{"id":9109,"date":"2024-11-12T16:28:16","date_gmt":"2024-11-12T08:28:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dazenelevator.com\/?p=9109"},"modified":"2024-12-13T16:50:43","modified_gmt":"2024-12-13T08:50:43","slug":"how-do-elevators-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dazenelevator.com\/pt\/how-do-elevators-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do Elevators Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"

O que \u00e9 um elevador?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An elevator is a device that allows you to travel from one floor of a building to another, regardless of the number of floors, within a few minutes. With elevators, buildings (skyscrapers) with multiple floors are no longer excellent yet impractical innovations. Also commonly called a lift, elevators have become crucial structures in residential and commercial buildings. One of the significance of elevators is that they are time saving and energy conserving especially in high-rise buildings where walking or carrying items via the stairs would be illogical.\u00a0
When designing your building especially if it has multiple floors, you need to ensure it meets the standards of disability access laws. In addition, elevators are an essential feature that provides easy access during emergencies like a fire outbreak.\u00a0
Residents of multistoried buildings can comfortably and conveniently access their apartments within seconds instead of spending unnecessary time and effort using the stairs. In addition, having an elevator can significantly reduce the cost associated with running a business.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Makes Up An Elevator: Basic Components <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Several components work together to take you up or down when you enter an elevator. They play crucial roles in ensuring your trip is smooth and safe regardless of the number of floors you are traveling. Here are some basic components that contribute to the optimal performance of an elevator:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Elevator Car\/Cabin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The elevator car\/cabin is an enclosed space where people stand or goods are kept to be transported to another floor. Often described as the main part of the elevator, it is often spacious enough to contain a specific amount of people. Therefore, the elevator cabin must be carefully designed for safe, complete, and convenient travel. For example, a passenger elevator designed to hold and transport people often includes crucial details like handrails, emergency buttons, and sensors for safer travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Motor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The motor is responsible for making the elevator move upward or downward. It usually receives signals from the control system that determine the direction of movement of the elevator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. The Pulley System<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This consists of a sheave (a wheel with a groove) and cables. Often made of steel, the cables are connected to the lift at one end and the counterweight at the other end. These cables play a significant role in moving the elevator up and down. In addition, they support, carry, and pull the elevator car. \u00a0On the other hand, the sheave sits at the top and is connected to the engine via a shaft.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4. Counterweight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The counterweight is a crucial component of any elevator system. Elevators go up and down by balancing on a specific weight. The counterweight moves in reverse and this weight is carefully calculated to ensure a balance between the elevator car and the passengers\u2019 weight. This balance is achieved when about 50% of the total weight that the elevator can carry is loaded. Subsequently, this weight moves down as the elevator car goes up and vice versa. In addition, the counterweight reduces the tension on the ropes for optimized safety and performance.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5. Safety Brakes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Safety brake is designed to clamp down on rails within the shaft so that the elevator does not fall suddenly. This is necessary to ensure the safety of the passengers. In addition, the brakes control the speed of the elevator to prevent excessive acceleration. For example, if the downward or upward speed becomes excessive, the safety brakes are activated to prevent an accident.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6. Cabin Buffer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The cabin buffers are located at the bottom of the elevator. Like the name suggests, it works as a buffer to prevent injuries and protect people inside the cabin. This component is activated when the cabin is falling rapidly and it stores or distributes the kinetic energy to reduce the impact on passengers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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7. Safety Systems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An elevator is typically safe for humans thanks to the extensive safety systems. The primary purpose of the safety system is to manage situations that would have otherwise resulted in a major accident accompanied by injuries and even death in extreme cases. For example, if the amount of passengers in the cabin exceeds the expected weight, the safety systems are activated and the elevator stops working. In addition, elevators are designed with an emergency communication system that allows passengers to reach an expert in cases where the elevator is malfunctioning or suddenly stops moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Types of Elevators and How They Work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Elevators can be broadly categorized into two main classes- traction-roped elevators and hydraulic elevators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How Traction Elevators Work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Elevadores de tra\u00e7\u00e3o<\/a> are a popular elevator design where the car is elevated and lowered by traction steel ropes. These ropes are connected to the elevator car and looped around a sheave (a pulley with grooves). Subsequently, the sheaves grip the hoist ropes, which causes the ropes to move when they are rotated.
The sheave is connected to the electric motor via a gearbox. The direction of the motor causes the sheave to raise or lower the elevator. For example, when the motor turns in a direction, the sheave causes the elevator to go up and causes it to go down when the motor turns in the other direction. Traction-roped elevators often house the motor, sheave, and control system above the shaft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In addition, the ropes that elevate the car are connected to a counterweight to create a balance, which plays a crucial role in energy conservation. The counterweight is designed to be about the same weight as the car 40% filled. Therefore, when the car is at 40% capacity, it perfectly balances the counterweight. This balance is crucial for the optimal performance of the elevator. As a result, the motor does very little work to take the car up or down as the counterweight exerts its effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In other words, the balance between ensures the elevator system is in a state of near potential energy. Therefore depleting the potential energy in the cabin (when it moves downward) causes an accumulation of potential energy as the weight moves up towards the shaft and vice-versa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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