Elevator Counterweight with Housed Deflection Pulley

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional counterweights for suspension means elevators are bulky, requiring more vertical space and expensive, high-density materials to maintain compactness, and their design complicates the assembly and maintenance of suspension means due to protruding deflection pulleys and additional protective components.

Innovation Solution

A compact counterweight design where the deflection pulley is housed within a cross beam structure, with windows for suspension means passage and protective plates for safety, and bearing plates for easy assembly and disassembly, ensuring the pulley does not protrude vertically and allowing for unhindered movement of suspension means.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the deflection pulley is protected by a separate sheet metal part, then the pulley is protected against falling parts, but the number of parts increases and the overall height of the counterweight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against falling partsVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective function is merged with the cross beam itself. The cross beam is designed with an upper bending that extends over the deflection pulley, providing protection against falling parts while being an integral part of the supporting structure, thus eliminating the need for separate protective sheet metal parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cross beam serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the counterweight, holds the deflection pulley, and simultaneously acts as a protective cover against falling parts through its upper bending design. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the deflection pulley is protected by a separate sheet metal part, then the pulley is protected against falling parts, but the overall height of the counterweight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against falling partsVSAvoidoverall height of counterweight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding vertical height to protect the pulley, the protection is achieved through horizontal extension of the cross beam's upper bending over the pulley. This dimensional approach provides protection without increasing the counterweight's vertical profile.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the deflection pulley protrudes from the cross beam, then the pulley can rotate freely, but the counterweight requires more vertical space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepulley rotationVSAvoidvertical space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection pulley is nested within the space defined by the cross beam's upper bending. The pulley rotates freely within this enclosed space, with the upper bending providing overhead protection while allowing sufficient clearance for rotation without increasing the counterweight's vertical height.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Reliability

If traditional protective designs are used, then the pulley is protected, but assembly of the suspension means becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprotectionVSAvoidassembly of suspension means

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cross beam is designed with open sides that allow the suspension means to be segmented into manageable portions for assembly. The bearing plates can be positioned to guide the suspension means under the pulley, and the open structure allows installers to easily guide the suspension means without requiring complex protective covers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design achieves a more compact vertical profile, simplifies assembly and maintenance, and reduces material costs by minimizing the need for high-density materials and additional protective components, while maintaining safety and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one deflection pulley (5) is housed at least partially in the cross beam (3)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPulley: Pulley

Data Source

PatentEP4491563A1Counterweight for a suspension means elevator

Publication Date: 2025.01.15 WITTUR HLDG GMBH

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AI summary

A counterweight for a suspension means elevator for a compensation of the weight force with which a car loads its suspension means, wherein the counterweight comprises a supporting structure with at least one cross beam, which supports the at least one mass body and at least one deflection pulley for the suspension means, wherein the deflection pulley is rotating about an axis which is coaxial or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cross beam, wherein the at least one deflection pulley is housed in the cross beam.