Brake device, a test method for the brake device and an elevator system

A brake device, the brake device being used for an elevator and comprising:

• a fixed member;
• a moving member which is movable between a retracted position in which the moving member is adjacent to the fixed member and separate from a braking member, and a braking position in which a friction plate of the moving member contacts the braking member and provides a braking force to the braking member;
• an elastic member connected between the moving member and the fixed member, the elastic member tending to urge the moving member toward the braking position;
• a coil disposed in the fixed member, the coil generating a magnetic field when being energized to attract the moving member to move toward the retracted position;
• and
• a controller which provides an operating current to the coil when the elevator is in normal operation, wherein the controller is configured to implement a test mode in which the controller provides a test current less than the operating current to the coil and determines whether the moving member has been attracted to the retracted position;
• wherein in the test mode, the controller resumes normal operation of the elevator in a case that the moving member has been attracted to the retracted position, and sends prompt information and/or controls the elevator to stop operating in a case that the moving member fails to be attracted to the retracted position.

A method for testing a brake device, comprising:

• implementing a test mode when a moving member is in a braking position;
• providing a test current to a coil in a fixed member, the test current being less than an operating current provided to the coil when the elevator is in normal operation;
• determining whether the moving member is capable of being attracted to a retracted position;
• resuming normal operation of the elevator in a case that the moving member has been attracted to the retracted position;
• sending prompt information in a case that the moving member fails to be attracted to the retracted position, providing a second test current to the coil by the controller, wherein the test current<the second test current<the operating current, and determining whether the moving member has been attracted to the retracted position;
• resuming normal operation of the elevator in a case that the moving member has been attracted to the retracted position, and controlling the elevator to stop operating in a case that the moving member fails to be attracted to the retracted position.

A method for testing a brake device, comprising:

• implementing a test mode when a moving member is in a braking position;
• providing a test current to a coil in a fixed member, the test current being less than an operating current provided to the coil when the elevator is in normal operation;
• determining whether the moving member is capable of being attracted to a retracted position;
• resuming normal operation of the elevator in a case that the moving member has been attracted to the retracted position, and sending prompt information and/or controlling the elevator to stop operating in a case that the moving member fails to be attracted to the retracted position.