GUIDE ARRANGEMENT FOR AN ELEVATOR SYSTEM

Abstract

An elevator system may include a guide rail and a car that is movable along the guide rail in a driving direction. A first guide element may be connected to the car. Furthermore, the guide rail may comprise a first guide section that has a first guide groove. The first guide element may engage positively in the first guide groove, and the first guide element may be guided in the first guide groove as the car moves. The elevator system may also include a second guide element that is connected to the car and is disposed adjacent to the first guide element. The second guide element may also engage positively in the first guide groove and be guided in the first guide groove as the car moves.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. An elevator system comprising: a guide rail that includes a first guide section having a first guide groove; a car that is movable along the guide rail in a driving direction; and a first guide element connected to the car, wherein the first guide element engages positively in the first guide groove and is guided in the first guide groove as the car moves.

14. The elevator system of claim 13 comprising a second guide element that is disposed adjacent to the first guide element and is connected to the car, wherein the second guide element engages positively in the first guide groove and is guided in the first guide groove as the car moves.

15. The elevator system of claim 14 wherein the first guide section of the guide rail comprises a second guide groove, wherein the first and second guide grooves are disposed on opposite sides of the first guide section such that at least a portion of the first guide section has a T-shaped cross-section, wherein the car is connected to a third guide element that engages positively in the second guide groove and is guided in the second guide groove as the car moves.

16. The elevator system of claim 15 wherein at least one of the first guide element or the third guide element is a guide roller that is in contact with the guide rail as the car moves.

17. The elevator system of claim 15 wherein at least one of the first guide element or the third guide element is a sliding shoe that is in contact with the guide rail as the car moves.

18. The elevator system of claim 15 wherein the guide rail comprises a second guide section that has a third guide groove, wherein the car is connected to the fifth guide element, wherein the fifth guide element engages positively in the third guide groove and is guided in the third guide groove as the car moves.

19. The elevator system of claim 15 comprising a fourth guide element that is disposed adjacent to the third guide element and is connected to the car, wherein the fourth guide element engages positively in the second guide groove and is guided in the second guide groove as the car moves.

20. The elevator system of claim 19 wherein at least one of the second guide element or the fourth guide element is an emergency stop that is spaced apart from the guide rail as the car moves.

21. The elevator system of claim 13 wherein the car includes a brake mechanism that engages on the guide rail.

22. A method for securing a car of an elevator system in case of a loss of a guide roller, wherein the elevator system comprises a guide rail and a car that is movable along the guide rail, wherein a guide element is connected to the car, wherein the guide rail comprises a first guide section having a first guide groove, the method comprising: rolling the guide roller along the guide roll while the car is moving; and positively engaging and guiding the guide element in the first guide groove while the car is moving such that the car is secured against derailment by the guide element in the first guide groove in case of the loss of the guide roller.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the guide element is an emergency stop that is spaced apart from the guide rail as the car moves.

24. A method for securing a car of an elevator system in case of a loss of a guide roller, wherein the elevator system comprises a guide rail and a car that is movable along the guide rail, wherein a first guide element and a second guide element are connected to the car, the method comprising: in a first operating state, positioning the first guide element to be in contact with the guide rail and positioning the second guide element to be spaced apart from the guide rail; and in a second operating state in which the first guide element has failed, positioning the second guide element to be in contact with the guide rail.

Description

[0015] The invention is described in more detail below with the aid of drawings. Specifically:

[0016] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic representation of the elevator system;

[0017] FIG. 2 depicts a section through the supporting frame and the guide rail in the first operating state;

[0018] FIG. 3 depicts the same section in the second operating state.

[0019] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic representation of an elevator system 11. The elevator system 11 comprises a guide rail 13 and a car 15. The car is capable of moving in a driving direction 17 along the guide rail 13. The car 15 comprises an elevator cabin 19 and a supporting frame 21. The elevator system 11 is embodied as a so-called rucksack configuration. The guide rail in this case 13 is arranged on only one side of the car 15. Guide rollers 23, which roll along the guide rail 13 as the car 15 moves, are arranged on the supporting frame 21 of the car 15.

[0020] The car 15 is driven by means of a linear motor 25. The linear motor 25 comprises a stationary component 27, which extends along the guide rail 13, and a mobile component 29, which is connected to the car 15.

[0021] FIG. 2 depicts a section through the supporting frame 21 and the guide rail 13 along the section line 31 illustrated in FIG. 1 in the lower region of the car 15. A section along the section line 32 in the upper region of the car 15 is of analogous appearance, since the lower guiding and the upper guiding are of identical embodiment. The guide rail 13 has a substantially U-shaped form having different regions, in which the guide elements of the car engage. The linear motor 25 is arranged in a central region of the guide rail 13. The linear motor 25 comprises a mobile component 29, which contains two permanent magnets 33. These form the secondary part of the linear motor 25. A part of the guide rail 13 is the stationary component 27 of the linear motor 25, which is embodied as a primary part, which at least partially encloses the two permanent magnets 23.

[0022] Furthermore, the guide rail 13 comprises a first guide section 35 having a first guide groove 37. A first guide element 39 engages positively in the first guide groove 37. The first guide element 39 is connected to the supporting frame 21 and thus to the car 15. The first guide groove 37 extends parallel to the driving direction 17. As the car 15 moves, the first guide element 39 is thus guided in the first guide groove 37. The positive engagement of the first guide element 39 in the first guide groove 37 secures the car 15 against derailing from the guide rail 13. In the represented first operating state, which represents the normal operating mode of the elevator system, the first guide element 39 is in contact with the guide rail 13. In the depicted embodiment, the first guide element 39 is embodied in the form of a guide roller 23. As the car 15 moves, the first guide element 39 thus rolls along the guide rail 13.

[0023] A second guide element 41 is arranged closely adjacent to the first guide element 39 and is also connected to the supporting frame 21 and thus to the car 15. The second guide element 41 also engages positively in the first guide groove 37 and is guided in the first guide groove 37 as the car 15 moves. In the depicted first operating state, the second guide element 41 is at a distance from the guide rail 13. The second guide element 41 is embodied as an emergency stop 43. In the event of failure of the first guide element 39, the second guide element 41 assumes the security of the car 15 and thus prevents derailing of the car 15. This is explained in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

[0024] The first guide section 35 further comprises a second guide groove 45, wherein the first guide groove 37 and the second guide groove 45 are arranged on opposite sides of the first guide section 35, so that a T-shaped cross-section of the first guide section 35 arises in areas. A third guide element 47 engages positively in the second guide groove 45, which is connected to the supporting frame 21 and thus to the car 15. As the car 15 moves, the third guide element 47 is guided in the second guide groove 45. In the present case, the third guide element 47 is embodied as a guide roller 23, which is in contact with the guide rail 13 as the car 15 moves and rolls on the guide rail 13. A fourth guide element 49 is arranged closely adjacent to the third guide element 47 and is connected to the supporting frame 21 and thus to the car 15. The fourth guide element 49 also engages positively in the second guide groove 45 and is guided in the second guide groove 45 as the car 15 moves. In the depicted first operating state, the fourth guide element 49 is at a distance from the guide rail 13. The fourth guide element 49 is embodied as an emergency stop 43, in order to assume the securing of the car 15 in the second guide groove 45 in the event of failure of the third guide element 47.

[0025] A brake mechanism 51 is connected to the supporting frame 21, furthermore, in order to decelerate the car 15. In the represented embodiment, the brake mechanism 51 engages on opposite sides of the first guide section 35.

[0026] The first guide element 39 and the third guide element 47 are in contact with the guide rail 13 on opposite sides of the first guide section 35 and receive the first guide section 35 between them. The first guide element 39 and the third guide element 47 are embodied in each case as guide rollers 23, wherein the axes of rotation run parallel to one another. This arrangement of the axes of rotation running parallel to one another with the first guide section 35 between the opposing guide rollers determines the position of the car 15 in a direction perpendicular to the axes of rotation and perpendicular to the driving direction. This means that the distance of the car 15 to the shaft wall 53, on which the guide rail 13 is positioned, is fixed as a result. A fifth guide element 55 and a sixth guide element 57 are envisaged in order to determine the position of the car 15 in the still missing transverse direction (perpendicular to the driving direction 17). For this purpose, the guide rail 13 comprises a second guide section 59 having a third guide groove 61, in which the fifth guide element 55 engages positively and in which the fifth guide element 55 is guided as the car 15 moves. The fifth guide element 55 is embodied as a guide roller 23, of which the axis of rotation runs perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the first guide element 39 and of the second guide element 47 and perpendicular to the driving direction 17. The sixth guide element 57 is also embodied as a guide roller 23 and is in contact with the guide rail 13 of the first guide section 35. The axis of rotation of the sixth guide element 57 runs parallel to the axis of rotation of the fifth guide element 55. In the depicted embodiment, the sixth guide element 57 does not engage in a guide groove. As an alternative, however, a corresponding guide groove for guiding the sixth guide element 57 as the car 15 moves can also be envisaged at this point.

[0027] The previous explanation concerned only the region of the guide rail 13 and the supporting frames 21 represented on the left in FIG. 2. In order, on the one hand, to distribute the forces more evenly over the rear of the car 15 and, on the other hand, to design the entire guiding mechanism with redundancy, the design is of similar embodiment in the region represented on the right. In the present case, the design on the right is even embodied as a mirror image in relation to the design embodied on the left. The design is explained briefly below in the right-hand region, wherein mirror-inverted components are given a reference designation increased by 100. For the detailed description, reference is made in this respect to the preceding sections in respect of the region represented on the left.

[0028] The guide rail 13 has a third guide section 135 having a fourth guide groove 137. A seventh guide element 139 engages positively in the fourth guide groove 137. The seventh guide element 139 is connected to the supporting frame 21 and thereby to the car 15. The fourth guide groove 137 extends parallel to the driving direction 17. As the car 15 moves, the seventh guide element 139 is guided in the fourth guide groove 137 in the process. In the depicted embodiment, the seventh guide element 139 is embodied in the form of a guide roller 23. As the car 15 moves, the seventh guide element 139 thus rolls along the guide rail 13.

[0029] An eighth guide element 141 is arranged closely adjacent to the seventh guide element 139 and is also connected to the supporting frame 21 and thus to the car 15. The eighth guide element 141 also engages positively in the fourth guide groove 137 and is guided in the fourth guide groove 137 as the car 15 moves. In the depicted first operating state, the eighth guide element 141 is at a distance from the guide rail 13. The eighth guide element 141 is embodied as an emergency stop 43.

[0030] The third guide section 135 furthermore comprises a fifth guide groove 145, wherein the fourth guide groove 137 and the fifth guide groove 145 are arranged on opposite sides of the third guide section 135, so that a T-shaped cross-section of the third guide section 135 arises in areas. A ninth guide element 147 engages positively in the fifth guide groove 145, which is connected to the supporting frame 21 and thus to the car 15. The ninth guide element 147 is guided in the fifth guide groove 145 as the car 15 moves. In the present case, the ninth guide element 147 is embodied as a guide roller 23, which is in contact with the guide rail 13 as the car 15 moves and rolls on the guide rail 13. A tenth guide element 149 is arranged closely adjacent to the ninth guide element 147 and is connected to the supporting frame 21 and thus to the car 15. The tenth guide element 149 also engages positively in the fifth guide groove 145 and is guided in the fifth guide groove 145 as the car 15 moves. In the depicted first operating state, the tenth guide element 149 is at a distance from the guide rail 13. The tenth guide element 149 is embodied as an emergency stop 43, in order to assume the securing of the car 15 in the fifth guide groove in the event of a failure of the ninth guide element 147.

[0031] Also present in the region represented on the right is a brake mechanism 51, which is connected to the supporting frame 21 and engages correspondingly on opposite sides of the third guide section 135.

[0032] The guide rail 13 furthermore comprises a fourth guide section 159 having a sixth guide groove 161, in which the eleventh guide element 155 engages positively, in which the eleventh guide element 155 is guided as the car 15 moves. The eleventh guide element 155 is embodied as a guide roller 23. A twelfth guide element 157 is provided, furthermore, which is also embodied as a guide roller 23 and which is in contact with the guide rail 13 in the third guide section 135.

[0033] FIG. 3 depicts a second operating state, in which the first guide element 39 has failed, and in particular is no longer present. In this second operating state, the second guide element 41 ensures secure guiding of the car 15 in the first guide groove 37. Since the first guide element 39 is absent, the supporting frame 21 is tilted in relation to the guide rail 13, and the second guide element 41, which is embodied as an emergency stop 43, is in contact with the guide rail 13 in the first guide section 35. Of course, the normal operating mode of the elevator system is no longer possible in this operating state. However, the second guide element 41, which engages positively in the first guide groove 37, ensures that derailing of the car 15 is reliably prevented. The car 15 can thus be moved at least to an evacuation floor, without compromising the safety of the passengers in the car 15. The same also applies for the loss of one of the other guide elements 47, 139 or 147.

LIST OF REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS

[0034] elevator system 11

[0035] guide rail 13

[0036] car 15

[0037] driving direction 17

[0038] elevator cabin 19

[0039] supporting frame 21

[0040] guide rollers 23

[0041] linear motor 25

[0042] stationary component 27

[0043] mobile component 29

[0044] first section line 31

[0045] second section line 32

[0046] permanent magnet 33

[0047] first guide section 35

[0048] first guide groove 37

[0049] first guide element 39

[0050] second guide element 41

[0051] emergency stop 43

[0052] second guide groove 45

[0053] third guide element 47

[0054] fourth guide element 49

[0055] brake mechanism 51

[0056] shaft wall 53

[0057] fifth guide element 55

[0058] sixth guide element 57

[0059] second guide section 59

[0060] third guide groove 61

[0061] third guide section 135

[0062] fourth guide groove 137

[0063] seventh guide element 139

[0064] eighth guide element 141

[0065] fifth guide groove 145

[0066] ninth guide element 147

[0067] tenth guide element 149

[0068] eleventh guide element 155

[0069] twelfth guide element 157

[0070] fourth guide section 159

[0071] sixth guide groove 161