Elevator Door Driver System with Preload Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driver systems for elevator car and shaft doors are complex, requiring multiple components and safety mechanisms, which complicates operation and maintenance, and allows potential manual opening when the elevator is not in the correct position, posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A simplified driver system design featuring a preload arrangement and locking element, with joint arrangements allowing pivoting movement and a toothed belt coupling, ensuring engagement elements transition between open and closed positions securely, and a locking mechanism that prevents manual opening when the elevator is misaligned.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent manual opening in power-free state, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking mechanism with the existing engagement elements and joint arrangements. The locking element integrates with the driver system components rather than being a separate independent mechanism, thereby improving safety while minimizing additional complexity. The locking element works in conjunction with the engagement elements to prevent manual opening when the elevator car is not correctly aligned.
2Reliability
If multiple rails and rollers are used for safety, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement elements serve multiple functions: they enable joint movement of the doors during normal operation and simultaneously act as part of the safety/locking mechanism when the elevator car is misaligned. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate safety components like additional rails and rollers, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Device complexity
If a simplified design with fewer components is used, then device complexity is reduced, but safety may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism operates automatically based on the position of the engagement elements. When the elevator car is not correctly aligned, the engagement elements naturally assume a position that triggers the locking element to prevent manual opening. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external safety systems while maintaining high reliability.
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 reduces component complexity while maintaining safety, preventing manual opening when the elevator is not correctly positioned, ensuring safe operation and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
the preload arrangement can in particular comprise two elastic elements, in particular springs
Implementation Method 2
the first joint element and the second joint element are further pivotally connected to one another via a first bearing
Implementation Method 3
a toothed belt coupling
Implementation Method 4
a locking element which is pivotable between a closed position in which it prevents opening of the elevator car door
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a drive system (10) for the simultaneous opening and closing of an elevator car door and an elevator shaft door, comprising a base unit (12), a pair of a first (14) and a second engagement element (16) which are displaceable between an open operating position and a closed operating position, at least a first (18) and a second joint arrangement (20) which support the pair of engagement elements (14, 16) in a parallelogram configuration and are rotatable, wherein the first joint arrangement (18) comprises a first joint element (18a) and a second joint element (18b), wherein the first joint element (18a) is driveable to a pivoting movement for a transition between the closed operating position and the open operating position, and wherein the first joint element (18a) and the second joint element (18b) (18c) are pivotably connected relative to each other.wherein the second joint arrangement (20) comprises a third joint element (20a) and a fourth joint element (20b), wherein the third joint element (20a) is pivotable and the third joint element (20a) and the fourth joint element (20b) are pivotably connected relative to each other via a second bearing (20c), a preload arrangement (24) which preloads the engagement elements (14, 16) towards each other, wherein the preload arrangement (24) in an otherwise force-free state transfers the engagement elements (14, 16) into a closed position, a locking element which is pivotable between a closed position and an open position, wherein a release element is assigned to one of the joint elements (14, 16) such that in the second operating position of the engagement elements (14, 16) it interacts with the locking element (26) to transfer it into its open position, while in the locked position it holds the locking element in the remains in a closed position.