Elevator Belt Protective Sleeve with Tethered Debris Shield

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation and maintenance of high-rise elevator systems are cumbersome and inefficient due to the use of scaffolding, which exposes load-bearing members to damage from debris and construction materials during installation and maintenance operations.

Innovation Solution

A protective sleeve is wrapped around the load-bearing member, connected to a working platform via a tether, which includes a breakaway feature to prevent damage from debris and is easily slid along the member, using a non-flammable fabric and secure closure such as a hook and loop fastener or snap.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If scaffolding is used to install components in the hoistway, then installation and maintenance operations can be performed, but the load bearing members are exposed to damage from weld slag, concrete debris, and other construction materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation and maintenance operationVSAvoiddebris damage to load bearing members

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A protective sleeve is introduced as an intermediary element between the load bearing member and the harmful debris. The sleeve wraps around the load bearing member and is connected to the working platform, capturing weld slag, concrete debris, and other construction materials before they can damage the load bearing member, thus protecting it while allowing installation and maintenance operations to proceed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective sleeve is installed on the load bearing member before installation and maintenance operations begin. This preliminary protective measure ensures that the load bearing member is already shielded from potential debris damage before any welding, grinding, or construction activities take place in the hoistway

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If the protective sleeve is connected to the working platform via a tether, then the sleeve remains positioned during movement, but the tether may restrict the sleeve's movement along the load bearing member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesleeve position stabilityVSAvoidsleeve movement along load bearing member

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The tether connection is designed to be dynamic rather than rigid. The tether allows the protective sleeve to move along the load bearing member as the working platform moves to different locations, while still maintaining connection to prevent the sleeve from falling or becoming dislodged. This dynamic connection adapts to the changing positions during installation and maintenance operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If welding and grinding operations are performed at the working platform, then installation and maintenance tasks are completed, but the load bearing members are exposed to harmful debris from these operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation and maintenance efficiencyVSAvoidweld slag and grinding debris

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective sleeve converts the harmful effects of welding and grinding operations into a beneficial protective function. By positioning the sleeve between the debris-generating operations and the load bearing member, the sleeve captures and contains the weld slag and grinding debris, transforming what would be damaging factors into contained material that can be safely managed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS11014783B2Protective sleeve for elevator belt

Publication Date: 2021.05.25 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

AI summary

A protective cover for a load bearing member of an elevator system includes a sleeve wrapped around a perimeter of the load bearing member, the sleeve configured to protect the load bearing member from debris damage during installation or maintenance operation of the elevator system, and configured to slide along a length direction of the load bearing member. A tether is configured to connect the sleeve to a working platform.