Elevator Rescue Rope Loop for No-Pit Passenger Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rescue systems for elevators face difficulties in rescuing trapped passengers when power is lost and the elevator is in a fault mode, particularly in no-pit or low-pit elevators where access to the shaft is restricted, and there is no natural safety space for entry.
Innovation Solution
A rescue system comprising a separate rescue rope and pulling device, with diverting pulleys at the top and bottom of the shaft, allowing the elevator car to be moved without entering the shaft, and a gripper mechanism for selective coupling with the elevator car, enabling rescue operations in no-pit or low-pit elevators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate rescue rope system is introduced, then rescue reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator system is divided into two independent rope systems: the original suspension rope for normal operation and a separate rescue rope for emergency situations. This segmentation allows the rescue function to be isolated and optimized without affecting the main elevator operation, thereby improving rescue reliability while keeping the added complexity manageable and separate.
Solution Approach 2:
Diverting pulleys are introduced as intermediary elements to guide the rescue rope between the pulling device and the elevator car. These pulleys act as mediators that enable the rescue force to be applied effectively without requiring direct access to the shaft, simplifying the rescue operation interface while maintaining system reliability.
2Ease of operation
If diverting pulleys are used to guide the rescue rope, then ease of operation is improved, but friction losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
Diverting pulleys serve as intermediary elements that redirect the rescue rope's path, enabling the pulling device to operate from accessible locations without requiring shaft entry. While these pulleys introduce some friction, they dramatically improve ease of operation by allowing rescue personnel to access and operate the system from safe, accessible areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses high-friction gripping mechanisms at critical contact points to maximize force transmission efficiency. By carefully controlling and optimizing the friction parameters at specific locations (such as between the gripping device and the rope), the system compensates for friction losses in the diverting pulleys and ensures effective force delivery to the elevator car.
3Ease of operation
If the rescue rope is made reachable at all shaft positions, then rescue accessibility is improved, but unauthorized access risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diverting pulleys act as intermediaries that redirect the rescue rope to accessible locations outside or at the boundaries of the shaft. This allows rescue personnel to access and operate the rope from safe positions without needing to enter the shaft, thereby improving rescue accessibility while eliminating the risk of unauthorized shaft access through landing doors.
Solution Approach 2:
The rescue system is segmented so that the rope path is divided into sections: one section connects to the elevator car inside the shaft, while another section is routed through diverting pulleys to accessible external locations. This segmentation allows the rope to be reachable for legitimate rescue operations without creating openings that would compromise shaft security.
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 safe and efficient rescue of passengers by preventing unauthorized access to the shaft and minimizing wear on rescue components, reducing service costs, and ensuring safety during rescue operations.
Implementation Method 1
one or more first diverting pulleys mounted at a top part of the shaft and one or more second diverting pulleys mounted at a bottom part of the shaft. The rescue rope is conveyed via the mentioned first and second diverting pulleys thereby forming a loop configuration
Implementation Method 2
A pulling device is provided for generating pulling force. The pulling device is connectable removably to the rescue rope for directing moving force to the elevator car by means of the rescue rope.
Data Source
AI summary
A rescue system, an elevator, and a method for moving an elevator car vertically inside a shaft of the elevator in a rescue operation. The system comprises a rescue rope connectable to an elevator car and being a separate element relative to a suspension rope of the elevator car. A pulling device is connectable to the rescue rope and is used for generating pulling force which is for directing moving force to the elevator car. The rescue rope passes via diverting pulleys mounted at a top and a bottom parts of the shaft. Then the rescue rope forms a loop configuration inside which the diverting pulleys are located.