Elevator Guide Rail Settling Detection via Pit Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems face challenges due to building settling, which can cause increased forces on guide rails, potentially leading to failure, and existing detection systems lack effective monitoring and notification mechanisms to prevent critical settling amounts.
Innovation Solution
A building settling detection system using sensors between guide rails and the pit to monitor force, displacement, or compression, with a controller that sets multiple thresholds to enable notifications and disable the elevator system when maximum thresholds are exceeded, allowing for proactive maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If guide rails are made robust to support building settling forces, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by installing sensors on guide rails before building settling occurs, enabling early detection and monitoring of settling forces. This allows the elevator system to adapt to building settling over time through continuous monitoring and threshold-based alerts, rather than requiring overly robust guide rail structures designed for maximum potential settling forces.
2Measurement precision
If multiple thresholds are implemented for building settling detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the building settling detection into multiple threshold levels (first threshold, second threshold, third threshold) with progressively increasing severity. Each threshold triggers different responses, allowing precise measurement and categorization of settling amounts while maintaining manageable system complexity through structured hierarchical monitoring.
3Reliability
If the elevator system is disabled when maximum threshold is exceeded, then safety is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing a progressive threshold system that takes preventive measures before critical failure occurs. The system disables the elevator only when the maximum (third) threshold is exceeded, while intermediate thresholds provide early warnings and opportunities for maintenance. This prevents catastrophic failure while minimizing disruption to elevator productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively monitors building settling forces, enabling timely maintenance operations before critical levels are reached, ensuring the integrity and safety of the elevator system by adjusting or disabling it when necessary.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one sensor is a force, displacement, strength, strain, or compression sensor
Data Source
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Figure 1B
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AI summary
A building settling detection system having at least one sensor (200) configured between a guide rail track of an elevator system (201) and a pit (223) of the elevator system (201) and a controller in communication with the at least one sensor (200), the controller configured to monitor an output of the at least one sensor (200) and transmit a notification to a remote location when the output of the at least one sensor (200) meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold indicating that the predetermined threshold is met or exceeded.