Elevator Guide Rail Jointing Clamp for Fast Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for installing elevator guide rails are time-consuming and labor-intensive, requiring accurate alignment and the use of heavy tools, which is critical for high-speed elevators, especially in modern high-rise buildings.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of pre-fabricated jointing clamps and a transport apparatus with a hook device and lever device allows for the fast and accurate joining of guide rail elements, enabling both manual and automated installation, with the option for a combination of both, and reducing material costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If connection plates are used to join guide rail elements, then the guide rails can be connected end-on-end, but the installation becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive requiring accurate adjustment and heavy tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of guide rail installationVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The guide rail system is divided into modular guide rail elements that can be pre-assembled with jointing clamps in a factory setting. This segmentation allows the complex joining operation to be performed beforehand under controlled conditions, then the pre-assembled modules are simply lifted into position during installation, dramatically reducing on-site installation time and labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The jointing clamps are pre-assembled onto the guide rail elements in the factory before delivery to the installation site. This preliminary action of attaching the clamps in advance eliminates the need for workers to perform complex alignment and fastening operations during installation, transforming a time-consuming on-site task into a simple lift-and-place operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If accurate alignment of guide rail joints is performed manually, then the quality of elevator installation is ensured, but the installation process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracy of guide rail jointsVSAvoidinstallation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment and attachment of jointing clamps to guide rail elements is performed in advance in the factory where precision tools and controlled conditions are available. This preliminary precision work ensures high alignment accuracy without requiring manual adjustment during installation, thereby maintaining quality while dramatically improving installation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical alignment process is replaced by pre-positioning the jointing clamps in the factory using precision equipment. The aligned assembly is then transported as a complete unit, substituting the need for on-site manual alignment tools and operations with a pre-engineered solution that maintains precision while eliminating labor-intensive field work.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If multiple bolts are used to attach connection plates, then secure joining is achieved, but multiple bolts must be released and tightened during adjustment work increasing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoining strength of guide rail elementsVSAvoidcomplexity of joining mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple bolt attachment operations are merged into a single pre-assembled unit. The jointing clamp with all its fastening elements is attached to the guide rail element in the factory as one integrated assembly, eliminating the need to individually handle and adjust multiple bolts during installation. This merging maintains secure joining strength while dramatically reducing the number of fastening operations required on-site.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3766817B1Elevator guide rail
Publication Date: 2023.06.21 KONE OYJ
  • EP3766817B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3766817B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3766817B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The elevator guide rail element comprises a guide rail element (25) having a first jointing clamp (100) attached to a lower end of the guide rail element and a second jointing clamp (200) attached to an upper end of the guide rail element. The first and the second jointing clamp forms a plug-in joint between the first and the second jointing clamp and thereby between two consecutive guide rail elements when the first and the second jointing clamp are connected to each other.