Patents by Inventor Erich Butler

Erich Butler has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11235953
    Abstract: A method and a mounting device for carrying out an installation operation in an elevator shaft of an elevator system include a mounting device having a carrier component and a mechatronic installation component held on the carrier component. In a displacement phase, the carrier component is displaced relative to the elevator shaft and positioned at different heights within the elevator shaft. In a mounting phase, a mounting step is carried out at least partially automatically, wherein a mounting device is removed from a magazine component disposed on the carrier component and installed on a shaft wall of the elevator shaft. In a stocking phase, a magazine component is stocked with mounting devices outside the elevator shaft and, in a loading phase, the stocked magazine component is disposed on the carrier component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Andrea Cambruzzi, Erich Bütler, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi
  • Patent number: 11235954
    Abstract: A method for mounting a guide rail in an elevator system elevator shaft first carries out mounting steps by a mounting device having a carrier component, an installation component and a control apparatus controlling the installation component. The control apparatus determines, on the basis of an actual position of the mounting device and a desired position of a guide rail to be installed, a position of a marking on a shaft wall of the elevator shaft relative to the actual position of the mounting device. Based on the marking, an installation step determines the desired position of the guide rail. The marking is applied to the shaft wall by the installation component. The previous steps are followed by the steps of alignment the guide rail in relation to the marking and fastening the guide rail to the shaft wall, which steps can be performed manually by an installer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Andrea Cambruzzi, Erich Bütler, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi
  • Publication number: 20220024716
    Abstract: A control system for an elevator is separated into a first assembly allocated outside and a second assembly allocated inside an elevator shaft. The first assembly includes a power switch for turning on/off the control system, a light switch for switching a light inside the shaft, a safety unit for protecting electrical safety of the control system, a communication unit for data communication with the elevator and/or an external communication device, and a bypass device for bypassing a safety chain of the elevator. The second assembly includes a power supply system for driving the elevator and/or for the safety chain, a monitoring system for monitoring the safety chain, a drive control unit for a drive motor, and a processor for data processing of the control system. The first assembly and the second assembly can communicate with each other and be connected respectively as segments into the safety chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Axel Hosemann, Christian Studer, Donato Carparelli, Erich Butler, Patrick Isenegger
  • Publication number: 20220009006
    Abstract: A method and an assembly device for automated determination of a drilling position of a drill hole for a fastener for fastening a component to a possible wall area of a wall, wherein the method steps include: determining a surface contour of the wall area; examining the surface contour and detecting first irregularities in the surface contour using a first detection rule; determining a primary possible support surface area and a primary possible drilling position area that do not have any of the detected first irregularities; examining the surface contour of the primary possible drilling position area and detecting second irregularities in the surface contour using a second detection rule; and determining the drilling position inside the primary possible drilling position area such that the surface contour at the drilling position does not have any of the detected second irregularities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Andrea Cambruzzi, Eliza Olczyk, Erich Butler, Oliver Simmonds, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi
  • Publication number: 20210395046
    Abstract: An at least partially automated method for planning installation of elevator components in an elevator shaft delimited by shaft walls includes the steps: recording the course of the shaft walls; determining positions of door openings in the shaft; establishing a target course of a guide rail depending on the positions of the openings; and establishing target positions of the elevator components automatedly depending on the established guide rail target course. Adjustable ones of the elevator components have a part fixable to the shaft wall and a part movable in an adjustment range relative to the fixable part. Target positions of the movable parts are established for the adjustable components. An automated check is carried out to determine whether, when the movable part is positioned at the target position, the adjustment range is sufficient to fix the fixable part to the shaft wall and the results are output for further processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Erich Bütler, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi
  • Patent number: 11186464
    Abstract: A method for fixing a rail bracket for mounting a guide rail on a shaft wall of an elevator shaft of an elevator system includes applying an adhesive layer between a support surface of the rail bracket and a final fixing region of the shaft wall in the fixed state of the rail bracket. The rail bracket is thus adhered to the shaft wall, and the rail bracket can also be additionally fixed to the shaft wall by at least one fixing element such as a nail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Andrea Cambruzzi, Christian Studer, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi, Erich Bütler
  • Patent number: 11167956
    Abstract: A method for mounting and aligning a guide rail in an elevator shaft of an elevator system, which elevator shaft primarily extends in a main extension direction, includes at least the following steps: securing a rail bracket base to a shaft wall of the elevator shaft; applying a mark to the rail bracket base; aligning the guide rail in relation to the mark; and securing the guide rail to the shaft wall using the rail bracket base. The alignment of the guide rail is carried out by an alignment device that includes an abutment part and a location device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Andrea Cambruzzi, Erich Bütler, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi, Philipp Renner
  • Patent number: 11111109
    Abstract: A method and a mounting device for carrying out an installation operation in an elevator shaft of an elevator system include introducing a first elongate reference element into the elevator shaft oriented in a main direction of extent of the elevator shaft. The mounting device is introduced into the elevator shaft, which mounting device has a carrier component and a mechatronic installation component held by the carrier component. The mounting device is displaced into a fixing position in the main direction of extent of the elevator shaft. The relative position of the carrier component of the mounting device is determined with respect to the first reference element in the fixing position with a sensor arranged on the installation component. The relative position of the first reference element is determined with respect to at least two different sensor positions and thus positions of the installation component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Andrea Cambruzzi, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi, Erich Butler
  • Publication number: 20210156666
    Abstract: A locating system for determining a current position in an elevator shaft of an elevator system extending in a main extension direction includes a first distance sensor by which a first distance and a second distance, which second distance is perpendicular to the first distance, from a first reference element can be measured, as well as a tilt sensor by which a rotation about a horizontal first axis and a horizontal second axis perpendicular to the first axis can be measured, and a measuring system by which a position of the locating system can be determined in the main extension direction of the elevator shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Andrea Cambruzzi, Erich Bütler, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi
  • Publication number: 20210139286
    Abstract: A method and a mounting device for carrying out an installation operation in an elevator shaft of an elevator system include a mounting device having a carrier component and a mechatronic installation component held on the carrier component. In a displacement phase, the carrier component is displaced relative to the elevator shaft and positioned at different heights within the elevator shaft. In a mounting phase, a mounting step is carried out at least partially automatically, wherein a mounting device is removed from a magazine component disposed on the carrier component and installed on a shaft wall of the elevator shaft. In a stocking phase, a magazine component is stocked with mounting devices outside the elevator shaft and, in a loading phase, the stocked magazine component is disposed on the carrier component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Andrea Cambruzzi, Erich Bütler, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi
  • Publication number: 20210130136
    Abstract: A mounting system has a mounting device with a carrier component and a mechatronic installation component, a displacement component arranged above the mounting device in an elevator shaft and a support member connected between the carrier component and the displacement component. The displacement component displaces the mounting device in the shaft using the support member, wherein the carrier component is supported by an upper support roller on a support wall of the shaft during the displacement in the shaft. The support member generates a diagonal pull perpendicular to the support wall surface. The mounting system also has a compensating element that counteracts a tilting of the carrier component about the upper supporting roller perpendicular to the support wall during the displacement in the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Andrea Cambruzzi, Erich Bütler, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi
  • Publication number: 20200377339
    Abstract: A method for mounting a guide rail in an elevator system elevator shaft first carries out mounting steps by a mounting device having a carrier component, an installation component and a control apparatus controlling the installation component. The control apparatus determines, on the basis of an actual position of the mounting device and a desired position of a guide rail to be installed, a position of a marking on a shaft wall of the elevator shaft relative to the actual position of the mounting device. Based on the marking, an installation step determines the desired position of the guide rail. The marking is applied to the shaft wall by the installation component. The previous steps are followed by the steps of alignment the guide rail in relation to the marking and fastening the guide rail to the shaft wall, which steps can be performed manually by an installer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Andrea CAMBRUZZI, Erich BÜTLER, Philipp ZIMMERLI, Raphael BITZI
  • Patent number: 10850946
    Abstract: A mounting device for performing an assembly process in an elevator shaft of an elevator system includes a support component and a mechatronic assembly component. The support component moves within the elevator shaft. The assembly component is retained on the support component and carries out a mounting step in an at least partially automatic manner during the assembly process. The support component includes a fastening part that secures the support component and/or the assembly component in a direction extending transversely to the vertical, i.e. for example in a horizontal or lateral direction, within the elevator shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Erich Butler, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi, Christian Studer, Andrea Cambruzzi
  • Patent number: 10843902
    Abstract: A mounting device for performing an assembly job in an elevator shaft of an elevator system has a support component and a mechatronic assembly component. The support component is configured to be moved within the elevator shaft. The assembly component is held at the support component and configured to perform a mounting step as part of the assembly job in at least a partially automatic manner. The assembly component can be an industrial robot. The mounting device allows repetitive mounting jobs, such as drilling holes and driving in screws, etc., to be performed in a partially or fully automated manner. The mounting effort, time, and/or costs thereby can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Christian Studer, Raphael Bitzi, Erich Butler, Andrea Cambruzzi, Philipp Zimmerli
  • Patent number: 10836610
    Abstract: A mounting device for performing an assembly job in an elevator shaft of an elevator system includes a support component and a mechatronic assembly component. The support component is configured to be moved within the elevator shaft. The assembly component is held at the support component and configured to perform a mounting step as part of the assembly job in at least a partially automatic manner. The assembly component can be an industrial robot. A drilling of holes in the shaft walls is performed in a partially or fully automated manner by the mounting device. Furthermore, other repetitive mounting jobs such as the driving in of screws, etc., can be performed in a partially or completely automated manner. The mounting effort, time and/or costs can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Andrea Cambruzzi, Erich Butler, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi, Christian Studer
  • Publication number: 20200354197
    Abstract: An installation device used in an elevator shaft has a first carrier with first and second carrier ends, a support element pivotably arranged on the first carrier end, and a holding apparatus holding a displacement apparatus by which installation material can be displaced in the elevator shaft. When the installation device is in an installation position, the first carrier end is supported against a threshold of an elevator shaft door opening by the support element and the second carrier end is supported at least indirectly against a shaft wall that is opposite the door opening. The holding apparatus is arranged on an upper side of the installation device in the installation position such that the displacement apparatus is supported from above on the holding apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Andrea Cambruzzi, Eliza Olczyk, Erich Bütler, Raphael Bitzi, Philipp Zimmerli
  • Publication number: 20200299105
    Abstract: A method and a mounting device for carrying out an installation operation in an elevator shaft of an elevator system include introducing a first elongate reference element into the elevator shaft oriented in a main direction of extent of the elevator shaft. The mounting device is introduced into the elevator shaft, which mounting device has a carrier component and a mechatronic installation component held by the carrier component. The mounting device is displaced into a fixing position in the main direction of extent of the elevator shaft. The relative position of the carrier component of the mounting device is determined with respect to the first reference element in the fixing position with a sensor arranged on the installation component. The relative position of the first reference element is determined with respect to at least two different sensor positions and thus positions of the installation component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Andrea Cambruzzi, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi, Erich Butler
  • Patent number: 10745242
    Abstract: An analysis method and a measurement system for surveying an elevator shaft of an elevator system wherein the elevator shaft is surveyed by a measurement system having a camera system and an inertial measurement unit having acceleration and angular rate sensors, i.e. designed as an optically inertial measurement system. On the basis of the measured data, a digital model of the elevator shaft is created. Further information on the position of the measurement system in a main extension direction of the elevator shaft, in addition to the information from the acceleration and angular rate sensors of the inertial measurement unit, is recorded and evaluated to create the digital model. In this way, a particularly accurate digital model of the elevator shaft is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Christian Studer, Raphael Bitzi, Erich Butler
  • Publication number: 20200254628
    Abstract: A screwing device includes a screwdriver and a connection element for coupling the screwdriver to a robot arm. The connection element has a first robot-side transmission element, a second tool-side transmission element, a restoring element arranged between the first and second transmission elements, and a distance measuring element. The two transmission elements can be moved towards each other against a restoring force of the restoring element in an actuation direction. The distance measuring element measures a distance that represents the spacing between the transmission elements in the actuation direction and is used to control the actuating force acting on the screwdriver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Andrea Cambruzzi, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi, Erich Butler
  • Publication number: 20200055709
    Abstract: A method for mounting and aligning a guide rail in an elevator shaft of an elevator system, which elevator shaft primarily extends in a main extension direction, includes at least the following steps: securing a rail bracket base to a shaft wall of the elevator shaft; applying a mark to the rail bracket base; aligning the guide rail in relation to the mark; and securing the guide rail to the shaft wall using the rail bracket base. The alignment of the guide rail is carried out by an alignment device that includes an abutment part and a location device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Andrea Cambruzzi, Erich Bütler, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi, Philipp Renner