Ceiling-Mounted AED Storage Box for Elevator Collision Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to provide efficient and cost-effective access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public housing, as existing installations are costly and pose collision risks in narrow spaces, while also ensuring timely notification and regular maintenance of AEDs.

Innovation Solution

An AED system for elevators, where AEDs are mounted on the ceiling, with call switches at each floor, automatically notifying emergency services and regularly checking the AED's operational status, and providing a secure, dust-proof storage mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the AED is installed on the elevator wall, then the AED is accessible to users, but collision or catching occurs in the narrow elevator space

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAED accessibilityVSAvoidcollision or catching
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The AED storage box is relocated from the vertical wall surface to the horizontal ceiling surface of the elevator. This dimensional change allows the AED to be stored above the elevator car where it cannot interfere with passenger movement in the narrow space, eliminating collision risks while maintaining accessibility through a deployed mechanism.

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

2Ease of operation

If the AED is installed on the elevator wall, then the AED is accessible, but much investment is required affecting the overall line structure

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAED accessibilityVSAvoidoverall line structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By moving the AED installation to the ceiling, the system avoids complex wall-mounted structural modifications. The ceiling-mounted storage box with deployable mechanism requires simpler integration into the elevator structure, reducing overall system complexity and investment requirements.

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

3Ease of operation

If the AED storage box is positioned low for easy access, then accessibility is improved, but children can access it accidentally

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAED accessibilityVSAvoidchild access prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The AED storage box is positioned on the ceiling, which is naturally inaccessible to children due to height. The deployable mechanism allows the box to be lowered only when activated by the emergency button, ensuring that children cannot accidentally access the AED while maintaining quick access for adults during emergencies.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates an emergency button that automatically triggers the deployment mechanism. When the button is pressed, the storage box lowers itself and the AED becomes accessible, eliminating the need for manual retrieval and preventing child access through the elevated default position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Loss of time

If the elevator moves to the floor where AED call switch is pushed, then emergency response time is reduced, but current operation is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency response timeVSAvoidelevator operation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects the AED call button press and preemptively interrupts the current elevator operation sequence. The elevator control system prioritizes the emergency request by stopping at the nearest floor and opening doors, preventing the escalation of the emergency situation through rapid response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The emergency button provides immediate feedback to the elevator control system, which then adjusts its operation in real-time. The system continuously monitors button presses and dynamically modifies elevator behavior to respond to emergencies, balancing normal operation efficiency with emergency response requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2859912B1Automated external defibrillator for elevator and method for controlling same
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 MEDIANA CO LTD
  • EP2859912B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2859912B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2859912B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8a

AI summary

The present invention relates to an automated external defibrillator (AED) system and a control method thereof, which more specifically is provided with an AED on the elevator ceiling, and AED call switch beside the entrance of the elevator of each floor, and the elevator stops current operation to move first to the floor with AED switch pushed. AED system of an elevator in the present invention comprises: AED call switch provided on the side of an elevator door or key input unit of home automation; Elevator which moves to the relevant floor with the AED call switch when the AED call signal are received from the AED call switch of the floor; AED storage box which is equipped on the elevator and is stored AED into, and which turn on the LED on one side of it when the AED call signal receives from the elevator. The AED storage box is stored in the elevator ceiling, and has an inspection unit, which regularly checks up for normal operation status of AED. Also, more than one terminal among a terminal of the guard room, a terminal of administration office, an emergency rescue terminal, and mobile phones of related personnel receives the situation information, when the AED call switch is chosen(ON) and when AED is taken out.