Elevator Cable Gate Mechanism for Building Sway Adaptation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems face challenges in managing cables effectively, particularly when the elevator shaft or building sways due to external factors like wind, leading to potential cable damage or interference with other components.
Innovation Solution
An elevator cable management system with a gate mechanism that transitions between open and closed positions in response to the elevator car's movement, allowing cables to be retained or released, and rotates to a retracted position to avoid interference with the car, using a combination of arms and rollers to manage cable movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cables are retained within a fixed structure, then cable safety is improved, but the system cannot adapt to building sway or wind-induced movements
Solution Approach 1:
The cable management system employs a dynamic gate mechanism that can transition between open and closed positions. The gate is hinged to the first body and can rotate to accommodate elevator car movement while maintaining cable retention when needed. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to building sway and wind-induced movements while preserving cable safety during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the elevator car's own movement to automatically trigger the gate opening mechanism. When the elevator car makes contact with the cable management system during upward movement, it automatically causes the gate to open, allowing cables to pass through without requiring external control systems or additional actuators.
2Device complexity
If the cable management system remains stationary, then structural simplicity is improved, but it interferes with elevator car movement during upward travel
Solution Approach 1:
The cable management system is designed with a movable gate that can rotate from a closed position (retaining cables) to an open position (allowing elevator car passage). The gate is hinged to the first body and transitions automatically when the elevator car makes contact with the system during upward movement, enabling the elevator to pass through without obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The gate is pre-configured in a closed position that retains cables during normal operation. Before the elevator car needs to pass through, the gate automatically opens in response to the car's upward movement, ensuring the path is clear before the car reaches the cable management system.
3Reliability
If the gate remains closed to retain cables, then cable containment is improved, but the elevator car cannot pass through the cable management system
Solution Approach 1:
The gate mechanism dynamically transitions between closed and open states based on operational needs. During normal operation, the gate remains closed to retain cables within the first body. When the elevator car approaches and makes contact with the cable management system during upward movement, the gate automatically opens to allow the car to pass through, then can close again to resume cable retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The gate operates in periodic cycles: closed position for cable retention during idle periods, opening when triggered by elevator car contact, remaining open during car passage, and closing again after the car passes. This periodic action ensures both cable containment and elevator throughput are maintained.
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator cable management system includes a gate hingedly coupled with a first body, where the gate is configured to retain one or more cables that extend from an elevator car when in a closed position, where the gate is configured to transition from the closed position to an open position responsive to the elevator car making contact with the elevator cable management system, and where the first body is configured to rotate away from the one or more cables to a position aside the elevator car responsive to the elevator car moving relative to the elevator cable management system.