Elevator Safety Circuit With Sensor State Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switching devices and safety devices for elevators face challenges in accurately determining the switching states of sensors, particularly when multiple sensors are connected in series, making it difficult to identify which sensor is defective, and requiring extensive maintenance efforts.
Innovation Solution
A switching device with a communication unit that modulates resistance, voltage, or current to transmit information between sensors and a switching unit, allowing individual sensors to communicate and switch states without interrupting the electrical line, enabling centralized monitoring and easier retrofitting by using a single communication line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional opening switches connected in series are used to monitor door closed status, then the safety function is achieved, but it becomes impossible to identify which switch is defective or interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring function into individual sensor units, each capable of independent communication with the switching unit. This segmentation allows each sensor to be individually identified and monitored, enabling defect localization while maintaining the overall safety monitoring function through the distributed sensor network.
2Device complexity
If opening switches connected in series are used, then the circuit is simple, but an open switch causes a line break that interrupts the entire circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces communication units as intermediaries between sensors and the switching unit. These communication units enable data transmission without requiring physical electrical contact, allowing the circuit to remain continuous even when sensor switches are open, thus maintaining reliability while simplifying the physical circuit structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional switching devices are used, then installation is straightforward, but retrofitting requires extensive modifications to existing wiring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the switching unit with integrated communication capabilities that can interface with both conventional switching devices and modern sensor systems. The communication unit can interpret various signal types and protocols, making the system universally compatible and easily adaptable to different installation scenarios including retrofits, without requiring extensive wiring modifications.
4Reliability
If multiple sensors are connected in series for monitoring, then the safety coverage is improved, but the difficulty of identifying individual sensor states increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback communication system where each sensor transmits its individual switching state to the switching unit through dedicated communication channels. This feedback mechanism provides real-time information about each sensor's state, maintaining complete visibility of individual sensor conditions while allowing multiple sensors to operate in parallel for enhanced safety coverage.
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
This solution enhances the localization of sensor switching states, reduces maintenance complexity, and allows for efficient retrofitting by enabling sensors to communicate and switch states without line interruptions, improving the reliability and safety of elevator systems.
Implementation Method 1
communication can take place via a modulation of its own resistance of the sensor
Implementation Method 2
the switching unit is in turn designed to carry out the communication with the sensors by modulating the current intensity or the voltage
Implementation Method 3
If the resistance of a sensor is fundamentally changed when the sensors are connected in series, then the current intensity changes according to Ohm's law. If a constant current source is then used for the circuit, a change in resistance will cause the voltage to increase to compensate for the resulting decrease in current
Data Source
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AI summary
A circuit device is proposed which includes at least one sensor (1, 1', 10) for detection, which can be switched between at least two switching states depending on the detection. To enable improved localization of the switching states, a switching unit (12, 12', 12'', 25, 27) is provided, wherein the switching unit and the at least one sensor each have a communication unit (50, 51) for communication with each other, and the switching unit can be switched depending on the at least one sensor.