Modular Explosion-Proof Braking Device for Electric Motors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing explosion-proof self-braking electric motors are costly and difficult to manufacture due to their integral design, requiring frequent maintenance and plant shutdowns, as they must be replaced as a single unit to maintain explosion-proof certification, which is challenging and costly.

Innovation Solution

A modular explosion-proof braking device is designed as an independent component that can be mounted to the front flange of an explosion-proof electric motor, featuring a non-magnetic metal alloy shaft, flame-proof lamination joints, and a heat-treated shaft with bearings positioned outside the magnetic flux lines, allowing for separate replacement of the brake or motor, ensuring faster interventions and reduced downtime.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the brake is integrated as one piece with the motor to ensure explosion-proof characteristics, then the explosion-proof certification is maintained, but the maintenance cost and plant downtime increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexplosion-proof characteristicVSAvoidplant downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The braking device is divided into separable modular components including the brake housing, brake shoe assembly, and actuator mechanism that can be independently removed and replaced. This allows maintenance of the brake without replacing the entire motor, reducing plant downtime while maintaining explosion-proof characteristics through proper sealing interfaces between modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The brake assembly is extracted as a separate removable unit from the motor system. The brake can be completely detached from the motor shaft and housing, allowing it to be replaced independently at authorized service centers while the motor remains in place, thus minimizing plant downtime and maintenance costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the brake is integrated as one piece with the motor to ensure explosion-proof characteristics, then the explosion-proof certification is maintained, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexplosion-proof characteristicVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The braking system is segmented into standardized modular components with defined interfaces. This allows each module to be manufactured separately using optimized processes and then assembled, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the explosion-proof enclosure integrity through certified mating interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The brake module is designed with universal mounting interfaces and standardized dimensions that allow it to be adapted to different motor types and sizes. This universality reduces tooling costs and allows the same brake design to serve multiple applications, lowering per-unit manufacturing costs while maintaining explosion-proof certification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the brake is integrated as one piece with the motor, then the explosion-proof characteristic is maintained, but the maintenance complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexplosion-proof characteristicVSAvoidmaintenance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The brake is segmented into sub-assemblies such as the brake shoe, actuator, and housing that can be independently accessed and replaced. The modular design allows technicians to service individual components without disassembling the entire motor, simplifying maintenance procedures while maintaining the sealed explosion-proof enclosure through quick-connect interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The entire brake assembly is extracted as a removable unit that can be completely removed from the motor and replaced with a pre-assembled serviceable unit. This allows all brake maintenance to be performed externally at authorized centers without opening the motor enclosure, maintaining explosion-proof integrity while simplifying the repair process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This modular design enables shorter plant downtime, lower maintenance costs, and compliance with strict explosion-proof regulations by allowing independent replacement of the brake or motor, ensuring faster interventions and reduced downtime costs while maintaining explosion-proof characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetic brake acting upon said shaft, comprising at least one excitation coil and one air gap

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2657561B1Explosion-proof braking device for an explosion-proof electric motor
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 PAONE ANDREA
  • EP2657561B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2657561B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2657561B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An explosion-proof braking device is described, which is configured to be connected to the front flange of an explosion-proof electric motor, the braking device comprising: a shaft (6) connected to the shaft of the motor from the outside, and provided with bearings (7, 8) internal to the device, an electromagnetic brake (11, 12, 13, 14) acting upon said shaft (6), comprising at least one excitation coil (11) and one air gap (10). The shaft (6) is made of a non-magnetic metal alloy, the bearings (7, 8) are so positioned as to lie outside the main flux lines of the magnetic field produced between the coil and the air gap, and the braking device is provided with flame-proof lamination joints of the through or closed type.