Elevator Car Air Scoop Ventilation to Reduce Conditioned Air Loss
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional elevator ventilation systems result in significant energy losses due to the escape of conditioned air through openings, leading to inefficiencies in energy consumption, especially with the increasing concern of global warming and rising energy costs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an elevator system with a hoistway that may or may not have a ventilation opening to an external air supply, and the use of air scoops mounted on the elevator car to control airflow, allowing for a controlled fluid flow and minimizing energy loss by optimizing air intake and outtake through enlarged openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ventilation openings are formed at the top of the hoistway and multiple openings are formed in car walls and door columns, then ventilation requirements for mechanic and passenger safety are satisfied, but conditioned air escapes resulting in significant heat and energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the conventional ventilation openings from the hoistway top and car walls, extracting the harmful air escape paths while retaining ventilation functionality through alternative means - specifically using the elevator door gap and a single top opening that can be selectively opened only when the door is open, thus eliminating continuous conditioned air loss
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic control of the top opening through a motor-driven cover that can be selectively opened or closed based on door position. The opening is dynamically coupled to door status - open when door is open, closed when door is closed - allowing the system to adapt between ventilation mode and energy conservation mode
2Ease of operation
If multiple openings are formed in car walls and door columns for ventilation, then adequate air flow is achieved, but the aesthetic appearance is degraded due to numerous ventilation holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes multiple wall openings and door column gaps, extracting only the essential ventilation path through the door gap and a single top opening. This reduction eliminates the aesthetic degradation caused by numerous holes while preserving adequate ventilation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the ventilation function with the door mechanism by utilizing the existing door gap as a primary ventilation path and coupling the top opening operation to door status. This consolidation reduces the number of separate openings needed while maintaining ventilation effectiveness
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
This approach reduces energy losses by controlling air flow within the hoistway and elevator car, improving energy efficiency while meeting ventilation requirements, and enhancing the aesthetic appearance by reducing the number of ventilation holes.
Implementation Method 1
at least one air scoop configured to fluidly couple an interior of the elevator car to the hoistway such that a controlled fluid flow may pass there between
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator system (20) is provided including a hoistway (22) and an elevator car (24) movable within the hoistway (22) between a plurality of landings (26). The elevator car (24) includes at least one air scoop (70) configured to fluidly couple an interior of the elevator car (24) to the hoistway (22) such that a controlled fluid flow may pass there between. The hoistway (22) may or may not include a ventilation opening (50) configured to couple the hoistway (22) to an air source disposed outside of the hoistway (22).