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US 8,678,141 B2Granted
Electromagnetic coupling with a slider layer
AssigneeOtis Elevator Company
InventorsJacek F. Gieras, Peng Wang, Lisa A. Prill, Pei-Yuan Peng, Bryan Slewert, Robert H. Dold
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An exemplary electromagnetic coupling device includes an electromagnet and a vane member that is selectively magnetically coupled with the electromagnet. A non-magnetic slider layer is supported on one of the electromagnet or the vane member such that the slider layer is between the electromagnet and the vane member. The slider layer maintains a spacing between the electromagnet and the vane member. In a disclosed example, the electromagnetic coupling device is used for coupling an elevator car door to a hoistway door for moving the doors in unison between open and closed positions.
Claims11
An electromagnetic coupling device, comprising:
- an electromagnet supported on one of an elevator car door or a hoistway door;
- a vane member that is supported on the other of the hoistway door or the elevator car door, the vane member being positioned to be selectively magnetically coupled with the electromagnet;
- and
- a nonmagnetic slider layer supported on the electromagnet such that the slider layer is between the electromagnet and the vane member for maintaining a spacing between the electromagnet and the vane member, the spacing maintained by the non-magnetic slider layer being sufficient to decrease residual magnetism associated with any residual magnetic flux of the electromagnet after power is turned off to the electromagnet;
- wherein the electromagnet comprises a plurality of core surfaces facing toward the vane member and wherein the slider layer engages at least one of the core surfaces;
- wherein the slider layer comprises a mounting feature that is received against at least one of the core surfaces for securing the slider layer in a desired position relative to the core surfaces;
- and
- wherein the mounting feature comprises a plurality of tabs that engage at least one of the core surfaces.
5 more elements
An electromagnetic coupling device, comprising:
- an electromagnet supported on one of an elevator car door or a hoistway door;
- a vane member that is supported on the other of the hoistway door or the elevator car door, the vane member being positioned to be selectively magnetically coupled with the electromagnet;
- and
- a nonmagnetic slider layer supported on the electromagnet such that the slider layer is between the electromagnet and the vane member for maintaining a spacing between the electromagnet and the vane member, the spacing maintained by the non-magnetic slider layer being sufficient to decrease residual magnetism associated with any residual magnetic flux of the electromagnet after power is turned off to the electromagnet;
- wherein the electromagnet comprises a plurality of core surfaces facing toward the vane member and wherein the slider layer engages at least one of the core surfaces;
- wherein the slider layer comprises a mounting feature that is received against at least one of the core surfaces for securing the slider layer in a desired position relative to the core surfaces;
- and
- wherein the mounting feature comprises a raised bead that is received between the core surfaces.
5 more elements
An electromagnetic coupling device, comprising:
- an electromagnet supported on one of an elevator car door or a hoistway door;
- a vane member that is supported on the other of the hoistway door or the elevator car door, the vane member being positioned to be selectively magnetically coupled with the electromagnet;
- and
- a nonmagnetic slider layer supported on the electromagnet such that the slider layer is between the electromagnet and the vane member for maintaining a spacing between the electromagnet and the vane member, the spacing maintained by the non-magnetic slider layer being sufficient to decrease residual magnetism associated with any residual magnetic flux of the electromagnet after power is turned off to the electromagnet;
- wherein the electromagnet comprises a plurality of core surfaces facing toward the vane member and wherein the slider layer engages at least one of the core surfaces;
- wherein the slider layer comprises a mounting feature that is received against at least one of the core surfaces for securing the slider layer in a desired position relative to the core surfaces;
- and
- wherein the mounting feature comprises a plurality of locking tabs and at least one mounting boss.
5 more elements
A method of assembling an electromagnetic coupling device, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an electromagnet;
- providing a vane member;
- positioning a nonmagnetic slider layer on one of the electromagnet or the vane member for maintaining a spacing between the electromagnet and the vane member during a coupling of the electromagnet and the vane member, the spacing being sufficient to reduce residual magnetism associated with residual magnetic flux of the electromagnet after power is turned off to the electromagnet;
- snap-fitting the slider layer in a desired position on the one of the electromagnet or the vane member;
- situating the electromagnet on one of an elevator car door or a hoistway door;
- and
- situating the vane member on the other of the hoistway door or the elevator car door.
4 more elements
A method of assembling an electromagnetic coupling device, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an electromagnet;
- providing a vane member;
- positioning a nonmagnetic slider layer on one of the electromagnet or the vane member for maintaining a spacing between the electromagnet and the vane member during a coupling of the electromagnet and the vane member, the spacing being sufficient to reduce residual magnetism associated with residual magnetic flux of the electromagnet after power is turned off to the electromagnet;
- securing the slider layer to the electromagnet by placing a mounting feature on the slider layer into engagement with at least one core surface on the electromagnet;
- fitting the mounting feature between two core surfaces on the electromagnet;
- situating the electromagnet on one of an elevator car door or a hoistway door;
- and
- situating the vane member on the other of the hoistway door or the elevator car door.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.