Elevator Rescue Interface Using the Compensation Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator rescue operations are complicated and expensive due to the use of mechanical drive links, which can also become faulty, and introduce additional mechanical elements, making them unsafe and costly.

Innovation Solution

An elevator system with a manual rescue device coupled to a compensation member via an interface, allowing operation from outside the shaft using a tool, and a control means to manage rescue operations, ensuring safety and simplicity by eliminating the need for mechanical drive links.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a mechanical drive link is arranged from the hoisting machine downwards to allow rescue operation, then the rescue operation can be performed without climbing to the hoisting machine, but the system becomes complicated and expensive with additional mechanical elements that may become faulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverescue operation accessibilityVSAvoidmechanical drive link structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the rescue operation function from the traditional mechanical drive link system and relocates it to the compensation member system. The manual rescue device is mechanically coupled to the compensation member, allowing rescue operations to be performed without requiring access to the hoisting machine or complex mechanical drive links. This extraction eliminates the problematic mechanical drive link structure while preserving the ease of operation benefit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional mechanical elements are introduced to enable rescue operation, then rescue capability is improved, but the reliability decreases due to additional components that may become faulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverescue operation capabilityVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the compensation member system multi-functional by enabling it to serve both its original compensation function and the additional rescue operation function. The manual rescue device is integrated into the compensation member system, allowing a single system component to perform multiple functions. This universality approach avoids introducing separate dedicated rescue mechanisms, thereby maintaining reliability while improving adaptability.

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

3Ease of operation

If the manual rescue device is disposed in the elevator shaft at a location corresponding to an opening in the lowest landing floor, then the rescue operation can be performed entirely from outside the elevator shaft, but the device complexity increases due to the interface configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverescue operation locationVSAvoidinterface configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an interface as an intermediary component between the tool and the manual rescue device. This interface is configured to receive a tool and transmit the operational force to the manual rescue device, enabling rescue operations from outside the shaft while managing the complexity through a standardized interface mechanism rather than direct complex integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables safe and efficient rescue operations from outside the elevator shaft, enhancing safety and reducing complexity and costs by eliminating the need for mechanical drive links.

Implementation Method 1

a compensation member coupled to the elevator car and the counterweight, the compensation member being diverted by a compensation pulley disposed in an elevator pit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulley: Pulley

Implementation Method 2

a manual rescue device disposed in the elevator shaft being mechanically coupled to the compensation member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical coupling: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4511306B1An elevator system
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 KONE OYJ
  • EP4511306B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4511306B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

According to an aspect, there is provided an elevator system comprising an elevator car configured to move in an elevator shaft; a counterweight associated with the elevator car, the counterweight configured to move in the elevator shaft; a compensation member coupled to the elevator car and the counterweight, the compensation member being diverted by a compensation pulley disposed in an elevator pit; and a manual rescue device disposed in the elevator shaft being mechanically coupled to the compensation member, the manual rescue device comprising an interface configured to receive a tool to operate the manual rescue device. A rotating axis of the manual rescue device is disposed in the elevator shaft at a location corresponding to an opening in the lowest landing floor to enable operation of the manual rescue device with the tool via the opening to move the elevator car in a rescue situation.