METHOD FOR OPERATING A LIFT SYSTEM HAVING A NUMBER OF SHAFTS AND A NUMBER OF CARS

Abstract

A method for operating an elevator system can be used with elevator systems that include at least two cars and at least two vertically extending elevator shafts where the at least two cars can be moved between the at least two elevator shafts. In a first operating mode transportation operations are performed by the at least two cars in the at least two elevator shafts. In a second operating mode a location of at least one of the at least two cars is restricted to at least one region of at least one of the at least two elevator shafts. In the second operating mode, the at least one of the at least two cars is not available for transportation operations in remaining regions of the at least two elevator shafts.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. A method for operating an elevator system with at least two cars and at least two elevator shafts that extend vertically, wherein the at least two cars are movable between the at least two elevator shafts, the method comprising operating the elevator system in a first operating mode or a second operating mode, wherein in the first operating mode transportation operations are performed by the at least two cars in the at least two elevator shafts; wherein in the second operating mode at least one of the at least two cars is restricted to a second region of the at least two elevator shafts and is not available for transportation operations in a first region of the at least two elevator shafts, wherein the first and second regions do not overlap; and wherein transportation operations involving movement of the at least two cars between the first and second regions are performed in the first operating mode.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising: enabling passengers to enter the at least two cars through shaft doors in the first operating mode; and prohibiting passengers from entering the at least two cars through the shaft doors in the second region in the second operating mode.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein in the second operating mode no transportation operations are performed in the second region, wherein in the second operating mode the at least one of the at least two cars that is restricted to the second region is not available for transportation operations.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising servicing in the second region the at least one of the at least two cars that is restricted to the second region in the second operating mode.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein in the second operating mode transportation operations are performed by the at least one of the at least two cars that is restricted to the second region.

21. The method of claim 16 further comprising adjusting in the second operating mode one or more of the at least two cars that is unavailable for transportation operations in the first region based on operating parameters of the elevator system.

22. The method of claim 16 further comprising varying a size of the second region in the second operating mode based on operating parameters of the elevator system.

23. The method of claim 16 further comprising switching between the first and second operating modes based on operating parameters of the elevator system.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the operating parameters comprise at least one of a required transportation capacity, a waiting time for passengers, a current utilization of the elevator system, a utilization profile, times of day, measured values of load, or passenger detection sensors.

25. The method of claim 16 wherein the second region extends across a plurality of floors of a building.

26. The method of claim 16 wherein the second region extends across an entire vertical length of one of the at least two elevator shafts.

27. The method of claim 16 comprising operating the at least two cars as one or a plurality of shaft-switching multiple-car systems.

28. The method of claim 16 wherein in the first operating mode a first plurality of cars of the at least two cars in a first plurality of elevator shafts of the at least two elevator shafts are operated as a first shaft-switching multiple-car system, wherein in the first operating mode a second plurality of cars of the at least two cars in a second plurality of elevator shafts of the at least two elevator shafts are operated as a second shaft-switching multiple-car system, wherein in the second operating mode the second shaft-switching multiple-car system is not operated in the second plurality of elevator shafts, wherein in the second operating mode the at least one of the at least two cars is restricted to the second plurality of elevator shafts.

29. An elevator system comprising: at least two elevator shafts that extend vertically; and at least two cars that are adapted for switching between the at least two elevator shafts, wherein in a first operating mode transportation operations are performed by the at least two cars in the at least two elevator shafts, wherein in a second operating mode at least one of the at least two cars is restricted to a second region of the at least two elevator shafts and is not available for transportation operations in a first region of the at least two elevator shafts, wherein the first and second regions do not overlap, wherein transportation operations involving movement of the at least two cars between the first and second regions are performed in the first operating mode.

30. The elevator system of claim 29 wherein the at least two elevator shafts each extend across a plurality of floors, the elevator system further comprising in the at least two elevator shafts shaft doors to multiple of or all of the plurality of floors.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0046] FIGS. 1 to 4 in each case schematically show a preferred embodiment of an elevator system according to the invention which in each case is adapted for carrying out a preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention.

[0047] A preferred embodiment of an elevator system according to the invention is schematically illustrated in each of FIGS. 1 to 4, said embodiment in each case being adapted for carrying out a preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention. It is in each case schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a how the respective elevator system is operated in a first operating mode according to a preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention. It is in each case schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1b, 2b, 3b 3c, and 4b how the respective elevator system is operated in a second operating mode according to a preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention.

[0048] A preferred embodiment of an elevator system according to the invention is schematically illustrated and identified by 100 in FIG. 1. The elevator system 100 has two elevator shafts 101 and 102.

[0049] The elevator system 100 is schematically shown in the first operating mode in FIG. 1a. A multiplicity of cars 110, in this example eight cars, are moved in the elevator shafts 101 and 102. Connections 105 and 106, respectively, between the elevator shafts 101 and 102 are provided on an uppermost floor and on a lowermost floor of a respective building comprising the elevator system 100. The cars can switch between the elevator shafts 101 and 102 by way of these connections 105 and 106.

[0050] In this example, cars in the elevator shafts 101 and 102 are in each case moved unidirectionally, that is to say in each case only in one direction. Cars are only displaced downward in the elevator shaft 101, and only upward in the elevator shaft 102. In the illustrated example, car 111 switches from the elevator shaft 102 to the elevator shaft 101 in the upper connection 105, and car 112 switches from the elevator shaft 101 to the elevator shaft 102 in the lower connection 106. The cars 110 in the elevator shafts 101 and 102 in the first operating mode are operated in particular as a shaft-switching multiple-car system.

[0051] The elevator system 100 is operated in the first or in the second operating mode so as to depend on operating parameters. For example, utilization profiles of the elevator system 100 are used as operating parameters of this type. These utilization profiles describe, for example, at what times of the day peak times arise. A multiplicity of transportation operations are to be carried out and a maximum transportation capacity of the elevator system 100 is to be provided in the course of these peak times. The elevator system 100 is operated in the first operating mode according to FIG. 1a at these peak times.

[0052] Outside these peak times, the elevator system 100 is operated in the second operating mode according to FIG. 1b. In this example, in the second operating mode the elevator shaft 102 across the entire vertical length thereof is selected as the second region 120 to which the potential location of specific cars is restricted. In the example shown, a first number of cars 130, in this example six cars, are moved to this second region 120. The potential location of this first number of cars 130 is restricted to this second region 120.

[0053] This first number of cars 130 is not available for transportation operations in a remaining first region 121 of the elevator shafts. The elevator shaft 101 in this example represents this remaining first region. The remaining cars 140 carry out regular transportation operations in the remaining first region 121 of the elevator shafts. The two remaining cars 140 in the elevator shaft 101 in this second operating mode are moved bidirectionally, that is to say upward as well as downward.

[0054] The first number of cars 130 is in particular stored or parked, respectively, in the second region 120. The first number of cars 130 herein do not carry out any transportation operations. For example individual or all cars of the first number of cars 130 can be serviced in the second region 120. In the course thereof for example, maintenance, service, and/or repair works can be carried out on the respective cars. It can be checked for example whether the respective cars produce the required performance figures and meet predefined safety guidelines.

[0055] A further preferred embodiment of an elevator system according to the invention is schematically illustrated and identified by 200 in FIG. 2. The elevator system 200 has three elevator shafts 201, 202, 203. Connections 205 and 206, respectively, are provided between the elevator shafts 201, 202, 203 in each case on an uppermost floor and on a lowermost floor.

[0056] According to FIG. 2a, in the first operating mode a number of cars 210, in this example eleven cars, are moved in the elevator shafts 201, 202, 203. The cars 210 can switch between the elevator shafts 201, 202, 203. In this example, cars in all three elevator shafts 201, 202, 203 are in each case moved bidirectionally, that is to say upward as well as downward.

[0057] In the second operating mode according to FIG. 2b, the elevator shaft 203 across the entire vertical length thereof is selected as the second region 220 to which the potential location of specific cars is restricted and in which cars can be stored, for example. In the present example, a first number of cars 230, in this example six cars, are stored in this second region 220. This first number of cars 230 are not available for transportation operations in a remaining first region 221 of the elevator shafts. The elevator shafts 201 and 202 represent this remaining first region 221. The remaining cars 240 carry out regular transportation operations in the remaining first region 221 of the elevator shafts. The remaining cars 240 are moved only upward in the elevator shaft 201 and only downward in the elevator shaft 202, for example.

[0058] A further preferred embodiment of an elevator system according to the invention is schematically illustrated and identified by 300 in FIG. 3. The elevator system 300 has four elevator shafts 301, 302, 303, and 304. Three connection paths 305, 306, and 307 are provided between the elevator shafts 301, 302, 303, and 304. The connection path 305 is provided on an uppermost floor, for example on the tenth floor, and the connection path 307 is provided on the lowermost floor, for example the ground floor. The connection path 306 is provided on the fifth floor, for example.

[0059] In the first operating mode according to FIG. 3a, a number of cars 310, in this example fifteen cars, are moved in the elevator shafts 301, 302, 303, and 304. In particular, all of the cars 310 can switch between all four elevator shafts 301, 302, 303, and 304. The elevator shafts 301, 302, 303, and 304 are each used unidirectionally. Cars are only moved upward in the elevator shafts 301 and 303, and only downward in the elevator shafts 302 and 304.

[0060] In the second operating mode according to FIG. 3b, only a part of the elevator shafts 303 and 304 is in each case selected as the second region 320 for storing cars. For example, the part between the sixth and the tenth floor is in each case selected as the second region 320. The part between the ground floor and the sixth floor of the elevator shafts 303 and 304, and the elevator shafts 301 and 302 represent the remaining first region 321 of the elevator shafts.

[0061] A first number of cars 330, in this example six cars, are stored in the second region 320, that is to say that the potential location of the cars 330 is restricted to the second region 320. This first number of cars 330 are not available for transportation operations in the remaining first region 321 of the elevator shafts. The remaining cars 340 carry out regular transportation operations in the remaining region 221 of the elevator shafts. The remaining cars 340 in the elevator shafts 301 and 302 and in the remaining parts of the elevator shafts 303 and 304 are in each case moved unidirectionally.

[0062] As an alternative to storing or parking, respectively, individual cars in the selected second region, individual cars of which the potential location has been restricted to a second region can also be used for local transportation operations within this second region, as is illustrated with reference to FIG. 3c.

[0063] In FIG. 3c the elevator system 300 in a manner analogous to that of FIG. 3b is schematically illustrated in the second operating mode. In this example, a part of the elevator shaft 304 is selected as the second region 322 to which the potential location of specific cars is restricted. For example, the part between the sixth and the tenth floor is selected as the second region 322 to which the potential location of a car 331 is restricted. The part between the ground floor and the sixth floor of the elevator shaft 304, and the elevator shafts 301, 302, and 303 represent the remaining first region of the elevator shafts. The remaining cars 340 carry out regular transportation operations in the remaining first region of the elevator shafts. The remaining cars 340 in the elevator shafts 301, 302, 303, and in the remaining part of the elevator shaft 304 are in each case displaced unidirectionally, for example.

[0064] The car 331 is used for transportation operations within the second region 322. The car 331 in the course of these transportation operations does not leave the second region 322. The car 331 in the second region 322 is displaced bidirectionally, for example.

[0065] Of course, in a manner analogous to that of car 331, a plurality of cars can also be used for transportation operations within the second region 322. Like the size of the second region 322, the number of cars which are used for transportation operations within the second region 322 can be varied on demand during the second operating mode, for example so as to depend on operating parameters of the elevator system.

[0066] A further preferred embodiment of an elevator system according to the invention is schematically illustrated and identified by 400 in FIG. 4. The elevator system 400 has four elevator shafts 401, 402, 403, and 404. Two connections 405 and 406 are provided between the elevator shafts 401, 402, 403, 404.

[0067] In the first operating mode according to FIG. 4a, the elevator shafts 401 and 402 form a first number of elevator shafts, the elevator shafts 403 and 404 forming a second number of elevator shafts. A first number of cars 411, in this example seven cars, are moved in the first number of elevator shafts and are operated therein as a first shaft-switching multiple-car system 451. A second number of cars 412, in this example eight cars, are moved in the second number of elevator shafts and are operated therein as a second shaft-switching multiple-car system 452. The respective cars in the elevator shafts 401 and 403 are moved only upward, and only downward in the elevator shafts 402 and 404.

[0068] The elevator system 400 is schematically illustrated in the second operating mode in FIG. 4b. A second shaft-switching multiple-car system is no longer operated in the second number of elevator shafts herein. The elevator shafts 403 and 404 are selected as the second region 420 to which the potential location of specific cars is restricted, or in which cars can be stored, for example. The elevator shafts 401 and 402 represent the remaining first regions 421 of the elevator shafts. Ten cars 430 are stored in the second region 420 and are not available for transportation operations in the remaining first region 421 of the elevator shafts. The five remaining cars 440 in the elevator shafts 401 are moved only upward and in the elevator shaft 402 only downward.

[0069] The elevator systems 200, 300, and 400 according to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 are operated in the first or the second operating mode in particular so as to depend in each case on operating parameters, in a manner analogous to that of the elevator system 100 according to FIG. 1. In particular, utilization profiles of the respective elevator systems 200, 300, or 400, respectively, are used in each case as operating parameters of this kind.

[0070] Alternatively, the cars 130, 230, or 430, respectively, which according to FIG. 1b, 2b, or 4b, respectively, are stored in the respective second region 120, 220, or 420, can also be used for transportation operations within the respective second region 120, 220, or 420, respectively, in a manner analogous to that of the cars 331 of the elevator system 300 and analogous to that of FIG. 3c.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0071] 100 Elevator system [0072] 101 Elevator shaft [0073] 102 Elevator shaft [0074] 105 Connection path between elevator shafts [0075] 106 Connection path between elevator shafts [0076] 110 Cars [0077] 120 Restricted region [0078] 121 Remaining region [0079] 130 Car [0080] 200 Elevator system [0081] 201 Elevator shaft [0082] 202 Elevator shaft [0083] 203 Elevator shaft [0084] 205 Connection path between elevator shafts [0085] 206 Connection path between elevator shafts [0086] 210 Cars [0087] 220 Restricted second region [0088] 221 Remaining first region [0089] 230 Car [0090] 300 Elevator system [0091] 301 Elevator shaft [0092] 302 Elevator shaft [0093] 303 Elevator shaft [0094] 304 Elevator shaft [0095] 305 Connection path between elevator shafts [0096] 306 Connection path between elevator shafts [0097] 307 Connection path between elevator shafts [0098] 310 Cars [0099] 320 Restricted second region [0100] 321 Remaining first region [0101] 322 Restricted second region [0102] 323 Remaining first region [0103] 330 Car [0104] 331 Car [0105] 400 Elevator system [0106] 401 Elevator shaft [0107] 402 Elevator shaft [0108] 403 Elevator shaft [0109] 404 Elevator shaft [0110] 405 Connection path between elevator shafts [0111] 406 Connection path between elevator shafts [0112] 411 Cars [0113] 412 Cars [0114] 420 Restricted second region [0115] 421 Remaining first region [0116] 430 Car