Elevator Tension Member Identification for Installation Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator systems lack effective methods to verify and ensure the proper installation of tension members, which are crucial for meeting performance standards and ensuring safety.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of identifier elements such as bar codes or RFID tags on tension members, coupled with a detector system, allows for verification of the correct tension member installation by comparing identifier information with stored configuration parameters, and triggering alarms or slowing the elevator operation if an incorrect member is detected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional manual verification methods are used for tension members, then installation process is simple, but reliability of correct installation cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Identifier elements (barcodes, RFID tags) are attached to tension members during manufacturing before installation. This preliminary tagging enables automated verification at installation time without requiring complex manual inspection procedures, thus improving reliability while keeping the system relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection and physical verification methods with automated optical (barcode scanning) or electromagnetic (RFID reading) detection systems. This substitution significantly improves verification reliability while the detector devices remain relatively simple in structure.

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

2Measurement precision

If automated detector systems are implemented, then verification accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification accuracyVSAvoiddetector system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of complex physical measurements of tension members, the system uses identifier elements that contain copied information (barcodes or RFID data) about the component. The detector simply reads this information copy and compares it against required specifications, achieving high verification accuracy with relatively simple detection devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The identifier element acts as an intermediary between the tension member and the verification system. Rather than directly measuring complex physical properties of the tension member, the detector reads the simplified identifier information, which mediates the verification process and reduces detector complexity while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If verification systems are added to elevator systems, then safety is enhanced, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The verification system operates autonomously by automatically detecting identifier elements on tension members and comparing them against required specifications. The system self-verify installation correctness without requiring operator intervention for the verification process itself, thus enhancing safety while maintaining ease of operation. Operators only need to initiate the verification, not perform manual checks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3617122B1Elevator tension member verification
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3617122B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3617122B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2A
  • EP3617122B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A tension member verification system of an elevator system includes one or more identifier elements (62) located at the tension member (16). The one or more identifier elements (62) include one or more configuration parameters of the tension member (16). A detector (64) is positioned and configured to verify presence of the one or more identifier elements, and is configured to read the one or more configuration parameters of the tension member (16). An elevator system controller (66) is operably connected to the detector (64) and is configured to compare the detected one or more configuration parameters to stored configuration parameters stored at the elevator system controller (66), and take one or more actions in operation of the elevator system based on the result of the comparison.