Brake Shoe Clamping for Safe Arrest of Extendable Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for arresting movable or extendable parts in machinery may fail during maintenance or service, posing a risk of accidental movement and potential injury.
Innovation Solution
A brake shoe with two engagement bodies connected by a threaded axle, allowing for mechanical fixation of movable parts by manually rotating the axle to achieve desired tension, which is optionally monitored by a strain gauge and control box.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing systems for arresting movable parts are used, then the parts can be stopped in desired positions during normal operation, but the systems may fail during maintenance posing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The brake shoe is divided into two separate engagement bodies that can independently engage with the movable part. This segmentation ensures that if one engagement body fails to engage properly, the other can still provide arresting function, thereby improving reliability and reducing the risk of accidental movement during maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates a mechanical braking system that engages before maintenance work begins, providing a preliminary safety measure. The brake shoe is designed to engage with the movable part beforehand, creating a mechanical barrier that prevents accidental movement even if the primary arresting system fails during maintenance operations.
2Reliability
If a mechanical brake shoe with threaded axle is used, then manual fixation provides added security for maintenance personnel, but the device complexity increases compared to simple motor stopping
Solution Approach 1:
The brake shoe incorporates a threaded axle mechanism that allows manual adjustment and engagement by maintenance personnel without requiring complex tools or additional systems. The strain gauge provides automatic feedback on engagement status, eliminating the need for complex monitoring systems while maintaining high safety standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces electronic motor control systems with a purely mechanical brake shoe mechanism for arresting movable parts during maintenance. This substitution simplifies the overall system by eliminating the need for complex electronic controls, sensors, and power systems, while providing reliable mechanical engagement that is easier to understand and maintain.
3Manufacturing precision
If strain gauge and control box are added to monitor tension, then the clamping action can be precisely controlled, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The strain gauge is integrated into the threaded axle to provide real-time feedback on the clamping tension. This feedback mechanism allows maintenance personnel to precisely control the engagement force of the brake shoe, ensuring optimal clamping action without excessive force that could damage the movable part or insufficient force that could compromise safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The strain gauge acts as an intermediary between the mechanical brake shoe and the control box, translating mechanical tension into electrical signals that can be monitored and controlled. This intermediary component enables precise control of clamping action while keeping the overall system relatively simple by using a single, well-established sensing technology.
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
Provides a safe and reliable means to arrest movable parts during maintenance, ensuring that the parts remain stationary and reducing the risk of injury or equipment damage.
Implementation Method 1
the engagement bodies are connected by a threaded axle, such that by rotating the threaded axle in a first direction around a rotation axis parallel to the axle, the engagement bodies are urged towards each other
Implementation Method 2
the two engagement bodies may slide freely along said at least one guide axle
Implementation Method 3
a strain gauge is mounted on the threaded axle, and where said strain gauge is connected to a control box
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6
AI summary
Brake shoe (10) comprising two engagement bodies (12, 14), where the engagement bodies are connected by a threaded axle (16), such that by rotating the threaded axle in a first direction around a rotation axis parallel to the axle, the engagement bodies are urged towards each other, and by rotating the axle in a second direction different from the first direction, the engagement bodies are urged away from each other, and where at least one guide axle (18, 20) is provided parallel to the threaded axle, where the two engagement bodies may slide freely along said at least one guide axle, and further where means are provided for attaching said brake shoe to a construction and further where the tension in the bolt or threaded axle is illustrated on a scale (81, 82, 83), said scale comprising a first part where the tension is below a certain threshold and a second part where the tension is above a certain threshold, and a part between the first and second parts indicating a desired tension.