A twin elevator anti-collision control method and device
By introducing Hall sensors and extended guide shoe design into the twin elevator system, dual electrical and mechanical protection is achieved, which solves the collision risk in the event of electrical system failure and improves the safety and reliability of the elevator.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HANGZHOU XO ELEVATOR
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing twin elevator systems cannot effectively decelerate and protect themselves in the event of electrical system failure, leading to potential collision risks and lacking mechanical protection.
Employing a dual protection approach combining mechanical characteristics and electrical systems, the elevator utilizes Hall effect sensors to detect changes in the magnetic field. Combined with an extended guide shoe design to increase mechanical buffering, this ensures effective monitoring of the elevator's status and provides safety protection even in the event of electrical system failure.
In the event of electrical system failure, it provides additional mechanical protection, improving elevator safety, ensuring that the car decelerates and avoids collisions in emergency situations, and increasing the reliability and safety of the system.
Smart Images

Figure CN116835404B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of elevator technology, and in particular to a method and device for preventing collisions in twin elevators. Background Technology
[0002] A twin elevator is an elevator system with two cars installed in the same shaft. The two cars can move independently up and down within the same shaft. To ensure the two cars can operate safely without colliding, a minimum permissible safe operating distance between them is typically set dynamically. The lower the relative speed of the two cars, the smaller the minimum permissible safe distance. Simultaneously, the system monitors and judges in real time. Once the safe distance between the two cars falls below the minimum permissible safe operating distance at the set relative speed, the elevator immediately activates a safety protection mode. This ensures that the two cars decelerate more quickly and enter the permissible safe operating distance, guaranteeing that the two cars will never collide. This safety protection mode is usually ensured by multiple redundancy designs. This type of protection relies on electrical safety protection.
[0003] When the safety protection mode fails, mechanical characteristics must be relied upon to maintain the two cars within a safe distance, and the safety protection range must not be changed due to the car's load status. Currently, mature twin elevator systems do not extensively use mechanical characteristics to protect the moving two cars and ensure that no accidents occur when the two cars are close together.
[0004] Chinese Patent CN205675953U, published on November 9, 2016, discloses a double-car elevator, including a first car; a second car, wherein the first car and the second car run on the same running track; an elevator shaft information system that collects the real-time distance between the first car and the second car; and a safety device connected to the elevator shaft information system, wherein the safety device triggers the first car and / or the second car to stop moving when the real-time distance between the first car and the second car is different from or less than the safety distance.
[0005] Existing technology only uses the electrical system to control the elevator, which cannot cope with the deceleration and protection of the runaway elevator in the event of electrical system failure. Summary of the Invention
[0006] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problem of insufficient electrical protection in the existing technology, and to provide a method and device for anti-collision control of twin elevators, which has the advantage of providing an additional layer of electrical protection by using mechanical characteristics and electrical system protection.
[0007] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is a twin elevator anti-collision control method, which includes the following steps: S1: Determine whether the main unit is working normally; S2: If the main unit is working normally, ensure that the distance between the two cars is greater than the minimum allowable safe operating distance; if it fails to work normally, convert the electrical energy generated by the main unit into a magnetic field; S3: Determine whether the magnetic field detection sensor detects a changing magnetic field approaching; S4: If no changing magnetic field approaches, no further operation is performed; if a changing magnetic field approaches, activate the safety protection mode. By adding an additional sensor in addition to the safety protection mode, it is ensured that the elevator status can be monitored normally even when the main unit fails to work normally, and in the worst case, the extended guide shoes can also act as a mechanical buffer to reduce damage to the cars.
[0008] Preferably, in step S2, the distance between the two cars is measured by an electrical software absolute position encoder. Using an electrical software absolute position encoder ensures the most accurate position data is obtained, avoiding misjudgments due to errors and preventing erroneous entry into the safety protection mode during normal operation.
[0009] Preferably, in step S2, the failure to function normally refers to a state where the position data of the two cars is incorrect, resulting in the two cars running out of control. The uncontrolled running of the two cars towards each other includes the upper car running at low speed, the lower car experiencing a light-load upward uncontrolled movement, and the lower car running at low speed while the upper car experiences a full-load downward uncontrolled movement. Low-speed movement includes a stationary state; relative uncontrolled running of the cars is the most dangerous situation of position error and requires immediate entry into the safety protection mode.
[0010] Preferably, in step S3, the detection of a changing magnetic field proximity is achieved using a Hall sensor mounted within the guide shoe. The Hall sensor is a transducer that converts a changing magnetic field into a change in output voltage. Its distance from the Hall disk can be set under a known magnetic field. Using multiple sets of sensors, the relevant position of the magnet can be inferred. A current flowing through a conductor generates a magnetic field that varies with the current, and a Hall effect sensor can measure the current without interfering with it; typically, it is integrated with a winding core or a permanent magnet near the conductor being measured.
[0011] Preferably, in step S4, the safety protection mode includes cutting off the safety circuits and power supply to both the upper and lower cars, locking both cars. Cutting off the power supply prevents the cars from continuing to run out of control, while locking provides resistance to prevent the cars from continuing to run, facilitating deceleration and ensuring the safety of the cars and their passengers.
[0012] Preferably, in step S1, determining whether the main unit is working properly involves judging whether an error has occurred based on the position data of the upper and lower cars. Whether an error has occurred depends on whether the distance between the upper and lower cars meets the basic conditions for safe operation, that is, whether the distance is greater than the height of one floor. A distance greater than the height of one floor is to provide sufficient deceleration space for the elevator car, which can be used for emergency braking to ensure safe operation.
[0013] Preferably, in step S2, the minimum permissible safe operating distance is 3.5 meters. This distance takes into account the distance required for car deceleration in extreme situations, and is used to maintain a safe distance between cars and prevent collisions.
[0014] Preferably, in step S4, the changing magnetic field is formed by the magnetic field generated by the car coil in the runaway operation state after the main generator is connected, as the car moves. When the main generator is connected to the coil, a magnetic field centered on the coil is generated through the magnetic effect of the current. The coil moves with the car, thus causing the magnetic field to move as well, forming a changing magnetic field.
[0015] This application embodiment also provides a twin elevator anti-collision device, including a car and guide shoes, the guide shoes being located on both sides and the bottom of the car; the length of the upper car lower guide shoe and the lower car upper guide shoe is 1 / 2 floor height longer than the upper car upper guide shoe and the lower car lower guide shoe; the car includes an upper car and a lower car, and coils are provided at the bottom of the upper car and the top of the lower car.
[0016] Preferably, the lower guide shoe of the upper car and the upper guide shoe of the lower car are equipped with pressure sensors and Hall sensors; the pressure sensors are located on the mechanical structure surface of the guide shoes; and the Hall sensors are located inside the extended end of the guide shoes.
[0017] The beneficial effects of this invention are that, based on the existing elevator anti-collision design, additional electrical and mechanical protection is added, which makes the car safer and provides more protection for passengers. Moreover, the implementation method is simple, not prone to errors, and highly reliable. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of a twin elevator anti-collision control method according to the present invention;
[0019] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of a twin elevator anti-collision device according to the present invention;
[0020] Figure 3 This is a top view of a twin elevator anti-collision device according to the present invention;
[0021] In the diagram: 1. Guide shoe, 2. Hall sensor, 3. Nut, 4. Fixture. Detailed Implementation
[0022] The specific implementation of the technical solution of the present invention will be further described below through examples and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0023] Example 1
[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, a collision avoidance control method for twin elevators includes the following steps:
[0025] S1: Determine if the host is working properly;
[0026] S2: If the main unit can work normally, it will ensure that the distance between the two cars is greater than the minimum allowable safe operating distance;
[0027] If it fails to work properly, the electrical energy generated by the host will be converted into a magnetic field;
[0028] S3: Determine whether the magnetic field detection sensor has detected a changing magnetic field approaching;
[0029] S4: If no changing magnetic field approaches, no further operation will be performed;
[0030] If a changing magnetic field approaches, the system will activate its safety protection mode.
[0031] In step S1, determining whether the main unit is working properly is based on checking for errors in the upper and lower car position data. When the elevator is working normally, the main unit is in generator mode when it is in a fully loaded downward or unloaded upward state.
[0032] In step S2, the minimum permissible safe operating distance is 3.5 meters. The distance between the two cars is measured by an absolute position encoder in the electrical software. Failure to operate normally refers to an error in the position data of the two cars, resulting in uncontrolled operation of both cars. Uncontrolled operation of the two cars in opposite directions includes the upper car running at low speed, the lower car experiencing a light-load upward uncontrolled movement, and the lower car running at low speed while the upper car experiences a full-load downward uncontrolled movement. When the upper car is fully loaded downward or the lower car is unloaded upward, the power generated by the main unit is connected to the second coil at the bottom of the upper car or the top of the lower car, converting the electricity into a magnetic field. When both the upper and lower cars experience uncontrolled downward movement and upward movement, the closer the two magnetic fields are, the greater the force, protecting both cars in the event of complete loss of electrical protection.
[0033] In step S3, whether a changed magnetic field is detected is determined by a Hall sensor installed inside the guide shoes. The magnetic field detection sensor is installed on the bottom guide shoe of the upper car and the top guide shoe of the lower car.
[0034] In step S4, the safety protection mode includes cutting off the safety circuits and power supply to both the upper and lower cars, locking both cars. The changing magnetic field is formed by the magnetic field generated by the car coil in the runaway operation state after the main generator is connected, as the car moves.
[0035] like Figures 2-3 As shown, a twin elevator anti-collision device for implementing the above method includes a car and guide shoes, with the guide shoes located on both sides and the bottom of the car; the lower guide shoe of the upper car and the upper guide shoe of the lower car are longer than the upper guide shoe of the upper car and the lower guide shoe of the lower car by half a floor height; the car includes an upper car and a lower car, with coils installed at the bottom of the upper car and the top of the lower car. In terms of mechanical characteristics, the lower guide shoe of the upper car and the upper guide shoe of the lower car are each extended by half a floor length. Pressure sensors are added to the mechanical structural surfaces of the lower guide shoe of the upper car and the upper guide shoe of the lower car, with both pressure sensors and Hall effect magnetic field sensors installed at the extended guide shoe ends.
[0036] The lower guide shoe of the upper car and the upper guide shoe of the lower car are equipped with pressure sensors and Hall effect sensors. The pressure sensors are located on the mechanical structure surface of the guide shoes; the Hall effect sensors are located inside the extended ends of the guide shoes. Four extended guide shoes (one above the other) can maintain an absolutely safe position between the two cars. In the event of an accident involving both cars, the four guide shoes act as the last line of defense, buffering the impact after all other protections have failed. The extended guide shoes can also be used to install pressure sensors and Hall effect magnetic induction sensors. With the sensors detached from the car roof, they detect hazardous data before the two car roofs collide, thus protecting both cars.
Claims
1. A twin elevator anti-collision control method, characterized by, Includes the following steps: S1: Determine if the elevator main unit is working properly; S2: If the elevator main unit can work normally, it will ensure that the distance between the two cars is greater than the minimum allowable safe operating distance; If it fails to work properly, the electrical energy generated by the elevator host will be converted into a magnetic field; S3: Determine whether the magnetic field detection sensor has detected a changing magnetic field approaching; S4: If no changing magnetic field approaches, no further operation will be performed; If a changing magnetic field approaches, activate the safety protection mode; The changing magnetic field is formed by the movement of the car coil during uncontrolled operation after the elevator host generator is connected.
2. The anti-collision control method for twin elevators according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S2, the distance between the two cars is measured by an electrical software absolute position encoder.
3. The anti-collision control method for twin elevators according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S2, the failure to work normally refers to the state in which the position data of the two cars is incorrect and the two cars are running out of control; the out-of-control operation of the two cars in opposite directions includes the upper car running at low speed, the lower car experiencing a light-load upward out-of-control situation, and the lower car running at low speed, the upper car experiencing a full-load downward out-of-control situation.
4. The anti-collision control method for twin elevators according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S3, whether a change in the magnetic field is detected is achieved by a Hall sensor installed inside the guide shoe.
5. The anti-collision control method for twin elevators according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S4, the safety protection mode includes cutting off the safety circuit and power supply of the upper and lower cars, locking both the upper and lower cars.
6. The anti-collision control method for twin elevators according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S1, determining whether the elevator host is working properly is done by judging whether an error has occurred based on the position data of the upper and lower cars.
7. The anti-collision control method for twin elevators according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S2, the minimum permissible safe operating distance is 3.5 meters.
8. A twin elevator anti-collision device, used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: Includes a car and guide shoes, the guide shoes being located on both sides and the bottom of the car; The car includes an upper car and a lower car. The bottom of the upper car and the top of the lower car are provided with coils. The length of the lower guide shoe of the upper car and the upper guide shoe of the lower car is 1 / 2 floor height longer than the upper guide shoe of the upper car and the lower guide shoe of the lower car.
9. A twin elevator anti-collision device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The lower guide shoe of the upper car and the upper guide shoe of the lower car are equipped with pressure sensors and Hall sensors; The pressure sensor is located on the mechanical structure surface of the guide shoe; The Hall sensor is located inside the extended end of the guide shoe.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Two car elevators
CN205675953U
Group control system for multi-car elevators and safety control method thereof
CN105540363A
Double-car elevator
CN105836582A