Elevator Guide Rail Corrosion Protection Film

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional guide rails for elevator systems face challenges in corrosion protection during storage and shipment, as existing methods like applying anti-corrosion coatings with solvents are labor-intensive, costly, and generate waste, with no efficient cleaning process to prepare the surface for safety engagement.

Innovation Solution

A protective layer with an adhesive backing is applied to the guide rail, sealing the perimeter without adhering to the guide surfaces, allowing for easy solvent-free removal, using materials like plastic, paper, or cardboard, ensuring corrosion protection without contaminating the surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If an anti-corrosion coating such as wax, grease or oil is applied to the blade portion, then corrosion protection during storage and shipment is improved, but the complexity of removal and additional cost and time for installation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion protectionVSAvoidcoating removal process

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a disposable protective film made of water-soluble polymer that is easily removed by washing with water, eliminating the need for complex chemical solvent removal processes required for traditional wax, grease, or oil coatings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical removal process (scraping, chemical solvents) with a simple water-washing process, substituting complex removal mechanisms with a simple aqueous cleaning method

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an anti-corrosion coating is applied to the blade portion, then corrosion protection during storage and shipment is improved, but labor and expense for removal increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion protectionVSAvoidinstallation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective film is designed as a disposable, water-soluble covering that can be quickly removed by washing, significantly reducing the labor time and cost associated with removing traditional anti-corrosion coatings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical properties of the protective coating from oil-based/wax-based (requiring chemical solvents) to water-soluble polymer, fundamentally altering the removal process from complex chemical treatment to simple water washing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If chemical solvent is used to remove the coating at the installation site, then the coating removal is achieved, but waste generation and environmental impact increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating removalVSAvoidwaste generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes chemical solvent-based removal with a water-based washing process, eliminating the generation of hazardous waste and reducing environmental impact while maintaining effective coating removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of chemical solvents into a beneficial water-based removal process, where water (a benign substance) serves as the removal medium, eliminating waste disposal issues while achieving the same protective function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If paint is applied to the blade portion, then corrosion protection is improved, but the operation of elevator safeties is affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion protectionVSAvoidsafety engagement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies corrosion protection selectively: the base portion receives paint coating while the blade portion receives a water-soluble protective film, ensuring that the blade surface remains free of substances that could interfere with safety engagement while still providing corrosion protection during storage and shipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 method reduces installation costs and environmental impact by eliminating solvent use, while maintaining surface integrity for safety engagement, facilitating efficient and clean installation of guide rails.

Implementation Method 1

a perimeter of the protective layer is adhered to the guide rail to seal the guide surfaces from corrosive elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3066039B1Guide rail for elevator

Publication Date: 2021.07.21 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

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AI summary

A method of making a guide rail for an elevator system includes providing a metallic guide rail having a base portion and a blade portion extending from the base portion The blade portion includes one or more guide surfaces interactive with a safety brake of the elevator system. A protective layer is applied to the guide rail for corrosion protection and a perimeter of the protective layer is adhered to the guide rail to seal the guide surfaces from corrosive elements, while not adhering the protective layer to the guide surfaces.