Patents Assigned to Kone Corporation
  • Publication number: 20230027318
    Abstract: An elevator communication system includes a first elevator controller; a second elevator controller; and a first ethernet bus portion connected to the first elevator controller, the first ethernet bus portion having sequential bus segments interconnected by at least one switch. The first ethernet bus portion is arranged in a first elevator shaft. A second ethernet bus portion is connected to the second elevator controller and includes sequential bus segments interconnected by at least one switch. The second ethernet bus portion is arranged in a second elevator shaft. A switch of the first ethernet bus portion and a switch of the second ethernet bus portion are interconnected to enable data transmission between the switch of the first ethernet bus portion and the switch of the second ethernet bus portion. The first elevator controller is communicatively connected to the second elevator controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Ari Kattainen, Ferenc Staengler, Juha-Matti Aitamurto, Gergely Huszak
  • Publication number: 20230021485
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for generating dynamic information content of a people transport system. The method comprises: receiving an information content request from a terminal device, obtaining status information representing the current status of at least part of the people transport system from a server system, generating a document map comprising references to one or more information content topics based at least on the obtained status information, retrieving the one or more information content topics referred in the document map, generating the dynamic information content based on the retrieved one or more information content topics from the server system, and providing the generated dynamic information content to the terminal device. The invention relates also to a computing unit, a system, and a computer program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Sanni SILTANEN, Hanna HEINONEN
  • Publication number: 20230026908
    Abstract: An elevator communication system includes a first elevator controller, a second elevator controller communicatively connected to the first elevator controller, a first ethernet bus portion connected to the first elevator controller, a second ethernet bus portion connected to the second elevator controller, and at least one elevator system node communicatively connected to the first elevator controller via the first ethernet bus portion and to the second elevator controller via the second ethernet bus portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Ari KATTAINEN, Ferenc STAENGLER, Juha-Matti AITAMURTO, Gergely HUSZAK
  • Patent number: 11560291
    Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator arrangement comprising an elevator with a control system, and an inspection or maintenance mode, which elevator further comprises an elevator car arranged to run up and down in an elevator shaft along its guide rails, and which elevator car is equipped with a roof and a car operating panel. The arrangement comprises actuating means to open the roof of the elevator car, which actuating means are operatively connected to the car operating panel of the elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Markku Haapaniemi, Esko Aulanko, Matti Rasanen, Ari Kattainen, Antti Hovi
  • Patent number: 11554932
    Abstract: A method for controlling movement of an elevator car includes driving the car vertically to a landing; activating a park brake; and holding the car immovable with the park brake. The holding includes compressing a guide rail by compression members with a first compression force; opening a door for allowing loading and/or unloading the car; maintaining the door open for allowing loading and/or unloading the car while the car is held immovable; and starting closing movement of the door. After the starting closing movement of the door, relieving the brake for allowing the elevator car to start to move vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Antti Koskinen, Mikko Puranen, Serguei Laitinen
  • Patent number: 11554937
    Abstract: The invention relates to a traction wheel for an elevator for driving plurality of belts, comprising a central axis; plurality of circular rim surfaces side by side in axial direction against each of which a belt can be placed to pass; and circular guide flanges on axial sides of each rim surface for guiding a belt placed to pass against the rim surface. Each of said guide flanges comprises a circular array of guide parts, plurality of which guide parts comprises a guide surface portion for guiding a belt, which guide surface portion is movable towards the central axis. The invention also relates to a drive machinery and an elevator implementing the traction wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Juha Helenius, Raimo Pelto-Huikko, Aleksi Nareikko, Mika Juntunen
  • Patent number: 11554933
    Abstract: An elevator includes an elevator shaft defined by surrounding walls and top and bottom end terminals; an elevator car vertically movable in the elevator shaft; elevator hoisting ropes coupled to the elevator car; an elevator hoisting machine including a traction sheave engaged with the elevator hoisting ropes; a traction monitor configured to determine traction of the hoisting machine; an electromechanical brake; a measuring apparatus adapted to provide speed data and position data of the elevator car; and a safety processor associated with the traction monitor and the measuring apparatus. The safety processor includes an ETLS threshold configured to decrease towards the top and/or bottom end terminal in accordance with the position of the elevator car. The ETSL threshold is adjusted on the basis of the traction of the hoisting machine. The safety processor is configured to determine an elevator car slowdown failure if the speed data meets or exceeds the ETSL threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mikko Viljanen, Juha-Matti Aitamurto, Tuukka Kauppinen, Riku Lampinen, Toni Kallio, Veli-Matti Virta
  • Publication number: 20230007842
    Abstract: A method for testing an elevator hoisting machine brake with a preselected test load TL includes confirming empty elevator car positioned at a test location stest; obtaining information of elevator balancing B; obtaining information of friction Fr of the elevator at the test location stest; determining required assisting test torque TM of a hoisting machine motor based on said test load TL, balancing B and friction Fr; opening one of the brakes while keeping rest of the brakes engaged in braking position, applying torque with the motor at most up to the required test torque TM, measuring movement of the elevator car, and if movement of the elevator car was detected, generating a signal indicating degraded condition of one or more hoisting machine brakes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Juha-Matti Aitamurto, Alessio Calcagno, Lauri Stolt
  • Publication number: 20230010991
    Abstract: An access control system includes: at least one gate device and a control unit. The control unit is configured to: control the at least one gate device to operate in a first operation mode, in which the gate device is arranged to allow access for the users via the gate device only from a first access direction, detect that a traffic flow of the users meets a predefined capacity limit, and control at least one gate device to change to operate in a second operation mode, in which the gate device is arranged to allow access for the users via the gate device from the first access direction and from the second access direction. The invention relates also to a method for controlling an access control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Jussi LAURILA, Visa RAUTA
  • Patent number: 11549264
    Abstract: A joint assembly for a truss bottom plate, the truss bottom plate includes a first bottom plate and a second bottom plate adjacent to each other, and a gap exists at an adjacent position between the first bottom plate and the second bottom plate; the joint assembly includes a first barrier plate and a second barrier plate; the first barrier plate is connected with the first bottom plate; the second barrier plate is connected with the second bottom plate; a part of the first barrier plate is arranged to overlap a part of the second barrier plate and cover the gap. A truss of an escalator or a passenger conveyor, the truss of the escalator or the passenger conveyor includes the joint assembly as described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignees: KONE ELEVATORS CO., LTD., KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lichun Li, Fuqiang Zhang, Hongfei Zhou, Xiang Gao
  • Patent number: 11548762
    Abstract: An elevator car includes a roof deck; a plurality of walls; a floor; one or more doors; and a transport space bordered by the roof deck, the plurality of walls, the floor, and at least one openable and closable door for allowing access to said transport space. The roof deck is vertically movable from a first normal use position upwards to a second cargo use position for increasing the height of the transport space, and from the second position downwards back to the first position for reducing the height of the transport space. An elevator and a method implementing the elevator car are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Markku Haapaniemi, Matti Räsänen, Anssi Venho, Sakari Korvenranta
  • Publication number: 20230002189
    Abstract: An access control system for an elevator system includes a gate device allowing access for users via the gate device, at least one imaging device for obtaining image data, at least one sensor device for obtaining sensor data, at least one indication device, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to: receive the image data from the at least one imaging device, detect a user approaching the gate device based on the received image data, obtain destination floor information including at least two destination floors, control the at least one indication device to generate a first visual indication including the at least two destination floors, and detect a destination floor selected by the user from among the at least two destination floors based on sensor data received from the at least one sensor device. An elevator system includes an access control system and to a method for controlling an access control system is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Jussi LAURILA, Visa RAUTA
  • Publication number: 20230002188
    Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a method and an apparatus for transmitting an elevator call. In the solution, a predetermined triggering event associated with a status of a vehicle is identified and transmission of the elevator call is caused based on the predetermined triggering event associated with the status of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventor: Ari VARELIUS
  • Publication number: 20230004910
    Abstract: A method for generating at least one installation operation for at least one on-going installation process of at an installation site includes obtaining site information of the at least one ongoing installation process at the installation site from a site control unit arranged at the installation site, obtaining site information gathered from one or more previous installation processes at one or more other installation sites from one or more external databases, defining at least one installation operation for the at least one ongoing installation process based on the site information of the at least one ongoing installation process and the site information gathered from the one or more previous installation processes, and generating at least one signal including an instruction to perform the at least one installation operation for the at least one ongoing installation process to the site control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Mika Belov, Harri Huhtala, Santtu Koskinen, Mikko Piironen, Mikko Mattila, Marko Korhonen
  • Publication number: 20230002190
    Abstract: An indication system for generating an indication includes at least one indication device, at least one detection device configured to monitor at least one area inside a building to provide monitoring data, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to: detect based on the monitoring data obtained from the at least one detection device at least one predefined gesture of an identified user for which an elevator car (A-D) has been allocated, and control the at least one indication device to generate a visual indication on a floor of the building in a vicinity of the identified user in response to the detection of the at least one predefined gesture of the identified user. A method for generating an indication is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Jussi LAURILA, Visa RAUTA
  • Patent number: 11542118
    Abstract: The invention concerns a brake control apparatus and a method of controlling an elevator brake. The brake control apparatus comprises a first switch and a second switch connected in series with each other for selectively supplying current from a power source to an electrically operated actuator of an elevator brake. The control pole of the first switch and the control pole of the second switch are associated with an elevator safety circuit. The brake control apparatus further comprises a first monitoring circuit configured to indicate operation of the first switch and a second monitoring circuit configured to indicate operation of the second switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: KONE Corporation
    Inventor: Ari Kattainen
  • Patent number: 11542117
    Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a method for managing elevator cars in a multi-car elevator shaft system. The method comprises determining, by an elevator control entity, the optimum number of elevator cars for a given time of a day in the multi-car elevator shaft system; and commanding, by the elevator control entity, at least one elevator car into at least one elevator car storage or back to service from the at least one elevator car storage based on the determination, wherein elevator cars in the at least one elevator car storage act as standby elevator cars for the multi-car elevator shaft system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marja-Liisa Siikonen, Janne Sorsa, Pentti Alasentie
  • Publication number: 20220415108
    Abstract: The invention relates to an indication system for generating an indication. The system comprises: at least one indication device, at least one detection device configured to monitor at least one area inside a building to provide monitoring data, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to: detect based on the monitoring data obtained from the at least one detection device at least one predefined object with a specific need, and control the at least one indication device to generate a visual indication comprising guidance information to a gate device allocated for the detected at least one predefined object in response to the detection of the at least one predefined object. The invention relates also to a method for generating an indication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Jussi Laurila, Visa Rauta
  • Patent number: 11535485
    Abstract: The method includes loading and/or unloading the car, determining whether the car doors are fully closed or not fully open, measuring a total actual axial mass F?act hanging from the traction sheave, determining a stalling limit total minimum axial mass F?min, checking reopening of the car doors, whereby if the car doors are reopened, then return to beginning, else, continue, permitting starting of elevator, comparing the total actual axial mass with the stalling limit total minimum axial mass, whereby if the total actual axial mass is equal to or greater than the stalling limit total minimum axial mass, then permit normal run of the elevator car to the next landing, else, stop the elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tarvo Viita-aho, Tapani Talonen, Janne Mikkonen, Tapio Siironen, Ville Myyryläinen, Alessio Calcagno, Markku Jokinen
  • Patent number: D975316
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Visa Rauta, Heikki Kuosmanen, Miro Virta