Elevator Brake Testing via Electrical Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems require efficient and convenient methods to test brake functionality, ensuring secure stopping and holding capabilities, even if one brake fails, without the need for mechanical blocking.
Innovation Solution
An elevator system with a control unit, drive unit, and at least two brakes, featuring an electrical connection device that switches between normal and brake test operations, allowing for the deactivation of one brake during testing, and using safety relays to engage only non-deactivated brakes in the brake test mode, with brake sensors indicating the test state to prevent passenger operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mechanical blocking methods are used to test brakes, then brake functionality can be tested, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical blocking methods with an electrical control system. The electrical connection device and control unit use electrical signals to deactivate individual brakes during testing, eliminating the need for complex mechanical blocking mechanisms and making the testing process simpler and more reliable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electrical connection device as an intermediary between the control unit and the brakes. This device facilitates the deactivation of individual brakes through electrical control, providing a convenient interface for testing without requiring direct mechanical intervention.
2Ease of operation
If electrical connection device is used to switch between normal and brake test operations, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection device serves multiple functions: it normally connects all brakes during regular operation and can be reconfigured to deactivate individual brakes during testing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate testing equipment, making the overall system simpler despite the added electrical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the testing functionality into the existing electrical control system by integrating the electrical connection device with the control unit. This combination eliminates the need for separate testing mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If safety relays are used to engage only non-deactivated brakes during testing, then testing accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the brake control system by using safety relays to individually control each brake's engagement status during testing. This segmentation allows precise control over which brakes are active or deactivated, enabling accurate testing of specific brake combinations while maintaining overall system integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives feedback from the electrical connection device about the operational state of each brake. This feedback mechanism allows the control unit to accurately determine which brakes are deactivated and adjust its control signals accordingly, ensuring precise and accurate brake testing.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An elevator system (2) comprises: an elevator car (6), which is movably arranged within a hoistway (4); a drive unit (5), which is configured for driving the elevator car (6); at least two brakes (32, 36, 40), which are respectively configured for braking the elevator car (6); and a control unit (30), which is configured for controlling the drive unit (5) and the at least two brakes (32, 36, 40); and an electrical connection device (68), which is switchable between a state of normal operation and a state of brake test operation. The elevator system (2) is configured such that, when the electrical connection device (68) is switched into the state of brake test operation, at least one of the brakes (32, 36, 40) is deactivated and a signal indicating the state of brake test operation is supplied to the control unit (30); and the control unit (30) is configured to operate the elevator system (2) in a brake test mode, if it detects the signal indicating the state of brake test operation.