Elevator Access Cabinet Sliding Pivot Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional elevator maintenance apparatuses face challenges in space constraints, ease of access, and aesthetics, making it inconvenient for operators to perform maintenance without compromising safety, especially in systems without a machine room or with restricted component dimensions.

Innovation Solution

Elevator component access cabinets with a housing, sliding element, and pivotably mounted components that allow for easy access and storage, featuring a longer length than width to accommodate more components, a lockable access door, and integration with the elevator door column for minimal visual impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If conventional maintenance apparatuses are placed inside a wall cabinet to save space, then space constraints are addressed, but ease of access for operators deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecabinet footprintVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cabinet incorporates a sliding mechanism that transforms the static cabinet structure into a dynamic system. The maintenance apparatus can slide horizontally between a retracted position (within the cabinet) and an extended position (outside the cabinet), allowing the cabinet to adapt its configuration based on operational needs. This dynamic transformation enables easy access to maintenance components while maintaining a compact footprint when not in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Shape

If a low profile cabinet is used to minimize visual impact, then aesthetic considerations are improved, but the dimensions for inserting components deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecabinet profileVSAvoidcomponent accommodation
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cabinet utilizes the third dimension (depth) to compensate for limited width and height. By extending the maintenance apparatus outward along the horizontal axis through the sliding mechanism, the cabinet creates additional working space without increasing its vertical profile or overall footprint. This dimensional strategy allows accommodation of larger components while maintaining a low-profile aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of stationary object

If restricted component dimensions are imposed to fit within the cabinet, then space constraints are addressed, but the ability to accommodate larger components deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecabinet internal volumeVSAvoidcomponent size accommodation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The maintenance apparatus is divided into modular segments that can be independently positioned along the sliding mechanism. This segmentation allows different sized components to be accommodated by adjusting the position and configuration of individual modules. The sliding element itself is segmented to allow partial extension, enabling the cabinet to adapt to various component sizes while maintaining a compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3517478B1Elevator component access cabinet
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3517478B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3517478B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3517478B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Elevator component access cabinets are provided. The elevator component access cabinets include a housing having an access door, a sliding element contained within the housing, and at least one elevator component pivotably mounted to the sliding element about a first pivot. The sliding element is movable between a first state and a second state, and wherein when in the first state, the at least one elevator component is stowed within the housing and in the second state the at least one elevator component is located outside of the housing, and the at least one elevator component is pivotable about the first pivot to enable access to the at least one elevator component.