Passenger Conveyor Visual Inspection Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current passenger conveyor systems, such as elevators and escalators, often require unscheduled shutdowns for maintenance and diagnosis, as malfunctions are typically identified through user complaints, and accessing components for diagnosis involves taking the system offline, which is inefficient and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic system that includes a processor and sensors to capture images and sounds, allowing for visual inspection diagnostics to be applied and overlaid on images, enabling remote diagnosis through a mobile terminal device, thereby allowing technicians to assess system status without physical access to components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If technicians physically access components for diagnosis, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but system downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of the conveyor system components through camera imaging, allowing technicians to diagnose issues by examining the captured images and overlaid diagnostic information rather than physically accessing the components. This copying approach maintains diagnostic accuracy while eliminating the need for system shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physical component access with an optical and computational system. Sensors, cameras, and image processing algorithms substitute for manual inspection, enabling remote diagnosis without physical contact with the moving components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the system is taken offline for maintenance, then component safety is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous operation of the conveyor system during diagnostic activities. The system remains online and operational while sensors and cameras collect data, and diagnostic information is overlaid on images in real-time or near-real-time, eliminating the need for shutdowns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary diagnostic system that acts as a mediator between the operating conveyor and the technician. The camera and image processing system serve as intermediaries, allowing the technician to interact with the system remotely without disrupting normal operations.
3Loss of information
If technicians access hidden components, then diagnostic completeness is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal diagnostic interface that works for all conveyor components. The image overlay technology provides a consistent method for displaying diagnostic information regardless of the specific component being inspected, simplifying the technician's workflow while maintaining comprehensive diagnostic coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a visual information dimension to the diagnostic process. By overlaying diagnostic data on top of visual images of the components, the system provides comprehensive information in a spatial arrangement that is intuitive and easy to interpret, rather than requiring technicians to navigate complex access procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger conveyor diagnostic system includes a processor that stores at least one visual inspection diagnostic, and a passenger conveyor system including at least one sensor configured to capture one or both of an image and a sound. The processor applies the at least one visual inspection diagnostic to one or both of the image and the sound to generate a diagnosed status of the passenger conveyor system, and overlays the diagnosed status of the passenger conveyor system on the image.