One-Piece Plastic Sliding Guide Shoe for Elevator Counterweight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding guide shoes for elevator systems are complex and difficult to install, lacking a simple and efficient design for guiding elevator cars and counterweights along guide rails.
Innovation Solution
A sliding guide shoe with a guide element featuring a guide channel, engagement element, and collar, made from a one-piece plastic molded body, which provides a simple and cost-effective solution for easy assembly and secure mounting to the support structure, eliminating the need for additional components like guide shoe housings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-part sliding guide shoes with guide shoe housing and insert are used, then the guidance function is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and installation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the guide shoe housing, guide insert, and mounting components into a single integrated guide element made of plastic. This merging of multiple parts into one component eliminates the complexity of assembling multi-part structures while maintaining the guidance function through the integrated design of the guide channel and mounting features.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic guide element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the guide channel for rail engagement, includes integrated mounting features (engagement element and collar) for attachment to the support structure, and incorporates lubrication features. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall structure.
2Reliability
If additional components like guide shoe housing are used, then the guidance function is ensured, but the number of components increases and assembly becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The guide shoe housing and guide insert are merged into a single plastic molded body that includes all necessary mounting features. This integration allows the guide element to be installed as one piece rather than requiring assembly of multiple components, significantly improving installation ease while maintaining structural integrity and guidance reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting features (engagement element and collar) are pre-integrated into the guide element during molding. This preliminary incorporation of mounting capabilities eliminates the need for separate mounting operations and reduces installation steps, making the installation process simpler and faster.
3Strength
If metallic components are used for guide shoe housing, then strength is achieved, but cost increases and replacement becomes less economical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, which reduces manufacturing cost and facilitates easier replacement. The plastic material is selected to provide sufficient strength for the application while enabling cost-effective production through molding processes and allowing economical disposal or replacement at end of service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic guide element is designed as a disposable component that can be easily and cost-effectively replaced at the end of its service life. This approach is more economical than maintaining expensive metallic components, as the plastic element can be manufactured at lower cost and replaced without significant expense.
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 solution enables easy and accurate installation of the sliding guide shoe, reducing complexity and costs while ensuring secure and durable guidance of elevator cars and counterweights along guide rails, with the plastic material offering a lightweight and corrosion-resistant option.
Implementation Method 1
The guide channel thus provides the sliding surface which, when the sliding guide shoe is installed or ready for operation in the elevator, can make sliding contact with the guide rail in the guide area.
Data Source
AI summary
A sliding guide shoe for guiding a counterweight includes a single-piece guide element made of a plastic material. The guide element has an engagement element that extends in the longitudinal direction and can be brought into interlocking engagement in a cutout formed in a yoke of a counterweight frame. The guide element further includes a collar engaging around the cutout and forming a stop for positionally securing the guide element, the collar adjoining the engagement element.