Electromagnetic Planetary Brake for Slim Access Control Barriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electromechanical shaft brakes in access control systems are large, noisy, consume high power, and require significant torque to prevent forced opening, making them inefficient and costly, especially in space-constrained applications like slim side walls.
Innovation Solution
A brake assembly using a sun gear, carrier, and ring gear with a planetary gear train and an electromagnetic brake, where the sun gear rotates faster than the shaft, reducing the required braking force and allowing for a smaller, quieter, and more energy-efficient design with adjustable operational clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional electromechanical shaft brakes are used to provide high braking torque, then the braking torque is sufficient to prevent forced opening, but the brake dimensions become large and space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical shaft brake with an electromagnetic brake that applies braking force directly to the pulley. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical components like shaft brakes with large diameters, thereby reducing the overall brake dimensions while maintaining sufficient braking torque to prevent forced opening of the barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the dimension of braking force application from radial (shaft brake) to axial (electromagnetic brake on pulley). By applying the electromagnetic brake axially to the pulley rather than radially to the shaft, the system achieves the required braking torque in a more space-efficient manner, reducing the brake's footprint.
2Force
If conventional electromechanical shaft brakes are used, then high braking torque is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanically actuated shaft brake with an electromagnetically actuated brake system. The electromagnetic brake can be precisely controlled and only consumes power when actively applying or releasing the brake, rather than requiring continuous mechanical force application. This results in significantly reduced power consumption while maintaining the same braking torque capability.
3Force
If conventional electromechanical shaft brakes are used, then sufficient braking force is provided, but noise generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical shaft brake system with an electromagnetic brake system that acts on the pulley. This substitution eliminates the mechanical contact and friction-based braking mechanism that generates noise, replacing it with an electromagnetic field-based actuation system that operates quietly while providing the same braking force.
4Reliability
If conventional electromechanical shaft brakes are used, then braking function is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical shaft brake assembly with a simpler electromagnetic brake system mounted on the pulley. This substitution reduces the number of mechanical components, simplifies the overall brake structure, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable braking function. The electromagnetic brake integrates the actuation mechanism directly into the pulley assembly, eliminating the need for separate shaft brake components.
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 high braking torque with reduced dimensions and power consumption, minimizing noise and simplifying adjustments, while ensuring the brake is fail-safe and durable.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic brake comprising an electromagnet and an armature, the armature being connected to or integral with the sun gear to rotate therewith
Implementation Method 2
a sun gear which is rotatable about the central axis of the shaft; a carrier and a ring gear, wherein one of the carrier or the ring gear is fixed against rotation and wherein the other of the carrier or ring gear is connected to the shaft to rotate therewith; a plurality of planet gears rotatably connected to the carrier
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
An access control system (1) for restricting access through a passageway (38), the access control system (1) comprising: a shaft (10) which is rotatable about a central axis (A); a barrier (12) fixed to the shaft (10) to rotate therewith; and a brake assembly (14) for applying a braking force to the shaft (10), wherein the brake assembly (14) comprises: ; a sun gear (18) which is rotatable about the central axis (A) of the shaft (10); a carrier (16) and a ring gear (20), wherein one of the carrier or the ring gear is fixed against rotation and wherein the other of the carrier or ring gear is connected to the shaft to rotate therewith; a plurality of planet gears (22) rotatably connected to the carrier (16) so as to permit rotation relative to the carrier (16), each planet gear (22) being disposed between the sun gear (18) and the ring gear (20) and engaging with each of the sun gear (18) and the ring gear (20); and an electromagnetic brake (24) comprising an electromagnet (32) and an armature (26), the armature (26) being connected to or integral with the sun gear (18) to rotate therewith, wherein at least one of the electromagnet (32) or the armature (26) is moveable between an operative position in which the electromagnet (32) and the armature (26) are in contact, and an inoperative position in which the electromagnet (32) is spaced from the armature (26).