Electromagnetic Conveyor Brake Gap Control to Prevent Drum Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing braking systems for automatic conveyor devices face issues with manual adjustment uncertainties leading to potential brake drum vibration and accidental contact, resulting in smoking and system shutdowns due to inconsistent gap maintenance between brake lining and brake drum.

Innovation Solution

A braking device with an electromagnetic actuator and sensor system that monitors specific positions during the lifting of the brake arm, ensuring a minimum safe gap by outputting signals through an integrated contact switch, preventing excessive adjustment and maintaining a stable lifting distance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment of the gap between brake lining and brake drum is performed, then the gap can be adjusted, but adjustment uncertainty causes brake drum vibration and accidental contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegap adjustment precisionVSAvoidbraking system reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an electromagnetic actuator that automatically controls the brake arm position. The actuator receives control signals to precisely adjust the gap between brake lining and brake drum, eliminating manual adjustment uncertainty and preventing brake drum vibration and accidental contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs sensors to detect the actual gap between brake lining and brake drum, providing feedback signals to the control system. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables real-time monitoring and automatic adjustment of the gap, ensuring precise positioning and preventing excessive adjustment that would cause vibration or contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If workers regularly adjust the gap manually, then the gap can be maintained, but frequent manual intervention increases operation time and labor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegap consistencyVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-adjusting braking system where the electromagnetic actuator automatically maintains the optimal gap between brake lining and brake drum. The system monitors gap conditions through sensors and performs adjustments without human intervention, eliminating the need for workers to regularly manually adjust the gap and freeing up operational time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Through continuous sensor monitoring and feedback control, the system automatically detects when gap adjustment is needed and executes corrections without human intervention. This closed-loop control maintains consistent gap conditions over time, eliminating the need for frequent manual checks and adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the brake arm is lifted by electromagnet, then the brake lining separates from brake drum, but excessive lifting causes uncertainty in gap maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake release operationVSAvoidgap control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses sensors to monitor the position of the brake arm and the gap between brake lining and brake drum during the lifting operation. The control system receives feedback signals and adjusts the electromagnetic actuator output to achieve precise gap control, ensuring that the brake arm is lifted sufficiently to separate the brake lining from the brake drum while maintaining accurate gap positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic control of the electromagnetic actuator during the brake release operation. The system adjusts the lifting force and position in real-time based on feedback signals, transitioning smoothly from the braking state to the released state while maintaining precise gap control throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 system ensures a consistent and safe gap between the brake arm and brake drum, reducing the risk of smoking and emergency shutdowns by automating the adjustment process, enhancing operational reliability.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetic actuator, comprising an electromagnetic rod, where when the electromagnetic actuator is energized, the electromagnetic rod lifts the brake arm to separate the brake lining of the brake arm from the brake drum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a spring member that acts on the brake arm, urging the brake lining on the brake arm to make contact with the brake drum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

a sensor, configured to monitor a first position and a second position with a given spacing a during a process of lifting the brake arm by the electromagnetic rod, and to respectively output a first signal and a second signal when the electromagnetic rod passes through the first position and the second position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPosition sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP4592546A1Automatic conveyor device and braking device therefor
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP4592546A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4592546A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4592546A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides an automatic conveyor device system and a braking device therefor. A braking device comprises: a brake drum; a brake arm, with a brake lining provided thereon; a spring member that acts on the brake arm, urging the brake lining on the brake arm to make contact with the brake drum; an electromagnetic actuator, comprising an electromagnetic rod, where when the electromagnetic actuator is energized, the electromagnetic rod lifts the brake arm to separate the brake lining of the brake arm from the brake drum; and a sensor, configured to monitor a first position and a second position with a given spacing a during the extending process of the electromagnetic rod, and to respectively output a first signal and a second signal when the electromagnetic rod passes through the first position and the second position. The braking device according to the embodiments of the present invention ensures that the gap between the brake arm and the brake drum is not too small.