MEASURING TAPE ARRANGEMENT FOR USE IN AN ELEVATOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTALLING AND OPERATING AN ELEVATOR SYSTEM

Abstract

A measuring tape arrangement is used in an elevator system for determining a position of an elevator car along a travel path. The measuring tape arrangement has a one-piece measuring tape arranged along the travel path, wherein varying location information is stored along the measuring tape, by which information a current position of the car relative to the measuring tape can be determined, and a retaining structure arranged at an upper end of the travel path on which structure the measuring tape is fastened by a fastening device at a fixed position relative to the travel path. A receiving device receiving a measuring tape supply is arranged on the retaining structure, wherein a measuring tape piece of the measuring tape supply can arranged along an extension portion when the travel path is extended upwards by one extension portion.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A measuring tape arrangement for use in an elevator system to determine a position of an elevator car along a travel path, the measuring tape arrangement comprising: a one-piece measuring tape adapted to be arranged along the travel path of the elevator car, wherein location information is stored along the measuring tape for determining a current position on the travel path relative to the measuring tape; a retaining structure adapted to be arranged at one end of the travel path, the measuring tape being fastened to the retaining structure by a fastening device at a fixed position relative to the travel path when the retaining structure is arranged at the one end of the travel path; and a receiving device receiving a measuring tape supply, the receiving device being arranged on the retaining structure, wherein a measuring tape piece of the measuring tape supply is adapted to be arranged along an extension portion of the travel path when the travel path is extended upwards by the extension portion.

16. The measuring tape arrangement according to claim 15 wherein the one end of the travel path is an upper end of the travel path and the retaining structure is adapted to be arranged at the upper end of the travel path.

17. The measuring tape arrangement according to claim 15 wherein the receiving device has a support surface arranged such that the measuring tape supply is supported downwards on the support surface and horizontally on the retaining structure, and has an end surface arranged such that the measuring tape supply when supported on the support surface is at least partially arranged between the retaining structure and the end surface.

18. The measuring tape arrangement according to claim 17 wherein the receiving device has two opposite side cheeks arranged such that a horizontal movement of the measuring tape supply along the retaining structure is delimited.

19. The measuring tape arrangement according to claim 18 wherein at least one of the side cheeks has a support surface opposite the end surface of the receiving device.

20. The measuring tape arrangement according to claim 18 wherein at least one of the side cheeks has a lug by which the receiving device is securely fastened to the retaining structure.

21. The measuring tape arrangement according to claim 15 wherein the receiving device is formed as one piece.

22. The measuring tape arrangement according to claim 15 wherein the fastening device is adapt to clamp and hold the measuring tape.

23. The measuring tape arrangement according to claim 22 wherein the fastening device has a clamping plate securely fastened to the retaining structure such that the measuring tape is clamped between the clamping plate and the retaining structure.

24. The measuring tape arrangement according to claim 23 wherein the clamping plate has on at least one of an upper edge and a lower edge a fold facing away from the retaining structure.

25. The measuring tape arrangement according to claim 15 wherein the retaining structure is adapted to be securely fastened to a guide rail of the elevator system.

26. A positioning system for use in an elevator system for determining a position of an elevator car along a travel path, the positioning system comprising: the measuring tape arrangement according to claim 15; a read-out device for reading the location information stored on the measuring tape; and an evaluation device receiving the location information read out by the read-out device for at least one of evaluation and preprocessing the received location information.

27. An elevator system comprising: an elevator car vertically movable along a travel path; a drive machine driving a belt arrangement to move the elevator car along the travel path; a controller controlling the drive machine; and a positioning system according to claim 26 determining a position of the elevator car along the travel path and providing the determiner position to the controller.

28. A method for installing and operating an elevator system in an elevator shaft of a building during a construction phase of the building, the method comprising the steps of: introducing the measuring tape arrangement according to claim 15 into the elevator shaft, wherein the retaining structure of the measuring tape arrangement is fastened to an upper end of a lower travel path portion of the travel path, the measuring tape of the measuring tape arrangement being fastened to the retaining structure by the fastening device, and the measuring tape supply being arranged in the receiving device; extending the travel path upwards by an extension portion, wherein the measuring tape is detached from the retaining structure, the measuring tape piece of the measuring tape supply is arranged along the extension portion, the retaining structure is arranged at an upper end of the extension portion, and the measuring tape is fastened to the retaining structure by the fastening device; and moving the elevator car along the lower travel path portion and the extension portion and determining a position of the elevator car by the measuring tape arrangement.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] In the drawings:

[0052] FIG. 1 shows an elevator system having a measuring tape arrangement according to the invention;

[0053] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a retaining structure having a receiving device for receiving a measuring tape supply and a fastening device for fastening a measuring tape according to the invention;

[0054] FIG. 3 is a top view of the retaining structure having the receiving device and the fastening device from FIG. 2; and

[0055] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the fastening device from FIGS. 2 and 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] According to FIG. 1, an elevator system 10 has an elevator car 12 which can be moved vertically along a travel path 16 within an elevator shaft 14. For this purpose, the elevator car 12 and a counterweight 20 are connected to one another via a belt arrangement 22, wherein the belt arrangement 22 is guided over a drive pulley 26 driven by a drive machine 24 and over a deflecting pulley 28. An operation of the drive machine 24 is controlled by a controller 30. In this case, the drive machine 24, the driven drive pulley 26, the deflecting pulley 28, and the controller 30 are arranged on a retaining platform 25. During its movement along the travel path 16, the elevator car 12 is guided by guide shoes 32 which move along vertically extending guide rails 34. The elevator shaft 14 is arranged in a building 18 which is still in its construction phase. Construction is thus still in progress above the depicted section of the building 18.

[0057] In order to be able to determine an exact position of the elevator car 12 along its travel path 16, a measuring tape 36, for example, in the form of a magnetic tape, is attached in the elevator shaft 14. The measuring tape 36 extends essentially along, and preferably parallel to, the entire travel path 16 to be traversed by the elevator car 12. For example, the measuring tape 36 can run on or parallel to one of the guide rails 34.

[0058] A read-out device 38 is provided on the elevator car 12, by means of which the varying location information stored in the measuring tape 36 can be read out. In the event that the measuring tape 36 is designed as a magnetic tape, the varying location information is stored as locally varying magnetizations in magnetizable material of the magnetic tape. These local magnetizations can be read out by means of a magnetic read head 40 of the read-out device 38 as well as a read-out sensor system 42 designed for this purpose.

[0059] While the elevator car 12 moves through the elevator shaft 14, the read-out device 38, which is fastened by a fastening block 44, for example, to a roof of the elevator car 12, is moved along the measuring tape 36, guided by guide rollers 46. The location information read out by the read-out device 38 can be forwarded to an evaluation device 48, where it is evaluated or at least preprocessed in order to then be transmitted to the controller 30 of the elevator system 10 via a cable connection 50 or alternatively wirelessly.

[0060] Based on an accordingly determined absolute position of the elevator car 12, the controller 30 can then control the drive machine 24 in a suitable manner in order to be able to move the elevator car 12 to a desired position in a precise manner.

[0061] In order to be able to securely fasten the measuring tape 36 in a suitable manner within the elevator shaft 14, the measuring tape 36 is fastened to a retaining structure 52 via a fastening device (66 in FIGS. 2 to 4) not depicted in FIG. 1. The retaining structure 52 is securely fastened to the guide rail 34 at an upper end 53 of the travel path 16 and is thus arranged in a stationary or immovable manner within the elevator shaft 14. A measuring tape supply (80 in FIG. 2), not depicted in FIG. 1, is also arranged on the retaining structure 52. The measuring tape supply comprises at least one measuring tape piece (82 in FIG. 2) used for an extension of the travel path 16. A lower end of the measuring tape 36 can be fastened in a lower region of the elevator shaft 14, for example, on the bottom of the elevator shaft 14, or it can be provided with a tension weight (not depicted).

[0062] The elevator system 10 is initially only installed and operated in a lowest portion 54 of the elevator shaft 14. The elevator car 12 is thus moved along the travel path 16 which can also be called a lower travel path portion. In this case, the position of the elevator car 12 is determined on the basis of the location information of the measuring tape 36.

[0063] Above the lowest portion 54 of the elevator shaft 14, the building 18 and thus also the elevator shaft 14 are still under construction. For protecting the lowest portion of the elevator shaft, a so-called protective platform (not depicted) can be arranged in the elevator shaft, which protects the lowest portion of the elevator shaft from falling objects.

[0064] As soon as a further portion of the building 18 and thus a second portion 56 of the elevator shaft 14 arranged above the lowest portion 54 is completed, the elevator system 10 is also installed in the second portion 56 of the elevator shaft 14. For this purpose, the retaining platform 25 having the drive machine 24, the driven drive pulley 26, the deflecting pulley 28 and the controller 30 is first moved upwards by means of a construction crane (not depicted) and securely fastened in the elevator shaft 14. All the necessary components of the elevator system 10, for example, guide rails 34, are subsequently also mounted in the second portion 56 of the elevator shaft 14. The travel path 16 of the elevator car 12 is thus extended upwards by an extension portion 58. In order to be able to also determine the position of the elevator car 12 along the extension portion 58, the measuring tape 36 is also arranged along the extension portion 58. For this purpose, the measuring tape 36 is first detached from the retaining structure 52, and a measuring tape piece (82 in FIG. 2) of the measuring tape supply (80 in FIG. 2) is subsequently arranged along the extension portion 58. Finally, the retaining structure 52 is arranged on an upper end 60 of the extension portion 58 and the measuring tape 36 is fastened to the retaining structure 52 by means of the fastening device (66 in FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0065] When all the necessary installations in the second portion 56 of the elevator shaft 14 are completed, the elevator system 10 can also be put into operation in the second portion 56. The elevator car 12 can thus be moved along the lower travel path portion 16 and the extension portion 58. In this case, the position of the elevator car 12 is also determined on the basis of the location information of the measuring tape 36.

[0066] The described extension of the travel path is repeated until the building is completed and the elevator shaft 14 has thus reached its final height.

[0067] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the retaining structure 52 with all of the parts arranged on it. The retaining structure 52 is designed as an elongated rail which is securely fastened to a guide rail 34 by means of a clamping device 62. The retaining structure 52 is arranged such that it bears against a rail foot 64 of the guide rail 34, i.e., it is arranged between the guide rail 34 and a shaft wall of the elevator shaft 14 on which the guide rail 34 is securely fastened. A fastening device 66, shown enlarged in FIG. 4, by means of which the measuring tape 36 can be fastened to the retaining structure 52, is arranged on an end of the retaining structure 52 opposite the guide rail 34. The fastening device 66 consists of an intermediate plate 68 securely fastened to the retaining structure 52 by means of two screw-nut connections 70 and a clamping plate 74 securely fastened to the retaining structure 52 by means of four further screw-nut connections 72. The measuring tape 36 runs between the intermediate plate 68 and the clamping plate 74 and is thus clamped between the clamping plate 74 and the intermediate plate 68. Since the intermediate plate 68 is securely fastened to the retaining structure 52, the measuring tape 36 is thus at least indirectly clamped between the clamping plate 74 and the retaining structure 52. On its upper and lower edge, the clamping plate 74 has a fold 76 facing away from the retaining structure 52. The intermediate plate 68 and the clamping plate 74 can be provided with a rubber coating at least on their side facing the measuring tape 36.

[0068] A receiving device 78 for receiving a measuring tape supply 80 symbolically depicted as a circle is also arranged on the retaining structure 52. The measuring tape supply 80 comprises a measuring tape piece 82 which is arranged along the extension portion 58 when the travel path 16 is extended. The receiving device 78 is designed as one piece. It has a horizontally running support surface 84 which is arranged below the retaining structure 52. The measuring tape supply 80 can thus be supported downwards on the support surface 84 and horizontally in the direction of the guide rail 34 on the retaining structure 52.

[0069] The receiving device 78 also has an end surface 86 which runs at a right angle to the support surface 84 and is arranged mainly parallel and at a specific distance from the retaining structure 52. It protrudes upwards beyond the retaining structure 52. A maximum extension of the end surface 86 along the retaining structure 52 in the region of the support surface 84 is in this case less than a maximum extension of the end surface 86 above the retaining structure 52. The measuring tape supply 80 supported on the support surface 84 is thus partially arranged between the retaining structure 52 and the end surface 86.

[0070] The receiving device 78 is laterally closed by two opposing side cheeks 88 connected to the end surface 86 and running at right angles thereto, which delimit a horizontal movement of the measuring tape supply 80 along the retaining structure 52. In addition, the two side cheeks 88 each have a support surface 90 opposite the end surface 86, which also results in a right angle between the support surface 90 and the side cheek 88. Furthermore, the two side cheeks 88 each have a lug 94 via which the side cheeks 88 and thus the receiving device 78 are screwed and thus securely fastened to the retaining structure 52. For this purpose, the lugs 94 each have a through hole (not depicted) through which a screw can be inserted for screwing to the retaining structure 52.

[0071] The support surface 84, the end surface 86, and the side cheeks 88 having the support surfaces 90 are arranged such that a container, in particular a cardboard box 92, accommodating the measuring tape supply 80 can be accommodated with an exact fit.

[0072] The measuring tape 36, the retaining structure 52, the fastening device 66, and the receiving device 78 together form a measuring tape arrangement 96. The measuring tape arrangement 96, the read-out device 38, and the evaluation device 48 together form a positioning system 98 (see FIG. 1).

[0073] Finally, it must be noted that terms such as “having,” “comprising,” etc. do not preclude other elements or steps and terms such as “a” or “an” do not preclude a plurality. It must further be noted that features or steps that have been described with reference to one of the above embodiments can also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above.

[0074] 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.