Setting a rescue time period

Abstract

A method of learning a rescue time period by an elevator system (101). The elevator system (101) comprises an elevator car (103) moved by a machine (111) and a machine brake (120) arranged such that braking of the machine (111) by the machine brake (120) brakes the movement of the elevator car (103). The method comprises releasing the machine brake (120) for at least one test time period, engaging the machine brake (120) at the end of the at least one test time period, detecting a corresponding at least one maximum travel speed of the elevator car (103) reached due to the release of the machine brake (120) for each at least one test time period, checking whether each at least one maximum travel speed is an acceptable speed, and setting a rescue time period based on the checking.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a method for learning rescue time periods through an elevator system, a method for operating an elevator system, a rescue time period learning system, and an elevator system. Background Technology

[0002] When an elevator car experiences an emergency stop, it sometimes comes to a complete stop between the floors of the elevator system. In that position, it is impossible for passengers to safely debark from the elevator car. An emergency stop can be triggered, for example, by detecting a malfunction in a component of the elevator system or by a passenger pressing the emergency stop button.

[0003] In such a situation, a manual rescue operation (also referred to simply as a rescue operation) is used to move the elevator car to a nearby floor within the elevator system. The rescue operation can be performed by maintenance personnel from a control panel outside the elevator car, or it can be performed automatically by the elevator control system. The result of the rescue operation is that it allows for the evacuation of passengers from inside the elevator car. During the rescue operation, it is known to raise the machine brake within a preset time period. If no movement of the elevator car is detected due to raising the machine brake, the machine brake is re-engaged when one or more motion sensors in the elevator system are expected to malfunction. This process can then be repeated as needed to gradually move the elevator car to the nearest appropriate floor. If the elevator system sensors appear to be operating normally and detect movement, the machine brake can remain open, and normal control of the elevator car's movement by the elevator controller can be restored.

[0004] According to this disclosure, an improved method for setting rescue time periods is provided. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, a method is provided for learning a rescue time period by an elevator system, the elevator system including a machine-moved elevator car and a machine brake, the machine brake being arranged such that braking of the machine by the machine brake brake on the machine brake brakes the movement of the elevator car, the method comprising: The machine brake is released during at least one test period and engaged at the end of the at least one test period. The detection measures the corresponding maximum travel speed of the elevator car achieved by releasing the machine brake during at least one test time period. Check whether each maximum driving speed is acceptable; and The rescue time period is set based on the inspection.

[0006] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, a rescue time period learning system for an elevator system is provided, the elevator system including a machine-moved elevator car and a machine brake, the machine brake being arranged such that braking of the machine by the machine brake on the machine brake brakes the movement of the elevator car. The rescue time period learning system is configured to execute a method, the method including: The machine brake is released during at least one test period and engaged at the end of the at least one test period. The detection measures the corresponding maximum travel speed of the elevator car achieved due to the release of the machine brake during each at least one test time period. Check whether each maximum driving speed is acceptable; and The rescue time period is set based on the inspection.

[0007] According to a third aspect of this disclosure, an elevator system is provided, the elevator system comprising: Elevator car; A machine arranged for moving the elevator car; A machine brake arranged to brake the machine, wherein the braking of the machine by the machine brake brake brakes the movement of the elevator car. And a rescue time period learning system, wherein the rescue time period learning system is configured as follows: The machine brake is released during at least one test period and engaged at the end of the at least one test period. The detection measures the corresponding maximum travel speed of the elevator car achieved due to the release of the machine brake during each at least one test time period. Check whether each maximum driving speed is acceptable; and The rescue time period is set based on the inspection.

[0008] Ideally, the rescue time should be such that some movement of the elevator car occurs due to raising the machine brake within a preset time period, but the elevator car does not reach an undesirable high speed, during which the machine brake is released during the rescue operation. The amount of movement and speed can vary from system to system, making a standardized rescue time period not always appropriate. By setting the rescue time period based on at least one maximum speed reached by the elevator car as a result of raising the machine brake during the duration of the test time period, the rescue time period can be better optimized for the specific elevator facility where the test is performed. In other words, the test is performed in a specific elevator facility and used to set the rescue time period used in that specific elevator facility, making the rescue time period optimal for that specific elevator facility. This can help reduce wear on the machine brake, as it will only ever need to brake the elevator car at an acceptable speed during the rescue, and therefore it will not have to brake the elevator car at excessively high speeds during the rescue operation. Since the braking time required to move the elevator car in such an elevator system is not well-known or standardized, this approach is particularly advantageous in “modern” systems (i.e., those containing a mix of older and newer components), and therefore, the pre-defined rescue time period (i.e., not specific to that system) may not be optimal for such systems.

[0009] It will be understood that an acceptable speed can be one that is acceptable for a rescue operation (e.g., a passenger rescue operation). An acceptable speed can be a speed within an acceptable speed range. Therefore, the method may include checking whether each at least one maximum travel speed is within an acceptable speed range. The acceptable speed range may be open in one direction. Therefore, checking whether each at least one maximum travel speed is within an acceptable speed range may include (or consist of): checking that the maximum travel speed exceeds a threshold speed or checking that the maximum travel speed is below a threshold speed, or alternatively, it may include both checks.

[0010] In some examples, acceptable speeds include speeds greater than or equal to a minimum speed threshold. Optionally, the minimum speed threshold is 0.1 m / s. This can be the sole condition for an acceptable speed, or additional conditions can exist, such as speeds below a maximum speed threshold.

[0011] In some examples, additionally or alternatively, acceptable speeds include speeds less than or equal to a maximum speed threshold. Optionally, the maximum speed threshold is 0.3 m / s. Therefore, if both of these conditions are met, an acceptable speed can be a speed between the minimum and maximum speed thresholds, for example, 0.1-0.3 m / s. This is a particularly desirable speed range for travel during rescue operations because, during the period when the machine brake is engaged, the elevator car will move fast enough to travel a reasonable distance, thus increasing the elevator car's proximity to the elevator system floor to allow for a rescue, but slow enough so that passengers will not be violently jolted when the machine brake is re-engaged, and also not excessively wear down the machine brake.

[0012] During each test period, the elevator car may reach a maximum travel speed (e.g., the opposite of the maximum travel speed reached at the end of the test period). Therefore, the method may include detecting at least one corresponding maximum travel speed of the elevator car reached during each at least one test period.

[0013] In some examples, each at least one test period is greater than or equal to a minimum threshold period. This avoids wasting test runs on test periods that would certainly be too short to achieve the maximum travel speed as acceptable. The minimum threshold period can be at least 300ms, 400ms, or 500ms. The minimum threshold period can also be no more than 500ms, 600ms, or 700ms. In some specific examples, the minimum threshold period is 500ms.

[0014] In some examples, at least one test period is less than or equal to the maximum threshold time period. This avoids opening the machine brakes during very long test periods, which could potentially lead to excessively high maximum travel speeds. Braking from such high speeds would also cause increased wear on the machine brakes.

[0015] In some examples, the method further includes setting a maximum threshold time period as the rescue time period if no test time period results in a maximum travel speed that is acceptable. As a result, the rescue time period will never be set to a time period longer than the maximum threshold time period, even if no time period shorter than the maximum threshold time period results in an acceptable maximum travel speed. This prevents the rescue time period from being set to an excessively long period. The maximum threshold time period can be at least 1000ms, 1500ms, 2000ms, 2500ms, or 3000ms. The maximum threshold time period can not exceed 1000ms, 1500ms, 2000ms, 2500ms, or 3000ms. In some specific examples, the maximum threshold time period is 2000ms.

[0016] The method may include setting one of the test time periods as the rescue time period; that is, one of the time periods for a specific test may be set as the rescue time period. Alternatively, the method may also include calculating the rescue time period based on at least one test time period, for example by interpolation, extrapolation, or averaging.

[0017] In some examples, the method further includes setting a first test period that results in the maximum travel speed of the elevator car as an acceptable speed as a rescue period. It will be understood that once the rescue period is set, the learning process ends, and thus the first test period that gives the acceptable maximum travel speed is set, because the rescue period causes the learning process to end at the earliest possible time. Once the period that results in the maximum travel speed as an acceptable speed is identified, this avoids performing additional unnecessary tests using other time periods.

[0018] In some examples, each test segment within a test period may differ from each test segment in other test periods; that is, no test segment is tested more than once during a particular learning process.

[0019] The method may include first releasing the machine brake during a first test time period, and if the maximum travel speed reached by the elevator car during the first time period is not an acceptable speed, then subsequently releasing the machine brake during one or more additional test time periods, each of which is different from the previous time period. Thus, the initial test time period is tested, and if it does not result in an acceptable maximum travel speed, one or more additional test time periods are tested, each of which is different from the last time period (i.e., the time period immediately tested previously). It is permissible that each additional test time period is different from all of the previous time periods (i.e., in the specific context of performing the method, i.e., for a particular learning phase, no test time period is used twice).

[0020] The first test period can be the minimum time period; that is, the process can begin by first testing the minimum time period among all the time periods to be tested. In some examples, each additional test period can be incrementally increased compared to the previous time period. Therefore, the test period will gradually increase during the process. When the first test period, which gives an acceptable maximum travel speed, is selected as the rescue period, this gradual increase ensures that the minimum rescue period resulting in the acceptable maximum travel speed is used, thereby preventing unnecessary high speeds of the elevator car and thus reducing brake wear.

[0021] Alternatively, the first test time period can be the maximum time period; that is, the process can begin by first testing the maximum time period among all the time periods to be tested. In some examples, each additional test time period can be incrementally reduced compared to the previous time period. Therefore, the test time periods will gradually decrease during the process. This will result in a rescue time period with the fastest acceptable speed not exceeding the maximum acceptable speed. This can reduce the number of rescue time periods required to move the car to the landing during a rescue operation.

[0022] Further optionally, each additional test period can be longer or shorter than the previous additional test period, wherein whether the additional test period is longer or shorter than the previous additional test period is based on the result of checking whether the maximum travel speed within the previous test period is an acceptable speed. Therefore, the next test period for testing can be selected based on the results of the checks within the previous test period. If the test period results in an excessively high maximum travel speed, the next period can be shorter, and if the test period results in an excessively low maximum travel speed, the next test period can be longer.

[0023] Alternatively, additional test time periods can be randomly selected.

[0024] The size of the increment between sequentially appended test time periods can be preset, automatically set, or selected by the user. The size of the increment between sequentially appended test time periods can vary based on the checks performed. For example, they can be modified such that if the maximum travel speed generated by a particular test time period is far from an acceptable speed, the increment to the next test time period is larger, and if the maximum travel speed generated by a particular test time period is close to an acceptable speed, the increment to the next test time period is smaller.

[0025] In some examples, the method is performed during the installation of the elevator system. This ensures that an appropriate rescue period is set in the elevator system before it begins normal operation.

[0026] In some examples, additionally or alternatively, the method is performed after the machine or machine brake has been replaced. Changing one or both of these components can alter the braking characteristics of the system and thus potentially change what is the most suitable time period for rescuing the machine brake during a rescue operation.

[0027] In some examples, the elevator system also includes an elevator controller. In some examples, the method is performed after the elevator controller is replaced. Alternatively, the method may further include storing the rescue time period in the memory of a first elevator controller, replacing the first elevator controller with a second elevator controller, and transferring the rescue time period to a second memory of the second elevator controller. Therefore, in cases where the method described herein has been previously used to set rescue time periods for an existing elevator system, and then the elevator controller of that system is replaced, the rescue time period can be transferred to the memory of the new elevator controller, thereby avoiding the need for a repetitive learning process.

[0028] The elevator controller may include a rescue time period learning system.

[0029] In some examples, the method is executed automatically by the elevator controller. By automatic execution, it will be understood that the elevator controller is configured to perform each step of the method without requiring input from an external operator. That is, it will be understood, of course, that the method can be triggered by input from an external user, for example, it can be initiated by appropriate input from maintenance personnel to the elevator controller.

[0030] In some examples, the machine brake is released for at least one test period when the elevator car has no passengers and additional load, or when the elevator car contains passengers and additional load with a mass equal to the maximum load limit of the elevator car. It will be understood that in the second case, the car is in a state referred to as "fully loaded," i.e., containing its maximum permissible or rated load.

[0031] Typically, when an elevator car is equipped with a counterweight, the mass of the counterweight is chosen such that the counterweight balances the elevator car when it is half-loaded (i.e., containing a load with a mass equal to half the total allowable load for the elevator car). Therefore, when the car has no additional load and passengers, or is fully loaded, the imbalance between the elevator car and the counterweight is at its maximum, resulting in the maximum possible acceleration of the elevator car due to this imbalance when the machine brake is applied. Thus, releasing the machine brake under either of these conditions will result in the maximum possible acceleration that the elevator car might experience during a rescue operation, and therefore allows the highest possible maximum travel speed to be achieved within a given test period. This allows for testing a "worst-case scenario" and ensures that the maximum travel speed achieved during a rescue operation will not exceed the maximum travel speed achieved when the test run is performed within that test period.

[0032] In some examples, the elevator system or elevator car also includes a load detection device arranged to detect the mass of any passengers and / or additional loads present in the elevator car. The method may also include checking that the mass of any passengers and / or additional loads present in the elevator car is at a minimum or maximum value, and releasing the machine brake for at least one test period only when the mass of any passengers and / or additional loads present in the elevator car is at a minimum or maximum value, and engaging the machine brake at the end of said at least one test period.

[0033] In some examples, the machine is a rotary motor (e.g., a hoist or a beam-climbing machine) or the machine is a linear motor.

[0034] It will be understood that this disclosure also relates to the use of rescue time periods set according to the above method during rescue operations.

[0035] Therefore, according to the fourth aspect of this disclosure, a method for operating an elevator system is provided, comprising: during a learning phase, learning a rescue time period using the aforementioned method; and Subsequently, during the rescue operation and in response to receiving a rescue operation trigger, the machine brakes are released during the rescue period.

[0036] According to the fifth aspect, an elevator system is provided, including: Elevator car; A machine arranged to move the elevator car; A machine brake arranged to brake the machine, wherein the braking of the machine by the machine brake brake brakes the movement of the elevator car. The elevator system is configured to perform the method according to the fourth aspect.

[0037] According to aspect six, an elevator system is provided, including: Elevator car; A machine arranged to move the elevator car; A machine brake arranged to brake the machine, wherein the braking of the machine by the machine brake brake brakes the movement of the elevator car. A rescue time period learning system, the rescue time period learning system being configured to execute a method, the method comprising: The machine brake is released during at least one test period and engaged at the end of the at least one test period. The detection measures the corresponding maximum travel speed of the elevator car achieved due to the release of the machine brake during each at least one test time period. Check whether each maximum driving speed is acceptable; and The rescue time period is set based on the aforementioned inspection; and An elevator controller, the elevator controller being arranged to release the machine brake during a rescue operation and in response to receiving a rescue operation trigger during the rescue period.

[0038] It will be understood that a rescue operation occurs after the elevator car has undergone an emergency stop, where the movement of the elevator car has been stopped by the mechanical brake. This can be triggered, for example, by detecting a malfunction in a component of the elevator system or by a passenger pressing an emergency stop button. An emergency stop typically causes the elevator car to stop in a position within the elevator system shaft that is not at a floor, or even possibly not close enough to allow for safe descent of the elevator car. In such a situation, a rescue operation is used to move the elevator car to a nearby floor in the elevator system, where the mechanical brake is raised for a specific period of time, causing the elevator car to begin moving. According to this disclosure, the mechanical brake is raised specifically during the rescue period.

[0039] In some examples, rescue operations are triggered by maintenance personnel. This helps ensure that rescue operation procedures (including raising the machine brakes) only begin once maintenance personnel are in a suitable position to supervise the rescue operation.

[0040] In some examples, the release of the machine brake during the rescue period is automatically executed by the elevator system (e.g., the elevator controller). This helps ensure greater accuracy in the timing of the machine brake release compared to manual timing by maintenance personnel, which can be achieved by the elevator controller (i.e., the electronics). Accuracy is especially important if the rescue period is typically short (i.e., too short to be timed by maintenance personnel).

[0041] In some examples, the elevator system includes a motion detection device arranged to detect the movement of the elevator car. The method may also include monitoring signals from the motion detection device indicating the movement of the elevator car during the period from the release of the machine brake to the rescue time; the method further includes: If a signal instructing the elevator car to move is received, the machine brake continues to be released beyond the end of the rescue period; and If no signal indicating the movement of the elevator car is received, the machine brake is engaged if the rescue period has expired.

[0042] During the above method, in order to set a rescue time period, it is determined whether the set rescue time period results in movement of the elevator car. Therefore, it can be known whether the movement of the elevator car is expected due to the release of the machine brake during the rescue time period. If movement of the elevator car is expected, it can be determined whether the motion detection device is operating correctly. If movement of the elevator car is expected but no movement is detected, it can be determined that the motion detection device is not operating correctly, and therefore it is important for the machine brake to re-engage. Alternatively, if movement is successfully detected by the motion detection device (and is expected), it can be determined that the motion detection device is operating correctly, and therefore it can be determined that the machine brake can be safely kept open beyond the expiration of the rescue time period, since the motion detection device can be used to monitor the movement of the elevator car. The braking of the elevator car can then be determined based on the speed determined by the motion detection device.

[0043] If no signal indicative of elevator car movement is received, the machine brake is engaged if the rescue period has expired. This could mean the machine brake engages at the end of the rescue period. Alternatively, it could mean the machine brake engages after the rescue period has ended, for example, if a signal from the motion detection device was initially detected during the rescue period and remained open beyond its end, but later the signal stopped being received, at which point the machine brake engages again. Alternatively, this second scenario could be considered a separate emergency stop.

[0044] Features of any aspect or example described herein may be applied, where appropriate, to any other aspect or embodiment described herein. In particular, the rescue time-segment learning system may be arranged to perform any of the method steps described above herein. When referring to different examples or sets of examples, it should be understood that these are not necessarily different, but may overlap. Attached Figure Description

[0045] Some preferred embodiments of this disclosure will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an elevator system based on aspects of this disclosure; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the elevator system's machinery and brakes; Figure 3-5 It is a graph representing the lifting of the machine brake in different time periods and the maximum travel speed achieved by the elevator car; Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for an elevator system to learn rescue time periods, based on aspects of this disclosure; and Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating an elevator system according to aspects of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0046] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an elevator system 101, which includes an elevator car 103, a counterweight 105, a tension member 107, guide rails 109, a machine 111, an orientation reference system 113, and an elevator controller 115. The elevator car 103 and the counterweight 105 are connected to each other via the tension member 107. The tension member 107 may include or be configured as, for example, a rope, cable, and / or coated steel strip. The counterweight 105 is configured to balance the load of the elevator car 103 and to facilitate simultaneous and opposite movement of the elevator car 103 relative to the counterweight 105 within the elevator shaft 117 and along the guide rails 109. Specifically, the mass of the counterweight 105 is equal to the mass of the elevator car plus half of the maximum allowable load in the elevator car 103. Therefore, when the elevator car 103 contains a load having a mass equal to half of the maximum allowable load of the elevator car 103, the counterweight 105 precisely balances the elevator car 103.

[0047] Tension member 107 engages machine 111, which is part of the overhead structure of elevator system 101. Machine 111 is configured to control movement between elevator car 103 and counterweight 105. Motion detection device 113 may be mounted on a fixed portion at the top of elevator shaft 117, such as on a support or guide rail, and may be configured to provide an orientation signal relating to the position of elevator car 103 within elevator shaft 117, thereby indicating whether elevator car 103 is moving by indicating whether the orientation of elevator car 103 is changing. In other embodiments, motion detection device 113 may be directly mounted to the moving component of machine 111, or may be positioned in other orientations and / or configurations as known in the art. As known in the art, motion detection device 113 may be any device or mechanism for monitoring the orientation of elevator car and / or counterweight and thus monitoring their movement. For example, and not as a limitation, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, motion detection device 113 can be an encoder, sensor, or other system, and can include speed sensing, absolute orientation sensing, etc.

[0048] Elevator controller 115 is located in controller room 121 of elevator shaft 117 as shown and is configured to control the operation of elevator system 101 and, in particular, the operation of elevator car 103. For example, elevator controller 115 can provide drive signals to machine 111 to control the acceleration, deceleration, leveling, stopping, etc., of elevator car 103. Elevator controller 115 may also be configured to receive orientation and / or motion signals from motion detection device 113. While moving up or down along guide rail 109 within elevator shaft 117, elevator car 103 may stop at one or more floors 125 controlled by elevator controller 115. Although shown in controller room 121, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elevator controller 115 can be located and / or configured in other locations or orientations within elevator system 101. In one embodiment, elevator controller can be located remotely or in the cloud. Elevator controller 115 includes a rescue time learning system 116, the operation of which will be referenced below. Figure 6 The following description is provided. Although shown as part of elevator controller 115, it will be understood that the rescue time period learning system 116 can be provided as a separate component.

[0049] Machine 111 may include a motor or similar drive mechanism. According to embodiments of this disclosure, machine 111 is configured to include an electrically driven motor. The power supply for the motor can be any power source, including a power grid, which is supplied to the motor in combination with other components. Machine 111 may include a traction sheave that transmits force to tension member 107 to move elevator car 103 within elevator shaft 117. Machine 111 is braked by machine brake 120. Figure 2 As seen in the diagram. The machine brake 120 includes two brake pads 122a and 122b. They apply pressure to the machine 111 during braking to brake the machine 111 by means of friction. When the brake pads 122a and 122b are lifted by moving in the brake release direction 124a and 124b, the machine brake 120 is lifted and the machine 111 (and therefore the elevator car 103) is free to move.

[0050] Although a rope system including tension member 107 is used to illustrate and describe it. Figure 1 The elevator system 101 is described above, but elevator systems employing other methods and mechanisms for moving the elevator car within the elevator shaft may adopt embodiments of this disclosure. For example, embodiments may be employed in a cordless elevator system using a linear motor to transmit motion to the elevator car. Embodiments may also be employed in a cordless elevator system using a hydraulic lift to transmit motion to the elevator car.

[0051] When elevator car 103 undergoes a rescue operation, in order to allow the rescue of passengers trapped in elevator car 103 while it has stopped between floors 125, the machine brake 120 is raised to allow at least a small movement of elevator car 103. If no movement is detected by sensors of elevator system 101 (e.g., via motion detection device 113), the machine brake must re-engage. If the sensors of elevator system 101 (e.g., via motion detection device 113) appear to be operating correctly, the machine brake 120 can remain open and the movement of elevator car 103 can be resumed in a standard manner controlled by elevator controller 115.

[0052] Importantly, during the rescue operation, the machine brake 120 was raised within the appropriate timeframe, such as by... Figure 3-5 Illustration.

[0053] Figure 3-5 This is a graph showing the time along the x-axis 300 and including both y-axis. The left-hand y-axis 302, represented by a solid line, represents the brake lifting distance, as shown by the solid line on the graph. The right-hand y-axis 304, represented by a dashed line, represents the speed of the elevator car 103.

[0054] Figure 3 The effect is shown when the machine brake 120 is raised too far. It can be seen that the speed of the elevator car 103 increases rapidly, and therefore becomes excessively high. Since the elevator car 103 will experience rapid deceleration when the machine brake 120 is reapplied, and the car and its passengers will be violently jolted, this not only jeopardizes the comfort of the passengers during rescue but also their safety.

[0055] In comparison, Figure 4 This illustrates the effect when the machine brake 120 is not raised for a sufficiently long period of time. In this case, the elevator car 103 does not move at all. Therefore, since raising the machine brake 120 does not cause the elevator car 103 to move, this makes rescue operations impossible and therefore cannot be used to move the elevator car 103 close enough to the landing 125 for safe disembarkation.

[0056] Figure 5 The speed of the elevator car 103 (dashed line) is shown during the rescue operation when the machine brake 120 is raised for an appropriate amount of time. The elevator car 103 achieves movement so that it successfully moves closer to the floor 125, but the machine brake 120 is applied quickly enough after release so that the speed of the elevator car 103 does not rise too high.

[0057] For a given elevator installation, the objective of this disclosure is to learn the appropriate lifting time for the machine brake 120 during rescue operations. This time period is referred to herein as the rescue time period. This is done using the following references. Figure 6 The method described is implemented by the rescue time period learning system 116.

[0058] The method begins at step 600. In this step, the machine brake 120 is raised during a first test time period. In this example, the first test time period is the minimum threshold time period (i.e., the shortest time period to be tested during the learning phase, where the learning phase is...). Figure 6 (Illustrated in the image). In this example, the first test period is 500ms.

[0059] At step 602 (which can be performed simultaneously with step 600), the rescue time period learning system 116 detects the maximum travel speed reached due to the lifting of the machine brake 120 during the first time period. The maximum travel speed can be reached during the first test time period, but it can also be reached after the first time period ends. For example, if the elevator car 103 is still accelerating, even when the machine brake 120 begins to re-engage. At step 604, it is checked whether the maximum travel speed reached by the elevator car 103 is higher than a minimum speed threshold.

[0060] In step 606, if raising the machine brake 120 during the first test time period does indeed cause the elevator car 103 to travel at a speed higher than the minimum speed threshold, then the first test time period is set as the rescue time period.

[0061] If raising the machine brake 120 during the first test time period causes the elevator car 103 to travel at a maximum speed below the minimum speed threshold, the method proceeds to step 608, where the machine brake 120 is released during a second time period. In this example, the second time period is longer than the first time period.

[0062] At step 610 (which can be performed simultaneously with step 608), the rescue time period learning system 116 detects the maximum travel speed reached due to the lifting of the machine brake 120 during the second time period. At step 612, it checks whether the maximum travel speed reached by the elevator car 103 is higher than the minimum speed threshold.

[0063] In step 614, if raising the machine brake 120 during the second test time period does indeed cause the elevator car 103 to travel at a maximum speed higher than the minimum speed threshold, then the second test time period is set as the rescue time period.

[0064] If raising the machine brake 120 during a second, longer test period results in the elevator car 103 traveling at a maximum speed below the minimum speed threshold, the method proceeds to step 616, where it checks whether the second test period used in the previous test step is equal to (or exceeds) the maximum time period threshold. If it is not, the method returns to step 608, and repeats the method again during another test period longer than the second test period, continuing this process to incrementally increase the test period until either one produces a maximum travel speed above the minimum speed threshold, and the method moves to step 614, or until the time period has increased to be equal to or greater than the maximum time period threshold. At this point, the method proceeds to step 618, where the maximum time period threshold is set as the rescue time period. In this example, the maximum time period threshold is 2000 ms. Therefore, if no time period between 500 ms and 2000 ms produces a speed above the minimum speed threshold, then 2000 ms is used as the rescue time period.

[0065] In this example, the minimum speed threshold is 0.1 m / s. This is fast enough to allow reasonable movement of the elevator car 103, but slow enough to ensure passenger comfort and safety, and the wear on the brake pads 122a and 122b is not excessive.

[0066] Figure 6 The learning stage represented in the middle is Figure 7 The middle section is shown as stage 700. Figure 7 This demonstrates how to use it during the operation of elevator system 101. Figure 6 The method is to set the rescue time period.

[0067] First, at step 702, a problem with elevator system 101 causes it to undergo an emergency stop. During emergency stop 702, elevator car 103 is braked by machine brake 120 (and optionally also by a separate safety brake (not shown)).

[0068] The maintenance personnel then begin the manual rescue operation process. Before doing so, the maintenance personnel may perform one or more safety checks (local or remote) and may control certain components of the elevator system 101 (e.g., release the safety brake). Once the elevator system 101 is in a ready state, the maintenance personnel trigger the start of the rescue operation at step 704 by entering a command into the elevator controller 115 (again, locally or remotely).

[0069] In response to the command, at step 706, the elevator controller 115 raises the machine brake 120 for at least the length of the rescue time period set by the rescue time period learning system 116. If a signal is detected from the motion detection device 113 during the rescue time period, at step 708, the elevator controller 115 continues to keep the machine brake 120 open beyond the end of the rescue time period. In such a case, since the sensors used to monitor the movement of the elevator car 103—including the motion detection device 113—appear to be operating correctly, the elevator car 103 can move safely, and therefore the machine brake 120 can remain open.

[0070] Alternatively, if no signal is detected from motion detection device 113, despite anticipated motion, the machine brake 120 is re-engaged at step 710. This can be done at the end of the rescue period if no motion is detected during the rescue period, or after the machine brake has been re-engaged, where initially there is a signal from motion detection device 113 (and therefore the machine brake 120 remains open), but then the signal from motion detection device 113 stops, at which point the machine brake 120 is re-engaged.

[0071] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this disclosure has been illustrated by describing one or more specific aspects thereof, but is not limited thereto; many variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for learning a rescue time period via an elevator system (101), the elevator system (101) including an elevator car (103) moved by a machine (111), and a machine brake (120) arranged such that braking of the machine (111) by the machine brake (120) brakes the movement of the elevator car (103), the method comprising: The machine brake (120) is released during at least one test period, and the machine brake (120) is engaged at the end of the at least one test period; Detect at least one maximum travel speed of the elevator car (103) achieved due to the release of the machine brake (120) during the at least one test time period; Check whether the at least one maximum travel speed is an acceptable speed; as well as The rescue time period is set based on the inspection.

2. The method as described in claim 1, wherein, Acceptable speeds include speeds greater than or equal to a minimum speed threshold, wherein the minimum speed threshold is 0.1 m / s.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, Acceptable speeds include speeds less than or equal to a maximum speed threshold, wherein the maximum speed threshold is 0.3 m / s.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The at least one test time period is greater than or equal to the minimum threshold time period; wherein the minimum threshold time period is at least 500ms.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The method further includes: wherein at least one test time period is less than or equal to a maximum threshold time period; If no test period results in a maximum travel speed that is acceptable, then the maximum threshold time period is set as the rescue time period; wherein the maximum threshold time period does not exceed 2000ms.

6. The method of any one of claims 1-3, comprising setting a first test time period that results in the maximum travel speed of the elevator car (103) as an acceptable speed as the rescue time period.

7. The method of any one of claims 1-3, comprising first releasing the machine brake (120) during a first test time period, and subsequently releasing the machine brake (120) during one or more additional test time periods if the maximum travel speed reached by the elevator car (103) during the first time period is not an acceptable speed, wherein each additional test time period is different from the previous time period.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The method is performed during the installation of the elevator system (101) or after the replacement of the machine (111) or the machine brake (120).

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The elevator system (101) also includes an elevator controller (115), and the method is automatically executed by the elevator controller (115).

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, When the elevator car (103) has no passengers and additional load, or when the elevator car contains passengers and additional load with a mass equal to the maximum load limit of the elevator car (103), the machine brake (120) is released during at least one test period.

11. A method for operating an elevator system (101), comprising: During the learning phase, the rescue time period is learned using the method described in any one of claims 1-10; as well as Subsequently, during the rescue operation and in response to receiving a rescue operation trigger, the machine brake (120) is released during the rescue period.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The rescue operation is triggered by input from maintenance personnel, and the release of the machine brake (120) during the rescue period is automatically performed by the elevator system (101).

13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein, The elevator system (101) includes a motion detection device (113) arranged to detect the motion of the elevator car (103), the method comprising: monitoring a signal from the motion detection device (113) indicating the motion of the elevator car (103) during the period from the release of the machine brake to the rescue time period; the method further comprising: If the signal instructing the movement of the elevator car (103) is received, the machine brake (120) continues to be released beyond the end of the rescue period; and If no signal indicating the movement of the elevator car (103) is received, the machine brake (120) is engaged if the rescue period has expired.

14. A rescue time period learning system (116) for an elevator system (101), the rescue time period learning system (116) being configured to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10.

15. An elevator system (101), comprising: Elevator car (103); Machine (111) arranged to move the elevator car (103). A machine brake (120) is arranged to brake the machine (111), wherein the movement of the elevator car (103) is braked by braking the machine (111) via the machine brake (120); And the rescue time period learning system (116) as described in claim 14.

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