Elevator Measurement Tape Connecting Device Guide Bracket

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator systems face challenges in providing flexible and safe access to the electric lines of measurement tapes for information transmission and power supply, especially across multiple floors, which is crucial for position determination and safety mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A connecting device that acts as a guide bracket for measurement tapes, featuring openings for reading markings and integrated communication lines, with various contact types such as piercing, crimping, spring-loaded, inductive, and capacitive connections, allowing flexible access and ensuring safety by bridging or interrupting lines as needed, and including a connection test device for rapid maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If cable routing is passed through the elevator shaft in cable shafts, then the electric lines are protected and organized, but access to the lines for information gathering, power tapping, and maintenance becomes difficult and inflexible

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccess to measurement tape linesVSAvoidConnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement tape is segmented into multiple sections with individual access points at different floors. The guide bracket system allows selective access to specific segments of the measurement tape without disrupting the entire cable routing system, enabling floor-by-floor maintenance and connection establishment while preserving overall system integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide bracket acts as an intermediary device between the measurement tape and the elevator shaft structure. It provides a stable mounting mechanism that facilitates easy access to the measurement tape lines through integrated openings and contact elements, while maintaining the protective cable shaft routing structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If access to measurement tape lines is enabled at multiple positions for flexible information gathering and power tapping, then adaptability and ease of operation improve, but the risk of malfunctions and safety issues increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveFlexibility of line accessVSAvoidSafety risks from line interruptions
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide bracket is pre-configured with safety contact elements and interruption devices that are ready to detect malfunctions and execute safety protocols. The system includes pre-installed connection contacts and bridging mechanisms that automatically activate safety functions when measurement tape line interruptions are detected, preventing harmful effects before they can propagate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The guide bracket incorporates feedback mechanisms through safety contact elements that continuously monitor the integrity of measurement tape lines. When a line interruption or malfunction is detected, the system provides immediate feedback through the safety device, which can then interrupt the elevator drive or activate alarm signals to prevent unsafe operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If multiple connection contacts and safety devices are integrated into the guide bracket, then safety and reliability improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSafety mechanism effectivenessVSAvoidGuide bracket structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functions are merged into a single integrated guide bracket structure. The guide bracket combines mechanical guidance, electrical contact elements, safety monitoring, and interruption capabilities in one unified component, reducing the need for separate devices and simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high safety standards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide bracket is designed as a universal device that performs multiple functions: guiding the measurement tape, providing access openings for different floors, establishing electrical connections through contact elements, detecting malfunctions, and executing safety protocols. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9725280B2Connecting device for measurement tapes in elevator devices
Publication Date: 2017.08.08 CEDES AG
  • US9725280B2 patent drawing
  • US9725280B2 patent drawing
  • US9725280B2 patent drawing

AI summary

In order to be able to increase safety in elevator systems, a connecting device for connecting a transmission device for transmitting information is provided, wherein the transmission device is attached to a measurement tape for determining the position of a cab in an elevator shaft and wherein the connecting device is designed as a guide bracket for guiding and/or supporting the measurement tape, so that the guide bracket at least partially surrounds the measurement tape, and wherein the guide bracket has at least one opening for reading out the marking unit, and wherein the connecting device has two connection contacts for connecting to one of the communication lines and/or supply lines and an interruption device for interrupting one of the communication lines and/or supply lines, wherein the interruption device is situated in such a way that the interruption occurs between the two connection contacts.