Elevator Belt Tension Member With Basalt Cover for Heat Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carbon fiber composite tension members in elevator systems exhibit reduced high-temperature performance compared to steel wire tension members, leading to reliability issues in traction elevator systems.
Innovation Solution
A belt comprising a core of carbon, glass, aramid, or nylon fibers in a polyurethane, vinyl ester, polybenzoxazine, or epoxy matrix, with a cover of basalt fibers surrounding the core, providing improved high-temperature resistance and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If carbon fiber composite tension members are used, then weight is reduced and strength is maintained, but high-temperature performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite construction with an inner core of carbon fibers for strength and weight efficiency, surrounded by an outer layer of basalt fibers for high-temperature resistance. This multi-material composite approach allows the tension member to simultaneously achieve low weight, high strength, and improved thermal performance that neither material could provide alone.
2Strength
If carbon fiber composite tension members are used, then strength to weight ratio is improved, but reliability at high temperature deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines carbon fibers in the inner core for high strength-to-weight ratio with basalt fibers in the outer layer for thermal stability and reliability. This composite structure maintains the strength advantages of carbon fibers while adding the temperature-resistant properties of basalt fibers, achieving both high strength-to-weight ratio and reliable high-temperature performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different regions of the tension member: the inner core uses carbon fibers optimized for strength and weight, while the outer layer uses basalt fibers optimized for high-temperature resistance. This local differentiation of material quality allows each region to perform its specific function optimally, with the outer layer protecting the inner core in high-temperature environments.
Data Source
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AI summary
An elevator belt 16 includes a plurality of tension members 24 arranged along a belt width and extending longitudinally along a length of the belt. Each tension member includes a core member 40 formed from a composite material, and a plurality of second fibers 48, for instance basalt, to enhance temperature resistance of the tension member. A jacket material 28 encapsulates the tension members. An elevator system includes a hoistway, an elevator car located in the hoistway and movable therein and a belt operably connected to the elevator car to suspend and/or drive the elevator car along the hoistway.