Elevator Belt Carbon Nanotube Overlay Fire Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator belt systems face challenges in achieving optimal fire retardancy, thermal performance, and traction while maintaining strength and flexibility, particularly in traction-based elevator systems where traditional materials like steel or synthetic fibers may not adequately address these requirements.
Innovation Solution
The use of a belt system with tension members encapsulated in a jacket material, featuring a primary overlay layer made from a non-woven carbon nanotube sheet and a secondary overlay layer, which enhances fire and thermal performance and defines the traction surface, improving the belt's overall performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional materials like steel or synthetic fibers are used for tension members, then the belt provides basic strength and flexibility, but fire retardancy and thermal performance are inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by integrating carbon nanotube sheets with traditional jacket materials to create a multi-layered structure. The carbon nanotube overlay layer provides superior fire retardancy and thermal performance while the base jacket material maintains structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between fire safety and thermal reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal and fire-resistant parameters of the belt by adding a carbon nanotube overlay layer. This layer fundamentally alters the thermal conductivity and fire resistance parameters of the belt system, transforming it from inadequate thermal performance to superior fire retardancy and thermal management.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a carbon nanotube overlay layer is added to enhance fire and thermal performance, then fire retardancy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin film carbon nanotube overlay layer that can be applied conformally to the belt surface. This thin film approach provides fire protection without adding significant structural complexity or bulk, maintaining the flexibility and simplicity of the original belt design while enhancing fire resistance.
3Temperature
If the primary overlay layer is applied to improve thermal performance, then fire resistance enhances, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fire protection methods with a carbon nanotube-based solution that can be applied through advanced coating or lamination processes. This substitution enables more effective thermal performance improvement while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modern application techniques.
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 carbon nanotube-based overlay layers significantly enhance the belt's fire and thermal resistance, maintain traction, and ensure strength and flexibility, addressing the limitations of traditional materials in elevator systems.
Implementation Method 1
The carbon nanotube-based overlay layers significantly enhance the belt's fire and thermal resistance
Data Source
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AI summary
A belt for an elevator system includes a plurality of tension members arranged along a belt width and extending longitudinally along a length of the belt, a jacket material at least partially encapsulating the plurality of tension members, and a primary overlay layer applied to one or more of the plurality of tension members or at least a portion of the jacket material. An elevator system includes a hoistway, an elevator car movable therein, and a belt operably connected to the elevator car to suspend and/or drive the elevator car along the hoistway. The belt includes a plurality of tension members arranged along a belt width and extending longitudinally along a belt length, a jacket material at least partially encapsulating the plurality of tension members, and a primary overlay layer applied to one or more of the plurality of tension members or at least a portion of the jacket material.