Elevator Sensor Array Foreign Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems pose safety risks to maintenance personnel due to confined spaces, heavy components, and motion, with existing safety devices not effectively preventing collisions or distinguishing foreign objects from pre-existing objects.
Innovation Solution
An elevator sensor array system with a grid or diagonal pattern of light sensors, including emitters and receivers, is used to detect foreign objects by establishing pre-existing object locations, reducing false positives, and triggering modifications to elevator car control, such as limiting travel or triggering warnings based on object size estimates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor array system is used to detect foreign objects, then safety is improved, but false positives from pre-existing objects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection during installation to identify and store locations of pre-existing objects in the shaft. This preliminary action allows the system to distinguish between pre-existing objects and foreign objects introduced later, thereby reducing false positives while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system compares real-time sensor data against the stored baseline of pre-existing objects. When an object is detected, the system feedbacks against the baseline to determine if it is a new foreign object or a known pre-existing object, enabling accurate distinction and reducing false alarms.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are installed to detect all objects, then detection coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is segmented into multiple independent sensors positioned at different locations around the shaft perimeter. Each sensor independently monitors its specific zone, and the system processes data from individual sensors rather than treating it as a single complex unit, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sensor in the array serves multiple functions: detecting objects during normal operation, contributing to baseline establishment during installation, and participating in both foreign object detection and pre-existing object identification. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively modifies elevator car control to prevent collisions by accurately distinguishing foreign objects from pre-existing ones, reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing safety for maintenance personnel.
Implementation Method 1
the sensors are light sensors, each of the light sensors including an emitter and a receiver
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an aspect, a method includes detecting, by a computing system, whether there are any pre-existing objects between a first group of sensors of a sensor array in an elevator shaft. The computing system detects whether there is a foreign object between a second group of sensors of the sensor array in the elevator shaft, where the second group of sensors includes at least one sensor that differs from the first group of sensors. The computing system triggers a modification to a control aspect of an elevator car in the elevator shaft based on detection of the foreign object.