Elevator safety system, collision protection method in elevator system, and elevator system

Abstract

An elevator safety system (110) comprising an elevator control unit (1000) configured to monitor (610) an elevator shaft (13), receive (620) a position, a direction of movement and a speed of at least one elevator car (10) arranged in the elevator shaft (13), and based on the monitoring and the position, the direction of movement and the speed of the at least one elevator car (10), dynamically determine (630) at least one authorized shaft section (21), and provide (640) an authorization to the at least one elevator car (10) to move in the authorized shaft section (21) of the elevator shaft (13), e.g. by a linear motor. The elevator safety system (110) further comprises at least one elevator car controller (30) configured to provide the position, the direction of movement and the speed of the at least one elevator car to the elevator control unit (1000), and to receive the authorization. The elevator control unit (1000) and the elevator car controller (30) are arranged in communication with each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention generally relates to elevators. Specifically, but not exclusively, this invention relates to elevator safety systems and methods for elevator systems having multiple elevator cars movable within the same elevator shaft. Background Technology

[0002] An elevator is known to have multiple cars that can move within the same elevator shaft. A collision between one elevator car and any object in the shaft's path could result in loss of life for passengers. Therefore, solutions to prevent collisions are needed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One object of the present invention is to provide an elevator safety system, a collision protection method in an elevator system, and an elevator system. Another object of the present invention is that the elevator safety system, method, and elevator system at least reduce the risk of collision between the elevator car and another elevator car or other equipment, such as the risk of collision with equipment associated with turning stations and / or shaft ends or shaft components in the elevator shaft.

[0004] The object of the present invention is achieved by an elevator safety system, a method for collision protection in an elevator system, and an elevator system as defined by their respective independent claims.

[0005] According to a first aspect, an elevator safety system is provided. The elevator safety system includes an elevator control unit configured to monitor the elevator shaft, such as its sensor readings, and receive the position, direction of movement, and speed of at least one, preferably multiple, elevator cars arranged in the elevator shaft. Based on the monitoring and the position, direction of movement, and speed of the at least one elevator car, the system dynamically determines at least one authorized shaft segment and provides authorization to the at least one elevator car, for example, to move into the authorized shaft segment by a linear motor. The elevator safety system also includes at least one, preferably multiple, elevator car controllers configured to provide the elevator control unit with the position, direction of movement, and speed of the at least one elevator car and receive authorization. The elevator control unit and the elevator car controllers are arranged to communicate with each other.

[0006] In various embodiments, monitoring of the elevator shaft may include monitoring the status of at least one of the following: a turning station, a turning station locking device, a landing door, the end of the elevator shaft, and a maintenance station.

[0007] Alternatively or additionally, the elevator control unit may be configured to divide the elevator shaft into multiple shaft sections, for example, based on one of the following: the shaft section is a vertical, horizontal, or inclined shaft section.

[0008] Furthermore, the elevator control unit can be configured to divide at least one of the multiple hoistway sections into multiple authorized hoistway segments. Optionally, an authorized hoistway segment can be a part of one of the hoistway sections, for example, in the range of 1-99%, 10-90%, or even 15-50% of the total length of the hoistway section.

[0009] In various embodiments, each of at least one elevator car controller may be arranged on one of at least one elevator car.

[0010] In various embodiments, the elevator control unit may be configured to authorize one elevator car to move, for example, in a first authorized shaft section via a linear motor, and to authorize another elevator car to move, for example, in a second authorized shaft section via a linear motor.

[0011] Furthermore, the at least one elevator car controller can be configured to stop the movement of the at least one elevator car if it does not receive authorization from the current or next shaft section, so as to prevent the elevator car from entering an unauthorized area.

[0012] In some embodiments, monitoring may include monitoring the correct position of the rotating station and / or the locking status of the rotating station locking device.

[0013] Furthermore, dynamic determination can preferably allow for changes to the authorized hoistway segment in a range from once every 10 seconds to 100 times per second. Therefore, the elevator control unit can change the authorized hoistway segment once or multiple times during the elevator car's movement from its starting position to its intended final position. In some embodiments, the time interval can be in the range of 0.1 seconds or less, i.e., even 0.01 seconds. In some embodiments, the time interval is at most 10 seconds, i.e., the range has an upper limit of 10 seconds, or preferably 5 seconds, or more preferably one second.

[0014] According to a second aspect, a method for collision protection in an elevator system is provided. The method includes:

[0015] - Monitor the elevator shaft through the elevator control unit, for example, by monitoring its sensor readings;

[0016] - Receive the position, direction of movement, and speed of at least one elevator car arranged in the elevator shaft at the elevator control unit;

[0017] - Based on monitoring and the position, direction of movement, and speed of the at least one elevator car, dynamically determine at least one authorized shaft section.

[0018] - The elevator control unit provides authorization to the at least one elevator car to enter the elevator shaft section.

[0019] In various embodiments, monitoring of the elevator shaft may include monitoring the status of at least one of the following: a turning station, a turning station locking device, a landing door, the end of the elevator shaft, and a maintenance station.

[0020] The method may further include dividing the elevator shaft into multiple shaft sections. Preferably, the method may include dividing at least one of the multiple shaft sections into multiple authorized shaft segments.

[0021] According to a third aspect, an elevator system is provided. The elevator system includes a plurality of elevator cars movable by an electric linear motor in an elevator shaft, and an elevator safety system according to a first aspect.

[0022] This invention provides an elevator safety system, a collision protection method in an elevator system, and an elevator system. The advantage of this invention over known solutions is that it allows multiple elevator cars to move within the same elevator shaft and improves their movement. If collisions cannot be completely avoided, at least the risk of collision is reduced. Furthermore, various embodiments of the invention allow the elevator shaft to be extended in multiple different construction phases because the safety system can be configured to authorize elevator car movement only within a portion of the shaft.

[0023] Based on the following detailed description, various other advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0024] Unless otherwise explicitly stated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc., are used herein to distinguish one element from other elements and do not specifically prioritize or order them.

[0025] The exemplary embodiments of the invention presented herein should not be construed as limiting the applicability of the appended claims. The verb "comprising" is used herein as an open-ended limitation, which does not exclude the presence of features not described. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the features recited in the dependent claims may be freely combined with each other.

[0026] Novel features considered characteristic of the invention are specifically set forth in the appended claims. However, the structure and operation of the invention itself, as well as its additional objects and advantages, will be best understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and from the following description of specific embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The accompanying drawings illustrate some embodiments of the invention by way of example and not limitation.

[0028] Figure 1 An elevator system according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated schematically.

[0029] Figure 2An elevator system according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated schematically.

[0030] Figure 3 An elevator safety system according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated schematically.

[0031] Figure 4 A steering station according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated schematically.

[0032] Figure 5 An elevator safety system according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated schematically.

[0033] Figure 6 A flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Figure 1 An elevator system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated. The elevator system 100 may include at least one or more elevator cars 10 moving within an elevator shaft 13 or elevator car passage 13. The elevator car 10 may include a first electrical converter unit 12, such as a frequency converter or inverter, and preferably a first energy storage device (e.g., one or more batteries). The first electrical converter unit 12 may be used to operate a mover disposed to the elevator car 10 to move the car 10 along the elevator shaft 13. Other electrically operated devices, such as lighting, doors, user interfaces, emergency rescue devices, etc., may also be present in the elevator car 10. The first electrical converter unit 12, or other electrical converter units, such as inverters or rectifiers, may be used to operate one or more of the other devices of the elevator car 10. The first energy storage device, preferably and if present, may be electrically connected to the first electrical converter unit 12, for example, to intermediate circuitry to the frequency converter, for supplying power to the first electrical converter unit 12 and / or for storing electrical energy supplied by the first electrical converter unit or other electrical converter units or other power sources.

[0035] Preferably, the elevator system 100 includes at least two floors, each having a floor door 19 or an opening 19. The elevator car 10 may also include a door. Although in Figure 1 The diagram shows two sets or two "columns" of horizontally separated, vertically aligned floors, but it can also have only one column of floors like a traditional elevator, or more than two columns, such as three columns.

[0036] Regarding the elevator shaft 13, it may, for example, define a substantially enclosed volume in which the elevator car 10 is adapted and configured to move. The walls may be, for example, concrete, metal, or at least partially glass, or any combination thereof. The elevator shaft 13 herein essentially refers to any structure or passage along which the elevator car 10 is configured to move.

[0037] From the information about multi-car elevator systems 100 Figure 1 As can be seen, one or more elevator cars 10 can move vertically and / or horizontally along the elevator shaft 13 according to the direction of the stator beam 16. Based on this, similar to... Figure 1 In some embodiments, one or more elevator cars 10 can be configured to move along a plurality of vertical stator beams 16, inclined stator beams (not shown), and / or horizontal stator beams 16, for example... Figure 1 Two beams in the shaft. Some stator beams 16 are shown in dashed lines to indicate their optionality. However, it should be recognized that stator beams 16 may also be present in the middle section of the shaft 13, such as... Figure 1 As shown.

[0038] The stator beam 16 is part of the linear motor of the elevator system 100 for moving one or more elevator cars 10 in the elevator shaft 13. The stator beam 16 may preferably be arranged in a fixed manner, i.e., stationary relative to the elevator shaft 13, for example, fixed to the wall of the shaft by fasteners, which may be arranged to be rotatable at the turning station 11, for example including a turning device, such as a turning gear or a turning platform.

[0039] Elevator system 100 may include an elevator control unit 1000 for controlling the operation of elevator system 100. Elevator control unit 1000 may be a separate device or may be included in or as part of other components of elevator system 100, such as in or as part of electrical converter unit 12. Elevator control unit 1000 may also be implemented in a distributed manner, such that, for example, one part of elevator control unit 1000 may be included in electrical converter unit 12, while another part is included in elevator car 10. Elevator control unit 1000 may also be distributed in more than two locations or in more than two devices.

[0040] The elevator control unit 1000 may include one or more processors, one or more volatile or non-volatile memories for storing computer program code and any data values, and possibly one or more user interface units. The aforementioned components may be communicatively connected to each other, for example, via an internal bus.

[0041] The processor of the elevator control unit 1000 can be configured to implement at least some of the method steps described below. The method can be implemented by arranging the processor to execute at least a portion of computer program code stored in memory, causing the processor, and thus the elevator control unit 1000, to implement one or more of the method steps described below. Therefore, the processor is arranged to access memory and retrieve and store any information from and within the memory. For clarity, the term "processor" herein refers to any unit suitable for tasks such as processing information and controlling the operation of the elevator control unit 1000. This operation can also be implemented using a microcontroller solution with embedded software. Similarly, the memory is not limited to a specific type of memory, but any type of memory suitable for storing the described information can be applied in the context of this invention.

[0042] Furthermore, the elevator car 10 may preferably include an elevator car controller 30 for controlling various functions of the elevator car 10. These functions may include at least movement-related operations, such as participating in or fully executing operations of a control actuator operatively coupled to the elevator car 10 to move it. The elevator car controller 30 may preferably be arranged in communicative connection with the elevator control unit 1000.

[0043] Alternatively, there may be one elevator car controller 30 for a group of elevator cars 10, in which case the elevator car controller 30 may not be arranged on any one of the elevator cars 10.

[0044] Figure 2 An elevator system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated. Figure 2 Although not shown, the elevator car 10 preferably includes an elevator car controller 30. Arrow symbols on some of the elevator cars 10 indicate the current direction of movement of the elevator car 10. Some communication connections exist between the elevator control unit 1000 and the elevator car 10 and / or the elevator shaft 13, such as devices or components therein. Figure 2 The data is indicated by double-headed dashed lines. The bidirectional arrows indicate that data can optionally be transmitted in both directions between the devices; however, in some embodiments, a one-way communication connection may be sufficient. The data may relate to, for example, feedback signals, such as status readings, sensor readings, and / or control signals, such as those used to change the state of equipment or components in the elevator shaft 13, or to providing authorization and / or movement commands or configuration files for the elevator car 10.

[0045] The elevator control unit 1000 can be configured to monitor the elevator shaft 13, for example, by monitoring its sensor readings. These may optionally involve at least one of the following: the detour station 11 (shown by a double-headed circular arrow), the detour station locking device, the landing door, the end of the elevator shaft, and the maintenance station.

[0046] In some embodiments, monitoring may include monitoring the correct position of the rotating station and / or the locking status of the rotating station locking device. This will be described further below.

[0047] Furthermore, the elevator control unit 1000 can be configured to receive the position, direction of movement, and speed of at least one or more of the elevator cars 10. Of course, other data, such as data related to control or feedback, can also be transmitted therein.

[0048] Therefore, in various embodiments, the elevator car controller 30 can be configured to provide the elevator control unit 1000 with the position, direction of movement, and speed of at least one elevator car 10. Thus, the elevator control unit 1000 can receive position, direction of movement, and speed information from multiple elevator cars 10 either continuously or at specific time intervals and / or at specific locations in the hoistway 13, and can be configured to determine the current state of the hoistway 13 regarding the position and movement of the elevator cars 10, as well as the state of the hoistway apparatus.

[0049] In various embodiments, the elevator control unit 1000 may be configured to include a mapping of the elevator shaft 13, such as including the absolute and / or relative positions of the elevator shaft. This mapping preferably corresponds to received position, direction of movement, and / or speed information to determine, for example, the position of one or more elevator cars 10 in the elevator shaft 13. Furthermore, the elevator control unit 1000 may also preferably be able to determine the distance between multiple elevator cars 10. Alternatively or additionally, the elevator control unit 1000 may be configured to determine that two elevator cars 10 are approaching each other or that the distance between them is decreasing. The determination of the position of the elevator cars 10 by the elevator car controller 30 may be based on an absolute position sensor, for example, based on reading markings in the elevator shaft 13. Alternatively or additionally, the determination of the position of the elevator cars 10 by the elevator car controller 30 may be based on a relative position sensor.

[0050] Furthermore, the elevator control unit 1000 can be configured to dynamically determine at least one authorized shaft segment 21 based on monitoring and the position, direction of movement, and speed of at least one elevator car 10. It can be seen that the elevator control unit 1000 can divide the elevator shaft 13 into authorized shaft segment 21 and authorized shaft segment 22. Additionally, based on... Figure 2 Understandably, each authorized shaft segment 21 within the elevator car 10 can be defined. Therefore, as... Figure 2As shown, the elevator shaft 13 includes multiple authorized shaft segments 21, one for each elevator car 10. In various embodiments, the authorized shaft segment 21 may be characterized by its distance relative to the current position of the elevator car 10. If the direction of movement of the elevator car 10 is not predetermined, i.e., the elevator car 10 does not always move in the predetermined direction, the authorized shaft segment 21 may be further characterized by direction. Of course, the direction can also be determined in other cases.

[0051] In various embodiments where a plurality of elevator cars 10 are in the hoistway 13, the elevator control unit 100 may be configured to authorize one of the elevator cars 10 to move, for example, in a first authorized hoistway section by a linear motor, and to authorize another elevator car to move, for example, in a second authorized hoistway section by a linear motor.

[0052] Dynamic determination herein may refer to the ability of the elevator control unit 1000 to continuously or at time intervals, or optionally additionally, change the authorized shaft segment 21 based on a request (e.g., related distance and related direction). The time interval does not necessarily have a fixed interval between two time instances, and the interval may preferably be short relative to the movement of the elevator car 10. Therefore, the elevator control unit 1000 can change the authorized shaft segment 21 once or multiple times during the movement of the elevator car 10 from its starting position to its intended final position. In some embodiments, the time interval may be in the range of 0.1 seconds or less, i.e., even 0.01 seconds. The lower limit of the range may depend on the system's data processing speed, such as the properties of communication connections and sensors. In some embodiments, the time interval is at most 10 seconds, i.e., the upper limit of the range is 10 seconds, or preferably 5 seconds, or more preferably 1 second.

[0053] The elevator control unit 1000 can also be configured to authorize at least one elevator car 10 to move, for example, within the authorized shaft section 21 of the elevator shaft 13 via a linear motor. Therefore, the elevator car controller 30 can be configured to receive the authorization. Thus, in various embodiments, the elevator control unit 1000 may additionally, or as included in the authorization, provide the elevator car controller 30 with information regarding at least the distance and (optionally) direction associated with the authorized shaft section 21.

[0054] Furthermore, the at least one elevator car controller 30 can be configured to stop the movement of the at least one elevator car 10 if it does not receive authorization for the current or next shaft section, so as to prevent the elevator car 10 from entering an unauthorized shaft section 22.

[0055] In some embodiments, the elevator control unit 1000 may be configured to divide the elevator shaft 13 into multiple shaft sections. These sections may be, for example, one of the following: vertical, horizontal, or inclined shaft sections. Figure 1 and 2 Only the vertical and horizontal sections are shown in the image. Therefore, Figure 1 The elevator shaft 13 may include two vertical sections and two or alternatively four horizontal sections defined by the stator beam 16.

[0056] like Figure 2 As shown, the elevator control unit 100 can be configured to divide at least one of a plurality of hoistway sections into a plurality of authorized hoistway segments 21. There are two authorized hoistway segments 21 in each of the two vertical hoistway sections. Specifically, in the right-hand vertical hoistway section, there are two authorized hoistway segments 21 that allow the elevator car 10 to move therein. In the left-hand vertical hoistway section, one of the elevator cars 10 does not move, i.e., it remains stationary; therefore, its authorized hoistway segment 21 (if any) is substantially limited to the position of the car 10 itself. Stopping can occur, for example, at a landing or before entering a turnaround station 11, or it can occur at substantially any location in the hoistway 13 if the requirement to stop the elevator car 10 is met.

[0057] In various embodiments, the authorized shaft segment 21 can therefore be part of a shaft portion, for example, in the range of 1-99%, 10-90%, or even 15-50% of the total length of the shaft portion. Although illustrated schematically, Figure 2 In the two vertical shaft sections, there are at least two authorized shaft sections 21 within a range of 1-99%. However, at the bottom of the shaft 13, there is a horizontal section entirely reserved for the elevator car 10 currently located therein. Not all authorized shaft sections 21 must be within this range, although some of them may be.

[0058] In some embodiments, alternatively or additionally, the turning station 11 may be arranged to represent a portion of the shaft 13. Therefore, the vertical and / or horizontal portions may be limited by the turning station 11.

[0059] Figure 3 An elevator safety system 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated schematically. The safety system 110 may include at least an elevator control unit 1000 or a portion thereof, such as one or more hoistway section safety controllers 56A-56N.

[0060] The hoistway section safety controller 56A-56N can be configured to monitor and control, for example, receive the position, direction of movement, and speed of at least one elevator car 10 arranged in the elevator hoistway section, and dynamically determine at least one authorized hoistway section of the hoistway section based on the monitoring and the position, direction of movement, and speed of at least one elevator car, and provide authorization to at least one elevator car 10 to move, for example, in the authorized hoistway section of the corresponding hoistway section by means of a linear motor.

[0061] Furthermore, the elevator safety system 110 may include at least one or more elevator car controllers 30 communicatively connected to the elevator control unit 1000 or its shaft section safety controllers 56A-56N. Item 620 may refer to receiving / providing at least the position, direction of movement, and speed of at least one elevator car arranged in the elevator shaft 13 or its shaft section. Item 640 may refer to authorizing at least one elevator car to move, for example, within an authorized shaft section or its shaft section of the elevator shaft 13 by means of a linear motor.

[0062] For example, such as regarding Figure 2 As described, the elevator control unit 1000 and / or the elevator car controller 30 can also be configured to perform one or more other tasks.

[0063] Figure 4 A steering station 11 according to an embodiment of the invention is schematically shown. The steering station 11 may include a steering device 41, which may be arranged to rotate about its axis of rotation 43. In various embodiments, the steering device 41 may include a rotatable platform, and a stator beam component 42 of the steering station 11 is connected thereto, similar to or corresponding to the stator beam 16 of the electric linear motor of the elevator system 100. Figure 4 In this configuration, the steering device 41 resembles a turntable, for example, having a rotation axis 43. From Figure 4 As can be seen, two parallel stator beams 16 extend from below to the steering station 11. Another set of two parallel stator beams 16 extends to the right side of the steering station 11.

[0064] Therefore, the primary function of the steering station 11 is to enable the elevator car 10 to move between the two sets of stator beams 16. Thus, the steering device 41 must be in the correct position relative to the stator beams 16, with the elevator car 10 moving out of and / or into the stator beams 16 to prevent derailment. Of course, the correct position depends on the direction from which the elevator car 10 approaches the steering station 11 or the direction in which the elevator car 10 will move. As will become clear, the steering device 41 is therefore configured to rotate the stator beam component 42 of the steering device 41, or at least allow the stator beam component 42 of the steering device 41 to rotate.

[0065] The steering station 11 may additionally include locking devices 46A, 46B of the steering station 11. The purpose of the locking devices 46A, 46B is to lock the steering device 41 in its position, thereby preventing its rotation, preferably at least as long as the locking devices 46A, 46B are in their locked state (i.e., in a locked state).

[0066] In various embodiments, the elevator system 100, and optionally the elevator control unit 1000, can be configured to monitor the status of locking devices 46A and 46B using two independent sensor systems. The systems can be of different types relative to each other, such as those described in [the original text]. Figure 4 The following is shown and described herein. In a preferred embodiment, both sensor systems must indicate a locked state so that the elevator control unit 1000 can determine that the steering device 41 is indeed locked. If the steering station 11 is not in the correct position when the elevator car 10 enters or leaves station 11, the elevator car 10 may fall from the hoistway beam 16. This can be advantageously prevented by the various embodiments described herein.

[0067] Regarding one of the independent sensor systems and according to Figure 4 In one embodiment, locking devices 46A and 46B include locking plungers 51A and 51B and locking device sensors 55A and 55B operably coupled to the locking plungers 51A and 51B for determining the position of the locking plungers 51A and 51B, thereby determining the state of locking devices 46A and 46B. Locking device sensors 55A and 55B may include two sensor elements (in...) Figure 4 (Shown in black fill), they are adapted such that one of them is arranged to indicate whether the locking plungers 51A, 51B are in the fully extended state, i.e., the lock is in the open state, or in some other state. The other of the two sensor elements is arranged to indicate whether the locking plungers 51A, 51B are in the fully retracted state, i.e., the lock is in the closed state, or in some other state.

[0068] One of the sensors 55A may also be arranged to provide its reading to the elevator control unit 1000 or to a first hoistway section safety controller 56A that is communicatively connected to the elevator control unit 1000. Alternatively or additionally, the first hoistway section safety controller 56A may be included in the elevator control unit 1000. Another sensor 55B may also be arranged to provide its reading to the elevator control unit 1000 or to a second hoistway section safety controller 56B that is communicatively connected to the elevator control unit 1000. Alternatively or additionally, the second hoistway section safety controller 56B may be included in the elevator control unit 1000.

[0069] Regarding the other one in the independent sensor system and according to Figure 4In some embodiments, there may be indicating elements 52A, 52B, such as physical markers, mounted on the locking plungers 51A, 51B.

[0070] The elevator car 10 may also include second locking device sensors 53A, 53B, such as proximity sensors. The operation of the second locking device sensors 53A, 53B may be based on, for example, emitting electromagnetic waves and then, based on received signals, such as reflected signals, determining whether the indicating elements 52A, 52B are in a locked or unlocked state corresponding to the locking devices 46A, 46B. The second locking device sensors 53A, 53B may be arranged to provide their readings to the elevator car safety monitor 31. The elevator car safety monitor 31 may be part of the elevator car controller 30, or preferably may operate independently of it. The elevator car safety monitor 31 may be configured to detect such indicating elements 52A, 52B, etc., in other parts of the elevator shaft 13, such as indicating elements 52A, 52B associated with the ends of the elevator shaft 13 and / or the door zones of the landings 19. Therefore, when the elevator car 10 approaches the turning station 11, in addition to authorization from the elevator control unit 1000, the status of the turning station 11 can be monitored, such as whether it is in the correct position relative to the elevator car 10.

[0071] Therefore, additionally, if the states of the locking devices 46A and 46B permit, and optionally, if no other car 10 is at the transfer station 11, the elevator control unit 1000 can be configured to grant authorization to the elevator car 10 to enter the transfer station 11. In some embodiments, the elevator car controller 30 can provide the determined states of the second locking device sensors 53A and 53B, and thereby the determined states of the locking devices 46A and 46B, only after which the elevator control unit 1000 determines whether the elevator car 10 can enter the transfer station 11.

[0072] If the turning station 11 is in the wrong position and / or the locking devices 46A, 46B are not locked, the elevator car 10 can be stopped, which involves operating the elevator car stop system 50, which includes, for example, the elevator car brake and / or the braking or safety stop device in the elevator shaft 13.

[0073] Figure 5 An elevator safety system 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated schematically. Figure 5 The different components have been described above; however, in some embodiments, item 640 may specifically refer to granting the elevator car 10 authorization, for example, to move into or out of the elevator shaft 13 via a linear motor, to an authorized shaft segment 21, in which case the authorized shaft segment 21 includes a turning station 11.

[0074] In various embodiments, item 610 may include monitoring, such as reading or receiving the correct position of steering station 11 and / or the locking status of steering station locking devices 46A, 46B.

[0075] In addition, item 750 may refer to determining whether the indicating elements 52A and 52B are in a locked or unlocked state corresponding to the locking devices 46A and 46B.

[0076] Furthermore, items 760A and 760B may refer to initiating the stop of the elevator car 10 if the stopping conditions are met. This could mean that one or both of the independent sensor systems indicate that the turning station 11 is in an incorrect position and / or is not locked. Initiation may include providing a stop command to the elevator car stop system 50, thereby preventing the car 10 from entering or leaving the turning station 11.

[0077] Figure 6 A flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0078] Step 600 refers to the initiation phase of the method. Suitable equipment and components are obtained and assembled into a system for operation.

[0079] Item 610 may refer to the elevator shaft 13 being monitored by the elevator control unit 1000 or the shaft section safety controller 56A-56N, for example, by its sensor readings.

[0080] In various embodiments, monitoring of the elevator shaft may include monitoring the status of at least one of the following: a turning station, a turning station locking device, a landing door, the end of the elevator shaft, and a maintenance station.

[0081] Item 620 may refer to receiving the position, direction of movement, and speed of at least one elevator car 10 arranged in the elevator shaft 13 at the elevator control unit 1000 or the shaft section safety controllers 56A-56N. This information may preferably be provided by the elevator car controller 30.

[0082] Item 630 may refer to dynamically determining at least one authorized shaft section 21 based on monitoring and the position, direction of movement, and speed of the at least one elevator car.

[0083] Item 640 may refer to the authorization granted by the elevator control unit 1000 or the shaft section safety controllers 56A-56N to at least one elevator car 10 for access to the elevator shaft 13 via the shaft section 21. This authorization may preferably be received by the elevator car controller 30.

[0084] In various embodiments, the method may also include maintaining the position of at least one elevator car 10 or stopping the elevator car 10 if at least one elevator car 10 (e.g., its elevator car controller 30) does not receive authorization.

[0085] Method execution can stop at step 699.

[0086] Furthermore, the method may include dividing the elevator shaft 13 into multiple shaft sections. Each of the multiple shaft sections may be one of the following: a vertical shaft section, a horizontal shaft section, or an inclined shaft section. Therefore, there may be shaft section component safety controllers 56A-56N, which are arranged to control the multiple shaft sections respectively. Alternatively or additionally, the elevator control unit 1000 may be configured to control several or all of the shaft sections.

[0087] In addition, the method may include dividing at least one of the plurality of shaft sections into a plurality of authorized shaft segments 21, for example, dividing them into first and second authorized shaft segments 21 for two elevator cars 10 respectively.

Claims

1. An elevator safety system (110), characterized in that, It includes: The elevator control unit (1000) is configured as follows: - Monitor (610) elevator shaft (13). -Receive (620) the position, direction of movement and speed of at least two elevator cars (10) arranged in the elevator shaft (13), and - Based on monitoring and the position, direction of movement and speed of the at least one elevator car (10), for each of the at least two elevator cars (10), at least one authorized shaft segment (21) is dynamically determined (630), wherein the dynamic determination (630) includes the ability of the elevator control unit (1000) to change the authorized shaft segment (21) continuously or at time intervals or upon request. - To authorize (640) the at least two elevator cars (10) to move or enter an authorized shaft section (21) of the elevator shaft (13); and At least one elevator car controller (30) is included in each of the at least two elevator cars (10) and configured to: -Provide the elevator control unit (1000) with the position, direction of movement, and speed of the elevator car, and - Receive authorization related to the authorized shaft section (21) determined for the elevator car (10); The elevator control unit (1000) and the at least one elevator car controller (30) are arranged to communicate with each other.

2. The elevator safety system (110) according to claim 1, wherein, The monitoring (610) of the elevator shaft (13) includes monitoring the status of at least one of the following: the turning station (11), the turning station locking device (46A, 46B), the landing door, the end of the elevator shaft (13), and the maintenance station.

3. The elevator safety system (110) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The elevator control unit (1000) is configured to divide the elevator shaft (13) into multiple shaft sections.

4. The elevator safety system (110) according to claim 3, wherein, Each of the plurality of shaft sections is one of the following: a vertical shaft section, a horizontal shaft section, or an inclined shaft section.

5. The elevator safety system (110) according to claim 3, wherein, The elevator control unit (1000) is configured to divide at least one of the plurality of shaft sections into a plurality of the authorized shaft segments (21).

6. The elevator safety system (110) according to claim 3, wherein, The authorized shaft section (21) is part of one of the shaft sections.

7. The elevator safety system (110) according to claim 6, wherein, The portion is in the range of 1-99%, 10-90%, or even 15-50% of the total length of the shaft section.

8. The elevator safety system (110) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, Each of the at least one elevator car controller (30) is respectively arranged on one of the at least one elevator car (10).

9. The elevator safety system (110) according to claim 8, wherein, The elevator control unit (1000) is configured to authorize one of the plurality of elevator cars (10) to move in a first authorized shaft section (21), and to authorize another of the plurality of elevator cars (10) to move in a second authorized shaft section (21).

10. The elevator safety system (110) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The at least one elevator car controller (30) is configured to stop the movement of the at least one elevator car (10) if it does not receive authorization for the current or next shaft section, so as to prevent the elevator car (10) from entering an unauthorized shaft section (22).

11. The elevator safety system (110) according to claim 2, wherein, The monitoring (610) includes monitoring the correct position of the steering station (11) and / or the locking status of the steering station locking devices (46A, 46B).

12. The elevator safety system (110) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The dynamic determination (630) allows for changes to the authorized shaft section (21) in the range of once every 10 seconds to once every 100 seconds.

13. A collision protection method in an elevator system (100), characterized in that, The method includes: - The elevator shaft (13) is monitored (610) by the elevator control unit (1000); - Receive (620) the position, direction of movement and speed of at least two elevator cars (10) arranged in the elevator shaft (13) at the elevator control unit (1000); - Based on monitoring and the position, direction of movement and speed of the elevator cars (10), for each of the at least two elevator cars (10), at least one authorized shaft segment is dynamically determined (630), wherein the dynamic determination (630) includes the ability of the elevator control unit (1000) to change the authorized shaft segment (21) continuously or at time intervals or upon request. - The elevator control unit (1000) provides the elevator car controller (30) included in the at least two elevator cars (10) with authorization to move in or enter the authorized shaft section (21) of the elevator shaft (13).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The monitoring of the elevator shaft (13) includes monitoring the status of at least one of the following: the turning station (11), the turning station locking device (46A, 46B), the landing door, the end of the elevator shaft (13), and the maintenance station.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, comprising dividing the elevator shaft (13) into a plurality of shaft portions.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising dividing at least one of the plurality of shaft portions into a plurality of the authorized shaft segments (21).

17. An elevator system (100) comprising a plurality of elevator cars (10), said elevator cars (10) moving by a linear motor in an elevator shaft (13), characterized in that, The elevator system (100) includes the elevator safety system (110) according to any one of claims 1-12.

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