Kone MonoSpace

KONE EcoDisc — A typical EcoDisc motor installed in the shaft (Hong Kong version usually have a safety protection guard to prevent the workers get injured). The right hand side of the picture is a Variable Voltage Variable Frequency (VVVF) drive.

Kone EcoDisc top landing — At the top landing usually have a control panel to contain all the circuit board in one cabinet, EcoDisc control panel usually placed on the nearest of the motor^[3].

Kone MonoSpace is the machine room less traction elevator product line of Kone, GiantKONE and MacGregor-Kone^[4]. The version of MonoSpace for low-rise installations in the United States is called Kone EcoSpace and it is a replacement for hydraulic elevators since Kone discontinued making hydraulic elevators in 2007, although the EcoSpace was introduced before Kone hydraulic elevators were discontinued; the MonoSpace is retained for mid-rise buildings.

History[]

The Kone MonoSpace elevator technology was introduced in March 14, 1996^[1]^[2] as the world's first machine room less elevator. It was patented in 1994 (European Patent No.: EP19940109887)^[5]. MonoSpace was first trialed in Netherlands in 1995 and was known as "Kone Greenstar" instead of "Kone MonoSpace". Since its introductions, it has becoming more popular at the beginning of the 21st century. They are mainly found in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and other European and Asian countries^[6].

In 1998, Kone entered a strategic alliance with Toshiba Elevators and Building Systems Corporation so that Toshiba could develop their machine room less elevator. Under this alliance, Toshiba began making the SPACEL elevator, which was a rebadged licensed Kone MonoSpace elevator system intended for the Japanese market^[7]. In 1999, more than 2,500 SPACEL elevators were sold^[8].

On November 29, 2019, Kone announced a successor of original MonoSpace, MiniSpace and TranSys elevator products, named DX class elevators^[9]. A version that is a successor of classic MonoSpace is named Kone MonoSpace DX and at launch is available in selected European countries, followed by Asia Pacific in 2021. Models that end with "DX" are considered part of the DX class. For example, the S MonoSpace DX is the DX variant of the S MonoSpace.^[10]

Features[]

EcoDisc motor[]

Main article: Kone EcoDisc

Regenerative Drive[]

The MonoSpace elevator features a Regenerative Drive (for the second generation of LCE controllers or later only), which is able to convert excess energy generated by an elevator into electricity that can be reused by any other component found in the building. While normal elevator systems only produce excess heat that has to be removed from the building (using up even more energy), the Regenerative Drive instead not only reduces electricity consumption, but also makes the excess usable. Very little, if at all, excess energy is wasted. There are many versions of this technology made by other big elevator companies, but Kone has taken the spotlight due to its efficiency and popularity.

Models by regions[]

Europe[]

The current MonoSpace series available in Europe are MonoSpace 300 (only sold in Finland), MonoSpace 500 and MonoSpace 700. Kone MonoSpace 300, offered in Finland, is a regionally renamed version of Kone EcoSpace. These models were most likely introduced in 2013, to coincide with the NMX range of EcoDiscs. Prior to 2013, Kone offered the MonoSpace R7, which uses the MX06 or MX10 motor, and the MonoSpace R9, which uses the MX20 motor.

United States and Canada[]

In the United States and Canada, Kone sells the MonoSpace 500^[11] and MonoSpace 700^[12]. The MonoSpace 500 was introduced to the U.S. and Canada in 2016^[13]. There is also a version of MonoSpace for existing buildings for the North American market called MonoSpace 500 EB^[14].

Asia Pacific[]

In Asia Pacific, Africa and Middle East, Kone initially sold the MonoSpace 3000 and MonoSpace 3000S, the latter was a variant of MonoSpace 3000 with extended specifications catered for large and demanding buildings. In the 2010s, Kone introduced three different MonoSpace variants for the Asia Pacific markets; these were E MonoSpace, N MonoSpace and S MonoSpace. E MonoSpace (E stands for "Economical") is the cost effective type primarily for low rise residential buildings. It is not sold in Africa and Middle East. N MonoSpace (N stands for "New") is a mid range type for low to mid rise buildings with moderate traffic. The highest type, the S MonoSpace (S stands for "Special") is for buildings with high traffic. Usually, the S and N MonoSpaces can be differentiated by the EcoDisc used: N MonoSpaces use an NMX series motor, while S MonoSpaces use a newer revision of the MX 20 motor. The N and S MonoSpace are successors of the MonoSpace 3000 and MonoSpace 3000S, respectively.

In India, the MonoSpace series sold there are A MonoSpace, U MonoSpace and I MonoSpace.

In 2021, the "classic" E/N/S MonoSpace variants were replaced with the E/N/S MonoSpace DX variants which are part of the Kone DX Class elevator series. In terms of application, they are still the same as the "classic" E/N/S variants.

Specs[]

Europe[]

Machine room less gearless traction
Equipped with Kone EcoDisc hoisting machine and LCE controller
Capacity:
- MonoSpace 300 (only sold in Finland): 630 kilograms or 8 persons only
- MonoSpace 300 DX: 320/400/450/480/525/630/800/1000 kg or 4/6/7/8/10 persons
- MonoSpace 500: Up to 1150 kilograms or 15 persons
- MonoSpace 500 DX: 320/400/450/480/525/630/680/800/900/1000/1150 kg or 4/5/6/7/8/9/10/12/13/15 persons
  - Capacity lower than 8 persons and 630 kg are only available with the two speed telescopic opening doors configuration
- MonoSpace 700: Up to 2500 kilograms or 33 persons
- MonoSpace 700 DX: 630/900/1000/1150/1275/1350/1600/2000/2275/2500 kg or 8/12/13/15/17/18/21/26/30/33 persons
  - 30-33 persons capacity only available with the two speed telescopic opening doors configuration with the speed of 1 or 1.6 m/s.
Speed:
- MonoSpace 300 and 300 DX: 1 m/s only
- MonoSpace 500 and 500 DX: 1, 1.6, 1.75 m/s
- MonoSpace 700 and 700 DX: 1, 1.6, 1.75, 2, 2.5 m/s
Maximum travel height of 35 (for MonoSpace 300 [only sold in Finland] only), 40 (for MonoSpace 300 DX), 70 (for MonoSpace 500), 90 (for MonoSpace 700) and 100 (for MonoSpace 700 DX) meters
Serves up to 14 (for MonoSpace 300 [only sold in Finland] only and MonoSpace 300 DX), 24 (for MonoSpace 500) and 36 (for MonoSpace 700) floors
Up to 4 (for MonoSpace 500) and 6 (for MonoSpace 700) elevators in one group
Various KSS fixtures (KSS 370 fixtures for MonoSpace 300 [only sold in Finland] only)
- MonoSpace 500/700 DX: KSS-140/280/700/D fixtures
Can have two entrances
Center or two speed telescopic opening doors (two speed telescopic opening doors only for MonoSpace 300 [only sold in Finland] and MonoSpace 700 DX), usually powered by AMD door operator (supplied by Wittur Group but branded as Kone).
Can be combined with Kone Destination (formerly Polaris) as an option

Asia Pacific[]

Machine room less gearless traction
Equipped with Kone EcoDisc hoisting machine and LCE controller
Capacity:
- MonoSpace 3000 (discontinued): 450/630/800/900/1000 kilograms or 6/8/10/12/13 persons
- MonoSpace 3000S (discontinued): 630/800/900/1000/1150/1275/1350/1450/1500/1600/1800/2000 kilograms or 8/10/12/13/15/17/18/19/20/21/24/26 persons
- E MonoSpace: 630/800/1000 kilograms or 8/10/13 persons
- N MonoSpace: 320/400/450/630/800/900/1000/1150/1200/1275/1350/1600 kilograms or 4/5/6/8/10/12/13/15/16/17/18/21 persons^[15]
- S MonoSpace: 1000/1150/1200/1275/1350/1450/1500/1600/1800/2000/2500 kilograms or 13/15/16/17/18/19/20/21/24/26/33 persons
Speed:
- MonoSpace 3000 and 3000S (discontinued): 1/1.6 meters per second
- E MonoSpace: 1/1.6/1.75 meters per second
- N MonoSpace: 1/1.6/1.75 meters per second
- S MonoSpace: Up to 3 meters per second
Maximum travel height:
- MonoSpace 3000 (discontinued): 40 meters
- MonoSpace 3000S (discontinued): 70 meters
- E MonoSpace: 55 meters
- N and S MonoSpace: 90 meters
Serves up to 18 (for E MonoSpace) and 36 (for N and S MonoSpace) floors
Up to 3 (for MonoSpace 3000), 4 (for MonoSpace 3000S and N MonoSpace) and 6 (for later MonoSpace) elevators in one group
Fixtures (other fixtures such as Dewhurst available on custom order):
- KDS 50 (to be discontinued in 2020)
- KDS 300 (to be discontinued in 2020)
- KDS 330 (available since 2015)
- KDS 220 (available since 2016)
- KDS Design
- K-Delta (for 3000 MonoSpace and 3000S MonoSpace only)
Can have two entrances
Door types:
- Center opening (2 panels)
- Two speed telescopic side opening (2 panels)
- Two speed telescopic center opening (4 panels), for N and S MonoSpace only
- AMD door operator made by Wittur Group, but branded as Kone
Can be combined with Kone Destination (formerly Polaris) as an option

United States[]

Machine room less gearless traction
Equipped with EcoDisc hoisting machine and LCE controller
2000-5000 lbs. capacities
200-500 FPM (or 1-2.45 m/s) speeds
300 ft. (or 91.4 m, 290 ft. or 88.3 m for California) travel height
Serves up to 27 floors
Series 220 and Delta, KSS 300, 370, 500, 600 and possibly Design (discontinued), KSS 140 and 570 fixtures, Innovation fixtures on custom order
Can have two entrances
Single, center or two speed telescopic opening doors, usually powered by AMD door operator (supplied by Wittur Group but branded as Kone).
Can be combined with Kone Destination (formerly Polaris) as an option

Benefits[]

Saves building space, as the EcoDisc motor and all equipment are above shaft pit.
Uses no oil, therefore reduce the risk of oil spills and fire.
Saves building electricity up to 30-40% (compared to hydraulic elevators).
No vibration, therefore creates a smooth ride (if the landlord takes proper maintenance).

Detriments[]

Loud high frequency sounding when the elevator is running (because the Variable Voltage Variable Frequency (VVVF) drive).^[16]
Loud motor brake sounding when the motor start and stop^[17] (because the motor brake active and release)
Life expectancy is shorter (especially in the United States) compared to old elevators.
Equipment can be harder to maintain.

Notable installations[]

Main article: List of notable Kone MonoSpace elevator installations

Trivia[]

The Kone Polaris (now known as Kone Destination) destination dispatch elevator systam can also be in part of the MonoSpace elevators.
As part of their strategic alliance with Toshiba, Kone supplied and installed several Kone MonoSpace elevators for Line 12 of the Toei Subway Oedo Line in Tokyo, Japan in 1998. However, some of them have been replaced into Mitsubishi AXIEZ elevators in the 2010s.
Some elevator enthusiasts mistakenly refers the name EcoDisc as the elevator model (instead of MonoSpace or EcoSpace), while in fact EcoDisc is actually the name of the hoisting machine.
When Kone MonoSpace was introduced in the Netherlands in the late 1990s, it was initially called "Kone Greenstar".
In June 2005, Kone installed their 100.000th MonoSpace elevator at the National Grand Theater in Beijing, China. In April 2008, the 200.000th Kone MonoSpace was installed.