Magnetic Door Coupler for Elevator Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional elevator door couplers face challenges such as precise alignment requirements, labor-intensive installation processes, potential misalignment leading to maintenance issues, debris buildup, and static pressure impeding door closure, which result in inefficiencies and passenger inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic coupler device with a rotary magnet that transforms between an off and on configuration, allowing magnetic coupling with a vane member, thereby simplifying alignment and operation, reducing maintenance needs, and enhancing door movement efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional door couplers use mechanical alignment between car door vane and landing door rollers, then the locking and sensing functions can be precisely controlled, but the alignment must be precisely controlled which introduces labor and expense during installation and causes maintenance issues due to misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical alignment system (vanes and rollers requiring precise mechanical alignment) with a magnetic coupling system. The magnetic coupler uses magnetic attraction forces to couple the car door to the landing door, eliminating the need for precise mechanical alignment between components. This substitution of mechanical alignment with magnetic coupling directly resolves the contradiction by maintaining coupling precision while dramatically simplifying installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional door couplers integrate multiple functions into a single device, then material costs are reduced, but the design implications are competing with each other and create significant design challenges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial costVSAvoiddesign complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the door coupling system into distinct functional modules: a magnetic coupler assembly (providing coupling force), a separate actuator mechanism (for driving motion), and independent locking/sensing components. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without the design compromises required by fully integrated conventional systems, thereby reducing overall design complexity while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If conventional door couplers require precise alignment during installation, then the coupling function can be reliable, but any future misalignment results in maintenance requests or call backs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling reliabilityVSAvoidmaintenance frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing the mechanical alignment-dependent system with a magnetic coupling system, the patent inherently provides self-aligning properties through magnetic attraction. The magnetic field naturally centers and maintains proper coupling between the car door and landing door without requiring precise mechanical alignment, thereby ensuring long-term reliability while minimizing maintenance requirements for misalignment issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If conventional door couplers separately drive the landing doors closed, then the door can be securely closed, but it causes delays in the door opening and closing times which appears to be an inconvenience to passengers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor closure securityVSAvoiddoor operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic coupler enables continuous magnetic attraction force to be applied throughout the door closing process, eliminating the need for separate driving phases. The magnetic force continuously pulls the car door and landing door together, maintaining secure closure while enabling faster, more efficient door operation without the time-consuming separate driving steps required by conventional systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

The magnetic coupler device addresses alignment and maintenance challenges, improves door operation efficiency, and reduces passenger wait times by ensuring smooth and reliable door opening and closing processes.

Implementation Method 1

at least one rotary magnet arranged within an interior of the housing. The at least one rotary magnet is coupled to the shaft. The coupler device is magnetically couplable with the vane member when in the on configuration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS12297078B2Magnetic door coupler

Publication Date: 2025.05.13 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

AI summary

A coupler device of a door coupler engageable with a vane member includes a housing, a shaft rotatable about an axis, and at least one rotary magnet arranged within an interior of the housing. The at least one rotary magnet is coupled to the shaft. The coupler device is transformable between an off configuration and an on configuration and the coupler device is magnetically couplable with the vane member when in the on configuration.