Elevator Lifting Device with Securing Cable and Catching Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator systems face challenges in safely lifting heavy payloads within elevator shafts during construction phases, as conventional methods require two independent pulling devices to prevent objects from falling, which increases equipment costs and operational complexity.

Innovation Solution

A lifting device with a platform, holding device, lifting cable, pulling device, securing cable, and catching device, where the pulling device actively displaces the lifting cable to lift payloads, and the securing cable maintains tension to prevent falls, with the catching device blocking relative movement to secure the payload if the lifting cable fails.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two independent pulling devices are used to lift heavy payloads, then safety against falling objects is improved, but device complexity and equipment costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety against falling objectsVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety function is segmented into two independent systems: a primary lifting cable for normal operation and a secondary securing cable for emergency protection. This segmentation allows each cable to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system safety without requiring two complete pulling devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The securing cable is pre-installed and pre-tensioned in advance to provide immediate protection against falling objects. The catching device is pre-positioned to automatically engage if the lifting cable fails, providing beforehand cushioning that prevents catastrophic failures without requiring complex real-time decision-making systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If two independent pulling devices are used to lift heavy payloads, then safety against falling objects is improved, but operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety against falling objectsVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The securing cable system is designed to be self-activating through the catching device that automatically engages when the lifting cable fails. This eliminates the need for operators to manually switch between multiple pulling devices or make complex decisions during emergencies, significantly reducing operational complexity while maintaining high safety standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If a single pulling device is used to lift heavy payloads, then equipment costs are reduced, but safety against falling objects deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment costsVSAvoidsafety against falling objects

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the lifting system have different functional qualities: the lifting cable is optimized for active payload elevation under operator control, while the securing cable is optimized for passive emergency support. This local quality differentiation allows each component to be simple and cost-effective while collectively providing comprehensive safety protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If the securing cable is kept tensioned during lifting, then protection against falling objects is improved, but force requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against falling objectsVSAvoidforce on securing cable

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The securing cable system transitions from a static pre-tensioned state to a dynamic load-bearing state only when needed. During normal lifting operations, the securing cable remains loosely tensioned with minimal force. When the lifting cable fails, the securing cable dynamically engages to bear the full payload weight, providing protection only when necessary and minimizing ongoing force requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12325611B2Lifting device for lifting a payload within an elevator shaft in a controllable manner

Publication Date: 2025.06.10 INVENTIO AG

AI summary

A lifting device for lifting a payload within an elevator shaft in a controllable manner has a platform to be fixed in the elevator shaft, a holding device to be fixed to the payload, a lifting cable attached to the holding device, a securing cable secured to the holding device (such as, for example, a pulling device secured to the platform), and a catching device secured to the platform. The pulling device actively and controllably displaces the lifting cable relative to the platform. The lifting device displaces the securing cable in the event of a relative movement between the holding device and the platform such that the securing cable remains tensioned. The securing cable and the catching device are configured such that the catching device blocks a further relative movement between the securing cable and the catching device in the event that the lifting cable fails.