Elevator Measuring Tape with Integrated Communication Line
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems face challenges in simplified maintenance, accurate position marking, and durability of measuring tapes due to settlement of buildings, mechanical loads, and exposure to air currents, which can lead to inaccurate position readings and damage.
Innovation Solution
A measuring tape with a communication line integrated along its length, a carrier tape for stability, and a mounting system that allows it to move with the building settlement, featuring a reflective marking unit and insulation layers for signal integrity, along with accessible contact points for easy maintenance and data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the measuring tape is fixed rigidly to the building structure, then position markings remain stable relative to the building, but the measuring tape becomes damaged or inaccurate when the building settles
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring tape is made movable along the elevator shaft through guide elements and bearing components, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position as the building settles. This dynamic capability prevents the tape from being damaged by rigid fixed-point attachments while maintaining continuous contact with the shaft for accurate position readings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of the measuring tape from fixed to movable, enabling it to adapt to building settlement. The guide elements and bearing components facilitate this parameter change by allowing controlled movement while maintaining functional contact with the elevator car sensors.
2Ease of repair
If the measuring tape is made accessible for maintenance, then maintenance operations become easier, but the tape becomes more vulnerable to damage from air currents and mechanical loads
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring tape is designed as a flexible, thin component that can move freely within the elevator shaft. This flexibility allows it to withstand air currents and mechanical loads better than rigid alternatives while maintaining accessibility for maintenance through the movable guide elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Guide elements and bearing components act as intermediaries between the measuring tape and the building structure. These intermediaries protect the tape from direct mechanical loads and air currents while allowing controlled movement and maintaining accessibility for maintenance operations.
3Ease of operation
If the communication line is integrated into the measuring tape, then access for maintenance and tapping is simplified, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication line is merged with the measuring tape by integrating it into the tape structure or attaching it directly to the movable component. This combination simplifies maintenance and tapping operations since both functions are accessed through the same movable element, while the integration is designed to minimize overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring tape system serves multiple functions: position marking, communication transmission, and maintenance accessibility. By making the communication line movable along with the tape through guide elements, the system achieves multi-functionality without significantly increasing complexity, as the same mechanical structure supports all functions.
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
Enables simplified and cost-effective maintenance, accurate position determination, and increased durability by allowing the measuring tape to move with building settlement, reducing mechanical stress, and ensuring reliable signal transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective marking unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A measurement tape is proposed for determining the position of a cab in an elevator shaft, wherein the measurement tape is situated vertically in the elevator shaft, and extends over at least two floors, and wherein the measurement tape includes a marking unit for marking at least two positions in the elevator shaft, wherein the marking unit runs along the length of the measurement tape. In order to improve servicing, the measurement tape includes a carrier tape and has a transmission device for transmitting information, wherein the transmission device includes at least one communication line for transmitting an information signal and/or at least one supply line for supplying power, and the at least one communication line/supply lines runs along the length of the measurement tape, wherein the communication line is designed as an electrical line for transmitting an electrical signal or as a fiberglass line for transmitting an optical signal.