Elevator Car Mover Parking Brake for Wheel Load Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing multi-car elevator system with motor-driven wheels experiences ride quality issues and reduced tire life due to high loading when parked, leading to potential flat spots and energy inefficiency from continuous operation during non-demand periods.
Innovation Solution
A parking brake system is introduced, operationally separate from the motor-controlled wheels, which can be deployed to engage the drive track at a location spaced apart from the wheels, using various mechanisms such as swing arms, arcuate plate members, plungers, magnets, or scissor brakes to park the elevator car, thereby releasing tire forces and reducing loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If motor-driven wheels are used to propel the elevator car, then the elevator car can be moved along the drive track, but high loading on the wheels when parked causes ride quality issues and reduced tire life
Solution Approach 1:
The parking brake system is implemented as a separate, independent mechanism from the motor-driven wheels. The brake assembly includes distinct components (brake pads, brake disc, actuator) that function independently to provide parking restraint, separating the propulsion function from the parking restraint function. This segmentation allows the wheels to be relieved of parking loading duties, extending tire life and improving ride quality.
2Reliability
If motor-driven wheels continuously operate during non-demand periods to maintain readiness, then the elevator system remains ready for immediate service, but energy efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The motor-driven wheels operate periodically rather than continuously - running during demand periods to transport cars and entering a rested state during non-demand periods when the parking brake holds the mover in position. This periodic operation pattern maintains system readiness while significantly reducing energy consumption during idle times, as the motor only needs to overcome rolling resistance and maintain position intermittently rather than continuously.
3Reliability
If a parking brake system is introduced to relieve wheel loading, then tire life and ride quality improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The parking brake system incorporates feedback mechanisms through sensors that detect the brake application status and communicate with the control system. The controller monitors brake pad position, engagement status, and system state to automatically control brake application and release. This feedback loop ensures reliable operation while automating the complexity, making the system easier to operate despite the added mechanical components.
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
The parking brake system improves ride quality, extends tire life, and enhances energy efficiency by reducing high force loading on wheels when parked, preventing flat spots and eliminating the need for continuous operation during non-demand periods.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet, which is one of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet, configured to translate linearly to engage the drive track to park the car mover and/or elevator car along the hoistway
Implementation Method 2
the parking brake includes a solenoid operationally connected to the permanent magnet to translate the permanent magnet linearly to engage the drive track
Implementation Method 3
the magnet and the drive track engage each other via a friction surface formed on one or both of the permanent magnet and the drive track
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an elevator system, having: a car mover (80) for moving an elevator car along a drive track (111) in a hoistway, the car mover (80) having: motor controlled wheels (134), wherein the car mover (80) is configured to control the motor controlled wheels (134) to move along the drive track; and a parking brake (200), operationally connected to the car mover (80) and/or elevator car and operationally separate from the motor controlled wheels (134), wherein the car mover (80) is configured to control the parking brake (200) to move between a deployed state and a retracted state, wherein in the deployed state, the parking brake (200) engages the drive track (111) at a location that is spaced apart from the motor controlled wheels (134) to park the car mover (80) and/or elevator car along the hoistway, and in the retracted state, the parking brake (200) is spaced apart from the drive track (111).