Ropeless Elevator Transfer Carriage Between Shafts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional elevator systems using ropes and counterweights can only accommodate one elevator car per shaft, limiting capacity and efficiency, whereas ropeless systems aim to allow multiple cars in a single shaft but require innovative transfer solutions.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a beam climber system with electric motors and wheels to move elevator cars along guide beams and rails within the shaft, utilizing a transfer carriage to relocate cars between shafts, enabling efficient transfer and maintenance at various landings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ropeless elevator systems are used to allow multiple cars in a single shaft, then capacity and efficiency are improved, but complex transfer solutions are required to move cars between shafts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transfer carriage as an intermediary device that moves along a horizontal rail connecting multiple elevator shafts. This transfer carriage serves as a mediator to relocate elevator cars between shafts, enabling the system to accommodate multiple cars per shaft while providing a relatively simple and elegant transfer mechanism.
2Device complexity
If conventional rope and counterweight systems are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but only one elevator car per shaft can be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the elevator system into multiple independent shafts that can each accommodate separate cars. By dividing the system into multiple shafts connected by a transfer mechanism, the system achieves higher capacity while maintaining operational simplicity within each shaft segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a horizontal dimension to the traditional vertical elevator system by introducing a horizontal rail and transfer carriage that connect multiple shafts. This dimensional expansion allows multiple cars to serve different floors simultaneously, dramatically increasing system capacity while maintaining relative simplicity.
3Productivity
If multiple elevator cars are placed in a single shaft, then capacity increases, but transfer and maintenance operations become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer carriage acts as a mediator that simplifies transfer operations by providing a dedicated platform for moving cars between shafts. For maintenance, the same transfer mechanism enables easy relocation of cars to service positions, making both transfer and maintenance operations more manageable despite having multiple cars in the system.
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 the efficient transfer and maintenance of multiple elevator cars between shafts, enhancing capacity and operational efficiency while maintaining safety and control through precise motorized movement and alignment mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a first wheel in contact with the first surface; and a first electric motor configured to rotate the first wheel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A system for transferring elevator cars from a first elevator shaft (117a) to a second elevator shaft (117b) including: a first propulsion system configured to move a first elevator car (103a) through the first elevator shaft; a transfer carriage configured to move the first elevator car and the first propulsion system from the first elevator shaft to the second elevator shaft through a transfer station, the transfer carriage (202) including: an elevator car containment slot (226) to receive the first elevator car and the first propulsion system when the elevator car containment slot is aligned with the first elevator shaft, wherein the first propulsion system is configured to move the first elevator car and the first propulsion system from an elevator system within the first elevator shaft onto the transfer carriage to a vehicle workstation (400).