Have you ever noticed the different types of elevators? Do you know what an elevator shaft is? And what about the base station? Today, let’s take a look at the classification and terminology of elevators.
Overview of Elevators
An elevator is a fixed device used to transport people or goods between different floors of a building. It moves along rigid tracks, which are vertical or slightly inclined at an angle of less than 15 degrees. The elevator has a cabin that travels between designated floors.
Explanation of Elevator Terms
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Lift Height | The vertical distance from the floor of the bottom station to the floor of the top station. |
| Base Station | The floor where the elevator stops when no running commands are given. |
| Floor Distance | The distance between the floor level of two adjacent floors where the elevator stops. |
| Shaft Width | The horizontal space between the inside surfaces of the shaft walls, measured in the direction of the elevator’s width. |
| Shaft Depth | The space between the inside surfaces of the shaft walls, measured in the direction of the elevator’s depth. |
| Pit Depth | The vertical distance between the floor of the bottom station and the floor of the shaft pit. |
| Top Floor Height | The distance between the top station floor and the highest part of the shaft, just below the ceiling. |
| Cabin Width | The horizontal distance between the inside walls of the elevator cabin, measured 1 meter above the floor. |
| Cabin Depth | The horizontal distance between the inside walls of the cabin, measured 1 meter above the floor, in the direction of the elevator’s depth. |
| Cabin Height | The vertical distance between the floor and the top of the cabin (including the light cover and removable ceiling). |
| Center Opening Door | A door that opens from the middle, with both sides moving left and right at the same speed. |
| Side Opening Door | A door where the two halves open at different speeds, in the same direction. |
| Left Opening Door | A door that opens to the left when facing the elevator cabin. |
| Right Opening Door | A door that opens to the right when facing the elevator cabin. |
| Vertical Split Door | A door that opens from the middle, with both halves moving up and down at the same speed. |
| Geared Traction Machine | A machine that drives the traction wheel using a motor connected to a gearbox. |
| Gearless Traction Machine | A machine where the motor directly drives the traction wheel without a gearbox. |
| Escalator | A moving staircase that transports people up or down at an incline. |
| Moving Walkway | A flat or slightly inclined platform that moves to transport people horizontally or at a slight angle. |
| Inclination Angle | The maximum angle between the steps or platform and the horizontal surface. |
| Escalator Lift Height | The vertical distance between the two floors that the escalator connects. |
| Theoretical Capacity | The maximum number of people that an escalator or moving walkway can carry in one hour. |
How Elevators Work
The most common type of elevator is the traction elevator. In this system, steel ropes pass over a traction wheel, and one end of the ropes is connected to the elevator cabin, while the other is connected to a counterweight. The combined weight of the cabin and the counterweight causes the ropes to press against the traction wheel, creating friction. This friction turns the wheel, which then moves the ropes and makes the cabin go up or down in the shaft. As the cabin goes up, the counterweight goes down, and vice versa. The relative movement between the cabin and the counterweight is made possible by the friction between the ropes and the traction wheel.
Key Parameters of Elevators
Rated Load
This is the maximum weight that an elevator can safely carry, usually measured in kilograms (kg). For passenger elevators, this is based on the number of people the elevator can carry, generally calculated as 75 kg per person. Some common rated loads are: 400 kg, 630 kg, 800 kg, 1000 kg, 1250 kg, 1600 kg, 2000 kg, 2500 kg, etc.
Rated Speed
This is the speed at which the elevator is designed to move, measured in meters per second (m/s). Some common speeds are: 0.63 m/s, 1.06 m/s, 1.60 m/s, 1.75 m/s, 2.50 m/s, 4.00 m/s, etc.
Main Specifications
Cabin Size
This refers to both the internal and external dimensions of the elevator cabin. The internal size depends on the type of elevator and its rated load. This also determines the weight capacity of the elevator. The external size is related to the design of the elevator shaft.
Door Type
The elevator doors can have different designs, such as center-opening, side-opening, or top-opening doors. They can be manual or automatic, depending on the system.
Types of Traction Elevators
Machine Room Above
The machine room is located at the top of the building, which is typically used in taller buildings. This design is compact and saves space on the lower floors. It also helps to reduce noise between floors and makes the system more stable. However, the system requires longer ropes and an efficient drive system to work in taller buildings.
Machine Room Below
The machine room is placed at the bottom of the elevator shaft. This design saves space on the upper floors and is typically used in low-rise or mid-rise buildings. It provides quiet operation, but it may take up space on the lower floors.
Machine Room Side
The machine room is located on the side of the elevator shaft, which allows for flexibility in the building layout without adding extra space for the machine room. This design is often used in mid-rise buildings and is easy to maintain.
Machine Room-Less (MRL) Elevators
Machine room-less elevators do not have a separate machine room. Instead, the elevator’s control panel, traction machine, and other equipment are placed in the shaft or replaced with other technologies. This design reduces building costs and space requirements. These elevators often use advanced technologies such as variable frequency control and permanent magnet synchronous motors, which are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
Elevator Shaft Layout
Machine Room Above
In this layout, the main machine is placed in the space between the top of the elevator shaft and the cabin, while the control panel is placed near the door on the top floor for easy maintenance.
Machine Room Below
The machine is located at the bottom of the elevator shaft, near the counterweight. The control panel is typically wall-mounted. This design is convenient for maintenance and repairs.
Machine Above Cabin
The machine is placed on top of the elevator cabin, and the control panel is placed on the side of the cabin. This design allows for more cables to be used in the system.
Control Panel Placement
The control panel and machine can be located inside the shaft wall, where there is a space with an opening. This setup requires the building’s wall to be thick enough to hold the equipment, with space for maintenance access.
Elevator Classification
By Purpose:
Passenger Elevators
These are the most common type of elevators, used to transport people. They are designed to be comfortable and safe, with features like overload protection, emergency communication, and door safety devices. They are used in residential buildings, office buildings, malls, etc.
Cargo Elevators
These elevators are designed for carrying goods. They have larger cabins and can carry heavy loads. The cabins are often simpler and more durable to handle heavy goods, and they are slower than passenger elevators.
Dumbwaiters
These are small elevators used to transport small items like food or other goods. They are commonly used in restaurants, hotels, and hospitals.
These are elevators that offer panoramic views. They are often used in tall buildings or tourist attractions, with glass cabins allowing passengers to enjoy the view as they travel.
Service elevator
These elevators are designed to carry both passengers and goods. They are used in places where both functions are needed, like shopping malls, hotels, and hospitals. They have large cabins and are flexible for different types of use.
By Speed:
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Low-Speed Elevators: Speed ≤ 1.0 m/s
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Medium-Speed Elevators: 1.0 m/s < V ≤ 2.0 m/s
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High-Speed Elevators: V > 2.0 m/s
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Super-High-Speed Elevators: V > 5.0 m/s
