Elevator Movable Rope Suspension Point Rescue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevators with heavy or large size cars, high load, or high travel velocity face difficulties in being freed from locked positions after the gripping device is activated, often requiring multiple personnel and tools, causing passenger distress and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a variable support system with a drive machine that engages hoisting ropes to support and move the elevator car, allowing for easy release from locked positions using a traction sheave and suspension points, which can be operated remotely or manually, independent of external power, using hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric drives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gripping device is activated to lock the elevator car at the guide rails, then the safety of the elevator car is improved, but the difficulty to free the elevator car increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension point is made movable instead of fixed, allowing it to be repositioned during rescue operations. This dynamic adjustment enables maintenance personnel to change the mechanical advantage and direction of force application, making it possible to free heavy elevator cars from locked positions without requiring multiple personnel or complex external hoists.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a new degree of freedom by allowing the suspension point to move along the hoisting rope. This dimensional change enables rescue operations to be performed from different positions and angles, providing flexibility in applying force to overcome the locking mechanism without requiring additional external equipment.
2Quantity of substance
If the elevator car is heavy or has high load, then the carrying capacity is improved, but the force required to free the car from locked position increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable suspension point allows dynamic adjustment of the mechanical system during rescue operations. By repositioning the suspension point along the hoisting rope, maintenance personnel can optimize the mechanical advantage to match the weight of the elevator car, enabling single-person operation even with heavy loads that would otherwise require multiple personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of suspension point position along the hoisting rope. By adjusting this parameter, the mechanical characteristics of the rescue system can be optimized for different car weights and load conditions, allowing the same system to effectively handle both light and heavy elevator cars without requiring different equipment.
3Ease of operation
If special hoists and additional tools are used to free the elevator car, then the ability to free heavy cars is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable suspension point is integrated into the existing elevator hoisting system, allowing it to serve both normal elevator operation and rescue operations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized rescue hoists and tools, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to free heavy elevator cars effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing hoisting ropes and traction system serve the dual purpose of normal elevator operation and emergency rescue. By making the suspension point movable, the system can perform rescue operations using its own components without requiring external specialized equipment, thereby reducing device complexity and eliminating the need for additional tools.
4Reliability
If the release operation takes several hours, then the thoroughness of the rescue operation is improved, but the stress on trapped passengers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable suspension point enables dynamic optimization of the rescue operation, allowing maintenance personnel to quickly adjust the system configuration and apply force more effectively. This reduces the time required to free the elevator car from locked positions while maintaining safe and thorough rescue procedures, thereby reducing passenger stress and anxiety.
Solution Approach 2:
By allowing the suspension point position to be changed during the rescue operation, the system can quickly adapt to different situations and optimize the force application. This parameter flexibility enables faster rescue operations compared to fixed systems, reducing the time passengers remain trapped while ensuring thorough and safe release procedures.
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 quick, safe, and efficient release of the elevator car from locked positions without the need for additional hoists or multiple personnel, reducing stress on passengers and operational costs, and facilitating easier maintenance and repair.
Implementation Method 1
The variable support has a drive (88) which can be any per se known drive used to impose large forces, as e.g. electrical drives, hydraulic drives or pneumatic drives
Implementation Method 2
The variable support has a drive (88) which can be any per se known drive used to impose large forces, as e.g. electrical drives, hydraulic drives or pneumatic drives
Implementation Method 3
The traction sheave engages hoisting ropes which support and/ or move at least one elevator car in an elevator shaft
Implementation Method 4
The gripping device of an elevator has regularly wedge shaped braking elements which are squeezed between the elevator guide rail and counter faces of the gripping device
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention refers to an elevator having a drive machine (14) driving a traction sheave (16) which traction sheave engages hoisting ropes (18) which support and/or move at least one elevator car (20) in an elevator shaft (12), which elevator car runs along guide rails (22) and comprises at least one gripping device (26) for locking the elevator car at the guide rails, whereby the hoisting ropes run over the traction sheave and are connected via rope suspension points (16, 37, 39; 54; 84, 86) to elevator components. At least one rope suspension point (16; 84, 86; 112) is mounted on a variable support, which variable support has a support base (38; 92; 114) fixed with respect to the elevator shaft or to the car or to the counterweight and a mounting area for the suspension point, which mounting area is movable with respect to the support base. This solution allows a fast and easy release of the elevator car from a locked position on the car guide rails after the gripping device has been activated.