Universal Elevator Brake Release Unit with Frictional Guide-Rail Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator braking devices with mechanical and electromagnetic triggering units face issues such as susceptibility to malfunction, high installation costs, and the need for separate certification for each combination with the braking device, while modern elevators lack a universally usable triggering unit that can activate braking devices electrically.
Innovation Solution
A triggering unit with a base body, trigger, and contact element that interacts with the guide rail via frictional contact, allowing for electrical activation of the elevator braking device through a coupling link, enabling separate mounting and universal compatibility with different braking devices without requiring structural changes or re-certification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical triggering unit with an overspeed governor is used, then the braking device can be activated through pure mechanical means, but the system becomes susceptible to malfunction and has high installation costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical overspeed governor system with an electromagnetic triggering unit. The electromagnetic trigger uses an electromagnet to hold a contact element away from the guide rail during normal operation, and automatically activates the braking device when overspeed is detected through electrical signaling, eliminating the mechanical governor's susceptibility to dirt and malfunction.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic triggering unit is designed as a universal component that can be used with different elevator braking devices without requiring separate certification for each combination. The trigger unit includes a base body, trigger, and contact element that can be mounted separately and connected via coupling link, allowing it to function with various braking device configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electromagnetic triggering units are developed individually for each elevator braking device, then the triggering unit can be optimized for specific applications, but separate safety certification is required for each combination
Solution Approach 1:
The triggering unit is designed with a standardized structure including a base body, trigger mechanism, and contact element that can be universally applied to different elevator braking devices. The separate mounting capability and coupling link connection allow the same trigger unit to work with various braking device types, eliminating the need for individual development and certification for each combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The triggering unit is divided into separate functional components: a base body for mounting, a trigger mechanism for activation, and a contact element for engaging the guide rail. This segmentation allows the unit to be manufactured as a standardized assembly that can be separately mounted and connected to different braking devices without requiring integration-specific modifications or certifications.
3Reliability
If the contact element is kept at a distance from the guide rail in the untriggered state, then the triggering unit remains in a ready state for activation, but the air gap requires a relatively strong electromagnet
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnet is pre-positioned with the contact element and guide rail arranged so that during normal operation, the contact element is held at a safe distance from the guide rail by the electromagnet's holding force. When overspeed is detected, the electromagnet is de-energized, allowing the contact element to automatically engage the guide rail through gravity or spring force, ensuring reliable activation without requiring excessive electromagnet power.
Solution Approach 2:
A spring element or gravity-based mechanism serves as an intermediary between the electromagnet and the contact element-guide rail engagement. This intermediary ensures that when the electromagnet is deactivated, the contact element automatically moves to engage the guide rail without requiring the electromagnet to provide continuous holding force, thereby reducing the required electromagnet power while maintaining reliable automatic activation.
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 universally usable triggering unit that ensures reliable electrical activation of elevator braking devices, reducing installation costs and eliminating the need for separate certifications, while maintaining synchronization without additional space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a contact element (6) for generating actuating forces through frictional contact with the guide rail (9)
Data Source
AI summary
A triggering unit for actuating an elevator braking device, having a triggering base body which can be mounted on an elevator car, a trigger, a contact element and a coupling link via which the contact element can be connected to an elevator braking device, the triggering unit keeps the contact element at a distance from the guide rail in the untriggered state and brings it into frictional contact with the rail in the triggered state, so that the contact element moves along a gap between the triggering base body and the guide rail, carries along the coupling link and causes the elevator braking device to respond automatically due to the movement of the coupling link, wherein the triggering unit can be mounted separately on the elevator car at a distance from the elevator braking device and is connected to the elevator braking device exclusively via the coupling link.