Elevator Door Obstruction Sensor Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator door safety systems are limited in detecting obstructions beyond the immediate pathway of the doors, leaving a gap in safety measures that could result in injuries or property damage from undetected obstructions during door closure.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a supplemental obstruction sensor within the interior portion of the elevator car, in addition to a primary sensor on the door, to detect obstructions adjacent to the door path, allowing for safer door operation by ensuring that the door only closes when both sensors confirm the path is clear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single obstruction sensor is placed on the door to detect obstructions in the immediate pathway, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but the safety coverage is insufficient and cannot detect obstructions adjacent to the door path
Solution Approach 1:
The obstruction detection function is segmented into two distinct sensors: a primary sensor mounted on the door to detect obstructions in the immediate pathway, and a supplemental sensor mounted inside the elevator car to detect obstructions adjacent to the door path. This segmentation allows each sensor to cover a specific zone, collectively providing comprehensive safety coverage without requiring a single complex sensor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection coverage is expanded from a single linear pathway (one-dimensional coverage along the door path) to a two-dimensional detection zone by adding the supplemental sensor inside the car. This creates overlapping detection fields that cover both the immediate door pathway and the adjacent area, effectively expanding the safety zone without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sensors are limited to detecting obstructions only in the immediate doorway pathway, then the device complexity and cost are reduced, but the safety measure is insufficient and cannot prevent injuries from obstructions outside the sensing zone
Solution Approach 1:
The supplemental obstruction sensor is positioned inside the elevator car to detect obstructions before the door closes over them. By placing the sensor in advance within the car interior, the system can identify potential hazards adjacent to the door path and prevent door closure that would cause injury, rather than waiting for mechanical contact to occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The supplemental sensor acts as an intermediary detection element that bridges the gap between the primary door-mounted sensor and the actual hazard zone adjacent to the door path. This intermediary sensor provides early warning of obstructions in the adjacent area, allowing the control system to take preventive action before the door reaches positions where harm could occur.
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator car system and method for operating elevators doors includes an elevator car having a door capable of opening and closing along a pathway and an interior portion internal to the door, a first obstruction sensor disposed on the door capable of detecting an obstruction in the pathway of the door, and a supplemental obstruction sensor disposed in the interior portion of the elevator car system capable of detecting an obstruction in an area adjacent to the door, wherein the door opens or closes based on the detection of the first obstruction sensor or the detection of the second obstruction sensor. The interior portion of the elevator car may include a recessed channel, with the supplemental obstruction sensor being disposed in the recessed channel.