METHOD FOR OPERATING A LIFT SYSTEM AND LIFT SYSTEM DESIGNED FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD

Abstract

A method of operating an elevator system, for example operated by linear motors, wherein the elevator system includes a shaft system including at least one vertical elevator shaft, and a multiplicity of elevator cars which respectively have a plurality of functional components for carrying out different functions. The method provides that in a special operating mode of the elevator system, a first elevator car is assigned at least one auxiliary device, the auxiliary device providing a replacement function for at least one function of one of the functional components of the first elevator car, the corresponding function of a functional component of the first elevator car being replaced with the replacement function provided by the auxiliary device, and the elevator system continuing to be operated by using the replacement function provided. The invention furthermore relates to an elevator system configured for carrying out such a method.

Claims

1.-21. (canceled)

22. A method of operating an elevator system, wherein the elevator system comprises a shaft system comprising at least one vertical elevator shaft, and a multiplicity of elevator cars which respectively have a plurality of functional components for carrying out different functions, the method comprising: assigning at least one auxiliary device, in a special operating mode of the elevator system, to a first elevator car of the multiplicity of elevator cars, providing, via the at least one auxiliary device, a replacement function for at least one function of one of the functional components of the first elevator car, replacing the corresponding at least one function of the functional component of the first elevator car with the replacement function provided by the at least one auxiliary device, and continuing to operate the elevator system by using the replacement function provided.

23. The method of claim 22, comprising determining, via a diagnostic unit, which function of the first elevator car should be replaced with the replacement function provided by the at least one auxiliary device.

24. The method of claim 22, comprising forming a protective region around the first elevator car, into which only the at least one auxiliary device can be brought, the at least one auxiliary device being brought to the first elevator car by monitoring the distance from the first elevator car.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the at least one auxiliary device has its own drive unit, by which the at least one auxiliary device assigned to the first elevator car is driven to the first elevator car through the shaft system.

26. The method as claimed in claim 25, comprising assigning at least one second elevator car of the multiplicity of elevator cars as an auxiliary device to the first elevator car.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein a first one of the at least one second elevator car is driven as a first auxiliary device to the first elevator car from a first side, and/or a second one of the at least one second elevator car is driven as a second auxiliary device to the first elevator car from a second side, which is opposite to the first side.

28. The method of claim 22, comprising establishing a mechanical connection between the first elevator car and the at least one auxiliary device, the mechanical connection configured to withstand forces occurring when driving the first elevator car.

29. The method of claim 22, wherein the multiplicity of elevator cars respectively have, as a functional component, a drive unit by means of which the multiplicity of elevator cars can respectively be driven independently in the shaft system, the replacement function provided by the at least one auxiliary device replacing the drive function of the drive unit of the first elevator car.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the multiplicity of elevator cars respectively have, as a functional component, a drive unit by means of which the multiplicity of elevator cars can respectively be driven independently in the shaft system, the replacement function provided by the at least one auxiliary device replacing the drive function of the drive unit of the first elevator car in that, by using the mechanical connection between the at least one auxiliary device and the first elevator car, the first elevator car is driven in the shaft system by driving the at least one auxiliary device.

31. The method of claim 22, comprising establishing an electrically conductive connection between the first elevator car and the at least one auxiliary device, an electricity supply for the first elevator car being provided by the electrically conductive connection produced.

32. The method of claim 32, wherein the multiplicity of elevator cars respectively have, as a functional component, an electricity supply by which the multiplicity of elevator cars are respectively supplied with the required electrical energy, the replacement function provided by the at least one auxiliary device replacing the function of the energy provision of the electricity supply of the first elevator car.

33. The method of claim 22, comprising establishing a communication connection for transmitting data between the first elevator car and the at least one auxiliary device.

34. The method of claim 33, comprising controlling functional components of the first elevator car by the communication connection, wherein the functional components are one or more of a brake, a door, a display, a loudspeaker, an illumination, an intercom, or a diagnostic device.

35. The method of claim 22, wherein the multiplicity of elevator cars respectively have, as a functional component, a communication interface for transmitting and/or receiving data, by means of which the multiplicity of elevator cars respectively transmit and/or receive data relating to the operation of the elevator system, the replacement function provided by the at least one auxiliary device replacing the function of transmitting and/or receiving data by means of the communication interface of the first elevator car.

36. The method of claim 22, wherein the multiplicity of elevator cars respectively have their own control unit, these control units together forming at least a part of the control system of the elevator system and controlling the driving of the multiplicity of elevator cars in the shaft system, the replacement function provided by the at least one auxiliary device replacing the function of the control by means of the control unit of the first elevator car.

37. The method of claim 22, comprising detecting a defect relating to the first elevator car and responsively changing a normal operating mode of the elevator system to the special operating mode.

38. The method of claim 22, comprising detecting defect relating to a first elevator car and responsively triggering a brake of the first elevator car, such that the first elevator car is braked by the triggering of the brake and held in a fixed position in the shaft system.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the at least one auxiliary device is mechanically connected to the first elevator car, comprising: releasing the brake of the first elevator car so that the weight of the first elevator car is received by the at least one auxiliary device, driving the first elevator car into a stopping position of the elevator system via at least one auxiliary device, and opening a door of the first elevator car in the stopping position.

40. The method of claim 22, comprising driving the first elevator car into a storage region located outside the driving paths of the elevator cars by using the replacement function provided by the at least one auxiliary device.

41. The method of claim 40, comprising bringing the elevator system from the special operating mode into a normal operating mode after the first elevator car is driven into the storage region.

42. An elevator system having a shaft system and having a multiplicity of elevator cars which can be driven inside the shaft system, wherein the elevator system is configured for carrying out the method of claim 22.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the elevator system is operated by linear motors.

Description

[0039] Other advantageous details, features and configuration details of the invention will be explained in more detail in connection with the exemplary embodiments represented in the figures, in which:

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a simplified schematic representation of one exemplary embodiment of an elevator system configured and operated according to the invention in a normal operating mode;

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a simplified schematic representation of one exemplary embodiment of an elevator system configured and operated according to the invention in a special operating mode;

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a simplified schematic representation of another exemplary embodiment of an elevator system configured and operated according to the invention in a special operating mode;

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a simplified schematic representation of a section of one exemplary embodiment of an elevator system configured according to the invention, to explain first method steps of one exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention;

[0044] FIG. 5 shows a simplified schematic representation of a section of one exemplary embodiment of an elevator system configured according to the invention, to explain further method steps of one exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention;

[0045] FIG. 6 shows a simplified schematic representation of a section of one exemplary embodiment of an elevator system configured according to the invention, to explain further method steps of one exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention; and

[0046] FIG. 7 shows a simplified schematic representation of a section of one exemplary embodiment of an elevator system configured according to the invention, to explain further method steps of one exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention.

[0047] FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 represent one exemplary embodiment of an elevator system 1 configured according to the invention. The dots arranged vertically one below the other in this case symbolically represent the fact that the elevator system 1 is actually configured to be significantly larger, in particular significantly higher, for example for use in high-rise buildings or skyscrapers.

[0048] The elevator system 1 respectively represented in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 comprises a shaft system 4 with a multiplicity of vertical elevator shafts 2 and horizontal elevator shafts 3. Furthermore, the elevator system 1 comprises a multiplicity of elevator cars 5, which can be driven inside the shaft system 4. In this case, provision is made in particular that the elevator 1 is an elevator system operated by means of linear motors. The elevator cars 5 are in this case advantageously driven by a traveling magnetic field along rails, to which end the elevator cars respectively have their own drive unit (not explicitly represented in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3). The elevator cars 5 of the elevator system 1 may in this case advantageously be driven individually in the vertical shafts 2 and the horizontal shafts 3 by using their respective drive unit. So that an elevator car 5 can change from a vertical shaft 2 to a horizontal shaft 3 or from a horizontal shaft 3 to a vertical shaft 2, corresponding exchanger units are advantageously provided (not explicitly represented in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3). In particular, such exchanger units may be rotatable rail sections, which by a rotation through 90 allow a direction change through 90 for an elevator car which is in the exchanger unit.

[0049] Besides the shafts 2, 3, in which the elevator cars 5 can be driven in order to convey persons between different floors, the elevator system 1 has depot regions 16, in which defective elevator cars 5 or elevator cars 5 not required because of a lower level of traffic can be parked. In FIG. 1, by way of example, four parked elevator cars 53 are represented in the depot regions 16.

[0050] In particular, the elevator system 1 may have a destination call controller. That is to say an elevator user on a calling floor enters the floor desired by him on a destination call terminal or by means of a mobile terminal, and by means of the control system of the elevator system 1 an elevator car 5 which conveys the elevator user from the calling floor to the selected target floor is determined. Advantageously, in this case, each elevator car 5 has its own control unit (not explicitly represented in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3). The control units of the elevator cars 5 in this case advantageously together form a decentral control system of the elevator system 1.

[0051] FIG. 1 shows the elevator system 1 in a normal operating mode. This means that the elevator cars 5 can be driven in the shaft system 4 in order to serve calls as intended. The elevator cars 5 may in this case, in particular, exchange data with one another. By this data exchange, advantageously, an optimal elevator car for conveying persons may be determined respectively with a view to various criteria, such as in particular waiting time of the elevator user until the elevator car arrives, waiting time of the elevator user until reaching the destination floor selected by him, energy requirement of the elevator system and/or occupancy of the elevator car provided. Advantageously, an elevator car 5, or its control unit, in this case always knows at least the current operating parameters of the directly neighboring elevator cars 5, such as in particular the current position of the neighboring elevator cars, the next stop of the neighboring elevator cars, the current speed with which the neighboring elevator cars are being driven, and/or the current acceleration with which the neighboring elevator cars are being accelerated while being driven. By taking into account the operating parameters of neighboring elevator cars, collisions between elevator cars are in this case advantageously prevented.

[0052] The elevator system 1 in this case changes, in particular, from the normal operating mode to a special operating mode when a fault or an error is detected in relation to one of the elevator cars 5 or in relation to a plurality of the elevator cars 5.

[0053] This case is represented by way of example in FIG. 2. There, a circle 20 symbolically represents that a fault has been detected in relation to a first elevator car 51. The elevator system 1 thereupon changes from the normal operating mode to the special operating mode.

[0054] In the special operating mode of the elevator system 1, the first elevator car 51 is assigned a first second elevator car 521 and a second second elevator car 522 as an auxiliary device. The first second elevator car 521 it is then driven from below to the first elevator car 51, which is symbolically represented in FIG. 2 by the arrow 21. Furthermore, the second second elevator car 522 is driven from above to the first elevator car 51, which is symbolically represented in FIG. 2 by the arrow 22.

[0055] If the first second elevator car 521 and the second second elevator car 522 have reached the first elevator car 51, a mechanical connection 13, an electrically conductive connection 14 and a communication connection 15 are respectively established between the first elevator car 51 and the first second elevator car 521 and between the first elevator car 51 and the second second elevator car 522, which is symbolically represented in FIG. 3 by the dashed ellipses.

[0056] In order to establish the mechanical connection 13, provision is made in particular that hook pairs engage in one another respectively (not explicitly represented in FIG. 3). In each case, the mechanical connection 13 are respectively configured in such a way that the mechanical connections 13 are suitable for holding the weight of the elevator cars 51, 521, 522 connected by them, in particular also when driving the elevator cars 51, 521, 522. The electrically conductive connection 14 and the communication connection 15 between the elevator cars 521, 522 functioning as an auxiliary device and the faulty elevator car 51 are advantageously established by means of a plug-in connection. Such a plug-in connection may, in particular, jointly be produced when establishing the mechanical connection 13. As a configuration variant, provision may also be made for the communication connection 15 to be established wirelessly. A prerequisite for this is that the elevator cars 5, 51, 521, 522 are respectively configured for wireless communication, for example by means of a WLAN connection.

[0057] By means of the connections 13, 14, 15 established between the auxiliary devices 521, 522 and the faulty elevator car 51, the auxiliary device 521 and the auxiliary device 522 provide the faulty elevator car 51 with a replacement function for the functions of the elevator car 51 which are affected by the fault. The replacement functions provided by the elevator cars 521 and 522 functioning as an auxiliary device then replace the corresponding functions of the faulty elevator car 51. The elevator system 1 then continues to be operated by using the replacement functions provided.

[0058] In particular, in the exemplary embodiment represented in FIG. 3, provision may be made that the elevator car 51 can no longer be driven because its drive unit (not explicitly represented in FIG. 3) is damaged. The drive function of the elevator car 51 is in this case replaced by the elevator cars 521, 522 functioning as an auxiliary device. This is done by means of the corresponding drive units of the elevator cars 521 and 522. If the elevator car 51 is empty, i.e. there are no persons in the elevator car 51, provision is made that it is driven into the depot region 161 by means of the elevator cars 521 and 522, which hold the elevator car 51 by means of the mechanical connection 13. The elevator car 51 may be parked there, and in particular also repaired. Further auxiliary devices 121 may furthermore be provided in the depot regions 16, 161, and in particular also in the horizontal shafts 3. These further auxiliary devices 121 may, in particular, be pulling or pushing mechanisms built into the shaft system 4. The further auxiliary devices 121 represented by way of example in FIG. 3 are in this case movable in the directions symbolized by the arrows 23, and configured in order to move an elevator car 5 in the horizontal direction.

[0059] A further exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4 to FIG. 7. Various method steps will in this case be further explained with the aid of FIG. 4 to FIG. 7.

[0060] FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 respectively show a section of an elevator system, such as is represented for example in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 in this case respectively show a section of a vertical shaft 2 which connects two stopping positions 171 and 172 on different floors to one another. The stopping positions 171 and 172 in this case respectively have shaft doors 18 (respectively denoted in FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 by dashed lines), through which persons can enter or exit an elevator car.

[0061] The elevator cars 51 of the elevator system, a section of which is represented in FIG. 4 to FIG. 7, respectively have, as functional components, a drive unit 6, a control unit 7, a diagnostic unit 8, a load measuring unit 9 and a communication interface 10, which are respectively represented only symbolically in FIG. 4 to FIG. 7.

[0062] By way of example, FIG. 4 represents a first elevator car 51, in which a fault has been detected in relation to the drive unit 6, which is symbolically represented in FIG. 4 by the circle 20. This fault has in this case been detected by the diagnostic unit 8 of the elevator car 51. In principle, it is also conceivable for the fault to be detected by a diagnostic unit of another elevator car (not represented in FIG. 4) during corresponding exchange of data with the elevator car 51. Because of the fault of the drive unit 6 of the elevator car 51, the elevator car 51 is at rest between the stopping position 171 and the further stopping position 172 of the elevator system.

[0063] The detection of the fault in the drive unit 6 leads to the elevator system then being operated in a special operating mode. The diagnostic unit 8 of the elevator car 51 in this case determines that the drive function 6 of the first elevator car 51 should be replaced by a replacement function provided by an auxiliary device.

[0064] Furthermore, the detection of the fault in the drive unit 6 leads to the elevator car 51 being braked by means of its brake (not explicitly represented in FIG. 4 to FIG. 7) and held in a fixed position in the shaft 2. This situation is represented in FIG. 4. The first elevator car 51 is then assigned an auxiliary device.

[0065] In FIG. 5, it is in this case represented that the elevator car 51 is assigned the auxiliary device 122. To this end, this auxiliary device 122 is driven to the elevator car 51, which is symbolically represented in FIG. 5 by the arrow 24. The auxiliary device 122 in this case has its own drive unit 61, by means of which the auxiliary device 122 can be driven in the shaft system of the elevator system. The auxiliary device 122 furthermore comprises a control unit 71, a diagnostic unit 81 and a load measuring unit 91 (in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, these units are respectively represented only symbolically). In particular, provision may be made that the auxiliary device 122 furthermore comprises further functions, or further units for carrying out further functions, in particular units for carrying out all the functions of an elevator car 51 of the elevator system.

[0066] In the exemplary embodiment represented in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, the auxiliary device 122 is configured as a kind of platform. The auxiliary device 122 in this case has means 19 for establishing a connection with the first elevator car 51. The means 19 of the auxiliary device 122 are in this case configured, in particular, to establish a mechanical connection, a communication connection and an electrically conductive connection between the auxiliary device 122 and the elevator car 51. Instead of the platform proposed here, however, a further elevator car of the elevator system may again be used as an auxiliary device.

[0067] FIG. 6 symbolically represents the way in which the auxiliary device 122 is driven to the first elevator car 51. The establishment of a mechanical connection 13, an electrically conductive connection 14 and a communication connection 15 between the auxiliary device 122 and the elevator car 51 is in this case symbolized symbolically by the ellipse represented in dashes. The mechanical connection 13 established between the auxiliary device 122 and the elevator car 51 is in this case suitable for carrying the weight of the elevator car 51, and in particular the weight of the elevator car 51 when it is loaded. By means of the electrically conductive connection 14, the elevator car 51 is provided with an electricity supply, so that functions of the elevator car 51 which are still functional, for example the cabin light, can continue to be operated. This advantageously prevents persons still in the elevator car from becoming panicked by a prolonged failure of the cabin light.

[0068] By means of the communication connection 15 established between the auxiliary device 122 and the elevator car 51, in particular data, such as in particular control commands, can be transmitted between the auxiliary device 122 and the elevator car 51.

[0069] In the exemplary embodiment represented in FIG. 6, provision is made for the diagnostic unit 81 of the auxiliary device 122 to determine that both the function of the drive unit 6 and the function of the controller 7 as well as the function of the diagnostic unit 8 and the function of the load measuring unit 9 of the elevator car 51 should be deactivated. In FIG. 6, therefore, the elevator car 51 is represented with a deactivated drive unit 62, with a fully or partially deactivated controller 72, with a fully or partially deactivated diagnostic unit 82 and with a deactivated load measuring unit 92. These functions carried out by these units are then replaced with corresponding replacement functions by the auxiliary device 122.

[0070] After the aforementioned functions of the elevator car has been fully or partially deactivated, the control unit 71 of the auxiliary device 122 transmits a command to the elevator car 51 to release the brake (not explicitly represented in FIG. 6) of the elevator car 51. The brake of the elevator car 51 then opens, so that the entire weight of the elevator car 51 is carried by the auxiliary device 122 by means of the mechanical connection 13 established. A position change of the elevator car 51 does not take place in this case. The auxiliary device 122, which is carrying the elevator car 51, is then driven downward to the next stopping position 171, which is symbolically represented in FIG. 6 by the arrow 24. The control unit 71 of the auxiliary device 122 in this case communicates with the other elevator cars (not represented in FIG. 6) of the elevator system, and in particular communicates the current position of the auxiliary device 122 and of the elevator car 51, so that in particular collisions between the auxiliary device 122 and other elevator cars of the elevator system, or between the elevator car 51 and other elevator cars of the elevator system, are prevented.

[0071] If the auxiliary device 122 has been driven in the elevator shaft 2 by using its drive unit 61, which is controlled by means of the control unit 71 of the auxiliary device 122, in such a way that the first elevator car 51 is in the stopping position 171, the control unit 71 transmits a control command to the brake of the elevator car 51, so that the brake is triggered and the elevator car 51 is held in the stopping position 171 by the brake. The control unit 71 then transmits a control command to the door (not explicitly represented in FIG. 7) of the elevator car 51, so that the door of the elevator car 51 opens together with the shaft door 18.

[0072] FIG. 7 in this case represents the fact, by way of example, that the shaft do or 181 together with the elevator car door is open. The arrow 25 in this case represents the fact that it has been made possible for persons in the elevator car 51 to exit from the elevator car 51 into the floor assigned to the stopping position 171. In particular, provision may be made that the control unit 71 of the auxiliary device 122 in this case controls a display (not explicitly represented in FIG. 7) in the elevator car 51 in such a way that a message appears on the display that persons in the elevator car 51 must exit and the elevator car 51 is not to be used for further travel. Furthermore, a loudspeaker (not explicitly represented in FIG. 7) of the elevator cabin 51 is advantageously controlled by means of the control unit 71 of the auxiliary device 122, in such a way that attention is brought to the fact that this elevator car 51 is not to be entered by persons and is not ready to convey persons.

[0073] The load measuring unit 91 of the auxiliary device 122, which is configured to determine the load of the elevator car 51 by means of the mechanical connection 13 between the auxiliary device 122 and the elevator car 51, in particular to determine whether there are still persons in the elevator car 51, in this case measures the load of the elevator car 51. If the load measuring device 91 establishes that the elevator car 51 is empty, i.e. there are no longer any persons in the elevator car 51, the control unit 71 of the auxiliary device 122 transmits a further control command to the door of the elevator car 51, whereupon the door of the elevator car 51 is closed again.

[0074] The control unit 71 then transmits a further control command to the elevator car 51, the effect of which is that the brake of the elevator car 51 is released. The elevator car 51 is then driven by means of the auxiliary device 122 into a depot region, such as for example represented in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. In the depot region, the elevator car 51 is parked. Advantageously, by using the diagnostic unit 81 of the auxiliary device 122, a diagnosis relating to the defect of the drive unit 6 of the elevator car 51 is already made. This fault diagnosis may be displayed on the display unit of the elevator car for subsequent repair. Furthermore, the diagnosis may be transmitted by means of a transmitter unit of the auxiliary device 122 to a central service facility, which is responsible for maintenance of the elevator system.

[0075] Until the drive unit 6 affected by the fault is repaired, or replaced, and the elevator car 51 can therefore be used again to convey persons, the elevator car 51 advantageously remains parked in the depot region. The auxiliary device 122, on the other hand, is already ready for use again directly after parking of the elevator car 51, and if need be may be assigned to other another elevator car.

[0076] The exemplary embodiments represented in the figures and explained in connection therewith serve to explain the invention and are not restrictive therefor. In particular, components of the elevator system are represented not true to detail and not true to scale, but merely schematically or symbolically to explain the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0077] 1 elevator system [0078] 2 vertical elevator shaft [0079] 3 horizontal elevator shaft [0080] 4 shaft system [0081] 5 elevator car [0082] 51 first elevator car [0083] 521 first second elevator car [0084] 522 second second elevator car [0085] 53 parked elevator car [0086] 6 drive unit [0087] 61 drive unit (auxiliary device) [0088] 62 deactivated drive unit [0089] 7 control unit [0090] 71 control unit (auxiliary device) [0091] 72 deactivated control unit [0092] 8 diagnostic unit [0093] 81 diagnostic unit (auxiliary device) [0094] 82 deactivated diagnostic unit [0095] 9 load measuring unit [0096] 91 load measuring unit (auxiliary device) [0097] 92 deactivated load measuring unit [0098] 10 communication interface [0099] 11 electricity supply [0100] 121 auxiliary device (first variant) [0101] 122 auxiliary device (second variant) [0102] 13 mechanical connection [0103] 14 communication connection [0104] 15 electrically conductive connection [0105] 16 depot [0106] 161 depot into which the first elevator car (51) is driven [0107] 171 stopping position (floor x) [0108] 172 stopping position (floor y) [0109] 18 shaft door [0110] 181 opened shaft door [0111] 19 means for establishing a connection (mechanical connection, communication connection, electrically conductive connection) [0112] 20 detection of a defect [0113] 21 driving of the first second elevator car (521) [0114] 22 driving of the second second elevator car (522) [0115] 23 driving of an auxiliary device (first variant, 121) [0116] 24 driving of an auxiliary device (second variant, 122) [0117] 25 persons exit