Elevator Governor Automatic Reset Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator governors require manual mechanical reset after activation, which is impractical for machine room-less (MRL) elevators where the governor is difficult to access, necessitating a solution for automatic reset without manual operation.

Innovation Solution

A governor design incorporating a rope sheave, ratchet wheel, centrifugal mechanism, trip bar, and rotatable pawl, with a reset push part that automatically returns the governor to its initial state by rotating in a specific direction, allowing for mechanical reset without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the governor is designed to require manual mechanical reset after activation, then the structure can be simpler and more reliable, but the ease of operation deteriorates because manual access is required which is impossible for MRL elevators

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegovernor function reliabilityVSAvoidmanual reset accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The governor automatically resets itself through the self-service mechanism. When the rope sheave rotates in the second direction (opposite to the first direction), the reset push part pushes the pawl back to its initial position, restoring the governor to its first state without requiring any manual intervention. This allows the governor to serve itself and eliminates the need for operator access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the governor is designed for automatic mechanical reset, then the ease of operation improves for MRL elevators, but the device complexity increases due to additional components like reset push part

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic reset capabilityVSAvoidgovernor structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reset function is merged with the existing operational components of the governor. The reset push part is integrated with the ratchet wheel and pawl mechanism, utilizing the existing rotational motion of the rope sheave to drive the reset action. This combining of reset function with operational components adds minimal complexity while achieving automatic reset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rope sheave serves multiple functions: it not only drives the governor during normal operation (first direction rotation) but also drives the reset mechanism during reset operation (second direction rotation). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated reset components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the governor requires manual reset, then the manufacturing precision requirements can be lower, but the productivity deteriorates due to downtime requiring operator intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelevator operational continuityVSAvoidmechanical reset precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The governor automatically resets itself through the self-service mechanism. When the rope sheave rotates in the second direction (opposite to the first direction), the reset push part pushes the pawl back to its initial position, restoring the governor to its first state without requiring any manual intervention. This allows the governor to serve itself and eliminates the need for operator access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 automatic mechanical reset of the governor, ensuring reliable operation in MRL elevators by eliminating the need for manual access, thus enhancing safety and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a centrifugal mechanism, a trip bar, and a rotatable pawl which are mounted on the rope sheave

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3287407B1Governor of an elevator
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3287407B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3287407B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3287407B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to the technical field of an elevator, and provides a governor of an elevator. The governor (10) of the present invention is provided with a reset push (170) part which is disposed on a ratchet wheel (120) and is used for resetting the governor (10) from a second state to a first state, wherein the reset push part (170) and a pawl (160) of the governor (10) are set in such a manner that when a rope sheave rotates in a direction, the reset push part (170) pushes the pawl (160) to reset the pawl (160) to a position corresponding to the first state.