Elevator Guide Rail Thermal Expansion and Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increased load and thermal expansion issues in guide rails of elevator systems with linear motors lead to vibrations and noise due to the need for expansion joints and building settlement, which complicates the assembly and operation of stacked rail elements.
Innovation Solution
The guide rail is designed with adjacent rail elements connected to the shaft wall, allowing thermal expansion, and featuring complementary edges or comb-shaped formations to maintain continuous contact with rolling or braking components, ensuring even transitions and reduced noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If rail elements are stacked and only fixed horizontally to the shaft wall to allow thermal expansion, then the guide rail can expand freely in the vertical direction, but the lowest rail elements cannot absorb the increased load from linear motors and multiple elevator cars
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail is divided into individually connected rail elements, each fixed to the shaft wall. This segmentation allows each element to bear load independently while maintaining overall structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between thermal expansion freedom and load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different connection methods are applied at different locations: rail elements are fixed to the shaft wall at support points to bear vertical loads, while expansion joints are provided between elements to allow thermal expansion. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between strength and thermal expansion.
2Temperature
If expansion joints are provided between adjacent rail elements to accommodate thermal expansion from linear motors, then thermal expansion is allowed, but vibrations and noise occur when elevator components change between rail elements
Solution Approach 1:
A transition piece is introduced as an intermediary element between adjacent rail elements. This transition piece bridges the gap created by expansion joints, providing a smooth surface for guide rollers to pass over without sudden changes in elevation, thereby reducing vibrations and noise while still allowing thermal expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition piece is designed in advance to compensate for the gap between rail elements. By providing a gradual transition surface before the roller encounters the gap, vibrations and noise are reduced rather than allowing sudden impacts.
3Strength
If rail elements are individually connected to the shaft wall to bear increased loads, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but the assembly complexity increases compared to stacked rail elements
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail system is segmented into standardized rail elements that can be individually connected to the shaft wall. While each element requires individual connection, the modular design standardizes the connection process, making assembly systematic rather than overly complex.
Solution Approach 2:
Each rail element is designed with universal connection features that can be attached to the shaft wall using standardized methods. This universality simplifies the individual connection process, reducing assembly complexity despite the increased number of connection points required for load-bearing.
4Adaptability or versatility
If adjacent rail elements are placed at a distance to allow thermal expansion and building settlement, then thermal expansion and settlement are accommodated, but gaps between elements cause vibrations when rollers pass over
Solution Approach 1:
A transition piece is placed between adjacent rail elements to serve as an intermediary. This transition piece fills the gap created by thermal expansion and settlement, providing a continuous surface for rollers to traverse, thereby eliminating vibrations while still allowing the rail elements to move independently for thermal accommodation.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition piece is positioned in advance between rail elements to cushion the transition. By providing a gradual slope or curved surface before the roller encounters the gap, the harmful vibrations are reduced while maintaining the ability to accommodate thermal expansion and settlement.
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 ensures continuous contact between guide rollers and the rail, reducing vibrations and noise, while allowing for thermal expansion and accommodating building settlement, thus improving the operational stability and quietness of elevator systems.
Implementation Method 1
adjacent rail elements being at a distance from one another so that the rail elements can thermally expand freely in the direction of travel
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a guide rail for an elevator system, comprising at least two rail elements (11a, 11b) which jointly form a guide rail section having a functional raceway (31a, 31b, 31c) in a direction of travel. Each of the rail elements (11a, 11b) is connected to the shaft wall. Furthermore, adjoining rail elements (11a, 11b) are located at a distance from one another so that the rail elements (11a, 11b) can freely undergo thermal expansion in the direction of travel. In addition, at least two of the adjoining rail elements (11a, 11b) have edges which face one another in the region of the functional raceway (31a, 31b, 31c) and which have a complementary shape such that any cross-section of the guide rail section that runs perpendicular to the direction of travel in the region of the functional raceway (31a, 31b, 31c) extends through at least one of the two adjoining rail elements (11a, 11b).