Elevator Belt Position Tracking Using Magnetic Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current elevator systems face issues with elevator belt imbalance and contact with sheave flanges due to bad belt quality, unequal tension, alignment issues, and system settlement over time, leading to belt damage and potential breakage.
Innovation Solution
An elevator belt position tracking system using a magnetic field producer and a giant magneto-resistance sensor with multiple signal channels to monitor the lateral position of the elevator belt relative to the sheave, triggering alerts when the belt moves beyond a safe center range, and notifying users through displays, remote monitoring stations, or mobile devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sheave width is made larger to accommodate belt movement, then the belt has more lateral tolerance, but the belt can move further off-center and contact the flange causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic sensor array detects belt position deviations before the belt contacts the flange, enabling early warning and corrective action. The system performs preliminary detection of off-center conditions (when belt moves beyond center by more than 10% of sheave width) to prevent the harmful contact with flange that would cause belt damage.
2Measurement precision
If magnetic sensors are placed closer to the sheave for better detection, then position tracking accuracy improves, but the sensors are more exposed to mechanical damage and environmental interference
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field interaction enables detection across a spatial gap between the sensor array and the sheave-belt system. By utilizing the magnetic field's ability to penetrate through space and non-magnetic materials, the system achieves accurate position tracking without requiring direct contact or close proximity that would expose sensors to mechanical damage.
3Measurement precision
If multiple signal channels are used to track belt position, then detection precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic sensor array is divided into multiple discrete signal channels (at least 3 channels across the sheave width), with each channel independently detecting magnetic field strength at its specific location. This segmentation allows precise determination of belt lateral position by comparing activation patterns across channels, while maintaining modular simplicity where each channel is an identical, standardized sensing element.
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
Prevents belt damage by alerting operators to off-center positions, allowing for timely adjustments and reducing maintenance costs by detecting lateral movement and potential contact with sheave borders before significant damage occurs.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field producer located in operational proximity to an elevator sheave carrying an elevator belt to produce a magnetic field encompassing the elevator belt
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic sensor located in operational proximity to the sheave carrying the elevator belt, the magnetic sensor including a plurality of signal channels spaced apart along a width of the magnetic sensor, wherein the respective signal channels are activated by the proximity of the elevator belt to the signal channels as the elevator belt passes through the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field producer to determine a lateral position of the elevator belt on the sheave. The magnetic sensor is a giant magneto-resistance sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator belt position tracking system including a magnetic field producer located in operational proximity to an elevator sheave carrying an elevator belt to produce a magnetic field encompassing the elevator belt, a magnetic sensor located in operational proximity to the sheave carrying the elevator belt, the magnetic sensor comprising a plurality of signal channels spaced apart along a width of the magnetic sensor. The respective signal channels are activated by the proximity of the elevator belt to the signal channels as the elevator belt passes through the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field producer to determine a lateral position of the elevator belt on the sheave.