Elevator Car Movable Ceiling With Pivotable Maintenance Platform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems lack a safe and convenient method for mechanics to access areas on top or above the elevator car for maintenance, as existing solutions do not efficiently utilize space or ensure safety during such operations.
Innovation Solution
An elevator car with a movable ceiling and a working platform that pivots into a maintenance position, equipped with foldable legs that extend to the floor for support, allowing mechanics to safely access the area without adding weight to the ceiling, which remains unaltered in terms of structural support requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a working platform is added to the elevator car for maintenance access, then maintenance capability is improved, but the weight and structural load on the elevator car increase
Solution Approach 1:
The working platform is designed as a movable structure that can be deployed only when needed for maintenance. The platform pivots between a storage position (parallel to the ceiling) and a working position (transverse to the ceiling), allowing the elevator car to maintain its normal weight during regular operation while providing maintenance capability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The working platform is divided into separate components: the platform itself, foldable legs with locking mechanisms, and a movable ceiling assembly. This segmentation allows the platform to be independently deployed and stowed without permanently altering the elevator car's structure or weight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a working platform is deployed on the elevator car, then maintenance access is improved, but the space available for passengers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The working platform transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one that can be deployed only when maintenance is needed. During normal operation, the platform remains in its storage position, preserving passenger space. When maintenance is required, the platform pivots into its working position, temporarily reducing passenger space but providing necessary access.
Solution Approach 2:
The working platform utilizes the vertical dimension and the space above the elevator car interior for storage and deployment. By pivoting the platform between positions parallel to and transverse to the ceiling, the design exploits three-dimensional space rather than permanently occupying passenger area.
3Strength
If the movable ceiling is used to support the working platform, then structural support is provided, but the ceiling's load-bearing capacity is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The load-bearing function is extracted from the movable ceiling by introducing foldable legs that extend to the floor. The ceiling provides only the pivot point and mounting structure, while the foldable legs carry the primary structural load of the working platform and any personnel, preventing excessive stress on the ceiling.
Solution Approach 2:
The foldable legs act as intermediary structural elements between the working platform and the floor. These legs transfer the load from the platform to the floor structure, bypassing the need for the movable ceiling to bear the full weight, thus protecting the ceiling from overload.
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator car includes a car floor; a movable ceiling, which is pivotable between a normal operating position, in which the movable ceiling extends substantially horizontally and a maintenance position, in which the movable ceiling extends into an interior space of the elevator car; a working platform movably attached to the movable ceiling. The working platform is pivotable between a storage position, in which the working platform extends basically parallel to the movable ceiling, and a working position, in which the working platform extends transversely from the movable ceiling; and at least one foldable leg attached to the working platform. The at least one foldable leg is foldable between a storage configuration, in which the at least one foldable leg extends substantially parallel to the working platform, and a working configuration, in which the at least one foldable leg extends transversely from the working platform for supporting the working platform.