Elevator Call Device Health Inference from Door and Travel Events
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems face challenges in detecting malfunctions in call devices with complex and expensive efforts, particularly in third-party equipment where access to elevator controllers is limited, requiring substantial hardware and wiring.
Innovation Solution
A method and monitoring device that infer the health status of call devices by analyzing elevator usage and travel information, using existing sensors like door contacts, light curtains, and load measuring devices, without direct access to the call devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors and communication infrastructure are installed in call devices to enable automatic malfunction detection, then malfunction detection capability is improved, but device complexity and hardware requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the elevator controller as an intermediary component that already exists in the system. Instead of adding sensors to call devices, the solution leverages the controller's existing communication infrastructure to monitor call signals. The controller acts as a mediator that collects, analyzes, and interprets call device data without requiring direct sensor integration in each call device, thus improving reliability while avoiding increased hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model of call device operation by analyzing patterns in call signals received by the controller. Instead of physically sensing call device status with dedicated sensors, the system copies the functional behavior of a healthy call device through data analysis. By comparing actual call patterns against expected patterns, the system infers malfunction without requiring physical sensors in the call devices themselves.
2Reliability
If additional sensors are retrofitted into existing call devices for monitoring, then health status inference is improved, but ease of manufacture and installation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the monitoring function from the physical call device structure and relocates it to the elevator controller. Instead of embedding sensors within call devices during manufacturing or retrofitting, the solution separates the sensing function (performed by the controller receiving call signals) from the call device itself. This extraction eliminates the need for physical sensor installation in call devices while achieving health status monitoring through analysis of call signal patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator controller is given the additional function of monitoring call device health status. Rather than adding dedicated monitoring hardware to each call device, the existing controller is utilized for multiple purposes: managing elevator operation and detecting call device malfunctions. This multi-functionality approach allows health monitoring without requiring separate sensor installations, simplifying both manufacturing and retrofitting processes.
3Measurement precision
If direct access to call devices and their internal signals is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and access requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously analyzing call signals sent to the elevator controller. Instead of requiring direct physical access to call device internals, the solution uses the call signals themselves as feedback about device status. By monitoring whether expected call patterns are received and analyzing the characteristics of received signals, the system achieves precise malfunction detection through indirect feedback mechanisms that reduce access complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for inferring a health status of call devices in an elevator arrangement uses a monitoring device for implementing the method steps of: determining elevator usage information by detecting: changing of an opening status of an elevator door, interrupting of a light curtain at an entry to an elevator car, and/or changing of a weight of the elevator car; determining elevator travel information concerning a starting floor and/or a target floor for an elevator car motion taking place antecedent or subsequent to the detected elevator event; inferring the health status of a monitored one of the call devices based on the elevator usage information and on the elevator travel information. The method allows determining the health status of call devices such as car call devices and hall call devices with a reduced number of sensors.