Cantilevered Climbing Elevator Drive Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ultra-high rise elevator systems face challenges with long roping that introduces mass, expense, sag, bounce, sway, and drift, requiring additional equipment or modifications to maintain stability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An elevator system with a drive mechanism featuring a rotatable drive member that engages a vertical surface for movement and stabilization, utilizing a biasing mechanism with actuators to adjust engagement force based on load, and a stabilizer to prevent tipping, allowing for efficient traction and positioning with reduced material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If traction elevator systems are used in ultra-high rise installations, then the elevator can operate in taller buildings, but the roping becomes so long that it introduces appreciable mass and expense
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the roping element entirely from the elevator system. Instead of using traditional traction systems with long ropes, the invention uses a drive mechanism with drive members that engage a vertical surface (such as a guide rail or fixed surface) to provide traction. This extraction of the roping component eliminates the mass and expense associated with ultra-long roping while maintaining the ability to operate in tall buildings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical traction system (ropes and sheaves) with a different mechanical approach using drive members engaging a vertical surface. The drive mechanism uses drive members that rotate and engage with a vertical guide surface, substituting the rope-based traction system with a surface-engagement system that eliminates the need for long roping.
2Length of stationary object
If the roping is made longer for taller buildings, then the elevator can reach higher floors, but sag due to roping stretch and bounce of the elevator car occurs
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the roping component entirely, the patent eliminates the source of sag and bounce. The elevator car is supported by a carriage mechanism that engages with a fixed vertical surface, eliminating the flexible roping connection that causes instability in traditional traction systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the elevator car suspended by flexible roping from above, the invention inverts the support mechanism by having the carriage engage a fixed vertical surface from below. The drive members rotate along this fixed surface, providing stable support and eliminating the sag and bounce caused by flexible roping.
3Length of stationary object
If longer roping is used in taller buildings, then the elevator can operate at higher altitudes, but sway and drift increase requiring additional equipment or modification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the roping component that causes sway and drift. By using a carriage mechanism with drive members engaging a fixed vertical surface, the system eliminates the flexible connection that leads to swaying and drifting, thereby reducing the need for additional stabilization equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the traditional suspension approach by having the carriage engage a fixed vertical surface rather than being suspended by flexible roping. This inverted configuration provides inherent stability against sway and drift, eliminating or reducing the need for additional stabilization equipment.
4Device complexity
If a drive mechanism is situated near only one side of the elevator car frame, then the structure is simplified, but the elevator car frame may tip away from the vertical surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric placement of the drive mechanism on one side of the elevator car frame, which simplifies the structure. To compensate for the potential tipping moment created by this asymmetric configuration, a stabilizer is provided that engages with the vertical surface to prevent the car frame from tipping away.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer mechanism provides preliminary counter-action against the tipping force that would otherwise cause the elevator car frame to tip away from the vertical surface. By pre-positioning the stabilizer to engage the vertical surface, the system prevents tipping before it occurs, counteracting the asymmetric drive mechanism configuration.
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 enhances traction and stability, reduces material costs, and simplifies installation by optimizing the use of structural members, enabling efficient operation and flexibility in ultra-high rise installations.
Implementation Method 1
the biasing mechanism comprises at least one beam supported for movement in a first direction to urge the at least one rotatable drive member in the direction to engage the vertical surface and the at least one beam moves in the first direction based upon a force in a second, different direction
Implementation Method 2
At least one stabilizer is situated near the one side of the elevator car frame and is configured to prevent the elevator car frame from tipping away from the vertical surface
Implementation Method 3
A drive mechanism is situated near only one side of the elevator car frame. The drive mechanism includes at least one rotatable drive member that is configured to engage a vertical surface near the one side of the elevator car frame, selectively cause movement of the elevator car frame as the rotatable drive member rotates along the vertical surface
Data Source
AI summary
An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator includes an elevator car frame. A drive mechanism is situated near only one side of the elevator car frame. The drive mechanism includes at least one rotatable drive member that is configured to engage a vertical surface near the one side of the elevator car frame, selectively cause movement of the elevator car frame as the rotatable drive member rotates along the vertical surface, and selectively prevent movement of the elevator car frame when the drive member does not rotate relative to the vertical surface. A biasing mechanism urges the rotatable drive member in a direction to engage the vertical surface. At least one stabilizer is situated near the one side of the elevator car frame and is configured to prevent the elevator car frame from tipping away from the vertical surface.