Elevator Door Adaptive Control for Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current elevator door systems do not adapt their closing speed or timing based on the approaching passenger's speed or urgency, potentially leading to collisions when passengers try to enter or exit.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a sensor-based system that monitors the landing area to determine the passenger's urgency by analyzing their speed, distance, and button press frequency, allowing the door to modify its closing timing, speed, or direction accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the elevator door closes at a fixed speed independent of passenger approach, then the door operation is simple and reliable, but the door may collide with passengers who are approaching quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system performs preliminary detection of approaching passengers before the door closes, identifying their speed and urgency level in advance. This allows the control system to prepare appropriate speed adjustments before the door reaches the passenger, preventing collisions while maintaining simple overall system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The door closing speed is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system adjusts the door speed in real-time based on detected passenger characteristics, implementing multiple speed levels (first, second, third speeds) depending on the urgency level. This dynamic adjustment prevents collisions while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control
2Reliability
If the elevator door monitors only the door plane for obstructions, then the detection system is simple, but it cannot detect passengers approaching from outside the door plane
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system expands detection from a two-dimensional door plane to a three-dimensional space around the door. Sensors are positioned to monitor approaching passengers from multiple angles and distances, creating a volumetric detection zone that captures passengers before they reach the door plane, enabling earlier and more accurate detection
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system acts as an intermediary between the approaching passenger and the door control system. Sensors detect passenger presence, speed, and urgency, then relay this information to the controller which adjusts door speed accordingly. This intermediary detection layer enables accurate passenger monitoring without requiring complex direct door-passenger interaction detection
3Productivity
If the elevator door closes at maximum speed, then the door operation is efficient and productive, but it increases the risk of collision with approaching passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The door closing speed is dynamically adjusted based on real-time passenger detection. The system implements a hierarchy of speeds (first, second, third speeds) where the maximum speed is used when no passengers are detected, maintaining high productivity. When passengers are detected at varying distances and speeds, the system automatically selects appropriate lower speeds to prevent collisions, thus maintaining efficiency while reducing harm
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 adaptive system enhances passenger safety by reducing the likelihood of door collisions and improving the overall passenger experience by ensuring the door responds appropriately to the passenger's approach.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor may be an infrared sensor, radar sensor, video sensor, time of flight sensor, depth sensor, LIDAR sensor, or other sensor
Implementation Method 2
The sensor may be an infrared sensor, radar sensor, video sensor, time of flight sensor, depth sensor, LIDAR sensor, or other sensor
Implementation Method 3
The sensor may be an infrared sensor, radar sensor, video sensor, time of flight sensor, depth sensor, LIDAR sensor, or other sensor
Implementation Method 4
The sensor may be an infrared sensor, radar sensor, video sensor, time of flight sensor, depth sensor, LIDAR sensor, or other sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for controlling a movable door associated with a passenger compartment, the door moveable between an opened position and a closed position configured to provide access to, or egress from, the passenger compartment. The method includes monitoring a landing area of the elevator door with at least one sensor, and determining a level of urgency of an approaching passenger based on the information from the at least one sensor. If the level of urgency exceeds a predetermined threshold, modifying a closing of the elevator door based on the level of urgency. The method may also include modifying a closing speed of the elevator door if the level of urgency exceeds a predetermined threshold.