Elevator Car Blocking Latch With Integrated Position Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current elevator systems require complex and expensive mechanical blocking devices for stabilizing the elevator car during maintenance, which are difficult to install and occupy valuable shaft space, making them impractical for use in modern elevator systems.
Innovation Solution
A blocking device comprising a latch, latch guide body, and position switch, which is easily attachable to the car guide rail, allowing the car and its sling to be immobilized with few, simple, and cost-effective components, ensuring stable support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a position sensor is mounted on the blocking device to detect the position of the car, then the position detection reliability is improved, but the blocking device structure becomes more complex and the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The position sensor is integrated into the latch structure by receiving the sensor in a curvature notch on the latch, merging the sensing function with the mechanical blocking component. This reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall blocking device structure while maintaining reliable position detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch serves multiple functions: it mechanically blocks the car at terminal positions and simultaneously provides a mounting structure (curvature notch) for the position sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mounting components and reduces structural complexity.
2Reliability
If the latch is designed to engage with the car sling at terminal positions to prevent overtravel, then the safety function is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components like the blocking device and position sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical blocking function and position sensing function are combined into a single integrated structure where the latch with its curvature notch serves both purposes, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The curvature notch on the latch acts as an intermediary structure that accommodates the position sensor, allowing the sensor to be mounted without adding separate complex mounting mechanisms, thus reducing the overall number of parts.
Data Source
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AI summary
Blocking device for the car of an elevator system, comprising a latch, a latch guide body and a position switch, wherein the latch lies displaceably in the latch guide body and, in the extended position, can engage in a latch receiving opening of a car sling, preferably embodied in the horizontal beam of the car sling, when the latch is at a correspondingly aligned height with respect to the latch receiving opening of the car sling, the blocking device with its latch guide body, which preferably carries the latch and the position switch, being mountable on the car guide rail of the elevator system, and the latch comprises a curvature notch on a horizontal edge of the latch, which can at least partially accommodate a position sensor of the position switch.