Power Controller Signal Pattern Check for Manual Rescue Mode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electro-mechanical devices, such as elevators, face challenges in maintaining safety during power outages and require reliable manual rescue mechanisms to ensure passenger safety, often relying on fault-tolerant analog controllers and wired connections that can be prone to unintentional signal interference.

Innovation Solution

A power controller system with a remote controlling device that transmits pulsed instruction signals, allowing the power controller to distinguish between intentional and unintentional signals by comparing received signals with predetermined patterns, using switches and circuitry, including processors or comparators, to control the power supply safely and prevent unintended brake engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wired connection is used for remote controlling device to ensure reliable signal transmission, then reliability is improved, but the risk of unintentional signal interference from short circuits increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidunintentional signal interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by using pulsed instruction signals with specific patterns instead of continuous signals. The controller sends periodic pulses with defined characteristics (duration, interval, pattern) that must match predetermined patterns to be recognized as valid commands. This temporal structuring allows the system to distinguish between intentional periodic control signals and random unintentional interference from short circuits, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing susceptibility to harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If signal pattern comparison is implemented to distinguish intentional signals from unintentional ones, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidcontroller complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the controller to automatically compare received signal patterns against stored predetermined patterns and independently determine whether signals are intentional or unintentional. The system performs self-validation through pattern matching algorithms, eliminating the need for external verification mechanisms. This automated self-service approach enhances safety through continuous validation while avoiding the complexity of additional external monitoring devices or manual verification procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11469749B2Power controller configured to distinguish an intentional signal associated with a manual rescue mode from an unintentional signal associated with a short circuit
Publication Date: 2022.10.11 KONE OYJ
  • US11469749B2 patent drawing
  • US11469749B2 patent drawing
  • US11469749B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A power controller with a cable connected remote controlling device configured to transmit a pulsed instruction signal according to a predetermined signal pattern to the power controller. The power controller determines if the instruction signal corresponds with a predetermined signal pattern. If the instruction signal corresponds with a predetermined signal pattern, the controller passes the instruction signal to switches that control power supply of an electric device.