Elevator Guide Self-Alignment via Offset Holes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for self-aligned elevator guides face issues with misalignment under lateral forces and require precision machining on both guide and union plate surfaces, leading to increased assembly time and potential separation of guides.

Innovation Solution

The system features precision-finished 90° front surfaces on guides, end-to-end flange contact, through holes in wings and union plates with offset pairs, and retention means to create frontal alignment pressure, reducing the need for dual precision machining and enhancing rigidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If precision machining is performed on both guide and union plate surfaces, then alignment accuracy is improved, but manufacturing complexity and assembly time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidmachining operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide is pre-machined with precision front surfaces at 90° angles and provided with through-holes in predetermined positions before assembly. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for precision machining of the union plate during assembly, reducing both manufacturing complexity and assembly time while maintaining alignment accuracy through the pre-established geometric relationships.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If guides are joined with conventional union systems, then assembly is simplified, but guides separate under lateral forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidresistance to lateral forces

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The solution introduces offset through-holes positioned at different longitudinal locations in the guide and union plate. This dimensional offset creates a moment arm that generates aligning forces when retention means are inserted, transforming a simple single-point connection into a distributed multi-point connection system that resists lateral forces while maintaining assembly simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If guides are connected without offset holes, then manufacturing is simpler, but alignment pressure is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehole positioningVSAvoidfrontal alignment pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The through-holes are positioned asymmetrically with an offset distance along the longitudinal axis rather than being aligned directly opposite each other. This asymmetric positioning creates a lever arm that generates the necessary frontal alignment pressure when retention means are installed, achieving precise alignment without requiring complex hole positioning systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP2415703B1Connection system, with self-alignment, for elevator guides

Publication Date: 2018.08.08 S A DE VERA SAVERA

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Figure 3a

AI summary

Système d'union avec auto-alignement pour guides d'ascenseur dans lequel ses surfaces frontales forment un angle parfait de 90° par rapport à l'axe longitudinal (e) de chaque guide (1) et où une plaque d'union (2) formant des trous passants (241) en décalage et en correspondance avec les trous (141) des ailes (14) de façon qu'en y montant des moyens (3) d'union, une pression frontale d'alignement est créée entre les deux guides (1).