Automated Elevator-Shaft Mounting Device for Repetitive Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of elevator components within a shaft, particularly in high-rise elevators, is labor-intensive, costly, and poses risks of personal injury, often requiring several days or weeks to complete due to the large number of components and repetitive assembly steps.
Innovation Solution
An assembly device comprising a support component and a mechatronic installation component, including an industrial robot, is designed to perform installation steps partially or fully automatically, using tools like drills and screwdrivers, with features such as positioning, tool management, and vertical displacement within the elevator shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual installation by technicians is used, then installation can be completed with simple equipment, but installation time and labor costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly device is equipped with an industrial robot that can automatically perform drilling, screwing, and component mounting operations without continuous human intervention. The robot autonomously navigates the shaft environment, positions itself using sensors, and executes assembly tasks based on pre-programmed sequences, enabling the system to serve itself rather than requiring constant manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations by technicians are replaced with an automated industrial robot system. The robot performs drilling, screwing, and component handling operations that were previously done manually, substituting human mechanical actions with automated robotic mechanisms controlled by computer programs and sensors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more components are installed in high-rise elevators, then elevator functionality improves, but installation effort and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly device operates continuously without interruption, moving systematically from one component installation location to another along the elevator shaft. The industrial robot performs drilling, screwing, and mounting operations in continuous sequences without the breaks and repositioning delays associated with manual installation, maintaining productive action throughout the entire installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly device is designed as a multi-functional system capable of performing various installation tasks including drilling holes, screwing fasteners, mounting different types of components, and navigating different positions within the shaft. This universal capability allows the same device to handle diverse installation requirements across multiple components without needing separate specialized tools for each task.
3Reliability
If technicians perform installation manually, then equipment requirements are minimal, but risk of personal injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly device autonomously performs all installation operations without requiring technicians to physically enter or work within the elevator shaft. The industrial robot self-navigates to positions, self-positions components, and self-executes assembly operations, eliminating human exposure to hazardous shaft environments and associated safety risks.
4Productivity
If automated assembly device is used, then installation time is reduced, but device complexity and initial costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly device is divided into distinct functional modules including the industrial robot, drilling unit, screwing unit, sensor system, and control system. Each module performs a specific function and can potentially be independently maintained or replaced, making the complex system more manageable despite its overall complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A mounting device (1) for performing an assembly process in an elevator shaft (103) of an elevator system (101) is described. Said mounting device (1) comprises a support component (3) and a mechatronic assembly component (5). The support component (3) is designed to move within the elevator shaft (103). The assembly component (5) is retained on the support component (3) and is designed to carry out a mounting step in an at least partially automatic manner during the assembly process. In particular, the assembly component (5) can be in the form of an industrial robot (7). The mounting device (1) allows repetitive mounting jobs, for example, such as drilling holes and driving in screws, etc., to be performed in a partially or fully automated manner. The mounting effort, time and/or costs can be reduced.