Diagonal Slack Suspension Switches for Elevator Safety Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems require complex and costly monitoring devices to detect slack suspension elements, necessitating multiple switches on both the car and counterweight sides to ensure safety, which increases design effort and costs.
Innovation Solution
A diagonal arrangement of slack suspension switches, with one switch on the counterweight side and one on the cabin side, simplifies the structure while maintaining safety by monitoring all critical conditions with a minimum number of switches, ensuring reliable detection of slack elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple slack suspension switches are installed on both car and counterweight sides, then safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by implementing a diagonal arrangement where switches are placed on opposite sides of the suspension system rather than symmetric placement on both sides. Specifically, switches are positioned to monitor diagonal suspension elements (e.g., SE1 on counterweight side and SE2 on car side), creating an asymmetric monitoring configuration that reduces the total number of switches needed while maintaining safety coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring device achieves multi-functionality by using a reduced set of switches that can detect multiple failure modes. The diagonal arrangement allows the same switch configuration to monitor both car-side and counterweight-side suspension elements, enabling one switch system to perform multiple safety monitoring functions that would otherwise require separate dedicated switches.
2Reliability
If multiple slack suspension switches are installed on both car and counterweight sides, then safety is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric diagonal placement of switches reduces the total component count required for the safety system. By positioning switches to monitor diagonal suspension elements rather than placing switches on all sides, the system achieves the same safety level with fewer components, directly reducing material costs and assembly expenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, cost-effective switch components rather than complex monitoring systems. The slack suspension switches are basic mechanical or electrical switches that detect suspension element status, representing a cost-effective solution that provides reliable safety monitoring without requiring expensive advanced sensors or complex electronic systems.
3Device complexity
If a diagonal arrangement of switches is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The diagonal arrangement strategically positions switches to monitor critical diagonal suspension elements that are most indicative of system-wide failures. This asymmetric placement targets the most informative suspension elements for detecting dangerous conditions, ensuring that the reduced number of switches monitors the most critical parameters for safety detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring device provides continuous feedback on the tension status of suspension elements through the switch configuration. When a suspension element becomes slack or broken, the corresponding switch changes state, providing immediate feedback that triggers safety responses. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate detection despite the reduced number of switches.
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 configuration reduces the number of switches required without compromising safety, resulting in a simpler, more cost-effective monitoring system that effectively detects slack suspension elements and prevents dangerous situations in elevator systems.
Implementation Method 1
a spring body (14) which is supported against a component (15, 18) in a movable manner
Implementation Method 2
The suspension element (1a, 1b) acts on the spring body (14) in a tensioning manner
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to an elevator system (100) having an elevator car (20), a counterweight (5), a first suspension (1a), a second suspension (1b), a drive (8) for jointly driving drive pulleys (3a, 3b) and for displacing the suspensions (1a, 1b), and having a monitoring device having two slack suspension switches (12a, 12b). A first slack suspension switch (12a) is disposed in the area of a first fastening point (2a) for monitoring the first suspension (1a). A second slack suspension switch (12b) is disposed diagonally opposite in the area of a different fastening point (2d) for monitoring the second suspension (1b). The monitoring device comprises a safety circuit (30) wherein the two slack suspension switches (12a, 12b) are integrated in a safety circuit (13) of the elevator system (100), so that actuating just one of the two slack suspension switches (12a, 12b) interrupts the safety circuit (13).