Elevator Call Button Circuit With PWM Sensing to Cut Wiring

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In elevator systems, particularly in high-rise or ultra-high-rise buildings, the large number of buttons in Car Operation Panels (COP) and Hall Button Panels (HBP) leads to complex wire layouts and increased costs due to the numerous wires required for light-emitting control and status monitoring, which is challenging given the limited internal space.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a device with button units that include a switching element and a variable resistance circuit coupled in parallel with a display element, where a control unit determines the button switch state based on resistance value and applies pulse width modulation signals with different duty cycles to control the switching element, reducing the number of wires needed by integrating light-emitting diode control and status monitoring functions into a two-wire system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple buttons are equipped with separate wires for light-emitting control and status monitoring, then reliable button function control is achieved, but wire quantity and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebutton function controlVSAvoidwire layout
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines light-emitting control and status monitoring functions into a single wire by using a variable resistance circuit where the display element and button switch share the same connection line. The control unit determines button state by detecting resistance changes in this combined circuit, eliminating the need for separate monitoring wires.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single wire connecting the button switch serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides power to the display element, controls light emission through PWM signals, and enables status monitoring through resistance detection. This multi-functional wire reduces overall wire quantity while maintaining full button functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of buttons is increased to accommodate high-rise building requirements, then elevator service coverage is improved, but wire harness cost and internal space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelevator service coverageVSAvoidwire harness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By merging light-emitting control and status monitoring into a single wire per button, the patent reduces the wire harness quantity proportionally with the number of buttons. This allows the system to scale to accommodate high-rise building requirements without linearly increasing wire harness complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If separate wires are used for each button's light-emitting control and status monitoring, then precise button state detection is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebutton state detectionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves precise button state detection using a single wire by measuring resistance changes in the variable resistance circuit. The control unit detects whether the button is pressed by monitoring the resistance value, providing accurate state detection while reducing wire quantity and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical separation of control and monitoring wires with an electronic sensing approach. Instead of using separate physical wires for monitoring, the system uses electrical resistance measurement through the shared wire to detect button state, reducing material cost while maintaining detection precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 significantly reduces the number of wires required, simplifies wiring design, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining effective light-emitting diode functionality and button switch state monitoring, enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of elevator control systems.

Implementation Method 1

the display element is a light-emitting diode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP4527773A1Device and elevator control system for inputting elevator calling command
Publication Date: 2025.03.26 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP4527773A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4527773A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4527773A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application relates to elevator technology and, in particular, to a device for inputting an elevator calling command and an elevator control system comprising the device. A device for inputting an elevator calling command in accordance with an embodiment of the present application comprises one or more button units, each of the button units comprising a switching element and a variable resistance circuit coupled with the switching element. The variable resistance circuit comprises a button switch and a display element coupled in parallel, and a resistance value of the variable resistance circuit varies with a state of the button switch. The device further comprises a control unit configured to determine a state of a corresponding button switch based on the resistance value of the variable resistance circuit within each of the button units, and to apply a pulse width modulation signal having different duty cycles onto a control terminal of a corresponding switching element based on the state as determined.