Mobile Device for Elevator Safety Chain Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator maintenance technicians face inefficiencies and safety challenges when diagnosing and repairing safety chains, as they must physically check each door and component, wasting time and effort to identify and fix issues within the complex elevator system.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device with a signal sender, receiver, timer, and processor is used to generate and transmit pulse signals through the safety chain, allowing for identification of broken members by measuring time periods and comparing them to predefined reference values, thereby pinpointing faults without manual inspection of every door.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If technicians manually check each door and component in the safety chain, then they can identify faults, but it wastes time and effort to inspect every door physically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical inspection process with an automated electrical signal-based detection system. A signal generator sends electrical signals through the safety chain circuitry, and a signal analyzer automatically identifies broken links without requiring technicians to physically inspect each door component, thus reducing maintenance time while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection system consisting of signal generators and analyzers that act as mediators between the technician and the safety chain components. This intermediary system automatically traces the electrical signals to identify broken links, eliminating the need for direct manual inspection of each component while ensuring accurate fault location
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If technicians physically inspect each door in the safety chain, then they can find the broken link, but it requires extensive physical effort and movement through all floors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physically demanding manual inspection process with an automated electrical signal tracing system. The signal generator sends electrical signals through the safety chain, and the signal analyzer automatically traces the signal path to identify broken links, eliminating the need for technicians to physically move through all floors and inspect each door manually
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system performs self-service by automatically tracing its own signals through the safety chain circuitry to identify broken links. The signal generator and analyzer work together to automatically locate faults without requiring technician intervention at each component, making the detection process easier and more efficient
3Reliability
If the safety chain uses series-connected shaft door contacts, then it ensures safety by shutting down immediately, but it causes the whole chain to remain broken if one door is not closed correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback mechanisms where the signal analyzer continuously monitors the electrical signals traveling through the safety chain and provides real-time information about the status of each link. This feedback allows the system to automatically identify which specific door or component has broken the chain, enabling targeted repair rather than checking all components, thus improving maintenance efficiency while maintaining safety reliability
4Measurement precision
If technicians check every shaft door manually, then they ensure complete inspection, but it wastes body strength and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physically exhausting manual inspection process with an automated electrical signal-based detection system. The signal generator and analyzer work together to automatically trace the safety chain circuitry and identify broken links, eliminating the need for technicians to physically move through all floors and manually check each door, thus reducing energy expenditure while maintaining complete inspection coverage
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
This method significantly reduces the time and effort required to diagnose safety chain issues, enhancing maintenance efficiency and safety by quickly identifying faulty components within the elevator system.
Implementation Method 1
the signal sender may generate and feed a first pulse signal into the safety chain. This pulse signal may consist of a single pulse or a set of pulses. The first pulse signal then will be transmitted along the safety chain
Implementation Method 2
The signal receiver later may detect a second pulse signal coming out of the safety chain if the safety chain is electrically broken or interrupted, as the first pulse signal is reflected in a place where the safety chain is broken or interrupted
Implementation Method 3
The timer can measure the time period Δt between feeding the first pulse signal into the safety chain and detecting the second pulse signal from the safety chain
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile device and a method are used for monitoring a safety chain of an elevator, wherein the safety chain consists of more than one member that are connected electrically in series. The mobile device includes a signal sender, a signal receiver, a timer and a processor and is adapted to connect to an end of the safety chain. The signal sender generates and feeds a first pulse signal into the safety chain, the signal receiver detects a second pulse signal coming out of the safety chain when the safety chain is electrically interrupted, the timer measures the time period between the feeding the first pulse signal and the detecting the second pulse signal, and the processor identifies a member with regard to the time period that has electrically interrupted the safety chain.