Segmented Elevator Rails With Expansion Joints
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional elevator systems face limitations in rise due to cumulative rail weight, leading to potential buckling or fatigue in ropeless elevator systems, where thermal expansion requires significant cyclic sliding movement.
Innovation Solution
The use of rail segments affixed to the hoistway wall via multiple rail support brackets, allowing for vertical load transfer and accommodating thermal expansion through expansion joints with angled tongue and groove configurations, which maintain a smooth running surface and reduce cumulative load on the rails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional sliding clips are used to support cumulative rail weight, then the rail system can accommodate building settling, but the rise of the elevator system is limited by excessive cumulative rail weight and thermal expansion causes buckling or fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The rail system is divided into discrete rail segments that are individually supported by rail support brackets at multiple locations along the hoistway. This segmentation eliminates cumulative weight buildup and allows each segment to be independently managed, resolving the contradiction between supporting building settling and limiting cumulative rail weight.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of supporting rails vertically from the pit at the bottom of the hoistway, the system transitions to supporting rails horizontally at multiple elevated locations along the hoistway wall using rail support brackets. This dimensional change in support architecture distributes weight across multiple points rather than allowing cumulative weight to accumulate, enabling longer rises without excessive weight.
2Weight of stationary object
If rail segments are affixed to the hoistway wall via rail support brackets, then cumulative rail weight is reduced and thermal expansion is accommodated, but the complexity of rail installation and alignment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rail system is divided into discrete, manageable segments that can be independently installed and aligned. Each segment is supported at multiple locations by rail support brackets, making handling and installation feasible while maintaining the benefit of reduced cumulative weight.
Solution Approach 2:
Rail support brackets serve as intermediary components that simplify the connection between rail segments and the hoistway wall. These brackets provide standardized mounting points that facilitate alignment and installation, reducing the complexity that would otherwise result from direct wall mounting of multiple segments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If expansion joints with angled tongue and groove configurations are used, then thermal expansion is accommodated and smooth running surface is maintained, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion joint design uses specific geometric parameters (angled tongue and groove configurations) that transform the thermal expansion problem into a controlled mechanical interface. By changing the geometric parameters of the joint interface, the system accommodates thermal expansion while maintaining manufacturing feasibility and smooth running surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion joint explicitly incorporates thermal expansion as a design feature through the angled tongue and groove configuration. This allows the joint to absorb dimensional changes due to temperature variations while maintaining proper alignment and smooth running surface, converting a potential problem into a controlled functional feature.
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 reduces the risk of rail buckling and fatigue by distributing loads effectively, enabling longer elevator system rises with improved handling and installation of lighter, less strenuous rail segments while maintaining a smooth ride quality.
Implementation Method 1
vertically adjacent rail segments are connected via a connecting plate allowing for expansion and/or contraction of a spacing between the adjacent rail segments
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator system includes one or more elevator cars configured to travel along a hoistway. One or more rails extend along the hoistway and are operably connected to the one or more elevator cars to guide the one or more elevator cars along the hoistway. Each rail of the one or more rails includes a plurality of rail segments arranged end to end. Each rail segment is affixed to a hoistway wall to transfer vertical loads from the rail segment to the hoistway wall. Each rail segment is secured to the hoistway wall via a plurality of rail support brackets. The vertical loads are transferred from the rail segment to the hoistway wall via at least one rail support bracket of the plurality of rail support brackets.