Elevator Rope Terminal Assembly for Composite Cables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator rope terminal assemblies face challenges in securely attaching non-metallic, lightweight composite material ropes without causing damage, and there is a need for cost-effective and reliable condition monitoring solutions to detect damage during the service life of these ropes.
Innovation Solution
A rope terminal assembly that includes a wedge mechanism and a rope end block to securely attach the rope to a fixing base, integrated with electrical resistance monitoring to detect damage in carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composite ropes, allowing for in-situ condition monitoring and faster installation processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If non-metallic composite material ropes are used to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but mechanical attachment becomes challenging without causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a terminal assembly as an intermediary component between the composite rope and the elevator unit. This terminal assembly includes a clamp body with a clamp jaw that can securely attach to the rope end without directly clamping the rope itself, thus avoiding damage to the composite material while providing reliable mechanical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional direct mechanical clamping methods with a terminal assembly that uses a combination of mechanical elements (clamp jaw, wedge element, adjusting element) working together in a coordinated manner. The wedge element creates friction-based locking, while the adjusting element allows for fine-tuning of the clamp jaw position, providing a more sophisticated attachment mechanism suitable for composite ropes.
2Productivity
If traditional attachment methods are used, then installation is simpler, but installation process is laborious and slow
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal assembly incorporates an adjusting element that allows dynamic adjustment of the clamp jaw position and clamping force during installation. This enables installers to quickly adapt the attachment to different rope conditions and achieve proper tensioning, significantly reducing installation time and effort compared to fixed-geometry attachment methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal assembly is divided into distinct functional components (clamp body, clamp jaw, wedge element, adjusting element) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This modular structure simplifies the installation process, as each component has a specific function and can be installed in a systematic sequence, reducing overall installation complexity and time.
3Reliability
If periodic inspection by costly equipment is used, then damage detection is possible, but cost is high and monitoring is not continuous
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal assembly incorporates sensors that enable the system to self-monitor its own condition and the rope condition continuously. The sensor detects parameters such as tension, vibration, or acoustic emissions from the rope, and this data can be transmitted for analysis, providing continuous damage detection without requiring external inspection equipment or complex periodic testing protocols.
4Strength
If composite material ropes are used, then tensile stiffness and strength are improved, but damage detection during service life is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal assembly incorporates sensors that provide continuous feedback on rope condition parameters such as tension variations, vibration patterns, or acoustic emissions. This feedback mechanism enables real-time detection of damage or degradation in the composite rope, allowing for proactive maintenance decisions without requiring complex external inspection equipment.
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
The solution provides a secure, efficient, and cost-effective attachment method for lightweight composite ropes, enabling reliable in-situ condition monitoring, reducing labor in installation, and ensuring the safety and longevity of the elevator ropes by detecting damage early.
Implementation Method 1
said wedge element is arranged to wedge between said rope and said wedge housing thus locking said elevator rope in the gap
Implementation Method 2
integrated with electrical resistance monitoring to detect damage in carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composite ropes
Data Source
AI summary
A rope terminal assembly of an elevator fixing an elevator rope to a fixing base such as an elevator unit, the elevator being suitable for transporting passengers and/or goods, includes an elevator rope, whose width is larger than its thickness in a rope transverse direction, with at least one end having an end face, a rope end block attached to the rope end, one or more wedge elements, a wedge housing, where the terminal assembly includes a rope gap through which the elevator rope passes and the wedge element is arranged to wedge between the rope and the wedge housing thus locking the elevator rope in the gap, and the rope end block is attached on the end face side of the elevator rope with respect to the wedge element, and an elevator.