Elevator Platform Pneumatic Seal Against Falling Debris
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems with increasing shaft height during construction are prone to damage from falling objects and contamination, posing risks to personnel and equipment, and require efficient adaptation to building height changes.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatically actuated seal is integrated into the elevator system platform to create a reliable barrier against falling debris and dirt, adaptable to the increasing height of the building, using a circumferential seal that can switch between rest and active positions to seal or unseal the gap between the platform and the elevator shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the elevator shaft height is increased during construction, then the usable lifting height of the elevator car increases, but the risk of damage from falling objects and contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
A pneumatically actuated seal is introduced as an intermediary protective element between the elevator shaft interior and the exterior. The seal acts as a mediator that can be inflated to block falling objects and prevent contamination, while allowing the shaft height to increase during construction. The seal is actuated by a pneumatic system that inflates it to create a protective barrier when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a pneumatic actuation system to control the seal. Compressed air is used to inflate the seal to its protective position, creating a barrier against falling objects and contamination. The pneumatic system allows for easy deployment and retraction of the seal, enabling protection during high shaft height operations without permanent structural modifications.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective seal is installed in the elevator shaft, then protection from falling objects is improved, but the complexity of the elevator system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic actuation system simplifies the control mechanism by using compressed air instead of complex mechanical or electrical systems. The seal is inflated by introducing air under pressure, which is a simple and reliable mechanism that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining effective protection against falling objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is designed as a flexible element that can be inflated to create a protective barrier. This flexible seal design is simpler than rigid protective structures and can be easily deployed and retracted. The flexible nature of the seal allows it to conform to the shaft geometry while providing effective protection, reducing the need for complex structural components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the seal is activated to protect the shaft space, then safety is improved, but the movement of the platform is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The seal system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. It can be inflated to its protective position when safety is required, and deflated to allow free movement of the platform. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt between protective mode and movement mode, ensuring both safety and ease of operation at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The pneumatic actuation system enables rapid inflation and deflation of the seal, allowing for quick transition between protective and movement states. The pneumatic system provides a simple and reliable mechanism for controlling the seal's position, ensuring that the platform can move freely when protection is not needed while providing effective protection when required.
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
The seal effectively protects the shaft space from falling objects and contamination, ensuring safe operation and easy adaptation to the growing building height, enhancing safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a pneumatically actuated seal for sealing or closing a gap between the platform and the elevator shaft
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3b
Figure 4a~5b
AI summary
The invention relates to a platform (6, 7) for an elevator system (1) for a building (10) which is under construction and which comprises an elevator shaft (2) that becomes taller as the building height increases in the course of the building phase of the building. The platform has a pneumatically activatable seal (11) for sealing a gap between the platform (6, 7) and the elevator shaft (2), and the seal (11) is designed as a circumferential seal which is attached to the platform (6, 7). A compressed air source (12) in the form of a compressor is arranged on the platform (6, 7) in order to operate the pneumatically activatable seal.