Elevator Positioning via Acceleration and Sync Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyance systems, such as elevator systems, require periodic monitoring for diagnostics, which typically involves manual inspections by technicians, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize a sync sensor and inertial measurement units to detect accelerations and vibratory signatures along multiple axes, allowing for the determination of the location of conveyance apparatuses within the system, enabling remote monitoring and reducing the need for manual inspections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual inspection by technicians is used for monitoring conveyance systems, then diagnostic capabilities are maintained, but productivity is reduced and loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic capabilityVSAvoidmonitoring efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyance system performs self-diagnosis through onboard sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, vibration sensors) that continuously monitor system parameters and detect anomalies automatically, eliminating the need for manual technician inspections while maintaining diagnostic capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical inspection by technicians is replaced with electronic sensing systems including accelerometers, gyroscopes, and vibration sensors that automatically detect and report system conditions, transforming physical inspection into automated electronic monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual inspection by technicians is used for monitoring conveyance systems, then diagnostic capabilities are maintained, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic capabilityVSAvoidinspection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system operates continuously during conveyance system operation, constantly collecting data from sensors and detecting anomalies in real-time, eliminating the periodic interruptions caused by manual inspections and ensuring continuous diagnostic coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically monitors itself without requiring technician intervention, performing continuous self-diagnosis and immediately detecting issues as they occur, thereby eliminating the time loss associated with scheduling and executing manual inspections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If automated monitoring using sensors and accelerations is implemented, then productivity is improved and loss of time is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system serves multiple functions simultaneously: accelerometers detect both position and vibration patterns, gyroscopes provide orientation data for both navigation and anomaly detection, and the same hardware platform supports various diagnostic algorithms, reducing overall system complexity through multi-functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

A centralized control system or cloud platform acts as an intermediary that receives data from multiple sensor types, processes information using diagnostic algorithms, and generates unified reports, simplifying the complexity by centralizing processing rather than requiring separate systems for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 and automated monitoring of conveyance systems, improving diagnostic capabilities and reducing the reliance on manual inspections, thereby enhancing maintenance efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

monitoring a first acceleration of the conveyance apparatus along a first axis from the first point in time to a second point in time

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration detection: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

detecting a sync sensor along a path of a conveyance apparatus at a first point in time, the sync sensor being at a known location along the path of the conveyance apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPosition detection:

Implementation Method 3

monitoring vibratory signatures along a second axis of a conveyance apparatus of a conveyance system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration detection: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS11964846B2Elevator location determination based on car vibrations or accelerations

Publication Date: 2024.04.23 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

AI summary

A method of detecting a location of a conveyance apparatus within a conveyance system including: detecting a sync sensor along a path of a conveyance apparatus at a first point in time, the sync sensor being at a known location along the path of the conveyance apparatus; monitoring a first acceleration of the conveyance apparatus along a first axis from the first point in time to a second point in time; determining a first distance away from the sync sensor along the path of the conveyance apparatus in response to the first acceleration of the conveyance apparatus and a period of time between the first point in time and the second point in time; and determining a first location of the conveyance apparatus along the path of the conveyance apparatus in response to the known location of the sync sensor and the first distance away from the sync sensor.