Elevator Sliding Guide Shoe Adaptability via Segmented Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sliding guide shoes for elevators are limited in their ability to accommodate various rail element geometries, requiring complex designs or adjustment options, which complicates production and application.

Innovation Solution

A modular sliding guide shoe with a housing and sliding element components that can be arranged in different relative positions, using damping elements to adapt to different rail element geometries, allowing for easy assembly and adjustment without complex housing designs or manufacturing processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a complex housing with adjustment options or complex manufacturing process is used, then the sliding guide shoe can accommodate different rail element geometries, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different rail element geometriesVSAvoidhousing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding element is divided into multiple components (first sliding element component and second sliding element component) that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the components to be arranged in different relative positions to accommodate various rail element geometries, eliminating the need for complex adjustable mechanisms in the housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The damping element serves multiple functions: it positions the sliding element components relative to each other and to the housing, accommodates different rail element geometries, and provides damping. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate adjustment mechanisms, simplifying the overall device structure.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If a complex housing with adjustment options is used, then the sliding guide shoe can accommodate different rail element geometries, but the production and storage difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different rail element geometriesVSAvoidproduction and storage ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the sliding element into separate components that can be independently manufactured and then assembled in different positions using damping elements, the system achieves versatility without requiring complex housing designs. Each component can be produced using standard manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The relative positioning of sliding element components is achieved by changing the parameters of the damping elements (thickness, material properties) rather than changing the housing structure. This allows a single housing design to accommodate multiple rail element geometries through simple component replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If damping elements are specifically adapted for different rail element geometries, then the damping quality can be precisely adjusted, but the quantity of different damping elements required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamping qualityVSAvoidnumber of different damping elements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The damping elements are designed to be universally applicable across different rail element geometries. By positioning the sliding element components in different relative positions using appropriately sized damping elements, the same set of damping elements can serve multiple applications, reducing the total variety needed while maintaining precise damping control.

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

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

Enables the sliding guide shoe to accommodate a wide range of rail element geometries, providing effective damping and ride comfort while simplifying production and storage, as well as allowing for adjustable damping properties to suit specific applications.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one damping element can serve, in the mounted state, to at least partially dampen and/or cushion relative movements such as vibrations and the like between the housing of the sliding guide shoe and/or the load cage and/or the car and/or the counterweight of the elevator on the one hand and the rail element on the other hand

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4371921A1Sliding guide shoe for elevators
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 FAIGLE KUNSTE
  • EP4371921A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4371921A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4371921A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

Sliding guide shoe for elevators (2) with a housing (3) having a guide recess (4) for receiving rail elements (5) of the elevators (2), a sliding element (6) arranged in the guide recess (4) for sliding guidance of the rail elements (5) and at least one damping element (7) arranged between the housing (3) and the sliding element (6), wherein the sliding element (6) has at least two sliding element components (8) for adapting the sliding guide shoe (1) to different geometries, in particular thicknesses, of the rail elements (5), which are or can be arranged in different relative positions to each other in the guide recess (4), and wherein the relative position of the sliding element components (8) is at least partially determined by the at least one damping element (7).