Rotating Ladder Storage in Elevator Door Columns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hoistway access ladder storage systems are unsuitable for elevator systems with sliding landing bay doors, as they require specific hoistway dimensions and can be hazardous for maintenance personnel, and existing solutions are not adaptable to different hoistway sizes or safe for operator use without additional equipment.

Innovation Solution

A rotating support system is integrated into the door column of a landing doorway, allowing the hoistway access ladder to be securely stored and retrieved without additional equipment, using a retaining element to keep the ladder in place and a rotating support that fits within a cavity, enabling safe and convenient access regardless of hoistway dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the hoistway access ladder is stored within the hoistway on a wall, then the ladder is readily accessible, but the hoistway dimensions must be sufficient to accommodate the ladder and additional safety equipment may be required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveladder accessibilityVSAvoidhoistway dimension compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The ladder is extracted from the hoistway interior and relocated to the door column cavity, which is part of the door assembly. This extraction allows the ladder to be stored in a location that does not consume hoistway space, making the solution adaptable to various hoistway dimensions while maintaining accessibility through the door opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The door column cavity serves as an intermediary storage location between the hoistway and the exterior environment. This intermediary space allows the ladder to be stored safely without requiring it to be placed directly within the hoistway or requiring additional safety equipment for retrieval.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of stationary object

If the hoistway access ladder is stored in a door panel, then space is saved in the hoistway, but the door dimensions and weight capacity must be appropriate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehoistway spaceVSAvoiddoor dimension compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The door column cavity, which is part of the existing door structure, is utilized for dual purposes: maintaining the structural integrity of the door assembly and providing storage space for the ladder. This multi-functional use of the door column makes the solution adaptable to various door types and dimensions without requiring custom modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the ladder is stored in a rotating support within a door column cavity, then safe retrieval is enabled without additional equipment, but the door column must have an appropriate cavity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator safetyVSAvoiddoor column structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A rotating support mechanism is installed within the door column cavity, allowing the ladder to be rotated into an accessible position for retrieval and then rotated back into the storage position. This dynamic mechanism enables safe and easy ladder retrieval without requiring additional safety equipment, while the rotating support is designed to fit within the existing door column cavity structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3929136B1Hoistway access ladder storage
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3929136B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3929136B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3929136B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A storage system (500) for an elevator hoistway access ladder (300) comprises a landing doorway (502) comprising a door column (504) and a landing door (506). The door column (504) comprises a rotating support (501) for storing the hoistway access ladder (300), and the rotating support is rotatable relative to the door column (504).