Elevator Landing Door Opening Tool with Tethered Handle

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for an improved method and tool to operate a landing door of an elevator shaft from inside the shaft, particularly for maintenance purposes, as existing solutions primarily focus on opening the door from outside or using complex systems with multiple arms.

Innovation Solution

A door opening tool comprising a handle part, a detachable part, and a tether is used to manipulate the landing door. The detachable part is connected to the landing door, and the handle part is moved to tension the tether, allowing the landing door to be opened and held in place by connecting the handle part to a fixpoint.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a complex multi-armed robotic system is used to operate the landing door, then the door can be opened from inside the shaft, but the device complexity and operational cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to open door from inside shaftVSAvoidmulti-armed robotic system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tool is divided into three separate components: a detachable part that connects to the door, a tether that transmits force, and a handle part for manipulation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together as a complete system, enabling door operation from inside the shaft without requiring complex multi-armed robotic systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tether acts as an intermediary element that transmits the pulling force from the handle part to the detachable part connected to the door. This intermediary mechanism allows the operator to apply force remotely from inside the shaft, solving the problem of door operation without direct contact while avoiding the need for complex robotic arms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the landing door is opened against the spring force, then the door can be opened for maintenance, but the force required increases operational difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor opening capabilityVSAvoidforce against spring
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of pushing the door open against the spring force, the tool is designed to pull the door open by attaching to the detachable part and using the tether to transmit pulling force. This inversion of the opening mechanism allows the operator to overcome the spring force more effectively by pulling rather than pushing, reducing operational difficulty

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

Solution Approach 2:

The tool incorporates a dynamic tether that can be extended and tensioned as needed. The tether allows the operator to apply gradual pulling force, building tension progressively to overcome the spring force without requiring sudden excessive force, making the door opening operation more manageable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the landing door is held open during maintenance, then work can be performed safely, but a mechanism is needed to counteract the spring force continuously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor holding capabilityVSAvoidforce application mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tool is designed to tension the tether in advance to build up the necessary force to overcome the spring. Once the door is opened to the desired position, the tether remains tensioned, maintaining the door in the open position without requiring additional mechanisms. The preliminary tensioning action prepares the system to hold the door open reliably throughout the maintenance work

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The tensioned tether automatically maintains the door in the open position through its own elastic tension, without requiring external power sources or additional holding mechanisms. The system uses the stored energy in the tensioned tether to continuously counteract the spring force, providing self-service door holding functionality that simplifies the overall device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution enables efficient and safe operation of the landing door from inside the elevator shaft, allowing for effective maintenance and reducing the need for complex multi-armed robotic systems, thereby lowering operational costs and improving safety.

Implementation Method 1

pulling the tethered detachable part with the landing door connected thereto by moving the handle part further, until the landing door is positioned at a desired position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 2

The landing door may be opened against a force generated by a closing mechanism such as a mechanical spring. The spring may support the closing of the landing door.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4324778B1Method of operating a landing door of an elevator shaft and door opening tool for such a door
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 INVENTIO AG
  • EP4324778B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4324778B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A method of operating a landing door (102) of an elevator shaft is proposed. The method comprises: (i) manipulating a handle part (108) of an opening tool (104) comprising the handle part (108), a detachable part (106) reversible attached to the handle part (108) and a tether (110) connecting the detachable part (106) and the handle part (108); (ii) connecting the detachable part (106) to the landing door (102); (iii) detaching the handle part (108) from the detachable part (106) and moving the handle part (108) away from the detachable part (106) approximately in an opening direction (114) of the landing door (102), until the tether (110) is tensioned; (iv) pulling the tethered detachable part (106) with the landing door (102) connected thereto by moving the handle part (108) further, until the landing door (102) is positioned at a desired position; (v) holding the tether (110) tensioned and connecting the handle part (108) to a fixpoint (116), to keep the landing door (102) opened at the desired position.