Segmented Elevator Guide Rail for Reduced Hoistway Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for elevator guide rails that can be adapted for reduced space elevator systems in a timely and cost-efficient manner while maintaining structural integrity, as existing guide rails made from solid steel are difficult to adjust without compromising their integrity and are time-consuming and costly to modify.
Innovation Solution
A guide rail composed of a pair of separate rail piece parts made from sheet material, with different thicknesses and shapes, fixed together to form a base section and a blade section, allowing for adjustable cross-sectional width and configuration to prevent interference with hoistway components, and can be manufactured using methods like clinching to ensure structural integrity and ease of assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If guide rails are made from solid steel produced in standard lengths, then structural integrity is maintained, but adaptability to reduced space elevator systems is poor and modification is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail is divided into multiple separate rail piece parts (first rail piece part, second rail piece part, etc.) that can be manufactured independently from sheet material and then fixed together. This segmentation allows each part to be customized for different space requirements while maintaining overall structural integrity through the assembly of multiple parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail design allows for dynamic adjustment of the base section configuration. Different rail piece parts can be selected and combined based on specific hoistway space constraints, enabling the guide rail to adapt to various reduced space elevator system configurations without requiring complete redesign or costly modification of solid steel rails.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the base of the guide rail is altered to prevent interference with hoistway components, then adaptability to reduced spaces improves, but structural integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the guide rail into multiple rail piece parts with different predetermined shapes, the base section can be customized for specific space requirements. Each segment maintains its structural integrity independently, and when fixed together, they form a complete guide rail that adapts to reduced spaces without compromising overall strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail is constructed as a composite structure from multiple sheet material parts of different thicknesses and shapes. This composite approach allows optimization of each part's geometry for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity through proper fixation of the parts together.
3Adaptability or versatility
If guide rails are made from sheet material with different thicknesses, then adaptability and ease of manufacture improve, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different rail piece parts are made from sheet material of different thicknesses optimized for their specific locations and functions. The blade section may use thinner material where full strength is not critical, while the base section uses thicker material for mounting strength. This local optimization allows adaptability while maintaining structural integrity where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail is divided into multiple segments that can be manufactured from sheet material of different thicknesses according to local requirements. Each segment's thickness is optimized for its specific function, and when assembled together with proper fixation, the overall structure achieves both adaptability and structural integrity.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
According to the present disclosure there is provided a guide rail (100') for an elevator system, the guide rail (100') having an elongate length (L) with a cross-section perpendicular to the elongate length (L); the cross-section comprising a base section (120) for mounting to a wall of an elevator hoistway, and a blade section (130), the blade section (130) extending from the base section (120); wherein the blade section (130) comprises a guide surface (132) for interacting with a guide element of a component movable in the elevator hoistway; the guide rail (100') comprising: a pair of separate rail piece parts (110'a; 110'b) fixed together to form the guide rail (100'); wherein the pair of separate rail piece parts comprises a first rail piece part (110'a; 110'b) and a second rail piece part (110'a; 110'b;); the first rail piece part (110'a; 110'b) being formed from a first thickness (t1, t2) of sheet material bent to have a cross-section of a first predetermined shape, and the second rail piece part (110'a; 110'b) being formed from a second thickness (t1, t2) of sheet material bent to have a cross-section of a second predetermined shape; and wherein the first rail piece part (110'a; 110'b) and the second rail piece part (110'a; 110'b) are fixed together such the first predetermined shape and the second predetermined shape together form the base section (120) and the blade section (130), and such that the blade section (130) has a cross-sectional width (W1) at the guide surface (132) that is equal to at least the sum of the first thickness (t1, t2) and the second thickness (t1, t2).