Elevator Brake Lever Flexure Joint Lateral Deflection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional friction brakes for elevators often produce annoying squeaking noises and jerky movements due to vibrations, which are unacceptable in elevator technology.
Innovation Solution
A friction brake design featuring a pivotably arranged brake lever with an elastic suspension via a flexure joint, which includes a web with a cantilevered portion and lateral stops to prevent lateral flexing, combined with a spring arrangement and actuator control to dampen the application movement and ensure even braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a flexure joint with a web is used to elastically suspend the brake lever, then the braking operation becomes smoother with reduced vibrations, but the web may sag or deflect laterally when the brake is loaded
Solution Approach 1:
The invention addresses lateral web deflection by introducing lateral stops that constrain the web in the lateral dimension. The stops are positioned to limit lateral movement while allowing the web to twist about its longitudinal axis, thus preventing sagging without interfering with the torsional movement needed for elastic suspension functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral stops act as intermediary elements between the web and the external environment. These stops provide a contact surface that limits lateral deflection when the brake is loaded, while being positioned at a distance from the web to avoid impeding its torsional movement during normal operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the stop is arranged directly adjacent to the web, then lateral deflection is prevented, but the torsional movement of the web may be impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral stops are positioned in the lateral dimension at a specific distance from the web, creating a spatial arrangement where the stops constrain lateral movement without interfering with torsional movement about the longitudinal axis. This dimensional separation allows both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
3Device complexity
If the web has a narrower section with smaller cross-section, then torsion occurs more easily, but the web becomes more susceptible to lateral deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral stops provide lateral support in a dimension perpendicular to the torsional axis, allowing the web to have a narrower cross-section for easy torsion while the stops prevent lateral deflection. The stops are positioned to engage only when lateral deflection occurs, maintaining torsional flexibility during normal operation.
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 results in a more even braking operation with reduced vibrations and noise, improved braking behavior, and the ability to function as both a service and emergency brake, ensuring reliable operation even in power failures.
Implementation Method 1
the web twisting about its longitudinal axis when the at least one brake lever pivots
Implementation Method 2
the at least one brake lever being elastically suspended by means of a flexure joint
Implementation Method 3
at least one pivotably arranged brake lever with a brake pad and an actuator for actuating the friction brake
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a friction brake (1) for braking a rail-guided transport device (26), in particular a lift, having at least one brake lever (15) with a brake lining (4) which can be pressed against a rail (2), in order to brake the transport device (26), and with an actuator (6) for actuating the at least one brake lever (15). According to the invention, a solid body joint (36) is proposed which has at least one web (37) to which a brake lever (3) is fastened, wherein the web (37) twists about the longitudinal axis (38) thereof when the brake lever (3) performs a pivoting movement. Moreover, according to the invention, means (42, 42', 50, 52) are provided which limit or prevent deflection of the web (37) in the lateral direction (x).