Elevator Standby Mode Control via Segmented Power Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional elevator standby modes lack versatility in controlling power supply and duration, leading to inefficient energy management and reduced safety monitoring capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A control arrangement that allows for diverse activation signals to control multiple elevator appliances into standby modes with varying recovery times, using a dual power supply circuit with a controllable switch and a controller to manage power supply, enabling selective appliance control and intermittent power supply to sensors for reduced current consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the power supply is disconnected centrally at the control panel to reduce power losses, then energy consumption is reduced, but the ability to selectively control individual appliances and maintain safety monitoring is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower lossesVSAvoidversatility of standby mode
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into multiple independent controllable circuits instead of a single centralized disconnect. Each control appliance has its own controllable switch that can independently control power supply to specific appliances or groups of appliances, allowing selective standby mode activation while maintaining power to critical safety functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standby mode system is made dynamic by allowing different appliances to enter standby mode at different times and for different durations based on activation signals. The system can transition between different standby states (first standby mode with faster recovery, second standby mode with slower recovery) depending on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If all control appliances are switched to standby mode simultaneously to maximize energy savings, then power consumption is minimized, but the system cannot adapt to varying traffic conditions and safety requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidresponse time to activation signals
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Different appliances or groups of appliances are assigned different standby modes with different recovery characteristics. Some appliances enter a first standby mode with faster recovery time, while others enter a second standby mode with slower recovery time, allowing the system to optimize both energy savings and response time for different components based on their specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of recovery time by implementing two distinct standby modes. The first standby mode provides faster recovery for appliances that need quick response, while the second standby mode provides slower recovery for appliances that can tolerate longer delays, allowing the system to adapt to varying traffic conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If power supply is completely disconnected during standby mode to reduce current consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but safety monitoring capabilities are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent consumptionVSAvoidsafety monitoring
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented to allow different appliances to be independently controlled. Critical safety-related appliances can be excluded from standby mode or placed in a mode with periodic power supply, while non-critical appliances enter deeper standby modes with complete power disconnection, thus maintaining safety monitoring while reducing overall current consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

For appliances requiring safety monitoring during standby mode, the system implements periodic power supply instead of complete disconnection. This allows the appliance to remain in standby mode with minimal power consumption while still performing safety monitoring functions at regular intervals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2803613B1Standby mode of an elevator
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 KONE OYJ
  • EP2803613B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2803613B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to an elevator system (1), which comprises control appliances (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) of the elevator system fitted to communicate between themselves. The elevator system comprises a control arrangement (11) for placing at least one control appliance into standby mode or for terminating the standby mode. The control arrangement is fitted to set the standby mode on the basis of at least one activation signal, as well as to send a control signal (21) of the standby mode to at least one control appliance of the elevator system. The invention also relates to a method for fitting a standby mode into an elevator system. The invention is characterized in that the standby mode is divided between a first standby mode with a first delay and after switching to the first standby mode to further switch after a preset second time delay to the second standby mode.