阅读说明：本技术 用于电子安全制动致动器(esba)的磁体组件 (Magnet assembly for an Electronic Safety Brake Actuator (ESBA) ) 是由 E.赫佐斯 J.比拉 D.J.马文 于 2019-07-25 设计创作，主要内容包括：公开了一种用于对电子制动器进行致动的电子安全制动致动器(ESBA),ESBA具有：第一部件,其具有沿宽度方向隔开的近侧侧部和远侧侧部、沿深度方向隔开的第一名义前表面和第一后表面以及沿高度方向隔开的第一顶表面和第一底表面；多个侧部部件,其包括近侧部件和远侧部件,近侧部件设置成邻近第一部件的近侧侧部,并且,远侧部件设置成邻近第一部件的远侧侧部,第一部件为磁性的,并且,多个侧部部件至少部分地为非磁性的,并且,多个侧部部件包括相应的多个名义前表面,多个名义前表面包括近侧前表面和远侧前表面,多个名义前表面为共面的。(An Electronic Safety Brake Actuator (ESBA) for actuating an electronic brake is disclosed, the ESBA having: a first component having width-wise spaced proximal and distal sides, depth-wise spaced first nominal front and back surfaces, and height-wise spaced first top and bottom surfaces; a plurality of side components including a proximal component and a distal component, the proximal component disposed adjacent a proximal side of the first component and the distal component disposed adjacent a distal side of the first component, the first component being magnetic and the plurality of side components being at least partially non-magnetic and the plurality of side components including a respective plurality of nominal front surfaces including a proximal front surface and a distal front surface, the plurality of nominal front surfaces being coplanar.)

1. An Electronic Safety Brake Actuator (ESBA) for actuating an electronic brake, the ESBA comprising:

a first component having width-wise spaced proximal and distal sides, depth-wise spaced first nominal front and back surfaces, and height-wise spaced first top and bottom surfaces,

a plurality of side components including a proximal component and a distal component, the proximal component disposed adjacent the proximal side of the first component and the distal component disposed adjacent the distal side of the first component, the first component being magnetic, and the plurality of side components being at least partially non-magnetic, and

the plurality of side members include a respective plurality of nominal front surfaces including a proximal front surface and a distal front surface, the plurality of nominal front surfaces being coplanar.

2. The ESBA according to claim 1, wherein the ESBA comprises:

a friction feature extending forward in the depth direction from at least one of:

said plurality of nominal front surfaces of said plurality of side members, and

said first nominal front surface of said first component,

wherein the friction feature comprises a plurality of teeth forming a saw tooth profile.

3. The ESBA according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of side members extend rearwardly beyond the first member in the depth direction.

4. The ESBA according to claim 3, wherein the first member and the plurality of side members are metal.

5. The ESBA according to claim 4, wherein said plurality of nominal front surfaces of said respective plurality of side members are coplanar with said first nominal front surface.

6. The ESBA according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of side members and the first member have the same span in the height direction.

7. The ESBA according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of side members and the first member are fixedly connected by at least one connector extending through the ESBA in the width direction.

8. The ESBA according to claim 2, comprising a cover plate connected to the front surface of the first component, the cover plate having the same span in the width direction as the first component, the cover plate comprising the friction feature.

9. The ESBA according to claim 8, wherein the cover plate is a non-magnetic metal.

10. The ESBA according to claim 4, wherein said plurality of side members are integrally connected in width to form a unitary housing comprising:

a top portion forming a top shelf extending adjacent to the first top surface of the first component and the front surface of the first component,

a bottom portion forming a bottom shelf extending adjacent to the first bottom surface of the first component and the front surface of the first component, and

wherein the housing includes an opening through which the housing slidingly receives the first component.

11. A method of manufacturing an Electronic Safety Brake Actuator (ESBA) for actuating an electronic brake, the method comprising:

positioning a first component within the ESBA, the first component having proximal and distal sides spaced apart in the width direction, first nominal front and back surfaces spaced apart in the depth direction, and first top and bottom surfaces spaced apart in the height direction,

positioning a plurality of side members around the first member, the plurality of side members including a proximal member and a distal member, the proximal member disposed adjacent the proximal side of the first member and the distal member disposed adjacent the distal side of the first member,

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the first component is magnetic and the plurality of side components are at least partially non-magnetic and

the plurality of side members include a respective plurality of nominal front surfaces including a proximal front surface and a distal front surface, the plurality of nominal front surfaces being coplanar.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first component comprises:

a friction feature extending forward in the depth direction from one of:

said plurality of nominal front surfaces of said plurality of side members, and

said first nominal front surface of said first component,

the friction feature includes a plurality of teeth forming a saw tooth profile.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of side members extend rearwardly beyond the first member in the depth direction.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first member and the plurality of side members are metal.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the plurality of nominal front surfaces of the respective plurality of side members are coplanar with the first nominal front surface.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of side members and the first member have the same span in the height direction.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of side members and the first member are fixedly connected by at least one connector extending through the ESBA in the width direction.

18. The method of claim 12, comprising attaching a cover plate to the front surface of the first component, the cover plate having a same span in the width direction as the first component, the cover plate including the friction feature.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the cover plate is a non-magnetic metal.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the plurality of side members are integrally connected in width to form a unitary housing, the housing comprising:

a top portion forming a top shelf extending adjacent to the first top surface of the first component and the front surface of the first component,

a bottom portion forming a bottom shelf extending adjacent to the first bottom surface of the first component and the front surface of the first component, and

wherein the housing includes an opening through which the housing slidingly receives the first component.

Technical Field

Exemplary embodiments relate to the field of Electric Safety Brake Actuators (ESBAs) for actuating an Electric Safety Brake (ESB), and more particularly to a magnet assembly in an ESA.

Background

The elevator car may include an ESB for use during overspeed or free fall conditions to decelerate the elevator car. The ESB may use at least one structural wedge to apply an emergency stop force perpendicular to the elevator track. The normal force may be converted into a friction force between the wedge and the elevator track, which may decelerate the elevator car.

The ESA can use a magnet assembly to generate a normal force against the rail, and a linkage assembly can transfer the generated energy to the ESB to lift the wedge against the elevator rail to decelerate the elevator car. Design and manufacturing limitations on the magnet assembly in the ESA can limit the mass of the wedge used in the ESB and the rate at which the wedge in the ESB is lifted against the elevator track. For example, air gaps in the magnet assemblies in the ESA due to manufacturing variations may reduce the normal force generated by the ESA against the elevator track.

Disclosure of Invention

Disclosed is an Electronic Safety Brake Actuator (ESBA) for actuating an electronic brake, the ESBA comprising: a first component having width-wise spaced proximal and distal sides, depth-wise spaced first nominal (nominal) front and rear surfaces, and height-wise spaced first top and bottom surfaces; a plurality of side components including a proximal component and a distal component, the proximal component disposed adjacent a proximal side of the first component and the distal component disposed adjacent a distal side of the first component, the first component being magnetic and the plurality of side components being at least partially non-magnetic and the plurality of side components including a respective plurality of nominal front surfaces including a proximal front surface and a distal front surface, the plurality of nominal front surfaces being coplanar.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features disclosed above, the ESBA further comprises a friction feature extending forward in the depth direction from at least one of: a plurality of nominal front surfaces of the plurality of side members and a first nominal front surface of the first member, wherein the friction feature comprises a plurality of teeth forming a saw-tooth profile.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features disclosed above, a plurality of side members extend back out of the first member in the depth direction.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features disclosed above, the first component and the plurality of side components are metal.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features disclosed above, the plurality of nominal front surfaces of the respective plurality of side members are coplanar with the first nominal front surface.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features disclosed above, the first component and the plurality of side components have the same span in the height direction.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features disclosed above, the first component and the plurality of side components are fixedly connected by at least one connector extending widthwise through the ESBA.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features disclosed above, the ESBA further comprises a cover plate connected to the front surface of the first component, the cover plate having the same span in the width direction as the first component, the cover plate comprising a friction feature.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features disclosed above, the cover plate is a non-magnetic metal.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features disclosed above, a plurality of side members are integrally connected in width to form a unitary housing, the housing comprising: a top portion forming a top shelf extending adjacent to the first top surface of the first member and the front surface of the first member; a bottom portion forming a bottom shelf extending adjacent to the first bottom surface of the first component and the front surface of the first component, and wherein the housing includes an opening through which the housing slidably receives the first component.

Further disclosed is a method of manufacturing an Electronic Safety Brake Actuator (ESBA) for actuating an electronic brake, the method comprising one or more of the features disclosed hereinabove.

Drawings

The following description should not be considered limiting in any way. Referring to the drawings, like elements are numbered alike:

fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of an elevator system that can employ various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an Electric Safety Brake Actuator (ESBA) in accordance with a disclosed embodiment;

fig. 3 illustrates an elevator with ESBA according to the disclosed embodiments;

fig. 4A and 4B illustrate friction characteristics of an ESBA in accordance with the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates an ESBA according to another disclosed embodiment; and

fig. 6A and 6B illustrate an ESBA in accordance with another disclosed embodiment.

Detailed Description

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and methods is presented herein by way of illustration, and not limitation, with reference to the figures.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an elevator system 101, the elevator system 101 including an elevator car 103, a counterweight 105, a tension member 107, guide rails 109, a machine 111, a position reference system 113, and a controller 115. The elevator car 103 and the counterweight 105 are connected to each other by a tension member 107. The tension members 107 may comprise or be configured as, for example, ropes, steel cables, and/or coated steel belts. The counterweight 105 is configured to balance the load of the elevator car 103 and to facilitate movement of the elevator car 103 within the hoistway 117 and along the guide rails 109 relative to the counterweight 105 simultaneously and in an opposite direction.

The tension member 107 engages a machine 111, the machine 111 being part of the overhead structure of the elevator system 101. The machine 111 is configured to control movement between the elevator car 103 and the counterweight 105. The position reference system 113 can be mounted on a fixed portion (such as a support or guide rail) at the top of the hoistway 117 and can be configured to provide a position signal related to the position of the elevator car 103 within the hoistway 117. In other embodiments, the position reference system 113 may be mounted directly to the moving components of the machine 111, or may be located in other positions and/or configurations as known in the art. As is known in the art, the position reference system 113 can be any device or mechanism for monitoring the position of the elevator car and/or counterweight. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, for example, without limitation, the position reference system 113 may be an encoder, sensor, or other system, and may include speed sensing, absolute position sensing, and the like.

The controller 115 is located in a controller room 121 of the hoistway 117 as shown and is configured to control operation of the elevator system 101, and in particular the elevator car 103. For example, the controller 115 may provide drive signals to the machine 111 to control acceleration, deceleration, leveling, stopping, etc. of the elevator car 103. The controller 115 may also be configured to receive position signals from the position reference system 113 or any other desired position reference device. The elevator car 103 can stop at one or more landings 125 as controlled by the controller 115 when moving up or down along the guide rails 109 within the hoistway 117. Although the controller 115 is shown in the controller room 121, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the controller 115 may be located and/or configured elsewhere or locations within the elevator system 101. In one embodiment, the controller may be remotely located or located in the cloud.

The machine 111 may include an electric motor or similar drive mechanism. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the machine 111 is configured to include an electrically driven motor. The power supply for the motor may be any power source (including a power grid) that is supplied to the motor in combination with other components. The machine 111 may include a traction sheave that applies a force to the tension member 107 to move the elevator car 103 within the hoistway 117.

Although the elevator system is shown and described as having a roping system that includes tension members 107, elevator systems that employ other methods and mechanisms for moving an elevator car within a hoistway can also employ embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, embodiments may be employed in a ropeless elevator system that uses a linear motor to impart motion to an elevator car. Embodiments may also be employed in ropeless elevator systems that use a hydraulic hoist to impart motion to an elevator car. FIG. 1 is merely a non-limiting example presented for purposes of illustration and explanation.

Although numerical identifiers may differ, features and elements disclosed in fig. 2-6 having the same or similar nomenclature as in fig. 1 may be similarly interpreted.

Turning to fig. 2A and 2B, an Electric Safety Brake Actuator (ESBA) 200 is disclosed. The ESBA 200 may include a primary feature 210, the primary feature 210 being a central feature centered along the width direction W within the ESBA 200. Central component 210 may have a proximal side 220 and a distal side 230 spaced apart in width direction W. The central member 210 may have a first nominal front surface 240 and a first rear surface 250 spaced apart in the depth direction D. In addition, the central member 210 may have a first top surface 260 and a first bottom surface 270 spaced apart along the height direction H.

ESBA 200 may include a plurality of side members. The plurality of side members may include a proximal member 280 and a distal member 290. Proximal component 280 of ESBA 200 may be disposed adjacent to or against proximal side 220 of central component 210. Distal component 290 of ESBA 200 may be disposed adjacent to or against distal side 230 of central component 210.

According to embodiments, the central component 210 may be magnetic, and the plurality of side components may be metallic or non-metallic, and may also be magnetic or non-magnetic. According to an embodiment, the central member 210 and the plurality of side members may be metal (such as steel).

The plurality of side members may include a corresponding plurality of nominal front surfaces. The plurality of nominal anterior surfaces may include a proximal anterior surface 300 and a distal anterior surface 310, respectively. The nominal front surfaces of the plurality of side members may be coplanar. For example, tight tolerances may be achieved by machining the ESBA after assembly thereof.

The friction feature 320 may extend forward in the depth direction D from one of: (i) a plurality of nominal front surfaces of a plurality of side members; and (ii) a first nominal front surface 240 of central member 210. As used herein, nominal surface means a planar surface located in depth below the friction feature 320.

The plurality of nominal front surfaces of the respective plurality of side members may be coplanar with the first nominal front surface 240. In addition, the central member 210 and the plurality of side members may have the same span in the height direction H. Further, the center member 210 and the plurality of side members may be fixedly connected by at least one connector 330 extending in the width direction through the ESBA. At least one connector 330 may be a rivet.

The plurality of side members may have a corresponding plurality of rear portions. The plurality of posterior portions may include a first posterior portion 332 and a second posterior portion 334. The plurality of rear portions may extend rearwardly beyond the central member 210 in the depth direction D. This configuration may provide an air gap between central member 210 and one or more components located behind ESBA 200 that may contact ESBA 200.

Turning to fig. 3, ESBA 200 may be connected to an Electronic Safety Brake (ESB) 340 using a linkage 350, and ESB340 may be operably connected to an elevator car 360. The friction feature 320 of ESBA 200 may engage elevator track 370, thereby actuating ESB340 adjacent to or against elevator track 370 to decelerate elevator car 360.

Turning to fig. 4A and 4B, in one embodiment, the friction feature 320 may include a plurality of teeth. The plurality of teeth can include at least a first tooth 380 and a second tooth 390 that together form a saw-tooth profile. The saw tooth profile may be aggressive (aggressive) to enable relatively quick snapping of the ESBA 200 adjacent to or against the elevator track 370. The plurality of teeth may each comprise a cross-sectional profile formed by a right triangle 400 with a square peak 410, for example, located at the bottom in height.

Turning to fig. 5, a cover plate 420 may be attached to the front surface of the central member 210. The cover plate 420 may have the same span in the width direction D as the central member 210. The cover plate 420 may include a friction feature 320. According to embodiments, the cover plate 420 may be metallic or non-metallic, and the cover plate 420 may also be magnetic or non-magnetic. For example, the cover plate 420 may be extruded aluminum. A benefit of this embodiment may be that the cover plate 420 is easily replaced due to wear of the friction features 320.

Turning to fig. 6A and 6B, a plurality of side members may be integrally connected in width to form a unitary housing 430. The top portion 440 of the housing 430 may form a top shelf that extends adjacent to or against the first top surface 260 of the central member 210 and the first front surface 240 of the central member 210. The bottom portion 450 of the housing 430 may form a bottom shelf that extends adjacent to or against the first bottom surface 270 of the central member 210 and the front surface 240 of the central member 210. With this configuration, the housing 430 may form a rear opening 460, and the housing 430 may slidably receive the central member 210 through the rear opening 460. In alternative embodiments, the central member 210 may be inserted into the housing 430 in a different manner (e.g., without limitation, from the top, bottom, and front openings). In an alternative embodiment, a locking mechanism is provided to positionally secure central member 210 within housing 430.

The above disclosure provides three solutions that can reduce the sensitivity of the magnet assembly to air gaps in the magnetic circuit. By reducing the air gap sensitivity of the magnet assembly of the Electronic Safety Actuator (ESA) to the air gap, component efficiency may be increased to allow more available material to be utilized to generate the normal force. The applicability of the embodiments disclosed herein to be utilized outside of an elevator system is within the scope of the present disclosure.

The fourth solution disclosed above provides a modified tooth/friction interface that may provide a more aggressive profile. By providing a more aggressive profile, the average coefficient of friction may be increased, which may reduce sensitivity to the normal force generated. By modifying the frictional interface to a more aggressive geometry, the overall component size may be reduced, reducing sensitivity to generated normal forces. It will be appreciated that configurations with a smooth surface profile for the front surface 240 of the central member 210 are within the scope of the present disclosure.

The term "about" is intended to include the degree of error associated with measuring a specific quantity based on equipment available at the time of filing the present application.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

While the disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.