Elevator Door Guide Rail Connector Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator door guide systems require excessive installation space, particularly in the vertical direction, due to the use of solid guide rails and large screws, which limits their compactness and stability.
Innovation Solution
The system employs guide rails of equal height connected by a connecting element system featuring smaller rollers for internal carriages and larger rollers for external carriages, with connecting elements placed above or below the smaller rollers to save space and enhance stability by distributing the connecting elements in both horizontal and vertical directions, allowing for a more rigid attachment without additional space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If solid guide rails with large screws are used to ensure stability, then strength and stability are improved, but installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into multiple smaller connecting elements distributed along the guide rail, replacing a single massive screw connection. This allows the load to be distributed across multiple points, maintaining stability while reducing the space required for each individual connection element.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting elements are arranged in a distributed pattern along the length of the guide rail, utilizing the longitudinal dimension to provide multiple connection points. This distributes the stabilizing function across space, reducing the need for large individual connection elements that would consume excessive installation space.
2Force
If larger rollers are used for external carriages, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different roller sizes are assigned to different carriage types based on their specific load requirements. External carriages, which bear heavier loads, are equipped with larger rollers, while internal carriages use smaller rollers. This local differentiation optimizes load-bearing capacity where needed while minimizing installation space consumption.
3Stability of the object's composition
If connecting elements are placed to rigidly attach guide rails, then stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting elements are designed as standardized, multi-functional components that can be used at multiple locations along the guide rail. This standardization simplifies manufacturing by using identical or similar components repeatedly, reducing the need for custom-made complex connection elements while maintaining rigid attachment.
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
This design reduces installation space usage, increases stability against bending loads, and allows for the use of bent sheet metal guide rails, reducing twisting issues and enabling more efficient use of space within the elevator shaft.
Implementation Method 1
The space above or below the smaller rollers accommodates at least one connecting element, with the help of which several guide rails are connected to one another... the smaller rollers roll under said connecting element during the opening or closing movement
Data Source
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AI summary
The system (1) has two guide rails (25) adjacently arranged regarding opening and closing directions and connected with each other by connectors (2). An inner lying carriage (5) is guided to a small roller (7), and an outer carriage (6) is guided to a larger roller (8). The connectors are accommodated in a space above the small roller. The connectors are arranged such that the small roller rolls under or rolls over the connectors in the course of the opening or closing movement of the roller, while large roller laterally passes the mentioned connectors. An independent claim is also included for a connector system for provision of a connector for a lift-door guidance system.