Introduction of elevator guidance system
Elevator guide system is the core component to ensure the safe and stable operation of elevator car and counterweight. Its main function is to limit the lateral swing of moving parts and ensure the stability of vertical lifting. The following is a detailed introduction to the elevator guide system:
I. System composition and core components
1. Guide Rail
The guide rail is a metal track fixed inside the elevator shaft, divided into car guide rails and counterweight guide rails. It typically features a standardized T-shaped cross-section, offering excellent bending resistance and machinability. Depending on the application scenario, it also includes hollow guide rails (commonly used for counterweights) and L-shaped guide rails (for low-speed elevators). The guide rail is secured to the shaft wall using guide rail supports, with adjacent guide rails connected by connecting plates to avoid welding or direct bolt fixation for precision.
2. Guide boot
The guide boot is installed on both sides of the car and counterweight, in direct contact with the guide rail, and is divided into two categories: sliding guide boot and rolling guide boot:
Sliding guide boot:
Unidirectional elastic sliding guide boot: can only buffer the impact perpendicular to the guide rail, suitable for elevators with speed less than 1.0m/s, the side of the boot liner and the gap between the guide rail is 0.5-1mm.
Bidirectional elastic sliding guide boot: can compensate the rail error in three directions, the gap is controlled in 0.25-0.5mm, often used in medium speed elevator.
Rolling guide shoe:
Fixed rolling guide: the roller directly presses the guide rail and relies on polymer material to reduce vibration. The performance is slightly inferior to the elastic design.
Elastic rolling guide: the roller pressure is adjusted by spring to run more smoothly, suitable for high speed elevators.
3.Guide rail bracket and buffer device
The guide rail bracket supports the guide rail and is fixed in the shaft. Some designs are integrated with springs or hydraulic buffers to absorb abnormal impact. In addition, the safety catch acts directly on the guide rail during emergency braking, and its support force is guaranteed by the structural strength of the guide rail.
II. Working principle and technical characteristics
1.Guiding mechanism
The guide shoes adhere to the guide rails through shoe linings or rollers, limiting the horizontal movement of the car and counterweight. For example, the head of an elastic sliding guide shoe can float axially with the surface of the guide rail, while a rolling guide shoe reduces friction by rotating the rollers. High-precision machining (such as surface roughness control) and installation calibration (such as verticality deviation ≤ 1 mm/5 m) of the guide rails are fundamental for smooth operation.
2.Materials and lubrication
The guide rail is usually made of hot or cold rolled steel and the surface is quenched to enhance wear resistance.
The sliding guide boot needs to be lubricated regularly, and the oil cup will evenly apply the lubricating oil to the working surface of the guide rail; the rolling guide boot needs to keep the guide rail dry to avoid oil contamination affecting the performance of the rubber roller.
3.Innovative technology application
Magnetic levitation guidance: the elevator car and guide rail are "zero contact" through electromagnetic force. For example, the test speed of the magnetic levitation elevator in Wuhan intelligent elevator reaches 20m/s, which has the advantages of low noise and high safety. In the future, it can realize multi-cabin operation in a single shaft.
Lightweight design: Hangzhou Xio's counterweight guide device uses a guide belt instead of the traditional guide rail, which significantly saves the shaft space and is suitable for household elevators.
Intelligent control: The patented device integrated motor drive system of Wuhan Fujie Science and Technology Co., Ltd. improves the operation efficiency and safety through closed-loop motion control.
III. Maintenance and safety regulations
1.Daily maintenance points
Guide rail inspection: clean the working surface of the guide rail every 2-3 months, check the wear, scratches and bolt tightening; rolling guide rail should be infiltrated with a small amount of oil to prevent rust.
Guide shoe maintenance: the sliding guide shoe lining should be replaced if it wears more than 1mm (lateral) or 2mm (top); the rolling guide shoe should be checked whether the rubber surface of the roller is cracked or de-gummed.
Lubrication management: Add lubricating oil when the oil cup is less than 1/3 full, and ensure that the oil absorbing felt is close to the guide rail.
Technological innovation (such as magnetic levitation, intelligent) and material upgrading (such as high strength alloy guide rail) of elevator guidance system are promoting the development of the industry towards efficiency, energy saving and safety, while standardized maintenance management is the key to ensure its performance stability.