Elevator Rope Routing with Composite Cables
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevators with high lifting ratios face challenges in achieving a simple and space-efficient structure due to the high bending radius of ropes, which leads to increased mass and complexity, reducing energy efficiency and requiring multiple ropes for load-bearing capability.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a 2:1 suspension ratio using fiber-reinforced composite ropes with a unique configuration of diverting wheels and a drive wheel, allowing the ropes to pass at an angle of 60 to 90 degrees, reducing the risk of fracturing and enabling a compact structure with minimal space consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If metallic ropes with twisted steel wires are used to achieve small bending radius, then the bending radius requirement is met, but the rope mass increases and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional metallic twisted steel wire ropes with fiber-reinforced composite ropes. These composite ropes use high-strength fibers (such as aramid, carbon, or glass fibers) embedded in a polymer matrix, providing the necessary tensile strength while significantly reducing density and mass compared to metallic ropes, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving small bending radius and reducing rope mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters of the ropes from metallic to fiber-reinforced composite materials, which have different density and strength characteristics. This parameter change allows the ropes to maintain adequate strength while reducing mass, and the composite structure enables flexibility with smaller bending radius than traditional metallic ropes.
2Speed
If high lifting ratio (2:1 or greater) is used to increase motor rotational speed, then motor size is reduced, but the number of ropes increases and structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The use of fiber-reinforced composite ropes with superior strength-to-weight ratio enables the adoption of high lifting ratios (2:1 or greater) without requiring excessive numbers of ropes. The high strength of composite materials allows each rope to bear greater loads, reducing the total number of ropes needed while maintaining the high lifting ratio configuration, thus reducing structural complexity.
3Weight of moving object
If fiber-reinforced composite ropes are used to reduce rope mass, then energy efficiency is improved, but the bending radius increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs fiber-reinforced composite materials with specific structural design that balances flexibility and strength. The composite structure, with fibers embedded in a flexible polymer matrix, provides the necessary flexibility for smaller bending radius while maintaining the low mass advantage of composite materials, thus resolving the contradiction between reducing rope mass and maintaining acceptable bending radius.
4Area of stationary object
If high lifting ratio is used to position drive machine in top part of hoistway, then space efficiency is improved, but rope mass increases and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses fiber-reinforced composite ropes that enable high lifting ratios to be implemented with reduced rope mass. The superior strength-to-weight ratio of composite materials allows the system to achieve the space-efficient configuration of positioning the drive machine in the top part of the hoistway while using fewer and lighter ropes, thus resolving the contradiction between improving space efficiency and reducing rope mass.
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator includes an elevator car; a counterweight; a drive wheel mounted stationary, and having a rotational axis; first diverting wheel(s), mounted on the elevator car, and having a rotational axis parallel with the rotational axis of the drive wheel; a second and a third diverting wheel mounted on the counterweight radially side by side, each having a rotational axis, which is at an angle of 60 to 90 degrees relative to the rotational axis of the drive wheel; a roping suspending the elevator car and counterweight and including a first belt-like rope and a second belt-like rope, each having a first end and a second end fixed to a stationary rope fixing, and each comprising one or more load bearing members made of fiber-reinforced composite material; wherein the first rope and the second rope are arranged to pass side by side from the fixing of the first end downwards to the elevator car; and to turn side by side under said first diverting wheel(s); and to pass upwards to the drive wheel; and to turn side by side over the drive wheel; and to pass downwards to the counterweight, each rope turning around its longitudinal axis an angle of 60 to 90 degrees, and into the gap between the rims of the second and third diverting wheel, the first rope passing to the second diverting wheel and the second rope passing to the third diverting wheel, the first rope passing under the second diverting wheel and the second rope passing under the third diverting wheel, the diverting wheels rotating in opposite directions guiding the ropes arriving to them from the drive wheel to turn away from each other; and to pass upwards to the fixing of the second end.