Lift Load Control Calibration via Wireless Console

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current lift maintenance practices pose safety risks and inefficiencies due to the need for frequent external access and handling of loads to diagnose and rectify operational faults, particularly in load control systems, which can lead to prolonged downtimes and accidents.

Innovation Solution

An automatic control arrangement featuring a weight detector, display unit, data emitter, load weighing device with wireless communication, and a portable control console that connects via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, allowing remote monitoring and control of lift operations, reducing the need for direct access and manual load handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual maintenance work is performed outside the lift cabin to calibrate the load control system, then the load control system can be properly maintained and calibrated, but safety risks increase and maintenance time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload control system operationVSAvoidsafety risks to operators
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical calibration procedures with an automated electronic calibration system. The portable control console communicates wirelessly with the load weighing device and weighing machine, eliminating the need for operators to physically access and manually calibrate the load control system components outside the cabin. This substitution of mechanical/manual operations with automated electronic control directly reduces safety risks while maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The portable control console acts as an intermediary device between the operator and the lift's load control system. Instead of requiring direct physical interaction with the load weighing device and its components, the console serves as a remote interface that transmits calibration commands and receives status information wirelessly, thereby protecting operators from exposure to harmful factors while enabling proper maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If loads of known weight are manually handled and transferred for calibration, then the load control system can be evaluated, but maintenance time and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload control system calibrationVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service calibration by utilizing the lift's own weighing machine to provide calibration loads. Instead of requiring external personnel to manually bring and position calibration weights, the system automatically controls the lift to transport the weighing machine (containing known calibration loads) to positions where measurements can be taken. This self-service approach eliminates manual labor and significantly reduces maintenance time while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The portable control console is designed as a universal device that can interface with different lift installations through wireless communication. This multi-functional console can perform various maintenance tasks including calibration, evaluation, and parameter adjustment across different lift systems, reducing the need for specialized equipment and personnel for each specific maintenance task, thereby reducing overall maintenance time and costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of repair

If operators access the outside of the lift cabin for maintenance work, then conservation and maintenance tasks can be performed, but the complexity and risk of operations increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidmaintenance operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual maintenance operations with automated electronic control through the portable console. Instead of requiring operators to physically access, manually adjust, and test various mechanical components of the load control system outside the cabin, the system uses wireless communication to automatically perform calibration sequences, measure loads, and adjust parameters, thereby simplifying the maintenance operation while maintaining ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If frequent maintenance interventions are performed manually, then operational faults can be detected and rectified, but downtime increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault detection and rectificationVSAvoidlift operational availability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables preliminary detection and calibration of load control system issues before they develop into operational faults. The portable control console can perform routine calibration and evaluation tasks quickly and accurately, identifying potential problems early in the maintenance cycle. This preliminary action prevents the need for more extensive corrective maintenance later, thereby maintaining reliability while minimizing downtime and maximizing operational availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3050833B1Method and arrangement for calibrating the load control system of a lift
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 DINACELL ELECTRONICS SL
  • EP3050833B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

An automated method for control and evaluation of the operation of a lift installation, where at least one load of unknown weight is weighed by means of a weighing machine (6); the sum of the weights detected on site in the lift installation where the maintenance work is being performed is transmitted to a portable control console (5), which transmits the sum of the weights detected associated with the loads introduced to the lift cabin (2) to a load weighing device (1); to receive command signals associated with the control and maintenance tasks transmitted from the portable control console (5), in response to operating parameters of the lift cabin (2) loaded with the sum of the weights detected.