Dual-Car Elevator with Wall-Mounted Drives and Deflecting Rollers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems with multiple vertically movable cars in a shaft face challenges in optimizing space utilization and efficient management of passenger traffic, particularly in high-rise buildings, due to the complexity and redundancy of drive and counterweight arrangements.
Innovation Solution
The elevator system features two cars positioned one above the other with independent drives and counterweights, where drives are fixed near shaft walls, and traction means are guided through deflecting rollers to form acute angles, allowing for a compact and space-saving arrangement, enabling smaller traction moments and more economical drives, and utilizing a block-and-tackle configuration for suspension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple elevator cars are disposed one above the other in a shaft, then vertical transport capacity is improved, but space utilization and component arrangement complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple drive units and counterweights into a shared arrangement within the shaft head region. Multiple drives are positioned adjacent to each other near the shaft walls, and multiple counterweights share the same vertical space, reducing overall system complexity despite serving multiple elevator cars
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from vertical stacking of components to horizontal arrangement along the shaft walls. Drives and counterweights are distributed laterally near the shaft head rather than stacked vertically, optimizing space utilization and reducing arrangement complexity
2Volume of moving object
If drives are positioned near shaft walls, then space for elevator cars is improved, but traction means routing complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces deflecting rollers as intermediary elements to redirect the traction means between the drive pulleys and elevator cars. These rollers act as mediators that simplify the routing path, allowing traction means to navigate around the compact drive arrangement near shaft walls without increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the traction means routing into distinct sections handled by individual deflecting rollers. Each roller manages a specific segment of the path, making the overall routing system more manageable and less complex despite the compact horizontal arrangement
3Volume of stationary object
If counterweights are suspended near shaft walls, then shaft space utilization is improved, but counterweight guidance complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs counterweight guide rails that serve multiple functions: they guide the counterweights vertically, constrain lateral movement, and provide structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional guidance components, simplifying the overall system despite the compact near-wall arrangement
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 results in a highly space-efficient and flexible arrangement that reduces the number of components, minimizes friction, and extends the service life of belts, while allowing for simpler mounting and maintenance, thereby enhancing the overall performance and efficiency of the elevator system.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor usually looks after this function. This directly or indirectly drives a drive pulley disposed in friction contact with a traction element
Implementation Method 2
at least one elevator car is suspended in a block-and-tackle configuration
Implementation Method 3
The traction element serves for suspending as well as conveying an elevator car and a counterweight, which are both suspended in such a manner that the gravitational forces thereof act in opposite direction along the traction element. The resulting gravitational force which has to be overcome by the drive correspondingly substantially reduces
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator has at least two elevator cars, which are disposed one above the other in a shaft, which cars are vertically movable and which each have a drive, a counterweight and a traction device, wherein one drive is fixed at a first shaft wall and a second drive is fixed at an opposite second shaft wall and each drive has at least one drive pulley. At least one first deflecting roller is associated with each drive and is positioned the shaft wall that is opposite the drive and above the counterweight associated with the drive. The traction device is led from the counterweight over the deflecting roller to the drive pulley and from there to the elevator car.