Elevator Guide Rail Mounting for Height Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator systems struggle to adapt to increasing building heights, particularly when the counterweight track is arranged on the same side as the elevator car guide rail, as they require complex support means arrangements that limit flexibility and increase material costs.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a liftable drive platform with an elevator drive machine and counterweight, where the elevator car guide rail is elongated above the drive platform and temporarily fixed using auxiliary supports before being replaced by final guide rail mountings, allowing the drive platform to be lifted along the guide rail without hindering the lifting process, even when the counterweight's horizontal cross-section prevents it from being arranged between the guide rail and the shaft wall.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the counterweight track is arranged on the same side as the elevator car guide rail, then the space utilization is improved, but the guide rail mounting becomes impossible with conventional fastening elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidguide rail mounting

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary cross-member that extends through the counterweight track to connect the guide rail to the shaft wall. This cross-member acts as a mediator that allows the guide rail to be mounted on the same side as the counterweight track without interfering with the counterweight's movement, thereby resolving the mounting impossibility while maintaining space utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional mounting approach (fastening elements attached directly to the shaft wall) to a three-dimensional approach by extending a cross-member through the counterweight track. This dimensional change allows the guide rail to be positioned in the same plane as the counterweight track while still achieving secure mounting through the shaft wall

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the drive platform is lifted to adapt to increasing building height, then the adaptability is improved, but the guide rail mountings above the drive platform become obstacles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to building heightVSAvoidlifting process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by extending the guide rail above the drive platform's final position before lifting occurs. This allows the drive platform to be lifted to the extended position without collision, and the cross-member is subsequently installed after lifting is complete, eliminating the obstacle problem

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic installation sequence where the guide rail extension and cross-member mounting are timed to occur after the drive platform lifting. This dynamic approach allows the system to transition from a state where the cross-member would be an obstacle to a state where it provides stable final mounting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If auxiliary supports are used to fix the elongated guide rail, then the lifting process is enabled, but additional materials and installation steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting processVSAvoidinstallation process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs auxiliary supports as temporary, disposable elements that serve their purpose during the lifting operation and are then removed. These simple, inexpensive supports enable the complex lifting process without requiring permanent structural modifications or complex permanent mounting mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS10807833B2Method for erecting an elevator system, and elevator system which can be adapted to an increasing building height

Publication Date: 2020.10.20 INVENTIO AG

AI summary

A method for erecting an elevator system in an elevator shaft of a building includes performing at least one lift process to adapt a usable lift height of the elevator system to an increasing height of the building. During the lift process, a drive platform, which supports an elevator drive machine and, via a flexible support, an elevator car and a counterweight, is lifted along at least one elevator car guide rail. Prior to the lift process, the at least one elevator car guide rail is elongated in the upwards direction above the drive platform and fixed to a shaft wall of the elevator shaft by at least one auxiliary support in the region of the elongation. After the lift process, the at least one auxiliary support, which then lies below the drive platform, is replaced by a final guide rail mounting which is designed differently than the auxiliary support.