The Importance of an Elevator Encoder
In the elevator industry, an elevator encoder is an important component of the traction motor system. It provides accurate position feedback, as well as velocity and acceleration information.
Elevator encoders provide a high-resolution position value with low power consumption, fast data transfer and minimal maintenance. This makes them ideal for a wide variety of elevator applications.
High resolution
One of the most impressive features of an elevator encoder is its ability to deliver high-resolution position data. This is essential for the control of high-power torque motors, which are used to drive the various devices in an elevator car.
HEIDENHAIN’s line of rotary encoders delivers the necessary rotational speed and position feedback in a compact design. With an outside diameter of just 40 mm, they are also suitable for the tight space required by an elevator shaft.
A modern elevator car is a combination of components that need to work together smoothly and without fail. These include the main motor, brakes, shaft copying system and doors. The right encoders can help the elevator start gently, slow at just the right height, open and close its doors swiftly and then smoothly speed off again.
Encoders are also important in preventing the elevator from going over its allotted travel distance. This is accomplished via a separate assembly of wires connected to a safety-trip mechanism. HEIDENHAIN’s HA 725 incremental encoder can provide effective performance at a fraction of the cost of a traditional encoder.
A high-quality rotary encoder will help you save money by improving your elevator’s service life and increasing its reliability. It will also help you make smart decisions based on the data it provides. For example, it may indicate a sudden load or force spike that could damage your expensive motors. It could also indicate a problem with your safety-trip system. This information can be used to prevent future issues, or to improve the safety of your building’s occupants.
Low power consumption
The energy consumption of elevator systems is a significant factor in the building sector. It accounts for a large portion of total energy consumption and contributes significantly to carbon dioxide emissions [6,7]. This makes elevator encoder the optimization of elevator energy efficiency a priority in many buildings, especially residential buildings.
In addition to the motor drive, a number of other components also contribute to the elevator’s energy consumption. This includes the lighting, ventilation, and other equipment used in an elevator’s operating cycle. Various methods can be applied to measure and evaluate the energy consumption of an elevator system. The three most common are the measurement method, the calculation method, and the modelling method.
A measurement method refers to the installation of a sensor on an elevator, which is then used to detect changes in the energy consumption of the system. The results are then used to determine whether the energy consumption is normal or abnormal. This is an expensive and time-consuming process, but it provides the most accurate measurements.
An elevator encoder can reduce the amount of power consumed by an elevator system. This can save money and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
HEIDENHAIN has a wide range of encoders for elevator applications, which are available in different power classes and with a variety of features. These include the ERN 487 and ECN 413, which are optimized for use in elevator motors.
These encoders provide feedback for a number of control functions, including the motor commutation angle and the brake position. They also provide a means to detect motor failure and braking errors.
The encoder also helps to prevent motor damage by providing a warning when the rotor is rotating beyond its allowed speed. This can help avoid damage to the rotor, the motor shaft, and other elements of the motor.
Encoders can be installed on a wide variety of motor shafts, including internal, external, and disc motors. The stub end of the motor shaft where the encoder is mounted should have minimal runout (less than 0.001 in) for optimal performance. Excess runout can cause a number of problems, including uneven loading of the bearing and premature bearing wear.
Easy to install
Elevators must be safe and comfortable for passengers. This requires a precise control system that starts gently, stops at just the right height, rapidly opens and closes doors, and smoothly speeds off again. To do this, the main motor, brakes, shaft copying system, and doors need feedback from encoders.
HEIDENHAIN absolute rotary encoders are ideal for shaft copying and other elevator safety applications, since they provide the absolute position of the car to the control system at all times. This ensures that the elevator can be moved straight to its destination even if there is a power failure.
In addition, these encoders help elevator encoder lifts start and stop gently and safely without passengers feeling them. They also help elevators meet all safety standards and provide the data needed for operational monitoring.
To ensure jerk-free braking and precise positioning of the elevator car, shaft copying systems use toothed belts and deflection pulleys to measure the elevator’s position. Encoder 36 provides signals to controller 18 that relate to the speed and acceleration of, and distance traveled by, elevator car 26.
The EQN 400 series of encoders is available with a bearing assembly that decouples the bearing from forces and prevents overloading. This allows the EQN 400 to be used in especially high shaft loads of up to 150 N axially and 350 N radially.
These shaft-copying systems are particularly easy to install, as they require only a few components and can be integrated into elevators with minimal effort. This saves time and material, reducing the cost of installation in many cases.
This system can be implemented in both new installations and modernizations. The sensor housing has three integrated guideways that make it easy to place the magnetic tape in the correct position for measuring. The sensor housing is IP 50 protected in standard version and further IP 67 can be achieved as Option V.
In addition to being easy to install, encoders can be integrated into the control system using a number of interfaces. These include CANopen, RS-422, RS-232, and SSI.
Low maintenance
Encoders are often used to measure the speed of an elevator car. This information is necessary for controlling the motors that drive the doors to fully open and close. This type of measurement also requires a high resolution to ensure smooth operation and maximum reliability.
For this purpose, HEIDENHAIN offers the LINA 200 absolute inductive linear encoder. This is an ideal choice for elevator applications because it is small enough to fit inside the car and has low weight.
The encoder is also well suited for this application because it can handle the rigors of shaft copying (the process of transferring data from an elevator’s motors to the control). The rotary encoder’s resolution is especially noteworthy because of its ability to measure a large number of steps per revolution, thereby allowing the controller to calculate the fastest possible rotational rate of the motors.
In addition, the encoder can accurately measure the acceleration of the motors without additional microswitches. This is particularly useful for traction elevators, where the accuracy of this measurement can have an impact on ride comfort and efficiency.
Another example of an elevator encoder’s many functions is a brake stroke detection system. This system uses a rotary encoder with EnDat interface to provide comprehensive online self-diagnostic capabilities. This feature can help you pinpoint wear, plan maintenance, and predict the occurrence of malfunctions.
In short, a high-performance encoder is a vital component of any intelligent lift system. It can significantly improve the quality of your building’s transport experience and contribute to its safety and healthiness. By reducing the number of components, you’ll save money and maintain peace of mind. The most important thing to remember is to follow the industry’s best practices for encoder wiring.