Elevator Serial Communication Network Wire Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional elevator systems face inefficiencies in reducing wire numbers and maintaining functions during communication errors or blackouts, as existing solutions either inadequately reduce wire counts or fail to ensure continuous operation in abnormal states.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a serial communication network between communication controllers, supplemented by individual communication lines, allows for reduced wire counts while ensuring critical signals are maintained even in abnormal states through error detection and prioritization of signal transmission schedules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If only safety control signals are connected through a bus node, then the number of wires is reduced, but the reduction is insufficient and other signals still require separate connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of wiresVSAvoidconnection structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple signal types (safety control signals, normal control signals, and monitoring signals) into a single serial communication bus. This allows all signals to share the same communication channel, dramatically reducing the number of wires required compared to individual connections for each signal type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The serial communication bus is designed to handle multiple functions simultaneously - it transmits safety control signals, normal control signals, and monitoring signals through a single communication channel. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated wires for each signal type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If all signals are connected through a bus node, then wire reduction is maximized, but elevator functions are not maintained during communication errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of wiresVSAvoidelevator function maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments signals into different priority levels (safety control signals with highest priority, normal control signals with medium priority, and monitoring signals with lowest priority). This segmentation allows the system to selectively maintain critical functions during communication errors by prioritizing safety-related signals over non-critical monitoring signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary error detection and priority-based signal classification before communication failures occur. By pre-establishing priority levels and error handling protocols, the system can quickly switch to maintaining only essential functions when communication errors are detected, ensuring elevator safety without requiring complete system shutdown.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If radio communication is used to eliminate wires, then wire reduction is achieved, but elevator functions are not maintained during blackouts or communication failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of wiresVSAvoidfunction maintenance during abnormalities
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements error detection mechanisms and priority-based signal handling protocols in advance of communication failures. When communication errors or blackouts occur, the system has pre-established fallback procedures that maintain critical safety functions by prioritizing essential signals, thus cushioning against the impact of communication failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP2634129B1Elevator system
Publication Date: 2015.06.10 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP2634129B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2634129B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2634129B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An elevator system of the present invention includes: a communication controller 1b that is installed in a cage 5, an elevating path, or a platform, and connected to an elevator equipment inside the cage 5, an elevator equipment inside the elevating path or an elevator equipment of the platform; a communication controller 1a that is connected to the communication controller 1b through a serial communication network 2 and an individual communication line 3 so as to perform communication; and control means that is connected to the communication controller la so as to control operations of the cage 5, in which the individual communication line communicates a signal individually in a manner separated from a signal communicated through the network 2.