Wireless Charging for Elevators with KONE

Modern elevators may include batteries that provide electricity to appliances in the car. Charging this battery should happen without disturbing the regular operation of the elevator. One solution for this is wireless charging, a fast-growing and innovative technology segment gaining traction among KONE customers. However, we have seen limited applications for wireless charging technologies in elevator systems so far due to insufficient power generation and cost-efficiency.

We are looking for innovative wireless power transfer systems for elevators to overcome these and other challenges. Solutions are needed to deliver operating power wirelessly to one or more batteries of the elevator car without using cables or other direct connections to control the elevator car subsystems. The need for these solutions is highlighted in KONE’s high-end customer projects, such as significant landmark buildings.

The charging systems KONE is looking for should preferably be fully contactless or offer, e.g., a non-sliding galvanic contact with an actuator. The elevator car battery would be charged when the elevator stops on the main floor for approximately 30-60 seconds. The technology should allow a sufficient air gap to allow normal elevator movement. The solution would preferably also offer scalability by connecting multiple smaller chargers in parallel, a long lifetime of up to millions of cycles with high reliability and minimized maintenance needs, with cost-efficiency and commercial competitiveness also in mind.

Working with KONE provides an opportunity to partner up with an innovative global company on a mission to improve the flow of urban life together with customers and partners and benefit from KONE’s extensive industry know-how and large operational volumes.

Potential proof-of-concepts will be delivered in the high-end elevator segment or special KONE projects in the short term. Here, KONE is looking for the capability to develop and adapt a solution to fit KONE’s requirements. The selected solution providers will get technical and financial support from KONE to develop concept prototypes for further evaluation.

If desired requirements and cost-competitiveness are achieved in the long term, expansion to volume business segments is possible. In the scaling-up phase, KONE is most interested in a supplier relationship. However, licensing the technology is also an alternative in larger volumes.