Belt-Shaped Elevator Rope With Acute Wedge Ribs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing belt-shaped elevator ropes exhibit unstable behavior due to variations in friction coefficient over time, leading to issues like twist and sway, especially in challenging configurations.
Innovation Solution
A new belt-shaped rope design featuring elongated wedge-shaped ribs with acute angles and a surface material with Shore A hardness between 85 and 100, combined with polymer-based coatings and load-bearing members, to maintain stable friction bandwidth and prevent twist.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If soft material with large rib angles is used for rope ribs, then friction contact area with rope wheels is increased, but rope behavior stability deteriorates over time due to friction coefficient variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from soft to hard (Shore A hardness 85-100) and changes the geometric parameter from large rib angles to acute angles (less than 90 degrees). This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction by maintaining stable friction characteristics throughout the rope's service life while preventing twist and sway, as the hard material resists wear and maintains consistent friction coefficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction with hard surface material (polymer with Shore A hardness 85-100) for the rib flanks that contacts the rope wheel, while the core remains flexible. This composite approach allows the surface to provide stable friction and guidance while the core maintains rope flexibility, resolving the contradiction between friction stability and rope behavior stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If hard surface material with acute rib angles is used, then friction bandwidth stability is maintained throughout rope lifetime, but initial friction coefficient may differ from soft material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges (Shore A hardness 85-100 and acute angles less than 90 degrees) to ensure that while the initial friction coefficient may differ from soft materials, the friction bandwidth remains stable throughout the rope's service life. The hard material's wear resistance ensures consistent friction characteristics over time.
3Shape
If belt-shaped rope with ribs is used for lateral guidance, then rope positioning is improved, but twist and sway occur in challenging configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric wedge-shaped ribs with acute angles that create a geometric lock between the rope and rope wheel. The asymmetric geometry provides lateral guidance while the acute angle configuration prevents the rope from twisting or swaying, as the geometry inherently resists rotational movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the rib angle parameter to acute angles (less than 90 degrees) and increases surface hardness, which transforms the interaction between rope and rope wheel. This parameter change enables the ribs to provide lateral guidance while preventing twist and sway, as the hard acute-angled ribs maintain their geometric integrity under load.
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 solution ensures stable rope behavior throughout its lifetime by maintaining consistent friction and reducing twist, enhancing traction and stability while minimizing wear and friction-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
The surface material of said flank faces has shore A hardness more than 85 and less than 100... the bandwidth of the friction is to be maintained more stable throughout the life time of the rope
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a belt-shaped rope of an elevator having opposite lateral sides facing in thickness direction of the rope, at least one of the lateral sides being shaped to have elongated wedge-shaped ribs that are disposed adjacent each other in width direction of the rope and extend parallel with the longitudinal direction of the rope, each said wedge-shaped rib having a first flank face and a second flank face that are at an acute angle relative to each other, and the surface material of said flank faces has shore A hardness more than 85 and less than 100. The invention also relates to an elevator arrangement as well as to an elevator, implementing the aforementioned belt-shaped rope.