Elevator Door Emergency Unlocking via Shaft Door Actuator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator door unlocking mechanisms are complicated, expensive, and fail during power outages, trapping passengers inside the elevator.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical emergency unlocking mechanism actuated by a key from the shaft door, operatively connected to the car door lock, allowing manual unlocking of both shaft and car doors in the event of a power failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electrically activatable car door lock is used, then the door locking function is improved, but the door cannot be unlocked in the event of a power failure
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking function is segmented into two independent paths: normal electrical unlocking via the electrically activatable car door lock, and emergency mechanical unlocking via the emergency unlocking mechanism. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliable electrical locking while providing an alternative mechanical unlocking path that works independently of power availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The emergency unlocking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the key-operated actuator and the car door latch. When power fails, the mechanical emergency unlocking mechanism transfers the actuating force from the key-operated actuator directly to the latch, bypassing the failed electrical system and enabling door opening.
2Reliability
If a complex door coupling mechanism with rollers and guides is used to unlock shaft door, then the door unlocking function is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency unlocking mechanism merges the shaft door unlocking function with the car door unlocking function into a single integrated system. The key-operated actuator on the shaft door, when moved to its second position, simultaneously actuates both the shaft door lock and the car door lock through the emergency unlocking mechanism, eliminating the need for separate complex door coupling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The key-operated actuator serves multiple functions: it unlocks the shaft door lock when in the first position, and through the emergency unlocking mechanism, it also unlocks the car door lock when in the second position. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable door unlocking capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method enables emergency unlocking of a car door of an elevator having a car movable within a shaft to a floor. The car door has an electrically activatable lock and the floor has a shaft door with an electrically activatable door lock. The car door lock has a first latch for locking a first car door leaf and an emergency unlocking mechanism. The shaft door lock can be accessed from the floor. An actuator is attached to the shaft door. The method includes the steps: the shaft door is unlocked from the floor by the shaft door lock being manually actuated; actuation of the shaft door lock moves the actuator from a first position to a second position; in the second position, the actuator actuates the emergency unlocking mechanism; and actuation of the emergency unlocking mechanism unlocks the car door lock to unlock the first car door leaf.