JP2024027721A - Eddy current-type brake device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an eddy current-type brake device for an elevator apparatus capable of obtaining sufficient braking force.SOLUTION: An eddy current-type brake device 10 comprises magnet units 11, 12 and an operative mechanism 30. The magnet units 11, 12 include at least one magnet. The operative mechanism 30 makes the magnet units 11, 12 move between an actuated position approaching a guide rail 8 and activating brake, and a non-actuated position more separated from the guide rail 8 than the actuated position. The operative mechanism 30 has a spring 32 and an actuator 33. The spring 32 expands/contracts in an expansion/contraction direction D2 which is along the direction from an elevator car or a counterweight to the guide rail 8 and makes the magnet units 11, 12 move in the expansion/contraction direction D2. The actuator 33 makes the spring 32 contract in the expansion/contraction direction D2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an eddy current brake device for an elevator system.

Conventionally, rope brakes have been known as auxiliary brakes used in elevator systems. A rope brake obtains braking force by gripping the main rope of an elevator system.

However, depending on the capacity of the elevator car, the rope brake may not be able to provide sufficient braking force. Additionally, there is a concern that rope brakes may damage the main rope. Furthermore, if the rope brake is damaged, many people are required to repair it.

Therefore, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, application of an eddy current brake device to an elevator as an auxiliary brake in place of a rope brake is being considered.

Patent No. 5514918

However, eddy current brake systems are only beginning to be used in railways. For this reason, sufficient studies have not been made to obtain sufficient braking force using an eddy current brake device in an elevator system.

The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an eddy current type brake device for an elevator device that can obtain sufficient braking force.

The eddy current type brake device according to the present embodiment is an eddy current type brake device that is attached to an elevator car or a counterweight that moves along a guide rail extending in the vertical direction, and includes:
a magnet unit including at least one magnet;
an actuation mechanism that moves the magnet unit between an actuation position in which the magnet unit approaches the guide rail to actuate the brake; and a non-operation position in which the magnet unit is further away from the guide rail than the actuation position;
Equipped with
The actuation mechanism is
a spring that expands and contracts along an expansion and contraction direction along a direction from the elevator car or the counterweight toward the guide rail, and moves the magnet unit in the expansion and contraction direction;
an actuator that contracts the spring along the expansion/contraction direction;
has.

Alternatively, the eddy current brake device according to the present embodiment is an eddy current brake device attached to an elevator car or a counterweight that moves along a guide rail extending in the vertical direction,
a magnet unit including at least one magnet;
an actuation mechanism that moves the magnet unit between an actuation position in which the magnet unit approaches the guide rail to actuate the brake; and a non-operation position in which the magnet unit is further away from the guide rail than the actuation position;
Equipped with
The actuating mechanism includes an actuator that moves the magnet unit from the actuating position to the non-actuating position,
The magnet unit is movable from the non-operating position to the operating position by magnetic attraction acting between the magnet and the guide rail.

Alternatively, the eddy current brake device according to the present embodiment is an eddy current brake device attached to an elevator car or a counterweight that moves along a guide rail extending in the vertical direction,
a magnet unit including at least one magnet;
an actuation mechanism that moves the magnet unit between an actuation position in which the magnet unit approaches the guide rail to actuate the brake; and a non-operation position in which the magnet unit is further away from the guide rail than the actuation position;
Equipped with
The actuation mechanism is
a spring that expands and contracts along an expansion and contraction direction along a direction from the non-operating position to the activation position, and moves the magnet unit in the expansion and contraction direction;
an actuator that contracts the spring along the expansion/contraction direction;
has.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an elevator apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the eddy current brake device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the eddy current brake device shown in FIG. 1, and is a diagram showing the eddy current brake device in which the magnet unit is in a non-operating position. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the eddy current brake device shown in FIG. 1, and is a diagram showing the eddy current brake device in which the magnet unit is in a first intermediate position. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the eddy current brake device shown in FIG. 1, and is a diagram showing the eddy current brake device with the magnet unit in the operating position. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the eddy current brake device shown in FIG. 1, and is a diagram showing the eddy current brake device in which the magnet unit is in the second intermediate position. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the magnet unit and the guide rail in the operating position. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing magnetic flux lines due to the magnet unit shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing an eddy current brake device according to a second embodiment, and is a diagram showing the eddy current brake device in which the magnet unit is in a non-operating position. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the eddy current brake device according to the second embodiment, and is a diagram showing the eddy current brake device with the magnet unit in the operating position. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing an eddy current brake device according to a third embodiment, and is a diagram showing the eddy current brake device in which the magnet unit is in a non-operating position. FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing an eddy current brake device according to a third embodiment, and is a diagram showing the eddy current brake device with the magnet unit in the operating position. FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing an eddy current brake device according to a third embodiment, and is a diagram showing the eddy current brake device in which the magnet unit is in a third intermediate position. FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing an eddy current brake device according to a third embodiment, and is a diagram showing the eddy current brake device in which the magnet unit is in the middle third position. FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing a modification of the eddy current brake device, and is a diagram showing the eddy current brake device having auxiliary means. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the eddy current brake device shown in FIG. 15 in a state in which the auxiliary means is in operation. FIG. 17 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7 and illustrating another modification of the eddy current brake device. FIG. 18 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7, and is a diagram showing still another modification of the eddy current brake device. FIG. 19 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7, and is a diagram showing still another modification of the eddy current brake device. FIG. 20 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7, and is a diagram showing still another modification of the eddy current brake device. FIG. 21 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7, and is a diagram showing still another modification of the eddy current brake device. FIG. 22 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7, and is a diagram showing still another modification of the eddy current brake device.

<First embodiment>
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In order to clarify the directional relationships among the drawings, common directions are indicated by arrows with common symbols in some drawings. An arrow along a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing is indicated by a symbol with a dot in a circle, as shown in FIG. 1, for example.

As shown in FIG. 1, the elevator device 1 includes an elevator car 3 that can be raised and lowered in a hoistway 2, a counterweight 5 connected to the elevator car 3 via a main rope 4, and a machine room 6. A hoisting machine 7 that raises and lowers an elevator car 3 and a counterweight 5 via a main rope 4 is provided. The main rope 4 is wound around a traction sheave 7a connected to a hoist 7. In such a configuration, the main rope 4 is wound up by the hoisting machine 7 rotationally driving the traction sheave 7a, and the elevator car 3 and the counterweight 5 are respectively raised and lowered. Inside the hoistway 2, a pair of car guide rails 8, 8 and a pair of weight guide rails (not shown) extending in the vertical direction D1 are provided. The elevator car 3 and the counterweight 5 move along car guide rails 8, 8 and weight guide rails, respectively. Further, the hoisting machine 7 is provided with an electromagnetic brake 9 as a main brake. Furthermore, an eddy current brake device 10 is provided at the upper and lower parts of the elevator car 3 as an auxiliary brake. Further, the elevator device 1 includes a control device (not shown) that controls each part of the elevator device 1.

Next, the eddy current brake device 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the eddy current brake device 10. 3 to 6 are diagrams schematically showing the eddy current brake device 10. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the eddy current brake device 10 of FIG. 5 taken along line AA. Further, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing magnetic flux lines due to the magnet units 11 and 12 shown in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 2, the eddy current brake device 10 includes a pair of magnet units 11, 12, a low friction pad 20 attached to each magnet unit 11, 12, and a car guide rail 8 between the magnet units 11, 12. and an actuation mechanism 30 that moves the device relative to the device. As shown in FIG. 7, each magnet unit 11, 12 has at least one magnet 13, 14.

The actuating mechanism 30 moves the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 into an actuating position where the brakes are actuated close to the corresponding car guide rail 8 (see FIGS. 2 and 5) and a position where the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 are moved closer to the car guide rail 8 than in the actuating position. the inoperative position (see Figure 3). As best shown in FIG. 5, the pair of magnet units 11, 12 are positioned on either side of the corresponding car guide rail 8 when the magnet units 11, 12 are placed in the operating position. In the illustrated example, the car guide rail 8 has a base 8a and a rail fin 8b extending toward the elevator car 3 from the base 8a. The pair of magnet units 11 and 12 are positioned on both sides of the rail fin 8b when the magnet units 11 and 12 are placed in the operating position.

In the illustrated example, when actuating the brake by the eddy current brake device 10, the actuating mechanism 30 moves the pair of magnet units 11, 12 from the non-actuating position shown in FIG. 3 to the first intermediate position shown in FIG. 5 to the operating position shown in FIG. Further, when releasing the brake operation by the eddy current brake device 10, the actuation mechanism 30 moves the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 from the actuation position shown in FIG. 5 to the second intermediate position shown in FIG. and move it to the non-operating position shown in FIG. Specifically, the actuation mechanism 30 includes a telescoping mechanism 31 that expands and contracts in the direction D2 from the elevator car 3 toward the corresponding car guide rail 8, an actuator 33 that contracts the telescoping mechanism 31, and a magnet unit 11, 12 that moves the magnet units 11 and 12 into the car guide. A slide mechanism 35 that holds the rail 8 so as to be slidable in the width direction D3. Directions D2 and D3 are horizontal directions and are orthogonal to direction D1. Directions D2 and D3 are directions that intersect with each other (non-parallel). In the illustrated example, the directions D1, D2, D3 are orthogonal to each other.

The expansion/contraction mechanism 31 includes a spring 32 that can be expanded/contracted along the direction D2. Direction D2 is the direction in which the spring 32 expands and contracts. In the illustrated example, spring 32 is a coil spring. The spring 32 expands and contracts between a retracted position shown in FIG. 3 and an extended position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

One end of the spring 32 is fixed to the elevator car 3. The other end of the spring 32 is fixed to a frame 36 of the slide mechanism 35, which will be described later. When the spring 32 is in the retracted position shown in FIG. 3, the spring 32 is contracted to a length shorter than its natural length. When the spring 32 is in the extended position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, it is extended (relaxed) to a length that is substantially the same as the natural length of the spring 32. In other words, the spring 32 contracts in the direction from the car guide rail 8 toward the elevator car 3 and stores elastic energy. The spring 32 biases the slide mechanism 35 in the direction from the elevator car 3 toward the car guide rail 8 when the magnet units 11, 12 shown in FIG. 3 are in the non-operating position. Further, when the elastic energy stored in the spring 32 is released, the spring 32 expands (relaxes) in the direction from the elevator car 3 toward the car guide rail 8 due to the restoring force.

Actuator 33 contracts spring 32 along direction D2. The actuator 33 also holds the spring 32 in the contracted position. The actuator 33 is connected to a power source (not shown). When the actuator 33 is supplied with power from the power source (becomes energized), the actuator 33 automatically contracts the spring 32 along the direction D2 and holds the spring 32 in the contracted position. Moreover, when the power supply from the power source is stopped (when the actuator 33 is in a non-energized state), the actuator 33 automatically releases the spring 32 from the contracted position. The actuator 33 becomes de-energized when a signal for operating the auxiliary brake is input from the control device of the elevator device 1 to the actuation mechanism 30. Further, the actuator 33 becomes energized when a signal is input from the control device of the elevator device 1 to the actuation mechanism 30 to release the operation of the auxiliary brake.

The slide mechanism 35 includes a frame 36 and a pair of sliders 37 and 38 that are provided so as to be slidable along the direction D3 with respect to the frame 36. The magnet unit 11 is fixed to the slider 37. Further, the magnet unit 12 is fixed to the slider 38. The sliders 37, 38 (therefore, the magnet units 11, 12) are positioned on the frame 36 at a distance from the car guide rail 8 in the direction D3 (see FIGS. 3, 4, and 6), and at a distance from the car guide rail 8 in the direction D3. It is movable between an approach position close to the rail 8 (see FIG. 5). The sliders 37, 38 (magnetic units 11, 12) in the separated positions move when the telescopic mechanism 31 extends and approaches the car guide rail 8 sufficiently in the direction D2 (for example, when the magnetic units 11, 12 move to the non-linear position shown in FIG. When the car is moved from the operating position to the first intermediate position shown in FIG. automatically move along direction D3 so that Thereby, the magnet units 11 and 12 are placed in close positions. On the other hand, when the sliders 37, 38 (magnet units 11, 12) are sufficiently separated from the car guide rail 8 in the direction D2 (for example, the magnet units 11, 12 move from the operating position to the second intermediate position shown in FIG. ), the magnetic repulsion acting between the magnets 13 and 14 automatically causes them to move away from each other along the direction D3. As a result, magnet units 11 and 12 are placed at separate positions.

In the illustrated example, the sliders 37 and 38 of the slide mechanism 35 are made of ferromagnetic material. Such sliders 37, 38 function as back yokes for the magnet units 11, 12, and can suppress the magnetic force of the magnet units 11, 12 from decreasing. As the ferromagnetic material constituting the sliders 37 and 38, for example, iron, cobalt, and iron-cobalt alloy can be used.

In the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 7, each magnet unit 11, 12 includes four magnets 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d; 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d arranged in the vertical direction. The arrangement of the magnetic poles of the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 is mirror symmetrical about the axis along the vertical direction D1. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of magnets 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d; 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d of each magnet unit 11, 12 are arranged in a Halbach array. In this case, the magnetic flux lines due to the magnet units 11 and 12 placed in the operating position are as shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the magnetic flux lines from each magnet unit 11, 12 do not pass through the car guide rail 8 from one of the pair of magnet units 11, 12 toward the other.

The distance along the direction D2 between the magnet units 11, 12 arranged in the non-operating position and the car guide rail 8 is preferably 5 mm or more and 40 mm or less, and more preferably 5 mm or more and 20 mm or less. Since the distance along the direction D2 between the magnet units 11, 12 placed in the non-operating position and the car guide rail 8 is 5 mm or more, a magnetic attraction force acts between the magnet units 11, 12 and the car guide rail 8. , the magnet units 11, 12 are unintentionally (in other words, against the force of the actuator 33 trying to hold the magnet units 11, 12 in the inoperative position (the force trying to hold the spring 32 in the retracted position)) , the risk of movement from the non-operating position toward the car guide rail 8 is suppressed. Thereby, the risk of malfunction of the eddy current brake device 10 can be reduced. In addition, the magnet units 11 and 12 placed in the non-operating position and the car guide rail 8 may interfere with each other due to vibration or rocking of the elevator car 3 or the car guide rail 8, causing damage to the eddy current brake device 10 or expansion/contraction of the eddy current brake device 10. The possibility that the extension of the mechanism 31 (spring 32) will be hindered is effectively reduced. Furthermore, by setting the distance along the direction D2 between the magnet units 11, 12 arranged in the non-operating position and the car guide rail 8 to be 40 mm or less, preferably 20 mm or less, the magnet units 11, 12 can be moved from the non-operating position. It can be quickly moved to the first intermediate position. Thereby, the responsiveness of the eddy current brake device 10 can be improved.

Moreover, the distance along the direction D3 between the magnet units 11, 12 and the car guide rail 8, which are arranged at separate positions, is preferably 2 mm or more and 30 mm or less, and more preferably 2 mm or more and 20 mm or less. Since the distance along the direction D3 between the magnet units 11, 12 arranged at separate positions and the car guide rail 8 is 2 mm or more, it is possible to move the magnet units 11, 12 from the non-operating position to the first intermediate position. In addition, there is a possibility that the magnet units 11 and 12 will interfere with the car guide rail 8 in the direction D2 due to the vibration or rocking of the elevator car 3 or the car guide rail 8, and the extension of the expansion/contraction mechanism 31 (spring 32) will be hindered. effectively reduced. Furthermore, by setting the distance along the direction D3 between the magnet units 11, 12 arranged at the separated position and the car guide rail 8 to be 30 mm or less, preferably 20 mm or less, the magnet units 11, 12 can be moved from the separated position to the approaching position. (more specifically, from the first intermediate position to the operating position). Thereby, the responsiveness of the eddy current brake device 10 can be improved.

A low friction pad 20 is attached to each magnet unit 11,12. As shown in FIG. 7, the low friction pad 20 is positioned between the magnets 13, 14 of the magnet units 11, 12 and the rail fin 8b of the car guide rail 8 when the magnet units 11, 12 are in the operating position. At least a portion of the magnets 13 and 14 of the magnet units 11 and 12 are covered. Therefore, the magnets 13, 14 of each magnet unit 11, 12 face the car guide rails 8, 8 via the low friction pad 20 when the magnet units 11, 12 are placed in the operating position.

The low friction pad 20 is made of a material with a low coefficient of friction. By disposing such a low friction pad 20 between the magnet units 11, 12 in the operating position and the car guide rail 8, the magnets 13, 14 of the magnet units 11, 12 are attracted to the car guide rail 8. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the possibility that a frictional force will be generated between the car guide rail 8 and the magnet units 11 and 12 that move in the vertical direction, and the car guide rail 8 will be damaged. Preferably, the low friction pad 20 is made of a material that is wear resistant. Specifically, as the material for forming the low-friction pad 20, the same material as the low-friction pads generally attached to various guide shoes of elevator equipment can be employed. The low-friction pad 20 made of such a material has a low coefficient of friction, excellent sliding properties, and excellent wear resistance.

Note that if the thickness of the low-friction pad 20 is too large, the magnet units 11, 12 and the car guide rail 8 cannot be brought sufficiently close to each other, and the braking force by the magnet units 11, 12 cannot be obtained sufficiently. There is a possibility that On the other hand, if the thickness of the low-friction pad 20 is too small, there is a risk that the magnets 13 and 14 of the magnet units 11 and 12 will be attracted to the car guide rail 8 and damage the car guide rail 8. From this viewpoint, the thickness of the low friction pad 20 is preferably 2 mm or more and 30 mm or less, and more preferably 2 mm or more and 10 mm or less. When the thickness of the low friction pad 20 is 2 mm or more and 30 mm or less, more preferably 2 mm or more and 10 mm or less, braking force can be obtained without damaging the car guide rail 8.

Next, the operation of the eddy current brake device 10 will be explained.

First, until a signal to actuate the auxiliary brake is input from the control device of the elevator device 1 to the actuating mechanism 30, the actuator 33 of the eddy current brake device 10 is in a energized state and the spring 32 is contracted to the contracted position. It is held in At this time, the spring 32 stores elastic energy and biases the magnet units 11, 12 in the direction from the non-operating position toward the first intermediate position. Furthermore, the sliders 37 and 38 (magnet units 11 and 12) are at separated positions due to the magnetic repulsion force acting between the magnets 13 and 14. Therefore, the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 are in the non-operating position shown in FIG. 3. At this time, the brake by the eddy current brake device 10 is not operating.

Next, when a signal for operating the auxiliary brake is input from the control device of the elevator device 1 to the actuation mechanism 30, the actuator 33 becomes de-energized and automatically releases the spring 32 from the contracted position. Thereby, the expansion/contraction mechanism 31 expands in the direction from the elevator car 3 toward the corresponding car guide rail 8 due to the restoring force of the spring 32. By extending the spring 32 to the extended position, the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 move to the first intermediate position shown in FIG. 4. As a result, the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 are positioned on both sides of the corresponding car guide rail 8.

When the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 are placed at the first intermediate position, each magnet unit 11 and 12 is automatically moved in the direction D3 by the magnetic attraction force acting between the magnet 13 or 14 and the car guide rail 8. Move along toward car guide rail 8. As a result, the magnet units 11 and 12 move on the frame 36 from the separated position to the approached position. In other words, the magnet units 11, 12 move from the first intermediate position shown in FIG. 4 to the operating position shown in FIG. As a result, the magnet units 11 and 12 are arranged close to the rail fins 8b of the car guide rail 8. In the illustrated example, the magnet units 11 and 12 contact the rail fin 8b via the low friction pad 20. When the magnet units 11 and 12, which move vertically together with the elevator car 3, are placed close to the car guide rail 8, eddy currents are excited within the car guide rail 8. As a result, electromagnetic interaction occurs between the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 and the car guide rail 8, and the brake by the eddy current brake device 10 is activated. As a result, movement of the elevator car 3 with respect to the car guide rail 8 is prevented. In the illustrated example, the actuation mechanism 30 allows the magnet units 11, 12 to be brought sufficiently close to the car guide rail 8, so the braking force by the magnet units 11, 12 can be made large enough to act as an auxiliary brake. Can be done.

Next, when a signal for releasing the auxiliary brake is input from the control device of the elevator device 1 to the operating mechanism 30, the operating mechanism 30 moves the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 from the operating position shown in FIG. It is moved to the non-operating position shown in FIG. 3 via the second intermediate position shown in FIG. Specifically, when a signal to release the auxiliary brake is input to the actuating mechanism 30, the actuator 33 becomes energized and automatically moves the spring 32 to the contracted position against its elastic force. Contract it towards the target. When the magnet units 11 and 12 are sufficiently separated from the car guide rail 8 while the spring 32 is contracting to the contracted position, the magnet units 11 and 12 automatically approach each other due to the magnetic repulsion force acting between the magnets 13 and 14. Move from position to remote position. As a result, the magnet units 11 and 12 are placed at the second intermediate position shown in FIG. Then, as the spring 32 is further contracted to the contracted position by the actuator 33, the magnet units 11 and 12 are placed in the non-operating position shown in FIG. As a result, the magnet units 11 and 12 are placed sufficiently apart from the car guide rail 8, and the brake by the eddy current brake device 10 is released.

In the example shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, the actuating mechanism 30 moves the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 from the close position to the separated position by the magnetic repulsion force acting between the magnets 13 and 14, and moves the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 from the close position to the separated position. but not limited to. The actuating mechanism 30 may move the pair of magnet units 11, 12 from the close position to the separated position and hold them at the separated position using an additional actuator. In this case, the actuation mechanism 30 may move the magnet units 11 and 12 from the close position to the separated position before the spring 32 contracts toward the contracted position, or may move the magnet units 11 and 12 from the close position to the separated position after the spring 32 contracts to the contracted position. 11 and 12 may be moved from the close position to the separated position. Further, in this case, the arrangement of the magnetic poles of the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 does not have to be mirror symmetrical about the axis along the vertical direction D1. In addition, the arrangement of the magnetic poles of the pair of magnet units 11, 12 is such that when the magnet units 11, 12 are placed in the operating position, the magnetic flux line by each magnet unit 11, 12 is from one side of the pair of magnet units 11, 12 to the other. It may be determined to penetrate the car guide rail 8 toward the direction.

According to the eddy current brake device 10 described above, the restoring force of the spring 32 is used to move the magnet units 11 and 12 from the non-operating position to the operating position, so the configuration of the eddy current brake device 10 can be simplified. can do. Furthermore, the magnet units 11 and 12 can be moved from the non-operating position to the operating position with high reliability.

Further, according to the above-described eddy current brake device 10, the magnetic attraction between the magnets 13, 14 and the car guide rail 8 is used to move the magnet units 11, 12 from the non-operating position to the operating position. . This also makes it possible to simplify the configuration of the eddy current brake device 10, and to move the magnet units 11 and 12 from the non-operating position to the operating position with high reliability.

Further, according to the eddy current brake device 10 described above, the magnetic repulsion force acting between the magnets 13 and 14 is used to move the magnet units 11 and 12 from the operating position to the non-operating position and to hold the magnet units 11 and 12 at the non-operating position. be done. This also makes it possible to simplify the configuration of the eddy current brake device 10. Furthermore, the magnet units 11 and 12 can be moved from the operating position to the non-operating position with high reliability, and can be held at the non-operating position.

<Second embodiment>
Next, an eddy current brake device 110 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. 9 and 10 are diagrams schematically showing the eddy current brake device 110. The second embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 differs from the first embodiment in that the actuation mechanism 130 does not include the telescoping mechanism 31. Further, this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the actuation mechanism 130 includes an actuator 40 that moves the sliders 37, 38 (magnet units 11, 12) of the slide mechanism 35 between the separation position and the approach position. The other configurations are substantially the same as the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 8. In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, parts similar to those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the eddy current brake device 110 includes a pair of magnet units 11, 12, a low-friction pad 20 attached to each magnet unit 11, 12, and a cage between the magnet units 11, 12. An actuation mechanism 130 for moving the guide rail 8 relative to the guide rail 8 is provided.

The actuating mechanism 130 moves the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 into an actuating position (see FIG. 10) where the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 actuate the brakes when they are close to the corresponding car guide rails 8, and an inactive position where they are further away from the car guide rails 8 than the actuating position. position (see Figure 9). In the example shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the actuation mechanism 130 moves the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 along the direction D3. In the example shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the actuation mechanism 130 does not move the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 along the direction D2.

Specifically, the actuating mechanism 130 moves the slide mechanism 35 that holds the magnet units 11 and 12 so as to be slidable in the width direction D3 of the car guide rail 8, and the sliders 37 and 38 of the slide mechanism 35 toward each other along the direction D3. It has an actuator 40 that moves from the position to the separated position. When the sliders 37, 38 are in the approach position, the magnet units 11, 12 are in the operating position. Further, when the sliders 37 and 38 are in the separated position, the magnet units 11 and 12 are in the non-operating position. In the illustrated example, even when the magnet units 11 and 12 are in the non-operating position, a magnetic attraction is exerted between the magnets 13 and 14 of the magnet units 11 and 12 and the car guide rail 8. . However, the distance between the magnet units 11 and 12 placed in the non-operating position and the car guide rail 8 is set to such an extent that eddy currents are not excited in the car guide rail 8 (in other words, the brake by the eddy current brake device 110 is not activated). degree), sufficiently large.

Actuator 40 is connected to a power source (not shown). When the actuator 40 is supplied with power from the power source (becomes energized), it automatically moves the sliders 37, 38 (magnet units 11, 12) to the magnets 13 or 14 of the magnet units 11, 12 and the car guide rail 8. It is moved to a separated position (non-operating position) against the magnetic attraction force acting between the parts, and is held (restricted) at the separated position (non-operating position). Furthermore, when the power supply from the power source is stopped (when the power is turned off), the actuator 40 automatically releases the restraint of the sliders 37 and 38 (magnet units 11 and 12). The actuator 40 becomes de-energized when a signal for operating the auxiliary brake is input from the control device of the elevator device 1 to the actuation mechanism 130. Further, the actuator 40 becomes energized when a signal for releasing the operation of the auxiliary brake is input from the control device of the elevator device 1 to the actuation mechanism 130.

Next, the operation of the eddy current brake device 110 will be explained.

First, until a signal for operating the auxiliary brake is input from the control device of the elevator device 1 to the actuating mechanism 130, the actuator 40 of the eddy current brake device 110 is in the energized state, and the sliders 37, 38 (magnet unit 11, 12) are held (restricted) in the separated position (non-operating position) shown in FIG. At this time, the brake by the eddy current brake device 110 is not operating.

Next, when a signal to operate the auxiliary brake is input from the control device of the elevator device 1 to the actuating mechanism 130, the actuator 40 becomes de-energized and automatically moves the sliders 37, 38 (magnet units 11, 12). Release the restraint to the remote position (non-operating position). As a result, the sliders 37, 38 (magnet units 11, 12) are automatically moved along the direction D3 to the approach position shown in FIG. (operating position). When the magnet units 11 and 12, which move vertically together with the elevator car 3, are placed close to the car guide rail 8, eddy currents are excited within the car guide rail 8. As a result, electromagnetic interaction occurs between the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 and the car guide rail 8, and the brake by the eddy current brake device 110 is activated. As a result, movement of the elevator car 3 with respect to the car guide rail 8 is prevented.

Next, when a signal for releasing the auxiliary brake is input from the control device of the elevator device 1 to the actuation mechanism 130, the actuation mechanism 130 moves the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 from the actuation position shown in FIG. 9. Move to the inactive position shown in FIG. Specifically, when a signal to release the auxiliary brake is input to the actuating mechanism 130, the actuator 40 becomes energized and automatically moves the sliders 37, 38 (magnet units 11, 12) in the direction D3. from the approach position (operating position) to the separating position (non-operating position). As a result, the magnet units 11 and 12 are arranged sufficiently apart from the car guide rail 8, and the brake by the eddy current brake device 110 is released.

According to the eddy current brake device 110 described above, the magnetic attraction between the magnets 13, 14 and the car guide rail 8 is used to move the magnet units 11, 12 from the non-operating position to the operating position. Therefore, the configuration of the eddy current brake device 110 can be simplified. Furthermore, the magnet units 11 and 12 can be moved from the non-operating position to the operating position with high reliability.

<Third embodiment>
Next, an eddy current brake device 210 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14. 11 to 14 are diagrams schematically showing the eddy current brake device 210. The third embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 to 14 differs from the second embodiment in that the actuation mechanism 230 includes springs 55, 56 disposed between the sliders 37, 38 and the magnet units 11, 12. different from. The other configurations are substantially the same as the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the same parts as in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the eddy current brake device 210 includes a pair of magnet units 11, 12, a low-friction pad 20 attached to each magnet unit 11, 12, and a cage between the magnet units 11, 12. An actuation mechanism 230 for moving the guide rail 8 relative to the guide rail 8 is provided.

The actuating mechanism 230 moves the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 into an actuating position (see FIG. 12) where the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 are close to the corresponding car guide rails 8 to actuate the brakes, and a non-actuating position where they are further away from the car guide rails 8 than the actuating position. (see FIG. 11). In the example shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the actuation mechanism 230 moves the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 along the direction D3.

In the illustrated example, when actuating the brake by the eddy current brake device 210, the actuating mechanism 230 moves the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 from the non-actuating position shown in FIG. 11 to the actuating position shown in FIG. let Further, when releasing the brake operation by the eddy current brake device 210, the actuation mechanism 230 moves the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 from the actuation position shown in FIG. 12 to the third intermediate position shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. to the non-operating position shown in FIG. 11. The third intermediate position is a position that is further away from the activated position than the non-activated position in direction D3.

Specifically, the actuation mechanism 230 includes a slide mechanism 35 that holds the magnet units 11 and 12 slidably in the width direction D3 of the car guide rail 8, and sliders 37 and 38 of the slide mechanism 35 that move the sliders 37 and 38 along the direction D3. and springs 55 and 56 that can be expanded and contracted along the direction D3. In the illustrated example, when the magnet units 11 and 12 are placed in the non-operating position, there is no need for magnetic attraction to work between the magnets 13 and 14 of the magnet units 11 and 12 and the car guide rail 8. .

The sliders 37, 38 move on the frame 36 between a reference position (see FIGS. 11 and 12) and a separated position (see FIGS. 13 and 14), which is further away from the car guide rail 8 in the direction D3 than the reference position. And it is movable.

The springs 55, 56 can be expanded and contracted along the direction D3. Direction D3 is the direction in which the springs 55 and 56 expand and contract. In the illustrated example, springs 55, 56 are coil springs. Spring 55 is arranged between magnet unit 11 and slider 37 in direction D3. Spring 56 is arranged between magnet unit 12 and slider 38. One ends of the springs 55, 56 are fixed to the corresponding sliders 37, 38. The other ends of the springs 55, 56 are fixed to the corresponding magnet units 11, 12. The springs 55, 56 extend and contract between the retracted position shown in FIG. 11 and the extended position shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14. When the springs 55, 56 are in the retracted position, they are contracted to a length shorter than their natural length. When the springs 55,56 are in the extended position, they are extended (relaxed) to a length that is substantially the same as the natural length of the springs 55,56. In other words, the springs 55 and 56 contract in the width direction D3 of the car guide rail 8 and store elastic energy. The springs 55, 56 bias the magnet units 11, 12 in the direction toward the car guide rail 8 (ie, in the direction toward the operating position) when the magnet units 11, 12 are in the non-operating position. Furthermore, when the elastic energy stored in the springs 55, 56 is released, the springs 55, 56 extend (relax) toward the car guide rail 8 due to the restoring force.

Actuator 50 moves magnet units 11 and 12 along direction D3. Furthermore, the actuator 50 holds the magnet units 11 and 12 in a non-operating position. The actuator 50 is connected to a power source (not shown). When the actuator 50 is supplied with power from the power source (becomes energized), the actuator 50 automatically moves the magnet units 11 and 12 from the operating position to the non-operating position, and holds (restricts) the magnet units 11 and 12 in the non-operating position. Further, when the power supply from the power source is stopped (when the actuator 50 is turned off), the actuator 50 automatically releases the restraint of the magnet units 11 and 12 to the non-operating position. The actuator 50 becomes de-energized when a signal for operating the auxiliary brake is input from the control device of the elevator device 1 to the actuation mechanism 230. Further, the actuator 50 becomes energized when a signal for releasing the operation of the auxiliary brake is input from the control device of the elevator device 1 to the actuation mechanism 230. In the illustrated example, the actuator 50 includes a drive section 51 that moves the sliders 37, 38, and stoppers 53, 54 that hold the magnet units 11, 12 in non-operating positions.

When the actuator 50 is energized, the drive unit 51 automatically moves the sliders 37 and 38 to a reference position against the magnetic attraction force acting between the magnets 13 or 14 of the magnet units 11 and 12 and the car guide rail 8. It is moved from the position to the detached position, and then moved to the reference position.

The stoppers 53, 54 restrain the magnet units 11, 12 in the non-operating position against the elastic force of the springs 55, 56 when the actuator 50 is in the energized state and the sliders 37, 38 are in the reference position. In the illustrated example, the stoppers 53, 54 are attached to the frame 36 of the slide mechanism 35. The stoppers 53, 54 are attached to the frame 36 so as to be movable along the direction D2. The stoppers 53, 54 move between a non-interference position (see FIGS. 12 and 13) and an interference position (see FIGS. 11 and 14) in which they protrude from the frame 36 in the direction D2 relative to the non-interference position. When the stoppers 53, 54 are in the non-interference position, the stoppers 53, 54 do not interfere with the magnet units 11, 12, allowing the magnet units 11, 12 to move from the non-operating position to the operating position. When the stoppers 53, 54 are in the interference position, the stoppers 53, 54 interfere with the magnet units 11, 12 to prevent the magnet units 11, 12 from moving from the non-operating position to the operating position. In particular, when the stoppers 53, 54 are in the interference position and the sliders 37, 38 are in the reference position, the stoppers 53, 54 prevent the magnet units 11, 12 from moving against the elastic force of the springs 55, 56. Hold (constrain) in the operating position. In other words, at this time, the stoppers 53, 54 hold the springs 55, 56 in the contracted position. The stoppers 53, 54 automatically move from the interference position to the non-interference position when the actuator 50 changes from the energized state to the de-energized state. Furthermore, the stoppers 53 and 54 automatically move from the non-interference position to the interference position after a predetermined time has elapsed since the actuator 50 changed from the non-energized state to the energized state.

Next, the operation of the eddy current brake device 210 will be explained.

First, until a signal for operating the auxiliary brake is input from the control device of the elevator device 1 to the actuating mechanism 230, the actuator 50 of the eddy current brake device 210 is in the energized state, and the drive unit 51 moves the slider 37, 38 are held (restricted) at the separated positions shown in FIG. Further, the stoppers 53, 54 are arranged at non-interference positions to hold (restrict) the magnet units 11, 12 in the non-operating position (therefore, the springs 55, 56 in the contracted position). At this time, the springs 55, 56 store elastic energy and urge the magnet units 11, 12 in the direction from the non-operating position to the operating position. Further, the brake by the eddy current brake device 210 is not operating.

Next, when a signal to operate the auxiliary brake is input from the control device of the elevator device 1 to the actuation mechanism 230, the actuator 50 becomes de-energized, and the stoppers 53 and 54 automatically move from the interference position to the non-interference position. Moving. As a result, the restriction of the magnet units 11 and 12 to the non-operating position is released. Specifically, the elastic energy accumulated in the springs 55, 56 is released, and the springs 55, 56 extend (relax) toward the car guide rail 8 due to the restoring force. Along with this, the magnet units 11 and 12 move toward the car guide rail 8 from the non-operating position. Furthermore, the magnet units 11, 12 are placed in the operating position by the extension of the springs 55, 56 and/or by the magnetic attraction force acting between the magnets 13, 14 of the magnet units 11, 12 and the car guide rail 8. When the magnet units 11 and 12, which move vertically together with the elevator car 3, are placed close to the car guide rail 8, eddy currents are excited within the car guide rail 8. As a result, electromagnetic interaction occurs between the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 and the car guide rail 8, and the brake by the eddy current brake device 110 is activated. As a result, movement of the elevator car 3 with respect to the car guide rail 8 is prevented. Note that while the magnet units 11 and 12 move from the non-operating position to the operating position, the sliders 37 and 38 remain disposed at the reference position.

Next, when a signal for releasing the auxiliary brake is input from the control device of the elevator device 1 to the actuation mechanism 230, the actuation mechanism 230 moves the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 from the actuation position shown in FIG. Move to the inoperative position shown in FIG. Specifically, when a signal for releasing the operation of the auxiliary brake is input to the actuation mechanism 230, the actuator 50 becomes energized, and the drive unit 51 automatically moves the sliders 37, 38 along the direction D3. Move from the reference position to the pull-out position. Along with this, the magnet units 11 and 12 move from the operating position to the third intermediate position (see FIG. 13). As a result, the magnet units 11 and 12 are arranged sufficiently apart from the car guide rail 8, and the brake by the eddy current brake device 210 is released. When the sliders 37, 38 (magnet units 11, 12) are placed in the separated position (third intermediate position) after a predetermined period of time has passed after the actuator 50 is energized, the stoppers 53, 54 are automatically deactivated. Move from interference position to interference position. Thereafter, the drive unit 51 moves the sliders 37 and 38 from the separated position toward the reference position along the direction D3. Along with this, the magnet units 11 and 12 move toward the stoppers 53 and 54 from the third intermediate position. The magnet units 11, 12 abut against the stoppers 53, 54 in the non-operating position and stop moving. The drive unit 51 moves the sliders 37, 38 toward the reference position even after the magnet units 11, 12 stop moving by the stoppers 53, 54. This causes the springs 55, 56 to contract from the extended position to the contracted position.

According to the eddy current brake device 210 described above, the restoring force of the springs 55, 56 is used to move the magnet units 11, 12 from the non-operating position to the operating position. Therefore, the configuration of the eddy current brake device 210 can be simplified. Furthermore, the magnet units 11 and 12 can be moved from the non-operating position to the operating position with high reliability.

Note that various changes can be made to the embodiment described above.

<Modification 1>
For example, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the actuating mechanisms 30, 130, 230 apply force to the magnet units 11, 12 in the actuating position in the direction from the car guide rail 8 toward the magnet units 11, 12, and actuators 33, 40. , 50 may be provided with an auxiliary mechanism 60 that assists the movement of the magnet units 11, 12 by the magnet units 11, 12. This makes it easy to move the magnet units 11, 12 from the operating position to the non-operating position against the magnetic attraction acting between the magnets 13, 14 of the magnet units 11, 12 and the car guide rail 8. .

In the example shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the auxiliary mechanism 60 is realized as a feed screw such as a ball screw. Auxiliary mechanism 60 includes a feed screw shaft 61. Auxiliary mechanism 60 is attached to magnet units 11 and 12. The feed screw shaft 61 is movable along the direction D3 with respect to the magnet units 11 and 12. The feed screw shaft 61 moves along the direction D3 as it rotates. The feed screw shaft 61 is placed in a non-auxiliary position (see FIG. 15) where it is separated from the car guide rail 8 when the magnet units 11, 12 are in the operating position, and in a non-auxiliary position where it is separated from the car guide rail 8 when the magnet units 11, 12 are in the operating position. 8 (see FIG. 16). When the magnet units 11, 12 are in the operating position and the feed screw shaft 61 is in the auxiliary position, the feed screw shaft 61 presses the car guide rail 8 along the direction D3. Due to the reaction of this pressing force, the auxiliary mechanism 60 applies force to the magnet units 11, 12 in the direction from the car guide rail 8 toward the magnet units 11, 12. By applying force to the magnet units 11, 12 in the direction from the car guide rail 8 toward the magnet units 11, 12, the magnet units 11, 12 in the operating position are moved between the magnets 13, 14 and the car guide rail 8. The car can be easily pulled away from the car guide rail 8 against the magnetic attraction force acting on the car.

The feed screw shaft 61 may be rotated electrically (for example, by a motor not shown) or may be rotated manually.

Furthermore, the auxiliary mechanism 60 may be configured to automatically apply force to the magnet units 11, 12 when the actuators 33, 40, 50 change from a non-energized state to an energized state. Alternatively, the auxiliary mechanism 60 may be configured to automatically apply force to the magnet units 11 and 12 when a person performing maintenance/inspection work on the elevator device 1 inputs a signal to the auxiliary mechanism 60. Alternatively, the auxiliary mechanism 60 may be configured to automatically apply force to the magnet units 11 and 12 when manually operated by a person who performs maintenance and inspection work on the elevator device 1.

<Modification 2>
Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the eddy current brake device 10, 110, 210 may include a roller 25 instead of the low friction pad 20. In this case, as shown in FIG. 17, the rollers 25 are attached to the magnet units 11, 12 so as to roll on the car guide rail 8 when the magnet units 11, 12 are in the operating position. Such a roller 25 can also prevent the magnets 13, 14 of the magnet units 11, 12 in the operating position from adhering to the car guide rail 8, and also prevent the magnets 13, 14 of the magnet units 11, 12 in the operating position from adhering to the car guide rail 8 and the magnet units 11, 12. It is possible to suppress the possibility that the car guide rail 8 will be damaged due to frictional force generated between the car guide rail 8 and the car guide rail 8.

<Modification 3>
Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the eddy current brake devices 10, 110, 210 have a plurality of magnet units 11, 11 arranged on one side of the car guide rail 8, and a plurality of magnet units 11, 11 arranged on the other side of the car guide rail 8. 12, 12 may be arranged. In the example shown in FIG. 18, two magnet units 11 including four magnets 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d are fixed to the slider 37 of the slide mechanism 35. Further, two magnet units 12 including four magnets 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d are fixed to the slider 38 of the slide mechanism 35. The arrangement of the magnetic poles of the plurality of magnets 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d of one magnet unit 11 is the same as the arrangement of the magnetic poles of the plurality of magnets 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d of the other magnet unit 11. Further, the arrangement of the magnetic poles of the plurality of magnets 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d of one magnet unit 12 is the same as the arrangement of the magnetic poles of the plurality of magnets 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d of the other magnet unit 12. be.

<Modification 4>
In the example shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of magnets 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d; 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d of the magnet units 11, 12 are arranged in a Halbach arrangement, but the arrangement is not limited to this. The plurality of magnets 13 and 14 may be arranged in any manner as long as it is possible to cause electromagnetic interaction between the car guide rail 8 and the magnet units 11 and 12 that move along the car guide rail 8. It is possible to adopt an array of For example, as shown in FIG. 19, when the magnet units 11 and 12 are placed in the operating position, magnets 13 and 14 whose N poles face the rail fin 8b side and magnets 13 whose S poles face the rail fin 8b side. , 14 may be arranged alternately. Further, as shown in FIG. 20, a plurality of magnets 13 and 14 may be arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. In this case, the plurality of magnets 13a, 13b, 13c; 14a, 14b, 14c have the same pole (in the illustrated example, the N pole) on the side of the rail fin 8b when the magnet units 11, 12 are placed in the operating position. It may be arranged so that it faces. In the example shown in FIG. 20, spacers 16 are arranged between the plurality of magnets 13a, 13b, 13c; 14a, 14b, 14c.

Further, the magnet units 11, 12 do not need to include a plurality of magnets 13, 14, and may include only one magnet 13, 14.

Furthermore, the eddy current brake devices 10, 110, 210 may be configured such that the magnet unit 11 is disposed only on one side of the car guide rail 8. In this case as well, electromagnetic interaction is generated between the magnet unit 11 and the car guide rail 8, and the brake by the eddy current brake device 10 can be operated.

Further, in the illustrated example, the eddy current brake devices 10, 110, 210 are attached to the elevator car 3, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The eddy current brake device 10, 110, 210 may be attached to the counterweight 5. In this case, the eddy current brake devices 10, 110, 210 may operate the brake function by causing electromagnetic interaction between the magnet units 11, 12 and the weight guide rail.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment and its modification, the sliders 37 and 38 of the slide mechanism 35 are made of ferromagnetic material in order to suppress the decrease in the magnetic force of the magnet units 11 and 12, but the present invention is not limited to this. I can't do it. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, by arranging a ferromagnetic material 39 that functions as a back yoke between the magnets 13, 14 and the sliders 37, 38, it is possible to prevent the magnetic force of the magnet units 11, 12 from decreasing. May be suppressed.

According to the first embodiment and its modifications described above, the eddy current brake device 10 is attached to the elevator car 3 or the counterweight 5 that moves along the guide rail 8 that extends in the vertical direction. The eddy current brake device 10 includes magnet units 11 and 12 and an actuation mechanism 30. Magnet units 11, 12 include at least one magnet 13, 14. The actuation mechanism 30 moves the magnet units 11, 12 between an actuation position where they approach the guide rail 8 and actuate the brake, and a non-operation position where they are further away from the guide rail 8 than the actuation position. The actuation mechanism 30 includes a spring 32 and an actuator 33. The spring 32 expands and contracts along the expansion and contraction direction D2 along the direction from the elevator car 3 or the counterweight 5 toward the guide rail 8, and moves the magnet units 11 and 12 in the expansion and contraction direction D2. The actuator 33 contracts the spring 32 along the expansion/contraction direction D2. According to such an eddy current type brake device 10, the restoring force of the spring 32 is used to move the magnet units 11, 12 from the non-operating position to the activated position, so the configuration of the eddy current type brake device 10 can be simplified. It can be done. Furthermore, the magnet units 11 and 12 can be moved from the non-operating position to the operating position with high reliability.

Further, according to the first embodiment and its modifications described above, the spring 32 is contracted when the actuator 33 is supplied with power, and is expanded in the expansion/contraction direction D2 by restoring force when the actuator 33 is not supplied with power. Thereby, when the power supply to the actuator 33 is stopped, it is possible to automatically start moving the magnet units 11 and 12 from the non-operating position to the operating position.

Further, according to the first embodiment and its modifications described above, the actuation mechanism 30 moves the magnet units 11 and 12 from the non-operating position to the operating position via the first intermediate position. Further, the magnet units 11 and 12 are movable in the expansion and contraction direction D2 from the non-operating position to the first intermediate position by the spring 32, and the magnets 13 and 14 of the magnet units 11 and 12 and the guide rail 8 are Due to the magnetic attraction acting between them, it is possible to move from the first intermediate position to the operating position in a direction intersecting the expansion/contraction direction D2. According to such an eddy current brake device 10, the restoring force of the spring 32 and the magnetic force between the magnets 13, 14 and the guide rail 8 are used to move the magnet units 11, 12 from the non-operating position to the operating position. Gravity is used. Therefore, the configuration of the eddy current brake device 10 can be further simplified. Furthermore, the magnet units 11 and 12 can be moved from the non-operating position to the operating position with high reliability.

Further, according to the first embodiment and its modified example described above, the eddy current brake device 10 includes a pair of magnet units 11 and 12 including at least one magnet 13 and 14. In the non-operating position, the pair of magnet units 11, 12 are maintained separated from each other by the magnetic repulsion that acts between the magnets 13, 14 of the pair of magnet units 11, 12. According to such an eddy current type brake device 10, the magnetic repulsion force acting between the magnets 13 and 14 is used to move the magnet units 11 and 12 from the operating position to the non-operating position and to hold the magnet units 11 and 12 at the non-operating position. Ru. Therefore, the configuration of the eddy current brake device 10 can be further simplified. Furthermore, the magnet units 11 and 12 can be moved from the operating position to the non-operating position with high reliability, and can be held at the non-operating position.

According to the second embodiment and its modifications described above, the eddy current brake device 110 is attached to the elevator car 3 or the counterweight 5 that moves along the guide rail 8 extending in the vertical direction. The eddy current brake device 110 includes magnet units 11 and 12 and an actuation mechanism 130. Magnet units 11, 12 include at least one magnet 13, 14. The actuation mechanism 130 moves the magnet units 11 and 12 between an actuation position where they approach the guide rail 8 and actuate the brake, and a non-operation position where they are further away from the guide rail 8 than the actuation position. The actuation mechanism 130 includes an actuator 40 that moves the magnet units 11, 12 from an actuation position to a non-operation position. The magnet units 11, 12 are movable from the non-operating position to the operating position by the magnetic attraction force acting between the magnets 13, 14 and the guide rail 8. According to such an eddy current brake device 110, the magnetic attraction between the magnets 13, 14 and the guide rail 8 is used to move the magnet units 11, 12 from the non-operating position to the operating position. Therefore, the configuration of the eddy current brake device 110 can be simplified. Furthermore, the magnet units 11 and 12 can be moved from the non-operating position to the operating position with high reliability.

Further, according to the third embodiment and its modifications described above, the eddy current brake device 210 is attached to the elevator car 3 or the counterweight 5 that moves along the guide rail 8 extending in the vertical direction. The eddy current brake device 210 includes magnet units 11 and 12 and an actuation mechanism 230. Magnet units 11, 12 include at least one magnet 13, 14. The actuation mechanism 230 moves the magnet units 11, 12 between an actuation position where they approach the guide rail 8 and actuate the brake, and a non-operation position where they are further away from the guide rail 8 than the actuation position. The actuating mechanism 230 includes springs 55 and 56 that expand and contract along the expansion and contraction direction D3 along the direction from the non-operation position to the operation position and move the magnet units 11 and 12 in the expansion and contraction direction D3; and an actuator 50 that contracts the springs 55, 56 along the line. According to such an eddy current type brake device 210, the restoring force of the springs 55, 56 is used to move the magnet units 11, 12 from the non-operating position to the operating position. Therefore, the configuration of the eddy current brake device 210 can be simplified. Furthermore, the magnet units 11 and 12 can be moved from the non-operating position to the operating position with high reliability.

Further, according to the third embodiment and its modifications described above, the springs 55 and 56 are contracted when the actuator 50 is supplied with power, and are expanded in the expansion/contraction direction D3 by restoring force when the actuator 50 is not supplied with power. Thereby, when the power supply to the actuator 50 is stopped, it is possible to automatically start moving the magnet units 11 and 12 from the non-operating position to the operating position.

Further, according to the first modification described above, the actuating mechanisms 30, 130, 230 apply force to the magnet units 11, 12 in the actuating position in the direction from the guide rail 8 toward the magnet units 11, 12, and the actuators 33, 40, 50 It has an auxiliary mechanism 60 that assists the movement of the magnet units 11 and 12. This facilitates movement of the magnet units 11, 12 from the operating position to the non-operating position.

Further, according to the first to third embodiments and their modifications described above, the eddy current brake devices 10, 110, 210 are connected to the magnets 13, 14 of the magnet units 11, 12 and the guide when the magnet units 11, 12 are in the operating position. It further includes a low friction pad 20 located between the rail 8 and the rail 8. In this case, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the magnets 13, 14 of the magnet units 11, 12 in the operating position are attracted to the guide rail 8, and also the frictional force between the magnet units 11, 12 and the guide rail 8 can be suppressed. It is possible to suppress the possibility that the damage to the guide rail 8 will occur.

Further, according to the second modification described above, the eddy current brake devices 10, 110, 210 are attached to the magnet units 11, 12 so as to roll on the guide rail 8 when the magnet units 11, 12 are in the operating position. It further includes a roller 25. In this case as well, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the magnets 13, 14 of the magnet units 11, 12 in the operating position will stick to the guide rail 8, and also prevent the frictional force between the magnet units 11, 12 and the guide rail 8. It is possible to suppress the possibility that the guide rail 8 will be damaged due to the occurrence of this problem.

Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments and their modifications described above, the magnet units 11, 12 include a plurality of magnets 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d; 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d arranged in the vertical direction. There is. The plurality of magnets 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d; 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d are arranged in a Halbach array. In this case, the magnet units 11 and 12 can be configured so that the magnetic flux lines generated by the magnet units 11 and 12 placed in the operating position do not penetrate the guide rail 8.

Further, according to the first to third embodiments and their modifications described above, the eddy current brake devices 10, 110, 210 include a pair of magnet units 11, 12 each including at least one magnet 13, 14. The actuating mechanisms 30, 130, 230 move the pair of magnet units 11, 12 between an actuating position where they approach the guide rail 8 and actuate the brake, and a non-actuating position which is further away from the guide rail 8 than the actuating position. In the operating position, the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 are positioned on both sides of the guide rail 8. In this case, electromagnetic interaction can be generated between each magnet unit 11, 12 and the guide rail 8, and the braking function of the eddy current brake device 10, 110, 210 can be improved.

Further, according to the first to third embodiments and their modifications, the pair of magnet units 11 and 12 each include a plurality of magnets 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d; 14a, 14b, 14c arranged in the vertical direction. ,14d included. When the pair of magnet units 11, 12 are in the operating position, the arrangement of the magnetic poles of the pair of magnet units 11, 12 is mirror symmetrical about the axis along the vertical direction. In this case, the braking function of the eddy current brake device 10, 110, 210 can be improved.

Although several embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described, these embodiments and modifications are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments and modifications can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. Furthermore, it goes without saying that these embodiments and modifications can be partially combined as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

1: Elevator device, 3: Elevator car, 5: Counterweight, 8: Car guide rail, 10,110,210: Eddy current brake device, 11,12: Magnet unit, 13,14: Magnet, 20: Low friction pad, 25: Roller, 30,130,230: Actuation mechanism, 33,40,50: Actuator, 31: Telescopic mechanism, 32,55,56: Spring, 35: Slide mechanism, 60: Auxiliary mechanism

Claims (13)

An eddy current brake device that is attached to an elevator car or a counterweight that moves along a guide rail extending in the vertical direction,
a magnet unit including at least one magnet;
an actuation mechanism that moves the magnet unit between an actuation position in which the magnet unit approaches the guide rail to actuate the brake; and a non-operation position in which the magnet unit is further away from the guide rail than the actuation position;
Equipped with
The actuation mechanism is
a spring that expands and contracts along an expansion and contraction direction along a direction from the elevator car or the counterweight toward the guide rail, and moves the magnet unit in the expansion and contraction direction;
an actuator that contracts the spring along the expansion/contraction direction;
An eddy current brake device with The eddy current brake device according to claim 1, wherein the spring is contracted when the actuator is supplied with power, and is expanded in the expansion/contraction direction by a restoring force when the actuator is not supplied with power. the actuation mechanism moves the magnet unit from the inactive position to the actuated position via a first intermediate position;
The magnet unit is movable in the expansion/contraction direction from the non-operating position to the first intermediate position by the spring, and is moved in the first intermediate position by magnetic attraction acting between the magnet and the guide rail. The eddy current brake device according to claim 1, wherein the eddy current brake device is movable from the position to the actuation position in a direction intersecting the direction of expansion and contraction. comprising a pair of magnet units including at least one magnet;
The eddy current brake device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of magnet units are maintained separated from each other by magnetic repulsion acting between the magnets of the pair of magnet units in the non-operating position. . An eddy current brake device that is attached to an elevator car or a counterweight that moves along a guide rail extending in the vertical direction,
a magnet unit including at least one magnet;
an actuation mechanism that moves the magnet unit between an actuation position in which the magnet unit approaches the guide rail to actuate the brake; and a non-operation position in which the magnet unit is further away from the guide rail than the actuation position;
Equipped with
The actuating mechanism includes an actuator that moves the magnet unit from the actuating position to the non-actuating position,
The magnet unit is an eddy current type brake device, wherein the magnet unit is movable from the non-operating position to the operating position by a magnetic attraction force acting between the magnet and the guide rail. An eddy current brake device that is attached to an elevator car or a counterweight that moves along a guide rail extending in the vertical direction,
a magnet unit including at least one magnet;
an actuation mechanism that moves the magnet unit between an actuation position in which the magnet unit approaches the guide rail to actuate the brake; and a non-operation position in which the magnet unit is further away from the guide rail than the actuation position;
Equipped with
The actuation mechanism is
a spring that expands and contracts along an expansion and contraction direction along a direction from the non-operating position to the activation position, and moves the magnet unit in the expansion and contraction direction;
an actuator that contracts the spring along the expansion/contraction direction;
An eddy current brake device with The eddy current brake device according to claim 6, wherein the spring is contracted when the actuator is supplied with power, and is expanded in the expansion and contraction direction by a restoring force when the actuator is not supplied with power. The actuation mechanism includes an auxiliary mechanism that applies force to the magnet unit in the actuation position in a direction from the guide rail toward the magnet unit to assist movement of the magnet unit by the actuator. 7. The eddy current brake device according to any one of 7. The eddy current brake according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a low friction pad located between the magnet of the magnet unit and the guide rail when the magnet unit is in the operating position. Device. The eddy current brake according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a roller attached to the magnet unit so as to roll on the guide rail when the magnet unit is in the operating position. Device. The magnet unit includes a plurality of magnets arranged in a vertical direction,
The eddy current brake device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of magnets of the magnet unit are arranged in a Halbach array. a pair of magnet units each including at least one magnet;
The actuation mechanism moves the pair of magnet units between an actuation position where the magnet units approach the guide rail and actuate the brake, and a non-operation position which is further away from the guide rail than the actuation position,
The eddy current brake device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pair of magnet units are positioned on both sides of the guide rail in the operating position. The pair of magnet units each include a plurality of magnets arranged in a vertical direction,
The eddy current brake device according to claim 12, wherein when the pair of magnet units are in the operating position, the magnetic poles of the pair of magnet units are arranged in mirror symmetry about an axis along the up-down direction.

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