Elevator Monitoring Device With Position-Based Transmit Power

Solution Overview

Problem

Elevator systems face challenges in maintaining reliable wireless communication due to the harsh environment and frequent movement of elevator cars, which complicates the implementation of wireless monitoring devices.

Innovation Solution

A device on the elevator car adjusts its transmit power based on its location relative to a gateway, using different power levels to ensure reliable communication while conserving battery life, and includes a controller to determine optimal power settings through a power setting procedure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the transmitter uses high transmit power to ensure reliable communication, then communication reliability is improved, but battery life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The transmitter dynamically adjusts its transmit power level based on the elevator car's position along the vertical path. The controller selects from multiple discrete power levels (first, second, third transmit powers) corresponding to different locations, enabling the system to adapt power consumption to actual communication needs rather than using a fixed high power level continuously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the transmit power parameter based on location conditions. The controller determines the appropriate power level (high, medium, or low) depending on whether the elevator is near the gateway, in intermediate positions, or at locations requiring higher power, thereby optimizing the balance between communication reliability and battery conservation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of moving object

If the transmitter uses low transmit power to conserve battery life, then battery life is improved, but communication reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transmitter dynamically adjusts its transmit power level based on the elevator car's position along the vertical path. The controller selects from multiple discrete power levels (first, second, third transmit powers) corresponding to different locations, enabling the system to adapt power consumption to actual communication needs rather than using a fixed high power level continuously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the transmit power parameter based on location conditions. The controller determines the appropriate power level (high, medium, or low) depending on whether the elevator is near the gateway, in intermediate positions, or at locations requiring higher power, thereby optimizing the balance between communication reliability and battery conservation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the transmitter uses fixed transmit power, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different locations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidadaptability to locations

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The transmitter dynamically adjusts its transmit power level based on the elevator car's position along the vertical path. The controller selects from multiple discrete power levels (first, second, third transmit powers) corresponding to different locations, enabling the system to adapt power consumption to actual communication needs rather than using a fixed high power level continuously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the transmit power parameter based on location conditions. The controller determines the appropriate power level (high, medium, or low) depending on whether the elevator is near the gateway, in intermediate positions, or at locations requiring higher power, thereby optimizing the balance between communication reliability and battery conservation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12421079B2Elevator monitoring device with varying wireless transmission power based on elevator car position

Publication Date: 2025.09.23 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

AI summary

An illustrative example embodiment of a device for communicating information regarding an elevator car that moves along a vertical path includes at least one sensing portion configured to be supported on the elevator car and to sense at least one characteristic of the elevator car. A transmitter is configured to transmit a wirelessly communicated output indicating at least one condition based on the sensed characteristic. The transmitter is configured to use a first transmit power when the device is at a first location along the vertical path and to use a second, different transmit power when the device is at a second, different location along the vertical path.