Brake Lock Switch Control for Unintended Release Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In non-excitation actuated type brake devices, abnormal conditions such as short circuit failures in switches or control unit failures can lead to unintended release of the brake, posing safety risks, especially in applications like robot arms where maintaining orientation is critical.
Innovation Solution
A brake control device that includes a power source, a brake control unit, an opening and closing unit, a state detecting unit, an abnormality detecting unit, a brake lock switch, and a brake lock switch control unit. This device detects abnormalities and uses a brake lock switch to prevent brake release when an abnormality occurs, ensuring the brake remains engaged even under faulty conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a non-excitation actuated type brake device is used to enable brake actuation without voltage application, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to risk of unintended brake release under abnormal conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The brake lock switch is configured to preemptively counteract potential abnormal conditions by detecting voltage presence and automatically locking the brake circuit. When voltage is detected (indicating possible abnormality), the switch closes to create a locked state that prevents unintended brake release, thus applying counter-action before the harmful effect occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The brake lock switch acts as an intermediary component between the power source and the brake coil. It mediates the voltage supply by introducing a controlled short-circuit path that locks the brake in engagement state when voltage is present, thereby protecting against abnormal conditions while maintaining normal operation
2Reliability
If a brake lock switch is added to prevent unintended brake release, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake lock switch is designed to automatically detect voltage presence and activate the locking function without requiring external control signals or additional sensors. The switch self-activates based on the electrical condition (voltage detection), eliminating the need for complex control logic and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The brake lock switch combines multiple functions into a single component: voltage detection, circuit monitoring, and brake locking control. By merging these functions into one element, the patent avoids adding separate sensors, processors, and control circuits, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity
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
The solution effectively prevents unintended brake release during abnormal conditions, enhancing safety in applications where brake integrity is crucial, such as in motor-driven robot arms.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic brake control device that controls a non-excitation actuated type electromagnetic brake
Implementation Method 2
the brake control unit outputting a brake control signal to release the electromagnetic brake
Data Source
AI summary
A brake control device for controlling a brake device of the non-excitation-actuated type includes: a power supply; a brake control unit outputting a brake control signal; an opening/closing unit opening and closing a circuit between the power supply and brake device according to the brake control signal; a state detection unit outputting a state detection signal indicating an electric potential state of a circuit between the opening/closing unit and the brake device; an abnormality detection unit detecting whether an abnormality is absent or present based on a content of the brake control signal and a content of the state detection signal; a brake lock switch connected between input terminals of the brake device to be connected in parallel with the brake device; and a brake lock switch control unit closing the brake lock switch when the abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit.