Emergency braking mechanism for an elevator using hydraulic and pneumatic actuation

Abstract

The proposed idea aims at replacing the current safety mechanisms used by the elevators (i.e., governors) which are rope-based safety mechanism to rope independent, actuated by pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders. The proposed safety mechanism is lightweight and mounted on the top of the elevator. The mechanism involves a pneumatic cylinder actuating a hydraulic master cylinder using a class 1 lever for mechanical advantage. The hydraulic cylinder will pressurise the brake fluid and supply it to the callipers mounted on the elevator body. Callipers will cling to the guide rails upon actuation, thus stopping the elevator in very short distance. The effective force to be stopped by the callipers was calculated and parts were designed accordingly. Analyses of parts are done by considering maximum forces acting on hydraulic calliper mount and lever arm for varying thickness. Through calculations and analyses, the proposed system was found to be safe and reliable.