Escalator Brake Disc and Pivoting Friction Elements for Smooth Stops
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing escalator braking systems often result in abrupt stops due to mass inertia, leading to potential injuries from forward falls, and lack flexibility in adjusting braking speed based on safety needs.
Innovation Solution
A braking device with a brake disc and pivotally mounted friction elements, actuated by an electromagnetic system, allowing for adjustable braking force and speed through a combination of spring forces and actuating means, enabling both soft and hard braking modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If brake wedges are applied to engage recesses on the main drive shaft for instantaneous stop, then stopping speed is improved, but passenger safety deteriorates due to abrupt stops causing falls
Solution Approach 1:
The brake wedges are made pivotally mountable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position and engagement force. This enables the braking system to transition from abrupt engagement to controlled, gradual engagement, reducing impact forces while maintaining stopping effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The braking force application is made variable through the actuating means, allowing adjustment of engagement parameters. The system can modify brake wedge position and force magnitude to achieve smooth deceleration profiles, changing the braking characteristics from fixed to adjustable parameters
2Reliability
If brake wedges are rigidly fixed to engage recesses for reliable braking, then braking reliability is improved, but braking flexibility deteriorates due to inability to adjust braking speed
Solution Approach 1:
The brake wedges are designed with pivotal mounting and actuating means that enable dynamic adjustment of engagement characteristics. This allows the system to adapt braking force and speed to different operational requirements while maintaining reliable engagement through the pitting profile
Solution Approach 2:
The brake wedge design combines multiple functions: the pitting profile ensures reliable engagement and positioning, while the actuating means provides adjustable control. This multi-functional design allows the same component to deliver both reliability through geometric engagement and versatility through controllable actuation
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
Provides safe and controlled braking, reducing the risk of injuries by allowing adjustable braking speed and ensuring smooth stops, enhancing user comfort and safety.
Implementation Method 1
at least one friction element pivotally mounted perpendicular to the main extension plane for frictionally applying a braking force to the at least one braking surface
Implementation Method 2
A braking device with a brake disc and pivotally mounted friction elements, actuated by an electromagnetic system, allowing for adjustable braking force and speed through a combination of spring forces and actuating means
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
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 for rotationally fixed attachment to the shaft (12) of the escalator, the brake disc (14) having at least one braking surface (15) with a respective main extension plane (E); at least one friction element (18) pivotally mounted perpendicular to the main extension plane (E) for frictionally applying a braking force to the at least one braking surface (15); and an actuating means (26) for spacing the at least one friction element (18) from the at least one braking surface (15) and/or applying the at least one friction element (18) to the at least one braking surface (15). Furthermore, the present invention relates to an escalator comprising a braking device (10) acting on a shaft (12) of the escalator.