Elevator Car Operating Panel Light Source Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator car operating panel (COP) inspection methods require temporary removal from service, incur technician costs, and introduce additional monitoring circuit expenses, while current diagnostic systems are complex and prone to malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that compare actual light source illumination of the COP to a reference image, using a camera and controller to identify deviations and initiate maintenance requests, allowing for remote and automated assessment of COP functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual inspection of COP light sources is performed by removing elevator from service, then inspection accuracy is improved, but elevator productivity deteriorates and loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator system performs self-diagnosis of COP light source conditions using an integrated camera and processing system. The system automatically captures images of the COP, processes them to identify illuminated and unilluminated light sources, and generates maintenance requests without requiring external inspection personnel or removing the elevator from service, thereby maintaining productivity while achieving accurate inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual visual inspection process is replaced with an automated optical detection system. A camera captures images of the COP light sources, and a processing system analyzes the images to determine the operational status of each light source, eliminating the need for physical inspection and maintaining elevator availability.
2Measurement precision
If visual inspection by technician is performed, then inspection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex electronic monitoring circuits to detect light source conditions, the system creates an optical copy (image) of the COP using a camera. The image is then processed to identify the state of each light source. This approach achieves accurate detection with simpler technology, avoiding the need for complex additional monitoring circuitry while maintaining inspection accuracy.
3Reliability
If additional monitoring circuitry is added to detect COP malfunctions, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity and expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera serves as an intermediary device that captures visual information about the COP light sources. Instead of directly monitoring the electrical state of light sources with complex circuits, the system uses the camera as a mediator to obtain optical images, which are then processed to determine the operational status. This intermediary approach improves detection capability while avoiding complex monitoring circuitry.
4Measurement precision
If manual inspection is performed, then detection accuracy is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous monitoring of COP light source conditions without interrupting elevator operation. The camera can capture images at scheduled intervals while the elevator is in service, and the processing system continuously analyzes the images to detect changes in light source illumination. This continuous action eliminates the need to stop the elevator for inspection, maintaining both accuracy and productivity.
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 efficient, remote, and automated monitoring of COP light sources, reducing downtime and maintenance costs by identifying malfunctioning components without the need for temporary service removal or complex additional circuits.
Implementation Method 1
a camera is controlled to obtain an image of the car operating panel
Data Source
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AI summary
An illustrative example method of determining a condition of an elevator car operating panel includes controlling a plurality of light sources of the car operating panel to turn on all of the light sources. An image of the car operating panel is obtained that indicates an actual illumination of all of the light sources, respectively. A determination is made, based on the obtained image, if there are any differences between an expected illumination and the actual illumination of any of the light sources. An indication of the condition of the elevator car operating panel is provided that includes information regarding any determined differences between the expected illumination and the actual illumination.