Helical Thread Rotor Elevator Brake System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional elevator braking systems often rely on friction mechanisms that are limited to downward motion and may fail in case of power loss or mechanical malfunction, posing safety risks and requiring separate emergency braking devices.
Innovation Solution
A servo-controlled brake system with a helical thread rotor that engages with a brake rail, allowing for controlled vertical movement and emergency braking in both directions, utilizing a programmable logic controller for synchronized operation with the elevator platform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If friction-based braking mechanisms are used for downward motion only, then the braking system is simple in structure, but it cannot provide emergency braking in upward direction and fails in case of power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The brake rail with teeth and the rotor with helical thread are designed to provide braking functionality in both upward and downward directions, as well as during normal operation and emergency power loss conditions. The same mechanical components serve multiple braking purposes, eliminating the need for separate braking devices for different scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake system is designed to automatically engage and provide emergency braking without requiring external power or control systems. When power is lost, the spring mechanism automatically activates the brake shoes against the teeth on the brake rail, providing fail-safe emergency braking without additional complexity.
2Reliability
If separate emergency braking devices are installed for power loss scenarios, then braking reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The brake rail with teeth and the rotor with helical thread are designed to provide braking functionality in both upward and downward directions, as well as during normal operation and emergency power loss conditions. The same mechanical components serve multiple braking purposes, eliminating the need for separate braking devices for different scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The emergency braking function is merged with the normal braking function into a single integrated system. The brake shoes, spring mechanism, and toothed rail work together to provide both routine braking and emergency braking capabilities, reducing the total number of components and simplifying the overall system.
3Reliability
If conventional friction brakes are used, then the braking mechanism is simple, but free fall distance increases in case of power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The brake system is designed to automatically engage and provide emergency braking without requiring external power or control systems. When power is lost, the spring mechanism automatically activates the brake shoes against the teeth on the brake rail, providing fail-safe emergency braking without additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism is pre-loaded to automatically engage the brake shoes with the teeth on the brake rail when power is lost. This preliminary preparation ensures that braking action occurs immediately without delay, minimizing free fall distance by counteracting the gravitational force before the elevator can gain significant speed.
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 reliable emergency braking in both upward and downward directions, eliminating the need for separate braking devices and enhancing safety by minimizing free fall distance in case of power loss.
Implementation Method 1
a helical thread on the outer cylindrical surface of the rotor for loosely engaging the gaps in the brake rail, the thread having a width and helical pitch whereby with successive turns of the rotor, the thread loosely engages successive gaps in the brake rail for movement of the rotor along the brake rail
Implementation Method 2
A common characteristic among conventional elevator braking systems, including those just referenced, is that the holding mechanism typically involves friction between the elements of each braking system and the supporting structures or the driving mechanisms of the elevator system
Data Source
AI summary
A braking system and method for an apparatus or vehicle moved along a pathway by an apparatus drive mechanism, for halting the movement of the apparatus or vehicle in the event that the drive mechanism loses power or malfunctions. A conveyance system includes a pathway, an moving apparatus moving along the pathway, the apparatus drive mechanism, a brake rail along the pathway having along one edge a multiplicity of regularly spaced teeth with gaps between successive teeth, and a brake device mounted securely to the apparatus. The brake device includes a rotatably driven rotor having outer helical threads for running the gaps in the brake rail with successive turns of the driven rotor without touching the teeth.