Tool Position Monitoring in Elevator Shafts via Coordinate Transformation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional locating and positioning systems are ineffective in elevator shafts due to the geometry of the elevator shaft, the elevator car, and the numerous metal components, making it difficult to accurately monitor and record the position of tools during assembly and servicing.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a position measuring system, a height measuring system, and an evaluation system that uses sensors and electronics attached to the tool and elevator car to determine the tool's position relative to the elevator shaft, incorporating signal transmitters, inertial measurement units, and cameras to calculate the tool's absolute position within the shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional locating and positioning systems are used in an elevator shaft, then the system can identify component positions in general facilities, but the geometry of the elevator shaft, elevator car, and metal components make it harder or impossible to accurately determine tool positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary coordinate system transformation approach. Instead of directly measuring tool position in the elevator shaft coordinate system (which is affected by metal interference), the system first measures position relative to the elevator car coordinate system, then transforms these coordinates mathematically to obtain the tool position in the elevator shaft coordinate system. This intermediary transformation resolves the measurement interference problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical/physical positioning systems with a computational coordinate transformation system. By using sensors to capture data and applying mathematical transformations to convert coordinate systems, the system overcomes the physical limitations of metal component interference in the elevator shaft environment.
2Ease of operation
If the elevator car entirely blocks the elevator shaft in the height direction, then the elevator car can be installed and moved, but it becomes impossible to use conventional locating systems that require line of sight throughout the shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional direct spatial measurement approach to a mathematical coordinate transformation approach. By measuring positions in the elevator car's local coordinate system and then transforming to the elevator shaft's global coordinate system, the system can determine tool positions even when the elevator car blocks direct line of sight through the shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator car's coordinate system serves as an intermediary reference frame. Sensors mounted on the elevator car measure tool positions relative to the car, and coordinate transformation mathematically maps these measurements to the elevator shaft's coordinate system, enabling position detection despite the car blocking the shaft.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and measurement systems are added to achieve precise tool positioning, then measurement accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the elevator car's sensor system multi-functional. The same sensors mounted on the elevator car serve dual purposes: they track the elevator car's own position and movement in the shaft, and simultaneously measure the tool's position relative to the car. This eliminates the need for separate measurement systems and reduces overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the elevator car positioning function with the tool positioning function into a single integrated system. By combining coordinate transformation mathematics with sensor measurements, the system achieves both elevator car location tracking and tool position measurement using the same hardware infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for monitoring and/or recording a position of a tool in an elevator shaft includes a position measuring system for measuring a position of the tool relative to an elevator car; a height measuring system for measuring a height of the elevator car in the elevator shaft; and an evaluation system designed to receive measured data from the position measuring system and the elevation measuring system and to determine a position of the tool relative to the elevator shaft from the measured data.