IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,612,285
Granted Patent B2
US 12,612,285 · App. 17/468,993 · Granted Apr 28, 2026

Elevator safety system, elevator system, and method for elevator car collision protection

Inventors: Juha-Matti Aitamurto (Helsinki, FI); Ari Kattainen (Helsinki, FI)
Assignee: KONE Corporation
B66B5/0031B66B1/24B66B5/02B66B9/003B66B11/0407
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,612,285
App. No.
17/468,993
Granted
Apr 28, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An elevator safety system includes an elevator car safety unit arranged on or at least in mechanical connection, preferably in fixed manner, with an elevator car; at least one distance measurement target; and a distance measurement device mounted on the elevator car for determining a distance between the distance measurement target and the distance measurement device. The elevator car safety unit is arranged in connection with the distance measurement device and is configured to generate an output signal based on the determined distance.

Claims (21)

1 . An elevator safety system, comprising:

an elevator car safety controller arranged on or at least in mechanical connection with an elevator car;

at least one distance measurement target; and

a distance measurement device mounted on the elevator car for determining a distance between the distance measurement target and the distance measurement device,

wherein the elevator car safety controller is arranged in connection with the distance measurement device and is configured to generate an output signal based on the determined distance,

wherein the distance measurement target is a dynamic flag arranged to change a position between an active position and an inactive position,

wherein in the active position, the distance measurement target is arranged so that the distance can be determined by the distance measurement device, and

wherein the distance measurement device is one of ultrasonic, infrared proximity, or laser distance measurement device.

2 . The elevator safety system of claim 1 , wherein the distance is in a direction of the movement of the elevator car.

3 . The elevator safety system of claim 2 , wherein the at least one distance measurement target is arranged on an elevator car, at an end of the elevator shaft, or to temporarily reserve a section of the elevator shaft for maintenance operations.

4 . The elevator safety system of claim 1 , wherein the distance measurement target is a static object.

5 . The elevator safety system of claim 4 , wherein the at least one distance measurement target is arranged on an elevator car, at an end of the elevator shaft, or to temporarily reserve a section of the elevator shaft for maintenance operations.

6 . The elevator safety system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one distance measurement target is arranged on an elevator car, at an end of an elevator shaft, or to temporarily reserve a section of the elevator shaft for maintenance operations.

7 . The elevator safety system of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator configured to change a position of the distance measurement target between the active position and the inactive position.

8 . The elevator safety system of claim 7 , comprising an elevator control unit configured to operate the actuator.

9 . The elevator safety system of claim 1 , wherein dynamic flag is arranged at a door zone of an elevator shaft or at a turning station of the elevator shaft, or to reserve a section of the elevator shaft for maintenance operations.

10 . The elevator safety system of claim 9 , wherein the dynamic flag is arranged at the turning station and the active position of the dynamic flag is adapted based on a position of the turning station and/or a status of the turning station locking device.

11 . The elevator safety system of claim 1 , wherein the elevator car safety controller is configured to determine a speed of the elevator car, and to initiate stopping of the elevator car based on the speed and the determined distance.

12 . An elevator system comprising:

a linear motor arranged to move at least one elevator car in an elevator shaft; and

the elevator safety system of claim 1 .

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 30, 2021
From: AITAMURTO, JUHA-MATTI; KATTAINEN, ARI
To: KONE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 057657/0296 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 20199824 · Oct 2, 2020 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220106154A1 · Apr 7, 2022
References Cited (6)
US 6554107B2 · Yumura · 2003 [cited by examiner]
US 11434104B2 · Fargo · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 11667494B2 · Kattainen · 2023 [cited by examiner]
JP 4361960A · 1992 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2016116146A1 · 2016 [cited by applicant]
European Search Report and Search Opinion, issued in Application No. 20 19 9824, dated Mar. 9, 2021. [cited by applicant]