Brake Disc Release Mechanism for Manual Elevator Rescue
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
During emergency braking of an elevator, the elevator car may stop between two floors, making it difficult for passengers to be evacuated quickly, as a high force is required to release the brake disc to move the car to a safe floor.
Innovation Solution
A brake disc release device with an actuating mechanism, gear, sliders, and pulling cables that magnify the applied force by more than 40 times, combined with a turning device featuring a reduction gear set and shaft connector, allowing for controlled rotation of the motor spindle to dock the elevator car at a safe floor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If high force is applied to the brake disc to release it from the friction disc, then the brake disc can be released to move the car to a safe floor, but the operation becomes difficult and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a brake disc release device as an intermediary mechanism between the operator and the brake disc. This device includes a pulling cable connected to the brake disc, a winch mechanism for winding the cable, and a force amplification mechanism. The intermediary device transforms the operator's small input force into large pulling force through mechanical advantage, making it easy to release the brake disc without requiring direct application of high force by the operator
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the force parameter through mechanical advantage. The force amplification mechanism (winch and gear system) transforms a small input force into a large output force. The pulling force on the brake disc is magnified by the mechanical advantage of the winch mechanism, allowing the brake disc to be released with minimal operator effort. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction between requiring high force and maintaining ease of operation
2Productivity
If the brake disc is released to move the elevator car to a safe floor, then passenger evacuation is enabled, but the car cannot be quickly evacuated during emergency braking
Solution Approach 1:
The brake disc release device is designed to be self-operating through mechanical advantage. Once the operator initiates the process by cranking the winch handle, the mechanical advantage of the gear system automatically generates the large pulling force needed to release the brake disc. The system serves itself by transforming small input motions into large output forces without requiring continuous operator intervention or complex control systems, enabling rapid evacuation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for complex powered release mechanisms with a simple manual winch system that uses mechanical advantage. Instead of using motors, hydraulics, or electronics to release the brake disc, the system uses a manually-operated winch with gear reduction that multiplies the operator's input force. This mechanical substitution simplifies the system while enabling rapid brake disc release and passenger evacuation
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple device structure is used for brake disc release, then the device is easy to manufacture, but it cannot provide sufficient force amplification (more than 40 times)
Solution Approach 1:
The brake disc release device uses a nested structure where the winch mechanism is housed within a compact housing that contains the gear system. The force amplification mechanism is nested within the overall device structure, with the drum and handle assembly contained within a housing that also provides mounting for the brake disc connection points. This nesting allows the complex force-amplifying mechanism to be manufactured as an integrated unit while maintaining simplicity and compactness
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into distinct functional modules: the winch mechanism with drum and handle, the gear system for force amplification, the pulling cable, and the mounting bracket for the brake disc. Each segment can be manufactured separately using simple processes and then assembled. The segmentation allows the force amplification capability to be achieved through modular components rather than a single complex piece, maintaining ease of manufacture while providing the required 40 times force amplification
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
Enables simple and effective evacuation of passengers by allowing the elevator car to be promptly docked at a safe floor, even when stopped between floors, using a device that amplifies the operator's force and provides controlled rotation to prevent uncontrolled spindle movement.
Implementation Method 1
a gear connected to the first end of the actuating mechanism; a first slider capable of sliding along a first guide piece and comprising a rack portion for engagement with the gear
Implementation Method 2
a first slider capable of sliding along a first guide piece and comprising a rack portion for engagement with the gear and a first wedge portion; a second slider capable of sliding along a second guide piece and comprising a second wedge portion for engagement with the first wedge portion of the first slider
Implementation Method 3
a pulling cable having a first end connected to the second slider and a second end connected to the brake disc
Data Source
AI summary
A brake disc release device, a turning device, and an elevator rescue package and method. The brake disc release device comprises: an actuating mechanism; a gear connected to a first end of the actuating mechanism; a first slider capable of sliding along a first guide piece and comprising a rack portion for engagement with the gear and a first wedge portion; a second slider capable of sliding along a second guide piece and comprising a second wedge portion for engagement with the first wedge portion of the first slider; and a pulling cable having a first end connected to the second slider and a second end connected to the brake disc.