Elevator Circuits Use Latching Reed Switches for Floor Sensing

Elevators, or lifts, as they’re known in some regions, are familiar fixtures in urban landscapes. While their electrical motors are meticulously programmed to navigate between floors, achieving precise stops requires feedback on the elevator’s exact position to engage the final brakes. This is crucial for maintaining a seamless alignment of less than an inch between the elevator floor and the floor level.

Latching reed sensors play a pivotal role in furnishing this critical feedback. Strategically positioned on each floor, these sensors are engineered to remain in an actuated or non-actuated state as the elevator ascends or descends, respectively. The magnet affixed to the elevator induces these state changes in the sensors as it traverses past each floor, ensuring accurate positioning.

The configuration of these sensors allows for versatile applications. By adjusting the polarities of the magnets and reed sensors, the actuation states can be tailored to be latched for floors above or below the elevator. This flexibility mirrors electronic flip-flops, enhancing their functionality by enabling the switching of higher loads.

Designing reed switches and selecting magnets for latching applications demands extensive expertise. Collaborating closely with elevator Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), we specialize in delivering tailored, cost-effective solutions using special grading methods. Our approach involves reverse engineering to determine optimal contact coating specifications for reed switches, streamlining the assembly of latching reed switches with custom magnets for these specific applications.

Application Classification

Applications are classified as Position Sensing, Pulse Counting, Electromagnetic or Relay, Temperature Sensing or Magnet Biasing types. This application is classified as follows and the link gives more information on best practices to help select the most suitable AT band and matching magnet.

Magnet Biasing Type

Some special field applications, for the sake of circuit logic, security concerns, or a power saving necessity, require a sensing signal Continue reading ->

Nov 17, 2024

Recommended Products

The Reed Switches and Sensors used in elevator applications need to be robust, durable and efficient in meeting a high life expectancy. Our engineers work hard in life testing our products under various conditions, and our intention is to ensure end product durability and life. Although we wouldn’t want to restrict any of our products for use in only certain applications, the recommended products for use in this application are listed below.