Elevator system with LIDAR and/or RADAR sensor

Disclosed is an elevator system having an elevator entryway, the elevator entryway including: a first door, which is an elevator door, a first controller operationally connected to the first door for opening and closing the first door to provide access to an elevator, wherein when the first door is closing: the first controller monitors for first instructions over a frequency applicable to light detection and ranging (LIDAR) and/or a radio detection and ranging (RADAR), and upon receiving the first instructions, the first controller executes the first instructions.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments herein relate to elevator systems and more specifically to elevator systems with light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors and/or radio detection and ranging (RADAR) sensors.

Passenger vertical lift systems (elevators, lifts, and the like) may be equipped with an obstacle detection system. Such systems may include light curtains, radar sensing, acoustic and ultrasonic interrogation, and camera systems spanning from visible to long wavelength infrared.

Obstacle detection systems may work well when the obstacle is in a vertical plane defined by a door frame. Detection normal to the door opening, however, may be a challenge because motion may be out of a plane of detection and sensors detect activity based upon receiving reflected energy from an acoustic, optical or electromagnetic transmitted energy source. Unwanted reopening of an elevator door may occur due to stray signals from reflections of persons in a vicinity of an elevator door even though there may be no intent to enter the elevator. This may lead to a relatively high false alarm rate (FAR). Conversely, improper settings or poor detector system discriminations may lead to injuries due to undetected obstacles. Consequently, alternative means of obstacle detection both in and out of plane are sought having lower FAR and fewer missed detections.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Disclosed is an elevator system comprising an elevator entryway, the elevator entryway including: a first door, which is an elevator door, a first controller operationally connected to the first door for opening and closing the first door to provide access to an elevator, wherein when the first door is closing: the first controller monitors for first instructions over a frequency applicable to light detection and ranging (LIDAR) and/or a radio detection and ranging (RADAR), and upon receiving the first instructions, the first controller executes the first instructions.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features and elements, or as an alternate, the first instructions include reopening or closing the first door.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features and elements, or as an alternate, the first instructions include closing the first door.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features and elements, or as an alternate, the system comprises a first sensor operationally connected to the entryway, the first sensor being a (LIDAR) sensor and/or a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) sensor.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features and elements, or as an alternate, the first sensor monitors the entryway and transmits instructions to reopen upon sensing motion into and/or out of the entryway and otherwise transmits instructions to close.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features and elements, or as an alternate, the first sensor is capable of continuously monitoring the entryway.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features and elements, or as an alternate, the system comprises a plurality of sensor including the first sensor and a second sensor, the first sensor being a LIDAR sensor and the second sensor being a RADAR sensor.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features and elements, or as an alternate, the first controller monitors for first instructions over a plurality of frequencies, including a frequency applicable to LIDAR and frequency applicable to RADAR.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features and elements, or as an alternate, upon receiving conflicting instructions from the plurality of sensors the first controller reopens the first door.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features and elements, or as an alternate, the plurality of sensors are operationally disposed in one or more of an entryway frame and an entryway landing.

Further disclosed is a method of monitoring an elevator entryway in an elevator system, the elevator system and entryway including one or more of the above disclosed features and elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The tension member107engages the machine111, which is part of an overhead structure of the elevator system101. The machine111is configured to control movement between the elevator car103and the counterweight105. The position reference system113may be mounted on a fixed part at the top of the elevator shaft117, such as on a support or guide rail, and may be configured to provide position signals related to a position of the elevator car103within the elevator shaft117. In other embodiments, the position reference system113may be directly mounted to a moving component of the machine111, or may be located in other positions and/or configurations as known in the art. The position reference system113can be any device or mechanism for monitoring a position of an elevator car and/or counter weight, as known in the art. For example, without limitation, the position reference system113can be an encoder, sensor, or other system and can include velocity sensing, absolute position sensing, etc., as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.

The controller115is located, as shown, in a controller room121of the elevator shaft117and is configured to control the operation of the elevator system101, and particularly the elevator car103. For example, the controller115may provide drive signals to the machine111to control the acceleration, deceleration, leveling, stopping, etc. of the elevator car103. The controller115may also be configured to receive position signals from the position reference system113or any other desired position reference device. When moving up or down within the elevator shaft117along guide rail109, the elevator car103may stop at one or more landings125as controlled by the controller115. Although shown in a controller room121, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the controller115can be located and/or configured in other locations or positions within the elevator system101. In one embodiment, the controller may be located remotely or in the cloud.

The machine111may include a motor or similar driving mechanism. In accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, the machine111is configured to include an electrically driven motor. The power supply for the motor may be any power source, including a power grid, which, in combination with other components, is supplied to the motor. The machine111may include a traction sheave that imparts force to tension member107to move the elevator car103within elevator shaft117.

Although shown and described with a roping system including tension member107, elevator systems that employ other methods and mechanisms of moving an elevator car within an elevator shaft may employ embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, embodiments may be employed in ropeless elevator systems using a linear motor to impart motion to an elevator car. Embodiments may also be employed in ropeless elevator systems using a hydraulic lift to impart motion to an elevator car.FIG.1is merely a non-limiting example presented for illustrative and explanatory purposes.

LIDAR systems are active ranging systems based upon time-of-flight of light to and from an obstacle. Similarly, RADAR systems are active ranging systems based upon time-of-flight of radio waves to and from an obstacle. They may both be routinely utilized as detection inputs for autonomous driving systems. These systems may improve autonomous detection by permitting the detection system to scan for obstacles in the vertical, horizontal, forward, and backward. Using LIDAR, detailed 3D maps of a region may enable a relatively higher level of object discrimination, and thus may provide a lower FAR and fewer missed detections. These systems (formed using free space optics) may be relatively large, draw relatively considerable power, may be relatively difficult to install, and may be costly.

Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) may be utilized in safety systems where superior target discrimination in 3D may lead to enhanced system performance and fidelity. A LIDAR system-on-a-chip may be used for modest bandwidth communication via binary bit transfer (Frequency Modulation, FM), and/or light intensity variation (Amplitude Modulation, AM). LIDAR may therefore permit the incorporation of wireless communication capabilities in addition to local obstacle detection and discrimination. Thus, LIDAR may be utilized for landing door jamb protection sensors rather than cabling for multiple floors, which may make wiring such a system relatively difficult. A usage of LIDAR for wireless communications may enable relatively reduced wiring and relatively easy differentiation of sensor signals to the door controller to reverse or stop an elevator door.

FIGS.2-3illustrate additional technical features associated with one or more disclosed embodiments. Features and elements disclosed in FIGS. having nomenclature that is the same or similar to that inFIG.1may be similarly construed even though numerical identifiers may differ.

FIG.2discloses an elevator system200comprising an elevator entryway210having a landing215and frame220with a top225spaced from the landing215in a height wise direction H. The frame220may include a plurality of sides including a first side230and a second side240mutually spaced in a widthwise direction W. The landing215may extend in a depth wise direction D away from the frame220. Reference labels in this document such as “first” and “second” facilitate describing the disclosed embodiments and do not identify a priority or ordering of any features or elements unless expressly indicated.

The elevator entryway210may include a first mechanized door250and a first controller260operationally connected to the first door250for opening and closing the first door250, providing access to an elevator car270. Reference to the first door250herein may also be construed as reference to the first controller260. Similarly, reference to other components herein controlled by respective controllers may also be construed as reference to the respective controllers.

A first sensor280may be operationally connected to the entryway210, for example in the landing215or on or near the frame220. The first sensor280is illustrated at the landing215though such illustration is not limiting. The first sensor280may be a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor and/or a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) sensor. The first sensor280may comprise separate sensors, that is, a LIDAR sensor and a RADAR sensor. A second controller290may be operationally connected to the first sensor280. According to an embodiment the first sensor280and the second controller290may comprise a unitary package, which may be relatively small and compact for placement around the entryway. According to an embodiment the system200may comprise a plurality of doors including the first door250and a second door305. The plurality of doors may be center opening doors.

Turning toFIG.3, an entryway monitoring process S200is disclosed. Process steps are sequentially numbered in this document to facilitate discussion but are not intended to identify a specific sequence of preformation such steps or a requirement to perform such steps unless expressly indicated. The first door250may perform the step S210of initiating closing. It is during this time when a potential injury could occur. The first door250may perform step S220of monitoring for instructions over a frequency applicable to LIDAR and/or RADAR communications. The first sensor280may perform step S230of interrogating the elevator entryway210to determine whether there is motion into or out of the entryway. When motion is detected, the first sensor280may perform step S240of providing first instructions to the first door250. At step S250the first door250may execute the first instructions.

According to an embodiment the first instructions may be reopening the first door250. This may occur when the sensor detects a potential hazard, such as movement around the entryway210interpreted as a person entering or exiting the elevator. According to an embodiment the first instructions may be to close250. This may be the default instruction, enable the elevator door to normally close. According to an embodiment the first sensor280transmits the first instructions over the scanning interrogation frequency. By transmitting over this frequency, the need to utilize a telecommunications infrastructure is minimized.

The above embodiments disclose utilization of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor and/or a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) sensor, which may be negligibly sized, for obstacle detection, discrimination, and communication. In addition, the above embodiments may relate to the usage of LIDAR signals and/or RADAR signals a means of effecting wireless communications to a door controller to initiate reopening of an elevator door. Such communications may be advantageous for usage as detection systems where the sensors may be landing mounted or when additional wiring may be less desirable.

In addition to the above identified features and associated benefits, the disclosed embodiments may satisfy additional needs. Many door detection systems may be required to provide enhanced sensing capabilities. For example, systems may be required to sensing objects on a landing in addition to along a plane of the door. In addition LIDAR sensors and/or RADAR sensors in detection systems may be applicable for providing door jamb protection in door detection systems. Door jamb protection may be useful on both landing and elevator car doors. Positioning LIDAR sensors and/or RADAR sensors on each landing in a multi-landing facility is advantageous over a wired solution that may require cabling to a top of the hoistway from each floor, which may then be utilized for sending a signal to a door controller to halt a door opening motion.

Several issues may accompany a wired door jamb protection solution, which may be addressable by using a sensor as a communication device. Such a solution may result in a communication frequency a LIDAR sensor and/or a RADAR sensor uses to sense objects may also be utilized to send an open/close signal to the door controller. By using a LIDAR sensor and/or a RADAR sensor as a communication device, additional communication hardware may be avoided, which may reduce costs.

Another concern with wired solutions is where landing sensors are wired in series. An activation or issue with an upstream sensor may impact the ability to use downstream sensors. Having parallel wiring for each landing sensor, however, may be very difficult for installation in high rise buildings. It would also allow for wiring cost reduction.

On the other hand, elevator car mounted LIDAR sensors and/or RADAR sensors wirelessly communicating open/close commands to a door controller may save cabling costs and save space on a top of an elevator car. Wireless communication may be achieved through Wi-Fi though a benefit may be through using the LIDAR sensor and/or RADAR sensor itself as certain technologies may require additional technological investments to operate smoothly. For example Wi-Fi may require the creation of a system of routers, repeaters and access points on the sensor side as well as access points and receives within the elevator cab.

The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity and/or manufacturing tolerances based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application.