Research on Steel Belt Elevator Technology Based on Patentometric Analysis

Using the Patsnap patent database as a data source, this study analyzes the research and development trends of steel belt elevator technology from the perspectives of time distribution, geographic distribution, technological direction, and research themes. The analysis aims to clarify China's position in the global elevator technology landscape and provide a basis for addressing technological gaps. The study focuses on three key areas: steel belt materials, steel belt structures, and steel belt damage detection. The results indicate that: 1) The number of global patents related to steel belt elevators has been steadily increasing; 2) The major patent-holding countries are China, the United States, Switzerland, Finland, Japan, and Germany. China leads in the number of patents, but its innovation impact is relatively low, while the United States and Switzerland are at the forefront of technological innovation; 3) The main target regions for these patents are China, the United States, and Iran, with several elevator companies having already established patent portfolios in China and Iran; 4) Current research primarily covers steel belt materials, structures, and damage detection, with the critical challenge being the need for more efficient, accurate, and convenient methods for detecting steel belt damage.