Elevator Counterweight Frame With Inverted Arch Beams Against Bending

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional counterweight frames in elevator systems are narrow and high, limiting the utilization of width space in the elevator shaft and prone to bending deformation.

Innovation Solution

A counterweight frame design featuring inverted arch beams and load-bearing shafts that connect counterweight blocks, allowing for a wider frame configuration with improved stability and reduced height, utilizing the shaft space more efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the counterweight frame is designed to be narrow and high to prevent bending deformation, then the structural stability is improved, but the width space utilization of the elevator shaft is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidwidth space utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a traditional vertical suspension mechanism to a horizontal suspension mechanism. The load-bearing shaft is arranged horizontally between the first and second inverted arch beams, allowing the counterweight to be connected to the rope through horizontal extension rather than vertical suspension. This dimensional change enables the counterweight frame to extend horizontally, effectively utilizing the width space of the elevator shaft while maintaining structural stability through the inverted arch beam design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If the counterweight frame width is limited to prevent bending deformation, then the structural integrity is improved, but the space utilization in the elevator shaft is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidspace utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reorients the suspension mechanism from vertical to horizontal, allowing the counterweight frame to utilize the width dimension of the elevator shaft rather than being constrained by height limitations. The horizontal load-bearing shaft connects the inverted arch beams to the rope, enabling the frame to extend horizontally and fill the width space effectively while maintaining structural integrity through the arch beam configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The inverted arch beams feature a curved arch structure that provides superior load-bearing capacity and structural integrity compared to straight beams. The arch shape naturally distributes and redirects forces, allowing the frame to maintain high strength while achieving a wider configuration that utilizes elevator shaft space more effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Area of stationary object

If the counterweight frame is designed with larger width to utilize shaft space, then the space utilization is improved, but the bending deformation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewidth space utilizationVSAvoidbending deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The inverted arch beams use a curved arch structure that inherently resists bending deformation. The arch shape transforms vertical and lateral loads into compressive forces along the curve, allowing the beams to span greater horizontal distances without excessive deflection. This enables the counterweight frame to achieve larger width for better space utilization while maintaining stability and minimizing bending deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The counterweight frame is divided into modular components including the first and second inverted arch beams, the load-bearing shaft, and the counterweight blocks. This segmentation allows for optimized design of each component, where the arch beams provide structural stability and the modular blocks can be arranged to achieve the required width configuration without inducing excessive bending deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4650314A1Elevator system and counterweight therefor
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP4650314A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4650314A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4650314A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a counterweight for an elevator system and an elevator system. The elevator system comprises: an elevator car and a counterweight connected to each other through a rope; wherein, the counterweight comprises a counterweight frame and a plurality of counterweight blocks mounted on the counterweight frame, the counterweight frame comprising: a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to each other, wherein the counterweight blocks are arranged between the first main surface and the second main surface; a first inverted arch beam and a second inverted arch beam connected to the first main surface and the second main surface respectively; and a load-bearing shaft connected between the first inverted arch beam and the second inverted arch beam; wherein, the counterweight is connected to the rope through the load-bearing shaft. The counterweight frame according to the embodiments of the present invention may have a larger width and be less prone to bending deformation.