ELEVATOR BELT WITH LAYERED LOAD BEARING ELEMENTS
FIG3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a tension element for a tension member of an elevator system
An exemplary tension element 24 is illustrated in FIG3. The tension element 24 includes a plurality of load bearing fibers 38 suspended in a matrix material 40. Exemplary load bearing fibers 38 used to form a tension element 24 include, but are not limited to, carbon, glass, aramid, nylon, and polymer fibers for example. Each of the fibers 38 within a single tension element 24 may be substantially identical or may vary. In addition, the matrix material 40 may be formed from any suitable material, such as polyurethane, vinylester, and epoxy for example. The materials of the fibers 38 and matrix material 40 are selected to achieve a desired stiffness and strength of the belt 16.
cross-sectional view
24
tension elements tension element
30
traction side
38
fibers
34
back side
40
matrix material
42
central belt axis
26
belt width
36
sides
32
belt thickness
['1. A load bearing tension member for an elevator system, comprising: a plurality of tension elements arrayed across a tension member width, the tension elements offset from a tension member central axis bisecting a tension member thickness and extending across the tension member width, the tension elements including: a plurality of fibers extending along a length of the tension element; and a matrix material in which the plurality of fibers are embedded; and a jacket at least partially encapsulating the plurality of tension elements.']