Elevator Brake Disengagement Monitoring via Current Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator brake disengagement monitoring is unreliable and costly due to conventional displacement sensors, leading to potential safety issues and regulatory non-compliance, as brakes may not fully disengage, causing excessive wear and friction.
Innovation Solution
A method to determine and guarantee brake disengagement by applying a test sequence to each brake, gradually increasing current until movement is detected, and storing the current value to ensure complete opening, eliminating the need for additional sensors and reducing wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional displacement sensors are used to detect brake disengagement, then brake status can be monitored, but the system becomes more expensive and less reliable due to additional components and small mechanical movement detection issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from separate displacement sensors and integrates it into the existing current control system. By monitoring current consumption patterns rather than using dedicated sensors, the system eliminates additional components while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing current control system is made multi-functional by enabling it to both control brake operation and detect disengagement status through current monitoring. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate detection components.
2Reliability
If brake inspection frequency is increased to detect wear early, then safety is improved, but maintenance costs and operational downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of brake disengagement issues through continuous current monitoring during normal operation. By detecting problems early through current pattern analysis, the system prevents severe wear before it occurs, eliminating the need for frequent manual inspections and reducing operational downtime.
3Reliability
If additional current is provided to brakes to guarantee opening, then brake disengagement is ensured, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial excessive action by providing additional current above the minimum required for brake opening. This ensures complete disengagement and prevents friction, with the energy cost being minimal compared to the damage prevention benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from current monitoring to detect when brakes are properly disengaged. By continuously monitoring current consumption patterns, the system can determine when the brake has fully opened and adjust current accordingly, optimizing energy usage while ensuring complete disengagement.
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
This approach ensures reliable brake disengagement, reduces wear, and complies with regulations, providing a cost-effective solution that is applicable to various elevator configurations, including those with counterweights of different weights.
Implementation Method 1
applying momentum to the elevator car by an electric drive
Implementation Method 2
a defect brake that is not completely disengaged and causes friction
Implementation Method 3
applying momentum to the elevator car by using gravity force caused by the counterweight of the elevator
Data Source
AI summary
It is desired that elevators are not operated when the brake is not completely released. Thus, the disengaging of brakes must be monitored or guaranteed otherwise. For providing guaranteed opening, the current for opening the brake is determined and then an additional current is provided to the brakes in order to guarantee the opening. The current for opening the brake is determined by doing a test sequence for each brake individually. In the test sequence, one brake is used to hold the elevator. Then, a momentum is applied to the elevator for moving the elevator car. The current is determined by increasing the current to the engaged brake gradually until the elevator moves. When the movement is detected, the current value is stored. When the elevator is operated regularly, the additional current is added to the stored value.