Elevator Safety Device Energy-Saving Trip Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elevator safety devices with triggers consume excessive energy due to the need for strong electromagnetic actuators to hold the trigger in its ready position against the force of a main spring, which is not optimized for reduced energy consumption without compromising the trigger's activation force.

Innovation Solution

An elevator safety device with a trigger that uses an electromagnetic actuator indirectly through a converter, reducing the force required to hold the actuating member in its ready position by at least 25% to 50% compared to the main spring's force, and includes a second actuator for resetting the trigger, allowing for a more efficient energy usage during regular operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a strong main spring is used to ensure sufficient activation force, then the trigger reliability is improved, but the energy consumption of the electromagnetic actuator increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrigger reliabilityVSAvoidelectromagnetic actuator energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A converter mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the electromagnetic actuator and the actuating element. This converter mechanically amplifies the actuator's force, allowing a weaker electromagnetic actuator to effectively hold against a strong main spring, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining trigger reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is designed so that the electromagnetic actuator only needs to maintain the actuating element in its ready position against the spring force, without needing to generate the full activation force. The main spring itself provides the activation force when triggered, separating the holding function from the activation function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the electromagnetic actuator directly acts on the actuating element, then the device complexity is reduced, but the actuator force requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism complexityVSAvoidactuator force requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The converter serves as a mechanical intermediary that translates the actuator's motion into effective engagement with the actuating element. This allows the actuator to operate with lower force requirements while still achieving the necessary holding effect against the main spring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The converter mechanism transforms the actuator's linear motion into a different dimensional engagement that provides mechanical advantage, effectively multiplying the actuator's force output without increasing the actuator's power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 significantly reduces energy consumption during regular operation while maintaining the necessary force for trigger activation, allowing for reliable and efficient elevator safety device operation.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetic actuator (4) that holds the actuating element (2) in its ready position by means of the force it generates electromagnetically against the tension of the main spring (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

the actuating element (2) is brought into its release position by the main spring (3) as soon as the electromagnetically generated force of the actuator (4) drops away

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3693316B1Elevator safety device having an energy-saving trip device
Publication Date: 2022.06.15 WITTUR HLDG GMBH
  • EP3693316B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3693316B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3693316B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Lift safety device (ASE) with a release mechanism (1) comprising an actuating element (2) pre-tensioned by means of at least one main spring (3) and an electromagnetic actuator (4) which holds the actuating element (2) in its ready position by means of the force it generates electromagnetically against the tension of the main spring (3), while the actuating element (2) is brought into its release position by the main spring (3) as soon as the electromagnetically generated force of the actuator (4) drops away, wherein the electromagnetic actuator (4) acts on the actuating element (2) via a transducer, the transducer being designed such that the force which the actuator (4) must exert electromagnetically to hold the actuating element (2) in its ready position is less than the force generated by the tension of the main spring (3).