Elevator Brake Sensor Integration for Direct Normal Force Measurement
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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 accuracy and reliability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sensor system within the elevator brake, including sensors like load cells and proximity sensors mounted inside a hollow carrier, to directly measure the normal force of the friction lining, enabling direct measurement of braking force and torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical switches or proximity switches are used to monitor brake operation, then the brake operation can be monitored, but direct information about the braking situation cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switches with a sensor system that uses a hollow carrier and sensors (such as inductive sensors) to detect the position of the friction lining. This substitution allows for direct measurement of the braking situation without relying on indirect mechanical switch states, thereby obtaining direct information about the braking force application while maintaining reliable monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow carrier acts as an intermediary element that transmits the braking force information from the friction lining to the sensor system. The carrier bends or deforms in response to the braking force, and this deformation is detected by the sensors, providing direct information about the braking situation without requiring direct contact between the sensor and the friction lining.
2Measurement precision
If spring force is measured from a distance from the braking area, then the spring force can be measured, but direct information about the breaking situation cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces indirect spring force measurement with a sensor system that directly measures the braking force at the braking area. The hollow carrier and sensor arrangement enable direct detection of the normal force between the friction lining and the braking surface, providing precise measurement of the actual braking situation rather than inferring it from spring force at a distance.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are mounted inside the hollow carrier, then direct measurement of normal force is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow carrier serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the friction lining, transmits the braking force information through its deformation, and houses the sensor system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving direct normal force measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is nested inside the hollow carrier, with the sensors positioned within the carrier's cavity. This nested arrangement allows the sensors to detect the carrier's deformation caused by braking force while being protected by the carrier structure, integrating the measurement function within the existing brake component without adding significant external complexity.
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 enhances the accuracy and reliability of braking force measurement, allowing for early detection of spring failure and improved safety by providing direct information about the braking situation, thus improving the monitoring of elevator brake operation.
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
Implementation Method 3
a sensor system comprising one or more sensors mounted into the elevator brake and adapted to directly measure normal force of the friction lining
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to an elevator brake (100) comprising: a frame part (102) comprising an electromagnet (104); a moving armature (106) movably supported on the frame part (102); at least one energy storage, such as a work spring (110a, 110b), arranged between the frame part (102) and the moving armature (106); a friction lining (109) associated with the moving armature (106) and fitted to engage a braking surface (107) with a normal force originating from the at least one energy storage (110a, 100b), to brake movement of an elevator car or to hold the elevator car standstill; and a sensor system comprising one or more sensors (302a-302d) mounted into the elevator brake (100) and adapted to sense one or more operational parameters of the elevator brake (100) and/or to directly measure normal force of the friction lining (109).