Elevator Traction Engine Segmentation for Lightweight Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elevator traction engines with cast iron bodies are heavy, making assembly difficult, increasing maintenance costs, and causing balance issues due to their weight and mounting challenges, while also requiring high initial investment for production.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight, stable elevator traction motor structure with a stator and rotor, featuring a body composed of two integrated parts with bending portions for mounting and traction zones positioned to balance the center of gravity, using materials with a wall thickness below 10 mm for reduced weight and improved assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If cast iron bodies with wall thickness at least 10-12 mm are used, then the structural strength and stability are ensured, but the weight of the traction engine becomes very high (160-250 kg for body alone)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidweight of traction engine
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The body is divided into two separate parts: a carrier portion that holds the electric motor and a mounting extension that provides structural support. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the carrier portion can use thinner walls (below 10 mm) for weight reduction while the mounting extension provides the necessary structural strength through its geometry and material properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite construction by combining the carrier portion and mounting extension as separate integrated parts. This allows the use of different material properties and thicknesses in different regions - the carrier portion uses thinner material for weight reduction while the mounting extension provides structural reinforcement, achieving both weight reduction and strength maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If the weight of the traction engine is increased to ensure structural strength, then the structural stability is improved, but the assembly process becomes more difficult and assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the body into carrier portion and mounting extension, the overall weight is reduced making the components easier to handle and assemble. The segmented design also allows for pre-assembly of the electric motor onto the carrier portion, simplifying the final assembly process while maintaining structural stability through the integrated mounting extension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If heavy components are used to ensure structural strength, then the stability is improved, but the service life is reduced due to damage to mounting points

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The segmentation separates the heavy structural functions into the mounting extension which is designed to bear loads, while the carrier portion remains lightweight. This distribution of weight and function reduces the stress on mounting points compared to a fully heavy construction, thereby extending service life while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If cast iron bodies are used with standard wall thickness, then the manufacturing process is established, but the initial investment costs for production equipment (casting molds, CNC machines) become very high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing processVSAvoidinitial investment costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Segmenting the body into carrier portion and mounting extension enables the use of simpler, less expensive manufacturing processes such as sheet metal forming, bending, and welding instead of expensive cast iron casting and CNC machining. This reduces the need for high-initial-investment equipment while maintaining manufacturing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3953285B1An elevator traction engine and an elevator installement
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 SOGUCAK SALIM TOLGA
  • EP3953285B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1.D
  • EP3953285B1 patent drawingFigure 1.E~1.G
  • EP3953285B1 patent drawingFigure 1.H

AI summary

The invention is an elevator traction engine comprises, an electric engine having a stator (51) and a rotor (52);a body (10) carrying the said electrical engine (50); a rotatable driveshaft (20) is driven by the electrical engine (50) and having at least two traction zones (21) and at least a brake (30), characterized by the said body (10) having a two integrated body parts (11) wherein body parts (11) comprises a carrier portion (13) is formed to fix the stator (51) in the body (10) by contacting at least one portion of the outer surface of stator (512) when they connect to each other and a mounting extension (12) is provided with a bending portion (111) at the section of which the carrier portion (13) ends to provide connection of the body (10) to a fixed point.