Elevator Positioning via Segmented Sensor Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and complexity of installing and maintaining numerous positional sensors along the hoistway to accurately determine the position of an elevator car at every vertical position make it expensive and laborious to position the elevator car exactly at landings without a step difference.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dual position determining system, where a first system with high accuracy is used at landing portions and a less accurate second system using speed/acceleration sensors is used in intermediate portions, reducing the need for extensive sensor installation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large number of positional sensors are installed along the entire hoistway to determine the elevator car position with high accuracy at every vertical position, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the installation cost and maintenance complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The hoistway is segmented into landing portions and intermediate portions. Different positioning systems are applied to different segments: high-accuracy first positioning systems are installed only in landing portions where precise positioning is critical, while simpler second positioning systems are used in intermediate portions. This segmentation allows the system to achieve overall high positioning accuracy without installing sensors throughout the entire hoistway, thereby reducing installation complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system applies different levels of measurement precision to different locations based on local requirements. Landing portions, where the elevator car stops and passengers board/alight, require high positioning accuracy to ensure safe door operation. Intermediate portions only require lower accuracy for tracking purposes. This local differentiation of quality requirements optimizes the balance between positioning accuracy and system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If high-accuracy position determining systems are installed throughout the entire hoistway, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hoistway is divided into landing portions and intermediate portions, with different positioning systems deployed in each segment. High-accuracy first positioning systems are installed only in landing portions where precise positioning is critical for safe operation, while simpler, lower-cost second positioning systems are used in intermediate portions. This segmented approach achieves the necessary overall positioning accuracy while significantly reducing the total system cost compared to installing high-accuracy systems throughout the entire hoistway.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different measurement precision levels to different locations based on local operational requirements. Landing portions require high positioning accuracy to ensure safe door operation and passenger safety, while intermediate portions only require sufficient accuracy for tracking. This local differentiation allows the system to meet safety requirements at critical locations while minimizing overall system cost.
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator system (2) comprises a hoistway (4) extending between a plurality of landings (8); the hoistway (4) comprising landing portions (A) and intermediate portions (B), wherein each landing portion (A) extends around a corresponding landing (8) and each intermediate portion (B) is located between two adjacent landing portions (A); an elevator car (6), which is configured for traveling along the hoistway (4); a first position determining system (15), which is configured for determining the current position of the elevator car (6) while it is located within one of the landing portions (A); and a second position determining system (17), which is configured for determining the current position of the elevator car (6) while it is located within one of the intermediate portions (B).