Wireless Mobile Unit for Elevator Position Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current elevator system configuration methods are cumbersome, requiring significant time and training, prone to errors, and not tolerant of imprecise position data, especially due to hysteresis effects and awkward handling of existing devices with numerical displays and mechanical buttons.

Innovation Solution

A wireless mobile data processing unit with a touch-sensitive display is integrated for simplified configuration, allowing tabular and graphical representation of car stopping positions, enabling easy data manipulation and automatic calculation of optimal position values, along with safety switches for secure operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual configuration with cable-connected control units and mechanical buttons is used, then position data can be recorded and stored, but the configuration process becomes cumbersome, time-consuming, and requires considerable training

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition data accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical buttons and cable-connected control units with a touch-sensitive display interface on a mobile data processing unit. This substitution eliminates the need for physical cable connections and mechanical input devices, providing a more intuitive and easier-to-operate interface while maintaining position data recording accuracy through digital input methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile data processing unit serves as an intermediary between the operator and the elevator system configuration. It wirelessly interfaces with the elevator control system, providing a portable and flexible configuration tool that simplifies operator interaction while ensuring accurate position data recording through its processing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional configuration tools with numerical displays are used, then position data can be entered, but the handling becomes awkward and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidhandling convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces numerical displays with graphical user interfaces on touch-sensitive screens. This allows for more intuitive interaction through visual representations of elevator positions and floor plans, reducing handling errors while improving operational convenience through direct touch input and graphical manipulation of configuration data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If position measuring devices are used to generate position data, then car stopping positions can be identified, but hysteresis effects and imprecise data make unambiguous position data generation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition data precisionVSAvoidposition data consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile data processing unit implements feedback mechanisms that allow operators to review, verify, and adjust position data before final storage. The system can display measured positions alongside reference floor positions, enabling operators to detect and correct hysteresis effects or imprecise measurements, thereby improving both precision and consistency of the final position data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

This solution significantly reduces configuration time and training effort, enhances operational reliability, and improves user-friendliness by allowing precise and accurate setting of elevator positions with reduced errors.

Implementation Method 1

A wireless mobile data processing unit with a touch-sensitive display is integrated for simplified configuration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTouch-sensitive detection: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

A wireless mobile data processing unit with a touch-sensitive display is integrated for simplified configuration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless electromagnetic communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3362394B1Device for adjusting the position of an elevator system, and elevator system
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 ELGO ELECTRONICS GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3362394B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for adjusting the position of an elevator system, comprising position measuring means (14), which can be paired with an elevator car (2) that can be moved in an elevator shaft (6) and which are designed to generate position data corresponding to a current shaft position of the elevator car, and comprising position control means (34), which interact with the position measuring means (14) and which are paired with configuration means (16) that can be actuated manually and/or by means of data input means such that in response to a manual actuation and/or an actuation of the data input means, a plurality of car stop positions which can be distributed along the elevator shaft can be adjusted and stored. A mobile data processing unit (26) which is wirelessly linked to the configuration means and which has a display unit (28) is paired with the configuration means (16) such that position data corresponding to the plurality of car stop positions can be displayed together on the display, in particular in a tabular form and/or in the form of graphical elements, and the mobile data processing unit has manually actuatable operating means (28) for changing at least one item of position data and for transmitting the changed item of position data to the configuration means.