Inspection and maintenance system for elevators

An elevator inspection and maintenance system, the system including a mechatronic body movable via remote or automatic operation, an inspection and maintenance head installed on the mechatronic body, where the inspection and maintenance head is fitted with a sensor or a manipulation tool to perform an inspection or a maintenance operation on at least one component of an elevator system remotely or automatically.

FOREIGN PRIORITY

This application claims priority to Indian Patent Application No. 201711044637, filed Dec. 12, 2017 and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. § 119, the contents of which in its entirety are herein incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to elevators. More particularly, the present invention relates to an inspection and maintenance systems for elevators.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Safety of passengers in an elevator system can only be effectively ensured by regular inspection and prompt maintenance operations if any fault arises. However, in a practical world, an elevator inspection and maintenance operation needs to be performed by a human operative and is spaced at least a few days apart. Any fault that may arise during the time between two inspections can cause safety concerns for elevator passengers.

In addition to the practical time constraints of maintenance and inspection of an elevator system, the inspection and maintenance itself takes considerable time as the elevator is closely inspected by a human operator. The operator enters the elevator hoist way on the roof of the elevator and runs it in a special diagnostic mode to check all components of the elevator system present in the hoist way. This may take hours if a fault is identified and correction is needed.

Further, the elevator hoist way is a very hazardous environment for the elevator maintenance operator as it includes many large and heavy moving components and high voltage electrical wiring. Some safety measures have been put in place such as guard rails on the roof of the elevator however, more is needed to improve safety of the maintenance operator in the elevator hoist way.

Some prior art has tried to resolve these problems by providing for remote monitoring/visualization of the elevator hoist way. For example, WO2009051587 A1 describes a method to remotely inspect hoist way condition through a hoist way inspection device that includes an imaging device disposed within the hoist way. However, the said prior art is only limited to visual inspection of the hoist way and is significantly constrained in its capabilities for inspection and diagnostics.

Therefore, there is a continued need in the art for remote and/or automatic systems for elevator inspection and maintenance that can be used much more frequently than a manual inspection and maintenance and that can significantly reduce the need for a human operator to enter the dangerous elevator hoist way environment.

The present invention solves these problems by providing a system for inspection and maintenance of an elevator system that can be operated remotely and/or automatically.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of this invention is to provide a system for remote elevator inspection and maintenance.

Another objective of this invention is to provide a system for automatic elevator inspection and maintenance.

Yet another objective of the invention is to reduce the need for a human operator to enter an elevator hoist way to perform elevator inspection and maintenance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the present invention. It is not intended to identify the key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concept of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description of the invention presented later.

Aspects of the present invention relate to an elevator inspection and maintenance system including a mechatronic body movable via remote or automatic operation, and an inspection and maintenance head installed on the mechatronic body. The inspection and maintenance head is fitted with a sensor or a manipulation tool to perform an inspection or a maintenance operation on at least one component of an elevator system, remotely or automatically. In some aspects, the sensor is one of a RGB camera, night vision camera, an infra-red camera, a microphone array, an ultrasound sensor, a laser distance measurement sensor, a laser temperature measurement sensor, an IR depth sensor, a fire sensor, a smoke detector, or a vibration sensor. In some aspects, the elevator inspection and maintenance system is installable on an elevator cab, in a hoist way, or in a machine room of the elevator system. In some aspects, the elevator inspection and maintenance system is installed on a roof, a base, or a side wall outer panel or one of a roof, base, or side wall inner panel of an elevator cab. In some aspects, the elevator inspection and maintenance system includes a track laid on said elevator cab, hoist way, or machine room, and wherein the elevator inspection and maintenance system is movably attached to said track. In some other aspects, the elevator inspection and maintenance system is movably attached to an elevator cab, or to any component in a hoist way, or machine room by a vacuum sub-system. In yet some other aspects, the elevator inspection and maintenance system is movably attached to an elevator cab, or to any component in a hoist way, or machine room using a permanent or electromagnet. In some aspects, the elevator inspection and maintenance system is movably attached to one of outer or inner roof, base, or a side wall panel of an elevator cab. In some aspects, the mechatronic body includes a base, one or more connecting rods and rotatable joints operably connecting the base, and a number of actuators adapted to move the mechatronic body. In some aspects, the base includes a number of wheels for moving the remote elevator inspection and maintenance system. In some other aspects, the base includes a number of mechatronic legs for moving the remote elevator inspection and maintenance system. In some aspects, the inspection and maintenance head is fitted with a sensor hub comprising two or more sensors. In such aspects, the two or more sensors include a RGB camera, night vision camera, an infra-red camera, a microphone array, an ultrasound sensor, a laser distance measurement sensor, a laser temperature measurement sensor, an IR depth sensor, a fire sensor, a smoke detector, or a vibration sensor. In some aspects, the manipulation tool is one of a screw driver, a gripper, wire cutter, adhesive gun, soldering iron, or welding tool. In some aspects, manipulation tool is configured to measure at least one of voltage, current, or impedance of a wire. In some aspects, the manipulation tool is configured to measure vibrations in an elevator component. In some aspects, the elevator inspection and maintenance system can communicate measurements of the sensor to a remote server via the internet. In some aspects, the remote movement, inspection, and monitoring procedures of the elevator inspection and maintenance system is performed by a human operator in a remote control room in communication with the elevator inspection and maintenance system.

Aspects of the present invention also relate to an elevator cab including an elevator cab body; an elevator inspection and maintenance system attached to said elevator cab body; wherein the elevator inspection and maintenance system includes a mechatronic body movable via remote or automatic operation, an inspection and maintenance head installed on the mechatronic body, wherein said inspection and maintenance head is fitted with a sensor or a manipulation tool to perform an inspection or a maintenance operation on at least one component of an elevator system remotely or automatically. In some aspects, the elevator inspection and maintenance system is movably attached to an inner or outer roof, base, or side wall panel of the elevator cab. In some aspects, the elevator inspection and maintenance system is movably attached to the elevator cab body via a track laid on said inner or outer roof, base, or side wall panel of the elevator cab. In some other aspects, the elevator inspection and maintenance system is movably attached to said elevator cab body via a vacuum sub-system. In some other aspects, the elevator inspection and maintenance system is movably attached to said elevator cab body using a permanent or electromagnet. In some aspects, mechatronic body includes a base; one or more connecting rods and rotatable joints operably connecting the base to the inspection and maintenance head; and a number of actuators adapted to move the said connecting rods and rotatable joints. In some aspects, the base includes a number of wheels for moving the inspection and maintenance system over the surface of elevator cab body. In some other aspects, base includes a number of mechatronic legs for moving the inspection and maintenance system over the surface of said panel of the elevator cab. In some aspects, the manipulation tool is one of a screw driver, a gripper, wire cutter, adhesive gun, soldering iron, or welding tool. In some aspects, manipulation tool is configured to measure at least one of voltage, current, or impedance of a wire. In some aspects, manipulation tool is configured to measure vibrations in an elevator component. In some aspects, sensor is one of a RGB camera, night vision camera, an infra-red camera, a microphone array, an ultrasound sensor, a laser distance measurement sensor, a laser temperature measurement sensor, an IR depth sensor, a fire sensor, a smoke detector, or a vibration sensor. In some aspects, inspection and maintenance system can operate automatically on a pre-planned inspection routine. In some aspects, inspection and maintenance system can communicate measurements of the sensors to a remote server via the internet. In some aspects, the remote movement, inspection, and monitoring procedures of the elevator inspection and maintenance system is performed by a human operator in a remote control room in communication with the elevator inspection and maintenance system.

Aspects of the invention further relate to a method for remotely monitoring equipment in an elevator cab hoist way using an inspection and maintenance system, said method including remotely operating the inspection and maintenance system by an operator from a control room; and running inspection tests on equipment accessible to the inspection and maintenance system through said remote operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings in which similar elements in different drawings are numbered the same. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict illustrative embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Although examples of construction, dimensions, and materials are illustrated for the various elements, those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the examples provided have suitable alternatives that may be utilized.

Inspection and maintenance of elevator systems require manual intervention by a human operator, which brings in additional monetary and temporal costs, and subjects the human operator to hazardous conditions in the elevator system. Further, increasing frequency of scheduled manual inspections by human operators has many practical constraints.

To overcome the short comings of the current state of the art, the present invention describes an elevator inspection and maintenance system. The elevator inspection and maintenance system is operably connected to an elevator cab, a hoist way or a machine room. The elevator inspection and maintenance system has two parts a mechatronic body and an inspection and maintenance head. The mechatronic body includes a base and a number of connecting rods and rotatable joints, which are made movable by a number of actuators. The inspection and maintenance head includes a sensor and/or a manipulation tool. The elevator inspection and maintenance system is in communication with a remote control room via a communication unit and can perform remotely controlled or automatic pre-planned elevator inspection and maintenance operations. The elevator inspection and maintenance system in some embodiments can move along a pre-planned track on the surface of an elevator cab, hoist way, or machine room for inspecting various elements in the elevator hoist way.

FIGS.1A-1Dschematically illustrates a first embodiment of the elevator inspection and maintenance system.FIG.1Adepicts a schematic side view of an elevator system100in an elevator hoist way102comprising an elevator cab104, elevator hoist way equipment106, and an elevator inspection and maintenance system150. The term hoist way equipment106encompasses all components of the elevator system100accessible for inspection and maintenance from within the hoist way102.FIG.1Bdepicts a schematic top view of said elevator cab104and the positioning of hoist way equipment106and system150.FIG.1Cdepicts a schematic side view of the system150. The system150includes a mechatronic body151including a base152, a rotatable intermediate component154, a number of links156, rotatable joints158, and a number of actuators (not shown) within the rotatable joints158. The system150further includes an inspection and maintenance head160. The inspection and maintenance head160includes a sensor (or a sensor hub162having two or more sensors) and a manipulation tool164.FIG.1Ddepicts the operational components of the system150. The system150includes a power source166for powering all components of the system150, a controller168for controlling operation of all components of the system150and a communication unit170for providing communication with a remote control room172. The communication unit170facilitates remote operation of the system150by a human operator in the remote control room172.

In this first embodiment, the base152is fixedly attached to the top surface panel of the elevator cab104using any known attachment or fastening means such as welds, screws, pins, etc. The attachment position of the base152on the top of the elevator cab104can be strategically defined to allow the inspection and maintenance head160to perform inspection and maintenance operations on hoist way equipment106.

The intermediate component154is rotatably attached to the base152with its axis of rotation being perpendicular to the surface of attachment with the base152such that the intermediate component154can rotate 360° about its axis. An actuator, such as a stepper motor within the base152or the intermediate component154rotates the intermediate component154relative to the base152.

The links156and the rotatable joints158are connected to the intermediate component154such that rotation of the intermediate component154also rotates the links156and rotatable joints158along with the intermediate component154. The joints158include actuators that can be controlled to provide a number of degrees of freedom to the arrangement of the links156and joints158. The inspection and maintenance head160is connected to the last link156and the last joint158on the opposite end to the base152, allowing it to be moved relative to the last link156. The number of links156and joints158in different embodiments may vary in accordance with the length and complexity of the system150required, for example, in an embodiment, as shown, the system150may have two links156and three joints158. Further, the shape of the system150may not necessarily be the same as shown in the embodiment ofFIG.1C. In other embodiments, the system150may have varied shapes based on the requirements of the elevator systems in which the system150may be used. For example, in some embodiments, some of the links156may be curved, or may have different lengths, to access all necessary hoist way components106.

The sensor is one of (or sensor hub162includes two or more of) a number of known sensors for inspection of the hoist way equipment106. In an exemplary embodiment, for instance, the sensor hub162may include a RGB camera or a night-vision camera for visual inspection of equipment106. In another exemplary embodiment, the sensor hub162includes an infrared camera or a laser temperature sensor to inspect heat generated in the hoist way equipment106. In some exemplary embodiments, the sensor hub162includes a microphone or a microphone array to detect changes in the sounds produced during operation of the elevator system100. The sounds produced during operation of the elevator system100may indicate a fault within the elevator104. In some embodiments, the sensor hub162includes a laser distance measurement sensor that can be used to measure strain in the cables or changes in the distances of equipment106from their pre-engineered positions. In some other embodiments, other types of sensors such as an ultrasound sensor or an Infrared (IR) depth sensor can also be included to improve non-contact inspection of the equipment106. In some embodiments, other known sensors such as fire or smoke detection sensor or vibration sensor, etc., are also included in the sensor hub162. Any known type of sensor in the art can be incorporated into the sensor hub162to monitor or inspect various components of the elevator system100.

The manipulation tool164can be any tool known in the art, configured to manipulate or perform a maintenance operation on any hoist way equipment106. There may be more than one manipulation tools in inspection and maintenance head160. Some examples of such manipulation tools include screw driver, a gripper, wire cutter, adhesive gun, soldering iron, welding tool, etc.

In some embodiments, the manipulation tool164includes a movable claw that is used by the system150for gripping various types of equipment106within the hoist way102to closely inspect equipment106using the sensors in the sensor hub162. In some embodiments, the manipulation tool164is also equipped with circuitry to measure electrical current, voltage, and impedance in any equipment106in contact with the manipulation tool164. In some embodiments, the manipulation tool164is further equipped with a vibration measuring sensor to measure vibrations in any equipment106in contact with the manipulation tool164.

The power source166includes an electrical line connecting the electrical supply of the elevator cab104to a power management electrical circuit within the base152. In some embodiments, the power management electrical circuit includes a backup battery for operating the inspection and maintenance system150to inspect the elevator hoist way102when the elevator power is cut.

The controller168is a microcontroller known in the art, and can be accommodated in any physical part of the system150with sufficient available space, such as the base152, intermediate component154, links156, or inspection and maintenance head160. The controller168is operationally connected to the power source166, sensor hub162, manipulation tool164, and all actuators in the intermediate component154and joints158. The controller168is further connected to the communication unit170and converts commands received via the communication unit170into various actions that can be performed by the system150and encodes sensor data to be transmitted to the remote control room172via the communication unit170.

The communication unit170is an electronic circuit supporting communication over any kind of wired or wireless network/internet connection. The communication unit170operationally connects the controller168to the remote control room172, from where a human operator can operate the system150.

The remote control room172is a room with equipment such as a network connected computer that can be used for controlling the system150by a maintenance operator/technician to inspect remotely the elevator hoist way equipment106and perform some maintenance tasks using the manipulation tool164.

In some embodiments, the controller168may be programmed to periodically perform automatic inspection routines and send reports to the control room172for inspection by a human maintenance operator/technician.

In some other embodiments, the controller168may be programmed to continuously run an automatic inspection routine during the operation the elevator system100to monitor the functioning of the elevator system100in real-time and to continuously send a stream of sensor data to the control room172.

In some embodiments, the inspection and maintenance system150may be connected to an artificial intelligence/machine learning system via the communication unit170or alternatively the artificial intelligence/machine learning system can be installed in the inspection and maintenance system150. The artificial intelligence/machine learning system can automatically detect faults during inspection of the elevator system100and alert maintenance operatives/technicians.

In some elevator systems100, rigidly fixing the system150at a position at the top of the elevator cab104may not allow for full inspection of the hoist way equipment106. To improve the ability of the system150to reach equipment106at distant locations, the inspection and maintenance system150may be made movable on the surface of the elevator cab104or other parts of the elevator system100.

The following sections present various embodiments of inspection and maintenance systems similar to the inspection and maintenance system150of the first embodiment along with the capability of shifting position of the inspection and maintenance system150to various locations, such as outer or inner panels of the elevator cab104, walls of the hoist way102, or machine room, within the elevator system100.

FIGS.2A-2Cschematically illustrates a second embodiment of an inspection and maintenance system250.FIGS.2A and2Bdepict schematic side view of the elevator system100and top view of the elevator cab104comprising the inspection and maintenance system250, respectively. Further, as shown inFIG.2C, in addition to components mentioned in the first embodiment of the inspection and maintenance system150, the inspection and maintenance system250of the second embodiment includes a track254laid on the outer top/roof panel of the elevator cab104and a motion mechanism256housed within the base252of the inspection and maintenance system250to move the inspection and maintenance system250on the track254. The track254and the motion mechanism256can be any type of track systems known in the art. For example, a rail track254and actuated wheels256can be used for motion of the inspection and maintenance system250on the top of the elevator cab104. The track254can be laid in any strategic pattern on the top of elevator cab104to ensure maximum ability of the inspection and maintenance system250for inspecting hoist way equipment106. The track254can be, for example, of any shape, such as a regular rectangular, square, oval, circular shape, etc., or as an irregular shape, as shown, specifically tailored to access specific hoist way equipment106.

FIGS.3A-3Cschematically illustrates a third embodiment of an elevator inspection and maintenance inspection and maintenance system350.FIGS.3A and3Bdepict schematic side view of the elevator system100and bottom view of the elevator cab104comprising the inspection and maintenance system350, respectively. Further, as shown inFIG.3C, alternative to components mentioned in the second embodiment of the inspection and maintenance system250, the inspection and maintenance system350of the third embodiment includes a track354laid on the outer bottom/base panel of the elevator cab104and includes a motion mechanism356housed within the base352to move the inspection and maintenance system350on the track352. For example, the track354can be an inverted rail known in the art, and the motion mechanism may be actuated wheels356held between the inverted rails.

FIG.4schematically illustrates a fourth embodiment where, there may be two inspection and maintenance systems452and456attached to the elevator cab104on a top track454and a bottom track458respectively.

FIG.5schematically illustrates a fifth embodiment of a elevator inspection and maintenance inspection and maintenance system550. As shown, in this embodiment, the inspection and maintenance system550includes a single track552running across on roof, sides, and bottom parts/panels of the elevator cab104and the inspection and maintenance system550can move over this track552across the roof, sides, and bottom parts of the elevator cab104. In such a system550, the track552can be any screw-type, wired or geared pulling system known in the art.

In such movable systems250,350,452,456,550, the power source166may receive electrical energy from the elevator cab104through the tracks254,354,454,458, and552.

Although the tracks254,354,454,458, and552in the embodiments shown above are laid on the elevator cab104, a person of ordinary skill in the art can easily contemplate the track being laid out on other parts of the elevator system100, such as the walls of the hoist way102or the machine room of the elevator system for motion of an embodiment of the inspection and maintenance system in those parts of the elevator system100.

In some embodiments, the inspection and maintenance system may be track-less and movable freely on the elevator cab104and other parts of the elevator system100without the use of any track. In such embodiments, the inspection and maintenance system may be adapted to adhere to the surface of the elevator cab104or other components in the hoist way102.

FIG.6illustrates an embodiment of the inspection and maintenance system650that is movable on the walls of the elevator cab104and other components in the hoist way102. The inspection and maintenance system650having a base652, which has a vacuum sub-system654to adhere the inspection and maintenance system650to the surface of the elevator cab104. The vacuum sub-system654includes a vacuum chamber656having a peripheral rubber or polymer guard658at the lower side of the base652to adhere to the surface of the walls of the elevator cab104or other components in the hoist way102, a vacuum pump660for creating a vacuum in the vacuum chamber656and exhaust vents662for exhaust of air from the vacuum chamber656. The base652also includes wheels664for moving the inspection and maintenance system650on any wall surface. The vacuum generated between the vacuum chamber656and the surface of the walls of the elevator cab104keeps the inspection and maintenance system650attached to the walls, roof or base of the elevator cab104and the hoist way102. Although, the embodiment as shown inFIG.6illustrates one vacuum chamber656, other variations of this embodiment may include a plurality of vacuum chambers for adherence of the inspection and maintenance system650to the walls, roof or base of the elevator cab104and the hoist way102.

FIG.7illustrates another embodiment of the inspection and maintenance system750that is movable on the walls of the elevator cab104and other parts of the elevator system100. The inspection and maintenance system750includes a base752with permanent or electromagnets754attached to the lower end for adherence to the metallic structures of the elevator cab104and the other components in the hoist way102or machine room. The inspection and maintenance system750may also include wheels756with permanent or electromagnets758to adhere the system750to the walls, roof or base of the elevator cab104, walls and other components of the hoist way102, or components in the machine room of the elevator system100.

A person of ordinary skill in the art that an embodiment combining the features, i.e. vacuum sub-system and permanent or electromagnets described in the embodiments650and750as shown inFIGS.6-7of the inspection and maintenance system can also be formed for track-less operation of the inspection and maintenance system.

FIGS.8-11illustrate various applications of the track-less inspection and maintenance systems650or750as shown inFIGS.6-7. As shown inFIG.8, in some embodiments, two track-less inspection and maintenance systems852and854may be attached to the elevator cab104. In these embodiments, one of the inspection and maintenance systems852is on the outer surface of the elevator cab104and the second inspection and maintenance system854is on the inner chamber of the elevator cab104. The inspection and maintenance system854in the inner chamber of the elevator cab104can monitor and inspect components within the inner chamber, such as electrical fittings, switches, and cables, lights, car operating panel, fan, etc. The inspection and maintenance system854can also act as a maneuverable security camera and emergency assistance system when the elevator cab104is operational. For example, in an elevator malfunction, the inspection and maintenance system854can check on passengers and help passengers communicate with maintenance staff.

As shown inFIG.9, in some other embodiments, a single track-less inspection and maintenance system950is used that can move between the external and internal surfaces of the elevator cab104through a door903attached to the roof or walls of the elevator cab104. In these embodiments, the single track-less inspection and maintenance system950can inspect and monitor elements of the hoist way outside the elevator cab104and components within the inner chamber of the elevator cab104.

As shown, inFIG.10, a track-less inspection and maintenance system1050may be used for inspection and monitoring of the components of the machine room103such as governor/motor in the hoist way102of the elevator system100.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.11, a track-less inspection and maintenance system1150is stored in a storage compartment1151when not in use. The storage compartment1151may be a metallic or polymer casing, which can accommodate the inspection and maintenance system1150in a collapsed form. In some embodiments, the storage compartment1151is placed on any of the internal or external roof, wall, or floor panel of the elevator cab104. Other embodiments may include storage compartment located at various other locations, such as inside the elevator cab or on the outer walls or base of the elevator cab, etc. The storage compartment1151may also include a charging means for charging the inspection and maintenance system1150.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.12A-12B, the inspection and maintenance system1250includes a motion mechanism that has mechatronic legs1252instead of wheels. The mechatronic legs1252may include links and motors, similar to the mechatronic body151of previous embodiments for motion. The mechatronic legs1252may include electromagnetic or vacuum based adhesion systems, similar to embodiments shown inFIGS.6-7, for selectively adhering the inspection and maintenance system1250to the various surfaces of the elevator cab104, hoist way102, or machine room of an elevator system100. The mechatronic legs1252may allow the inspection and maintenance system1250to scale obstacles and to move from elevator cab104to the walls of the hoist way102when the elevator cab104is stationary. The mechatronic legs1252may be controlled by a controller placed in the body of the inspection and maintenance system1250. The controller may be preprogrammed to move the mechatronic legs in a specific pattern or may be controlled remotely via a communication unit by a human operator from a remote control room.

The components of the various embodiments of the system150,250,350,452,456,550,650,750,852,854,950,1050,1150,1250may be made by standard manufacturing procedures or assembled using off the shelf components. For example, the rigid components, such as base152, intermediate component154, links156, inspection and maintenance head160, manipulation tool164, wheels256, track254, wheels356, track354, mechatronic legs1252may be made of strong and light weight metals, metal alloys, plastic or other lightweight and strong materials such as carbon fiber or fiber glass. The components can be made by any type of additive or subtractive manufacturing methods, for example, the components can be made by any subtractive processes such as milling, drilling, cutting, turning, etc.; or the components can be made by additive manufacturing or three dimensional printing methods such as Vat Polymerization, material jetting, binder jetting, material extrusion, powder bed fusion, sheet lamination, directed energy deposition, etc. The electrical and electronic components such as actuators in the base150, intermediate component152, joints158, sensor hub162, power source166, controller168, and communication unit170, may be off-the-shelf components known in the art.

Various other modifications, adaptations, and alternative designs are of course possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, it should be understood at this time that within the scope of the appended claims the invention might be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Advantages

The present invention presents an advantage of a system for remote elevator inspection and maintenance, thereby reducing the servicing time and cost of elevator inspection and maintenance operations.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a system for automatic elevator inspection and maintenance, thereby making a high frequency of elevator inspection and maintenance operations practically possible.

Yet another advantage of the invention is that it reduces the need for a human operator to enter an elevator hoist way to perform elevator inspection and maintenance, thereby reducing hazard to the human operator.