Elevator Drive Energy Monitoring Using Operating State Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy monitoring solutions for elevators are costly due to high hardware and installation expenses, require separate measurement devices for various systems, and cause significant downtime during integration and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An integrated energy monitoring system within the elevator's drive unit measures power and energy consumption using built-in voltage and current measurements, estimating consumption based on predefined component demands and operating states, eliminating the need for external equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external power measurement devices are used for energy monitoring, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the energy monitoring function with the existing elevator control system by utilizing its built-in voltage and current measurement capabilities. Instead of using separate external measurement devices, the control system integrates the monitoring function internally, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy through the use of existing precise measurement means.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator control system is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the drive system and simultaneously monitors energy consumption. By making the control system universal and multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated external measurement devices, reducing overall system complexity while preserving accurate measurement capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate measurement devices are installed for elevator and other equipment, then measurement coverage is improved, but installation time and downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the monitoring of elevator and other equipment into a single integrated control system. By combining previously separate measurement functions into one unified system, the patent reduces installation time and downtime while maintaining comprehensive measurement coverage through the system's ability to monitor multiple components.
3Measurement precision
If external measurement devices are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator control system monitors its own energy consumption using its built-in measurement capabilities. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate external measurement devices, significantly reducing implementation cost while maintaining accurate power consumption measurements through the system's existing precise measurement means.
4Loss of information
If separate measurement systems are deployed for multiple equipment, then measurement completeness is improved, but maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines monitoring of multiple equipment components (elevator, light supply, etc.) into a single integrated control system. This unified approach maintains complete energy data collection while reducing maintenance complexity by eliminating the need to manage and integrate multiple separate measurement systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator and a method for determining energy and/or power consumption of an elevator, the elevator comprising a drive system comprising a drive unit for driving an electric motor and an elevator control system for controlling the drive system, wherein at least two different operating states are used for the elevator. The method comprises measuring at least part of power and/or energy consumption of the drive system, at least when the elevator is moving, determining duration which the elevator spends in different operating states of the elevator, and determining energy and/or power consumption of the elevator based at least in part on the measured power and/or energy consumption of the drive system and determined and/or estimated energy and/or power consumption in different operating states of the elevator.