Composite Member Inhibiting Longitudinal Stretch in Handrails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handrails and elevator belts face challenges in inhibiting longitudinal stretch, which affects their structural integrity and performance, particularly in high-stress applications like escalators and moving walkways.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a composite member with continuous fibers in a polymeric binder within the handrail or elevator belt carcass, manufactured through processes like pultrusion and extrusion, to provide a stretch-inhibiting core element that is embedded in a thermoplastic overcoat and surrounded by a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) carcass, ensuring strong adhesion and enhanced mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional materials and structures are used in handrails and elevator belts, then manufacturing is simpler and cost is lower, but longitudinal stretch increases and structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining continuous fibers (such as steel, glass, or aramid) with a polymeric binder to create a composite member that provides both high tensile strength and stretch inhibition. This composite structure is then integrated into the handrail or elevator belt carcass, achieving superior structural integrity while managing the complexity through standardized manufacturing processes like pultrusion or extrusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite member is nested within the carcass structure, with the continuous fibers embedded in the polymeric binder and the entire composite member positioned inside the handrail or elevator belt carcass. This nested arrangement allows the composite member to provide stretch inhibition while being protected and integrated into the overall structure.
2Strength
If composite members with continuous fibers are used, then longitudinal stretch is reduced and tensile strength increases, but manufacturing complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the orientation, density, and arrangement of continuous fibers within the polymeric binder to optimize tensile strength. The manufacturing process parameters (temperature, pressure, cooling rates) are also controlled to ensure proper bonding and structural properties, achieving high strength while maintaining manufacturability through established composite processing techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite member combining continuous fibers with polymeric binder provides enhanced tensile strength and resistance to longitudinal stretch. The selection of fiber type (steel, glass, aramid) and matrix material allows tailoring of mechanical properties to meet specific performance requirements while using成熟的 composite manufacturing processes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If composite members are embedded in thermoplastic overcoat and TPU carcass, then dimensional stability and adhesion are enhanced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The composite member is pre-formed with continuous fibers embedded in the polymeric binder before being integrated into the carcass. This preliminary preparation ensures proper fiber alignment and binder distribution, reducing the precision requirements during final assembly. The pre-formed composite member can then be efficiently embedded in the thermoplastic overcoat and TPU carcass using standardized manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested structure with composite member inside thermoplastic overcoat and TPU carcass provides dimensional stability through multiple protective layers. The embedding process is facilitated by the hierarchical nesting arrangement, where each layer protects and supports the previous one, reducing the need for high precision in final positioning.
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 effectively reduces longitudinal stretch, enhances dimensional stability, and increases the tensile strength of handrails and elevator belts, improving their performance and longevity by distributing stresses effectively and maintaining a neutral plane during flexing.
Implementation Method 1
the polymeric binder bonding the composite member to the carcass
Implementation Method 2
a composite member with continuous fibers in a polymeric binder within the handrail or elevator belt carcass
Data Source
AI summary
An article may include a carcass or jacket, and at least one composite member arranged within the carcass or jacket for inhibiting longitudinal stretch of the article. The composite member may include a plurality of fibers arranged in a polymeric binder, the polymeric binder bonding the composite member to the carcass or jacket. The carcass or jacket may be formed substantially of rubber or thermoplastic elastomer. The plurality of fibers may include fibers formed substantially from at least one of S-glass, aramid and carbon fiber. The polymer binder may be formed substantially of a thermoplastic material or of a thermoset material. In manufacturing of the article, the carcass or jacket may be extruded to surround the composite member. The article may be a handrail or an elevator belt.