Portable Elevator Inspection Control Station

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator control systems require multiple inspection control stations, leading to inefficiencies and increased time and effort for technicians performing maintenance and inspection tasks, as they need to navigate multiple locations within the elevator system.

Innovation Solution

A centralized inspection control station that can be accessed and used remotely via wireless communication with the elevator control device, allowing a single technician to perform inspections and maintenance efficiently by moving the control station within the system, while ensuring compliance with safety standards like EN 81-20(2014).

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple inspection control stations are installed at different locations (pit, car roof, inside car), then safety requirements are met and inspection coverage is improved, but device complexity and time/effort for technicians increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety monitoring coverageVSAvoidnumber of control stations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single inspection control station is designed to perform multiple functions and be used at multiple locations. The control station can be temporarily connected to different safety points (pit, car roof, inside car) sequentially, eliminating the need for permanently installing multiple control stations while maintaining comprehensive inspection coverage.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The inspection control station is designed to be dynamically relocatable rather than statically fixed. The control station can be moved and reconnected to different positions within the elevator system, allowing a single dynamic control station to replace multiple static control stations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple inspection control stations are installed at different locations, then inspection coverage is improved, but time and effort for technicians performing maintenance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection coverageVSAvoidtechnician time and effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The single control station can serve multiple inspection locations sequentially. The technician moves the same control station from one location to another, reducing the time and effort associated with switching between multiple fixed control stations and minimizing travel time between inspection points.

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

3Reliability

If inspection control stations are permanently installed at multiple locations, then safety monitoring is improved, but wiring complexity and installation effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety monitoringVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control station is extracted from the fixed installation and made portable. Instead of permanently installing control stations at multiple locations with complex wiring, a single control station is removed from fixed mounting and can be temporarily connected to different positions, significantly reducing wiring complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The control station transitions from a static permanently installed configuration to a dynamic portable configuration. This allows the control station to be relocated and reconnected as needed, eliminating the need for complex permanent wiring infrastructure at multiple locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3317217B1Elevator control system and elevator system comprising same
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3317217B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3317217B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3317217B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an elevator control system (1), comprising an elevator control device (2) for operating an elevator car (12) which is adapted to be operated within an elevator shaft (18), and an inspection control station (3) configured to communicate with the elevator control device (2) for operating at least one function of an elevator system (10) in an inspection or maintenance operation mode, and configured for attachment at a storing location (71,72) of the elevator system (10), wherein the storing location (71,72) is at the elevator car (12) or within the elevator shaft (18) or in proximity of the elevator shaft (18). The inspection control station (3) is adapted to be detachable from the storing location (71,72) and configured to operate as remote inspection control station when detached from the storing location (71,72) through wireless communication with the elevator control device (2), and is configured to be movable and operable in the inspection or maintenance operation mode from inside and outside of the elevator car (12) and within the elevator shaft (18). The disclosure also relates to an elevator system (10) comprising such elevator control system (1).