Thermal Sensor Array for Adaptive Elevator Cage Occupancy Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transportation systems, such as elevators, struggle to efficiently manage passenger loads and adapt operations based on real-time environmental and passenger status data, leading to inefficiencies and potential safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device employing a thermal sensor array to capture two-dimensional thermographic images, process thermal distributions, and determine the status of sensing zones, including passenger count and personal status, to generate control signals for adaptive system operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional sensors (weight sensors, cameras) are used to monitor passenger status, then the system can acquire some useful information, but the system cannot efficiently and comprehensively manage passenger loads and adapt operations based on real-time environmental and passenger status data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing capabilities (thermal sensing, optical imaging, weight detection) into an integrated sensor device. The thermal sensor array detects temperature distribution to identify passenger presence and status, while the optical sensor captures visual information. This merged sensing approach enables comprehensive passenger status monitoring that neither sensor type could achieve alone, allowing the transportation system to adapt operations based on complete real-time information.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device acts as an intermediary between the physical passenger environment and the control system. It converts diverse physical parameters (temperature, light, weight) into standardized status data that the control system can process. This intermediary function bridges the gap between raw environmental information and actionable control decisions, enabling adaptive operation without information loss.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more comprehensive sensing is implemented to improve passenger load management, then system adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device is designed as a multi-functional unit that performs multiple sensing tasks simultaneously. The thermal sensor array not only detects passenger presence but also determines passenger distribution and status. The optical sensor provides both visual confirmation and environmental context. This universal design consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate sensor systems, improving passenger load management capability while controlling overall device complexity through functional integration.
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 efficient management of passenger loads and adaptive system operation, reducing waiting times, optimizing resource allocation, and enhancing safety by accurately detecting passenger conditions and behaviors.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal sensor array that is used to capture a two-dimensional thermographic image within a sensing zone
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor device, an automated transportation system and an operating method for the same are provided. The sensor device essentially includes a thermal sensor array for capturing a two-dimensional thermographic image within a sensing zone and a processing circuit for processing the image so as to obtain a thermal distribution within the sensing zone. The sensing zone is such as a cage of the automated transportation system. The thermal distribution depicts a distribution of one or more thermal sources for determining a status of the sensing zone. For example, the status is capable of indicating a number of people within the sensing zone and a personal status. Therefore, the automated transportation system is driven to operate the cage in response to a control signal that is generated according to a scenario responsive to the status.