Elevator Car Frame Retractable Crosshead for Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems pose risks to maintenance personnel due to the need for frequent access to the elevator shaft, and there is a trend to reduce the volumetric footprint of elevator systems, necessitating improved elevator car frame systems that provide structural support while allowing for modifications and safer access.
Innovation Solution
The elevator car frame features a retractable crosshead with movable and pivotable connections between support elements, allowing for structural support in one state and access in another, with a safety device to prevent operation when access is gained, enabling safer maintenance and reduced space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the elevator car frame uses a traditional fixed crosshead design, then structural support is maintained, but maintenance access to the elevator shaft is restricted and personnel exposure risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The crosshead is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to transition between a connected state (providing structural support) and a separated state (enabling maintenance access). The first and second portions can be moved relative to each other and to the support elements, dynamically adapting the frame configuration based on operational or maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The crosshead is divided into a first portion and a second portion that can be separated from each other and from the support elements. This segmentation allows individual portions to be moved independently to create access pathways to the elevator shaft while maintaining structural integrity through selective reconnection.
2Volume of moving object
If the elevator system reduces volumetric footprint, then space requirements are reduced, but the car frame structure requires modifications that may compromise structural support
Solution Approach 1:
The movable crosshead allows the elevator car frame to adapt its configuration, enabling compact positioning during operation to reduce footprint while allowing expansion or reconfiguration during maintenance to maintain structural support capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The crosshead structure serves multiple functions: providing structural support during normal operation and enabling maintenance access when reconfigured. This multi-functionality allows the same structural elements to serve both structural and access purposes without requiring separate dedicated components.
3Reliability
If the crosshead is made retractable to enable maintenance access, then personnel safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crosshead is segmented into movable portions that can be independently manipulated, allowing simplified movement mechanisms for each segment rather than requiring a complex overall reconfiguration system. Each portion can be moved along its support element using relatively simple guide and movement mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If the first and second portions of the crosshead are separated, then access to the elevator shaft is enabled, but structural integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The crosshead transitions dynamically between connected and separated states. During normal operation, the connected state provides full structural integrity. During maintenance, the separated state provides access while the portions remainmovably connected to support elements, maintaining partial structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable portions are pre-configured with guide mechanisms and connection interfaces that allow for controlled separation and reconnection. The support elements are designed in advance to accommodate the movement and reconnection of the crosshead portions, ensuring structural integrity is maintained throughout the transition.
Data Source
AI summary
Elevator car frames are provided. The elevator car frames include a first upright, a second upright, a first support element connected to the first upright, a second support element connected to the second upright, and a retractable crosshead having a first portion and a second portion extending between the first and second support elements, wherein the retractable crosshead is operable between a first state wherein the first portion and the second portion are connected and a second state wherein the first portion and the second portion are separated.