Optical Encoder for Passenger Transport Speed and Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passenger transport systems, such as elevators and escalators, face challenges in determining operating status and speed measurement efficiently, particularly due to the high costs associated with drive motors equipped with encoders.
Innovation Solution
A device using optical auxiliary elements attached to the flywheel or wheel of the drive motor, which are scanned by an optical detection device to generate pulses for speed measurement, allowing direction-dependent speed determination with a single detection device, reducing costs and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If drive motors with integrated encoders are used for speed measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The encoder function is segmented from the drive motor and placed on a separate wheel or flywheel. This allows the drive motor to remain simple while the measurement function is isolated in a dedicated component that rotates with the drive train.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary wheel or flywheel is introduced that rotates in correspondence with the drive train but carries the optical encoder elements. This intermediary component enables speed measurement without requiring the drive motor itself to be complex.
2Measurement precision
If multiple detection devices are used for direction-dependent speed measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical auxiliary elements are arranged asymmetrically on the rotating wheel, with different patterns for different directions. This asymmetric arrangement allows a single detection device to distinguish rotation direction by detecting the sequence and timing of pulses from differently positioned elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple detection functions (speed measurement and direction detection) are merged into a single detection device. The device processes pulses from multiple optical auxiliary elements to simultaneously determine both speed and direction, eliminating the need for separate detection devices.
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
Enables accurate and cost-effective determination of speed and direction of rotation using a simple structure, reducing processing power and storage needs, and allowing for further information processing for control and maintenance purposes.
Implementation Method 1
an optical detection device, wherein the arrangement of optical auxiliary elements rotates around a rotary axis in accordance with the movement of at least one transport element of the passenger transport system
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (2) serves for determining the operating state, in particular for measuring the speed, of a passenger-transporting system (1) designed in the form of a lift, escalator or moving walkway. An arrangement (30) made up of auxiliary elements (31-34) is provided here. Also provided is a sensing device (37). The arrangement (30) made up of the auxiliary elements (31-34) rotates, in a manner corresponding to a movement of at least one transporting element (5) of the passenger-transporting system (1), about an axis of rotation (35). The arrangement (30) made up of the auxiliary elements (31-34) is configured, and the sensing device (37) is assigned to the auxiliary elements (31-34), such that the sensing device (37) can sense whether an auxiliary element (31-34) is, or is not, located at a certain sensing location (38). The auxiliary elements (31-34) are configured here in a manner corresponding to a first configuration type (41) and a second configuration type (42). During rotation of the arrangement (30) made up of the auxiliary elements (31-34), the sensing device (37) can sense whether an auxiliary element (31-34) which is located at a certain sensing location (38) is of the first configuration type (41) or of the second configuration type (42). Furthermore, during rotation of the arrangement (30) made up of the auxiliary elements (31-34), the sensing device (37) can assign an auxiliary element (31) of the first configuration type (41) and an auxiliary element (32) of the second configuration type (42) to one another such that the direction of rotation (3A, 4A) of the arrangement (30) can be determined from the order in which the auxiliary element (31) of the first configuration type (41) and the auxiliary element (32) of the second configuration type (42) are sensed. The invention also specifies a passenger-transporting system (1) with such a device (2) as well as a method which can be implemented by such a device (2).