Elevator Cabin Position and Speed Control Using LiDAR Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems face issues such as over speeding, rough landings, and mechanical wear due to unnecessary braking and speed adjustments, which reduce the service life and pose safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing light detection and ranging sensors positioned at the ceiling and floor of the elevator to detect the cabin's position and speed, coupled with a shaft controller that activates or deactivates a speed control unit to manage overspeed conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensor-based position control is used, then the elevator can detect position, but the system complexity increases with multiple sensors and complicated circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the position detection function from complex sensor arrays and isolates it to a single encoder attached to the motor shaft. This encoder alone provides both position and speed information, eliminating the need for multiple sensors and complicated circuit integration while maintaining detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The encoder serves multiple functions simultaneously: it detects both the position and speed of the elevator car. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require separate sensor systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.
2Extent of automation
If relay logic controllers are used for speed and position control, then the elevator can operate automatically, but processing delays occur affecting safety information transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical relay logic controllers with an electronic microprocessor-based control system. This substitution eliminates the inherent processing delays of mechanical relays while maintaining automatic control capability, enabling faster and more responsive handling of safety information and control decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously receives feedback from the encoder regarding position and speed, processing this information in real-time through the microprocessor. This feedback mechanism enables automatic control without the time losses associated with mechanical relay systems, as electronic processing occurs instantaneously.
3Ease of operation
If the elevator uses conventional stopping methods, then it can reach floor positions, but mechanical wear increases due to unnecessary braking and speed adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses preliminary action by calculating the required braking force in advance based on the elevator's current position, speed, and distance to the target floor. The microprocessor determines the optimal braking point before the elevator reaches the floor, allowing for smoother deceleration and reducing unnecessary mechanical wear on braking components while ensuring accurate stopping.
4Measurement precision
If position sensors require the elevator to go beyond the actual stopping point, then positioning can be achieved, but additional time is consumed in returning to the correct location
Solution Approach 1:
The encoder provides continuous feedback on the elevator's actual position and speed throughout the approach to the floor. The microprocessor uses this real-time feedback to dynamically adjust the braking sequence, ensuring the elevator stops precisely at the correct position without overshooting and requiring corrective movements, thereby eliminating additional positioning time while maintaining high stopping accuracy.
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 detects the elevator cabin's position and speed, preventing overspeed conditions and reducing mechanical wear, thereby enhancing safety and extending the service life of the elevator.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of light detection and ranging sensors positioned at a ceiling and at a floor of the elevator, facing towards an elevating cabin
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of light detection and ranging sensors is also configured to read and transmit the speed of the elevator cabin by reading the distance travelled per unit of time
Data Source
AI summary
A system (100) for detecting a position and controlling a speed of an elevator cabin (102) is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of light detection and ranging sensors (LiDAR) (104) and a shaft controller (110). The plurality of LiDAR is positioned at a ceiling (106) and at a floor (108) of the elevator (300), facing towards the elevating cabin. The plurality of LiDAR is configured to read and transmit, the distance of the elevator cabin from at least one of ground and a topmost position of the elevator and the speed of the elevator cabin by reading the distance travelled per unit of time. The shaft controller detects the position of the elevator cabin by receiving the distance from the plurality of LiDAR. The shaft controller also detects an overspeed condition when the speed of the elevator cabin received from the plurality of LiDAR is above safe threshold speed.