Elevator Guide Rail Clip with Segmented Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator guide rails often buckle or bend due to building shrinkage when immovably fixed, as existing fixing clips do not provide consistent resistance to sliding and can damage the guide rail surface.
Innovation Solution
A U-shaped one-piece clip body with a base wall, side wall, and cover wall, featuring punctual or line contact surfaces and a sphere segment bolt head for consistent clamping force, allowing vertical sliding while securely fixing the guide rail without relying on tightening forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the guide rail is immovably fixed in the fixing clips, then the guide rail is securely held in position, but the guide rail buckles or bends due to building shrinkage
Solution Approach 1:
The contact area between the fixing clip and guide rail is segmented into multiple discrete contact points through projections on the base plate and clamp member. This segmentation allows localized contact while maintaining overall stability, enabling the guide rail to accommodate building shrinkage without buckling while remaining securely fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing clip design allows dynamic adjustment through the interaction between the clamp member and base plate, where the clamping force can accommodate variations in guide rail position due to building shrinkage. The system transitions from a rigid fixed connection to a controlled flexible connection that maintains stability while preventing buckling.
2Ease of operation
If projections are provided to reduce contact area, then sliding is easier during building shrinkage, but the resistance to sliding is not reproducible
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the fixing clip have different properties: the projections provide localized reduced contact area for easy sliding, while the overall clamp structure maintains consistent clamping force through the relationship between clamp member and base plate. This local differentiation allows the system to simultaneously achieve easy sliding capability and reproducible resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes the contact parameters from a large continuous contact area to discrete projections with specific geometric parameters. This parameter change reduces friction for sliding while the controlled geometry of the projections ensures reproducible resistance characteristics.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a two-part fixing clip is used with clamping screw, then the guide rail can be secured, but the clamping force depends on tightening force which complicates the system
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate and clamp member are designed as cooperating components where the clamp member can be fastened to the base plate through a screw connection. This merging of components creates a unified fixing system that achieves secure fixation while maintaining relative simplicity through the modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate serves multiple functions: providing a mounting surface for the clamp member, supporting the guide rail through projections, and forming part of the overall fixing structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, simplifying the system while maintaining secure fixation.
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator guide rail fixing clip has a u-shaped clip body configured to encompass a side edge of an elevator guide rail and a fastening element. The fastening element is fastened to the clip body and is configured to mount the clip body to a fixed structure of an elevator runway. The clip body includes a base wall, a side wall and a cover wall forming the three members of the u-shaped body. At least one of these walls has at least one projection protruding from the respective wall configured to contact the guide rail, which projection has a contact face for contact with the elevator guide rail. The fixing clip allows the fastening of a guiderail in a horizontal plane but with reduced friction against vertical sliding of the guide rail to compensate for building shrinkage.