Lift Brake Release Unit for Bidirectional Electrical Triggering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator brake devices triggered by a speed limiter rope are not easily adaptable for both upward and downward overspeed conditions without requiring recertification.
Innovation Solution
A release unit that can be retrofitted to existing elevator brake devices, comprising a release base, mechanism, and coupling element, allowing electrical activation during both upward and downward travel by using a clamping roller that moves relative to the guide rail to engage the brake, with a mechanism that reduces the force required for activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a purely mechanical release unit with speed limiter rope is used, then the brake device can be triggered by overspeed, but the installation effort and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical speed limiter rope system with an electromagnetic release unit that uses sensors to detect overspeed conditions and triggers the brake electromagnetically, eliminating the need for mechanical components like the speed limiter rope and tension pulley in the shaft
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the speed sensing function from the mechanical speed limiter rope system and separates it into independent sensors mounted on the shaft, allowing the release unit to be simplified and mounted directly on the elevator car without requiring shaft modifications
2Use of energy by moving object
If an electromagnetic release unit is introduced, then energy savings can be achieved during standby phases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic release unit is designed to be energized only during critical phases such as door operation and standby periods when UCM prevention is needed, rather than continuously, achieving energy savings while maintaining safety functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The release unit serves multiple functions: it prevents unintended car movement during door operation, provides UCM prevention during standby phases, and can trigger the brake device in both upward and downward travel directions, reducing the need for separate mechanical systems
3Reliability
If the brake device is designed to prevent unintended car movement during door operation, then safety is improved, but the force required for activation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The release unit uses a dynamic clamping roller mechanism that moves relative to the guide rail during activation, allowing the brake to be engaged with reduced force requirements compared to static engagement systems
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element acts as an intermediary between the release unit and the brake device, transmitting the activation force efficiently and enabling the brake to be triggered with lower force while maintaining reliable engagement
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
Enables electrical triggering of existing brake devices in both directions without recertification, reducing installation effort and energy consumption while ensuring reliable braking.
Implementation Method 1
The brake mechanism is held in the released position by an electromagnet
Implementation Method 2
a clamping roller that moves relative to the guide rail to engage the brake
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a release unit (1) for actuating a lift brake device (23), comprising a release main body (2) which can be mounted on the lift car, a release means (20) and a coupling member (22), by means of which the release unit (1) is connectible to a lift brake device (23), wherein the release unit (1) is preferably designed as an assembly which is completely separate from said lift brake device (23) and which is connected to the lift brake device (23) exclusively via the coupling member (22) in the intended mounted state, wherein the release means (20) comprises a release clamping surface (7), which, after the release, moves together with a clamp roller (5) transversely to the direction of travel of the lift in the direction of the lift guide rail (6) assigned thereto, until the clamp roller (5) is clamped between the release clamping surface (7) and the lift rail (6) and rolls between the release clamping surface (7) and the lift rail (6), wherein a main clamping surface (8), which is anchored on the release main body (2) separately from the release clamping surface (7), is connected on both sides, as seen in both directions of travel, to the release clamping surface (7), and wherein the release clamping surface (7) and the main clamping surfaces (8) are arranged and designed such that the clamp roller (5) rolls over each end of the release clamping surface (7) into the gap between a main clamping surface (8) and the guide rail (6), regardless of whether upward or downward travel is currently taking place.