Our success story with Wanzl GmbH & Co. KGaA

The retail sector is facing constant challenges: Customer expectations are rising, technological innovations are changing the market and security is more crucial than ever. Modern shopfitting solutions play a central role here – from intelligent room concepts to fully automated access systems. For a space-saving and barrier-free entrance design, Wanzl developed the „SlidingDoor“ access gate with automatic sliding doors. In order to safeguard the system in the event of power failures, Wanzl was looking for an integrable and maintenance-free DC emergency power supply that could fulfil the high quality and safety requirements of the application.

Project description

The „SlidingDoor“ was specially developed by Wanzl for modern entrance and exit areas and offers the ideal solution for companies with high security and convenience requirements. With the independent opening and closing mechanism of the sliding doors, access areas can be restricted or flows of people can be controlled effectively and barrier-free. The system is ideal for applications such as shop areas, self-service checkouts, company entrances and fitness centres. The „SlidingDoor“ is equipped with state-of-the-art drive technology and is available with an emergency opening function in the event of a power failure or fire.

The challenge

The „SlidingDoor“ drives are supplied with 24 V by an upstream AC/DC power supply unit. A sudden power failure – whether due to a technical defect or in the event of a fire – can result in the door remaining closed and escape routes being blocked. In an emergency, this could jeopardise the safety of people in the building. In order to guarantee safe passage in any situation, the system developers at Wanzl looked for an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) that would ensure that the door opens reliably at the crucial moment and that the escape route remains permanently unblocked. To achieve this, sufficient energy must be available in the UPS buffer storage at all times to ensure that the door opens safely. In regular operation, the drive requires a current of 2.3 A, while 5 A peak must be available at short notice during the safety test. The solution not only had to be able to be integrated into the existing system in a space-saving manner, but also offer maintenance-free, long-term stable energy storage technology. Traditional battery solutions were therefore out of the question.

The solution

In Bicker Elektronik, the system developers at Wanzl not only found a power supply specialist and technology partner, but also the optimal solution for the uninterruptible 24V DC emergency power supply of the „SlidingDoor“ system: The customised DC UPS module BICKER UPSIC-2403-B3 with Supercaps as energy storage. Thanks to the high cycle stability of up to 500,000 charging and discharging cycles, the maintenance-free ultracapacitors (so-called Supercaps) offer an exceptionally long service life and require no maintenance. In addition, the energy storage unit is charged and ready for use within a very short time.

Thanks to their compact dimensions and high power density, the DC UPS modules can be integrated in a space-saving manner. One UPSIC-2403-B3 from Bicker Elektronik is installed in each of the two columns of the „SlidingDoor“. The specially customised B3 variant reliably provides the peak power required for the safety check after assembly, installation or repair of the access interlock. In normal operation, the charging and control electronics of the DC UPS forwards the input voltage to the output with a minimal reduction, charges the Supercaps and monitors the voltage thresholds at the input. If the voltage falls below the defined threshold voltage, the UPSIC-2403-B3 switches to backup operation within a split second and ensures an uninterrupted and regulated 24 VDC power supply at the output.

High temperature resistance for reliable use

The „SlidingDoor“ is operated in an ambient temperature range of +5°C to +50°C. However, the UPSIC-2403-B3 is designed for a significantly wider operating temperature range of -20°C to +70°C. It therefore surpasses the temperature requirements of the Wanzl system significantly and offers additional system reserves for long-term use thanks to its high-quality components.

Supercaps - short charging times, long service life!

For uninterruptible DC power supplies, maintenance-free Supercaps are available as highly efficient and particularly long-lasting energy storage devices with up to 500,000 charge and discharge cycles for short and medium bridging times. In contrast to batteries, which store energy via a chemical reaction, Supercaps are based on the electrophysical principles of the double-layer capacitor (EDLC) and are charged and ready for use within a very short time. Under comparable operating conditions, Supercaps have a service life up to 10 times longer than classic lead-acid batteries.

We are pleased with the successful collaboration with Bicker, which has resulted in an optimal solution for our SlidingDoor. This partnership combines our expertise in access solutions with Bicker‘s energy management know-how and sets new standards in reliability and sustainability. Marcel Engelmohr, Global Product Manager Access at Wanzl

Advantages & customer benefits

The automatic „SlidingDoor“ from Wanzl offers operators of shops and other facilities an efficient access solution for entrance and exit areas. Two UPSIC-2403-B3 DC UPS modules from Bicker Elektronik supply the drives for the emergency opening of the sliding doors with 24VDC without interruption in the event of a power failure, thus contributing to the safety of staff and customers. Supercaps (EDLC) are used as energy storage devices, which are characterised by their exceptional longevity and thus enable maintenance-free operation for many years. Operators therefore benefit from a future-proof, sustainable solution that guarantees the smooth emergency operation of automatic sliding doors while significantly reducing maintenance costs. As part of the collaboration with Bicker Elektronik, Wanzl particularly appreciates the uncomplicated communication and the technological feasibility of the customised power supply solution in addition to the high product quality „Made in Germany“.

Wanzl GmbH & Co. KGaA is one of the world's leading manufacturers of shopping trolleys, article surveillance systems, automated access systems and shopfitting solutions. The company develops products and concepts for the retail and logistics sectors as well as for hotels and airports. The focus is on functional and high-quality solutions that enable efficient product presentation, secure access control and optimised management of people flows. With many years of experience and a high level of manufacturing expertise, Wanzl relies on innovative technologies and sustainable production processes.

Detailed information about the company and its products can be found here:
https://www.wanzl.com/en_DE