Elevator system

Abstract

There is provided an elevator system (200) comprising an elevator shaft (203), an elevator car (202) located within the elevator shaft (203) and comprising an operating compartment (205) and a roof structure (207) located above the operating compartment (205); and a controller (210). The controller is arranged to control movement of the elevator car (202) in the elevator shaft (203) in response to an elevator service request such that the operating compartment (205) serves the plurality of landing; receiving a top structure proximity command; and in response to receiving the roof structure approach command, controlling the elevator car (202) to move in the elevator shaft (203) such that the roof structure (207) is aligned with one of the plurality of landings.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to elevator systems, and more particularly to elevator systems that facilitate access to the top of an elevator car. Background Art

[0002] Elevator systems typically feature one or more elevator cars that can move vertically within an elevator shaft. Sometimes, it is necessary for a mechanic to access the top of an elevator car, such as during installation, testing, or maintenance operations. Typically, to access the top of an elevator car, a mechanic located on a landing causes the car to move downward (e.g., by inputting a car call to a lower floor, and then exiting the car), and then manually triggers an emergency stop of the car precisely when the top of the car is aligned with the landing. This is typically done by forcing the landing door open at just the right moment to trigger the emergency stop (since the landing door should not be open when the car is moving). The mechanic can then access the top of the car through the open landing door.

[0003] However, especially because in most systems the mechanic cannot see the elevator when the landing doors are closed, it can be difficult (e.g., for a less experienced mechanic) to time the opening of the landing doors accurately enough to stop the car with the top aligned with the landing. Having to reposition the car if the timing is wrong can be time consuming.

[0004] In addition, elevator systems that can dynamically respond to emergency stop signals have recently been proposed, for example to avoid unnecessary entrapment of passengers. For example, EP 3960673 discloses an elevator system that, in some cases, allows the elevator car to move to the next landing in response to an emergency stop signal, rather than immediately applying the brakes to stop the car as is conventional. However, because in such systems, opening the landing door by a mechanic may not always cause the car to stop immediately, this can complicate attempts to access the top of the car.

[0005] An improved approach may be desired. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an elevator system, comprising:

[0007] elevator shafts;

[0008] an elevator car located in the elevator shaft and including an operating compartment and a top structure located above the operating compartment; and

[0009] A controller arranged to:

[0010] controlling the elevator car to move in the elevator shaft in response to an elevator service request so that the operating compartment serves a plurality of landings;

[0011] receiving a top structure approach command; and

[0012] In response to receiving the overhead structure approach command, the elevator car is controlled to move in the elevator shaft so that the overhead structure is aligned with one of the plurality of landings.

[0013] Thus, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure provides an elevator system that can facilitate access to the top of an elevator car (sometimes referred to as top of car or TOC access). Because the controller actively controls the elevator car in response to the top structure access command to align the top structure with the landing, no mechanic needs to enter the hoistway or car and access to the top structure is provided without relying on emergency stop procedures. Thus, the emergency stop procedures of the elevator system can be independently optimized, for example, to alleviate unnecessary passenger entrapment. In addition, the mechanic may not need to rely on accurate manual timing to reliably access the top structure, simplifying the maintenance process and avoiding potential delays.

[0014] Part or all of the overhead structure approach command may be received from another component of the elevator system. In other words, the elevator system may include one or more components operable to send part or all of the overhead structure approach command to the controller. In some examples, the elevator system includes a dedicated interface operable to issue part or all of the overhead structure approach command (e.g., a user interface operable by a mechanic when the mechanic needs to approach the overhead structure of the car). For example, the elevator system may include a dedicated overhead structure approach command button that, when pressed, sends part or all of the overhead structure approach command to the controller.

[0015] However, in many examples, a dedicated overhead structure access command interface is not required. In some examples, the elevator system includes a multi-purpose interface that is arranged to send part or all of the overhead structure access commands to the controller and perform one or more other elevator functions. The multi-purpose interface may include, for example, a service panel that is also operable to output diagnostic information and / or issue other commands to the elevator system.

[0016] In some examples, the multi-purpose interface includes a landing call input device (e.g., a hall call or destination call input device located in a landing) that is also operable to issue an elevator call signal (e.g., a hall call signal or a destination call signal). The elevator system may include multiple landing call input devices that are operable to issue an elevator call signal and to issue some or all of the overhead structure approach commands. The multiple landing call input devices may be located on different landings.

[0017] Reusing standard elevator system components to also issue some or all of the overhead structure access commands can allow the overall component count of the elevator system to be reduced while also facilitating retrofitting by reducing or eliminating the need for additional hardware to be installed. Using landing call buttons can be particularly advantageous because they are typically already located adjacent to or proximate to a landing door (i.e., a landing door from which a mechanic may wish to access the overhead structure).

[0018] One or more components of the elevator system may be arranged to send part or all of the overhead structure approach command to the controller in response to a user interaction. The component may include any suitable user interface, for example including one or more buttons, dials, knobs, touch-sensitive surfaces, keypads, microphones, cameras, and / or sensors. For example, a landing call input device may include one or more call buttons, and pressing the one or more buttons may cause part or all of the overhead structure approach command to be sent to the controller.

[0019] The user interaction may include a specific type of interaction and / or a combination of interactions, such as a specific length of button presses and / or a predetermined pattern of button presses. The type and / or combination may be different from one or more other possible interactions of the user with the component. This may allow standard and / or existing elevator system components to be reused to additionally provide overhead structure access functionality. For example, a short press (e.g., <5 seconds) of a landing call input device button may cause the landing call input device to send a standard elevator call, while a long press (e.g., >5 seconds) may cause the landing call input device to send part or all of an overhead structure access command to the controller.

[0020] Because overhead structure access commands cause the elevator car to move to a non-standard position, it may be desirable to mitigate the possibility of a passenger accidentally causing an overhead structure access command to be issued. This may be accomplished by physically limiting access to a device operable to issue an overhead structure access command (e.g., locking a service panel or locating a dedicated overhead structure access command interface in a machine room with restricted access). However, this may be inconvenient for mechanics and require additional hardware (e.g., complicating retrofit implementation).

[0021] Thus, in one set of examples, the overhead structure approach command includes two or more parts, for example, two or more component signals that form the overhead structure approach command when received together and / or in a specific order. An overhead structure approach command including two or more parts can reduce the likelihood that it is accidentally issued.

[0022] In some examples, receiving the overhead structure access command includes receiving an overhead structure access mode signal followed by receiving an overhead structure access request signal. The overhead structure access mode signal may be effectively combined with a number of subsequent overhead structure access request signals. For example, the overhead structure access mode signal may cause the controller to enter an overhead structure access mode, wherein any subsequent overhead structure access request signal constitutes an effective overhead structure access command until the overhead structure access mode is deactivated. This may be helpful, for example, for a mechanic who needs to access an overhead structure at several different times in close succession.

[0023] However, in some examples, the top structure proximity mode signal may only be effective with the first subsequent top structure proximity request signal to form a top structure proximity command. In other words, each top structure mode signal and each top structure request signal may form only one top structure proximity command. More generally, each portion of a top structure proximity command may only form one top structure proximity command. Having a "one-time use" portion in a top structure proximity command may further mitigate accidental activation.

[0024] In several sets of examples where the overhead structure approach command includes two or more parts, the parts of the overhead structure approach command may be received from different components of the elevator system. In some examples, the service panel may be operable to send an overhead structure approach mode signal to the controller, and the landing call input device may be operable to send an overhead structure approach request signal to the controller. For example, a mechanic may interact with the service panel to cause it to issue an overhead structure approach mode signal, and then interact with a landing call input device on a landing where they want to approach the overhead structure to cause it to issue an overhead structure approach request signal.

[0025] In some examples, the elevator system is arranged to use only one landing for approaching the top structure. In such examples, the controller may be arranged to control the elevator car to move in response to all top structure approaching commands (e.g., whenever and wherever the command is issued) so that the top structure is aligned with a specific landing in the plurality of landings.

[0026] However, in some cases, it may be useful for the elevator system to be operable to provide overhead structure access from different landings. For example, a mechanic may wish to access the overhead structure from the landing at which they are currently located. In one set of examples, the overhead structure approach command indicates a desired overhead structure approach landing. The landing with which the controller is arranged to align the overhead structure in response to the overhead structure approach command may be based on the overhead structure approach command (e.g., the landing may be the desired landing indicated by the overhead structure approach command).

[0027] The top structure approach command may include data indicating the desired landing (e.g., the command may include a "landing" data field). Additionally or alternatively, the source of the top structure approach command may indicate the desired landing. For example, the landing on which part or all of the component (e.g., a landing call device) that sends the top structure approach command is located may be the desired landing. In other words, the controller may be arranged to align the top structure with the landing on which part or all of the component that sends the top structure approach command is located in response to the top structure approach command.

[0028] Different elevator cars and / or elevator systems feature different top structures. For example, the top structure may include the taller or highest portion of the frame of the elevator car. In one set of examples, the top structure includes a partial or complete platform suitable for supporting a mechanic, for example. The top structure may include safety rails. In some examples, the top structure includes the roof of the elevator car. The top structure may form and / or support the ceiling of the operator's compartment.

[0029] The elevator system may be arranged for transporting passengers and / or cargo. The operating compartment may include a passenger compartment. The operating compartment may include a cargo compartment. In some examples, the operating compartment includes a call car interface, i.e., for passengers to enter their desired destination. However, this is not required, and examples of the present disclosure include destination call elevator systems, where the desired destination is entered outside the car (e.g., before the car is assigned).

[0030] Control of the movement of the elevator car (i.e., serving landings and responding to overhead structure approach commands) may be achieved by any suitable means. For example, the elevator system may be suspended from tension members (e.g., ropes or belts), and the movement of the car may be controlled by controlling the driving force and / or braking force applied to the tension members (e.g., using a traction sheave). The elevator system may alternatively include a ropeless elevator system in which a linear motor and / or hydraulic lift is controlled to move the car.

[0031] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of operating an elevator system, the elevator system comprising an elevator shaft and an elevator car, the elevator car being located in the elevator shaft and comprising an operating compartment and a top structure located above the operating compartment, the method comprising:

[0032] controlling the elevator car to move in the elevator shaft in response to an elevator service request so that the operating compartment serves a plurality of landings;

[0033] receiving a top structure approach command; and

[0034] In response to receiving the overhead structure approach command, the elevator car is controlled to move in the elevator shaft so that the overhead structure is aligned with one of the plurality of landings.

[0035] The present disclosure extends to a computer program product (e.g., embedded software or controller software) comprising instructions which, when executed on a controller of an elevator system, cause the controller to perform the method disclosed herein. The present disclosure also extends to a computer-readable non-transitory memory storing the computer program product.

[0036] Where appropriate, features of any aspect or example described herein may be applied to any other aspect or example described herein. Where reference is made to different examples, it should be understood that these are not necessarily different, but may overlap. It will be appreciated that all preferred features of the elevator system according to the first aspect described above may also be applied to other aspects of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] One or more non-limiting examples will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0038] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an elevator system for use in examples of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an elevator system according to an example of the present disclosure; and

[0040] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 2 A flow chart of the operation of the elevator system is shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Figure 1 Elevator system 101 is shown, which includes an elevator car 103, a counterweight 105, a tension member 107, a guide rail 109, an elevator machine 111, an encoder 113, and a controller 115. Elevator car 103 and counterweight 105 are connected to each other by tension member 107. Tension member 107 can include or be configured as, for example, a rope, a cable, and / or a coated steel belt. Counterweight 105 is configured to balance the load of elevator car 103 and to facilitate movement of elevator car 103 in an elevator shaft 117 and along guide rails 109 relative to counterweight 105 simultaneously and in opposite directions.

[0042] The tension members 107 engage an elevator machine 111, which is part of the overhead structure of the elevator system 101. The elevator machine 111 is configured to control movement between the elevator car 103 and the counterweight 105, and thus control the position of the elevator car 103 within the elevator shaft 117. The encoder 113 may be mounted on a fixed portion at the top of the elevator shaft 117, such as on a support or guide rail, and may be configured to provide a position signal related to the position of the elevator car 103 within the elevator shaft 117. In other examples, the encoder 113 may be mounted directly to the moving components of the elevator machine 111, or may be located in other locations and / or configurations as known in the art. The encoder 113 may be any device or mechanism for monitoring the position of the elevator car 103 and / or the counterweight 105 as known in the art.

[0043] As shown, the controller 115 is located in a controller room 121 of the elevator shaft 117 and is configured to control the operation of the elevator system 101 and, in particular, the elevator car 103. For example, the controller 115 may provide drive signals to the elevator machine 111 to control the acceleration, deceleration, leveling, stopping, etc. of the elevator car 103. The controller 115 may also be configured to receive position signals from the encoder 113 or any other desired position reference device. When moving up or down in the elevator shaft 117 along the guide rails 109, the elevator car 103 may stop at one or more landings 125 as controlled by the controller 115. Although shown in the controller room 121, those skilled in the art will recognize that the controller 115 may be located and / or configured at other locations or positions within the elevator system 101. In one example, the controller may be located remotely or in the cloud.

[0044] The elevator machine 111 may include a motor or similar drive mechanism. The elevator machine 111 may be configured to include an electrically driven motor. The power supply for the motor may be any power source including an electrical grid that is combined with other components to supply the motor. The elevator machine 111 may include a traction sheave that applies force to the tension member 107 to move the elevator car 103 within the elevator shaft 117.

[0045] Although shown and described in conjunction with a rope system including tension members 107, examples of the present disclosure may be employed by elevator systems that employ other methods and mechanisms for moving an elevator car within an elevator shaft. For example, examples of using a linear motor to impart motion to an elevator car in a ropeless elevator system may be employed. Examples of using a hydraulic lift to impart motion to an elevator car in a ropeless elevator system may also be employed. Figure 1 Only non-limiting examples are shown which are presented for exemplary and explanatory purposes.The features of elevator system 101 may be applied to the elevator systems described below.

[0046] Figure 22 is a schematic diagram of an elevator system 200 according to an example of the present disclosure. As shown, the elevator system 200 includes an elevator car 202 that can move in an elevator shaft 203 between multiple landings. Figure 2 In the figure, two landings are shown, but the elevator system 200 may include more landings, for example, more than five landings. Each landing has a landing door 209 leading to the elevator shaft and a landing door sensor 211 (and / or a landing door switch) that detects the open / closed state of the associated landing door 209.

[0047] The elevator car 202 includes a passenger compartment 205 (although the present disclosure is also applicable to freight elevators that do not carry passengers) and a roof structure 207. The roof structure 207 forms a roof of the passenger compartment 205.

[0048] The elevator car 202 is coupled through a tension member 204 that is driven by an elevator machine 206. Thus, the elevator machine 206 is operable to move the elevator car 202 via the tension member 204 in the elevator shaft.

[0049] Brake 208, in the form of a machine brake, is arranged to act directly on machine 206 so that when brake 208 is applied, movement of machine 206 stops, and thus elevator car 202 stops moving within the elevator shaft. Although brake 208 is shown as a machine brake 208, any other form of brake that can appropriately stop movement of elevator car 202 within the elevator shaft may also be used.

[0050] The elevator system 200 includes a controller 210, which includes an elevator controller 212 and a safety controller 214. The elevator controller 212 is operatively connected to a drive 216, which in turn is connected to an elevator machine 206 to control the operation of the elevator machine 206 and, therefore, the movement of the elevator car 202 within the elevator shaft. In this example, an encoder 218 is arranged to measure the position and velocity of the elevator car 202 based on the movement of the elevator machine 206. The encoder 218 is operatively connected to the elevator controller 212 to enable the elevator controller 212 to appropriately control the elevator machine 206 to drive the elevator car 202 in a desired manner. The encoder 218 can be used to determine the position, velocity, acceleration, deceleration of the elevator car 202.

[0051] As shown, the safety controller 214 is directly operatively connected to the brake 208. Therefore, the safety controller 214 can directly control the brake 208 without relying on any other controller. As described above, this may help ensure that the safety controller 214 can quickly and reliably operate the brake 208 because it does not rely on any other components.

[0052] The landing door sensor 211 is operatively coupled to the safety controller 214. The landing door sensor 211 may form part of a safety chain (eg, a series circuit of sensors and / or switches that directly or indirectly control the application of the brake 208). Figure 2 Not shown, but the elevator system 200 may include additional safety devices (eg, speed sensors) operatively coupled to the safety controller 214 .

[0053] The elevator system 200 further includes a hall call device 220. Figure 2 Only one hall call device 220 is shown in FIG. 1 , but the system features multiple hall call devices 220 , one of which is located at each landing (e.g., adjacent to the landing door 209 ). The hall call device 220 includes an up button 222 and a down button 224 .

[0054] Finally, elevator system 200 includes a service panel 226. Service panel 226 may be operated by a mechanic to monitor and / or configure various parameters of elevator system 200.

[0055] In normal use, passengers who wish to travel from one landing to another push the up button 222 or down button 224 of the hall call device 220 of the landing on which they are located to request elevator service in the desired direction. The elevator controller 212 processes the request and controls the drive 216 to move the elevator car 202 so that the passenger compartment 205 arrives at the appropriate landing to service the call.

[0056] although Figure 2 2, but the elevator car 202 features a car call device to allow the user to specify their destination landing when they board the elevator car 202. The elevator controller 212 processes the destination request and controls the drive 216 to move the elevator car 202 so that the passenger compartment 205 arrives at the destination landing to service the request.

[0057] Sometimes, it is necessary for a mechanic to access the top of the elevator car 202, for example, to perform inspection and / or maintenance on components located in the elevator shaft 203 or on the top of the elevator car 202. Reference will now also be made to Figure 3 A method of doing so according to an example of the present disclosure is described.

[0058] In a first step 302, the mechanic uses the service panel 226 to enable the top structure access mode. This is the first stage of issuing a top structure access command to the controller 210. The top structure access mode may be the same as the emergency rescue operations (ERO) mode, or it may be another (e.g., newly defined) mode, such as a dedicated top structure access mode.

[0059] The mechanic then moves to the landing from which they will want to approach the overhead structure 207 of the elevator car 202. In step 304, the mechanic performs a long press (e.g., 5 seconds) of the hall call button 222. This completes the overhead structure approach command. In other examples, the mechanic may use other inputs (e.g., other button press patterns) to complete the overhead structure approach command.

[0060] In response to the overhead structure approach command, the controller 210 controls the drive 216 to move the elevator car 202 so that the overhead structure 207 is aligned with the landing where the mechanic is waiting.

[0061] In step 306, the mechanic opens the landing door 209 and checks that the landing door sensor 211 (and any other safety devices) are working properly. This may involve entering a car call in the elevator car 202 but preventing the landing door 209 from closing. If the corresponding landing door sensor 211 is working correctly, its output should cause the safety controller to prevent the elevator car 202 from moving.

[0062] In step 308, a mechanic accesses the top of the elevator car 202, such as to perform any inspection and / or maintenance work.

[0063] In step 310, once the necessary inspection / maintenance has been performed, the mechanic leaves the hoistway and closes the landing door 209. Finally, in step 312, the mechanic rechecks the landing door sensor 211 and any other safety devices before returning the elevator system 200 to normal service. This final step 312 is not mandatory and may not be included in many examples.

[0064] Thus, a mechanic can accurately position the elevator car 200 for access to the overhead structure from outside the hoistway without relying on manual timing or emergency stop procedures.

[0065] When the overhead structure access mode is enabled, only one instance of overhead structure access positioning is allowed before the overhead structure access mode must be enabled again at the service panel 226. In other words, each activation of the overhead structure access mode forms the first stage of a single overhead structure access command. This prevents the average passenger from accidentally triggering another overhead structure access command.

[0066] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail in conjunction with only a limited number of examples, it should be readily understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such disclosed examples. On the contrary, the present disclosure may be modified to incorporate any number of variations, modifications, permutations, or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described but commensurate with the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, although various examples of the present disclosure have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the present disclosure may include only some of the described examples. Therefore, the present disclosure will not be viewed as limited by the foregoing description, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An elevator system (200), comprising: Elevator shaft (203); an elevator car (202) located in the elevator shaft (203) and comprising an operating compartment (205) and a top structure (207) located above the operating compartment (205); and A controller (210) arranged to: controlling the elevator car (202) to move in the elevator shaft (203) in response to an elevator service request so that the operating compartment (205) serves a plurality of landings; receiving a top structure approach command; and In response to receiving a top structure approach command, the elevator car (202) is controlled to move in the elevator shaft (203) so that the top structure (207) is aligned with one of the plurality of landings.

2. The elevator system (200) of claim 1, comprising a multi-purpose interface (220, 226) arranged to issue part or all of the overhead structure access command and to perform one or more other elevator functions.

3. The elevator system (200) according to claim 2, wherein: The multi-purpose interface includes a service panel (226).

4. The elevator system (200) according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein: The multi-purpose interface includes a landing call input device (220).

5. The elevator system (200) according to claim 4 comprises a plurality of landing call input devices (220), which are located on different landings and are operable to issue elevator call signals and part or all of the top structure approach commands.

6. The elevator system (200) according to any preceding claim, wherein: One or more components of the elevator system (200) are arranged to send part or all of a top structure approach command to the controller (210) in response to a user interaction.

7. The elevator system (200) according to any preceding claim, wherein: The user interactions include specific types of interactions and / or combinations of interactions.

8. The elevator system (200) according to any preceding claim, wherein: The top structure approach command includes two or more parts.

9. The elevator system (200) according to claim 8, wherein: Each part of a top structure approach command may form only one top structure approach command.

10. The elevator system (200) according to any preceding claim, wherein: Receiving the overhead structure access command includes receiving an overhead structure access mode signal followed by receiving an overhead structure access request signal.

11. The elevator system (200) according to claim 10 includes a service panel (226) operable to send a top structure approach mode signal to the controller (210), and a landing call input device (220) operable to send a top structure approach request signal to the controller (210).

12. The elevator system (200) according to any preceding claim, wherein: The top structure approach command indicates that the desired top of the car is approaching a landing.

13. The elevator system (200) according to any preceding claim, wherein: The top structure (207) comprises a roof of the elevator car (202).

14. A method of operating an elevator system (200), the elevator system comprising an elevator shaft (203) and an elevator car (202), the elevator car being located in the elevator shaft (203) and comprising an operating compartment (205) and a top structure (207) located above the operating compartment (205), the method comprising: controlling the elevator car (202) to move in the elevator shaft (203) in response to an elevator service request so that the operating compartment (205) serves a plurality of landings; receiving a top structure approach command; as well as In response to receiving a top structure approach command, the elevator car (202) is controlled to move in the elevator shaft (203) so that the top structure (207) is aligned with one of the plurality of landings.

15. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on a controller (210) of an elevator system (200), cause the controller (210) to perform the method of claim 14.

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