Contactless Elevator Service Control to Reduce Infection Risk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transport systems, such as elevators, are critical locations for disease transmission due to high mobility and direct contact with fixtures, which can spread infectious illnesses rapidly.
Innovation Solution
A transport system that allows at least 50% of person-transport services to be requested and performed using non-touch, acoustical, or electromagnetic signals, reducing the need for direct contact with command boards and incorporating a control unit system and stationary interface arrangement for signal processing and service management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If direct contact with command boards and fixtures is used for requesting services, then ease of operation is improved, but disease transmission risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based command boards with contactless input methods including voice recognition systems, mobile device applications, and gesture-based controls. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact while maintaining ease of service requests, directly resolving the contradiction between operational convenience and disease transmission risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediary devices such as mobile phones, voice commands, and wireless communication interfaces between the user and the transport system. These intermediaries transmit service requests without requiring direct contact, thereby maintaining ease of operation while preventing disease transmission through contact surfaces.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If contactless request signals are used for person-transport services, then disease transmission risk is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes universal devices that users already possess, such as smartphones and voice recognition capabilities, to handle service requests. By leveraging existing multi-functional devices rather than introducing specialized contactless equipment, the system reduces disease transmission risk without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to independently initiate service requests through their own devices (mobile phones, voice commands) without requiring additional contactless infrastructure at each service point. This self-service approach minimizes the need for complex contactless equipment while effectively reducing disease transmission risk.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If non-touch signal inputs are implemented, then hygiene is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive mechanical contact-based interfaces with software-based solutions running on existing devices. Voice recognition algorithms and mobile application interfaces eliminate the need for manufacturing additional contactless hardware, thereby improving hygiene while controlling manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes inexpensive, widely available mobile devices and voice processing software instead of investing in costly dedicated contactless infrastructure. This approach improves hygiene through contactless operation while minimizing manufacturing and deployment costs by leveraging existing affordable technology.
Data Source
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AI summary
A transport system which is suited for providing a number of person-transport services has a conveyor arrangement (3), a number of stationary stations (I, II...) and a controllable drive arrangement (11). A control unit system (15) controls operation of the drive arrangement (11). The control unit system is configured to control a multitude of person-transport services which are requestable via an interface arrangement (20) by non-touch, acoustical or electromagnetic signals. The number of such services is at least 50% of the person-transport services which maybe provided by the transport system.