outer edges of the entryway, while two other sections will make up the movable portion of the door. As the doors open, the moving windows will slide over the fixed models and create an obstruction-free space for individuals to enter.

Tracks and Rollers

Tracks and rollers, on the other hand, are what allow the automatic door mechanism to move. Positioned above and below the entryway, these components push and pull the door panels open or closed. This requires an electric signal to be fed to the belts surrounding the rollers, which causes them to slide across the track, carrying the moving door panels with them.

Motor Mechanism

The motor mechanism is what stores electricity and appropriately distributes it to the belts that help move the electric sliding doors. They’re connected by an auxiliary drive which helps control the amount of energy being exerted on the belt.

Optical Sensors

Then, lastly, the optical sensor is what tells the automatic sliding door mechanism to release that energy. As an individual approaches the door, the optical sensor, or motion detector, will notice them and activate the motor. These sensors can also be installed in the form of pressure plates depending on the type of door your building uses.

The Movement of an Automatic Door

In order to fully understand how automatic sliding doors work, you need to know how all these different components function together. When movement is picked up by the sensors, the motor mechanism is triggered to start moving its belt. This will cause the rollers to move along the tracks and pull the doors open. Once the signal from the sensor is gone, the motor will turn off and the rollers will slowly return to their former position. Keep in mind, this process might vary depending on the type of door you have installed, and your automatic door mechanism may use additional components to accomplish the same effect.

Automatic sliding doors truly are the most efficient technological advancement for standard commercial use. At Pacific Entrance LLC , we set out to provide each of our customers with the methods to obtain these revolutionary mechanisms. Our automatic commercial sliding door installation and repair services will work with your schedule to ensure that your building’s entrances are always operational. Contact us today to learn more!