Elevator Alarm Power Management with Capacitor Backup
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems face challenges in efficiently testing and ensuring the capacity of backup batteries for alarm systems during power failures, leading to potential insufficient power supply and requiring on-site mechanical testing, which is inconvenient and may not be performed frequently enough.
Innovation Solution
An electrical system with a controller that manages power flow between a primary and secondary power source, including a battery and a capacitor, allowing for capacity testing without disrupting the elevator's operation by discharging power from the battery to the capacitor, monitoring capacity, and generating notifications for maintenance when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional battery capacity testing is performed by discharging the battery, then the battery capacity can be measured, but the elevator system must be stopped and a mechanic is required on-site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a capacitor as an intermediary energy storage device that can temporarily store energy from the battery during testing. This allows the battery to be discharged for testing purposes while the capacitor maintains power supply to the elevator alarm system, eliminating the need to stop the elevator during battery capacity measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the testing parameters by performing battery discharge testing during periods when the alarm system is not actively monitoring battery capacity (such as when primary power is available). The controller dynamically adjusts between monitoring mode and testing mode, allowing comprehensive battery assessment without compromising system availability.
2Duration of action of moving object
If battery capacity is increased to ensure sufficient power duration, then the alarm system can operate longer during power failure, but the battery volume and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy storage function into two separate devices: a battery for long-term energy storage and a capacitor for short-term power delivery. This segmentation allows the battery to be smaller than it would need to be if it had to provide all power independently, while the capacitor handles the immediate power demands during brief outages or testing periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic power management system where the controller can switch between battery power, capacitor power, and primary grid power based on real-time conditions. This dynamic switching allows the system to optimize battery usage and extend effective operation duration without permanently increasing battery capacity.
3Reliability
If battery testing is performed frequently to ensure adequate capacity, then power reliability is improved, but system downtime increases due to testing interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous battery testing by using the capacitor to maintain power supply to the alarm system during battery discharge measurements. This allows the useful action of battery capacity assessment to continue without interrupting the elevator system operation, achieving both reliability verification and continuous service.
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
Ensures continuous power supply to elevator alarm systems during primary power failures by maintaining sufficient energy in both storage devices, reducing downtime and improving the frequency and accuracy of battery testing.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitor configured to store power discharged from the battery during testing
Data Source
AI summary
Electrical systems of elevators and methods thereof, with an elevator alarm system configured to provide an alarm within an elevator car of the elevator system, wherein the elevator alarm system is configured to be supplied with power from a primary power source. A secondary power source includes a first storage device and a second storage device and a controller is configured to control a power flow from the secondary power source to the elevator alarm system when the primary power source fails and test a capacity of the first storage device by discharging a power of the first storage device and storing said discharged power within the second storage device.