Elevator Protective Wall Gravity Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator safety devices face challenges in preventing unintentional displacement of protective walls, which can lead to safety hazards, especially when folded under the weight of a person, and require complex locking mechanisms that are not space-efficient.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of movable locking means that can be arranged to move between a locking position and a retracted position via a linear movement, utilizing forces like gravity or spring forces for automatic locking, ensuring the protective wall remains in its intended position without complex actuators, and allowing for safe operation and easy construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a folding-type protective wall is used to save space in the pit, then the pit can be made shallower, but the protective wall may unintentionally move out of the operating position under weight
Solution Approach 1:
The protective wall is designed to be movable between a vertical operating position and a retracted position, allowing it to adapt to different operational states. The locking mechanism dynamically engages only when needed to prevent unintended movement, while allowing intentional folding when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking means utilize gravity and spring forces to automatically engage and disengage the locking mechanism based on the operational state, eliminating the need for complex external actuators or manual operation to maintain the protective wall in its operating position.
2Reliability
If separate locking mechanisms are added to prevent unintended movement of the protective wall, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking means utilize gravity and spring forces to automatically engage and disengage the locking mechanism based on the operational state, eliminating the need for complex external actuators or manual operation to maintain the protective wall in its operating position.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to operate smoothly within the available space by utilizing gravitational and spring forces, creating a system where the locking means can move between positions without requiring additional energy input or complex control systems.
3Volume of moving object
If the locking means move vertically between locking and retracted positions, then space efficiency is improved, but the locking means must be precisely positioned
Solution Approach 1:
The locking means utilize gravity and spring forces to automatically engage and disengage the locking mechanism based on the operational state, eliminating the need for complex external actuators or manual operation to maintain the protective wall in its operating position.
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
This solution effectively prevents accidental folding of the protective wall, ensuring safety by maintaining it in the operating position, even when leaned upon, while being simple, space-efficient, and independent of manual operation, thus enhancing elevator safety without the need for complex locking mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing forces like gravity or spring forces for automatic locking
Implementation Method 2
utilizing forces like gravity or spring forces for automatic locking
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The elevator presented in the application comprises an elevator car (1) configured to move in an elevator hoistway (S), and floor landings, and a protective arrangement, which protective arrangement comprises a protective wall (2) connected to the bottom part of the elevator car (1), which protective wall can be displaced between a vertical operating position (II) and a retracted position (I) folded out of the vertical operating position (II), and when in which operating position (II) the protective wall (2) forms a wall extending downwards from the bottom edge of the floor landing side of the elevator car (1), and in which elevator the aforementioned protective arrangement comprises locking means for preventing the protective wall (2) in the operating position (II) from folding out of the operating position (II). The locking means comprise one or more movable locking means (4), which is/are arranged to be moved between a locking position (B) and a retracted position (A), when in which locking position (B) the locking means (4) prevents the protective wall (2) in the operating position (II) from folding out of the operating position (II) towards the retracted position (I).