ROLLER GUIDE FOR AN ELEVATOR CAR

Abstract

A roller guide for an elevator car includes at least one roller rotatably mounted on an axis. The roller guide further includes a support element for supporting the axis, and at least one braking element for the roller for damping vertical oscillations of the elevator car. The brake element is a magneto-rheological fluid.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A roller guide for mounting on an elevator car, comprising: a rotatably mounted roller arranged at an axis; a support element supporting the axis; and a brake element acting on the roller for damping vertical oscillations of the elevator car during stopping of the elevator car, the brake element including a magneto-rheological fluid for braking a rotary movement of the roller.

17. The roller guide according to claim 16 wherein the rotary movement of the roller is braked by activating the magneto-rheological fluid.

18. The roller guide according to claim 17 wherein the magneto-rheological fluid is activated by an electrically controllable magnetic field generated by a coil.

19. The roller guide according to claim 16 wherein the brake element has a primary part in operative communication with the roller and a secondary part in operative communication with the support element.

20. The roller guide according to claim 19 wherein the primary part and the secondary part of the brake element form a closed cavity filled with the magneto-rheological fluid.

21. The roller guide according to claim 16 being mounted on the elevator car wherein the magneto-rheological fluid in a non-activated state during travel of the elevator car has a lower viscosity than in an activated state during a stoppage of the elevator car.

22. The roller guide according to claim 21 wherein a state of the magneto-rheological fluid is controlled by a state control element of an elevator control coupled to a status signal of a car door of the elevator car.

23. The roller guide according to claim 16 wherein the roller is rotatably mounted on the axis.

24. The roller guide according to claim 23 wherein the brake element is arranged inside the roller on the axis.

25. The roller guide according to claim 16 wherein the axis is mounted rotatably in the support element.

26. An elevator car having mounted thereon at least one of the roller guide according to claim 16.

27. A method for damping vertical oscillations during operation of an elevator car having a roller guide with at least one rotatably mounted roller, comprising the steps of: providing a brake element having a magneto-rheological fluid; and braking rotary movement of the at least one roller using the brake element during a stoppage of the elevator car or during entry and exit of passengers to and from the elevator respectively.

28. The method according to claim 27 wherein the rotary movement of the at least one roller is braked by activating the magneto-rheological fluid.

29. The method according to claim 28 wherein a relative movement between the at least one roller and a support element for the at least one roller is braked.

30. The method according to claim 28 including activating a state of the magneto-rheological fluid with a state control element of an elevator control and wherein the magneto-rheological fluid is transferred into a state of higher viscosity during stoppage of the elevator car than during a travel of the elevator car.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The invention will be explained in detail hereinafter with reference to figures which merely show exemplary embodiments. In the figures:

[0042] FIG. 1: shows a roller guide from the prior art;

[0043] FIG. 2: shows a roller guide according to the invention in a sectional view;

[0044] FIG. 3: shows another exemplary embodiment of a roller guide according to the invention in sectional view;

[0045] FIG. 4: shows another exemplary embodiment of a roller guide according to the invention in sectional view; and

[0046] FIG. 5: shows another exemplary embodiment of a roller guide according to the invention in sectional view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a roller guide 1 as can be found on elevator cars in the prior art. The roller guide 1 comprises a roller 2, a support element 3 for an axis 5 and the axis 5. These roller guides 1 are usually mounted on the elevator cars and enable guidance of the elevator along a guide rail in the elevator shaft.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a roller guide 1 according to the invention in a sectional view along an axis of rotation 12 of a roller 2. The sectional view shows a roller 2 which is connected to the axis 5 in a torque-proof manner. The axis 5 is mounted rotatably with two bearings 4 in two support elements 3. Thus, the roller 2 and the axis 5 are rotatable relative to the support element 3. A brake element 6 is arranged on the axis 5 by means of which the relative movement between the roller 2 and the support element 3 can be braked. A primary part 7 of the brake element 6 is fixedly connected to the axis 5. A secondary part 8 of the brake element 6 is fixedly connected to one of the support elements 3. The primary part 7 and the secondary part 8 form a closed cavity 9 which is filled with a magneto-rheological fluid 10. The state of the magneto-rheological fluid 10 is controlled by means of an electric signal 11. During a travel of an elevator car the axis 5 with the roller 2 moves relative to the support element 3 about an axis of rotation 12 since the magneto-rheological fluid 10 has a lower viscosity. If a status signal 11 of the elevator car door reaches the brake element 6 and a magnetic field is generated by the current flow, the magneto-rheological fluid 10 is transferred to a higher viscosity and a rotary movement of the axis 5 with the roller 2 about the axis of rotation 12 is braked.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows another exemplary embodiment of the roller guide 1. The same reference numbers designate the same parts as in FIG. 2. In this embodiment the brake element 6 is arranged with its primary part 7 on the rotatably mounted axis 5 and the secondary part 8 is fixedly connected to the support element 3. However, the brake element is not arranged between the roller 2 and the support element 3 as in FIG. 2 but on an outer side 14 of the support element 3. This allows a compact design of the roller guide 1. The function and the effect further correspond to the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 2.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows another exemplary embodiment of the roller guide 1. In this embodiment the roller 2 is mounted rotatably about the axis 5 with the bearings 4. The axis 5 is connected to the support element 3 in a torque-proof manner. The brake element 6 is arranged inside a recess 13 of the roller 2. The primary part 7 of the brake element is fixedly connected to the axis 5 whereas the secondary part 8 is fixedly connected to the roller 2. The primary part 7 and the secondary part 8 form a closed cavity 9 in which the magneto-rheological fluid 10 is located. The viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid can be varied by means of the status signal 11, as already described for FIG. 2.

[0051] FIG. 5 shows another exemplary embodiment of a roller guide 1. The same reference numbers designate the same components as in FIG. 4. In this exemplary embodiment the brake element 6 is arranged between the roller 2 and the support element 3 as in FIG. 2 whereas in contrast to the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 2, the relative movement between the roller 2 and the axis 5 can be braked. The primary part 7 is connected to the axis and the secondary part 8 is connected to the roller. The function and the effect are described for the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 2.

[0052] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.