Elevator Car Locking via Linear Element Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems face risks of uncontrolled movement during maintenance, particularly when dealing with brake systems or drive element tension, which can lead to unsafe cabin positioning, especially near the ends of the shaft.
Innovation Solution
A speed limiter assembly with a linear element, such as a cable, is used, featuring a detection system for overspeed and a blocking mechanism with two facing surface elements that can move to block the cable, triggering a parachute for secure cabin immobilization, regardless of the load element's position, and can be actuated by access detection or manual control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a triangular locking mechanism with a movable lever is used to engage with the limiter cable, then the car can be stopped at a predetermined position, but the system becomes complex and error-prone in placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex triangular locking mechanism and movable lever system, replacing it with a simpler linear element blocking device that directly blocks the speed limiter cable. This removes unnecessary intermediate components while maintaining the essential function of stopping the car at predetermined positions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a lever that moves from retracted to horizontal position to engage the cable, the invention inverts the approach by using a linear element blocking device that directly confronts and blocks the cable. This reversal simplifies the mechanism by eliminating the lever movement complexity.
2Device complexity
If the limiter cable is blocked only when the lever is in horizontal position, then the mechanism is simpler, but the car may stop in dangerous positions near shaft ends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by positioning multiple blocking surfaces along the linear element's path before the car reaches dangerous positions. The linear element is blocked in advance at predetermined positions, ensuring the car stops safely before it can reach hazardous locations near shaft ends.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary linear element blocking device that acts between the car and the dangerous positions. This blocking device intercepts the speed limiter cable at safe predetermined positions, preventing the car from reaching hazardous areas while maintaining mechanical simplicity.
3Reliability
If the locking system responds quickly after activation, then technician safety is improved, but the system requires more sophisticated control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by having the linear element blocking device ready to immediately counteract any unauthorized car movement. When activated, the blocking surfaces are positioned to instantly prevent cable movement, providing rapid technician protection without requiring complex automated response systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
An elevator car locking system (5), comprising: a speed limiter assembly (8), including an overspeed detection device (9) and a linear element (10) driven in motion during car movements, said assembly being arranged so that in the event of overspeed detection, the linear element is locked, a car stopping means (6) triggered by the locking of the linear element of the speed limiter assembly, characterized in that the locking system further comprises a locking device (12) for the linear element, said device comprising two surface elements (13, 14) facing each other and on either side of the linear element, at least one of these surface elements being driveable in motion, from a position distant from the other surface element, allowing the movement of the linear element, to a retracted position, sufficiently close to the other linear element to lock the linear element,and an actuation device (11) for the locking device to set this at least one surface element in motion.