Method for aligning guide rails of an elevator

Abstract

The method includes measuring a first position of the guide rail when the bolts of the fastening bracket have been loosened, measuring a second position of the guide rail when the guide rail has been moved to the desired position, and measuring a third position of the guide rail when the bolts of the fastening bracket have been tightened and the guide rail has been released. The difference between the second and third positions represents the springback of the guide rail. The measured position data of the guide rail is stored in a memory, and the measured position data of the guide rail stored in the memory is used to adjust the guide rail.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for aligning elevator guide rails. Background Technology

[0002] An elevator may include a car, shaft, hoisting mechanism, ropes, and counterweight. A separate or integrated car frame may surround the car.

[0003] The hoisting mechanism can be positioned in the shaft. The hoisting mechanism may include a drive, a motor, a traction sheave, and a mechanism brake. The hoisting mechanism allows the car to move up and down within the shaft. The mechanism brake stops the rotation of the traction sheave and thus stops the movement of the elevator car.

[0004] The car frame can be connected to the counterweight via ropes and a traction sheave. The car frame can also be supported by guide components on guide rails extending vertically within the shaft. The guide rails can be attached to the side wall structure within the shaft using fastening brackets. As the car moves up and down within the shaft, the guide components hold the car in the appropriate position in the horizontal plane. The counterweight can be correspondingly supported on the guide rails attached to the wall structure of the shaft.

[0005] The elevator car can transport people and / or goods between stair landings in a building. The wall structure of the shaft can be formed by solid walls or open beam structures or any combination of these structures.

[0006] The guide rail can be formed from guide rail elements of a certain length. The guide rail elements can be connected end-to-end in the elevator shaft one after another during installation by using connecting plates extending between opposite ends of the guide rail elements or by using engaging clamps attached to opposite ends of the guide rail elements. The engaging clamps may include convex and concave attachment parts for attaching to the engaging clamps and thus also attaching the guide rails to each other.

[0007] The guide rail can be attached to the wall of the elevator shaft along the height of the guide rail using brackets.

[0008] Several elevator cars can operate in parallel within a common shaft. The shaft can be divided into different sections, with partition beams extending across it. These partition beams can be positioned vertically at intervals along the shaft's height. The partition beams can be horizontal. Guide rails can be attached to the partition beams via brackets.

[0009] The guide rails must be aligned after installation. Alignment can be done manually or automatically using equipment designed for guide rail alignment. However, after aligning the guide rails, locking the brackets, and releasing the rails, tension remains in the rails. When the rails are released after alignment, the residual tension in the rails will cause them to shift. This shift, or springback, needs to be corrected. Correction is done through trial and error in existing technology. The mechanic attempts to find a position from which the rail springs back to the correct position, the desired position of the guide rail. This trial-and-error method for correcting the position of the guide rails is time-consuming and may require several iterations before the desired position is found. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The object of this invention is a novel method for aligning elevator guide rails.

[0011] The first aspect of the present invention defines a method for aligning elevator guide rails.

[0012] Compared with existing technologies, this invention can accelerate the alignment process of elevator guide rails. The productivity and accuracy of the guide rail alignment process can also be increased.

[0013] This invention also eliminates variations in the alignment quality of the guide rails. The alignment quality of the guide rails will depend less on the personnel performing the alignment. Trained technicians can easily achieve high-quality alignment of the guide rails with the help of this invention.

[0014] This invention is easy to use and eliminates the trial-and-error required in existing methods for compensating for springback during guide alignment.

[0015] This invention can be used for the manual alignment of guide rails performed by a machinist using hand tools. The machinist can travel up and down in a shaft on a mounting platform movably supported on the guide rail. The machinist can first loosen the bolts of the fastening bracket and measure a first position of the guide rail. In this first position, there is no tension in the guide rail. The machinist can then move the guide rail to the correct position based on measurements, for example, a plumb line arranged in the shaft. The machinist can then measure this second position of the guide rail. The machinist can then tighten the bolts of the fastening bracket and release the guide rail. The guide rail will spring back due to internal stress, causing the guide rail to shift from the correct position. The machinist can then measure this third position of the guide rail. In the prior art, the machinist must again loosen the bolts of the fastening bracket, change the position of the guide rail and try to account for the springback, and then finally tighten the bolts. Several iterations may be required in the manual alignment of the prior art before the correct position of the guide rail is achieved. The method of this invention can be used to eliminate this iteration. The machinist receives an estimate of the correct position of the guide rail based on position data stored in memory. The springback of the guide rail is taken into account in the estimate. The mechanic positions the guide rail in the estimated correct position, tightens the bracket bolts, and releases the guide rail. Springback occurs, but this was already factored into the estimation; that is, the guide rail will be in the correct position after the springback.

[0016] This invention can also be used for the automatic alignment of guide rails. An alignment device for aligning guide rails in an automatic alignment process is provided. The alignment device can be supported on a mounting platform. Each end of the alignment unit in the alignment device can be supported on two opposing guide rails. Conversely, each end of the positioning unit in the alignment device can be supported on opposing wall structures and / or on a partition beam and / or on a bracket in the shaft. A mechanic can operate the alignment device via a control unit. The alignment of the guide rails can therefore be automatically completed using the alignment device based on plumb line measurements. Thus, the opposing guide rails can be automatically aligned with the alignment device relative to a second direction, i.e., the direction between the guide rails (DBG), and relative to a third direction, i.e., the direction from the back wall to the front wall (BTF). The mechanic can travel on the mounting platform, or the mechanic can control the alignment from a position outside the shaft. The controller of the alignment device receives an estimate of the correct position of the guide rails based on position data stored in memory. The springback of the guide rails is taken into account in the estimate. The operator uses the alignment device to position the guide rail in the estimated correct location, then tightens the bracket bolts and releases the guide rail. Springback occurs, but this was factored into the estimation; that is, the guide rail will be in the correct position after the springback.

[0017] This invention can be used to align guide rails in new installations, as well as to readjust the alignment of guide rails in existing elevators.

[0018] This invention includes measuring a first position of the guide rail after the support bolts have been loosened, measuring a second position of the guide rail after it has been adjusted to the desired position, and measuring a third position of the guide rail after the support bolts have been tightened and the guide rail has been released. The measured position data is stored in a memory, and the stored measurement position data is used to adjust the guide rail. Data can be collected from previous alignment processes in the same shaft and / or several previous alignment processes in different shafts. Each position of the guide rail is measured on a horizontal plane. Coordinates are measured in a second direction, i.e., the direction between the guide rails (DBG), and in a third direction, i.e., the direction from the rear wall to the front wall (BTF).

[0019] The measured position data of the guide rail can be categorized by at least one or any combination of parameters from the first set of parameters, which includes: the type of guide rail, the type of fastener, the number of fasteners, the type of clamps, the bracket spacing, and, optionally, the type of partition beam. The type of partition beam is naturally irrelevant to installations without partition beams, i.e., where the guide rail is directly attached to the wall structure in the shaft. The number of fasteners refers to the number of fasteners calculated along the height of the shaft. The type of clamp refers to the clamps used to attach the guide rail to the fasteners.

[0020] The guide rail can be adjusted based on previously stored position data, allowing the system to search for the closest match of the bracket to be adjusted from the position data in the memory. The output is then the measured springback, which is used to correct the guide rail adjustment.

[0021] On the other hand, the guide rails can be adjusted based on previously stored position data, allowing a mathematical model to be fitted to the position data stored in memory. The mathematical model can then be used to predict rebound based on one or more input factors. Regression analysis can be used to fit the mathematical model to the stored data. Regression analysis can be based on decision trees. The goal of decision trees is to predict outcomes based on inputs of various variables. Decision trees are widely used in computer programming and algorithms, where computers need to decide options based on certain criteria.

[0022] A decision tree has two parts: a problem statement (represented by the root of the tree) and a set of outcomes or solutions (represented by the branches of the tree). Decision trees can be scaled to any length representing all options in the problem statement. A key difference between a real tree and a decision tree is that a decision tree is typically an inverted tree with the root at the top. There are two types of decision trees: classification trees with categorical objective values ​​and regression trees with continuous objective values.

[0023] Mathematical models can be used to align guide rails with specific combinations of parameters. The initial position of the guide rail after the bracket bolts have been loosened serves as the input value supplied to the mathematical model. By taking into account the springback of the guide rail, the mathematical model can provide a predicted position of the guide rail as the output. The guide rail can then be positioned at the predicted position, the bracket bolts can be tightened, and the guide rail can be released, where the springback of the guide rail moves it from the predicted position to the desired position.

[0024] This invention can be further developed using machine learning. Machine learning is the study of computer algorithms that automatically improve through experience. It is considered a subset of artificial intelligence. Machine learning algorithms build models based on sample data called "training data" and make predictions or decisions without explicit programming. Machine learning algorithms are used in a wide variety of applications, such as email filtering and computer vision, where developing conventional algorithms to perform the desired tasks is difficult or infeasible.

[0025] A mathematical model can be trained using input and output data collected from several alignment projects. An advantage of machine learning is that it can also predict the rebound value for scaffolds that do not have a good match in the saved data. The predictive accuracy of the machine learning model will also improve as a function of the number of alignment projects completed. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, wherein...

[0027] Figure 1 The vertical cross-sectional view of the elevator is shown.

[0028] Figure 2 The horizontal cross-sectional view of the elevator is shown.

[0029] Figure 3 A perspective view of a device used for aligning guide rails in an elevator is shown.

[0030] Figure 4 Show Figure 3 The first stage of operating the equipment,

[0031] Figure 5 Show Figure 3 The second phase of equipment operation,

[0032] Figure 6 An isometric view of an elevator shaft with alignment equipment and mounting platform is shown.

[0033] Figure 7 This diagram shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of an elevator shaft with an installation platform.

[0034] Figure 8 This illustrates the principle of collecting measurement position data of the guide rail.

[0035] Figure 9 This illustrates the principle of using measured position data in guide rail alignment.

[0036] Figure 10 A flowchart is shown for aligning the guide rails of the elevator. Detailed Implementation

[0037] Figure 1 A vertical cross-sectional view of the elevator is shown, and Figure 2 A horizontal cross-sectional view of the elevator is shown.

[0038] The elevator may include a car 10, an elevator shaft 20, a hoisting mechanism 30, ropes 42, and a counterweight 41. A separate or integrated car frame 11 may surround the car 10.

[0039] The lifting mechanism 30 can be positioned within the shaft 20. The lifting mechanism may include a drive 31, a motor 32, a traction sheave 33, and a mechanism brake 34. The lifting mechanism 30 allows the car 10 to move upward and downward in a first vertical direction Z within the vertically extending elevator shaft 20. The mechanism brake 34 can stop the rotation of the traction sheave 33, thereby stopping the movement of the elevator car 10.

[0040] The car frame 11 can be connected to the counterweight 41 by rope 42 via traction sheave 33. The car frame 11 can also be supported by guide members 27 at guide rails 25 extending vertically within the shaft 20. Guide members 27 may include rollers that roll on the guide rails 25 or sliding shoes that slide on the guide rails 25 as the car 10 moves up and down within the shaft 20. The guide rails 25 can be attached to the side wall structure 21 within the shaft 20 using fastening brackets 26. As the car 10 moves up and down within the shaft 20, the guide members 27 hold the car 10 in the appropriate position in the horizontal plane. The counterweight 41 can be correspondingly supported on the guide rails attached to the wall structure 21 of the shaft 20.

[0041] The wall structure 21 of the shaft 20 may be formed by solid walls 21 or open beam structures or any combination of these structures. Therefore, one or more of the walls may be solid, and one or more of the walls may be formed by open beam structures. The shaft 20 may include a front wall 21A, a rear wall 21B, and two opposing side walls 21C, 21D. The car 10 may have two guide rails 25. The two car guide rails 25 may be positioned on the opposing side walls 21C, 21D. The counterweight 41 may also have two guide rails 25. The two counterweight guide rails 25 may be positioned on the rear wall 21B.

[0042] The guide rail 25 can extend vertically along the height of the elevator shaft 20. Therefore, the guide rail 25 can be formed from guide rail elements of a certain length, for example, 5 m. The guide rail elements 25 can be installed end-to-end, one after another. The guide rail elements 25 can be attached to each other using a connecting plate extending between the end portions of two consecutive guide rail elements 25. The connecting plate can be attached to the consecutive guide rail elements 25. The ends of the guide rails 25 may include locking devices for correctly positioning the guide rails 25 relative to each other. The guide rails 25 can be attached to the wall 21 of the elevator shaft 20 using support devices at support points along the height of the guide rail 25.

[0043] The car 10 can transport people and / or goods between stair landings in a building.

[0044] Figure 2The vertical lines PL1 and PL2 in shaft 20 are shown, which can be generated by vertical measurements of shaft 20 at the start of elevator installation. Vertical lines PL1 and PL2 can be formed by conventional visible light or light sources, such as lasers with beams directed upwards along vertical lines PL1 and PL2. A global measurement reference in shaft 20 typically requires one vertical line and one gyroscope, or two vertical lines.

[0045] Figure 1 The first direction Z is shown as the vertical direction in the elevator shaft 20. Figure 2 The diagram shows a second direction X, which is the direction between the guide rails (DBG), and a third direction Y, which is the direction from the rear wall to the front wall in the shaft 20 (BTF). The second direction X is perpendicular to the third direction Y. Both the second direction X and the third direction Y are perpendicular to the first direction Z.

[0046] Figure 3 A perspective view of a device used to align guide rails in an elevator is shown.

[0047] The device 400 for aligning the guide rail 25 may include a positioning unit 100 and an alignment unit 200.

[0048] The positioning unit 100 may include a longitudinal support structure having a central portion 110 and two opposing end portions 120, 130. The two opposing end portions 120, 130 may be mirror images of each other. Several central portions 110 of different lengths may exist to adjust the length of the positioning unit 100 to accommodate different elevator shafts 20. The positioning unit 100 may further include first attachment members 140, 150 at both ends of the positioning unit 100. The first attachment members 140, 150 are movable in a second direction X, i.e., the direction between guide rails (DBG). The positioning unit 100 may extend across the elevator shaft 20 in the second direction X. The first attachment members 140, 150 can be used to lock the positioning unit 100 between the wall structure 21 and / or partition beam and / or bracket 26 in the elevator shaft 20. Actuators 141, 151 (positions shown schematically in the figure) connected to each of the first attachment parts 140, 150, such as linear motors, can be used to move each of the first attachment parts 140, 150 individually in the second direction X.

[0049] The alignment unit 200 may include a longitudinal support structure having a central portion 210 and two opposing end portions 220, 230. The two opposing end portions 220, 230 may be mirror images of each other. Several central portions 210 of different lengths may exist to adjust the length of the alignment unit 200 to accommodate different elevator shafts 20. The alignment unit may further include second attachment members 240, 250 at both ends of the alignment unit 200. The second attachment members 240, 250 are movable in a second direction X. Actuators 241, 251, such as linear motors, may be used to individually move each of the second attachment members 240, 250 in the second direction X. Each of the second attachment members 240, 250 may further include a clamping device positioned at the end of the second attachment member 240, 250. The clamping device may be formed by jaws 245, 255. The jaws 245, 255 are movable in a third direction Y perpendicular to the second direction X. Jaws 245 and 255 can thus clamp onto opposite side surfaces of guide rail 25. Actuators 246 and 256, such as linear motors, can be used to individually move each of the jaws 245 and 255 in the third direction Y. Alignment unit 200 can be attached to positioning unit 100 at each end of positioning unit 100 using support members 260 and 270. Support members 260 and 270 are movable relative to positioning unit 100 in the third direction Y. Alignment unit 200 can be attached to support members 260 and 270 using hinge joints J1 and J2. Actuators 261 and 271, such as linear motors, can be used to individually move each of the support members 260 and 270 in the third direction Y. Hinges J1 and J2 allow alignment unit 200 to be adjusted so that it is not parallel to positioning unit 100.

[0050] The two second attachment parts 240, 250 can move only in the second direction X together with actuators 241, 251. However, an additional actuator can be added to one of the second attachment parts 240, 250 to enable rotation of the second attachment part 240, 250 about the hinge joint in the horizontal plane. Such a possibility may seem unnecessary, but it can be added to the device 500 if needed.

[0051] The first attachment parts 140 and 150, and the second attachment parts 240 and 250 can move independently in the second direction X using their respective actuators 141, 151, 241, and 251. The clamping devices 245 and 255 can move independently in the third direction Y using their respective actuators 246 and 256. The support parts 260 and 270 can move independently relative to the positioning unit 100 in the third direction Y using their respective actuators 261 and 271. The alignment unit 200 is attached to the positioning unit 100 via hinge joints J1 and J2, allowing the alignment unit 200 to be adjusted so that it is not parallel to the positioning unit 100.

[0052] Device 400 can be operated by a mechanic via control unit 300. Control unit 300 can be attached to device 400. Alternatively, a separate control unit 300 can be used, for example, located outside shaft 20. The separate control unit 300 can be connected to device 400 via cable or wireless connection. Control unit 300 can be used to control all actuators used in device 400, namely actuators 141 and 142 that move the first attachment parts 140 and 150, actuators 241 and 242 that move the second attachment parts 240 and 250, actuators 246 and 256 that move the clamping devices 245 and 255, and actuators 261 and 271 that move the support parts 260 and 270.

[0053] Figure 4 Show Figure 3 The first stage of equipment operation. The figure shows supports 26 on both sides of the shaft 20. Guide rails 25 are attached to supports 26, and supports 26 are attached to the wall structure in the shaft 20. The device 400 can be supported on a mounting platform, and a mechanic can travel on the mounting platform. The mechanic can operate the device 400 via a control unit 300. Alignment units 200 can be attached to two opposing guide rails 25 via jaws 245, 255 at the ends of second attachment members 240, 250. The second attachment members 240, 250 are movable in a second direction X, and the jaws 245, 255 are movable in a third direction Y, such that they can clamp onto the opposing vertical side surfaces of the guide rails 25. The bolts of the supports 26 can then be opened on both sides of the shaft 20, allowing the guide rails 25 to move. The guide rails 25 on opposing sides of the shaft 20 can then be adjusted relative to each other using the alignment units 200. The frame of the alignment unit 200 is rigid, such that when the clamping devices 245, 255 clamp the guide rails 25, the two opposing guide rails 25 will be positioned so that their vertices face each other. Therefore, there is no subsequent twisting between the opposing guide rails 25. The distance between the two opposing guide rails 25 in the direction (DBG) is also adjusted using the alignment unit 200. The position of each of the second attachment members 240, 250 in the second direction X determines said distance.

[0054] A vertical line can be formed approximately 25mm from each guide rail (in... Figure 2 (As shown in the diagram). An additional non-contact measurement system may exist, measuring the distance from guide rail 25 to vertical lines PL1, PL2 near guide rail 25 in the DBG and BFT directions. The system may also calculate the difference from a predetermined target value. Based on the difference between each guide rail 25 and the target value, the desired control values ​​(DBG, BTF, and torsion) are calculated. The control values ​​are then converted into incremental steps and fed as control signals to the control unit of the linear motor in device 400. DBG may also be measured based on motor torque, which indicates when the second attachment parts 240, 250 have reached their end positions and are positioned against guide rail 25. The position of the linear motor can then be read from the display of control unit 300. Device 400 can therefore calculate DBG based on the distance from guide rail 25 to the vertical line and based on the position of each of the second attachment parts 240, 250 in the second direction X.

[0055] EP 2 872 432 B1 discloses a non-contact measurement system for measuring distances in the DGB and BFT directions from a guide rail 25 to vertical lines PL1, PL2 near the guide rail 25. The measurement system may include at least one sensor arrangement mounted on a carrier to travel vertically along the guide rail. The sensor arrangement includes a frame, at least one guide shoe connected to the frame for sliding and / or rolling along a guide surface of the guide rail, a biasing device for positioning and biasing the frame against the guide surface, and at least one sensor device for sensing the position of the vertical lines PL1, PL2 relative to the frame.

[0056] Figure 5 Show Figure 3 The second phase of equipment operation is as follows: Positioning unit 100 is locked to wall structure 21 or other support structure in elevator shaft 20 using attachment parts 260, 270. When positioning unit 100 is locked to wall structure 21 of elevator shaft 20, alignment unit 200 is in floating mode relative to positioning unit 100. Alignment unit 200 and positioning unit 100 can now be used to adjust guide rail 25 relative to shaft 20. The bolts of bracket 26 are then tightened. Device 400 can now be transported to the next bracket 26 position, where the first and second phases of equipment operation can be repeated.

[0057] Figure 6 An isometric view of an elevator shaft with alignment devices and a mounting platform is shown.

[0058] This figure illustrates a car guide rail 25, a mounting platform 500, and a device 400 for aligning the guide rail 25. The device 400 for aligning the guide rail 25 can be attached to a support frame 460 using a support arm 450, and the support frame 460 can be attached to the mounting platform 500. The mounting platform 500 is movable up and down along the car guide rail 25 in the shaft 20. In this embodiment, the device 400 for aligning the guide rail 25 is movable relative to the mounting platform 500 in a second direction X and a third direction Y. This can be achieved using one or more joints J10 of the support arm 450. The support frame 460 can also be arranged to be movable in the second direction X and the third direction Y. The position of the support arm 450 relative to the mounting platform 500 must be measured to determine the position of the alignment device 400 relative to the mounting platform 500. The guide rail 25 on the left side of the figure can be attached to the wall structure of the shaft 20 using a bracket 26. The guide rail 25 on the right side can be attached to a partition beam 28 spanning the shaft 20 using a bracket 26.

[0059] Figure 7 A horizontal cross-sectional view of an elevator shaft with an installation platform is shown.

[0060] The figure illustrates a mounting platform 500, a device 400 for aligning guide rails, and two measuring devices MD10 and MD11 supported on the mounting platform 500. The mounting platform 500 may include support arms 510, 520, 530, and 540, which are arranged on opposite sides of the mounting platform 500 and movable in a second direction X, for supporting the mounting platform 500 against opposite sidewalls 21C and 21D of the shaft 20. Clamping devices 245 and 255 of the second attachment members 240 and 250 can clamp opposite guide surfaces of the car guide rail 25. Therefore, the car guide rail 25 can be aligned with the device 400 for guide rail alignment, as previously described in this application. The mounting platform 500 can be locked in place using the support arms 510, 520, and 540.

[0061] Once the mounting platform 500 is locked in the shaft 20, the position of the mounting platform 500 relative to the shaft 20 can be determined using measuring devices MD10 and MD11 based on plumb lines PL1 and PL2. Measuring devices MD10 and MD11 can measure the position using sensors without contacting the plumb lines PL1 and PL2 formed by guide wires. Alternatively, a light source, such as a laser, can be used at the bottom of the elevator shaft to generate an upward-pointing beam that can be measured by measuring devices MD10 and MD11 on the mounting platform 500. Measuring devices MD10 and MD11 can be photosensitive sensors or digital imaging devices that measure the point of impact of the beam generated by the light source. The light source can be a robotic total station, thus allowing measuring devices MD10 and MD11 to reflect the beam back to the robotic total station. The robotic total station then measures the position of measuring devices MD10 and MD11.

[0062] The alignment device 400 can be fixedly attached to the mounting platform 500, so that the position of the device 400 can be indirectly determined based on the position of the mounting platform 500. The position of the guide rail 25 can be indirectly determined based on the position of the device 400. On the other hand, the alignment device 400 can be movably attached to the mounting platform 500, so that a sensor can be arranged on the mounting platform 500 to measure the position of the alignment device 400 on the mounting platform 500.

[0063] The form of guide rail 25 is naturally not limited to the T-shape shown in the figure. Guide rail 25 can have any form, but clamping devices and the like must naturally adapt to the form of guide rail 25.

[0064] The support bracket 26 for attaching the guide rail 25 to the wall structure of the shaft 20 can have any construction.

[0065] Figure 8 This illustrates the principle of collecting measurement position data of the guide rail.

[0066] In the diagram, the horizontal axis X represents the direction between the guide rails (DBG), and the vertical axis Y represents the front-to-back (BTF) direction. Position data can be categorized by at least one or any combination of parameters from the first set of parameters, which includes: the type of guide rail, the type of fastener, the number of fasteners, the type of fastener clamps, the bracket spacing, and, if the guide rails are attached to the elevator shaft wall structure via a partition beam, the type of optional partition beam. One or more of these parameters can affect the springback of the guide rails.

[0067] Figure 8 Point A1 shows the position of the guide rail after the bolts of the fastening bracket have been loosened. Point C1 indicates the correct position of the guide rail in the X and Y directions. Point C2 indicates the position of the guide rail after the fastening bolts of the fastening bracket have been loosened. In this position, there is typically no tension in the rail.

[0068] Figure 8 A2 shows the position of the guide rail after adjustment. Point C1 indicates the correct position of the guide rail in the X and Y directions. Point C3 indicates the position of the guide rail after it has been adjusted to the correct position. In this case, points C1 and C3 are concentric. When the guide rail moves to the correct position, a directional force is generated in the guide rail.

[0069] Figure 8A3 shows the position of the guide rail after the bolts in the fastener have been tightened and the guide rail has been released. Point C1 indicates the correct position of the guide rail in the X and Y directions. Point C4 indicates the position of the guide rail after it has been released and after its springback has occurred. Due to the springback, point C4 deviates from the correct position C1. The springback length and direction of the guide rail are therefore present at this point C4.

[0070] Figure 9 This illustrates the principle of using measured position data in the alignment of guide rails.

[0071] In the diagram, the horizontal axis X represents the direction between the guide rails (DBG), and the vertical axis Y represents the front-to-back (BTF) direction. Measurement position data can be categorized by at least one or any combination of parameters from the first set of parameters, which includes: the type of guide rail, the type of fastener, the number of fasteners, the type of fastener clamps, the distance between the fasteners, and, if the guide rails are attached to the wall structure in the shaft via a partition beam, the optional type of partition beam. One or more of these parameters can affect the springback of the guide rails.

[0072] Figure 9 A1 shows the position of the guide rail after the bolts of the fastening bracket have been loosened. Point C1 indicates the desired position of the guide rail in the X and Y directions. Point C2 indicates the initial position of the guide rail after the bolts of the fastening bracket have been loosened. The position data of the guide rail, C1 and C2, can be stored in mathematical model 600.

[0073] Figure 9 A2 shows the position of the guide rail after adjustment. Point C1 indicates the desired position of the guide rail in the X and Y directions. Point C3 indicates the predicted position of the guide rail calculated by mathematical model 600. Point C3 is not concentric with point C1. This deviation between point C3 and point C1 takes into account the springback of the guide rail. An estimate of the springback of the guide rail has been calculated using the mathematical model, and this estimated springback is considered when the mathematical model determines the predicted position C3.

[0074] Figure 9 A3 shows the position of the guide rail after the bolts in the fastener have been tightened and the guide rail has been released. Point C1 indicates the correct position of the guide rail in the X and Y directions. Point C4 indicates the final position of the guide rail after it has been released and springback has occurred. Point C4 is now concentric with the desired position C1. The mathematical model has correctly predicted the springback of the guide rail, meaning that the guide rail is now in the desired position after springback. Therefore, no trial-and-error correction of the guide rail position is required.

[0075] Figure 10 A flowchart is shown for aligning the guide rails of the elevator.

[0076] Step 701 includes measuring the first position of the guide rail when the bolts of the fastening bracket have been loosened.

[0077] Step 702 includes measuring a second position of the guide rail when it has been moved to the desired position.

[0078] Step 703 includes measuring a third position of the guide rail when the bolts of the fastening bracket have been tightened and the guide rail has been released. The difference between the second and third positions represents the springback of the guide rail.

[0079] Step 704 includes storing the measured position data of the guide rail in a memory.

[0080] Step 705 includes adjusting the guide rail using the measured position data of the guide rail stored in the memory.

[0081] Alignment of the guide rails in the shaft can be easily accomplished based on guide rail position data collected from previous alignments performed in the same shaft.

[0082] On the other hand, the alignment of the guide rails in the shaft can be accomplished based on guide rail position data collected from previous alignment processes in many different shafts. Guide rail position data can be continuously collected from all completed alignment processes.

[0083] Machine learning can also be applied to mathematical models to improve them. The predicted positions of guide rails generated by a mathematical model may not be entirely accurate in all cases. Therefore, adjustments to the mathematical model may be necessary. This can be accomplished by applying machine learning to the mathematical model. Error data from the predicted positions can be measured during installation and fed into the mathematical model to adjust it.

[0084] Measurement location data can be fitted into a mathematical model. Any mathematical model suitable for solving multivariate optimization problems can be used in this invention. For example, if we store all meaningful variables and the bounce is not completely random, then a simple linear algorithm can be used, for example. Regression analysis can also naturally be used to fit a mathematical model to the measurement location data.

[0085] The use of this invention is naturally not limited to the elevator types disclosed in the accompanying drawings, but can be used with any type of elevator, such as elevators without a machine room and / or counterweight.

[0086] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the concept of this invention can be implemented in various ways as technology advances. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above, but can be varied within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for aligning elevator guide rails, the method comprising: The measurement is taken at the first position of the guide rail at the fastening bracket when the bolts of the fastening bracket have been loosened. The second position of the guide rail at the fastening bracket is measured when the guide rail has been moved to the desired position. The guide rail is measured at a third position on the fastening bracket when the bolts on the fastening bracket are tightened and the guide rail has been released. The difference between the second position and the third position represents the springback of the guide rail. The measured position data of the first position, the second position, and the third position of the guide rail are stored in the memory. The guide rail is adjusted using the measured position data of the guide rail stored in the memory. The method further includes: The measured location data is fitted into a mathematical model.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: classifying the measured position data of the guideway by at least one parameter of a first set of parameters or any combination of said parameters of said first set of parameters, said first set of parameters comprising: The type of guide rail, the type of fastening bracket, the number of fastening brackets, the type of fastening clamp, and the bracket distance.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the guide rail is attached to the wall structure of the elevator shaft via a partition beam, and the first set of parameters further includes the type of the partition beam.

4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: The closest match of the fastener to be adjusted is selected from the position data stored in the memory, and the position of the guide rail is adjusted based on the position data of the closest match.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The adjustment of the position of the guide rail at the fastening bracket is determined using the output of the mathematical model.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: Regression analysis is used when fitting the mathematical model to the measurement location data.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising: A regression model is used as the mathematical model.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising: The mathematical model described above is used as a machine learning algorithm.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 and 5 to 8, further comprising: The mathematical model was trained using guide rail position data measured from several different elevator shafts.

10. The method of claim 3, further comprising: An alignment device (400) for aligning the guide rail is used, the alignment device comprising: A positioning unit (100) extends horizontally across the elevator shaft (20) in a second direction (X) and includes first attachment members (140, 150) at each end of the positioning unit (100) movable in the second direction (X) for supporting the positioning unit (100) on opposing wall structures (21) or other support structures in the elevator shaft (20). An alignment unit (200) extends across the elevator shaft (20) in the second direction (X) and is supported by support members (260, 270) on each end portion of the positioning unit (100) such that each end portion of the alignment unit (200) is individually movable relative to the positioning unit (100) in a third direction (Y), the third direction being perpendicular to the second direction (X), and the alignment unit includes second attachment members (240, 250) movable at each end of the alignment unit (200) in the second direction (X) for supporting the alignment unit (200) on opposing guide rails (25) in the elevator shaft (20), the second attachment members (240, 250) including clamping devices (245, 255) for clamping on the guide rails (25), thereby The opposing guide rails (25) can be adjusted relative to each other and relative to the elevator shaft (20) using the alignment device (400).

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: The alignment device (400) is controlled via the controller (300).

12. The method of claim 10 further includes using a non-contact measurement system to measure the distance from the guide rail (25) to vertical lines (PL1, PL2) arranged near the guide rail (25).

13. A computer program product comprising program instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-12.

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