Elevator Emergency Detection via Acoustic Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator emergency systems are ineffective when passengers are unable to press alarm or phone buttons due to being alone, physically disabled, or under attack, as they cannot access these controls.

Innovation Solution

A detection system within the elevator that continuously monitors sound waves, analyzing decibel levels to detect emergency conditions and automatically alerts external systems or stops at a designated floor, enabling assistance without passenger intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional alarm buttons are installed in the elevator, then passengers can report emergencies when able to reach them, but the system becomes ineffective when passengers are unable to press the buttons due to collapse, attack, or physical disability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency detection reliabilityVSAvoidpassenger accessibility to alarm

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by automatically detecting emergencies through sound wave monitoring without requiring passenger action. The microphone continuously monitors the elevator cabin, and the controller automatically detects emergency conditions and triggers alerts, making the system operational even when passengers are incapacitated and cannot activate traditional alarms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical button-pressing system with an acoustic detection system. Instead of requiring physical contact with alarm buttons, the system uses microphones to detect sound waves and controllers to analyze acoustic patterns, substituting mechanical operation with acoustic sensing and electronic processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the system continuously monitors sound waves to detect emergencies, then detection capability is enhanced, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency detection capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption of monitoring system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic monitoring rather than truly continuous monitoring. The controller is configured to detect emergency conditions based on sound wave patterns, and can enter low-power states between detection cycles. The microphone captures sound waves continuously but the controller processes signals in a manner that allows for energy management, activating full processing only when emergency conditions are suspected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Enhances passenger safety by detecting emergencies that would otherwise go unreported, allowing for immediate response and assistance even when passengers cannot activate traditional alarm systems.

Implementation Method 1

each of which further comprises a microphone coupled to a transceiver, the microphone converts the sound waves into the electrical signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrophone conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS11643302B2Sensing and notifying device for elevator emergencies

Publication Date: 2023.05.09 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

AI summary

A detection system is provided. The detection system includes a sensing device and a controller. The sensing device is within an elevator and in communication with the controller. The sensing device continuously monitors sound waves within the elevator and communicates the sound waves as electrical signals to the controller. The controller operates the elevator and analyses the sound waves received as the electrical signals from the sensing device to detect an emergency condition within the elevator.