Elevator Safety Sensor Testing Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems require regular testing of safety sensors in the safety chain to ensure safe operation, but existing methods compromise the integrity of the safety chain or fail to provide automatic and reliable testing.
Innovation Solution
A testing arrangement that includes a test circuit and a switchable testing relay, allowing safety sensors to be disconnected from the safety chain and connected to a test circuit for operability testing without adding additional circuitry, ensuring compliance with safety standards like EN-81.20.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If safety sensors are regularly tested to ensure safe operation, then reliability is improved, but the integrity of the safety chain is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the safety sensors from the safety chain during testing by using a testing relay to disconnect them. This allows the sensors to be tested individually or in groups without affecting the overall safety chain integrity, as the disconnecting action is temporary and controlled.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the safety sensors into testable groups or individuals using the testing relay, which can connect or disconnect specific sensors from the safety chain. This segmentation enables targeted testing of one or more sensors while maintaining the rest of the safety chain operational.
2Measurement precision
If additional circuitry is added to test safety sensors, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The testing relay serves multiple functions: it acts as a normal relay in the safety chain and simultaneously functions as a testing device that can connect or disconnect sensors for testing purposes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate additional circuitry dedicated solely to testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing relay structure in the safety chain is made to serve the additional function of sensor testing. The relay's inherent switching capability is utilized to perform testing operations, allowing the system to test its own components without requiring external specialized testing equipment.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A testing arrangement (36) for testing the operability of at least one safety sensor (21, 22, 23, 26, 28) connected to the safety chain (30) of an elevator system (1), the testing arrangement (36) comprises: at least one test circuit (34) for testing the operability of the at least one safety sensor (21, 22, 23, 26, 28); and at least one testing relay (32, 33). The testing relay (32, 33) is switchable between an operational position and a test position and it is configured for electrically connecting the at least one safety sensor (21, 22, 23, 26, 28) to the safety chain (30) in the operational position and for electrically connecting the at least one safety sensor (21, 22, 23, 26, 28) to the test circuit (34) in the test position.