ELEVATOR SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF PREVENTING COLLISIONS BETWEEN ELEVATOR CARS

Abstract

A method for operating an elevator system, include determining an expected stop extent with respect to the shaft axis of one of the two elevator cars, comparing the determined stop extent and the intersection extent of the shaft intersection with respect to the shaft axis of this elevator car, starting from a current position and in accordance with an expected braking distance of this car, and triggering a signal for one of the elevator cars.

Claims

1.-16. (canceled)

17. A programmable control unit for controlling and monitoring an elevator system, the elevator system including at least two elevator shafts with different shaft axes that intersect at an area of a shaft intersection, and at least two elevator cars for moving in a shaft direction along one of the shaft axes, the control unit comprising: a safety device containing program instructions that when executed in the control unit are configured to: detect use of the shaft intersection by a first elevator car of the elevator system as a first use, and prevent the shaft intersection from being used by a second elevator car as a second use, at least for the duration of the first use.

18. The programmable control unit of claim 17, wherein the safety device is further configured to: determine an expected stop extent of the first elevator car with respect to the shaft axis of the first elevator car starting from a current position of the first elevator car and in accordance with an expected braking distance, compare the determined stop extent to an intersection extent of the shaft intersection with respect to the shaft axis of the first elevator car, and detect a first use of the shaft intersection if the comparison shows an expected overlap between the stop extent and the intersection extent.

19. The programmable control unit of claim 17, wherein the safety device is further configured to prevent a second use and trigger a stop signal for the second elevator car.

20. The programmable control unit of claim 19, wherein the stop signal is configured to at least one of: stop movement the second elevator car, reverse the direction of travel of the second elevator car, continue to permit the second elevator car to move further along its normal travel path and outside of a defined area of the shaft intersection, prevent the second elevator car from continuing with its travel, hold the second elevator car at a stop destination with its car doors open, or trigger an emergency brake in the second elevator car.

21. The programmable control unit of claim 17, wherein the safety device is further configured to, determine a current elevator car extent of the first elevator car with respect to the shaft axis of this first elevator car, compare the determined current elevator car extent to the intersection extent, and detect first use if the comparison shows an overlap between the elevator car extent and the intersection extent.

22. An elevator system, comprising: a first elevator shaft having a first guide device affixed thereto and positioned parallel to a first shaft axis; a second elevator shaft having a second guide device affixed thereto and positioned parallel to a second shaft axis, wherein the second elevator shaft intersects the first elevator shaft to define an area of a shaft intersection; at least two elevator cars which can be moved along the guide devices with a first elevator car extent along the first shaft axis and a second elevator car extent along the second shaft axis; and a control unit for controlling a travel movement of the elevator cars, wherein the control unit includes a safety device configured to, detect use of the shaft intersection by a first elevator car of the elevator system as a first use, and prevent the shaft intersection from being used by a second elevator car as a second use, at least for the duration of the first use.

23. The elevator system of claim 22, wherein the first guide device runs along the first shaft axis through the shaft intersection and the second guide device runs along the second shaft axis through the shaft intersection.

24. The elevator system of claim 23, wherein the intersection extent with respect to the first shaft axis corresponds to the elevator car extent of an elevator car which is arranged along the second shaft axis with respect to the first shaft axis, and the intersection extent with respect to the second shaft axis corresponds to the elevator car extent of an elevator car arranged along the first shaft axis with respect to the second shaft axis.

25. The elevator system of claim 22, further comprising: at least one shaft changing unit rotatably coupled to a shaft wall in the area of the shaft intersection; a third guide device coupled to the shaft changing unit in a rotationally fixed manner and along which elevator cars of the elevator system travel, wherein the shaft changing unit and the attached third guide device can be rotated together along an alignment path between an alignment along the shaft axis of the one elevator shaft and an alignment along the shaft axis of the other elevator shaft.

26. The elevator system of claim 25, wherein the intersection extent with respect to the first shaft axis corresponds to a maximum extent of the shaft changing unit with respect to the first shaft axis, and the intersection extent with respect to the second shaft axis corresponds to a maximum extent of the shaft changing unit with respect to the second shaft axis.

27. A method for operating an elevator system having at least two elevator shafts with different shaft axes which at least two elevator shafts intersect at a shaft intersection, and at least two cars for moving in a shaft direction along one of the shaft axes, the method comprising: permitting a first elevator car of the elevator system to occupy the area of the shaft intersection, as a first use; and protecting the first elevator car while it is located in the shaft intersection by preventing a second elevator car from using the shaft intersection, as a second use, for the duration of the first use of the shaft intersection by the first elevator car.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising: determining an expected stop extent with respect to the shaft axis of the first elevator car, starting from a current position and in accordance with an expected braking distance of this first elevator car; comparing the determined stop extent and the intersection extent of the shaft intersection with respect to the shaft axis of this first elevator car; and detecting a first use if the comparison shows an expected overlap between the stop extent and the intersection extent.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the second use is prevented by triggering a stop signal for the second elevator car.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising: determining a current elevator car extent of the first elevator car with respect to the shaft axis of this first elevator car; comparing the determined current car extent and the intersection extent; and detecting a first use if the comparison shows an overlap between the elevator car extent and the intersection extent.

31. The method of claim 27, further comprising: actively controlling the second elevator car to prevent the second use of the shaft intersection by the second elevator car, if at least one of the following conditions are met: the second elevator car is located within a defined shaft intersection environment; the second elevator car is moving toward the shaft intersection; a movement of the second elevator car toward the shaft intersection is imminent during a planned operating sequence of the elevator system; a communication fault has been detected in relation to the second elevator car; a stop extent for the second elevator car overlaps with a defined shaft intersection environment.

Description

[0050] Further features, advantages and possible uses of the invention result from the following description in conjunction with the figures. The figures show:

[0051] FIG. 1 shows, in a schematic oblique view, the basic structure of an elevator system with a safety device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0052] FIG. 2 shows, in a schematic side view, the area I of the elevator system marked in FIG. 1 with a shaft intersection in a first operating case of the safety device, in which a stop signal for a vertical moved elevator car is triggered in accordance with a first exemplary method;

[0053] FIG. 3 shows the schematic side view from FIG. 2 in a second operating case of the safety device, in which a stop signal for a horizontally moved car is triggered in accordance with a second exemplary method; and

[0054] FIG. 4 shows, in a schematic side view analogous to FIG. 2, an elevator system according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention with a simpler designed shaft intersection, in a third operating case of the safety device, in which a stop signal for a vertically moved elevator car is triggered according to a third exemplary method.

[0055] FIG. 1 shows parts of an elevator system 10 according to the invention. The elevator system 10 comprises fixed first guide devices 6 embodied as guide rails, along which each of at least two, in particular at least essentially identical, elevator cars 1.1, 1.2 can be guided using backpack mounting. The first guide devices 6 are aligned vertically in a first shaft direction z and enable, for example, the elevator car 1.1 (illustrated as a representative of all the vertically moving elevator cars) to be moved between different floors. Arranged parallel to one another in two parallel first vehicle shafts 2, 2 are arrangements of such first guide devices 6, along which the elevator cars 1 can be guided using backpack mounting. Elevator cars in which one shaft 2 can move on the respective first guide devices 6, largely independently and unhindered by elevator cars 1 in the other shaft 2.

[0056] The elevator system 10 further comprises fixed second guide devices 7 which are embodied as guide rails, along which each of the elevator cars 1 (here, the elevator car 1.2 illustrated as representative of all the elevator cars) can be guided using backpack mounting. The second guide devices 7 are aligned horizontally in a second shaft direction y and enable the elevator cars 1 to be moved within one floor. The second guide devices 7 also connect the first guide devices 6 of the two shafts 2, 2 to one another. Thus, the second guide devices 7 also serve to transfer and relocate the elevator car 1 between the two shafts 2 and 2, in order, for example, to implement a modern paternoster operation.

[0057] In the exemplary embodiment, the second guide devices 7 run along a second elevator shaft 9 which intersects the two first elevator shafts 2 and 2 at a respective shaft intersection 4 and 4. In other exemplary embodiments in the sense of the invention, the shaft intersection can also be embodied in the form of a T junction.

[0058] At these shaft intersections 4 and 4, the elevator car 1 can be respectively transferred from the first guide devices 6 onto the second guide devices 7 and vice versa, in each case via third guide devices 8 embodied as guide rails. The third guide devices 8 are rotatable with respect to an axis of rotation A which is perpendicular to a y-z plane (and thus parallel to an x axis of the elevator system) which is spanned by the first and the second guide devices 6, 7.

[0059] All the guide rails 6, 7, 8 are at least indirectly attached to at least one shaft wall of a shaft 2 and/or a shaft 9. The shaft wall defines in particular a stationary reference system for the shaft. The term shaft wall also in particular alternatively includes a stationary frame structure of the shaft which carries the guide rails. The rotatable third guide rails 8 are fastened on a rotating platform which, together with at least the third guide devices, forms a shaft changing unit 3.

[0060] Such systems are basically described in WO 2015/144781 A1 and in the German patent applications 10 2016 211 997.4 and 10 2015 218 025.5. In this context, 10 2016 205 794.4 describes in detail an arrangement with an integrated platform pivot bearing and a drive unit for rotating the rotating platform 3, which arrangement can also be used, for example, as part of the present invention for mounting and as a rotary drive for the shaft changing unit 3.

[0061] In FIGS. 2 and 3, the section I of the elevator system 10 marked with a double-dotted chain line in FIG. 1 is in each case enlarged and shown with more details. While the elevator car 1.2 is shown in FIG. 1 on the left of the shaft intersection 4 due to better illustration, it is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 on the left of the shaft intersection 4 in order to better describe the exemplary embodiments of the invention. The shaft intersection 4 from FIG. 1 is designated by the reference number 4 in FIGS. 2 and 3, because in any case it stands for each shaft intersection 4 of the elevator system.

[0062] FIG. 2 shows detail I of the elevator system 10 in a first operating case, in which an elevator car 1.1 moves vertically downward and an elevator car 1.2 moves horizontally to the right toward the shaft intersection 4. The movement of these and possibly of other elevator cars 1 is monitored continuouslythat is, many times per secondby means of an exemplary safety device 100. At the time shown, the elevator car 1.1 is located at the position z1 in the elevator shaft 2 and moves toward the shaft intersection 4 at the speed v1. The elevator car 1.2 is located at the position y2 and is also moving toward the shaft intersection 4 at the speed v2.

[0063] In the exemplary embodiment, the safety device 100 monitors whether the shaft intersection 4 has to be blocked for certain elevator cars to prevent, in particular to avoid, collisions of elevator cars 1, for example because it is no longer possible to prevent another elevator car from entering the shaft intersection 4 at the recorded time. The exemplary method is shown below in respect of the monitoring of the elevator car 1.2.

[0064] Step i): The safety device 100 first determines the current position y2 and the current speed v2 of the elevator car 1.2 using suitable sensors (not illustrated) and/or by using an operating model 17. Using a braking distance status model in operating model 17, the safety device determines an expected stop position y2* of the elevator car 1.2 (see reference number 1.2*) by extracting information from an expected braking distance 40 at the determined speed v2 from the operating model 17. The stop extent 23* which is to be expected along the second shaft axis y is determined from the stop position y2*. The stop extent 23* of the elevator car 1.2 after it passes through the braking distance 40 and brakes completely to v2*=0 is presented in the illustration by the two black lozenges at both ends of the stop extent 23*.

[0065] Step ii): The determined stop extent 23* is compared by means of the safety device 100 with an intersection extent 27 with respect to the second shaft axis y. The intersection extent 27 is determined in particular from a maximum extent 28, 29 of the alignable components of the shaft changing unit 3 with respect to the second shaft axis y (in particular at most with respect to all the possible orientations along an alignment section ).

[0066] Step iii): If the comparison from step ii shows an expected overlap 14* between the stop extent 23* and the intersection extent 27, a first use is advantageously recognized in this way. For the duration of the first use, the safety device prevents a second use, that is to say in particular the entry of a further car 1.1 into the shaft intersection 4. In this exemplary embodiment, in order to prevent a second use the safety device 100 triggers a stop signal 101 for other elevator cars 1 that are currently moving towards the shaft intersection 4 within an intersection environment 32. In the operating case shown, there is such an overlap 14* between the stop extent 23* and the intersection extent 27. The consequently triggered stop signal 101 of the safety device 100 relates to the elevator car 1.1, because in the operating case shown it is currently the only other elevator car 1 arranged within the intersection environment 32 and is approaching the shaft intersection 4.

[0067] As can be seen from the illustration in FIG. 2, the stop signal 101 for the elevator car 1.1 was triggered in good time. After receiving the stop signal 101, the elevator car 1.1 can be braked sufficiently to come to a stop (v1=0)after passing through a braking distance 30 at a stop position z1*. At this stop position z1*, the stop extent 20* does not yet extend along the first shaft axis z to such an extent that it would overlap with the intersection extent 24 along the first shaft axis z. In this way, a risk of a collision between the two elevator cars 1.2 and 1.1 is excluded.

[0068] 3 shows an operating case in which, analogously to the operating case in FIG. 2, it is first determined whether there is an overlap 14* between the intersection extent 27 and the stop extent 23* of the elevator car 1.2 under desired and/or maximum braking conditions (corresponds to predetermined or minimal braking distance 40) can still be avoided at all. In contrast to the operating case in FIG. 2, it is determined in the present operating case that timely braking of the elevator car 1.2 is still possible. As can be seen (see reference numbers 1.2* and 23*) there is no overlap.

[0069] This leaves room for prioritization of entry into an intersection of the approaching elevator car 1.1 which is desired in the exemplary embodiment. In order to implement this prioritization, the procedural steps described below are carried out:

[0070] After it has been established that the elevator car 1.2 can still be braked in good time, the stop signal 101 is triggered immediately for this elevator car 1.2, so that the braking process is started without delay. In addition, the control device 16 triggers an alignment movement (cf. reference symbol ) of the shaft changing unit 3 about its axis of rotation A in order to align the third guide devices 8 in the direction of the first guide devices 6 (cf. reference symbols 3* and 8*).

[0071] This can be done relatively quickly, so that the elevator car 1.1 can enter the intersection 4 as desired and, for example (in particular for people to get in and out), can come to a stop at the intersection point of the two shaft axes z, y, as shown in FIG. 3 is (cf. reference numerals 1.1* and 20*).

[0072] The elevator car 1.1 can then also either continue to move up or down along the first shaft axis y in the first elevator shaft, or the shaft changing unit 3 is moved back in the opposite direction to the previous alignment, and the elevator car 1.1 continues its journey to the right along the second elevator shaft 9. In both cases, the intersection 4 can be released again for the other elevator car 1.2 by stopping the stop signal 101 as soon as the elevator car 1.1 has left the extent of the intersection (or by means of the safety device 100 it is ensured that a collision is not longer possible owing to the movement specifics of the two elevator cars).

[0073] FIG. 4 shows another, simpler elevator system 10, which differs from the elevator system 10 in FIGS. 1 to 3 in particular by having a simpler design at the shaft intersection 4. No shaft changing unit is installed there, so that no shaft change of an elevator car 1 can take place at this shaft intersection. Instead, the first guide devices 6 run in the vertical direction z and the second guide devices 7 in the horizontal direction y through the shaft intersection 4, so that both an uninterrupted passage and a stop of the elevator car with subsequent continuation of travel or return is possible.

[0074] At such a shaft intersection 4, the intersection extent 120 with respect to the first shaft axis z corresponds to the elevator car extent 20 of an elevator car 1 arranged along the second shaft axis y with respect to the first shaft axis z. The intersection extent 123 with respect to the second shaft axis y corresponds to the elevator car extent 23 of an elevator car 1 arranged along the first shaft axis z with respect to the second shaft axis y.

[0075] In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4, apart from the different design of the shaft intersection 4, the operating case from FIG. 2 is shown analogously, the intersection extent 120, 123 being made smaller in the embodiment in FIG. 4 owing to the absence of the shaft changing unit. A collision is possible only in an intersection area 31 which corresponds to a contour of the elevator cars 1 used in the elevator system 10.

[0076] Despite the smaller intersection extent 123, when a method analogous to that described in FIG. 2 is used, there is an overlap 14* with respect to the second shaft axis y with the stop extent 23* of the elevator car 1.2. Consequently, a stop signal 101 must be triggered for the elevator car 1.1.

[0077] The explanations for the figures are limited to methods based on the elevator car 1.2. However, the method according to one of the embodiments described above is also carried out analogously by means of the safety device 100 starting from other elevator cars, such as for example the elevator car 1.1, preferably in parallel and simultaneously for all the elevator cars 1 present in the elevator system 10.

LIST OF REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS

[0078] 1 Elevator car

[0079] 2 First elevator shaft (for example vertical)

[0080] 3 Shaft changing unit

[0081] 4 Shaft intersection

[0082] 6 First guide device (for example guide rail)

[0083] 7 Second guide device (for example guide rail)

[0084] 8 Third guide device (for example guide rail)

[0085] 9 Second elevator shaft (for example horizontally)

[0086] 10 Elevator system

[0087] 12 Shaft wall

[0088] 14 Overlap between elevator car extent and intersection extent

[0089] 16 unit

[0090] 17 Operating model

[0091] 18, 19 First elevator car dimensions

[0092] 20 Elevator car extent along the vertical shaft axis

[0093] 21, 22 Second elevator car dimensions

[0094] 23 Elevator car extent along the horizontal shaft axis

[0095] 24 First intersection extent

[0096] 27 Second intersection extent

[0097] 25, 26, 28, 29 Portions of the second intersection extent

[0098] 30 Braking distance of the elevator car

[0099] 31 Intersection area

[0100] 32 Intersection environment

[0101] 100 Safety device

[0102] 120, 123 First intersection extent, second intersection extent

[0103] Alignment distance

[0104] v Speed of an elevator car

[0105] x;A Depth axis of the elevator car; Axis of rotation of the third guide device

[0106] y Extent axis of a second elevator shaft

[0107] z Extent axis of a first elevator shaft

[0108] z1, y2 Position of an elevator car