Enveloping Linear Drive System for Elevator Hoistway Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear drive systems for elevator installations are technically complex, costly, and inefficient due to exposure to the hoistway, which affects air gap maintenance and magnetic flux interaction, leading to reduced efficiency and susceptibility to pollution.
Innovation Solution
A linear drive system with a stationary part that substantially envelops the movable part, maintaining a consistent air gap and shielding magnetic flux, using permanent magnets and coils to enhance efficiency and prevent pollution, allowing for global application across various elevator configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the linear drive components are exposed to the hoistway, then installation and maintenance are easier, but the air gap cannot be consistently maintained and the system is susceptible to pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The movable part is nested within the stationary part, forming a telescopic structure where the movable part can slide along the stationary part while remaining enclosed. This nesting arrangement protects the linear drive components from pollution while maintaining consistent air gap, and allows easy installation and maintenance through the open end of the stationary part.
2Manufacturing precision
If the air gap between stationary part and movable part is increased, then the system is more tolerant of misalignment, but drive efficiency decreases dramatically
Solution Approach 1:
The stationary part is designed with a telescopic structure that maintains a constant potential (air gap distance) between the stationary part and movable part throughout their relative motion. This equipotential design ensures that the air gap remains consistent regardless of position, maintaining high drive efficiency while accommodating alignment variations through the flexible nesting arrangement.
3Ease of operation
If conventional guide rails are used to guide the elevator car, then guidance is achieved, but the system becomes more complex and requires more material
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance function is merged with the linear drive system itself. The stationary part serves dual purposes: it provides the magnetic drive field and simultaneously guides the movable part through its telescopic structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate conventional guide rails, reducing system complexity and material usage while maintaining effective guidance.
4Loss of energy
If the stationary part substantially envelops the movable part, then drive efficiency increases by preventing magnetic flux stray and maintaining small air gap, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enveloping structure is implemented through a telescopic nesting design where the movable part is inserted into the stationary part. This elegant nesting solution achieves the goal of substantially enveloping the movable part to contain magnetic flux and maintain small air gap, while the modular nesting structure actually simplifies manufacturing and assembly compared to more complex enveloping designs.
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
The solution increases drive efficiency by over 90% and maintains high efficiency throughout the system's lifespan by ensuring a small air gap and preventing magnetic flux stray, while reducing material and space requirements, enabling use in all elevator configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The linear motor consists of a secondary element and a primary element, said secondary element having one or several magnets and the primary element having both windings and permanent magnets
Implementation Method 2
The stationary part is shaped so as to substantially envelope the movable part... preventing magnetic flux stray
Data Source
AI summary
A linear drive system for an elevator installation having an elevator car includes a stationary part for alignment with a hoistway wall of the elevator installation and a movable part that moves along the stationary part. The movable part is connected to the elevator car or to a counterweight, wherein the stationary part is shaped so as to substantially envelope the movable part.