Technique for Passenger Entrapment Prevention in Elevators using Sensorless Control

초록

This paper proposes a flux observer-based sensorless control method to prevent passenger entrapment in elevator systems under position sensor fault conditions. In conventional elevator systems, a position sensor fault immediately triggers an emergency stop through mechanical braking, which may cause passenger discomfort and prolonged entrapment until manual rescue is performed. To overcome this limitation, the proposed method transitions the control mode from encoder-based control to flux observer-based sensorless control when a position sensor fault is detected. Unlike conventional fail-safe approaches that interrupt inverter operation, the proposed strategy maintains inverter operation and allows the elevator car to move safely to the nearest floor, thereby enabling immediate passenger evacuation. The effectiveness and stability of the proposed method are validated through experimental results obtained from a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive system that effectively emulates actual elevator operating conditions.

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