Elevator Cable Damping with Sensor Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for damping lateral sways in elevator cables are either ineffective during storms, prone to damage, or excessively complex and costly, leading to potential cable entanglement and emergency stops.
Innovation Solution
An arrangement featuring a freely hanging damping means with an accelerometer and gyroscope to measure cable movements and twisting, coupled with a RF transmitter for wireless communication to the elevator controller, which triggers alarms and actions to prevent damage, such as reducing speed or stopping the elevator, and includes roller-like damping elements for smooth movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a detachable damping means producing a mass effect is disposed to be supported by the top surface of the bottom loop, then lateral sways of the rope-like means are damped, but during a storm the travelling cable may sway heavily and large lateral movement can cause the travelling cable to strike structures of the elevator hoistway
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) that continuously monitor the position and movement of the damping means and cable. This feedback system detects when the cable approaches dangerous lateral movements or when the damping means approaches guide structures, allowing the control system to take preventive action by stopping the elevator before damage occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces guide arms as intermediary elements that physically constrain the damping means and cable movement. These guide arms act as mediators between the damping mechanism and the hoistway structures, preventing direct contact and potential damage while allowing controlled lateral movement.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a guide device with a separate suspension rope and horizontal guide arm is used, then the bottom end of the travelling cable is prevented from swaying, but the solution becomes complex and expensive with many wearing parts that can be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the damping function from complex mechanical guide structures and implements it through a simpler detachable mass-based damping means supported by the cable itself. This removes the need for separate suspension ropes and complex guide devices, reducing the number of wearing parts while maintaining sway prevention effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping means serves multiple functions: it provides mass effect for damping lateral sways, acts as a sensor platform for detecting cable movement and position, and functions as a detachable component that can be easily replaced. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to dedicated separate components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the travelling cable is guided with various guides to travel along a certain path, then lateral sways are controlled, but the arrangement becomes complex and requires frequent servicing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic damping means that can detach from and reattach to the cable, rather than fixed permanent guides. This dynamic component moves with the cable and can be easily detached for replacement or maintenance, significantly improving ease of repair compared to fixed guide structures that require complex disassembly.
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
Effectively prevents large lateral movements and twisting of elevator cables, reducing the risk of damage and emergency stops while being cost-effective and easy to install, enhancing elevator safety and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
said accelerometer measures lateral accelerations of said rope-like means in directions perpendicular to the direction of elevator moves
Implementation Method 2
said gyroscope measures loop twisting of said rope-like means
Implementation Method 3
a detachable damping means producing a mass effect is disposed to be supported by the top surface of the bottom loop for damping lateral sways
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement for damping lateral sways of a rope-like means (6) fixed to a movable elevator unit, such as an elevator car (1) in an elevator hoistway (S), the bottom end of which rope-like means (6) has an upward opening bottom loop (6a), which arrangement comprises a freely hanging damping means (8) supported on the top surface of the bottom loop (6a), which said damping means (8) comprises a device (15) for measuring acceleration and/or twisting of said rope-like means (6), and an elevator.