Methods for modernizing elevator systems

Abstract

This invention relates to a method for modernizing an elevator system, the elevator system including a first elevator and a second elevator, the first elevator including a first car in a first shaft, and the second elevator including a second car in a second shaft. The method includes: transporting passengers and / or goods between vertically shifted floors of a building using the first and second cars; decommissioning the first elevator car; installing a construction time elevator in the lower end of the first shaft, the travel area of ​​the construction time elevator car only partially covering the height of the first shaft; and then simultaneously using the construction time elevator car and the second car to transport passengers and / or goods between vertically shifted floors of the building. During said use, the method includes performing construction work in the first shaft above the travel area of ​​the construction time elevator car.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for modernizing an elevator system comprising multiple elevators. Each of the elevators is preferably an elevator for transporting passengers and / or goods. Background Technology

[0002] After prolonged use, elevators become outdated and require modernization to improve safety, efficiency, or passenger comfort. Modernization typically involves replacing all components of the existing elevator. However, the shaft and machine room are usually retained in their original locations.

[0003] In high-rise buildings, two or more parallel elevators typically operate as a group, serving one or more common floors. There may be many such groups within the same building. In existing technology, when a group of elevators needs modernization, they are modernized one by one. A common method for elevator modernization is to decommission the elevators, remove components from the old elevators, and then install components from the new elevators. For example, a new car is installed in the shaft, a new hoist is installed in the machine room, and new ropes are laid to suspend the car. The elevator is then put into service. Typically, the building needs to remain operational during modernization. The disadvantage is that the service capacity of the elevator group is significantly reduced during modernization. Furthermore, the workers performing the modernization may need to use the same elevators as those who normally live or work in the building. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of this invention is to introduce an improved method for modernizing elevator systems comprising multiple elevators. One object is particularly to introduce a solution that addresses one or more of the problems defined above in the prior art and / or the disadvantages discussed or implied elsewhere in the specification. Another object is to modernize one or more elevators such that it causes minimal disruption to the elevator system's ability to meet the transportation needs of its users.

[0005] A novel method for modernizing elevator systems is proposed, the system comprising a first elevator and a second elevator, the first elevator comprising a first car in a first shaft, and the second elevator comprising a second car in a second shaft, the shafts being located in the same building. The travel areas of the cars, in particular, at least partially overlap (when viewed from the side). The method includes:

[0006] The first and second cars are used (also known as first use) to transport passengers and / or goods between vertically shifting floors of the building, and then

[0007] Stop using the first elevator car to transport passengers and / or goods between vertically shifted floors, then

[0008] The construction time elevator is installed at the lower end of the first shaft, with the elevator car's travel area only partially covering the height of the first shaft; then

[0009] Simultaneous use (also referred to as second use) of the construction time elevator car and the second car to transport passengers and / or goods between vertically displaced floors of a building, during which the method preferably includes construction work being carried out in a first shaft above the travel area of ​​the construction time elevator car, and preferably above the movable support structure of the elevator car; then changing the travel area of ​​the construction time elevator car to extend higher in the shaft, and then...

[0010] Simultaneous use (also known as third use) of the construction time elevator car and the second car to transport passengers and / or goods between vertically displaced floors, during said use, the method preferably includes construction work being carried out in the first shaft above the travel area of ​​the construction time elevator car, and preferably above the movable support structure of the elevator car.

[0011] This solution can achieve one or more of the aforementioned objectives.

[0012] The following describes preferred further details of the method, which may be combined with the method individually or in any combination.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the first use includes receiving a call from a user interface and selecting an elevator car from a group of elevator cars to be dispatched to serve the call by a controller (also called a group controller) of the control system S, the control system being configured to control both the first car and the second car, the group including both the first car and the second car.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, each of the second use and / or each of the third uses includes: receiving a call from a user interface, and selecting, by a controller of the control system (also referred to as a group controller), an elevator car to be dispatched from a group of elevator cars to serve the call. The controller of the control system is configured to control the movement of both the construction time elevator car and the second car, the group comprising both the construction time elevator car and the second car. Therefore, elevators in a modernized elevator system can also operate efficiently in groups during the modernization process.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the method includes repeating the change and the third use once or multiple times.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, during the second use and / or each of the third uses, the travel area of ​​the elevator car and the travel area of ​​the second car (when viewed from the side) at least partially overlap.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the method includes, particularly after the modification and third use once or more, converting the construction-time elevator into a final elevator. Preferably, the conversion includes one or more of the following:

[0018] Remove the movable support structure or at least a part thereof of the elevator car from the first shaft during construction time;

[0019] Remove the ropes from the construction time elevator and install the ropes for the final elevator;

[0020] Modifying the rope ratio preferably includes making the suspension ratio of the elevator car of the final elevator 1:1, wherein the suspension ratio of the elevator car of the construction time elevator is n:1, where n is greater than 1;

[0021] Remove the elevator hoist during construction and install the final elevator hoist;

[0022] The hoist for installing the final elevator is preferably installed in a machine room located above the first shaft.

[0023] From the time of construction, the elevator car is formed at least partially or completely into the final elevator car.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, installing the construction time elevator into the lower end of the first shaft includes installing a movable support structure for the elevator car (and preferably also having a counterweight) in the first shaft and vertically supporting it on a fixed structure. The hoist of the construction time elevator for moving the car is preferably mounted on the movable support structure.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the method includes removing the suspension ropes of the first elevator before installing the construction time elevator into the lower end of the first shaft.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, installing the construction time elevator into the lower end of the first shaft includes suspending the elevator car, and preferably a counterweight, from the aforementioned movable support structure using suspension ropes. Preferably, the suspension ropes extend through at least one releasable rope clamp to a rope supply reservoir, which may be in the form of one or more rope reels and can reduce the amount of additional rope required in the method. The rope supply reservoir may preferably be mounted on the movable support structure, but can alternatively be mounted elsewhere, such as in the pit or on a platform within the shaft.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, installing the construction time elevator into the lower end of the first shaft includes removing at least a portion of the guide rails of the first elevator, such as the guide rails of the first car of the first elevator and / or the guide rails of the counterweight.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, installing the construction time elevator at the lower end of the first shaft includes installing the guide rails of the construction time elevator into the first shaft, particularly installing one or more guide rails of the construction time elevator car and / or one or more guide rails of the counterweight into the first shaft.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the method preferably includes removing the first car or at least a portion thereof before installing the construction time elevator into the lower end of the first shaft.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, installing the construction time elevator at the lower end of the first shaft includes installing the car of the construction time elevator into the first shaft and moving it along one or more guide rails.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the method includes, preferably, raising the movable support structure once or multiple times to make room below it before each change of the car's travel area to extend higher in the hoistway, so as to enable the change of the car's travel area to extend higher in the first hoistway, and installing the movable support structure at a new higher position in the first hoistway and supporting it vertically on a fixed structure.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, during each lifting of the movable support structure, the vertical movement of the movable support structure is guided by one or more guide rails, particularly by means of one or more guides included in the movable support structure, which extend along the one or more guide rails.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the movable support structure includes one or more releasable mounting mechanisms for releasably mounting the movable support structure in the shaft.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, each of the installations of the movable support structure is performed using at least one releasable installation mechanism.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the method includes modernizing the second elevator, particularly after the simultaneous use of the construction time elevator's car and second car to transport passengers and / or goods between vertically displaced floors for at least a period of time, preferably after one or more of the aforementioned modifications have been made. Preferably, the modernization of the second elevator is carried out in at least substantially similar manner to that of the first elevator. Modernizing the second elevator preferably includes:

[0036] Stop using the second elevator car to transport passengers and / or goods between vertically shifted floors, then

[0037] The second construction time elevator is installed at the lower end of the second shaft, and the travel area of ​​the second construction time elevator only partially covers the height of the second shaft; then

[0038] Simultaneously using (also referred to as fourth use) the car of the second construction time elevator and a movable car installed in the first shaft to transport passengers and / or goods between vertically shifting floors, said car preferably being the car of the construction time elevator or the car of the final elevator, during said use, the method preferably includes construction work being carried out in the second shaft above the travel area of ​​the car of the second construction time elevator, particularly above the movable support structure of the elevator car of the second construction time elevator; then

[0039] The travel area of ​​the elevator car during the second construction period was changed to extend higher in the second shaft, and then...

[0040] Simultaneously using (also known as fifth use) the car of the second construction time elevator and the car in the first shaft (preferably the car of the construction time elevator or the car of the final elevator) to transport passengers and / or goods between vertically displaced floors, during which the method preferably includes construction work being carried out in the second shaft above the travel area of ​​the car of the second construction time elevator, particularly above the movable support structure of the elevator car.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the method includes repeating the change and the fifth use once or multiple times.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the method includes, particularly after the change is performed and the fifth use has been performed once or more, converting the second construction time elevator into the final elevator. This conversion can be performed accordingly as described above for construction time elevators. Preferably, the conversion includes one or more of the following:

[0043] Remove the movable support structure or at least a part thereof of the elevator car of the elevator during the second construction period from the second shaft;

[0044] Remove the ropes from the second construction time elevator and install the ropes for the final elevator;

[0045] Modifying the rope ratio preferably includes making the suspension ratio of the elevator car of the final elevator 1:1, wherein the suspension ratio of the elevator car of the second construction time elevator is n:1, where n is greater than 1;

[0046] Remove the elevator hoist of the second construction period and install the elevator hoist of the final construction period;

[0047] The hoist for installing the final elevator is preferably installed in a machine room located above the second shaft.

[0048] From the time of construction, the elevator car is formed at least partially or completely into the final elevator car.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, the group controller is configured to perform each of the aforementioned selections of elevator cars based on one or more variables, including the floor associated with the call.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the group controller is configured to perform the selection, particularly during the second and / or third use, such that when the floor associated with the call is a floor above the travel area of ​​the construction time elevator car, the controller is configured to select some other cars in the car group besides the construction time elevator car, preferably the second car or a car of another elevator.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the group controller is configured to perform the selection, particularly during the second and / or third use, such that when the floor associated with the call is a floor within the travel area of ​​the elevator car during construction time, the controller is configured to select the elevator car during construction time.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the group controller is configured to perform the selection of elevator car such that when the floor associated with the call is within the travel area Z3 or Z5 of the construction time elevator and the travel area Z2 of the second elevator, the controller preferentially selects the construction time elevator car instead of the second elevator car.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the group controller is configured to access a floor list, particularly during the second and / or third use, which is specifically a list of floors within the elevator car's travel area during construction time. Therefore, it can allocate a car in response to a call based on available floors.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the method, particularly altering the travel area of ​​the elevator car during construction time to extend higher within the shaft, includes updating a floor list, which preferably includes adding floors to the floor list, particularly a list of floors within the travel area of ​​the elevator car during construction time.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the method includes receiving calls from one or more user interface devices installed on a floor and / or from one or more user interface devices installed in an elevator car and / or from one or more portable interface devices (e.g., from a mobile phone or tablet).

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, each call takes the form of a call signal that includes a floor number, which specifically indicates the destination floor or the floor to leave.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, the top floor in the above list is higher after the update than before the update.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment, the construction work performed in the first shaft above the travel area of ​​the elevator car during construction and / or in the second shaft above the travel area of ​​the elevator car during a second construction time includes installing guide rails, such as guide rails for the car and / or counterweight, above the travel area of ​​the car in question. Preferably, installing the guide rails includes installing guide rail sections on top of previously installed guide rail sections.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment, the releasable mounting mechanism can switch between a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state, the mechanism engages the fixing structure to obtain support therefrom, and in the second state, the mechanism is released from the engagement.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the aforementioned fixing structure is and includes one or more of the following: shaft wall, floor threshold, bracket for fixing the guide rail section of the track line to the shaft, or, for example, bracket for supporting a movable machine room, fixed to the track line, or guide rail section of the track line.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment, the releasable mounting mechanism includes an arm that extends to a first state in which it vertically overlaps with a bracket fixed in the shaft, and retracts to a second state in which it does not overlap with the bracket, so that when lifted together with the movable machine room, it can bypass the bracket positioned above the aforementioned support.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, the releasable mounting mechanism includes an arm that extends to be positioned on top of a structure of a floor threshold or shaft wall, for example (in the latter case) on top of the surface of a bag formed in the wall of a shaft or beam, and the arm retracts to be positioned away from the top of a structure of a floor threshold or shaft wall.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, each of the releasable mounting mechanisms includes a clamp adapted to releasably hold a section of the guide rail.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment, the fixing structure includes one or more of the following: a guide rail, a shaft wall, a floor threshold, a bracket for fixing the guide rail to the shaft, such as a bracket fixed to the guide rail to support a movable machine room.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment, each selection is made in response to receiving a call.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment, the first car, the second car, and the car of the construction time elevator, preferably also including the car of the second construction time elevator, each have an interior that can be closed and opened by a door, preferably an automatic door. Preferably, the automatic door is such that the opening and closing of the door is automatically actuated by a door operator system, the actuator, such as an electric motor, is preferably mounted on the car in question. Attached Figure Description

[0067] In the following description, the invention will be described in more detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein

[0068] Figure 1 The elevator system to be modernized is shown.

[0069] Figure 2-4 The elevator system at various stages of the method is shown, with the elevator in the first shaft during construction time.

[0070] Figure 5 An elevator system in such a stage is shown, where the final elevator is in the first shaft and the second construction time elevator is in the second shaft.

[0071] Figure 6-7 The elevator system at various stages of the method is shown, wherein the elevator is in the second shaft during the second construction period.

[0072] Figure 8 An elevator system at such a stage is shown, in which the final elevator is in the first and second shafts.

[0073] Figure 9 Shown Figure 1 The area where the car travels.

[0074] Figure 10 Shown Figure 2 The area where the car travels.

[0075] Figure 11 Shown Figure 4 The area where the car travels.

[0076] Figure 12 Shown Figure 5 The area where the car travels.

[0077] Figure 13 Shown Figure 7 The area where the car travels.

[0078] Figure 14 Shown Figure 8 The area where the car travels.

[0079] Figure 15 It shows in Figure 1 The control system of the elevator system at this stage.

[0080] Figure 16 It shows in Figure 2-4 The control system of the elevator system at this stage.

[0081] Figure 17 It shows in Figure 5-7 The control system of the elevator system at this stage.

[0082] Figure 18 It shows in Figure 8 The control system of the elevator system at this stage.

[0083] The foregoing aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and the detailed description therewith. Detailed Implementation

[0084] Figure 1 An elevator system to be modernized is shown. The elevator system includes: a first elevator 1, which includes a first car 2 in a first shaft 3; and a second elevator 4, which includes a second car 5 in a second shaft 6, these shafts being located in the same building 7. Building 7 includes multiple floors F. The travel areas Z1, Z2 of the cars 2 and 5 at least partially overlap (when viewed from the side). Therefore, they can serve one or more of the same floors. In the illustrated embodiment, the travel areas Z1, Z2 of the cars 2 and 5 are similar.

[0085] Methods for modernizing elevator systems include using (also known as first use) a first car 2 and a second car 5 to transport passengers and / or goods between vertically displaced floors of building 7, such as... Figure 1 As indicated by the arrows in the diagram. Elevators 1 and 4 preferably belong to the same elevator group. The first use includes receiving a call from the user interface 90, and the controller 50 (also called the group controller) of the control system S selecting the elevator car 2, 5 to be dispatched to serve the call from the group of elevator cars 2, 5. The controller 50 of the control system S is configured to control the movement of both the first car 2 and the second car 5, and the group includes both the first car 2 and the second car 5.

[0086] The method includes, after the first use, ceasing the use of the first elevator car 2 to transport passengers and / or goods between vertically shifted floors, then installing the construction time elevator 8 into the lower end of the first shaft 3, the travel area Z3 of the construction time elevator 8's car 9 only partially covering the height of the first shaft 3; and then simultaneously using (also referred to as the second use) the construction time elevator 8's car 9 and the second car 5 to transport passengers and / or goods between vertically shifted floors of the building 7, during which the method includes performing construction work in the first shaft 3 above the travel area Z3 of the construction time elevator 8's car 9, particularly above the movable support structure 10 of the elevator car 9. These steps are as follows: Figure 2 As shown.

[0087] The construction work in the first hoistway 3 above the travel area Z5 of the elevator car 9 during construction is carried out on a work platform 20, which is vertically movable above the travel area Z3 of the car 9, and particularly above the movable support structure 10 of the elevator car 9. The work platform 20 is preferably movable by lifting devices 21, 22, which include a hoist 22 installed above the hoistway 3 in the machine room MR1 of the first elevator 1, wherein the hoist 22 is connected to the work platform 20 by a cable or chain 21.

[0088] The preferred details of installing the construction time elevator 8 into the lower end of the first shaft 3 are described below.

[0089] Preferably, the aforementioned installation of the construction time elevator 8 at the lower end of the first shaft 3 includes installing a movable support structure 10 of the elevator car 9 (and preferably also a counterweight 11) in the first shaft 3 and vertically supporting it on a fixed structure (not shown). Figure 2 The movable support structure 10 in its installed state is shown. The hoist 16 of the construction time elevator 8 for moving the car 9 is preferably mounted on the movable support structure 10. Preferably, the aforementioned installation of the construction time elevator 8 to the lower end of the first shaft 3 includes: installing a controller 300 for the hoist 16 of the construction time elevator 8. Preferably, the aforementioned installation of the construction time elevator 8 includes removing the controller 100 of the first elevator 1. However, these steps of replacing the controller 100 with the controller 300 are not necessary, as any necessary changes can be made by reprogramming and / or rewiring.

[0090] Furthermore, installing the construction elevator 8 into the lower end of the first shaft 3 involves suspending the elevator car 9, and preferably a counterweight 11, from the movable support structure 10 using suspension ropes 1. Figure 2As shown. The suspension rope 12 extends through at least one releasable rope clamp 14 to a rope supply reservoir 13, which may be in the form of one or more rope reels and can reduce the amount of additional rope required in the method. The rope supply reservoir 13 may preferably be mounted on the movable support structure 10, but may alternatively be mounted elsewhere, such as in the pit or on the platform of the shaft 3.

[0091] In addition, installing the construction time elevator 8 into the lower end of the first shaft 3 also includes: at least partially removing the guide rails 18a, 18b of the first elevator 1, such as the guide rail 18a of the first car of the first elevator and / or the guide rail 18b of the counterweight; and installing the guide rails 19a, 19b of the construction time elevator 8 into the first shaft 3, particularly one or more guide rails 19a of the car 9 of the construction time elevator 8 and / or one or more guide rails 19b of the counterweight 11.

[0092] Preferably, the method includes removing the suspension rope 12a of the first elevator 1 before installing the construction time elevator 8 into the lower end of the first shaft 3.

[0093] In addition, installing the construction time elevator 8 at the lower end of the first shaft 3 also includes installing the car 9 of the construction time elevator (8) into the first shaft (3) and moving it along one or more guide rails (19a).

[0094] Elevators 8 and 4 preferably belong to the same elevator group. The second use includes: receiving a call from the user interface 90, and the controller 50 of the control system S' selecting from the group of elevator cars 9 and 5 the elevator car 9 or 5 to be dispatched to serve the call, the controller 50 of the control system S' being configured to control the movement of the car 9 of the construction time elevator 8 and the second car 5, the group including the car 9 of the construction time elevator 8 and the second car 5.

[0095] To facilitate subsequent changes in the travel area of ​​the elevator car 9 within the construction timeframe to extend higher within the hoistway 3, the method preferably includes, particularly between the second use and the change, raising the movable support structure 10 to create space beneath it, thereby enabling the change in the travel area of ​​the car 9 to extend higher within the first hoistway 3, such as... Figure 3 As shown; and after the lifting, the movable support structure 10 is installed at a new, higher position in the first shaft 3 and vertically supported on the fixed structure. Figure 4 The movable support structure 10 in this installed state is shown. If there is sufficient space between the movable support structure 10 and the travel area of ​​the car 9, lifting may not be necessary to facilitate changes in the travel area of ​​the car 9.

[0096] The method involves altering the travel zone Z3 of the elevator car 9 during construction time to extend Z5 higher within the hoistway 3, which occurs after the second use. Figure 4 The car 9 of the construction time elevator 8 is shown, having a travel area Z5 that changes during the alteration. Changing the travel area of ​​the car 9 of the construction time elevator 8 to extend higher within the hoistway 3 preferably involves updating the floor list, such as adding floors to the list within the travel area Z5 of the car 9 of the construction time elevator 8. The uppermost floor present in the list is preferably higher after the update than before the update. This change can be made in a control system S' configured to control the movement of the car 9 and the second car 5 of the construction time elevator 8. The aforementioned list can then be stored, for example, in the memory of the control system S'.

[0097] Following the modification, the method includes simultaneously using (also referred to as repeated second use) the car 9 and the second car 5 of the construction-time elevator 8 to transport passengers and / or goods between vertically displaced floors. During this use, the method includes performing construction work in the first shaft 3 above the travel area Z5 of the construction-time elevator car 9, particularly above the movable support structure 10 of the elevator car 9. These steps are as follows: Figure 4 As shown.

[0098] The third use preferably includes: receiving a call from the user interface 90, and the controller 50 of the control system S' selecting from the group of elevator cars 9 and 5 to be dispatched to serve the call, the controller 50 of the control system S' being configured to control the movement of the car 9 and the second car 5 of the construction time elevator 8, the group including the car 9 and the second car 5 of the construction time elevator 8.

[0099] The construction work in the first shaft 3 above the travel area Z5 of the elevator car 9 during construction is carried out on a work platform 20, which can move vertically up and down above the travel area Z5 of the car 9, and in particular, can move vertically up and down above the movable support structure 10 of the elevator car 9.

[0100] The method may include repeating the alteration and third use once or multiple times. To facilitate alteration, the method preferably includes, particularly between each third use and alteration, raising the movable support structure 10 to create space beneath it, so as to allow alteration of the travel area of ​​the car 9 to extend higher within the first shaft 3.

[0101] This method includes, particularly after one or more modifications and a third use, converting the construction-time elevator 8 into the final elevator 70, such as... Figure 5 As shown.

[0102] exist Figure 5 In the preferred embodiment shown, the conversion includes:

[0103] Remove the movable support structure 10 or at least a portion thereof from the first shaft 3 of the elevator car 9; and

[0104] Remove rope 12 from elevator 8 during construction and install rope 15 from elevator 70 at the end; and

[0105] Modifying the rope ratio preferably includes making the suspension ratio of the final elevator car 9 of the elevator 8 1:1, wherein the suspension ratio of the elevator car 9 of the construction time elevator 8 is n:1, where n is greater than 1; and

[0106] Remove elevator 8's hoist 16 during construction time; and

[0107] The hoist 17 of the final elevator 70 is installed in the machine room MR1 located above the first shaft 3; and

[0108] Remove the controller 300 of the hoist 16 of elevator 8 during construction time; and

[0109] The controller 400 for the hoist 17 of the final elevator 70 is installed; and

[0110] From the time of construction, the car 9 of elevator 8 at least partially or completely forms the car 9 of the final elevator 70.

[0111] Typically, during construction work in the first hoistway 3, the installation of guide rails, such as guide rail 19a of the car 9 and / or guide rail 19b of the counterweight 11, above the travel area of ​​the elevator car 9 during construction work preferably includes installing guide rails above the (main) travel area of ​​the elevator car 9 during construction work. Preferably, the installation of guide rails 19a and 19b includes installing guide rail sections on top of previously installed guide rail sections.

[0112] The preferred details of the group control implemented during the second and third uses are described below.

[0113] Preferably, in each of the second and third uses, controller 50 is configured to perform the selection of elevator cars (5 or 9; 5 and 9) based on one or more variables, including the floor associated with the call. This association could be, for example, a floor number. More specifically, the selection could include running an algorithm whose details could be of any known kind, such as an algorithm where the floor associated with each call works. Preferably, each call takes the form of a call signal including a floor number, which specifically indicates the destination floor or the departure floor, or possibly both. In particular, controller 50 is configured to perform the selection such that when the floor associated with the call is a floor above the travel zone Z3 or Z5 of car 9 of construction time elevator 8, controller 50 is configured to select some other car in the car group besides car 9 of construction time elevator 8, preferably car 5 of the second elevator or possibly another elevator car. Furthermore, controller 50 is also configured to perform the selection such that when the floor associated with the call is a floor within the travel area Z3 or Z5 of the car 9 of the construction time elevator 8, controller 50 is configured to select the car 9 of the construction time elevator 8. Preferably, controller 50 is configured to access a list of floors within the travel area (Z3 or Z5) of the car 9 of the construction time elevator 8. This list may be stored in a control system S', which is configured to, for example, control the movement of both the car 9 and the second car 5 of the construction time elevator 8. Preferably, changing the travel area Z3 of the car 9 of the construction time elevator 8 to extend Z5 higher in the hoistway 3 includes updating the list, for example, adding floors to the list. Preferably, the uppermost floor existing in the list is higher after the update than before the update.

[0114] Preferably, though not strictly necessary, controller 50 is configured to perform the selection of elevator cars (5 or 9; 5 and 9) such that when the floor associated with the call is within the travel area Z3 or Z5 of the construction time elevator 8 and the travel area Z2 of the second elevator 4, controller 50 preferentially selects the car 9 of the construction time elevator 8 instead of the second car 5. In this way, the average passenger waiting time can be reduced compared to the exemplary case where, in the exemplary case, an elevator capable of serving floors outside the travel area Z3 or Z5 of the construction time elevator 8 is selected by controller 50 to serve passenger destination calls within the travel area of ​​the construction time elevator, while the construction time elevator waits in the lobby, and during this period, new passengers arrive in the lobby and make destination calls outside the travel area Z3 or Z5 of the waiting construction time elevator.

[0115] Each of the first, second, and third uses includes receiving calls from one or more user interface devices 90 installed at the floor and / or from one or more user interface devices installed in the elevator car and / or from one or more portable interface devices (e.g., from a mobile phone or tablet).

[0116] Furthermore, the method includes modernizing the second elevator 4 at an appropriate time, particularly after the construction time elevator 8's car 9 and the second car 5 have been used simultaneously to transport passengers and / or goods between vertically displaced floors for at least a period of time, preferably after one or more of the aforementioned modifications have been made. The modernization includes: ceasing the use of the second elevator car 5 to transport passengers and / or goods between vertically displaced floors, then installing the second construction time elevator 28 into the lower end of the second shaft 6, the travel area Z7 of the car 29 of the second construction time elevator 28 only partially covering the height of the second shaft 6, and then simultaneously using (also referred to as fourth use) the car 29 of the second construction time elevator 28 and a movable car 9 installed in the first shaft 3 to transport passengers and / or goods between vertically displaced floors of the building 7, the car 9 being either the car 9 of the construction time elevator 8 or the car 9 of the final elevator, during which the method includes construction work being carried out in the second shaft 6 above the travel area Z7 of the car 29 of the second construction time elevator 28, particularly above the movable support structure 30 of the elevator car 29. These steps are as follows: Figure 5 As shown. For example, the appropriate time could be after the construction elevator 8 has been converted into the final elevator 70. Therefore, the second elevator 4 can serve until the first elevator 1 has been modernized. However, the appropriate time could also be before the modernization of elevator 1 is completed.

[0117] The construction work in the second hoistway 6 above the travel area Z7 of the elevator car 29 during construction is carried out on a work platform 20, which is vertically movable above the travel area Z7 of the car 29, and particularly above the movable support structure 30 of the elevator car 29. The work platform 20 is preferably movable by lifting devices 21, 22, which include a hoist 22 installed above the hoistway 6 in the machine room MR2 of the second elevator 4, wherein the hoist 22 is connected to the work platform 20 by a cable or chain 21.

[0118] The preferred details of installing the construction time elevator 28 into the lower end of the second shaft 6 are described below.

[0119] Preferably, the aforementioned installation of the construction time elevator 28 to the lower end of the second shaft 6 includes installing a movable support structure 30 for the elevator car 29 (and preferably also having a counterweight) in the second shaft 6 and vertically supporting it on a fixed structure (not shown). Figure 5 A movable support structure 30 in its installed state is shown. The hoist 36 of the construction time elevator 28 for moving the car 29 is preferably mounted on the movable support structure 30. Preferably, the aforementioned installation of the construction time elevator 28 into the lower end of the second shaft 6 includes: a controller 500 for installing the hoist 36 of the second construction time elevator 28. Preferably, the aforementioned installation of the construction time elevator 28 includes removing the controller 200 of the second elevator 4. However, these steps of replacing the controller 200 with the controller 500 are not necessary, as any necessary changes can be made by reprogramming and / or rewiring.

[0120] Furthermore, installing the construction elevator 28 into the lower end of the second shaft 6 includes suspending the elevator car 29, and preferably a counterweight 41, from the movable support structure 30 using suspension ropes 32. Figure 5 As shown. The suspension rope 32 extends through at least one releasable rope clamp 34 to a rope supply reservoir 33, which may be in the form of one or more rope reels and can reduce the amount of additional rope required in the method. The rope supply reservoir 33 may preferably be mounted on the movable support structure 30, but may alternatively be mounted elsewhere, such as in the pit or on the platform of the shaft 6.

[0121] In addition, installing the construction time elevator 28 into the lower end of the second shaft 6 also includes: at least partially removing the guide rails 38a, 38b of the second elevator 4, such as the guide rail 38a of the first car of the first elevator and / or the guide rail 38b of the counterweight; and installing the guide rails 39a, 39b of the construction time elevator 28 into the second shaft 6, particularly one or more guide rails 39a of the car 29 of the construction time elevator 28 and / or one or more guide rails 39b of the counterweight 41.

[0122] Preferably, the method includes removing the suspension rope 32a of the second elevator 4 before installing the construction time elevator 28 into the lower end of the second shaft 6.

[0123] Furthermore, installing the second construction time elevator 28 to the lower end of the second shaft 6 also includes installing the car 29 of the construction time elevator 28 into the second shaft 6 and moving it along one or more guide rails 39a.

[0124] Elevators 28 and 70 preferably belong to the same elevator group. The fourth use includes: receiving a call from the user interface 90, and the controller 50 of the control system S” selecting from the group of elevator cars 29 and 9 the elevator car 29 or 9 to be dispatched to serve the call, the controller 50 of the control system S” being configured to control the movement of both the car 29 of the second construction time elevator 28 and the movable car 9 installed in the first shaft 3, the group including the car 29 of the second construction time elevator 28 and the movable car 9 installed in the first shaft 3.

[0125] To facilitate subsequent changes to the travel area of ​​the elevator car 29 during the second construction phase to extend it higher within the shaft 6, the method preferably includes, particularly between the fourth use and the change, raising the movable support structure 30 to create space beneath it, thereby enabling the change in the travel area of ​​the car 29 to extend it higher within the second shaft 6, such as... Figure 6 As shown; and after the lifting, the movable support structure 30 is installed at a new, higher position in the second shaft 6 and vertically supported on the fixed structure. Figure 6 The movable support structure 30 in this installed state is shown. If there is sufficient space between the movable support structure 30 and the travel area of ​​the car 29, lifting may not be necessary to facilitate changes in the travel area of ​​the car 29.

[0126] The method involves altering the travel zone Z7 of the car 29 of the second construction time elevator 28 to extend Z8 higher within the second hoistway 6. This occurs after the fourth use. Figure 7 The car 29 of the elevator 28 during construction time is shown, which has a travel area Z8 that changes during the change.

[0127] Changing the travel area of ​​the car 29 of the second construction time elevator 28 to extend it higher in the second shaft 6 preferably includes updating the floor list, such as the floor list within the travel area Z8 of the car 29 of the second construction time elevator 28, for example, by adding floors to the list. The uppermost floor existing in the list is preferably higher after the update than before the update. This can be changed in a control system S” configured to control the movement of both the car 29 of the second construction time elevator 28 and the car 9 installed and movable in the first shaft 3. Then, for example, the aforementioned list can be stored in the memory of the control system S”.

[0128] Following the aforementioned modification, the method includes simultaneously using (also referred to as the fifth use) the car 29 of the second construction time elevator 28 and the car 9 in the first hoistway 3 (the car 9 being either the car 9 of the construction time elevator or the car 9 of the final elevator 70) to transport passengers and / or goods between vertically displaced floors. During this use, the method includes conducting construction work in the second hoistway 6 above the travel area Z8 of the car 29 of the second construction time elevator, particularly above the movable support structure 30 of the elevator car 29. These steps are as follows: Figure 7 As shown.

[0129] The construction work in the second shaft 6 above the travel area Z8 of the elevator car 29 during the second construction period is carried out on a work platform 20, which can move vertically up and down above the travel area Z8 of the car 29, and in particular, can move vertically up and down above the movable support structure 30 of the elevator car 29.

[0130] The method may include repeating the change and the fifth use once or multiple times. To facilitate the change, the method preferably includes, particularly between each fifth use and change, raising the movable support structure 30 to create space below it, so as to enable the travel area of ​​the car 29 to extend higher in the second shaft 6.

[0131] The method includes, particularly after one or more modifications and a fifth use, converting the second construction time elevator 28 into the final elevator 80, such as... Figure 8 As shown.

[0132] exist Figure 8 In the preferred embodiment shown, the conversion includes:

[0133] Remove the movable support structure 30 or at least a portion thereof from the elevator car 29 in the second shaft 6; and

[0134] Remove rope 32 from elevator 28 during the second construction phase and install ropes for the final elevator 80; and

[0135] Modifying the rope ratio preferably includes making the suspension ratio of the elevator car 29 of the final elevator 1:1, wherein the suspension ratio of the elevator car 29 of the second construction time elevator 28 is n:1, where n is greater than 1;

[0136] Remove the hoist 36 of elevator 28 during the second construction period; and

[0137] The hoist 27 of the final elevator 80 is installed in the machine room MR2 located above the second shaft 6; and

[0138] Remove the controller 500 of the hoist 36 of elevator 28 during the second construction period; and

[0139] Install the controller 600 of the hoist 27 of the final elevator 80;

[0140] From the time of construction, the car 29 of elevator 28 at least partially or completely forms the car 29 of the final elevator 80.

[0141] Typically, during each construction operation in the second shaft 6, above the travel area of ​​the car 29 of the elevator 28 during the second construction period, it preferably includes installing guide rails, such as guide rail 39a of the car 29 and / or guide rail 39b of the counterweight 41, above the (main) travel area of ​​the car 29 during the construction period. Preferably, the installation of guide rails 39a and 29b includes installing guide rail sections on top of previously installed guide rail sections.

[0142] In this method, preferably, during each lifting of the movable support structure 10; 30, the vertical movement of the movable support structure 10; 30 is guided by one or more guide rails 19a, 19b; 39a, 39b, particularly by means of one or more guides (not shown) included in the movable support structure 10; 30, which extend along the one or more guide rails 19a, 19b; 39a, 39b. The guides may be, for example, roller guides or sliding guides.

[0143] Typically, to achieve a releasable and thus temporary installation, the mobile equipment room 10;30 includes one or more releasable mounting mechanisms for releasably mounting the mobile equipment room 10;30 vertically supported in the shaft 3;6. Each of the aforementioned installations of the mobile support structure is then performed using at least one releasable mounting mechanism.

[0144] The releasable mounting mechanism is preferably switchable between a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state the mechanism engages the fixing structure to obtain support therefrom, and in the second state the mechanism is released from the engagement.

[0145] Preferably, the aforementioned fixing structure includes one or more of the following: guide rail, shaft wall, floor threshold, bracket for fixing the guide rail to the shaft, such as a bracket fixed to the guide rail to support a movable machine room.

[0146] In the first alternative, the releasable mounting mechanism cab includes an arm that extends to a first state in which it vertically overlaps with a bracket fixed in the shaft, and retracts to a second state in which it does not overlap with the bracket, so that when lifted together with the movable machine room, it can bypass the bracket positioned above the aforementioned bracket.

[0147] In a second alternative, the releasable mounting mechanism includes an arm that extends to the top of a structure on a floor threshold or shaft wall, for example (in the latter case) on the top of the surface of a pocket formed in the wall of a shaft or beam, and the arm retracts to the top of the structure away from the floor threshold or shaft wall.

[0148] In a third alternative, each of the releasable mounting mechanisms includes a clamp adapted to releasably clamp the guide rails. In this case, a first state of the releasable mounting mechanism is that the clamp holds the guide rails 19a, 19b; 39a, 39b on opposite sides of the guide rails with clamping members, and a second state is that the clamp does not clamp the guide rails 19a, 19b; 39a, 39b. Typically, the clamp adapted to releasably clamp the guide rails 19a, 19b; 39a, 39b can be implemented, for example, using a wedge clamp with the wedge direction in the downward direction, or using a fixed caliper brake or a floating caliper brake.

[0149] Typically, the lifting of the movable support structure 10;30 can be achieved in any of the many different alternatives known in the art. Figure 3 and Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, lifting is performed using lifting devices 21, 22, which include a hoist 22 installed in machine rooms MR1, MR2 of elevator 1;4 during modernization. These machine rooms MR1, MR2 are located above the shaft 3;6 of elevator 1;4 during modernization. The hoist 22 is connected to a movable support structure 10; 30 via cables or chains in a force-transmitting manner. This is in... Figure 3 and Figure 6 The lifting devices 21 and 22 of the working platform 20 are used to achieve this, in particular, so that when the movable support structure 10; 30 is lifted, the working platform 20 is fixed to the movable support structure 10; 30, wherein the lifting devices 21 and 22 are connected to the movable support structure 10; 30 via the working platform 20 in a force transmission manner.

[0150] In this application, the travel area of ​​the car is considered to be the area between the top floor and the bottom floor, in which the control system (i.e., in the embodiment, the elevator systems S, S', S", S"', or any of them) moves the car in question.

[0151] Preferably, typically, when an elevator car is dispatched to serve a call, it is dispatched to the floor associated with that call. This association may be, for example, a floor number.

[0152] It should be understood that the above description and figures are intended only to teach the inventors the known best ways of making and using the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. Therefore, modifications or alterations can be made to the above embodiments of the invention without departing from the invention, as understood by those skilled in the art based on the above teachings. Therefore, it should be understood that the invention and its embodiments are not limited to the above examples, but can be varied within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for modernizing an elevator system, the elevator system comprising a first elevator (1) and a second elevator (4), the first elevator (1) comprising a first car (2) in a first shaft (3), and the second elevator (4) comprising a second car (5) in a second shaft (6). The method includes: First, the first and second cars (2,5) are used to transport passengers and / or goods between vertically shifting floors of the building (7), then Stop using the first elevator car (2) to transport passengers and / or goods between vertically displaced floors, then The construction time elevator (8) is installed at the lower end of the first shaft (3), and the travel area (Z3) of the car (9) of the construction time elevator (8) only partially covers the height of the first shaft (3); then Simultaneously, during the second construction period, the elevator car (9) and the second car (5) transport passengers and / or goods between the vertically displaced floors of the building (7); then The construction time of the elevator (8) is changed so that the travel area (Z3) of the car (9) extends higher in the hoistway (3), and then Meanwhile, during construction time, the third elevator (8) car (9) and the second car (5) transport passengers and / or goods between vertically shifted floors.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, During the second use, the method includes carrying out construction work in the first shaft (3) above the travel area (Z3) of the car (9) of the construction time elevator (8).

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, During the third use, the method includes performing construction work in the first shaft (3) above the travel area (Z5) of the elevator car (9) during construction time.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first use includes: receiving a call from a user interface (90), and selecting, by a controller (50) of a control system (S), an elevator car (2 or 5) to be dispatched to serve the call from a group of elevator cars (2, 5), the control system (S) being configured to control the movement of both the first car (2) and the second car (5), the group including both the first car (2) and the second car (5).

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, Each of the second and / or third uses includes: receiving a call from a user interface (90), and selecting, by a controller (50) of a control system (S'), an elevator car (5 or 9; 5 and 9) to be dispatched to serve the call from a group of elevator cars (9, 5), the controller (50) of the control system (S') being configured to control the movement of both the car (9) and the second car (5) of the construction time elevator (8), the group including both the car (9) and the second car (5) of the construction time elevator (8).

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The method includes converting the construction time elevator (8) into the final elevator (70) after performing the change and the third use once or more.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The conversion includes one or more of the following: Remove the movable support structure (10) or at least a portion thereof of the elevator car (9) from the first shaft (3); Remove the rope (12) of the construction time elevator (8) and install the rope (15) of the final elevator (70); Modify the rope ratio; Remove the hoist (16) of the construction time elevator (8) and install the hoist (17) of the final elevator (70); The car (9) of the elevator (8) at least partially or completely forms the car (9) of the final elevator (70) from the construction time.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, Modifying the rope ratios includes making the suspension ratio of the elevator car (9) of the final elevator 1:1, wherein the suspension ratio of the elevator car (9) of the construction time elevator (8) is n:1, where n is greater than 1.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein, Installing the hoist (17) of the final elevator (70) includes installing the hoist (17) of the final elevator (70) into the machine room (MR1) located above the first shaft (3).

10. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Installing the construction time elevator (8) into the lower end of the first shaft (3) includes installing the movable support structure (10) of the elevator car (9) in the first shaft and vertically supporting it on the fixed structure.

11. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Installing the construction time elevator (8) into the lower end of the first shaft (3) includes suspending the elevator car (9) with suspension ropes (12) from the movable support structure (10).

12. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Installing the construction time elevator (8) into the lower end of the first shaft (3) includes installing the car (9) of the construction time elevator (8) into the first shaft (3) and moving it along one or more guide rails (19a).

13. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The method includes raising the movable support structure (10) once or more to make room below it before each change of the travel area of ​​the car (9) to extend higher in the hoistway (3), so that the travel area of ​​the car (9) can be changed to extend higher in the first hoistway (3), and installing the movable support structure (10) at a new higher position in the first hoistway (3) and supporting it vertically on a fixed structure.

14. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The method includes modernizing the second elevator (4) after the car (9) and the second car (5) of the construction time elevator (8) have been used simultaneously to transport passengers and / or goods between vertically displaced floors for at least a period of time, and after one or more of the aforementioned modifications have been made.

15. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The method includes modernizing the second elevator (4), including: Stop using the second elevator car (5) to transport passengers and / or goods between vertically displaced floors, then The second construction time elevator (28) is installed in the lower end of the second shaft (6), and the travel area (Z7) of the car (29) of the second construction time elevator (28) only partially covers the height of the second shaft (6); then Simultaneously using the car (29) of the second construction time elevator (28) and the movable car (9) installed in the first shaft (3), passengers and / or goods are transported between vertically shifting floors; then The travel area (Z7) of the car (29) of the second construction time elevator (28) is changed to extend higher (Z8) in the second shaft (6), then Simultaneously using the car (29) of the second construction time elevator (28) and the movable car (9) installed in the first shaft (3), passengers and / or goods are transported between vertically displaced floors.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The car (9) is the car (9) of the construction time elevator (8) or the car of the final elevator (70).

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The method includes performing construction work in the second shaft (6) above the travel area (Z7) of the car (29) of the second construction time elevator (28) during the use of the car (29) of the second construction time elevator (28) and the car (9) installed and movable in the first shaft (3).

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, Construction work is carried out in the second shaft (6) above the travel area (Z7) of the elevator car (29) during the second construction time, including construction work above the movable support structure (30) of the elevator car (29).

19. The method according to claim 5, wherein, The controller (50) is configured to select an elevator car based on one or more variables, including the floor associated with the call.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein The controller (50) is configured to execute each selection such that when the floor associated with the call is above the travel area (Z3 or Z5) of the car (9) of the construction time elevator (8), the controller (50) is configured to select some other cars in the group of cars besides the car (9) of the construction time elevator (8).

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein, The controller (50) is configured to perform the selection such that when the floor associated with the call is a floor within the travel area (Z3 or Z5) of the car (9) of the construction time elevator (8), the controller is configured to select the car (9) of the construction time elevator (8).

22. The method according to claim 4, wherein, The controller (50) is configured to access the floor list within the travel area (Z3 or Z5) of the car (9) of the construction time elevator (8).

23. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The method includes updating the floor list.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein, The updated floor list includes adding floors to the list.

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