Elevator brake switch mechanism

Abstract

To provide a brake switch mechanism that allows easy confirmation of an operating point of a microswitch while keeping the stroke of a brake plunger small.SOLUTION: There is provided a brake switch mechanism 30 that is installed on a brake device 20 of an elevator hoist 10 and detects braking or releasing of the brake device 20, comprising: a rotating operation piece 31 that rotates by the reciprocating motion of a brake plunger 27; and a microswitch 40 that has a switch lever 42 rotatably supported by a housing 41 of the microswitch 40, engaging with an engaging portion 31B of the rotating operation piece 31, and rotating by the rotation of the rotating operation piece 31, and opens and closes a connected electric circuit by rotating the switch lever 42.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a brake switch mechanism provided in a brake device of an elevator hoist, which detects braking or release of the brake device.

Background Art

[0002] A brake switch for detecting braking or release of a brake device and transmitting it to an elevator control device is provided in a brake device of an elevator hoist (for example, Patent Document 1). As the brake switch, a microswitch in which contacts are opened and closed by pressing a switch lever to open and close an electric circuit is used.

[0003] In the brake switch, the switch lever of the microswitch engages with the brake plunger of the brake device, and the switch lever is pressed by the reciprocating motion of the brake plunger to open and close the contacts. In the maintenance and inspection work of the brake switch, it is confirmed whether the operating point of the microswitch exists within the range of the reciprocating motion of the brake plunger.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the length of the reciprocating motion of the brake plunger (hereinafter referred to as stroke) is often small (for example, 3 mm). In the maintenance and inspection work of the brake switch, it is difficult to confirm the operating point of the brake switch within the range of a small stroke, and a high level of skill of the operator is required.

[0006] On the other hand, increasing the stroke of the brake plunger can lead to other problems, such as increased operating noise during braking, greater impact on the brake plunger during emergency stops, and increased wear on the plunger bush of the brake plunger.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an elevator brake switch mechanism that allows easy confirmation of the operating point of a microswitch while keeping the stroke of the brake plunger small. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The elevator brake switch mechanism according to the present invention is provided in the brake device of an elevator hoisting machine and is an elevator brake switch mechanism that detects braking or release of the brake device, the brake device comprising: a brake drum fixed to the drive shaft of the hoisting machine; a brake pad that can slide against the outer surface of the brake drum; an arm that supports the brake pad and is biased by a spring to press the brake pad against the brake drum; and a brake plunger that moves the arm via a rotating lever in a direction in which the brake pad moves away from the brake drum by reciprocating motion by electromagnetic force, the hoisting machine The microswitch comprises a pivot point rotatably supported by a support beam fixed to the structure, a pivoting operating piece that engages with a brake plunger between the pivot point and its tip and rotates with the reciprocating motion of the brake plunger, a switch lever rotatably supported by a microswitch housing, engaging with the tip of the pivoting operating piece and rotating with the rotation of the pivoting operating piece, a slider provided in the housing and pressed by the rotation of the switch lever, and a conductive movable piece disposed inside the housing that contacts or separates from a terminal when pressed by the slider, and the microswitch that opens and closes a connected electrical circuit when the switch lever rotates.

[0009] In the elevator brake switch mechanism according to the present invention, it is preferable to further provide a scale for checking the amount of movement of the tip of the rotating operating piece. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the elevator brake switch mechanism of the present invention, the operating point of the microswitch can be easily confirmed while keeping the stroke of the brake plunger small. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a side view showing the hoisting machine of the elevator according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a view from arrow A in Figure 1, showing the elevator hoisting machine with the electric motor removed. [Figure 3] This is a detailed view of the brake system as seen from arrow B in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a side view showing a brake switch mechanism, which is an example of this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a side view through which the microswitch is seen. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of a microswitch. [Figure 7] (A) A side view showing the brake switch mechanism of the brake device in the braking state, and (B) A side view showing the brake switch mechanism of the brake device in the release state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. In the following description, specific shapes, materials, directions, numerical values, etc., are examples provided to facilitate understanding of this disclosure and can be appropriately modified according to the application, purpose, specifications, etc.

[0013] An elevator hoisting machine 10 equipped with a brake switch mechanism 30, which is an example of this embodiment, will be described using Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a side view of the hoisting machine 10. Figure 2 is a view of the hoisting machine 10 with the electric motor 13 removed, as seen from arrow A in Figure 1.

[0014] Hereinafter, the winch 10 will be described with the vertical direction being the up-down direction, the direction parallel to the drive shaft 12 of the winch 10 being the front-back direction, and the direction orthogonal to both the up-down direction and the front-back direction being the width direction. Also, each side in the width direction toward the front side is defined as the left and right sides, respectively.

[0015] The winch 10 is a device that raises and lowers a car and a counterweight, each suspended at both ends of the main rope of an elevator, along their respective rails. The winch 10 is provided in a machine room directly above the hoistway of the elevator. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the winch 10 includes a sheave 11 around which the main rope is wound, a drive shaft 12 that rotates the sheave 11 via a transmission mechanism, an electric motor 13 that drives the drive shaft 12, a casing 15 that houses the transmission mechanism, and a brake device 20 that brakes the rotation of the drive shaft 12. Details of the brake device 20 will be described later.

[0016] Using FIGS. 1 to 3, the brake device 20 provided with a brake switch mechanism 30, which is an example of the present embodiment, will be described. FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the brake device 20 as seen from the arrow B in FIG. 1.

[0017] Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 3, in the above-described front-back direction, the direction in which the brake plunger 27 moves when the brake device 20 is released is defined as the front side, and the direction in which the brake plunger 27 moves when the brake device 20 is braking is defined as the rear side, and the brake device 20 will be described.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the brake device 20 includes a brake drum 21 fixed to the drive shaft 12 of the winch 10, a pair of brake pads 22 that brake the rotation of the brake drum 21 by slidingly contacting the outer peripheral surface of the brake drum 21, a pair of brake arms 23 that support the brake pads 22 respectively and rotate to bring the brake pads 22 closer to the brake drum 21, and a pair of brake springs 24 that bias the brake arms 23 so that the brake pads 22 press the brake drum 21.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the brake device 20 supports a brake arm 23 biased by a brake spring 24 and includes a pair of adjustment bolts 25 that adjust the distance between a brake pad 22 and a brake drum 21 to a predetermined distance, and a pair of rotation levers 26 that are rotated by a brake plunger 27 described later to move each of the pair of adjustment bolts 25 in a direction in which the brake pad 22 moves away from the brake drum 21 (outward in the width direction in FIG. 3).

[0020] The brake device 20 includes a brake plunger 27 that reciprocates in the front-rear direction by an electromagnetic force to rotate each of the pair of rotation levers 26, and a solenoid coil (not shown) through which the brake plunger 27 is inserted and which is configured to be able to be excited or demagnetized to reciprocate the brake plunger 27 in the front-rear direction by an electromagnetic force.

[0021] In other words, the brake plunger 27 reciprocates in the front-rear direction by an electromagnetic force to move each of the pair of brake arms 23 in a direction in which the brake pad 22 moves away from the brake drum 21 via the pair of rotation levers 26, thereby releasing the brake device 20.

[0022] The operation of the brake device 20 will be described. When the brake device 20 is braking, the brake arm 23 is biased by the brake spring 24, and the brake pad 22 presses the brake drum 21, so that the brake pad 22 is in sliding contact with the brake drum 21 to brake the rotation of the brake drum 21.

[0023] On the other hand, when the brake device 20 is released, the brake plunger 27 moves forward in the front-rear direction by the solenoid coil. As a result, the rotation lever 26 rotates to move the adjustment bolt 25 outward in the width direction. At this time, the brake arm 23 opens in a direction in which the brake pad 22 moves away from the brake drum 21 against the biasing force of the brake spring 24, and the braking of the brake drum 21 is released.

[0024] An example of this embodiment, the brake switch mechanism 30, will be described using Figures 4 to 6. Figure 4 is a side view of the brake switch mechanism 30. Figure 5 is a side view of Figure 4 with the microswitch 40 visible through it, in order to make the explanation of the rotating operating piece 31 easier to understand. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the microswitch 40.

[0025] An example of this embodiment is the brake switch mechanism 30, which is provided in the brake device 20 of the elevator hoisting machine 10 and is a mechanism for detecting braking or release of the brake device 20. With the brake switch mechanism 30, as will be described in detail later, the operating point of the microswitch 40, which will be described later, can be easily confirmed while keeping the length of the reciprocating motion (hereinafter referred to as stroke) of the brake plunger 27 small.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, the brake switch mechanism 30 is provided on the rear side in the front-rear direction of the hoisting machine 10. The brake switch mechanism 30 includes a rotating operating piece 31 that rotates due to the reciprocating motion of the brake plunger 27, a support beam 32 that rotatably supports the rotating operating piece 31, a tension spring 33 that biases the lower end of the rotating operating piece 31, a scale 34 that checks the amount of movement of the upper end of the rotating operating piece 31, and a microswitch 40 that opens and closes an electrical circuit when a switch lever 42, which will be described in detail later, rotates.

[0027] The rotating operating piece 31 is an L-shaped flat plate that is rotatably supported at the pivot point M of the support beam 32. The upper end of the rotating operating piece 31 is provided with an engaging portion 31B that protrudes to the left side in the width direction (towards the front of the paper in Figures 4 to 6) and engages with the roller 42A of the switch lever 42, which will be described in detail later. A through hole 31A is formed between the pivot point M of the rotating operating piece 31 and the engaging portion 31B, and the brake plunger 27 is inserted through this through hole 31A and positioned in a predetermined position by a nut N. The lower end of the rotating operating piece 31 is biased in a clockwise direction by a tension spring 33, and the rotating operating piece 31 can follow the axial movement of the brake plunger 27.

[0028] The rotating operating piece 31 is a component that rotates due to the reciprocating motion of the brake plunger 27 in the forward and backward direction. The rotating operating piece 31 allows the stroke of the brake plunger 27 to be increased and transmitted to the microswitch 40.

[0029] As described above, the brake plunger 27 passes through the through hole 31A. A threaded portion is formed at the rear end of the brake plunger 27, and a nut N is screwed onto the threaded portion. As a result, when the brake plunger 27 moves forward when the brake device 20 is released, the nut N engages with the edge of the through hole 31A of the rotating operating piece 31, and the upper end of the rotating operating piece 31 is pressed forward (counterclockwise in Figures 4 to 6), causing the rotating operating piece 31 to rotate.

[0030] The engaging portion 31B is formed to protrude from the rotating operating piece 31 to the left in the width direction (towards the front of the paper in Figures 4 to 6), and the front surface of the engaging portion 31B abuts against the side surface of the roller 42A of the switch lever 42, which will be described later. As a result, when the brake device 20 is released, the brake plunger 27 moves forward, and when the upper end of the rotating operating piece 31 rotates forward (counterclockwise in Figures 4 to 6), the switch lever 42 of the microswitch 40 is pressed.

[0031] As described above, the support beam 32 is a member that rotatably supports the pivot operating piece 31 at the pivot point M. The support beam 32 extends from the housing 35 of the brake device 20.

[0032] The tension spring 33 is a component that biases the lower end of the rotating operating piece 31 to return to the front side when it is pulled to the rear side. The tension spring 33 is provided between the lower end of the rotating operating piece 31 and the housing 35. As a result, the rotating operating piece 31 rotates clockwise in response to the brake plunger 27, which moves to the rear side when the brake device 20 is braking.

[0033] The scale 34 allows the operator to visually confirm the amount of movement of the upper end (engaging portion 31B) of the rotating operating piece 31. According to the scale 34, for example, the midpoint of the stroke of the rotating operating piece 31 can be easily confirmed. The scale 34 is provided on the side of the housing 41 of the microswitch 40, which will be described in detail later.

[0034] As described above, the microswitch 40 is a switch that opens and closes an electrical circuit connected to, for example, an elevator control device by the rotation of the switch lever 42. The microswitch 40 converts the mechanical action of the rotation of the rotating operating piece 31 into an electrical signal that opens and closes the electrical circuit. The microswitch 40 in this embodiment uses a hinge-roller type microswitch, but is not limited to this.

[0035] As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the microswitch 40 includes a housing 41 having a sealed internal space, a switch lever 42 that rotates by the rotation of a rotating operating piece 31, a slider 43 that is pressed by the rotation of the switch lever 42, and a conductive movable piece 44 that contacts, for example, a normally open terminal 45A when pressed by the slider 43.

[0036] The housing 41 is supported by a support base 46 and fixed to the housing 35 of the brake device 20. The housing 41 houses the conductive movable piece 44, the normally open terminal 45A, and the normally closed terminal 45B in a sealed internal space.

[0037] The switch lever 42 is a lever that is pressed and rotated by the rotation of the rotating operating piece 31, thereby pressing the slider 43. The base end 42B of the switch lever 42 is rotatably supported on the lower end of the rear side surface of the housing 41, and a roller 42A is supported at the free end. The switch lever 42 is always biased backward from the housing 41 by the slider 43.

[0038] The slider 43 moves forward on the housing 41 when pressed by the switch lever 42, thereby pressing against the conductive movable piece 44. The slider 43 is biased backward from the housing 41 by the conductive movable piece 44.

[0039] The conductive movable piece 44 is a member that, when pressed by the slider 43, comes into contact with, for example, the normally open terminal 45A. The conductive movable piece 44 is rotatably supported at its base end, and its tip rotates to come into contact with or separate from the normally open terminal 45A. The conductive movable piece 44 is normally biased by a spring member 44A to come into contact with the normally closed terminal 45B.

[0040] The base end of the conductive movable piece 44, the normally open terminal 45A, and the normally closed terminal 45B are each electrically connected to an external terminal to form an electrical circuit. For example, when an electrical circuit is formed by connecting the base end of the conductive movable piece 44 to the normally open terminal 45A, the microswitch 40 functions as an open contact. Also, when an electrical circuit is formed by connecting the base end of the conductive movable piece 44 to the normally closed terminal 45B, the microswitch 40 functions as a closed contact. Furthermore, when an electrical circuit is formed by connecting the base end of the conductive movable piece 44 to the normally open terminal 45A and the normally closed terminal 45B, the microswitch 40 functions as a switching contact.

[0041] The operation of the microswitch 40 will now be described. In the microswitch 40, the conductive movable piece 44 is always biased by the spring member 44A to contact the closed terminal 45B. As a result, the slider 43 is biased backward by the conductive movable piece 44, and the switch lever 42 is biased backward from the housing 41 by the slider 43.

[0042] In the microswitch 40, when the brake device 20 is released, the brake plunger 27 moves forward, and the switch lever 42 is pressed and rotated by the rotation of the rotating operating piece 31. As a result, the slider 43 is pressed forward by the switch lever 42, and the conductive movable piece 44 is pressed forward and comes into contact with the normally open terminal 45A, opening the electrical circuit connected to the microswitch 40.

[0043] The operation of the brake switch mechanism 30 will be explained using Figure 7. Figure 7(A) shows the brake switch mechanism 30 when the brake device 20 is braking. Figure 7(B) shows the brake switch mechanism 30 when the brake device 20 is released.

[0044] As shown in Figure 7(A), when the brake device 20 is braking, the brake plunger 27 is positioned at the rear. In the brake switch mechanism 30, the lower end of the rotating operating piece 31 is biased forward by the biasing force of the tension spring 33, causing the rotating operating piece 31 to tilt clockwise and contact the nut N screwed onto the brake plunger 27.

[0045] As shown in Figure 7(B), when the brake device 20 is released, the brake plunger 27 moves forward. In the brake switch mechanism 30, the rotating operating piece 31 is pressed forward by the nut N screwed onto the brake plunger 27 and tilts in a counterclockwise direction. At this time, the engaging portion 31B of the rotating operating piece 31 presses against the switch lever 42 of the microswitch 40, thereby switching the electrical circuit connected to the microswitch 40.

[0046] An example of maintenance and inspection work for a brake system 20 equipped with a brake switch mechanism 30 will be described.

[0047] First, a buzzer or lamp is connected in parallel to the external terminal of the microswitch 40 of the brake switch mechanism 30 so that the timing of the microswitch 40's operating point (open or closed) can be confirmed from the outside. Next, the rotating operating piece 31 is rotated manually, and the position of the upper end of the rotating operating piece 31 at the timing of the microswitch 40's operating point is confirmed by the scale 34. At this time, since the stroke size of the brake plunger 27 is increased by the rotating operating piece 31, the operator can easily confirm the operating point of the microswitch 40 within the stroke range of the brake plunger 27.

[0048] Next, the brake device 20 is actually activated, and the range of motion of the upper end of the rotating operating piece 31 is checked on the scale 34 as the range of stroke of the brake plunger 27 when the brake device 20 is braking or releasing. At this time, since the stroke of the brake plunger 27 is amplified by the rotating operating piece 31, the operator can easily check the stroke of the brake plunger 27.

[0049] Furthermore, if the position of the upper end of the rotating operating piece 31 at the operating point of the microswitch 40 is near the middle of the operating range of the upper end (engaging portion 31B) of the rotating operating piece 31 when the brake device 20 is braking or releasing, then the brake switch mechanism 30 can be said to be in the correct state. On the other hand, if the position of the upper end of the rotating operating piece 31 at the timing of the operating point of the microswitch 40 is near both ends of the operating range of the upper end of the rotating operating piece 31 when the brake device 20 is braking or releasing, then adjustments such as correcting the stroke of the brake plunger 27 or correcting the position of the microswitch 40 are made.

[0050] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and their modifications described above, and various changes and improvements are possible within the scope of the claims of this application. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 10 Hoisting machine, 11 Sheave, 12 Drive shaft, 13 Electric motor, 15 Casing, 20 Brake device, 21 Brake drum, 22 Brake pad, 23 Brake arm, 24 Brake spring, 25 Adjustment bolt, 26 Rotating lever, 27 Brake plunger, 30 Brake switch mechanism, 31 Rotating operating piece, 31 Housing, 31A Through hole, 31B Engaging part, 32 Support beam, 33 Tension spring, 34 Scale, 35 Housing, 40 Microswitch, 41 Housing, 42 Switch lever, 42A Roller, 43 Slider, 44 Conductive movable piece, 44A Spring member, 45A Normally open terminal, 45B Normally closed terminal, 46 Support base

Claims

1. An elevator brake switch mechanism provided in the brake device of an elevator hoisting machine, which detects braking or release of the brake device, The brake device comprises a brake drum fixed to the drive shaft of the hoisting machine, a brake pad that can slide against the outer surface of the brake drum, an arm that supports the brake pad and is biased by a spring to press the brake pad against the brake drum, and a brake plunger that moves the arm via a rotating lever in a direction in which the brake pad moves away from the brake drum by reciprocating motion due to electromagnetic force. A pivoting operating piece having a pivot point rotatably supported on a support beam fixed to the hoisting machine, engaging with the brake plunger between the pivot point and its tip, the length from the engagement position with the brake plunger to its tip being longer than the length from the engagement position with the brake plunger to the pivot point, and rotating in accordance with the reciprocating motion of the brake plunger, A microswitch comprising: a switch lever rotatably supported in a microswitch housing and engaging with the tip of the rotating operating piece, which rotates as the rotating operating piece rotates; a slider provided in the microswitch housing and pressed by the rotation of the switch lever; and a conductive movable piece disposed inside the microswitch housing and contacting or separating from a terminal when pressed by the slider, wherein the rotation of the switch lever opens and closes a connected electrical circuit; Equipped with, The tip of the rotating operating piece is provided such that the slider is positioned between it and the locking position, in an elevator brake switch mechanism.

2. The brake switch mechanism for an elevator according to claim 1, The rotating operating piece is further provided with a scale for checking the amount of movement of the tip of the rotating operating piece. Elevator brake switch mechanism.

Images