Solenoid-Actuated Friction Damper for Elevator Oscillation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems face issues with bouncing or oscillation of the elevator car due to changes in load, particularly when the rise is large, leading to undesirable bounciness perceived by passengers, and existing stabilization methods require maintenance and introduce noise.
Innovation Solution
A damping device with selectively moveable friction members, actuated by a solenoid with a vertically moving armature, engages and disengages from a guide rail to dampen movement, utilizing gravity for resetting and pneumatically damped solenoids to reduce noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical stops or brake devices are used to hold the elevator car fixed at a landing, then the elevator car stability is improved, but maintenance requirements increase and noise is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical stops and brake devices with a friction member that uses controlled friction against the guide rail to dampen car movement. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical stopping mechanisms while maintaining stability during door operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction member is actuated by a solenoid that utilizes pneumatic or hydraulic principles to move the friction member into contact with or away from the guide rail. This allows for reliable, maintenance-free actuation without complex mechanical linkages.
2Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical stops or brake devices are used to hold the elevator car fixed at a landing, then the elevator car stability is improved, but noise is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical stops and brake devices with a friction member that uses controlled friction against the guide rail to dampen car movement. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical stopping mechanisms while maintaining stability during door operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction member's contact force with the guide rail is precisely controlled by adjusting the solenoid actuation parameters, allowing the system to maintain stability while operating quietly without the harsh mechanical engagement of traditional stops.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a friction member is used to dampen elevator car movement, then stability is improved and noise is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device is segmented into distinct functional components: a friction member for contact with the guide rail, a solenoid actuator for positioning, and a simple linkage mechanism. This modular segmentation simplifies manufacturing and maintenance while achieving the desired damping effect.
Solution Approach 2:
A linkage mechanism serves as an intermediary between the vertically-moving solenoid armature and the horizontally-positioned friction member, translating motion in one direction to achieve the desired friction contact without complex multi-axis actuation.
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 effectively dampens elevator car oscillations within a second, ensuring stability and quiet operation without interfering with the elevator's movement, reducing maintenance needs and noise, thus enhancing passenger experience.
Implementation Method 1
A solenoid actuator has an armature that is situated for vertical movement. The armature moves upward when the solenoid is energized
Implementation Method 2
The armature mass urges the armature in a downward vertical direction causing the friction member to move out of the damping position when the solenoid is not energized
Implementation Method 3
at least one friction member that is selectively moveable into a damping position in which the friction member engages the guide rail to damp movement of the elevator car
Implementation Method 4
The solenoid may comprise a noise reducing member that reduces noise associated with movement of the armature. The noise reducing member may be configured to pneumatically damp the solenoid
Data Source
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AI summary
An exemplary device for use in an elevator system includes at least one friction member that is selectively moveable into a damping position in which the friction member is useful to damp movement of an elevator car associated with the device. A solenoid actuator has an armature that is situated for vertical movement. The armature moves upward when the solenoid is energized to move the friction member into the damping position. The armature mass urges the armature in a downward vertical direction causing the friction member to move out of the damping position when the solenoid is not energized.