Resistance-Based Elevator Support Monitoring System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current monitoring systems for elevator support structures are complex, costly, and unable to provide continuous or immediate responses to fault conditions, with calibration processes being difficult and inaccurate.
Innovation Solution
A resistance-based monitoring system that includes a resistance circuit with adjustable resistors and an interface circuit using comparators and LEDs to continuously monitor the effective resistance of support structures, allowing for easy calibration and immediate detection of wear or faults without the need for microprocessors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If microprocessor-based designs with analog to digital interfaces are used, then processing capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the microprocessor and digital processing components from the monitoring system, retaining only the essential analog resistance measurement functionality. This eliminates the complexity of analog-to-digital converters, digital signal processing, and microprocessor operations while preserving the core monitoring capability through direct analog measurement and comparison.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive analog components such as resistors, comparators, and LEDs that can be easily replaced if needed, replacing expensive and complex microprocessor-based systems. These simple components achieve the monitoring function without requiring sophisticated processing hardware.
2Extent of automation
If sampled data processing is used, then digital signal processing capability is improved, but continuous monitoring capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring by maintaining a constant analog voltage across the support structure and continuously comparing the resulting current against a reference threshold. This analog comparison operates continuously without sampling intervals, providing uninterrupted monitoring and immediate detection of resistance changes indicating support structure degradation.
3Measurement precision
If complex calibration procedures are implemented, then measurement accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-calibration by allowing the system to automatically adjust the reference current or threshold to match the initial state of the support structure. The comparator reference can be programmed or adjusted to correspond to the fresh support structure resistance, eliminating the need for complex manual calibration procedures while maintaining measurement accuracy.
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 continuous monitoring and immediate response to fault conditions, simplifies the monitoring process, and facilitates easier and more accurate calibration, reducing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
The strength of a tensile support structure can be reduced by normal operation of the elevator over time. The primary source of the degradation in the strength of the support structure is the cyclic bending of the support structure around sheaves as the elevator is moved up and down in an elevator shaft or hoistway. The degradation of a support structure is normally not uniform along the length of the support structure, but rather, focused to areas of the support structure that are subjected to high levels or severities of bending cycles.
Implementation Method 2
one or more voltages across the first set of resistors compared to a voltage across the second set of resistors using comparators
Implementation Method 3
interface circuit having a plurality of light emitting diodes corresponding to a plurality of thresholds
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A monitoring system (24) for a support structure (16) is provided. The monitoring system (24) may include a resistance circuit (32) coupled to the support structure (16), and an interface circuit (34) coupled to the resistance circuit (32). The resistance circuit (32) may include a first set of resistors (40, 40a-h) and a second set of resistors (42, 42a-j), wherein the second set of resistors (40, 40a-h, 42, 42a-j) is configured to provide a reference voltage. The interface circuit (34) may include one or more comparators (46), wherein each comparator (46) is configured to compare a voltage across at least one of the resistors (40, 40a-h, 42, 42a-j) with the reference voltage and generate an output signal corresponding to the comparison. The interface circuit (34) may be configured to continuously monitor an effective resistance of the support structure (16) based on the output signals.