Elevator Door Interlock Assembly Space Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator door interlock systems require significant space between the elevator car and hoistway wall, leading to increased maintenance costs and callbacks due to malfunctioning interlock components, particularly related to the interlock functions, which also introduce additional gaps that need to meet code requirements.
Innovation Solution
The elevator door interlock design features a base with rotationally fixed interlock bumpers and a latch that separates door unlocking and moving functions, reducing the space required and eliminating the need for rollers, allowing the latch to not carry load associated with hoistway door movement, thus minimizing space and potential for malfunctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional interlock arrangements with rollers and vanes are used, then door coupling function is achieved, but space between elevator car and hoistway wall increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the rolling function from the interlock system by eliminating rollers entirely. Instead of using rollers that rotate to accommodate door movement, the patent uses fixed bumpers that directly contact the door, removing the need for rotational components and reducing space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the traditional approach by making the bumpers fixed rather than rotating. Instead of having rotating rollers that adapt to door movement, the fixed bumpers remain stationary while the door moves against them, achieving the same coupling function with simpler, space-saving geometry.
2Reliability
If traditional interlock arrangements are used, then door locking function is provided, but device complexity increases due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the locking and unclocking functions into a single latch mechanism. The latch engages with the door to provide locking, and the same latch structure provides the unclocking function through its movement, eliminating the need for separate locking and unclocking components.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides door locking when engaged, door unclocking when disengaged, and its movement itself provides the unclocking action. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and simplifies the interlock system.
3Ease of operation
If traditional interlock arrangements with rollers are used, then door movement is accommodated, but maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses simple, fixed bumper components that are easier and cheaper to replace than complex rotating rollers. The fixed bumpers have fewer moving parts and simpler construction, making them more suitable for replacement rather than repair, thereby reducing maintenance costs and requirements.
4Reliability
If traditional interlock arrangements are used, then code-compliant gap requirements are met, but additional components are needed on landing sill
Solution Approach 1:
The invention addresses gap requirements by utilizing the vertical dimension and the latch mechanism's movement capability rather than adding horizontal components to the landing sill. The latch's engagement and disengagement movements provide the necessary adjustment to meet code-compliant gap requirements without modifying the landing sill structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An illustrative example elevator door interlock includes a base, a plurality of interlock bumpers supported on the base, and a latch supported on the base for movement relative to the base between a door locking position and a released position. The plurality of interlock bumpers are supported on the base with a gap between the plurality of interlock bumpers. Each of the interlock bumpers includes a contact surface configured to contact at least one vane supported on an elevator car door. Each of the interlock bumpers remains rotationally fixed relative to the base. The latch includes a latch bumper that is situated relative to the gap such that the at least one vane contacts the latch bumper and urges the latch into the released position when the at least one vane is at least partially in the gap.