Elevator Auxiliary Device for Fault Replacement Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems with multiple cars in a shaft system face challenges when a fault occurs, as the affected car can impede other cars and prevent continued operation, especially in linear motor systems where electrical powering of rails is essential for car movement.
Innovation Solution
A method where a first elevator car is assigned an auxiliary device to provide replacement functions for faulty components, allowing the system to continue operating by using the auxiliary device's functions, which can include mechanical, electrical, and control functions, and can be supported by other elevator cars or dedicated auxiliary devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire elevator system is taken out of operation due to a fault in one elevator car, then safety is ensured, but conveying capacity is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator system is divided into independent operational units (elevator cars) that can be managed separately. When one car experiences a fault, only that specific car is removed from service while other cars continue to operate independently in the same shaft system, maintaining overall system productivity while ensuring safety through selective isolation of the faulty unit.
Solution Approach 2:
An auxiliary device acts as an intermediary to provide replacement functions for the faulty elevator car. This auxiliary device can assume control functions, communication functions, or even propulsion functions for the affected car, enabling it to continue operation or be safely evacuated without taking down the entire system.
2Reliability
If the elevator car affected by fault is removed from service, then system reliability is improved, but the blocking of shaft system prevents other cars from operating
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft system is designed to dynamically adapt to faulty cars through multiple mechanisms: faulty cars can be moved to alternative parking positions within the shaft, auxiliary devices can be deployed to assist faulty cars, and the system can reconfigure operational routes. This dynamic response allows the shaft to remain accessible and operational for other cars even when one car is affected by a fault.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes horizontal shafts in addition to vertical shafts, creating a multi-dimensional shaft system. When a fault occurs in a vertical shaft, the system can redirect elevator cars through horizontal shafts to alternative vertical shafts, maintaining operational accessibility by transitioning to another spatial dimension rather than simply removing the affected car from service.
3Reliability
If extra winches are provided for each elevator car to handle faults, then fault recovery capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Elevator cars in the system are designed with multi-functionality, capable of serving both as operational vehicles and as auxiliary devices for assisting faulty cars. Any functional elevator car can assume the role of an auxiliary device, providing towing, positioning, or emergency evacuation functions, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated winches while maintaining fault recovery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator system implements self-service through its functional cars, which can autonomously or semi-autonomously assist faulty cars without requiring external intervention or specialized equipment. The healthy cars can detect faults, navigate to the faulty car, and provide necessary assistance, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding the complexity of additional dedicated equipment.
4Productivity
If the faulty elevator car is parked outside normal driving paths, then other cars can continue operating, but the faulty car cannot be moved without additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
An auxiliary device serves as an intermediary to provide the mobility function for the faulty elevator car. This auxiliary device can tow or push the faulty car to repair locations, enabling the faulty car to be moved without requiring additional specialized equipment while allowing the system to maintain continued operation of other cars.
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 continued operation of the elevator system even when a fault occurs, ensuring safe evacuation of passengers and maintaining system functionality by providing necessary replacement functions, reducing the need for additional equipment and minimizing disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
The elevator car can respectively be driven along rails by means of linear motors
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating an elevator system, for example operated by linear motors, wherein the elevator system includes a shaft system including at least one vertical elevator shaft, and a multiplicity of elevator cars which respectively have a plurality of functional components for carrying out different functions. The method provides that in a special operating mode of the elevator system, a first elevator car is assigned at least one auxiliary device, the auxiliary device providing a replacement function for at least one function of one of the functional components of the first elevator car, the corresponding function of a functional component of the first elevator car being replaced with the replacement function provided by the auxiliary device, and the elevator system continuing to be operated by using the replacement function provided. The invention furthermore relates to an elevator system configured for carrying out such a method.