Hollow Guide Rail Nut Positioning Without Extra Rail Openings

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing guide rail systems for elevator systems require complex and labor-intensive processes to attach nuts to hollow rails, which can compromise the stability of the rail and hinder quick installation, as they often necessitate moving heavy guide rails and holders relative to each other, and may require additional openings that impair the rail's stability.

Innovation Solution

A positioning aid comprising an elongated fastening section with a nut attached, designed to pass through elongated holes in the hollow rail, and a holding section that prevents the aid from falling, allowing for easy alignment and secure attachment of the guide rail to the holder without moving the rail or holder, thus simplifying the installation process and maintaining rail stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If nuts are attached to hollow guide rails by traditional methods, then the guide rail can be fastened to the holder, but the installation process becomes complex and labor-intensive requiring movement of heavy rails and holders

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a positioning aid as an intermediary component that includes a positioning element with a holding section and a fastening section. This positioning aid mediates between the nut and the hollow rail, allowing the nut to be positioned from the outside without requiring movement of heavy guide rails or holders. The positioning aid is inserted through the elongated hole and holds the nut in the correct position for screwing, thereby simplifying the installation process and reducing installation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If additional openings are made in the hollow rail to facilitate nut attachment, then nut positioning becomes easier, but the rail's stability is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of nut positioningVSAvoidrail stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the existing elongated holes in the hollow rail for multiple purposes. These holes originally designed for fastening are also used to insert and position the positioning aids that hold the nuts. This multi-functional use of the elongated holes eliminates the need for additional openings, maintaining the rail's stability while facilitating easy nut positioning from the outside.

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

3Device complexity

If the guide rail is designed as a hollow rail for screwing to holders, then the rail structure is simplified, but accessing the interior for nut attachment becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverail structure complexityVSAvoidease of nut attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by positioning the nut from the outside of the hollow rail rather than trying to access the interior. The positioning aid is inserted through the elongated hole from the exterior, allowing the nut to be positioned and attached without needing to access the interior space of the hollow rail, thus maintaining the simplified hollow structure while improving ease of operation.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4126736B1Positioning aid for positioning a nut on a guide rail of an elevator system
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 INVENTIO AG
  • EP4126736B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4126736B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4126736B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a positioning aid (18) for positioning a nut (302) on a guide rail (112) of a lift system (100). The guide rail (112) is designed as a hollow rail (114), wherein the hollow rail (114) has a plurality of slotted holes (204) arranged behind one another in the longitudinal direction of the hollow rail (114) for securing on a guide rail holder (108). The positioning aid (118) comprises an elongated securing section (300), on which at least one nut (302) is secured and which dimensioned such that it can be guided through one of the slotted holes (204) together with the at least one nut (302) and moved within the hollow rail (114). The positioning aid (118) also comprises a retaining section (208) for retaining the securing section (300), wherein the retaining section (208) is secured to one end of the securing section (300) and is designed to be wider than the slotted hole (204).