ELEVATOR SYSTEM

Abstract

An elevator system, including at least one first guide rail, which is oriented in a first, in particular vertical, direction, at least one second guide rail, which is oriented in a second, in particular horizontal, direction, a plurality of rotatable rail segments, wherein at least one thereof is transferable between an orientation in the first direction and an orientation in the second direction, at least one elevator cab, which is transportable along the guide rails and which, via the rotatable rail segments, is transferable between the different guide rails, at least one third guide rail, which is oriented in a third, in particular horizontal, direction, and wherein at least one of the rotatable rail segments is transferable between an orientation in the first or second direction into an orientation in the third direction.

Claims

1.-11. (canceled)

12. An elevator system, comprising: a first guide rail oriented in a first direction, a second guide rail oriented in a second direction, a plurality of rotatable rail segments, wherein at least one of the plurality of rotatable rail segments is configured to transfer between an orientation in the first direction and an orientation in the second direction, an elevator cab configured to move along the guide rails and which, via the plurality of rotatable rail segments, is configured to transfer between the first and second guide rails, and a third guide rail oriented in a third direction, wherein at least one of the plurality of rotatable rail segments is configured to transfer between an orientation in the first or second direction into an orientation in the third direction.

13. The elevator system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the three directions do not stand parallel to one another.

14. The elevator system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the three directions are oriented orthogonally to one another.

15. The elevator system of claim 12, wherein one of the plurality of rotatable rail segments is a multidimensionally rotatable rail segment, which is configured to transfer between an orientation in the first direction, an orientation in the second direction and an orientation in the third direction.

16. The elevator system of claim 15, wherein the multidimensionally rotatable rail segment is formed by an arrangement of one of the plurality of rotatable rail segments within another of the plurality of rotatable rail segments.

17. The elevator system of claim 15, wherein the multidimensionally rotatable rail segment is formed by an arrangement of a first rotatable rail segment within a second rotatable rail segment or an arrangement of the second rotatable rail segment within the first rotatable rail segment.

18. The elevator system of claim 17, wherein the first rotatable rail segment is rotatable about a first rotational axis, which stands perpendicular to a plane which is spanned by the first and the second guide rail.

19. The elevator system of claim 18, wherein the second rotatable rail segment is rotatable about a second rotational axis, which stands perpendicular to a plane which is spanned by the second and the third guide rail.

20. The elevator system of claim 17, wherein at least one of the plurality of rotatable rail segments is assigned at least one stator unit of a linear motor, wherein the stator unit is pivotable with the at least one of the plurality of rotatable rail segments.

21. The elevator system of claim 20, wherein the at least one of the plurality of rotatable rail segments is the second rotatable rail segment.

22. The elevator system of claim 17, wherein at least one of the rotatable rail segments is assigned at least one stator unit of a linear motor, wherein the stator unit is not pivotable with the at least one of the plurality of rotatable rail segments.

23. The elevator system of claim 22, wherein the at least one of the rotatable rail segments is the second rotatable rail segment.

24. The elevator system of claim 22, wherein the stator unit is mounted in a rotationally secure manner in the elevator shaft of the elevator system.

25. The elevator system of claim 12, wherein the first direction is vertical, the second direction is horizontal, and the third direction is horizontal.

26. The elevator system of claim 12, wherein the elevator cab is guided on the guide rails via a backpack mounting.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0017] The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to the figures, wherein, in each case schematically:

[0018] FIG. 1 shows in partial representation an elevator system according to the invention in different operating states;

[0019] FIG. 2 shows in partial representation a further elevator system according to the invention in different operating states;

[0020] FIG. 3 shows in partial representation a further elevator system according to the invention in different operating states;

[0021] FIG. 4 shows parts of a rotatable rail segment of an elevator system according to the invention in a first variant;

[0022] FIG. 5 shows parts of a rotatable rail segment of an elevator system according to the invention in a second variant.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0023] FIG. 1 shows parts of an elevator system 1 according to the invention in different operating states. The elevator system 1 comprises a first guide rail 10, along which an elevator cab 2 is guided with the aid of a backpack mounting. The first guide rail 10 is oriented vertically in the z-direction and enables the elevator cab 2 to be transportable between different floors.

[0024] The elevator system 1 comprises a second guide rail 20, along which the elevator cab 2 is guided with the aid of the backpack mounting. The second guide rail 20 is oriented horizontally in the y-direction and enables the elevator cab 2 to be transportable within one floor, in particular also for transferal from one vertical guide rail 10 to another vertical guide rail (not shown) in order to conduct a modern paternoster operation.

[0025] Via a first rotatable rail segment 12, the elevator cab 2 is transferable from the first guide rail 10 to the second guide rail 20. The first rotatable rail segment 12 is rotatable with respect to a first rotational axis 15, which lies perpendicular to a y-z plane spanned by the first and the second guide rail 10, 20.

[0026] The elevator system further comprises a third guide rail 30, along which the elevator cab 2 is guided in a backpack mounting. The third guide rail 30 is likewise oriented horizontally, but in a third direction x, and enables the elevator cab 2 to be transportable within one floor, but transversely to the other horizontal direction y.

[0027] Via a second rotatable rail segment 23, the elevator cab 2 is transferable from the second guide rail 20 to the third guide rail 30. The second rotatable rail segment 23 is rotatable with respect to a second rotational axis 25, which lies perpendicular to a y-x plane spanned by the second and the third guide rail 20, 30.

[0028] The provision of the third guide rail 30 can be utilized in a variety of ways. Thus the third guide rail 30 can lead into a parking area, in which the elevator cab 2 can be parked (including for maintenance purposes). The third guide rail 30 can serve to establish a connection between two vertical elevator shafts, the guide rails of which are not disposed in a common y-z plane. Remote regions within a building are thereby able to be interlinked in a variety of ways by means of a single elevator system 1. Spatially very complex travel movements of a single elevator cab are thereby able to be produced.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a refinement of the elevator system according to FIG. 1; below. Only the essential differences from the elevator system according to FIG. 1 are described.

[0030] In the region of the second rotatable rail segment 23, a further first vertical guide rail 10 is additionally provided. In addition, within the second rotatable rail segment 23 is integrated a first rotatable rail segment 12. As a result, a multidirectionally rotatable rail segment 123, which interconnects all three guide rails 10, 20, 30 at a junction, is formed. On the multidirectionally rotatable rail segment 123, the elevator cab 2 can now selectively be transferred from the first guide rail 10 to the second guide rail 20, from the first guide rail 10 to the third guide rail 30, or from the second guide rail 20 to the third guide rail 30. This multidirectionally rotatable rail segment 123 consequently comprises two rotatable rail segments 12, 23.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows a refinement of the elevator system according to FIG. 1; below, only the essential differences from the elevator system according to FIG. 1 are described.

[0032] The second rotatable rail segment 23 is configured such that an intersection between the second and the third rail segment 20, 30 is formed, i.e. a cab 2 can pass through the rotatable rail segment 23 both in the second, in particular horizontal, direction y and in the third, in particular horizontal, direction x, respectively assuming the correct rotary position of the second rotatable rail segment 23.

[0033] In FIGS. 1 to 3, the rails or rail segments have been shown in simplified representation. Not shown is that the cars are there driven by a linear drive comprising stator units. The stator units are fixedly installed in the elevator shaft; at least one rotor unit is firmly attached to the respective car.

[0034] In FIGS. 4 and 5, such stator units 3 of the linear drive are now shown in simplified representation. In order to drive the car, the stator units 3 are arranged distributed over the totality of the rails.

[0035] FIG. 4 here shows a first variant of a rotatable rail segment 23.sub.A, wherein to the rotatable rail segment 23.sub.A are assigned stator units 3.sub.23. The assigned stator units 3.sub.23 are here pivotable with the rotatable rail segment. A car which is found on the rotatable rail segment is drivable, irrespective of the rotary position of the rotatable rail segment, by the assigned stator units 3.sub.23.

[0036] FIG. 5 now shows a second variant of a rotatable rail segment 23.sub.B, wherein to the rotatable rail segment 23.sub.B are likewise assigned stator units 3.sub.23. In contrast to the first variant according to FIG. 4, the assigned stator units 3.sub.23 are not pivotable. A car which is found on the rotatable rail segment 23.sub.B is now drivable only in a first rotary position (FIG. 5a), no longer in the other rotary position (FIG. 5b).

[0037] However, this second variant provides improved access to the car from the rear side of the car. On the rear side of the car are disposed, in particular, high-maintenance components or wearing parts. The second variant now provides on the rear side a type of maintenance area, similar to a service pit in a vehicle workshop. Thus the car can here be swung out by the rotatable rail segment and, whereby the access to the rear side of the car is freed.

[0038] Assigned means in this context: The stator units 3.sub.23 assigned to the rotatable rail segment 23 are at least temporarily capable of and designed for driving a car disposed on the rotatable rail segment 23. This applies both to the first and the second variant

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

[0039] 1 elevator system [0040] 2 elevator cab [0041] 3 stator unit [0042] 10 first guide rail [0043] 12 first rotatable rail segment [0044] 123 multidimensionally rotatable rail segment [0045] 15 first rotational axis [0046] 20 second guide rail [0047] 23 second rotatable rail segment [0048] 25 second rotational axis [0049] 30 third guide rail [0050] z first direction [0051] y second direction [0052] x third direction