ELEVATOR SYSTEM

Abstract

An elevator system includes an elevator car movable in an elevator shaft, a suspension means extending in the elevator shaft, a drive machine associated with the suspension means and a controllable coupling apparatus arranged on the elevator car. The suspension means has a coupling element that the coupling apparatus can be coupled to by assuming a coupled position and from which the coupling apparatus can be uncoupled by assuming an uncoupled position, as a result of which a drive connection between the elevator car and the suspension means can be established and released. The elevator system has a securing device that can assume a securing position and a release position and that, in the securing position, secures the coupling apparatus in the coupled position against leaving the coupled position.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. An elevator system comprising: an elevator car movable in an elevator shaft; a suspension means extending in the elevator shaft; a drive machine associated with the suspension means; a controllable coupling apparatus arranged on the elevator car and being operable between a coupled position and an uncoupled position; a securing device; wherein the suspension means has a coupling element to which the coupling apparatus is coupled in the coupled position and from which the coupling apparatus is uncoupled in the uncoupled position to respectively establish and release a drive connection between the elevator car and the suspension means, and when drive connection is established the elevator car is movable in the elevator shaft by the suspension means driven by the drive machine; wherein the securing device is operable between a securing position and a release position and, when in the securing position, the securing device secures the coupling apparatus in the coupled position against leaving the coupled position; and wherein the securing device has a sensor assembly that detects whether the securing device is located in the securing position, and wherein the elevator system has a control apparatus in communication with the sensor assembly, the control apparatus allowing the elevator car to be moved in the elevator shaft only when the sensor assembly detects that the securing device is located in the securing position.

12. The elevator system according to claim 11 wherein the securing device includes an energy store that is adapted and arranged to bring the securing device into the securing position.

13. The elevator system according to claim 11 wherein the securing device includes an actuator that is adapted and arranged to bring the securing device into the release position when the actuator is activated.

14. The elevator system according to claim 11 wherein the securing device when in the securing position establishes an interlocking connection between the coupling apparatus and the coupling element.

15. The elevator system according to claim 11 wherein the securing device includes a lever pivotably mounted on the coupling apparatus, the lever having a locking end that is adapted and arranged such that, in the securing position of the securing device, the locking end enters a securing recess formed in the coupling element wherein when the coupling device attempts to leave the coupled position, the locking end rests on a stop of the securing recess preventing the coupling device from leaving the coupled position.

16. The elevator system according to claim 15 wherein the securing device includes an energy store that is adapted and arranged to bring the securing device into the securing position, the energy store being a spring that exerts a restoring force on the lever that forces the locking end of the lever toward the securing recess.

17. The elevator system according to claim 16 wherein the securing device includes an actuator that is adapted and arranged to bring the securing device into the release position when the actuator is activated, the actuator being an electromagnet that, when activated, exerts an actuating force on the lever to force the locking end out of the securing recess.

18. The elevator system according to claim 17 including a braking apparatus arranged on the elevator car for fixing the elevator car within the elevator shaft independently of the suspension means.

19. The elevator system according to claim 18 wherein the control apparatus allows the braking apparatus to be released only when the sensor assembly detects that the securing device is located in the securing position.

20. The elevator system according to claim 19 wherein the control apparatus causes the braking apparatus to be activated as soon as the sensor assembly detects that the securing device is not located in the securing position.

21. A securing device for an elevator system, the elevator system having an elevator car movable in an elevator shaft, a suspension means extending in the elevator shaft, a drive machine associated with the suspension means, a controllable coupling apparatus arranged on the elevator car and being operable between a coupled position and an uncoupled position, wherein the suspension means has a coupling element to which the coupling apparatus is coupled in the coupled position and from which the coupling apparatus is uncoupled in the uncoupled position to respectively establish and release a drive connection between the elevator car and the suspension means, and when drive connection is established the elevator car is movable in the elevator shaft by the suspension means driven by the drive machine, the securing device comprising: wherein the securing device is operable between a securing position and a release position and, when in the securing position, the securing device secures the coupling apparatus in the coupled position against leaving the coupled position; and a sensor assembly that detects whether the securing device is located in the securing position, and wherein the elevator system has a control apparatus in communication with the sensor assembly, the control apparatus allowing the elevator car to be moved in the elevator shaft only when the sensor assembly detects that the securing device is located in the securing position.

22. The securing device according to claim 21 including an energy store that is adapted and arranged to bring the securing device into the securing position.

23. The securing device according to claim 21 wherein the securing device includes an actuator that is adapted and arranged to bring the securing device into the release position when the actuator is activated.

24. The securing device according to claim 21 wherein the securing device when in the securing position establishes an interlocking connection between the coupling apparatus and the coupling element.

25. The securing device according to claim 21 wherein the securing device includes a lever pivotably mounted on the coupling apparatus, the lever having a locking end that is adapted and arranged such that, in the securing position of the securing device, the locking end enters a securing recess formed in the coupling element wherein when the coupling device attempts to leave the coupled position, the locking end rests on a stop of the securing recess preventing the coupling device from leaving the coupled position.

26. The securing device according to claim 25 wherein the securing device includes an energy store that is adapted and arranged to bring the securing device into the securing position, the energy store being a spring that exerts a restoring force on the lever that forces the locking end of the lever toward the securing recess.

27. The securing device elevator system according to claim 26 wherein the securing device includes an actuator that is adapted and arranged to bring the securing device into the release position when the actuator is activated, the actuator being an electromagnet that, when activated, exerts an actuating force on the lever to force the locking end out of the securing recess.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] In the drawings:

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a first elevator shaft of an elevator system comprising a first and a second elevator car;

[0048] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a coupling element of a suspension means from FIG. 1;

[0049] FIG. 3 is a view from above of the first elevator shaft having a total of eight drive machines;

[0050] FIG. 4 is a view from below of an elevator car having two coupling apparatuses for coupling to coupling elements of the suspension means;

[0051] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a coupling element, a coupling apparatus in an uncoupled position and a securing device in a release position;

[0052] FIG. 6 is a view analogous to FIG. 5 with the coupling apparatus in a coupled position and the securing device still in the release position; and

[0053] FIG. 7 is a view analogous to FIGS. 5 and 6 with the coupling apparatus in the coupled position and the securing device in a securing position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] According to FIG. 1, an elevator system 10 has a first elevator shaft 12 in which a first elevator car 14 and a second elevator car 16 are arranged. The first elevator car 14 is located at a lower end position 18 which corresponds to a position of the elevator car 14 at a lowermost floor of the building 20 having the elevator system 10. The second elevator car 16 is located at an upper end position 22 which corresponds to a position of the elevator car 16 at an uppermost floor of the building 20. Between the lower end position 18 and the upper end position 22 there is a number of floors which are not shown in FIG. 1.

[0055] The elevator system 10 has a vertical guide rail 24 which extends in the vertical direction and on which the elevator cars 14, 16 are guided during movement in the elevator shaft 12. In order to move the elevator cars 14, 16 in the elevator shaft 12, the elevator system 10 has a total of eight closed suspension means 26, of which four suspension means 26 are shown in FIG. 1. The suspension means 26 are in the form of belts and are each guided around a lower deflection roller 28 and an upper deflection roller 30.

[0056] The two deflection rollers 28, 30 of a suspension means 26 are arranged vertically one above the other such that the suspension means 26 extend vertically between the deflection rollers 28, 30. The deflection rollers 28, 30 in particular have an effective diameter of less than 100 mm. The lower deflection rollers 28 are arranged below the first elevator car 14 and are each connected to a tension weight 32. The tension weight 32 acts as a tensioning device, by means of which the necessary suspension-means pretension is generated and deviations in the original length of the closed suspension means 26 and plastic length changes in the suspension means 26 due to operation are compensated for.

[0057] The upper deflection rollers 30 are arranged above the second elevator car 16 and each act as a traction sheave for a drive machine 34 in the form of an electric motor. Each suspension means 26 is associated with a drive machine 34, by means of which the suspension means 26 can be driven and moved. The drive machines 34 are controlled by a control apparatus in the form of an elevator controller 36, which controls all of the actuators of the elevator system 10.

[0058] Each suspension means 26 consists of two suspension-means parts 38, 40, the free ends 42 of which are connected by means of two coupling elements 44 (shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 2). The coupling element 44 consists of two suspension-means end connections 46 which are oriented in opposite directions and are connected to a connecting element 50 having a recess 48. The suspension-means end connections 46 can be designed, for example, in accordance with the suspension-means end connections described in EP 1634842 A2. An extendable bolt 60 (see FIGS. 4-7) of a coupling apparatus 58 (see FIGS. 4-7) arranged on an elevator car 14, 16 can enter the recess 48, as a result of which the coupling apparatus 58 couples to the coupling element 44. The coupling apparatus 58 is then located in a coupled position (see also FIGS. 6 and 7). The bolt 60 can be secured in the coupled position of the coupling apparatus 58 by a securing device (80 in FIGS. 5-7) (not shown in FIG. 1). The coupling apparatus 58 can be uncoupled from the coupling element 44 by pulling the bolt 60 out of the recess 48. The coupling apparatus 58 is then located in an uncoupled position (see also FIG. 5). The coupling apparatuses 58 are arranged on a floor 51 of the elevator cars 14, 16 and are described in more detail in connection with FIG. 4. A coupling element 44 to which a coupling apparatus 58 has been coupled has a solid square in the drawings. In FIG. 1, the second elevator car 16 is thus connected via a coupling element 44 to the suspension means 26 arranged on the far left in FIG. 1.

[0059] It is also possible for the coupling apparatuses to be arranged on the roof of an elevator car. The positions of the coupling elements on the suspension means then have to be adapted accordingly.

[0060] As soon as an elevator car 14, 16 is coupled to a coupling element 44 via a coupling apparatus 58 associated with the elevator car, a drive connection is established between the elevator car 14, 16 and the suspension means 26. In this coupled state, the elevator car 14, 16 is carried along by the suspension means 26 and is thus moved in the elevator shaft 12 when the suspension means 26 is driven or moved by the drive machine 34 associated therewith. In the state shown in FIG. 1, the second elevator car 16 can thus be moved in the elevator shaft 12. Since the first elevator car 14 in FIG. 1 is not coupled to any suspension means 26, movement of the first elevator car 14 in the elevator shaft 12 is not possible in the state in FIG. 1.

[0061] The elevator cars 14, 16 each have a braking apparatus 74, by means of which the elevator cars can be fixed to the vertical guide rail 24 and thus within the elevator shaft 12.

[0062] FIG. 3 is a view from above of the first elevator shaft 12 having a total of eight drive machines 34. The drive machines 34 are each drive-connected to a traction sheave in the form of a deflection roller 30, over which a suspension means 26 extends. For reasons of clarity, the reference signs are shown only once in FIG. 3. Four drive machines 34 are arranged on each opposite side of the elevator car 16, two drive machines 34 being arranged on different sides of the vertical guide rail 24 on each of the opposite sides of the elevator car 16. Drive axles 52 of the drive machines 34 extend in parallel with one another, a drive machine 34 on one side of the elevator car 16 in each case being arranged coaxially with respect to a drive machine 34 on the other side of the elevator car 16. A car door (not shown) of the elevator car 16 is located on one or both free sides 54 of the elevator car 16, on which no drive machines 34 are arranged.

[0063] The elevator controller 36 (see FIG. 1) always controls two drive machines 34 on opposite sides in the same manner or synchronously, such that the suspension means 26 associated with the drive machines also move or are moved synchronously. Two drive machines 34 which are arranged diagonally with respect to a center of gravity 56 of the elevator car, i.e., the upper drive machine 34 on the far left-hand side and the lower drive machine 34 on the far right-hand side in FIG. 3, for example, are always controlled in the same manner. Thus, by means of the eight drive machines 34, a total of four elevator cars 14, 16 can be moved simultaneously and independently of one another in the first elevator shaft 12.

[0064] FIG. 4 is a view from below of the elevator car 16 having two coupling apparatuses 58 for coupling to coupling elements 44 of the suspension means 26. The coupling apparatuses 58 are each arranged opposite the drive machines 34 (not shown in FIG. 4) and thus opposite the coupling elements 44 of the suspension means 26. Each coupling apparatus 58 has a bolt 60 which can be extended and retracted in an actuation direction 62 which is oriented in the direction of the coupling elements 44. In order to extend and retract the bolt 60, the coupling apparatus 58 has an actuating actuator 64, which can be, for example, in the form of an electric motor. In order to position the bolt 60 relative to the coupling elements 44, the bolt 60, together with the actuating actuator 64, can be moved horizontally and perpendicularly relative to the actuation direction 62 along a rail 66 by means of a positioning actuator 68, which is also in the form of an electric motor, for example.

[0065] In order to couple a coupling apparatus 58 and thus the elevator car 16 to a coupling element 44 and thus to a suspension means 26, the bolt 60 is first correctly positioned with respect to the corresponding coupling element 44. The bolt 60 is then extended, as a result of which the bolt 60 enters the recess 48 in the coupling element 44. An interlocking connection is thus established between the coupling apparatus 58 and the coupling element 44, and thus between the elevator car 16 and the suspension means 26. When this interlocking connection is established, the elevator car 16 can be moved in the elevator shaft 12.

[0066] As already described in connection with FIG. 3, the elevator car 16 is always coupled to two suspension means 26 which are arranged diagonally with respect to the center of gravity 56 of the elevator car. This is achieved by the elevator car 16 always being coupled to coupling elements 44 which are arranged diagonally with respect to the center of gravity 56 of the elevator car 16.

[0067] It is also possible that the bolts of the coupling apparatuses cannot be shifted. In this case, the coupling apparatuses have separate bolts for each coupling element, or a coupling apparatus is associated with exactly one coupling element and thus exactly one suspension means.

[0068] The drive machines and thus the suspension means can also be arranged on a side of the elevator cars that is opposite the car door and thus the shaft doors. In this case, an elevator car in particular has only one coupling apparatus, such that an elevator car is coupled to only one suspension means for movement in the elevator shaft.

[0069] In addition to a first elevator shaft 12, the elevator system 10 has a second elevator shaft (not shown) which is arranged in parallel with the first elevator shaft 12. The second elevator shaft is designed analogously to the first elevator shaft 12. The movement of the elevator cars 14, 16 in the second elevator shaft is carried out analogously to the movement in the first elevator shaft 12. In the first elevator shaft 12, the elevator cars 14, 16 are moved only upward and in the second elevator shaft only downward.

[0070] In order to be able to implement revolving operation of the elevator cars in the two elevator shafts, the elevator system 10 has two transfer apparatuses (not shown), by means of which the elevator cars 14, 16 can be moved from the first elevator shaft to the second elevator shaft or from the second elevator shaft to the first elevator shaft. The transfer apparatuses can in particular be designed in accordance with the transfer apparatuses in the form of horizontal displacement units from EP 2219985 B1.

[0071] The securing device 80 and its mode of operation will be described in more detail using FIGS. 5-7. The coupling apparatus 58 has a carrier 82 which is permanently fixed to an elevator car (not shown). The apparatus has the bolt 60 which has a cuboid basic shape and which can be shifted, by the actuating actuator 64, with respect to the carrier 82 in the horizontal direction, and can thus be retracted and extended with respect to the coupling element 44. To this end, the actuating actuator 64 is activated by the elevator controller 36. The coupling apparatus 58 is positioned with respect to the coupling element 44 in such a way that the bolt 60, when extended toward the coupling element 44, can enter the recess 48 in the coupling element 44. The recess 48 has a funnel-shaped portion in the direction of the coupling apparatus 58, which portion guides the bolt 60 when it enters the recess 48.

[0072] The securing device 80 has components which are arranged both on the coupling apparatus 58 and on the coupling element 44. A lever 84 is pivotably mounted on the bolt 60 of the coupling apparatus 58. The pivot axis 86 of the lever extends horizontally and perpendicularly to the actuation direction 62. In this way, a hook-shaped locking end 88 of the lever 84 oriented toward the coupling element 44 can be pivoted upward and downward. In order to pivot the lever 84, the lever is connected at an extension 90 to an actuating rod 92. The extension 90 lies, with respect to the pivot axis 86, opposite and below the locking end 88. The locking end 88 is thus pivoted upward when the extension 90 and the actuating rod 92 move toward the coupling element 44 and pivoted downward when the extension 90 and the actuating rod 92 move away from the coupling element 44. The actuating rod 92 can be pulled away from the coupling element 44 by an actuator in the form of an electromagnet 94. The force applied by the electromagnet 94 can be referred to as the actuation force. The electromagnet 94 is arranged at an end of the bolt 60 opposite the coupling element 44 and is also activated by the elevator controller 36. A force of an energy store in the form of a helical spring 96 arranged around the actuating rod 92 acts on the actuating rod 92 in the direction of the coupling element 44. This force can be referred to as the restoring force. The helical spring 96 is designed such that the force applied by the spring is smaller than the force that can be applied by the electromagnet 94. The electromagnet 94 can thus be controlled in such a way that it pulls the actuating rod 92 away from the coupling element 44 against the force of the helical spring 96, and thus brings the lever 84 into the position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and holds the lever. This position is referred to as the release position of the lever 84 and thus of the securing device 80. When the electromagnet 94 is not active and thus does not exert any force on the actuating rod 92, the actuating rod 92 is pressed by the helical spring 96 toward the coupling element 44 and the lever 84 is thus brought into the position shown in FIG. 7 and held. This position is referred to as the securing position of the lever 84 and thus of the securing device 80.

[0073] Instead of a helical spring, the energy store can also have two springs connected in parallel, for example two coaxially arranged helical springs, an inner helical spring being arranged in an outer helical spring.

[0074] The coupling element 44 has a securing recess 98 at the top in the funnel-shaped region of the recess 48. The securing recess 98 is shaped such that it can receive the locking end 88 of the lever 84. In the region of the securing recess 98, a Hall sensor 100 is arranged such that it detects a permanent magnet 102 arranged on the securing end 88 of the lever 84 when the locking end 88 has completely entered the securing recess 98. The Hall sensor 100 is in communication with the elevator controller 36. The Hall sensor 100 and the permanent magnet 102 thus together form a sensor assembly 101.

[0075] The coupling of the coupling apparatus 58 to the coupling element 44 is described in more detail below using the views in FIGS. 5-7. In FIG. 5, the elevator car is fixed in the elevator shaft by means of the braking device. The bolt 60 is located in a retracted position such that it is at a horizontal distance from the coupling element 44. The coupling apparatus 58 is thus in the uncoupled position. The electromagnet 94 is activated or energized such that it holds the actuating rod 92 in a position pulled away from the coupling element 44 and the lever 84 is thus located in the release position. The securing device 80 is thus also in the release position.

[0076] In order to couple the coupling apparatus 58 to the coupling element 44, the bolt 60 is pushed by the actuating actuator 64 into the recess 48 in the coupling element 44. This coupled position of the coupling apparatus 58 is shown in FIG. 6. The electromagnet 94 is still energized in FIG. 6, so that the securing device 80 is still located in the release position as in FIG. 5. The Hall sensor 100 thus does not detect the permanent magnet 102 at the locking end 88 of the lever 84 in FIG. 6.

[0077] The coupling apparatus 58 could also be brought into the coupled position when the securing device is located in the securing position. In this case, the locking end 88 would be pressed downward in the funnel-shaped region of the recess 48 in the coupling element 44. The end has a corresponding bevel for this purpose.

[0078] In order to secure the coupling apparatus 58 in the coupled position against leaving this position, the electromagnet 94 is deactivated and therefore no longer energized. The lever 84 is thus pivoted by the helical spring 96 into its securing position, as described above, and held there. The securing device 80 is thus also brought into the securing position and held there. This state is shown in FIG. 7. The securing end 88 has thus completely entered the securing recess 98, as a result of which the securing device 80 is located in the securing position. If the bolt 60 now attempts to move away from the coupling element 44, and the coupling apparatus 58 thus attempts to leave the coupled position, then the locking end 88 of the lever 84 rests against a stop 104 of the securing recess 98, and this makes further movement of the bolt 60 away from the coupling element 44 impossible. In the securing position of the safety device 80, there is thus an interlocking connection between the coupling apparatus 58 and the coupling element 44. This prevents the coupling apparatus 58 from leaving the coupled position and secures the coupling apparatus 58 against leaving the coupled position.

[0079] In the position of the securing end 88 of the lever 84 shown in FIG. 7, the Hall sensor 100 detects the permanent magnet 102 at the locking end 88 of the lever 84 and forwards this information to the elevator controller 36. The sensor assembly 101 thus detects that the securing device 80 is located in the securing position. Only when the elevator controller 36 has received this information does it allow the braking apparatus of the elevator car to be released and the elevator car to be moved. The brake of the elevator car can therefore only be released and the elevator car can only be moved when the securing device 80 assumes the securing position shown in FIG. 7. If the elevator controller 36 detects, during movement of the elevator car or also when an elevator car is at a standstill, and on the basis on the information from the sensor assembly 101, that the securing device 80 is not located in the securing position, it immediately activates the braking apparatus of the elevator car.

[0080] In order to bring the coupling apparatus 58 from the coupled position into the uncoupled position, the braking apparatus is first activated and then the securing device is brought into the release position by activating the electromagnet 94 (corresponding to FIG. 6). The bolt 60 of the coupling apparatus 58 can then be pulled out of the recess 48 in the coupling element 44 and the coupling apparatus 58 can thus be brought into the uncoupled position.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.