LIFT SYSTEM COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF LIFT CARS WHICH HAVE AN IDENTIFIER, AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A LIFT SYSTEM OF THIS KIND

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a lift system including at least one lift shaft and a plurality of lift cars which can be individually moved. A plurality of the lift cars can be moved in the same lift shaft. The lift system further includes a control system for controlling the lift system. The lift cars of the lift system each have a unique identifier, for example an RFID transponder or a QR code. The disclosure further relates to a method for operating a lift system of this kind.

Claims

1.-16. (canceled)

17. An elevator system, comprising: an elevator shaft, a plurality of elevator cabs configured to move individually in the same elevator shaft, and a control system configured to control the elevator system, wherein each of the elevator cabs each comprise a unique identifier.

18. The elevator system of claim 17, comprising a reader device, configured to detect the identifiers of the elevator cabs and/or to identify an elevator cab of the elevator system via the detected identifier.

19. The elevator system of claim 18, wherein the control system is configured to assign a unique identity to each of the elevator cabs.

20. The elevator system of claim 19, wherein the identities assigned to the elevator cabs and the identifiers of these elevator cabs each form unique identification pairs.

21. The elevator system of claim 17, wherein the elevator cabs comprise at least one of the following elements as identifier: a RFID transponder, an identification code, a barcode, a QR code, or a detection pattern.

22. The elevator system of claim 17, comprising a support means for retrieving an elevator cab of the elevator system, wherein the support means comprises the reader device.

23. The elevator system of claim 17, comprising at least one storage facility configured to store elevator cabs of the elevator system and a selection device configured to introduce elevator cabs into the storage facility of the elevator system and configured to move elevator cabs out of the storage facility, wherein the selection device comprises the reader device.

24. The elevator system of claim 17, wherein a first elevator cab of the elevator system comprises first characteristics and a second elevator cab of the elevator system comprises second characteristics, wherein, via the identifier of one of the first and second elevator cab, the characteristics of said elevator cab can be determined.

25. The elevator system of claim 24, wherein the elevator system takes a specification of characteristics of an elevator cab into account in the case of a transport request, wherein certain specifications of characteristics are linked to certain identifiers of the elevator cabs.

26. The elevator system of claim 17, wherein the elevator cabs each comprise a monitoring unit, which is configured to perform a self-diagnosis with regard to the functionality of elements of the corresponding elevator cab, wherein the monitoring unit provides the identifier of the elevator cab.

27. The elevator system of claim 17, wherein the element providing the identifier of a respective elevator cab of the elevator system provides additional user data.

28. The elevator system of claim 27, wherein the additional user data comprises a checksum, wherein a correct detection of the identifier of the respective elevator cab of the elevator system can be determined by means of the checksum.

29. The elevator system of claim 17, wherein the elevator cabs comprise the identifier multiple times.

30. The elevator system of claim 17, wherein the each of the elevator cabs comprises a reader device for detecting the identifier of other of the elevator cabs of the elevator system.

31. A method for operating an elevator system, having an elevator shaft, a plurality of elevator cabs configured to move individually in the same elevator shaft, and a control system configured to control the elevator system, wherein each of the elevator cabs each comprise a unique identifier, the method comprising: detecting the identifier of an elevator cab of the elevator system, and identifying the elevator cab.

32. The method as claimed in claim 31, wherein, via a support means, an elevator cab of the elevator system is retrieved, wherein the elevator cab to be retrieved is identified by detecting the identifier of the corresponding elevator cab.

Description

[0026] Further advantageous details, features and embodiment details of the invention will be explained in more detail in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures, in which:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows, in a simplified schematic illustration, an exemplary embodiment for an elevator system designed according to the invention.

[0028] FIG. 1a shows, in a simplified schematic illustration, an exemplary embodiment for an elevator cab of the elevator system shown in FIG. 1;

[0029] FIG. 1b shows, in a simplified schematic illustration, another exemplary embodiment for an elevator cab of the elevator system shown in FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 1c shows, in a simplified schematic illustration, an exemplary embodiment for a selection device of the elevator system shown in FIG. 1; and

[0031] FIG. 2 shows, in a simplified schematic illustration, another exemplary embodiment for an elevator cab of the elevator system shown in FIG. 1,

[0032] The elevator system 1, shown in FIG. 1 by way of example, comprises a shaft system 4 with a plurality of vertical elevator shafts 2 and a plurality of horizontal elevator shafts 3. In addition, the elevator system 1 comprises a plurality of elevator cabs 5. These elevator cabs 5 can be moved individually in the elevator shafts 2, 3 of the elevator system 1. In particular, a plurality of elevator cabs 5 can also be moved in the same vertical elevator shaft 2 or in the same horizontal elevator shaft 3. Preferably, for this purpose, the elevator system comprises a linear motor drive (not explicitly shown in FIG. 1), by means of which the elevator cabs 5 can be moved taking into account specified operating conditions largely independently of one another. In order to change from one elevator shaft into another elevator shaft, for example from a vertical elevator shaft 2 into a horizontal elevator shaft 3, the elevator system 1 comprises shaft changing units (not explicitly shown in FIG. 1). If the elevator system 1 comprises a linear motor drive as drive system, it is provided in particular that the shaft changing units are rotatable or pivotable sections of the linear motor drive, so-called exchanger units. If an elevator cab 5 of the elevator system 1 is moved vertically and is to change into a horizontal elevator shaft 3, the exchanger unit is accordingly rotated by 90° if this elevator cab is located in the exchanger unit. Such exchanger units are described in more detail for example in WO 2015/144781 A1.

[0033] The elevator system 1 comprises a control system 6 for moving the elevator cabs 5 of the elevator system 1. This is only symbolically shown in FIG. 1. In particular, it is provided that the control system 6 is a decentralized control system with a plurality of control units, in which the control units are linked to one another (not shown in FIG. 1) and can exchange data with one another. In this way, in accordance with an embodiment variant, it is provided that, in particular, the elevator cabs 5 and the shaft changing units each comprise their own control units. The control system 6 can, in particular, also comprise safety units, which, in particular, prevent collisions of elevator cabs 5 by monitoring the adherence to minimum distances between the elevator cabs 5, for example. For this purpose, it is advantageously furthermore provided that the elevator system 1 comprises a shaft information system (not explicitly shown in FIG. 1), which is designed in particular to communicate positions and speeds of elevator cabs 5 to the control system 6.

[0034] In order to detect calls by elevator users, it is provided in particular that the elevator system 1 includes a target call control system (not explicitly shown in FIG. 1). In particular, the elevator system 1 can also comprise a control system with the input of external calls at least in regions of the elevator system, in particular if, in at least one shaft region of the shaft system 4, operation of the elevator system 1 as a shuttle system for transporting persons between an access floor, in particular the ground floor, to a transfer floor is provided.

[0035] The elevator system 1 also comprises storage facilities 16, in which elevator cabs 5 of the elevator system can be parked, in particular if current traffic does not require the maximum conveying capacity of the elevator system 1 or if elevator cabs need to be serviced or repaired. By way of example, parked elevator cabs 53 are shown in the storage facilities 16 of the elevator system 1.

[0036] The elevator cabs 5 of the elevator system 1 each comprise a unique identifier 7. Since each elevator cab 5 of the elevator system 1 comprises a unique identifier 7, an elevator cab 5 can be uniquely identified by means of the identifier 7. In particular, an RFID transponder is provided as identifier 7, preferably a passive RFID transponder. As advantageous alternative embodiments, in particular QR codes or barcodes are provided as identifier 7. The elevator cabs 5 preferably comprise this identifier 7 multiple times, as is schematically shown in FIG. 1a. This has the advantage that the identifier 7 can be detected when approaching an elevator cab 5 of the elevator system 1 from any direction. By detecting the identifier 7, it can advantageously be exactly determined which elevator cab 5 of the elevator system 1 it is.

[0037] The elevator system 1 advantageously comprises a plurality of reader devices 8 for detecting the identifiers 7 of the elevator cabs 5. These reader devices 8 are designed to detect the identifiers 7 of the elevator cabs 5. If the identifiers 7 are RFID transponders, in particular RFID tags attached to the elevator cabs 5, the reader devices 8 of the elevator system 1, in particular, each comprise a so-called RFID reader, by means of which the respective identifier can be read from the RFID transponders. Furthermore, the reader devices 8 of the elevator system 1 are designed to identify the corresponding elevator cab 5 of the elevator system by means of the detected identifier 7. In order to identify the elevator cab 5, it is provided in particular that the reader devices 8 can exchange data with the control system 6 of the elevator system 1. In particular the identifier 7 of an elevator cab 5 detected by a reader device 8 of the elevator system 1 can be sent from the reader device 8 to the control system 6.

[0038] In the case of the exemplary embodiment of an elevator system 1 shown in FIG. 1, it is provided that at least some of the elevator cabs 5 of the elevator system 1, in particular all elevator cabs 5 of the elevator system 1, comprise a reader device 8. As is shown in FIG. 1b by way of example, it can be provided in particular that the elevator cabs 5 comprise a reader device 8 on the sides that point in a shaft direction in the case of vertical travel or horizontal travel. Such an embodiment is, in particular, provided if the identifier 7 of an elevator cab can only be read from a short distance, for example a distance of less than two meters. Even if a line of sight is required, as is the case with the use of barcodes or QR codes as identifier 7 of the elevator cabs, such an embodiment is advantageous. If, in contrast, an RFID transponder, in particular an active RFID transponder, is used as identifier, it is provided in particular that an elevator cab 5 of the elevator system 1 comprises only one reader device 8.

[0039] Elevator cabs 5, comprising a reader device 8, of the elevator system 1 are therefore advantageously designed to uniquely identify other elevator cabs 5 of the elevator system 1. This is particularly advantageous if an elevator cab 51 is affected by a fault in such a way that the exact position of this elevator cab 51 cannot be determined. A further elevator cab 52 can then advantageously be moved in the direction of the last known position of the elevator cab 51 affected by the fault. In the case of an activated reader device 8, this other elevator cab 52 then continues to move until a detection 22 of the identifier 7 of the elevator cab 51 affected by the fault takes place. The elevator cab 52 can advantageously communicate to the control system 6 its own position when detecting 22 the identifier 7 of the elevator cab 51 affected by the fault so that the position of this elevator cab 51 can be determined in an improved manner.

[0040] In accordance with an advantageous embodiment variant, it can also be provided that the elevator cab 51 affected by the fault can be retrieved by means of another elevator cab 52 as support device. For this purpose, the elevator cab operating as support device can tow the elevator cab 51 affected by the fault, in particular, into a storage facility 16 of the elevator system.

[0041] In the case of the elevator system 1 shown in FIG. 1, it is provided in particular that support devices 12 are installed in the shaft system 4 of the elevator system 1, in particular on towing devices arranged on winches, such as towing hooks for example. For example, if the control system 6 of the elevator system 1 registers a communication fault with regard to the communication with an elevator cab 55 of the elevator system 1 such that this elevator cab 55 cannot be moved further and the exact position of this elevator cab 55 is not known, the control device 6 can provide for retrieval of this elevator cab 55 by means of the support device 12. The support device 12, in particular the towing device, is moved to the last known position of the elevator cab 55, meaning, i.e. introduced in particular into the elevator shaft in which the elevator cab 55 was last located. It is provided that the towing device likewise comprises a reader device (not explicitly shown in FIG. 1). By means of this reader device, the identifier 7 of the elevator cab 55 is read. It can thus be advantageously ensured that the correct elevator cab 55 is retrieved by the support device 12. If it was determined by the support device 12 from reading the identifier 7 that this is an elevator cab other than the faulty elevator cab, this other elevator cab can initially be moved to another position, and then a new retrieval attempt can be started.

[0042] When reading the identifier 7, advantageously, in addition, a checksum is also transmitted by the corresponding carrier of the identifier 7, for example by the RFID tag, so that it can be verified using the checksum that the actual identifier 7 has been correctly transmitted.

[0043] In the elevator system 1 shown in FIG. 1, it is provided additionally that the elevator system 1 comprises selection devices 9. By means of these selection devices 9, elevator cabs 5 can be moved from the elevator shafts 2, 3 into the storage facilities 16. Therefore, the conveying capacity of the elevator system 1 can advantageously be changed and adapted to an existing and/or projected transport requirement.

[0044] The selection devices 9 advantageously comprise at least one reader device 8, as is schematically shown in FIG. 1c. By means of this reader device 8, the identifiers 7 of elevator cabs 5 are read. Advantageously, this allows it to be ensured that the correct elevator cabs 5 are moved into a storage facility 16 or moved out of a storage facility 16.

[0045] In particular, it is provided that elevator cabs 5 of the elevator system 1 comprise different characteristics. In particular, the elevator system 1 can comprise a limited number of elevator cabs, which are specially equipped for transporting visually impaired persons, preferably with a voice control system. Furthermore, another number of elevator cabs 5 can be particularly luxuriously equipped. Here, the identifiers 7 of the elevator cabs 5 are advantageously linked to the characteristics of the elevator cabs 5 so that the information concerning which elevator cabs 5 with which identifier 7 comprise which characteristics is stored in particular in the control system 6.

[0046] If, for example, a visually impaired person identifies himself/herself when inputting the call, using in particular a means of identification, for example an ID card, the control system 6 of the elevator system 1 reports a need for an elevator cab 5 equipped for transporting visually impaired persons. The selection device 9 can then determine an elevator cab 54 with these corresponding characteristics by reading the identifiers 7 of elevator cabs 53 parked in the storage facilities 16 and move it out of the storage facility 16 so that it can then be used to service the call for the visually impaired person.

[0047] In particular, it is provided that the identifier 7 of an elevator cab 5 is communicated to the control system 6 when moving an elevator cab 53 out of a storage facility 16 by the corresponding selection device 9. The control system 6 for its part assigns a unique identity to this elevator cab, which is used, in particular, for the exchange of data with this elevator cab. The identity assigned to an elevator cab by the control system 6 and the identifier 7, which each elevator cab 5 comprises, respectively form a unique identification pair. The control system 6 to which an identifier 7 is communicated can uniquely identify in particular the elevator cab 5 that comprises this identifier 7, advantageously even if communication with this elevator cab might be disrupted.

[0048] Another advantageous embodiment of an elevator cab 5 of an elevator system 1 is shown in FIG. 2. It is provided here that the elevator cabs 5 each comprise a monitoring unit 14. Such a monitoring unit 14 is advantageously designed to perform a self-diagnosis with regard to the functionality of elements of the related elevator cab 5, for example of the communication module, of the doors, of the brakes, or of the energy supply system. For this purpose, the monitoring unit 14 advantageously comprises a diagnostic unit 15. Furthermore, it is provided that the monitoring unit 14 comprises in particular a plurality of memory areas 25. The monitoring unit 14 provides the identifier 7 of the respective elevator cab 5 in a memory area. This can be read via interfaces 26, which are arranged on the exterior of the elevator cab 5, in particular by a support device for retrieving the elevator cab 5. Via the interfaces 26, further data can also be transmitted, in particular a checksum by means of which it can be determined by the unit detecting the identifier 7 if the identifier 7 has been transmitted correctly. Advantageously, other user data 11 can be transmitted via the interfaces 26. These user data 11 are also stored in a memory area 25 of the monitoring unit 14. In addition to the checksum, the user data can include the result of the self-diagnosis, for example as an error log of the respective elevator cab 5.

[0049] Furthermore, in the memory area 25, an identity 10 assigned by the control system 6 of the elevator system 1 of the elevator cab 5 can be stored. Advantageously, in contrast to the identifier, this identity can be changed by the control system 6. The identity 10 can also only be assigned temporarily. The identifier 7 is, by contrast, permanently assigned to an elevator cab 5. The identity 10 assigned to an elevator cab 5 and the identifier 7 of this elevator cab 5 thereby form unique identification pairs. The identifiers 7 of the elevator cabs 5 are advantageously also known to the control system 6 here. If, by means of a reader device, the identifier 7 of the elevator cab 5 is detected and this identifier 7 is communicated to the control system 6, the control system 6 can advantageously assign an identity to this identifier 7 and thus determine if the elevator cab 5, the identifier 7 of which has been detected and transmitted to the control system 6, is an elevator cab affected by a fault.

[0050] The exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures and explained in conjunction therewith serve to explain the invention and do not limit the invention. In particular, the figures are not true to scale.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0051] 1 elevator system [0052] 2 vertical elevator shaft [0053] 3 horizontal elevator shaft [0054] 4 shaft system [0055] 5 elevator cab [0056] 51 elevator cab to be retrieved [0057] 52 other elevator cab [0058] 53 parked elevator cab [0059] 54 other elevator cab [0060] 55 other elevator cab to be retrieved [0061] 6 control system [0062] 7 identifier [0063] 8 reader device [0064] 9 selection device [0065] 10 identity [0066] 11 user data [0067] 12 support means [0068] 14 monitoring unit [0069] 15 diagnostics unit [0070] 16 storage facility [0071] 22 detection of an identifier [0072] 25 memory area [0073] 26 interface