Escalator Revolving Band Monitoring via Spatial Image Comparison
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing escalator and moving walkway monitoring systems require a high number of sensors to achieve high monitoring density, leading to increased costs and susceptibility to failures, compromising operational safety and availability.
Innovation Solution
A method using a single detecting device that creates spatial images of the revolving band, selects regions, compares them with predefined virtual spaces, and generates alarm signals when deviations exceed predetermined limits, allowing for precise and cost-effective monitoring of multiple critical locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high number of sensors are used to monitor critical locations, then monitoring density and safety are improved, but system cost and susceptibility to failures increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single detection device performs multiple monitoring functions by capturing spatial images and evaluating multiple regions simultaneously. The device monitors various critical locations (step band, handrails, gaps) using one universal sensor system rather than multiple specialized sensors, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive safety monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
Virtual comparison regions are created as digital copies of critical areas. These virtual models allow the system to monitor multiple physical locations by comparing captured images against stored virtual representations, enabling high monitoring density with a single physical detection device
2Device complexity
If a single detecting device monitors multiple critical locations, then cost and system susceptibility are reduced, but measurement precision and monitoring accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The spatial image is divided into multiple regions of interest (step band, handrails, gaps between steps and base skirt panel). Each region is independently evaluated against its corresponding virtual comparison region, allowing precise monitoring of multiple locations with a single device by segmenting the analysis into distinct evaluable areas
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from monitoring single points or lines to capturing and evaluating entire spatial volumes. By creating three-dimensional virtual comparison regions and comparing them with captured spatial images, the system achieves comprehensive monitoring accuracy across multiple dimensions and locations simultaneously
Data Source
AI summary
The application relates to a method for detecting and monitoring the mechanical condition of an escalator or a moving walkway with at least one revolving band and at least one detecting device. The method includes (i) preparing at least one spatial image of at least one section of the revolving band, (ii) selecting at least one region of the spatial image, (iii) comparing the selected region with at least one comparison region, wherein the comparison region is defined by three-dimensional coordinates and represents a virtual space which can be clearly assigned to the selected region, and (iv) generating an alarm signal if the selected region differs from the comparison region by surpassing predetermined limits.