Bidirectional Lift Emergency Stop Device with Gravity Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency stop devices for lifts are not bidirectional, failing to effectively address braking needs during both ascending and descending operations, and lack compensation for potential imbalances and gravity effects.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical bidirectional emergency stop device featuring a support plate with retention means, intermediate transmission means with articulated levers and grooved rollers, a compensation spring to counteract gravity, and recovery springs for rearming the levers, allowing effective braking in both directions and balancing the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional mechanical cable and pulley systems are used for emergency stop activation, then the system can achieve mechanical activation force, but it cannot provide bidirectional braking capability and lacks compensation for gravitational imbalances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic elements including a movable carriage that can swing between positions, articulated levers that rotate, and springs that dynamically adjust to gravitational forces. The carriage's ability to swing and the levers' rotation enable the system to adapt its configuration based on lift direction, achieving bidirectional braking while maintaining reliability through dynamic adjustment to gravitational imbalances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates compensation springs that counteract gravitational forces acting on the braking mechanism. These springs provide counterbalancing force to ensure consistent braking performance regardless of whether the lift is ascending or descending, directly addressing the gravitational imbalance issue while maintaining emergency stop reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If non-bidirectional emergency stop systems are used, then the device structure can be simpler, but it fails to address braking needs during both ascending and descending operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal emergency stop mechanism that performs braking function in both ascending and descending directions using the same physical components. The articulated levers and grooved rollers are configured to engage with the guide rail regardless of lift direction, allowing a single device structure to fulfill multiple directional braking requirements without needing separate systems for each direction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the braking function into segmented components including the carriage, articulated levers, and grooved rollers. Each segment has a specific function but works together as an integrated system. The segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific role while the overall system achieves bidirectional capability, managing complexity through functional decomposition
3Reliability
If gravity compensation mechanisms are added to achieve bidirectional operation, then the system can prevent unintended activation, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compensation springs are designed to automatically adjust and balance gravitational forces on the braking mechanism without requiring external control systems or additional actuators. The springs self-regulate the force balance based on the lift's position and direction, preventing unintended activation through passive mechanical balancing rather than active control, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity
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 reliable and balanced braking in both ascending and descending scenarios, preventing unintended activation and ensuring safe operation by compensating for gravity and potential imbalances, thus enhancing lift safety during emergency stops.
Implementation Method 1
The retention means, in a first embodiment, comprise a coil and a retention spring so that, once the spring is released, the intermediate transmission means of the displacement are displaced and these, in turn, move the articulated levers enabling them to rotate
Implementation Method 2
a compensation spring that prevents the action of gravity
Implementation Method 3
grooved rollers that run through channels made on a cover
Implementation Method 4
the rollers have a recovery spring mounted on an arm attached to the articulated levers at an intermediate point along their length, such that it allows the recovery of the grooved roller
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The electromechanical activation of a bidirectional emergency stop device for a lift comprises a support plate (22) equipped with retention means, intermediate means for transmitting the displacement towards two articulated levers (5) which, at their free ends, have a grooved roller (7) attached by means of a roller cam (20), where each articulated lever (5) rotates with respect to one of their ends and the intermediate means of transmission comprise a linearly moveable carriage (3) connected with the mobile end of the retention means, where in turn the moveable carriage is connected in an articulated manner with an articulated carriage (4) responsible for the transmission of the displacement to the articulated levers (5) through transmission connecting rods (6) that are connected in an articulated manner at their midpoint with the articulated levers (5), with a compensation spring (9) for the weight of the device and an articulated lever recovery spring.