ELEVATOR CARRIAGE HANDLING ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

Arrangement (10) for handling carriages (12) in an elevator system (42), the arrangement (10) comprising at least one carriage (12); a storage area (14) adjacent to an operational path (20) of the elevator system (42) for storage, service and/or maintenance of the at least one carriage (12); and a transfer mechanism (16) for transferring the carriage (12) between an operational position (24) along the operational path (20) and at least one storage position (26) within the storage area (14).

Claims

1. Arrangement for handling carriages in an elevator system, the arrangement comprising: at least one carriage; a storage area adjacent to an operational path of the elevator system for storage, service and/or maintenance of the at least one carriage; and a transfer mechanism for transferring the carriage between an operational position along the operational path and at least one storage position within the storage area; wherein the carriage comprises at least one openable wheel assembly that in an open state enables the carriage to be lifted off a track by a robot and in a closed state locks the carriage to the track for relative movement thereon.

2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the transfer mechanism comprises a robot for moving the carriage to and from the storage position.

3. The arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the robot is configured to move the carriage between the operational position and the storage position.

4. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the transfer mechanism comprises a track section for guiding the carriage between the operational position and the storage position.

5. The arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the track section comprises a turntable.

6. The arrangement according to claim 4, wherein at least a part of the track section is movable between a switching state for guiding the carriage to the storage position and an operational state where the track section forms a part of the operational path.

7. The arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the transfer mechanism comprises a track section for guiding the carriage to an intermediate position from which the robot can move the carriage to and from the storage position.

8. The arrangement according to claim 7, wherein at least a part of the track section is movable between a switching state constituting the intermediate position or for guiding the carriage to the intermediate position and an operational state where the track section forms a part of the operational path.

9. Elevator system comprising an arrangement according to claim 1.

10. (canceled)

11. The arrangement according to claim 5, wherein at least a part of the track section is movable between a switching state for guiding the carriage to the storage position and an operational state where the track section forms a part of the operational path.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Further details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

[0038] FIG. 1: schematically represents a carriage handling arrangement comprising a storage area and a robot;

[0039] FIG. 2: schematically represents a carriage handling arrangement comprising a storage area, a robot and a movable track section;

[0040] FIG. 3: schematically represents a carriage handling arrangement comprising a storage area, a robot and a stationary track section;

[0041] FIG. 4: schematically represents a carriage handling arrangement comprising a storage area and stationary track section;

[0042] FIG. 5: schematically represents a carriage handling arrangement comprising a storage area and a movable track section;

[0043] FIG. 6: schematically represents a carriage handling arrangement comprising a storage area and a track section with a turntable; and

[0044] FIG. 7 schematically represents a perspective partial view of an elevator system comprising a carriage handling arrangement of the type in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] In the following, an arrangement for handling carriages in an elevator system and an elevator system comprising the arrangement will be described. The same reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

[0046] FIG. 1 schematically represents an arrangement 10 for handling carriages 12 in an elevator system. The arrangement 10 comprises a storage area 14 and a transfer mechanism 16 in the form of a robot 18.

[0047] In FIG. 1, a part of an upper loop of an operational path 20 of the elevator system is shown. The operational path 20 in this embodiment comprises a track with two rails 22 which can be engaged by wheel assemblies (not shown) on the carriages 12 for relative movement thereon. The arrangement 10 is arranged adjacent to an upper floor of a building (not shown).

[0048] In FIG. 1, one carriage 12 is provided at an operational position 24 along the operational path 20 and one carriage 12 is provided at a storage position 26 in the storage area 14. The carriages 12 are passenger carriages. The operational position 24 is a position through which the carriage 12 passes during its normal operation in the elevator system when transporting passengers.

[0049] The storage area 14 is implemented as a plurality (seven in FIG. 1) of storage positions 26 in a circular layout around the base of the robot 18. The storage area 14 is arranged adjacent to the operational path 20. In FIG. 1, the storage area 14 is provided substantially at the same plane as the illustrated horizontal portion of the operational path 20.

[0050] Due to the circular layout of the storage area 14, a spacing is established between each two storage positions 26 and consequently also between carriages 12 placed thereon. Thereby, in addition to storage, space is provided around the carriages 12 for necessary maintenance and/or repair.

[0051] The robot 18 is here a conventional industrial robot. The robot 18 is configured to move the carriage 12 to and from each storage position 26. More specifically, the robot 18 is configured to lift the carriage 12 at the operational position 24 and position the carriage 12 at a vacant storage position 26. The robot 18 is also configured to carry out a reverse procedure, i.e. to transfer a carriage 12 from any of the storage positions 26 to the operational position 24. Thus, in FIG. 1, the entire transfer mechanism 16 is constituted by the robot 18.

[0052] The robot 18 may include a telescoping arm such that it can rotate with a reduced radial extension. Thereby, the storage positions 26 can be arranged relatively close to the robot 18. Alternatively, the robot 18 may adopt a raised state when rotating around an axis substantially normal to a plane including the storage positions 26 such that a gripping end of the robot 18 is above carriages 12 in the storage area 14.

[0053] Various methods for monitoring which storage positions 26 are occupied or vacant may be used. This may be remembered by the robot 18 or by an overall control system for the elevator system. Alternatively, sensors may be used. It is also conceivable to employ a manual handling, e.g. by a manual control of the robot 18.

[0054] Openable wheel assemblies may be used on the carriages 12 such that the carriages 12 can be engaged with and released from the rails 22. These wheel assemblies may be mechanically or electrically controlled.

[0055] The operational position 24 may be a position at a station where one or more carriages 12 stop to allow passengers to enter and leave the carriages 12. The carriage 12 may be lifted away from the operational path 20 or added thereto during one stop cycle at a station. Thereby, the flow of a train with several carriages 12 in the elevator system may not be affected. However, the operational position 24 may be at any portion along the operational path 20 such as between two stations served by the elevator system.

[0056] FIG. 2 schematically represents a further arrangement 10 for handling carriages 12 in an elevator system. Mainly differences with respect to FIG. 1 will be described.

[0057] The arrangement 10 in FIG. 2 comprises a storage area 14 and a transfer mechanism 16 in the form of a robot 18 and a movable track section 28.

[0058] The movable track section 28 has a pair of rails 22 corresponding to the rails 22 in the operational path 20. In FIG. 2, the track section 28 comprises a track length slightly longer than the size of the carriage 12.

[0059] The track section 28 is movable between a switching state 30 constituting an intermediate position 32 and an operational state 34 where the track section 28 forms a part of the operational path 20. Any type of drive may be used for moving the track section 28 between the operational state 34 and the switching state 30. FIG. 2 illustrates the track section 28 in the switching state 30 where it constitutes the intermediate position 32.

[0060] When the track section 28 is in the operational state 34 and constitutes a part of the operational path 20, a carriage 12 can be stopped on the track section 28. When a carriage 12 has stopped on the track section 28, the track section 28 can be moved from the operational state 34 to the switching state 30.

[0061] In the switching state 30 of the track section 28, the carriage 12 is positioned at an intermediate position 32 from which the robot 18 can move the carriage 12 to storage positions 26 in the storage area 14. The robot 18 is capable to move the carriage 12 from the intermediate position 32 to each available storage position 26 in the storage area 14.

[0062] When a carriage 12 at any of the storage positions 26 in the storage area 14 is to be added to the operational path 20, a reverse procedure is carried out. Thus, the carriage 12 is moved by the robot 18 from a storage position 26 to the intermediate position 32 and the track section 28 is then driven from the switching state 30 to the operational state 34 where the track section 28 constitutes a part of the operational path 20.

[0063] At the times when no carriage 12 is present on the movable track section 28, the track section 28 may be placed in the operational state 34 such that carriages 12 can bypass the arrangement 10 along the operational path 20.

[0064] FIG. 3 schematically represents a further arrangement 10 for handling carriages 12 in an elevator system. Mainly differences with respect to the preceding figures will be described.

[0065] The arrangement 10 in FIG. 3 comprises a storage area 14 and a transfer mechanism 16 in the form of a robot 18 and a stationary track section 28. The arrangement 10 comprises a switching mechanism 36 for guiding carriages 12 on the operational path 20 either to bypass the track section 28 (passive state) or to enter the track section 28 (active state). The switching mechanism 36 may adopt various configurations for this purpose. For example, the switching mechanism 36 may be a railroad switch.

[0066] When the switching mechanism 36 is positioned in the active state (such that a carriage 12 can move from an operational position 24 along the operational path 20 and onto the track section 28), the carriage 12 can be moved from the operational position 24 and to an intermediate position 32 on the track section 28. This movement may for example be realized by an ordinary drive of the carriage 12, by a supplementary drive of the carriage 12 or by manually pushing or pulling the carriage 12. Once the carriage 12 has entered the track section 28, the switching mechanism 36 is placed in the passive state so that further carriages 12 can bypass the arrangement 10 along the operational path 20.

[0067] At the intermediate position 32, the robot 18 can grab the carriage 12 and move the carriage 12 to any vacant storage position 26 in the storage area 14. A reverse procedure is carried out for moving a carriage 12 from a storage position 26 to the operational position 24 on the operational path 20. The switching mechanism 36 is then put in the passive state such that the carriage 12 can continue along the operational path 20.

[0068] FIG. 4 schematically represents a further arrangement 10 for handling carriages 12 in an elevator system. Mainly differences with respect to the preceding figures will be described.

[0069] The arrangement 10 in FIG. 4 comprises a storage area 14 and a transfer mechanism 16 in the form of a track section 28 with a plurality of branches 38 (three in FIG. 4), each terminating in a storage position 26. One switching mechanism 36 is provided to guide carriages 12 on the operational path 20 either to bypass the track section 28 or to enter the track section 28. Two further switching mechanisms 36 are also provided for the three branches 38. The switching mechanisms 36 may be of the same type as in FIG. 3.

[0070] Thus, by placing the switching mechanisms 36 in a particular combination of states, a carriage 12 can be guided from the operational position 24 to any available storage position 26 along the track section 28 (and in the reverse direction).

[0071] FIG. 5 schematically represents a further arrangement 10 for handling carriages 12 in an elevator system. Mainly differences with respect to the preceding figures will be described.

[0072] The arrangement 10 in FIG. 5 comprises a storage area 14 with two subareas and a transfer mechanism 16 in the form of a track section 28 with movable part and two stationary parts. The stationary parts have a plurality of branches 38 each terminating in a storage position 26.

[0073] The movable track section 28 is of the same type as in FIG. 2. Thus, the movable track section 28 is movable between an operational state 34 where the movable track section 28 forms a part of the operational path 20 and a switching state 30. In the switching state 30, the movable track section 28 is in an intermediate position 32 from which the carriage 12 can be moved to any of the two stationary track sections 28.

[0074] Thus, in case the movable track section 28 is positioned in the operational state 34, a carriage 12 can be positioned in the operational position 24 on the movable track section 28. The track section 28 with the carriage 12 thereon can then be moved from the operational state 34 to the switching state 30 where the carriage 12 is in the intermediate position 32. From the intermediate position 32, the carriage 12 can be moved to any available storage position 26 by placing the switching mechanisms 36 of the relevant subarea within the storage area 14 in corresponding states.

[0075] A reverse procedure may be used for moving a carriage 12 from any of the storage positions 26 to the operational position 24.

[0076] FIG. 6 schematically represents a further arrangement 10 for handling carriages 12 in an elevator system. Mainly differences with respect to the preceding figures will be described.

[0077] The arrangement 10 in FIG. 6 comprises a storage area 14 and a transfer mechanism 16 in the form of a track section 28 with a turntable 40. The track section 28 comprises a stationary part and a switching mechanism 36 for allowing carriages 12 to enter the stationary part of the track section 28 from an operational position 24 along the operational path 20 and for allowing carriages 12 to bypass the arrangement 10 along the operational path 20. The turntable 40 may be of a similar type as used for railroads.

[0078] Thus, by positioning the turntable 40 in a particular rotatable orientation, a carriage 12 on the stationary part of the track section 28 can be moved onto the turntable 40. The turntable 40 may also comprise a pair of rails 22 similar to the rails 22 on the stationary track section 28. Once the carriage 12 is on the turntable 40, the turntable 40 can be rotated to a number of rotational positions such that the carriage 12 can be moved off the turntable 40 and into a storage position 26. Each storage position 26, e.g. a portion on the floor, also comprises a pair of rails 22 similar to the rails 22 on the stationary track section 28.

[0079] The turntable 40 may also be raised and/or lowered to access a further set of storage positions 26 similar to the ones illustrated in FIG. 6. A reverse procedure may be used to move a carriage 12 from any of the storage positions 26 to the operational position 24.

[0080] FIG. 7 schematically represents an elevator system 42 in a building comprising an arrangement 10 of the type in FIG. 1. The arrangement 10 comprises a storage area 14 with two storage positions 26 (one occupied) and a transfer mechanism 16 in the form of a robot 18. An upper station 44 along the operational path 20 can be seen in FIG. 7.

[0081] The robot 18 comprises a telescoping arm such that the arm can enter a space between two vertical walls of the station 44 to grab or release a carriage 12 in the operational position 24. Once a carriage 12 is grabbed at the operational position 24, the carriage 12 is disengaged from the rails 22 (e.g. by the openable wheel assemblies) and the arm with the carriage 12 is retracted towards the base of the robot 18. The robot 18 is then rotated (the arm may also be extended) to position the carriage 12 on any vacant storage position 26. A reverse procedure may be carried out for placing any of the carriages 12 within the storage area 14 back in the operational position 24 along the operational path 20.

[0082] As can be seen in FIG. 7, the arrangement 10 partly occupies two floor levels of the building since the storage area 14 is provided on a floor level below the floor level of the station 44. However, the floor level may be provided at the same height as the floor level of the station 44.

[0083] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to what has been described above. For example, it will be appreciated that the dimensions of the parts may be varied as needed. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention may be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.