Elevator Safety Brake Electromagnetic Triggering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator safety gear systems face issues with noise generation due to governor rope vibrations, mechanical complexity, space requirements, limited speed monitoring, and long dead times in braking, as well as being non-reversible and requiring extensive infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A safety brake device that uses an electromagnetic actuator to trigger a release arm, creating a frictional connection with the guide rail, allowing for easy engagement and disengagement without a limiter cable, and utilizing the elevator car's movement for resetting, with adjustable braking force and the ability to be triggered at various speeds or stationary conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a governor rope is used to trigger the safety brake device, then the safety gear can be activated, but noise is generated due to rope vibrations and false triggering may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the governor rope from the triggering mechanism and replaces it with an electromagnetic actuator. This extraction eliminates the source of vibrations and noise while maintaining the safety function through a more reliable electrical triggering system.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical governor rope system is replaced with an electromagnetic actuator that uses electrical signals to trigger the safety brake. This substitution eliminates mechanical vibrations and noise while providing more precise and reliable activation.
2Reliability
If an electromagnet is used to hold latch levers in the safety brake device, then triggering can be achieved, but large dead times occur until the elevator car is effectively braked
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic actuator is pre-positioned and ready to actuate the release arm at any moment. When triggered, it immediately releases the brake shoes onto the guide rail, eliminating the delay associated with spring acceleration of heavy components. The system is prepared in advance for rapid deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The heavy spring-loaded plunger mechanism is replaced with a lightweight electromagnetic actuator that can rapidly actuate the release arm. This substitution dramatically reduces the dead time by eliminating the inertia and acceleration time of large mechanical components.
3Force
If a spring-loaded plunger is used to actuate the release lever in the safety brake device, then braking force can be generated, but the system requires large dead times and complex infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The complex governor rope infrastructure spanning the entire shaft height is removed from the system. The safety brake is triggered locally by an electromagnetic actuator on the elevator car itself, eliminating the need for overhead infrastructure and reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded plunger system requiring large acceleration forces is replaced with an electromagnetic actuator that uses electrical energy to rapidly actuate the release mechanism. This substitution reduces both the mechanical complexity and the infrastructure requirements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the safety brake device is designed to work in one direction only, then it can be triggered at low speeds, but it cannot handle bidirectional travel or high-speed scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The safety brake device is designed with a release arm that can be actuated in either direction by the electromagnetic actuator. The brake shoes are positioned to engage with the guide rail regardless of the direction of travel, making the system universal for bidirectional operation and adaptable to various speed scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static, direction-fixed design to a dynamic configuration where the release arm can pivot and the brake shoes can engage from either direction. This dynamic design allows the same mechanism to handle both upward and downward travel as well as high-speed and low-speed scenarios.
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 solution achieves rapid response times, reduced energy consumption, eliminates the need for complex infrastructure, and allows for reversible operation at any speed, including stationary conditions, with adjustable braking force and manual release capability.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic actuator (14) having a locking pin (14.1) which can hold the guide pin (15)
Implementation Method 2
creating a frictional connection with the guide rail (5)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The brake chopper (1) comprises a brake unit (2) and trip unit (3). The trip unit has a trip arm (17) which is set in motion by movement of the lift cabin and can be brought into friction engagement with the guide rail on which the lift cabin and counter weight move. The movement of the trip arm brings the brake shoes (6,9,10) into contact with the guide rail. The trip arm is moved by a compression spring against the guide rail and can be unlocked by an electromagnetic actuator. Independent claim describes method for engaging brake chopper in a lift wherein the trip arm is moved through the movement of the cabin and brings the brake shoes into contact with the guide rail.