Elevator Safety Chain Detection via Signal Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for maintaining elevator safety chains require significant manpower and resources, especially in high-rise buildings, as maintenance personnel need to manually check each landing door switch.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for detecting elevator safety chains using time domain characteristic analysis of operating signals, which distinguishes between normal operation and deterioration of landing door switches, thereby reducing the need for manual checks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual checking of each landing door switch is performed, then detection reliability is improved, but maintenance cost and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with automated electrical signal analysis. A detection device sends test signals through the safety chain and analyzes reflected signals to automatically identify abnormalities in landing door switches, eliminating the need for manual checking while maintaining detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary detection device that acts as a mediator between the safety chain and the analysis system. This device sends test signals, receives reflected signals, and processes them to identify switch abnormalities, serving as an automated intermediary that replaces human inspectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If manual checking of each landing door switch is performed, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precisionVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual inspection procedures with a simplified automated electrical testing system. The detection device uses electrical signal transmission and reflection analysis to precisely identify switch abnormalities without requiring complex mechanical inspection tools or procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameter from manual visual/physical inspection to electrical signal characteristics. By analyzing parameters such as signal reflection timing, amplitude, and waveform patterns, the system achieves precise detection with a relatively simple electrical testing apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If automated signal analysis is used, then maintenance efficiency is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance efficiencyVSAvoidswitch abnormality detection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The detection device serves as an intelligent intermediary that not only transmits test signals but also analyzes reflected signals using multiple criteria including timing, amplitude, and waveform characteristics. This multi-parameter analysis ensures precise detection of switch abnormalities while maintaining high maintenance efficiency through automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback analysis by comparing reflected signals against expected patterns and using the analysis results to identify specific abnormal switches. The feedback mechanism allows the automated system to maintain high detection precision by continuously evaluating signal characteristics and adjusting its analysis accordingly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4206106B1Method and device for detecting elevator safety chain
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP4206106B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4206106B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4206106B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

The present application relates to elevator technology, in particular to a method and device for detecting an elevator safety chain (10) and a computer-readable storage medium for implementing the method. According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided a device (20, 80) for detecting an elevator safety chain, comprising: an interface unit (810) coupled with the elevator safety chain and configured to output an operating signal having a first level when the elevator safety chain is in an ON state and an operating signal having a second level when the elevator safety chain is in an OFF state; and a processing unit (820), including: memory (821); a microcontroller (822) coupled with the interface unit; and a computer program (823) stored on the memory and running on the microcontroller, the running of the computer program causes: evaluating reliability of the elevator safety chain based on time domain characteristic of the operating signal output by the interface unit.