Ropeless Elevator Cabin Support via Wall-Mounted Sledge

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Elevator systems in horizontal shafts face space constraints and safety challenges due to traditional support structures, limiting the size of elevator cars and passenger capacity, and are not adaptable to environmental changes.

Innovation Solution

A ropeless elevator system with a sledge mechanism and rucksack suspension system that supports the elevator cabin, allowing it to switch between vertical and horizontal shafts, incorporating auxiliary mechanisms like levelling, damping, and locking systems for improved safety and space efficiency, and using lightweight composite materials for weight reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a traditional car support with horizontal and vertical legs is used, then the elevator car is supported structurally, but the space requirement about the exterior of the elevator car increases substantially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidspace requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the support function from the traditional car support structure and relocates it to the shaft wall. The car support no longer needs horizontal and vertical legs extending outward, but instead connects directly to the shaft wall, eliminating the substantial space requirement about the exterior of the elevator car while maintaining structural support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure transitions from a three-dimensional outward-extending configuration (horizontal and vertical legs) to a two-dimensional planar configuration against the shaft wall. This dimensional change allows the support structure to be integrated into the shaft wall surface, reducing the spatial footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If a forklift-like car support structure is used, then the elevator car is supported, but the amount of space required below the elevator cabin floor increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport capabilityVSAvoidspace below cabin floor
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support function is extracted from the forklift-like structure that extends below the cabin floor and relocated to the shaft wall. The car support connects to the shaft wall at a point above the cabin floor level, eliminating the need for substantial space below the cabin floor while maintaining the support capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Force

If the elevator car is supported by a carrier, then the weight is passed through the car floor, but the space requirement about the exterior of the elevator car increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight transmissionVSAvoidexterior space requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The weight transmission function is extracted from the car floor and relocated to the shaft wall. The car support connects the cabin to the shaft wall, allowing the weight to be transmitted through the support structure to the shaft wall foundation, eliminating the need for substantial exterior space about the elevator car.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4107106B1Elevator system
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR INNOVATION AND OPERATIONS GMBH
  • EP4107106B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4107106B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4107106B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The present invention refers to a ropeless elevator system having at least one elevator shaft (2) and at least one elevator car (1), the elevator car (1) comprising: - an elevator cabin (100) adapted to transport passengers between floors of a building; - an elevator support (10) adapted to support the weight of the elevator cabin (100); - at least one further mechanism; wherein the elevator support (10) is adapted to connect to - the elevator cabin (100) and the at least one further mechanism; characterized in that the elevator support (10) is comprised in a suspension system such that it is positioned in parallel with a single side of the elevator cabin (100).