Elevator Rope Damping via Horizontal Pulley Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional damping devices for elevator main ropes require excessive tensile force to suppress horizontal vibrations effectively, leading to inefficient vibration control and potential equipment damage during earthquakes or strong winds.
Innovation Solution
A damping device configuration that includes a coupler attached to the main rope, a first pulley at the same height as the coupler, and a driving unit pulling a first damping rope over the pulley to pull the coupler in a substantially horizontal direction, along with a second pulley and tension unit to efficiently suppress horizontal vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the damping rope is pulled obliquely downward as in conventional devices, then the main rope vibration can be suppressed, but a larger tensile force is required making the vibration suppression less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pulling direction from oblique (conventional) to substantially horizontal by positioning the pulley at the same height as the coupler. This dimensional change in the force application direction allows for more efficient vibration suppression with reduced tensile force requirements, as the horizontal force directly counteracts the horizontal vibration of the main rope without the mechanical disadvantage of oblique pulling
2Productivity
If conventional damping devices use oblique pulling configuration, then vibration suppression is achieved, but the procedure requires larger tensile force and fails to efficiently suppress horizontal vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention positions the pulley at the same height as the coupler attachment point, creating a horizontal damping rope configuration. This dimensional adjustment enables the damping force to be applied directly in the horizontal direction where the main rope vibration occurs, significantly improving vibration suppression efficiency and speed while reducing the required tensile force compared to oblique configurations
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the main rope resonates due to earthquakes or strong wind, then the vibration of the main rope can increase, but the conventional technique fails to prevent equipment damage
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device is pre-installed and configured with the pulley at the correct height before any vibration event occurs. This preliminary configuration ensures that when earthquakes or strong winds cause main rope resonance, the damping system is already in position to immediately counteract the horizontal vibrations, preventing equipment damage rather than responding after damage has occurred
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 configuration allows for efficient suppression of horizontal vibrations with reduced tensile force requirements, preventing equipment damage and enabling quicker resumption of elevator operations.
Implementation Method 1
a first pulley supported at a same height as a height of the coupler; and a driving unit having a function of suppressing vibration of the main rope by pulling a first damping rope coupled to the coupler and passing over the first pulley
Data Source
AI summary
A damping device for a main rope suspending a car of an elevator includes a coupled, a first pulley and a drive. The coupler is attached to the main rope above the car, and is configured to be pulled, in response to vibrations of the main rope, with a damping rope so as to suppress vibrations of the main rope. The first pulley is supported at a same height as a height of the coupler. The drive is configured to suppress vibration of the main rope by pulling a first damping rope coupled to the coupler and passing over the first pulley.