Robotic Elevator Car Inspection for Precise 3D Hoistway Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manually mapping and inspecting elevator shafts and systems is time-consuming and imprecise, requiring significant manual effort and resources.
Innovation Solution
An elevator inspection system utilizing a robotic platform with sensors and a controller to create a three-dimensional hoistway model, enabling precise installation and maintenance by defining hoistway boundaries, guide rail data, and operational parameters, and performing automated inspections and maintenance tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual mapping and inspection methods are used, then human judgment and flexibility are available, but the process is time-consuming and imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection methods with an automated robotic system equipped with sensors (LIDAR, cameras, photogrammetry sensors) that can capture and process hoistway data automatically, eliminating the need for manual measurement tools and human judgment while achieving higher precision and speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital 3D model (copy) of the physical hoistway that can be analyzed, stored, and reused for multiple inspection purposes without requiring repeated physical inspections, saving time while maintaining measurement accuracy
2Productivity
If manual inspection methods are used, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but significant manual effort and resources are required
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic inspection system is designed as a multi-functional platform that can perform various inspection tasks (hoistway mapping, component inspection, alignment verification) and can be applied to different elevator configurations, making the complex system universally useful across multiple scenarios and justifying its complexity through high productivity gains
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs autonomous inspection operations, automatically navigating the hoistway, capturing data, processing images, and generating inspection reports without continuous human intervention, thereby achieving high productivity despite the initial complexity of deploying such a system
3Manufacturing precision
If detailed hoistway mapping is performed manually, then accurate boundary definition is achieved, but extensive time and resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual measurement and boundary definition processes with automated optical and LIDAR scanning systems that rapidly capture precise spatial data, achieving high manufacturing precision in boundary definition without the time-consuming manual measurement process
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from traditional 2D measurement approaches to 3D spatial mapping, capturing hoistway boundaries and component positions in three dimensions simultaneously, which achieves higher precision while reducing the time required compared to sequential manual measurements
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
Reduces installation and maintenance time, increases precision, enhances safety, and enables predictive maintenance, thereby improving efficiency and extending the lifespan of elevator systems.
Implementation Method 1
a time of flight sensor
Implementation Method 2
a photogrammetry sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an elevator inspection system, configured to inspect multiple elevator cars in a group of elevator cars, the system having: a sensor implement; a robot supporting the sensor implement; and a controller operationally connected to the robot and the senor, wherein the controller is configured to transmit an alert responsive to determining, from sensor data compared with elevator operational data, that an operational parameter of an elevator car in which the robot is located is outside a predetermined threshold.