Decoupled Passenger Cabin Transfer for Direct In-Building Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing passenger transport systems fail to deliver passengers conveniently and directly to their destinations within buildings, often requiring them to leave the transport vehicle and navigate through the building to reach their final location.

Innovation Solution

A passenger transport system featuring a transport vehicle and a transfer device connected to a building, allowing the cabin to be coupled and uncoupled, enabling the cabin to be transported by the vehicle to the building and then moved by the transfer device along predefined paths, including vertical and horizontal routes, to bring the passenger close to their destination without disembarking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cabin is transported by a transport vehicle to a building and then requires the person to leave the cabin to reach their destination, then the transport vehicle can deliver the cabin to the building, but the person cannot be delivered conveniently and directly to their final destination within the building

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of passenger delivery to destinationVSAvoidtime required for person to navigate building to destination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a second main relocation path that branches off from the first main relocation path, enabling the cabin to be transported not only vertically (first dimension) but also horizontally (second dimension) within the building. This multi-dimensional approach allows the cabin to reach destinations that are not directly above or below the building entrance, solving the problem of delivering passengers to specific locations within the building without requiring them to leave the cabin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The relocation device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can relocate cabins along the first main relocation path (vertical transport), along the second main relocation path (horizontal transport), and switch between these paths. This multi-functional capability enables the system to deliver cabins to various destinations within the building, making the transport system universally applicable to different destination scenarios.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If only one main relocation path is provided, then the relocation device structure is simpler, but the cabin cannot be flexibly relocated to different destinations within the building

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of cabin relocation to different destinationsVSAvoidcomplexity of relocation device with multiple paths
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The relocation device is segmented into multiple independent relocation paths (first main relocation path and second main relocation path) that can operate independently. Each path can be controlled separately, allowing the system to adapt to different destination requirements by selecting the appropriate path. This segmentation provides flexibility without requiring a completely complex integrated system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second main relocation path is designed to branch off from the first main relocation path, creating a nested structure where the paths are hierarchically organized. This nesting allows the system to maintain a relatively simple overall structure while providing multiple relocation options, as the paths share common infrastructure (such as support structures and control systems) while offering differentiated routes to various destinations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Productivity

If the cabin is transported directly to the destination without intermediate stopping, then the transport efficiency is higher, but the coupling and uncoupling operations become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of passenger transportVSAvoidcomplexity of coupling and uncoupling mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The relocation device acts as an intermediary between the transport vehicle and the final destination within the building. It provides a controlled environment for coupling and uncoupling operations, with dedicated coupling components that simplify the interaction between the cabin and the relocation system. This intermediary structure manages the complexity of coupling/uncoupling operations while maintaining efficient transport through standardized interfaces and automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4568911B1Passenger transport system and method for transporting a person
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 INVENTIO AG
  • EP4568911B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4568911B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4568911B1 patent drawingFigure 3~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a passenger transport system and to a method for transporting a passenger. The passenger transport system (10) is provided for a cab (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d), which can be transported by a transport vehicle (22a, 22b, 22c), for receiving at least one passenger (18). The transport vehicle (22a, 22b, 22c) and the cab (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) can be coupled and decoupled such that the cab (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) can be transported by the transport vehicle (22a, 22b, 22c) when the cab is coupled to the transport vehicle (22a, 22b, 22c). The passenger transport system (10) has a movement device (14) which is attached to a building (12), and the movement device (14) and the cab (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) can be coupled and decoupled such that the cab (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) can be moved relative to the aforementioned building (12) by the movement device (14) on a first main movement path (36) and a second main movement path (38) when the cab is coupled to the movement device (14).