Abstract
<jats:p>In elevators, the shock absorber is located at the bottom of the elevator shaft; it is the last line of defense in case the cabin exceeds its permitted travel distance. The initial distance between the cabin and the shock absorber directly affects the impact energy and the braking acceleration. Therefore, research into methods for determining this distance is essential. This research paper determines the initial distance between the cabin and the shock absorber using the energy principle, and the distance constraints based on elevator testing and installation standards. This identification method allows for rapid verification, serving the purpose of initial design and correction. In the experimental example, the paper showed that the dataset represents the optimal correction distance based on a survey of elevator load-related parameters and damping parameters. The calculation method in this paper can be applied to counterweight buffers or other similar devices, and can also be extended to study other types of buffers.</jats:p>