Elevator Guide Rail Surface Refinishing for Camera Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing absolute positioning systems for elevator cars based on surface structure evaluation are insufficiently reliable due to low distinctiveness of shaft material surfaces, leading to erroneous evaluations and over-exposure issues.
Innovation Solution
Refinishing the surface structure of shaft material, particularly using layer-coating processing methods like hammer-finish paint or sprayed structures, to increase distinctiveness and reduce reflection characteristics, facilitating more reliable position determination by the camera and evaluating unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the surface structure of shaft material is left in its basic formed state, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the distinctiveness of the surface structure is insufficient leading to unreliable position determination
Solution Approach 1:
The surface structure is refinished in advance during the manufacturing process of shaft material (guide rails, shaft doors, shaft walls) before installation in the elevator shaft. This preliminary action ensures that the surface has sufficient distinctiveness for reliable camera evaluation throughout the entire service life of the elevator, eliminating the need for later surface treatments or modifications.
2Measurement precision
If the surface structure is refinished to increase distinctiveness, then position determination reliability improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies various surface refinishing methods that change the physical parameters of the shaft material surface, including mechanical treatments (grinding, blasting, brushing), chemical treatments (etching, anodizing), and coating applications (paint, powder coating). These parameter changes create surface structures with enhanced distinctiveness that improve camera evaluation precision while being integrated into standard manufacturing processes.
3Reliability
If conventional surface structures are used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but the surface structure lacks sufficient distinctiveness for reliable image evaluation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies surface refinishing selectively to specific areas of shaft material where distinctiveness is most needed for position determination. For example, particular sections of guide rails or shaft walls are refinished to create distinctive surface patterns, while other areas maintain their original finish. This local quality approach ensures reliable image evaluation at critical positions without unnecessarily complicating the entire manufacturing process.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for refinishing a surface structure of shaft material of an elevator, which extends along a shaft, enables the use of image data to determine an absolute position and/or speed of an elevator car. The elevator includes the elevator car, which is movable in the shaft, a camera, which is arranged at the elevator car and generates the image data from the surface structure, and an evaluating unit, which determines the absolute position and/or the speed of the elevator car from the image data. The surface structure is refinished at least locally in order to increase a distinctiveness of the surface structure in the image data. The shaft material can be, for example, a guide rail, a fastening element of the guide rail, or a shaft wall.