Elevator Safety Control for Multi-Mode Emergency Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevators lack flexibility in emergency evacuation modes, often requiring specialized knowledge to activate and can be accidentally triggered, posing risks during non-normal operations.
Innovation Solution
An elevator system with a safety control unit and a main switch assembly allowing selection between multiple operating modes, including normal, emergency, and power-off modes, using a switch with different states and input signals to enable safe and controlled evacuation, and incorporating a two-stage security concept with mechanical and digital authorization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single switch position is used for emergency operation, then the operation is simple, but the risk of accidental activation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency operation is segmented into multiple distinct switch positions (first position for one type of emergency operation, second position for another type). This segmentation allows different emergency functions to be separated, reducing the risk of accidental activation while maintaining ease of operation through clear positional distinction.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single switch position that could be accidentally activated, the invention inverts the approach by using multiple specific positions where each position requires intentional selection. The system defaults to normal operation and requires deliberate switching to emergency modes, thereby reducing accidental activation risk.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operating modes are provided, then the versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety control unit is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple operating modes (normal operation, first emergency operation, second emergency operation) within a single integrated control system. This universal design provides versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same hardware platform supports multiple functions through software or control logic differentiation.
3Speed
If automatic brake release is used, then the evacuation speed is improved, but the safety control is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The safety control unit continuously monitors the brake's operational state and provides feedback control. When the switch is in the first position, the control unit automatically releases the brake while maintaining safety through continuous state monitoring and feedback mechanisms, ensuring that the automatic operation does not compromise safety control.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an elevator (2) comprising a safety control unit (12), the safety control unit (12) having an input (14) for selecting the mode of operation, and the safety control unit (12) being designed to differentiate at least a first input signal and a second input signal at the input (14). The elevator (2) also comprises a main switch device (16) having a switch (18), the main switch device (16) being accessible from outside the shaft (4), the main switch device (16) and the safety control unit (12) being connected, and it being possible to switch the switch (18) from at least a first state (20) into a second state (22). The safety control unit (12) is configured such that it operates in a first mode of operation when the switch (18) is switched into the first state (20), in a second mode of operation when the switch (18) is switched into the second state (22) and the safety control unit (12) detects the first input signal at the input (14), and in a third mode of operation when the switch (18) is switched into the second state (22) and the safety control unit (12) detects the second input signal at the input (14).