Elevator Safety Gear Magnetic Actuation Without Spring Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional elevator safety gear actuation devices require frequent maintenance due to wear, contamination, and fatigue of elastic mechanical elements, which can compromise their reliability and longevity.
Innovation Solution
An actuation mechanism for elevator safety gears utilizing permanent magnets to urge an engagement element into an engaged position, with electric coils generating electromagnetic forces to move and hold the element in a disengaged position, eliminating the need for elastic mechanical elements and reducing maintenance requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastic mechanical elements (springs) are used to urge the engagement element towards the engaged position, then the actuation mechanism can provide reliable braking force, but the device requires frequent maintenance due to wear, contamination, and fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces elastic mechanical elements (springs) with permanent magnets that generate magnetic repulsive forces to urge the engagement element towards the engaged position. This substitution eliminates wear, contamination, and fatigue issues associated with mechanical springs, thereby extending service life while maintaining reliable braking force. The magnetic field provides continuous force without mechanical degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the force-generating mechanism from mechanical (elastic spring) to magnetic (permanent magnet field). By utilizing magnetic field strength as the actuating parameter instead of mechanical elastic deformation, the system achieves force generation without contact wear or material fatigue, resolving the contradiction between reliability and service life.
2Duration of action of moving object
If permanent magnets are used to generate repulsive force urging the engagement element towards the engaged position, then maintenance requirements are reduced, but electromagnetic force is needed to hold the element in the disengaged position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic or intermittent electrical energy application through the electric coil. The coil is energized only when needed to move or hold the engagement element in the disengaged position, and remains de-energized when the permanent magnets naturally urge the element toward engagement. This periodic action minimizes electrical energy consumption while maintaining the ability to control the engagement element's position.
Solution Approach 2:
The permanent magnets provide self-service by continuously generating the repulsive force needed to urge the engagement element toward the engaged position without requiring external energy input. This eliminates the need for continuous electrical power, reducing energy consumption while extending service life through contactless force generation.
3Ease of operation
If electric coils are used to generate electromagnetic force for moving and holding the engagement element, then precise control of engagement position is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric coil serves multiple functions: it can generate electromagnetic force to move the engagement element from engaged to disengaged position, and also generate force to hold the element in the disengaged position against the magnetic repulsion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanical components, actually simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining precise control capability.
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 provides a reliable and low-maintenance actuation mechanism with a long service life, reducing wear and contamination issues while efficiently managing the engagement element's position using magnetic and electromagnetic forces.
Implementation Method 1
At least two permanent magnets are arranged in a configuration generating a repulsive force between the at least two permanent magnets, said repulsive force urging the engagement element towards the engaged position
Implementation Method 2
at least one electric coil which is configured for generating an electromagnetic force urging the engagement element towards the disengaged position and/or for holding the engagement element in the disengaged position, when an electric current is flowing through the at least one electric coil
Data Source
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AI summary
An actuation mechanism (27) for an elevator safety gear (20) comprises an engagement element (29), at least two permanent magnets (32, 34) and at least one electric coil (46, 46a, 46b). The engagement element (29) is movable between an engaged position in which it engages with the guide member (14, 15) of the elevator system (2) and a disengaged position in which it does not engage with the guide member (14, 15) of the elevator system (2). The at least two permanent magnets (32, 34) are arranged in a configuration generating a repulsive force (FR) between the at least two permanent magnets (32, 34) and urging the engagement element (29) towards the engaged position. The at least one electric coil (46, 46a, 46b) is configured for generating an electromagnetic force urging the engagement element (29) towards the disengaged position and/or for holding the engagement element (29) in the disengaged position, when an electric current is flowing through the at least one electric coil (46, 46a, 46b).