Intermediate Transfer Station for Ropeless Elevator Car Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ropeless elevator systems lack a method to efficiently introduce and remove elevator cars from intermediate locations within a hoistway, which hampers performance and service optimization, especially in high-rise buildings with multiple lanes requiring directional flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an intermediate transfer station with a service lift at an intermediate floor location, allowing for selective introduction and removal of elevator cars, including an intermediate parking area and deployable hoist for immobilized car recovery, enabling cars to pass through and be serviced without needing to travel to terminal ends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If elevator cars must travel to terminal ends for introduction and removal, then system reliability is maintained, but operational efficiency and service optimization are hampered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate transfer station as a mediator component within the hoistway that enables elevator cars to be introduced and removed at intermediate locations rather than requiring travel to terminal ends. This intermediary structure includes transfer platforms and coupling mechanisms that facilitate selective car introduction/removal, thereby improving operational efficiency without compromising system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The hoistway is segmented into multiple functional zones with intermediate transfer stations positioned at specific locations. This segmentation allows independent introduction and removal of elevator cars at intermediate points, enabling flexible service optimization and partial system operation during construction or maintenance without requiring complete system traversal
2Productivity
If multiple lanes are used for upward and downward traveling cars, then traffic flow is improved, but transfer station complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate transfer station is designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle multiple lanes simultaneously. The transfer platform and coupling mechanisms can service several lanes for both upward and downward traveling cars, enabling flexible lane configuration and directional flexibility without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer station utilizes horizontal dimension within the hoistway to accommodate multiple lane transfers. By positioning transfer platforms at different horizontal positions and using lateral movement mechanisms, the system can manage multiple lanes without significantly increasing vertical complexity, thereby maintaining traffic flow efficiency
3Adaptability or versatility
If intermediate transfer stations are added for car introduction and removal, then service optimization is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate transfer station incorporates dynamic elements including movable transfer platforms, deployable hoists, and adjustable coupling mechanisms. These dynamic components allow the transfer station to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements, enabling service optimization while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized dynamic modules
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer station includes preliminary positioning and preparation mechanisms that prepare for car introduction or removal in advance. Intermediate parking areas are pre-configured, and coupling mechanisms are pre-positioned to facilitate smooth car transfer operations, reducing actual transfer time and complexity during active service operations
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for managing an elevator system (10), includes providing at least one elevator car (14) to travel in a hoistway (11), and selectively introducing and removing the at least one elevator car (14) to and from the hoistway (11) via an intermediate transfer station (50) disposed at an intermediate floor location, wherein the intermediate transfer station (50) includes a service lift (54).