Air-Bearing Linear Motor Elevator System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional elevator systems with cable or belt drives are inadequate for independent movement of multiple elevator cars in a common shaft, as they suffer from mechanical bearing wear, noise, and limited directional flexibility.

Innovation Solution

An elevator system utilizing air-bearing linear motors with a stationary part secured to the elevator shaft and a movable part on the car, employing aerostatic air bearings to minimize friction and allow independent movement of multiple cars in various directions within a shared shaft.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cable or belt drives are used to move elevator cars, then mechanical force transmission is achieved, but mechanical bearing wear and noise occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical bearing durabilityVSAvoidmechanical wear and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional cable-driven mechanical system with an air-bearing linear motor system. The linear motor generates electromagnetic force to move the elevator car directly, eliminating cables, pulleys, and mechanical bearings. The air bearing provides contactless support, further reducing mechanical wear and noise, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful mechanical factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs air bearings that use compressed air to create a frictionless support layer between the moving parts. This pneumatic cushion eliminates direct mechanical contact, preventing bearing wear and reducing noise while maintaining reliable support for the elevator car during movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a single cable drive system is used in a common shaft, then space is efficiently utilized, but independent movement of multiple elevator cars is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent car movement capabilityVSAvoiddrive system configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the common shaft into multiple independent zones, each equipped with its own air-bearing linear motor. This segmentation allows each elevator car to be controlled independently by its dedicated motor, enabling versatile movement patterns while maintaining a manageable system complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air-bearing linear motor system serves multiple functions: it provides propulsion, positioning, and support for multiple elevator cars simultaneously. Each motor can independently control its associated car, enabling the system to handle various operational scenarios including simultaneous bidirectional movement, making the system universally adaptable to different service requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If conventional mechanical bearings are used in linear motors, then support and guidance are provided, but friction and wear occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing support reliabilityVSAvoidfriction and mechanical contact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical bearings with air bearings in the linear motor assembly. The air bearing uses a film of compressed air to provide contactless support and guidance, eliminating friction and mechanical wear while maintaining reliable positioning and support functions, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful mechanical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The air-bearing linear motor system reduces mechanical contact and wear, minimizes noise, and allows for flexible directional movement, enabling efficient and maintenance-free operation of multiple elevator cars within a common shaft.

Implementation Method 1

The drive device has an air bearing (17) which is located between the stationary part (13) and the movable part (15) and is designed to keep the stationary part (13) spaced apart from the movable part (15) via an air gap (19) therebetween

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerostatic air bearing: Air Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

For this purpose, temporally and spatially varying magnetic fields which bring about the forces necessary for this relative displacement are generated between the stationary part and the movable part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

a linear motor which has a stationary part secured to a wall of the elevator shaft and a movable part secured to the elevator car

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLinear motor: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Data Source

PatentUS20220380180A1Elevator system with air-bearing linear motor

Publication Date: 2022.12.01 INVENTIO AG

AI summary

An elevator system has an elevator shaft, an elevator car and a drive device for displacing the elevator car within the elevator shaft. The drive device is a linear motor that has a stationary part secured to a shaft wall of the elevator shaft and a movable part secured to the elevator car. The drive device has an air bearing between the stationary part and the movable part that keeps the stationary part spaced apart from the movable part via an air gap therebetween.