An electric motor comprising: a first element having at least one electromagnet, a second element, rotatable relative to the first element about an axis, the second element comprising at least one permanent magnet, wherein the electric motor is arranged to generate a torque by applying a rotating magnetic field to the second element, and a friction member coupled to the first element such that the friction member is non-rotatable relative to the first element about the axis, the friction member comprising a magnetically susceptible material and being biased by a first biasing force toward the second element, wherein the first element, the second element and the friction member are configured such that: when the electromagnet is not energized, the first biasing force causes the friction member to contact the second element to generate a braking torque.

An electric motor and an elevator system. The electric motor includes: a casing; a stator supported by the casing, the stator including a stator yoke and stator teeth, and a winding being wound around the stator teeth and generating a magnetic field when energized; and a rotor which rotates under the action of the magnetic field; wherein at least a portion of the stator yoke is formed as a moving plate which is movable between a first position and a second position; and when the winding is energized, the moving plate is capable of moving from the first position to the second position under the action of the magnetic field, and in the second position, the moving plate is separated from the rotor; and after the winding is de-energized, the moving plate is moved from the second position to the first position under the action of a spring force.

An electric motor comprising: a first element having at least one electromagnet, a second element, rotatable relative to the first element about an axis, the second element comprising at least one permanent magnet, wherein the electric motor is arranged to generate a torque by applying a rotating magnetic field to the second element, and a friction member coupled to the first element such that the friction member is non-rotatable relative to the first element about the axis, the friction member comprising a magnetically susceptible material and being biased by a first biasing force toward the second element, wherein the first element, the second element and the friction member are configured such that: when the electromagnet is not energised, the first biasing force causes the friction member to contact the second element to generate a braking torque.

An electric motor and an elevator system. The electric motor includes: a casing; a stator supported by the casing, the stator including a stator yoke and stator teeth, and a winding being wound around the stator teeth and generating a magnetic field when energized; and a rotor which rotates under the action of the magnetic field; wherein at least a portion of the stator yoke is formed as a moving plate which is movable between a first position and a second position; and when the winding is energized, the moving plate is capable of moving from the first position to the second position under the action of the magnetic field, and in the second position, the moving plate is separated from the rotor; and after the winding is de-energized, the moving plate is moved from the second position to the first position under the action of a spring force.