Elevator Car Positioning via Time-of-Flight Tag and Anchor Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator car position determination is hindered when access to the elevator controller is not feasible, due to proprietary credentials or different maintenance and manufacturing companies.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a tag mounted on the elevator car, anchors in the hoistway, and a gateway that communicates with the tag to determine the car's position using time-of-flight measurements of poll and reply signals, allowing the car's position to be calculated without relying on the elevator controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elevator controller is used to determine car position, then position information is available, but access requires proprietary credentials or customized tools and may be impractical when maintenance and manufacturing companies differ
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary positioning system consisting of tags, anchors, and gateways that mediates between the elevator car and the external world. This intermediary system enables position determination without requiring direct access to the elevator controller, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable position determination and ease of access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the positioning function by implementing an independent positioning system that replicates the controller's ability to determine car position. This copy operates autonomously using time-of-flight measurements between tags and anchors, eliminating the need to access the original controller system.
2Ease of operation
If independent positioning system is implemented, then access to controller is not required, but system complexity increases with tags, anchors, and gateways
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device performs multiple functions: it communicates with tags, receives position data, forwards information to remote systems or mobile devices, and manages the positioning network. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining access independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system is self-configuring and self-maintaining. Tags automatically communicate with anchors and gateways without manual intervention, and the system autonomously determines positions using time-of-flight calculations. This self-service capability reduces the operational complexity of managing the positioning infrastructure.
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 real-time elevator car position determination without requiring access to the elevator controller, facilitating communication with a gateway or mobile device and integration with remote systems.
Implementation Method 1
determine a position of the elevator car in the hoistway in response to a time of flight of the poll signal to the at least one anchor and a time of flight of the reply signal to the tag
Data Source
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AI summary
An elevator car position determining system includes a tag (202) mounted to an elevator car (103), the elevator car (103) configured to travel in a hoistway (117); at least one anchor (204) mounted in the hoistway (117); a gateway (206) in communication with the tag (202); wherein the tag (202) is configured to send a poll signal; wherein the at least one anchor (204) is configured to generate a reply signal in response to the poll signal; wherein the tag (202) is configured to determine a position of the elevator car (103) in the hoistway (117) in response to a time of flight of the poll signal to the at least one anchor (204) and a time of flight of the reply signal to the tag (202).