Moveable Elevator Toe Guard Panel for Shallow Pit Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toe guards in elevator systems are rigid and do not allow elevator cars to descend low enough in configurations with reduced or eliminated pit sizes, limiting the ability to reach lower landings due to clearance issues.
Innovation Solution
A moveable toe guard panel system that transitions from a vertical to a horizontal position using a moving mechanism, triggered by an instigator member, allowing the elevator car to descend closer to the hoistway surface by adjusting its distance from the elevator car frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid toe guard is used, then the toe guard provides stable protection beneath the elevator car, but a significant amount of clearance is required beneath the elevator car, preventing the car from descending low enough in reduced or eliminated pit configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The toe guard panel is made moveable between a vertical extended position (when the elevator car is at higher positions) and a horizontal retracted position (when the elevator car descends to lower positions). This dynamic configuration allows the toe guard to provide protection when needed while clearing the path when the car needs to descend close to the hoistway bottom, resolving the contradiction between stability and clearance requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The toe guard is divided into a moveable panel portion and a fixed portion. The moveable panel can pivot or translate between positions, allowing selective extension and retraction. This segmentation enables the system to have both the protective function of a rigid toe guard and the clearance capability needed for reduced pit configurations.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the toe guard panel is extended vertically downward to provide protection, then safety coverage is improved, but the distance from the elevator car increases, preventing descent to lower landings
Solution Approach 1:
The toe guard panel dynamically changes its position based on the elevator car's vertical location. When the car is at higher positions, the panel extends vertically to provide safety protection. When the car descends to lower positions, the panel retracts horizontally to reduce the distance from the car, enabling descent to lower landings that would otherwise be inaccessible.
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
Enables the elevator car to descend closer to the lowest landing, accommodating shallow pit depths or pit-less configurations, thereby enhancing the operational range of the elevator system.
Implementation Method 1
The instigator may comprise a cam that guides the follower to cause the lever to move in a direction to urge the toe guard panel out of the first position. The cam may contact the follower at least when the frame member of the elevator car is at approximately the selected vertical position.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary elevator assembly includes an elevator car having a frame member. At least one toe guard panel is moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the toe guard panel is situated to provide a vertical surface beneath the elevator car and the toe guard panel has an end spaced a first distance from the elevator car. In the second position the toe guard panel is situated with a second, shorter distance between the end and the elevator car. A moving mechanism coupled with the toe guard panel selectively moves the toe guard panel from the first position into the second position. An instigator member situated in a selected vertical position interacts with the moving mechanism to begin movement of the toe guard panel from the first position when the frame member of the elevator car is approximately at the selected vertical position.