APRON DEVICE, ELEVATOR CAR AND METHOD FOR PROTECTING FROM FALLING INTO ELEVATOR SHAFT

Abstract

An apron device, an elevator car and method of protecting falling into an elevator shaft. The apron device comprises a first protective element and a second protective element which are both located under a door sill of an elevator car. The elements form together a bending stiff sleeve structure which can move in relation to the elevator car. The first protective element can lift the second protective element being closer to the elevator car. When the second protective element is lifted, its upper part moves in transversal direction towards a space below a bottom of the elevator car. The first protective element is moved only in vertical direction.

Claims

1. An apron device of an elevator for preventing falling into an elevator shaft; wherein the apron device comprises a first protective element and a second protective element, which are both vertically orientated; the first protective element is mountable at a distance from a bottom of an elevator car; the second protective element is located above the first protective element; the first and second protective elements are mountable movably in relation to the bottom of the elevator car; and the first and second protective elements are made of rigid material and are thereby provided with bending stiffness; wherein the first protective element comprises at least one vertical first support for supporting the first protective element vertically movably to the elevator car; the first protective element is configured to move only in vertical direction together with the mentioned vertical first support; and wherein at least part of the second protective element is configured to move in transverse direction in response to upward directed vertical movement of the first protective element.

2. The apron device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second protective element has a sliced configuration comprising several horizontal slats connected to each other by means of joints allowing relative turning movement between the slats.

3. The apron device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apron device comprises guide surfaces for guiding the second protective element from vertical position to transverse position under the bottom of the elevator car.

4. The apron device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apron device comprises a reeling device for reeling the second protective element at least partly under the elevator car.

5. The apron device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apron device comprises at least one return spring for ensuring return movement of at least the second protective element from the inactive position to the vertical active position.

6. The apron device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first protective element is a rigid one piece plate-like element having vertical orientation and movement path.

7. The apron device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first protective element comprises a first component and a second component which are configured to slide vertically in relation to each other, whereby vertical dimension of the first protective element is dependent on relative positions of the mentioned first and second components.

8. The apron device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first protective element comprises two vertical first supports, which are fixedly mounted at opposite end portions of the first protective element; and the first supports are supportable movably to the elevator car and at least vertical upper end portions of the first supports are allowed to move above the bottom of the elevator car.

9. The apron device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second protective elements are made of metallic material.

10. An elevator car of a traction elevator, wherein the elevator car is suspended from suspension rope, is supported to walls of an elevator shaft and is movable vertically between several landings; and the elevator car comprises: at least one door opening; a bottom; at least one apron device which is located at the at least one door opening and is configured to prevent falling into the elevator shaft when there is a gap between the bottom and the landing; wherein the apron device is in accordance with claim 1.

11. A method of protecting from falling into an elevator shaft; the method comprising: providing an elevator car with an apron device below an elevator car wherein the apron device comprises a first protective element and a second protective element both made of bending stiff rigid material and being orientated vertically; arranging the first protective element at a vertical distance from a bottom of an elevator car in the elevator shaft and arranging the second protective element above the first protective element; and retracting full vertical extension of the apron device in response to situation wherein the elevator car moves to its lowermost movement position and the first protective element becomes in contact with immovable structures at the elevator shaft; characterized by hanging the first protective element below the second protective element and supporting the first protective element to the elevator car by means of at least one first vertical first support; moving the first protective element only in vertical direction in relation to the bottom of the elevator car; lifting the second protective element by the vertical movement of the first protective element; and moving at least part of the second protective element in transverse direction in response to upward directed vertical movement of the first protective element.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, characterized by guiding at least a top part of the second protective element below the bottom of the elevator car when the first protective element strikes a bottom of a pit of the elevator shaft and lifts upwards in relation to the downwardly moving elevator car.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, characterized by reeling the second protective element by means of a reeling device which is located under a door sill or under a bottom of the elevator car.

14. The method as claimed in claim 11, characterized by providing the apron device with at least one return spring and moving the apron device to extended state after being retracted.

15. The method as claimed in claim 11, characterized by providing the second protective element with at least two elements and allowing them to be turned relative to each other when moving the second protective element to retracted position below a bottom of the elevator car.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0064] Some embodiments are described in more detail in the accompanying drawings, in which

[0065] FIG. 1 is a schematic and highly simplified side view of a traction elevator,

[0066] FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic side views of a lower part of an elevator car and its apron device in two different vertical positions,

[0067] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of an apron device comprising several slats and being in fully extended state,

[0068] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the apron device of FIG. 4 seen in fully retracted state wherein a second protective element is moved transversally below an elevator car,

[0069] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of an apron device wherein a lower first protective element has telescopic configuration so that its vertical dimensions can change,

[0070] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of an apron device wherein a lower protective element is extended, and an upper protective element is retracted,

[0071] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of an apron device wherein an upper protective element has two part hinged structure and a lower protective element comprises a telescopic structure,

[0072] FIGS. 9-11 are schematic side view of an apron device in its different operational positions,

[0073] FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of an apron device comprising a return spring arrangement, and

[0074] FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of an apron device comprising a reeling device for receiving an upper protective element in transverse direction.

[0075] For the sake of clarity, the figures show some embodiments of the disclosed solution in a simplified manner. In the figures, like reference numerals identify like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[0076] FIG. 1 discloses a traction elevator 1 mounted to an elevator shaft 2 of a building. The elevator 1 comprises an elevator car 3 for receiving load to be transported. The car 3 and a counterweight assembly 4 are suspended from a suspension rope 5 passing via a hoisting machinery 6. The hoisting machinery 6 comprises a traction sheave 7 driven by means of an electric motor M. Between the suspension rope 5 and the traction sheave 7 occurs friction which is utilized for transmitting lifting power to the elevator system. The hoisting machinery 6 may comprise one or more additional pulleys 8 for guiding and controlling the suspension rope 5. The hoisting machinery 6 may be located at an upper machine room 9, or alternatively the system may be a so called machine room less elevator. A compensation chain or rope 10 may be connected between the counterweight assembly 4 and a bottom of the elevator car 3.

[0077] The elevator car 3 can be driven to desired landings L or floors under control of one or more control units CU. Below a first or lowermost landing there may be a pit 11 of an elevator shaft 2. There may be buffers 12 in the elevator shaft below the first landing L1. Further, the elevator car 3 is provided with an apron device 13 below its bottom. The apron device 13 is located at an entrance side of the elevator car 3 where is a door opening 21. The apron device 13 comprises at least one first protective element Pe1 and above it is at least one second protective element Pe2. The protective elements Pe1, Pe2 extend vertically below the bottom of the elevator car 3 or a door sill 14. If the elevator car 3 is stopped to a position shown in FIG. 1, then the apron device 13 closes uncontrolled entry to the elevator shaft 2.

[0078] The apron device 2 is in accordance with the embodiments and features disclosed in this document.

[0079] In FIG. 2 the elevator car 3 has moved vertically towards the pit 11 and the first protective element has then become in contact with a bottom 15 of the shaft 2 or any other fixed structure located at vertical movement path of the apron device 13. When the vertical downward movement of the elevator car 3 is continued, then the apron device 13 moves vertically upwards in relation to the elevator car 3.

[0080] In FIG. 3 the vertical downward movement is stopped and the elevator car 3 has reached its lowermost position. The elevator car 3 is positioned at the first landing L1. Then the second protective element Pe2 is lifted by means of the upwards raised first protective element Pe1 and is guided below the bottom of the elevator car 3. This way vertical dimensions of the apron device 13 are decreased automatically by means of the vertical movement of the elevator car 3.

[0081] FIG. 4 discloses an apron device 13 which has a second protective element Pe2 with sliced configuration and thereby comprises several horizontal slats 16 connected to each other by means of joints 17 allowing relative turning movement between the slats 16. The joints 17 may be hinges with horizontal turning axis, for example. The structure comprising several slats 16 and joints 17 between them is easily bendable and can be moved not only in vertical direction but also be turned in controlled manner in horizontal direction or in any desired transverse direction. Both protective elements Pe1 and Pe2 are in their fully extended state below a bottom 18 of an elevator car 3. The first protective element Pe1 may be a rectangular plate-like element which is supported to the bottom 18 by means of two vertical first supports 19, which are fixedly mounted at opposite end portions of the first protective element Pe1. The first supports 19 may be bars which are supported movably to the bottom 18 so that at least their vertical upper end portions can move above the bottom 18. The bottom 18 may be provided with coupling elements 20 which allow the first supports 19 to slide vertically. The coupling elements 20 may be arranged so that they are at a side of a door opening 21 of the elevator car 3, whereby the upwards rising first supports 19 move at the side of the door opening 21 and do not form any barrier for passengers. A top surface of the first protective element Pe1 lifts the second protective element Pe2 when a bottom surface of the first protective element Pe1 meets a bottom 15 of a pit 11 and when the elevator car 3 continues its movement downward. Thus, the apron device 13 forms a retractable skirt below the bottom 18 at the door opening 21 of the elevator car 3 and thereby serves as a safety device which allows the use of the pit 11 with low depth.

[0082] In FIG. 5 the apron device 13 of FIG. 4 is in fully retracted state wherein the second protective element Pe2 is moved transversally below the bottom 18 of the elevator car 3. Further, the first protective element Pe1 is in its retracted stated, wherein the bottom 18 of the elevator car 3 is moved towards the top surface of the first protective element Pe1. Then only relatively low pit depth Pd is needed below a lowermost first landing L1 and the bottom 15 of the pit 11.

[0083] The first protective element Pe1 is in FIGS. 4 and 5 a rigid one piece plate-like element having vertical orientation and movement path. The first protective element Pe1 may be provided with proper transverse support by means of the first supports 19. However, there may or may not be additional retractable support element for further supporting it.

[0084] The second protective element Pe2 may be coupled to a top part of the first protective element Pe1 whereby it may also be provided with support against transverse force by means of the first supports 19 of the first protective element Pe1. Alternative of in addition to, end portions of the horizontal the slats 16 may be supported to the first supports 19 for providing transverse rigidity for the structure. Furthermore, it may alternatively be possible to arrange retractable or movable second supports 22 for the second protective element Pe2. These second supports 22 are shown in FIG. 4 in a highly simplified manner.

[0085] FIG. 6 discloses an apron device 13 wherein a first protective element Pe1 has telescopic configuration so that its vertical dimensions can change, and it has an extended state and retracted state. The first protective element may comprise a first component C1 and a second component C2 which are configured to slide vertically in relation to each other. Thereby vertical dimension of the first protective element Pe1 is dependent on relative positions of the mentioned first and second components C1 and C2. The second component C2 may be a movable component which slide relative to the first component C1 being connected to first supports 19.

[0086] FIG. 7 discloses an apron device 13 in a situation wherein a first protective element Pe1 is extended and a second protective element Pe2 is retracted. Thus, the first and second protective element Pe1, Pe2 are not mounted to each other whereby their downward movement may be executed individually. Upward movement occurs simultaneously since top surface of the first protective element transmits the retracting movement for the second protective element Pe2 also in this solution. The first protective element Pe1 can be extended under influence of gravity. In case the second protective element Pe2 is not provided with any retracting actuator, such as returning springs, then it stays in the retracted state when the elevator car 3 again moves upwards. The second protective element Pe2 may be provided with a grip 23 for moving it manually to the extended state. This way rescue personnel may move the second protective element when needed.

[0087] FIG. 8 discloses an apron device 13 which differs from the one shown in FIG. 7 in that a second protective element Pe2 has two part hinged structure.

[0088] FIGS. 9-11 disclose how an apron device 13 and it first protective element Pe1 and second protective element Pe2 move from a fully extended state to fully retracted state. The second protective element Pe2 can be supported by means of support elements comprising vertical supports 24a, transverse elements 24b and curved element 24c between them. When the second protective element Pe2 moves upwards, then the curved element 24c can turn its upper part in transverse direction, as it is shown in FIG. 11. Other component and operation principle have already been disclosed above in this document.

[0089] FIG. 12 discloses an apron device 13 comprising a returning arrangement for ensuring return movement of at least a second protective element Pe2 from its inactive transverse position to a vertical active position. The arrangement may comprise one or return springs Rs for generating needed spring force SF. A first protective element Pe1 may be extend by means of gravity G since it has only vertical movement path.

[0090] FIG. 13 discloses an apron device 13 comprising a reeling device Rd for receiving a second protective element Pe2 in transverse direction when being retracted. The reeling device Rd may reel the second protective element Pe2 and may be provided with a second return spring Re2 for moving it back to an extended state. Further, a first protective element Pe1 may or may not be provided with a first return spring Rsl for moving it vertically downwards and extending it together with the gravity force.

[0091] FIG. 13 further discloses that a bottom 18 of an elevator car 3 may comprise an openable hatch 25 through which maintenance operations can be executed. The hatch 25 is possible because the disclosed apron device 13 needs only limited amount of space below the bottom 18.

[0092] It should be noted that the type and operating principle of the elevator 1 may be different from the one shown in FIGS. 1-3 only as an example.

[0093] Implementation of the disclosed solution is not limited to the exemplary elevator disclosed in the Figures. The arrangement and method can be used when providing any type of elevator with an apron device e.g., an elevator comprising a machine room or lacking a machine room, an elevator comprising or a a counterweight lacking counterweight.

[0094] Thus, the disclosed solution can be implemented in a versatile manner and especially in buildings with low pit.

[0095] The drawings and the related description are only intended to illustrate the idea of the invention. In its details, the invention may vary within the scope of the claims.