Ceiling-Mounted Access Gate for Flexible Lobby Repositioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing access control gates, such as turnstiles, have a large footprint and are inflexible, requiring early installation in construction and making relocation difficult, which is problematic in spaces like high-rise buildings.

Innovation Solution

An access control gate with poles attached to the ceiling, allowing for flexible positioning and easy relocation, featuring quick-release means and ceiling-mounted power supply, enabling movement between operative and storage positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If access control gates are attached to the floor with steel tubes, then the gates are securely fixed, but the gates cannot be easily relocated and form obstacles during construction and renovation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelocatability of access control gateVSAvoidinstallation complexity of access control gate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from floor-mounted (horizontal plane) to ceiling-mounted (vertical plane) installation. The access control gate is attached to the ceiling via a pole that extends downward, utilizing the vertical dimension to resolve the contradiction between secure fixation and relocatability. This dimensional change allows the gate to be firmly anchored while remaining easily removable and repositionable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional mounting approach by attaching the access control gate to the ceiling rather than the floor. This inversion eliminates the need for embedded steel tubes in the floor, removes obstacles during construction, and enables easy relocation by simply detaching and reattaching the pole to the ceiling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If access control gates are installed early in construction, then they can be securely integrated into the building structure, but they cannot be moved or removed later

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of access control systemVSAvoidtime required for relocation or removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic installation system where the access control gate can transition between fixed and movable states. The ceiling-mounted pole allows the gate to be securely fixed during operation but easily removed and relocated when needed, providing temporal flexibility without requiring substantial reconstruction work.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If access control gates have a large footprint, then they provide adequate security and control functionality, but they consume valuable lobby space in high-rise buildings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity effectiveness of access control gateVSAvoidfootprint of access control gate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By mounting the access control gate from the ceiling rather than the floor, the patent utilizes vertical space to reduce the horizontal footprint. The pole extends vertically from the ceiling to the floor level, allowing the gate to maintain its security functionality while occupying minimal lobby space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4646710B1Access control gate, access control system and method of operating an access control system
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 KONE OYJ
  • EP4646710B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4646710B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4646710B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The access control gate (1) for controlling flow of people in a building comprises at least one pole (2a, 2b) having a first end and a second end, and access control means (3a, 3b) configured to control access through the access control gate (1). The first end of the pole (2a, 2b) is configured to be attached to the ceiling (4) of the building and the access control gate (1) is configured to be moveable between at least a first position and a second position, wherein at least one of said positions is an operative position and the other position is an operative position or a storage position.