Elevator Car Operation Panel With Shared Serial Bus Wiring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator operation devices require complex internal structures due to multiple point-to-point connections between buttons and control units, which complicates manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a serial bus system for elevator operation devices, allowing buttons to communicate with a control unit via a shared bus, reducing the number of wires and simplifying the internal structure, while using communication protocols like 1-wire, UNI/O, or I2C bus for efficient communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple point-to-point connections are used between buttons and control units, then reliable communication is achieved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidinternal structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple independent communication lines between buttons and control units are merged into a single shared serial bus. The patent implements a serial communication interface where multiple button units connect to the control unit through one common bus, eliminating the need for separate wiring for each button-control unit pair. This merging reduces wire count and simplifies the internal structure while maintaining communication reliability through protocol-level error handling and acknowledgment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The serial bus serves as a universal communication medium that handles multiple functions: data transmission from multiple different button units, acknowledgment signals, error detection, and device identification. Instead of dedicated point-to-point connections for each function, a single multi-functional serial bus handles all communication needs between the control unit and various button units, reducing overall system complexity.

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

2Reliability

If multiple separate wires are used for each button connection, then communication reliability is maintained, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate wire connections into a single shared serial bus infrastructure. During manufacturing, this means installing one common bus rather than numerous individual wires, significantly reducing installation time and complexity. The serial communication protocol ensures reliable data transmission over this shared medium through built-in error detection, retransmission protocols, and acknowledgment signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple separate wires are used for button connections, then communication stability is maintained, but ease of maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication stabilityVSAvoidmaintenance convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple connection wires into a single shared serial bus, the patent simplifies maintenance activities. When communication issues arise, technicians only need to inspect the single bus connection rather than troubleshooting numerous individual wires. The serial protocol includes error detection and diagnostic capabilities that help identify problematic button units or communication errors, further simplifying the maintenance process while maintaining stable communication through error handling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If a serial bus system is implemented, then device complexity is reduced, but communication protocol requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal structure complexityVSAvoidprotocol compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The serial bus is designed as a universal communication interface that can accommodate multiple button units with different functions (floor selection, door control, emergency calls) through a single standardized protocol. The control unit implements protocol handling capabilities to distinguish between different button unit types and interpret their specific communication formats, allowing the system to support diverse functions while maintaining a simple unified physical structure.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4393860B1Elevator operation device
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP4393860B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4393860B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4393860B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present application relates to elevator technology, and in particular to an elevator operation device or car operation panel for users to input elevator operation commands. An elevator operation device according to one aspect of the present application comprises: an operation panel comprising a plurality of first button units, each of the plurality of first button units being configured to receive a corresponding first elevator operation command and to generate a first message indicating receipt of the first elevator operation command; a control unit configured to generate an elevator operation request based on the first message and to send the elevator operation request to a remote control device, wherein the plurality of first button units are in communication with the control unit via a serial bus.