Car, car assembly, elevator system and method for operating an elevator system

Abstract

The invention relates to a car (3.1) for an elevator installation (1), to a car assembly, to an elevator installation (1) and to a method for operating an elevator installation (1) having two cars (3.1, 3.2) which can be moved in an elevator shaft (2). The car (3.1) comprises an interior and an accessible roof (12), a receptacle (18) for a spacer (17) is arranged on the outside of the roof (12) in order to ensure a minimum distance from another car (3.2) arranged above the car (3.1), and wherein a first sensor (24) for setting a safe operation of the elevator system (1) is arranged on the receptacle (18), in this way, the first sensor (24) is actuated in the operating position by a spacer (17) mounted in the receptacle (18).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The following description relates to a car for an elevator installation, a car assembly, an elevator installation, and a method for operating an elevator installation. Background Art

[0002] Elevator installations for vertically transporting people and / or goods are an integral part of modern residential and commercial buildings. Common elevator installations include an elevator hoistway or a plurality of elevator hoistways, in which one or more cars are moved between stop positions by a drive device (such as a support device drive or a linear drive).

[0003] Elevator installations with a plurality of cars movable in the same elevator hoistway are sold by the applicant under the names "TWIN" (wherein the cars are arranged one above the other) or "MULTI" (wherein the cars can be arranged completely independently of one another), for example. Compared to a single-car system, a single elevator hoistway can be used effectively by means of such a system, thereby reducing waiting times.

[0004] A disadvantage of such elevator installations is that components located on the bottom surface of the upper car cannot be maintained from the bottom pit of the hoistway as is the case with a lower car or a single-car system. It is therefore known to temporarily install a platform or a similar device in the elevator hoistway for maintenance purposes, from which these components can be maintained. A disadvantage of this approach is the high cost and the need for appropriate precautions to be taken with the elevator installation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Based on this situation, the object of the present application is to simplify the maintenance of components on the bottom surface of the upper car in an elevator installation having a plurality of cars movable in the same elevator hoistway.

[0006] The object is achieved by the features of the independent main claims. Advantageous embodiments are given in the dependent claims. As long as technically feasible, the teachings of the dependent claims can be combined arbitrarily with the teachings of the independent claims and the dependent claims.

[0007] The object is thus solved in particular by a car for an elevator installation, the elevator installation having an elevator hoistway and at least two cars arranged one above the other and movable in the elevator hoistway, the car having an interior space and a top arranged above the interior space and accessible, wherein a receiving portion for a spacer is arranged outside the top to ensure a minimum distance from another car arranged above the car, and wherein a first sensor for setting the safe operation of the elevator installation is arranged on the car such that the first sensor is actuated in an operating position by a spacer installed in the receiving portion.

[0008] The advantageous aspects will be described below, and further preferred improved embodiments will be described hereinafter. In particular, the description of the advantages of the features and the definitions is basically descriptive and preferred, rather than restrictive examples. If the description is restrictive, it will be explicitly mentioned.

[0009] If ordinal numbers (“first”, “second”, etc.) are used to denote, for example, components, elements, method steps or method operations, these ordinal numbers are only set for differentiating in name and do not imply any correlation or order. This particularly means that, for example, a device does not necessarily have to have a “first component” just because it has a “second component”. In addition, a device can have a “first component” and a “third component”, but does not necessarily have to have a “second component” compulsorily. Multiple units with the same serial number can also be provided. In addition, for example, there can be multiple “first components”.

[0010] According to the current understanding, an elevator installation is designed to have, for example, at least one elevator shaft that is at least partially vertical and at least two elevator cars that are vertically movable relative to one another in the elevator shaft, but can also include a plurality of parallel vertical elevator shafts with additional cars.

[0011] For example, the car is held and driven by a support means, wherein the drive device transmits a drive torque to the support means via a drive shaft. The support means is further preferably connected to a counterweight assigned to one or more cars. The drive device is particularly arranged in a machine room above one or more elevator shafts or in an upper section of the elevator shaft (i.e., the so-called shaft top). The support means is particularly designed as a rope, belt, cable, chain or a similar structure and bears a tensile load in the direction of its longitudinal extension.

[0012] Optionally, the car is held and driven by means of a linear drive. The linear drive in the elevator installation is formed, for example, by a main part extending along the elevator shaft and a secondary part located on the elevator car. The main part consists of coils arranged one by one in rows, each coil being assigned an inverter respectively, wherein when the car is in the region of the corresponding coil, the coil is energized to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field is generated in such a way that the car is attracted or repelled by the magnetic field according to its predetermined movement path. The secondary part is formed by a permanent magnet or an electromagnet that interacts with the magnetic field of the coils.

[0013] The elevator shaft is a continuous shaft that extends above a plurality of floors or along a plurality of areas of a building and has a cross-section designed for the passage of the car. The elevator shaft of the elevator installation can extend in the vertical direction and / or in the horizontal direction. In an embodiment, the elevator installation has at least one partial section in which the elevator shaft extends vertically and at least one partial section in which the elevator shaft extends horizontally, wherein the car can reach the horizontally extending section from the vertically extending section.

[0014] A receiving portion for a spacer is configured for a form - fit or force - fit connection in at least one spatial direction of the spacer and has, for example, notches (into which a projection of the spacer or a projection of a fastening device engages) and / or stops (on which the spacer is located). Furthermore, the receiving portion particularly includes a fixing device or is arranged such that a fixing device is disposed thereon. The fixing device is, for example, a clamp, a clip, a screw, a hook or a similar member. The spacer mounted on the receiving portion is mounted thereon in such a way that the spacer is held against tilting and against translational movement transverse and orthogonal to the top. The receiving portion can also be formed by connection points (such as welding points) at which the spacer is arranged or mounted in a material - locking manner.

[0015] The spacer is specifically designed as a rod extending in its longitudinal extension direction between the top and another car. The spacer should in particular be understood as a device that is capable of ensuring a distance and is not intended for actually regularly adjusting the distance. Then, the spacer is not intended to impact another car to set a specific distance, but only to ensure that the distance does not inadvertently (e.g., due to abnormal operation of the car) decrease below the length of the spacer. For example, the spacer is intended to be slightly spaced apart from another car, such as 10 mm to 50 mm, in a position where the top car can perform maintenance on the other car from the top, so that the upper car first docks on the spacer in case of incorrect operation.

[0016] "Safe operation" is understood as an operating mode of an elevator installation in which, compared to normal operation, the usual safety mechanisms are deactivated and / or additional safety mechanisms are activated. Then, normal operation is interrupted or replaced by safe operation and is also prevented. In particular, safety mechanisms related to the normal operation of the elevator installation but that would prevent or impede certain activities during maintenance of the elevator installation are deactivated. Furthermore, in particular, safety mechanisms not related to normal operation but related to the maintenance period are activated. Safe operation can be initiated and / or deactivated, for example, on the control device, on the car, and / or by a first sensor of the elevator installation. Safe operation can also be activatable and / or deactivatable in multiple stages, for example, in a first stage on the control device and / or the car and in a second stage by the first sensor.

[0017] The operating position of the spacer is understood as the position in which the spacer ensures that the distance between the cars does not inadvertently decrease below the length of the spacer. In the operating position, the spacer extends in its longitudinal extension direction between the cars and is in a state where it can absorb force upon contact. For example, the spacer can be directly and fully fixed to the notch in its operating position and otherwise be separated from the car. However, the spacer can also be adjustable between a storage position still connected to the car and the operating position.

[0018] The above solution to the car problem now includes the teaching that a safety device is formed by a spacer such that the top of the car can be used as a maintenance platform for another car located above it. Advantageously, the temporary platform installed in the elevator shaft is omitted, and the maintenance of the components on the bottom of the upper car in the elevator equipment is significantly simplified. Here, the spacer prevents the risk of injury to a person standing on the car top when the two cars are too close, such that in a safe operation, sufficient proximity between the cars can be allowed for the maintenance of the bottom of the other car. By providing a first sensor, the advantage is further achieved that the presence of the spacer can be detected on the system side in order to activate and / or release the safety mechanism. In this way, in particular, it is possible that the safety mechanism related to the proximity between the cars is only activated when the spacer is installed, or the proximity is only enabled when the spacer is installed. Additionally, it is particularly advantageous that it can be checked when returning to normal operation whether the spacer is still installed in the receiving part, or the return to normal operation is only enabled when the spacer has been removed. Thus, the retention of the spacer on the car during normal operation or outside of the safe operation is avoided, thereby avoiding the interference caused by the spacer to the normal operation. For example, a malfunction occurs if the spacer prevents or inhibits the required proximity of the cars to each other or if the spacer contacts the support device. On the contrary, it is advantageous that the spacer only has to be designed for maintenance operations and does not have to be designed to reliably avoid malfunctions during normal operation, such that the spacer can be simply designed.

[0019] The teachings of the present disclosure can be easily applied to elevator equipment having more than two cars in the same elevator shaft, provided that the bottom of the car is provided with components that need to be maintained and the accessibility of the car is restricted by another car.

[0020] As a feature of the above-mentioned alternative or set in a preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned solution, the first sensor has an actuating rod, wherein the actuating rod is deflected by the spacer installed in the receiving part in the operating position. In this way, when the spacer is inserted into the receiving part, the first sensor can be actuated particularly easily by the spacer, and when the spacer is installed in the receiving part, the first sensor is firmly held in the actuated position. Optionally, the sensor can be, for example, an optical sensor or a magnetic switch that can be actuated by the spacer, and the optical sensor detects the spacer installed in the receiving part and in its operating position.

[0021] As a feature of the aforementioned alternative or provided in a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned solution, the receiving part is arranged on a structural element of the car. The car is formed by a plurality of structural elements (e.g. structural struts and structural beams) and cladding elements held between the structural elements, which form the framework of the car and absorb or guide all forces and moments. The spacer is then firmly fixed and forces are safely introduced into the car in the event of a load contact between the spacer and another car.

[0022] As a feature of the aforementioned alternative or provided in a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned solution, the spacer can be folded or pushed out from the storage position to the operating position, so that the first sensor is activated by the folding or pushing out. In this way, when the spacer is not in use, the spacer is advantageously stored on the car, so that it does not have to be carried for maintenance. For example, the spacer is mounted on a hinge and the first sensor is positioned on the side of the spacer facing away from the hinge, or a part of the spacer is fully extended in length, so that the first sensor is activated.

[0023] The object is also solved by a car assembly for an elevator installation, the elevator installation having an elevator shaft and at least two cars arranged one above the other and movable in the elevator shaft, the car assembly comprising the previously described car and a spacer mounted on the receiving portion, wherein the first sensor is actuated by the spacer in its operating position. With the car assembly, the advantages described in relation to the above-described car are correspondingly achieved. In particular, the car assembly enables maintenance of components on the bottom of the upper car in the elevator installation to be significantly simplified.

[0024] In the preferred embodiment described above, the spacer is positioned in the operating position on the car by at least one form-fit and / or is fixed to the car by at least one clamp. The spacer is then firmly mounted on the receiving portion, in particular against loads in the direction of its longitudinal extension (i.e. in the normal direction of the roof) when the spacer is in contact with another car, for example, and against tipping loads when the spacer is pressed when a person on the roof falls or falls.

[0025] As an alternative to or in a preferred embodiment of the features described above, the car device has at least one second sensor for detecting the distance between the upper end of the spacer and another car. This reliably avoids contact between the spacer and another car. The spacer is then intended to approach another car relatively closely, but only provides contact as a safeguard in the event of a malfunction of the safety mechanism. The second sensor can be assigned to such a safety mechanism. Advantageously, the spacer does not have to be designed in a complex way such that all components of the elevator installation remain undamaged in the event of contact between the spacer and another car, but can be designed in a simplified way as long as the distance between the cars can be safely ensured in the event of contact and some damage to the components is acceptable. The second sensor is designed, for example, as a contact sensor, an optical sensor or a magnetic sensor and is arranged, for example, on the spacer or on the car. The second sensor can also be a position sensor of the car which, for example, uses position codes to detect the absolute position of the car in the elevator shaft, and the second sensor then interacts with one or more further sensors (for example, at least one position sensor of another car).

[0026] As an alternative to or in a preferred embodiment of the features described above, the spacer has a deformable contact piece at its upper end for deforming in the event of contact between the spacer and another car. The contact piece can then be detected in order to check for invisible damage to the elevator installation. Specifically, this prevents a situation where contact occurs due to incorrect operation but is overlooked and / or hidden by the person performing the incorrect operation. For this purpose, it can be stipulated in the maintenance routine that the inspection of the contact piece is the responsibility of a person other than the person performing the maintenance.

[0027] As an alternative to or in a preferred embodiment of the features described above, the length of the spacer in the operating position is adjustable. The spacer can then be adjusted in such a way that people of different heights can reach components at the bottom of another car, where the spacer is brought closer to another car without contacting it. In particular, the adjustability may be limited by a minimum length.

[0028] This object is also achieved by an elevator installation having at least one vertically extending elevator shaft, an upper car movable in the elevator shaft, and a lower car movable in the elevator shaft and arranged below the upper car, where the lower car is designed as the car described previously and forms the car assembly described previously with the spacer. With this elevator installation, the advantages described above with respect to the car and the advantages described above with respect to the car assembly are accordingly achieved. In particular, this elevator installation can significantly simplify the maintenance of the components at the bottom of the upper car.

[0029] In the preferred embodiment described above, the elevator device is arranged such that the upper car is fixed during safe operation. Then, the distance between the lower car and the upper car is determined only by the movement of the lower car, wherein this movement can advantageously be controlled and adjusted by a person located at the top of the lower car. Then, accidental movement of the upper car is excluded, in particular movement triggered by another person who is not aware that maintenance is being carried out at the bottom.

[0030] As an alternative to or in the preferred embodiment described above, the elevator device is arranged to prevent the normal operation of the lower car during safe operation. In particular, the lower car can only be moved by a person located on the top (e.g., by means of an operating device on the top). In particular, the operation of the lower car is further restricted such that it can only approach the upper car, for example, based on the measured value of the second sensor described above or based on the position data of the car, to the extent that the spacer is still slightly spaced apart from the upper car.

[0031] This object is further solved by a method for operating the elevator device described above, the method comprising the following steps: detecting the actuation of the first sensor; setting safe operation when the actuation of the first sensor is detected; fixing the upper car during safe operation; and optionally preventing the normal operation of the lower car during safe operation.

[0032] Preferably, the order of the method steps can be changed, unless technically required in a specific order. However, the order of the above method steps is particularly preferred.

[0033] "Setting safe operation" is specifically understood as follows: if safe operation or the steps of safe operation have not been activated before the spacer is installed on the receiving part, then safe operation, or the steps of safe operation, are activated when the first sensor is actuated. If the relevant safe operation or the relevant steps of safe operation have already been activated, they will not be activated again when the first sensor is actuated. In addition, "setting" is understood to mean that safe operation or the steps of safe operation remain activated as long as the first sensor is actuated.

[0034] The above method now includes the teaching that when the actuation of the first sensor is detected, safe operation is set, which enables maintenance of the components located on the bottom surface of the upper car from the top of the lower car in a sufficiently safe manner. Thus, the lower car can approach the upper car sufficiently without the risk of further approaching that is dangerous for the person on the top. Using this method, the advantages already described with respect to the above carriages, with respect to the above carriage assemblies, and with respect to the above elevator device can be achieved accordingly.

[0035] In the preferred embodiment described above, it is provided to cancel the inspection of the minimum distance between the upper car and the lower car during a safety operation. It is sufficient to check during normal operation whether the minimum distance between the cars is too large for the components from the top of the lower car to the bottom of the upper car, and in this way it is advantageously possible to access the components.

[0036] As an alternative to the features described above or in the preferred embodiment described above, prevent the end of a safety operation when the first sensor is actuated. Then it is advantageous that the spacer remains in place during the return to normal operation and normal operation can reliably avoid any resulting danger. Then the first sensor is used to monitor whether the car has returned to its initial state without a spacer being provided thereon after maintenance.

[0037] As an alternative to the features described above or in the preferred embodiment described above, after detecting the actuation of the first sensor, monitor the distance between the upper end of the spacer and the other car by means of at least one second sensor. This avoids actual contact and possible damage to the spacer.

[0038] During a purely exemplary maintenance process, for example, fix the upper car at the central controller and put the lower car into maintenance operation so that the lower car can be removed from its top using the operating unit there. The upper car is preferably located directly above the hoistway door. Then, the lower car is manually (i.e., by means of the operating unit) moved towards the upper car, where the spacer is located on the receiving part in the operating position, until the desired distance between the spacer and the upper car is reached. Then the components located at the bottom of the upper car are maintained. Then, the lower car is removed from the upper car again, and the spacer is removed from its operating position (for example, folded, retracted or completely removed from the receiving part). Only then, i.e., after the actuation of the first sensor has been cancelled, can the two cars return to normal operation. Description of the Drawings

[0039] The preferred technical solutions will be explained in detail below with reference to the drawings according to preferred exemplary embodiments. The expression "drawings" is abbreviated as "figures" in the illustrations.

[0040] In the drawings:

[0041] Figure 1 A very schematic view of an elevator installation according to an embodiment is shown;

[0042] Figure 2a A side view of the area between the lower car and the upper car in the elevator installation in the embodiment is shown;

[0043] Figure 2b Shows Figure 2a An enlarged cross-sectional view of the details of

[0044] Figure 3 Shows a detailed view of a receiving portion with spacers mounted thereon in an embodiment; and

[0045] Figure 4 Shows a very schematic method flow chart of a method according to an embodiment. Detailed Description

[0046] The illustrated embodiments are merely examples and can be modified and / or supplemented in various ways within the scope of the claims. Each feature described for a given embodiment can be used alone or in combination with other features in any other embodiment. Each feature described for an exemplary embodiment of a particular claim category can also be used in an exemplary embodiment of another claim category in a corresponding manner.

[0047] Figure 1 Shows an elevator installation 1 (not to scale) in a first embodiment. The elevator installation 1 has an elevator shaft 2 extending in a vertical direction V. The elevator shaft 2 is closed in the vertical direction V by a shaft pit 2.1 and a shaft top 2.2. A lower car 3.1 and an upper car 3.2 are arranged in the elevator shaft 2 and, in normal operation, the lower car 3.1 and the upper car 3.2 are movable independently of one another in the vertical direction V. Each of the cars 3.1, 3.2 has an inspection door 4.1, 4.2 and is each held in a structural frame 5.1, 5.2. The structural frames 5.1, 5.2 are each engaged with guide means (not shown) of guide rails 6.1, 6.2 of a guide rail pair 6 and are guided in the elevator shaft 2 along the guide rail pair 6. A machine room 7 is arranged above the elevator shaft 2.

[0048] In order to move the cars 3.1, 3.2 along the elevator shaft 2 in the vertical direction V, the cars 3.1, 3.2 are driven via support devices 8.1, 8.2. The first support device 8.1 runs between a suspension, a deflecting roller 9 on the first car 3.1, a first drive device 10.1 and a first counterweight 11.1. The second support device 8.2 is guided between a second car 3.2, a second drive device 10.2 and a second counterweight 11.2. In Figure 1 the illustrated view, the first support device 8.1 and the second support device 8.2 are superimposed between the second drive device 10.2 and the first counterweight 11.1.

[0049] Figure 2a and Figure 2bShows the area between the lower car 3.1 and the upper car 3.2 in the maintenance state. Person 14 stands on the car top 12 of the lower car 3.1 with a side fall protection safety facility 13. The lower car 3.1 is moved to a position close to the upper car 3.2 so that person 14 can manually maintain the components (e.g., the rollers 16 mounted on the bottom surface 15) on the bottom surface 15 of the upper car 3.2. A spacer 17 with a length L is mounted on the top 12 of the lower car 3.1, and the length L particularly exceeds person 14. The spacer 17 is used to maintain a sufficient distance between the cars 3.1 and 3.2 and is arranged at a small distance A from the upper car 3.2, as shown in more detail in Figure 2b As shown. In this regard, the spacer 17 serves as a fallback protection safety facility to ensure a sufficient distance between the cars 3.1 and 3.2 in the event of an unintentional movement of the cars 3.1, 3.2. In addition, the distance A can be monitored by a second sensor (not shown).

[0050] Figure 3 Shows the receiving portion 18 of the spacer 17 on the top 12 of the lower car 3.1. The receiving portion 18 is arranged on the structural beam 19 of the top 12 of the lower car 3.1 and has two notches 20.1, 20.2 opposite to each other, and the notches 20.1, 20.2 are shown as being blocked by the spacer 17 in Figure 3 As shown. The spacer 17 has a bottom plate 17.1, and bolts 21.1, 21.2 are fixed on the bottom plate 17.1. The spacer 17 is engaged in the notches 20.1, 20.2 through the bolts 21.1, 21.2. Through the bolts 21.1, 21.2, a form-fitting connection has been formed in the lateral direction between the bottom plate 17.1 and the structural beam 19. The bottom plate 17.1 is further fixed to the structural beam 19 by two clamps 22 (the second clamp is shown as being blocked by the spacer 17). A form-fitting connection is also generated in the longitudinal direction of the spacer 17 through the clamps 22. In addition, the spacer 17 is also fixed to the structural beam 19 by the bolts 21.1, 21.2 and the clamps 22 so that it cannot rotate and tilt. The clamp 22 is held on the spacer 17 by a wire 23 without falling off.

[0051] A first sensor 24 is arranged below the structural beam 19. The first sensor 24 has a housing 24.1 and an actuating rod 24.2 fixed to the housing 24.1. When the first bolt 21.1 passes through the first notch 20.1, it deflects the actuating rod 24.2 and thus actuates the sensor 24. As long as the spacer 17 is received in the receiving portion 18, the sensor 24 or the actuating rod 24.2 is actuated by the first bolt 21.1.

[0052] Figure 4Shows a schematic flow chart of method 30. The first step 31 includes detecting the actuation of the first sensor 24, for example by actuating the actuating rod 24.2 by the first bolt 21.1. The second step 32 of method 30 includes setting a safety operation when the actuation of the first sensor 24 is detected. In particular, the safety operation includes enabling and / or disabling safety measures that are not provided during normal operation but are required during the safety operation or safety measures that are provided during normal operation but are not required during the safety operation. The third step 33 includes fixing the upper car 3.2 as a safety measure during the safety operation. The optional fourth step 34 includes preventing the normal operation of the lower car 3.1 as a further safety measure during the safety operation.

[0053] List of Reference Numerals

[0054] 1 Lift equipment

[0055] 2 Lift shaft

[0056] 2.1 Shaft pit

[0057] 2.2 Shaft top

[0058] 3.1 Lower car

[0059] 3.2 Upper car

[0060] 4.1 Inspection door of the lower car

[0061] 4.2 Inspection door of the upper car

[0062] 5.1 Structural frame of the lower car

[0063] 5.2 Structural frame of the upper car

[0064] 6 Guide rail pair

[0065] 6.1 First guide rail in the guide rail pair

[0066] 6.2 Second guide rail in the guide rail pair

[0067] 7 Machine room

[0068] 8.1 First supporting device

[0069] 8.2 Second supporting device

[0070] 9 Deflecting roller

[0071] 10.1 First driving device

[0072] 10.2 Second driving device

[0073] 11.1 First counterweight

[0074] 11.2 Second pair of weights

[0075] 12 Top of the lower car

[0076] 13 Fall protection safety device

[0077] 14 Personnel

[0078] 15 Bottom surface of the upper car

[0079] 16 Rollers of the upper car

[0080] 17 Spacer

[0081] 17.1 Bottom plate of the spacer

[0082] 18 Receiving part for the spacer

[0083] 19 Structural beam of the lower car

[0084] 20.1 First notch on the structural beam

[0085] 20.2 Second notch on the structural beam

[0086] 21.1 First bolt

[0087] 21.2 Second bolt

[0088] 22 Clamp

[0089] 23 Wire

[0090] 24 First sensor

[0091] 24.1 Housing of the first sensor

[0092] 24.2 Actuating rod of the first sensor

[0093] 30 Method for operating an elevator device

[0094] 31 First step of the method - Detecting the actuation of the first sensor

[0095] 32 Second step of the method - Setting up safe operation

[0096] 33 Third step of the method - Fixing the upper car

[0097] 34 Fourth step of the method - Preventing the normal operation of the lower car

[0098] A Distance between the spacer and the second car

[0099] H Horizontal direction

[0100] L Length of the spacer

[0101] V Vertical direction

Claims

1. A car, for an elevator installation (1), the elevator installation (1) having an elevator shaft (2) and at least two cars (3.1, 3.2) arranged one above the other and movable in the elevator shaft (2), the car (3.1) comprising: an interior space; and a top (12), arranged above the interior space and being accessible, wherein a receiving portion (18) for a spacer (17) is arranged on the outside of the top (12) to ensure a minimum distance from another car (3.2) arranged above the car (3.1), and wherein a first sensor (24) for setting the safe operation of the elevator installation (1) is arranged on the car (3.1) such that the first sensor (24) is actuated by a spacer (17) installed in the receiving portion (18) in the operating position.

2. The car (3.1) according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor (24) has an actuating rod (24.2), wherein the actuating rod (24.2) is deflected by a spacer (17) installed in the receiving portion (18) in the operating position.

3. The car (3.1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the receiving portion (18) is arranged on structural elements (5.1, 5.2, 19) of the car (3.1).

4. The car (3.1) according to claim 1, wherein the spacer (17) is foldable or pushable from a storage position into the operating position such that the first sensor (24) is actuated by the folding or pushing out.

5. A car assembly, for an elevator installation (1), the elevator installation (1) having an elevator shaft (2) and at least two cars (3.1, 3.2) arranged one above the other and movable in the elevator shaft (2), the car assembly comprising: a car (3.1) according to any one of the preceding claims; and a spacer (17), installed on the receiving portion (18), wherein the first sensor (24) is actuated by the spacer (17) in its operating position.

6. The car assembly according to claim 5, wherein the spacer (17) is positioned in the operating position on the car (3.1) by at least one form-fit and / or fixed to the car (3.1) by at least one clamp (22).

7. The car assembly according to claim 5, the car assembly further comprising: at least one second sensor for detecting the distance (A) between the upper end of the spacer (17) and the other car (3.2).

8. The car assembly according to claim 5, wherein the upper end of the spacer (17) has a deformable contact member for deforming in the case of contact between the spacer (17) and the other car (3.2).

9. The car assembly according to claim 5, wherein the spacer (17) is designed such that its length (L) in the operating position is adjustable.

10. An elevator device, the elevator device (1) having: At least one elevator shaft (2), extending vertically; An upper car (3.2), movable in the elevator shaft (2); and A lower car (3.1), movable in the elevator shaft (2) and arranged below the upper car (3.2), wherein, The lower car (3.1) is designed as the car (3.1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and forms a car assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 9 with the spacer (17).

11. The elevator device (1) according to claim 10, the elevator device (1) being arranged such that the upper car (3.2) is fixed during safe operation.

12. The elevator device (1) according to claim 10 or 11, the elevator device (1) being arranged such that the normal operation of the lower car (3.1) is blocked during the safe operation.

13. A method for operating an elevator device (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, the method (30) comprising the following steps: Detecting the actuation (31) of a first sensor (24); Setting a safe operation (32) when the actuation of the first sensor (24) is detected; Fixing the upper car (3.2) during the safe operation (33).

14. The method (30) according to claim 13, wherein, During the safe operation, the check of the minimum distance between the upper car (3.2) and the lower car (3.1) is cancelled.

15. The method (30) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein, When the first sensor (24) is actuated, the end of the safe operation is prevented.

16. The method (30) according to claim 13, the method further comprising: Blocking the normal operation of the lower car (3.1) during the safe operation (34).

17. The method (30) according to claim 13, the method further comprising: Monitoring the distance (A) between the upper end of the spacer (17) and the upper car (3.2) by means of at least one second sensor.

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