Frictionless Elevator Safety Brake Actuator With Alternating Magnet Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems with electronic safety actuators face challenges due to wear and debris accumulation from frictional interactions between magnets and guide rails, necessitating a reliable and convenient reset mechanism for frictionless safety brake actuators.
Innovation Solution
A frictionless safety brake actuator design featuring a magnet array with alternating current control, allowing the magnet array to move between actuated and non-actuated positions, utilizing a biasing arrangement and staggered discrete magnetic elements to reset the safety brake without frictional contact, enabling actuation of the safety brake without relying on guide rail contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a magnet is used to drag against the guide rail to actuate the safety brake, then the safety brake can be activated, but wear on the guide rail and debris accumulation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical friction-based magnet dragging system with an electromagnetic system. Electromagnets mounted on the guide rail interact with a magnet array on the safety brake actuator through magnetic attraction without physical contact, eliminating wear and debris generation while maintaining reliable safety brake activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic field interaction as an intermediary between the guide rail and safety brake actuator. The electromagnets on the guide rail and magnet array on the actuator communicate through magnetic forces without direct mechanical contact, serving as a non-contact mediator that transfers actuation force without causing wear.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a spring force mechanism is used to reset the safety brake, then frictionless operation is achieved, but a reliable reset mechanism is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring-based reset system with an electromagnetic reset mechanism. Electromagnets on the guide rail interact with the magnet array to provide controlled reset forces, eliminating the need for mechanical springs and their associated friction and reliability issues.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If electromagnets are used on the guide rail, then frictionless actuation is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the guide rail system to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support, guides the safety brake actuator, and houses electromagnets for both actuation and reset operations. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite adding electromagnetic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the actuation and reset electromagnets into a single integrated system on the guide rail. The same guide rail structure that supports the elevator also houses the electromagnetic components, merging multiple functions into a unified system that reduces overall complexity.
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 provides a reliable and frictionless actuation mechanism that is not affected by guide rail debris, allowing for flexible placement and efficient resetting of the safety brake, reducing wear and maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
the or each magnet in the first magnet set is an electromagnet, and wherein the magnet array produces a magnetic field; wherein the electromagnet(s) in the first magnet set and the magnet(s) in the second magnet set each have a respective orientation such that when a forward current is supplied to the electromagnet(s) in the first magnet set, the magnetic field is stronger on a first side of the magnet array
Implementation Method 2
when a forward current is supplied to the electromagnet(s) in the first magnet set, the magnetic field is stronger on a first side of the magnet array adjacent to the first stator than on a second, opposing side of the magnet array adjacent to the second stator, and when a reverse current is supplied to the electromagnet(s) in the first magnet set, the magnetic field is stronger on the second side of the magnet array than on the first side of the magnet array
Data Source
AI summary
A frictionless safety brake actuator, for use in an elevator system, includes at least two stators; a magnet array positioned between the stators; a linkage attached to the magnet array; and a biasing arrangement. The linkage is actuatable to move a safety brake into frictional engagement with an elevator guide rail. The magnet array is moveable between a first position in which the linkage is actuated and a second position in which the linkage is not actuated. The biasing arrangement is arranged to bias the magnet array towards the first position. The magnet array includes a first magnet set and a second magnet set which comprise at least one magnet each and at least three magnets in total. The magnet(s) of the first magnet set is/are arranged alternately with the magnet(s) of the second magnet set in a stack.