Elevator Support Cable Wear Detection via Optical Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the wear state of elevator support means, such as steel cables or aramide cables, are imprecise due to factors like load and journey time variations, leading to unnecessary maintenance costs or safety risks if not exchanged promptly.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that divide the support means into sections, track bending cycles, and consider factors like reverse bending, looping angle, and return roller diameter to determine the wear state, using a control and evaluating unit to generate a service report when wear exceeds defined limits, potentially aided by optical monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the support means is exchanged before it is actually ready for discard, then safety risks are reduced, but unnecessary maintenance costs arise and service interval is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical monitoring methods (wire breakage counting, magnetic induction) with an optical measurement system that uses light reflection properties to detect wear. A light source emits light onto the support means, and a detector measures the reflected light intensity, which changes as wear progresses, enabling precise non-contact measurement of wear state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary substance to transfer information about the wear state. The light interacts with the support means surface, and the reflected light carries information about the wear condition to the detector, enabling indirect measurement without direct contact with the wear-prone component.
2Loss of energy
If the support means is not exchanged in good time, then maintenance costs are reduced, but significant safety risks arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the wear measurement is continuously monitored and compared against predetermined thresholds. When the measured wear value exceeds the threshold, the system automatically triggers a replacement signal, ensuring timely maintenance while avoiding unnecessary early replacements. This closed-loop control optimizes the balance between safety and cost.
3Ease of operation
If journey time is used to determine wear, then a simple measurement method is provided, but the conclusion about slip is imprecise due to other affecting parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the specific measurement target from the complex journey time parameter. Instead of measuring overall journey time and trying to infer wear, the system directly measures the optical reflection property of the support means, which is directly correlated with wear. This isolates the wear-specific signal from other confounding factors like load variations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining the degree service life end of a support cable of an elevator, wherein the support cable is routed over a drive sheave and/or one or more return pulleys and connects a car to a counterweight, includes the steps of: the support cable is subdivided into a plurality of sections; and for each of the sections, a determination is made as to whether the section passes over the drive sheave and/or one or more of the return pulleys during a trip, and if this is the case, a usage level representing the degree of service life use is increased accordingly.