Record motor 'on' time with user MOM switch, then allow playback from memory?

[geetar_king]

I'm trying to build a controller for an electric motor that will open and close a door.

Originally, I was going to use limit switches to allow the motor to run until the limit is reached, or the door is fully open, like how some garage door openers works This seems difficult to do with the door setup I am working with, so I was wondering if there was another way to basically allow the user to 'record' the time that the motor runs to open the door, and then record the amount of time the motor runs in reverse to close the door. Then the user could push one button for open, and it would 'play back' this recorded open run time. And the same push button operation to close the door.

Is there an analog IC that can do this sort of recall/playback functionality, or would this have to be done with a microcontroller?

Any input would be great.

 

[BradtheRad]

Have you tested your motor to see if current draw goes up when stalled? It is common for a stalled motor to draw increased current, and perhaps to burn a winding.

Therefore it might be feasible to design your control circuit so it detects a jump in current. That tells you when the door has reached end of travel. Then your circuit should immediately turn off the motor.

If you want to design a time-based circuit, then the 555 timer IC is a simple method. You would press the button to start a timing cycle. The IC's output turns on for a period, then changes back. The period is based on values of a resistor and capacitor. You will need to do trial runs, adjusting values until things work properly.

 

[geetar_king]

Those are the 2 options I was thinking before considering if there is another option to make it more versatile.

The current detection would work in one direction, but I'm not sure if it would work when closing the door because I think the current would decrease after the door closes, because it is on a light cable and would not feel resistance. Maybe a combo of the 555 for the way down and current spike detection on the way up would work. I'm not aware of any simple options to 'train' the motor travel and play it back, but wanted to check into it because it would make the design more versatile (easier for user to adjust if used for different door travel distance etc.)