Elevator Capacitive Panel Control for Unintended Press Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive elevator operating panels are prone to unintentional actuations and require periodic calibration due to capacitance drift, which can lead to safety issues such as unexpected door movements, as they fail to distinguish between intended and unintended button presses.
Innovation Solution
A method for an elevator operating panel that uses a control unit to detect actuations of capacitive buttons, canceling sustained or unintended actuations by monitoring adjacent buttons and generating an alarm signal, while calibrating buttons only when no actuations are detected to prevent faults and ensure safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If capacitive buttons are used in the operating panel, then aesthetics and adaptability are improved, but unintentional actuations occur reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors capacitance changes of adjacent buttons during a check period following the detection of a sustained actuation. This feedback mechanism determines whether to confirm or cancel the actuation, resolving the contradiction by adding intelligent verification to capacitive button operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its response based on the actuation duration and subsequent capacitance changes. By implementing time-based thresholds and monitoring periods, the system adapts its behavior to distinguish between intentional sustained presses and unintentional contacts, maintaining reliability while preserving capacitive button aesthetics.
2Ease of operation
If capacitive buttons are used without pressure sensitivity, then ease of operation is improved, but unintentional triggering increases reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the evaluation parameters by monitoring both the duration of capacitance change and the magnitude of capacitance change in adjacent buttons. This multi-parameter approach allows the system to maintain ease of touch operation while filtering out unintentional triggers through sophisticated parameter analysis.
3Measurement precision
If calibration is performed when actuation is detected, then measurement precision is improved, but safety is reduced due to potential critical situations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs calibration during idle periods when no button actuations are detected, rather than during active operation. This preliminary timing ensures that calibration activities do not interfere with safety-critical operations, resolving the contradiction by scheduling calibration when it will not cause harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit automatically performs calibration during idle periods without requiring manual intervention or disrupting elevator operation. This self-service approach maintains measurement precision while eliminating safety risks associated with calibration during active use.
4Ease of operation
If sustained actuation is interpreted as intentional, then ease of operation is improved, but unintentional sustained contact causes incorrect operation reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit provides feedback by monitoring capacitance changes in adjacent buttons during a check period after detecting sustained actuation. This feedback loop allows the system to confirm intentional sustained presses while canceling unintentional contacts, resolving the contradiction through intelligent verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds another dimension of evaluation by monitoring not just the actuated button but also adjacent buttons during a check period. This multi-dimensional approach distinguishes between intentional sustained presses (where only the target button is pressed) and unintentional contacts (where adjacent buttons may also be affected).
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
Prevents incorrect operations and potential safety hazards by reliably distinguishing between intended and unintended button presses, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring the elevator's safe operation.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive touchscreen also operates without pressure. It only needs to be touched for interaction. A change in capacitance or charge of a capacitive button that results from an electrical field which reacts to a touch is detected such that an actuation of a button can be determined.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating an elevator and an operating panel for an elevator for carrying out the method, as well as an elevator having such an operating panel, include an operating panel having a plurality of capacitive buttons and a control unit that evaluates a change in capacitance of the capacitive buttons in order to detect an actuation of the button. If an actuation of a first button is detected, the actuation duration of this first button exceeds a predetermined first time period, and an actuation of at least one second button arranged adjacent to the first button is detected, the actuation of the first button is then controlled on the basis of a change in capacitance of the actuated second button such that the control unit cancels the actuation of the first button if the actuation of the second button continues during a predetermined check period.