Fire-Retardant Elevator Belt With Localized Polymer Composition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drive belts, particularly in elevator technology, are highly flammable, posing a risk of complete system failure and loss of functionality in the event of a fire, which compromises safety and operational integrity.

Innovation Solution

The belt is composed of a polymer material with a fire-retardant additive, specifically melamine phosphate or melamine polyphosphate, integrated into the belt body to prevent flammability, while maintaining mechanical properties, and the substructure is designed without fire-retardant additives to avoid compromising mechanical performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the belt body is made of polymer material with elastic properties, then the belt achieves the required flexibility and mechanical performance, but the material becomes highly flammable and poses fire safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical performanceVSAvoidflammability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining polymer material with fire-retardant additives to create a belt body that maintains elastic properties and mechanical performance while achieving fire resistance. The composite formulation integrates both functional requirements into a single material system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the material composition between the belt body and the substructure. The belt body contains fire-retardant additives to address flammability, while the substructure maintains pure polymer material to ensure optimal mechanical performance and flexibility, allowing each region to have tailored properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If fire-retardant additives are added to the entire belt structure, then fire resistance is improved, but the mechanical properties and flexibility are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidmechanical properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by spatially differentiating the material composition: the belt body contains fire-retardant additives to achieve fire resistance, while the substructure (which requires high mechanical performance) is made of pure polymer material without additives, thus maintaining optimal elasticity and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the belt into two distinct functional regions with different material compositions: the belt body segment with fire-retardant properties and the substructure segment with optimized mechanical properties, allowing each segment to fulfill its specific functional requirement independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 fire-resistant belt effectively suppresses fire propagation, ensuring the elevator system remains functional and safe by preventing the spread of flames, even in the event of a fire, and prevents damage to the steel train carrier.

Implementation Method 1

The fire-resistant belt effectively suppresses fire propagation, ensuring the elevator system remains functional and safe by preventing the spread of flames

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFire retardation: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP2569242B2Belt for driving systems, in particular a belt-like tensile element for elevator systems, having fire-inhibiting properties
Publication Date: 2023.03.01 CONTITECH ANTRIEBSSYSTEME GMBH
  • EP2569242B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2569242B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a belt (1) for driving systems, comprising at least: a belt body made of a polymeric material having elastic properties, comprising a cover layer (2) as a back of the belt and a foundation (4) having a force-transmission zone (7); and a tensile reinforcement (3) embedded in the belt body. The belt (1) according to the invention is characterized in that the belt body is made of at least two different materials A and B, namely: a first material A, which is provided with a fire-inhibiting additive and is used in the belt body everywhere the high mechanical properties are not required; and a second material B, which contains little or none of a fire-inhibiting additive and is used in the area of the belt body that is mechanically loaded the greatest. The belt (1) is used in particular as a tensile element for elevator systems.