Performance Analysis and Design Optimization of Multi-Rate Spring Brake System

In this study, performance analysis and design optimization is carried out for a multi-rate spring brake system, which is used in a cable ride to stop the arriving passengers in safe and comfortable manner. Mathematical model for the spring is developed toward the objective of minimizing the impact at the arrival while satisfying the constraint of limited distance at the stop. Matlab code is utilized to examine parameters affecting the performance of the brake system. The results are validated by a commercial software RecurDyn. Kriging meta model is used to reduce the computational cost of the analysis. Optimization is conducted by RecurDyn, from which the design parameters are determined that minimizes the impact at the stop.