Wireless Elevator Power Transfer Without Traveling Cables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional elevator systems rely on costly traveling cables for both power supply and communication, making it difficult to eliminate them without compromising the functionality of the system, and there is a need for a solution that can provide continuous operation during power failures.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a bi-directional wireless power transfer system using transceivers in the elevator car and hoistway, with a backup power storage system that can receive power from a wireless energy transfer, ensuring continuous operation of the elevator system, including the motor, controller, and passenger interface, even during power outages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traveling cable is used for power supply and communication, then the elevator system can operate reliably, but the material cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the traveling cable from the elevator system, replacing it with a wireless power transfer system using electromagnetic fields. This eliminates the physical cable while maintaining power supply and communication functions through wireless transceivers, thereby reducing system complexity and material costs while preserving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical traveling cable system with an electromagnetic field-based wireless power transfer system. The mechanical connection and power transmission through cables are substituted by electromagnetic induction between transceivers, eliminating the need for physical cable infrastructure while maintaining system functionality.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a traveling cable is used for power supply, then electrical power can be supplied to the elevator car, but additional material cost and system configuration requirements arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traveling cable component from the system, eliminating the associated material costs and installation complexity. Wireless transceivers mounted on the elevator car and ground infrastructure replace the cable, providing power supply functionality without the physical cable infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical cable-based power transmission is replaced by electromagnetic field-based wireless power transfer. This substitution eliminates the need for cable manufacturing, installation, and maintenance, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to supply electrical power to the moving elevator car.
3Device complexity
If wireless power transfer is implemented, then the traveling cable is eliminated, but a backup power storage system is needed to ensure continuous operation during power failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a backup power storage system (battery) that is charged in advance during normal operation. When a power failure occurs, the stored energy is immediately available to maintain critical functions, ensuring continuous operation without interruption. This preliminary energy storage action prevents system failure during power outages.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup battery system acts as a cushion against power failures by storing energy beforehand. This energy reserve protects the system from the harmful effect of power interruptions, allowing the elevator to continue operating or to safely evacuate passengers without interruption, thereby maintaining reliability despite the simplified wireless architecture.
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 eliminates the need for traveling cables, reduces material costs, and ensures uninterrupted elevator operation by providing power to essential components through wireless communication and energy transfer, including during emergencies, enhancing reliability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a first transceiver supported on the elevator car and configured to wirelessly communicate with a second transceiver at a preselected location relative to the hoistway. The transceivers are configured for bi-directional wireless communication including transfer of electrical power from the elevator car to the backup power storage device
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator system includes an elevator car, a first transceiver supported on the elevator car, and a second transceiver in a preselected location where the first transceiver can wirelessly communicate with the second transceiver when the elevator car is situated in a corresponding location. The first transceiver wirelessly communicates with the second transceiver to transfer at least electrical power between the transceivers. An elevator car power storage device is supported on the elevator car. The elevator car power storage device is configured to store electrical power received by the first transceiver from the second transceiver. The elevator car power storage device is also configured to provide power to the first transceiver to be transferred to the second transceiver.