Elevator Door Elements with Dynamic Visual Permeability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems in buildings often fail to adapt to changes in use, such as converting office space to residential, leading to a need for technology that can manage different user groups' privacy and navigation within the same system.
Innovation Solution
An elevator system with electrically controllable door elements that can switch between transparent and opaque states, controlled by an elevator controller to manage door and shaft door openings based on user groups and building plans, ensuring privacy and guiding passengers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the elevator system uses fixed opaque door elements to ensure privacy, then privacy between user groups is maintained, but passengers cannot see which door will open and are not guided towards the exit side
Solution Approach 1:
The door elements transition from static opaque state to dynamic state with two visual permeability modes. The controller switches between opaque state for privacy protection and transparent state for passenger guidance, making the door elements adaptable to different operational phases and requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual permeability parameter of the door elements is changed between two states: opaque (for privacy) and transparent (for visibility). This parameter change allows the same door element to serve dual functions of privacy protection and passenger guidance without requiring separate components.
2Ease of operation
If the elevator system uses transparent door elements to allow viewing, then passenger guidance is improved, but privacy between different user groups is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The door elements are designed to dynamically switch between transparent and opaque states based on operational context. During approach and stopping phases, they become transparent for guidance; during transit, they remain opaque for privacy, allowing both functions to be fulfilled at appropriate times.
Solution Approach 2:
The door elements undergo periodic state changes during the elevator cycle: opaque during transit, transparent during approach and door opening phases. This periodic switching ensures privacy is maintained during sensitive periods while guidance is provided during critical navigation moments.
3Reliability
If the elevator system is designed for original use (e.g., office), then it meets initial requirements, but it cannot adapt to changed use (e.g., residential conversion)
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator system is designed with multi-functional door elements that can serve different user groups (residential and commercial) and different operational modes (privacy protection and passenger guidance). This universal design allows the same hardware to adapt to changing building uses without requiring system replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The controllable visual permeability parameter enables the elevator system to adapt to different building uses. By changing the door element state based on building plan data and user group identification, the system can accommodate various operational requirements arising from building conversion or mixed-use scenarios.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively maintains privacy between different user groups and guides passengers by controlling door visibility, allowing residents to see their floors while obscuring commercial areas, enhancing user experience and building management.
Implementation Method 1
each can have at least two visual permeability states, wherein a first visual permeability state can allow a passenger to see at least partially through the electrically controllable door element and wherein a second visual permeability state can substantially obstructs a passenger's view through the electrically controllable door element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an elevator system comprising an elevator car which has two car doors with electrically controllable door elements. A first car door is arranged on a first car wall and comprises a first electrically controllable door element. A second car door is arranged on a second car wall and comprises a second electrically controllable door element. The first door element and the second door element each have at least two visual permeability states, wherein a first visual permeability state allows a passenger to see through the door element and wherein a second visual permeability state obstructs a passenger's view through the door element. An elevator controller determines a car door to be opened and controls the door element of the car door to open in accordance with the first visual permeability state to allow viewing through the door element of the car door to be opened.