Composite Rope Traction Device for Elevator Sheave
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator traction systems face challenges in efficiently transferring high forces while maintaining a compact drive unit width, as existing belt technologies require wide sheaves and significant elastomer shear, and rope technologies require complex groove alignment.
Innovation Solution
A composite rope design featuring parallel individual ropes with an elastomer layer, connected over their length, engaging in traction sheave grooves by at least 25% of their diameter, combining the advantages of belt and rope technologies for easy manipulation and low maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If belt technology is used with multiple belts in parallel, then safety and load capacity are improved, but the required sheave width and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual ropes into a single composite rope structure where tension carriers are embedded in elastomer material and connected by a connecting layer. This merging approach allows multiple load-bearing elements to function as one unified traction element, enabling the use of a single narrower sheave instead of multiple wide sheaves required for parallel belts.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material construction with tension carriers (metal ropes) embedded in elastomer material and connected by a connecting layer. This composite structure allows the traction element to combine the high strength of metal ropes with the flexibility and friction characteristics of elastomer, achieving high load capacity in a compact form factor.
2Force
If rope technology is used with individual ropes in grooves, then direct force transfer is achieved, but the manipulation complexity and alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual ropes into a single composite rope unit with integrated tension carriers embedded in elastomer. This unified structure eliminates the need for complex groove alignment of multiple separate ropes, as the entire composite rope engages with the sheave as one element, simplifying manipulation while maintaining direct force transfer through the engaged tension carriers.
3Strength
If wider belts are used to distribute load, then load capacity increases, but the device width and sheave size requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite material construction with multiple tension carriers embedded in elastomer material, connected by a connecting layer. This allows high load capacity to be achieved through the combined strength of multiple tension carriers within a compact cross-section, eliminating the need for wide belts while maintaining load distribution capabilities.
4Force
If elastomer material is used between tension carriers and sheave, then friction-based traction is achieved, but the shear strength requirements and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material construction where tension carriers are permanently embedded in elastomer material and connected by a vulcanized connecting layer. This integrated composite structure eliminates the need for separate friction surfaces that wear out, as the entire assembly functions as a unified traction element with no loose components requiring lubrication or adjustment, significantly reducing maintenance requirements.
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 composite rope enables high force transfer with minimal shear resistance, allowing for thin ropes and narrow sheaves, reducing maintenance needs and adapting to various sheave profiles with customizable elastomer materials.
Implementation Method 1
the transferable force is, however, also dependent upon the quality of the embedment of the reinforcement in the elastomer, that is, on the adherence capability between elastomer and reinforcement
Implementation Method 2
on the adherence capability between elastomer and reinforcement
Implementation Method 3
each individual rope is an independent traction element and can also be driven individually
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a traction device (1), especially for an elevator system. The traction device (1) is driveable by a traction sheave. The task which is the basis of the invention is to provide a traction device which is simple to manipulate. High tension forces are transferable and the traction device makes possible a drive unit of lesser width compared to the known belt technology. For this purpose, the traction device is configured as a composite rope (1) wherein individual tension carriers (2, 3) are connected to each other via a one-sided elastomer connecting layer (4). The individual tension carriers (2, 3) lie in parallel and are jacketed with elastomeric material. The tension carriers (2, 3) engage in corresponding grooves (13) of the traction sheave (10). The tension carriers (2, 3) engage in the grooves (13) of the traction sheave (10) with at least 25% of their total diameter.