Guardrail system
By installing a rotatable or bendable barrier on the outer surface of the elevator car, the problem of injury to maintenance personnel during elevator maintenance is solved, the elevator can be safely stopped in an emergency, and the risk of accidents is reduced.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- OTIS ELEVATOR CO
- Filing Date
- 2022-11-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-07
AI Technical Summary
During elevator maintenance, maintenance personnel are prone to injury from collisions or getting stuck in the elevator car, and current technology is insufficient to effectively prevent such accidents.
A rotatable or bendable barrier is installed on the outer surface of the elevator car. When it comes into contact with an object, the barrier shifts and disconnects, triggering the elevator's emergency stop procedure to ensure that the elevator stops within a safe distance.
It effectively prevents collisions between the elevator car and maintenance personnel, reduces the risk of serious injury, and provides a safe maintenance environment.
Smart Images
Figure CN117623038B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure relates to an elevator car guardrail system, an elevator car, and an elevator system. Background Technology
[0002] Maintenance procedures for elevator systems typically involve maintenance personnel entering the elevator shaft and performing the procedures either in the pit or from the top of the elevator car.
[0003] It is known that accidents and injuries to maintenance personnel can occur during such maintenance procedures. These can happen when maintenance personnel are in the passageway of the elevator car. For example, if the elevator car is in normal operating mode before the maintenance procedure is completed, the moving elevator car may come into contact with or strike the maintenance personnel. Alternatively, the maintenance personnel may be on top of the elevator car and may extend body parts (such as their arms) beyond the perimeter of the elevator car as it moves, which could result in body parts becoming trapped in the shaft.
[0004] This disclosure attempts to address at least some of the aforementioned drawbacks. Summary of the Invention
[0005] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, an elevator car is provided, comprising:
[0006] At least one barrier extending from the outer surface of the elevator car; and
[0007] A switch that can be connected in series with a safety chain circuit;
[0008] At least one of the barriers is configured to shift from a first position to a second position upon contact with an object, such that the shift to the second position disconnects the switch to initiate an emergency stop procedure for the elevator car.
[0009] At least one barrier may be configured to extend a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the elevator car, wherein the predetermined distance includes a specified height of safety space and an additional height corresponding to the stopping distance of the elevator car during an emergency stop procedure. For example, the predetermined distance may be at least 0.8m, 0.9m, 1.0m, 1.1m, 1.2m, 1.3m, 1.4m, or 1.5m. Therefore, the predetermined distance may include a specified minimum height of safety space above / below the elevator car (where maintenance personnel can crouch to avoid being crushed), and an additional distance corresponding to the stopping distance of the elevator car during an emergency stop procedure. The additional height corresponds to the minimum stopping distance and may exceed the expected stopping distance, for example, by including a safety margin.
[0010] At least one barrier may include a flexible portion configured to bend upon contact with an object. The flexible portion may include polycarbonate or other suitable materials. The flexible portion helps absorb impact.
[0011] At least one barrier may further include a rigid portion extending substantially vertically from the outer surface of the elevator car. A flexible portion may extend from the rigid portion and may be configured to displace relative to the rigid portion. The flexible portion may be configured to bend and / or rotate relative to the rigid portion, thereby moving to a second position upon contact with an object.
[0012] The flexible section can be configured to extend an additional distance from the rigid section, corresponding to the stopping distance of the elevator car during an emergency stop procedure. This means that the deflection of the flexible section triggers a safety brake to stop the elevator car before a collision occurs with the rigid section above / below a designated safety space.
[0013] The rigid portion may be configured to extend to a specified height of safety space, such as at least 0.5m, 0.6m, or 0.7m above the outer surface of the elevator car. This specified height may be the minimum height designated for the safety space above / below the elevator car (where maintenance personnel can crouch to avoid being crushed).
[0014] At least a portion of at least one barrier (e.g., a rigid portion, or a flexible portion) may be configured to rotate between a first position and a second position. The rotation angle between the first position and the second position may be at least 3 degrees, preferably at least 4 degrees or 5 degrees.
[0015] At least a portion of at least one barrier may be configured to rotate beyond a second position, for example, by rotating through a total angle of up to 80 degrees, or up to 85 degrees, or up to 86 degrees, or substantially up to 90 degrees. This means that after at least a portion of at least one barrier is rotated to the second position to disconnect the switch, there is a possibility of continued rotation until another position, horizontal or near horizontal, is reached.
[0016] At least a portion of at least one barrier may be a flexible portion configured to bend under an applied force after being rotated to a second position.
[0017] The axis of rotation of at least a portion of at least one barrier may be between at least one barrier and the outer surface of the elevator car.
[0018] At least one barrier may include a barrier extending from the lower outer surface of the elevator car.
[0019] The barrier extending from the lower surface of the elevator car can be flexible and can be configured to bend and / or rotate between a first position and a second position when in contact with an object, thereby disconnecting the switch.
[0020] At least one barrier may include a barrier extending from the outer upper surface of the elevator car.
[0021] The switch may include a latching contact configured to open and remain in the open position when at least one barrier is shifted to a second position.
[0022] The switch can be configured to be manually reset to the closed position.
[0023] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an elevator car guardrail system for an elevator car is provided, the guardrail system comprising:
[0024] At least one barrier is configured to extend from the outer surface of the elevator car;
[0025] At least one switch that can be connected in series with the safety chain circuit;
[0026] At least one of the barriers is configured to shift from a first position to a second position upon contact with an object, such that the shift to the second position disconnects the switch to initiate an emergency stop procedure for the elevator car.
[0027] According to a third aspect of this disclosure, an elevator system is provided, comprising:
[0028] Elevator car;
[0029] Safety systems, including elevator brakes and safety chain circuits;
[0030] At least one barrier extending from the outer surface of the elevator car; and
[0031] At least one switch is connected in series with the safety chain circuit;
[0032] At least one of the barriers is configured to shift from a first position to a second position upon contact with an object, such that the shift to the second position disconnects the switch to apply the elevator brake, thereby initiating the emergency stop procedure of the elevator car.
[0033] It will be appreciated that any of the optional features described above with respect to the first aspect of this disclosure may be combined with the second or third aspect of this disclosure in the same way.
[0034] The examples described herein advantageously provide elevator systems with improved safety features, particularly for maintenance personnel performing maintenance procedures.
[0035] Some of the examples described in this article advantageously provide a barrier that acts as the first point of contact with maintenance personnel and initiates the elevator car's emergency braking procedure, thereby preventing or reducing a collision between the elevator car and maintenance personnel. This reduces the risk of serious injury to maintenance personnel. Attached Figure Description
[0036] Some examples of this disclosure will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0037] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the elevator system is shown;
[0038] Figure 2 The guardrail system is shown;
[0039] Figure 3 Another guardrail system is shown;
[0040] Figure 4 A perspective view of the elevator car is shown; and
[0041] Figure 5 This is a schematic side view of an elevator system, including its safety systems.
[0042] In the accompanying drawings, similar reference numerals refer to similar parts. Detailed Implementation
[0043] Figure 1 An elevator system 100 is shown, including an elevator car 102 configured to move upward and downward within a shaft 104. Various components of the elevator system 100 have been omitted for clarity, but it will be appreciated that the elevator system 100 may include other standard components, including but not limited to drive units, tension members, counterweights, and multiple elevator landing doors.
[0044] During maintenance procedures, maintenance personnel 120 can perform maintenance operations from various locations within the hoistway 104. In a first position, maintenance personnel 120 can stand on the outer upper surface 106 of the elevator car 102. From here, maintenance personnel 120 can perform maintenance procedures at a desired location in the hoistway 104 or on top of the elevator car 102 by reaching beyond or above the elevator car 102. In a second position, maintenance personnel 120 can be located in the pit of the hoistway 104 below the elevator car 102. In this position, they can perform maintenance procedures in the pit of the hoistway 104, or they can use the ladder 122 to reach a higher area of the hoistway 104.
[0045] To help protect maintenance personnel 120 from injury, the elevator car 102 includes a barrier 110 extending from the outer upper surface 106 and a barrier 110' extending from the outer lower surface 108 of the elevator car 102.
[0046] See the exemplary elevator car guardrail system 200 shown. Figure 2 Each of the barriers 110, 110' is configured, for example, in relation to an object (such as maintenance personnel 120 in shaft 104). Figure 1(As seen in the diagram) Upon contact, the barrier 110 shifts from the first position 202 to the second position 204, 204'. In other words, when a force is applied to the barrier 110, 110', the barrier 110, 110' is configured to move from the first position 202 to the second position 204, 204'.
[0047] In the illustrated example, barriers 110, 110' are configured to rotate between a first position 202 and a second position 204, 204'. In this example, the axis of rotation 206 of the barriers is along the lower edge of the barriers 110, 110' between the elevator car 102 and the barriers 110, 110'.
[0048] See below for reference. Figure 5 The elevator car 102 further includes a switch 208, which can be connected in series with the safety chain circuit.
[0049] Switch 208 is positioned relative to barriers 110, 110' such that movement of barriers 110, 110' from a first position 202 to a second position 204, 204' disconnects switch 208 and thereby initiates the emergency stop procedure of elevator car 102. Switch 208 may be suitably positioned such that the rotation angle of barriers 110, 110' between the first position 202 and the second position 204, 204' (the position where switch 208 is disconnected) is at least 3 degrees, preferably at least 4 degrees, for example 5 to 10 degrees. This means that whenever barriers 110, 110' contact the ceiling and are pushed and rotated through this angle, switch 208 will be rapidly triggered. Barriers 110, 110' may be able to continue rotating up to an angle of up to 80 degrees, for example up to about 86 degrees, and even essentially up to 90 degrees (e.g., depending on the structure of barriers 110, 110' and their ability to lie horizontally).
[0050] In this example, switch 208 includes a pin contact 209 configured to move between an ON (or OFF) position (as indicated by solid lines) and an OFF (or OFF) position (as indicated by dashed lines). Barriers 110, 110' are configured to apply a force to the pin contact 209 of switch 208 to move the pin contact 209 from the OFF position to the OFF position as the barriers 110, 110' shift from a first position 202 to one of a second position 204, 204'. The movement of the pin contact 209 to the OFF position interrupts the safety chain circuit, thereby applying the elevator brake.
[0051] In some instances, the pin contact 209 may be a latching contact, causing the switch to be latched open when moved to the open position. The switch 208 can then remain in the open position until it is manually reset to the closed position. This can be advantageous because the switch 208 cannot be accidentally reset, which could lead to unintentional release of the elevator brake.
[0052] return Figure 1 The barrier 110, extending from the outer upper surface 106 of the elevator car 102, includes a rigid portion 112 and a flexible portion 114. It can be seen that the barriers 110, 110' are configured to extend from the elevator car 102 by at least a predetermined distance. For the barrier 110 above the elevator car 102, the rigid portion 112 extends to a specified height and the flexible portion 114 extends an additional distance, which is selected to correspond to the stopping distance of the elevator car 102 during an emergency stop procedure. For example, the height of the flexible portion 114 may be greater than the stopping distance of the elevator car 102. In this way, the flexible portion 114 can provide, for example, a first contact point with the elevator ceiling.
[0053] A barrier 110' located beneath the elevator car 102 is configured to extend a predetermined distance from the elevator car 102, including an additional stopping distance. In this way, the barrier 110' provides an initial point of contact with an external object, such as a maintenance worker 120 located in the shaft pit. Upon contact with the maintenance worker 120, the barrier 110' deflects, which disconnects switch 208. Figure 2 (As seen in the image), this triggers the emergency stop procedure. The barrier 110' can then continue rotating beyond the second position 204' to another second position 204', while the elevator car 102 decelerates to a stop. Because the height of the barrier 110' is greater than the minimum specified height of the safe space by including the stopping distance of the elevator car 102 as an additional distance, the elevator car 102 will stop before colliding with the maintenance personnel 120, thereby avoiding serious injury to the maintenance personnel 120 and preventing damage to the elevator car 102.
[0054] like Figure 3 As shown in further detail, the rigid portion 112 extends upward from the outer upper surface 106 of the elevator car 102. The rigid portion 112 may be substantially perpendicular to the surface of the elevator car 102. The rigid portion 112 may be configured to have a suitable height to prevent maintenance personnel 120 from accidentally falling from the elevator car 102 and to provide a safe space. For example, the rigid portion 112 may be approximately 1 meter in height.
[0055] A flexible portion 114 extends from a rigid portion 112 and is configured to be displaced relative to the rigid portion 112. In this example, the flexible portion 114 is configured to rotate and bend relative to the rigid portion 112. The flexible portion 114 extends from the upper surface of the rigid portion 112. In this example, the flexible portion 114 is mounted on a shaft 302, which is connected to the rigid portion 112 via a pair of mounting brackets 304.
[0056] In the first position (i.e., the neutral position), the flexible portion 114 is configured to extend at an angle from the rigid portion 112 relative to the rigid portion 112. In some instances, the flexible portion 114 may extend inward toward the central region of the elevator car 102. In this way, the flexible portion 114 provides a first point of contact with any maintenance personnel 120 who may reach or tilt beyond the perimeter of the elevator car 120. Consequently, the flexible portion 114 will rotate relative to the rigid portion 112 to the second position, thereby disconnecting the switch 208 (to reference). Figure 2 (In a similar manner as described), and initiate the emergency stop procedure for elevator car 102. It will be recognized that if appropriate force is applied, the flexible part 114 may also continue to rotate beyond the second position.
[0057] In addition to rotating upon contact with an object, the flexible portion 114 is also configured to bend resiliently, which helps to further dampen any sudden impact forces. The flexible portion 114 can therefore bend and rotate beyond the second position. In other embodiments, the rotational movement of the flexible portion 114 can be limited to the region between the first and second positions, and thus the flexible portion 114 will only bend beyond the second position.
[0058] Now see Figure 4 An exemplary elevator car 102 is shown, which includes an outer upper surface 106 and an outer lower surface 108. The elevator car 102 also includes an elevator car door 103 through which elevator passengers can enter the elevator car 102.
[0059] In this example, the elevator car 102 includes a plurality of barriers 110 extending from the outer upper surface 106 of the elevator car 102. Each of the barriers 110 extends along the periphery of the outer upper surface 106, leaving a periphery open to allow access to the top of the elevator car 102 from a landing door in the elevator system 100. In this example, each of the barriers 110 extending from the outer upper surface 106 is similar to Figure 3 The barrier 110 shown is constructed as described, and will not be described in detail again.
[0060] An additional barrier 110' extends from the lower outer surface 108 of the elevator car 102. In this example, the additional barrier 110' is configured to prevent contact with objects (e.g., maintenance personnel 120 in the hoistway 104, such as maintenance personnel 120). Figure 1(As seen in the diagram) Upon impact, the barrier 110' rotates relative to the elevator car 102. The axis of rotation lies between the barrier 110' and the elevator car 102. The barrier 110' may be rigid and configured to rotate only relative to the elevator car 102. In other embodiments, the barrier 110' may be flexible and may be configured to bend and rotate relative to the elevator car 102. In a manner similar to other embodiments described herein, the barrier 110' is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position to disconnect switch 208 and initiate an emergency stop procedure for the elevator car 102.
[0061] In this example, an additional barrier 110' is positioned along one periphery of the outer lower surface 108 of the elevator car 102 in the area where a collision with the maintenance personnel 120 is most likely. In other examples, the additional barrier 110' may be positioned along different peripheries of the outer lower surface 108 of the elevator car 102, or multiple additional barriers 110' may extend from the outer lower surface 108 of the elevator car 102. The additional barrier 110' may be positioned to be located from the area where a collision with the maintenance personnel 120 performing maintenance work in the hoistway 104 is most likely (e.g., ...). Figure 1 (as seen in the text) any lower part of the extension.
[0062] Figure 5 An elevator system 100 is shown, which includes an elevator car 102 traveling in a shaft 104. The elevator system 100 includes a safety system comprising an elevator brake 130 and a safety chain circuit 140. As known in the art, the safety chain circuit 140 may include a plurality of different switches connected in series to monitor the proper functioning of various components in the elevator system 100. For example, in Figure 5 The diagram shows a safety chain circuit 140 including a switch 308 that monitors the elevator car door 103. Whenever the elevator car door 103 opens, switch 308 disconnects, interrupting the safety chain circuit 140 and ensuring that the elevator brake 130 is not released. At least one barrier 110 extends from the outer surface of the elevator car 102 in the manner described above. Switch 208 is connected in series with the safety chain circuit 140, such that displacement of barrier 110 disconnects switch 208 and interrupts the safety chain circuit 140, causing the elevator brake 130 to be applied, thereby initiating the emergency stop procedure for the elevator car 102.
[0063] like Figure 2As seen in the example, switch 208 includes a pin contact 209 configured to move between an on (or closed) position (as indicated by the solid line) and an off (or open) position (as indicated by the dashed line). In the open position, safety chain circuit 140 is interrupted. Elevator brakes are typically electromagnetic brakes, which remain open when an applied voltage is applied, but are resiliently biased to the closed (or braking) position. Therefore, when the applied voltage is removed by interrupting safety chain circuit 140, the elevator brake returns to the braking position and initiates the emergency braking procedure.
[0064] It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made to the examples described herein. For example, although the barrier described above is positioned to extend from the upper or lower surface of the elevator car, in other examples, the barrier may extend from one or more side surfaces of the elevator car. In this example, the barrier may extend from the side surface of the elevator car in such a way that it will provide the first point of contact with an object in the shaft.
[0065] Although in the above examples the barrier moves from a first position to a second position by rotational movement, it will be appreciated that other types of displacement are also possible. For example, in the case of a flexible barrier, the barrier may simply bend to apply force to disconnect the switch. In another example, the barrier may be configured to slide relative to the elevator car, for example, up or down, in order to disconnect the switch.
[0066] Those skilled in the art will recognize that this disclosure has been illustrated by describing one or more examples, but the disclosure is not limited to these examples; many variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. An elevator car (102), comprising: At least one barrier (110, 110') extends from the outer surface (106, 108) of the elevator car (102); as well as A switch (208) that can be connected in series with a safety chain circuit (140); The at least one barrier (110, 110') is configured to shift from a first position (202) to a second position (204, 204') upon contact with an object (120), such that the shift to the second position (204, 204') disconnects the switch (208) to initiate an emergency stop procedure for the elevator car (102). The feature is that the at least one barrier (110, 110') is configured to extend a predetermined distance from the outer surface (106, 108) of the elevator car (102), and wherein the predetermined distance includes a designated height of safety space and an additional height corresponding to the stopping distance of the elevator car during the emergency stop procedure, wherein the switch (208) includes a latching contact (209) configured to latch off and maintain the off position when the at least one barrier (110, 110') is shifted to the second position (204, 204').
2. The elevator car (102) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one barrier (110, 110') includes a flexible portion (114) configured to bend when in contact with an object (120).
3. The elevator car (102) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The at least one barrier (110, 110') further includes a rigid portion (112) extending substantially vertically from the outer surface (106) of the elevator car, and wherein the flexible portion (114) extends from the rigid portion (112) and is configured to be displaced relative to the rigid portion (112).
4. The elevator car (102) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The flexible portion (114) is configured to bend and / or rotate relative to the rigid portion (112) when in contact with the object (120), thereby moving to the second position (204).
5. The elevator car (102) according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterized in that, The flexible portion (114) is configured to extend from the rigid portion (112) by an additional distance corresponding to the stopping distance of the elevator car (102) during an emergency stop procedure.
6. The elevator car (102) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, At least a portion of the at least one barrier (110, 110') is configured to rotate between the first position (202) and the second position (204, 204').
7. The elevator car (102) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The rotation angle between the first position (202) and the second position (204, 204') is at least 3 degrees.
8. The elevator car (102) according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that, At least a portion of the at least one barrier (110, 110') is configured to rotate beyond the second position (204, 204').
9. The elevator car (102) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that, At least a portion of the at least one barrier (110, 110') is a flexible portion (114) configured to bend under an applied force after being rotated to the second position (204).
10. The elevator car (102) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that, The rotation axis (302) of at least a portion of the at least one barrier (110, 110') lies between the at least one barrier (110, 110') and the outer surface (108) of the elevator car (102).
11. The elevator car (102) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The at least one barrier (110, 110') includes a barrier (110') extending from the outer lower surface (108) of the elevator car (102).
12. The elevator car (102) according to claim 11, characterized in that, The barrier (110'), extending from the lower outer surface (108) of the elevator car (102), is flexible and configured to bend and / or rotate between the first position (202) and the second position (204, 204') when in contact with an object (120), thereby disconnecting the switch (208).
13. The elevator car (102) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The at least one barrier (110, 110') includes a barrier (110) extending from the outer upper surface (106) of the elevator car (102).