Elevator Telescopic Apron Friction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescopic aprons for elevator cars face issues with fast panel descent due to low friction, posing a risk to operators, and require complex assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic apron design featuring rails with steel sliding blocks and cast polyamide rail pieces, utilizing screws as both fixation and stop elements to manage panel movement, enhancing friction and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ball bearing rails are used for telescopic apron panels, then the panels can slide smoothly, but the low friction causes fast fall of panels with high injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the friction parameter by replacing ball bearing rails with polyamide rails that have higher friction characteristics. This parameter change allows the panels to slide smoothly enough for operation while preventing uncontrolled fast fall, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
2Reliability
If hydraulic dampers are added to prevent uncontrolled panel fall, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the hydraulic damper component from the system. Instead of adding complexity with active damping mechanisms, the solution uses the inherent friction properties of polyamide rails to control panel descent, thereby maintaining safety while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The polyamide rails provide self-regulating friction that automatically controls panel descent without requiring external active components. The material's inherent properties serve the dual function of enabling smooth sliding and preventing uncontrolled fall, making the system self-sufficient and simpler.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple screws are used to fix rail pieces to panels, then assembly precision is improved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple screws into a single fastening element. The unified rail piece design with integrated mounting features allows one screw to secure the entire rail assembly to the panel, maintaining alignment and positioning precision while dramatically reducing assembly time.
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
The design prevents rapid panel fall and simplifies assembly by increasing friction and eliminating the need for lubricants, ensuring safety and ease of maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The low friction of the ball bearings may result in a fast fall of the panels... The rail pieces (3a, 3b) are made of plastic material, preferably cast polyamide... a higher friction is obtained, which prevents fast fall of the panels
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Telescopic apron (1) for an elevator car, comprising: - a plurality of panels (2) that are mounted in a telescopic arrangement by means of rails (3) so that the panels (2) are movable from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration and vice versa, each rail (3) comprising two mutually slidable rail pieces (3a, 3b) that are fixed to adjacent panels (2) by screws (4, 5, 9); - a sliding block (6) made of steel and having a longitudinal extension and two longitudinal protrusions (6a, 6b), each rail piece (3, 3b) being made of cast polyamide and having a longitudinal groove (7) in which one of the longitudinal protrusion (6a, 6b) of the sliding block (6) is slidably inserted.