Elevator Wireless Path Switching for Cable-Free Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator systems face challenges in efficiently sending and receiving information between a controller and an elevator car controller without the need for traveling cables, particularly in ensuring reliable communication through redundant fault-tolerant wireless communication systems.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a plurality of wireless communications paths, including channels or networks of varying frequencies or types, to facilitate redundant communication between a controller and an elevator car controller, with quality monitoring and path switching based on signal quality thresholds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless communication is used to eliminate traveling cables, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential communication failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements redundant wireless communication paths before communication failures occur. When the primary wireless path fails, the system automatically switches to backup wireless paths, preventing communication interruptions and maintaining reliability without requiring physical traveling cables

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes communication parameters by switching between different wireless communication frequencies and protocols. This allows the system to adapt to varying signal conditions and maintain reliable communication by selecting optimal parameters when path quality deteriorates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If redundant communication paths are implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication system performs multiple functions using the same hardware infrastructure. The system can operate on different frequencies (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz), use different protocols (WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee), and switch between multiple access points, achieving redundancy without proportionally increasing hardware complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors communication path quality through feedback mechanisms and automatically switches between primary and backup paths when degradation is detected. This intelligent control manages the complexity of redundant paths through automated decision-making rather than manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3666706B1Elevator system with plural wireless communications paths

Publication Date: 2025.11.05 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

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AI summary

An elevator system (101) includes a controller (154); an elevator car (103); an elevator car controller (155) mounted on the elevator car (103); a transceiver (150) on the elevator car (103); an access point (152); the transceiver (150) and the access point (152) configured to provide wireless communications between the controller (154) and the elevator car controller (155) over a first communications path and a second communications path.