Elevator Tension Member Wave Guide RF Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems face significant cost and imbalance issues due to the length of separate data transmission cables, which are necessary for communicating with elevator car systems, particularly in high-rise applications.
Innovation Solution
Integration of wave guide regions within the tension member belt, made from low-loss dielectric materials, to enable radio frequency data transmission along the belt, eliminating the need for a separate traveling cable by using non-contact transmitters and couplers for data signal transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate traveling cable is used for data transmission to and from the elevator car, then data communication is enabled, but system cost increases and system imbalance varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mechanical tension member (belt) with wave guide regions to enable both mechanical load support and RF data transmission functions in a single component. The wave guide regions are integrated into the belt structure, allowing RF signals to propagate along the tension member itself, thereby eliminating the need for a separate traveling cable and reducing system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The tension member is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the elevator car and counterweight while simultaneously acting as a wave guide for RF data transmission. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated data transmission cables, reducing system complexity and improving balance.
2Reliability
If a separate traveling cable is used for data transmission, then data communication is enabled, but system imbalance varies particularly in high-rise systems
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the wave guide regions into the existing tension member structure, the patent eliminates the separate traveling cable that caused imbalance issues. The combined structure ensures uniform mass distribution along the hoistway, improving system balance while maintaining data transmission capability.
3Device complexity
If wave guide regions are integrated into the tension member, then separate traveling cable is eliminated, but signal loss must be minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the wave guide regions be made from low-loss dielectric materials with appropriate electromagnetic properties. By carefully selecting and optimizing the material parameters (dielectric constant, loss tangent) of the wave guide regions, the system achieves efficient RF signal propagation with minimal attenuation along the length of the tension member.
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 reduces system costs and balances the elevator system by allowing efficient RF data transmission with minimal signal loss, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing the need for additional cables.
Implementation Method 1
Integration of wave guide regions within the tension member belt, made from low-loss dielectric materials, to enable radio frequency data transmission along the belt
Implementation Method 2
the one or more wave guide regions are formed from a low loss dielectric material including one or more of a polyolefin, a fluoropolymer, a polystyrene homo or co-polymers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3A
Figure 3B~4
AI summary
A tension member (16) for an elevator system includes one or more tension elements (24) extending along a length of the tension member, and one or more wave guide regions (68) secured to at least one surface of the tension member or integral to the tension member and extending along the length of the tension member. The one or more wave guide regions (68) are configured for transmission of a radio frequency (RF) data signal along the one or more wave guide regions.