Magnetic Mid-Brake Assembly for Wear-Free Trolley Stopping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trolley braking systems in overhead lifting and transport systems rely on rubberized friction stops, which suffer from wear and increased maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A trolley braking system utilizing a magnet that can be moved to an upper or lower position to connect with or disconnect from the strut, providing a strong hold without wear, and can be easily installed or removed as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rubberized friction stops are used for braking, then the trolley can be slowed and stopped, but the system suffers from wear and increased maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rubberized friction stop (mechanical friction-based braking) with a magnetic braking system. The magnetic brake applies magnetic force to the channel member to slow and stop the trolley, eliminating the need for friction-based contact. This substitution resolves the wear and maintenance issues inherent in friction-based systems while maintaining effective braking capability.
2Reliability
If a magnetic braking system is implemented, then wear is eliminated and maintenance is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic braking system is implemented as a separate, modular locking device that can be independently installed on the trolley body. The magnetic brake is segmented from the main trolley structure, allowing it to be added without redesigning the entire trolley system. This modular approach manages complexity by creating a distinct, self-contained braking component.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic braking system is designed to be adaptable to existing trolley and channel member configurations. The locking device can be coupled to various trolley body designs and works with standard channel members, making the magnetic braking solution universally applicable across different overhead lifting and transport system configurations without requiring system-wide redesign.
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 magnetic braking system offers a durable and maintenance-free solution that securely stops or allows movement of the trolley, suitable for existing systems and easy re-purposing.
Implementation Method 1
the stopper comprises a magnetic material... the stopper is in direct physical contact with the channel member
Implementation Method 2
the bar is rotatable about a central axis
Implementation Method 3
in a first position of the bar and the stopper, the stopper is in direct physical contact with the channel member to restrict movement of the trolley body relative to the strut
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is trolley brake and an assembly including a trolley brake. In some embodiments, the assembly may include a channel member, and a trolley body having a first portion positioned within an interior of the channel member and a second portion extending from the channel member. The assembly may further include a locking device coupled to the trolley body, the locking device including a main body coupled to the second portion of the trolley body, a bar extending through the main body, wherein the bar is rotatable about a central axis, and a stopper coupled to a first end of the bar, wherein the stopper comprises a magnetic material. In a first position of the bar and the stopper, the stopper is in direct physical contact with the channel member, and in a second position of the bar and the stopper, a gap is present between the stopper and the channel member.