Remote Monitoring of Passenger Elevators via Main Switch Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passenger conveyance systems, such as elevators and escalators, require direct access for determining operational states, which is inconvenient and limits remote monitoring and optimization.
Innovation Solution
A system with a measuring device and communication device that measures electrical parameters at the input side of the main switch, allowing for remote monitoring and optimization of passenger conveyance installations without direct access, using sensors to measure temporal profiles of electrical power, voltage, or current, and an energy store to manage energy supply and demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor is connected at the output side of the main switch to monitor the passenger conveyance installation, then direct access to the installation is required for installation and maintenance, but this limits remote monitoring capabilities and increases operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the main switch as an intermediary component between the energy supply and the passenger conveyance installation. By connecting the sensor at the input side of the main switch, the system monitors electrical parameters (current, voltage, power) of the energy supply itself, which indirectly reflects the operational state of the installation. This intermediary approach enables remote monitoring without requiring physical access to the installation, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor is connected electrically in series at the input side of the main switch, then remote monitoring is enabled without access to the installation, but the device complexity increases due to additional connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing main switch infrastructure, which is already present in building energy management systems for disconnecting passenger conveyance installations. By integrating the sensor into the input side of this existing component, the system utilizes the main switch's universal function for both its original purpose (disconnecting installations) and as a convenient access point for sensor connection. This multi-functional approach enables remote monitoring while minimizing additional complexity, as the sensor connects to readily accessible points in the energy supply circuit rather than requiring modifications to the installation itself.
3Measurement precision
If direct access to the passenger conveyance installation is required for monitoring, then operational state determination is accurate, but maintenance and optimization require shutdown or access to the installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary monitoring by continuously measuring electrical parameters at the input side of the main switch, enabling the detection of operational states, malfunctions, and wear indicators before they become critical. This preliminary detection allows maintenance to be scheduled during planned downtime rather than requiring immediate shutdowns for diagnostic purposes. The system can identify trends and anomalies in advance, reducing unplanned maintenance interruptions and optimizing maintenance scheduling without compromising measurement 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
Enables remote monitoring and optimization of passenger conveyance systems, reducing energy consumption and operational costs by managing energy supply and demand, and detecting malfunctions or wear without physical access to the installations.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor is connected electrically and/or electromagnetically at the input side of the main switch
Implementation Method 2
the sensor is connected electrically and/or electromagnetically at the input side of the main switch
Implementation Method 3
the sensor is thus for example a Hall-effect current sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger conveying system includes a passenger conveyance installation designed as an elevator, escalator or moving walkway, a main energy supply supplying the passenger conveyance installation with electrical energy, a main switch for disconnecting the passenger conveyance installation from the main energy supply, which main switch has an input side connected to the main energy supply and an output side connected to the passenger conveyance installation. The system includes a measuring device with a sensor for measuring an electrical parameter, a converter which has a direct current side and an alternating current side, an energy store electrically connected to the direct current side of the converter, a control device for controlling the converter, wherein the sensor is electrically and/or electromagnetically connected on the input side of the main switch to the main energy supply and the alternating current side of the converter is electrically connected to the main energy supply.