Elevator Speed Control via Traction Sheave Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator speed monitoring systems require complex and expensive hardware, which is costly to maintain and does not effectively prevent overspeeding or ensure safe deceleration of elevator cars.

Innovation Solution

A detection system that records and evaluates the movement of the traction sheave and counterweight, initiating deceleration if the elevator car overspeeds, and uses a simple safety circuit to activate a brake if the car does not reach a standstill position within predetermined specifications, thereby preventing overspeeding and ensuring safe stoppage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complex hardware monitoring systems are used to track cable drum and motor shaft revolutions, then speed monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed monitoring capabilityVSAvoidhardware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the speed monitoring function from complex mechanical sensing systems and relocates it to a computer-based evaluation system that processes signals from a simple measuring system, eliminating the need for complex electrical monitoring of motor shaft and drum shaft revolutions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex electrical monitoring hardware with a computer-based system that evaluates signals from a simplified measuring system, using software logic instead of complex hardware circuits to achieve speed monitoring and control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If continuous monitoring and multiple check points are implemented, then safety reliability is improved, but response time and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety reliabilityVSAvoiddeceleration response time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes predetermined speed specifications and deceleration criteria in advance, allowing the computer to immediately compare actual speed against these pre-set thresholds and initiate deceleration without complex real-time calculations, thus maintaining fast response while ensuring safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the computer continuously monitors speed via the measuring system and compares it against predetermined specifications, automatically initiating deceleration when deviations are detected, and verifying that deceleration progresses according to predetermined criteria

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP1714933B1Elevator speed control system
Publication Date: 2015.12.23 INVENTIO AG
  • EP1714933B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP1714933B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP1714933B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The method involves detecting and evaluating movement of an elevator car and counterbalance driving traction sheave. A deceleration of the car is initiated with an impermissible deviation of the speed of the car from a preset speed. The car is monitored to find whether it quits its standstill position, and a brake is activated to ascertain the car, when the car has quitted its standstill position. An independent claim is also included for a detection system for monitoring speed of an elevator car, comprising a measuring system.