Elevator Guide Rail Installation Using the Car as a Hoisting Platform

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator guide rail installation methods are time-consuming and require extensive safety measures, often necessitating the use of auxiliary hoists and scaffolds.

Innovation Solution

A method where guide rails are placed upright on an elevator car, with their upper halves laterally supported to prevent movement, allowing the car to be hoisted vertically to install additional rails, reducing the need for extensive equipment and minimizing back-and-forth movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If guide rails are installed one at a time using auxiliary hoists and scaffolds, then installation can be performed with conventional equipment, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and requires extensive safety measures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The guide rail installation process is segmented into modular units where multiple guide rails are pre-assembled on the elevator car platform. The elevator car itself is divided into functional zones: the platform serves as an installation base, the hoistway provides the installation path, and the guide rails are prepared in segments before installation. This segmentation enables parallel preparation and reduces sequential installation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple guide rails are positioned and prepared on the elevator car platform before the actual hoisting operation begins. The lateral support structures are pre-installed on the car to secure the guide rails during hoisting. This preliminary positioning and support setup eliminates the need for time-consuming adjustments during the hoisting process, significantly accelerating installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If auxiliary hoists and scaffolds are used for guide rail installation, then installation can be performed, but the complexity of equipment and safety measures increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elevator car is given multiple functions: it serves as the transport vehicle for guide rails, as the installation platform for positioning rails, and as the moving base from which installation operations are conducted. The lateral support structures serve dual purposes: securing guide rails during hoisting and providing reference alignment during installation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate auxiliary hoists and scaffolds, reducing equipment complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The elevator car performs its own installation function by carrying and positioning guide rails during its normal hoisting operation. The system uses itself as the installation apparatus, eliminating the need for external auxiliary equipment. The guide rails are self-positioned on the car platform and self-secured using the car's integrated lateral support structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If guide rails are lifted one at a time to position, then installation can be performed sequentially, but the installation process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation throughputVSAvoidinstallation duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple guide rails are segmented and positioned simultaneously on the elevator car platform rather than being installed one at a time. This parallel positioning of multiple rail segments on the moving platform enables batch installation, where several guide rails are installed during a single hoisting cycle, dramatically increasing throughput and reducing total installation duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elevator car performs continuous useful action by carrying multiple guide rails throughout its hoisting trajectory and installing them at the destination without returning to the ground for additional rails. This continuous operation eliminates idle time and back-and-forth movements, maintaining productive action throughout the entire hoisting cycle and significantly reducing installation duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3867188B1Method and arrangement
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 KONE OYJ
  • EP3867188B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3867188B1 patent drawingFigure 5
  • EP3867188B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for installing guide rails (1) of an elevator in a hoistway (2), comprising installing one or more guide rails (1) to form a vertical guide rail line (3); positioning an elevator car (4) at a first position in the hoistway (2); and placing plurality of guide rails (1) to stand in an upright position on the elevator car (4) such that each of the guide rails (1) rests on the floor structure (4a;4b) of the elevator car (4); and supporting the upper half of each of the guide rails (1) laterally on the elevator car (4) for blocking its lateral movement relative to the elevator car (4); and hoisting the elevator car (4) in the hoistway (2) upwards to a second position, along the guide rail line (3); and installing a guide rail (1) belonging to said plurality into the elevator hoistway (2) on top of the guide rail line (3) for extending the guide rail line (3) vertically, thereby making the guide rail (1) being installed to form the uppermost section of the guide rail line (3). The invention also relates to an arrangement implementing the method.