Elevator Car Wireless Monitoring With Position-Based Transmit Power

Solution Overview

Problem

Elevator systems face challenges in maintaining reliable wireless communication due to the harsh environment and frequent movement of elevator cars, which complicates the implementation of wireless monitoring devices.

Innovation Solution

A device that adjusts transmit power based on the elevator car's position along a vertical path, using varying power levels to ensure reliable communication with a gateway while conserving battery energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the transmitter uses high transmit power throughout the entire elevator car path, then the signal can be received at all locations including the bottom floor, but the device consumes more power than necessary and creates unnecessary electromagnetic exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal reception reliabilityVSAvoidtransmitter power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The transmitter dynamically adjusts its output power based on the real-time position of the elevator car. When the car is near the bottom floor, the transmitter increases power to ensure signal reception. When the car is near the top floor or in intermediate positions, the transmitter reduces power to minimum necessary levels, thereby reducing overall power consumption and electromagnetic exposure while maintaining reliable communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the transmit power parameter according to the elevator car's position along the vertical path. The controller receives position information from the sensing portion and adjusts the transmitter power parameter accordingly, using higher power only when necessary for signal reception at the bottom floor and lower power for other positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the transmitter uses high transmit power to ensure signal reception at the bottom floor, then communication reliability is improved, but unnecessary electromagnetic exposure is created when the elevator car is at higher positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communication reliabilityVSAvoidelectromagnetic exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transmitter dynamically adjusts its output power based on the real-time position of the elevator car. When the car is near the bottom floor, the transmitter increases power to ensure signal reception. When the car is near the top floor or in intermediate positions, the transmitter reduces power to minimum necessary levels, thereby reducing unnecessary electromagnetic exposure while maintaining reliable communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the transmit power parameter according to the elevator car's position along the vertical path. The controller receives position information from the sensing portion and adjusts the transmitter power parameter accordingly, using higher power only when necessary for signal reception at the bottom floor and lower power for other positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a fixed high transmit power is used, then the system design is simple, but the device consumes excessive power and generates unnecessary electromagnetic interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmitter control complexityVSAvoidoverall power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The transmitter dynamically adjusts its output power based on the real-time position of the elevator car. When the car is near the bottom floor, the transmitter increases power to ensure signal reception. When the car is near the top floor or in intermediate positions, the transmitter reduces power to minimum necessary levels, thereby reducing overall power consumption and electromagnetic exposure while maintaining reliable communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the transmit power parameter according to the elevator car's position along the vertical path. The controller receives position information from the sensing portion and adjusts the transmitter power parameter accordingly, using higher power only when necessary for signal reception at the bottom floor and lower power for other positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4303163B1Elevator monitoring device with varying wireless transmission power based on elevator car position

Publication Date: 2026.04.29 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

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AI summary

An illustrative example embodiment of a device for communicating information regarding an elevator car that moves along a vertical path includes at least one sensing portion configured to be supported on the elevator car and to sense (54) at least one characteristic of the elevator car. A transmitter is configured to transmit a wirelessly communicated output indicating at least one condition based on the sensed characteristic. The transmitter is configured to use a first transmit power (60) when the device is at a first location along the vertical path (58) and to use a second, different transmit power (64) when the device is at a second, different location along the vertical path (62).