Have you ever thought about what how everything runs so smoothly and safely board an elevator? There’s amazing safety gear responsible for this that protects the passenger and the longevity of the elevator unit itself.
Millions of people depend on elevators every day. Therefore, they must follow the most stringent safety standards.
The structural components of elevator safety gear include progressive and instantaneous safety gear for controlling the elevator’s mechanical brake, as well as electrical components such as emergency stop switches, overload sensors, and communication systems such as intercoms and alarms.
Working in conjunction, these components help make elevators extremely safe to board and prevent all sorts of accidents.
So, let’s check out the particulars behind these critical safety features and how they work to protect you while riding in an elevator.
What Is Elevator Safety Gear?
The elevator safety gear is one of the most essential safety elements in lifts and is installed as a passenger safety device for any unforeseen emergency.
The clutch operates when the speed of the elevator exceeds the limit value pre-set by the overhanging moorlock or fails (for example, the suspension rope breaks or is relaxed). The safety gear stops the elevator car at the time of operation and grips the guide rail which prohibits the elevator car from any uncontrolled downward or movement.
The safety gear must be used in conjunction with the overspeed limiter to work.
Types of Elevator Safety Gear
Elevator safety gear can be divided into instantaneous and progressive types according to the distance of stopping the elevator car.
Progressive Safety Gear
Progressive safety gear is also known as slip action safety gear or elastic slip safety gear. It restricts the braking force to a certain wide range as well as enables the lift vehicle to brake more than a controlled ‘slip’ distance as opposed to an abrupt stop.
Its smart design makes sure the force works while the stopping is softly increasing or constant to stop the heavy deceleration.
This controlled braking procedure reduces the chance of injury to passengers and prohibits the mechanical stress applied to the elevator components. Progressive safeties accomplish this by varying the braking force, making elevator usage a safer and more comfortable experience, especially in the event of an emergency stop where the elevator decelerates gently and safely.
Therefore, progressive safety gears are suitable for elevators with rated speeds ＞0.63m/s.
Instantaneous Safety Gear
Instantaneous safety gear, also called rigid emergency stop type safety gear, is limited to the manner in which the car is stopped; meaning that it is not effective in terms of shock absorption during the time the car is being caught, since the support structure has the characteristic of being rigid, generating a great stopping force, causing the car to stop abruptly.
For protection equipment, the fact that short probable stopping distances also at high falls sharply in to the systems! In some designs, when a car is being stopped for an emergency reason, a quickly deploying wedge or similar design jams the guide rail surface, stopping the car instantly.
There are two main types of instantaneous safety gear:
Roller Type:
- Stopping time: Approximately 0.1 seconds.
- Double
Wedge Type:
- Stopping time: About 0.01 seconds.
- Stopping distance: Just a few millimeters to a few tens of millimeters.
- Maximum deceleration: About 5 to 10g or even greater.
A normal human being is capable of withstanding an emergency stop that at best supports 2.5g of instant deceleration. However, the immediate safety gear can injure passengers or damage goods inside the elevator car with such severe impact forces.
Therefore, the instantaneous safety gear can only be applied to the elevator rated speed ≤0.63m/s (In some countries, it is ＜0.75m/s.)
Elevator Safety Gear Mechanism
Elevator safety gear mechanism is mainly composed of a gear-holder, compactor, jacking cylinders, rod systems, lifting structures, and connecting rod mechanisms.
Gear holders hold the safety gear in place and guide its movement during activation. Wedges, usually fabricated from high-strength materials, become crucial in order to engage the elevator rails, again adding friction to slow and stop the elevator.
Raising rods connect wedges to lifting rack, so that power can support the engaging process of the security mechanism. It is the frame of the entire lift mechanism and gives stability and alignment.
The connecting rod mechanisms connect the different parts of the safety gear, making sure they engage at the same time. These rods relay the movement from the governor that detects the overspeed conditions to the gear holders and wedges.
The exact way that these components interact is important: the governor detects the speed of the elevator, prompting the lifting rods to cause the wedges to grip the elevator rails, which will slow and stop the elevator.
Dazen: Choosing a Reliable Elevator Safety Gear Supplier
Understanding and maintaining elevator safety gear is crucial for building owners, managers, and maintenance teams to ensure compliance with safety standards and provide peace of mind for passengers.
For state-of-the-art elevator safety solutions and expert guidance, contact Dazen. Our team of professionals is dedicated to delivering high-quality safety gear and maintenance services, ensuring your elevators remain safe, reliable, and efficient.
Reach out to Dazen Elevator today for all your elevator safety needs!
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