Elevator Guide Rail Misalignment Detection Using Encoder Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems face challenges in detecting misaligned or degraded guide rails, which can affect ride comfort and reliability, often requiring expensive and cumbersome monitoring equipment.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that uses first and second data from elevator components moving relative to guide rails to detect deviations, determining misalignment by comparing distances or speeds, and generating a signal for degraded conditions, utilizing components like guide rollers and encoders to gather data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If expensive measurement and monitoring equipment is used to detect guide rail alignment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator car's existing encoder, which normally serves to track vertical position for control purposes, is repurposed to also detect guide rail misalignment by monitoring horizontal position deviations. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated alignment sensors, reducing device complexity while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The encoder is made multi-functional by using it for both its original purpose (vertical position tracking for elevator control) and a new function (horizontal position monitoring for guide rail alignment detection). This universal usage of existing components avoids adding specialized equipment while achieving dual objectives
2Reliability
If traditional monitoring equipment is installed in the elevator hoistway, then guide rail condition detection is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to large size and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail monitoring function is extracted from separate bulky external equipment and integrated into the elevator car's existing control system components. By taking out the detection function and embedding it in the car-mounted encoder system, the solution eliminates large stationary monitoring devices in the hoistway while maintaining continuous monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail monitoring system is merged with the elevator car's existing position sensing system. The encoder that already exists in the car for vertical position tracking is combined with horizontal position detection capabilities, creating an integrated system that eliminates separate monitoring equipment and simplifies installation and maintenance
3Device complexity
If existing encoder data is used for both vertical position tracking and horizontal alignment detection, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The encoder's measurement capabilities are segmented into two independent detection dimensions: vertical position tracking and horizontal alignment monitoring. By processing encoder signals to extract both vertical and horizontal position information separately, the system maintains measurement precision for alignment detection while using the same physical component, avoiding the need for additional sensors
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for determining a degraded guide rail condition in an elevator system (100), a computer program product, and an elevator system (100) are presented in this document. The method comprises obtaining (710) a first data (101) including information about movement of an elevator component (11, 12) relative to a guide rail (21, 22), and obtaining (720) a second data (102) including information about movement of an elevator component (11, 12). The method further comprises comparing (730) the first data (101) and the second data (102) to each other, and detecting (740), based on the comparison, a deviation (105) fulfilling a deviation criterion. Still further, the method comprises creating (750) a signal indicating the degraded, such as misaligned, guide rail condition, such as of the first or the second guide rail (21, 22).