Magnetic Elevator Safety Gear Actuation for Low-Maintenance Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional actuation devices for elevator safety gears require frequent maintenance due to wear, contamination, and fatigue of elastic mechanical elements, which can lead to unreliable operation over time.
Innovation Solution
An actuation mechanism using permanent magnets to urge an engagement element towards an engaged position, with an electric coil generating an electromagnetic force to move or hold the element in a disengaged position, eliminating the need for elastic mechanical elements and reducing maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastic mechanical elements (springs) are used to urge the engagement element towards the engaged position, then the actuation device can maintain engagement force, but the device requires frequent maintenance due to wear, contamination, and fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces elastic mechanical elements (springs) with a magnetic field generation system consisting of permanent magnets and electric coils. The permanent magnets generate a magnetic field that urges the engagement element toward the engaged position without physical contact, eliminating wear and fatigue. The electric coils can generate additional magnetic force when needed. This substitution of mechanical contact-based actuation with field-based actuation resolves the contradiction by maintaining operational reliability while dramatically extending service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the actuation mechanism and the engagement element. Instead of direct mechanical contact through springs, the magnetic field acts as a non-contact mediator to transmit force. This intermediary approach eliminates the wear and contamination issues associated with direct mechanical contact while maintaining the necessary engagement force, thereby improving reliability and extending service life.
2Ease of repair
If permanent magnets are used to urge the engagement element towards the engaged position, then maintenance requirements are reduced, but energy consumption increases when holding the element in the disengaged position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic or selective activation of the electric coils rather than continuous operation. The coils are activated only when needed to move the engagement element to the disengaged position or to assist the permanent magnets during transition. During normal holding of the disengaged position, the coils remain inactive, and only the permanent magnets provide the necessary force. This periodic action approach significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining low maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses permanent magnets to provide the baseline holding force for the engagement element, and electric coils are activated only partially or excessively only when additional force is needed for transition. This partial action approach means the high-energy electric coils operate minimally, reducing overall energy consumption while the permanent magnets handle the continuous holding function with no energy input required.
3Ease of operation
If electric coils are used to generate electromagnetic force for moving the engagement element, then precise control of engagement is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the electric coils to serve multiple functions: they can generate electromagnetic force to move the engagement element to the disengaged position, they can provide additional holding force when needed, and they can work in conjunction with the permanent magnets during transition phases. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining precise control capabilities.
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
The solution provides a reliable and low-maintenance actuation mechanism with a long service life, as it avoids the issues of wear and fatigue associated with elastic mechanical elements, while optimizing energy usage by adjusting current levels for holding versus moving the engagement element.
Implementation Method 1
At least two permanent magnets are arranged in a configuration generating a repulsive force between the at least two permanent magnets and urging the engagement element towards the engaged position
Implementation Method 2
at least one electric coil which is configured for generating an electromagnetic force urging the engagement element towards the disengaged position and/or for holding the engagement element in the disengaged position, when an electric current is flowing through the at least one electric coil
Data Source
AI summary
An actuation mechanism for an elevator safety gear comprises an engagement element, at least two permanent magnets and at least one electric coil. The engagement element is movable between an engaged position in which it engages with the guide member of the elevator system and a disengaged position in which it does not engage with the guide member of the elevator system. The at least two permanent magnets are arranged in a configuration generating a repulsive force (FR) between the at least two permanent magnets and urging the engagement element towards the engaged position. The at least one electric coil is configured for generating an electromagnetic force urging the engagement element towards the disengaged position and/or for holding the engagement element in the disengaged position, when an electric current is flowing through the at least one electric coil.