Elevator Wire Rope Tension Equalizing Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elevator wire ropes experience unbalanced tensions due to mechanical deformations like bending or expansion, leading to eccentric wear of pulleys, uneven feeding distances, and vibrations, which cause frequent breakdowns and reduce the lifespan and comfort of elevators.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a tension adjusting unit and guide rollers that automatically equalize wire rope tensions by using a system of pulleys, planetary gears, and ring gears to adjust the lengths of wire ropes in real time, ensuring balanced tension through a network of interconnected gears and rotation units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If wire ropes are periodically checked and managed for tension unbalance, then the complexity of the system is reduced, but the tension unbalance remains until the next check because tensions change in real time according to temperature and number of operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidtension balance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the tension balancing system adaptive and responsive to real-time conditions. The tension balancing device automatically adjusts wire rope tensions based on actual operational states, transforming from a static periodic checking system to a dynamic real-time balancing system that adapts to temperature changes and operational variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tension balancing device operates autonomously without requiring external intervention or periodic manual checking. The system self-regulates wire rope tensions through automatic detection and adjustment mechanisms, enabling the system to service itself and maintain optimal tension balance continuously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If tension unbalance is not corrected, then the wire ropes cause eccentric wear of pulleys and vibrations, but correcting tensions requires a complex apparatus with multiple rotation units and planetary gears

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetension balanceVSAvoidapparatus complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated tension balancing device. The apparatus combines detection, calculation, and adjustment functions into one unified system that simultaneously monitors all wire rope tensions and coordinates their balancing, reducing the need for separate complex mechanisms for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tension balancing device performs multiple functions through a single apparatus: it detects tension variations in multiple wire ropes, calculates required adjustments, and executes balancing operations across all ropes. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each wire rope, simplifying the overall system

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

Data Source

PatentEP2594520B1Apparatus for automatically equalizing tension in elevator wire ropes
Publication Date: 2018.03.28 JUN BEONG SOO
  • EP2594520B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2594520B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2594520B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is an apparatus for automatically equalizing tensions of elevator wire ropes by which an unbalance of tensions of elevator wire ropes can be immediately solved to automatically equalize the tensions in real time when lengths of the wire ropes become different, improving safety, durability, and reliability. The apparatus according to the present invention includes a body (100) having an accommodation space therein, a tension adjusting unit connected to elevator wire ropes (R1~R4) and installed within the body (100), a main shaft (200) passing through the tension adjusting unit and rotatably coupled to an inner side of the body (100) horizontally; and first to fourth guide rollers (B1~B4) rotatably coupled to the body (100) such that the elevator wire ropes (R1~R4) connected to the tension adjusting unit contact the first to fourth guide rollers (B1~B4) at outer sides thereof.