Helical Magnet Additive Manufacturing for Magnetic Elevator Drives

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Solution Overview

Problem

Implementing rotary magnetic drive arrangements for elevator systems on a commercial scale is challenging due to high material and manufacturing costs, and ensuring efficient and reliable operation is difficult.

Innovation Solution

A cost-effective magnetic screw or drive member is created using a non-magnetic rod with a helical magnet and spacers, manufactured via additive techniques like wire arc or cold spray deposition, allowing for a continuous magnetic path and efficient magnetic flux distribution without the need for carbon fiber wraps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional rotary magnetic drive arrangements are implemented, then magnetic drive functionality is achieved, but material and manufacturing costs become prohibitively expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic drive operationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic drive system is divided into discrete magnet retainers positioned at specific locations around the rod, rather than requiring a continuous magnetic structure. This segmentation allows for simpler manufacturing of individual components and reduces overall material costs while maintaining functional reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameters by using non-magnetic materials for the rod and magnet retainers, and only applying magnetic material where specifically needed. This parameter optimization reduces unnecessary material costs while preserving the essential magnetic drive functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If complex magnetic drive component arrangements are used, then efficient magnetic flux distribution is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic flux distributionVSAvoidcomponent arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary components from traditional magnetic drive systems. By removing the need for complex magnetic circuits and excessive structural elements, the design achieves efficient magnetic flux distribution with a simplified component arrangement centered on a rod with strategically placed magnet retainers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of building up complex magnetic structures to achieve flux distribution, the invention inverts the approach by using a simple non-magnetic rod and adding only the essential magnetic elements (magnet retainers) where needed. This inverted construction philosophy reduces device complexity while maintaining magnetic efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

This approach results in a more economical, reliable, and efficient magnetic drive system with reduced size and space requirements, enhancing magnetic efficiency and reducing operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

manufactured via additive techniques like wire arc or cold spray deposition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCold spray deposition: Deposition (physical)

Implementation Method 2

manufactured via additive techniques like wire arc or cold spray deposition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWire arc deposition: Electric Arc

Implementation Method 3

A magnetic drive arrangement for propelling an elevator car includes a magnetic drive member in the form of a magnetic screw

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Implementation Method 4

A magnetic drive arrangement for propelling an elevator car includes a magnetic drive member in the form of a magnetic screw

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic propulsion: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Data Source

PatentEP3403981B1Magnetic elevator drive member and method of manufacture
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3403981B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3403981B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An illustrative example embodiment of a method of making a rotary magnetic drive member includes establishing a helical magnet on a rod using an additive manufacturing process.