Elevator door interlocking assembly

Abstract

An illustrative example elevator door interlock device includes: a base; a plurality of interlocking device buffers which are supported on the base; and a latch supported on the base for movement relative to the base between a door locking position and a release position. The plurality of interlocking device buffers are supported on the base, and gaps are formed among the plurality of interlocking device buffers. Each of the interlock buffers includes a contact surface configured to contact at least one vane supported on an elevator car door. Each of the interlock buffers remains rotationally fixed relative to the base. The latch includes a latch bumper positioned relative to the gap such that the at least one vane contacts the latch bumper and urges the latch into the release position when the at least one vane is at least partially located in the gap.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Elevator systems are widely used, for example, to carry passengers between floors of a building. For example, when an elevator car is at a landing where a passenger desires to board the elevator car, access to the elevator car requires the elevator car door to open. Each landing includes a hoistway door that moves with the elevator car door between an open and closed position.

[0002] There are various known devices for coupling an elevator car door to a hoistway door so that a door mover that causes movement of the car door also causes the desired movement of the hoistway door. Most door coupling devices include a set of door knives supported on the elevator car door structure and an interlock device including rollers supported on the hoistway door structure. When the rollers are received in proximity to the door knives, the two doors can be moved together. Movement of the car door includes one of the door knives pushing one of the rollers to move the hoistway door in one direction and the other door knives pushing the other roller to move the hoistway door in another direction.

[0003] It is believed that elevator door system components account for approximately 50% of elevator maintenance requests and approximately 30% of recalls. Almost half of the recalls due to door system failures are related to one of the interlock device functions.

[0004] Another disadvantage associated with known interlocking devices is that the components require space between the elevator car and the hoistway wall and result in an increased gap between the elevator car door sill and the hoistway casing. This gap must be within certain limits to meet regulatory requirements in certain regions. Suggestions to reduce the gap include adding components to the landing door sill. However, adding components for this purpose increases costs and introduces an additional potential source of recalls. Summary of the invention

[0005] An illustrative exemplary elevator door interlock includes: a base; a plurality of interlock buffers supported on the base; and a latch supported on the base for movement relative to the base between a door locking position and a release position. The plurality of interlock buffers are supported on the base with gaps therebetween. Each of the interlock buffers includes a contact surface configured to contact at least one door knife supported on an elevator car door. Each of the interlock buffers is rotationally fixed relative to the base. The latch includes a latch buffer positioned relative to the gap such that when the at least one door knife is at least partially located in the gap, the at least one door knife contacts the latch buffer and urges the latch into the release position.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment of the elevator door interlock having one or more features of the preceding paragraphs, a first distance separates the latch buffer from a first one of the interlock buffers when the latch is in the locked position, and a second distance separates the latch buffer from the first one of the interlock buffers when the latch is in the released position, the first distance being less than the second distance, and the second distance being at least as large as the gap.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the preceding paragraphs, when the latch is in the released position, the latch is positioned relative to the gap so that the latch does not carry any load associated with movement of the associated hoistway door.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the preceding paragraphs, the latch includes a flat plate, the latch includes a locking surface configured to engage a stop when the latch is in the locked position, and the latch includes a counterweight located near one end to bias the latch into the locked position.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the preceding paragraphs, the base includes a door hanger for a hoistway door.

[0010] An exemplary embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the preceding paragraphs includes a switch that provides an indication of whether the latch is in the locked position, and the latch includes a switch contact that engages the switch when the latch is in the locked position and disengages from the switch when the latch is in the released position.

[0011] An exemplary embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the preceding paragraphs includes at least one buffer support fixed to the base, the base including a planar surface, the at least one buffer support including a plurality of surfaces perpendicular to the planar surface, the plurality of surfaces of the at least one buffer support respectively supporting one of the plurality of interlock buffers, the position of the buffer relative to the corresponding buffer support surface being selectively adjustable.

[0012] Another illustrative exemplary elevator door interlock includes: a base; a plurality of interlock buffers supported on the base with gaps therebetween; and a latch supported on the base for movement relative to the base between a door locking position and a release position. Each of the interlock buffers includes a contact surface configured to contact at least one door knife supported on an elevator car door. The latch includes a latch buffer positioned relative to the gap such that when the at least one door knife is at least partially located in the gap, the at least one door knife contacts the latch buffer and pushes the latch into the release position. When the latch is in the release position, the latch buffer is positioned relative to the gap such that the latch does not carry any load associated with movement of an associated hoistway door.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the preceding paragraphs, a first distance separates the latch buffer from a first one of the interlock buffers when the latch is in the locked position, and a second distance separates the latch buffer from the first one of the interlock buffers when the latch is in the released position, the first distance being less than the second distance, and the second distance being at least as large as the gap.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the preceding paragraphs, each of the interlock buffers is held rotationally fixed relative to the base.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the preceding paragraphs, the latch includes a flat plate, the latch includes a locking surface configured to engage a stop when the latch is in the locked position, and the latch includes a counterweight located near one end to bias the latch into the locked position.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the preceding paragraphs, the base includes a door hanger for a hoistway door.

[0017] An exemplary embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the preceding paragraphs includes a switch that provides an indication of whether the latch is in the locked position, and wherein the latch includes a switch contact that engages the switch when the latch is in the locked position and that disengages from the switch when the latch is in the released position.

[0018] An exemplary embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the preceding paragraphs includes at least one buffer support fixed to the base, the base including a planar surface, the at least one buffer support including a plurality of surfaces perpendicular to the planar surface, the plurality of surfaces of the at least one buffer support respectively supporting one of the plurality of interlock buffers, and the position of the buffer relative to the corresponding buffer support surface is selectively adjustable.

[0019] An illustrative exemplary elevator door assembly includes: at least one elevator car door; at least one door blade positioned to move with the elevator car door; at least one hoistway door; a base supported to move with the hoistway door; a plurality of interlock buffers supported on the base with gaps therebetween; and a latch supported on the base for movement relative to the base between a door locking position and a release position. Each of the interlock buffers includes a contact surface configured to contact the door blade when the elevator car door is adjacent to the hoistway door. The interlock buffer remains rotationally fixed relative to the base. The latch includes a latch buffer positioned relative to the gap so that the door blade contacts the latch buffer and urges the latch into the release position when the elevator car door approaches the hoistway door. The latch does not carry any load associated with lateral movement of the hoistway door due to engagement between the door blade and any of the plurality of interlock buffers.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door assembly of any of the preceding paragraphs, a first distance separates the latch buffer from a first one of the interlock buffers when the latch is in the locked position, and a second distance separates the latch buffer from the first one of the interlock buffers when the latch is in the released position, the first distance being less than the second distance, and the second distance being at least as large as the gap.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door assembly of any of the preceding paragraphs, the latch includes a planar surface, the latch includes a locking surface configured to engage a stop when the latch is in the locked position, and the latch includes a counterweight located near one end to bias the latch into the locked position.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door assembly of any of the preceding paragraphs, the base comprises a door hanger of the hoistway door.

[0023] An exemplary embodiment having one or more features of an elevator door assembly of any of the preceding paragraphs includes a switch that provides an indication of whether the latch is in the locked position, and wherein the latch includes a switch contact that engages the switch when the latch is in the locked position and that disengages from the switch when the latch is in the released position.

[0024] An exemplary embodiment having one or more features of an elevator door assembly of any of the preceding paragraphs includes at least one buffer support fixed to the base, the base including a planar surface, the at least one buffer support including a plurality of surfaces perpendicular to the planar surface, the plurality of surfaces of the at least one buffer support respectively supporting one of the plurality of interlock device buffers, and the position of the buffer relative to the corresponding buffer support surface is selectively adjustable.

[0025] The various features and advantages of the exemplary embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description.The drawings accompanying the detailed description can be briefly described as follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 Selected portions of an elevator system including a door interlock designed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention are schematically illustrated.

[0027] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an exemplary elevator door interlocking device designed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 Schematically shows Figure 2 A first state of an exemplary interlock device.

[0029] Figure 4 The second state of the exemplary interlock device is shown schematically.

[0030] Figure 5 is a top view of an exemplary interlock device illustrating dimensional features of the illustrated embodiment.

[0031] Figure 6 is a top view of a prior art interlocking device, showing the interlocking device and Figure 5 Corresponding size features for comparison.

[0032] Figure 7 Another exemplary elevator door interlocking device designed according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Embodiments of the present invention provide an elevator door interlock that requires less space than previous interlock designs. By reducing the amount of space required for the interlock, the amount of space required between the elevator car and the hoistway wall can be reduced. Additionally, the gap between the elevator car door sill and the landing door panel can be reduced compared to other interlock configurations.

[0034] Embodiments of the present invention separate the door unlocking function from the door moving function. In previous interlocks, the roller used to unlock the door lock also carried a significant portion of the load associated with opening the hoistway door. By separating the unlocking function from the door moving function, the latch of the interlock does not need to bear the load associated with opening the hoistway door, which can help achieve a thinner interlock.

[0035] Additionally, embodiments of the present invention reduce costs associated with interlock assembly and field installation.Maintenance costs are lower because the exemplary embodiments reduce the likelihood of costs associated with recalls based on interlock device problems or failures.

[0036] Figure 1 Selected portions of an elevator system 20 are schematically shown in side view. The elevator car 22 includes a car door 24 that is positioned adjacent a hoistway landing door 26 when the elevator car 22 is parked at a landing. At least one door knife 28 associated with the elevator car door 24 and an interlock 30 associated with the hoistway door 26 cooperate so that the elevator car door 24 and the hoistway door 26 move together between an open position and a closed position.

[0037] Figures 2 to 4 An interlock 30 of an exemplary embodiment is shown. The interlock 30 includes a base 32. In this example, the base 32 is configured to be secured to a portion of the hoistway door 26 (such as a hanger of the hoistway door 26). In other embodiments, such as Figure 7 In the embodiment shown in , a hoistway door hanger is used as the base 32. In this example, the base 32 includes a single flat plate. At least one buffer support 34 is fixed to the base 32. In the example shown, the buffer support 34 includes a single angle bracket, and the single angle bracket includes surfaces 36 and 38 oriented generally perpendicular to the base 32. Surfaces 36 and 38 support interlock device buffers 40 and 42, respectively, and the interlock device buffers 40 and 42 are configured to contact at least one door knife 28 associated with the elevator car door 24. Interlock device buffers 40 and 42 include contact surfaces facing in the direction of contact with the door knife 28.

[0038] One difference between the exemplary interlock 30 and previous interlocks is that the bumpers 40 and 42 remain rotationally fixed relative to the base 32. Previous interlocks typically include rollers that rotate relative to the hoistway door or associated components of the interlock. By eliminating the rollers, the exemplary embodiment reduces the possibility of noise associated with the interlock operation. By remaining rotationally fixed relative to the base 32 during engagement with the door blade 28 and when the doors 24 and 26 are opened or closed, the bumpers 40 and 42 provide a simpler, cheaper and more reliable device than previous interlock designs. Depending on the material selected for the bumpers 40 and 42, there may be some deflection of the material, which can be considered as relative movement between the bumpers 40 and 42 (or at least their contact surfaces) and the base 32, however, such movement is different from the rotational movement associated with the rollers.

[0039] The interlock device 30 includes a latch 50 supported by the base 32 so that the latch 50 can be in a locked position ( Figure 3 ) and the release position ( Figure 4 In this example, the latch 50 pivots around a bearing 52 that secures the latch 50 to the base 32.

[0040] The latch 50 includes a latch buffer 54 that is configured to be contacted by the door blade 28 when the elevator car door 24 approaches the hoistway door 26. For example, when the latch 50 is in a position such as Figure 3 In the locked position shown, the distance D between the latch buffer 54 and the interlock device buffer 40 is less than the distance of the gap G between the interlock device buffers 40 and 42. When a door knife or multiple door knives 28 are received in the gap between the interlock device buffers 40 and 42, at least one door knife 28 contacts the latch buffer 54 and pushes it in a direction that moves the latch 50 from the locked position toward the released position. Figure 4 As can be appreciated in the above, the latch buffer 54 moves relative to the gap G to a position such that the latch 50 does not carry any load associated with the movement of the hoistway door 26. Figure 3 and Figure 4 When the door moves backward toward the closed position (according to the Figure 3 and Figure 4 When the door blade 28 moves to the left, it acts against the interlock device buffer 40.

[0041] By separating the locking function from the moving function and eliminating the requirement for the latch 50 to carry any loads associated with moving the hoistway door 26, the latch 50 can be thinner. In the example shown, the latch 50 comprises a single flat plate. The thinner latch 50 helps reduce the space required to accommodate the interlock 30 in the hoistway. Another feature of separating the locking function from the moving function is that the bearing and latch connection can be simplified and less expensive compared to previous latch configurations, which saves cost and reduces the complexity of the interlock.

[0042] In the example shown, the locking surface 56 on the latch 50 engages a stop 58 that is secured in a fixed position at the landing when the latch 50 is in the locked position so that the hoistway door 26 cannot be opened when the latch 50 is in the locked position. Figure 4 In the released position shown, the locking surface 56 is disengaged from the stop 58 and the door 26 is free to move. The example shown includes a counterweight 60 comprising a plurality of plates located near one end of the latch 50 that bias the latch 50 into the locked position. Other counterweight configurations are included in other embodiments.

[0043] The illustrated example includes a switch contact 62 located near one end of the latch 50. The switch contact 62 cooperates with a switch 64 that provides an indication of when the latch 50 is in the locked position (corresponding to the hoistway door 26 being locked). In the released position, the switch contact 62 does not make any contact with any part of the switch 64, which provides an indication that the door is unlocked.

[0044] For example, using flat plates for latch 50 and base 32 allows for thinner interlocks that require less space and allows elevator doors 24 to be closer to hoistway doors 26 and hoistway walls because less clearance is required to accommodate the components of the interlock therebetween. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The possible space saving types of the embodiments of the present invention are shown. Figure 5 As shown, there is a distance D1 between the back side of the hoistway door hanger and the entrance threshold line indicated at 70. A second distance D2 represents the gap between the entrance threshold line or the landing threshold line and the elevator car threshold line indicated at 72. For embodiments of the present invention, distance D1 can be less than 10 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, D1 is 8 mm. Distance D2 will be on the order of 25 mm to accommodate typical elevator car door blade sizes.

[0045] In contrast, Figure 6 The conventional interlock shown in FIG. 7 includes a greater distance D3 between the rear of the hanger plate and the entrance threshold line or landing threshold line indicated at 70′. Because the same car door blade configuration can be used, Figure 6 The distance D2 between Figure 5The distance D2 is the same 25 mm. Comparing D1 and D3, Figures 1 to 5 The exemplary embodiment of the invention reduces the distance between the rear of the hoistway door hanger and the entrance threshold line or the landing threshold line by 75%. For example, D3 is generally greater than 30 mm, while D1 is less than 10 mm. The overall dimension D1+D2 is at least 30% thinner than the overall dimension D3+D2. In an exemplary embodiment, a 36% reduction in the amount of corresponding space required between the elevator car door 24 and the hoistway door 26 can be achieved. This space saving provides other advantages, such as reducing or eliminating the need for a guard plate covering the spacing between the landing threshold and the hoistway wall.

[0046] Figure 7 Another example embodiment of an interlocking device designed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this example, the door hanger of the hoistway door 24 is used as the base 32. The door hanger in this example provides additional functions in addition to simply hanging the door, for example, providing a location and support for the interlocking device components. The buffer support 34 is directly mounted to the hanger 32, and the latch 50 is supported to pivot or rotate relative to the hanger 32. In this example, the components of the interlocking device 30 can be pre-assembled to the door hanger before being delivered to the site of the elevator system, which saves time and reduces errors during the installation of the elevator system.

[0047] In this embodiment, the door lock includes a stop 58' and the latch includes a locking surface 56' that is Figure 7 The locked position shown engages the stop 58'. Mounting the door lock and latch 50 to the door hanger eliminates any need to adjust the relative positions of those components, which saves time during installation and reduces the possibility of misalignment of the switch 64 and switch contacts 62.

[0048] The interlock buffers 40 and 42 are adjustable relative to the buffer support 34 to adjust the lateral position of the interlock buffers 40 and 42 relative to the hoistway door 26. In this example, the interlock buffers 40 and 42 are supported on threaded rods that are received in threaded openings in the buffer support 34. Rotating the buffers 40, 42 and their corresponding rods allows the position of each buffer to be changed independently. The buffer position should be set to accommodate the door knife 28 by setting the gap between the buffers 40 and 42 and aligning the buffers with the position of the door knife 28. The adjustable position of the interlock buffers 40 and 42 relative to the door hanger makes it easier for a technician to achieve alignment between the door knife 28 on the elevator car door and all the interlocks 30' along the hoistway without any relative adjustment between the latch 50 and the switch 64.

[0049] The foregoing description is exemplary rather than restrictive in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art, and these variations and modifications do not necessarily depart from the essence of the present invention. The scope of legal protection afforded to the present invention can only be determined by studying the appended claims.

Claims

1. An elevator door interlocking device, comprising: Base; a plurality of interlock buffers supported on the base with gaps therebetween, each of the interlock buffers including a contact surface configured to contact at least one door blade supported on an elevator car door, each of the interlock buffers being rotationally fixed relative to the base, the position of each of the interlock buffers being selectively adjustable relative to the base to selectively adjust the size of the gaps; and a latch supported on the base for movement relative to the base between a door locking position and a release position, the latch including a latch buffer positioned relative to the gap so that when the at least one door knife is at least partially in the gap, the at least one door knife contacts the latch buffer and urges the latch into the release position.

2. The elevator door interlock of claim 1 , wherein when the latch is in the released position, the latch is positioned relative to the gap such that the latch does not carry any load associated with movement of an associated hoistway door.

3. The elevator door interlock device according to claim 1, wherein The latch includes a plate; The latch comprises a locking surface configured to engage a stop when the latch is in the locked position; and The latch includes a counterweight near one end to bias the latch into the locked position.

4. The elevator door interlock of claim 3, wherein the base comprises a door hanger for a hoistway door.

5. The elevator door interlock device of claim 1 , comprising a switch that provides an indication of whether the latch is in the locked position, and wherein the latch includes a switch contact that engages the switch when the latch is in the locked position and that disengages from the switch when the latch is in the released position.

6. The elevator door interlock of claim 1, comprising at least one buffer support fixed to the base, and wherein The base includes a flat surface; said at least one bumper support including a plurality of surfaces perpendicular to said planar surface; The plurality of surfaces of the at least one bumper support respectively support one of the plurality of interlock bumpers; and The position of the bumpers relative to the corresponding bumper support surface is selectively adjustable.

7. The elevator door interlock device according to claim 1, wherein The base includes a flat surface; The interlock bumpers are supported on respective surfaces perpendicular to the planar surface; and The interlock bumper is selectively adjustable relative to the corresponding surface.

8. An elevator door interlocking device, comprising: Base; a plurality of interlock buffers supported on the base with gaps therebetween, each of the interlock buffers including a contact surface configured to contact at least one door blade supported on an elevator car door, the position of each of the interlock buffers being selectively adjustable relative to the base to selectively adjust a size of the gaps; and a latch supported on the base for movement relative to the base between a door locking position and a release position, the latch including a latch buffer positioned relative to the gap so that when the at least one door knife is at least partially in the gap, the at least one door knife contacts the latch buffer and urges the latch into the release position, wherein when the latch is in the release position, the latch buffer is positioned relative to the gap so that the latch does not carry any load associated with movement of an associated hoistway door.

9. The elevator door interlock of claim 8, wherein each of the interlock buffers is held rotationally fixed relative to the base.

10. The elevator door interlock device according to claim 8, wherein The latch includes a plate; The latch comprises a locking surface configured to engage a stop when the latch is in the locked position; and The latch includes a counterweight near one end to bias the latch into the locked position.

11. The elevator door interlock of claim 10, wherein the base comprises a door hanger for a hoistway door.

12. The elevator door interlock device of claim 8, comprising a switch that provides an indication of whether the latch is in the locked position, and wherein the latch includes a switch contact that engages the switch when the latch is in the locked position and that disengages from the switch when the latch is in the released position.

13. The elevator door interlock of claim 8, comprising at least one buffer support fixed to the base, and wherein The base includes a flat surface; said at least one bumper support including a plurality of surfaces perpendicular to said planar surface; The plurality of surfaces of the at least one bumper support respectively support one of the plurality of interlock bumpers; and The position of the bumpers relative to the corresponding bumper support surface is selectively adjustable.

14. The elevator door interlock device according to claim 8, wherein The base includes a flat surface; The interlock bumpers are supported on respective surfaces perpendicular to the planar surface; and The interlock bumper is selectively adjustable relative to the corresponding surface.

15. An elevator door assembly, comprising: at least one elevator car door; at least one door knife positioned to move with the elevator car door; at least one hoistway door; a base supported for movement with the hoistway door; a plurality of interlock buffers supported on the base with gaps therebetween, each of the interlock buffers including a contact surface configured to contact the door blade when the elevator car door is adjacent the hoistway door, the interlock buffers being rotationally fixed relative to the base, the position of each of the interlock buffers being selectively adjustable relative to the base to selectively adjust the size of the gaps; and a latch supported on the base for movement relative to the base between a door locking position and a released position, the latch including a latch buffer positioned relative to the gap so that when the elevator car door approaches the hoistway door, the door knife contacts the latch buffer and urges the latch into the released position, wherein the latch does not carry any load associated with lateral movement of the hoistway door due to engagement between the door knife and any of the plurality of interlock buffers.

16. The elevator door assembly of claim 15, wherein The latch includes a flat surface; The latch comprises a locking surface configured to engage a stop when the latch is in the locked position; and The latch includes a counterweight near one end to bias the latch into the locked position.

17. The elevator door assembly of claim 16, wherein the base comprises a door hanger of the hoistway door.

18. The elevator door assembly of claim 15, comprising a switch that provides an indication of whether the latch is in the locked position, and wherein the latch includes a switch contact that engages the switch when the latch is in the locked position and that disengages from the switch when the latch is in the released position.

19. The elevator door interlock of claim 15, comprising at least one buffer support secured to the base, and wherein The base includes a flat surface; said at least one bumper support including a plurality of surfaces perpendicular to said planar surface; The plurality of surfaces of the at least one bumper support respectively support one of the plurality of interlock bumpers; and The position of the bumpers relative to the corresponding bumper support surface is selectively adjustable.

20. The elevator door interlock device according to claim 15, wherein The base includes a flat surface; The interlock bumpers are supported on respective surfaces perpendicular to the planar surface; and The interlock bumper is selectively adjustable relative to the corresponding surface.

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