SYNCHRONISATION OF DOOR MOVEMENTS IN A LIFT SYSTEM

Abstract

A method can be used to position a car door and a landing-stop door in a synchronized manner at a landing stop in an elevator shaft of an elevator system. The car door may be configured as a guide door, and the landing-stop door may be configured as a follower door. The method may involve bringing an elevator car close to the landing stop, upon entry of the car door into an unlock zone sensing a presence signal of the follower door by way of a presence sensor of the guide door, actuating the guide-door drive by way of the guide controller and executing an opening movement of the guide door, providing movement information of the guide door, and actuating the follower-door drive of the follower door.

Claims

1.-12. (canceled)

13. An elevator system comprising: an elevator car with a car door for traveling in an elevator shaft; and at least two landing stops that are spaced apart from one another for loading and unloading the elevator car, each of the at least two landing stops including a landing-stop door, wherein either the car door is configured as a guide door and each landing-stop door is configured as a follower door or the car door is configured as a follower door and each landing-stop door is configured as a guide door, wherein the guide door comprises a guide door drive including a guide controller that is configured to move the guide door at the at least two landing stops, a presence sensor for sensing a presence signal of the follower door within an unlock zone with respect to a relative position between the guide door and the follower door, wherein where a presence of the follower door is sensed in the unlock zone the guide controller is configured to actuate a movement of the guide door, and a guide drive coupling configured in a case where a landing-stop entry is identified to provide the follower door with movement information regarding a movement of the guide door, wherein the follower door comprises a follower-door drive including a follower controller that is configured to move the follower door at the at least two landing stops, a presence signaling device for providing the presence signal to the presence sensor of the guide door within the unlock zone regarding the relative position between the guide door and the follower door, and a follower drive coupling that is configured to sense movement information of the guide door and to transmit the sensed movement information to the follower-door drive, wherein the elevator system is configured to at least one of open or close the car door and the landing-stop door in a synchronized manner within the unlock zone.

14. The elevator system of claim 13 wherein the unlock zone extends along a relative overlap of the follower door and the guide door of at least 90% along a travel axis of the elevator car.

15. The elevator system of claim 13 wherein the shaft is a first shaft, the elevator system comprising the first shaft and a second shaft, wherein the first and second shafts intersect one another obliquely or orthogonally, wherein the unlock zone is configured for all directions of travel of the elevator car.

16. The elevator system of claim 13 wherein presence identification and the follower drive coupling and the guide drive coupling are realized jointly for each of the guide door and the follower door.

17. The elevator system of claim 13 wherein the guide drive coupling includes a transmitter for providing the movement information to the follower door.

18. The elevator system of claim 13 wherein the guide drive coupling includes a reference-point signaling device for providing the movement information to the follower door.

19. The elevator system of claim 13 wherein the presence sensor includes at least one of: an optical sensor for reading a code band; an active RFID element for sensing a passive RFID element; an electromagnetic coil for sensing a metal plate; a Hall sensor for sensing a magnetized iron plate; a laser interferometer for identifying a laser reflector; or an ultrasonic source/sensor for identifying an ultrasonic reflector.

20. The elevator system of claim 13 wherein the follower drive coupling includes a receiver for sensing movement information of the guide door.

21. The elevator system of claim 20 wherein the receiver is configured to receive as movement information control commands from a transmitter of the guide door and/or position signals from a reference point signaling device of the guide door.

22. The elevator system of claim 13 wherein the presence signaling device includes at least one of: a code band; a passive RFID element; a metal plate; a magnetized iron plate; a laser reflector; or an ultrasonic reflector.

23. A method for positioning a car door and a landing-stop door in a synchronized manner at a landing stop in an elevator shaft of an elevator system, wherein the car door is configured as a guide door and the landing-stop door is configured as a follower door, the method comprising: bringing an elevator car close to the landing stop; upon entry of the car door into an unlock zone, sensing a presence signal of the follower door by way of a presence sensor of the guide door; actuating the guide-door drive by way of a guide controller and executing an opening movement of the guide door; providing movement information of the guide door; sensing the movement information by the follower door; and actuating a follower-door drive of the follower door based on the sensed movement information of the guide door.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the follower door travels at least substantially simultaneously with the guide door along a positioning profile corresponding to an opening positioning profile of the guide door.

Description

[0040] Further features, advantages and possible applications of the invention are given by the following description in combination with the figures. There are shown, in schematic representation,

[0041] FIG. 1 a portion of an elevator shaft of an elevator system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, comprising a landing stop and an elevator car present at the landing stop, the elevator car having two guide doors according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, and the landing stop having two follower doors according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in a schematic side view and a top view along the section line A-A;

[0042] FIG. 2a-c the elevator system from FIG. 1 at differing time points during approaching of the landing stop by the elevator car, in each case in a side view and a top view along an indicated section line (in FIG. 2a along the section line I-I, in FIG. 2b along the section line II-II, and in FIG. 2c along the section line III-III) as in FIG. 1;

[0043] FIG. 3 a portion of an elevator system according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, comprising at least two horizontal and two vertical elevator shafts, and at least two elevator cars, in a sectional side view; and

[0044] FIG. 4 an elevator system according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, which differs from the elevator system according to FIG. 1, in particular in the use of guide doors and follower doors, in each case according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, a portion corresponding to FIG. 1 being shown in a sectional side view, a top view along the section line D-D, and a front view along the section line IV-IV.

[0045] Represented in FIG. 1 is a portion of an elevator system 1 comprising at least one elevator shaft 2. Indicated in the sectional side view is a section line A-A, along which a schematic representation is shown as a sectional top view A-A.

[0046] Arranged in the elevator shaft 2 there is at least one elevator car 4 for travelling in both directions z along the longitudinal axis Z of the elevator shaft 2. The elevator shaft 2 has a rear shaft wall 3, on which the car 4 is mounted and where a rotor, fixed to the car, and a stator, fixed to the shaft, realize a linear motor 5 for moving the elevator car 4. The elevator shaft 2 also has a front shaft wall 7, arranged in which there is a landing stop 8 for loading and unloading the elevator car 4.

[0047] The elevator car 4 has two car doors, each of the car doors being realized as a guide door 6.1 and 6.2 for a corresponding follower door 10 arranged at a landing stop 8. Each of the car doors 6 has its own guide-door drive 12, having its own guide controller 14.

[0048] In the represented portion of the elevator shaft 2, also arranged on a shaft wall is the landing stop 8 for loading and unloading the elevator car 4 when the latter comes to stop at the landing stop 8. The landing stop 8 has two landing-stop doors, each of the landing-stop doors being realized as a follower door 10 (10.1 and 10.2) for a corresponding guide door 6 arranged on an elevator car 4. Each of the landing-stop doors 10 has its own follower-door drive 16, having its own follower controller 18.

[0049] In the exemplary embodiment, the arrangement of two car doors 6 on the elevator car 4 and two landing-stop doors 10 at the landing stop 8 is effected in such a manner that the movements of a left-side car door 6.2 and a left-side landing-stop door 10.2 are to be synchronized with each other, and the movements of a right-side car door 6.1 and of a right-side landing-stop door 10.1 are to be synchronized with each other. Preferably, it is provided that the left-side doors open to the left, and the right-side doors open to the right. Owing to the symmetrical design of the two door combinations, statements about one combination of a guide door 6 with a follower door 10 also apply analogously to the other combination.

[0050] Each of the car doors realized as a guide door 6 comprises, besides the guide-door drive 12 and the guide controller 14, a presence sensor 20 for sensing a presence signal of the corresponding landing-stop door (which is realized as a follower door 10). In the exemplary embodiment, the presence sensor 20 is realized as an optical distance meter, for example comprising a laser interferometer.

[0051] Each of the guide doors 6 additionally has a guide drive coupling 22 that can provide the follower door 10 with movement information regarding a movement (see double-line arrows) of the guide door 6. In the exemplary embodiment, the guide drive coupling 22 can send the movement information to a receiver 26 of the follower door 10 by means of an active transmitter 24. In the present case, the transmitter 24 is equipped, for example, with a suitable inductive data transmission means.

[0052] The guide controller 14, in addition to the connection to the guide-door drive 12, is connected, by means of appropriate lines 28.1 (or possibly also wirelessly), to the presence sensor 20, to the guide drive coupling 22 and/or to the active transmitter 24 of the guide drive coupling 22.

[0053] Each of the landing-stop doors 10 realized as a follower door comprises, besides the follower-door drive 16 and the follower controller 18, a presence signaling device 30 for providing a presence signal to the corresponding car door (which is realized as a guide door 6). In the exemplary embodiment, the presence signaling device 30 is realized as a laser-reflecting surface in a defined distance band from the presence sensor 20. The presence signaling device 30 extends along the entire unlock zone 32, such that, in principle, an unlock blocking of the guide-door drive 12 can be interrupted as soon as a safe overlap between guide doors 6 and follower doors 10 is attained upon entry to a landing stop.

[0054] Each of the follower doors 10 additionally has a follower drive coupling 19 that can acquire movement information from the guide door 6 and transmit the acquired movement information to the follower-door drive 16. In the exemplary embodiment, the movement information may be acquired by means of a receiver 26 of the follower drive coupling 19, which can inductively read signals of a transmitter 24 of the guide door 6.

[0055] The follower controller 18, in addition to the connection to the follower-door drive 16, is connected, by means of appropriate lines 28.2 (or possibly also wirelessly), to the follower drive coupling 19, to the receiver 26 of the follower drive coupling 19 and/or to the presence signaling device 30.

[0056] The exemplary elevator system 1, having guide doors 6 and follower doors 10, in each case according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, can be used to execute a method (method is used here in the sense of process) for the synchronized positioning (positioning is used here in the sense of moving), in particular opening and/or closing, of a car door 6 of an elevator car 4 and of a landing-stop door 10 at a landing stop 8. The functioning of the invention is explained below in greater detail on the basis of this exemplary method, the car doors each being realized as guide doors 6.1 and 6.2, and the landing-stop doors each being realized as follower doors 10.1 and 10.2.

[0057] In FIG. 1, the elevator car 4 has already come to a stop at the landing stop 8. The opening contour of the two car doors 6 and the opening contour of the two landing-stop doors 10 are thus at least substantially congruent with each other at the landing stop 8.

[0058] Before the car 4 and the landing stop 8 reached this congruent position in relation to each other, the elevator car 4 had approached the landing stop 8, as is represented, for example, in FIG. 2a.

[0059] During the entry of the car door 6 into the unlock zone 32, each of the car doors 6, as a guide door, had sensed the presence signal of the (relatively) approaching, corresponding landing-stop door 10, as a follower door, by means of its presence sensor 20. Such a position of the elevator car and landing stop in relation to each other is shown in FIG. 2b, for example. In dependence on this, and if necessary in combination with other movement information, the guide controller 14 had identified a landing stop entry.

[0060] Then, after the opening contours of the two guide doors 6, on the one hand, and of the two follower doors 10, on the other hand, have been identified as being substantially congruent, the guide controller 14 interrupts the unlock blocking of the guide-door drive 12 and actuates an opening of the guide door 6.1 assigned to it (cf. double-line arrows on the car side in the sectional representation A-A). The same applies to the other guide door 6.2. Accordingly, both guide doors 6.1 and 6.2 open according to the opening positioning profile actuated by means of the guide controller 14.

[0061] At the same time, each of the guide controllers 141, by means of its guide drive coupling 22 and an associated, preferably inductive, transmitter 24, actively provides movement information to the corresponding follower door 10, for example in the form of control commands. The corresponding follower door 10 can acquire the provided movement information by means of a, preferably inductive, receiver 26 of its follower drive coupling 19.

[0062] At least essentially in real time, the follower-door drive 16 of the corresponding follower door 10 is then actuated in dependence on the acquired movement information of the guide door 6. An opening of the follower door 10 that is synchronized with the guide door 6 can thus be achieved (cf. double-line arrows on the landing-stop side in the sectional representation A-A).

[0063] The double-line arrows in the section A-A are intended to indicate the synchronized opening of all participating doors 6.1, 6.2, 10.1 and 10.2 at the landing stop 8. In the case of a subsequent closing of the doors 6 and 10, the relevant method steps can be executed analogously.

[0064] FIG. 2 shows, in particular, the possibility of realizing a function for the elevator system 1 from FIG. 1 in which the door opening can already start as soon as the car doors 6 arrive within the unlock zone that is common with the landing-stop doors (also called entry with opening doors), during the final phase of the entry of the elevator car 4 into the landing stop.

[0065] FIG. 2a in this case shows the elevator car 4 outside the unlock zone 32, which is to be illustrated by the broken line 33a at the level of the presence sensor 20. FIG. 2b shows the elevator car inside the unlock zone 32 (see also broken line 33b), but not yet arrived at the landing stop 8. FIG. 2c shows the car doors 6 and the landing-stop doors 10 completely overlapping at the landing stop 8, with the elevator car 4 arrived at the landing stop. Accordingly, the broken line 33c has arrived exactly in the middle of the unlock zone 32. A typical synchronized door opening, at the respective time point of the representation, is shown on the basis of sectional representations along the respectively indicated section lines I-I, II-II and III-III (cf. also double-line arrows in the sectional representation).

[0066] In order in this sense to implement the function of entry with opening doors, the unlock zone 32 is realized such that, already in the final phase of the approach of the elevator car 4 toward the landing stop, the unlock blocking is interrupted and the door can be opened. For this purpose, the presence signaling device 30 of the follower door 10 (see FIG. 1) is sufficiently large in each case, as in the example shown, in the present case, for example, 25 cm or 50 cm in each of the two directions of movement z along the longitudinal axis Z of the elevator shaft 2.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment that is not represented, the sensor/signaling device pair 20 and 30 for presence identification may be realized, for example, by means of passive and active RFID elements instead of by means of laser interferometry, and the size of the unlock zone 30 (for example also in respect of a plurality of movement axes Z and Y in a plurality of elevator shafts) can then be determined from the strength of the read-out field of the active RFID element.

[0068] In the exemplary embodiment represented, the doors 6, 10, for example, may already be open to a fifth or a quarter of their full intended opening when the car arrives at its stopping position at landing stop 8. An opening that is still relatively small is shown in the section II-II of FIG. 2b, shortly before the landing stop is reached; the position of the open doors is shown in the section III-Ill of FIG. 2c.

[0069] The synchronization of the guide doors 6 with the respective follower door 10 is effected as described in relation to FIG. 1.

[0070] FIG. 3 shows how, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it can be used even more advantageously in an elevator system 100 of the new type described at the beginning, having a plurality of mutually intersecting elevator shafts 2.1 to 2.4. This is because mechanically coupling the guide doors and the follower doors to each other becomes very difficult when landing-stop entries are intended along more than one axis Z and Y. In the exemplary embodiment shown, mutually intersecting vertical 2.1, 2.2 and horizontal 2.3, 2.4 elevator shafts are provided, the elevator cars 4.1 and 4.2 being able to move both horizontally and vertically. If the guide doors 6 on the elevator car 4 were now mechanically coupled to the follower doors 10 at the landing stops 8a to 8d, a very complex construction of a cam and cam receiver would be necessary.

[0071] In the case of horizontal movement y of the elevator cars 4, in particular, the cam would also have to enter the cam receiver along the same axis Y along which the opening of the doors would then be effected (cf. double-line horizontal arrow in the case of elevator car 4.2). Owing to use of presence identification (comprising presence sensor 20 and presence signaling device 30) and a drive coupling (comprising guide drive coupling 22 and follower drive coupling 19) as described in relation to FIG. 1, the need for a complex mechanical coupling is completely eliminated. Even the coincidence of the movement axis Y of the elevator car and the opening axis Y of the doors 6, 10 in the case of horizontal movement y of the elevator car 4.2 can be realized without additional problemssuch as occur in the case of a two-axis mechanical couplingwith the method steps described in relation to FIG. 1.

[0072] All that is required for this is a sensor/signaling device pair 20 and 30 for presence identification, which renders possible an appropriately predetermined unlock zone 32 in respect of both movement axes Z and Y. FIG. 3 shows the vertical unlock zone 32a as an example for landing stop 8a, the horizontal unlock zone 32d as an example for landing stop 8d. For the technical implementation of presence identification, the technologies described in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2 may be used, for example.

[0073] FIG. 4 shows an elevator system 200 according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, in which the sensors and the signaling devices of the presence identification 220, 230, on the one hand, and the transmitters 224 and receivers 226 of the drive coupling 19, 22, on the other hand, are each arranged on the respective door, in particular on the respective door leaf, the guide door 6 and the corresponding follower door 10. FIG. 4 shows the elevator system 200 in a sectional side view, a sectional top view D-D, and in a sectional front view IV-IV.

[0074] For presence identification, the guide door 6 is equipped, for example, with an ultrasonic interferometer, which has an ultrasonic source and an ultrasonic sensor, and can thus identify on the follower door an ultrasonic reflector that delimits an unlock zone 32 in respect of all the provided directions of movement z and y.

[0075] For the purpose of drive coupling, the guide door 6 has a reference-point signaling device 224, for example in the form of a magnet, which serves as a signal source for providing the movement information of the guide door 6, and the position and direction of movement of which can be sensed by a receiver 226 of the follower drive coupling, which for this purpose preferably has a Hall sensor or other suitable magnetic detector.

[0076] This enables passive provision of the movement information by the guide door 6, such that, on the basis of the sensed movement of the reference-point signaling device 224 of the guide door 6, the follower-door drive is enabled, by means of the follower controller, to copy the movement of the guide door 6 for the corresponding follower door 10, at least substantially in real time.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0077] 1, 100, 200 elevator system [0078] 2 elevator shaft [0079] 3 rear shaft wall [0080] 4 elevator cars [0081] 5 linear motors [0082] 6 guide doors [0083] 7 front shaft wall [0084] 8 landing stop [0085] 10 follower door [0086] 12 guide-door drive [0087] 14 guide controller [0088] 16 follower-door drive [0089] 18 follower controller [0090] 19 follower drive coupling [0091] 20, 220 presence sensor [0092] 22 guide drive coupling [0093] 24 transmitter [0094] 26, 226 receiver [0095] 30, 230 presence signaling device [0096] 32 unlock zone [0097] 33 line at level of presence sensor [0098] 224 reference-point signaling device [0099] X perpendicular to opening plane of the doors [0100] Y horizontal parallel to opening plane of the doors [0101] Z vertical direction