Hall Effect Sensor Array for Ropeless Elevator Magnetic Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ropeless elevator systems require accurate alignment of magnetic poles for proper operation, but existing technologies lack effective methods for determining and maintaining magnetic field orientation, which is crucial for efficient propulsion and fault detection.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an array of Hall effect sensors to determine the magnetic field orientation between electrical windings and magnets, enabling proper alignment verification and fault detection in the propulsion system, with the option to arrange magnets in a Hallbach array and windings in a multi-phase configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If ropeless elevator systems use linear motors with electrical windings and magnets for propulsion, then thrust generation capability is improved, but magnetic field orientation alignment becomes critical and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary alignment verification by measuring magnetic field orientation before the elevator car begins operation. Hall effect sensors detect the orientation of magnets relative to electrical windings, and the system adjusts or repositions components to achieve proper alignment before thrust generation begins, preventing performance degradation from misalignment
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors magnetic field orientation using Hall effect sensors during operation. When misalignment is detected, the system provides feedback to the control mechanism to adjust the position of magnets or windings, maintaining optimal alignment for thrust generation throughout the elevator car's operation
2Reliability
If magnetic field orientation determination systems are added to verify alignment, then propulsion system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Hall effect sensors serve multiple functions: they measure magnetic field orientation for alignment verification, monitor magnetic field strength for fault detection, and provide data for both pre-operation alignment checks and continuous operation monitoring. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated alignment sensors, offsetting the complexity addition with functional consolidation
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
Ensures optimal thrust generation, control, and safety by maintaining proper magnetic field orientation, allowing for efficient operation and immediate fault detection, including emergency stop functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an array of Hall effect sensors, the array of Hall effect sensors determining a sensed magnetic field, the sensed magnetic field being associated with electrical currents carried by the windings and used to determine a magnetic field orientation of the electrical currents carried by the windings with respect to the magnet
Implementation Method 2
interaction between the electrical windings and the magnet generates a thrust force on the elevator car traveling in the hoistway
Data Source
AI summary
A ropeless elevator system, a propulsion system, and a method for operating a ropeless propulsion system are disclosed. The ropeless elevator system may include an elevator car, a hoistway in which the elevator car travels, and a ropeless propulsion system. The ropeless propulsion system may include electrical windings energized by a power source, the electrical windings affixed to a stationary structure, the stationary structure associated with the hoistway, and a magnet, the magnet affixed to a moving structure, the moving structure associated with the elevator car, and interaction between the electrical windings and the magnet generates a thrust force on the elevator car traveling in the hoistway. The ropeless elevator system may further include an array of Hall effect sensors, the array of Hall effect sensors determining a sensed magnetic field, the sensed magnetic field being associated with electrical currents carried by the windings and used to determine a magnetic field orientation of the electrical currents carried by the windings with respect to the magnet.