Double-Deck Elevator Cabin Spacing With Tuned Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing double-decker elevators experience undesirable vibrations and noise due to vertical adjustments of elevator cars, which affect ride comfort, and there is a need for improved vibration damping and automatic adjustment of vibration dampers to varying operating conditions.

Innovation Solution

A car arrangement for a double-decker elevator featuring a vibration damper with a damper mass and spring system tuned to resonate at specific frequencies to counteract unwanted vibrations, combined with an actuator for adjusting the damper's position to match changing environmental conditions, and a control unit for automatic tuning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an electric spindle drive is used to vertically adjust the elevator cars, then the vertical distance between cars can be adjusted to accommodate varying floor heights, but undesirable vibrations and noise occur during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of vertical distance between carsVSAvoidvibrations and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a tuned mass damper system that utilizes controlled mechanical vibrations to counteract unwanted vibrations. The damper mass and spring are specifically tuned to resonate at frequencies that oppose the vibrations generated by the spindle drive, thereby reducing the harmful vibrations and noise while maintaining the adjustability function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful vibrations generated by the spindle drive into a beneficial effect by using the same vibration frequency to tune the mass damper. The damper mass is set to resonate at the same frequency as the spindle drive vibrations, transforming the harmful vibrational energy into a counteracting force that reduces overall vibrations and noise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Ease of manufacture

If a fixed vibration damper is used, then the design is simple and robust, but it cannot adapt to varying operating conditions and drive speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity and robustness of designVSAvoidadaptability to varying operating conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic vibration damper system where the damper mass can be automatically repositioned along the spring element based on real-time detection of spindle drive speed and operating conditions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to maintain optimal vibration damping performance across varying speeds while preserving the inherent simplicity and robustness of the mechanical damper design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the damper mass is repositioned to tune the vibration damper to different frequencies, then adaptability to varying conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetunability of vibration damperVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a self-tuning vibration damper system where a control unit automatically detects the spindle drive speed and operating conditions, calculates the optimal damper mass position, and actuates the positioning mechanism accordingly. This self-service capability enables the system to adapt to varying frequencies and conditions without requiring manual intervention, balancing tunability with operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Effectively attenuates vibrations and noise, enhancing passenger comfort by actively damping vibrations across varying conditions, with a simple, robust, and maintenance-free design.

Implementation Method 1

The damper mass and the damper spring are matched to each other such that, when the actuator is operated, the vibration damper is set into desired vibrations which counteract undesired vibrations of the vibration-prone component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNatural frequency oscillation: Harmonic Oscillator

Implementation Method 2

the damper mass and the damper spring are matched to each other such that, when the actuator is operated, the vibration damper is set into desired vibrations which counteract undesired vibrations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 3

the vibration damper is set into desired vibrations which counteract undesired vibrations of the vibration-prone component, i.e., attenuate or eliminate them

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4587361B1Cabin arrangement for a double-deck elevator
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 INVENTIO AG
  • EP4587361B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4587361B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to an elevator car assembly (2) for a double-deck elevator (1), comprising: an elevator car frame (5) which can be installed in a shaft (6) in a movable manner between multiple floors; two elevator cars (3, 4) which are connected to the elevator car frame (5) such that the elevator cars can be moved together with the elevator car frame (5) and are arranged one over the other when the elevator car frame (5) is installed in the shaft (6) in a movable manner between the floors, wherein a spacing (A) between the elevator cars (3, 4) arranged one or the other can be adjusted by moving the elevator cars (3, 4) relative to each other by means of an actuator (8); and a vibration damper (13) which comprises a damping mass (16) and an elongated damping spring (15). The damping mass (16) is connected to a free end of the damping spring (15), and the other end of the damping spring (15) is connected to an elevator car assembly (2) component (3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 22, 23) which is susceptible to vibrations. The damping mass (16) and the damping spring (15) are adapted to each other such that the vibration damper (13) generates desired vibrations during the operation of the actuator (8), said vibrations counteracting undesired vibrations of the component (3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 22, 23) which is susceptible to vibrations.