Self-Climbing Elevator Platform Eliminates Intermediate Crash Decks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator installation methods for high-rise buildings are complex, expensive, and limited in the number of floors they can service, requiring intermediate platforms and special interfaces, which restricts availability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A self-climbing installation platform that integrates key functions, eliminates the need for intermediate platforms, and uses guide rails for climbing, allowing early installation and operation up to two landings below the top of the shaft, with prefabricated and reusable modules that can be transported and assembled on site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If prior art jump-lift concepts are used, then the elevator can be installed in high-rise buildings, but the system becomes complex and expensive requiring intermediate platforms and special interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate platforms (crash decks) from the system, allowing the elevator car to directly climb along the guide rails from the bottom to the top of the shaft without requiring intermediate stopping or support structures. This removes the complexity associated with multiple platforms and their interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rails serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the shaft, guide the climbing motion of the elevator car, and serve as the climbing path itself. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate intermediate platforms and reduces overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If prior art jump-lift concepts are used, then the elevator can service upper floors, but 4-5 floors cannot be serviced due to the need for intermediate platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the intermediate platforms that previously limited the number of serviceable floors, enabling continuous climbing capability that services all floors from bottom to top without interruption or intermediate stopping.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator car dynamically climbs along the guide rails in a continuous motion rather than being constrained to fixed intermediate platforms. This dynamic climbing capability allows the system to service any floor along the entire height of the shaft.
3Ease of operation
If construction hoist is used to lift equipment, then equipment can be transported upwards, but availability is restricted and may not be available at desired time
Solution Approach 1:
The installation platform is self-contained with its own climbing mechanism and power source, allowing it to operate independently without relying on the construction hoist. This self-service capability ensures availability whenever needed during installation operations.
4Reliability
If special interfaces are provided in the shaft, then the elevator can be anchored, but the shaft construction becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for special anchoring interfaces in the shaft walls by using the guide rails as the primary support and climbing path. The elevator car anchors to the guide rails rather than requiring pockets or special interfaces in the shaft structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rails serve as both the structural element and the anchoring mechanism, providing multiple functions including support, guidance, and climbing attachment without requiring separate anchoring interfaces in the shaft construction.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-climbing installation platform includes two decks including an upper deck and a lower deck. Each deck includes a guide element configured to support the deck movably on guide rails. Each deck includes a locking element configured to lock and unlock the deck to the guide rails and/or to guide rail fixing elements. The installation platform includes a lifting element configured to move the two decks along the guide rails in relation to each other, and at least one power source configured to provide power to the lifting element. The installation platform is configured to climb stepwise along the guide rails based on alternatingly locking and unlocking the lower deck and the upper deck to the guide rails and/or to the guide rail fixing elements with separate, respective locking elements and raising an unlocked deck with the lifting element.