Single-Occupant Elevator Emergency Detection With Posture Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator safety apparatuses lack the ability to reliably detect a single occupant in a lying or crouching position and automatically alert authorities during a medical emergency, while also preventing misuse and reducing costs.
Innovation Solution
A safety apparatus equipped with a presence determination device to count occupants, a position determination device to identify lying or crouching positions, and a relay device to send alerts to supervisory authorities, incorporating features like cameras, light barriers, and timers to ensure accurate detection and automated response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automated detection systems are implemented to detect medical emergencies, then passenger safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety apparatus is divided into distinct functional modules: presence determination device (cameras, sensors), position determination device (sensors, image processing), timer device, and relay device. Each module performs a specific function, making the overall system more manageable and maintainable while achieving comprehensive safety monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system serves multiple functions: it acts as both a presence determination device (detecting if someone is in the elevator) and a position determination device (detecting lying or crouching positions). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors for each detection task, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high reliability
2Reliability
If automated alert systems are implemented to prevent misuse, then cost savings are achieved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of abnormal positions (lying or crouching) and only triggers an alert after the timer device confirms the position has been maintained for a predetermined period. This preliminary action with time-based verification prevents false alarms caused by temporary postures, achieving high reliability without requiring extremely precise measurement thresholds
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the passenger's position and provides feedback through the timer device. When an abnormal position is detected, the timer starts counting; if the position persists beyond the threshold time, an alert is generated. This feedback mechanism with temporal validation reduces false positives while maintaining measurement efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
Safety apparatus for an elevator having an elevator car having a presence determination device for determining that one and only one person is present in the elevator car, having a position determination device for determining that the person is in a lying or crouching position and the length of time since the lying or crouching position occurred, and having a relay device for relaying a signal to a supervisory authority. In this scenario, the relay device relays the signal when the presence determination device determines that there is just a single person in the elevator car and the position determination device determines that the person is in the lying or crouching position and a specific length of time has elapsed since the lying or crouching position occurred.