Rack-and-Pinion Elevator Cage Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Double-decker elevators experience high friction in spindle drives, leading to inefficient adjustment, low speed, and frequent maintenance due to environmental influences, which complicates the actuation of multiple elevator cages.
Innovation Solution
An elevator installation with a rack-and-pinion adjusting device that allows for independent movement of multiple elevator cages, enabling quick and secure adjustment and compensation for weight forces, reducing the need for large drive torque and eliminating the need for separate braking devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a spindle drive is used to actuate two elevator cages, then the elevator cages can be moved towards or away from one another, but the friction level becomes relatively high leading to inefficient adjustment and low speed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the adjustment mechanism into separate components for each elevator cage. Each cage has its own rack (first rack and second rack) that engages with a common pinion. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each cage while sharing the drive mechanism, reducing friction compared to a single spindle driving both cages simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional spindle drive mechanism with a rack-and-pinion system. The pinion engages with racks on both elevator cages, converting rotational motion into linear motion for cage adjustment. This mechanical substitution eliminates the high friction associated with spindle drives while maintaining the ability to move cages towards or away from each other.
2Power
If a spindle drive is used for adjustment, then the elevator cages can be actuated, but the drive must be correspondingly large in dimension to overcome high friction
Solution Approach 1:
The rack-and-pinion system replaces the bulky spindle drive, allowing for a more compact drive mechanism. The pinion can be driven by a smaller motor since it transmits force through gear engagement rather than overcoming friction in a spindle. This reduces both the power requirement and the physical dimensions of the drive system.
3Reliability
If a spindle drive is exposed to environmental influences like dust, then friction increases and maintenance frequency must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The rack-and-pinion mechanism replaces the enclosed spindle drive, creating a more open system that is less susceptible to dust accumulation. The gear engagement surfaces are easier to clean and maintain than spindle bearings, reducing the impact of environmental factors and lowering maintenance frequency.
4Productivity
If the spacing between elevator cages is adjusted, then the relative position changes, but the adjustment process is slow with traditional drives
Solution Approach 1:
The rack-and-pinion system enables faster adjustment of cage spacing compared to spindle drives. The direct gear engagement provides mechanical advantage and allows for quicker repositioning of cages, improving productivity while reducing the time lost during adjustment operations.
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 achieves high relative speed in adjusting the spacing between elevator cages, improves operational safety, and reduces maintenance needs by minimizing drive torque and eliminating the requirement for separate braking systems, while maintaining efficient and quiet operation.
Implementation Method 1
the adjusting device comprises at least one first rack connected with the first elevator cage at least indirectly, at least one second rack connected with the second elevator cage at least indirectly and at least one pinion engaging in the first and second racks
Implementation Method 2
Through the co-operation of a rack and the pinion of the adjusting device a mechanically positive connection is formed. This mechanically positive connection can accept not only tension forces, but also compression forces which act on the first and second elevator cages during braking or acceleration of the elevator cage carrier
Implementation Method 3
through the special arrangement of the first and second racks with respect to the pinion a compensation for the weight force of the first and second elevator cages is possible
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator installation includes at least one elevator cage carrier in a travel space, a first elevator cage arranged at the elevator cage carrier, a second elevator cage arranged at the elevator carrier and at least one adjusting device for adjustment of the first and second elevator cages relative to the elevator cage carrier. The adjusting device includes at least one first rack connected at least indirectly with the first elevator cage, at least one second rack connected at least directly with the second elevator cage and at least one pinion engaged in the first and second racks. The first and second racks are so arranged with respect to the pinion that rotation of the pinion moves the first and second elevator cages in opposite directions.