Electromagnetic Brake Release for Mining Machine Disc Brakes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing braking systems for mining machines require hydraulic or pneumatic operation, which complicates their integration and maintenance, and there is a need for a purely electrically operable system that can be easily adapted to different brake disc diameters.

Innovation Solution

A braking device utilizing pairs of magnets, where at least one magnet in each pair is an electromagnet, generating a repulsive force to release the brake pad, eliminating the need for hydraulic or pneumatic systems, and allowing for easy adjustment to various brake disc diameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hydraulic or pneumatic operation is used for braking systems, then reliable braking force is achieved, but system complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking force reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces hydraulic or pneumatic systems with a purely mechanical spring assembly to generate braking force. The spring assembly (14) directly acts on the brake pad carrier (17) through a tie rod (18), eliminating the need for fluid pressure systems while maintaining reliable braking force through elastic mechanical energy storage.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and removes the hydraulic or pneumatic operation systems from the braking device, retaining only the essential mechanical components. By taking out the complex fluid pressure systems and replacing them with a spring-based mechanical system, the patent reduces maintenance requirements while preserving braking reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If purely electrical operation is implemented, then system simplicity and ease of maintenance are improved, but integration into existing mining machinery becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidintegration capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The braking device is designed with universal mounting features that allow it to be integrated into various existing mining machinery configurations. The brake frame (40) can be mounted on different types of mining machines, and the brake elements (3) can be adjusted to accommodate different brake disc diameters, making the system highly adaptable while maintaining its simple electrical design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates adjustable components that allow the braking system to adapt dynamically to different applications. The brake elements can be positioned and adjusted to match various brake disc sizes and mounting configurations, enabling the same electrical braking design to be universally applied across different mining machinery types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If brake elements are mounted in pairs on a brake frame, then adaptability to different brake disc diameters is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability to brake disc diameterVSAvoidbrake frame structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The braking system is divided into separate, modular brake elements (3) that can be independently adjusted and positioned on the brake frame (40). Each brake element consists of discrete components including the brake pad carrier (17), magnet pairs (6, 7), and spring assembly (14), allowing individual adjustment to accommodate different brake disc diameters without redesigning the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 a compact, electrically controlled braking solution that is adaptable to different brake disc sizes, reducing complexity and maintenance needs while ensuring reliable operation.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the two magnets of each pair of magnets is a temporarily energizable electromagnet, wherein, in the energized state, the poles of the two magnets repel each other and thereby generate the force opposite to the braking force to release the brake lining

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentEP4490413B1Brake device for a mining machine
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 OLKO MASCHENTECHN
  • EP4490413B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4490413B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

The invention relates to a brake device (1) for a mining machine, comprising at least two brake elements (3) which are fastened in pairs to a brake frame and act at the same time on at least one braking surface (2), and a brake release apparatus (4) arranged on each brake element (3) which generates a force opposite to the braking force in order to release a brake lining (5) of the brake element (3). So that the brake device (1) can be operated purely electrically, according to the invention the brake release apparatus (1) is based on the principle that matching (8, 9) poles of at least one magnet pair (6, 7) are magnetically repulsed. Because at least one of the two magnets (6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2) can be energised temporarily and the poles (8, 9) of the two magnets (6, 7) only repulse each other in the energised state, the force opposite to the braking force can be generated and controlled electrically in order to release the brake lining (5). The brake device (1) according to the invention requires no pneumatic or hydraulic supply over and above the electrical control that is needed anyway.