Hollow Elevator Guide Rail with Internal Stiffening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional elevator guide rails are heavy, expensive, noisy, and prone to deformation due to compression, with fixing methods that require drilling and result in uneven surfaces and bulging, and existing hollow guide rails exacerbate these issues with resonance and structural weaknesses.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight, hollow guide rail with continuous internal stiffening means, such as stiffeners or sound insulation materials, to enhance bending rigidity and reduce noise, combined with a fixing system using alignment means and fixing holes for secure and compact installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If guide rails are made hollow to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but noise increases due to resonance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide rail weightVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful resonance effect into a beneficial sound-absorbing cavity. The hollow interior that originally caused resonance is instead filled with sound-absorbing material (mineral wool, foam, or granulated material) to dampen vibrations and reduce noise, transforming the resonance problem into a noise control solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide rail employs a composite structure combining metal profile with sound-absorbing materials. The metal profile provides structural strength while the internal sound-absorbing material (mineral wool, foam, or granulated material) provides acoustic damping, creating a composite system that addresses both weight reduction and noise control requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Weight of moving object

If guide rails are made hollow to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but bending rigidity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide rail weightVSAvoidbending rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The guide rail uses a composite construction where the metal profile provides the primary structural framework and the internal sound-absorbing material (mineral wool, foam, or granulated material) acts as a structural filler that prevents wall collapse under compression while maintaining the lightweight hollow configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local reinforcement through the sound-absorbing material specifically in regions where compression resistance is needed, while maintaining the hollow lightweight structure in other areas. The material is positioned strategically within the hollow interior to provide local structural support without adding overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If guide rail clamps are used to fix guide rails, then fixing strength is improved, but space is consumed by the clamp structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing strengthVSAvoidspace occupied

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing holes are positioned within the hollow interior space of the guide rail, nesting the fixing mechanism inside the existing structure rather than adding external components. This allows the guide rail to be secured to the building structure while utilizing the internal void space, minimizing external space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Strength

If guide rail clamps are used to fix guide rails, then fixing strength is improved, but manufacturing tolerances must be tight to prevent bulging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing strengthVSAvoidthickness tolerances

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow interior that originally caused resonance and structural weakness is converted into a beneficial feature by filling it with sound-absorbing material (mineral wool, foam, or granulated material). This material acts as a compressible buffer that absorbs clamp pressure, preventing guide rail bulging while maintaining fixing strength, thereby reducing sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

5Device complexity

If drilling is used to fix guide rails without clamps, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning precision must be high in advance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing device complexityVSAvoidhole positioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide rail is pre-equipped with fixing holes positioned at standard intervals along its length during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation of hole positions allows for flexible installation without requiring high-precision on-site measurements, as the holes are already accurately positioned according to standard mounting requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2550223B1Guide rail of an elevator, and an elevator

Publication Date: 2017.03.22 KONE OYJ

AI summary

Guide rail of an elevator, for guiding an elevator car and/or the counterweight of an elevator, which guide rail comprises an elongated metal profile piece that continues essentially the same in its cross-sectional shape, which metal profile piece comprises a continuous inside space for at least essentially the whole length of the guide rail.