Radar-Based Escalator Start-Up Detection for External Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic conveying devices, such as escalators and moving walkways, require manual start-up and lack efficient methods to ensure no external objects are present before activation, posing safety risks and installation challenges for sensors like cameras and infrared light curtains.
Innovation Solution
Employing radar units, such as LiDARs, arranged on both sides of the conveying device with detection ranges covering the middle section and ends to detect external objects, and a processor to determine safe start-up conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If camera devices are used to detect external objects, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase due to multiple cameras being required and their specific installation positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces camera-based optical detection systems with a radar-based electromagnetic wave detection system. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple cameras with complex installation requirements while maintaining detection capability. The radar unit can detect external objects through electromagnetic wave reflection without requiring line-of-sight positioning or complex image processing algorithms.
2Reliability
If infrared light curtain is used to detect external objects, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase due to multiple light transmitters and receivers being distributed along the skirt panels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple light transmitters and receivers into a single radar unit. Instead of distributing multiple infrared components along the skirt panels, one radar unit performs all detection functions, significantly reducing the number of components and simplifying installation while maintaining detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar unit serves as a universal detection device that can detect external objects throughout the entire conveying device area without requiring separate transmitters and receivers at different positions. This multi-functional approach replaces the specialized infrared light curtain system with a more versatile detection solution.
3Measurement precision
If infrared light curtain is used to detect external objects, then detection capability is improved, but ease of repair worsens due to difficulty in repairing or replacing light transmitters or receivers when they malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection functions into a single radar unit, eliminating the need to repair or replace multiple light transmitters and receivers. When malfunction occurs, only one radar unit needs maintenance, significantly improving ease of repair compared to the distributed infrared light curtain system.
4Reliability
If manual start-up is used for automatic conveying devices, then safety control is simplified, but productivity decreases due to tedious manual starting of multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic start-up functionality where the conveying device automatically detects external objects and determines whether to start without manual intervention. The system serves itself by performing detection and decision-making functions, eliminating the need for operators to manually start each device while maintaining safety control through automatic external object detection.
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 automatic and safe start-up of conveying devices by reliably detecting the absence of external objects, reducing installation complexity and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
one or more radar units, such as LiDARs
Implementation Method 2
detect external objects... based at least partially on signals detected by the one or more first detection devices
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application provides an automatic conveying device, a method for determining the presence of an external object, and an automatic start method. The automatic conveying device comprises: a first end and a second end opposite to each other; and a middle section between the first end and the second end; the automatic conveying device further comprises one or more first detection devices arranged on one or both sides of the automatic conveying device, where each first detection device has a detection range that is substantially a plane area, and the detection range of each first detection device covers at least a portion of the middle section; and a processor connected to the one or more first detection devices, and configured to determine, based at least partially on signals detected by the one or more first detection devices, whether an external object is present on the automatic conveying device. According to the embodiments of the present invention, a device and method for detecting the presence of an external object on an automatic conveying device in a simple and efficient manner have been achieved.