Mechanical Emergency Opening for Power-Failure Lifting Gates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lifting gate assemblies with electric motors can become inoperable during power failures, preventing the opening and closing of the gate.
Innovation Solution
A purely mechanical emergency opening device for lifting gate assemblies, comprising a driver, movement element, elongate drive member, and locking element, which can be selectively connected to the drive device to transmit movement and open the gate without electrical energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If an electric motor is used as the drive device for opening and closing the lifting gate, then the gate can be operated automatically, but the system becomes vulnerable to power failures and technical defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mechanical intermediary system consisting of a driver, elongate drive member, and movement element that mediates between the user and the lifting gate. This mechanical intermediary can operate independently of the electrical drive device, providing a backup mechanism that activates when the electric motor fails due to power outage or technical defect.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement element (spring) is pre-loaded in advance to store mechanical energy. When a power failure occurs, this pre-stored energy is immediately available to drive the elongate drive member, which in turn rotates the driver to open the lifting gate. The preliminary action of charging the spring ensures rapid response without delay.
2Reliability
If a mechanical emergency opening device is added to the lifting gate assembly, then reliability during power failure is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency opening mechanism is merged with the existing drive device structure. The driver is rotatably mounted on the inner shaft of the drive device, and the elongate drive member integrates with the hollow shaft. This merging allows the emergency mechanism to share structural components with the electrical drive system, reducing the net increase in complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement element (spring) is designed to automatically load and discharge without external intervention. The locking element engages and disengages automatically based on the operational state. This self-service capability eliminates the need for additional control systems, sensors, or actuators, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the driver is selectively connected to the drive device, then the emergency opening function is enabled, but the connection mechanism adds complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the driver and drive device is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The driver can be selectively connected or disconnected from the drive device based on operational requirements. This dynamic connection allows the system to adapt between normal electrical operation mode and emergency mechanical operation mode, providing versatility without requiring multiple separate mechanisms.
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 the lifting gate to be opened mechanically in the event of a power failure or technical defect, providing an escape route and being easily maintained and retrofitted.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic element is pretensioned in a standby position and is configured to relax and drive the elongate drive member by the released tension energy
Data Source
AI summary
An emergency opening device for a lifting door as well as a lifting door with such an emergency opening device and a method for operating such an emergency opening device are provided. The emergency opening device has a driver, a movement element, an elongate drive member and a locking element. The driver is rotatably mountable on a rotationally fixed inner shaft of a drive device of the lifting door and is configured to be selectively connected to the drive device. The elongate drive member is connected to the movement element and is configured to transmit a movement caused by the movement element to the driver. The movement element is, for example, an elastic element which is pretensioned in a standby position and is configured to relax and to drive the elongate drive member by the released tension energy when the locking element is released.