Elevator Disc Brake Centering for Equal Pad Air Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Disc brakes in elevators experience unequal air gaps between brake pads and the brake disc, leading to uneven wear and high-frequency noise due to rubbing.

Innovation Solution

An elevator disc brake design featuring a brake caliper with elastic means, adjustment members, and locking members to ensure equal air gaps between brake pads and the brake disc, using wire springs or metal sheets to center the brake disc and adjust the brake pads' position, thereby eliminating uneven wear and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the disc brake is opened without elastic means to center the brake disc, then the structure is simpler, but unequal air gaps between brake pads and brake disc occur causing unequal wear and high-frequency noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake structureVSAvoidair gap equality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Elastic means (wire springs or metal sheets) are introduced as intermediary components between the brake caliper and the brake disc. These elastic means act as mediators that automatically adjust and maintain equal air gaps between the brake pads and the brake disc, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms while ensuring precise air gap equality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic means are designed to automatically center the brake disc and maintain equal air gaps without requiring external intervention or complex adjustment mechanisms. The elastic components self-adjust based on the brake disc position, providing self-service functionality that maintains manufacturing precision while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If adjustment members and locking members are added to adjust elastic means, then air gap equality is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair gap equalityVSAvoidbrake structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brake system incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through adjustment members that allow the elastic means to be tuned during installation or maintenance. The locking members then fix the adjusted position, creating a dynamic system that can adapt to different installation conditions while maintaining equal air gaps, balancing precision requirements with structural considerations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If elastic means are used to center the brake disc, then unequal wear and noise are eliminated, but the ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake pad wear uniformityVSAvoidbrake assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes parameter changes in the elastic means (wire springs or metal sheets) to achieve reliable uniform brake pad wear. By selecting appropriate elastic parameters and dimensions, the system automatically maintains equal air gaps, ensuring reliable uniform wear while keeping the manufacturing process relatively straightforward through the use of standard elastic components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution achieves equal wear of brake pads and eliminates high-frequency noise by maintaining consistent air gaps, allowing for easy on-site adjustments and cost-effective maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

elastic means configured to center the brake disc between the brake pads

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

brake magnet configured to operate the brake plate; brake pads being attached to the brake plate and configured to provide a braking action when moved against a brake disc due to a movement of the brake plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3782944B1An elevator disc brake
Publication Date: 2023.06.28 KONE OYJ
  • EP3782944B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3782944B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3782944B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

According to an aspect, there is provided an elevator disc brake comprising a brake caliper (100, 202) comprising a brake plate (214) and a brake magnet (212) configured to operate the brake plate (120, 214); brake pads (118A, 118B, 210A, 210B) comprising a first brake pad (118A, 210A) attached to the brake plate (120, 214) and a second brake pad (118B, 210B) attached to the brake caliper (100, 202), the brake pads (118A, 118B, 210A, 210B) being configured to provide a braking action when moved against a brake disc (114, 216) due to a movement of the brake plate (120, 214); and elastic means (102, 104, 204) configured to center the brake disc (114, 216) between the brake pads (118A, 118B, 210A, 210B).