CEDES iDiscovery

Elevator Safety Supervisor System

submitted by CEDES

The advent of electrically activated safety gears, combined with electronic safety systems, supersedes the elevator’s mechanical safety systems, which have been used for many decades. The CEDES iDiscovery is a powerful SIL 3 and EN 81-20/50 compliant safety supervisor unit. In conjunction with the CEDES APS (absolute positioning system), it takes over safety-relevant functions of the elevator, including enhanced inspection functions for elevators with reduced headroom or pit (EN 81-21). The system features a purely electronic overspeed governor to trip an electrically activated safety gear. This highly integrated system eliminates the need for many individual systems and components currently required by a conventional elevator. In combination, APS and iDiscovery significantly reduce the cost and complexity of the elevator, as well as installation and maintenance time.

The Underling Element — Safe Position and Velocity Information

The CEDES APS provides position and velocity information supporting speeds of up to 20 m/s and distances of up to 1,500 m. Its contactless principle makes the operation wear-free, as well as noiseless, and requires minimum maintenance. In addition to the absolute position, floor indicators and configuration parameters added to the APS code tape with clips can be read. With the use of guide clips, the APS code tape always stays in position, even at high speed.

Configuration at Ease

The configuration of safety relevant parameters, e.g., rated speed, is performed with configuration clips that are mounted with the APS code tape. This allows for the configuration of the safety parameters of the device in the field on the job site. The configuration can also be changed in the field. The use of the configuration clips in combination with the floor indicator clips allows for a smooth, fully automated teaching process.

Flexibility and Accessibility

iDiscovery’s modular design allows for a maximum level of flexibility when choosing the functionality that matches the different elevator lines. It is also highly flexible when it comes to the location where it is installed. Since it is independent from the APS mounting location and the ability of APS to transmit data up to 1500 m, iDiscovery can be installed wherever it is most suitable and ensures best accessibility. It can be installed directly into the elevator controller in the machine room, into the controllers that are mounted in the landing door frame or directly onto the car.

A Combination Simplifying the Hoistway in an Unprecedented Way

The electronic safety system from CEDES eliminates many of the individual systems and components currently required for a conventional elevator. These include the final limit switches, UCM-detection devices, sensors, vanes and safety relays required for door zone functions and retardation control systems. In combination with an electrically activated safety gear, the installation time and material costs are, once again, drastically reduced.

With iDiscovery featuring a purely electronic overspeed governor, the mechanical overspeed governor, its rope and the rope tension device become completely obsolete. When it comes to safety spaces for elevators with reduced headroom or pit, iDiscovery provides an electronic solution to safeguard the safety spaces. It makes further mechanical components redundant — movable stops or pre-triggered stopping systems, as well as the switches necessary to monitor them. The highly integrated system simplifies the hoistway in an unprecedented way while introducing a new level of safety to the elevator. 

Visit interlift 2023 to learn more about electrically activated safety gears, and visit the CEDES booth to discover the electronic safety system that triggers these safety gears.