Elevator Suspension Jacket with Local Protective Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elevator suspension members, such as round steel ropes or flat belts, are prone to undesirable effects from contact with foreign objects or debris, particularly when bending over sheaves, leading to issues like cracking and splitting.

Innovation Solution

Applying a protective material, typically a cold temperature-resistant thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, to pre-identified portions of the suspension member jacket that are susceptible to contact, enhancing fatigue resistance and minimizing material usage by covering only these areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If protective material is applied to the entire jacket, then protection against foreign object damage is improved, but material cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against foreign object damageVSAvoidmaterial application complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies protective material selectively to specific high-risk areas of the jacket (such as the bottom surface and sides) rather than uniformly across the entire jacket. This local quality approach provides enhanced protection where foreign object contact is most likely to occur while reducing overall material usage and application complexity compared to full-coverage protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of substance

If protective material is applied to pre-identified portions only, then material cost is reduced, but protection coverage is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial usage efficiencyVSAvoidprotection coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent identifies specific portions of the jacket (bottom surface, sides, and optionally top surface) as high-risk areas for foreign object contact and applies protective material selectively to these locations. This targeted approach optimizes material usage by concentrating protection where it is most needed while maintaining adequate protection coverage for the critical vulnerable areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies protective material to more than just the minimum critical areas by including optional coverage of the top surface and sides in addition to the bottom surface. This partial excessive action ensures comprehensive protection of all potentially vulnerable portions while still maintaining material efficiency compared to full-coverage application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If cold temperature resistant material is used, then durability in cold environments is improved, but material cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability in cold environmentsVSAvoidmaterial cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies cold temperature resistant protective material selectively to the high-risk portions of the jacket (bottom surface and sides) rather than the entire jacket. This local quality approach provides enhanced durability in cold environments where it is most needed while reducing overall material cost compared to using cold temperature resistant material for the complete jacket.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4660119A1Elevator suspension member with protective material

Publication Date: 2025.12.10 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

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AI summary

An assembly and method includes selecting a jacket material for a jacket that encases a plurality of tension members, selecting a protective material for the jacket, and covering only pre-identified portions of the jacket with the protective material.