Elevator Tag Detection to Keep Associated Passengers Together
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems often fail to prevent separation of users and their companions or possessions due to limitations in obstruction detection, particularly when using slender connections like leashes, leading to potential harm or distress.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with RFID tags or other detection technologies to ensure that a set of associated tags, representing groups or connected entities, travel together by preventing elevator operations until all tags are present, using a control system to manage door and travel functions based on tag presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If obstruction detection devices are used to prevent door closing when objects are detected, then door safety is improved, but the system cannot prevent separation of associated entities connected by slender objects like leashes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical obstruction detection with electromagnetic field-based RFID detection. RFID tags attached to entities (person, pet, luggage) communicate wirelessly with readers in the elevator, enabling detection of presence and association without physical contact or mechanical sensors. This resolves the limitation of mechanical systems unable to detect slender objects like leashes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates information copies of entities through RFID tags. Each entity carries a tag that transmits its identity and association data wirelessly. The system detects and processes these information copies to determine entity presence and relationships, replacing the need for direct physical detection of the actual entities and their connections.
2Reliability
If RFID tags are attached to multiple entities to track their presence, then entity association tracking is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID tags serve multiple functions: identification, association tracking, and presence detection. A single tag system handles all these tasks without requiring separate devices for each function. The readers also perform multiple roles: detecting tags, verifying associations, and controlling door operations based on the same detection data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the detection, verification, and control functions into an integrated system. The RFID readers are integrated with the elevator control system, and tag data is used directly to control door operations. This merging reduces the need for separate complex subsystems while achieving reliable entity association tracking.
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
Ensures that associated entities, such as passengers and their pets or luggage, remain together during elevator travel, preventing separation and potential harm, while allowing flexible and adaptable tag management.
Implementation Method 1
A tag detection device is provided in an elevator car. The tag detection device is arranged to detect presence of a set of associated tags in the elevator car.
Data Source
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AI summary
An elevator system (2, 102) comprises an elevator car (4, 104), a tag detection device (16, 116) arranged to detect the presence of tags (18, 20; 118, 120) in the elevator car (4, 104) and a control system (13). The control system (13) is arranged to determine if the tag detection device (16, 116) detects at least one of a set of associated tags (18, 20; 118, 120) present in the elevator car (4, 104) and, if at least one of the set of associated tags (18, 20; 118, 120) is detected in the elevator car (4, 104), to prevent at least one travel operation of the elevator car (4, 104) until all or none of the set of associated tags (18, 20; 118, 120) is detected to be present in the elevator car (4, 104).