Elevator Car Ceiling Cover Plate for Tolerance-Compensated Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elevator car ceilings with openings face manufacturing tolerance issues, requiring a reliable and adjustable cover to ensure secure closure.

Innovation Solution

A removable cover plate system featuring apertures and fixing elements, combined with permanent magnets and a c-shaped profile, allows for secure attachment and adjustment to compensate for dimensional variations, ensuring reliable closure and easy mounting/removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed cover plate is used to close the opening in the ceiling, then the structure is simple, but manufacturing tolerances cause unreliable closure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliable closureVSAvoiddimensional variations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cover plate is designed with movable adjustment mechanisms that allow it to adapt its position dynamically. The cover can be adjusted along the ceiling surface to compensate for dimensional variations in the opening, ensuring reliable closure despite manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows changing the position parameter of the cover plate along the ceiling. By adjusting the cover's location, the system compensates for variations in opening dimensions, maintaining effective closure across different manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a removable cover system with adjustment mechanisms is implemented, then manufacturing tolerances are compensated, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliable closureVSAvoidcover system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover system is divided into modular components including the cover plate, adjustment mechanism, and mounting elements. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component and simplifies the overall assembly and adjustment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover plate incorporates movable elements that enable simple linear adjustment along the ceiling surface. This dynamic capability provides tolerance compensation through straightforward mechanical movement rather than complex positioning systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the cover plate is made fully removable for maintenance, then accessibility is improved, but secure attachment during operation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidsecure attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system uses separate fastening elements that can be independently engaged or disengaged. This allows the cover to be securely fixed during operation while enabling straightforward removal for maintenance by simply releasing the fastening elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover system transitions between two stable states: securely attached during operation and easily removable for maintenance. The dynamic attachment mechanism maintains firm fixation under normal conditions while allowing controlled removal when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 system securely attaches the cover plate to the frame, compensates for manufacturing tolerances, and facilitates easy installation and removal, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the elevator car's ceiling closure.

Implementation Method 1

at least one permanent magnet is provided at an opposing second end of the cover plate and/or at a portion of the frame abutting the second end of the cover plate. The at least one permanent magnet is configured for fixing the second end of the cover plate to an adjacent portion of the frame, in particular to a metallic portion of the frame, by means of its magnetic force.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3560876B1Elevator car and elevator system
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3560876B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3560876B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3560876B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An elevator car (6) comprises a frame (20) and a removable cover plate (22). The cover plate (22) comprises at least one aperture (28) formed in a first end (22a) of the cover plate (22) allowing at least one fixing element (30) extending from the frame (20) to pass through the at least one aperture (28) for fixing the cover plate (22) to the frame (20). The cover plate (22) further comprises at least one permanent magnet (24) provided at an opposing second end (22b) of the cover plate (22) and/or at a portion of the frame (20) abutting the second end (22b) of the cover plate (22). The at least one permanent magnet (24) is configured for fixing the second end (22b) of the cover plate (22) to a portion of the frame (20).