Cabin Lifting Apparatus with Redundant Drive Cables
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional elevator systems require braking mechanisms on the cabin, which increase complexity and costs, and result in prolonged downtime for passengers during engine or traction cable failures, as they cannot safely return to the ground without external intervention.
Innovation Solution
A cabin lifting installation with a hollow vertical mast and central annular carriage, utilizing two drive cables in closed loops and a disengageable mechanical coupling system between main electric motors, allowing for synchronous operation and redundancy in case of motor failure, eliminating the need for onboard braking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If braking means are provided on the cabin to stop the cabin in case of excessive speed, then safety is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The braking function is extracted from the cabin and relocated to the ground-based drive device. The drive cables are braked at ground level rather than requiring onboard braking mechanisms, eliminating complex braking systems from the cabin while maintaining safety control.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive cables serve as intermediaries that transmit both the driving force and the braking force between the ground-based drive device and the cabin. By braking the cables at ground level, the system achieves cabin control without direct onboard braking components.
2Reliability
If conventional braking means are used on the cabin, then safety is improved, but manufacturing and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The braking function is extracted from the cabin and relocated to the ground-based drive device. The drive cables are braked at ground level rather than requiring onboard braking mechanisms, eliminating complex braking systems from the cabin while maintaining safety control.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground-based drive device serves dual purposes: it both drives the cabin upward and brakes the cabin during emergency stops. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate onboard braking systems, reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs.
3Device complexity
If a single drive cable system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases due to lack of redundancy
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into two independent drive cables instead of using a single cable system. Each cable can independently support the cabin load, providing redundancy while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes from a single-cable configuration to a dual-cable configuration, fundamentally altering the reliability parameter. This parameter change ensures that if one cable fails, the other can still support the cabin, dramatically improving system reliability.
4Strength
If the coupling system remains disengaged during motor failure, then mechanical stress is reduced, but productivity decreases due to extended downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system transitions from a static disengaged state to a dynamic engaged state in response to motor failure. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain mechanical integrity while enabling the operating motor to quickly restore cabin operation, minimizing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system is pre-configured to automatically engage upon motor failure, preventing the harmful effect of complete system shutdown. This preliminary anti-action ensures that the remaining motor can immediately take over, reducing downtime while managing mechanical stress through controlled engagement.
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 the cabin to safely return to the ground even in case of motor or cable failures, reducing downtime and eliminating the need for onboard braking, thus simplifying manufacturing and maintenance while enhancing safety redundancy.
Implementation Method 1
two drive cables (18c, 18d) each arranged in an endless closed loop and engaged in a respective drive pulley (19c, 19d)
Implementation Method 2
sliding along the structure in the vertical direction by guide means provided on the external face of the mast cooperating with rolling means of the carriage
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a cabin (C) lifting apparatus for transporting passengers, that comprises a hollow vertical mast (11) on which a central annular carriage (12) of the cabin (C) is mounted so as to be capable of sliding, two driving cables (18c, 18d) arranged in a closed loop with a vertical yarn (25c, 25d), the two vertical yarns (25c, 25d) being attached to two diametrically opposed attachment areas of the carriage (12), two main electric motors (29c, 29d) each connected to a driving pulley (19c, 19d), a differential system ensuring the synchronous running of the driving cables (18c, 18d) during the simultaneous operation of the two main motors (29c, 29d), and a mechanical coupling system that can be declutched for forcing a synchronous rotation of the driving pulleys (19c, 19d) in the clutched position of the coupling system, the clutched position being activated in the case of failure of one of the main motors (29c, 29d).