Curved Elevator Brake Shoe Holder for Compact Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator brake systems struggle to effectively brake an elevator car when it is at a standstill and require significant installation height due to the need for large brake shoes to achieve sufficient braking force, while also being able to reset easily and operate in both directions of travel.
Innovation Solution
A brake system with a brake shoe holder and retraction device that can be linearly or pivotally moved to engage and disengage from the guide rail, featuring a curved and straight braking surface design to adjust braking force based on direction, and an actuator with a spring energy storage mechanism for easy activation and reset, allowing for compact design and directional control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a large brake shoe is used to achieve sufficient braking force, then the braking effectiveness is improved, but the installation height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake shoe is designed with a curved shape instead of a flat surface, allowing it to engage with the guide rail in a compact configuration. The curved geometry enables the brake shoe to apply braking force effectively while maintaining a smaller installation height, resolving the contradiction between braking force and installation space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The brake system transitions from a conventional linear brake shoe design to a curved, multi-dimensional configuration that engages the guide rail at multiple points. This dimensional change allows the brake to generate sufficient braking force through geometric leverage rather than relying solely on increased shoe size, thereby reducing installation height
2Ease of operation
If the brake is designed to be easily reset, then the ease of operation is improved, but the braking reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The brake system incorporates a self-resetting mechanism where the curved brake shoe automatically returns to its non-contact position with the guide rail after braking is completed. This self-service feature allows easy reset operation while maintaining braking reliability through consistent geometric engagement and disengagement paths
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring active force to reset the brake, the system is designed so that the natural springback and gravitational forces automatically reset the brake shoe to its standby position. This inverted approach eliminates complex reset mechanisms while ensuring reliable braking engagement when needed
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the brake shoe is kept away from the guide rail during normal operation, then wear and noise are reduced, but the response time to engage braking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake shoe is pre-positioned in close proximity to the guide rail during normal operation, maintaining a ready stance without contact. This preliminary positioning allows the brake to engage instantly when activated while still preventing wear and noise during standby, as the curved geometry ensures minimal clearance and immediate engagement capability
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 provides effective braking in both directions with minimal space requirements, allowing for secure stopping and easy reset, even when the elevator car is at a standstill, and adjusts braking force according to the direction of travel, ensuring safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The retraction device pulls the brake shoe holder with the brake shoe away from the guide rail
Implementation Method 2
a brake shoe is pressed against the guide rail, with which a corresponding braking force can be generated
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to an elevator system having an elevator car (2) displaceably disposed along at least two guide rails (6), and the elevator car (2) has a brake device (10) having at least two brakes (11, 11a, 111). The brake (11, 11a, 111) comprises a brake shoe (15, 15a, 115) having a substantially curved shape, and the brake shoe (15, 15a, 115) is rotationally disposed in a brake shoe holder (13, 13a, 113). The brake shoe holder (13, 13a, 113) is linearly slidably supported in the brake housing (12, 112) between a ready position and an engaged position, and a retraction device (16, 116) holds the brake shoe (15, 15a, 115) and/or the brake shoe holder (13, 13a, 113) in the ready position when the brake is not actuated (11, 11a, 111). The brake (11, 11a, 111) can be actuated by an actuator (30) if needed. The actuator (30) holds the brake (11, 11a, 111) in a ready state and can actuate the brake (11, 11a, 111) as needed. To this end, the actuator (30) has an energy accumulator (31) suitable for acting on the brake (11, 11a, 111) via a connecting point (37, 37a), if needed, and returning the brake (11, 11a, 111) to the engaged position thereof, or actuating the brake. The energy accumulator (31) is mounted electromagnetically and a return device (36) allows the energy accumulator (31) and the actuator (30) to be reset to the operating position after being actuated.