Elevator Ropes With Conductive Members for Counterweight Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevators with electrical overspeed governors face challenges in high-rise applications due to the lack of a continuous power supply to the counterweight, leading to potential unintentional activation of safety gears during emergency stops, and existing solutions do not effectively address this issue.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of conductive load-bearing members in elevator ropes that provide a continuous power supply to the counterweight, enabling the integration of safety gear activation mechanisms using sensors and a counterweight battery, allowing for reliable electrical overspeed detection and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional OSG with steel rope is used, then the elevator can be equipped with a simple mechanical overspeed governor, but the large inertia of a long OSG rope causes unintentional activation of safety gear during emergency stop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical OSG system with an electrical OSG system. The electrical OSG uses conductive load-bearing members (such as carbon nanotube yarns) that serve both as mechanical support and electrical conductors, eliminating the need for separate mechanical ropes and enabling reliable overspeed detection without the inertia problems of long steel ropes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials, specifically carbon nanotube (CNT) yarns, that combine mechanical strength with electrical conductivity. These composite load-bearing members integrate the functions of structural support and electrical conduction, enabling the electrical OSG to operate reliably without the drawbacks of conventional steel rope systems.
2Reliability
If an electrical OSG is implemented, then reliable overspeed detection is achieved, but the counterweight lacks continuous power supply for the electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive load-bearing members serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide mechanical support as ropes and transmit electrical power to the counterweight. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate power supply lines and ensures continuous power availability for the electrical OSG components.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive load-bearing members act as intermediaries that transfer electrical power from the elevator car to the counterweight. These members mediate the power transmission across the moving boundary between car and counterweight, enabling continuous power supply without physical contact or sliding connections.
3Ease of operation
If friction-driven elevator device is used, then the car and counterweight can be raised and lowered, but the system lacks continuous electrical connection for safety gear activation
Solution Approach 1:
The friction-driven system uses composite load-bearing members with CNT yarns that provide both the friction necessary for mechanical operation and the electrical conductivity required for safe gear activation. This dual property resolves the contradiction between mechanical functionality and electrical connectivity.
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
Ensures a continuous and immediate power supply to the counterweight, facilitating effective electrical overspeed detection and immediate activation of safety gears, enhancing safety and reliability in high-rise elevator systems.
Implementation Method 1
each rope comprising one or more conductive load bearing members that extend unbroken throughout the length of the rope, wherein the supply of electricity between said elevator car and said counterweight is realized via said conductive load bearing members
Implementation Method 2
a friction-driven elevator device raising and lowering a car and a counterweight by utilizing the frictional force generated between a main rope and a drive sheave
Implementation Method 3
a hoisting cable comprising carbon nanotube (CNT) yarns used as mechanical support and electric conductor
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an elevator for transporting passengers and/or goods. The elevator according to the present invention comprises an elevator car (1); a counterweight (2); and one or more ropes (3), (4) interconnecting the car (1) and counterweight (2), one end of each rope (3), (4) being fixed to the elevator car (1) and the other end of each rope (3), (4) being fixed to the counterweight (2), and each rope (3), (4) comprising one or more conductive load bearing members (31-34), (41), (42) that extend unbroken throughout the length of the rope (3), (4), wherein the supply of electricity between said elevator car (1) and said counterweight (2) and/or the data transfer between said elevator car (1) and said counterweight (2) is realized via said conductive load bearing members (31-34), (41), (42) of said one or more ropes (3), (4).