Optical Distance Measurement for Elevator Traction Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for testing the functionality of elevators, particularly traction capacity and safety gear, are complex, time-consuming, and require significant effort due to the need for extensive sensor installation and cable laying.

Innovation Solution

A method using an optical distance measuring device to measure the change in distance between the elevator car and a fixed point in the shaft, eliminating the need for complex sensor attachment and cable laying, allowing for precise and efficient assessment of elevator functionality through time-resolved distance measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional sensor attachment methods are used to measure elevator traction capacity, then measurement precision can be achieved, but device complexity and installation effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraction capacity measurement precisionVSAvoidsensor attachment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the measurement function from complex cable-mounted sensors and relocates it to a simple shaft-mounted optical device. The optical distance measuring device is installed once in the shaft and measures car position optically, eliminating the need for complex sensor attachments to cables and pulleys while maintaining measurement precision through non-contact optical detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces mechanical sensor attachment systems (force sensors on cables, encoders on pulleys) with an optical measurement system. The optical distance measuring device uses light-based measurement to determine car position and derive traction capacity, substituting mechanical contact measurement with non-contact optical measurement to reduce device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive sensor installation is performed to test elevator functionality, then measurement precision improves, but time expenditure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelevator functionality measurement precisionVSAvoidtesting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The optical distance measuring device is installed preliminarily in the shaft before testing begins. This preliminary installation provides continuous, ready-to-use measurement capability throughout the testing process, eliminating the need for time-consuming sensor attachments during actual testing and enabling immediate data collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The optical measurement system operates autonomously without requiring manual intervention or attachment during testing. The device continuously measures car position automatically, and the control unit automatically processes the data to determine traction capacity and other functionality parameters, eliminating manual measurement steps and reducing testing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are attached to cables and drive pulley to measure traction capacity, then measurement precision is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraction capacity measurement precisionVSAvoidtesting operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement function is extracted from multiple distributed sensors on cables and pulleys and consolidated into a single optical device mounted in the shaft. This extraction simplifies operation by reducing the number of components that need to be handled and positioned, while the optical system continues to provide precise measurement data for traction capacity calculation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical distance measuring device serves multiple functions: it measures car position for traction capacity determination, monitors car movement for safety gear testing, and provides data for various other elevator functionality assessments. This multi-functionality simplifies operation by using a single device for multiple measurement needs rather than requiring separate sensors for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach simplifies and accelerates the testing process, providing more precise results with reduced effort and cost, while being universally applicable across different elevator shaft configurations.

Implementation Method 1

an optical distance measuring device to measure a change of a distance of the car in relation to a fixed measuring point in the elevator shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS9599467B2Method and arrangement for testing the proper functionality of an elevator

Publication Date: 2017.03.21 DEKRA E V EV

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for testing the proper functionality of an elevator, in which a car (3) is movable in an elevator shaft having an elevator shaft excavation space, and a characteristic value is ascertained under predefined test conditions to determine the proper functionality of the elevator. To simplify the method, it is proposed according to the invention that a change of the distance (A) between a car lower side and a fixed measuring point in the elevator shaft excavation space be measured to ascertain the characteristic value.