Elevator Landing Door Lock Inspection via Automated Optical Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Manual inspection of elevator landing door locks is time-consuming and costly, necessitating an improved inspection method to ensure compliance with code requirements.

Innovation Solution

An automated inspection system using a detector on the elevator car to detect an indicator element on the landing door lock, which generates notifications about the lock's state of operation, allowing for efficient and remote monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual inspection methods are used for landing door locks, then inspection accuracy can be ensured, but inspection time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection accuracyVSAvoidinspection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with an automated optical detection system. A detector (camera) mounted on the elevator car captures images of the landing door lock's indicator element, and image processing algorithms automatically analyze the engagement length, substituting human visual inspection with machine-based detection to reduce time while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy (image) of the landing door lock's indicator element and analyzes this copy through image processing. This allows the inspection to be performed remotely and automatically without requiring physical manual measurement, thereby reducing inspection time and cost while preserving measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If manual inspection methods are used for landing door locks, then detailed examination can be performed, but inspection cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection accuracyVSAvoidinspection cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive manual inspection labor with a cost-effective automated system using standard camera hardware and software-based image processing. This substitution significantly reduces inspection costs while maintaining the ability to perform detailed examinations of the landing door lock engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The detector system mounted on the elevator car serves multiple functions: it inspects landing door locks at various landings, captures images for remote analysis, and can potentially inspect other elevator components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized inspection equipment and personnel, thereby lowering overall inspection costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11440769B2Automatic elevator inspection systems and methods

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

AI summary

Elevator systems and methods including an elevator car within an elevator shaft, at least one component subject to inspection, the at least one component having an indicator element thereon, and an inspection system comprising a detector located on the elevator car and arranged to detect the presence of the indicator element in a detection region such that when the indicator element is detected within the detection region, a notification regarding a state of operation of the at least one component is generated.