Elevator Safety Block Deformable Parallelogram Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional elevator safety blocks require significant force to disengage after emergency braking, often necessitating a rail grabber or over-drive motor, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The elevator safety block employs a deformable parallelogram configuration with pivots and a sliding intermediate body, allowing the engaging body to move parallel to the guide rail, enabling easy release by minimal upward force after emergency braking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional wedge principle safety blocks are used, then emergency braking capability is achieved, but significant force is required to disengage after braking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency braking capabilityVSAvoiddisengagement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The safety block transitions from a static wedge structure to a dynamic deformable parallelogram structure that can change its geometry. The parallelogram mechanism allows the engaging body to move along a controlled path, enabling easy disengagement by applying minimal upward force to the elevator car, which causes the parallelogram to deform and release the engaging body from the guide rail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the safety block structure by using a deformable parallelogram configuration. This allows the relative positions and angles of the frame, intermediate body, and engaging body to change dynamically during engagement and disengagement, enabling the engaging body to move parallel to the guide rail and facilitating easy release without requiring excessive force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If rail grabber or over-drive motor is used to disengage safety block, then safety block can be released, but device complexity and power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety block releaseVSAvoidrelease mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable parallelogram mechanism enables the safety block to disengage itself automatically with minimal external force. When a small upward force is applied to the elevator car, the parallelogram structure deforms, causing the engaging body to move and release from the guide rail without requiring complex external release mechanisms like rail grabbers or over-drive motors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic deformable parallelogram structure allows the safety block to transition smoothly between engaged and disengaged states through controlled geometric changes, eliminating the need for complex release mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If traditional wedge principle safety blocks are used, then emergency braking is achieved, but operational power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency braking capabilityVSAvoidoperational power requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable parallelogram mechanism allows the safety block to disengage automatically with minimal energy input. The structure uses its own geometric properties to convert small forces into the necessary movements for release, significantly reducing the operational power requirements compared to traditional systems that require over-drive motors or other energy-intensive release mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 configuration allows for effective emergency braking with easy disengagement, reducing the need for external force to release the safety block, facilitating normal operation and minimizing operational power requirements.

Implementation Method 1

the intermediate body comprising at least one pin configured to slidably move within the at least one support aperture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSliding: Friction

Implementation Method 2

at least one pivot configured to rotatably attach the engaging body to the intermediate body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation: Hinge

Implementation Method 3

a deformable parallelogram configuration for an elevator safety block, such that minimal upward force may be required to disengage an engaged elevator safety block

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP3328772B1Safety block for elevator
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3328772B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3328772B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3328772B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

An elevator safety block including a frame configured to attach to an elevator structure, e.g., an elevator car or counterweight, and slidably engage with a guide rail, the frame defining a first engaging surface and a support surface, an intermediate body slidably mounted to the support surface, and an engaging body rotatably attached to the intermediate body and having a second engaging surface. In a first position, the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface are configured to permit the elevator structure to move along the guide rail, and, in a second position, the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface are configured to engage with the guide rail and prevent movement of the elevator structure.