A Brief Exposé on Elevators • An oft neglected requirement of our modern society, the elevator gives structure for our modern urban pursuits and represents a technological leap forward for vertical transportation.
Jul 15, 2015
A Brief Exposé on Elevators
• An oft neglected requirement of our modern society, the elevator gives structure for our modern urban pursuits and represents a technological leap forward for vertical transportation.
History of the elevator
• Early BC origins of elevator systems
• Hydraulic elevators were popular in the mid-1800s and are still the norm for low-rise buildings; problematically, they require hydraulic oil and are inefficient
• “Standing rope control” for elevators invented in 1850
• Credit goes to Elisha Otis for having invented the first safety passenger (brake) elevator in 1852
– This elevator featured a lock-spring which would engage should the elevator descend too quickly ie if the cable were to break
(Cont)
• 1857: Otis showcases the first passenger elevator (for a department store)
• 1874: JW Meaker patents safety method for elevator doors
• 1880: World’s first electric elevator
• 1889: Direct-connected geared electric elevator
• 1903: Gearless traction elevator
• 1940’s: push-button elevators (not requiring human dispatchers)
• 1950’s: pre-programmed elevators responding to peak hours
• 1960’s: introduction of microcomputers to create a more efficient elevator
• 1996: Machine room-less elevators by Kone save space and energy (1/3 the energy use of hydraulic elevators)
Patent information: total US patents granted
• Elevator – 24,800 hits
• A refined inspection of the patents reveals that 2796 (approx.) have been filed in the US which are pertinent to elevator technology
– Includes inventive steps to elevator systems, safety features, physical design, electronic monitoring, control systems and ancillary features
– 374 patents for induction motors
– 13 patents for machine room-less
Major patent-holders
• 1139
• 42 (with Westinghouse, 289)
• Inventio – 350
• 31
• 164
• 72
• 51
• 2 (American office)
Examples of Patents and *Published Applications
Serial Number Invention Title Serial Number Invention Title1 (2010) Elevator 6 (1980) Floor selector system for
elevator
2 (2005) Elevator System *7 Method for determining replacement state of wear of elevator means
3 (2003) Elevator belt assembly with noise reducing groove arrangement
*8 Elevator system (speed)
4 (2000) Interactive elevator communication system
*9 Elevator guide-rail system
5 (2002) Method for preventing an inadmissibly high speed of the load
*10 Security-based elevator control
Patents observed in situ
Earthquake-setting control system
Machine room-less elevator
Elevator system
Gap-sealing technology
Elevator group control system
Safety equipment for preventing an elevator car collision with an object
Method for preventing unnatural high-speed
Interactive elevator communication system
Notable patent infringement cases
• Schindler v Otis (2010) – for an elevator feature capable of recognizing a user upon walking into a monitored area and sending an elevator to bring the user to the relevant floor, no infringement was found.
• Kone v Zheijiang (China) – elevator driving device attached to the wall instead of the ceiling was found to infringe under the “doctrine of equivalents”.
(cont)
• Inventio AG v ThyssenKrupp – defendant prevails in this suit alleging infringement for temporary overlay patent providing controls with dispatch functionality; plaintiff’s patents revoked.
• Advanced Hydraulics v Otis – “hydraulic elevator” patent of 1951 assigned to plaintiff and was likely infringed; however, estoppel due to delay and laches prohibited the claim
• Kone v ThyssenKrupp (2009) – pending suit
Future of the industry
• Looking at environmentally-friendly technology and efficient use of shaft space
• Passenger comfort and smarter technologies to recognize passengers for security purposes, with emphasized research into computerized innovations
• Economic downturn has been reducing sales and stymied high-rise development
– Replacements for outdated and irreparable elevator systems less in demand than previously predicted
• Competitiveness of the field set to increase following the immense fines (nearly $1 billion USD) levied against the largest elevator companies by the EU Competition Commission for price fixing and illicit collusion
Bizarre and logical tech improvements
• “Vacuum” elevators of science fiction, using air pressure to transport tenants and workers
• “Smell sensors” to determine whether or not the tenant is actually whom he presents himself to be
• Magnetic suspension system – Mitsubishi – in trial stage
• More efficient hydraulic systems for cities with blackouts and electrical precariousness