Machine Room Unit Suspension Layout for Stable Construction Elevators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing construction elevator devices face challenges in maintaining stability of the machine room unit due to suspension at two points and wide-range roping arrangements, leading to interference and difficulty in balancing the machine room unit.

Innovation Solution

A construction elevator device with at least three suspension points, evenly distributed around the machine room unit's center of gravity, and installed on a support member to prevent interference and ensure stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If two hoisters are used to hoist the machine room unit, then the machine room unit can be suspended, but it is difficult to maintain stability of the machine room unit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of machine room unitVSAvoidnumber of hoisters

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension system is divided into multiple independent hoisting devices (at least three) distributed at different locations on the support structure, each independently suspending the machine room unit through separate ropes. This segmentation allows for better weight distribution and stability compared to using only two hoisters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple hoisting devices are combined to work together in suspending the machine room unit. The plurality of hoisters work in coordination, with their ropes converging at suspension points on the machine room unit, creating a stable multi-point suspension system that maintains balance and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Power

If 1:X roping is used with a plurality of pulleys, then mechanical advantage is achieved, but it requires a rope arrangement over a wide range making it difficult to place a working carrier between the machine room unit and the support structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical advantageVSAvoidrope arrangement range

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The complex 1:X roping system with multiple pulleys is extracted and replaced with a simpler direct rope suspension system. Each hoister connects directly to the machine room unit through a single rope without requiring intermediate pulleys, eliminating the need for wide rope arrangement space while maintaining hoisting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using multiple pulleys to achieve mechanical advantage (complex path), the system inverts the approach by using multiple hoisters with direct rope connections (simple path). The mechanical advantage is achieved through the multiplication of hoisting forces from multiple devices rather than through rope path multiplication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pulleys are arranged on the machine room unit for 1:X roping, then roping function is achieved, but it is difficult to keep the machine room unit balanced in a stable state

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroping functionVSAvoidbalance of machine room unit

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure serves as an intermediary, hosting multiple hoisting devices that independently manage rope tension and suspension. This intermediary structure allows the machine room unit to be suspended at multiple points without requiring pulleys to be mounted on it, thereby maintaining balance and stability while achieving the roping function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system moves the complexity from the machine room unit (where pulleys would be mounted) to the support structure (where multiple hoisters are mounted). This dimensional relocation allows the machine room unit to remain simple and balanced while the support structure handles the complex multi-rope suspension arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12522475B2Construction elevator device

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 HITACHI LTD

AI summary

The present invention includes machine room unit hoisters 9a, 9b, 9c by which a machine room unit 6 is suspended from a support member provided in a hoistway so as to be movable in an ascending/descending direction. The machine room unit hoisters 9a, 9b, 9c suspend the machine room unit 6 at suspension points 21a, 21b, 21c. The machine room unit hoisters 9a, 9b, 9c are provided, supported by the support member. When viewed from a virtual horizontal plane over the machine room unit 6, distances from a center G of gravity of the machine room unit 6 to each of the suspension points are substantially equal and the center G of gravity is positioned within a region enclosed by virtual straight lines connecting each of the suspension points 21a, 21b, 21c. When viewed from a virtual horizontal plane over a working platform 5, the respective suspension points 21a, 21b, 21c of the machine room unit 6 are positioned outside a contour of the working platform 5.