Elevator Car Buffers for Shallow-Pit Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator systems face challenges in providing a compact design suitable for shallow pits or pitless installations while ensuring safety, ride comfort, and effective vibration damping.

Innovation Solution

The elevator system incorporates buffers connected to support elements, which support and dampen the elevator car during travel, using a dual suspension system with buffers positioned outside the vertical projection of the car body, and includes a damping element to mitigate vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If buffers are attached to the car for shallow pit installations, then space is saved and the system becomes suitable for shallow pits, but vibration damping performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidvibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the buffer and damping element into a single integrated component. The buffer is connected to the support element (suspension cable or strap) and includes an elastomeric damping element that absorbs vibrations. This merging allows the system to achieve both space savings from car-attached buffering and effective vibration damping through the elastomeric material, resolving the contradiction between compact installation and vibration control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Volume of moving object

If buffers are positioned outside the vertical projection of the car body, then space is saved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefootprintVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer component serves multiple functions: it provides safety buffering by supporting the car during buffer runs, dampens vibrations through its elastomeric element, and acts as a suspension connection point. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby saving space while actually simplifying the overall system despite the unconventional positioning outside the car's vertical projection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional buffers are used in shallow pits, then installation is simplified, but ride comfort deteriorates due to increased vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidvibration transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer incorporates an elastomeric damping element made of composite or specialized material properties that provide both mechanical support and vibration absorption. This elastomeric material combines the structural integrity needed for safety buffering with the damping characteristics required for ride comfort, maintaining installation simplicity while effectively reducing vibration transmission to the car.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

The system achieves a space-saving, cost-effective design with enhanced safety and ride comfort, effectively damping vibrations and suitable for shallow pit or pitless installations.

Implementation Method 1

A damping element formed by the buffer is provided at a suspension point to dampen the vibrations generated by the drive and transmitted to the cabins via the support means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The buffer body can be made of an elastomer. The buffer body can be made of rubber.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4457170B1Lift facility
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 INVENTIO AG
  • EP4457170B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4457170B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4457170B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an elevator system, comprising an elevator cab (2) on which are mounted buffers (10) which are each assigned to a supporting means (5) and which are connected to the supporting means (5). The buffers (10) can be used for damping the elevator car (2) during the travel of the car.