MODERNIZATION OF AN ELEVATOR GROUP

Abstract

Methods for the modernization of an elevator group which includes a plurality of elevators each with a car and an elevator controller for controlling the respective car. At least one input terminal is mounted for acquiring destination call signals and a group computer is installed in the course of the modernization process. The group computer is suitable for evaluation of the destination call signals as well as for the output of at least one first control signal. For each elevator furthermore a respective control unit is installed for reading in the first control signal and a control module is installed at the respective car for issuing an internal call for the respective car initiated by the first control signal.

Claims

1.-14. (canceled)

15. A method for the modernization of an elevator group, the elevator group including a plurality of elevators, each of the plurality of elevators having a car and an elevator controller for controlling the respective car, the method comprising: mounting at least one input terminal configured to acquire destination call signals, installing at least one group computer configured to evaluate the destination call signals and configured to output a first control signal, installing, for each elevator, a respective control unit configured to read the first control signal, and installing, for each elevator, a respective control module at the respective car configured to issue an internal call for the respective car initiated by the first control signal.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein a data connection is established in each case for all the elevators of the plurality of elevators between the control unit and the control module of the same elevator.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the control modules are connected to an operating panel of the respective car, the operating panel configured to issue the internal call in the operating panel.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the control modules are connected to an operating panel of the respective car for displaying an acknowledgement of the internal call in the operating panel.

19. The method of claim 15 comprising temporary displays installed in the cars and each of said temporary displays connected to the control modules of the respective car for displaying an acknowledgement of the internal call.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the control modules are connected to a door controller of the respective car, in order to initiate an opening and/or closing of a car door and/or to receive status information about a door status and forward it to the group computer via the control units.

21. The method of claim 15 wherein a position measuring system with a position sensor is installed in each case for each elevator at the car of the respective elevator.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the control modules are connected to the position sensors of the respective cars in order to receive travel information from the position sensors and forward said travel information to the group computer via the control units.

23. The method of claim 15 wherein the control units are connected to the elevator controllers of the respective elevators, in order to receive information from the elevator controllers and forward it to the group computer.

24. The method of claim 15 wherein a data connection is established in each case for all the elevators of the plurality of elevators between the control unit and the control module of the same elevator, in that in each case a first adapter and a second adapter are installed that are suitable for modulating data signals onto the local power network and for demodulating data signals that have been modulated on.

25. The method of claim 15 wherein the group computer is designed to generate two first control signals on the basis of the destination call signal, wherein one of the two first control signals is adapted to initiate the issue of an internal call to the entry floor, and the other of the two first control signals is adapted to initiate the issue of an internal call to the destination floor.

26. A method for the operation of an elevator group, wherein the elevator group comprises a plurality of elevators each with a car and an elevator controller configured to control the respective car, wherein the elevator group comprises at least one input terminal for acquiring destination call signals, wherein the elevator group comprises a group computer and wherein each elevator of the plurality of elevators respectively comprises a control unit, wherein for each elevator a respective control module is installed at the respective car, the method comprising: acquiring a destination call signal through the input terminal; transmitting the destination call signal to the group computer; evaluating, with the group computer, the destination call signal; selecting an elevator from the plurality of elevators for processing the destination call signal; generating, with the group computer, a first control signal; transmitting the first control signal from the group computer to the control unit of the selected elevator; acquiring, with the control unit of the selected elevator, the first control signal; generating, with the control unit of the selected elevator, a second control signal; transmitting the second control signal to the control module of the selected elevator; acquiring, with the control module of the selected elevator, the second control signal; and issuing, with the control module of the selected elevator initiated by the second control signal, an internal call for the car of the selected elevator.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the group computer generates two first control signals on the basis of the destination call signal, wherein one of the two first control signals initiates the issue of an internal call to the entry floor and the other of the two first control signals initiates the issue of an internal call to the destination floor.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein the transmission of the second control signal to the control module of the selected elevator takes place in that the second control signal is transmitted to a first adapter which modulates the second control signal onto the local power network and wherein a second adapter demodulates the second control signal from the local power network and transmits it to the control module.

Description

[0035] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. Shown schematically in each case,

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a cross-section through an elevator group;

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a detailed illustration of a car from FIG. 1;

[0038] FIGS. 3a, 3b show the operational sequence of the operating method.

[0039] FIG. 1 shows schematically a cross-section through an elevator group 11. The elevator group 11 comprises a plurality of elevators. Three elevators 13a, 13b, 13c are shown here by way of example. Corresponding considerations apply with other numbers of elevators. Individual components of the three elevators 13a, 13b, 13c are explained in detail below. Reference signs with appended lower-case letters (a, b, c) are used here, just as for the three elevators. Components with the same appended lower-case letters in this case belong to the same elevator. The elevator 13a, for example, comprises a car 15a and an elevator controller 17a. The same applies to the further components described below.

[0040] Each of the three elevators 13a, 13b, 13c comprises a car 15a, 15b, 15c and an elevator controller 17a, 17b, 17c for controlling the respective car 15a, 15b, 15c. For the sake of a clear overview, illustration of the further components such as the elevator drive and the guide rails has been omitted. The cars 15a, 15b, 15c can travel between the floors 19. An input terminal 21 for acquiring destination call signals is mounted on each of the floors 19 for modernization purposes. A group computer 23 for evaluation of the destination call signal and for the output of at least one first control signal is also installed. The group computer 23 is connected in each case via a data line 25 to a control unit 27a, 27b, 27c of the respective elevator 13a, 13b, 13c. The control units 27a, 27b, 27c are connected in turn via a data line 25 respectively to a first adapter 31a, 31b, 31c. A control module 29a, 29b, 29c is installed in addition at each of the cars 15a, 15b, 15c. The control modules 29a, 29b, 29c are each connected via a data line 25 to a second adapter 33a, 33b, 33c. The control modules 29a, 29b, 29c are furthermore connected to an operating panel 35a, 35b, 35c of the respective car 15a, 15b, 15c.

[0041] All three elevators 13a, 13b, 13c further each comprise a traveling cable 37a, 37b, 37c through which the respective cars 15a, 15b, 15c are connected to the local power network. Typically, the data transmission between the operating panels 35a, 35b, 35c and the respective elevator controllers 17a, 17b, 17c is also further ensured through the traveling cable 37a, 37b, 37c.

[0042] A destination call signal is acquired by an input terminal 21 during operation of the elevator group 11. This takes place, for example, in that a passenger on an entry floor enters a desired destination floor at an input terminal 21. Alternatively a destination floor can also be read in by the input terminal 21 from a data carrier (a chip card or a mobile telephone, for example) being carried. The destination call signal thus comprises two items of information, namely the entry floor at which the call was issued and the destination floor that the passenger would like to reach. The destination call signal is forwarded from the input terminal 21 to the group computer 23. The group computer 23 is connected for this purpose with all the input terminals 21 via a data line (not illustrated) or a wireless network. The group computer 23 evaluates the destination call signal, and selects an elevator 13a, 13b, 13c from the plurality of elevators 13a, 13b, 13c for processing the destination call signal. Various criteria can be taken into account when selecting the elevator 13a, 13b, 13c. It is, for example, possible to take into account which car 15a, 15b, 15c is at that moment located nearest to the entry floor 19. It is further possible to take into account which car 15a, 15b, 15c is about to travel the section between the entry floor 19 and the destination floor 19 in any case as a result of calls that have already been assigned. It is assumed in the following description that the elevator 13a has been selected by the group computer 23 for processing the destination call signal. Corresponding considerations apply if one of the other elevators 13b, 13c is selected. On the basis of the selection of elevator 13a, the group computer 23 generates a first control signal and transmits this first control signal to the control unit 27a of the selected elevator 13a. The control unit 27a acquires the first control signal, and generates a second control signal that is transmitted to the control module 29a of the selected elevator 13a. This transmission of the second control signal to the control module 29a takes place in that the second control signal is transmitted to a first adapter 31a. The first adapter 31a is connected to the local power network, and modulates the second control signal onto the local power network. A second adapter 33a is also connected to the local power network, and demodulates the second control signal from the local power network. The second adapter 33a then transmits the second control signal to the control module 29 A. A data connection is thus established between the control unit 27a and the control module 29a of the elevator 13. The transmission between the first adapter 31a and the second adapter 33a utilizes the fact that the car 15a is connected to the local power network via the traveling cable 37a. The control module 29a can in this way be installed at the car 15a easily, and at the same time connected to the local power network. This in turn makes it possible for the second control signal to be transmitted via the local power network between the control unit 27a and the control module 29a with the aid of the two adapters 31a and 33a. It is therefore not necessary to install a new data line to the movable car 15a. The control module 29a at the car 15a acquires the second control signal. Initiated by the second control signal, the control module 29a issues an internal call for the car 15a. The control module 29a is connected to the operating panel 35a of the car 15a for this purpose. When issuing an internal call, a brief electrical connection is made by the control module 29a between the control lines that were connected to the corresponding button 39a of the operating panel 35a before the modernization. The elevator controller 17a thus receives the same signal as if a passenger in the interior of the car 15a had initiated an internal call at the operating panel 35a by actuating the button 39a. This internal call is processed in the usual way by the elevator controller 17a, so that the drive of the car 15a is controlled in such a way that the car 15a stops at the appropriate floor 19 at the next opportunity. The buttons 39a present in the operating panel 35a are thus without function to the extent that an actuation of the button 39a no longer initiates an internal call.

[0043] The newly installed group computer 23 can thus initiate the issue of arbitrary internal calls in arbitrary cars 15a, 15b, 15c of the elevators 13a, 13b, 13c in the manner described. These internal calls are then processed by the respective elevator controllers 17a, 17b, 17c in the usual manner, wherein the elevator controllers 17a, 17b, 17c carry out the concrete control of the respective cars 15a, 15b, 15c.

[0044] The control module 29a is furthermore connected to the operating panel 35a of the car 15a for displaying an acknowledgement of the internal call. In addition to the issue of an internal call for the car 15a, the control module 29a also gives a signal to the operating panel 35a, on the basis of which a display of an acknowledgement of the internal call is initiated. The buttons 39a that are without function are, for example, used to display the acknowledgement of the internal call. Even if an actuation of the button 39a does not initiate an internal call, an illumination of the control lamp in the button 39a nevertheless shows that an internal call that corresponds to an actuation of the button 39a is being processed. It is thus possible for the passengers inside the car 15a to recognize at any time which floors 19 are being approached on the basis of the illuminated buttons 39a. As an alternative to the use of the control lamps in the buttons 39a, 39b, 39c, it is also possible for a temporary display 41 to be used to display the internal calls. This is illustrated in FIG. 1 by way of example for car 15b. The temporary display 41 is installed in the car 15b and connected to the control module 29b of the car 15b for the display of an acknowledgement of internal calls. It is thus possible for a passenger inside the car 15b to recognize which floors 19 are being approached at any time on the temporary display 41. A temporary display is only illustrated in car 15b for the sake of greater clarity. The other cars 15a and 15c can be correspondingly equipped.

[0045] FIG. 1 further shows that a position measuring system 43a, 43b, 43c with a position sensor 45a, 45b, 45c is installed for each elevator 13a, 13b, 13c at the car 15a, 15b, 15c of the respective elevator 13a, 13b, 13c. Each position measuring system 43a, 43b, 43c at least one position sensor 45a, 45b, 45c that is connected to the respective car 15a, 15b, 15c. The position measuring system 43a, 43b, 43c furthermore comprises in each case a magnetic strip 47a, 47b, 47c that is installed along a travel section of the respective car 15a, 15b, 15c. The position sensors 45a, 45b, 45c act together with the respective magnetic strips 47a, 47b, 47c to determine the position of the corresponding car 15a, 15b, 15c. The control modules 29a, 29b, 29c are connected to the position sensors 45a, 45b, 45c in order to receive travel information from the position sensors 45a, 45b, 45c and forward it to the group computer 23 via the control units 27a, 27b, 27c. The travel information can here, for example, comprise an absolute position or a relative position of the respective car 15a, 15b, 15c. It is also possible that the control modules 29a, 29b, 29c receive information about the position of the respective car 15a, 15b, 15c, and determine a car velocity from the change of this position over time, and forward this to the group computer 23 via the control units 27a, 27b, 27c. An existing position measuring system 43a, 43b, 43c can, in principle, also be used. Since, however, very different position measuring systems are in use, it is advantageous to install a new position measuring system 43a, 43b, 43c for each elevator 13a, 13b, 13c with a position sensor 45a, 45b, 45c at the car 15a, 15b, 15c of the respective elevator 13a, 13b, 13c during the modernization of an elevator group 11. In this way it is ensured that the control modules 29a, 29b, 29c can be connected without difficulty to the position sensors 45a, 45b, 45c. No difficulties therefore occur with the mechanical connection (plug geometry), the electrical connection (assignment of connecting cables) or the data connection (unexpected signal forms).

[0046] The control units 27a, 27b, 27c here continue to be connected to the elevator controllers 17a, 17b, 17c of the respective elevators 13a, 13b, 13c, in order to receive information from the elevator controllers 17a, 17b, 17c and forward it to the group computer 23. This information contains, for example, the status of the elevator controller 17a, 17b, 17c, that is to say whether the respective elevator 13a, 13b, 13c is at the time ready to accept and process a travel order. This would not, for example, be the case in the presence of a malfunction or if the corresponding elevator 13a, 13b, 13c has been taken out of operation for some other reason (for example due to a fire alarm).

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a detailed illustration of the car 15a of FIG. 1. Further components that were left out of FIG. 1 for reasons of clarity are illustrated here. The further cars 15b and 15c can of course correspondingly also be designed with these additional components. The car 15a comprises a car door 49a that is connected to a door drive 51a. The door 49a is opened and closed with the aid of the door drive 51a. A door controller 53 A is connected to the door drive 51a. The door controller 53a is connected to the control module 29a in order to initiate an opening and/or closing of the car door 49a. The group computer 23 generates a first door signal for this purpose and transmits this first door signal to the control unit 27a of the selected elevator 13a. The control unit 27a acquires the first door signal, and generates a second door signal that is transmitted to the control module 29a of the selected elevator 13a. This transmission of the second door signal to the control module 29a takes place in that the second door signal is transmitted to a first adapter 31a. The first adapter 31a is connected to the local power network, and modulates the second door signal onto the local power network. A second adapter 33a is also connected to the local power network, and demodulates the second door signal from the local power network. The second adapter 33a then transmits the second door signal to the control module 29a. A data connection is thus established between the control unit 27a and the control module 29a of the elevator 13. The transmission between the first adapter 31a and the second adapter 33a exploits the fact that the car 15a is connected to the local power network via the traveling cable 37a. The control module 29a can in this way be installed at the car 15a easily, and at the same time connected to the local power network. This in turn makes it possible for the second door signal to be transmitted via the local power network between the control unit 27a and the control module 29a with the aid of the two adapters 31a and 33a. It is therefore not necessary to install a new data line to the movable car 15a. The control module 29a at the car 15a acquires the second door signal. Initiated by the second door signal, the control module 29a causes the door controller 53a to perform an opening or closing of the car door 49a.

[0048] The connection between the control module 29a and the door controller 53a has the further advantage that status information about a door status can be received by the control module 29a and can be forwarded to the group computer 23 via the corresponding control unit 27a. The transmission of the status information here takes place similarly to the signal transmission with the aid of the two adapters 31a and 33 A. The door status can here, for example, contain the values of opened, closed, or jammed.

[0049] As an alternative to the connection of the control module 29a with the door controller 53a, the status information relating to a door status can also be taken directly from the corresponding elevator controllers 17a. This is made possible through a suitable connection of the control unit 27a to the elevator controller 17a.

[0050] The method sequence for operation of the elevator group 11 is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 3a and 3b. The elevator group 11 is designed according to FIG. 1. The illustration of all the components is omitted in order to illustrate the method sequence schematically. Reference is made in this respect to FIG. 1. In a first method step, a destination call signal is acquired through the input terminal 21 at an entry floor 55. The destination call signal comprises two items of information, namely the entry floor 55 at which the call was issued and the destination floor 57 that the passenger would like to reach. The destination call signal is then forwarded from the input terminal 21 to the group computer 23. The group computer 23 evaluates the destination call signal, and selects an elevator from the plurality of elevators 13a, 13b, 13c for processing the destination call signal. In what follows this is, by way of example, elevator 13b with car 15b. In a next step, the group computer 23 generates a first control signal for issuing an internal call to the entry floor 55. This first control signal is forwarded by the group computer 23 to the control unit 27b of the selected elevator 13b. The control unit 27b then acquires the first control signal, generates a second control signal and transmits the second control signal to the control module 29b of the selected elevator 13 B. This transmission takes place in that the second control signal is transmitted to a first adapter 31b that modulates the second control signal onto the local power network, and in that a second adapter 33b demodulates the second control signal from the local power network and transmits it to the control module 29b. The control module 29b attached to the car 15b acquires the second control signal, and initiates the issue of an internal call for the car 15b of the selected elevator 13b to the entry floor 55. This internal call is processed in the usual way by the elevator controller 17b of the elevator group 13b. The elevator controller 17b thus receives the same signal as if a passenger in the car 15b had initiated a call to the entry floor 55. The elevator controller 17b processes this call in that the car 15b is moved to the entry floor 55. This is illustrated in FIG. 3a by the arrow 59.

[0051] FIG. 3b shows the situation in which the car 15b has reached the entry floor 55. The group computer 23 receives the information about reaching the entry floor 55 from, for example, the position measuring system 43b of the elevator 13 B. After reaching the entry floor 55, the group computer, still on the basis of the original destination call signal, generates a further first control signal. This first control signal then initiates the issue of an internal call to the destination floor 57. The first control signal is transmitted by the group computer 23 to the control unit 27b of the selected elevator 13b. The control unit 27b acquires the first control signal, generates a corresponding second control signal, and transmits this to the control module 29b of the elevator 13 B. This transmission takes place in that the second control signal is transmitted to a first adapter 31b that modulates the second control signal onto the local power network, and in that a second adapter 33b demodulates the second control signal from the local power network and transmits it to the control module 29b. The control module 29b attached to the car 15b acquires the second control signal, and initiates the issue of an internal call for the car 15b of the selected elevator 13b to the destination floor 57. The elevator controller 17b processes this call in that the car 15b is moved to the destination floor 57. This is illustrated in FIG. 3b by the arrow 61.

[0052] Fundamentally, the internal call to the destination floor 57 can also be initiated at a different time point. It is only necessary to ensure that the internal call to the entry floor 55 is handled first, and then the internal call to the destination floor 57. This is most easily ensured in that the internal call to the destination floor 57 is not issued until after the internal call to the entry floor has been dealt with. Depending on the specific model of the elevator controllers 17a, 17b, 17c it can, however, also be sufficient for the internal calls to be initiated in the correct sequence. The internal call to the entry floor can, alternatively, also be issued as a priority call that is to be handled urgently (in the context, for example, of a VIP circuit).

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0053]

TABLE-US-00001 11 Elevator group 13a, 13b, 13c Elevators 15a, 15b, 15c Cars 17a, 17b, 17c Elevator controllers 19 Floor 21 Input terminal 23 Group computer 25 Data line 27a, 27b, 27c Control units 29a, 29b, 29c Control modules 31a, 31b, 31c First adapter 33a, 33b, 33c Second adapter 35a, 35b, 35c Operating panels 37a, 37b, 37c Traveling cable 39a, 39b, 39c Button 41 Temporary display 43a, 43b, 43c Position measuring system 45a, 45b, 45c Position sensor 47a, 47b, 47c Magnetic strip 49a Car door 51a Door drive 53a Door controller 55 Entry floor 57 Destination floor 59 Arrow 61 Arrow