MAINTENANCE CONTROL PANEL AND ELEVATOR CONTROL SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING DISPLACEMENT MOVEMENTS OF AN ELEVATOR CAR

Abstract

A maintenance control panel connected to an elevator control system controls displacement movements of an elevator car through actuation of activation, downward direction button and upward direction buttons. Each button has an actuation element displaceable in an actuation direction to change from an unactuated to an actuated actuation state when displaced beyond an actuation position and outputs an actuation signal representing the actuation state. At least one of the buttons has a position sensor detecting a current position of the actuation element and outputs a position signal representing the detected position. The elevator control system responds to the position signal to control a power supply to a drive motor and thus a displacement speed of the car. A maintenance technician can control the displacement speed intuitively, depending on how hard the button with the position sensor is pressed, to avoid an abrupt start or braking of the car.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A maintenance control panel for controlling displacement movements of an elevator car, the maintenance control panel comprising: an activation button, a downward direction button and an upward direction button; each of the buttons including an actuation element displaceable in an actuation direction and which, when the actuation element is displaced beyond a respective actuation position, changes from an unactuated actuation state to an actuated actuation state and outputs an actuation signal representing the actuated actuation state; and wherein at least one of the buttons includes a position sensor monitoring the displacement of the at least one button by detecting a current position of the actuation element of the at least one button and outputting a position signal representing the detected current position.

15. The maintenance control panel according to claim 14 further comprising: a first signal output for outputting at least one of the actuation signal representing the actuation state of the activation button and, when the activation button includes the position sensor, the position signal representing the detected current position of the actuation element of the activation button; a second signal output for outputting at least one of the actuation signal representing the actuation state of the downward direction button and, when the downward direction button includes the position sensor, the detected position signal representing the detected current position of the actuation element of the downward direction button; and a third signal output for outputting at least one of the actuation signal representing the actuation state of the upward direction button and, when the upward direction button includes the position sensor, the detected position signal representing the detected current position of the actuation element of the upward direction button.

16. The maintenance control panel according to claim 14 including a safety chain signal input and a safety chain signal output, wherein the downward direction button and the upward direction button are connected in parallel in a direction button unit and the direction button unit and the activation button are connected in series between the safety chain signal input and the safety chain signal output.

17. The maintenance control panel according to claim 14 wherein each of the downward direction button and the upward direction button includes one of the position sensor.

18. The maintenance control panel according to claim 14 wherein the position sensor is adapted to detect the current position of the actuation element of the at least one button when the actuation element is actuated from a rest position to beyond the actuation position.

19. The maintenance control panel according to claim 14 wherein the position sensor is adapted to detect the current position of the actuation element of the at least one button contactlessly.

20. The maintenance control panel according to claim 14 wherein the at least one button monitored by the position sensor includes a magnetic element mechanically coupled to the actuation element for movement when the actuation element is displaced, and wherein the position sensor has a Hall sensor outputting the actuation signal as a function of a relative position between the magnetic element and the Hall sensor.

21. An elevator control system for controlling displacement movements of an elevator car of an elevator system comprising: a control unit controlling a power supply to a drive motor driving the elevator car; and the maintenance control panel according to claim 14 connected to the control unit for transmitting the actuation signals and the position signal to the control unit.

22. The elevator control system according to claim 21 further comprising: wherein the control unit is electrically connected to the maintenance control panel via a safety chain signal input on the maintenance control panel and a safety chain signal output on the maintenance control panel to monitor a current switching state of the maintenance control panel and to interrupt the power supply to the drive motor when the activation button is in the unactuated state or the upward direction button and the downward direction button are both in the unactuated state; and wherein the control unit is electrically connected to the maintenance control panel via first, second and third signal outputs on the maintenance control panel to monitor the actuation signals representing the current actuation states of the activation button, the upward direction button and the downward direction button, to monitor the position signal representing the detected position of the at least one button and to establish the power supply to the drive motor when the activation button is in the actuated actuation state and one of the upward direction button and the downward direction button is in the actuated actuation state and thereby control a strength of the power supply as a function of the position signal.

23. The elevator control system according to claim 22 wherein the control unit controls a brake on the elevator car and wherein the control unit activates the brake when the activation button is in the unactuated state or the upward direction button and the downward direction button are both in the unactuated state.

24. The elevator control according to claim 23 wherein an activation threshold position is arranged between the actuation position and a maximum displacement position along an activation path of the at least one button equipped with the position sensor, and wherein the control unit establishes the power supply to the drive motor no sooner than when the position signal of the at least one button indicates that the actuation element of the at least one button coming from the rest position was displaced beyond the activation threshold position in relation to the rest position.

25. The elevator control system according to claim 23 wherein the activation threshold position is arranged between the actuation position and a maximum displacement position along an activation path of the at least one button equipped with the position sensor, and wherein the control unit activates the brake on the elevator car no sooner than when the position signal of the at least one button indicates that the actuation element of the at least one button coming back from the maximum displacement position was displaced beyond the activation threshold position in relation to the maximum displacement position.

26. An elevator system comprising: an elevator control system according to claim 21; an elevator car; a drive motor driving the elevator car; a power supply connected to the drive motor; and wherein the control unit and the maintenance control panel of the elevator control system cooperate to control displacement movements of the elevator car by controlling electrical power supplied to the drive motor by the power supply.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] FIG. 1 shows an elevator system comprising a maintenance control panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 2 shows an elevator control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] FIG. 3 is a plot over time of actuation element position, safety chain switching state and elevator car speed signals generated according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] The figures are merely schematic and not true to scale. Like reference signs refer to like or equivalent features in the various figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] FIG. 1 illustrates an elevator system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the elevator system 1, an elevator car 9 and a counterweight 11, which are connected to one another via common suspension means 17, for example in the form of a plurality of belts, can be displaced with the aid of a traction sheave 15 driven by a drive motor 13. A power supply to the drive motor 13 is controlled by a control unit 5.

[0060] If the elevator system 1 is to be serviced and, for this purpose, is put into a maintenance mode, the elevator car 9 should be able to be displaced by a technician who is outside the elevator car 9 and is, for example, standing on a roof of the elevator car 9. For this purpose, a maintenance control panel 3 is provided at the corresponding point. The maintenance control panel 3 can communicate with the control unit 5 and, together with it, form an elevator control system 7, which can be used in particular during the maintenance mode to control displacement processes of the elevator system 1.

[0061] Three buttons 18 in the form of an activation button 19, a downward direction button 21 and an upward direction button 23 are provided on the maintenance control panel 3. Each of the buttons 18 can be temporarily actuated by pressing down an actuation element 27 and it subsequently automatically springs back into an unactuated state.

[0062] FIG. 2 schematically shows a detailed view of an embodiment of the elevator control system 7 with the maintenance control panel 3 and the control unit 5. Each of the buttons 18 has an actuation element 27 which can be displaced in a frame 28 in an actuation direction 25 (components of the activation button 19 are designated with an apostrophe (′), components of the downward direction button 21 with two apostrophes (″) and components of the upward direction button 23 subsequently with three apostrophes (′″)).

[0063] The actuation element 27 can be displaced starting from a rest position 55 along an actuation path B via an actuation position 57 up to a maximum displacement position 61. If the actuation element 27 is displaced beyond the actuation position 57, the respective button 18 changes from its unactuated state to an actuated state. This can be done, for example, by opening or closing a mechanical or electronic switch, hereinafter referred to as safety chain switch 43. An actuation signal representing the actuation state is generated.

[0064] The actuation element 27 can be rigidly coupled to a part 46 of the safety chain switch 43 to be actuated, for example via a rod 44 running between these components, so that the movement of the actuation element 27 is transmitted directly to the part 46 of the safety chain switch 43 to be actuated. Such a rigid coupling for the activation button 19 is shown in the depicted example.

[0065] Alternatively, the actuation element 27 can be coupled to the part 46 of the safety chain switch 43 to be actuated, for example via a spring element 45. In this case, for example, the actuation element 27 can be displaced up to the actuation position 57 and in doing so move the part 46 of the safety chain switch 43 to be actuated into an actuated state (i.e., in the example shown up to the closed state). Subsequently, the actuation element 27 can be displaced even further towards the maximum displacement position 61, wherein only the spring element 45 is deformed, but the part 46 of the safety chain switch 43 to be actuated is displaced no further and the switching state of the safety chain switch 43 is thus not changing.

[0066] A position sensor 29 is provided at least on one of the buttons 18. In the example shown, position sensors 29″, 29′″ are provided on the downward direction button 21 and on the upward direction button 23. These position sensors 29″, 29′″ are designed to detect a current position of the respective actuation element 27″, 27′″ of the respective button 18 assigned thereto and to subsequently output a position signal that correlates with the detected position.

[0067] In the example shown, the position sensors 29 are designed as Hall sensors 51. Magnetic elements 49 are provided on the buttons 18. The magnetic elements 49 are preferably rigidly coupled to the respective actuation element 27, so that when the actuation element 27 is displaced, the respective magnetic element 49 is displaced in a corresponding manner. Such a displacement of the magnetic element 49 and the associated change in the relative position between the magnetic element 49 and the respective Hall sensor 51 is accompanied by a change in a magnetic field generated by the magnetic element 49 in the region of the Hall sensor 51. By measuring such a change in the magnetic field, the Hall sensor 51 can generate the position signal correlating with the position of the actuation element 27.

[0068] However, other configurations of a position sensor 29 can also be used. For example, the position of the actuation element 27 can be detected mechanically, optically, capacitively, inductively or in some other way.

[0069] Three signal outputs 31, 33, 35 are provided on the maintenance control panel 3. In the example shown, a third signal output 35 is connected to the position sensor 29′″ of the upward direction button 23 and a second signal output 33 is connected to the position sensor 29″ of the downward direction button 21. A first signal output 31 is connected to a pressure switch 41, which is actuated when the actuation element 27′ of the activation button 19 is actuated.

[0070] Accordingly, at each of the three signal outputs 31, 33, 35 the position signal detected at the assigned button 18 and/or the actuation signal generated at the assigned button 18 can be output. The position signal can be generated by one of the position sensors 29. The actuation signal can be generated by another sensor, for example the pressure switch 41. Alternatively, the actuation signal can also be derived by analyzing a position signal generated by one of the position sensors 29. As a further alternative, the actuation signal can also be derived by analyzing the switching state prevailing on the assigned safety chain switch 43.

[0071] The three signal outputs 31, 33, 35 of the maintenance control panel 3 are connected to the control unit 5. Accordingly, the actuation signals and position signals can be transmitted to the control unit 5. As an alternative to data transmission via hard-wired connections, wireless signal transmission can be conceivable. On the basis of the actuation signals and position signals, the control unit 5 can then control a power supply to the drive motor 13 of the elevator system 1 and, if appropriate, a brake 53 on the elevator car 9. In particular, as described by way of example below, a displacement speed with which the elevator car 9 is to be displaced can be controlled taking into account the position signals transmitted by the maintenance control panel 3.

[0072] A safety chain signal input 37 and a safety chain signal output 39 are also provided on the maintenance control panel 3. The maintenance control panel 3 is also connected to the control unit 5 via the safety chain signal input 37 and the safety chain signal output 39, so that the control unit 5 can monitor a safety-relevant state of the maintenance control panel 3 as part of a safety chain.

[0073] Within the maintenance control panel 3, the downward direction button 21 and the upward direction button 23 with their respective safety chain switches 43″, 43′″ are connected in parallel with one another and can be regarded as combined in a direction button unit 47. The direction button unit 47 is connected in series with the activation button 19 and its safety chain switch 43′.

[0074] Through this series connection, the control unit 5 can use the safety chain signal input 37 and the safety chain signal output 39 to recognize whether the activation button 19 and/or both the downward direction button 21 and the upward direction button 23 are both open at the same time and thus the series connection within the maintenance control panel 3 is interrupted. In the event of an interruption in the safety chain, the control unit 5 can interrupt a power supply to the drive motor 13 of the elevator system 1 and/or activate a brake 53 provided on the elevator car 9. Only when both the activation button 19 and at least one of the direction buttons 22 in the direction button unit 47 are actuated at the same time is the series connection in the safety chain closed and the control unit 5 can establish a power supply to the drive motor 13 and/or release the brake 53.

[0075] Below, with reference to FIG. 3, it is described by way of example how a technician can control a displacement process of the elevator system 1 during maintenance using the maintenance control panel 3. FIG. 3 illustrates how a position signal 63 changes when the actuation element 27 of a button 18 equipped with a position sensor 29 is actuated along an actuation path “B” from the rest position 55 via the actuation position 57 and an activation threshold position 59 until it reaches the maximum displacement position 61 and is subsequently released until it reaches the rest position 55. FIG. 3 also illustrates how a switching state “S” of a safety chain between the safety chain signal input 37 and the safety chain signal output 39 changes depending on the varying position signal 63 between an open state “0” and a closed state “1.” FIG. 3 also shows how the speed “G” of the elevator car 9 changes while the elevator car 9 is being displaced in a manner controlled by the control unit 5 taking into account the position signal 63.

[0076] Initially, the actuation element 27 of the button 18 is displaced from the rest position 55 to the actuation position 57. Neither the switching state S of the safety chain, i.e., MS=0, nor the speed G of the elevator car, i.e., G=0, changes. Only when the actuation element 27 is displaced beyond the actuation position 57 at time t.sub.1, provided the activation button 19 is pressed at the same time, is the safety chain closed, i.e., S=1. At this time, however, a power supply to the drive motor 13 is not yet activated, i.e., G=0. Only when the actuation element 27 is pressed further in the direction of the maximum displacement position 61 and reaches the activation threshold position 59 at a time t.sub.2 does the control unit 5 recognize this on the basis of the correspondingly detected position signal 63 and begin to supply the drive motor 13 with electrical power and consequently to set the elevator car 9 in motion, i.e., G>0. The further the actuation element 27 is pressed in the direction of the maximum displacement position 61, the faster the elevator car 9 is displaced until a desired maximum speed is reached at time t.sub.3 G>>0.

[0077] In order to brake and finally stop the elevator car 9, the technician gradually releases the pressure on the actuation element 27 from a time t.sub.4 onwards. This can be done deliberately and gently, so that near a point in time t.sub.5, when the elevator car has already become very slow, since the actuation element 27 is approaching the activation threshold position 59, the actuation element 27 is only slowly released towards the activation threshold position 59. An abrupt stopping of the elevator car 9 can thereby be prevented and the elevator car 9 can come to a gentle stop, i.e., G=0. In particular, at this time t.sub.5, a power supply to the drive motor 13 is not yet interrupted and the brake 53 on the elevator car 9 is also not yet activated. This only happens when the actuation element 27 reaches the actuation position 57 at a time t.sub.6 and is displaced further to the rest position 55, since in this case the safety chain is opened again, i.e., S=0.

[0078] In summary and with another choice of words, it is proposed according to embodiments of the present invention to provide an additional switch in the form of a position sensor in the maintenance control panel. This additional switch can be wired parallel to the direction buttons and work pressure-sensitive. The harder a user presses the direction button down, the higher the position signal generated by it. The control unit adjusts the inspection speed of the elevator car in accordance with this position signal. The more the user presses the direction button, the faster the elevator car moves. In this way, the technician can control the car speed directly and in a very intuitive manner and in particular without interruptions. It is therefore possible to displace the car to a desired position quickly and safely. In particular, it is possible on the basis of the position signal supplied by the position sensor relating to the direction buttons to stop the elevator car before the safety chain opens. An abrupt stopping or even jumping of the elevator car can thereby be avoided.

[0079] Finally, it should 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. Furthermore, it should 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.

[0080] 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.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0081] 1 elevator system [0082] 3 maintenance control panel [0083] 5 control unit [0084] 7 elevator control system [0085] 9 elevator car [0086] 11 counterweight [0087] 13 drive motor [0088] 15 traction sheave [0089] 17 suspension means [0090] 18 button [0091] 19 activation button [0092] 21 downward direction button [0093] 22 direction button [0094] 23 upward direction button [0095] 25 actuation direction [0096] 27 actuation element [0097] 28 frame [0098] 29 position sensor [0099] 31 first signal output [0100] 33 second signal output [0101] 35 third signal output [0102] 37 safety chain signal input [0103] 39 safety chain signal output [0104] 41 pressure switch [0105] 43 safety chain switch [0106] 44 rod [0107] 45 spring element [0108] 46 part of the safety chain switch to be actuated [0109] 47 direction button unit [0110] 49 magnetic element [0111] 51 Hall sensor [0112] 53 brake [0113] 55 rest position [0114] 57 actuation position [0115] 59 activation threshold position [0116] 61 maximum displacement position [0117] 63 position signal [0118] B actuation path [0119] G elevator car speed [0120] S safety chain switching state