Elevator Compensation Chain Guide Device with Movable Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compensation chain guide devices in elevator systems face challenges in compact installation and safety due to sway issues, entanglement, and potential damage from counterweights, especially during abnormal operations, as they need to be positioned accurately between the tangent point and surrounding structures within limited hoistway space.

Innovation Solution

A guide device with a fixed mechanism and a guide mechanism that can reciprocate vertically relative to each other, featuring a limiting slot and resistance buffering portion with adjustable resistance, allowing the guide mechanism to move when external forces exceed a preset value, ensuring proper guidance of the compensation chain in both normal and abnormal states, and integrating a buffering frame to absorb impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the compensation chain guide device is installed below the buffer end to allow buffer protection, then the device can be protected from counterweight impact, but the guide device may be positioned below the tangent point causing the compensation chain to collide with surrounding parts and entangle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from counterweight impactVSAvoidentanglement and collision with surrounding parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device is designed to move dynamically between a first position (below buffer end for protection) and a second position (above tangent point for proper guidance). The movable connection allows the guide device to adapt its position based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between protection and proper chain guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer serves as an intermediary element between the counterweight and the guide device. By positioning the guide device above the buffer end and utilizing the buffer as a protective intermediary, the system achieves both counterweight protection and proper chain guidance without direct exposure to impact forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the compensation chain guide device is installed above the tangent point to ensure proper guidance, then the chain can be guided effectively, but the device is vulnerable to damage from falling counterweight during abnormal operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproper chain guidanceVSAvoidvulnerability to counterweight impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device transitions from a static position to a dynamic movable connection, enabling it to occupy positions both above the tangent point (for guidance) and below the buffer end (for protection). This dynamic positioning resolves the vulnerability to impact while maintaining guidance effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer provides beforehand cushioning protection to the guide device. By installing the guide device above the buffer end and utilizing the buffer's cushioning capability, the system prepares protective measures in advance against potential counterweight impacts during abnormal operations.

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

3Stability of the object's composition

If the guide device is made fixed to ensure stability, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot adapt to position changes during abnormal operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to position changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device incorporates a movable connection that enables dynamic positioning while maintaining structural integrity. This allows the device to adapt between a first position for protection and a second position for proper guidance, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guide device achieves multi-functionality by being able to serve both as a protective element (when positioned below buffer end) and as a guidance element (when positioned above tangent point). This universal design allows a single device to fulfill multiple functions that previously required different configurations.

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

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 guide device effectively restricts sway and prevents damage by allowing the guide mechanism to adjust its position in response to external forces, maintaining guidance and safety during normal operations and abnormal conditions, such as counterweight impacts, thereby reducing the risk of entanglement and damage.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member and at least one ball are disposed in the installation hole, wherein in a state where no external force is exerted to the elastic member, the elastic member presses the at least one ball to protrude from the installation hole and embed into at least one of the plurality of locking grooves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

when the elevator runs abnormally and causes the counterweight to fall, the buffer may be used to buffer the counterweight firstly to prevent the counterweight from impacting the compensation chain guide device and damaging it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact Force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP3782946B1Guide device for an elevator compensation chain and elevator system
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3782946B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3782946B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3782946B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A guide device 100 and an elevator system 200 are provided by the present application. The guide device is configured to guide a compensation chain 240 of an elevator system and includes: a fixed mechanism 110, which is configured to be installed to an elevator hoistway, for example a stationary object such as a hoistway wall, a rail or a pit ground, and provide support for the guide device; and a guide mechanism 120 connected to the fixed mechanism; wherein in a state where the guide mechanism is subjected to an external force exceeding a preset value, the guide mechanism is capable of reciprocating in a vertical direction relative to the fixed mechanism. According to the guide device and the elevator system of the present application, by providing the fixed mechanism and the guide mechanism capable of moving relative to each other, the demand of guiding the compensation chain in the normal state can be satisfied, and also in a case of sudden abnormal condition, through a downward movement of the counterweight and the frame together as the counterweight tightly presses the buffer, the guidance to the compensation chain is continued and damage is avoided.