Elevator Shaft Conversion in Existing Stairwells
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for installing an elevator system in a building, especially in older or non-modernized parts, face challenges such as limited space, aesthetic concerns, and compliance with legal regulations, which restrict accessibility and usability during renovation, and often require extensive and costly modifications.
Innovation Solution
The method involves converting a former staircase to accommodate an elevator shaft with step-free access bridges from a new external staircase, allowing for a large elevator system installation while minimizing outer wall interventions and maintaining thermal insulation, using prefabricated components and adjustable access bridges to ensure continuous building accessibility during renovation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If an extension is constructed outside the existing building to accommodate the elevator shaft and stairwell expansion, then the elevator system can be installed with adequate space, but the large enclosed volume required for the extension creates practical space limitations and aesthetic problems
Solution Approach 1:
The invention relocates the elevator shaft from an external extension to the internal stairwell space, utilizing the vertical dimension and existing building footprint. The shaft is positioned within the stairwell's horizontal cross-section, transforming the problem from external horizontal expansion to internal vertical utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator shaft is nested within the existing stairwell structure, fitting the shaft into the available space within the building's footprint. The shaft utilizes the vertical shaft space that exists within the stairwell's horizontal boundaries, effectively nesting one functional element within another.
2Volume of moving object
If an extension is constructed outside the existing building, then the elevator shaft can be accommodated, but legal regulations concerning clearance distances may preclude the solution or require smaller than desired elevator shafts
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the elevator shaft outside the building where clearance distance regulations apply, the invention inverts the approach by positioning the shaft inside the existing building footprint within the stairwell. This eliminates the external clearance distance issue while maintaining adequate shaft dimensions.
3Ease of manufacture
If the stairwell is opened to the outside during renovation, then the elevator shaft can be constructed, but the extension must be completely integrated into the external insulation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the elevator shaft construction from the external building envelope and places it entirely within the internal stairwell space. This separates the shaft construction from external insulation requirements, eliminating the need to integrate the extension into the thermal envelope.
4Volume of moving object
If the existing stairwell is widened beyond the exterior wall to accommodate the elevator, then the shaft can be constructed, but the horizontal cross-section available is limited by remaining intermediate landings and existing staircases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of widening the stairwell beyond the exterior wall to create horizontal space, the invention inverts the approach by removing existing stair flights and intermediate landings within the building footprint to create vertical shaft space. The shaft is formed by eliminating obstructing elements rather than adding external space.
5Ease of operation
If extensive renovation work is performed to construct the elevator within the existing stairwell, then the building remains accessible during conversion, but significant conversion and expansion work is required
Solution Approach 1:
The renovation work is segmented into discrete phases: removing individual stair flights, constructing access bridges floor-by-floor, and building the shaft in sections. This segmentation allows different portions of the building to remain accessible during construction while progressively transforming the stairwell into an elevator shaft.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
In a method for modernizing a building (1), a former stairwell (3) of the building (1) is converted such that an elevator shaft (26) of an elevator system (2) to be constructed can be provided in the former stairwell (3). The elevator shaft (26) is provided in the former stairwell (3) of the building (1) such that stepless access is facilitated to specific floors of the building (1) from an elevator car (27) of the elevator system (2), which car can be provided in the elevator shaft (26). A new staircase (17) is constructed outside the former stairwell (3). In addition, a former staircase (4) is removed from the former stairwell (3). Furthermore, access bridges (24) are disposed next to the elevator shaft (26) in the former stairwell (3), thereby enabling flush access from the new staircase (17) to the specific floors.