Dual Car Elevator Shaft Space Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems face challenges in optimizing shaft volume usage, particularly in high-rise buildings, where efficient passenger handling and compact component arrangement are crucial, especially when multiple elevator cars need to be moved vertically in a single shaft.
Innovation Solution
The elevator system features two cars with their own drives and counterweights, with drives positioned near the shaft walls and traction mechanisms guided through deflection rollers to form acute angles, allowing for a space-saving and conflict-free arrangement, using belts that are guided torsion-free to minimize space and friction, and enabling flexible assembly and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple elevator cars are moved in one shaft to increase productivity, then the conveying capacity is improved, but the shaft volume and component arrangement complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions drives and counterweights in the horizontal dimension along shaft walls rather than stacking them vertically, utilizing the horizontal shaft width to accommodate multiple independent elevator systems without increasing vertical shaft height requirements
Solution Approach 2:
Each elevator car is equipped with its own drive and counterweight system, creating independent functional units that can operate autonomously, allowing flexible configuration and maintenance of individual segments without affecting other cars
2Volume of stationary object
If drives are positioned in the shaft head to save space, then the shaft volume is optimized, but the arrangement of traction mechanisms becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of drives and counterweights along opposite shaft walls, creating an unbalanced but space-efficient configuration that simplifies the routing of traction mechanisms by utilizing the natural asymmetry of the shaft cross-section
Solution Approach 2:
Deflection rollers serve as intermediary elements that guide the traction belt from the drive pulley to the elevator car, enabling flexible routing of the traction mechanism through the shaft head space without requiring complex direct connections
3Ease of manufacture
If counterweights are suspended below drives to simplify arrangement, then the component layout is simplified, but the shaft space utilization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Counterweights are positioned horizontally adjacent to drives along shaft walls rather than suspended vertically below them, utilizing the horizontal shaft width to maintain simple component connections while preserving vertical shaft space for elevator car movement
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 compact, space-saving, and flexible arrangement that reduces traction moments, allowing for smaller and more economical drives, efficient passenger handling, and easier maintenance, while optimizing shaft space usage.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor performs this function. This directly or indirectly drives a traction sheave that is in frictional contact with a traction element
Implementation Method 2
The tension element is guided by deflection rollers
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The elevator has two superimposed elevator cabins (7a, 7b) in a shaft and which vertically drive by means of their own drive (A1, A2). Each has its own counter-weight (12a, 12b) and its own drive gear (Z1, Z2 ). The drive is assigned to the first pulley (2a, 2b) and arranged on an opposite wall of the drive is a counter-weight (12a, 12b). The drive gear has counter-weight arranged on the pulley (2a, 2b) and a traction sheave (1a, 1b) arranged with the elevator cabin.