Pivoting Roller Guide for Non-Linear Elevator Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller guides for external elevators face challenges with non-linear guide rails, requiring complex rotary bearings for axial mobility, leading to increased costs and noise due to metallic components, and increased wear with parallel guides.
Innovation Solution
A structurally simple roller guide design featuring guide rollers connected via a joint that allows pivoting about multiple axes, combined with a ball joint and cantilever configuration, enabling precise guidance on non-linear tracks without the need for complex bearings, and an adjustable device for optimal contact with guide rails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex rotary bearing is used to allow axial displacement of guide rollers on round guides, then the guide roller can follow non-linear guide rail courses, but the structural complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide roller is designed with dynamic adaptability through a pivoting mechanism that allows the roller axis to change orientation automatically in response to non-linear guide rail geometry, eliminating the need for complex rotary bearings while maintaining the ability to follow the guide rail course
2Ease of operation
If parallel guides with flat surfaces and metallic guide rollers are used, then the guide roller can move relative to the guide rail in transverse direction, but wear increases and noise is high
Solution Approach 1:
The contact interface parameters are changed by using guide rollers with concave running surfaces that match the round guide rail geometry, enabling rolling contact instead of sliding contact, which reduces wear and noise while maintaining transverse movement capability through the pivoting mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The guide roller is designed as a composite structure with a metallic body providing structural strength and a plastic coating or insert at the running surface providing low friction and noise characteristics, combining the benefits of both materials
3Reliability
If guide rollers are made of metal to counteract wear, then durability improves, but driving comfort decreases and noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide roller is designed as a composite structure with a metallic body providing structural strength and wear resistance, and a plastic coating or insert at the running surface providing low friction and noise characteristics, combining the benefits of both materials
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
This solution allows for smooth, noise-reduced operation with reduced wear and cost, enabling precise guidance on both round and rectangular guides, using plastic components for the guide rollers, and maintaining contact under changing loads.
Implementation Method 1
the guide roller can be pivoted about at least one axis
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a roller guide for a carriage element of an elevator guided on a guide, with at least one rotatably mounted guide roller. The roller guide is characterized in that the guide roller is connected to a joint by which the guide roller can be pivoted about at least one axis.