Angled Elevator Car Frame Without Pit Protrusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional passenger/freight elevator frames require an elevator pit for reinforcement, which is not always feasible or desirable in building design, as it protrudes and influences the floor construction of the lowest storey.

Innovation Solution

A frame design featuring a pair of uprights with angled supports that distribute downward forces through multiple connections, allowing for a compact and strong structure without protrusion, using partially hollow uprights and strips for enhanced load-bearing capacity and ease of assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If transverse beams are used for reinforcement on the underside of the elevator car, then the frame strength is improved, but the protrusion in downward direction increases requiring an elevator pit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe strengthVSAvoidprotrusion length
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure transitions from a purely horizontal transverse beam configuration to an angled configuration where supports extend diagonally from the uprights to the bottom part. This dimensional change in orientation allows the reinforcement structure to achieve necessary strength while reducing downward protrusion, as the load path is redirected through the angled supports to the building structure above rather than requiring extensive downward extension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of extending reinforcement elements downward from the bottom of the car (traditional approach), the invention inverts the approach by anchoring supports to the uprights and extending them downward at an angle, with the second parts receiving the bottom part. This inversion of the structural logic allows the reinforcement to be integrated into the upright-superstructure system rather than being an add-on to the bottom part, reducing pit requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Strength

If the first part of the support is connected to the upright at multiple points over a great distance, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidconnection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support is divided into two distinct parts: a first part that connects to the upright and a second part that receives the bottom part. This segmentation allows the first part to be optimized for connection to the upright over a great distance with multiple connection points for high load-bearing capacity, while the second part is optimized for receiving and supporting the bottom part. The modular segmentation simplifies the overall design by separating the connection functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second part of the support is received within the hollow upright structure, creating a nested configuration. This nesting allows the support structure to be integrated into the existing upright geometry, reducing overall complexity. The first part extends from the upright at an angle, while the second part is accommodated within the hollow section, creating a compact integrated structure that maintains high load-bearing capacity without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP2791042B1Frame for a car of a passenger/freight elevator, and such a car and passenger/freight elevator
Publication Date: 2018.04.25 LOHR ELEVATOREN
  • EP2791042B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2791042B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2791042B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present invention relates to a frame (20) for a car (10) of a passenger/freight elevator. The invention further relates to a car provided with such a frame. Finally, the invention also relates to an elevator comprising such a car. According to the invention the frame (20) comprises an upright (21, 22) having connected thereto a support (23, 24) which comprises two parts placed at an angle relative to each other, which parts are integrally connected. One part (23A, 24A) is connected here to the upright and the other part (23B, 24B) to a bottom part (33) of the car (10).