Elevator Communication Module Dual Wireless Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional elevator communication systems using traveling cables face challenges in high buildings and marine vessels due to increased bandwidth needs and cable defects caused by movement, and existing wireless solutions often fail to meet real-time requirements for safety-critical information transmission.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for transmitting safety-related information using a communication module with two wireless transmitters, where the first signal is transmitted via a wireless local area network or similar technology, and a second signal, potentially simpler or compressed, is transmitted via an optical or wireless energy channel to ensure reliable communication, reducing the need for traveling cables and maintaining compatibility with existing systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traveling cable is used for transmission, then real-time safety information can be transmitted, but bandwidth decreases and reliability worsens in high buildings and marine vessels due to cable defects caused by movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidcable defects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical traveling cable system with wireless transmission systems (radio frequency and optical channels) to eliminate physical cable defects caused by movement, wind, and installation issues while maintaining real-time safety information transmission capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission medium from physical cable to electromagnetic waves (radio frequency and optical), fundamentally altering the transmission parameters to eliminate bandwidth degradation and reliability issues associated with long cable runs in high buildings and marine vessels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If wireless transmission is used to replace traveling cable, then cable defects are eliminated, but real-time requirements for safety-critical information often cannot be met

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable defectsVSAvoidreal-time transmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transmission system into two independent wireless channels (radio frequency and optical), each capable of transmitting safety information independently, so that if one channel fails to meet real-time requirements, the other can compensate to ensure reliable real-time transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements redundant wireless transmission channels in advance to cushion against potential failures of single channel to meet real-time requirements, ensuring that safety-critical information can always be transmitted within required timeframes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Length of stationary object

If traveling cable is used in high buildings, then information transmission is possible, but bandwidth needs increase while cable bandwidth decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable lengthVSAvoidbandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the physical cable transmission system with wireless electromagnetic transmission, eliminating the direct relationship between transmission distance and bandwidth limitations that plagues cable systems in high buildings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 approach eliminates the need for traveling cables, reduces maintenance costs, and allows for seamless integration with both new and old installations without requiring changes to other devices, ensuring reliable and real-time transmission of safety-critical information.

Implementation Method 1

a first signal is transmitted wirelessly using a wireless local area network or similar technology

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a second signal, potentially simpler or compressed, is transmitted via an optical or wireless energy channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS11453570B2Elevator communication arrangement

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 KONE OYJ

AI summary

Conventionally, elevator communications have been implemented using travelling cables. This is particularly the case when safety related data transmitted from an elevator car has to fulfil real-time restrictions often set by regulators so that the receiving of the information may not be delayed. Typically, this cannot be guaranteed when wireless transmission technologies are used. The reliability can be increased by using a second to supplement the wireless transmission.