Elevator Car Positioning via Accelerometer Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
During the modernization of elevator systems, it is challenging for modernized elevator control units to obtain elevator car position information from non-modernized control units, as this information may not be available or easily accessible.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an accelerometer in the passenger area of the elevator car, coupled with a processor, allows for the determination of the vertical position of the elevator car based on movement data, enabling the display of this information without relying on the legacy control system, and can be installed during or prior to modernization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If an accelerometer is installed in the elevator car during modernization, then position information can be determined independently of the legacy control unit, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerometer serves as an intermediary device that directly measures elevator car position without relying on the legacy control unit. This mediator approach allows the modernized control unit to obtain position information from a dedicated sensor rather than attempting to access data from the non-modernized control unit, thereby resolving the information availability issue while accepting the necessary increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical communication pathway through the legacy control unit with a direct sensor-based measurement system. By using an accelerometer to directly measure position and transmit this information to the modernized control unit, the system substitutes the indirect control-unit-based information retrieval mechanism with a direct measurement approach
2Loss of information
If sensor readings are used to determine elevator car position, then position information becomes available without relying on the legacy control system, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase for sensor installation and calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary calibration actions by installing calibration sensors at known reference positions (such as floor levels) before the elevator car operates with the new accelerometer-based positioning system. This preliminary setup allows the system to establish accurate reference points that compensate for installation variations, thereby enabling position determination without requiring extremely high precision in the actual sensor installation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from calibration sensors positioned at known locations to adjust and verify the accelerometer readings. By comparing the accelerometer-based position calculations with the known positions indicated by calibration sensors, the system can correct for measurement drift and installation variations, reducing the impact of manufacturing precision requirements
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
This solution enables the determination and display of the elevator car's vertical position within the shaft, facilitating modernization processes without disrupting the operation of non-modernized elevators, by using sensor data to calculate the car's position independently of the legacy control unit.
Implementation Method 1
determining a vertical position of an elevator car in an elevator shaft based at least in part on elevator movement data recorded by an accelerometer in the passenger area of the elevator car
Data Source
AI summary
Elevator car position information can be determined based at least in part on readings from a sensor attached to the elevator car. The sensor readings provide movement information for the car. Some elevator installations are also configured with additional sensors for calibrating the sensor attached to the elevator car. The sensors can be used with, for example, an elevator installation that is being modernized.