Elevator Governor Rotor with Directional Lobes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator governors lack the ability to differentiate speed thresholds for upward and downward movements, leading to uniform safety activation speeds that do not account for human comfort and safety differences in these directions.

Innovation Solution

A lobed centrifugal governor rotor with inner and outer lobes, where the inner lobes govern speed in one direction and outer lobes in the other, featuring axial projections and a restraining ring that adjusts with direction changes, allowing for distinct speed thresholds and enhanced safety mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a uniform speed threshold is used for both upward and downward movements, then the governor structure is simple, but it cannot provide optimized safety and comfort for different directions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirection-specific speed thresholdVSAvoidgovernor structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The governor rotor is segmented into inner lobes and outer lobes, where inner lobes control speed in one direction and outer lobes control speed in the opposite direction. This segmentation allows different speed thresholds for upward and downward movements, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by dividing the control function into directional segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The governor employs asymmetric lobe configurations where inner and outer lobes have different geometries and engagement characteristics. This asymmetry enables different speed thresholds for different directions of movement, allowing the system to optimize safety and comfort for each direction while maintaining a unified governor structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Manufacturing precision

If a single lobe configuration is used, then the governor is simpler to manufacture, but it cannot differentiate between upward and downward speed thresholds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed threshold differentiationVSAvoidrotor construction

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor is constructed with segmented lobe pairs (inner and outer lobes) that can be manufactured separately and then assembled or formed as an integrated structure. This segmentation enables precise control of speed thresholds for different directions while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular construction approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner and outer lobes are arranged in a nested configuration where inner lobes are positioned within the radial space defined by outer lobes. This nesting allows both lobe types to coexist in a compact rotor structure, enabling differentiated speed control without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If uniform safety activation speed is used for both directions, then the system is easier to control, but it does not account for human comfort differences in upward and downward movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirectional comfort optimizationVSAvoidcontrol system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The governor provides local quality control by assigning different speed threshold characteristics to different directional movements through inner and outer lobe engagement. This allows optimization of passenger comfort for each direction (e.g., higher upward speed threshold, lower downward speed threshold) while maintaining a unified control mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The governor dynamically adapts its control characteristics based on the direction of movement. The inner and outer lobes engage differently depending on rotation direction, automatically providing direction-appropriate speed thresholds without requiring complex external control systems or sensors.

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

Enables a maximum car-upward speed at least 20% higher than car-downward speed, providing improved safety and comfort by tailoring speed thresholds for different directions, thus enhancing elevator performance.

Implementation Method 1

the inner lobes have a first radial displacement rate during rotation and the outer lobes have a second radial displacement rate during rotation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS10329120B2Elevator overspeed governor

Publication Date: 2019.06.25 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

AI summary

An elevator governor rotor comprises a central axis and a plurality of pairs of lobes. Each pair of lobes comprises an inner lobe and an outer lobe.