Elevator Fixture Auto-Configuration Using Controller Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator fixtures require manual reconfiguration by professional technicians due to varying building structures, which is complex and knowledge-intensive.

Innovation Solution

An automatic configuration method for elevator fixtures that identifies and configures itself with the elevator controller using feedback signals, allowing fixtures to determine corresponding addresses and control functions without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual configuration method is used, then configuration accuracy can be ensured, but operation complexity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture automatically configures itself by sending test signals to the controller and analyzing feedback signals to determine its own address and control functions, eliminating the need for manual configuration by technicians

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback signals from the controller in response to test signals sent by the fixture to automatically determine the correspondence between fixture addresses and controller functions, enabling automatic configuration while ensuring accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If manual configuration by professional technicians is used, then configuration reliability is improved, but installation and maintenance time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation and maintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture performs automatic configuration tests during the installation or replacement process itself, determining its address and control functions before actual operation begins, thereby reducing subsequent setup time while maintaining reliability through systematic testing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If automatic configuration is implemented, then operation simplicity is improved, but configuration precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidconfiguration precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture sends test signals to the controller and analyzes the feedback signals to accurately determine which controller addresses correspond to its physical buttons, ensuring precise automatic configuration without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical configuration operations with an automated electronic testing and signal analysis system, where the fixture automatically communicates with the controller to determine address mappings through electrical signal exchange

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3636574B1Automatic configuration method of an elevator fixture

Publication Date: 2025.07.09 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

Figure 1

AI summary

The automatic configuration method of a fixture comprises: S1: sending, by a fixture, a predetermined request toward a predetermined address to an elevator controller; S2: judging a control function corresponding to the predetermined address; and S3: configuring the fixture according to the control function corresponding to the predetermined address.