Elevator Eccentric Guide Rails and Drive Unit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator arrangements face challenges in optimizing the position of the drive unit and traction means for safety and space efficiency, particularly in emergency stop situations, where conventional symmetric configurations are not favorable.
Innovation Solution
The elevator arrangement features eccentrically arranged cabin guide rails and drive units relative to the lift shaft center line, with the drive unit's drive zone positioned in horizontal distance from the cabin guide rail and lift shaft center line, allowing for favorable force distribution and minimal space usage, especially by configuring the eccentricity of the drive zone to be a predefined factor of the cabin guide rail's eccentricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drive unit and cabin guide rail are arranged symmetrically on one side of the lift shaft, then the structure is simple and space is saved, but the emergency stop behavior and safety characteristics are unfavorable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by arranging the cabin guide rail and drive unit on opposite sides of the lift shaft centerline. The guide rail is positioned at a first horizontal offset from the centerline, while the drive unit is positioned at a second horizontal offset in the opposite direction. This asymmetric configuration optimizes emergency stop behavior by creating favorable force distribution and stress characteristics during deceleration, while maintaining structural simplicity through the regular, opposite-side arrangement.
2Area of stationary object
If the drive unit is positioned closer to the cabin guide rail, then space in x-direction is reduced, but the force distribution and stress characteristics become unfavorable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing the specific horizontal positioning of the drive unit relative to the guide rail based on local force distribution requirements. The drive unit is positioned at a predetermined horizontal offset from the guide rail in the horizontal direction, creating an optimal local configuration that balances space efficiency with favorable stress and force characteristics during operation and emergency stopping.
3Reliability
If the cabin guide rail is arranged eccentrically with respect to the lift shaft center line, then the drive unit position can be optimized for safety, but the support structure requires more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the cabin guide rail at a predetermined horizontal offset from the lift shaft centerline. This eccentric arrangement of the guide rail enables optimal positioning of the drive unit on the opposite side, achieving favorable safety characteristics and emergency stop behavior while managing the increased support structure dimensions through systematic opposite-side placement.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to an elevator arrangement exhibiting at least one cabin and at least one drive unit, wherein the at least one cabin is coupled with the drive unit by means of traction means interacting with the drive unit in a drive zone, wherein the cabin is guided by means of cabin guide rails arranged eccentrically according to a horizontal direction/axis with respect to a lift shaft centre line; wherein the drive unit's drive zone is arranged eccentrically with respect to the lift shaft centre line, wherein the cabin guide rail's eccentricity is opposite the drive zone's eccentricity. Preferably, the eccentricity of the drive zone is at least a predefined/predefinable factor of the eccentricity of the cabin guide rail(s). Such configuration also allows for favourable arrangement of both the cabin guide rail(s) and the drive unit especially in context with emergency stop situations.