Elevator Counterweight Brake Control for Jump-Free Rapid Stops
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Elevators without compensation ropes experience significant strain and impact on load-bearing components due to counterweight jumps during rapid stops, which can lead to uncomfortable bumps and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling a counterweight brake device using sensors in the elevator car and counterweight to activate the brake in response to measured data, utilizing conductive load-bearing members for electricity and data transfer via hoisting ropes, and incorporating an electrical overspeed governor or gripper arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the elevator car is stopped rapidly, then the stopping time is reduced, but the counterweight jump impact increases causing heavy strain on load bearing components
Solution Approach 1:
The brake device is activated in advance based on predicted counterweight jump risk assessment. The control unit calculates the risk of counterweight jump before the actual stop occurs and activates the brake device preemptively to prevent the jump and impact, rather than reacting after the problem occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors elevator car velocity and calculates counterweight jump risk in real-time. This feedback mechanism allows the system to assess the likelihood of counterweight jump during deceleration and dynamically control the brake device activation timing and force to prevent harmful impacts while maintaining efficient stopping.
2Device complexity
If compensation ropes are removed to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but counterweight jump impact increases causing heavy strain on load bearing components
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical compensation rope system is replaced with an electronic control system. Instead of using physical compensation ropes and mechanical tensioning devices, the invention uses sensors, control units, and electronically controlled brake devices to detect and prevent counterweight jump, achieving the same protective function with reduced mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically monitors elevator operation parameters, calculates counterweight jump risk, and activates the brake device without external intervention. The system serves itself by continuously assessing its own operational state and taking corrective action when counterweight jump is predicted, eliminating the need for complex mechanical safety systems.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sensors and control systems are added to prevent counterweight jump, then counterweight jump impact is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs multiple functions: it monitors elevator car velocity, calculates counterweight jump risk, determines optimal brake activation timing, and controls the brake device. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional control unit, the system achieves effective counterweight jump prevention without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the brake device control with the existing elevator control system. The brake device is integrated into the counterweight assembly, and its control is merged with the elevator's existing velocity monitoring and control functions, reducing the need for separate independent control systems and minimizing additional 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
Prevents counterweight jumps and impacts, ensuring safe and reliable operation without compensation ropes, reducing strain on components and eliminating uncomfortable bumps.
Implementation Method 1
a brake device (23) of the counterweight (2), wherein activating means of the brake device (23) are activated in response to output from the at least one sensor (9) or in response to data derived from output from the at least one sensor (9)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an elevator for transporting passengers and/or goods. The elevator according to the present invention comprises an elevator car (1), said elevator car (1) comprising an at least one sensor (19) arranged to measure said elevator car (1) travelling downwards being stopped, a counterweight (2) comprising a brake device (23), one or more ropes (3), (4) interconnecting said car (1) and said counterweight (2), one end of each rope (3), (4) being fixed to the elevator car (1) and the other end of each rope (3), (4) being fixed to the counterweight (2), means for transferring measurement data between said elevator car (1) and said counterweight (2), means for receiving data by a control unit (22) of the counterweight (2) or by a control function of said counterweight brake device (23), and means for activating said counterweight brake device (23) by said control unit (22) of the counterweight (2) or by said control function of said counterweight brake device (23).