Elevator Brake Force Sensing for Direct Braking Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator brake monitoring systems fail to provide direct information about the braking situation, relying on indirect measurements of armature or spring force, which limits their effectiveness in ensuring safety and reliability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sensor system within the elevator brake that directly measures operational parameters, such as normal force of the friction lining, using sensors like load cells and proximity sensors mounted inside a hollow carrier or on a PCB board, to obtain accurate and reliable data on braking conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanical switches or proximity switches are used to monitor brake operation, then the brake state can be detected, but only indirect information about armature or spring force is obtained rather than direct braking force measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switches with a sensor system that uses non-contact sensing methods (optical, capacitive, or inductive sensors) to directly measure the braking force. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical contact while providing direct measurement of the normal force acting on the friction lining, thereby obtaining accurate braking situation information without the limitations of indirect mechanical switch measurements.
2Ease of operation
If spring force is measured from a distance from the braking area, then the measurement can be performed, but direct information about the breaking situation cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement approach where sensors measure the position or displacement of the armature, which then serves as an indirect indicator of the braking force. The evaluation unit uses this intermediary measurement data to calculate the actual braking force, thereby obtaining direct braking situation information while maintaining ease of measurement implementation.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are mounted inside the elevator brake, then direct measurement of normal force is possible, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the sensor system, where the same sensor arrangement serves both to monitor the braking force and to detect the operational state of the brake. The evaluation unit processes sensor data to provide comprehensive brake status information, thereby achieving precise normal force measurement while managing device complexity through functional integration.
4Reliability
If multiple sensors are integrated into the brake system, then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensor system into modular components that can be independently manufactured and then assembled. The sensor arrangement is designed as a separate module that can be integrated into the brake system, facilitating easier manufacturing and assembly while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities and high reliability.
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
Enables direct measurement of braking force and torque, allowing for early detection of spring failure, improved safety, and enhanced monitoring of elevator brake operation, reducing the risk of accidents by providing precise information on the braking situation.
Implementation Method 1
the brake frame comprises an electromagnet, which acts against braking force generated by a number of work springs
Implementation Method 2
The braking force is a result of the friction between a brake wheel surface and a friction lining material that is pressed by a force towards the brake wheel surface
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator brake includes a frame part including an electromagnet; a moving armature movably supported on the frame part; at least one energy storage, such as a work spring, arranged between the frame part and the moving armature; a friction lining associated with the moving armature and fitted to engage a braking surface with a normal force originating from the at least one energy storage, to brake movement of an elevator car or to hold the elevator car standstill; and a sensor system including one or more sensors mounted into the elevator brake and adapted to sense one or more operational parameters of the elevator brake and/or to directly measure normal force of the friction lining.