Deformable Elevator Car Camera Mount for Door Coupling Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems face challenges in accommodating camera mounts for remote inspection of door couplings without violating safety regulations, as tall components cannot be mounted on the top due to overhead space constraints, and manual visual inspections are necessary, which are unsafe and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A deformable camera mount is installed at the top of the elevator car, capable of bending downwards when acted upon by a force, allowing it to contact the ceiling during the 'car jump' position without damaging the door coupling, thus enabling remote monitoring while meeting safety regulations and reducing overhead space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a camera mount is mounted at the top of the elevator car to monitor the door coupling, then remote inspection capability is improved, but the overhead space requirement is violated because the camera mount extends into the required clearance space
Solution Approach 1:
The camera mount is designed as a deformable component that can dynamically change its position. During normal operation, the camera mount extends upward to provide an optimal viewing angle for monitoring the door coupling. During car jump events, the camera mount deformably moves downward to clear the ceiling, thus adapting to different operational conditions and resolving the contradiction between remote inspection capability and overhead space clearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera mount's physical state is changed from rigid to deformable, allowing it to change its vertical position parameter. The mount can transition between an extended position (providing good camera monitoring angles) and a retracted position (clearing the ceiling during car jump). This parameter change enables the system to meet both the remote inspection requirement and the overhead space clearance requirement under different operating conditions.
2Measurement precision
If a rigid camera mount is used to provide stable camera positioning, then measurement precision is improved, but safety is worsened because the rigid mount can damage the door coupling during car jump events
Solution Approach 1:
The camera mount incorporates a deformable element that acts as a cushioning mechanism. This deformable component is designed to absorb impact energy during car jump events before the force can reach the door coupling. The cushioning effect protects the door coupling from damage while the camera remains securely positioned for monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable camera mount acts as an intermediary between the camera and the elevator car structure. It provides a stable mounting position for the camera while simultaneously serving as a protective element that prevents direct transmission of impact forces to the door coupling. The intermediary absorbs and dissipates harmful forces, resolving the contradiction between positioning stability and safety.
3Reliability
If manual visual inspection is performed to check the door coupling, then reliability is improved through direct observation, but productivity is worsened due to the time-consuming nature and safety risks to maintenance personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The camera mount enables the door coupling inspection system to serve itself automatically. The camera continuously monitors the door coupling without requiring manual intervention, and the deformable mount automatically adjusts its position to protect itself and the door coupling during car jump events. This self-service capability eliminates the need for maintenance personnel to perform dangerous manual inspections, thereby improving both reliability through consistent monitoring and productivity by eliminating time-consuming manual procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical inspection process is replaced with an automated optical monitoring system. Instead of maintenance personnel physically accessing and visually inspecting the door coupling, a camera mounted on the deformable camera mount performs continuous automated monitoring. This substitution eliminates safety risks to personnel and significantly improves inspection efficiency while maintaining or enhancing inspection reliability through consistent automated observation.
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
The deformable camera mount allows for remote inspection of door couplings, reducing the need for manual inspections, ensuring safety by preventing damage to the door coupling during 'car jump' events and accommodating the required overhead space, while maintaining operational functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the camera mount is deformable at least in the vertical direction, when acted on by a downwards force, such as to protect the door coupling from being impacted by the camera mount
Implementation Method 2
when the counterweight is at its lowest position in the hoistway, the camera mount is arranged to contact the ceiling, and deform in the vertical direction, towards the top of the elevator car
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
An elevator car (42; 103) for carrying a load in a vertical direction. The elevator car comprises at least one elevator car door (38) carrying a door coupling (20) and a camera mount (40) comprising a mounting location (46) for a camera (44). The camera mount (40) is located at the top of the elevator car (42) with the mounting location (46) positioned for a camera (44) to monitor the door coupling (20). The camera mount is deformable at least in the vertical direction, when acted on by a downwards force, such as to protect the door coupling (20) from being impacted by the camera mount (40).