Verification of Effectiveness of an MRF Semi-Active Damper using a Double-Cage Structure Elevator Simulator

Abstract

Several safety devices are installed in elevators to protect passengers. An emergency-stop-device is a safety device that operates during emergencies such as the breaking of wires. This device stops the elevator immediately, and as a result, generates an excessive impact force on the passengers that has a risk of injury to passengers Therefore, we propose a new elevator system equipped with a magneto-rheological fluid (MRF) semi-active damper and a spring in the double-cage structure elevators currently used to absorb this impact force. In a previous study, we verified the effectiveness of the proposed system by realising a digital simulation. Therefore, in this study, we verify the effectiveness of the proposed system by conducting experiments using a small emergency stop simulation apparatus and evaluate it based on safety standards.