Elevator Brake Testing During Normal Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing elevator brakes during normal operation are costly and inefficient, as they require separate test runs without passengers and do not adequately simulate various load conditions, reducing elevator availability and involving maintenance personnel.
Innovation Solution
The elevator apparatus is designed to test one brake during normal operation by triggering it to brake when the elevator car slows down at a floor, monitoring its effectiveness, and engaging the second brake if necessary, allowing for continuous testing with passengers onboard without maintenance intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate test runs are carried out without passengers to test brakes, then brake testing can be performed safely, but elevator availability is reduced and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges brake testing operations with normal elevator service operations. The control arrangement automatically performs brake tests during regular trips with passengers onboard, combining two previously separate functions (testing and service) into a single integrated operation, thereby eliminating the need for separate test runs and maintaining elevator availability
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator system performs self-diagnosis through automatic brake testing controlled by the control arrangement. The system monitors its own brake performance during normal operation without requiring external maintenance personnel intervention, enabling continuous operation while ensuring safety through automated monitoring
2Reliability
If separate test runs are carried out by maintenance personnel, then brake testing can be performed, but maintenance costs increase due to personnel involvement
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator system performs self-diagnosis through automatic brake testing controlled by the control arrangement. The system monitors its own brake performance during normal operation without requiring external maintenance personnel intervention, enabling continuous operation while ensuring safety through automated monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The control arrangement continuously monitors brake performance during normal operation and automatically analyzes test results. The system provides feedback on brake health status and can trigger maintenance alerts only when actual problems are detected, eliminating routine maintenance visits and reducing maintenance costs
3Ease of operation
If empty elevator car is used for brake testing, then testing can be performed separately, but different load conditions are not tested
Solution Approach 1:
The brake testing system is designed to function universally across multiple operating conditions. The control arrangement automatically adapts the testing procedure based on the actual load present in the elevator car, enabling the same testing mechanism to validate brake performance under various load scenarios (empty, partially loaded, fully loaded) without requiring separate test procedures
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an elevator apparatus (1), comprising: a drive unit (3), at least a first and a second brake (11, 12), and a control arrangement (10) controlling operation of the hoisting machine (2) and the at least first and second brake (11, 12). In order to test the brakes, the the control arrangement (10) is configured to test operation of the at least the first and second brake (11, 12) in turns during normal operation runs of the elevator car by triggering only one (11) of the at least first and second brakes (11, 12) to brake, decreasing a force (F) provided from the drive unit (3), monitoring movement of the elevator car (4), and triggering an indication of a failed brake (11) in case movement of the elevator car (4) is detected while the triggered brake (11) brakes.