Magnetic door coupler

Abstract

The invention relates to a magnetic door coupler, in particular to a coupler arrangement of a door coupler engageable with a flap member, comprising a housing, a shaft rotatable about an axis, and at least one rotating magnet disposed within an interior of the housing. At least one rotating magnet is coupled to the shaft. The coupler device is transitionable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, and the coupler device is magnetically coupleable with the flap member when in the open configuration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments relate to elevator systems, and more particularly, to a door coupler for opening a landing door when an elevator car stops at a landing. Background Art

[0002] An elevator typically includes a car that moves vertically between different floors of a building through a hoistway. Each floor of the building is associated with a landing, and the landing includes a set of landing doors that are arranged to close the hoistway when the elevator car is not at the landing. When the elevator car is at the landing, the landing doors open together with the doors on the car to allow entry or exit from the elevator car. The landing doors need to be appropriately coupled to the car doors to open or close them.

[0003] Conventional arrangements include door interlocks, which typically integrate multiple functions into a single device. The interlock locks the landing door, senses that the landing door is locked, and couples the landing door to the car door for opening purposes. While this multifunctional integration provides lower material costs, there are significant design challenges caused by conventional arrangements. For example, the locking and sensing functions must be precise to meet regulations. On the other hand, the coupling function requires considerable tolerances to accommodate changes in the position of the car door relative to the landing door. While these functions are typically integrated into a single device, their design implications are often competing.

[0004] Conventional door couplers typically include a tab on the car door and a pair of rollers on the landing door. The tab must be received between the rollers so that the landing door moves with the car door in two opposite directions (i.e., opening and closing). A common problem associated with this conventional arrangement is that the alignment between the car door tab and the landing door roller must be precisely controlled. This introduces labor and expense during installation. In addition, any future misalignment will result in maintenance requests or repairs.

[0005] In addition, with conventional arrangements, debris accumulated on the door tracks and static pressure from the stacking effect tend to prevent the landing door from closing completely. Moreover, with conventional designs, actuating the landing door closure individually results in delays in door opening and closing times, which can be inconvenient for passengers. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to one embodiment, a coupling device of a door coupling is engageable with a wing member, the coupling device comprising a housing, a shaft rotatable about an axis, and at least one rotating magnet arranged inside the housing. The at least one rotating magnet is coupled to the shaft. The coupling device is convertible between a closed configuration and an open configuration, and when in the open configuration, the coupling device and the wing member are magnetically coupleable.

[0007] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the features described herein, in further embodiments, the shaft is rotatable about an axis between a closed configuration and an open configuration.

[0008] Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, in a further embodiment, the shaft is biased into the open configuration by a biasing member.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, in a further embodiment, at least one rotating magnet is in a first position within the housing when in a closed configuration, and at least one rotating magnet is in a second position within the housing when in an open configuration.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, in a further embodiment, in a closed configuration, at least one rotating magnet does not generate a magnetic field outside the housing, and in an open configuration, at least one rotating magnet generates an external magnetic field.

[0011] Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, in a further embodiment at least one permanent magnet is located within the housing.

[0012] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, in a further embodiment, in a closed configuration, the magnetic field of at least one rotating magnet cancels out the magnetic field of at least one permanent magnet, and in an open configuration, the magnetic field of at least one rotating magnet combines with the magnetic field of at least one permanent magnet.

[0013] Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, in a further embodiment the magnetic field of the at least one permanent magnet is insufficient to couple the coupling device to the wing member.

[0014] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the features described herein, in a further embodiment, a lever is rotatably fixed on the shaft, and a biasing member is operably coupled to the lever to bias the coupling device to the open configuration.

[0015] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the features described herein, in a further embodiment, a component is fixedly mounted to the shaft, the component being operably coupled to the door mover.

[0016] According to one embodiment, a method of operating a door coupler includes operating a door mover, moving a coupler device operably coupled to the door mover laterally into engagement with a landing flap, and converting the coupler device from a closed configuration to an open configuration. In the open configuration, the coupler device is magnetically coupled to the landing flap.

[0017] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the features described herein, in a further embodiment, lateral movement of a coupler device operably coupled to a door mover occurs in response to operating the door mover.

[0018] Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the features described herein, in a further embodiment, converting the coupling device from the closed configuration to the open configuration includes biasing at least one rotating magnet of the coupling device from a first configuration to a second configuration.

[0019] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, in a further embodiment, biasing at least one rotating magnet of the coupling device to a second configuration includes rotating at least one rotating magnet from a first position to a second position within a housing of the coupling device.

[0020] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, in a further embodiment, biasing at least one rotating magnet of the connector device to a second configuration includes rotating the at least one rotating magnet from a first position to a second position, wherein the magnetic field of the at least one rotating magnet does not exist outside the connector device, and wherein the magnetic field of the at least one rotating magnet exists outside the connector device.

[0021] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described herein, in a further embodiment, transitioning the coupling device from the closed configuration to the open configuration comprises rotating a shaft of the coupling device about its axis.

[0022] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the features described herein, in a further embodiment, rotation of the shaft of the coupler device about the axis occurs in response to operating the door mover after the coupler device is engaged with the landing vane.

[0023] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the features described herein, in a further embodiment, the shaft of the rotary coupling arrangement includes a connector that transmits force from the door mover to a fixedly mounted shaft. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The following description should not be considered limiting in any way. Referring to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of selected portions of an elevator system including a door assembly according to one embodiment;

[0026] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a door coupler mounted on a car door assembly according to one embodiment;

[0027] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a door coupler including a magnetic coupler device and a landing door interlock device according to one embodiment;

[0028] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of a magnetic coupling device having a rotating magnet in a first configuration according to one embodiment;

[0029] Figure 4B is a schematic diagram of a magnetic coupling device with a rotating magnet in a second configuration according to one embodiment;

[0030] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a door coupler including a magnetic coupler device separated from a landing flap by a gap according to one embodiment;

[0031] Figure 6 According to an embodiment Figure 5 A perspective view of a door coupler with a magnetic coupler device for magnetically coupling with a landing flap;

[0032] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a door coupler including a magnetic coupler device separated from a landing flap by a gap according to another embodiment;

[0033] Figure 8 According to an embodiment Figure 7 A door coupler of FIG. 1 is shown with a perspective view of a magnetic coupler device magnetically coupled to a landing flap. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method is presented by way of illustration and not limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Now refer to Figure 1 , illustrates selected portions of an elevator system. As shown, the elevator system includes an elevator car 22 movable within a hoistway in a known manner. The elevator car 22 includes at least one elevator car door 24, which is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position to provide access to the interior of the elevator car 22. At least one hoistway or landing door 26 is provided at a plurality of landings of the hoistway. An elevator door coupler 30 facilitates movement of a combination of a landing door and an elevator car door 24. A coupler device 32 of the elevator door coupler 30 can be supported for movement with one or more elevator car doors 24. Similarly, a wing member 34, such as a landing wing 34, for example, extends from one of the landing doors 26 and can move therewith. However, in other embodiments, the wing 34 can be arranged at the elevator car door 24, and the coupler device 32 can be arranged at the landing door 26. The coupling formed between the coupler device 32 and the flap 34 is operable to maintain the desired coordinated movement of the landing door 26 with the elevator car door 24 .

[0036] Now refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , an elevator door coupler 30 is illustrated in more detail according to one embodiment. Although not shown, a coupler device 32 is coupled to a movable portion of a door mover so that the coupler device 32 moves with the elevator car door 24. In one embodiment, the coupler device 32 is fixed to a door hanger 33 of the elevator car door 24, such as by a mounting bracket 35, for example. The door hanger 33 can be moved along a track 37 in a known manner, in response to operation of the door mover, such as driven by a motor. Thus, the coupler device 32 moves with the door hanger 33 in response to operation of the door mover.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling device 32 is a magnetic device that can be switched between a first closed configuration and a second open configuration. In one embodiment, when in the closed configuration, the coupling device 32 is not magnetically attracted to an adjacent wing member (such as a landing wing 34), and when in the open configuration, the coupling device 32 is magnetically attracted to the adjacent landing wing 34. Now referring to Figure 4A and Figure 4B , the coupling device 32 includes a body or housing 40 made of a magnetic material. At least one magnet is arranged within the interior 42 of the housing 40, and in some embodiments, a plurality of magnets are arranged. In one embodiment, the plurality of magnets includes at least one permanent magnet 44 and at least one rotating magnet 46. The rotating magnet 46 can be in a first configuration (e.g., such as Figure 4A ) and a second configuration (e.g., such as Figure 4B ). The at least one rotating magnet 46 can be operably coupled to a shaft 48 disposed within the interior 42 of the housing 40 and extending beyond a first end 50 of the housing 40. Thus, rotation of the shaft 48 about its axis X in a first direction is operable to convert the at least one rotating magnet 46 from a first configuration to a second configuration, and rotation of the shaft 48 about its axis X in an opposite second direction is operable to convert the at least one rotating magnet 46 from the second configuration to the first configuration.

[0038] exist Figure 4A and Figure 4B In the non-limiting embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , the physical position of at least one rotating magnet 46 changes in response to the rotation of the shaft 48. For example, when in the first configuration ( Figure 4A ), the rotating magnet 46 can be positioned close to or facing the first surface 52 of the shell 40, and the first surface 52 of the shell 40 is located at the position farthest from the landing station wing 34; while in the second configuration ( Figure 4B), the rotating magnet 46 can be rotated away from the first surface 52 and / or close to or facing the second relative surface 54 of the shell 40, and the second relative surface 54 of the shell 40 is located at a position closest to or facing the landing flap 34. When at least one rotating magnet 46 is in the first position, the magnetic field generated by the rotating magnet 46 is substantially absorbed or offset by one or more permanent magnets 44, so that the magnetic field existing outside the shell 40 is minimal or non-existent. When at least one rotating magnet 46 is in the second position, the magnetic field generated by the rotating magnet 46 is combined with the magnetic field of at least one permanent magnet 44. Therefore, in such embodiments, when the rotating magnet 46 is in the first position, the coupling device 32 is in a closed configuration, and when the rotating magnet 46 is in the second position, the coupling device 32 is in an open configuration.

[0039] In another embodiment, one or more rotating magnets 46 can be switched between a first configuration (in which the rotating magnets 46 do not generate an external magnetic field) and a second configuration (in which the rotating magnets 46 generate a magnetic field that exists outside the housing 40). In such embodiments, when the rotating magnets 46 are in the first configuration, the magnetic field generated by the rotating magnets 46 can be configured to offset the magnetic field of the permanent magnets 44, and in some embodiments, eliminate the magnetic field of the permanent magnets 44. Therefore, any magnetic field that exists outside the housing 40 is insufficient to attract adjacent floor station flaps 34. When in the second configuration and the rotating magnets 46 do not generate an external magnetic field, the magnetic field of the permanent magnets 44 exists outside the housing 40 and is sufficient to attract adjacent floor station flaps 34. Therefore, in such embodiments, when the rotating magnets 46 are in the first configuration, the coupling device 32 is in a closed configuration, and when the rotating magnets 46 are in the second position, the coupling device 32 is in an open configuration.

[0040] A biasing member (not shown), such as a torsion spring, for example, can be operably coupled to the shaft 48 of the coupler device 32. The biasing force of the biasing member can be configured to rotate the shaft 48 about its axis X to bias the rotating magnet 46 into a second configuration such that the coupler device 32 is in an open configuration. In one embodiment, a retaining bracket 60 can be mounted to a portion of the elevator car door header, such as proximate the coupler device 32 when the elevator car door is closed. When the elevator car door 24 is closed, the retaining bracket 60 is operably coupled to the shaft 48 and resists the biasing force of the biasing member, thereby retaining the shaft 48 and the magnet in the first configuration. In one embodiment, as Figure 3 and Figure 5-6 As best shown in FIG. 4 , roller 62 is fixedly mounted on shaft 48 , such as by lever 64 , for example, so that roller 62 rotates with shaft 48 about axis X. Roller 62 may be aligned with retaining bracket 60 such that engagement therebetween retains shaft 48 and rotating magnet 46 in the first configuration.

[0041] During normal movement of the elevator car 22 within the hoistway, the coupler device 32 is in the first closed configuration. Even when the elevator car 22 initially stops at a landing in the hoistway, the coupler device 32 remains in this closed configuration. Figure 5 and Figure 7 , the coupler device 32 is typically separated from the landing flap 34 by a gap C. When the door mover is operated, the coupler device 32 is moved laterally toward the landing flap 34. If the landing flap 34 is not present, the coupler device 32 will continue to move with the door mover, and the shaft 48 will rotate about its axis X to convert the coupler device 32 from the closed configuration to the open configuration. However, when the landing flap 34 is present and generally aligned with a portion of the coupler device 32, operation of the door mover will move the coupler device 32 into contact with the adjacent landing flap 34 ( Figure 5 and Figure 7 ).

[0042] The lateral movement of the coupling device 32 toward the landing flap 34 causes the roller 62 to disengage from the engagement with the retaining bracket 60. Therefore, the biasing force of the biasing member causes the shaft 48 to rotate about its axis, thereby converting the at least one rotating magnet 46 from the first configuration to the second configuration, and thereby converting the coupling device 32 from the closed configuration to the open configuration. In the open configuration, the housing 40 of the coupling device 32 is magnetically attracted to the landing flap 34.

[0043] Similar to existing door operators, further movement of the door mover can move the coupled coupler device 32 and landing wing 34 into engagement with a door interlock device (not shown), such as a door interlock roller, for example. Once the coupler device 32 and landing wing 34 are arranged to engage with the door interlock device, further operation of the door mover causes a corresponding movement (e.g., rotation) of a door lock or latch assembly (generally shown at 65) to an unlocked position, thereby allowing the car door to be opened.

[0044] Now refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 In another embodiment, a gear, wheel or other moving member 66 is mounted directly to a portion of the shaft 48 at the exterior of the housing 40. In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the door mover includes a belt drive 70; however, door movers having other suitable configurations are also within the scope of the present disclosure. A bracket or other member 72 movable by the belt drive 70 can be operably coupled to the moving member 66, such as by a connector 74, for example. In one embodiment, movement of the bracket 72 is operable to transmit a force to the moving member 66, causing the wheel and shaft 48 to rotate about the axis X.

[0045] Similar to the previous embodiments, during normal movement of the elevator car within the hoistway, the coupler device 32 is in the closed configuration. Figure 7 When the elevator car stops at a landing, operation of the door mover applies force to the coupler assembly 32. Initially, the force transmitted from the movable bracket 72 to the moving member 66 moves the coupler assembly 32 laterally toward the landing tab 34. If the landing tab 34 is not present, the coupler assembly 32 will continue to move with the door mover without rotating the shaft 48. Therefore, the coupler assembly will remain in the closed configuration.

[0046] When a landing tab 34 is present and substantially aligned with a portion of the coupler assembly 32, the force transmitted to the moving member 66 by the bracket 72 will move the coupler assembly 32 into contact with the adjacent landing tab 34 ( Figure 8 ). Once the coupler device 32 abuts the landing flap 34, as a result of further movement of the bracket 72, the force transmitted to the moving member 66 will rotate the moving member 66 and the shaft 48 about its axis X. This rotation converts the coupler device 32 from the closed configuration to the open configuration, so that the housing 40 of the coupler device 32 is magnetically attracted to the landing flap 34. Similar to the previous embodiment, further movement of the door mover will move the coupled landing flap 34 and the coupler device 32, thereby unlocking the door latch in a known manner.

[0047] The door coupler 30 including the magnetic coupler device 32 as described herein does not require electricity to operate. Instead, the magnetic force for attracting the flap 34 is generated by at least one movable magnet. Therefore, there will be no need to modify the hardware of the door operator to operate the magnetic coupler device 32.

[0048] The term "about" is intended to include the degree of error associated with the measurement of the particular quantity based on the equipment available at the time the application was filed.

[0049] The terms used herein are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "include" and / or "comprise" when used in this specification indicate the presence of the features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

[0050] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made thereto and that equivalents may be substituted for its elements without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt specific circumstances or materials to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the basic scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed as the best mode for carrying out the present disclosure, but that the present disclosure includes all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A coupler device of a door coupler, the coupler device being engageable with a wing member, the coupler device comprising: case; A shaft capable of rotating about an axis; as well as at least one rotating magnet disposed within an interior of the housing, the at least one rotating magnet coupled to the shaft; Wherein the coupling device is switchable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, and the coupling device is magnetically coupleable with the flap member when in the open configuration.

2. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein: The shaft is rotatable about the axis between the closed configuration and the open configuration.

3. The coupling device according to claim 2, wherein: The shaft is biased into the open configuration by a biasing member.

4. The coupling device according to claim 2, wherein: When in the closed configuration, the at least one rotating magnet is in a first position within the housing, and when in the open configuration, the at least one rotating magnet is in a second position within the housing.

5. The coupling device of claim 2, wherein in the closed configuration, the at least one rotating magnet does not generate a magnetic field outside the housing, and in the open configuration, the at least one rotating magnet generates an external magnetic field.

6. The coupling device of claim 5, further comprising at least one permanent magnet located within the housing.

7. A coupling device according to claim 6, wherein: In the closed configuration, the magnetic field of the at least one rotating magnet cancels the magnetic field of the at least one permanent magnet, and in the open configuration, the magnetic field of the at least one rotating magnet combines with the magnetic field of the at least one permanent magnet.

8. The coupling device according to claim 6, wherein: The magnetic field of the at least one permanent magnet is insufficient to couple the coupling device to the wing member.

9. The coupling device of claim 2, further comprising: a lever rotatably secured to the shaft; as well as A biasing member is operably coupled to the lever to bias the coupler device to the open configuration.

10. The coupler assembly of claim 2, further comprising a component fixedly mounted to the shaft, the component operably coupled to a door mover.

11. A method of operating a door coupler, comprising: Operate door movers; moving a coupler device operably coupled to the door mover laterally into engagement with a landing flap; as well as The coupling device is converted from a closed configuration to an open configuration in which the coupling device is magnetically coupled to the landing flap.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: Lateral movement of the coupler device operably coupled to the door mover occurs in response to operating the door mover.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein: Transforming the coupling device from the closed configuration to the open configuration includes biasing at least one rotating magnet of the coupling device from a first configuration to a second configuration.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: Biasing the at least one rotating magnet of the coupling device to the second configuration further includes rotating the at least one rotating magnet from a first position to a second position within a housing of the coupling device.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein: Biasing the at least one rotating magnet of the connector device to a second configuration further includes rotating the at least one rotating magnet from a first position in which the magnetic field of the at least one rotating magnet does not exist outside the connector device to a second position in which the magnetic field of the at least one rotating magnet exists outside the connector device.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein: Transforming the coupling device from the closed configuration to the open configuration further includes rotating a shaft of the coupling device about its axis.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: Rotation of the shaft of the coupler device about the axis occurs in response to operating the door mover after the coupler device is engaged with the landing flap.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: Rotating the shaft of the coupling device further includes transferring force from the door mover to a connector fixedly mounted to the shaft.

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