Integrated Elevator Door Locking and Detection Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems lack a simple and cost-effective locking mechanism that ensures elevator car doors are securely locked and unlocked based on their alignment with hoistway doors, potentially leading to safety issues during malfunctions or tampering, and often require additional components like door position detection assemblies.
Innovation Solution
An integrated electronic lock detector and interlock system that transitions the locking state only when engaged with the hoistway door, providing real-time information to the elevator control unit about the locking state and preventing door opening when misaligned, thus ensuring safe and secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate door position detection assembly is used in conjunction with a locking assembly, then the locking state can be detected and provided to the control unit, but the system complexity and cost increase due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the door position detection assembly and locking assembly into a single integrated unit. The detection assembly is positioned within the locking assembly structure, allowing both functions to be performed by one component system rather than two separate assemblies. This reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to detect door position and control locking state.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the mechanical locking function and simultaneously houses the door position detection assembly. The single assembly performs both security (locking) and sensing (position detection) roles, eliminating the need for separate independent components and reducing system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the door position detection assembly and locking assembly operate independently, then each can function separately, but there is a risk that one may be disabled without the other, causing a disconnect between the two assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the detection assembly within the locking assembly structure, the patent ensures that both functions share a common physical platform and control interface. This integration prevents the disconnect issue because the detection and locking functions are physically coupled and electronically coordinated through the same system architecture, eliminating the risk of independent disabling.
3Device complexity
If conventional locking assemblies are used without integrated detection, then the locking mechanism is simpler, but the system cannot reliably detect whether the door is locked or unlocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the door position detection assembly within the locking assembly, allowing the system to maintain mechanical simplicity while adding detection capability. The detection assembly uses the existing locking mechanism's position to determine locked/unlocked state, eliminating the need for completely separate sensing systems and maintaining relative simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection assembly leverages the mechanical position information already present in the locking mechanism itself. Rather than requiring external sensors or complex detection systems, the assembly uses the locking mechanism's own state (engaged/disengaged position) to provide detection information, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding additional complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides for a locking system for an elevator car door that includes a locking apparatus mounted to the elevator car door. The locking apparatus includes an elevator door latch arm, a sensing vane, and a fixed vane. The elevator door latch arm has one end configured to be inserted into a catch to lock the elevator car door. The sensing and fixed vanes are generally parallel to one another. When the elevator car door is aligned with a hoistway door, an outer surface of the sensing vane is configured to engage with a roller on the hoistway door, and an outer surface of the fixed vane is configured to engage with another roller on the hoistway door. When both the first and second rollers are engaged by the sensing and fixed vanes, the locking apparatus is configured to remove the elevator door latch arm from the catch.