Patents by Inventor Raphael BITZI

Raphael BITZI 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).

  • Publication number: 20260048964
    Abstract: A passenger transport system has a cabin accommodating at least one passenger, wherein the cabin is coupled to a transport vehicle for transportation. A movement device of the passenger transport system is attached to a building is coupled to the cabin for movement of the cabin relative to the building after decoupling the cabin from the transport vehicle. The movement device moves on a first main movement path and a second main movement path that branches off from the first main movement path. The second main movement accommodates at least one cabin such that the first main movement can be used by another cabin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Publication date: February 19, 2026
    Inventors: Eliza Olczyk, Thomas Raber, Oliver Simmonds, Raphael Bitzi, Qixuan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20260042639
    Abstract: A passenger transport system and a method for transporting a passenger include a cabin transported by a transport vehicle, the cabin accommodating at least one passenger. The transport vehicle and the cabin are coupled and decoupled such that the cabin is transported when coupled to the transport vehicle. The passenger transport system also has a movement device attached to a building and which is coupled to and decoupled from the cabin. The cabin, when coupled to the movement device, is moved relative to the building by the movement device on a first main movement path and on a second main movement path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Publication date: February 12, 2026
    Inventors: Eliza Olczyk, Thomas Raber, Oliver Simmonds, Raphael Bitzi, Qixuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 12547184
    Abstract: A method for controlling a flight-capable drone in an elevator shaft of an elevator system uses an elevator system inspection arrangement configured for carrying out the method. The method comprises the following steps: receiving elevator shaft segment information provided by the elevator system that indicates which volume segment of the elevator shaft is currently designated to be off-limits for the drone; and controlling the drone along a flight path automatically determined by the drone, wherein the drone determines the flight path such that the drone travels exclusively outside of the volume segment designated as off-limits for the drone, wherein the drone determines the flight path taking into account the received elevator shaft segment information. By exchanging the elevator shaft segment information with the elevator system, the drone is able to initiate evasive maneuvers in good time in order to prevent collisions with fast-moving components of the elevator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Inventors: Raphael Bitzi, Alberto Chiappa, Martin Kusserow, Lucas Walti
  • Patent number: 12522476
    Abstract: A method for creating an elevator shaft for an elevator system, wherein the elevator shaft is oriented mainly vertically, uses a plurality of base modules placed on one another. The shaft is upwardly closed off by a top module and forms a travelway for a car of the elevator system. In a normal operation of the elevator system, the car is moved at a nominal speed within the travelway. According to the method, an intermediate element having an intermediate element height is arranged between an uppermost one of the base modules and the top module, wherein the intermediate element height is dependent on the nominal speed of the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2026
    Inventors: Raphael Bitzi, Bjarne Lindberg
  • Patent number: 12459780
    Abstract: A method and system for determining the position of an elevator car movable in a shaft of an elevator installation capture images of shaft components and/or shaft equipment serving other functions using an image capture unit on the car. A current image is compared with at least one stored comparison image of the components and/or equipment in a travel direction of the car to determine a current position of the car in the travel direction. If there is no information regarding the position of the car from a previous determination step, for example if the elevator installation is restarted, a current image is compared with all the stored comparison images. Based upon this comparison, one possible position or a plurality of possible positions of the car are determined. These possible positions are checked at least once before one of these positions is adopted as the current position of the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2025
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventor: Raphael Bitzi
  • Patent number: 12448248
    Abstract: A top module for closing off an elevator shaft of an elevator system has a first top module side wall and a top module ceiling, a first guide rail piece fixed by a bracket on the first top module side wall, and a drive unit connected to the first guide rail piece. The top module can assume an operating state and a transport state. In the operating state, the first guide rail piece and the drive unit assume operating positions, and a car of the elevator system can be moved in the elevator shaft closed off with the top module. In the transport state, the first guide rail piece and the drive unit assume transport positions that deviate from the operating positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2025
    Inventors: Raphael Bitzi, Bjarne Lindberg, Luca Donatz, Daniel Rohrer, Christian Studer
  • Publication number: 20250171274
    Abstract: A hoistway module that forms a portion of a hoistway of an elevator installation includes a first side wall having a door opening, a second side wall adjoining the first side wall at an angle other than 180° and a hoistway door arranged in the door opening and having a door sill. The door sill is fixed to the second side wall by a final door sill mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Publication date: May 29, 2025
    Inventor: Raphael Bitzi
  • Publication number: 20250028331
    Abstract: A method for controlling a flight-capable drone in an elevator shaft of an elevator system uses an elevator system inspection arrangement configured for carrying out the method. The method comprises the following steps: receiving elevator shaft segment information provided by the elevator system that indicates which volume segment of the elevator shaft is currently designated to be off-limits for the drone; and controlling the drone along a flight path automatically determined by the drone, wherein the drone determines the flight path such that the drone travels exclusively outside of the volume segment designated as off-limits for the drone, wherein the drone determines the flight path taking into account the received elevator shaft segment information. By exchanging the elevator shaft segment information with the elevator system, the drone is able to initiate evasive maneuvers in good time in order to prevent collisions with fast-moving components of the elevator system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: Raphael Bitzi, Alberto Chiappa, Martin Kusserow, Lucas Walti
  • Publication number: 20240391738
    Abstract: A method for creating an elevator shaft for an elevator system, wherein the elevator shaft is oriented mainly vertically, uses a plurality of base modules placed on one another. The shaft is upwardly closed off by a top module and forms a travelway for a car of the elevator system. In a normal operation of the elevator system, the car is moved at a nominal speed within the travelway. According to the method, an intermediate element having an intermediate element height is arranged between an uppermost one of the base modules and the top module, wherein the intermediate element height is dependent on the nominal speed of the car.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Raphael Bitzi, Bjarne Lindberg
  • Patent number: 12151916
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Erich Bütler, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi
  • Publication number: 20240199378
    Abstract: A top module for closing off an elevator shaft of an elevator system has a first top module side wall and a top module ceiling, a first guide rail piece fixed by a bracket on the first top module side wall, and a drive unit connected to the first guide rail piece. The top module can assume an operating state and a transport state. In the operating state, the first guide rail piece and the drive unit assume operating positions, and a car of the elevator system can be moved in the elevator shaft closed off with the top module. In the transport state, the first guide rail piece and the drive unit assume transport positions that deviate from the operating positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Raphael Bitzi, Bjarne Lindberg, Luca Donatz, Daniel Rohrer, Christian Studer
  • Publication number: 20240045449
    Abstract: A method controls a drone along a shaft having adjoining first and second shaft walls. A drone sensor system detects an environment and/or a state of flight, an actuator system controls the drone, and a control device controls the actuator system. Method steps include: control device receiving sensor data generated by sensor system; determining actual distances of drone relative to first and second shaft walls from sensor data; and generating control signal actuating actuator system such that drone flies based on deviation of actual distances from target distances and a target flight route to a target position. An actual flight route is determined from the sensor data, and the control signal is generated based on a deviation of the actual flight route from the target flight route. Door regions and/or height markings in the shaft are recognized from the sensor data to determine the actual flight route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Raphael Bitzi, Christian Studer
  • Patent number: 11807495
    Abstract: A measuring device for measuring an elevator shaft has two cable-like, elongate guide elements that extend in parallel with one another, a measuring platform and a lifting apparatus. Each of the guide elements is fixedly attached to an upper holding point and a lower holding point in the elevator shaft and is tensioned between the upper holding point and the lower holding point. The measuring platform has guide apparatuses that laterally support the measuring platform on the guide elements and guide the measuring platform parallel to the guide elements during a displacement movement in a displacement direction. The measuring platform has a distance measuring apparatus to measure lateral distances to the lateral walls of the elevator shaft. The lifting apparatus moves the measuring platform in the displacement direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi
  • Patent number: 11760607
    Abstract: A mounting system for performing an installation operation in an elevator shaft of an elevator system has a mounting apparatus that includes a carrier component with a mechatronic installation component, a displacement component, a suspension cable and a deflection roller deflecting the suspension cable between the displacement component and the carrier component. The carrier component is supported against a supporting wall of the elevator shaft by an upper support roller, at least during displacement in the elevator shaft. The suspension cable has, between the deflection roller and the carrier component, a diagonal pull relative to the vertical in the direction of the supporting wall and is guided via the deflection roller such that the diagonal pull can be varied by displacing the deflection roller. The deflection roller is arranged via a holding apparatus on a surface of the supporting wall such that the deflection roller protrudes into the elevator shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Andrea Cambruzzi, Eliza Olczyk, Oliver Simmonds, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi
  • Patent number: 11708244
    Abstract: A method for planning and at least partially installing an elevator system in an elevator shaft includes automated installation steps carried out by an automated mounting device. The method steps include: deriving a target layout of the elevator system from target dimensions of the elevator shaft, establishing the installation steps to be carried out by the automated mounting device, checking that the automated installation steps can be carried out by the mounting device, detecting several actual dimensions of the elevator shaft, deriving an actual layout of the elevator system from the target layout and the detected actual dimensions, planning the automated installation steps based upon the actual layout and carrying out the automated installation steps with the mounting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Andrea Cambruzzi, Christian Studer, Eliza Olczyk, Oliver Simmonds, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi
  • Patent number: 11703823
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Andrea Cambruzzi, Eliza Olczyk, Erich Butler, Oliver Simmonds, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi
  • Patent number: 11655123
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Andrea Cambruzzi, Eliza Olczyk, Erich Bütler, Raphael Bitzi, Philipp Zimmerli
  • Patent number: 11623845
    Abstract: An elevator system includes an elevator car that is movable in an elevator shaft in the vertical direction, a closed support belt guided about a lower deflection roller and an upper deflection roller and a drive machine driving the support belt. A drive connection is made between the support belt and the elevator car with a coupling device arranged on the elevator car that is coupled to a coupling element of the support belt. The coupling element is a connection element that connects two free ends of the support belt together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Christian Studer, Donato Carparelli, Josef Husmann, Raphael Bitzi
  • Patent number: 11572256
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Andrea Cambruzzi, Erich Bütler, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi
  • Patent number: 11559904
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Andrea Cambruzzi, Philipp Zimmerli, Raphael Bitzi, Erich Butler