Elevator Landing Door Lock Unit Retrofit Safety Kit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional elevator landing door unlocking devices can be inadvertently unlocked even when the elevator car is not correctly positioned, compromising operational safety and requiring complex manufacturing and assembly processes.

Innovation Solution

A retrofit safety kit with a lock unit that attaches to the existing unlocking device, allowing unlocking only when the elevator car is correctly positioned, featuring a lock that prevents actuation in a secured position and automatically actuates the unlocking element when moved to a release position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional unlocking device with a manual actuator is used, then the door can be unlocked manually, but unlocking is also possible when the elevator car is not in the correct position on the platform

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual unlocking capabilityVSAvoidsafety against unauthorized unlocking
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A lock unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the key element and the unlocking element. The lock unit includes a lock that can be adjusted between a blocking position (preventing unlocking) and a releasing position (allowing unlocking). This intermediary mechanism ensures that manual unlocking is only possible when the key element is correctly positioned, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and safety against unauthorized unlocking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If an unlocking device with a key element is used to prevent unauthorized unlocking, then safety is improved, but manufacturing and assembly become more difficult and less flexible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety against unauthorized unlockingVSAvoidmanufacturing and assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The unlocking device is segmented into separate functional components: a key element (that can be detached and carried), a lock unit (with the lock mechanism), and an existing unlocking device. This segmentation allows the safety function to be added as a modular retrofit rather than requiring complete redesign of the original unlocking mechanism, thereby reducing manufacturing and assembly complexity while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lock unit is pre-configured with the lock mechanism and blocking element before installation. During installation, the lock unit is simply attached to the existing unlocking device, and the key element is provided to the operator. This preliminary preparation of components simplifies the overall assembly process and reduces on-site complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the lock unit is attached to the existing unlocking device, then flexibility and ease of installation are improved, but the structural complexity of the unlocking device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretrofit capabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lock unit is designed with universal attachment capabilities that can interface with various types of existing unlocking devices. The lock unit serves multiple functions: it blocks the unlocking element when in the blocking position, releases the unlocking element when in the releasing position, and provides a mounting structure for the key element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2974989B1Securing kit for an elevator storey door
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 GEDA GMBH
  • EP2974989B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2974989B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2974989B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a security kit (10) for securing an elevator floor door (100) that can be unlocked by means of a manually operated release element (110), wherein a lock unit (20) that can be attached in the vicinity of the release element (110) is provided, comprising a lock (22) and a locking mechanism (24) for preventing the release element (110) from being actuated in a secure position of the lock (22) and for releasing and/or causing the release element (110) to be actuated by moving the lock (22) from the secure position to a release position, and a key element (50) that is compatible with the lock for moving the lock (22) are provided.