Free-Falling Camera Hoistway Inspection Guide Wire
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hoistway inspection devices are inefficient for high-rise buildings as they either interfere with elevator components or require extensive manual inspection, making them time-consuming and impractical.
Innovation Solution
A hoistway inspection device comprising a camera unit attached to a guiding device that freely falls along a guide wire, allowing for 360-degree image capture and data transmission without interfering with elevator components, enabling efficient inspection of high-rise buildings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a long suspension member is wound or unwound to move the imaging device in a high-rise building, then the imaging device can reach desired positions, but the suspension member interferes with other components in the elevator hoistway
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical reel-based suspension member system with a free-falling camera unit guided by a thin guide wire. The camera unit is released from the top and falls freely under gravity along the guide wire to reach the bottom of the hoistway, eliminating the need for long suspension members that would interfere with elevator components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the reel mechanism and long suspension member from the system, keeping only the essential guide wire for positioning. The camera unit is simply released to fall along the guide wire, taking out the problematic winding/unwinding mechanism that caused interference with elevator components.
2Reliability
If a mechanic visually inspects the hoistway by moving to several floors and opening hall doors, then inspection can be performed, but the process is time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The camera unit performs the inspection task autonomously by being released to fall freely along the guide wire from the top to the bottom of the hoistway, capturing images without requiring a mechanic to physically move between floors. The system inspects the entire hoistway in one continuous descent, significantly reducing inspection time while maintaining completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual inspection process (mechanic moving between floors) with an automated free-falling camera system. The camera unit captures images of the hoistway interior during its descent, eliminating the time-consuming manual process while ensuring comprehensive inspection coverage.
3Measurement precision
If complex drive mechanisms are used to move the camera unit, then precise positioning can be achieved, but the device complexity increases and interference with elevator components occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex drive mechanisms with a simple free-fall system guided by a thin guide wire. The camera unit falls freely under gravity along the guide wire, which provides sufficient guidance without requiring complex motors, gears, or control systems. This simplifies the device while maintaining adequate positioning for inspection purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes complex drive mechanisms entirely, keeping only the essential guide wire for directional guidance. The camera unit is simply released to fall along the guide wire, extracting the problematic complex mechanical systems that would increase device complexity and potentially interfere with elevator components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid and comprehensive inspection of high-rise elevator hoistways by allowing the camera unit to freely fall and capture 360-degree images without the need for manual movement or complex drive mechanisms, reducing inspection time and interference with existing components.
Implementation Method 1
releasing the camera unit to allow the camera unit to freely fall along the guiding device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3B
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An elevator hoistway inspection device (14; 114) comprises a guiding device (18; 118) which extends along the hoistway and a camera unit (16; 116) for obtaining image data of the inside of the hoistway. The camera unit (16; 116) is slidably attached to the guiding device (18; 118). The hoistway inspection device (14; 114) further comprises a mounting unit (21) which supports the camera unit (16; 116) near the ceiling of the hoistway and releases the camera unit (16; 116) in response to a release signal to allow the camera unit (16; 116) to freely fall along the guiding device (18; 118).