Elevator Brake Eccentric Adjustment for Air Gap Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Elevator drum brakes face challenges with noise due to large kinetic energy absorption, require precise manufacturing tolerances, and are sensitive to brake shoe orientation and air gap adjustments, especially in narrow designs.

Innovation Solution

The elevator brake system employs eccentric adjustment elements to easily and quickly adjust the air gap between the brake block and drum, ensuring consistent behavior in both directions, reducing noise, and simplifying manufacturing by making stop faces parallel, thus improving accuracy and reducing operational noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the air gap between brake block and brake drum is minimized to reduce noise, then the impact noise is reduced, but the construction becomes sensitive and requires very accurate manufacturing tolerances

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidmanufacturing tolerances
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the parameter of air gap size from a fixed small value to an adjustable value within a range (0.5-5mm). This allows optimization of the air gap parameter to reduce noise while avoiding the sensitivity issues of extremely small gaps, resolving the contradiction between noise reduction and manufacturing precision requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an adjustable mechanism that allows the air gap parameter to be dynamically modified after installation. This transforms a static, precision-critical design into a dynamic system where the air gap can be optimized in the field, eliminating the need for extremely tight manufacturing tolerances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If an eccentric adjusting element is used to adjust the air gap, then the adjustment is easier and quicker, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment easeVSAvoidbrake construction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the brake assembly into adjustable components, specifically introducing an adjustable support element that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows simple adjustment mechanisms to control the air gap without complicating the entire brake system, resolving the contradiction between ease of adjustment and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the brake shoe and movable parts of electromagnet are precisely oriented to avoid skewness, then the load on brake parts is reduced, but the manufacturing and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake performanceVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables the brake assembly to self-correct orientation issues through the adjustable support element. The design allows for automatic alignment and distribution of contact pressure when the brake is engaged, eliminating the need for complex pre-alignment procedures and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 allows for precise and easy adjustment of the brake air gap, reducing noise and operational complexity, while maintaining consistent braking performance in both directions, and simplifying the brake design for cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a spring comprised in the active part of the brake presses a brake shoe and the brake block attached to it against the braking surface of the brake drum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

an electromagnet comprised in the active part of the brake is in an energized state and the magnet pulls the brake shoe and brake block clear of the braking surface of the brake drum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 3

the force acting on the brake drum of the drum brake is relatively great, and consequently the brake wheel absorbs a great deal of kinetic energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2217522B1Elevator brake
Publication Date: 2014.01.08 KONE OYJ
  • EP2217522B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2217522B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2217522B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an elevator brake, said elevator comprising a hoisting machine (1) provided with at least a frame part (2) and a traction sheave (3), and a brake drum (4) arranged to be rotatable with the traction sheave (3) and provided with a braking surface (5), and a brake (6) having an effect on the rotary motion of the traction sheave (3), said brake (6) comprising at least one brake block (8) provided with a braking surface, which brake block (8) has been arranged to act on the braking surface (5) of the brake drum (4) with a force directed substantially towards the braking surface (5). To allow adjustment of the size of the air gap (8a) between the braking surface of the brake block (8) and the braking surface (5) of the brake drum (4), the brake (6) is provided with at least one eccentric adjusting element (11).