Brake Measuring Pin for Elevator Armature Position Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional brake operation measurement in hoisting machines is unreliable due to oblique movement of the armature part, which can lead to asymmetrical movement and difficulty in observing the brake's operation, especially when the limit switch is positioned on the side with smaller movement.

Innovation Solution

A brake design that includes a movable measuring pin separate from the armature part, connected to a limit switch, which engages with the armature's movement and is protected by a thruster spring, allowing for reliable measurement of the armature's position between braking and releasing positions, and an adjustment mechanism to ensure accurate operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a limit switch is attached directly to the frame part to measure armature movement, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to oblique and asymmetrical armature movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidbrake operation measurement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A measuring pin is introduced as an intermediary component between the limit switch and the armature part. The measuring pin translates the oblique and asymmetrical movement of the armature into linear movement along the operating direction of the limit switch, ensuring reliable measurement while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement function is segmented into two independent parts: the measuring pin that contacts the armature and the limit switch that detects the position. This segmentation allows the measuring pin to handle the complex armature movement while the limit switch maintains its simple switching function, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the limit switch is positioned on the side with smaller armature movement, then the device complexity is minimized, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to difficulty in observing movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitch positioning simplicityVSAvoidmovement observation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring pin acts as a mediator that extends the measurement capability to any position of the limit switch. Even when the limit switch is positioned on the side with smaller armature movement, the measuring pin ensures accurate translation of movement, making the measurement reliable regardless of switch position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the measuring pin is separate from the armature part, then the measurement precision is improved by accommodating asymmetrical movement, but the device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearmature movement detection accuracyVSAvoidmeasuring mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring pin is a simple intermediary component that provides the necessary measurement functionality without requiring complex mechanisms. Its separate design from the armature part allows it to freely translate asymmetrical and oblique movements into linear displacement, improving measurement precision while adding minimal complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If the measuring components are exposed, then the ease of operation is improved for installation and maintenance, but the reliability deteriorates due to susceptibility to external factors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation and maintenance accessibilityVSAvoidmeasurement system reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring pin and limit switch are nested within the brake structure, specifically positioned within the space between the armature part and the braking surface. This nesting provides natural protection from external factors like dirt and moisture while maintaining accessibility for installation and maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP2978701B1Brake, and elevator system
Publication Date: 2018.10.31 KONE OYJ
  • EP2978701B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2978701B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2978701B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a brake, which comprises a frame part (1) of the brake, an armature part (2) movably supported on the frame part, and attached to the frame part (1) a limit switch (3), the switching state of which changes when movement is exerted on the limit switch in the operating direction of the limit switch. The brake also comprises a measuring pin (3) that is movably supported on the frame part (1) of the brake and that is separate from the armature part (2), which measuring pin is connected to the limit switch (3).