Patent ID: 8109369

Claim:
A method of optimizing a weight of a counterweight of an elevator system, the elevator system consisting of a car, a counterweight which is coupled with the car by a support means so that it rises when the car lowers and lowers when the car rises, and a drive means which can apply a traction force to the support means, the method comprising the steps of: a. predefining a rated load (MLmax) to be raised and lowered by the elevator system in the car; b. predefining an empty weight (MK) of the car; c. selecting the drive means from a plurality of drive means each with a different predetermined maximum traction force (MFmax), wherein the maximum traction force (MFmax) of the selected drive means is at least greater than half the rated load (MFmax>0.5×MLmax); d. after selecting the drive means, selecting the weight (MG) of the counterweight to be substantially equal to the empty weight (MK) and the difference between the rated load (MLmax) and the maximum traction force (MFmax) of the selected drive means (MG≈MK+(MLmax−MFmax)); and e. providing the selected drive means and the counterweight with the selected weight to the elevator system so that the drive means is able to hold, raise, and lower the car with the coupled counterweight remaining unchanged at the selected weight (MG) at all loads up to the predefined rated load (MLmax), the raising and lowering being at a same nominal speed profile.