Bottom-Up Elevator Module Stacking Inside the Shaft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional elevator construction methods are time-consuming and complicate construction logistics, requiring significant on-site adjustments and often bottlenecking the construction process, especially when a top crane is unavailable or reserved for other purposes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the assembly of preassembled elevator modules in a shaft, utilizing a hoist arrangement to install modules from the bottom up, allowing for faster construction and improved safety by reducing weather exposure and eliminating the need for a large site crane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional construction methods are used to build elevators vertically inside a building, then the elevator can be constructed floor by floor, but the construction time is excessive (about a week per floor) and the construction process is bottlenecked
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator system is divided into separate modular components (elevator car, counterweight, guide rails, door systems) that are manufactured independently in factories and then assembled on-site. This segmentation enables parallel production and significantly reduces installation time compared to traditional vertical construction methods.
Solution Approach 2:
Elevator components are pre-assembled and pre-positioned in factories before delivery to the construction site. The guide rails are pre-installed in the shaft, and elevator modules are pre-configured, allowing for rapid installation without extensive on-site assembly work.
2Ease of operation
If a top crane is used to hoist elevator modules into the shaft, then modules can be installed from the top, but the crane is unavailable or reserved for other purposes in many cases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of installing elevator modules from the top down using a crane, the invention installs modules from the bottom up using a hoist arrangement. This inversion eliminates the need for a top crane and allows installation to proceed sequentially from the basement level upward.
Solution Approach 2:
A hoist arrangement is introduced as an intermediary lifting mechanism installed within the shaft itself. This hoist serves as a temporary but adequate lifting system for module installation, replacing the need for heavy external cranes while providing sufficient lifting capacity for the modular components.
3Productivity
If modules are hoisted from the top using available cranes, then installation can proceed, but construction logistics are complicated and site safety is reduced due to weather exposure
Solution Approach 1:
Elevator modules are completely pre-assembled and protected in controlled factory environments before delivery. This preliminary assembly under controlled conditions protects components from weather damage and allows for quality control inspections before the modules are exposed to the construction site environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator system is segmented into weather-protected modular units that can be manufactured independently in factories. This segmentation allows each module to be assembled and protected from weather elements during manufacturing, then transported and installed as complete, protected units.
4Manufacturing precision
If traditional construction methods are used, then elevators are built from components into a prefabricated hoistway, but accurate positioning of components requires lots of adjustment at the site
Solution Approach 1:
All positioning adjustments and component alignments are performed in the factory during module assembly. Precision positioning is achieved under controlled manufacturing conditions with proper tooling and equipment, eliminating the need for complex on-site adjustment work and ensuring accurate installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator system is divided into pre-positioned modules with built-in alignment features. Each module is manufactured with precise positioning elements that ensure correct placement during installation, reducing the need for on-site adjustments and simplifying the installation process.
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
This approach significantly reduces installation time to one day per floor, enhances safety and ergonomics, and improves the quality of the elevator arrangement by utilizing controlled factory conditions, while enabling retrofit and renovation projects without disrupting the roof construction.
Implementation Method 1
a hoist arrangement provided in the shaft upper area during an installation state of the elevator arrangement, the hoist arrangement is configured to hoist said preassembled elevator modules
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A method for constructing an elevator arrangement and an elevator arrangement A plurality of preassembled elevator modules (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) are installed in a shaft (30) one above the other to form an elevator module stack, the preassembled elevator modules comprise a top module (2). A hoist arrangement (40) is provided in the shaft (30) upper area during installation, the hoist arrangement is configured to hoist said preassembled elevator modules (1, 2, 3, 4, 5); the top module (2) is hoisted inside the shaft (30) by the hoist arrangement (40); each of the remaining preassembled elevator modules (1, 3, 4, 5) is moved inside the shaft, below a combination of the top module (2) and preassembled elevator modules attached to it from below, said combination of the top module and preassembled elevator modules attached to each other forming the elevator module stack (2, 3, 4, 5); and each of the remaining preassembled elevator modules is attached to said elevator module stack from below.