Elevator Brake Control via Detachable Abnormality Detection Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of existing elevator apparatus configurations makes it difficult to share a control panel platform for adding the function of controlling a brake device during abnormality detection, leading to increased burden and potential safety issues.
Innovation Solution
An elevator apparatus with a first control section on the control panel to manage the brake device, a detachable detection section for abnormality detection, and a second control section that takes over during abnormalities, simplifying the configuration and enabling shared platform use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rope gripper is used to bring the elevator to a standstill during abnormality detection, then the emergency stop reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases and installation space requirements are not met for machine-room-less elevators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the emergency stop function from the mechanical rope gripper system and transfers it to the electrical brake device control system. The brake device, which is already part of the traction machine, is repurposed to perform emergency stopping by controlling its braking force through the second control section, eliminating the need for separate rope gripper mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake device is given multiple functions: it serves both as a normal braking mechanism during regular operation and as an emergency stopping mechanism during abnormalities. The second control section activates the brake device for emergency stop, while the first control section manages normal braking, allowing one component to fulfill multiple safety and operational roles.
2Reliability
If the deceleration speed of the car is controlled to a prescribed value during abnormality detection, then the safety is improved, but the configuration complexity increases making platform sharing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two distinct control sections: the first control section handles normal braking operations during regular elevator operation, while the second control section takes over exclusively during abnormality detection to control the brake device for emergency stopping. This segmentation allows each control section to be optimized for its specific function without the complexity of integrated control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically switches between the first control section and the second control section based on the detection of abnormalities. During normal operation, the first control section manages braking; when an abnormality is detected, the second control section activates to take over brake control. This dynamic switching enables platform sharing while maintaining functional simplicity within each mode.
3Loss of time
If the braking force is increased to reduce braking distance during emergency stop, then the response time is improved, but the risk of excessive deceleration speed and car impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second control section continuously monitors the deceleration speed of the car during emergency braking and adjusts the braking force accordingly. When the deceleration speed exceeds a predetermined safe value, the control section reduces the braking force to prevent excessive deceleration and potential car impact, while still maintaining effective braking distance control.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an elevator apparatus which permits the sharing of the platform of a control panel by simplifying a configuration for adding the function of controlling a brake device during the detection of an abnormality. For this purpose, the elevator apparatus includes a first control section which is provided on a control panel of an elevator and controls a brake device which brakes a traction machine which causes a car arranged in a shaft of the elevator to run, a detection section which is detachably provided on the control panel and detects an abnormality of the elevator, and a second control section which is detachably provided on the control panel and controls the brake device in place of the first control section during the detection of the abnormality by the detection section.