Linear Motor Elevator Commissioning With Shared Shaft Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevators with linear motors face issues related to ride comfort due to bending or unevenness of linear motor parts, and the conventional shaft setup process is time-consuming, especially in multi-car elevators with horizontal paths.
Innovation Solution
A method and elevator system utilizing an electric linear motor with a linear stator and movable units that determine and store characteristics like air gap width and electromotive force during movement, enabling precise control of the motor units and reducing the need for dedicated position-code tapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the conventional shaft setup process is used to drive all elevator cars through all shaft sections, then complete position information is obtained, but the commissioning time becomes extremely long (days for 40 cars, 3 shafts, 6 horizontal paths)
Solution Approach 1:
The first movable unit performs preliminary shaft setup by determining position information at all shaft positions before other movable units operate. The determined position information is stored and made available for controlling subsequent movable units, eliminating the need for each unit to traverse the entire shaft independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The position information determined by the first movable unit is copied to control the second and subsequent movable units. Instead of each unit independently measuring positions, the first unit's measurements are replicated and utilized for controlling other units, dramatically reducing commissioning time.
2Ease of manufacture
If linear motor parts are installed with higher tolerances, then installation is easier, but ride comfort deteriorates due to bending and unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The control system compensates for physical imperfections in the linear motor parts by dynamically adjusting control parameters. By determining actual position information during operation and using this data for precise control, the system counteracts the effects of manufacturing tolerances and installation variations, maintaining ride comfort despite easier (less precise) installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses determined position information from sensors and encoders as feedback to continuously adjust motor control. This closed-loop control compensates for bending and unevenness in linear motor parts, ensuring smooth operation and maintaining ride comfort even when installation tolerances are loose.
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
Improves ride comfort by accurately controlling propulsion force and reduces the time required for shaft setup in multi-car elevators, eliminating the need for dedicated code tapes and simplifying the installation of position-code based absolute positioning systems.
Implementation Method 1
an electric linear motor for moving movable units, such as elevator cars or motor units, in an elevator shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating, such as commissioning, an elevator, and an elevator are presented herein. The elevator comprises an electric linear motor for moving movable units. The method comprises moving a first movable unit along a linear stator of the electric linear motor in the elevator shaft, and determining at least one characteristic, such as a floor position or an air gap width of the electric linear motor, at a plurality of elevator shaft positions by the first movable unit, such as by a winding, a coil, or a sensor, during the moving. The method further comprises storing the determined at least one characteristic, and controlling moving of at least a second movable unit, such as comprising another of the elevator cars or a second motor unit, by utilizing the stored at least one characteristic.