Panoramic vacuum elevator shaft mechanism

Abstract

The present approach is in the field of vacuum (or pneumatic) elevators, in which the elevator cabin is operated in a vertically oriented or vertically inclined enclosed elevator shaft by air pressure differentials above and below the elevator cabin. Such an approach does not require the ropes, pulleys, chains, gears, or hydraulic machinery previously used in conventional elevator systems. More specifically, the present approach is in the field of panoramic vacuum elevators, in which the elevator hoistway is made from panoramic glass panels that extend from floor to ceiling on all floors, and in which this type of elevator does not include the metal construction structures - frames, mesh, guides, or rails - previously used in all conventional elevator products.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This approach is in the field of elevators for carrying people, animals, and objects in an elevator cabin within a vertically oriented or vertically inclined elevator shaft. More specifically, this approach is in the field of vacuum elevators where the elevator cabin is operated within a sealed elevator shaft that is vertically oriented or vertically inclined due to the air pressure difference above and below the elevator cabin.

Background Art

[0002] The approaches described in this section are approaches that can be pursued, but are not necessarily approaches that have been previously devised or pursued. Thus, unless otherwise specified, none of the approaches described in this section should be assumed to be eligible as prior art solely for the reason that they are included in this section.

[0003] Existing elevator designs vary depending on the operating method and are subject to significant limitations.

[0004] Traction elevators are the most common type of elevator, where the cabin is lifted and lowered by a traction steel rope or belt on a pulley system. Due to the concrete shaft, rails, guides, and counterweight, traction elevators are not space - efficient - traction elevators occupy a large installation area and usually require a separate machine room above the elevator shaft. In addition, traction elevators are costly to install and maintain, have a large installation area, high installation and maintenance costs, and are accompanied by carcinogenic substances in a large amount of lubricating oil, posing a health risk, so they are not suitable for low - rise buildings or private installations in residential houses or small offices. In the design of a traction elevator, counterweights are used to offset the mass of the cabin and its occupants. Because of this design, the motor does not need to move such a large mass. There are two types of traction elevators: geared and gearless. In a geared elevator, the motor that drives the wheels and moves the rope is mounted in a gearbox. Geared systems can reach speeds of up to 500 feet / min (approximately 152 m / min). These models will be in the middle range in terms of initial investment, maintenance costs, and energy consumption. In a gearless traction elevator, the sheave is directly attached to the end of the motor. This model can reach speeds of up to 2,000 feet / min (approximately 610 m / min). This model has a higher initial investment and average maintenance costs. However, gearless traction elevators are more energy-efficient than geared traction elevators. Traction elevators are ideal for high-rise buildings where a large overhead footprint and high installation and maintenance costs are acceptable, and where ventilation shafts are located outside the living space.

[0005] Hydraulic elevators do not use overhead hoisting devices. Instead, these elevators lift the cabin using hydraulically driven pistons mounted inside cylinders. This hydraulic fluid is conventionally a synthetic oil system, which creates an environmental burden at the installation site. Hydraulic elevators have limitations such as being suitable for low-rise buildings, slow speeds, high installation and maintenance costs, high energy costs, and a high environmental impact, making them unsuitable for installation in private homes. Because hydraulic elevators operate at slow speeds—typically 150 feet / minute (approximately 46 m / minute) or less—they are commonly found in buildings up to five stories high. Furthermore, the structure of the hydraulic cylinders and pistons imposes technical constraints that prevent them from being extended in height, which is another reason for the height limitations of hydraulic elevators. In addition, hydraulic elevators consume more power than other types of elevators. There are three types of hydraulic elevators: perforated, non-perforated, and rope-operated. Perforated hydraulic elevators have hydraulic cylinders located inside a drilled hole and can travel up to 60 feet (approximately 18 meters). Non-perforated hydraulic elevators do not require a drilled hole, making them ideal for existing buildings or areas where excavation would be too difficult or expensive. Non-perforated elevators should not be installed where travel beyond 40 feet (approximately 12 meters) is required. Rope-operated hydraulic elevators use a combination of ropes and pistons to move the elevator, with a maximum travel distance of approximately 60 feet (approximately 18 meters).

[0006] Machine-room-less (MRL) elevators are traction elevators that do not have a dedicated machine room above the elevator shaft. The machinery is located in the override space and is accessed from the top of the elevator cabin when maintenance or repairs are needed. Due to their environmental impact, relatively high noise levels, large footprint, and moderate to very high installation and maintenance costs, MRL elevators are not well-suited for use in private homes or single-family residences. The control box is located in a control room adjacent to the elevator shaft. MRL elevators have a maximum travel distance of 250 feet (approximately 76 m) and can travel at a maximum speed of 500 feet / minute (approximately 152 m / minute). The initial and maintenance costs of MRL elevators are comparable to those of geared traction elevators, but the power consumption of MRL elevators is relatively lower than that of geared elevators. For mid-rise buildings with a maximum travel distance of 250 feet (approximately 76 m), machine-room-less elevators are becoming the mainstream. MRL elevators are highly energy-efficient, require less installation space, and offer operation and reliability comparable to gearless traction elevators. The main reason for the slow adoption of MRL elevators in the United States is that building codes prohibit the installation of motors within the hoistway.

[0007] Shaftless elevators are small residential elevators designed to fit two-story homes, minimizing installation disruption. They are a good alternative to stairlifts and shaft-type elevators. Shaftless elevators have many limitations, including safety concerns. Because of the risk of injury from potential limb amputation and the danger of falling due to the "open" shaft structure, these elevators are only permitted to travel one floor at a time. Therefore, shaftless elevators are equipped with numerous sensors that stop the cabin movement if it encounters an obstacle during ascent or descent. For safety reasons, this structure employs constant-pressure control, allowing the cabin to continue moving by a person holding down the elevator call button or destination floor button. In addition, this type of elevator is noisy, has a high environmental impact, and high maintenance costs. As the name suggests, this type of elevator has no shaft; the elevator rails / guides are exposed, and the cabin moves up and down along these rails in an "open" structure. The motor is installed above the elevator cabin and uses ropes / cables to pull the cabin up and down.

[0008] A pneumatic elevator uses a partial vacuum in the "shaft" above the cabin to move the cabin up and down within the sealed elevator shaft. Due to technical limitations, pneumatic elevators are slow and have a low load capacity, typically only able to lift small loads (up to 500 pounds (approximately 227 kg) in the largest models), which significantly restricts their installation. Another drawback of pneumatic elevators is the use of acrylic resin material for the shaft—a material that wears down, scratches, and thins over time due to friction with the cabin's vacuum seal. Among several drawbacks, the cylindrical shape of the shaft makes it bulky and practically impossible to retrofit when carrying wheelchairs in a private home environment. Finally, due to its high noise level, this unique type of elevator is by no means a desirable choice for installation in private homes. In pneumatic elevator designs, valves located above the "shaft" are closed in conjunction with diaphragms or pistons used as "brakes" to maintain the cabin at the same elevation level. These "brakes" are also used if the pressure at the top of the cabin rises rapidly. When descending, the design of a pneumatic elevator uses valves to pressurize the "shaft" with air, allowing the cabin to descend under its own weight. In the event of a power outage, the cabin will automatically and slowly descend to the first floor. The ride is not smooth and is quite "up and down"—for example, in order for the cabin to descend, it must first rise slightly to allow the brake piston to retract, and only then can the cabin descend by reducing the vacuum or introducing outside air into the "shaft," allowing the cabin to descend under its own weight. The same "up and down" motion is seen when ascending—if it needs to stop at a certain floor, it first rises slightly above the floor to retract the brake piston, and then descends to the floor, coming to a stop with the retracted piston. Due to technical constraints in the design of the pneumatic elevator, the "shaft" is made from acrylic resin material and is circular in shape. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The shortcomings of existing solutions that this approach seeks to overcome can be summarized as follows: - Poor design. Elevators typically evoke clunky-chunky structures that carry loads of concrete and heavy metal. While these elements may seem necessary at first glance, the core structure of elevators has remained unchanged for over 100 years, and a major transformation is needed in both technology and aesthetic design. In fact, the technical approaches traditionally used in elevators over the years have imposed certain constraints on the size, shape, materials used, and aesthetics of elevators, posing a significant challenge to aesthetics. As a result, elevators in private homes are usually concealed to hide unsightly structural elements such as rails, guides, chains, ropes, counterweights, pulleys, and gears. Thus, existing elevator systems have made elevators an expensive item on the buyer's budget, seen as a "necessary" solution for high-rise living for the handicapped, disabled, and impaired. -Unsafe. There is a risk of free fall if the ropes or cables break, and this system relies on an emergency brake that activates when the cable breaks. Since the emergency brake engages with the rails, this braking mechanism requires that the rails are always present in the structure. Similarly, if the vacuum is lost in a pneumatic elevator, there is a risk of free fall. The safety issue is that in most existing elevator designs, the safety function often relies on a single essential mechanism, such as a brake engaging with rails, and if something malfunctions, a major safety hazard arises. Implementing double or triple safety measures for a single function is generally considered costly. As a result, frequent maintenance is required, such as mandating the regular replacement of safety components (e.g., cables, ropes, brakes) to ensure that the safety function is always working, increasing maintenance costs. In the case of pneumatic elevators, malfunctions in electronics or valve control mechanisms can also pose a risk of free fall. Furthermore, shaftless elevators, due to their open structure, pose a significant risk of injury to children and limb injuries. - Health hazards. Most elevators heavily utilize chemical oils to lubricate moving metal parts such as gearboxes, rails, and guides. In addition, hydraulic elevators use special synthetic hydraulic fluids. All of these oils contain carcinogens and produce unpleasant fumes that create an undesirable oily smell in people's lives. If installed in a shared space with a well-ventilated shaft (which is the mainstream implementation these days), this is not a major problem. However, if installed in private homes or confined spaces, residents will be exposed to harmful fumes and suffer health problems. - Bulky. Existing elevators have a large footprint. Traction, hydraulic, and MRL elevators require space for a concrete shaft, rails and guides, a sliding door mechanism within the shaft, and counterweights, so the shaft's footprint far exceeds that of the cabin. In fact, traction, hydraulic, and MRL elevators occupy 3 to 5 times the footprint of the cabin, making them "very bulky." Pneumatic elevators are cylindrical in shape and arrive pre-assembled, making them difficult to install. This type of elevator also occupies a considerably larger footprint than the cabin. For example, a wheelchair-accessible pneumatic elevator has a diameter of 5 feet (approximately 1.5 m) or more, which is unlikely to fit through any house door and becomes a critical problem for retrofitting. On the other hand, shaftless elevators have the smallest footprint, but are limited to single-floor travel and pose significant safety concerns. Bulky solutions have serious drawbacks when installing elevators in existing homes, and retrofitting elevator solutions can be prohibitively expensive. - Noise is generated. The noise from the operating motor, pulleys, guides, chains, and, in the case of pneumatic elevators, the loud noise from the air compressor becomes an extra problem when considering the installation of elevators in private homes or apartments. - Slow speed. All home elevators are extremely slow, moving at a speed of 5-8 inches (approximately 13-20 cm) per second. Faster solutions usually involve bulkier and more expensive alternatives. - High energy costs. Due to friction in the gearboxes, pulleys, rails, and guides of existing systems on the market, elevators use a considerable amount of electricity to overcome friction, making the entire system energy inefficient. - They are expensive. Due to the heavy metal structure such as rails and guides, gearboxes, concrete shafts, and lengthy installation, modern elevators incur high production and installation costs. In addition, frequent maintenance and replacement of consumable parts increase maintenance costs, making the overall cost of elevator installation and maintenance exorbitant. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The techniques described in this specification for this approach overcome the shortcomings outlined earlier. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] The approach described herein will be better understood by referring to the attached drawings, and its numerous features and advantages will be obvious to those skilled in the art. For ease of understanding and simplification, a common numbering system for elements in drawings is adopted where elements with the same number are the same in different drawings.

[0012] The drawings listed below should be considered illustrative, not restrictive. Each drawing depicts one or more embodiments of the invention and does not in any way limit the scope of the invention. The sole and exclusive indicator of the scope of the invention, and what the applicant intends to be the scope of the invention, is the literal and equivalent scope of the set of claims issued in this application, such claims as issued in specific forms, including subsequent modifications. [Figure 1] Front, side, and rear views of a two-story Blissera Elevator system in one embodiment. [Figure 2] A perspective view of a two-story Blissera Elevator system in operation, according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] Upper front perspective view and lower rear perspective view of a two-story elevator shaft in an embodiment [Figure 4] Front view and side view of a two-story elevator shaft in an embodiment [Figure 5] Top view and bottom view of an elevator shaft in an embodiment [Figure 6] Front enlarged perspective view of the elevator shaft belt connection part in an embodiment [Figure 7] Exploded view of an elevator shaft in an embodiment [Figure 8] Front view and side view of an elevator shaft foundation in an embodiment [Figure 9] Bottom view of an elevator shaft foundation in an embodiment [Figure 10] Top view of an elevator shaft foundation in an embodiment [Figure 11] Upper perspective view of an elevator shaft foundation in an embodiment [Figure 12] Exploded perspective view of an elevator shaft foundation in an embodiment [Figure 13] Perspective view of an outer enclosure of an elevator shaft foundation in an embodiment [Figure 14] Exploded view of an outer enclosure of an elevator shaft foundation in an embodiment [Figure 15] Perspective view of a base of an elevator shaft foundation in an embodiment [Figure 16] Exploded view of a base of an elevator shaft foundation in an embodiment [Figure 17] Cross-sectional views of the upper and lower profiles of a foundation frame in an embodiment [Figure 18] Front view and side view of an elevator shaft foundation frame in an embodiment [Figure 19] Bottom view of an elevator shaft foundation frame in an embodiment [Figure 20] Top view of an elevator shaft foundation frame in an embodiment [Figure 21] Perspective view of an elevator shaft foundation frame in an embodiment [Figure 22] Exploded perspective view of the elevator shaft foundation frame in one embodiment. [Figure 23] Cross-sectional view of the profile of the elevator shaft edge frame in one embodiment. [Figure 24] Cross-sectional view of the rear profile of the base frame in one embodiment. [Figure 25] Front view and side view of the elevator shaft foundation grille frame in one embodiment. [Figure 26] Bottom view of the elevator shaft foundation grille frame in one embodiment. [Figure 27] Top view of the elevator shaft foundation grill frame in one embodiment [Figure 28] Enlarged fragment view of the elevator shaft foundation grille frame in one embodiment. [Figure 29] Perspective view of the elevator shaft foundation grille frame in one embodiment. [Figure 30] Front view and side view of the elevator shaft in one embodiment. [Figure 31] Bottom view of the elevator shaft in one embodiment. [Figure 32] Top view of the elevator shaft in one embodiment [Figure 33] Front perspective view of the elevator shaft in one embodiment. [Figure 34] Exploded view of the elevator shaft in one embodiment. [Figure 35] A top view of a hoistway door in the closed position in one embodiment. [Figure 36] Top view of an elevator door in the open position in one embodiment. [Figure 37] Perspective view and exploded view of the elevator shaft body in one embodiment. [Figure 38] A diagram showing the glass panel connection portion at the rear corner of the elevator shaft body in one embodiment. [Figure 39] A perspective view of the front corner of the elevator shaft in one embodiment. [Figure 40]Front view and side view of the elevator shaft entrance frame in one embodiment. [Figure 41] Exploded front view of the elevator shaft entrance frame in one embodiment. [Figure 42] Top view and bottom view of the elevator shaft entrance / exit frame in one embodiment. [Figure 43] A diagram showing the upper and lower edges of the entrance frame of a hoistway door in one embodiment. [Figure 44] Front view of the intermediate edge connection portion of the elevator shaft door in one embodiment. [Figure 45] Rear perspective view of the entrance frame at the upper edge of the elevator shaft door in one embodiment. [Figure 46] Cross-sectional view of an inlet / outlet frame gasket in one embodiment. [Figure 47] Deconstructed rear view of the entrance / exit frame in one embodiment. [Figure 48] A perspective view of the door hinge on the frame side of the elevator shaft entrance frame in one embodiment. [Figure 49] A diagram showing the hinge connection portion of the elevator shaft entrance frame with and without a vacuum seal in one embodiment. [Figure 50] Exploded view of the side door hinge of the elevator shaft entrance frame in one embodiment. [Figure 51] A diagram showing the connection portion of the side hinge of the elevator shaft entrance frame to the upper hinge of the elevator shaft door in one embodiment. [Figure 52] A diagram showing the side hinges of the elevator shaft entrance frame together with the intermediate door hinges of the elevator shaft in one embodiment. [Figure 53] A diagram showing the hinge of the hoistway entrance frame together with the door hinge including the housing of a call button in one embodiment. [Figure 54] A diagram showing the lower hinge of the elevator shaft door and the side hinge of the elevator shaft entrance frame in one embodiment. [Figure 55] Top view, front view, bottom view, and side view of the front panel in one embodiment. [Figure 56] Front perspective view of the front panel in one embodiment. [Figure 57] Rear perspective view of the front panel in one embodiment. [Figure 58] Front exploded perspective view of the front panel in one embodiment. [Figure 59] Front perspective view of the upper corner of the front panel in one embodiment. [Figure 60] A front enlarged perspective view of the lower edge of the front panel in one embodiment. [Figure 61] A rear enlarged perspective view of the lower edge of the front panel in one embodiment. [Figure 62] A front enlarged perspective view of the upper edge of the front panel in one embodiment. [Figure 63] Disassembled cross-sectional view of the connection between the entrance frame and the front panel. [Figure 64] Exploded perspective view of the connection between the entrance frame and the front panel in one embodiment. [Figure 65] Cross-sectional view of the connection between the entrance frame and the front panel in one embodiment. [Figure 66] Cross-sectional view of the connection between the entrance / exit frame and the elevator shaft door in one embodiment. [Figure 67] Intermediate side view, rear view, and hinge side view of a hoistway door in one embodiment. [Figure 68] Top view, front view, and bottom view of a hoistway door in one embodiment. [Figure 69] Front perspective view of the lower edge of the elevator shaft door in one embodiment. [Figure 70] Front exploded view of a hoistway door in one embodiment. [Figure 71] Exploded perspective view of the lower and upper edges of the elevator shaft door in one embodiment. [Figure 72] Rear perspective view of the lower edge of the elevator shaft door in one embodiment. [Figure 73] Rear exploded view of a hoistway door in one embodiment. [Figure 74]Front and rear upper exploded views of the upper hinge of the elevator shaft door in one embodiment. [Figure 75] A front exploded view of the upper and bottom of the upper hinge of the elevator shaft door in one embodiment. [Figure 76] Front and rear exploded views of the lower hinge of the elevator shaft door in one embodiment. [Figure 77] Perspective view of an intermediate hinge of a hoistway door in one embodiment. [Figure 78] Perspective view of an intermediate hinge of an elevator shaft door including a call button housing in one embodiment. [Figure 79] Bottom perspective view of the intermediate hinge of an elevator shaft door in one embodiment. [Figure 80] A perspective view of a hoistway belt connected to a hoistway base in one embodiment. [Figure 81] Front view and side view of the elevator belt in one embodiment. [Figure 82] Front perspective view of an optional elevator belt at the upper floor level in one embodiment. [Figure 83] Top view of the elevator belt in one embodiment [Figure 84] Front perspective view of an optional elevator belt at the foundation level in one embodiment. [Figure 85] Front exploded view of the elevator belt in one embodiment. [Figure 86] Various enlarged views of the connection portion at the rear corner of the elevator shaft belt in one embodiment. [Figure 87] Inner views of the front and rear corners of the elevator belt in one embodiment. [Figure 88] Front and rear perspective views of the elevator shaft belt. [Figure 89] Cross-sectional view of the elevator shaft belt and elevator shaft glass panel in one embodiment. [Figure 90] Various diagrams of the front corners of the elevator belt in one embodiment. [Figure 91] Front view of the elevator shaft base body in one embodiment. [Figure 92] Rear view of the elevator shaft base body in one embodiment. [Figure 93] Top view of the elevator shaft base body in one embodiment [Figure 94] Bottom view of the elevator shaft base body in one embodiment. [Figure 95] Front perspective view of the elevator shaft base body in one embodiment. [Figure 96] Rear perspective view of the elevator shaft base body in one embodiment. [Figure 97] Front exploded perspective view of the elevator shaft base body in one embodiment. [Figure 98] Rear exploded perspective view of the elevator shaft base body in one embodiment. [Figure 99] Side view of the elevator shaft base body in one embodiment. [Figure 100] Cross-sectional view of the elevator shaft base body and side cover in one embodiment. [Figure 101] Front enlarged perspective view of the elevator shaft base body in one embodiment. [Figure 102] Exploded perspective view of the elevator shaft base body in one embodiment. [Figure 103] Enlarged perspective view and cross-sectional view of the upper cover of the elevator shaft base in one embodiment. [Figure 104] Front view and side view of the machine room (MR) in one embodiment [Figure 105] Bottom view of MR in one embodiment [Figure 106] Top view of MR in one embodiment [Figure 107] Top and bottom perspective views of the MR in one embodiment [Figure 108] Perspective view of an MR enclosure in one embodiment [Figure 109] Exploded view of the MR enclosure in one embodiment. [Figure 110] A perspective view of an MR with an exposed MR electronic device in one embodiment. [Figure 111] Perspective view of an MR electronic device in one embodiment. [Figure 112] A perspective view of an MR with an exposed vacuum chamber in one embodiment. [Figure 113] Perspective view of the MR vacuum chamber and air filter in one embodiment. [Figure 114] Front view and side view of the MR vacuum chamber in one embodiment. [Figure 115] Perspective view of an MR vacuum chamber in one embodiment. [Figure 116] Exploded view of an MR vacuum chamber in one embodiment. [Figure 117] A perspective view of an exposed vacuum compressor and exhaust pipe in one embodiment. [Figure 118] Perspective view of the exhaust pipe in one embodiment. [Figure 119] Exploded perspective view of the exhaust pipe in one embodiment. [Figure 120] Exploded perspective view of the central passage of the exhaust pipe in one embodiment. [Figure 121] Exploded view and perspective view of an exhaust pipe air pocket in one embodiment. [Figure 122] Various diagrams of an MR vacuum compressor having an MR exhaust pipe flange (example) in one embodiment. [Figure 123] Various diagrams of an MR vacuum compressor (example) in one embodiment. [Figure 124] Perspective view and exploded view of the MR exhaust pipe flange in one embodiment. [Figure 125] Perspective view of the exposed MR compressor frame in one embodiment. [Figure 126] Exploded view of the MR compressor frame and MR base frame in one embodiment. [Figure 127] Perspective view of the MR edge frame, MR base frame, and emergency brake in one embodiment. [Figure 128] Diagram of MR edge frame profile in one embodiment [Figure 129]A diagram showing the connection of the MR edge frame to the MR base frame and the elevator shaft body in one embodiment. [Figure 130] Front view and side view of the MR base frame in one embodiment. [Figure 131] Bottom view of the MR base frame in one embodiment. [Figure 132] Top view of the MR base frame in one embodiment [Figure 133] Exploded view of the MR base frame in one embodiment. [Figure 134] Front view and side view of the exhaust grille in one embodiment [Figure 135] Top view and bottom view of the exhaust grille in one embodiment [Figure 136] Bottom perspective view of the exhaust grille in one embodiment. [Figure 137] A diagram of an exhaust grille fragment in one embodiment. [Figure 138] Diagram of a profile used in the construction of the elevator shaft foundation, main body, and head in one embodiment. [Figure 139] Diagram of the profile used in the construction of the elevator shaft door, hinges, and front panel in one embodiment. [Figure 140] Diagram of a profile used in the construction of an elevator belt in one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] In the following description, numerous specific details are given for illustrative purposes to provide a complete understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent that the invention can be implemented without these specific details. In other examples, structures and devices are shown in the form of block diagrams to avoid unnecessarily complicating the invention.

[0014] This approach includes a panoramic vacuum elevator system for transporting people, animals, and goods in a vertically or vertically inclined elevator shaft, in which large tempered glass panels are used as the main structural elements of the elevator shaft and elevator cabin.

[0015] In contrast to the conventional use of glass panels, where glass is used as a filler in structural metal frame skeletons, the glass panels in this technology are the primary structural elements of the panoramic vacuum elevator system, and in some embodiments, they form the "exoskeleton" of the system, supporting the mass of the entire structure.

[0016] When used in elevator shaft structures, in one embodiment the glass panels are manufactured from an aluminum alloy and securely hold the glass panels together, resisting the implosion force of atmospheric pressure when the pressure inside the shaft is low, and resisting the explosive force when the pressure inside the shaft is high, if any, and thus, in one embodiment, are stacked on top of an "elevator belt" assembly that forms a robust structural assembly.

[0017] The combination of the hoistway belt and the single-story glass panel assembly forms, in one embodiment, a single-story elevator shaft assembly having a smooth surface inside the elevator shaft assembly. In one embodiment, this exemplary single-story elevator shaft assembly is "located" above the "hoistway belt" and has an entrance on one side from which people, animals, and objects can enter and exit the elevator cabin.

[0018] Multiple single-story elevator shaft assemblies (also referred to here as “hoistway sections” or “shaft sections”) are stacked on top of each other, and in one embodiment, multiple floor assemblies have entrances and exits at each floor level, forming an elevator shaft with a uniform (and / or flat) surface inside the hoistway for a smooth cabin ride and proper vacuum operation. For example, a uniform, smooth, flat, or uniformly smooth / flat surface (vertically) with respect to any part of the inner surface of the hoistway may be determined by the ground-vertical projection of all inward points of the surface with respect to the part that forms a closed contour of the hoistway, or at least a part thereof, while the width of the contour (part) is limited to the tolerance of hoistway shaft dimensional variation.

[0019] The elevator shaft belts on each floor are horizontal to the floor surface and fixed to the floor, stabilizing the entire structure. In one embodiment, the elevator shaft belts are within the thickness of the floor, so that the glass panels appear to extend from floor to ceiling.

[0020] In one embodiment, the entire structure rests on a plurality of pins that are freely provided on the foundation frame. Therefore, in this embodiment, the entire structure is separated from the elevator shaft foundation 100, and the system can withstand earthquake tremors and shocks.

[0021] The walls of the elevator cabin are also made of tempered glass and, in one embodiment, are fixed to the floor and the upper part (ceiling) of the cabin, supporting the mass of the cabin along with the cargo.

[0022] The glass cabin slides within a glass elevator shaft, and in one embodiment, it is supported by a vacuum force created by low air pressure above the cabin, while the high atmospheric pressure below the cabin overcomes the gravitational force acting on the cabin and its cargo, pushing the cabin upward.

[0023] The low air pressure above the cabin is created by a high-volume compressor that "sucks" air from the elevator shaft above the cabin, creating a sufficient air pressure difference between the upper and lower shafts of the cabin to push the cabin upwards.

[0024] The advantages of a glass vacuum elevator system compared to other existing solutions include the following: - Installation and maintenance are easier because the elevator system does not require the incorporation of rails, guides, hydraulics, ropes, belts, pulleys, gears, chains, or counterweights. - Large, translucent glass panels offer a significant aesthetic advantage, as they blend seamlessly with virtually any interior, even when placed in the middle of a room. - The structure is extremely compact, requiring several times less footprint compared to other existing solutions. - It offers higher safety compared to conventional elevator models. In particular, it is safe for children and is resistant to falls, fire, impact, shattering, and power outages. - Because inexpensive materials are used, manufacturing costs are low. - The parts are not bulky, which is advantageous for transportation and assembly. - With fewer wear parts and no need for lubrication, maintenance costs are low. - Environmentally friendly, requires no lubricants, and is fully recyclable after dismantling.

[0025] In one embodiment, the glass elevator shaft is a triangular elevator shaft comprising three large glass panels extending from floor to ceiling, and entrances in each single-story assembly. In this embodiment, a triangular cabin is installed in this elevator shaft.

[0026] In an alternative embodiment, the glass elevator shaft is a rectangular shaft comprising four large glass panels extending from floor to ceiling, with entrances in each single-story assembly. In this embodiment, a rectangular cabin is installed in this elevator shaft.

[0027] In an alternative embodiment, the glass elevator shaft is a pentagonal shaft including five large lath panels extending from floor to ceiling and entrances in each single-story assembly. In this embodiment, a pentagonal cabin is installed in this elevator shaft.

[0028] In an alternative embodiment, the glass elevator shaft may have a hexagonal shape, comprising six large glass panels extending from floor to ceiling on each level. Entrances may be located within two adjacent elevator shaft glass panels.

[0029] In another embodiment, the glass hoistway is octagonal in shape, containing eight large glass panels that extend from floor to ceiling on each level. This embodiment may be visualized as a rectangular hoistway, where the angular edges of the hoistway are "flattened" to form additional panels. These "angular flat edges" can reduce the width of the other "non-angular flat" edges of the hoistway. Such embodiments are useful for large elevator models where the width of the hoistway may be substantially wider than the opening of the hoistway door.

[0030] In another embodiment, the glass elevator shaft is cylindrical in shape with a straight vertical axis. In this embodiment, a cylindrical cabin is positioned within the cylindrical elevator shaft. This embodiment is more suitable for larger models that carry more people and heavier loads.

[0031] In another embodiment, the glass elevator shaft has an ellipsoidal shape with a straight vertical axis. In such an embodiment, the elliptical cabin is positioned within the elliptical elevator shaft, making it more suitable for larger models that transport large groups of people and heavy loads.

[0032] In another embodiment, the glass elevator shaft is horseshoe-shaped with a straight vertical axis. In this embodiment, an elliptical cabin with flattened sides is located inside an elliptical elevator shaft with flattened sides, making it more suitable for larger models that transport large groups of people and cargo.

[0033] As described in the previous embodiment, the approach described herein includes a number of different shapes for the elevator shaft and a number of different shapes for the cabin.

[0034] In an alternative embodiment, the elevator shaft and / or cabin includes multi-layer tempered glass panels, where multiple tempered glass panels are bonded together with a special adhesive to form a “safety glass” panel.

[0035] In another embodiment, one or more panels of the hoistway are made of frosted tempered glass to obscure the interior of the hoistway and / or cabin, according to the specific preferences of the elevator user. In an alternative embodiment, one or more panels of the hoistway are painted or covered with a translucent or opaque film to conceal the interior of the hoistway and / or cabin, according to the specific preferences of the elevator user.

[0036] In an alternative embodiment, one or more panels or components of the cabin are made of frosted glass to obscure the interior of the cabin for the preference and comfort of elevator users. In an alternative embodiment, one or more panels or components of the cabin are painted or covered with a translucent or opaque film to completely or partially conceal the interior of the cabin for the preference and comfort of elevator users.

[0037] In one embodiment, the vacuum compressor is located at the top of the elevator shaft, thereby forming a machine room (MR) at the top of the elevator shaft.

[0038] In an alternative embodiment, the vacuum compressor may be located remotely, isolated in an attic, roof, or other location, and a hoistway may be connected to the remote vacuum compressor via pipes for remote intake and exhaust.

[0039] An alternative embodiment of a glass vacuum elevator system includes a feedback pipe from the exhaust airflow of a compressor connected to the bottom of the hoistway to circulate air from the top to the bottom of the cabin. Such a system reduces pressure fluctuations on each glass panel compared to atmospheric pressure while maintaining the upper and lower pressure difference of the cabin required for normal lifting operation. For example, in such a system, the hoistway glass may have reduced thickness because the hoistway glass panels are exposed to a portion (e.g., half) of the air pressure fluctuations in relation to the atmosphere. This embodiment may include a complex structure for the hoistway door because such a door needs to withstand both inward and outward pressures at any given time.

[0040] In one embodiment, additional mechanisms such as lighting, ventilation systems, and voice communication are incorporated into the cabin roof.

[0041] In an alternative embodiment, the cabin roof is made of translucent glass and has a thin frame around its edge. For example, this embodiment and others may leave little or no space for mechanisms such as a ventilation system. For this purpose, a ventilation device may be installed under the cabin floor, with intake vents in the floor surface, pushing outside and surrounding air into the hoistway through underfloor air slits. By drawing air out of the cabin in this way and slightly increasing the air pressure outside and around the cabin, in one embodiment, air flows into the cabin through air slits in the ridge frame, and as a result, air flows in from the cabin roof. In this embodiment, there may be no visible means such as ventilation devices or pipes that can guide the air inflow, but a constant airflow of the cabin ventilation system is provided as air flows from the cabin roof. In such embodiments, upper and lower cabin seals ensure a constant air pressure outside and around the cabin for the ventilation system to function.

[0042] In one embodiment, the cabin has an embedded docking mechanism that allows the cabin to dock to a desired floor by a self-inducting, retractable pin extending from the cabin floor and docking to the elevator shaft after the cabin has reached the desired floor. After docking, the vacuum compressor stops, thus keeping the entire system in a low-energy standby mode and waiting for passengers. In another embodiment, the cabin includes a single docking mechanism, thus making one docking mechanism work for multiple floors. In this embodiment, the elevator shaft is significantly simpler to construct and has lower construction costs, although the cost of the cabin may be slightly higher.

[0043] In an alternative embodiment, the docking mechanism is implemented at each floor level within the elevator shaft rather than within the cabin, thus increasing the cost of the elevator shaft, but simplifying the cabin's operation and reducing costs.

[0044] In one embodiment, the cabin has separate retractable pins that mechanically open and close the cabin door and the hoistway door. The advantage of implementing the door opening and closing mechanism inside the cabin and operating it from the inside is that there is one door opening and closing mechanism that operates for multiple floors, without duplicating the door opening and closing mechanism for each floor. Furthermore, this is a safer approach because it eliminates the possibility of the hoistway door opening accidentally due to a malfunction of the electronic control when the cabin is unoccupied.

[0045] In an alternative embodiment, the door opening and closing mechanism is implemented at each floor level within the hoistway rather than inside the cabin, which could increase the cost of the hoistway and reduce the safety of the system.

[0046] At the level of the elevator shaft belt on each floor, there is an enclosed elevator shaft base. This elevator shaft base is attached to the elevator shaft belt on one end and to the floor of the living space on the other, thus fixing the elevator shaft to the house structure at each floor level.

[0047] The hoistway base is installed within the thickness of the floor and is covered with a special rigid, ribbed metal cover that serves as a passage / entrance to the cabin. Once this cover is removed, the interior of the hoistway base is exposed for servicing work on the hoistway base.

[0048] In one embodiment, the elevator shaft base includes one or more of the following mechanisms: - A sensor that detects the position of the cabin within the hoistway. - Receptacle for docking pins and electrical contacts for charging cabin batteries. - A spring chain mechanism for opening and closing doors, and sensors to detect obstacles in the passageway at the entrance and exit of the hoistway, as well as malfunctions of the spring chain mechanism (if any). - An up-and-down adjustment mechanism for adjusting the elevator shaft door for proper vacuum operation. - A locking mechanism that locks the elevator shaft door when the elevator cabin is unoccupied. - Electrical and electronic circuits that provide power for battery charging, sensor operation, and communication with the elevator shaft PLC control unit.

[0049] In one embodiment, the elevator shaft and cabin doors are opened and closed by a sliding operation, which involves them rolling on special rails. This embodiment is more suitable for circular or elliptical elevator shafts. Another advantage of this approach is that both the elevator shaft and cabin doors do not extend beyond the installation area of ​​the elevator shaft, adding further flexibility to space constraints at the cabin entrance.

[0050] In an alternative embodiment, the elevator shaft and cabin doors are opened and closed by a parallel swing, with a lever that keeps the door substantially parallel to its opening while it swings to open and close it. This embodiment is more suitable for hexagonal, octagonal, circular, and elliptical elevator shafts. This is less space-efficient than the sliding opening and closing mechanism described above.

[0051] In different embodiments, the elevator shaft and cabin doors open and close by a swinging motion on hinges. This embodiment is more suitable for rectangular, hexagonal, and octagonal elevator shafts, but may also be suitable for circular or elliptical elevator shafts.

[0052] In one embodiment, both the hoistway and the cabin have a single door. While this embodiment simplifies the structure of both the hoistway and the cabin, it may require extra clearance for the hoistway door due to the large swing of the single door. This embodiment would be a preferred choice for low-cost, compact models within a lineup of elevator products.

[0053] In an alternative embodiment, both the cabin and the hoistway have two doors. These two doors open with an outward swing (slide, parallel, or circular) and occupy less space compared to a single-door embodiment. This type of structure would be a preferred choice for higher-priced models in the premium (more luxurious) line of elevator products.

[0054] In one embodiment, the entrances and exits to the elevator shaft and cabin at each floor level face the same direction. In such an embodiment, people need to enter and exit the cabin from the same side at each floor level.

[0055] In alternative embodiments, entrances at each floor level may face different directions (entrances on different sides) depending on architectural requirements and the ergonomic layout of the living space.

[0056] For the implementation of rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, and elliptical elevator shafts, in embodiments where the entrances are on different sides, the cabin would need to have an additional set of doors and door mechanisms on the opposite side of the cabin—opposite to the first set of doors—in addition to the first set of doors. In this approach, a person can enter the cabin from one side and exit from the opposite side when needed. Such embodiments complicate the construction of the cabin and increase its cost, but they best accommodate architectural constraints and the need for living space when required.

[0057] In a circular hoistway, the cabin can accommodate embodiments where the entrances are on different sides by having a double, opposite-side door operating mechanism within the cabin. Alternatively, the circular cabin can have only a single door operating mechanism, allowing the cabin to rotate around the vertical axis of the hoistway and adjust its position as needed to align with the position of the hoistway door on the desired floor. This rotation of the cabin occurs during its vertical movement, and as a result, the cabin can confirm its position while undergoing a helical motion as it ascends or descends, positioning the cabin door at the entrance of the hoistway. In such embodiments, the rotation of the cabin is achieved by rubber wheels attached to the cabin and pressed against the circular hoistway shaft. The rotation of these rubber wheels in the horizontal plane causes the cabin to rotate horizontally. Precision electronics can control the amount of rotation the cabin needs to undergo to properly position itself on the desired floor.

[0058] In one embodiment, the hoistway is equipped with an upper valve located at the top of the hoistway, which can block the airflow and prevent air from escaping from or entering the hoistway at the top. Such a mechanism is required as an emergency brake as part of a safety mechanism that can stop the cabin in mid-air if a risk of falling is detected, such as a power outage during cabin operation or compressor failure due to physical damage and impeller failure (all resulting in a sudden loss of vacuum operation). Once the upper valve is activated, the cabin is supported by atmospheric pressure from below, immediately stopping its free fall and becoming "hanging" due to the lower air pressure at the top caused by the cabin's own weight (syringe effect). The upper valve may also be activated automatically if there is a malfunction in the lower floor door mechanism, door lock and seal that could impair vacuum operation or passenger safety, even if no imminent risk of falling is detected. Once the upper valve is shut off, the cabin quickly stops moving and slowly descends to the first floor due to the natural air leakage of the system.

[0059] In one embodiment, the upper valve is actuated by an electromagnetic lever powered by a rechargeable battery that operates with or without an external power source. In addition, or alternatively, as part of a safety mechanism, the upper valve may be actuated by automatic mechanical deployment if the electrical circuit is unable to intervene (failure of one of the following: electromagnetic lever, cabin accelerometer, control block, or backup battery supply). This mechanical deployment of the upper valve can function as a redundant safety mechanism to enhance the overall safety of the system.

[0060] In addition, or alternatively, the hoistway may be equipped with a lower valve located at the bottom of the shaft, which blocks the airflow and prevents air from escaping from or entering the hoistway at the bottom of the hoistway. Such a mechanism is part of the safety mechanism and activates when one or more safety risk factors are detected. In addition to the previously defined fall risk factors, for example, failure of the cabin's vacuum seal (vacuum seal), an unlikely scenario of partial failure of the upper part of the shaft resulting in a sudden loss of vacuum operation when the upper valve is insufficient to prevent air from escaping from the shaft can activate the described safety mechanism. Once the lower valve is blocked, the cabin quickly stops moving, supported by air pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure below the cabin, and slowly descends to the first floor due to the natural leakage of air from the system. In other words, the cabin is prevented from falling because it "hangs" in thin air while "resting" on a higher-pressure air cushion.

[0061] The lower valve may be operated by an electromagnetic lever powered by a rechargeable battery that operates with or without external power, and, similar to the electromechanical duplicate deployment implementation of the upper valve, may be equipped with a duplicate mechanical deployment mechanism in case of failure of the electromagnetic mechanism.

[0062] In one embodiment, both the upper and lower valves complement each other to ensure the safety of cabin passengers among different risk factors of the system and provide a safety mechanism that effectively eliminates any and all fall risks. If the system detects one of the aforementioned failure risks while the cabin is docked to a certain floor, the system will indicate an error condition with a warning, and in one embodiment, the cabin will remain docked to that floor until the error condition is resolved within the system, without the need to deploy the upper and / or lower valves, which are emergency brakes.

[0063] In addition to upper and lower valves that slow the cabin's descent in the event of a sudden loss of vacuum, in one embodiment the system may include a suspension mechanism placed on the elevator shaft foundation that receives the cabin and slows it down to a complete stop, similar to the suspension shocks and struts used in automobiles.

[0064] In one embodiment, the elevator shaft is equipped with a series of electromechanical and electronic sensors electrically connected to an elevator shaft controller device (e.g., a programmable logic controller, hereinafter referred to as the "elevator controller" or "elevator PLC"), which detects signals from the sensors and forms control signals for the elevator shaft actuator and motor inverter to control the operation of the vacuum compressor. Furthermore, the controller can process signals from elevator call buttons on different floors, place the calls in a queue for processing, and ensure optimal elevator operation.

[0065] In some embodiments, the cabin has a set of its own electromechanical and electronic sensors, which are electrically connected in some embodiments to a separate controller device (e.g., a programmable logic controller, hereinafter referred to as the "cabin controller" or "cabin PLC"). This device is located inside the cabin, processes signals from the cabin sensors, and sends signals to control the cabin control mechanism, docking mechanism, door opening and closing, cabin lighting and ventilation, emergency communications, and also detects cabin call commands and places the call commands in a queue to ensure optimal elevator operation.

[0066] In other embodiments, a single controller may perform the functions of both the cabin and the hoistway controller.

[0067] In one embodiment, an electrical cable is connected between the cabin and the hoistway, supplying power to the cabin and providing a means of communication between the cabin PLC and the hoistway PLC.

[0068] In an alternative embodiment, the cabin PLC communicates with the hoistway PLC via a wireless channel (IR, Bluetooth®, or Wi-Fi), eliminating the need for electrical cables connecting the cabin and the hoistway. In this embodiment, a rechargeable battery is built into the cabin to provide localized power within the cabin. The cabin's rechargeable battery can charge itself via electrical wiring through a docking pin when the cabin is docked on a floor, ensuring automatic charging of the cabin's battery during docking mode, and thus ensuring a continuous power supply to the cabin at all times, whether docked, moving, or during a short power outage.

[0069] While the cabin is in operation, its rechargeable batteries contribute to the cabin's survival by providing lighting, fans, communication between the elevator shaft PLC and the cabin PLC, and emergency communication with 24 / 7 global technical support.

[0070] In one embodiment, the elevator shaft is also equipped with rechargeable electricity and, in the event of a power outage, provides life support for the elevator controller and its sensors, upper and lower emergency brake valves, and suspension mechanism, while waiting for power to be restored or the failure scenario to be resolved until the cabin comes to a complete stop and docks to the first floor.

[0071] In one embodiment, during vacuum operation, the elevator shaft door is pressed against the elevator shaft by atmospheric pressure with a large force (approximately 1 ton), preventing it from being opened manually without a special tool designed for that purpose. Furthermore, the elevator shaft door may lack a handle, making it virtually impossible to tamper with the door during vacuum operation.

[0072] Furthermore, hoistway doors may be equipped with automatic locks to prevent them from opening when the elevator cabin is unoccupied. Hoistway doors can also be opened even when the cabin is docked on that floor, thanks to a mechanism installed in either the cabin or the hoistway. This mechanism is designed to be child-safe and to prevent tampering with the system through mischief or irresponsible behavior.

[0073] The main vacuum seal is located at the top of the cabin, allowing for lower air pressure and vacuum operation at the top of the cabin while maintaining normal atmospheric pressure inside the cabin for passenger comfort.

[0074] In addition, or as an alternative, a secondary or auxiliary vacuum seal is installed at the bottom of the cabin for the following reasons: - Serves as a backup seal in case the main vacuum seal fails. - In the event that the lower valve deploys due to emergency braking, it protects people and animals inside the cabin from a sudden increase in pressure. This is also for the comfort of passengers, as otherwise, a sudden increase in air pressure below the cabin (which slows the cabin down and prevents it from falling) could cause a sudden change in pressure inside the cabin, potentially causing air to enter the ears.

[0075] In one embodiment, the vacuum seal is made of HDPE (high-density polyethylene) material, which has low friction with the glass and excellent long-life characteristics. In this embodiment, the vacuum seal extends slightly from the side of the cabin and is held in close contact with the hoistway wall by a vacuum damper made of numerous spring or sponge-like resin tubes that presses the vacuum seal against the hoistway wall along the entire length of the seal. This vacuum seal may be located on both sides of the cabin. Such a structure allows the vacuum seal to float during operation, ensuring it is always attached to the hoistway wall for proper vacuum operation, while also accommodating imperfections in the hoistway manufacturing.

[0076] In an alternative embodiment, the vacuum seal is made from a material other than HDPE, which also has low friction and long lifespan characteristics, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (also known as Teflon®) or a combination of aluminum alloy or other metals coated with "Teflon".

[0077] In one embodiment, the vacuum seal is implemented in the form of horizontal stripes. This embodiment simplifies the structure of the seal but has the disadvantage of having an intermittent "flapping" noise when the seal traverses the edges of the hoistway belt and hoistway glass panel. Such "flapping" noise would be acceptable for most installations.

[0078] In another embodiment, the vacuum seal may be implemented in a wave-like, angled beam-like, zigzag, or saw-like shape, or any other shape, and the seal shape can be "expanded" vertically to extend the time the vacuum seal traverses the seam of the hoistway belt, thus "expanding" the "flapping" noise over a longer period of time, thereby ultimately reducing the annoying noise level. This would make the vacuum seal structure more complex and costly to manufacture, making it more suitable for installation in "luxury" elevators for the comfort of elevator passengers.

[0079] In one embodiment, the security of the system is ensured on multiple floors: - Shatterproof. The reinforced glass panels in the elevator shaft and cabin are shatterproof. - Impact resistance. It can withstand even strong earthquakes. - Fall prevention. Equipped with suspension and multiple redundant emergency brakes. - Fire resistance. The system is made of non-combustible materials, so it can withstand even strong fires. - Safe for children and free from the risk of injury. Prevents children from tampering with or injuring themselves while the system is in operation. - No accidents will occur. The doors are locked during operation, and tampering with the hoistway doors is impossible. - There are no traps. Even if you get trapped in the elevator, you can operate it manually and escape from the cabin. - Environmentally friendly - Made from recyclable materials without the use of harmful chemicals, and provides long-lasting lubrication. - 24 / 7 monitoring. Sensors are constantly monitored and reported to the technical department. TCP / IP support.

[0080] This solution also boasts an aesthetically pleasing design. The elevator system may feature large translucent glass panels extending from floor to ceiling, a translucent cabin with glass walls and a glass ceiling, and thin aluminum profiles. In particular, in this embodiment of the system, no visible means of bolts and nuts are shown from either the outside or inside of the hoistway on any floor. On the other hand, the system is assembled from hundreds of parts joined together by bolts, nuts and other mechanical connections. The overall structure can be implemented in such a way that hundreds of bolts and nuts are hidden from view by design features (not masking tape), thus giving the whole thing a chic and stylish design. This challenging task has been pursued to enhance the design aesthetics of the system, and the current solution is considered to belong to the category of high-end machinery and luxury properties.

[0081] In addition, for the sake of luxury and passenger comfort inherent in the design, there are no visible bolts and nuts or protruding connectors in the cabin, either from the inside or the outside. The cabin itself can also be composed of hundreds of parts assembled with classic bolts and nuts, invisible to the observer, thanks to the special structure of the system that exhibits this distinctive and luxurious design characteristic.

[0082] This boltless, nutless design, also known as a "spotless" design, allows for a smooth surface throughout the entire structure. Large glass panels and a smooth, edge-to-edge aluminum frame—this is one of the unique aesthetic design features of this solution.

[0083] Finally, the design features of the metal frame, lines, curves, and angles smoothly transition and continue the design pattern during sharp turns of the metal frame (e.g., the frame on the four different sides of the glass panel), thus complementing the "spotless" design style.

[0084] This approach will be better understood and reproduced by those skilled in the art by referring to the accompanying drawings, along with a detailed description of the machine, operating modes, and principles.

[0085] The above description of this approach will enable those skilled in the art to manufacture and use what is currently considered the best mode, while those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiments, methods, and examples described herein. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited by the embodiments, methods, and examples described below, but rather by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0086] For simplification, the detailed explanation sections are divided into chapters, each representing a specific feature, design, or technical solution.

[0087] Elevator mechanism Chapter 1: Panoramic Vacuum Elevator System This technology relies on vacuum force to move the elevator cabin up and down within an airtight hoistway shaft. In one embodiment, a vacuum compressor located at the top of the hoistway shaft pumps air from the hoistway section above the cabin (an even higher hoistway chamber), creating a lower air pressure in this upper chamber, while atmospheric pressure is maintained in the hoistway section below the cabin (an even lower hoistway chamber). The air pressure difference between the lower and upper hoistway chambers is called the "vacuum," and the ratio of the pressure difference between the two chambers to atmospheric pressure is called the "vacuum level." When the vacuum level reaches a certain threshold, the higher atmospheric pressure below the cabin overcomes gravity acting above it, pushing the cabin up the hoistway shaft and thus causing vertical movement within the elevator cabin.

[0088] For example, a vacuum level of 0% means complete atmospheric pressure both above and below the cabin, a vacuum level of 50% means half atmospheric pressure above the cabin, and a vacuum level of 100% means there is no air pressure at all above the cabin.

[0089] A relatively small level of vacuum is sufficient to cause vertical movement in a cabin loaded with heavy cargo. For example, an elevator cabin with four adult passengers will weigh somewhere between 1,000 and 1,400 pounds (approximately 454 to 635 kg) and will be 12 to 15 square feet (approximately 1.1 to 1.4 m²). 2 This would occupy the cabin floor area. In this example, maintaining atmospheric pressure below the cabin while creating a vacuum of approximately 5% above the cabin would be sufficient to lift such a cabin and its heavy load into the hoistway shaft.

[0090] As long as the cabin is connected to the hoistway shaft by a low-friction vacuum seal and the vacuum compressor maintains a 5% vacuum threshold, this vacuum level generates enough vertical force to push the elevator cabin up the hoistway. If the vacuum level is lowered below this 5% threshold, the cabin will descend the hoistway shaft.

[0091] Alternatively, the vacuum level can be reduced to 0%, and the cabin's descent can be controlled by the drag force exerted by atmospheric pressure on the compressor impeller. In this case, the compressor motor can act like a generator as the cabin descends, producing electricity, similar to how electric vehicles like Tesla® generate electricity when the brakes are applied.

[0092] The walls of the elevator shaft are smooth and designed to allow the cabin's vacuum seal to slide up and down the elevator shaft with minimal friction and without obstruction, thus effectively achieving its purpose. For the purposes of the presented technology, low or minimal friction means that the additional force required to overcome the frictional force of the vacuum seal, in addition to lifting the empty cabin, is no more than 10% of the mass of the empty cabin.

[0093] In one embodiment, due to the smooth and uniform surface properties of the glass, silicate glass panels (also known as "floating glass") are used as the material of choice in the composition of the elevator shaft walls in this approach.

[0094] Furthermore, in one embodiment, as the elevator shaft material, this approach uses tempered glass panels that are approximately 5 to 7 times stronger than ordinary floating glass and can withstand pressures equivalent to or greater than those of steel. These tempered glass panels extend from floor to ceiling on each floor (which is further referred to as the "single-story elevator shaft body"), creating a truly panoramic structure.

[0095] Unlike acrylic glass, tempered glass itself is a very strong and scratch-resistant material, but its edges can be prone to cracking. A sharp blow to the edge of a tempered glass panel with an iron hammer can cause the glass to shatter. Therefore, protecting such edges of the glass panel, even with a thin frame, effectively prevents the tempered glass panel from cracking. This technique can be applied throughout the entire structure of an elevator shaft. All edges of glass panels used in elevator shaft structures are covered and protected by a metal frame to shield the glass panels from impact damage.

[0096] For example, protecting the edges of glass panels with a metal (e.g., aluminum alloy) frame makes the elevator shaft structure truly shatterproof. The metal edge frame not only prevents the glass panels from accidentally shattering, but also strengthens and supports the entire structure.

[0097] In one embodiment, the elevator shaft is mostly made of tempered glass and metal edges, and because the melting point of tempered glass is remarkably high, at approximately 1,400 to 1,700°C (2,550 to 3,000°F), the entire structure becomes fire-resistant.

[0098] Since elevators can travel at heights equivalent to several floors, manufacturing and technical constraints may prevent a single glass panel from covering the entire height of the hoistway shaft. Therefore, in one embodiment, the maximum height of the hoistway glass panel is limited to the height of the first floor of the hoistway shaft. In such an embodiment, to connect multiple sections of the hoistway, a mechanism is employed in which the glass panel section for one floor of the hoistway interacts with the glass panels of the hoistway sections on the upper and lower floors, forming a uniform and smooth surface of the hoistway and thus allowing the vacuum seal of the cabin to slide smoothly along the wall of the hoistway for seamless elevator operation.

[0099] To connect elevator shaft glass panels on adjacent floors, in one embodiment, a “belt” type structure (also referred to here as “elevator belt,” “belt frame,” or “belt assembly”) is employed to connect the elevator shaft glass panels on one floor to the elevator shaft glass panels on the adjacent floor, forming a smooth surface for proper vacuum operation of the elevator shaft. This belt keeps the glass panels intact and prevents implosion forces from the vacuum force during vacuum operation, as well as explosive forces that may form under special circumstances. For example, in the above cabin example, if the cabin floor is 12-15 square feet (approximately 1.1-1.4 m) 2 For a load of 1,000–1,200 pounds (approximately 454–544 kg), each glass panel in the floor-to-ceiling elevator shaft would experience an implosion force of 3,000–4,000 pounds (approximately 1,360–1,810 kg) (this force is evenly distributed across the entire surface of the glass panel). The elevator shaft glass panels are made of glass thick enough to withstand implosions and explosions of several thousand pounds (1 pound ≈ 0.455 kg) across their surface area.

[0100] The example single-story elevator shaft on each floor includes an elevator belt at its base that securely holds the elevator panels together and resists explosive and implosion forces. The elevator belt on each floor is horizontal to the floor surface and fixed to the floor, thus stabilizing the entire structure. Because the belt fits within the thickness of the floor, the glass panels appear to extend from floor to ceiling, allowing the entire building to appear truly panoramic. In open-space environments, the belt can also extend between floors, sometimes acting as a medium to connect vertically extending glass panels.

[0101] This belt is strong enough to support the mass of the elevator shaft body, can withstand both implosion and explosive forces, and is specially shaped to form a smooth surface alongside the elevator shaft glass panels. These characteristics impose certain constraints on the form and materials used for the belt. In one embodiment, the belt is made of reinforced aluminum alloy, exhibiting particularly excellent performance characteristics and being easy and affordable to manufacture.

[0102] The vertical edges of the elevator shaft glass panels are covered with a thin metal frame, and the horizontal edges are covered with a belt. Both the metal frame and the belt are secured to the elevator shaft glass panels with a silicone-based adhesive or other adhesive that has good bonding properties between aluminum or other metal alloys and glass.

[0103] To refer to this approach in more detail, Figures 1 and 2 are various diagrams of the Blissera Elevator system in one embodiment, and Figures 3 to 7 show various diagrams and components of the Blissera Elevator system elevator shaft.

[0104] As shown in Figures 3 to 5 and Figure 7, the hoistway consists of a hoistway foundation 100, multiple hoistway shaft members 200, multiple hoistway belt members 300, and a hoistway head 400. For the sake of simplicity in the drawings, the hoistway belt 300 is incorporated into the hoistway shaft 200.

[0105] In one embodiment, the elevator shaft foundation 100 includes the following main components: - In one embodiment, the elevator shaft foundation enclosure 110, as shown in Figures 12, 13, and 14, consists of the following: • The bottom plate 111 of the elevator shaft foundation enclosure, as shown in Figure 14; • Left side plate 112 of the elevator shaft foundation enclosure, as shown in Figure 14; • Right-side plate 113 of the elevator shaft foundation enclosure, as shown in Figure 14; • Rear plate 114 of the elevator shaft foundation enclosure, as shown in Figure 14; • Front plate 115 of the elevator shaft foundation enclosure, as shown in Figure 14; • Bottom screw 116 of the elevator shaft foundation enclosure, as shown in Figure 14; • Side screws 117 of the elevator shaft foundation enclosure, as shown in Figure 14; - In one embodiment, the elevator shaft base 120, as shown in Figures 12, 15, and 16, consists of the following: • A front arm 121 of the elevator shaft base having a profile cross section of form 711, as shown in Figures 16 and 17; • Left arm 122 of the elevator shaft base having a profile cross section of form 711, as shown in Figures 16 and 17; • The right arm 123 of the elevator shaft foundation base has a profile cross section of form 711, as shown in Figures 16 and 17; • A rear arm 124 of the elevator shaft base having a profile cross section of form 711, as shown in Figures 16 and 17; • A front plate 125 of the elevator shaft foundation base having a profile cross section of form 712, as shown in Figures 16 and 17; • Left side plate 126 of the elevator shaft foundation base having a profile cross section of form 712, as shown in Figures 16 and 17; • Right-side plate 127 of the elevator shaft foundation base having a profile cross section of form 712, as shown in Figures 16 and 17; • A hoistway foundation base rear plate 128 having a profile cross section of form 712, as shown in Figures 16 and 17; • As shown in Figure 16, the elevator shaft foundation base fixing bolt 129; - In one embodiment, the elevator shaft foundation frame 130, as shown in Figures 12, 18 to 22, consists of the following: • A hoistway suspension platform 131 as shown in Figures 20 to 22; • Front edge frame 132 having a cross-section of form 715 with channels 718 reserved for cable routing, as shown in Figures 20-22 and 23; Gasket 133 having a cross-section of form 738 as shown in Figures 20 to 22; Left and right edge frames 134 having cross-sections of form 713, as shown in Figures 20-22 and 24; • Front base edge frame 135 as shown in Figures 21-22; • A rear edge frame 136 having a cross-section of form 713, as shown in Figures 20-22 and 24; • Seismic bolts 137 as shown in Figures 18, 19, 21, and 22; • Knee-shaped connector 138, as shown in Figures 18, 19, and 22; • Bolts 139 connecting the knee-shaped connector 138 to the left and right edge frames 134 and the rear edge frame 136, as shown in Figures 19 and 22; Bolts 145 connect the front base edge frame 135 to the left and right edge frames 134, as shown in Figures 18, 21, and 22; - In one embodiment, the elevator shaft foundation grill frame 140, as shown in Figures 12, 27 to 29, consists of the following: • Left grille frame 141 as shown in Figures 25-29; • Right-side grille frame 142 as shown in Figures 25-29; • Rear grille frame 143 as shown in Figures 25 to 29; - Suspension mechanism 800 as shown in Figure 12; - An emergency brake 880 as shown in Figure 12.

[0106] In one embodiment, the elevator belt 300 includes the following main components: - In one embodiment, the elevator shaft base body 320, as shown in Figures 80, 88, 91 to 103, consists of the following: • A hoistway base main frame 301 having a cross-section of form 733, as shown in Figures 97, 98, 100, 102, and 140; • A hoistway base side plate 321 having a cross-section of form 734, as shown in Figures 95-99, 101, 102, and 140; • A hoistway base cover plate 322 having a cross-section of form 735, as shown in Figures 95-99, 101-103, and 140; • Bolts 324, 326, 237, and 328 of the elevator shaft body, as shown in Figures 96 to 98; - Hoistway belt frames 309 and 310, as shown in Figures 80 to 86 and 88 to 90.

[0107] In Figures 80, 82-85, the belt frames 309 and 310 have three arms (sides) that serve as bases for each glass panel of the single-story elevator shaft body: a left belt arm 311, a right belt arm 312, and a rear belt arm 313. As shown in Figures 33, 34, and 37, the glass panels 211 and 213 rest on the left and rear arms 311 / 313 of the belt frame 309 or 310, respectively, thus transmitting their mass and, in some cases, the mass of the machine room. Their interfering vertical edges are protected by edge frames 214 having a profile cross section 716, as shown in Figures 38 and 138. Similarly, the glass panels 212 and 213 rest on the right and rear arms 312 / 313 of the belt frame 309 or 310, respectively, and their interfering vertical edges are protected by edge frames 215 having profile cross section 716, as shown in Figures 38 and 138.

[0108] In one embodiment, the joints between the glass panels 211, 212, 213 and the arms 311, 312, 313 are slots 3111, 3121, 3131. Slots 3112, 3122, 3132 may similarly provide joints with glass panels positioned beneath the belt 309. Each slot is an enclosure (e.g., a cavity) extending longitudinally to either the upper and / or lower end of the arm 311 / 312 / 313 for inserting the corresponding glass panel, as depicted in Figures 85, 86, and 89. In such an arrangement, an adhesive may be used to bond the glass panels to the corresponding slots.

[0109] In one embodiment, the slots may include grooves to collect excess adhesive used to secure the glass panels to the slots. Such grooves collect the excess adhesive and prevent it from forming a ridge on the inner surface of belt 309 or 310. This technique ensures that the hoistway shaft remains airtight. For example, in Figure 89, glass panels 211 and 212 are bonded to slots 3111, 3112, 3121, and 3122, with excess adhesive flowing into grooves 3113 and 3114.

[0110] In addition, or alternatively, the edges of the glass panels are chamfered to match the slots in the arms of the belt 309 or 310. For example, in Figure 89, glass panels 211 and 212 have chamfered edges that are inserted into slots 3111, 3112, 3121, and 3122.

[0111] In one embodiment, the belt frame 309 or 310 is closed on three sides and has an opening on the front side (Figures 82 and 84). In one embodiment, this opening is connected to the hoistway base 320, as shown in Figure 80. The hoistway base 320, in turn, forms the basis for the entrance to and from the cabin, as shown in the example in Figure 33. In the examples in Figures 3 and 6, the upper and lower edges of the left, right, and rear glass panels 211, 212, and 213 are protected by the belt arms 311, 312, and 313, respectively. The rear vertical edges of the glass panels 211, 212, and 213 are protected by thin metal frames 214 and 215. The front vertical edge of glass panel 211 is protected by the left frame 221 of the entrance frame 220, as shown in Figures 41, 47, 63, and 65, and the front vertical edge of glass panel 212 is protected by the right frame 222 of the entrance frame 220. The entrance frames 221 and 222 have a cross section 715, as shown in Figures 63, 65, and 138.

[0112] In one embodiment, the entrance / exit frame 220 also functions as a medium for mounting the hoistway hinges 226 and 227 in a swing-type motion. As shown in Figure 138, the cross section 715 of the entrance / exit frame 220 (frames 221 and 222) has a hollow structure internally, and since this frame does not have the requirement to carry the heavy load of the hoistway structure, the mass and cost of the system are reduced.

[0113] As mentioned earlier, the edges of the large glass panels are protected by a protective frame, such as an aluminum alloy frame.

[0114] In the previous description, the vacuum compressor is located in the machine room, above the hoistway shaft 200, within the hoistway head 400. In an alternative embodiment, the machine room is located remotely and is connected to the hoistway shaft 200 for vacuum operation by an intake pipe for removing air from the hoistway shaft 200 and an exhaust pipe for releasing air into the hoistway shaft 200, respectively. For the purposes of this description, an embodiment of a machine room located within the hoistway head will be described further, and the terms machine room and hoistway head are interchangeable.

[0115] In one embodiment, the machine room (MR) includes the following main components: - MR enclosure 410 as shown in Figures 104-107 and 108-109; - MR electronic device 420 as shown in Figures 110 and 111; - A vacuum chamber 430 having a chamber front panel 432, a chamber left panel 433, a chamber right panel 434, a chamber rear panel 435, and an air filter 431, as shown in Figures 110, 112 to 116; - Exhaust pipe 440 having a central exhaust channel 440 and air pockets 444, 445, as shown in Figures 110, 112, 117 to 121; The central exhaust channel 440 consists of the rear exhaust panel 441, the upper and lower exhaust panels 442, and the front exhaust panel 443; Air pockets 444 and 445 consist of the main air pocket plate 447, the upper and lower air pocket plates 448, and the front and rear air pocket plates 449; - Vacuum compressor assembly 450 having a vacuum compressor 456 and an MR exhaust pipe flange 455, as shown in Figures 122 and 123; - An MR exhaust pipe flange 455, as shown in Figures 110, 123, and 124, comprising a flexible flange pipe 451, bolts 452 connecting the flange pipe 451 to the MR compressor 450, bolts 453 connecting the flange pipe 451 to the exhaust pipe 440, and a gasket 454; - An MR compressor frame 460 consisting of the following, as shown in Figures 125 and 126; • Bolts 461 for securing the vacuum compressor 450 to the MR compressor frame 460; • Rubber washer 462 that shields the MR vacuum compressor frame 460 from vertical vibrations of the MR vacuum compressor; • Rubber insert 463 to shield the MR vacuum compressor frame 460 from horizontal vibrations of the MR vacuum compressor; • A first-stage edge frame 464, made from a high-strength metal (e.g., steel) material from a profile having a cross-section of form 717 as shown in Figure 138, which serves as the base of the MR vacuum compressor frame 460 and the anchor of the MR emergency brake 890; • Rubber end caps 465 supporting the first stage edge frame 464; • Bolt 466 for securing the rubber end cap 465 to the second edge frame 467 using nut 459; A second-stage edge frame 467 made of a high-strength metal (e.g., steel) material from a profile having a cross-section of form 717 as shown in Figure 138, supporting the first-stage edge frame 464 via rubber end caps 465; • Rubber end caps 468 supporting the second-stage edge frame 467; • Bolt 469 for securing the rubber end cap 468 to the MR base frame 480; - MR edge frame 470 having a left edge frame 471, a right edge frame 472, and a rear edge frame 473, each having a cross-section of form 714 with air pockets 719 reserved for cable routing; - Gasket left edge frame 474, gasket right edge frame 475, and gasket rear edge frame 476; - MR base frame 480, equipped with MR base frame plate 481 and bolts 482, which fix plate 481 to MR edge frame 470 and upper floor elevator shaft front panel 230; - MR exhaust grille 490.

[0116] In one embodiment, the MR electronic device 420 includes the following main components, as shown in Figures 110 and 111: - MR PLC controller 421 having a controller extension 422; - MR PLC controller display device 423; - MR Electronic Device PCB Board 424; - MR vacuum compressor inverter unit 425; - MR Uninterruptible Power Supply Unit 426 equipped with a rechargeable battery.

[0117] In the previous description, the belt frame 309 or 310 is made of an aluminum alloy material. In alternative embodiments, the belt is made of other metals and alloys, including but not limited to steel, although a particular aluminum alloy is selected for its low cost and good performance characteristics.

[0118] As explained above, the glass elevator shaft has a rectangular shape consisting of three glass panels that extend from floor to ceiling, and entrances on each floor.

[0119] In an alternative embodiment, the glass elevator shaft has a hexagonal shape, consisting of six glass panels extending from the floor to the ceiling on each level, and entrances located within two adjacent elevator shaft glass panels. In such an embodiment, a hexagonal cabin is used.

[0120] In another embodiment, the hoistway is octagonal in shape, consisting of eight glass panels extending from floor to ceiling on each level. This can be visualized as a rectangular hoistway, where the angular edges of the hoistway are flattened to form additional panels. These "angular flat edges" reduce the width of the "non-angular flat edges" of the hoistway. Such embodiments are useful for large elevator models where the width of the hoistway is wider than the opening of the hoistway door. In this embodiment, an octagonal cabin is used for the hoistway.

[0121] In another embodiment, the glass elevator shaft has a cylindrical shape with a straight vertical or inclined axis and a cylindrical cabin. This embodiment is suitable for larger models that carry more than half a dozen people or heavy loads.

[0122] In a different embodiment, the glass elevator shaft has an ellipsoidal shape with a straight vertical or inclined axis and an elliptical cabin. This embodiment is suitable for large models that carry dozens of people or heavy loads.

[0123] In another embodiment, one or more panels of the hoistway are made of frosted tempered glass to obscure the interior of the hoistway and / or cabin, according to the specific preferences of the elevator users. In an alternative embodiment, one or more panels of the hoistway are painted or covered with a translucent or opaque film to conceal the interior of the hoistway and / or cabin, according to the specific preferences of the elevator users.

[0124] Furthermore, this document provides a detailed description of a rectangular elevator system using large, translucent tempered glass panels. The concepts outlined in these approaches are adaptable to hexagonal, octagonal, cylindrical, and elliptical shapes, or any other arbitrary shape, and also include the use of frosted and / or painted and / or tinted glass.

[0125] Chapter 2: Reinforced Glass as an Exoskeleton for Elevators This approach asserts the advantages of the panoramic vacuum elevator system described in Chapter 1. It describes how large tempered glass panels can be used in the construction of the hoistway of a panoramic vacuum elevator. It also shows that the edges of the glass panels are protected by thin metal frames, fixed to the edges of the glass panels with silicone-based or other adhesives, together forming a uniform and smooth surface of the hoistway. However, the description did not clarify how the glass panels (hoistway walls) and metal frames are combined to form a stable hoistway structure.

[0126] Large glass panels are very beautiful and are used in many applications such as large storefront displays, large windows, and panoramic displays in buildings (hereinafter collectively referred to as "displays"). In all of these applications, a rigid metal "frame" is used as the skeleton of the "display," and the glass panel is inserted into this metal frame as a "filler."

[0127] In this approach, the elevator shaft glass panels are stacked together with the elevator belt to the height of several floors, so the total mass of an elevator shaft with, for example, 1 / 2 inch (approximately 1.27 cm) or 3 / 4 inch (approximately 1.9 cm) thick glass panels can amount to several tons. In this example, if the elevator shaft glass panels are used as "fillers," the metal "frame" structure that houses and holds the elevator shaft glass panels will be several floors high and strong and sturdy enough to support the mass of several tons of elevator shaft glass panels. Such a metal frame structure itself can be heavy in addition to the cumulative mass of the elevator shaft glass.

[0128] This approach takes a radically new approach to elevator shaft structure. The glass panels on which the elevator shaft is made are not merely "fillers" within the elevator shaft's metal "skeleton frame," but rather structures that themselves support the mass of the entire elevator shaft. Therefore, this approach eliminates the need for a metal skeletal frame in the elevator shaft structure and replaces it with a glass "exoskeleton" that supports the mass of the entire elevator shaft.

[0129] This glass exoskeleton approach allows for the use of vertical metal edge frames not for skeletal frame purposes, but to protect the edges of the glass panels. As a result, these edge frames are extremely thin and decorative, thus dramatically reducing the system's mass and cost, while simultaneously improving its appearance and ergonomics.

[0130] In one embodiment, the elevator shaft wall includes an elevator shaft body 210 comprising left, right, and rear glass panels 211, 212, 213, a front panel 230, elevator shaft doors 240 and 250, and a metal frame enclosing the edges of the large glass panel elements, as shown in Figures 33, 34, 37-39, 40, 41, and 47.

[0131] In one embodiment, the belt 310 covers and protects the horizontal edges of the glass panels 211, 212, and 213, as shown in Figures 33 and 34.

[0132] In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 37, vertical metal edge frames 214 and 215, used on the underside of the elevator shaft and having a profile cross section 716 as shown in Figure 138, are extremely thin thanks to the glass exoskeleton of the elevator shaft and serve the following purposes: - Protect the vertical edges of the elevator shaft glass panels 211, 212, and 213 and join them to the back of the elevator shaft body 210; - Adjacent glass panels are aligned to form a uniform and smooth rectangular angle for the inner back angle of the elevator shaft body 210; - In cases where the edges of the glass panel may be uneven or chipped as a result of manufacturing defects or minor damage during transportation or handling, this serves to conceal the imperfections and fulfill a decorative function.

[0133] Similarly, in one embodiment, the vertical metal edge frames 221 and 222 of the entrance frame 220, used on the front side of the hoistway and facing the entrance side of the hoistway, may also be made of thin profiles, thus eliminating the need to support a skeletal structure thanks to the glass exoskeleton hoistway. As shown in Figures 41, 45, 47, and 66, the frames 221 and 222 do not need to be considerably thick to form the hoistway skeleton, but they do need to be thick enough to accommodate the following uses of these frames: - Protect the vertical edges of the elevator shaft glass panels and join the front side of the elevator shaft; - Aligned with the left and right glass panels 211 and 212, they form a uniform and smooth surface on the left and right walls of the elevator shaft; - In cases where the edges of the elevator glass panels may be uneven or chipped as a result of manufacturing defects or minor damage during transportation or handling, this serves to conceal them and thus fulfill a decorative purpose; - To function as a conduit for electrical wiring in the elevator shaft; - Functions as a door frame for the hoistway door.

[0134] The glass exoskeleton design of the elevator shaft allows for the use of large glass panels and thin metal edge frames in the elevator shaft structure. Thus, unlike other existing elevator systems where heavy metal structures are traditionally included in any such elevator solution, this approach can achieve its truly panoramic design characteristics without metal mesh skeletal frames and heavy metal structures.

[0135] Chapter 3: Smooth elevator shafts for vacuum operation This approach asserts the advantages of the panoramic vacuum elevator system described in Chapter 1 and the tempered glass as the hoistway exoskeleton described in Chapter 2. It describes how large tempered glass panels are used as the exoskeleton and components in the structure of a panoramic vacuum elevator. It shows how the edges of the glass panels are protected with thin aluminum frames fixed to the edges of the glass panels with silicone-based or other adhesives. However, this description did not clarify how these glass panels (hoistway shaft walls) and metal frames are combined to form a smooth hoistway shaft 200 for vacuum operation. This approach details the shaping of the glass panels and metal edge frames and how these structures are joined to form a smooth surface for the hoistway shaft 200.

[0136] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 33, 34, 80, and 82-85, the belt frame 310 has three belt arms: a left belt arm 311, a right belt arm 312, and a rear belt arm 313. As seen in Figures 33 and 37, the left glass panel 211 is mounted on the left belt arm 311 of the belt frame 310, the right glass panel 212 is mounted on the right belt arm 312 of the belt frame 310, and the rear glass panel 213 is mounted on the rear belt arm 313 of the belt frame 309 or 310.

[0137] Figure 82 shows a front perspective view embodiment of the hoistway belt option at the upper floor level, Figure 84 shows a front perspective view of the hoistway belt option at the base floor level, and Figure 89 shows a cross-sectional view of the hoistway belt and hoistway glass panels connecting the left and right glass panels 211 / 21. Similarly, the cross-section also depicts the connection for the rear glass panel 213 that connects to the rear belt arm 313 in one embodiment. A cross-section 731 of the profile of the belt frame 309 or 310 in one embodiment is shown in Figure 140. As seen in Figure 89, the belt frame 309 or 310, together with the upper and lower glass panels, forms a uniform and smooth surface inside the hoistway shaft 200 at the horizontal edges of the hoistway belt and hoistway glass panels, which is necessary for proper vacuum sealing operation. A channel 736 is provided in one embodiment for a lightweight structure and electrical wiring.

[0138] In one embodiment, the vertical edges of the interlocking hoistway glass panels 211 and 213 are protected by an aluminum alloy or other metal frame 214 having a profile cross-section 716, as shown in Figures 38 and 138. Similarly, in one embodiment, the vertical edges of the interlocking hoistway glass panels 212 and 213 are protected by an aluminum alloy or other metal frame 215 having a profile cross-section 716, as shown in Figures 38 and 138. The V-shapes ending at the cross-sections of frames 214 and 215 fill the gaps between the glass panels and coincide with the inner surfaces of the glass panels 211, 212 and 213, and the inner surfaces of the belt arms 311, 312 and 313, respectively, thus forming the required smooth surface continuity on the left, back and right edges of the hoistway shaft 200, necessary for proper vacuum sealing operation, and forming a complete rectangle.

[0139] In one embodiment, the belt frame 309 or 310, as shown in Figures 82 and 84, is closed on three sides and has an opening on the front side. This opening is connected to the hoistway base 320, as shown in Figure 80. The hoistway base 320 then functions as an entrance / exit for entering and exiting the cabin, as seen in Figure 33.

[0140] The front vertical edge of the glass panel 211 is protected by the left frame 221 of the entrance frame 220, as seen in Figures 41, 47, and 65 in one embodiment, and the front vertical edge of the glass panel 212 is protected by the right frame 222 of the entrance frame 220. The entrance frames 221 and 222 have a cross section 715 with cable routing channels 718, as shown in Figures 63, 65, and 138. Figure 65 shows a cross section of the entrance frame 221, which is joined to the front panel frame 233 and cover frame 237 on one side to the glass panel 211 and on the other side via a gasket 223, thereby forming a uniform and smooth surface for the elevator shaft 200 on the left and right sides of the front of the belt frame 309 or 310 in one embodiment.

[0141] As described above, the left, right, and rear sides of the belt frame 309 or 310 and the single-story elevator shaft glass body 210 together form a smooth surface on the shaft necessary for vacuum sealing operation. However, the front side of the elevator shaft 200 also needs to have a smooth surface. In one embodiment, the entrance frame 220, which is the front side of the elevator shaft 200, houses structures such as the elevator shaft front panel 230 (Figures 34, 41, 47, 55-65), elevator shaft doors 240 and 250 (Figures 30, 33, 34, 41, 66, and 67-79), and elevator shaft base 320 (Figures 80, 91-103).

[0142] Referring to this approach in more detail, the front panel 230 is constructed such that the glass element 231 of the front panel 230 is chamfered on all four sides and joined to thin metal edge frames 232, 233, 234, and 245 and cover frames 237 and 238 in such a way that it forms a uniform and smooth surface on the inside of the hoistway shaft 200, as shown in Figures 33, 34, 40, 41, 47, 45, and 56-65. Figures 63 and 65 show cross-sectional views of the entrance frame 220 and the front panel 230 with the glass panel 231 connected to the left frame 233 and left cover frame 237 of the hoistway front panel 230. Similarly, the glass panel 231 is connected to the right frame 234 and right cover frame 238 of the hoistway front panel 230.

[0143] The left-side elevator shaft door frame 252 is joined to the door's glass panel 251 in such a way that it forms a smooth surface inside the elevator shaft, as shown in Figure 66, which depicts a cross-section of the entrance frame and elevator shaft door.

[0144] Similarly, the hoistway doors 240 and 250 are constructed to join thin door edge frames 252, 253, 254 and 255 in such a way that the door glass panel 251 is chamfered on all four sides, forming a uniform and smooth surface on the inside of the hoistway shaft 200, as shown in Figures 33, 34, 40–45, and 68–73.

[0145] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 70 and 139, the door edge frame 252 is made from a metal frame with a cross-section of 721, the door edge frame 253 is made from a metal frame with a cross-section of 724, and the door edge frames 25 and 255 are made from a metal frame with a cross-section of 722.

[0146] As described above, the elevator shaft glass panels are protected at the edges by frames made of aluminum alloy or other metals. These frames have one thing in common: L-shaped openings for holding the glass, as shown in the cross-sectional views in Figures 65, 66, and 89, where these frames are connected to the elevator shaft glass panels. These openings secure both sides of the glass in a position that resists both explosive and implosion forces, and also form a smooth surface on the inside of the elevator shaft for proper vacuum operation.

[0147] Next, the glass panel of the elevator shaft that joins to the edge frame has a chamfer facing the elevator shaft and facing the lock of the metal edge frame. This alignment of the chamfered edge of the glass and the lock of the metal edge frame ensures a smooth transition between the glass panel and the edge frame for proper vacuum sealing operation, while also locking the glass panel in place to prevent movement for a robust elevator shaft structure.

[0148] Chapter 4: Spotless Elevator Design This approach asserts the advantages of the panoramic vacuum elevator system described in Chapter 1, the tempered glass as the hoistway exoskeleton described in Chapter 2, and the smooth hoistway shaft for vacuum operation described in Chapter 3. It describes how large tempered glass panels are used as the exoskeleton and components in the structure of the hoistway of a panoramic vacuum elevator. It also shows how the edges of the glass panels are protected with a thin aluminum frame to form a smooth surface on the hoistway shaft for proper vacuum operation, and what the shape of the glass panel edges and protective metal frame should be.

[0149] This approach describes a method for connecting metal frames to glass panels and a method for connecting metal frames to each other in order to form a stable elevator shaft structure.

[0150] There are two ways to connect a metal frame to a glass plate: - Use of bolts and nuts; - Use adhesive.

[0151] The method of connecting adjacent glass panels using bolts and nuts is widely used in the industry. In most common cases, special conical bolts and nuts, along with metal corner connectors, are used to connect tempered glass panels to each other. The conical nuts are flush with the elevator shaft glass panels from the inside, thus maintaining a smooth surface on the elevator shaft. The metal corner connectors must be installed from the outside of the elevator shaft, allowing the glass panels to be fixed at any predetermined angle: 90 degrees for rectangular elevator shapes, and larger angles for hexagonal or octagonal shapes. However, this approach has several drawbacks: - Conical nuts and bolts, and metal corner connectors are expensive; - Glass panels may require processing such as drilling conical holes along the edges, which can increase the cost of the glass panels. - The conical holes in the glass are located quite far from the edges of the glass due to the requirements of the tempering technology, which necessitates bulky and more expensive metal corner connectors; - The presence of numerous conical bolts and nuts, as well as protruding metal corner connectors, detracts from the design; Considering all these drawbacks, this option is the least desirable choice.

[0152] Silicone-based adhesives or other composite adhesives with good glass-to-metal bonding properties are better alternative solutions and can be used whenever possible. Silicone-based adhesives are often preferred due to their viscosity and "softness" even after curing, which, together with flexible tempered glass panels, constitutes a flexible structure with better resistance to seismic impacts. Also, due to the "softness" component of the silicone resin, microcracks do not develop over time. However, adhesives alone are not sufficient to support structures weighing tons in place. From the explanation outlined in the previous chapter, it was not clear how the metal frames are connected to each other to form a stable elevator shaft structure.

[0153] There are only a few reasonably obvious ways to join metal frames together to form a stable elevator shaft structure: - Welding to connect metal frames to each other; - Bolts and nuts for connecting metal frames; By employing either of these two methods, the metal frames can be connected to each other and then fixed to the glass panel to obtain a stable structure.

[0154] Welding can be impractical for several reasons: - Metal frames welded together form a deadlock structure, which lacks flexibility and can develop microcracks under mechanical stress, such as small shocks from a mild earthquake or uneven heating from sun exposure. These microcracks can potentially become a significant problem, leading to an unstable structure over time. - Exposure to uneven heat, such as sunlight, can cause microcracks to develop; - To avoid damaging the smooth surface of the elevator shaft, welding cannot be used from inside the elevator shaft, and furthermore, this violates several building codes; - Welding is likely to damage the adhesive layer at nearby joints; - Welding may damage the anodic oxidation coating layer of the aluminum frame and may impair the appearance; - Since it can only be used at the installation location, the installation process may become complicated.

[0155] Connecting the metal frames with bolts and nuts has none of the drawbacks outlined above, so it can be considered a practical choice, but there is one concern left - appearance and atmosphere. Imagine having numerous protruding bolts and nuts throughout the structure. In one embodiment, these bolts and nuts can be specifically emphasized as "design features" and made part of the design's signature line. In an alternative embodiment, the bolts and nuts can be hidden and kept out of sight of the naked eye. The present technology takes the latter approach and uses a radical new technique that can hide these components from the naked eye when using bolts and nuts to connect metal frames together to construct a panoramic vacuum elevator, despite using hundreds of bolts, nuts, screws, fasteners, and connectors. However, since the overall design of this elevator is panoramic and semi - transparent, the technology is more difficult. This means that for the semi - transparent design, it is preferable that the numerous bolts and nuts within the system are not visible from both the outside of the hoistway and the inside of the hoistway shaft. By combining special connection techniques and adopting a special shape of metal frame, it will be shown in the following explanation that the numerous bolts and nuts used in the presented design are completely hidden from the observer's naked eye whether observing the elevator from the outside of the hoistway or from the inside of the hoistway shaft. Also, these special design techniques are shown to be not only for the decorative purpose of simply hiding bolts and nuts from the naked eye, but also that such techniques are part of the structure itself.

[0156] In one embodiment, in the structure of the hoistway where the metal frames are to be connected together, several subsystems are identified: - Hoistway foundation 100; - Hoistway body 200; - Hoistway belt 300; - Elevator head 400.

[0157] All such subsystems employ special solutions for connecting the frames to each other using bolts and nuts, and all of these connections are inconspicuous and hidden from the observer's naked eye, whether the system is observed from outside the hoistway or from inside the hoistway while riding the elevator, thus forming a signature pattern of this approach's unique "spotless" design.

[0158] In one embodiment, the overall ergonomics of the design are implemented in a manner that complements the distinctive "spotless" design signature pattern of this approach, referred to as the "spotless" design style, where all edges of the metal frames that are attached to one another smoothly transition from one metal frame to another and continue even at the sharp curves of the edges (sides) of the elevator shaft.

[0159] In one embodiment, Figure 11 shows an upper perspective view of the elevator shaft foundation 1, and Figure 12 shows an exploded perspective view of the elevator shaft foundation 1. In one embodiment, the elevator shaft foundation includes multiple modules, each of which is considered individually: - Elevator shaft foundation enclosure 110; - Elevator base 120; - Elevator shaft foundation frame 130; - Suspension mechanism 800; - Emergency brake 880; - Elevator foundation grille 140.

[0160] More specifically, Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the elevator shaft foundation enclosure 110, and Figure 14 shows an exploded view of the elevator shaft foundation enclosure 110, which consists of the foundation enclosure base plate 111, the left foundation enclosure plate 112, the right foundation enclosure plate 113, the rear foundation enclosure plate 114, and the front foundation enclosure plate 115.

[0161] Screws 116 connect the foundation enclosure plates 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115 to each other. These screws 116 are installed in shallow holes from the outside of the foundation enclosure 110, which is located below the first-floor level, and these screws are naturally concealed by the first-floor level, conforming to a spotless design style.

[0162] Furthermore, Figure 15 shows a perspective view of the elevator shaft base 120, and Figure 16 shows an exploded view of the elevator shaft base 120. Bolts 129 connect the foundation plates 125, 126, 127, and 128 to the foundation base frames 121, 122, 123, and 124, respectively. The foundation enclosure base 120 also conforms to the spotless design style, as the bolts 129 are obscured from view from the outside by the foundation enclosure 110 and from view from the inside by the suspension platform 131, as shown in Figures 11 and 12.

[0163] In one embodiment, the foundation base frames 121, 122, 123, and 124 are made from metal profiles with a cross-section of 711, as shown in Figures 17 and 138. In one embodiment, the foundation plates 125, 126, 127, and 128 are made from metal profiles having a cross-section of 712, as shown in Figures 17 and 138.

[0164] Figure 21 shows a perspective view of the hoistway foundation frame 130, and Figure 22 shows an exploded perspective view of the hoistway foundation frame 130, which includes left and right edge frames 134 and a rear edge frame 136, and is made from a metal profile with a cross section of form 713 as shown in Figures 24 and 138. Bolts 137 are fastened to the edge frames 134 and 136, the latter connected to each other by bolts 139 at knee-type connectors 138, while the front edge frame 132 is connected to the left and right edge frames 134 via the front base edge frame 135 by bolts 145, thereby forming the hoistway foundation frame 130 which is stacked on top of the hoistway foundation base 120. There may be dozens of bolts in this subsystem, but they can be made invisible from the outside by the hoistway foundation enclosure and invisible from the inside by the suspension platform 131, thus also conforming to a spotless design style for this system.

[0165] Furthermore, Figure 12 shows an exploded perspective view of a hoistway foundation in one embodiment, where the suspension mechanism 800 is part of the foundation. The screws and bolts, along with the entire suspension mechanism, are hidden from external observers by foundation enclosure panels 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115, and from internal observers by the suspension platform 131. The latter has two large round holes, which are hidden by the foundation emergency brake 880, as shown in Figures 11 and 12. The bolts, screws, fasteners, and other small mechanical parts of the emergency brake 880 are hidden from view from above by the emergency brake plate and from the sides and bottom by the foundation enclosure 110, thus conforming to a spotless design style.

[0166] Furthermore, Figures 11, 12, and 26-29 show various diagrams of the hoistway foundation grille, where the grill frames 141, 142, and 143 are attached together by plastic locks embedded in the grill profile, and therefore, there are no visible screws or bolts here either.

[0167] In one embodiment, the hoistway is erected on a foundation 100 and includes stacked single-story hoistway bodies 200, separated by hoistway belts 300, as shown in Figures 30-34. The hoistway bodies 200 are secured to the hoistway belts 300 from above or below by silicone or other adhesives. The hoistway bodies 200 then include several modules, each of which is considered separately in one embodiment: - Hoistway shaft 210; - Entrance / exit frame 220; - Hoistway doors 240 and 250; - Front panel 230 of the hoistway.

[0168] Furthermore, in one embodiment, Figure 37 shows a perspective view and an exploded view. In one embodiment, the hoistway shaft 210 includes hoistway glass panels 211, 212, and 213 connected to the hoistway rear frames 214 and 215 by a silicone sealing material (e.g., silicone resin), as shown in Figures 38 and 39, and no bolts and nuts or other fasteners were used to connect them.

[0169] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the hoistway shaft 210 rests on the hoistway belt 309 or 310 and is attached with a silicone-based or other adhesive. On the front side, the hoistway shaft 210 is similarly attached to the entrance frame 220 with a silicone-based or other adhesive. In one embodiment, the upper part of the hoistway shaft 210 is connected, again, with a silicone-based or other adhesive, to either the hoistway belt 309 or 310 on the upper floor or to the hoistway head 400, and so all connections of the hoistway shaft 210 do not employ any bolts or nuts, and the fasteners used are, in one embodiment, a silicone-based or other adhesive.

[0170] Furthermore, the hoistway entrance frame 220, having edge frames 221 and 222, in one embodiment, functions as a medium for connecting the hoistway shaft 210, the hoistway front panel 230, and the hoistway doors 240, 250 together, as shown in Figures 33, 34, 40, 41, and 47.

[0171] In one embodiment, the elevator shaft front panel 230, as shown in Figures 58, 61-65 and 139, comprises an elevator shaft front glass panel 231, a lower edge frame 232 having a cross-section of shape 712, a left edge frame 233 having a cross-section of shape 725, a right edge frame 234 having a cross-section of shape 725, an upper edge frame 235 having a cross-section of shape 721, a gasket 236 having a cross-section of shape 737, and left and right cover plates 237 and 238, respectively, having a cross-section of shape 726.

[0172] The hoistway front panel 230 is attached via bolts 239 to the edge frames 221 and 222 of the entrance frame 220, which are bolted to the left edge 233 and right edge 234 of the front panel 230, as shown in detail in Figures 41, 47, 58, 57, and 63-65. In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 63-65, the bolts 239 are entirely located within the hoistway entrance frame 220, which has edge frames 221 and 222 and hoistway front panel edge frames 233 and 234, and are concealed by cover edge frames 237 and 238.

[0173] The lift hinges 226 and 227 are connected to the edge frames 221 and 222 of the access frame 220 via bolts 225 as shown in FIGS. 41, 47, 49, and 64. For that purpose, as shown in FIGS. 48 - 50, a dedicated knee-shaped part 229 is bolted to the lift hinges 226 and 227 with bolts 218. And, as shown in FIGS. 41, 47, and 64, the lift hinge 226 is inserted into a specially cut hole 219, whereby the knee-shaped part 229 and its bolt 218 are hidden from view. Next, the knee-shaped part 229 is bolted to the lift access edge frames 221 and 222 via bolts 225 as shown in FIGS. 49 and 64. At this point, the "protruding" bolt of the access frame is bolt 225 shown in FIG. 49, and this bolt is then hidden by a vacuum seal 224 having a cross-section of form 739 of the lift access frame as shown in FIG. 49, and thus the bolts fixing the lift hinges 226 and 227 to the access frame 220 are hidden.

[0174] In one embodiment, the lift hinges 226 and 227 are made from a metal profile having a cross-section of form 728 as shown in FIG. 139.

[0175] In one embodiment, the knee-shaped part 229 is made from a metal profile having a cross-section of form 729 as shown in FIG. 139.

[0176] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the lift doors 240 and 250 have the following bolts integrating the door structure as shown in FIGS. 67 - 79: - Bolts 258 connecting the door middle frame 253 to the door lower frame 254 and the door upper frame 255. These bolts are hidden by a vacuum seal 257 having a cross-section of form 739 as shown in FIGS. 71 - 73 and are not visible from any angle. - Bolts 248 connect the lower door hinge 241 to the lower door frame 254 and the upper door hinge 242 to the upper door frame 255. These bolts are hidden by vacuum seals 256 having a cross section of form 739, provided on the bottom and upper frames of the elevator shaft door, as shown in Figures 74 to 76, and are not visible from any angle. - Bolts 249 connect the three hinges 241, 242, and 243 to the door hinge frame 252. These bolts are hidden when the door is closed, as the bolts face the door frame, and are visible when the door is open. In fact, this may be the only place in the entire structure where the bolts are visible, namely in the open position of the hoistway door, as shown in Figures 72 and 77. As can be seen from the diagram, the bolts used in this design are housed within the frame structure and are therefore not visible from the outside, and are also hidden from view by the hoistway entrance frame when closed. Some of the bolts are visible when the hoistway doors are open and when a viewer is positioned somewhere between the hoistway doors (on the edge frame 252).

[0177] In one embodiment, the hoistway hinges 226 and 227 employ a door shaft 228 that enters the axle housing 245 of the hoistway door hinges 242 and 243 of the hoistway doors 240 and 250, or enters the axle housing 246 of the hoistway door hinge 241. In one embodiment, the lower hoistway door hinge 241 is mounted on a hoistway door shaft mechanism 820, which employs a lever 247 inserted into the door hinge 241 from the bottom surface of the hinge, and rotates the lever 247 to open and close the hoistway doors 240 and 250.

[0178] In one embodiment, the hoistway door hinges 242 and 243 are made from a metal profile having a cross-section of form 727, as shown in Figure 139.

[0179] Furthermore, the hoistway shaft 210 rests on the hoistway belt 300, which includes the hoistway belt 309 or 310 and the hoistway base 320. Figures 7 and 34 show the relationship of the hoistway belt 309 or 310 to the hoistway shaft 210 and the hoistway base 320 in one embodiment. Figures 80, 81-86 show various components of the hoistway belt 309 or 310, and the three edge frames 311, 312, and 313 of the hoistway belt 309 or 310 are cut at a 45-degree angle at the corner edges (for hexagonal and octagonal hoistways, this angle may differ) so that when the belt edge frames 311, 312, and 313 are aligned together, they form a perfect 90-degree angle, as seen in Figures 33, 34, and 87-88, conforming to the shape of the hoistway shaft 210, and thus resulting in a smooth transition of the outer pattern of the belt profile along the shape of the belt from the outside of the hoistway, and a smooth and uniform hoistway shaft with a 90-degree surface bend from the inside.

[0180] In one embodiment, both edges of frame 313 are machined to provide space for belt-connecting knee portions 314, which are secured to frame 313 via bolts 315. Similarly, the rear edges of frames 311 and 312 are machined to provide space for the remaining ends of the belt-connecting knee portions 314, so that when the left frame 311 and the right frame 312 are aligned with the rear frame 313 to form a 90-degree angle, the belt-connecting knee portions 314 at both ends are fully recessed into frames 311, 312, and 313 along with the connecting bolts 315, thus concealing the belt-connecting knee portions 314 and bolts 315 at both ends of frame 313.

[0181] The left frame 311 is fixed to the belt connection knee 314 at the left end of the rear frame 313 using bolts 316 on the upper and lower sides of the belt frame 311, and the right frame 312 is fixed to the belt connection knee 314 at the right end of the rear frame 313 using bolts 316 on the upper and lower sides of the belt frame 311, thus forming a sturdy hoistway belt 309 or 310. At this point, both the left and right belt connection knees 314 and their connecting bolts 315 are concealed and embedded within the structure of the belt 309 or 310, exposing the bolts 316, which are then concealed by the glass panels 211 and 212 and the sealing adhesive (e.g., silicone resin) beneath them once the belt is connected to the hoistway glass body 210, thus concealing all the bolts used to create the hoistway belt structure.

[0182] In one embodiment, the belt-connecting knee portion 314 is made from a metal profile having a cross-section of form 732, as shown in Figure 140.

[0183] In one embodiment, the elevator shaft base 320 includes the following: - A hoistway base body 320 having a profile with a cross-section of form 733, as shown in Figures 100 and 140; - A hoistway base side plate 321 having a cross-section of form 734, as shown in Figures 100 and 140; - A hoistway base cover plate 322 having a profile with a cross-section of form 735, as shown in Figures 101 to 103 and Figure 140.

[0184] As shown in Figures 96 to 98, in one embodiment, the hoistway base 320 is fixed to the hoistway belt 309 or 310 via bolts 324, which are inserted from the inside of the hoistway base 320 and exit through holes 323, and are fixed to the hoistway belt 309 or 310 via the corresponding threads on the hoistway belt 309 or 310, so as to be completely hidden from view. Thus, the sides of the hoistway belt 309 or 310 conform to a spotless design, and there are no visible bolts and nuts here either.

[0185] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the elevator shaft base 320 has a plurality of bolt groups extending from the elevator shaft base body 320, as shown in Figures 95 to 98 and Figure 102: - Bolt 324 protruding from hole 323 on the back side, facing the hoistway shaft, and connecting to the hoistway belt 309 or 310; - Bolts 311 that protrude from the hole 319 on the back side, face the hoistway shaft, and connect to the hoistway entrance frames 211 and 212 on the lower (upper) floor, or to the left and right edge frames 134 (foundation floor) of the hoistway foundation frame; - Bolts 326 protrude from the front-side hole 325, facing the entrance to the elevator shaft, and connect to the flooring on each floor. These bolts are concealed by being embedded in the flooring; - Bolts 328 that exit from the bottom side of the elevator shaft base body 320 and connect to the front panel 230 (of the lower floor) via gasket 236, or connect to the frame 132 (of the lower floor) of the elevator shaft foundation frame 130 via gasket 133; The heads of the bolts are recessed into the elevator shaft base body 320, and their ends are concealed within the structure to which the bolts are connected, thus concealing all bolts protruding from the elevator shaft base 320 and conforming to a spotless design.

[0186] Note that holes 323, 318, and 319 in the hoistway base 320 are concealed by the hoistway belt 309 or 310 and the hoistway entrance / exit frame 220. Hole 318 is used as a cable conduit for entering and exiting the hoistway base 320.

[0187] Furthermore, in one embodiment, as shown in Figures 97 and 98, there are different groups of bolts that enter the elevator shaft base 320 from the outside: - Bolts 327 connect the left and right side plates 321 of the hoistway base to the hoistway base 320. The upper bolts 327 are covered by the hoistway base cover plate 322, and the lower bolts 327 are embedded in the floor material and therefore hidden from view. - Other bolts that secure various mechanisms as part of the elevator shaft miniature mechanism inside the elevator shaft base body 320. These bolts are inserted from the front or bottom side of the frame 320, and their heads are recessed within the thickness of the flooring material, so these bolts are also hidden from the naked eye.

[0188] Furthermore, referring again to this approach, the machine room 400 (MR) is constructed so that, although it is entirely assembled using mostly bolts and a small amount of adhesive, there are no external bolts to tie the machine room structure together. Because the MR may require maintenance of its internal mechanisms, bolts and screws are used to open up compartments for technical maintenance and support. The hoistway glass body 210 is bonded to the MR base frame 370 in the same way that the hoistway glass body 210 is bonded to the hoistway belt strap 310, and in this way the MR is attached to the hoistway body with adhesive, so there are no screws or bolts here either, as shown in Figures 3, 4, 7, 33, 34, 107, 127-129.

[0189] At the top of the hoistway, the hoistway shaft 210 of the top floor is connected to the machine room (MR) 400 by a silicone-based or other adhesive, in one embodiment. Furthermore, the front side of the MR 400 is bolted to the front panel 230 of the top floor via bolts 482 located on the MR base frame 480, as shown in Figures 127-129 and 133. The heads of the front bolts 482 are then concealed by the MR enclosure 410, as shown in Figures 107, 108 and 109. The bodies of the front bolts 482 are recessed into the upper edge 235 of the upper front panel 230, so that the front panel 230 is attached to the MR without the bolts being visible from outside or inside the hoistway.

[0190] In one embodiment, bolts 482 are provided along the edges of the MR base frame 480 on the remaining sides (left, right, and rear) of the MR base frame 480, connecting the MR base frame 480 to the MR edge frame 470. The bodies of these bolts 482 are embedded within the bodies of the MR edge frame 470, while the heads of these bolts 482 are concealed by the MR enclosure 410, thus concealing all bolts in the machine room and connecting the MR to the "outside world". All other bolts of the MR are located inside the MR and are not exposed to observers located inside or outside the elevator shaft.

[0191] In one embodiment, the MR enclosure 410 includes an MR enclosure top plate 411, an MR enclosure front plate 412, an MR enclosure rear plate 413, an MR enclosure left side plate 414, and an MR enclosure right side plate 415, as shown in Figures 108 and 109.

[0192] As described above, the components of the elevator shaft in this approach are fixed using silicone-based or other adhesives when metal components are fixed to glass components, and bolted together when non-glass components are fixed to each other. In these cases of bolts used in the elevator shaft structure, the bolts are hidden from the observer's view, whether viewed from inside or outside the elevator shaft, complementing the panoramic view and thus forming the unique spotless signature design characteristic of this approach.

[0193] Furthermore, metal edges that connect together at a 90-degree angle or other angular relationships are pre-cut at a 45-degree angle to the connecting edge (in the case of a rectangular elevator shaft), and the alignment of these metal frames via the chamfered edges forms angled chamfers in a way that complements the unique spotless signature design characteristics of this approach, as shown in examples in Figures 80, 86, and 88, where the curves and design features of the profiles are precisely aligned. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below in separate sections. Embodiment 1 An elevator shaft device, A hoistway shaft containing one or more glass panels, Equipped with, The one or more glass panels have corresponding one or more vertically uniform inner panel surfaces and form at least a portion of the airtight shaft of the elevator shaft device. An elevator shaft device in which each of the one or more glass panels is a load-bearing panel that transmits at least its own weight to one or more lower support structures of the elevator shaft device. Embodiment 2 Hoistway foundation equipment and hoistway machine room equipment, It further includes, The elevator shaft foundation device is one of the one or more lower support structures, The elevator shaft is located above the elevator shaft foundation device. The apparatus according to Embodiment 1, wherein the elevator shaft machine room device is located above the elevator shaft, and thereafter, one or more glass panels of the elevator shaft transmit at least a certain mass of the elevator shaft machine room device to one or more lower support structures. Embodiment 3 The aforementioned elevator shaft, Multiple vertically stacked elevator shaft sections to form one or more vertically uniform inner surfaces of the elevator shaft, Includes, Each of the plurality of elevator shaft sections includes an elevator door frame having one or more elevator doors. The apparatus according to Embodiment 1, wherein the elevator door frames of the plurality of elevator shaft sections form one of the one or more vertically uniform inner surfaces of the elevator shaft. Embodiment 4 A belt frame comprising a plurality of belt arms, wherein a particular belt arm among the plurality of belt arms has a vertically uniform inner surface and a belt arm slot at the upper belt arm edge of the particular belt arm, It further includes, The belt frame is one of the one or more lower support structures. The apparatus according to Embodiment 1, wherein a particular glass panel among the one or more glass panels has a chamfered bottom panel edge, and is coupled to the belt frame by positioning the chamfered bottom panel edge within the belt arm slot of the particular belt arm, thereby forming part of the uniform inner surface of the apparatus, including the vertically uniform inner surface of the belt arm and the inner surface of the particular glass panel. Embodiment 5 A belt frame comprising a plurality of belt arms, wherein a particular belt arm among the plurality of belt arms has a vertically uniform inner surface, an outer surface of the belt arm, and a belt arm slot located on the upper belt arm edge of the particular belt arm, It further includes, The belt frame is one of the one or more lower support structures. The apparatus according to Embodiment 1, wherein a specific glass panel among the one or more glass panels is coupled to the belt frame, thereby transmitting at least the mass of the specific glass panel through the belt frame. Embodiment 6 A belt frame comprising a plurality of belt arms, wherein a particular belt arm among the plurality of belt arms has a vertically uniform inner surface, an outer surface of the belt arm, and a belt arm slot located on the upper belt arm edge of the particular belt arm, It further includes, The belt frame is one of the one or more lower support structures. The apparatus according to Embodiment 1, wherein a specific glass panel among the one or more glass panels is bonded to the belt frame by an adhesive placed between the specific glass panel and the belt arm slot of the specific belt arm, thereby fixing the specific glass panel to the specific belt arm. Embodiment 7 A belt frame comprising a plurality of belt arms, wherein a particular belt arm among the plurality of belt arms has a vertically uniform inner surface, an outer surface of the belt arm, and a belt arm slot located on the upper belt arm edge of the particular belt arm. The belt frame is one of the one or more lower support structures. A particular glass panel among the one or more glass panels has a chamfered bottom panel edge, and is coupled to the belt frame by positioning the chamfered bottom panel edge within the belt arm slot of the particular belt arm, thereby forming part of the vertically uniform inner surface of the apparatus, including the vertically uniform inner surface of the belt arm and the vertically uniform inner surface of the panel; An adhesive is positioned between the chamfered bottom panel edge of the particular glass panel and the belt arm slot of the particular belt arm, thereby securing the particular glass panel to the particular belt arm; At least one groove along the belt arm slot collects excess adhesive of the adhesive used to secure the particular glass panel to the particular belt arm, thereby The excess adhesive prevents the formation of jagged edges on the vertically uniform inner surface of the belt arm and the vertically uniform inner surface of the panel. Maintain the formation of a portion of the vertically uniform inner surface of the apparatus, including the vertically uniform inner surface of the belt arm and the vertically uniform inner surface of the panel. At least one groove that maintains the airtightness of the elevator shaft, The apparatus according to Embodiment 1, further comprising: Embodiment 8 The one or more glass panels are the first one or more glass panels, and the apparatus is A multi-section elevator shaft, wherein the upper section of the multi-section elevator shaft includes one or more first glass panels, and the lower section of the multi-section elevator shaft includes one or more second glass panels; A belt frame wherein one or more first glass panels are coupled to one or more second glass panels by the belt frame, and the belt frame is one of the one or more lower support structures for the upper section of the multi-section elevator shaft; The apparatus according to Embodiment 1, further comprising: Embodiment 9 A first specific glass panel among the one or more first glass panels includes a first bottom panel edge, a first top panel edge, and a first vertically uniform panel inner surface. A second specific glass panel among the one or more second glass panels includes a second vertically uniform inner surface, a second vertically uniform outer surface, and a second upper panel edge. The belt frame includes a plurality of belt arms, and a particular belt arm among the plurality of belt arms has a vertically uniform inner surface, an upper belt arm slot at the upper belt arm edge of the particular belt arm, and a bottom belt arm slot at the bottom belt arm edge of the particular belt arm. The first specific glass panel has a chamfered bottom panel edge and is coupled to the belt frame by positioning the chamfered bottom panel edge within the upper belt arm slot of the specific belt arm, thereby forming part of the vertically uniform inner surface of the apparatus, including the vertically uniform inner surface of the belt arm and the first vertically uniform inner surface of the panel. The apparatus according to Embodiment 8, wherein the second specific glass panel has a second upper panel edge that is beveled and is coupled to the belt frame by positioning the beveled second upper panel edge within the bottom belt arm slot of the specific belt arm, thereby forming a portion of the vertically uniform inner surface of the apparatus, including the first vertically uniform panel inner surface of the first specific glass panel, the second vertically uniform panel inner surface of the second specific glass panel, and the vertically uniform belt arm inner surface of the specific belt arm. Embodiment 10 The elevator shaft includes one or more elevator shaft sections, and the one or more elevator shaft sections include an elevator door frame having one or more elevator doors and one or more glass panels, The one or more elevator shaft sections are vertically uniform, A triangular hoistway, A rectangular elevator shaft, A pentagon that forms a pentagonal elevator shaft. A hexagonal elevator shaft, An octagonal elevator shaft, A circular elevator shaft, An elliptical elevator shaft, or A horseshoe-shaped elevator shaft with one flat side forming an elliptical tube. The apparatus according to Embodiment 1, having the cross-sectional shape. Embodiment 11 The apparatus according to Embodiment 1, wherein a specific glass panel among the one or more glass panels is made of tempered glass. Embodiment 12 The tempered glass of the aforementioned specific glass panel is From silicate glass, borosilicate glass, low-iron glass, lead glass, or stained glass, Through a thermal strengthening process that includes heating and rapid cooling processes, A chemical toughening process involving ion exchange of sodium ions in the glass surface of the particular glass panel by potassium ions, By laminating a thin film onto the aforementioned specific glass panel to form laminated glass, or From multiple glass subpanels bonded together with laminated films or adhesives to form a sandwich glass, The apparatus described in Embodiment 11 is being manufactured. Embodiment 13 The one or more glass panels mentioned above A specific glass panel having multiple panel edges, including a specific left panel edge, a specific right panel edge, a specific bottom panel edge, and a specific top panel edge, A first adjacent glass panel having a first adjacent side panel edge, A second adjacent glass panel having a second adjacent side panel edge, Includes, The apparatus according to Embodiment 1, wherein the specific right panel edge is coupled to the first adjacent side panel edge, and the specific left panel edge is coupled to the second adjacent side panel edge, thereby forming at least a portion of the airtight shaft of the elevator shaft apparatus, including the specific glass panel, the first adjacent glass panel, and the second adjacent glass panel. [Explanation of symbols]

[0194] 100 Elevator foundation 110 Elevator foundation enclosure 120 Elevator foundation base 130 Elevator foundation frame 140 Elevator foundation grille frame 200 elevator shaft 210 Elevator shaft body 220 Entrance / Exit Frame 230 Front Panel 240, 250 hoistway doors 300 elevator belt 309, 310 Elevator belt frame 320 Elevator base body 400 Elevator Head 410 MR envelope 420 MR electronic equipment 430 Vacuum chamber 450 MR Compressor 460 MR Compressor Frame 470 MR Edge Frame 480 MR Base Frame 490 MR exhaust grille 800 Suspension Mechanism 880 Emergency Brake

Claims

1. An elevator shaft device, A first elevator shaft including one or more glass panels; A multi-section elevator shaft, wherein the upper section of the multi-section elevator shaft includes one or more first glass panels, and the lower section of the multi-section elevator shaft includes one or more second glass panels. Equipped with, The first one or more glass panels have one or more corresponding vertically uniform inner panel surfaces and form at least a portion of the airtight shaft of the elevator shaft device. The first one or more glass panels are load-bearing panels such that each of the first one or more glass panels transmits at least its own weight to one or more lower support structures of the elevator shaft device. The aforementioned device An elevator shaft device comprising a belt frame, wherein one or more first glass panels are coupled to one or more second glass panels by the belt frame, and the belt frame further comprises one or more lower support structures for the upper section of the multi-section elevator shaft.

2. Hoistway foundation equipment and hoistway machine room equipment, It further includes, The elevator shaft foundation device is one of the one or more lower support structures, The elevator shaft is located above the elevator shaft foundation device. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elevator shaft machine room device is located above the elevator shaft, and thereafter, one or more of the first glass panels of the elevator shaft transmit at least a certain mass of the elevator shaft machine room device to one or more of the lower support structures.

3. The aforementioned elevator shaft, Multiple elevator shaft sections stacked vertically to form one or more vertically uniform inner surfaces of the elevator shaft, Includes, Each of the plurality of elevator shaft sections includes an elevator door frame having one or more elevator doors. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elevator door frames of the plurality of elevator shaft sections form one of the one or more vertically uniform inner surfaces of the elevator shaft.

4. A belt frame comprising a plurality of belt arms, wherein a particular belt arm among the plurality of belt arms has a vertically uniform inner surface and a belt arm slot at the upper belt arm edge of the particular belt arm, It further includes, The belt frame is one of the one or more lower support structures. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a particular glass panel among the first one or more glass panels has a chamfered bottom panel edge, and is coupled to the belt frame by positioning the chamfered bottom panel edge within the belt arm slot of the particular belt arm, thereby forming a portion of the uniform inner surface of the apparatus, including the vertically uniform inner surface of the belt arm and the inner surface of the particular glass panel.

5. A belt frame comprising a plurality of belt arms, wherein a particular belt arm among the plurality of belt arms has a vertically uniform inner surface, an outer surface of the belt arm, and a belt arm slot located on the upper belt arm edge of the particular belt arm, It further includes, The belt frame is one of the one or more lower support structures. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a specific glass panel among the first one or more glass panels is coupled to the belt frame, thereby transmitting at least the mass of the specific glass panel through the belt frame.

6. A belt frame comprising a plurality of belt arms, wherein a particular belt arm among the plurality of belt arms has a vertically uniform inner surface, an outer surface of the belt arm, and a belt arm slot located on the upper belt arm edge of the particular belt arm, It further includes, The belt frame is one of the one or more lower support structures. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a specific glass panel among the first one or more glass panels is bonded to the belt frame by an adhesive placed between the specific glass panel and the belt arm slot of the specific belt arm, thereby fixing the specific glass panel to the specific belt arm.

7. A belt frame comprising a plurality of belt arms, wherein a particular belt arm among the plurality of belt arms has a vertically uniform inner surface, an outer surface of the belt arm, and a belt arm slot located on the upper belt arm edge of the particular belt arm. The belt frame is one of the one or more lower support structures. A particular glass panel among the first one or more glass panels has a chamfered bottom panel edge and is coupled to the belt frame by positioning the chamfered bottom panel edge within the belt arm slot of the particular belt arm, thereby forming part of the vertically uniform inner surface of the apparatus, including the vertically uniform inner surface of the belt arm and the vertically uniform inner surface of the panel; An adhesive is positioned between the chamfered bottom panel edge of the particular glass panel and the belt arm slot of the particular belt arm, thereby securing the particular glass panel to the particular belt arm; At least one groove along the belt arm slot collects excess adhesive of the adhesive used to secure the particular glass panel to the particular belt arm, thereby The excess adhesive prevents the formation of jagged edges on the vertically uniform inner surface of the belt arm and the vertically uniform inner surface of the panel. Maintain the formation of a portion of the vertically uniform inner surface of the apparatus, including the vertically uniform inner surface of the belt arm and the vertically uniform inner surface of the panel. At least one groove that maintains the airtightness of the elevator shaft, The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

8. A first specific glass panel among the one or more first glass panels includes a first bottom panel edge, a first top panel edge, and a first vertically uniform panel inner surface. A second specific glass panel among the second one or more glass panels includes a second vertically uniform inner surface, a second vertically uniform outer surface, and a second upper panel edge. The belt frame includes a plurality of belt arms, and a particular belt arm among the plurality of belt arms has a vertically uniform inner surface, an upper belt arm slot at the upper belt arm edge of the particular belt arm, and a bottom belt arm slot at the bottom belt arm edge of the particular belt arm. The first specific glass panel has a chamfered bottom panel edge and is coupled to the belt frame by positioning the chamfered bottom panel edge within the upper belt arm slot of the specific belt arm, thereby forming part of the vertically uniform inner surface of the apparatus, including the vertically uniform inner surface of the belt arm and the first vertically uniform inner surface of the panel. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second specific glass panel has a second upper panel edge that is beveled and is coupled to the belt frame by positioning the beveled second upper panel edge within the bottom belt arm slot of the specific belt arm, thereby forming a portion of the vertically uniform inner surface of the apparatus, including the first vertically uniform panel inner surface of the first specific glass panel, the second vertically uniform panel inner surface of the second specific glass panel, and the vertically uniform belt arm inner surface of the specific belt arm.

9. The elevator shaft includes one or more elevator shaft sections, and the one or more elevator shaft sections include an elevator door frame having one or more elevator doors and the first one or more glass panels, The one or more elevator shaft sections are vertically uniform, A triangular hoistway, A rectangular elevator shaft, A pentagon that forms a pentagonal elevator shaft. A hexagonal elevator shaft, The octagonal shape will form the octagonal elevator shaft. A circular elevator shaft, An elliptical elevator shaft, or A horseshoe-shaped elevator shaft with one flat side forming an elliptical tube. The apparatus according to claim 1, having the following cross-sectional shape.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a specific glass panel among the first one or more glass panels is made of tempered glass.

11. The tempered glass of the aforementioned specific glass panel is From silicate glass, borosilicate glass, low-iron glass, lead glass, or stained glass, Through a thermal strengthening process that includes heating and rapid cooling processes, A chemical toughening process involving ion exchange of sodium ions in the glass surface of the particular glass panel by potassium ions, By laminating a thin film onto the aforementioned specific glass panel to form laminated glass, or From multiple glass subpanels bonded together with laminated films or adhesives to form a sandwich glass, The apparatus according to claim 10, which is manufactured.

12. The first one or more glass panels, A specific glass panel having multiple panel edges, including a specific left panel edge, a specific right panel edge, a specific bottom panel edge, and a specific top panel edge, A first adjacent glass panel having a first adjacent side panel edge, A second adjacent glass panel having a second adjacent side panel edge, Includes, The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific right panel edge is coupled to the first adjacent side panel edge, and the specific left panel edge is coupled to the second adjacent side panel edge, thereby forming at least a portion of the airtight shaft of the elevator shaft apparatus, which includes the specific glass panel, the first adjacent glass panel, and the second adjacent glass panel.

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