Elevator Brake Testing Using Balance Check Load Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for testing elevator brakes are flawed due to incorrect balancing, leading to insufficient test loads and potential failure to stop the elevator car properly, especially during downward movement with a full load.
Innovation Solution
Perform a balance check to determine an actual test load based on the elevator's current balance, ensuring the brake test is conducted with the correct load, and only allow brake testing if the balance check meets predetermined criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a brake test is performed with a calculated test load based on an assumed balancing ratio, then the brake test can be conducted, but the test load may be insufficient leading to false positive brake performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a balance check before the brake test to determine the actual test load. This preliminary action ensures that the brake test is conducted with the correct load based on the actual elevator balance rather than an assumed balancing ratio, preventing insufficient test loads and false positive results.
Solution Approach 2:
The system measures the actual balance of the elevator and uses this feedback information to adjust the test load calculation. By continuously monitoring the balance and adjusting the test load accordingly, the system ensures accurate brake performance verification rather than relying on fixed assumed ratios.
2Ease of operation
If the elevator operates with incorrect balancing, then the elevator can still move, but the brakes cannot properly stop the car under full load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a balance check before allowing brake testing or operation. This preliminary verification ensures that the elevator balance is within acceptable margins before the brakes are relied upon for stopping, preventing operation with incorrect balancing that would compromise brake stopping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prevents brake testing and elevator operation when balance errors exceed predetermined margins. This preliminary anti-action blocks potentially dangerous operations before they can occur, ensuring that brakes are only tested and used when the elevator is properly balanced.
3Productivity
If brake testing is allowed without balance verification, then testing can proceed, but the test results become void due to insufficient test load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a balance check as a preliminary step before brake testing. This ensures that the actual test load is correctly determined based on the current elevator balance, making the test results valid and accurate rather than void due to insufficient load.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts the test load parameter based on the measured balance parameters. By changing the test load to match the actual elevator conditions rather than using a fixed calculated value, the system ensures accurate and valid brake test results.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for testing safety characteristics of an elevator includes driving the car in a test run while the car is empty to perform a balance check of the elevator according to a request to perform the balance check; and adjustably controlling operation of the elevator based on a result of the balance check. Such adjustably controlling includes, based on comparing the result of the balance check to predetermined criteria, selectively performing one of preventing normal operation of the elevator, operating the elevator according to a degraded elevator operation, or operating the elevator to perform a brake test of machinery brakes of the elevator based on a test load that is calculated based on the result of the balance check.