Elevator Door Motion Detection via Acceleration Summation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Precise monitoring of a conveyance apparatus, such as elevator systems, is challenging and costly due to difficulties in determining the position or status within the system.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that detect accelerations along the X-axis and Y-axis during specific time periods, calculate absolute values, and determine the summation to determine whether the elevator door is in motion by comparing the maximum summation value to a threshold, with adjustments possible for varying threshold values based on detected accelerations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If precise position or status monitoring of conveyance apparatus is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor status detection precisionVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical position sensing systems with acceleration sensors that detect door motion through acceleration patterns. The controller analyzes acceleration data along X and Y axes to determine door status, substituting mechanical position encoders with inertial sensing and computational analysis, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the monitoring approach from direct position measurement to indirect acceleration-based detection. By measuring acceleration parameters and analyzing their patterns (magnitude, direction, duration), the system infers door status without requiring direct position sensing, simplifying the overall system architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If acceleration-based door status detection is implemented, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring system complexityVSAvoiddoor status detection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of acceleration patterns by establishing threshold values and detection criteria before actual door status determination. The controller pre-configures detection parameters and uses preliminary acceleration data to anticipate door motion events, improving the precision of subsequent status detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors acceleration data, compares it against threshold values, and adjusts detection parameters based on detected patterns. The feedback loop refines measurement precision by learning from accumulated acceleration data and optimizing threshold settings for different door motion scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Effectively detects the movement of the elevator door by accurately determining whether it is in motion or not, allowing for precise monitoring and potential adjustments in threshold values for improved accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

detecting a first plurality of accelerations along an X-axis of the elevator system during a first time period; detecting a second plurality of accelerations along a Y-axis of the elevator system during the first time period

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcceleration detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP3750840B1Door status detection via sensor fusion
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3750840B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3750840B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3750840B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method of monitoring a door (104) of an elevator car (103) within an elevator system (101) including: detecting a first plurality of accelerations along an X-axis of the elevator system during a first time period; detecting a second plurality of accelerations along a Y-axis of the elevator system during the first time period; determining an absolute value of the first plurality of accelerations; determining an absolute value of the second plurality of accelerations; determining a first summation of the absolute value of the first plurality of accelerations and the absolute value of the second plurality of accelerations; and determining whether the door of the elevator car is in motion during the first time period by determining whether a maximum value of the first summation is greater than a threshold value.