New Designs and Knowledge Going Up

As you know, elevator installation is a very mature business. Yet, there is a lot of change on the way. As more companies become more “green”, they want to save as much energy as possible. Buildings that are taller than four stories typically use traction elevators. This means there is a motor at the top of the shaft, that turns a sheave (pulley) which raises and lowers the cables attached to the cab and counterweight. Gears are used to connect the motor and sheave in lower systems. Faster elevators are always gearless, this is because the sheave is coupled directly. 

 Regardless, the machinery typically fills an entire room beside or above the shaft. The place taken up by the machines could actually be the prime place for a penthouse.  As we move forward, innovations are allowing builders to fit the equipment into the head of the shaft or against a side wall. Today, some companies are using permanent -magnet gearless motors. These motors are typically smaller than traditional designs and are just as powerful. Otis Elevator has started using flat steel cables instead of the typical wound steel cables. Thus, allowing the motor and sheave to be downsized. 

 Meanwhile, manufacturers are using gravity to save energy. For example, a counterweight chosen to weigh as much as a cab with 40-45 % of a full load lessens the motor output needed. Whereas, an empty elevator must go up, the heavier counterweights fall provides too much energy. The same resistance is needed with a full cab as well. However, now we have regenerative drives that convert unused energy into electricity.  

 Elevators have been around for a long time. Though there haven’t been many innovations regarding them, there is always new technology in the future. Companies are now trying to save energy and money along with these new designs. With new knowledge, comes new designs. These designs will better our technology and Earth in the long run.