Elevator Inspection Apparatus with Separate Computing Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring and analyzing elevator performance parameters are prone to human error, are often expensive, bulky, and require access to the elevator control system, limiting their use by inspectors and consultants who lack specialized knowledge or access.
Innovation Solution
A portable, lightweight, and inexpensive system comprising a sensor package with three-axis accelerometers, an altimeter, and door sensors, connected to a commercially available computing device via a communication mechanism, allowing for automatic data collection and analysis of acceleration, speed, jerk, vibration, trips, and door times, with the ability to store and display data for extended periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional manual measurement methods are used by inspectors and consultants, then access to elevator control system is not required, but measurement accuracy is reduced due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system performs automatic data collection and analysis without requiring human intervention during the measurement process. The processor automatically collects sensor data, computes performance parameters, and generates reports, eliminating human error while maintaining ease of use for inspectors and consultants.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual measurement methods are replaced with an automated electronic system comprising sensors, a processor, and memory. This substitution eliminates human error in measurement and computation while providing inspectors and consultants with a simple plug-and-play device that requires no specialized knowledge of elevator control systems.
2Measurement precision
If specialized measurement instruments are used to improve measurement precision, then the devices become expensive and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a commercially available computing device that serves multiple functions: it stores sensor data in memory, processes the data to compute performance parameters, displays results, and generates reports. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized instruments, reducing both cost and portability issues while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines data collection, data storage, data processing, and result display into a single integrated system. The sensor package connects to the computing device, which handles all computational tasks, merging what would traditionally require multiple separate specialized instruments into one portable unit.
3Measurement precision
If access to elevator control system is required for measurement, then measurement precision improves, but ease of operation deteriorates due to restricted access
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor package acts as an intermediary device that connects to the elevator system without requiring access to the control system. It directly measures performance parameters through physical sensors and communicates results to the computing device, enabling building owners and other non-experts to conduct measurements independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system is segmented into independent components: sensor packages that collect data, a computing device that processes data, and communication interfaces. This segmentation allows the system to operate independently of the elevator control system, providing measurement capabilities to anyone with the portable device without requiring specialized access credentials.
4Device complexity
If manual data collection and analysis is performed, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously collects sensor data throughout the elevator operation and automatically processes it in real-time. The processor continuously computes performance parameters from the incoming data stream, eliminating the need for separate manual analysis phases and significantly improving productivity while maintaining simple operation through automatic computation.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual data collection and analysis processes are replaced with automated electronic data processing. The processor automatically computes performance parameters from sensor data and generates reports, eliminating the time-consuming manual processes while keeping the device simple to operate through intuitive interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is an elevator inspection apparatus. It comprises a sensor package, a commercially available off-the-shelf computing device, a computer program, and a communication mechanism between the sensor package and the computing device. The sensor package is physically separate from the computing device, comprising a sensor for measuring the acceleration of the elevator car, a door position sensor for determining the position of the elevator door, a sensor for measuring the altitude of the elevator car, and an interface to an external communication mechanism for communicating with the computing device. The computing device includes an interface to an external communication mechanism for communicating with and providing power to the sensor package. The computer program controls the apparatus, analyzes the signals from the sensor package, displays the results of the analysis, and creates reports of the elevator performance.