Elevator Magnetic Tape Stabilizing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The suspended magnetic tape in elevator hoistways tends to sway due to air pressure, wind, temperature differentials, and friction forces, leading to entanglement with other cables and objects, which can disrupt the positioning sensing system.
Innovation Solution
A stabilizing mechanism comprising a telescoping member and guide that can be positioned to surround the tape, with a roller cam that forces the guide into a retracted position as the elevator cab passes, preventing contact and maintaining tape stability, and optionally using a solenoid for rapid retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the tape is suspended loosely in the hoistway, then installation is easier, but the tape sways more and becomes entangled with other cables and objects
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing mechanism employs a telescoping member with guide members that can dynamically adjust between extended and retracted positions. When extended, the guides stabilize the tape; when retracted, they clear the elevator cab passage. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing tape stability during normal operation while allowing easy installation and maintenance access.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing mechanism acts as an intermediary between the loosely suspended tape and the elevator cab. The telescoping member with its guide members provides a mediating structure that prevents direct contact between the tape and the moving cab, thereby maintaining tape stability without requiring tight suspension that would complicate installation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the guide is kept in the extended position to stabilize the tape, then tape sway is prevented, but the guide interferes with the elevator cab passage
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping member enables the guide to transition between extended and retracted positions dynamically. During normal operation, the guide extends to stabilize the tape. When the elevator cab approaches, the guide retracts to clear the passage. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by providing both tape stability and cab passage clearance at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing mechanism operates periodically, extending to stabilize the tape and retracting to allow cab passage. This periodic action between two states (extended for stability, retracted for clearance) resolves the contradiction by alternating between the two competing requirements rather than attempting to satisfy both simultaneously.
3Device complexity
If the roller cam is used to retract the guide, then mechanical simplicity is achieved, but the guide may contact the tape during retraction
Solution Approach 1:
The guide members are designed with specific geometric characteristics at different locations. The portion that contacts the roller cam has a shape optimized for smooth retraction, while the portion near the tape has features that prevent contact during the retraction motion. This local differentiation of geometric properties resolves the contradiction by allowing simple cam-driven retraction while preventing harmful tape contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide members are positioned and oriented such that during the retraction motion driven by the roller cam, they are preemptively directed away from the tape path. This preliminary positioning prevents contact before it can occur, resolving the contradiction between simple cam mechanism and prevention of harmful tape contact.
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
The stabilizing mechanism effectively prevents tape sway and entanglement, ensuring accurate positioning sensing by maintaining the tape's stability and preventing interference with other objects and cables.
Implementation Method 1
The guide may be biased in the extended position so as to partially surround and stabilize tape that is suspended in the hoistway
Implementation Method 2
the roller cam may force the guide and the telescoping member from the extended position into the retracted position when the roller cam engages with the stabilizing mechanism
Implementation Method 3
Each magnet embedded in the tape may produce a unique electromagnetic field. And because the tape is vertically stationary within the hoistway, an elevator controller can determine the elevator cab's position relative to various parts of the hoistway such as floor levels and door zones when the sensor detects these unique electromagnetic fields
Data Source
AI summary
A stabilizing system may be utilized to reduce or eliminate sway of magnetic tape that is suspended in an elevator hoistway and provides a positional reference to an elevator cab. The stabilizing system may include a stabilizing mechanism fixed within a hoistway and a roller cam disposed on the elevator cab. The stabilizing system may include a telescoping member attached to a guide having opposing flanges that restrict movement of the tape. The telescoping member and the guide may be biased in an extended position, where the guide partially surrounds the tape. In a retracted position, the guide is horizontally spaced apart from the tape. When the elevator cab passes the stabilizing mechanism, the roller cam may force the guide and the telescoping member into the retracted position to prevent any contact between the stabilizing mechanism and components disposed on the elevator cab.