Double Deck Elevator Pantograph Linkage Hoistway Capacity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems face challenges in increasing capacity without significantly increasing building space or costs, particularly in densely populated buildings, and maintaining adequate spacing between multiple elevator cars in a single hoistway is difficult.
Innovation Solution
The elevator assembly features a pantograph linkage system where a first elevator cab is supported within a frame, and a second elevator cab is suspended beneath it, allowing for adjustable positioning through a mechanism of linked pivots and threaded rods, reducing material and weight requirements while enabling increased capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a double deck elevator car with two cabs supported on a single frame is used, then passenger-carrying capacity is increased, but the car becomes heavier requiring larger ropes, counterweights and motors which increases system cost
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator system is segmented into two independent cab units (first cab and second cab) that operate separately within the same hoistway, each with its own suspension mechanism. This allows the cabs to be lighter individually while maintaining high overall capacity, resolving the contradiction between increased passenger capacity and reduced car weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-level cab to a vertical stacking arrangement where the second cab is suspended beneath the first cab. This dimensional change allows both cabs to occupy the same hoistway space vertically, doubling capacity without requiring proportionally larger support structures, ropes, or counterweights.
2Quantity of substance
If more than one elevator car is included in a hoistway, then the number of cars is increased without increasing the number of hoistways, but maintaining adequate spacing between the cars and ensuring they do not interfere with each other becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the suspension mechanisms of two cabs into a single integrated system where the second cab is suspended from the first cab through a shared suspension point. This combining approach simplifies spacing control compared to independent cars, as the relative position is mechanically constrained by the suspension linkage rather than requiring active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension mechanism acts as an intermediary between the hoistway and the two cabs, mediating their relative positions and movements. This intermediary structure automatically maintains proper spacing through its mechanical design, eliminating the need for complex active spacing control systems.
3Quantity of substance
If the number of shafts or hoistways is increased to increase elevator system capacity, then elevator capacity is improved, but the building space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the vertical dimension within a single hoistway by suspending the second cab beneath the first cab. This allows the system to double capacity without requiring additional horizontal space or multiple shafts, directly resolving the contradiction between increased capacity and reduced building space.
Data Source
AI summary
An illustrative example elevator assembly includes a frame having vertically oriented beams and horizontally oriented beams connected to the vertically oriented beams. A first elevator cab is supported within the frame between the vertically oriented beams. A pantograph linkage includes a plurality of links. The pantograph linkage is supported on one of the horizontally oriented beams. The pantograph linkage is connected with the first elevator cab such that different positions of the first elevator cab relative to the frame correspond to different relative positions of the links. A second elevator cab is suspended by the pantograph linkage beneath the frame. The different relative positions of the links place the second elevator cab in different positions relative to the frame.