SAFETY BRAKE TRIGGER

Abstract

An elevator system (1, 1′) includes a portable emergency stop switch (2, 2′), arranged to transmit a signal (4) when activated, a signal receiver (6, 6′), arranged to receive the signal (4, 4′) transmitted by the portable emergency stop switch (2, 2′); and an elevator safety actuator (8, 8′) and an elevator safety brake (10, 10′). In response to receipt of the signal (4, 4′), the signal receiver (6, 6′) is arranged to trigger the elevator safety actuator (8, 8′) to deploy the elevator safety brake (10, 10′).

Claims

1. An elevator system (1, 1′) comprising: a portable emergency stop switch (2, 2′), arranged to transmit a signal (4) when activated; a signal receiver (6, 6′), arranged to receive the signal (4, 4′) transmitted by the portable emergency stop switch (2, 2′); and an elevator safety actuator (8, 8′) and an elevator safety brake (10, 10′), wherein in response to receipt of the signal (4, 4′), the signal receiver (6, 6′) is arranged to trigger the elevator safety actuator (8, 8′) to deploy the elevator safety brake (10, 10′).

2. An elevator system (1, 1′) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable emergency stop switch (2, 2′) comprises a button (12, 12′).

3. An elevator system (1) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the portable emergency stop switch (2, 2′) comprises a housing (14), and a signal transmitter (16, 16′) arranged within the housing (14), wherein the signal transmitter (16) is arranged to transmit the signal (4, 4′) when the portable emergency stop switch (2, 2′) is activated.

4. An elevator system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal (4) is a wireless signal.

5. An elevator system (1, 1′) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable emergency stop switch (2, 2′) is wearable.

6. An elevator system (1, 1′) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable emergency stop switch (2, 2′) comprises attachment means (18, 18′), allowing a maintenance person to attach the portable emergency stop switch (2, 2′) to their person or clothing or harness.

7. An elevator system (1′) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a signalling cable (20), connecting the portable emergency stop switch (2′) to the signal receiver (6′).

8. An elevator system (1′) as claimed in claim 7, further comprising an elevator car, wherein the signal receiver (6′) is located on the roof of the elevator car.

9. An elevator system (1′) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the signalling cable (20) is at least 1 m in length, optionally at least 2 m in length, optionally at least 5 m in length.

10. An elevator system (1, 1′) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal receiver (6, 6′) is part of a main safety actuation board (22) of an elevator car, wherein the main safety actuation board (22) is arranged to control other safety equipment of the elevator system.

11. An elevator system (1, 1′) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal receiver (6, 6′) is a first signal receiver, and wherein the system further comprises a second signal receiver (26) arranged to disconnect a power supply to an elevator car and/or to an elevator drive system in response to the receipt of the signal (4, 4′).

12. An elevator system (1, 1′) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second signal receiver (26) is arranged to disconnect a power supply in a machine room of the elevator system.

13. An emergency signalling system, comprising: a portable emergency stop switch (2, 2′), arranged to transmit a signal (4, 4′) when activated; and a signal receiver (6, 6′), arranged to receive the signal (4, 4′) transmitted by the portable emergency stop switch (2, 2′), wherein in response to receipt of the signal (4, 4′), the signal receiver (6, 6′) is arranged to output a signal (4, 4′) which is suitable for triggering an elevator safety actuator (8, 8′) to deploy an elevator safety brake (10, 10′).

14. A method of deploying an elevator safety brake (10, 10′) by service personnel, comprising: activating a portable emergency stop switch (2, 2′) by the service personnel; transmitting a signal (4, 4′), by the portable emergency stop switch (2, 2′), in response to activation of the portable emergency stop switch (2, 2′); receiving the signal (4, 4′) with a signal receiver (6, 6′); and triggering of an elevator safety actuator (8, 8′) to deploy the elevator safety brake (10, 10′), in response to the receipt of the signal (4, 4′).

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the safety brake (10, 10′) is deployed during a construction phase of the elevator system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Certain preferred examples of this disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing showing a first example of an elevator system according to the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing showing a second example of an elevator system according to the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing showing a portable emergency stop switch, a first signal receiver and a second signal receiver, according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] FIG. 1 shows an example of an elevator system 1 according to the present disclosure. The portable emergency stop switch 2 has a housing 14 containing a signal transmitter 16. In this example, the signal transmitter 16 is an electronic transmitter board 16. A maintenance person may choose to press the portable emergency stop switch, for example when they feel uncomfortable about the situation or if they sense any danger, e.g. if they observe a loose component in the elevator system, or if the elevator car travels at a speed which they are not comfortable with. When a maintenance person presses the button 12, this activates the portable emergency stop switch 2. The signal transmitter 16 then transmits a wireless, e.g. radio frequency, signal 4. This signal 4 is received by a signal receiver 6. In the example shown in the Figures, the signal receiver 6 is an electronic circuit board 6. As can be seen, the signal receiver 6 includes an antenna 7, arranged to receive the wireless signal 4. Once the signal receiver 6 receives the signal 4, the signal receiver 6 triggers the safety actuators 8 to deploy the elevator safety brakes 10 (it will be appreciated that while two actuators 8 and two brakes 10 are shown in the figure, a single actuator 8 and brake 10 may be used, or three or more actuators 8 and brakes 10 may be used). Various techniques of deploying elevator safety brakes are known in the art. In some examples, the signal receiver 6 may, on receipt of the signal 4, open a switch that supplies power to the safety actuator 8. The safety actuator 8 may include a solenoid arranged to hold the elevator safety brake 10 in a non-engaging position as long as power is supplied to the solenoid. Thus, when the signal receiver 6 receives the signal 4 and opens the switch which supplies power to the safety actuator 8, the solenoid is dropped and the elevator safety brake 10 is deployed.

[0037] The portable emergency stop switch 2 includes attachment means 18, which in this example is a clip. The attachment means 18 allows a maintenance person to affix the portable emergency stop switch 2 onto their clothing or some part of their person or outer attire e.g. to a safety harness that they are wearing. Thus the portable emergency stop switch 2 will move with them and is always within easy reach.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows another example of an elevator system 1′ according to the present disclosure. The portable emergency stop switch 2′ includes button 12′. The portable emergency stop switch 2′ may also include attachment means 18′, such as a clip, as in the example of FIG. 1, but in this example the attachment means may be different or may be omitted as discussed below. When a maintenance person presses the button 12′, this activates the portable emergency stop switch 2′. The portable emergency stop switch 2′ is connected to the signal receiver 6′ by a signalling cable 20. When a maintenance person presses the button 12′, the portable emergency stop switch 2′ transmits a signal 4′ along the signalling cable 20 to the signal receiver 6′. The portable emergency stop switch 2′ includes a signal transmitter 16′, connected to the signalling cable 20. This signal transmitter 16′ could be a simple switch that makes or breaks a connection so as to generate a signal on the signalling cable 20. Alternatively, the signal transmitter 16′ could also be arranged to transmit a wireless signal to the signal receiver 6′ as well as the signalling cable 20 being arranged to transmit a signal to the signal receiver 6′. This signal 4′ is received by the signal receiver 6′. Once the signal receiver 6′ receives the signal 4′, the signal receiver 6′ triggers the safety actuators 8′ to deploy the elevator safety brakes 10′. Various techniques of deploying elevator safety brakes are known in the art. In some examples, the signal receiver 6′ may, on receipt of the signal 4′, open a switch that supplies power to the (or each) safety actuator 8′. The safety actuator 8′ may include a solenoid, arranged to hold the elevator safety brake 10′ in a non-engaging position as long as power is supplied to the solenoid. Thus, when the signal receiver 6′ receives the signal 4′ and opens the switch which supplies power to the safety actuator 8′, the solenoid is dropped and the elevator safety brake 10′ is deployed. In this example, as the button 12′ is on the end of a signalling cable 20, it may be preferred not to attach the button 12′ to the clothing or harness of the maintenance personnel. Therefore, the attachment means 18′ may be omitted or it may take a different form, e.g. for temporary attachment to other structures. For example a magnetic attachment could be used to keep the button 12′ close to the working area, but still allowing it to be moved when the working area changes so that the button 12′ is always conveniently located. It will of course be appreciated that such magnetic (or other) attachments may also be used for wireless buttons discussed in relation to FIG. 1.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a possible arrangement of the signal receiver 6, 6′ and a second signal receiver 26, according to the present disclosure. Although the portable emergency stop switch 2, 2′ in FIG. 3 is shown as having an antenna 32, and likewise the first signal receiver 6, 6′ has antenna 34 and the second signal receiver 26 has antenna 36, it will be understood by the skilled person that any or all of the signals described between these antennae may alternatively be transmitted by means of a signalling cable, as described in the present disclosure.

[0040] The elevator system includes a known safety actuation board 24, as is known in the art. The safety actuation board 24 is connected to a speed sensor and an acceleration sensor (not shown) and is arranged to trigger at least one actuator to deploy the elevator safety brake, based on the readings of at least one of these sensors e.g. when the detected speed or acceleration exceeds a given threshold. The safety actuation board 24 has been altered, according to the present invention, to further include a first signal receiver 6, 6′ (e.g. a first electronic receiver board) and a second signal receiver 26 (e.g. a second electronic receiver board). This provides a main safety actuation board 22 according to the present disclosure.

[0041] The second signal receiver 26 is arranged to control a power supply to the safety actuation board 24. Alternatively, or additionally, a third signal receiver 28 with antenna 29 may be arranged to control the power supply to the elevator drive system 40 and/or machine brake 42 of the elevator system.

[0042] If the second signal receiver 26 or the main safety actuation board 22 is located on the elevator car, the second signal receiver 26 may be arranged to cut the power supply to any or all of the other electronic components which are controlled from the elevator car.

[0043] In an alternative, not shown in FIG. 3, the first signal receiver 6, 6′ and or the second signal receiver 26 may not be part of the main safety actuation board 22 but may be standalone components that communicate with the safety actuation board 24.

[0044] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention has been illustrated by describing one or more specific embodiments thereof, but is not limited to these embodiments; many variations and modifications are possible, within the scope of the accompanying claims.