Kone EcoDisc

Kone EcoDisc
A typical EcoDisc motor installed in the shaft (Hong Kong version usually have a safety protection guard to prevent the workers get injured). The right hand side of the picture is a V3F18 Variable Voltage Variable Frequency (VVVF) drive and the other part of the LCE controller.
Manufactured by	KONE Corporation
Released	1995 (initial release) 1996 (worldwide release)
Discontinued	Still in production
Predecessor	none
Controller type	Microprocessor-based Kone TMS50S) (Kone LCE and Kone KCE)
Traction machine type	AC gearless synchronous motors
Rated speed	Up to 17m/s
Maximum capacities per cab	Up to 18000kg

The EcoDisc (initially called Greenstar) is a gearless hoisting machine for traction elevators made by Kone. It was introduced in 1996 along with the Kone MonoSpace elevators, the first machine room less elevator system in the world. The EcoDisc has becoming a flagship range of products of the company.

History

The idea of EcoDisc occurred in the early 1990s when Harri Hakala, an engineer working for Kone, had the idea of elevators with a motorized traction system instead of linear motors while he was jogging. He then created the first EcoDisc motor at Kone's Researches & Development (R&D) center in Hyvinkää, Finland along with a group of electricians, and the first prototype model was introduced in 1994, intended to be shown as a Christmas present for the company's management. Following this event, the team began took interest of developing the EcoDisc project. In 1995 when Kone began a pre-launch market trial for their MonoSpace elevator system, the EcoDisc, then called "Greenstar", was used in the first set of MonoSpace elevators sold in the Netherlands for a pilot project. The project was successful, and a year later the Kone MonoSpace elevator was officially launched and became popular since then. Some time later, Kone began modifying the EcoDisc so that it could be use not only for low-rise installations, but also mid and high-rise installations. The result is an assortment of different EcoDisc motors for different applications, known as the Kone EcoDisc family of hoisting motors. Pre-2013 EcoDisc motors for machine-room-less elevators and all EcoDisc motors for elevators with machine room belongs to the MX family.

Following the success of the Kone MonoSpace elevators, Toshiba established a technical alliance with Kone in 1998 as a mean of developing their own machine room less elevator system with the help from Kone. This alliances resulted the creation of Toshiba's SPACEL machine room less elevator system in Japan, which was based on the Kone MonoSpace concept. The hoisting motor used in SPACEL elevators was also based on Kone's EcoDisc motor, complete with its distinctive green disk-like shape and brake clunk noise.

In 2013, Kone introduced a newly improved version of the EcoDisc motor. It is a totally redesigned motor which made it smaller than the original-sized motor and that it would force Kone to distinguish between the original-sized motor or smaller-sized motor. They belong to the NMX family of motors. Both the MonoSpace and MiniSpace (mid-rise only) models have two different types of motors and the model name for both models starts with S and N.

Overview

The EcoDisc motor was first introduced in 1996. It is a Rotational Linear Motor combined with synchronous axial technology and NeFeB permanent magnets, based on Otis's Linear Induction Motor Elevator (LIM) in 1992 (US patent: 5300737A). The EcoDisc motor has many benefits such as superior material and energy efficiency, using no oil at all, has a permanent magnet synchronous motor in combination with frequency control and low friction gearless construction, all of which combine to be able to use only half the power needed by comparable conventional systems. Not only that, it is half the weight of a conventional power unit, and is very simple, with only one moving part, making it very smooth and quiet to operate.

Application

Initially, Kone's EcoDisc motor was used on the MonoSpace elevator system, but it was expanded to most of Kone's elevator systems, such as the MiniSpace, EcoSpace, EcoSystem MR, Alta, JumpLift and TranSys elevators. All of those are working with their LCE controller, and recently (especially the NMX motor family and the MX 100) also with the KCE controller, which forms part of Kone's "digital" elevator family, the DX class.

Sizes of EcoDisc motor

MX family (Pre-2013 EcoDisc MRL and EcoDisc for machine rooms)

MX 06

One of the smallest in the EcoDisc family. It is used for elevators with 2:1 roping, a 630 kilograms capacity and 1meters per second speed. The replacement of this motor is NMX 07.

MX 10

MX 10 was a type of EcoDisc motor most commonly used in many Kone MonoSpace elevator systems. It is normally used in MonoSpace elevators with 2:1 roping, a capacity up to 1000 kilograms and speed up to 1.6 meters per second. MX 10 was discontinued in 2013 and replaced with NMX 11.

EcoDisc motor in Avenue of the Stars - Lippo Mall Kemang, Jakarta, Indonesia. Used in a MonoSpace 3000 elevator.

Bottom view of the EcoDisc motor, with the traction ropes and sheave are clearly seen.

There are two types of MX10. With resolver and without type. You can differ from the resolver cable.

MX 18

The EcoDisc MX 18 motor is mainly used in Kone MiniSpace and possibly EcoSystem MR as well as some modernization done by Kone. It is used in elevators with 1:1 roping (with up to 1150 kilograms capacity), 2:1 roping (with up to 2000 kilograms capacity) and 4:1 roping (with up to 4000 kilograms capacity) with 2.5 meters per second speed.

EcoDisc MX 18 machines used on a newly modernized elevators.

EcoDisc MX 18 machines used on a replaced Kone MiniSpace elevators.

MX 20

This is slightly larger and more powerful EcoDisc machine compared to MX 10. It is mostly used in the MiniSpace MR, MonoSpace (2:1 roping) or TranSys MRL (4:1 roping) elevators with speed up to 2.5 meters per second.

EcoDisc MX 20 hoisting machine, used in a MonoSpace 3000S elevator.

EcoDisc MX 20 hoisting machine, used in a MonoSpace 3000S elevator.

Kone EcoDisc MX 20 hoisting machine.

White version of EcoDisc MX 20 hoisting machine, used in a MonoSpace 3000S elevator.

MX 32

This is a large machine with two MX 18 motors fixed on the floor. It is used on the Kone Alta elevators. It can be used in elevators with a speed up to 4.5 or 5 meters per second.

EcoDisc MX 32 machines shown on World Elevator Expo.

Emergency brake release lever on MX 32 machine. In case of emergency and power failure, authorized technicians can pull the lever manually to release the brakes.

MX 40

Similar but larger than MX 32. It is used on the Kone Alta elevators. It can run at up to 7 or 8 meters per second with 1:1 roping or 4 m/s with 2:1 roping, and carry up to 2,000 kg (1:1) or 4,000 kg (2:1).

MX 100

This is the largest EcoDisc machine. It is used on the Kone Alta ultra high speed elevators. By 2013, the Kone UltraRope can be used on this machine. The maximum speed the elevator can run with MX 100 is 10 meters per second, or 6 if double deck is applied.

MX 100 motors in a motor room.

NMX family (Post-2012 EcoDisc MRL)

NMX 5

NMX is one of the new generation EcoDisc motors that belong to the "NMX" lineup. Not much is known about it, but it can be used on MiniSpace elevators.

NMX 7

NMX 7 is one of the new generation EcoDisc motors belongs to the "NMX" lineup. Not much is known about it, but it can be used on MonoSpace elevators with 630 kilograms capacity.

NMX 11

NMX 11 was released in 2013 to replace the MX 10 motor. It features a different, sturdier design, even the quieter brakes, and can be used on MonoSpace elevators with 2:1 roping, up to 1,150 kilograms of capacity and up to 1.75 m/s speed.

NMX 11 motor mounted in glass shaft of a N MonoSpace install.

NMX 11 motor mounted in glass shaft of an N MonoSpace install.

NMX 14

NMX 14 (or MX 14) has a maximum capacity of 1,000 kilograms if set up to run at 1.75 m/s. It presumably has a 1,400 kilograms maximum capacity if set up at 1 m/s, judging by the name. This also being the first Kone traction machine equipped with the disc brakes.

Kone NMX 14 motor, installed at the MTR Central Station, Hong Kong.

Kone NMX 14 motor, with Vacon KR6 VF drive visible.

Kone NMX 14 motor, with alternative colour livery.

NMX 18

NMX 18 is an EcoDisc motor designed for the replacement of the MX 18, and can also be applied for elevator installed with the machine room. It is the largest of the NMX lineup.

MX 20+

This is a revised version of the previous MX 20 with new single clunk brakes and higher capacity. It can take up to 2,500 kg in 2:1 config, or 5,000 kg and 1 m/s in 4:1. It is used on S MonoSpaces and TranSys/MonoGoods.

Trivia

• The numbers of each MX machine model refers to maximum rated load in 2:1 roping. For example, the maximum rated load allowed on MX10 is 1000KG, MX18 is 1800KG etc. Notable exceptions to this rule include MX 18.
• The main part of the Kone LCE has divided with three generations:
  • First Generation (1996-2005): Controller and variable-frequency drive separated (V3F16). Equipped with the heat resistors (doesn't provide Regenerative Drive functions).
  • Second Generation (2005-2012): Controller and variable-frequency drive combined (V3F18 or V3F25). Regenerative Drive functions provided.
  • Third Generation (2012-present): Controller and variable-frequency drive separated again (Vacon KR6 or Vacon KR7). Regenerative Drive functions provided.

Gallery

Kone original-sized EcoDisc hoisting machine (by Kone)

KONE EcoDisc logo.

Exploded view of an ecodisc motor (source: Kone.ch).

Videos

KONE EcoDisk machine.wmv-0

Kone EcoDisc animation video.

KONE EcoDisc Hoisting Machine in Action

Kone EcoDisc MX 20 in action (video: IDLift3000)

External links

• Making room for more since 1996 - KONE Australia (Archived version) - this page explains the background and history of EcoDisc.
• Advanced Magnetic Materials and their Applications 2007 (this brochure lists some of Kone EcoDisc series and their application)
• KONE Corporation Annual Report 1997 - this annual report tells some facts related to Kone EcoDisc when it was introduced.
• KONE EcoDisc MX 10 brochure
• KONE EcoDisc MX 18 brochure