Elevator Safety Gear Trigger System Using Electromagnet and Spring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator safety gear systems rely on mechanical pulley and rope systems, which become cumbersome and inefficient, especially in high-rise elevators due to the weight and inertia of speed limiter ropes, and require complex linkage systems that are difficult to manage.

Innovation Solution

The safety gear trigger and reset system eliminates the need for speed limiter ropes and pulleys by using a lever, spring, and electromagnet mechanism connected to synchronization shafts, allowing for electronic speed detection and direct activation of safety gears, enabling efficient overspeed protection without the need for mechanical linkages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical pulley and rope systems are used for speed limitation, then overspeed protection is achieved, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverspeed protectionVSAvoidmechanical linkage system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pulley and rope speed limiter system with an electronic speed detection system. Sensors detect the speed of the elevator car and send signals to a control unit, which then activates the safety gear mechanism electronically. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical linkages while maintaining reliable overspeed protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the heavy mechanical components (speed limiter ropes, pulleys, and linkage systems) from the elevator safety mechanism. By removing these cumbersome mechanical elements and replacing them with electronic sensors and actuators, the system achieves the same safety function with significantly reduced complexity and weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If speed limiter ropes are used in high-rise elevators, then safety gear activation is achieved, but weight and inertia problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety gear activationVSAvoidspeed limiter rope
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the heavy mechanical rope system with electronic sensors and actuators. The safety gear activation is achieved through electronic signals generated by speed sensors, eliminating the need for massive steel ropes that cause weight and inertia problems in high-rise elevators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent removes the heavy speed limiter rope from the system entirely, extracting the problematic mass while retaining the essential safety function through electronic detection and actuation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If mechanical linkage systems are used to connect safety gears, then safety function is achieved, but ease of operation and maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety functionVSAvoidsystem management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical linkage systems with electronic control circuits and actuators. The safety function is maintained through electronic signal transmission from speed sensors to the control unit, which then activates the safety gears, making the system easier to operate and maintain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic system automatically detects overspeed conditions and activates safety gears without requiring manual intervention or complex mechanical adjustment. The system self-regulates through electronic control, simplifying operation and maintenance compared to mechanical linkages.

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 solution simplifies the safety gear mechanism, reduces weight and complexity, and enhances reliability by using electronic speed detection and direct actuation, making it particularly advantageous for high-rise elevators by eliminating the need for mechanical pulleys and linkages, thus improving safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The electromagnet is operatively connected to the lever. The electromagnet is activated when a current flows in an electric coil in the electromagnet. The armature of the electromagnet becomes thus magnetically attached to the magnetic core of the electromagnet when the electromagnet is activated.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic attraction: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

The spring means is operatively connected to the lever. A first end of the spring means is supported in a first bushing and a second end of the spring means is supported in a second bushing.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic potential energy: Spring

Implementation Method 3

A first synchronizing shaft and a second synchronizing shaft are positioned below the car at opposite sides of the car. The first synchronizing shaft and the second synchronizing shaft are operatively connected to each other with a transverse pull bar.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational motion transmission: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP3670414B1An elevator safety gear trigger and reset system
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 KONE OYJ
  • EP3670414B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3670414B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3670414B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The system comprises a synchronization shaft (210) rotatably supported on an elevator car frame (11), the synchronization shaft being operatively connected to at least one safety gear, a lever (110) attached to the synchronization shaft, an electromagnet (130) operatively connected to the lever, spring means (120) operatively connected to the synchronization shaft, and resetting means (140) operatively connected to the synchronization shaft. Deactivation of the electromagnet releases the lever allowing the spring means to rotate the synchronization shaft from a first position to a second position in which the safety gear is activated. Activation of the resetting means rotates the synchronization shaft from the second position to the first position in which the safety gear is deactivated and the spring means is brought back to the excited state at the same time.