Elevator Car Pivotable Working Platform Hoistway Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems lack a safe and convenient means for mechanics to access the region above the elevator car for maintenance, increasing the risk of accidents and requiring external platforms or ladders.
Innovation Solution
An elevator car with a pivotable support frame and working platform that moves between a retracted storage position and a deployed working position, allowing access to the hoistway above without the need for external equipment, while maintaining a low overhead design and passenger space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a working platform is added to enable mechanic access to the hoistway above the elevator car, then safety and convenience for maintenance are improved, but the device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The working platform is nested within the elevator car structure, specifically positioned within the overhead space above the car interior. When not in use, the platform retracts into a compact configuration that fits within the car's existing structural envelope, avoiding external attachments and minimizing visual and spatial impact on passengers.
Solution Approach 2:
The working platform is designed with movable and adjustable components, including telescopic support structures and pivotable mounting mechanisms. This allows the platform to transform between a compact stored state during normal operation and an extended working state during maintenance, providing safety when needed while maintaining simplicity during regular use.
2Ease of operation
If a working platform is deployed to allow access to the hoistway above, then ease of operation for mechanics is improved, but the area available for passengers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The working platform utilizes the vertical dimension above the elevator car interior rather than encroaching on horizontal passenger space. By positioning the platform in the overhead hoistway region and using vertical support structures, the design provides maintenance access without reducing the floor area or lateral space available to passengers.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator car is segmented into distinct functional zones: the passenger compartment below and the maintenance workspace above. This vertical segmentation allows both functions to coexist by separating them into different spatial layers, with the working platform accessible through a hatch or opening in the car ceiling without interfering with passenger movement or seating area.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the working platform is made extendable to reach the hoistway above, then adaptability for maintenance access is improved, but the length and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure for the working platform incorporates telescopic or extendable elements that can dynamically adjust their length. This allows the platform to reach the necessary height in the hoistway when deployed, while maintaining a compact, retracted configuration during normal elevator operation, thus adapting to different operational requirements without permanent structural complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An elevator car (6) defining an interior space (12) for accommodating passengers comprises a support frame (22) positioned on a top side of the interior space (12); a support structure (30) pivotably mounted to the support frame (22); and a working platform (28) pivotably mounted to the support structure (30). The support structure (30) is pivotable with respect to the support frame (22) and the working platform (28) is pivotable with respect to the support structure (30) between a retracted position, in which the working platform (28) and the support structure (30) are oriented close to the support frame (22), and a deployed position, in which the support structure (30) extends away from the support frame (22) towards the interior space (12) and the working platform (28) extends away from the support structure (30).