Beam Climber Assembly Pod for Automated Guide Rail Construction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional elevator systems require manual construction of guide rails, limiting efficiency and allowing only one elevator car per shaft at a time, as existing methods lack automation for building multiple guide beams and rails simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A beam climber system utilizing a pulley and pulley cable, or other lifting systems like robotic arms, to construct guide beams and rails by attaching and moving sections incrementally, allowing multiple guide beams and rails to be built as the system rides on previously installed ones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual construction methods are used for guide rails, then installation can be performed with simple equipment, but construction speed and efficiency are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction speedVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The beam climber system is self-propelled and carries its own lifting mechanisms, allowing it to autonomously transport and install guide beam sections without external assistance. The system climbs along previously installed guide beams while simultaneously installing new sections, making the installation process self-sufficient and dramatically increasing construction speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The guide beams are divided into multiple sections that can be transported and installed separately. The beam climber system moves section by section, attaching each segment to the growing structure. This segmentation allows for modular installation and enables the system to work incrementally upward through the elevator shaft

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If only one guide rail is constructed at a time, then the installation process is simpler to manage, but multiple elevator cars cannot operate simultaneously in the same shaft

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-car operation capabilityVSAvoidinstallation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The beam climber system is designed to simultaneously construct multiple guide beams and rails within the same elevator shaft. By carrying multiple lifting systems and guide beam sections, the single climber unit can create the infrastructure needed for multiple elevator cars to operate independently and simultaneously in the shaft

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from constructing guide rails in a single linear sequence to building multiple parallel guide beams simultaneously within the three-dimensional space of the elevator shaft. This spatial utilization allows multiple elevator pathways to be created at once, enabling multi-car operation

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

3Loss of time

If conventional manual installation methods are used, then equipment costs are lower, but labor intensity and construction time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction timeVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical installation methods with an automated beam climber system equipped with motorized lifting mechanisms, pulleys, and cable systems. This substitution of human labor with automated mechanical systems dramatically reduces construction time while the modular design keeps manufacturing relatively simple

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

Enables efficient automated construction of multiple guide beams and rails within an elevator shaft, increasing construction speed and allowing for simultaneous operation of multiple elevator cars.

Implementation Method 1

A beam climber system utilizing a pulley and pulley cable, or other lifting systems like robotic arms, to construct guide beams and rails

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulley: Pulley

Data Source

PatentEP3945057B1Beam climber assembly pod for guide rail and guide beam installation
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3945057B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3945057B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2F
  • EP3945057B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An elevator system including: an elevator car configured to move through an elevator shaft; a first guide beam extending vertically through the elevator shaft, the first guide beam including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the first guide beam includes a first section; a beam climber system configured to move the elevator car through the elevator shaft, the beam climber system including: a first wheel in contact with the first surface; and a first electric motor configured to rotate the first wheel; and a beam climber assembly pod operably attached to the beam climber system, wherein the beam climber assembly pod is configured construct remaining sections of the first guide beam as the beam climber assembly rides on the first section of the first guide beam.