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Elevators are part of our daily lives, but do you know how they really work? Discover the details of their mechanism, from the cables to the counterweight!
Elevators are part of our daily lives, allowing us to move around quickly and safely in buildings of all sizes. However, few people know the history and evolution of this essential piece of equipment. Therefore, we will answer this question:How does the elevator work?".
The invention of the first elevator financial security by Elisha Otis in 1853 revolutionized architecture and made the construction of skyscrapers possible.
Today, elevators can reach speeds of up to 12,5 m/s and carry loads of up to 4.500 kg. But how do they work and what are the main types?
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In this article, we explore the evolution of elevators, their components, and the role of maintenance in safety.
How does the elevator work?
Modern elevators operate with different mechanisms, but most use cables or traction belts connected to a counterweight system.
This mechanism reduces energy consumption and improves transport efficiency. Another alternative is the hydraulic system, which uses a piston and pressurized fluids to move the cabin.
In both cases, the basic principle of elevation remains similar to that created by Otis, but enhanced by various technologies that guarantee greater comfort, safety and speed.
Main Components of Elevator
Each piece of equipment is made up of several essential elements for its proper functioning:
- Cabin: Space where passengers or cargo are transported. It has a maximum capacity and weight determined according to the model.
- Race Box: Structure where the cabin moves using rails and traction cables.
- Counterweight: Responsible for balancing the load and reducing engine effort.
- Access Floor: Where the doors and buttons for passengers to enter and exit are located.
- Rock Bottom: Contains safety devices such as bumpers and emergency buttons.
- Machine Room: The place where the engines and control panels are located. In some more modern models, the engine room has been eliminated to optimize space.
Main types of Elevators
Elevators have evolved to meet different needs and types of buildings. The most common models include:
- Hydraulic lift: It uses a pumping system to actuate a piston, being more suitable for low and medium-rise buildings.
- Elevator with traction machine: It works using cables and a counterweight, and is the most common option in commercial and residential buildings.
- Machine roomless elevator: Modern model that integrates traction systems directly into the elevator structure, optimizing space and reducing construction costs.
Importance of preventive maintenance
Elevator safety directly depends on regular maintenance, which can be classified into three types:
- Preventive: Inspection and replacement of worn components before they fail.
- Maintenance: Technical analysis based on the useful life of parts to avoid unexpected failures.
- Corrective: Performs replacement of damaged components after detected faults.
In addition, technical standards regulate maintenance, ensuring safe operation and accident prevention. Specialized companies carry out periodic inspections to keep the equipment in perfect condition.
The Future of Elevators
Technological innovations have driven the elevator industry forward, with solutions that increase safety and efficiency. Some trends include:
- Smart Elevators: Control systems that optimize routes, reduce energy consumption and improve user experience.
- Regenerative Energy: Technologies that reuse the energy generated by the movement of the equipment, reducing operating costs.
- No Cables: New proposals for magnetic systems that eliminate the need for traction cables, increasing speed and efficiency.
Since their invention by Elisha Otis, elevators have evolved significantly, becoming fundamental to modern life.
Its operation, based on traction or hydraulic systems, has been improved with new technologies that increase safety and efficiency. Preventive maintenance is essential to ensure safe and reliable transportation.
In the future, smart and sustainable elevators will become increasingly common, transforming urban mobility and enabling new heights in architecture.
If you want to know more about this equipment, consult experts and keep your building always up to date with the best solutions on the market.
