Elevator Suspension Balancing Rocker for Tension Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elevator systems with two suspension means experience uneven wear due to accumulated tolerances and load differences, necessitating leveling mechanisms that often require additional components like springs and levelling means.

Innovation Solution

A balancing device with pivotable levers and a rotatably mounted balancing rocker, coupled to mounting fixtures, maintains a predetermined distance between suspension means, guiding them along a vertical path to prevent misalignment and enhance stroke length, using guiding elements and gliding means to reduce friction, and incorporates an actuating arm for detecting tension deviations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a simple rocker is used for balancing, then the structure is simple, but the stroke length is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestroke lengthVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The balancing device is divided into multiple functional components: a rocker body for basic balancing, lever arms extending from the rocker, and mounting fixtures at the ends of the levers. This segmentation allows each component to contribute to the overall stroke length while maintaining structural manageability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends the balancing mechanism from a simple single-plane rocker to a multi-dimensional structure by adding lever arms that extend laterally from the rocker body. This dimensional expansion increases the effective stroke length without proportionally increasing structural complexity

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

2Stability of the object's composition

If mounting fixtures are allowed to move freely, then the displacement path is flexible, but misalignment of the suspension system occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment stabilityVSAvoidmovement flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Guiding elements act as intermediaries between the mounting fixtures and the rocker mechanism. These guiding elements constrain the mounting fixtures to follow a predetermined vertical displacement path, preventing lateral misalignment while allowing necessary vertical movement for balancing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding elements establish a predetermined vertical path that maintains consistent alignment conditions throughout the displacement range, ensuring that the suspension means remain properly aligned regardless of their position in the stroke

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Reliability

If conventional leveling means with springs are used, then tension balancing is achieved, but additional components and device complexity are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetension balancingVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the spring elements from the traditional leveling mechanism and integrates the balancing function directly into the rocker-lever mounting fixture assembly. This extraction eliminates the need for separate spring components while maintaining tension balancing capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The rocker-lever-mounting fixture assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the balancing rock er mechanism, the lever arms for motion amplification, and the mounting fixtures for securing suspension means, all while maintaining tension balance without requiring separate spring components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution ensures balanced tension in suspension means, reduces wear, maintains alignment, and provides early detection of potential failures, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

each of the mounting fixtures being configured to couple to a suspension mean termination and being pivotably connected to a lever

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPivoting: Hinge

Implementation Method 2

the lever being pivotably connected to one of two arms of a rotatably mounted balancing rocker

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 3

balancing device for coupling two suspension means of an elevator system... enables levelling respective suspension means tensions by means of the balancing rocker

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBalancing: Balance

Implementation Method 4

two guiding elements are provided alongside a displacement path of the mounting fixtures... such that the mounting fixture is guided along a predetermined, in particular vertical axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGuiding:

Implementation Method 5

using guiding elements and gliding means to reduce friction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP4349760B1Balancing device for suspension means
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR INNOVATION AND OPERATIONS GMBH
  • EP4349760B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4349760B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4349760B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a balancing device (20) for coupling two suspension means (14) of an elevator system (10), comprising two parallelly and axially displaceable arranged mounting fixtures (31), each of the mounting fixtures (31) being configured to couple to a suspension mean termination (24).