Elevator Car Door Interlock Using Sensing Vanes for Transit Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems lack an effective mechanism to ensure elevator car doors remain closed during movement between landings and facilitate safe opening at designated stops while adhering to safety codes that specify maximum gap requirements and emergency unlocking functionalities.
Innovation Solution
An elevator car door interlock system comprising a first and second link assembly, sensing vanes, a pawl assembly, and a latch assembly, which uses interlock rollers to control the movement of elevator car doors based on the car's position relative to landings, ensuring doors remain closed during transit and open safely at stops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple door locking mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of door position control during elevator movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic sensing vanes that move relative to interlock rollers to detect door position, replacing static mechanical locks with a dynamic detection system that provides reliable position control while maintaining manageable complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensing vanes as intermediary elements between the door and the locking mechanism, allowing indirect detection of door position through mechanical contact with interlock rollers, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing overall system complexity
2Reliability
If a mechanical link assembly is used to connect sensing vanes to the door latch, then the reliability of door locking is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the door locking function into separate modular components: sensing vanes for position detection, link assemblies for motion transmission, and a door latch for final locking, allowing each segment to be optimized independently while maintaining overall reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a dual-link assembly configuration (first and second link assemblies) that provides redundant motion transmission paths, ensuring reliable door locking even if one link fails, while keeping each individual link simple in design
3Device complexity
If sensing vanes are positioned close to interlock rollers for compact design, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of door position detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions sensing vanes asymmetrically relative to interlock rollers, with optimized spacing that balances compactness and detection precision, allowing the sensing vanes to effectively detect door position through controlled mechanical interaction
Data Source
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AI summary
An elevator car door interlock (141) includes a first link assembly (157) and a latch assembly (165). The first link assembly includes a first intermediate link (201) and a first link (203). The first intermediate link is movably connected to a first sensing vane (153). The first link is pivotally connected to a baseplate (151). The first link has a first link first arm (211) pivotally connected to the first intermediate link, and a first link second arm (213) having a first link first connection (215) that is pivotally connected to a second sensing vane (155). The latch assembly includes a lock member (261), a door latch (263), and a latch link (265). The door latch is pivotally connected to the baseplate and is arranged to selectively engage the lock member. The latch link extends between and is pivotally connected to the door latch and the first intermediate link.