Self-Healing Composite Elevator Rope with Capsule Monomer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator ropes face premature damage due to wear and unpredictable events, leading to costly premature replacements, and existing solutions do not effectively extend their service life.
Innovation Solution
A rope with a continuous load-bearing member made of composite material containing reinforcing fibers and capsules storing monomer substances that polymerize to self-heal ruptures, along with an optical indicator for damage detection, embedded in a polymer matrix and elastomeric coating, which slows down or stops rupture expansion and allows for condition monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional ropes are used, then manufacturing cost is lower and ease of manufacture is better, but service life is limited and replacement is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining fiber-reinforced plastic material with embedded capsules containing monomer substance. This composite structure provides both the mechanical strength needed for elevator rope application and the self-healing capability through the capsule rupture and polymerization process, resolving the contradiction between extended service life and structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The rope performs self-repair through the self-healing mechanism where capsules rupture in response to damage, releasing monomer substance that polymerizes to seal the rupture. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external intervention or replacement, extending service life without requiring complex maintenance systems
2Reliability
If rope replacement is performed earlier than scheduled, then safety is ensured, but loss of time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates optical indicator substance within the capsules that provides visual feedback when rupture occurs. This feedback mechanism allows monitoring of rope condition and timing of replacement based on actual damage state rather than fixed schedules, enabling safety maintenance while avoiding premature replacement and time loss
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If monitoring systems are added, then condition monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical indicator substance that changes color or provides optical signal when released from capsules due to rupture. This color change mechanism enables simple visual detection of damage locations without requiring complex electronic monitoring systems, improving damage detection capability while maintaining low system complexity
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 self-healing rope significantly extends its service life by minimizing damage expansion and enables early detection of issues, potentially avoiding premature replacements and ensuring safety through condition monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
In this self-healing process the monomer escapes from the capsules into the rupture where it polymerizes
Implementation Method 2
The indicator substance being in fluid form makes it able to flow out of the capsule in which it is stored and spread in the load bearing member if a rupture formed in the load bearing member reaches and breaks the capsule
Data Source
AI summary
A rope for a hoisting device, in particular for an elevator, includes at least one continuous load bearing member extending in longitudinal direction of the rope throughout the length of the rope, the load bearing member being made of composite material including reinforcing fibers embedded in polymer matrix. The composite material includes capsules embedded in the polymer matrix, the capsules storing monomer substance in fluid form. An elevator includes a rope of the aforementioned kind and a method for condition monitoring of a rope of an elevator.