Hybrid Floor Terminal Integrating Elevator Control and Wireless Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator systems are limited in functionality and do not meet the advanced communication and management requirements of modern buildings.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a floor terminal with an elevator operating terminal and a radio network device, enabling wireless communication and data networking within the elevator shaft, thereby providing additional functionalities such as building management and internet access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If elevator operating terminals are upgraded to destination call control system, then elevator system functionality is improved, but building communication infrastructure cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelevator system functionalityVSAvoidbuilding communication infrastructure cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the elevator operating terminal and wireless access point into a single integrated floor terminal device. The housing contains both the user interface for elevator control and the radio network device for wireless communication, merging two separate functions into one unified device that reduces infrastructure complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The floor terminal is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously serves as an elevator call control terminal and a wireless network access point. This universal device provides both elevator operation capabilities and building communication access, eliminating the need for separate infrastructure installations

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

2Ease of manufacture

If data network is installed in elevator shaft during building modernization, then installation cost is reduced, but network reliability may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation costVSAvoidnetwork reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent installs the data network infrastructure in the elevator shaft during the modernization process, before final building completion. This preliminary action allows the network to be established alongside the elevator system upgrade, reducing overall installation costs while ensuring proper integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The elevator shaft serves as an intermediary space that provides access to all floors. By installing the data network in this central location, the system can communicate with all floor terminals through the existing elevator infrastructure, ensuring reliable connectivity without requiring separate wiring to each floor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If floor terminal integrates both elevator operating terminal and radio network device, then device functionality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the elevator operating terminal and radio network device into a single integrated unit housed in one housing. This combination consolidates multiple components (user interface, processing device, radio transceiver, antennas) into one device, reducing the number of separate installations needed while providing unified functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3512792B1Hybrid floor terminal for an elevator system
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 INVENTIO AG
  • EP3512792B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3512792B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a floor terminal (16) for an elevator system (10) in a building, comprising an elevator operating terminal (32) and a wireless network device (30). The elevator operating terminal (32) has a user interface (44) for calling an elevator cab (20), an elevator data interface (42) for communicating data with an elevator controller (12), and a processing device (40) which is coupled to the user interface (44) and the elevator data interface (42). The wireless network device (30) has a wireless transceiver (34) for communicating with a communication device (6, 8) provided on a floor (1), a data interface (38) for communicating data with the network access point (22), and a processing device (36) which is coupled to the wireless transceiver (34) and the data interface (38). By using such a floor terminal (16), a building can be equipped with additional functionality with relatively little installation effort in particular during a redevelopment process.