UNLOCKING DEVICE, ELEVATOR SYSTEM HAVING AN UNLOCKING DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR ACTUATING AN UNLOCKING DEVICE

Abstract

An unlocking device with an actuator releases a safety cover of a maintenance opening for opening. The locking device has a safety circuit for actuating the actuator. The safety circuit includes at least one first switching contact and a second switching contact arranged in series, wherein the actuator in a closed state of the first and the second switching contacts is connected by the safety circuit with a power source, and the first switching contact can be switched by a control unit. One or more of the unlocking device can be used in an elevator system.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. An unlocking device for releasing a safety cover of a maintenance opening, comprising: an actuator for releasing the safety cover; a safety circuit for activating the actuator, the safety circuit including a first switching contact arranged in series with a second switching contact, wherein the actuator in a closed state of the first switching contact and the second switching contact is connected by the safety circuit with a power source to activate the actuator; and a control unit for switching the first switching contact to the closed state.

14. The unlocking device according to claim 13 wherein the first switching contact is switched as a function of an operating mode of an elevator system, wherein in an event of a changeover from a normal operating mode to a maintenance mode of the elevator system the first switching contact is switched into the closed state by the control unit.

15. The unlocking device according to claim 13 wherein the second switching contact is switched by a manual manipulation.

16. The unlocking device according to claim 13 wherein the second switching contact is arranged in an actuation region for opening the safety cover.

17. The unlocking device according to claim 13 where in the actuator is a permanent electromagnetic clamp, wherein the permanent electromagnetic clamp is arranged at the safety cover such that in an inactive state the clamp holds the safety cover in a position covering the maintenance opening, and in an active state the clamp releases the safety cover for opening.

18. The unlocking device according to claim 13 wherein the actuator is an electromagnetic latch, wherein the electromagnetic latch is arranged at the safety cover such that in an inactive state the latch holds the safety cover in a position covering the maintenance opening, and in an active state the latch releases the safety cover for opening.

19. A method for actuation of the unlocking device according to claim 13, comprising the steps of: switching the first switching contact to the closed state; and switching the second closing contact to the closed state wherein the actuator is activated and the safety cover is released by the actuator for opening.

20. The method according to claim 19 wherein the first switching contact switched to the closed state by the control unit.

21. The method according to claim 20 wherein the first switching contact is switched to the closed state by the control unit as a function of an operating mode of the elevator system in response to a changeover from a normal operating mode to a maintenance mode.

22. The method according to claim 19 the second switching contact is switched to the closed state by a manual manipulation.

23. An elevator system with an elevator car that travels in an elevator shaft, a safety cover that covers a maintenance opening, and an unlocking device for releasing the safety cover, comprising: an actuator for releasing the safety cover; a power source for activating the actuator; a first switching contact; a control unit for switching the first switching contact to a closed state; a second switching contact connected in series with the first switching contact between the actuator and the power source; and an actuation device for manually switching the second switching contact to a closed state whereby the actuator is activated to release the safety cover when the first switching contact and the second switching contact are both in the closed state.

24. The elevator system according to claim 23 wherein the maintenance opening is one of a car roof hatch, a car floor hatch, a car maintenance window, a car boarding or access opening, and a shaft boarding or access opening.

25. An unlocking device for releasing a safety cover of a maintenance opening in an elevator system, comprising: a first actuator for releasing a first safety cover; a second actuator for releasing a second safety cover a safety circuit for activating each of the first actuator and the second actuator; the safety circuit including a first switching contact arranged in series with a first second switching contact, wherein the first actuator in a closed state of the first switching contact and the first second switching contact is connected by the safety circuit with a power source to activate the first actuator; the safety circuit including the first switching contact arranged in series with a second second switching contact, the first second switching contact and the second second switching contact being arranged in parallel, wherein the second actuator in a closed state of the first switching contact and the second second switching contact is connected by the safety circuit with a power source to activate the second actuator; and a control unit for switching the first switching contact to the closed state.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] With the aid of examples of embodiment and figures the invention is further illustrated in what follows. Here:

[0035] FIG. 1 shows an inventive unlocking device with an actuator in a schematic circuit diagram;

[0036] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary arrangement of an inventive unlocking device for purposes of releasing a safety cover of a maintenance window for opening, in a highly schematic illustration;

[0037] FIG. 3 shows an inventive unlocking device with a plurality of actuators in a schematic circuit diagram; and

[0038] FIG. 4 shows an elevator system with an inventive unlocking device for purposes of releasing a plurality of safety covers of associated maintenance openings for opening, in a highly schematic illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a first example of embodiment of the inventive unlocking device 1 in a schematic circuit diagram. The unlocking device 1 comprises a safety circuit 5 with at least two switching contacts 6, 7 and one actuator 2. In the example shown the two switching contacts 6, 7 are connected with one another in series. The two switching contacts 6, 7 can assume an open or a closed state. The actuator 2 can be connected by way of the safety circuit 5 with a power source V, wherein the actuator 2 is only supplied with power if both switching contacts 6, 7 are closed.

[0040] The first switching contact 6 can be switched by means of a control unit 20. The control unit 20 is designed to switch the first switching contact 6 as a result of a change of an operating mode. In particular in the course of a normal operating mode the first switching contact 6 is in an open state. In the event of a changeover from the normal operating mode to a maintenance mode the first switching contact 6 assumes a closed state as a result of a control instruction from the control unit 20.

[0041] The second switching contact 7 can be switched manually. To this end the second switching contact 7 is for example connected with a pushbutton 21. In an initial position the second switching contact 7 is in an open state. By a manual actuation of the pushbutton 21 the second switching contact 7 can be brought into its closed state.

[0042] FIG. 2 shows an example of embodiment of the unlocking device 1 for a release of a safety cover 30 of a maintenance window 40 for opening. Here the maintenance window 40 is arranged in a sidewall of an elevator car 12. With the safety cover 30 open, the maintenance window 40 provides access to elevator components that are arranged in a shaft, and can be reached from the interior of the elevator car 12 for maintenance tasks.

[0043] With both switching contacts 6, 7 in the closed state the safety circuit 5 of the unlocking device 1 connects the actuator 2 with a power source V. The actuation of the first switching contact 6 takes place by way of the control unit 20 in the event of a changeover from a normal operating mode of an elevator system to a maintenance mode of the elevator system. The actuation of the second switching contact 7 takes place by way of the actuation button 21. Here the actuation button 21 is arranged in an actuation region 22 for purposes of opening the safety cover 30.

[0044] Here the actuator 2 is designed as an electromagnetic latch and is fitted with at least one lever arm 2.1, which in an engagement position engages with a holding device 30.1, and at least one electromagnet. The holding device 30.1 is securely connected with the safety cover 30 and the actuator 2 is preferably mounted in a region of the elevator car 12 in a region that is not visible to an occupant of the car, for example behind the internal lining of the elevator car 12. The lever arm 2.1 can be brought from the engagement position (illustrated as a dashed line) into a release position.

[0045] If the maintenance engineer wishes to undertake maintenance tasks through the maintenance window 40, in a first step he brings the elevator system 10 into a maintenance mode. To this end he inputs, for example, a code at an input interface to the control unit 20. The code can be typed in by way of keys of the input interface or similar. In a particularly simple embodiment the input interface comprises just a single key, with which, the elevator system 10 can be brought into a maintenance mode with a single touch. By virtue of the change of mode the first switching contact 6 is closed.

[0046] After the maintenance engineer has entered into the actuation region 22 of the elevator car 12, in a second step he actuates the actuation button 21 in order to close the second switching contact 7 also. FIG. 2 shows a state in which both switching contacts 6, 7 are closed. Here the actuator 2 is supplied with power from the power source V. As a consequence the electromagnet of the actuator 2 is activated, which pivots the lever arm 2.1, as shown in FIG. 2, from the engagement position into the release position, and releases the safety cover 30 for opening.

[0047] Finally the maintenance engineer can pivot the safety cover 30 upwards, which is now released for opening, and can thus gain access through the open maintenance window 40 to the shaft, or more particularly to the elevator components that must be maintained.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a second example of embodiment of the unlocking device 100 for a plurality of maintenance openings. Accordingly the unlocking device 100 in this second example of embodiment is fitted with a plurality of actuators 200, 201, 202 and a plurality of associated switching contacts 700, 701, 702 that can be manually actuated. For an actuation a plurality of associated actuation buttons 210, 211, 212 is proposed here. In the example shown, three actuators 200, 201, 202 are shown, together with associated switching contacts 700, 701, 702 and actuation buttons 210, 211, 212. Needless to say, the person skilled in the art can also implement a different number of actuators 200, 201, 202, depending on how many maintenance openings are provided in the elevator system.

[0049] The design and functionality of the unlocking device 100 in accordance with FIG. 3 is in many respects the same as that of the unlocking device 1 in FIG. 1. Consequently, the unlocking device 100 of the second example of embodiment is described in terms of a comparison with the unlocking device 1 of the first example of embodiment.

[0050] The unlocking device 100 comprises a safety circuit 500 with a first switching contact 600 and a plurality of second switching contacts 700, 701, 702. Here too the first switching contact 600 can be switched by means of a control unit 20. The mode of operation and activation of the first switching contact 600 corresponds to that of the switching contact 6 in FIG. 1.

[0051] The actuators 200, 201, 202 and actuation buttons 210, 211, 212 assigned to the second switching contacts 700, 701, 702 can be implemented from components such as the second switching contact 7, the actuator 2, and the actuation button 21, which are identical in construction to those in FIG. 1. The functionality of these components also corresponds to that of the corresponding components in FIG. 1. The individual second switching contacts 700, 701, 702 are arranged in parallel with one another in the safety circuit 500, as are the individual actuators 200, 201, 202. With regard to the first switching contact 600, on the other hand, the second switching contacts 700-702 and actuators 200-202 allocated to the latter are arranged in series. An actuator 201 is thus activated with a closed state of the first switching contact 600 and of the associated second switching contact 701, wherein the actuator 201 is connected to the power source V. As a consequence of this activation, an associated safety cover is released for opening.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows an elevator system 10 with an unlocking device 100 of the second example of embodiment. The elevator system 10 comprises an elevator car 12 that is suspended from a first end of a means of support 11 with a suspension ratio of 1:1. The means of support 11 runs over a pulley 17 and a sheave 15. A counterweight 14 is suspended from a second end of the means of support 11; this counterbalances the gravitational force of the elevator car 12. The sheave 15 is driven by a drive 16, and transmits a torque of the drive 16 onto the means of support 11, wherein the elevator car 12 can travel in a vertical direction in a shaft 13, and serves a plurality of floors 18.1, 18.2, 18.n.

[0053] The unlocking device 100 comprises a power source V, a first switching contact 600, which is switched by a control unit 20, and a plurality of subregions 300.0 to 300.4 of the unlocking device 100, which correspond in their totality to the subregion 300 in FIG. 3. In a deviation from FIG. 3, in which three actuators are provided, the unlocking device 100 in FIG. 4 comprises five actuators for the release for opening of an associated safety cover 30 to 34.

[0054] In this exemplary embodiment, the control unit 20 is designed as an elevator controller that at least controls the drive 16, and switches the first switching contact 600 from an open state to a closed state as a result of a changeover in the operating mode, for example from a normal operating mode to a maintenance mode. The control unit 20 can also be designed as a safety control unit, which monitors an elevator system, or it can be designed as a control unit dedicated to the unlocking device 100.

[0055] In this example, the elevator system 10 shows five maintenance openings, namely a shaft access opening 41 on the lowest floor 18.1, a car access opening 44, a maintenance window 40, a car roof hatch 43 and a car floor hatch 42. These maintenance openings are covered by corresponding safety covers 30 to 34. A subregion 300.0 to 300.4 of the unlocking device 100 is arranged in the actuation region of each of these safety covers. Each of these subregions comprises an actuator for releasing the respective safety cover 30 to 34 for opening, a second switching contact, together with an actuation button for switching the respective second switching contact, in particular to bring the switching contact into a closed state.

[0056] If, for example, a maintenance engineer wants to maintain components of the elevator system 10 that are arranged in the lower region of the shaft 13, he sets the elevator system 10 into a maintenance mode in an analogous manner to the first example of embodiment by means of an input to the control unit 20. By virtue of the change of mode the first switching contact 6 is brought into a closed state.

[0057] After the maintenance engineer has entered into the actuation region of the lowest shaft door 31, he presses the actuation button 21 for the subregion 300.1 and thereby closes the second switching contact for the same subregion 300.1.

[0058] As a consequence the actuator of the subregion 300.1 is activated, which releases the safety cover 31 for opening 41, and thereby the shaft door 31. In an analogous manner, the maintenance engineer, after the change of mode, can obtain access to other regions of the shaft 13 by way of the maintenance openings 44, 40, 43, 42.

[0059] Depending on the maintenance concept and the configuration of the elevator system 10, more or fewer maintenance openings can be provided than is the case in the second example of embodiment in FIG. 4.

[0060] The design of the safety circuits 5, 500 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 is purely schematic in nature and serves merely to illustrate the logical functional principles. In particular, the invention is not intended to be limited to a particular cable connection that can be derived from these figures of the respective actuators 2, 200, 201, 202 or switching contacts 6, 7, 600, 700, 701, 702 to the power source V.

[0061] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.