Elevator Car Positioning via Vibration Signatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator monitoring systems face challenges in accurately tracking the position of an elevator car within a hoistway, particularly during power failures or maintenance overrides, leading to inaccurate position determination and hindered predictive maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that collect and analyze vibration data from sensors to determine the position of the elevator car by comparing features of the analysis data to pre-determined characteristic signatures, using time, frequency, and sequence analysis, and outputting an indicator of the car's position, which can include updating calibration data periodically and integrating with service and analysis systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional elevator monitoring systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the position tracking accuracy deteriorates during power failures or maintenance overrides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces vibration sensors as intermediary devices to detect door movement and generate vibration signatures that serve as position indicators. These sensors act as mediators between the elevator car and the monitoring system, providing reliable position information even when traditional positioning systems fail during power outages or maintenance modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or electrical positioning systems with a vibration-based detection system. By using vibration sensors to detect door movement and analyze vibration signatures, the system substitutes complex mechanical positioning mechanisms with a simpler, more reliable sensor-based approach that functions independently of power status.
2Measurement precision
If vibration sensors are added to track position, then position determination accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration sensors serve multiple functions: they detect door movement, generate vibration signatures for position identification, and provide data for predictive maintenance analysis. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized sensors, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while achieving accurate position determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by collecting and storing vibration data during normal operation to create reference profiles. These pre-collected vibration signatures are stored in memory and used during position determination, eliminating the need for complex real-time processing and reducing operational system complexity.
3Reliability
If continuous vibration data collection is performed, then position tracking reliability improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic vibration data collection during elevator door operations rather than continuous monitoring. Vibration sensors are activated during door opening and closing events, and data is collected at specific intervals during elevator stops, reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable position tracking through periodic sampling of characteristic vibration signatures.
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
Effectively determines the position of the elevator car within the hoistway using vibration data, enhancing accuracy and enabling predictive maintenance by correlating vibration patterns with specific locations, thus improving system reliability and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
collecting a calibration set of vibration data for an elevator car at a plurality of landings in a hoistway
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect, a method includes collecting a calibration set of vibration data for an elevator car at a plurality of landings in a hoistway. One or more characteristic signatures are determined at each of the landings based on the calibration set of vibration data. An analysis set of vibration data is collected for the elevator car. A position of the elevator car is identified in the hoistway based on comparing one or more features of the analysis set of vibration data to the one or more characteristic signatures. An indicator of the position of the elevator car in the hoistway is output.