Cable-Suspended Platform System for Building Envelope Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for accessing and maintaining tall building exteriors are costly, labor-intensive, and pose safety risks due to the need for expensive and complex equipment like building maintenance units (BMUs) and elevated work platforms, which are often inefficient and compromised by weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an elongate, flexible element with support assemblies and a retraction mechanism to position a functional platform at elevated positions, allowing for efficient access and maintenance of building exteriors, including façade inspection, cleaning, and repair, using a modular and portable kit with a trolley and crane mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional BMUs or elevated work platforms are used to access building exteriors, then access capability is achieved, but equipment cost and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the building envelope access task into multiple segments: a propulsion module that travels along the façade, a platform module that provides worker access, and a support cable system that enables vertical movement. This segmentation allows each component to be simpler and more specialized, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a support cable as an intermediary element that connects the propulsion module to the building structure. This cable acts as a mediator that enables the platform to be positioned at various heights without requiring complex mechanical lifting systems, thereby reducing equipment complexity while ensuring reliable access.
2Ease of operation
If manual maintenance methods are used for higher building levels, then access is possible, but safety risks and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The propulsion module is equipped with its own propulsion system that enables it to travel autonomously along the building façade using adhesives or friction against the surface. This self-propelled capability eliminates the need for complex external lifting mechanisms and reduces safety risks associated with manual positioning at heights, while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates safety features such as redundant cable systems, emergency braking mechanisms, and fail-safe locking systems that are built into the design beforehand. These precautions cushion against potential safety failures, reducing safety risks while maintaining ease of operation for workers.
3Productivity
If traditional BMUs are deployed, then building maintenance can be performed, but operational costs and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static BMU installations to a dynamic platform that can move vertically along support cables and horizontally along the façade using its propulsion system. This dynamic capability allows the platform to be quickly repositioned between different building sections without requiring reinstallation, thereby improving maintenance efficiency while reducing the time lost to installation and setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform is designed as a universal system that can service multiple building sections and various maintenance tasks (cleaning, inspection, repair) using the same deployed infrastructure. Once installed, the support cables and propulsion module can serve different areas of the building without requiring additional installation time, thus improving productivity while minimizing installation time investment.
Data Source
AI summary
System 1 for positioning a functional platform 5 at an elevated position relative to external walls of a building 2, such as to allow surveying or maintaining the building 2. The system 1 includes an elongate, flexible element 10, a carriage 4 mountable to the flexible element 10 and operable to move along the flexible element 10, the carriage 4 configured to suspend the functional platform 5 operatively below the carriage 4, and a pair of support assemblies 6. Each support assembly 6 includes a mount 14 configured to be fixed to the building 2 to define a position axis 7, and an elongate support member 13 configured to connect to the mount 14 to be rotatable about the position axis, the support member 13 defining a free end 11 configured to support the flexible element 10. The system 1 also includes a retraction mechanism engageable with the flexible element 10 and operable to retract and tension the flexible element 10 between the support members 13.