Elevator Carrier Unit Retention Securing Means

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elevator systems face challenges in operational reliability, weight, assembly, and maintenance, particularly due to the risk of deflection rollers detaching from the carrier unit when bearings fail, which can lead to safety issues and equipment damage.

Innovation Solution

A carrier unit with two yoke bars and a bearing, where at least two restraint devices are positioned between the yoke bars to prevent the deflection roller from detaching, designed to withstand forces up to 250 kN, using bolt-like pins or screws attached directly to the yoke bars, ensuring the deflection roller is securely held even if the bearing fails.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If restraint devices are added to prevent deflection pulley detachment, then operational reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The restraint devices are pre-installed on the yoke beams before the deflection pulley is mounted. These devices project into the space between the yoke beams and are positioned to form stops that will prevent pulley detachment in case of bearing failure, thereby preparing the safety mechanism in advance without affecting normal operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The restraint devices serve as a preliminary safety backup that activates only when the primary bearing fails. They provide a protective stop that prevents catastrophic failure by limiting the deflection pulley's movement, thus cushioning against the harmful effects of bearing failure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If restraint devices are designed to withstand high forces, then safety is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The restraint devices are designed with localized reinforcement only at the critical load-bearing points where they contact the deflection pulley. The yoke beams maintain sufficient thickness and material strength at specific locations to withstand high forces, while other parts of the structure can be optimized for reduced weight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The restraint devices and yoke beams utilize high-strength materials that provide superior load-bearing capacity per unit weight. This allows the structure to withstand forces up to 250 kN while minimizing the overall weight increase compared to using conventional materials with larger cross-sections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If restraint devices are attached directly to yoke beams, then assembly is simplified, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The restraint devices are designed as separate, modular components that can be independently manufactured and then attached to the yoke beams. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing of the restraint devices with precise mounting features, while the yoke beams can be produced with standard tolerances. The attachment process becomes a simple assembly operation rather than requiring complex integrated manufacturing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution significantly increases operational safety by preventing deflection roller detachment, protecting the counterweight and maintaining system integrity, while also being lightweight and easy to assemble and maintain.

Implementation Method 1

The deflection pulley is rotatably mounted relative to the yoke beams by means of a bearing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

they form a stop to prevent the deflection pulley from moving in the direction of the load caused by the load-bearing force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3286124B1Carrier unit for a lift facility
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 INVENTIO AG
  • EP3286124B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3286124B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3286124B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A support unit (1) for the fastening of a diverting roller (5) to a support structure (13) is proposed, such as can be used for supporting a cabin in an elevator installation. The support unit has two yoke beams (3) and a bearing arrangement (7) for the diverting roller (5). The yoke beams (3) are arranged parallel to one another and are provided for fastening to the support structure (13). The support unit (1) is distinguished by the fact that, on the support unit (1), there are also provided at least two retention securing means (9) which are in each case fastened to the yoke beams (3) and which project into the intermediate space (11) between the yoke beams (3) such that, in the event of failure of the bearing arrangement (7), said retention securing means form a stop in order to prevent the diverting roller (5) from moving in the support direction (31) under the action of the support force. The proposed support unit (1) is stable, is of simple construction and is of space-saving design.