Elevator Suspension Tension Member Monitoring Circuit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems with belt-like suspension means cannot reliably monitor damage beyond broken tension members due to the lack of visibility of these members through the sheathing, limiting the detection of various states and robustness against disruptive influences.
Innovation Solution
A device and method where multiple electrically conductive tension members are arranged in parallel, insulated, and surrounded by a common jacket, with a circuit configuration allowing for interconnection and measurement of current or voltage changes to detect various states, including broken members and electrical contacts, using a measuring device between groups of tension members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a test current is applied to all tension members connected in series, then breakage detection is reliable, but no other damage states can be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The tension members are divided into two groups (first group and second group) with a measuring device arranged between them. This segmentation allows the circuit to detect not only breakages but also electrical contacts between adjacent tension members, as the measuring device can identify changes in current flow patterns caused by different damage states.
2Device complexity
If traditional monitoring methods are used, then the system is simple, but the system cannot detect various damages to the suspension means
Solution Approach 1:
A measuring device is introduced as an intermediary element between the first group and second group of tension members. This measuring device enables the detection of various damage states including breakages and electrical contacts, while the overall system remains relatively simple by utilizing the existing electrical circuitry of the suspension means.
3Measurement precision
If precise measurements are required, then measurement accuracy is high, but the system becomes sensitive to disruptive influences
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential information needed for damage detection (presence or absence of electrical contact, breakage status) from the complex measurement data. By focusing on detecting whether current is essentially flowing or essentially not flowing, the system achieves reliable damage detection without being overly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, electromagnetic radiation, and other disruptive influences.
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
Enables reliable detection of multiple states of the suspension means, including broken tension members and electrical contacts, while being robust against temperature fluctuations, electromagnetic radiation, and movement, without requiring precise measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a test current can be applied to the tension members. In the circuit configured in this way, a current flow or a current strength, a voltage, an electrical resistance or an electrical conductivity is measured
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator system includes a suspension apparatus that has a plurality of tension members in a common jacket. The tension members of the suspension apparatus are electrically interconnected in an electric circuit which includes a current source or a voltage source and a measuring device. The measuring device is connected between a first group of the tension members and a second group of the tension members.