Elevator Skid Magnetic Levitation Centering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems face issues with increased friction and performance degradation due to moments generated by uneven load distribution, particularly in 'chair' elevators where the guides are not centered, leading to tilting and detachment risks.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a skid with a centering member that generates a load-counteracting force without contact with the guide, using magnetic levitation to stabilize and center the movable structure, thereby reducing friction and improving dynamic performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the guides are positioned to allow access from three sides (chair elevator configuration), then accessibility is improved, but the center of gravity misalignment generates tilting moments that increase friction and cause detachment risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a counterbalancing mechanism that applies an opposing moment to counteract the tilting moment generated by misaligned center of gravity. This allows the chair elevator configuration to maintain accessibility while preventing excessive tilting that would lead to detachment, by actively balancing the rotational forces on the movable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment mechanisms that can adapt the positioning or orientation of the movable structure in real-time to compensate for tilting moments. This dynamic response allows the system to maintain stability and prevent detachment while preserving the three-sided accessibility configuration.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the centering member contacts the guide to maintain centering, then positioning stability is improved, but friction increases due to the external load on the centering member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical contact-based centering mechanism with a magnetic field-based centering mechanism. The magnetic field exerts forces on the movable structure to maintain centering without requiring physical contact between the centering member and the guide, thereby eliminating the friction that would otherwise be generated by load-bearing contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the centering member and the guide. This magnetic field mediator transmits the centering force without requiring direct mechanical contact, allowing the centering function to be performed while avoiding the friction that would result from load-bearing contact between solid 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 solution effectively reduces friction on the centering member, enhances the dynamic performance of the skid, and maintains stable equilibrium of the movable structure, even with uneven load distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The skid is configured for magnetically generating a coupling, repulsive or attractive, force on the guide
Implementation Method 2
This load-counteracting force is repulsive or attractive on the respective guide
Data Source
AI summary
A translation and/or transportation system, such as an elevator, is described comprising a movable structure for transportation, e.g. a passenger cabin or a load-carrying platform, a guide and a skid integral with the movable structure and slidingly coupled to the guide along a sliding axis.The skid is configured to stably and slidingly couple the movable structure to the guide, and comprises a centering member in contact with the guide.To attenuate the sliding friction, the skid comprises means—or a device—for generating without contact with the guide a force counteracting an external load impressed on the centering member, the load-counteracting force being repulsive or attractive on the guide, and directed in the opposite direction to the force impressed by the external load on the centering member.