Elevator Car Apron with Retractable Semi-Rigid Curtain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional elevator systems require large overhead and pit dimensions for safety, which is architecturally disadvantageous, and existing retractable car aprons do not adequately address the issue of small pit depths while maintaining safety features.
Innovation Solution
A semi-rigid curtain car apron assembly that transitions from a deployed state to a compressed state as the elevator car moves towards the pit floor, allowing for reduced clearance and preventing contact with the pit floor, featuring a support frame, biasing assembly, and adjustable length to accommodate various elevator systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid car apron with fixed height is used, then safety protection is provided, but significant clearance beneath the elevator car is required to avoid contact with the pit floor
Solution Approach 1:
The car apron is transformed from a rigid fixed structure to a dynamic retractable structure that can extend and retract based on the elevator car's position. The apron extends below the car during normal operation to provide safety protection, and retracts when the car approaches the pit floor to avoid contact damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractable apron mechanism allows the apron to be nested within or alongside the elevator car structure when retracted, and deployed outward when extended. This nesting capability enables the apron to provide protection when needed while occupying minimal space when not in use, reducing the required clearance.
2Reliability
If traditional safety spaces are employed to protect mechanics, then safety is improved, but overhead and pit dimensions are increased
Solution Approach 1:
A semi-rigid curtain is introduced as an intermediary protective element between the elevator car and the pit floor. This curtain provides safety protection for mechanics working in the pit while requiring minimal clearance, thus avoiding the need for enlarged shaft dimensions that would result from traditional safety space requirements.
3Length of moving object
If the elevator car is positioned close to the pit floor, then architectural space is optimized, but contact between the car apron and pit floor causes damage
Solution Approach 1:
The car apron uses a dynamic retractable mechanism that senses the elevator car's position relative to the pit floor. When the car approaches the pit, the apron automatically retracts to prevent contact, thereby protecting the apron from damage while allowing the car to operate at optimized low clearance positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractable mechanism provides beforehand protection by retracting the apron before contact with the pit floor can occur. This preventive action cushioning avoids the harmful impact entirely, preserving the apron's structural integrity and avoiding damage.
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
Enables the use of small pit depths while maintaining safety by providing horizontal resistance and preventing accidental falls, allowing the elevator car to descend closer to the pit floor without damaging the car apron, and is scalable for different elevator systems.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing assembly through which the support arm having the apron stop passes, wherein the biasing assembly applies a biasing force to urge the apron frame into the deployed state
Implementation Method 2
The semi-rigid curtain transitions from a deployed state to a compressed state when the apron stop contacts the shaft stop and as the elevator car moves toward the pit floor
Data Source
AI summary
Elevator systems are described. The systems include an elevator car movable along an elevator shaft having a pit floor. A car apron assembly is provided that includes an apron frame movably mounted to the elevator car, the apron frame having a frame base, a support arm, and an apron stop at an end of the support arm opposite the frame base, and a semi-rigid curtain extending between a car sill and the frame base. A shaft stop is arranged within the elevator shaft to interact with the apron stop. The curtain transitions from a deployed state to a compressed state when the apron stop contacts the shaft stop, and when in the deployed state the curtain extends below the elevator car to block an open landing door that is lower than the elevator car when the elevator car is positioned offset and above an adjacent landing.