Force application assembly, elevator and elevator rescue method

Abstract

The present application provides a force applying assembly, an elevator and an elevator rescue method. The force applying assembly is used to apply a force to an elevator car when the elevator car and a counterweight are in a state of equilibrium, and comprises: a first attachment portion configured to be removably attached to an elevator shaft; a second attachment portion having one end removably fixed relative to the elevator car or the counterweight and configured to be at least partially elastic; an actuation portion connected between the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion, wherein the first attachment portion is configured to be fixed relative to the actuation portion, and the second attachment portion is configured to be movable relative to the actuation portion; and an operation portion associated with the actuation portion and operable to move the second attachment portion away from or closer to the actuation portion; wherein the actuation portion applies a force to the second attachment portion, and the force is stored in the second attachment portion as elastic potential energy before the state of equilibrium of the elevator car and the counterweight is broken.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of elevator auxiliary devices. More specifically, this application relates to a force-applying component designed to enable an operator to remotely apply force to the elevator car in a desired direction. This application also relates to an elevator including the aforementioned force-applying component, and an elevator rescue method. Background Technology

[0002] Elevators may stop due to malfunctions during routine operation. Under the combined effect of the counterweight and the load inside the elevator car, the car and counterweight will remain in a balanced position. In this situation, the operator needs to use a specialized rescue device to apply force to the car and move it out of its balanced position. Existing rescue devices are typically designed to work in conjunction with a speed governor, which is usually designed to be used with a closed-loop cable or wire rope. For example, the rescue device can apply force to the speed governor's wire rope to move the car to the desired position, thereby initiating subsequent rescue operations. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One objective of this application is to provide a force-applying component that enables an operator to remotely apply force to elevator system components. Another objective of this application is to provide an elevator including the aforementioned force-applying component. Yet another objective of this application is to provide an elevator rescue method.

[0004] The purpose of this application is achieved through the following technical solutions.

[0005] A force-applying component for applying a force to an elevator car when the elevator car and counterweight are in a balanced state, the force-applying component comprising: The first attachment is designed to be removably attached to the elevator shaft. The second attachment, one end of which is removably fixed relative to the elevator car or counterweight, is configured to be at least partially flexible; An actuating part is connected between a first attachment part and a second attachment part, wherein the first attachment part is configured to be fixed relative to the actuating part, and the second attachment part is configured to be movable relative to the actuating part; and An operating unit, which is associated with an actuating unit, and operable to move the second attachment unit away from or towards the actuating unit; The actuator applies force to the second attachment, and the force is stored in the second attachment as elastic potential energy before the balance between the elevator car and the counterweight is broken.

[0006] Optionally, in the aforementioned force-applying components, the first attachment portion includes a hook for removably attaching to a fixing portion disposed within the elevator shaft.

[0007] Optionally, in the above-mentioned force-applying components, the fixing part is provided on one or more of the following locations: the bottom of the elevator shaft, or any side wall of the elevator shaft.

[0008] Optionally, in the aforementioned force-applying components, the fixing part is positioned directly below the compensating chain connection point on the elevator car, or directly below the compensating chain connection point on the counterweight.

[0009] Optionally, in the aforementioned force-applying components, one end of the second attachment is removably attached to the compensation chain below the elevator car or below the counterweight.

[0010] Optionally, in the above-mentioned force-applying component, the second attachment portion includes an elastic first portion and a rigid second portion, and the first portion and the second portion are connected end-to-end in sequence.

[0011] In the aforementioned force-applying component, optionally, the first portion is removably attached to the compensation chain, and the second portion is attached between the first portion and the actuating portion.

[0012] Optionally, the first part of the force-applying components may include one or more of the following devices: compression spring, torsion spring, tension spring, or spring sheet.

[0013] Optionally, in the force-applying assembly described above, the actuating part is configured to convert the action of the operating part into a thrust or pull force applied to the second attachment part along the length direction of the second attachment part.

[0014] Optionally, the actuating part in the above-mentioned force-applying components includes one or more of the following devices: chain hoisting mechanism, pulley block, lever mechanism, gear mechanism.

[0015] Optionally, among the aforementioned force-applying components, the chain hoist mechanism includes a hand chain hoist.

[0016] Optionally, the operating part of the force-applying components may include one or more of the following devices: chain, rope, rod.

[0017] In the aforementioned force-applying assembly, optionally, the chain is configured to have a closed shape, wherein the chain engages with the actuating part at one end of the closed shape and is operable at the other end of the closed shape; and wherein the chain is attached to a sprocket associated with the actuating part.

[0018] Optionally, in the aforementioned force-applying components, the size of the operating part is set so that the operator can operate the operating part while located outside the elevator shaft.

[0019] Optionally, in the force-applying assembly described above, the actuating part includes an actuator for applying force to the second attachment part, and the operating part includes a terminal for operating the actuator.

[0020] In the aforementioned force-applying components, the actuator and the terminal may optionally communicate via one or more of the following methods: wires, wired networks, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or telecommunications operator signals.

[0021] An elevator comprising the aforementioned force-applying components.

[0022] An elevator rescue method for changing the position of the elevator car when the elevator car and counterweight are in a balanced state, optionally including the following steps: The first attachment portion of the aforementioned force-applying component is fixed relative to the elevator shaft; One end of the second attachment is fixed relative to the elevator car or counterweight; A force is applied to the second attachment by the actuating part so that the force is stored as elastic potential energy in the second attachment part before the balance between the elevator car and the counterweight is broken; and The position of the elevator car is changed by utilizing the elastic potential energy stored in the second attachment.

[0023] In the above elevator rescue method, optionally, in the step of changing the position of the elevator car, the force balance of the elevator car can be broken by releasing the elevator brake device using elastic potential energy.

[0024] Optionally, in the above elevator rescue methods, the elevator braking device includes a main unit brake mechanism. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these drawings are drawn for the purpose of explaining the preferred embodiments only and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present application. Furthermore, unless specifically indicated, the drawings are intended only to conceptually represent the composition or structure of the described objects and may contain exaggerated representations. The drawings are also not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of one embodiment of the elevator according to this application.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic view of a force-applying component in use according to an embodiment of this application.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a portion of a force-applying component according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Preferred embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these descriptions are merely descriptive and exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this application.

[0030] First, it should be noted that the directional terms such as top, bottom, upward, and downward mentioned in this article are defined relative to the directions shown in the various accompanying figures. These directions are relative concepts and will therefore vary depending on their location and state. Therefore, these or other directional terms should not be construed as restrictive.

[0031] Furthermore, it should be noted that any single technical feature described or implied in the embodiments herein, or any single technical feature shown or implied in the accompanying drawings, can be further combined to obtain other embodiments not directly mentioned herein.

[0032] It should be noted that in different figures, the same reference numerals denote the same or substantially the same components.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of an elevator. The elevator system 101 includes a series of components installed in a shaft 117, which spans multiple floors 125, and elevator doors are installed at each floor 125. The elevator system 101 includes: a car 103, a counterweight 105, a traction line 107, guide rails 109, a drive unit 111, a position detection system 113, and a controller 115, etc. One end of the traction line 107 is attached to the car 103, and the other end is attached to the counterweight 105. The counterweight 105 is used to balance the weight of the car 103, and the traction line 107 moves under the drive of the drive unit 111 to selectively change the position of the car 103 and stop the car 103 at the desired floor. The traction line 107 may be, for example, a rope, steel cable, or coated steel strip. The traction line 107 may also include a pulley mechanism or pulley block (not shown) to achieve the desired lifting and lowering operations. It is easy to understand that a door is also provided on the car 103 for people to enter and exit the car 103.

[0034] The drive unit 111 is located at the top of the hoistway 117 and configured to adjust the position of the car 103 and the counterweight 105. The drive unit 111 can be powered by any suitable power supply device, including but not limited to an electric motor. The drive unit 111 can be powered by a power line or electrical grid, not shown.

[0035] The position detection system 113 may be fixed relative to the hoistway 117 and is preferably located at the top of the hoistway 117, for example, mounted on a bracket or guide rail. The position detection system 113 is also configured to sense the position of the car 103 within the hoistway 117 to provide a position signal related to the position of the car 103. In another embodiment, the position detection system 113 may also be arranged on other parts, such as mounted on moving parts. The position detection system 113 may include an encoder, sensor, or other suitable sensing system, and the sensing methods include, but are not limited to, speed sensing, relative position sensing, absolute position sensing, and digitally encoded sensing.

[0036] The controller 115 can be located in a separate control room 123 or at other suitable locations. In one embodiment, the controller 115 can also be located remotely or in the cloud. The controller 115 is configured to control the operation of the entire elevator system 101. For example, the controller 115 can adjust the operation of the drive 111 to cause the car 103 and counterweight 105 to start, accelerate, decelerate, stop, etc. The controller 115 can perform control operations based on signals from the position detection system 113. In one embodiment, the controller 115 is configured to stop the car 103 at one of the floors 125 and to accelerate or decelerate between the floors 125.

[0037] Figure 2 This is a schematic view of a force-applying component in use according to an embodiment of this application, and Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a portion of a force-applying component according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 As shown, when the elevator car and counterweight are in a balanced state (e.g., when the elevator stops due to a malfunction during operation), the car 103 and counterweight 105 are stopped within the hoistway 117 by an elevator braking device (not shown). For example, the elevator braking device could be a main brake mechanism. The tops of the car 103 and counterweight 105 can be connected by a traction line 107, and the bottoms of the car 103 and counterweight 105 can be connected by a compensating chain or compensating rope 108 (shown as a dotted line). In the illustrated case, the stopping position of the car 103 does not match the space 118 attached to the hoistway 117. The space 118 could be, for example, the lobby to which the elevator hall door faces. Therefore, in this situation, rescue personnel or operators 200 cannot directly open the car door of the car 103 to perform rescue operations.

[0038] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, a force-applying component 100 according to an embodiment of this application includes: a first attachment 110 configured to be removably attached to a hoistway 117; a second attachment 120, one end of which is removably fixed relative to a car 103 and configured to be at least partially resilient; an actuation portion 130 connected between the first attachment 110 and the second attachment 120, wherein the first attachment 110 is configured to be fixed relative to the actuation portion 130 and the second attachment 120 is configured to be movable relative to the actuation portion 130; and an operation portion 140 (shown in dashed lines) associated with the actuation portion 130 and operable to move the second attachment 120 away from or towards the actuation portion 130.

[0039] like Figure 3 As shown, the first attachment portion 110 may include a hook for removably attaching to a fixing portion (not shown) disposed within the shaft 117. The fixing portion may be disposed on one or more of the following locations: the bottom of the shaft 117, or any side wall of the shaft 117. Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the fixing part is positioned directly below the compensation chain connection point on the car 103.

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, one end of the second attachment portion 120 is removably attached to the compensation chain 108 below the car 103. In another embodiment, the second attachment portion 120 may be removably attached to an attachment location on the car 103. In any case, the second attachment portion 120 is attached directly or indirectly to the car 103. Figure 3 As shown, the second attachment portion 120 includes a resilient first portion 121 and a rigid second portion 122, and the first portion 121 and the second portion 122 are sequentially connected end-to-end. The first portion 121 is removably attached to the compensation chain 108, and the second portion 122 is attached between the first portion 121 and the actuating portion 130. Hooks may be provided at each end of the first portion 121 and the second portion 122 for removable attachment. Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the first part 121 is a spring. In another embodiment, the first part includes one or more of the following devices: a compression spring, a torsion spring, a tension spring, or a leaf spring.

[0041] The actuating part 130 may be configured to apply force to the second attachment part 120 and store it as elastic potential energy in the second attachment part 120 before the force is transmitted to the car 103, that is, in the elastic first part 121.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating unit 130 is configured to convert the action of the operating unit 140 into a pushing or pulling force applied to the second attachment 120 along its length. The actuating unit 130 may include one or more of the following devices: a chain hoist, a pulley system, a lever mechanism, or a gear mechanism. In one embodiment, the chain hoist includes a chain hoist that may be installed upside down. In another embodiment, the actuating unit 130 includes a series of pulleys to change the direction and magnitude of the force from the operating unit 140.

[0043] The operating unit 140 may include one or more of the following devices: a chain, a rope, or a rod. In the illustrated embodiment, the operating unit 140 is a chain with a closed shape. The chain may engage with the actuator 130 at one end of the closed shape and be operable at the other end of the closed shape. In one embodiment, the actuator 130 is associated with a sprocket (not shown), and the chain is sleeved on the sprocket. When one end of the chain is pulled cyclically by the operator, the other end of the chain will drive the sprocket to rotate, and thus drive the actuator 130 associated with the sprocket. In one embodiment, the chain may be a hand chain hoist or a chain reel, and the movement of the chain is transmitted to the actuator 130 via the sprocket. The operating unit 140 may be sized so that the operator can operate the operating unit 140 from outside the hoistway 117. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the length of the operating unit 140 is set to extend from the bottom of the shaft 117 to a space 118 outside the shaft 117, and can be operated by an operator 200 located in the space 118.

[0044] In use, the operator can apply force to the actuator 130 via the chain 140, so that the actuator 130 applies a pulling or pushing force to the second attachment 120. These forces can first be stored as elastic potential energy in the elastic first portion 121 and selectively transmitted to the car 103 to change the position of the car 103. Since the car 103 typically has a large mass, changing its position requires a large force or consumes a large amount of energy. The force application component described in this application can selectively apply a limited amount of force that the operator can apply in the form of elastic potential energy, and can release the elastic potential energy accumulated over a period of time in a relatively short time, thereby generating sufficient force on the car 103 within a limited time to change the position of the car 103. In the illustrated embodiment, the force applied by the operator to the second attachment 120 via the operating part 140 causes the car 103 to tend to move downward, with the aim of lowering the car 103 to a suitable height for subsequent rescue operations.

[0045] In another embodiment, the force-applying component 100 according to one embodiment of this application may be installed below the counterweight 105. For example, a second attachment 120 may be attached to a compensating chain below the counterweight 105, and a first attachment 110 may be attached to a fixing portion below the counterweight 105. The fixing portion may be located directly below the connection point of the compensating chain on the counterweight 105. In this case, the force applied by the operator to the second attachment 120 via the operating part 140 causes the counterweight 105 to tend to move downward. The counterweight 105 drives the car 103 upward, with the aim of raising the car 103 to a suitable height for subsequent rescue operations.

[0046] In another embodiment, the actuation unit 130 may include an actuator for applying force to the second attachment unit 120, and the operation unit 140 includes a terminal for operating the actuator. The actuator and the terminal may communicate via one or more of the following methods: wired connection, wired network, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or telecommunications carrier signal. In one embodiment, the actuator is a motor. In another embodiment, the terminal includes a mobile phone, a button, a laptop computer, etc.

[0047] In use, the operator can operate the actuator via a terminal, and the actuator applies force to the second attachment 120. Under no circumstances does the operator need to be located inside the hoistway 117.

[0048] This application also relates to an elevator that includes the force-applying components described above.

[0049] This application also relates to an elevator rescue method for changing the position of the elevator car when the elevator car and counterweight are in a balanced state (e.g., when the elevator stops due to a malfunction during operation). Specifically, the elevator rescue method may include the following steps: The first attachment portion 110 of the force application component 100 described above is fixed relative to the shaft 117; One end of the second attachment 120 is fixed relative to the car 103 or the counterweight 105; A force is applied to the second attachment portion 120 by the actuating part 130 so that the force is stored as elastic potential energy in the second attachment portion 120 before the balance between the car and the counterweight is broken; and The position of the car 103 is changed by utilizing the elastic potential energy stored in the second attachment 120.

[0050] In one embodiment, the step of changing the car position may include using elastic potential energy to break the force balance of the elevator car by releasing the elevator brake. The elevator brake may, for example, include a main brake mechanism. In another embodiment, the actuator 130 may periodically or non-uniformly apply force to the second attachment 120 to intermittently or continuously change the position of the car 103, thereby moving the car 103 to a suitable position. In one embodiment, the force-applying assembly 100 lowers the car 103 to the suitable position. In another embodiment, the force-applying assembly 100 raises the car 103 to the suitable position.

[0051] The force-applying component, elevator, and elevator rescue method of this application enable an operator to change the position of the elevator car from a location outside the shaft using the force-applying component, thereby achieving safe and effective elevator rescue. The technical solution of this application has advantages such as simple structure, reliable application, and ease of implementation.

[0052] This specification discloses the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings, and also enables those skilled in the art to implement the application, including making and using any device or system, selecting suitable materials, and using any combination method. The scope of this application is defined by the claimed technical solution, but includes other instances that would occur to those skilled in the art. Such other instances shall be considered to fall within the scope of protection defined by the claimed technical solution, provided that they include structural elements that are not different from the literal language of the claimed technical solution, or that they include equivalent structural elements that are not substantially different from the literal language of the claimed technical solution.

Claims

1. A force-applying component for applying force to an elevator car when the elevator car and counterweight are in a balanced state, characterized in that, The force-applying component includes: The first attachment is designed to be removably attached to the elevator shaft. The second attachment, one end of which is removably fixed relative to the elevator car or counterweight, is configured to be at least partially flexible; An actuating portion is connected between the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion, wherein the first attachment portion is configured to be fixed relative to the actuating portion, and the second attachment portion is configured to be movable relative to the actuating portion; and An operating unit, associated with the actuating unit, operable to move the second attachment unit away from or towards the actuating unit; The actuating part applies a force to the second attachment part, and this force is stored as elastic potential energy in the second attachment part before the balance between the elevator car and the counterweight is broken; and The size of the operating unit is set so that the operator can operate the operating unit while outside the elevator shaft.

2. The force-applying component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first attachment includes a hook for removably attaching to a fixing part disposed within the elevator shaft.

3. The force-applying component according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fixing part is provided at one or more of the following locations: the bottom of the elevator shaft, or any side wall of the elevator shaft.

4. The force-applying component according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fixing part is positioned directly below the compensation chain connection point on the elevator car, or directly below the compensation chain connection point on the counterweight.

5. The force-applying component according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the second attachment is removably attached to the compensation chain below the elevator car or below the counterweight.

6. The force-applying component according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second attachment includes an elastic first portion and a rigid second portion, and the first portion and the second portion are connected end to end in sequence.

7. The force-applying component according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first portion is removably attached to the compensation chain, and the second portion is attached between the first portion and the actuating part.

8. The force-applying component according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first part includes one or more of the following devices: compression spring, torsion spring, tension spring, and spring sheet.

9. The force-applying component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The actuator is configured to convert the action of the operating part into a thrust or pull force applied to the second attachment part along the length direction of the second attachment part.

10. The force-applying component according to claim 9, characterized in that, The actuating part includes one or more of the following devices: chain hoisting mechanism, pulley block, lever mechanism, gear mechanism.

11. The force-applying component according to claim 10, characterized in that, The actuating part includes a chain hoist, and the chain hoist includes a hand chain hoist.

12. The force-applying component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The operating unit includes one or more of the following devices: chain, rope, rod.

13. The force-applying component according to claim 12, characterized in that, The operating part includes a chain configured to have a closed shape, wherein the chain engages with the actuating part at one end of the closed shape and is operable at the other end of the closed shape; and wherein the chain is attached to a sprocket associated with the actuating part.

14. The force-applying component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The actuation unit includes an actuator for applying force to the second attachment portion, and the operation unit includes a terminal for operating the actuator.

15. The force-applying component according to claim 14, characterized in that, The actuator communicates with the terminal via one or more of the following methods: wired connection, wired network, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or telecommunications operator signal.

16. An elevator, characterized in that, Includes the force-applying component according to any one of claims 1-15.

17. An elevator rescue method, used to change the position of the elevator car when the elevator car and counterweight are in a balanced state, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: The first attachment portion of the force-applying component according to any one of claims 1-15 is fixed relative to the elevator shaft; One end of the second attachment is fixed relative to the elevator car or counterweight; The actuating part applies force to the second attachment part so that the force is stored as elastic potential energy in the second attachment part before the balance between the elevator car and the counterweight is broken. as well as The position of the elevator car is changed by utilizing the elastic potential energy stored in the second attachment.

18. The elevator rescue method according to claim 17, characterized in that, In the process of changing the position of the elevator car, the elastic potential energy is used to break the balance between the elevator car and the counterweight by releasing the elevator brake device.

19. The elevator rescue method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The elevator braking device includes a main unit brake mechanism.

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