Elevator Machine Frame Assembly Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Machine roomless elevator systems face challenges in noise reduction due to the placement of elevator machines within the hoistway, leading to increased noise levels that can disturb passengers.

Innovation Solution

The elevator machine frame assembly incorporates sound-dampening support rods, strategically aligned support plates, and noise-reducing bearing housings with inserts, along with isolation pads to minimize vibrations and noise transmission, achieving a noise reduction of approximately 2.5 dB.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the elevator machine is placed within the hoistway in a machine roomless system, then economic advantages are achieved, but noise levels increase and disturb passengers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeconomic advantagesVSAvoidnoise levels

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the frame assembly with sound-dampening materials) between the noise-generating elevator machine and the hoistway environment. This mediator absorbs and dampens noise vibrations, allowing the machine to operate within the hoistway while preventing excessive noise from reaching passengers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The frame assembly utilizes composite construction combining metal support rods with sound-dampening materials. This composite structure provides both structural support and noise reduction functionality, resolving the contradiction between economic benefits of machine roomless design and noise control requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If sound-dampening materials and noise-reducing structures are added to the frame assembly, then noise levels are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise levelsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: support rods for structural integrity, bearing housings for machine mounting, and sound-dampening materials for noise reduction. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easier manufacturing and assembly despite the overall complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution effectively reduces noise levels during elevator operation by utilizing sound-dampening materials and structural configurations that align with the axis of rotation, providing a quieter and more comfortable passenger experience.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound dampening: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS9457994B2Method of assembling an elevator machine frame

Publication Date: 2016.10.04 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

AI summary

An exemplary method of assembling an elevator machine frame includes situating at least a portion of a motor in a desired position, placing an elevator frame support plate against the portion of the motor, connecting a plurality of support rods to the support plate and connecting another support plate to the support rods such that the support plates are spaced from each other and in a desired alignment with each other.