Interdependencies Between the development of a Belt type Suspension and Transmission Mean and Lift Components/System Design

In today’s lift systems the steel wire rope is the most commonly used technology for suspension and transmission means. The steel wire rope technology used in Lift and hoisting applications has worked very well for more than 100 Years. Constant improvement in wire rope design, selection and combination of material, as well as advances in manufacturing technology has helped to gain the reputation that lifts are one of the safest transportation systems for Humans. The component and system design for traction type lift application using steel wire ropes as well as the construction of steel wire ropes in today’s technology state, is the best found compromise at this point in time. Codes and standards have been implemented and tailored to create the framework for steel wire ropes in elevator applications to insure safety and consistency in lift applications. Compromise in case of improvement means, addressing an isolated item does have an impact on other system areas. Furthermore, there are interdependencies which have to be addressed and can influence the design of a complete system significantly. Implementation of improvements in one area of the lift system will lead to strive for the best compromise on the remaining system, with the goal the overall solution has improved compared to the previous best compromise. Although the steel wire ropes have matured over the last decades they still have some disadvantages which are part of the compromise for the overall lift application. Disadvantages such as sheave diameter are too big (D/d 40), the weight, elongation and traction issues do not allow the development of advanced elevator system design without addressing those problems/restrictions. Recent research and current development of the belt technology demonstrates the efforts made by a number of companies to circumvent the disadvantages of steel wire ropes. Although the currently introduced belt technology still uses steel wire cords within the belts, some of the disadvantages of the traditional steel wire ropes are addressed, for example the reduction of traction sheave diameters and traction issues. Future development of belt system technologies focuses on belt systems without steel wire ropes inside. This addresses an even broader range of today’s compromises made in Lift systems. This presentation provides an outline of a Master Thesis in progress and will highlight the interdependencies between the development of a new belt type suspension and transmission means and the impact this has on the Lift system as well as on system component design. The final Thesis will act as an input and help the system and component designer to identify, calculate and address issues throughout the design process with focus on belts systems without containing steel cords.