Elevator Car Hybrid Energy Storage for Cable-Free Power Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems require maintenance-intensive power transfer systems using moving cables or current collectors, which increase costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid energy storage system for elevator cars, incorporating a converter that provides multiple DC voltages to interconnected energy storage devices and loads, allowing for autonomous operation and efficient power management based on elevator characteristics and load conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If moving cables or current collectors are used to transfer power to the elevator car, then power supply is achieved, but maintenance complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power transfer mechanism from the traditional moving cable system and replaces it with a stationary power source combined with onboard energy storage devices (batteries, supercapacitors) in the elevator car. This eliminates the complex moving cable or current collector system while maintaining continuous power supply through the energy storage units.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical power transfer system (moving cables, current collectors) is replaced with an electrical energy storage system. The elevator car carries its own energy storage devices that store electrical energy and supply it to onboard loads, substituting the mechanical sliding contact system with a self-contained electrical power system.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional power transfer systems are used, then power distribution is simple, but maintenance inspection requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator car becomes self-sufficient in power supply by carrying its own energy storage devices. The system monitors its own state of charge and autonomously manages power distribution to various loads, reducing the need for external maintenance inspection of power transfer components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple energy storage devices (batteries, supercapacitors) in parallel, providing redundancy. If one device fails or requires maintenance, the others can continue to supply power, allowing maintenance to be performed without complete system shutdown and reducing maintenance inspection urgency.
3Device complexity
If single energy storage device is used, then system structure is simple, but power delivery capability under varying load conditions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple types of energy storage devices (batteries and supercapacitors) into a hybrid system. Each device type complements the other: batteries provide sustained energy storage while supercapacitors deliver high instantaneous power during peak demand, achieving superior power delivery capability through synergistic combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operating parameters by switching between different energy storage devices based on load requirements. The controller monitors power demand and selectively activates appropriate energy storage devices or combinations, optimizing the state of charge and power output parameters to match varying elevator operational conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid energy storage system for an elevator car includes a converter disposed on the elevator car and receives power from a power source and provides a first DC voltage to a first DC bus and a second DC voltage to a second DC bus, a first energy storage device connected to the converter receives the first DC voltage on the first DC bus, and a second energy storage device connected to the converter receives the second DC voltage on the second DC bus. The system also includes a first load connected to the first DC bus and a second DC bus, and a second load connected to the second DC bus. Power is provided from the first energy storage device to the first load under a first selected condition and power is supplied from the second energy storage device to the first load under second selected condition.