Multi-Shaft Wireless Power Transfer for Cable-Free Elevators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyance systems, such as elevator systems, face challenges due to the added expense, weight, and complexity of travelling cables used for powering elevator cars, necessitating an improved method for electric power transmission.
Innovation Solution
A wireless power transfer system that uses a single wireless electrical power transmitter with rotating or multiple coils to wirelessly power elevator cars in multiple shafts, eliminating the need for traditional cables by transmitting power through a magnetic field to receivers embedded in the elevator cars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If travelling cables are used to power elevator cars, then electric power can be transmitted reliably to moving cars, but the system gains added expense, weight, and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical travelling cable system with a wireless electromagnetic power transmission system. The mechanical connection (cables) is substituted by electromagnetic fields generated by transmitters in the shaft and receivers in the car, eliminating the physical cable infrastructure while maintaining power transmission functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary medium to transfer power between the stationary power source and the moving elevator car. Instead of direct mechanical connection, energy is transmitted through the electromagnetic field across the air gap between transmitter and receiver components.
2Use of energy by moving object
If travelling cables are used to power elevator cars, then electric power can be transmitted to moving cars, but the system gains added expense and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy mechanical cable system is replaced by lightweight electromagnetic transmission components. The transmitters mounted in the shaft and receivers in the car use electromagnetic induction to transfer power without the weight penalty of steel cables and associated support structures.
3Device complexity
If a single wireless power transmitter serves multiple elevator shafts, then system cost and complexity are reduced, but the transmitter must rotate or incorporate multiple coils to reach different shafts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the power transmitter dynamic by enabling rotation to different angular positions. A single transmitter can rotate to face different elevator shafts sequentially, dynamically adapting its orientation to serve multiple destinations rather than requiring static transmitters at each location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal power transmitter that can serve multiple elevator shafts through rotation or multiple coil configurations. This multi-functional device replaces what would traditionally require separate dedicated transmitters for each shaft, reducing overall system complexity.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective power transmission to multiple elevator cars using a single transmitter, reducing system complexity and weight while maintaining reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless electrical power transmitter located in a first location along a support or a side of the first elevator shaft and a support or a side of the second elevator shaft... wirelessly transmit electric power to the wireless electrical power receiver
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A wireless power transfer system (200) for wirelessly powering a conveyance apparatus of a first conveyance system (101a) and a conveyance apparatus of a second conveyance system (101b), the wireless power transfer system (200) including: a wireless electrical power transmitter (240) located in a first location along a support or a side of the first conveyance system (101a) and a support or a side of the second conveyance system (101b); a wireless electrical power receiver (250) of the first conveyance system (101a) located along a surface of the conveyance apparatus of the first conveyance system (101a) opposite the support or the side of the first conveyance system (101a); a wireless electrical power receiver (250) of the second conveyance system located along a surface of the conveyance apparatus of the second conveyance system (101b) opposite the support or the side of the second conveyance system (101b), wherein the wireless electrical power transmitter (240) is configured to wirelessly transmit electric power to the wireless electrical power receiver (250) of the first conveyance system (101a) and to the wireless electrical power receiver (250) of the second conveyance system (101b).