Elevator Safety Bus Configuration Using Sensor Node Address Linking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern elevator systems face inefficiencies due to the use of multiple different internal data transmission solutions, leading to complicated and labor-intensive configurations, particularly in identifying the location of safety sensors.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a common ethernet bus for connecting elevator system components, enabling easy and reliable configuration through actuators, sensors, and nodes that communicate status changes via a data bus, with safety controllers linking addresses to component identifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different internal data transmission solutions are used in elevator systems, then various communication needs can be met, but the system becomes complicated and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple different data transmission solutions (serial communication, dedicated wiring, fieldbus) into a single unified Ethernet-based communication system. All elevator components (safety devices, control units, actuators, sensors) communicate through a common Ethernet network, eliminating the need for separate communication infrastructure for each protocol and significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining full communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The Ethernet communication system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides data transmission, device identification, status monitoring, and control signaling across all elevator components. This universal communication infrastructure replaces multiple specialized communication channels, allowing a single system to handle diverse communication needs without requiring separate dedicated solutions for each function.
2Ease of operation
If traditional dedicated wiring and connectors are used for each elevator component, then the control interface is unique and self-explanatory, but the interface becomes complicated requiring lot of cabling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple dedicated wiring connections into a single Ethernet cable per device. Instead of requiring separate cables for power, data, and control signals for each elevator component, all communications are consolidated through standardized Ethernet connectors, dramatically reducing the quantity of cabling while maintaining clear device identification and control capabilities through software-based addressing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring identification system (physical connectors and cable routing) with an electronic identification system based on Ethernet addresses and device nodes. Device identity and control relationships are established through software configuration and network addressing rather than physical connector geometry, simplifying the physical interface while maintaining operational clarity.
3Device complexity
If serial communication is used for connecting landing fixtures to a common communication channel, then a simpler interface with less wiring is achieved, but the solution becomes labor-intensive as fixtures must be configured manually
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service configuration where elevator fixtures and devices automatically generate and assign their own Ethernet addresses and network identifiers upon connection to the system. The configuration data is stored in the device's memory automatically, eliminating the need for manual configuration by installers. Devices self-identify and integrate into the network autonomously, reducing installation labor while maintaining simplified wiring architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs configuration actions in advance during the device manufacturing process. Device identifiers, addresses, and communication parameters are pre-configured in the device memory before installation. When the device is connected to the Ethernet network, this preliminary configuration data is automatically activated, eliminating the need for on-site manual configuration and reducing installation time and labor requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator safety system comprises an elevator system component, an actuator configured to cause a change in a status of the elevator system component, a data bus, a safety controller configured to communicate via the data bus, a sensor configured to detect the change in the status of the elevator system component where the detecting includes generating, at the sensor, information indicating the change in the status of the elevator system component, and an elevator system node associated with the sensor and configured to communicate the information indicating the change in the status of the elevator system component to the safety controller via the data bus. The safety controller is configured to link, in a memory of the safety controller and subsequently to the information being communicated to the safety controller, an address associated with the elevator system node with an identifier of the elevator system component.