Elevator Dual Ethernet Bus for Fault-Tolerant Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern elevator systems face inefficiencies due to the use of multiple different internal data transmission solutions and redundant safety bus systems that are not compatible with ethernet-based communication, leading to complexity and potential communication failures.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dual ethernet bus system with sequential bus segments interconnected by switches, allowing communication redundancy through shared and multi-drop ethernet bus segments, and incorporating a coordinator and back-up coordinator to manage fault detection and traffic rerouting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different internal data transmission solutions are used in the elevator system, then different communication protocols can be supported, but the system complexity increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into multiple independent ethernet bus portions (first ethernet bus portion and second ethernet bus portion), each capable of operating independently. This segmentation allows the system to support multiple communication protocols while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator communication system is designed with universal ethernet bus portions that can handle multiple communication protocols simultaneously. The bus portions are configured to support both safety-critical communications and general data transmission, eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems for different protocols.
2Reliability
If a redundant safety bus system is implemented with duplicated communication channels, then safety reliability is improved, but the system complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges safety-critical communications and general data transmissions into a unified ethernet bus system. The first and second ethernet bus portions are combined through shared bus segments, creating redundancy without requiring completely separate duplicated systems. This reduces overall complexity while maintaining safety reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic failover capabilities where the ethernet bus portions can switch roles and configurations based on operational needs and fault conditions. The coordinated control between first and second elevator controllers enables dynamic redistribution of communication tasks, maintaining reliability without static redundancy overhead.
3Reliability
If CAN protocol or RS485 time triggered protocol is used for safety bus, then redundant communication channels are achieved, but these techniques cannot be used with ethernet bus based communication
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the communication parameters and protocols to be compatible with ethernet bus architecture while maintaining redundant safety communication capabilities. Instead of using CAN or RS485 protocols, the patent implements ethernet-specific communication parameters and protocols that provide equivalent safety functionality within the ethernet framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes traditional safety bus communication mechanisms (CAN, RS485) with ethernet-based communication mechanisms. The functional equivalence is achieved through different technical means - using ethernet switches, standardized ethernet protocols, and higher-level communication architectures instead of dedicated safety bus hardware and protocols.
4Device complexity
If a single ethernet bus portion is used, then the system structure is simplified, but communication reliability is reduced when bus failure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is divided into segmented ethernet bus portions (first and second portions) that can operate independently. This segmentation provides fault isolation - when one portion fails, the other continues to function, maintaining communication reliability without requiring a completely complex redundant system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary elements (shared ethernet bus segments, switches, and coordinated controllers) that mediate between the first and second ethernet bus portions. These intermediaries enable seamless failover and coordination, maintaining simplified overall structure while ensuring communication reliability through the intermediary coordination mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator communication system includes a first elevator controller, a second elevator controller communicatively connected to the first elevator controller, a first ethernet bus portion connected to the first elevator controller, a second ethernet bus portion connected to the second elevator controller, and at least one elevator system node communicatively connected to the first elevator controller via the first ethernet bus portion and to the second elevator controller via the second ethernet bus portion.