Power-Loss Triggering Device for Elevator Brake Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power-on triggering mechanisms for steel rope brakes in elevators face safety risks due to reliance on external power, complex failure detection, high power consumption, and slow response times, especially during power loss or backup supply insufficiency.
Innovation Solution
A power-loss triggering device utilizing an electromagnet and an energy storage mechanism to generate a large action force with a smaller electromagnetic force, allowing the switch mechanism to be turned on even in the absence of power, featuring a spring-loaded impact bar that automatically engages the locking mechanism upon power loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a power-on triggering manner is used for the brake switch mechanism, then the brake can be controlled when power is supplied, but the triggering device is unable to trigger the switch mechanism when external power is lost or backup supply is insufficient, resulting in high safety risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional power-on triggering logic by implementing a power-off triggering mechanism. The electromagnet normally holds the impact bar in a retracted position, and when power is lost, the electromagnet releases the impact bar which then moves under spring force to trigger the brake switch. This inversion ensures the brake is triggered specifically when power is lost, directly addressing the safety concern.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-compressed during normal operation to store potential energy. This preliminary action ensures that when power is lost and the electromagnet releases the impact bar, the stored spring energy immediately propels the impact bar forward to trigger the brake switch without requiring additional power or complex control logic.
2Reliability
If a power-on triggering manner is used, then the control system can monitor and detect failures, but the failure detecting and monitoring links are more numerous and it is relatively difficult to implement failure-free monitoring feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex power-on control logic, monitoring feedback links, and multiple safety chains by adopting a passive power-off triggering mechanism. The system reduces to a simple electromagnet holding an impact bar in place, with a spring providing the triggering force upon release. This dramatically simplifies the system while maintaining safety functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the loss of power itself as the triggering signal, eliminating the need for external monitoring and detection systems. The electromagnet automatically releases the impact bar when power is lost, and the spring automatically propels the impact bar to trigger the brake. The system serves itself by using the power loss condition directly without requiring additional sensors or control logic.
3Reliability
If a power-on triggering manner is used, then the electromagnet can maintain the brake in released state, but the sustained current is larger and the capacity required for back-up power supply is larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the energy consumption pattern by having the electromagnet consume power only during normal operation to hold the brake released, rather than consuming power to trigger the brake. When power is lost, the pre-compressed spring provides the energy to trigger the brake without requiring additional power supply capacity. This inversion dramatically reduces back-up power supply requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is continuously pre-compressed during normal operation, storing potential energy in advance. This preliminary energy storage eliminates the need for large back-up power supplies, as the spring's stored energy is sufficient to propel the impact bar and trigger the brake when needed. The system only requires enough power to maintain the electromagnet's holding force during normal operation.
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 solution reduces safety risks, minimizes electric current and power consumption, and enables automatic resetting, providing a reliable and efficient mechanism for triggering the brake switch mechanism with a larger stroke and action force, while maintaining low energy usage and cost.
Implementation Method 1
when the electromagnet is energized, the impact bar is positioned through electromagnetic force
Implementation Method 2
an energy storage piece is arranged and the energy storage piece may exert a downward action force on the impact bar
Implementation Method 3
when the electromagnet loses power, the impact bar loses a holding power from the electromagnet and conducts a downward impact movement under the action force of the energy storage piece
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a power-loss triggering device, including: a frame, an electromagnet and an impact bar; the impact bar vertically and movably penetrates through the frame; an energy storage piece is arranged and the energy storage piece may exert a downward action force on the impact bar; when the electromagnet is energized, the impact bar is positioned through electromagnetic force; when the electromagnet loses power, the impact bar loses a holding power from the electromagnet and conducts a downward impact movement under the action force of the energy storage piece. The power-loss triggering device is implemented through the electromagnet and an intermediate mechanism. In this invention, the electric current, the energy consumption and the cost of the electromagnet are reduced, the service life of the long-time energized electromagnet is prolonged.