Anisotropic Roughness Elevator Element for Wear and Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator elements with uniform contact surface roughness either experience high wear or increased manufacturing costs, and when using flat belts, low axial roughness can negatively impact lateral guidance.
Innovation Solution
Manufacturing elevator elements with different arithmetic mean roughness values for circumferential and axial contact surfaces, specifically less than 1 micrometer in the circumferential direction and more than 0.4 micrometers in the axial direction, to reduce wear and manufacturing costs while improving lateral guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the contact surface roughness is increased in the circumferential direction, then the wear resistance improves, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surface is given different roughness characteristics in different directions: the circumferential direction has low roughness (Ra ≤ 1 µm, preferably 0.1-0.8 µm) to minimize wear, while the axial direction has higher roughness (Ra > 0.4 µm, preferably 0.4-0.95 µm) to provide lateral guidance. This anisotropic surface structure allows each direction to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface roughness profile is made asymmetric with respect to measurement direction, creating different arithmetic mean roughness values when measured in the circumferential versus axial directions. This asymmetric roughness pattern enables the surface to exhibit direction-dependent properties: smooth in the circumferential direction for wear reduction, and textured in the axial direction for guidance.
2Loss of substance
If the contact surface roughness is decreased in the circumferential direction, then the wear is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The surface roughness parameter Ra is controlled within specific ranges: circumferential Ra ≤ 1 µm (preferably 0.1-0.8 µm, particularly 0.2-0.6 µm) and axial Ra > 0.4 µm (preferably 0.4-0.95 µm). By defining these parameter ranges, the invention balances wear reduction requirements with achievable manufacturing precision, allowing standard machining processes to produce the required surface characteristics.
3Ease of operation
If the contact surface roughness is increased in the axial direction, then the lateral guidance effect improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surface is given different roughness characteristics in different directions: the circumferential direction has low roughness (Ra ≤ 1 µm, preferably 0.1-0.8 µm) to minimize wear, while the axial direction has higher roughness (Ra > 0.4 µm, preferably 0.4-0.95 µm) to provide lateral guidance. This anisotropic surface structure allows each direction to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
4Ease of manufacture
If uniform roughness is applied in both directions, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the wear behavior and guidance performance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The surface roughness profile is made asymmetric with respect to measurement direction, creating different arithmetic mean roughness values when measured in the circumferential versus axial directions. This asymmetric roughness pattern enables the surface to exhibit direction-dependent properties: smooth in the circumferential direction for wear reduction, and textured in the axial direction for guidance.
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
This approach minimizes wear, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances lateral guidance, ensuring stable traction force even during slip events, such as control faults or blockages, by optimizing the contact surface roughness and using materials like tempered steel and chromium-containing coatings.
Implementation Method 1
at least one contact surface via which the elevator element interacts with the elevator suspension means for the purpose of transferring a driving force from a drive unit to the elevator suspension means or to reverse such an elevator suspension means
Data Source
AI summary
In an elevator element for driving or reversing an elevator suspension device in an elevator system, that interacts with an elevator suspension device, the arithmetic mean of the roughness value of the contact surface measured in the circumferential direction of the elevator element, and the mean roughness value of the contact surface measured in the axial direction of the elevator element, are different. The arithmetic mean roughness value of the contact surface measured in the circumferential direction of the elevator element is less than 1 micrometer.