Disclosed is a ropeless elevator system having: a car mover operationally connected to an elevator car, the car mover configured to move along a car mover track in a hoistway lane, thereby moving the elevator car along the hoistway lane, wherein the car mover has a first tire of a first wheel that is configured to engage the car mover track when the car mover moves along the car mover track, wherein one or more of the first tire and the car mover track has an engagement feature for increasing traction between the first tire and the car mover track.

Disclosed is a ropeless elevator system having: a car mover operationally connected to an elevator car, the car mover configured to move along a car mover track in a hoistway lane, thereby moving the elevator car along the hoistway lane, wherein the car mover has a first tire of a first wheel that is configured to engage the car mover track when the car mover moves along the car mover track, wherein one or more of the first tire and the car mover track has an engagement feature for increasing traction between the first tire and the car mover track.

Disclosed is a ropeless elevator system having a car mover operationally connected to an elevator car, the car mover configured to operate autonomously and move along a hoistway lane, thereby moving the elevator car along the hoistway lane, wherein the car mover is connected to a top or bottom of the elevator car, via a coupling device.

Disclosed is a ropeless elevator system having a car mover operationally connected to an elevator car, the car mover configured to operate autonomously and move along a hoistway lane, thereby moving the elevator car along the hoistway lane, wherein the car mover is connected to a top or bottom of the elevator car, via a coupling device.

An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator system includes a cab configured to accommodate at least one passenger or item inside the cab. A motorized module includes a base, a connector supported on the base and at least one drive member supported on the base. The connector is configured to selectively establish a releasable connection between the motorized module and the cab. The drive member is configured to engage a vertical surface, climb along the vertical surface to selectively cause vertical movement of the base, and selectively prevent movement of the base when the drive member remains in a selected position relative to the vertical surface. At least one motor is associated with the drive member to selectively cause the drive member to climb along the vertical surface. The motorized module is vertically movable independent of the cab when the motorized module is released from the cab.

An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator system includes a cab configured to accommodate at least one passenger or item inside the cab. A motorized module includes a base, a connector supported on the base and at least one drive member supported on the base. The connector is configured to selectively establish a releasable connection between the motorized module and the cab. The drive member is configured to engage a vertical surface, climb along the vertical surface to selectively cause vertical movement of the base, and selectively prevent movement of the base when the drive member remains in a selected position relative to the vertical surface. At least one motor is associated with the drive member to selectively cause the drive member to climb along the vertical surface. The motorized module is vertically movable independent of the cab when the motorized module is released from the cab.

An elevator system including: an elevator car configured to travel through an elevator shaft; a first guide beam extending vertically through the elevator shaft, the first guide beam comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a propulsion system configured to move the elevator car through the elevator shaft; a first on-board energy management system configured to power the propulsion system, the first on-board energy management system is attached to the propulsion system and configured to travel with the propulsion system.

An elevator system including: an elevator car configured to travel through an elevator shaft; a first guide beam extending vertically through the elevator shaft, the first guide beam comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a propulsion system configured to move the elevator car through the elevator shaft; a first on-board energy management system configured to power the propulsion system, the first on-board energy management system is attached to the propulsion system and configured to travel with the propulsion system.

An elevator system including: an elevator car configured to travel through an elevator shaft; a first guide beam extending vertically through the elevator shaft, the first guide beam including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a beam climber system configured to move the elevator car through the elevator shaft, the beam climber system including: a first wheel in contact with the first surface; and a first electric motor configured to rotate the first wheel; a first motor brake mechanically connected to the first electric motor, the first motor brake configured to slow the elevator car; and a brake condition based monitoring system configured to detect when the first motor brake is dragging.

An elevator system including: an elevator car configured to travel through an elevator shaft; a first guide beam extending vertically through the elevator shaft, the first guide beam including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a beam climber system configured to move the elevator car through the elevator shaft, the beam climber system including: a first wheel in contact with the first surface; and a first electric motor configured to rotate the first wheel; and a controller configured to determine wheel slippage in a low friction area along the first guide beam.