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US 4,181,201 AGranted
Spring actuated, solenoid released brake mechanism
AssigneeFMC Corporation
InventorRichard H. McCarthy
Life of this patent
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AssigneeFMC Corporation
InventorRichard H. McCarthy
Estimating the term…
A brake mechanism is disclosed wherein a support lever is pivoted at a pivot end to a stationary end plate and is urged by a spring, which engages the support lever at its free end, toward the end plate to effect clamping of a rotatable friction disc between a brake shoe and friction plates disposed near the pivot end of the support lever. A solenoid is mounted on the support lever and is connected to a cam pivoted to the end plate and adapted to contact the support lever near its free end to overcome the force of the spring and to release the brake when the solenoid is energized. The location of the spring and cam near the free end of the lever and the configuration of the lever provides mechanical advantages that permits the use of a smaller solenoid and spring. The arrangement of parts is such that the solenoid mechanical advantage is between approximately 24-32 to 1, depending upon the selected brake releasing clearance, while the spring mechanical advantage is approximately 81/2 to 1.
A brake for selectively stopping and permitting rotation of a shaft journaled in a frame, comprising:
A brake for stopping the rotation of a driven shaft journaled in a housing when the power to the shaft is interrupted comprising a rotatable brake disc secured for rotation with the shaft, means defining an end plate secured to said housing and having a braking surface thereon for engaging one side of said disc, means defining an elongated support lever pivoted at one end to said end plate radially outward of said disc, anchoring means connected to said end plate radially outward of said disc, resilient means interposed between said anchoring means and said lever for urging said lever to pivot in one direction, said anchoring means and said resilient means being diametrically opposite said lever pivot point, a solenoid carried by said lever and including an armature, cam means pivoted to said end plate means including an actuating arm pivotally connected to said solenoid armature and an abutment means positioned to engage and pivot said lever in the other direction in response to energization of said solenoid, a non-rotatable brake shoe, means mounting said brake shoe on the other side of said brake disc adjacent said pivot point for movement toward and away from said disc, and abutment means secured to said lever adjacent said pivot point for engaging said shoe and clamping said disc between said braking surface and said shoe when said lever is pivoted in one of said directions and for releasing clamping engagement when said lever is pivoted in the opposite direction, said resilient means urging said brake shoe into braking position, and energization of said solenoid releasing said brake, said anchoring means being adjustable to vary the braking torque applied to the lever.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.