Brake Device Link Mechanism for Tower Lift Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
In semiconductor and display manufacturing lines, tower lifts using magnetic levitation methods face issues with the carriage module falling freely when power is disconnected, as there are no physical connections to prevent such falls.
Innovation Solution
A brake device with a first and second brake body, connected by a link unit, that can selectively come into contact with the rail module to prevent the carriage module from falling, utilizing an electromagnet and tension member to control the brake bodies' movement and contact with the rail module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If magnetic levitation method is used to move the carriage module, then particle generation is reduced and contactless movement is achieved, but the carriage module falls freely when power is disconnected
Solution Approach 1:
The brake device is pre-configured on the carriage module to automatically engage with the rail module when power is disconnected, preventing free fall before it can occur. The brake bodies are positioned to make contact with the rail module surfaces, creating a safety mechanism that activates automatically upon power loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake device acts as an intermediary safety mechanism between the carriage module and the rail module. When power is disconnected, the brake bodies serve as intermediate contact points that prevent direct free-fall contact between the carriage module and the rail module, thereby preventing particle generation while ensuring safety.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If physical connection members like timing belt are used, then the carriage module can be driven without particle generation, but the structure becomes complex and maintenance difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the complex timing belt and pulley system from the carriage module, replacing it with a magnetic levitation system. This eliminates the physical connection members that cause particle generation while simplifying the overall structure by removing unnecessary mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical timing belt drive system with a magnetic levitation system. This substitution eliminates physical contact between moving parts, reducing particle generation while simplifying the structure by removing the timing belt, pulleys, and associated mechanical components.
3Force
If brake bodies are positioned close to the rail module, then braking effectiveness is improved, but the risk of unintended contact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake bodies are designed with localized contact surfaces that are positioned close to the rail module only at specific braking zones. The rest of the brake body structure maintains sufficient clearance, ensuring that braking force is applied only when needed while preventing unintended contact during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake device incorporates dynamic positioning capabilities that allow the brake bodies to move between a retracted position (during normal operation) and a engaged position (during braking). This dynamic adjustment ensures that the brake bodies are close to the rail module only when braking is required, preventing unintended contact while maintaining braking effectiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively prevents the carriage module from falling when power is disconnected by ensuring the brake bodies come into contact with the rail module, maintaining stability and safety in the tower lift system.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnet arranged under the first brake body and configured to provide magnetic force to the first brake body
Implementation Method 2
a link unit configured to connect the first brake body to the second brake body and transfer tension from the first brake body to the second brake body
Implementation Method 3
a first brake body and a second brake body, which are configured to selectively come into contact with the rail module to prevent the carriage module from falling
Data Source
AI summary
A tower lift includes a rail module extending in a vertical direction, a carriage module configured to be movable along the rail module by a magnetic levitation method, and a brake device configured to move along the rail module integrally with the carriage module, wherein the brake device includes a first brake body and a second brake body, which are configured to selectively come into contact with the rail module to prevent the carriage module from falling, and a link unit configured to connect the first brake body to the second brake body, and the link unit transfers force from one of the first brake body and the second brake body to the other of the first brake body and the second brake body.