Elevator Drive Shaft Bearing Layout for Cover-Free Axial Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drivetrain designs for elevator systems, particularly those with belt drives, face challenges in optimizing the design and integration of the shaft, including installation, mounting, lubrication, and the inclusion of an active braking function, while minimizing resource use and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A drivetrain arrangement for a belt drive unit in an elevator system that secures the shaft in bearings using washers interacting with the housing, eliminating the need for bearing covers, and incorporates a grease reservoir between bearings and a brake unit to ensure reliable lubrication and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bearing cover is used to secure the bearing on the shaft, then the bearing is securely fixed, but the design becomes more complex and material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the bearing cover from the drivetrain design and instead uses the housing itself to secure the bearing through washers. This extraction of the bearing cover eliminates unnecessary components while maintaining secure bearing fixation through the washer-housing interaction system.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is given a dual function: it not only provides structural support and mounting but also directly secures the bearing through the washer interaction. This eliminates the need for a separate bearing cover, as the housing performs both structural and securing functions.
2Reliability
If a bearing cover is used to secure the bearing, then the bearing is fixed reliably, but material usage and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing cover is completely removed from the design, eliminating the material consumption associated with producing and installing this separate component. The housing and washers assume the securing function, reducing overall material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of the housing and bearing cover are merged. The housing not only provides structural support but also directly secures the bearing through washer interaction, eliminating the need for additional bearing cover material.
3Volume of moving object
If the drivetrain is designed with compact dimensions, then space requirements are reduced, but installation and mounting become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing securing system is segmented into discrete washers positioned at multiple circumferential locations rather than a single integrated bearing cover. This segmentation allows for easier installation and positioning while maintaining compact overall dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The washers are pre-positioned on the housing at the correct circumferential locations before bearing installation. This preliminary positioning facilitates easier and more accurate shaft assembly, reducing installation complexity despite compact dimensions.
4Reliability
If multiple circumferential positions with washers are used to secure the bearing, then bearing fixation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex integrated bearing cover structure is replaced with simple washers positioned at multiple circumferential locations. This extraction of the bearing cover function and its redistribution to multiple washer positions improves reliability while using simpler individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of securing the bearing at a single location (one-dimensional approach), the solution distributes securing points around the circumferential dimension of the housing. This multi-dimensional distribution of washer positions enhances bearing fixation reliability without requiring complex individual components.
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 design allows for a slender, cost-effective, and efficient integration of the shaft, ensuring reliable lubrication and operation with minimal maintenance, while optimizing installation and operation conditions, including the integration of a braking function.
Implementation Method 1
a grease reservoir between the bearings and brake unit, allowing for a slender design and efficient lubrication
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides for a drivetrain arrangement for a drive unit of an elevator system. The drive unit includes at least one belt drive, with a shaft mounted in a housing in a fixed bearing and in a movable bearing. The fixed bearing can be/become secured in an axially fixed manner on the shaft without a bearing cover in several circumferential positions in each case via at least one disc interacting with the housing. A reservoir is configured between the bearings and a brake unit to receive bearing grease. An inner diameter of the fixed bearing is smaller than or greater than an inner diameter of the movable bearing such that in the axial assembly direction, the bearing with the larger inner diameter can be brought over the shaft portion intended for the bearing with the smaller inner diameter. This simplifies the assembly and implementation of the drive.