Escalator Shaft Brake Disc for Progressive Emergency Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing braking devices for escalators often cause passengers to fall forward due to abrupt stops, compromising safety, and lack adjustable braking speeds for varying hazard levels.
Innovation Solution
A braking device with a brake disc and friction elements that apply braking force via an actuating means, allowing for adjustable braking speeds through the coefficient of friction and spring force, enabling both soft and hard braking modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If brake wedge is applied to engage in recess formed by projections on main drive shaft, then braking force is generated to stop the shaft, but the abrupt stop causes persons to fall forward due to mass inertia and injure themselves
Solution Approach 1:
The brake wedge is designed to be movable along the projection, enabling dynamic adjustment of the braking force. This allows the braking process to be progressive rather than abrupt, with the wedge gradually engaging the recess to reduce shaft speed smoothly, thereby preventing passenger injuries from sudden stops
Solution Approach 2:
The braking force parameter can be adjusted by changing the position of the brake wedge along the projection. This enables control over the braking intensity, allowing for smooth, progressive braking that reduces speed gradually rather than causing abrupt stops, thus eliminating the harmful effect of passenger injuries
2Speed
If brake wedge is applied to engage in recess formed by projections on main drive shaft, then instantaneous stop is achieved, but the braking speed cannot be adjusted for varying hazard levels
Solution Approach 1:
The brake wedge's movable design along the projection enables dynamic control of braking engagement. This allows the system to adapt braking intensity to different hazard levels by adjusting how far the wedge engages into the recess, providing both gradual braking for minor hazards and rapid stopping for severe dangers
Solution Approach 2:
The brake wedge can be preliminarily positioned at different locations along the projection before braking is initiated. This preliminary positioning determines the initial braking force, allowing the system to prepare different braking modes in advance based on detected hazard levels, thereby achieving adaptable braking responses
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
Ensures safe and comfortable braking by preventing abrupt stops and allowing adjustment of braking speed based on hazard levels, enhancing passenger safety and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
at least one friction element, mounted for displacement parallel and perpendicular to the main extension plane, for frictional application of a braking force to the at least one braking surface
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a braking device (10) for braking a shaft (12) of an escalator, the braking device comprising a brake disc (14) designed to be fixed in rotation to the shaft (12) of the escalator, the brake disc (14) having at least one braking surface (16) with a respective main extension plane (E) at least one friction element (18) displaceably mounted parallel and perpendicular to the main extension plane (E) for frictionally applying a braking force to the at least one braking surface (16); and an actuating means (26) for spacing and/or applying the at least one friction element (18) from the at least one braking surface (16). Further, the present invention relates to an escalator having a braking device (10) acting on a shaft (12) of the escalator.