Elevator Cabin Braking Device with Adjustable Air Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator braking systems face challenges in achieving a balance between providing large air gaps for braking while ensuring fail-safe operation, quiet normal operation, and quick emergency braking, often resulting in high noise levels or requiring complex and unreliable pneumatic or hydraulic release mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A braking device with a pawl that can be adjusted between two operating positions, utilizing an electromagnet for holding the pawl in the first position and a spring for generating braking force, allowing for adjustable release gaps and quick emergency braking, while being fail-safe and reducing noise through symmetrical release mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If spring systems are used to create larger air gaps, then the air gap between brake linings is increased, but the brake weight increases and noisy pneumatic or hydraulic release devices are required
Solution Approach 1:
The braking system is divided into multiple independent spring-loaded brake modules, each capable of operating independently. This segmentation allows the system to achieve large air gaps through distributed spring mechanisms rather than a single heavy centralized system, reducing overall brake weight while maintaining the required air gap for safety operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces noisy pneumatic or hydraulic release devices with a purely mechanical release mechanism. The release system uses a simple mechanical actuator that directly作用于 the spring-loaded brake modules, eliminating the need for complex fluid power systems and reducing both weight and noise while maintaining the large air gap capability.
2Length of stationary object
If spring arrangements are used to provide large release gaps, then the release gap is increased, but the application time in the event of a power supply failure is long
Solution Approach 1:
The brake modules are pre-loaded with springs that are already compressed and ready to apply braking force immediately upon release. This preliminary action ensures that when power supply failure occurs, the brakes engage instantly without requiring time to build up pressure or activate complex mechanisms, thus reducing application time while maintaining the large release gap capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamically responsive brake modules that can transition rapidly between engaged and released states. The spring-loaded design allows for quick energy release, and the mechanical release system is designed to actuate all brake modules simultaneously, ensuring fast application time during emergency conditions while maintaining the required release gap during normal operation.
3Speed
If the braking device applies quickly to carry out emergency braking functions, then emergency braking performance is improved, but a very high noise level is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The braking system is divided into multiple independent brake modules that apply braking force in a distributed manner rather than all at once in a single location. This segmentation of the braking action across multiple contact points reduces the intensity of noise generation at any single point, allowing for quick emergency braking while minimizing overall noise levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a controlled sequencing of brake module activation where modules can be applied in a staggered or periodic manner during emergency braking. This periodic action distributes the impact and noise generation over a slightly extended time period, reducing peak noise levels while maintaining the overall fast response time required for emergency braking functions.
4Force
If electromagnets are used to provide large contact forces, then the braking force is increased, but the air gap between friction linings cannot be large and the brake weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnet-based braking systems with a purely mechanical spring-loaded brake module design. The springs provide the necessary contact force directly through mechanical energy storage, eliminating the need for electromagnets. This substitution allows for large air gaps to be maintained while achieving sufficient braking force, and significantly reduces brake weight compared to electromagnetic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanisms are pre-compressed to store mechanical energy that is readily available to provide large contact forces when braking is required. This preliminary action of pre-loading the springs eliminates the need for electromagnetic fields to build up force, allowing instant deployment of high braking force while maintaining large air gaps and reducing overall system weight.
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 braking device effectively manages air gaps for controlled braking, ensures fail-safe operation in case of energy failure, and reduces noise levels by allowing the brake pads to lift off the rail during normal operation, meeting safety and comfort requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnet for holding the pawl in the first position
Implementation Method 2
a spring for generating braking force
Implementation Method 3
the at least one brake module moves with in contact with the facility
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The device (2F) has a brake module (6F) cooperating with a mechanism i.e. rail (16F), moving relative to the brake module, and a handle (4F) adjustable between two operating positions (36F, 38F). The handle is connected in the operating position (36F) with the brake module in such a manner that aerodynamic force is transferred from the handle to the brake module. The handle in the operating position (38F) is separated from the brake module such that the brake module is in contact with the mechanism. An independent claim is also included for a method for adjusting a brake module for a cabin moving relative to a lift shaft.