Patents Assigned to TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
  • Publication number: 20240132327
    Abstract: Embodiments herein are directed to an elevator counterweight governor assembly for an elevator assembly. The elevator counterweight governor assembly includes a swing arm, a first pulley assembly, a second pulley assembly, a third pulley assembly, and a braking assembly. The swing arm is pivotally coupled to the at least one inner beam at one end. The swing arm is configured to pivot between a disengaged position and an engaged position. The braking assembly is configured to move between an unactivated state where the braking assembly is free from the fixed member and an activated state where the braking assembly engages with the fixed member to inhibit movement of the counterweight frame. When the swing arm is in the disengaged position, the braking assembly is in the unactivated state and when the swing arm is in the engaged position, the braking assembly is in the activated state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventor: JEFFREY SHAWN DUVALL
  • Patent number: 11834300
    Abstract: Embodiments here are directed to an elevator stabilizing assembly for energy dissipation of an elevator assembly is provided. The elevator stabilizing assembly includes an actuator and a stabilizing device. The actuator is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position. The stabilizing device includes an arm and a biasing member. The biasing member is coupled to the arm and biases the arm to move the arm between a disengaged position and an engaged position. When the actuator is in the extended position, the arm is moved into the engaged position when at least a portion of the arm is in contact with the fixed member of a hoistway. When the actuator is in the retracted position, the arm is moved into the disengaged position such that the at least the portion of the arm is free from contact with the fixed member of the elevator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Jeffrey Shawn Duvall, Erin Nicole Seligsohn
  • Publication number: 20230373747
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a system for a touchless request for an elevator cab. The system for a touchless request for an elevator cab includes an elevator controller, a processor communicatively coupled to the elevator controller, and a storage medium in communication with the processor comprising programming instructions cause the processor to: receive a unique identification from a user, determine a current floor that the unique identification was provided, access a data storage device to determine a destination floor access permission based on the unique identification, determine a landing to travel based on the destination floor access permission, send an elevator cab request command to the elevator controller to request the elevator cab to the current floor and to travel to the landing, and generate a notification for the elevator cab that is assigned to travel between the current floor and the landing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Chih-Hung A. King
  • Publication number: 20230271808
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a system for monitoring conditions of elevator hoisting members. The system includes a processing device configured to receive an actual resistance data from the one or more pairs of tensile load bearing conductive members, calculate an adjusted resistance data by subtracting the actual resistance data from a baseline resistance data and dividing by the baseline resistance data, input the adjusted resistance data into a process configured to model the adjusted resistance data into a breaking strength value for the elevator hoisting member, receive the breaking strength value, and determine whether the breaking strength value is below a predetermined threshold value for a rated breaking load of the elevator hoisting member, wherein when the breaking strength value is below the predetermined threshold value, output an alert to the elevator controller to instruct the elevator controller to inhibit movement of the elevator hoisting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Andrew J. Evert, Christopher Taylor
  • Publication number: 20230249942
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a system for monitoring conditions of elevator braking assemblies. The system includes a processing device configured to receive an actual braking current data from the elevator braking assembly, determine a derivative, plot a derivative curve, determine a region of interest of the derivative curve that corresponds to an expected movement of the at least one mobile plate of the elevator braking assembly, determine whether a pair of inflection points occurred during the region of interest where one of the inflection points is a minimum point and the other is a maximum point, the maximum having a greater amplitude than the minimum point and occurring after the minimum point, and when the pair of inflection points does not occur during the region of interest, output an alert to the elevator controller to instruct the elevator controller to inhibit movement of the elevator cab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Leoci Rudi Galle
  • Publication number: 20230216250
    Abstract: Embodiments herein are directed to an electrical assembly for grounding an elevator assembly, the elevator assembly having an elevator cab, a grounded elevator frame, a sheave, and a suspension member having conductive members and a sleeve enclosing the conductive members. The suspension member extends around the sheave to support the elevator cab. The electrical assembly includes a bracket and a grounding member. The grounding member is electrically coupled to the sheave such that contact with the sheave forms an electrical ground path between the sheave through the grounding member and the bracket, and into the grounded elevator frame. When the sheave rotates the suspension member, any portion of the conductive members from the suspension member making contact with the sheave grounds the sheave to the grounded elevator frame via the electrical ground path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Jordan STROTHER
  • Patent number: 11603289
    Abstract: A support device for supporting a rotary platform of an elevator. The support device includes a first form-fit engagement means at an end of a fixed first guide rail, said end facing the platform, a third form-fit engagement means at an end of a third guide rail fastened to the platform and rotatable with the latter. In an alignment of the platform to a first position, the first and third form-fit engagement means are arranged with respect such that, when the platform deflects, as around an axis arranged in a second direction, the third form-fit engagement means is supported on the at least one first form-fit engagement means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Madera, Martin Krieg
  • Patent number: 11593537
    Abstract: A method of planning a platform lift. The platform lift includes a rail, platform, chair, and a drive unit attached to the platform to drive the platform along the rail. The method includes acquiring 3D-data of a stair on which the platform lift is to be installed utilizing an augmented reality device. Calculating a travel path of the rail is based on acquired 3D-data and predetermined clearance information. Visualizing part or all of the platform lift is based on the calculated path of travel via the augmented reality device. Acquiring the 3D-data includes observing the stair with the augmented reality device; marking several locations and confirming the locations via a user input; extracting surface information via a computer based analysis of the markings and optical information taken by the augmented reality device. Based on the optical information and predetermined clearance information the path of travel is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: TK Elevator Innovation And Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Schierenbeck, Thomas Felis, Francisco Javier Sesma Sanchez, Jie Xu, Pieter-Bas De Kleer, Jonatan Hernandez Alvarez, Ana Belén Quiroga Sánchez, Marcos Pérez Pérez
  • Publication number: 20230047079
    Abstract: Embodiments here are directed to an elevator stabilizing assembly for energy dissipation of an elevator assembly is provided. The elevator stabilizing assembly includes an actuator and a stabilizing device. The actuator is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position. The stabilizing device includes an arm and a biasing member. The biasing member is coupled to the arm and biases the arm to move the arm between a disengaged position and an engaged position. When the actuator is in the extended position, the arm is moved into the engaged position when at least a portion of the arm is in contact with the fixed member of a hoistway. When the actuator is in the retracted position, the arm is moved into the disengaged position such that the at least the portion of the arm is free from contact with the fixed member of the elevator assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Jeffrey Shawn Duvall, Erin Nicole Seligsohn
  • Patent number: 11530113
    Abstract: A drive shaft for an elevator system, includes a support shaft and a traction sheave with at least one traction face for driving a traction mechanism, for example a drive belt, of the elevator system. A connection is provided for the transmission of a drive torque from the support shaft to the traction sheave, the traction sheave being of separate configuration from the support shaft. The traction sheave is held with an inner guide face on an outer guide face of the support shaft. The connection includes at least one axially projecting traction sheave-side circumferential stop which is in positively locking engagement with a support shaft-side circumferential stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Jakub Rosenthal
  • Patent number: 11524870
    Abstract: A method of operating an elevator system, for example operated by linear motors, wherein the elevator system includes a shaft system including at least one vertical elevator shaft, and a multiplicity of elevator cars which respectively have a plurality of functional components for carrying out different functions. The method provides that in a special operating mode of the elevator system, a first elevator car is assigned at least one auxiliary device, the auxiliary device providing a replacement function for at least one function of one of the functional components of the first elevator car, the corresponding function of a functional component of the first elevator car being replaced with the replacement function provided by the auxiliary device, and the elevator system continuing to be operated by using the replacement function provided. The invention furthermore relates to an elevator system configured for carrying out such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Zerelles, Eduard Steinhauer, Marius Matz, Richard Thum
  • Publication number: 20220306428
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a first lane oriented in a first direction, a second lane oriented in a second direction, a car configured to travel in the first and second lanes, a repositioning unit configured to reposition the car from the first lane to the second lane and from the second lane to the first lane, and a plurality of guide rails disposed in each of the first and second lanes that are configured to guide the car along each of the first lane and the second lane. The plurality of guide rails includes a plurality of rucksack guide rails configured to guide the car when it is at least one of already on the repositioning unit, entering the repositioning unit, or exiting the repositioning unit, and a plurality of lateral guide rails configured to guide the car when it is not in the repositioning unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Oliver Draeger
  • Patent number: 11447364
    Abstract: Methods for determining an absolute position of a moving travel unit of a stationary transport system, the travel unit movable along a travel path inside the system. The travel unit is driven by at least one linear motor along the path. The linear motor is a synchronous motor including a plurality of stator units installed along the travel path configured to provide a magnetic field traveling along the travel path. At least one rotor unit is attached to the travel unit and is configured to be driven along the travel path by the traveling magnetic field. Wherein respectively by analysis of regulating parameters of a vector regulation of the linear motor an active stator unit is determined from the plurality, which presently provides the magnetic field driving the rotor unit and a relative position of the rotor unit in relation to the active stator unit is computed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Said Ahsaine
  • Publication number: 20220242697
    Abstract: An electrical monitoring connector for electrically monitoring the health of electrically conductive tension members in an elevator hoisting member includes a housing for insertion therein of a terminal end of an elevator hoisting member, and an elastomeric connector block inside the housing having a plurality of alternating electrically conductive and non-conductive layers. The connector block is slidable within the housing, and configured to be both electrically connected to active health monitoring equipment and biased by a spring against exposed cut ends of the plurality of electrically conductive tension members, when the terminal end of the elevator hoisting member is inserted in the housing, so as to make electrical connections between the exposed ends of the tension members and only those of the electrically conductive layers that are aligned and make contact therewith, to permit monitoring signals from the health monitoring equipment to be sent down the tension members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Palazzola, Jordan Strother
  • Publication number: 20220204316
    Abstract: A method for maintaining an elevator installation includes performing at least one maintenance step that includes interacting with an elevator control of the elevator installation. The method further comprises confirming by the elevator control a performance of the maintenance step based on the at least one interaction. An elevator control for an elevator installation includes at least one maintenance step and an interaction signature associated with the maintenance step stored therein. An elevator installation includes an elevator control having at least one maintenance step and an interaction signature associated with the maintenance step stored therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Bauer, Matthias Glueck
  • Patent number: 11339028
    Abstract: A method can be used to position a car door and a landing-stop door in a synchronized manner at a landing stop in an elevator shaft of an elevator system. The car door may be configured as a guide door, and the landing-stop door may be configured as a follower door. The method may involve bringing an elevator car close to the landing stop, upon entry of the car door into an unlock zone sensing a presence signal of the follower door by way of a presence sensor of the guide door, actuating the guide-door drive by way of the guide controller and executing an opening movement of the guide door, providing movement information of the guide door, and actuating the follower-door drive of the follower door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kirsch, Matthias Glück
  • Patent number: 11339027
    Abstract: An elevator car for an elevator installation may include at least one side wall having a doorway and an elevator car door. For opening and/or closing the doorway, the elevator car door can be moved at least partially parallel to the side wall on an outside of the side wall. In opening and/or closing, the elevator car door can be moved at least partially in a direction perpendicular to the side wall. In the closing process, the elevator car door can be at least partially sunk in the doorway. A coupling element may couple the elevator car door to a shaft door in at least one of opening or closing the elevator car door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Kirsch
  • Patent number: 11332340
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a drive controller configured to actuate a drive motor of an elevator drive assembly. A non-transitory computer-readable medium includes program instructions that cause a processor to retrieve a set of rules of the elevator system, generate at least one graphical user interface by applying the set of rules to at least one design template, calculate an acceptance score for the at least one graphical user interface based on a user profile of an administrator, and publish the at least one graphical user interface based at least partially on the acceptance score. The elevator system further includes a display device configured to display the graphical user interface after it is published and cause the drive controller to actuate the drive motor based on user input of a selection of at least one selectable option on the at least one graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: TK ELEVATOR INNOVATION AND OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Matthew Muncy, Sean Luis Stecker, Chih Hung Aaron King
  • Publication number: 20220144591
    Abstract: An elevator installation includes a first elevator car disposed in a shaft and connected to a counterweight by a first suspension having a first suspension means section, and a second suspension having a second suspension means section. A drive unit moves the elevator car by means of the first suspension. The elevator installation also includes a second elevator car that is movable in the shaft, independently of the first elevator car, via a second drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Tobias WENZELBURGER
  • Patent number: 11319188
    Abstract: A drive arrangement includes a movable, rotatable rail segment of an elevator system. An electric motor moves the movable rail segment. The drive arrangement is configured to rotate the rail segment about an angle of rotation of less than 360°. An inverter unit provides electrical power to the electric motor and is configured to receive a control command relating to the position of the movable rail segment and provide the electrical drive power based on the control command. The drive arrangement forms two or exactly three drive segments. Each drive segment includes an inverter unit and a coil arrangement, which is supplied with electrical power by the assigned inverter unit. Each inverter unit includes a communication unit, which receives the control command. The communication units are configured to specify amongst themselves a master communication unit and to specify the remaining communication unit as slave communication units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: TK Elevator innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Bauer, Matthias Glück, Martin Madera