Patents Assigned to Kone Corporation
  • Patent number: 11667494
    Abstract: A safety control device applicable to an elevator system including an elevator car driven in an elevator shaft by means of a drive device, said safety control device comprising at least one sensor configured to detect, in the elevator shaft, a presence of an object in at least one specified area of the elevator shaft, and a controller configured to receive and process a signal of the at least one sensor indicating a detection result, and to conduct, when the detection result indicates the presence of an object in the at least one specified area of the elevator shaft, a safety procedure in which a switch from a normal drive control of the drive unit to a safety drive control is executed in which a target value set for the speed of the elevator car is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ari Kattainen, Antti Hovi
  • Patent number: 11661313
    Abstract: A drive device of an elevator includes a frequency converter to be connected to a public AC supply network and an elevator motor. The frequency converter includes a network rectifier configured to be connected to the AC supply network, a motor bridge to be connected to the elevator motor and a DC intermediate circuit located between the network rectifier and the motor bridge. The motor bridge is controlled by a control circuit which feeds the motor bridge with control pulses to regulate the motor speed. The drive device further includes at least one drive prevention circuit connected between the control circuit and the motor bridge. The drive prevention circuit is configured to obtain a safety signal from an elevator safety circuit includes two separate safety input circuits each configured to be connected to the elevator safety circuit to receive a safety signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pasi Raassina, Pekka Hytti, Arto Nakari, Ari Kattainen, Juhamatti Nikander, Olavi Vairio
  • Patent number: 11661310
    Abstract: Floor content information of an elevator is described. According to an embodiment, a device is disclosed, comprising: a processor; a storage comprising a set of instructions; wherein the set of instructions cause the processor to: Receive a destination floor of the elevator; Receive information describing content of the destination floor, wherein the content identifies the content located within the destination floor; Based on the destination floor and the information describing the content of the destination floor, display a data notification to at least one user using the elevator travelling to the destination floor. According to other embodiments, an elevator, a method and a computer program product is described along with the features of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jukka Salmikuukka
  • Patent number: 11661316
    Abstract: The method comprises measuring the shaft with measuring equipment from a movable transport platform, whereby the form of the shaft and the position of the fastening points for the guide rails is determined based on the information received in the measurement phase, attaching fastening brackets to the guide rail elements and adjusting the fastening brackets based on the measurement results before the installation of the guide rails takes place so that the guide rail elements provided with the fastening brackets can be lifted in the shaft and attached to the fastening points without further adjustment of the fastening brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Harri Makinen, Mikael Haag
  • Patent number: 11661308
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for generating inspection information of a plurality of signalization elements of an elevator system. The system comprises: an elevator control unit configured to control the plurality of the signalization elements of the elevator system, and a mobile terminal device communicatively coupled to the elevator control unit. The mobile terminal device is configured to generate to the elevator control unit at least one control signal comprising an instruction to activate the plurality of the signalization elements according to a predetermined activation pattern. The elevator control unit is configured to activate the plurality of the signalization elements according to the predetermined activation pattern for generating inspection information in response to receiving the at least one control signal. The invention relates also to for generating inspection information of a plurality of signalization elements of an elevator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventor: Matti Kujala
  • Publication number: 20230150797
    Abstract: According to an example embodiment, an apparatus for controlling at least one aspect of operation of an elevator car door via operating a door driving system arranged to drive movement of the car door between first and second end positions of its movement range, wherein the door driving system comprises an electric motor that is coupled to the car door via a transmission system and wherein, the elevator car comprises a door coupler connected to the car door for temporarily coupling the car door to a landing door when the elevator car resides in a landing zone of a landing such that the landing door moves between a closed position and an open position together with the car door is provided, the apparatus configured to: control movement of the car door, monitor one or more parameters that are descriptive of power consumption of said electric motor upon movement of the car door, and carry out a configuration procedure comprising: recording a first power consumption profile that is descriptive of the power consum
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Nivas PARAMASIVAM, Krishnan SARAVANAN, Goutham Saravana PANDIAN
  • Publication number: 20230150794
    Abstract: An elevator control unit and a method for determining at least one position control feedforward torque parameter value of an elevator, the elevator comprising a drive system for driving an electric motor and an elevator control unit for controlling the drive system. The elevator control unit comprises position control means, and the position control means comprise means for determining position control feedforward torque, which means for determining position control feedforward torque comprises parameter values which relate to the elevator and/or components of the elevator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Kone Corporation
    Inventor: Janne SALOMAKI
  • Publication number: 20230142195
    Abstract: An elevator shaft element, an elevator arrangement and a method. The elevator shaft element comprises a frame module arranged for receiving an elevator car therein. The frame module is constructed from a transport and/or storage unit, comprising side walls, a bottom wall and a roof wall. The unit is arranged to be positioned vertically such that said side walls, bottom wall and upper wall of the unit define an inner space of the elevator shaft. Elevator car guides for guiding movement of the elevator car in the elevator shaft element are attached to said bottom wall and/or roof wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Aki HAIKONEN, Anssi VENHO, Jukka LAITINEN, Markku HAAPANIEMI, Matti RASANEN, Tapani TALONEN, Ville MYYRYLAINEN
  • Publication number: 20230140046
    Abstract: A tension member tension monitoring arrangement and method for measuring tension member tension of elevator tension members of a bundle of tension members, the elevator comprising an elevator car suspended by the tension members, such as ropes or belts, of the bundle of tension members, a termination at one end of a tension member and a mounting plate for attaching the termination relative to the hoistway, counterweight and/or the elevator. The tension member tension monitoring arrangement comprises at least one capacitive pressure sensor arranged in connection with a tension member termination. The arrangement further comprises a control unit connected to the at least one sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Petteri VALJUS, Tapani TALONEN, Timo LAMMINMAKI
  • Patent number: 11639285
    Abstract: An elevator car (100) defining an interior space (1) for accommodating passengers. The elevator car (100) comprises an openable roof (2), horizontal roof guide rails (13a, 13b) arranged on a top side of the elevator car (100), a support structure (4) pivotably mounted to the guide rails (13a, 13b) by a first joint (5a, 5b), and a working platform (6) pivotably and movably mounted to the support structure (4) by a second joint (7a, 7b) arranged at a distance from the first joint (5a, 5b). The working platform (6) is pivotable between a retracted position, in which said working platform is oriented close to the guide rails (13a, 13b) in the top side of the elevator car, and a deployed position, in which the working platform (6) is in the interior space (1), at a distance from the guide rails (13a, 13b). The first joint (5a, 5b) being arranged movable along the guide rails (13a, 13b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tapio Siironen, Aleksi Immonen, Pekka Halonen, Ari Pitkänen, Tapani Talonen, Ville Myyryläinen
  • Publication number: 20230131405
    Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for remotely monitoring an escalator. The method includes capturing an image of an escalator by means of a camera, wherein each step of the escalator is provided with a pattern of a predetermined color, the color of the pattern is different from the color of the step of the escalator; graying the captured image; covering the background of the grayed image, and separating the pattern; identifying the outline of the pattern; and comparing the identified pattern outline with a pre-stored pattern outline, and on the basis of the comparison result, determining whether the pattern on each step of the escalator is obstructed, wherein the pre-stored pattern outline is a non-obstructed pattern outline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicants: KONE CORPORATION, KONE ELEVATORS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jinquan FAN, Zhong CHEN
  • Publication number: 20230104339
    Abstract: A user interface shows status of network elements in an infrastructure network. The network elements are used to provide a communication channel for elevators, escalators and similar. In addition to network elements status of peripheral devices and other elevator and escalator related network connected devices may be shown. The user interface showing the status of network elements and other devices provides the maintenance person an easy way of spotting possible sources of problems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Mikko Piironen, Santtu Koskinen, Mika Belov, Mikko Mattila, Mikko Heiskanen, Ari Koivisto
  • Patent number: 11618647
    Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided an elevator car parking brake comprising a brake carrier having a first plate and a second plate, the plates being spaced from each other and positioned to enable a guide rail to travel within the space between the plates, a caliper movably connected to the brake carrier, brake pads, and an actuator configured to move the brake pads against a guide rail in a braking operation. The elevator car parking brake further comprises at least one first compression spring arranged between the first plate of the brake carrier and a brake pad directly associated with the actuator; and at least one second compression spring arranged between the second plate of the brake carrier and the caliper, the first and second compression springs being configured to keep the brake pads substantially centered with respect to the brake carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Antti Koskinen, Antti I Maki, Jukka Turpeinen, Hilkka Hamalainen, Antti Saarelainen, Henri Wenlin, Mikko Puranen, Timo Vlasov, Jukka Penttila, Jorma Sarkkinen
  • Patent number: 11618649
    Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator apparatus, comprising: a shaft, an elevator car vertically movable in the shaft, one or more ropes connected with the car, and a controller for controlling movement of the car. In order to detect sway in one or more elevator ropes connected with the car, the apparatus comprises at least one sensor unit arranged in the elevator shaft to detect sway and to produce a control signal indicating to the controller the detected sway. The controller compares the detected sway to a predetermined limit and prevents movement of the elevator car when sway reaches the predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Mikko Puranen, Mari Zakrzewski
  • Publication number: 20230097627
    Abstract: A method remotely recovers at least one peripheral device of a people conveyor system. The method includes controlling at least one network element, into which the at least one peripheral device is connected, to control power supply of the at least one peripheral device to remotely recover the at least one peripheral device. The invention relates also to a remote monitoring unit and a remote monitoring system for remotely recovering at least one peripheral device of a people conveyor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Mikko Piironen, Santtu Koskinen, Mika Belov, Mikko Mattila, Mikko Heiskanen, Ari Koivisto
  • Publication number: 20230092565
    Abstract: Vehicle parking information is used to control an elevator system. The vehicle parking information indicates that at least one parking space is occupied, and one or more elements of the elevator system may be controlled based on the vehicle parking information. An apparatus, a method and a computer program are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Ari VARELIUS, Antti PERKO, Mika BELOV, Mika KEMPPAINEN, Matti KUJALA, Henry SILVENNOINEN, Antti TUOMINEN
  • Publication number: 20230088242
    Abstract: A method for controlling a passenger flow in a building includes: dividing a group of elevators to sub-groups; receiving a service call; selecting a sub-group to provide a service and generating an indication for indicating the selected sub-group; selecting a first candidate elevator; evaluating a second candidate elevator by comparing the second forecast time to the first forecast time; selecting the second candidate elevator to provide the service if the second forecast time is less than the first forecast time. The evaluation is continued until a selection is locked for the service call due to at least one characteristic relating to the elevator system. The invention also relates to a group controller, a computer program product, and an elevator system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Salla MANNERJOKI, Janne SORSA, Mikko KONTTURI, Seppo NUMMINEN, Jörn WIENHOLZ-BUß
  • Publication number: 20230087024
    Abstract: A people mover includes an endless conveying band and a control system. The control system includes a controller, a detecting arrangement for detecting people on the endless conveying band, and a signaling arrangement for providing visual and/or audio signals to people on the endless conveying band. The controller is configured to: determine based on output of the detecting arrangement, in particular based on signals and/or data generated by the detecting arrangement, whether a distance between detected people on the endless conveying band is below a minimum allowed distance; and present to people on the endless conveying band with a signaling arrangement alarm or instruction signals when a distance between detected people on the endless conveying band is below a minimum allowed distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Andrea Zotti Galletti, Benjamin Ekström, Giovanni Hawkins, Nithil Karimpanackal Natarajan
  • Publication number: 20230085751
    Abstract: A solution for controlling an elevator system with an arrangement includes: at least one projector device for projecting a virtual user interface; and at least one gaze tracking device and a control unit. The control unit receives a number of images from the gaze tracking device and performs: detect a predefined input from image data; detect an intersection of the virtual user interface and a gaze point; and generate a control signal to the elevator system in accordance with a position of the gaze point intersecting the virtual user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventor: Antti Perko
  • Patent number: 11597633
    Abstract: An elevator safety brake unit, an elevator including at least two of the safety brake units, and a method for testing the safety brake units are disclosed. Each safety brake unit includes a frame part, a movable composition movably supported on the frame part, a compression spring assembly associated with the movable composition, and adapted to activate a braking by pushing the movable composition forward, and a coil assembly of an electromagnet disposed in the frame part and adapted to deactivate the braking by pulling the movable composition backwards. Each movable composition includes at least two movable elements, one compression spring for each movable element, and at least one coil assembly adapted to deactivate the braking by pulling the at least two movable elements backwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joni Lappalainen, Henri Wenlin, Antti Saarelainen, Petri Alkula, Lasse Hurri, Andrej Burakov, Leena Ranta