Ropeless Elevator Transfer Station Carriage Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ropeless elevator systems lack redundancy in transfer station operation, leading to reduced efficiency and potential operation delays due to the limited number of structures capable of moving elevator cars, which can cause logistical challenges.
Innovation Solution
A transfer station design for ropeless elevator systems that includes multiple carriages and cassettes capable of horizontal and vertical movement, with a guiding member and linear motor for efficient repositioning and redundancy, allowing for interchangeable cassettes and carriages that can be maintained or replaced while parked, enhancing operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the number of carriages is reduced to match the number of lanes, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer station is divided into multiple functional segments: working carriages that actively move elevator cars between lanes, parking carriages that store inactive carriages, and interchangeable carriage units that can be swapped between segments. This segmentation allows the system to maintain redundancy while managing complexity through modular organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically reconfigures carriage assignments based on operational needs. Carriages can be moved between working and parking positions, and interchangeable units can be swapped in real-time. This dynamic reconfiguration ensures continuous operational reliability while allowing the physical number of carriages to be optimized.
2Reliability
If the number of carriages is increased to provide redundancy, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Parking carriages are positioned adjacent to and integrated with the working carriage structure, creating a nested arrangement where inactive carriages are stored within the overall transfer station footprint without requiring separate distant storage locations. This nesting provides redundancy while minimizing additional space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The interchangeable carriage units serve multiple functions: they can operate as working carriages, parking carriages, or be stored in reserve. This multi-functionality allows a single physical carriage to fulfill multiple roles in the system lifecycle, providing operational redundancy without proportionally increasing the total number of unique carriage components.
3Ease of repair
If carriages are made interchangeable and maintainable in parking area, then the ease of repair and maintenance improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The parking area serves as a pre-positioned maintenance zone where carriages can be serviced, inspected, or replaced before being needed in active service. This preliminary action allows maintenance activities to be performed without interrupting the overall elevator system operation, as replacement carriages are already prepared in the parking area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system facilitates the disciplined replacement of carriages in the parking area, where worn or faulty carriages can be removed and replaced with functional units. The parking area acts as a recovery zone where carriages are maintained and prepared for return to service, enabling continuous circulation of functional carriages through the elevator 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
The solution provides enhanced redundancy and ease of maintenance, ensuring continuous operation by allowing quick repositioning and replacement of carriages, thereby increasing the overall efficiency and reliability of the elevator system.
Implementation Method 1
a linear motor operatively coupled to the cassette for imparting movement of the cassette along the guiding member
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer station (40) for a ropeless elevator system hoistway (11) is provided. The transfer station (40) includes a first lane (13, 15, 17), a second lane (13, 15, 17), and a parking area (42) located proximate one of the first lane (13, 15, 17) and the second lane (13, 15, 17). The transfer station (40) also includes a plurality of carriages (46) moveable within the first lane (13, 15, 17), the second lane (13, 15, 17), and the parking area (42), the plurality of carriages (46) configured to support and move an elevator car (14). The transfer station (40) further includes a cassette (44) configured to support and move the plurality of carriages (46). The transfer station (40) yet further includes a guiding member (48) engaged with the cassette (44), wherein the position of each of the plurality of carriages (46) relative to the first lane (13, 15, 17), the second lane (13, 15, 17) and the parking area (42) is modified by horizontal or vertical movement of the cassette (44).