Curved Bumper Seal for Smooth Vacuum Elevator Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art vacuum elevator systems experience rough transitions and noise due to straight or linear bumpers that do not allow for smooth movement within the elevator cylinder, leading to unpleasant cabin experiences.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a novel elevator cabin seal system with bumpers of varying shapes such as diagonal, arch, triangular, polygon, and elliptical patterns that are attached to the structural plate, providing a smoother engagement with the elevator cylinder and reducing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If straight or linear bumpers are used in the liner, then the manufacturing is simple, but the cabin movement becomes rough and noisy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the bumper design by replacing straight linear bumpers with curved or arched bumpers. This curvature allows the bumper to better conform to the cylindrical surface of the elevator shaft, creating smoother contact during cabin movement. The curved geometry distributes the contact forces more evenly along the motion path, eliminating the rough transitions and noise associated with straight bumpers while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard extrusion or molding processes.
2Device complexity
If straight or linear bumpers are used in the liner, then the device complexity is low, but noise is generated during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The curved or arched bumper design replaces simple linear geometries with smooth curves that better match the cylindrical elevator shaft surface. This geometric modification changes the contact dynamics during cabin movement, distributing impact forces over a larger area and reducing peak stresses. The result is significant noise reduction during operation while adding minimal complexity to the overall liner structure, as the curved bumpers can still be manufactured using conventional extrusion or molding techniques.
3Ease of manufacture
If straight or linear bumpers are used in the liner, then the manufacturing process is simple, but rough transitions occur during cabin movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved or arched bumper profiles that naturally provide smoother transitions during cabin movement. The curved geometry eliminates abrupt contact points created by straight bumpers, creating a more gradual and uniform interaction with the elevator shaft surface. This design achieves improved transition smoothness while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing processes such as extrusion or injection molding, which can easily produce curved cross-sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the bumper, specifically changing from linear to curved profiles. This parameter change fundamentally alters the contact characteristics during cabin movement, transforming the interaction from abrupt point contacts to gradual surface contacts. The curved geometry distributes the mechanical interaction over a longer path and larger area, resulting in smoother transitions without requiring complex manufacturing processes.
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 novel bumper designs enhance the smoothness of cabin movement and reduce noise, providing a more comfortable riding experience by minimizing the rough transitions and excessive gripping between the cabin and the elevator cylinder.
Implementation Method 1
the first liner being attached to the edge of the elevator cabin structural plate wherein the bumper impacts an internal surface of an elevator cylinder
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
An elevator cabin seal system of an elevator assembly comprising: a cabin (24) having: a cabin plate (14) having a bottom surface, a top surface and an edge that integrates the top surface with the bottom surface, wherein the cabin plate (14) is attached to a top portion of the cabin (24); a first liner component (11c) comprising a bumper (12), attached to the edge of the cabin plate (14) wherein the bumper (12) impacts to an internal surface of an elevator cylinder (15); wherein the first liner component (11c) has a cutout on its back side having a lip (11b) directly attached to the edge of the cabin plate (14); and a ledge (11a) proximal to the lip (11b) attached to the bottom side of the cabin plate (14).