Elevator Inspection Robot for Precise Shaft Mapping and Ride Checks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manually mapping and inspecting elevator shafts and systems is time-consuming and imprecise, requiring significant manual effort and resources.
Innovation Solution
An elevator inspection system utilizing a robotic platform equipped with sensors and a controller to automate the mapping, inspection, and maintenance of elevator systems, including determining operational parameters, verifying light operations, and adjusting settings to improve ride quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual inspection and mapping methods are used, then human judgment and flexibility are maintained, but inspection time is extensive and precision is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection methods with an automated robotic system equipped with sensors (laser scanners, cameras, accelerometers, microphones) that autonomously collect and analyze data, eliminating the need for human inspectors to physically traverse and measure elevator components while achieving superior precision and speed
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic inspection system creates detailed digital copies and models of the elevator shaft, car, and components through sensor data collection, generating virtual representations that can be analyzed without physical manual measurement, thereby improving both precision and reducing inspection time
2Productivity
If manual mapping and inspection activities are performed, then adaptability to unique elevator configurations is maintained, but significant manual power and resources are required
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic inspection system is designed as a universal platform capable of inspecting multiple elevator configurations and components (shaft, car, doors, machinery) using the same core system, reducing the need for specialized manual inspection procedures for each unique setup while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary that coordinates the robotic platform, sensors, and data processing systems, managing the complexity of the automated inspection system while enabling high productivity through centralized control and automated decision-making
3Loss of time
If traditional inspection methods are used, then simplicity of implementation is maintained, but installation and inspection time is extensive
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic inspection system performs preliminary mapping and inspection activities during elevator installation and commissioning, capturing baseline data before the elevator enters service, which reduces the need for subsequent manual inspections and accelerates the overall installation timeline
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces time-consuming manual inspection procedures with automated robotic platforms that can rapidly traverse and document elevator components, significantly reducing both installation verification time and ongoing inspection time while increasing automation level
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
An elevator inspection system (200), configured to inspect multiple elevator cars in a group of elevator cars, the system (200) having: a sensor implement (210); a robot (220) supporting the sensor implement (210); and a controller (230) operationally connected to the robot (220) and the sensor (210), wherein the controller (230) is configured to transmit an alert responsive to determining, from sensor data compared with elevator operational data, that an operational parameter of an elevator car in which the robot (220) is located is outside a predetermined threshold. The controller (230) is configured to communicate with an elevator car control panel to thereby determine that the operational parameter is outside the predetermined threshold.