Machine-Room-Less (MRL) Elevators for short, is a miracle that is thought to have first appeared in the 1950s. Machine rooms were considered to be necessary for the efficient running of an elevator as they started to become more widely used. But the machine room-free elevator dared to reinvent the way an elevator worked, defying all expectations.

As far as we are aware, there are only two different kinds of elevators: traction elevators and hydraulic elevators. Both of them are termed machine room-less elevators since they can be utilized without a machine room. This is true of all elevator types. An elevator without a machine room operates almost entirely in the hoistway.

The machines and governors are located in the hoistway, and the controllers are placed close to the hoistway’s outer front wall, eliminating the need for a separate machine room that would take up space. As a result, there is no longer any requirement for a machine room, which makes it very simple for technicians to install the machine room-less elevator. Let’s know about Machine-Room-Less (MRL) Elevators.

Machine-Room-Less (MRL) Elevators

The fact that this particular Machine-Room-Less (MRL) Elevator may also greatly reduce electricity use, frequently by 30% to 80%, is another compelling reason to look for one. There is no longer a requirement for a room’s worth of apparatus that depends on the elevator’s constant supply of electricity. The machine room-free elevator also makes no use of any oil at all. This is a significant plus because it makes riding safer by nature, which gives passengers more peace of mind.

The Machine-Room-Less (MRL) Elevators have a reputation for being incredibly well suited for low-rise buildings since it conserves time, space, and money while also having a simple design that is adapted to your demands and has fewer moving parts. This elevator’s improvements could make your building safer and more effective.

A gearless traction device is used in the hoistway by machine-room-free elevators. The machine is helped in spinning the elevator sheave, which pushes the cab through the hoistway, by the employment of a counterweight. Machine-Room-Less (MRL) Elevators are most frequently found in hotels, flats, mixed-use structures, and commercial buildings. They can handle 2 to 25 stops and have an average capacity of 2,100 to 5,000 lbs. Heavier cab finishes can be accommodated by large capacity (4,000 lbs. and above).

How Machine-Room-Less (MRL) Elevators Work

The traction hoisting machine is either mounted on the top side wall of the hoistway or the bottom of the hoistway in Machine-Room-Less (MRL) Elevators, which lack a fixed machine room at the top of the hoistway. With the help of a permanent magnet, the motor is placed. This “sticks” the motor in place permanently and enables Variable Voltage Variable Frequency (VVVF) drive operation. Instead of using traditional induction motors, some hoisting machines employ gearless synchronous motors. This design avoids the need for a separate machine room, saving a lot of space during construction.

The majority of Machine-Room-Less (MRL) Elevators are gearless traction elevators. The hoisting motor is positioned on the hoistway side wall, while the primary controller is situated on the top level near the landing doors. This controller is hidden behind a lockable cabinet that must be opened with a key in case of maintenance, repair, or emergency.

Fewer elevators have its controller put on the lowest floor; instead, it is typically found on the highest floor. The hoisting motor may be installed in some elevators at the bottom of the elevator shaft, earning them the moniker “bottom drive MRL” elevators. 

Low to mid-rise structures typically use machine room-free elevators. In mid-rise buildings, machine room-less elevators typically serve up to 20 levels. An MRL traction elevator’s maximum speed is typically 500 feet per minute (2.54 meters per second), while certain models marketed overseas have a top speed of 600 to 800 feet per minute (4 meters per second), not on the side. Some versions have maximum floor travel of more than 30.

Machine-Room-Less (MRL) Elevators Benefits

By installing the small, gearless machine directly in the elevator shaft, MRLs conserve space.

There is no requirement for a machine room on the roof, which could reduce the cost of building construction.

The arrangement of Machine-Room-Less (MRL) elevator counterweights and gearless machines boosts energy efficiency and offers a quiet, comfortable ride.

MRLs often move more quickly than conventional hydraulic elevators, saving passengers time.

The top-of-shaft machine and under-slung car layout are used by Machine-Room-Less (MRL) Elevators. The DMPC controller enables the attainment of the following performance benchmarks:

• 0.75 to 1.75 meters per second in speed
• 910 to 2,050 kg of capacity
• Up to 18 floors (50 meters) of travel
• dispatching powered by a microprocessor and cutting-edge VVVF AC motor control.
• Safety elements for simplex or group elevator operations include an infrared door curtain.

Cost-Effectiveness

Installing machine room-free elevators is more economical. If you wish to reduce building expenses, this approach might make elevators more appealing.

Building Flexibility in Design

Elevators without machine rooms have a reduced footprint. Rather than being in a separate chamber, the machinery is located inside the hoistway. This is advantageous in structures with odd or constrained layouts.

Energy Savings

Elevators without machine rooms are more energy-efficient. Due to sophisticated motors and control systems, this efficiency is possible.

Longer lifespan and lower maintenance expenses

Machine-Room-Less (MRL) Elevators are more expensive upfront. But they often last longer and require less regular maintenance. They are a more economical choice in the long term because of their longevity.

What Suits Machine Roomless Elevators Best? 

The height of the structure, the size of the shaft area, and the anticipated volume of passenger traffic are only a few of the variables that influence whether to employ a machine room or machine roomless elevator. Elevators without a dedicated machine room are often more space-efficient than elevators with one, making them a desirable option for low to mid-rise structures.

The footprint of an elevator without a machine room is smaller. The machinery is situated inside the hoistway, not in a separate chamber. This is advantageous in buildings with unconventional or limited floor plans.

Read More: Let’ know about Basic elevator components