Elevator Power Storage Retrofit for Low-Capacity Apartment Buildings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing low-rise apartment buildings often lack elevators due to insufficient power supply capacity and the high cost of large-scale power supply construction required for elevator installation.
Innovation Solution
An elevator system utilizing a power storage device charged by a charger, which diverts a used vehicle's traveling motor, power storage device, and charger to provide power for the elevator's motor and other components, eliminating the need for large-scale power supply construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional elevator system is installed in an existing low-rise apartment building, then the building gains elevator functionality, but large-scale power supply construction is required which increases construction cost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention recovers and reuses components from end-of-life vehicles (motor, power storage device, charger) to build the elevator system, discarding them from their original automotive context and recovering their functional value for elevator operation, thereby avoiding new component manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The power storage device serves dual purposes: it provides power for normal elevator operation and acts as an emergency power supply, making the system self-sufficient and reducing dependency on external power infrastructure
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional elevator system is installed in an existing low-rise apartment building, then the building gains elevator functionality, but large-scale power supply construction is required
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into a local power storage device that operates independently, separating the elevator's power needs from the building's main power infrastructure and eliminating the need for large-scale power supply construction
Solution Approach 2:
The power storage device performs multiple functions: it serves as the primary power source for the motor during normal operation and as an emergency power supply when grid power is unavailable, reducing the need for separate power infrastructure
3Ease of manufacture
If reused vehicle components are used for the elevator system, then construction cost is reduced, but system reliability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors the state of charge of the power storage device and performs preliminary actions (charging from grid power) to ensure sufficient power is available before emergency situations occur, cushioning against potential reliability issues
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 the construction of an elevator system at a lower cost without requiring extensive power infrastructure upgrades, providing both normal and emergency power supply, and integrating reused vehicle components for efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a power storage device configured to store power supplied to the motor; and a charger configured to charge the power storage device with power supplied from a power grid
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator system provided in an existing apartment building, includes a motor that is a drive source for a lifting mechanism of an elevator car, a power storage device configured to store power supplied to the motor, and a charger configured to charge the power storage device with power supplied from a power grid. A traveling motor, an in-vehicle power storage device, and an in-vehicle charger of a used vehicle are diverted to the motor, the power storage device and the charger. The power storage device is used as a normal power supply of the elevator system. The motor is driven by power supplied from not the power grid but the power storage device.