Elevator Compensating Roping via Diverting Pulleys

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing jump-elevator systems face challenges in efficiently increasing rope length as building height increases, leading to high tension forces in rope clamps, limited rope supply options, and imbalance between elevator car and counterweight movements, which complicates the balancing of compensating roping and increases operational costs.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a 2:1 roping system for compensating ropes, connected via diverting pulleys to both the elevator car and counterweight, allowing for reduced tension forces on rope clamps and flexible rope supply location selection, enabling easier and safer addition of rope length without compromising elevator speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the length of compensating ropes is increased to match the increased hoisting rope length in a jump lift, then the rope tension forces on clamps become excessively large, but the rope length must be extended to maintain equilibrium

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompensating rope lengthVSAvoidrope tension force on clamps
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

A chain is introduced as an intermediary element between the compensating ropes and the counterweight. The chain acts as a flexible connector that can accommodate the increased rope length without transmitting excessive tension forces to the rope clamps, thereby resolving the contradiction between needing longer ropes and avoiding high clamp forces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes from using only rigid rope connections to a hybrid system combining ropes and a chain. This parameter change in the connection type allows the system to accommodate length variations while maintaining force distribution, reducing the tension burden on rope clamps during jump lifts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a chain structure is used to compensate for rope mass in jump lifts, then the rope mass compensation is achieved, but the operating speed of the elevator is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverope mass compensationVSAvoidelevator operating speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a chain throughout the entire compensating mechanism, the invention applies the chain only in specific locations where it is most effective - namely as connecting elements between the compensating ropes and the counterweight. The majority of the compensating mechanism retains the rope structure, which allows for higher operating speeds while still achieving the necessary mass compensation function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Length of moving object

If the counterweight area of movement is increased to match the elevator car area of movement in a jump lift, then the rope equilibrium is maintained, but the counterweight must be repositioned after each jump

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecounterweight movement areaVSAvoidcounterweight repositioning operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system is designed so that the chain-connected compensating mechanism automatically adjusts to the new equilibrium position after a jump lift. The flexible chain connection allows the counterweight and compensating ropes to self-rebalance without requiring manual intervention or active repositioning operations, thereby maintaining ease of operation while adapting to the increased movement area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Strength

If openable clamps are dimensioned to handle great rope tension forces, then the rope connection strength is sufficient, but the clamp size and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamp connection strengthVSAvoidclamp manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The chain serves as a mediator that redistributes the tension forces in the compensating mechanism. By introducing this intermediary element, the force transmission path is changed such that the rope clamps no longer need to withstand the full magnitude of tension forces, allowing for smaller, simpler, and easier-to-manufacture clamp designs while maintaining adequate connection strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution reduces the force required for rope length addition, allows for more economical and simpler clamp design, ensures equilibrium between elevator car and counterweight movements, and provides a safer, more efficient method for constructing high-rise elevators with reduced operational speeds.

Implementation Method 1

the compensating roping is connected to the elevator car via a diverting pulley on the elevator car and to the counterweight via a diverting pulley on the counterweight

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulley: Pulley

Data Source

PatentEP2197777B1Elevator arrangement and method
Publication Date: 2015.07.29 KONE OYJ
  • EP2197777B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2197777B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2197777B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Arrangement and method for the construction-time use of an elevator, which arrangement comprises an elevator car (2), hoisting roping (4), a hoisting machine fitted to move the elevator car via the hoisting roping (4), which hoisting machine is preferably disposed on the machine room level (22) at the top end of the elevator hoistway, a counterweight (56), and which elevator comprises compensating roping (10), which compensating roping is connected to the supply storage (16) of the compensating roping. In the arrangement, the compensating roping (10) is connected to the elevator car via a diverting pulley (28) on the elevator car and to the counterweight (56) via a diverting pulley (58) on the counterweight (56). In the method one or more jumps of the machine room level are performed, and the additional rope needed for a jump of the machine room level is taken from the supply storage of the compensating roping. The construction-time roping of the elevator is arranged such that the compensating roping is connected to the elevator car (2) via the diverting pulley (28) on the elevator car (2) and to the counterweight (56) via the diverting pulley (58) on the counterweight (56).