Elevator Rescue Robot for Fast Door Unlocking and Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems lack efficient and rapid means to rescue passengers trapped in elevator cars during emergencies, often requiring lengthy waits for on-site maintenance and causing passenger anxiety due to insufficient communication and delayed evacuations.
Innovation Solution
A robot capable of moving within a building, interacting with the elevator system, and equipped with an emergency landing door key to unlock doors, communicate with passengers, and facilitate evacuation, optionally with extendable arms and AI for decision-making and assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If maintenance personnel are dispatched to rescue trapped passengers, then rescue operation can be performed, but response time is prolonged due to travel time and passenger anxiety increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator system performs self-rescue operations through automated door unlocking mechanisms and emergency communication systems that activate without external assistance, enabling the system to address minor emergencies autonomously and reduce dependency on maintenance personnel travel
Solution Approach 2:
An automated robot or drone serves as an intermediary between the control center and trapped passengers, delivering emergency keys, performing door unlocking operations, and providing real-time communication to reduce passenger anxiety while eliminating the need for maintenance personnel to physically travel to the location
2Loss of information
If emergency communication systems are provided, then passenger reassurance is improved, but information availability remains insufficient during long waiting periods
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency communication system provides continuous feedback to passengers through regular status updates, automated announcements, and two-way communication capabilities that allow passengers to receive information about rescue progress and ask questions, reducing uncertainty and anxiety during waiting periods
Solution Approach 2:
Emergency communication protocols and automated messaging systems are pre-configured to immediately activate when an emergency is detected, providing passengers with initial reassurance and information about the rescue process before maintenance personnel arrive
3Productivity
If automated robot is deployed for emergency response, then response speed is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency response robot is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing door unlocking, passenger communication, and emergency key delivery through a single integrated platform, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices and simplifying the overall system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
Complex mechanical door unlocking mechanisms are replaced with automated electronic or robotic systems that can be controlled remotely or autonomously, reducing the need for manual intervention and simplifying the physical complexity of emergency door opening operations
Data Source
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AI summary
A robot (150) and a method of rescuing passengers (160) from an elevator system (101) using at least one robot (150). A robot (150) capable of moving around at least a part of a building including an elevator landing area (125), the robot (150) configured to interact with an elevator system (101) in the building; the robot (150) configured to receive at least one emergency notification from the elevator system (101); and the robot (150) configured to interact physically with the elevator system (103) as part of a rescue operation.