Elevator safety device and method of activating elevator safety device

Abstract

The invention relates to an elevator safety device and a method of activating an elevator safety device. Specifically, an elevator safety device comprises: a housing configured for attachment to an elevator car of an elevator system or to an elevator counterweight of the elevator system, the housing comprising a passage for allowing a guide member to pass through; a brake shoe attached to the housing and located on a first side of the guide member passing through the passage; a support element arranged on a second side of the guide member passing through the passage, the support element extending at an angle relative to the guide member so as to define a tapered region between the guide member and the support element; and a movable brake element rotatable about an axis of rotation of the movable brake element. At least in an activated state of the elevator safety device, the movable braking element is arranged within said tapered region defined by the support element and the guide part, the movable braking element being rotatably movable along the support element into a wedged state between the support element and the guide part.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator safety device. The present invention further relates to an elevator car, an elevator counterweight, and an elevator system, each including the elevator safety device, and to a method of activating the elevator safety device. Background Art

[0002] An elevator system typically includes at least one elevator car configured to move along a hoistway extending between a plurality of landings, and a drive member configured to drive the elevator car. The elevator system may further include an elevator counterweight that moves simultaneously and in an opposite direction relative to the elevator car. To ensure safe operation, the elevator system typically includes at least one elevator safety device. The at least one elevator safety device is configured to brake the movement of the elevator car and / or the elevator counterweight relative to a guiding member (such as a guide rail) in an emergency situation, for example when the movement of the elevator car and / or the elevator counterweight exceeds a predetermined speed and / or acceleration. The elevator safety device typically includes at least one engaging member configured to engage with the guiding member when the elevator safety device is activated to brake the movement of the elevator safety device along the guiding member.

[0003] Currently available elevator safety devices have a relatively large size and / or are limited in their braking capacity. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide an improved elevator safety device that may have a smaller size and / or provide enhanced braking capacity.

[0005] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an elevator safety device includes a housing configured to be attached to an elevator car of an elevator system or to a counterweight of the elevator system. The housing includes a passage for allowing a guiding member of the elevator system to pass through. The elevator safety device further includes: a brake shoe attached to the housing and located on a first side of the guiding member passing through the passage; a support element disposed on a second side of the guiding member passing through the passage, the support element extending at an angle relative to the guiding member, defining a tapered region between the guiding member and the support element; and a movable braking element rotatable about a rotation axis of the movable braking element. At least in an activated state of the elevator safety device, the movable braking element is disposed within the tapered region defined by the support element and the guiding member. The movable braking element is capable of moving along the support element while rotating about its rotation axis to a wedged state between the support element and the guiding member. The movable braking element has a non-circular cross-section defined by a closed curve having a constant width.

[0006] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention further includes a method of activating an elevator safety device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the method includes moving a movable braking element to a position where it contacts a guiding member, resulting in frictional engagement between the movable braking element and the guiding member, such that when the elevator safety device moves along the guiding member, the movable braking element moves into a wedged state between a supporting element and the guiding member due to the frictional engagement with the guiding member.

[0007] The movable braking element of an elevator safety device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention having a non-circular cross-section defined by a closed curve with a constant width allows for a reduction in the size of the movable braking element, in particular the diameter, when the elevator safety device is in an activated state, without increasing the curvature of those sections of the outer perimeter of the movable braking element that contact the supporting element and / or the guiding member. The curvature of the sections of the outer perimeter of the movable braking element that contact the supporting element and / or the guiding member is a key factor for defining the maximum braking capacity of the elevator device and also the impact of the braking operation on the guide rail. Generally speaking, compared with a movable braking element having a larger curvature, a movable braking element having a smaller curvature of the sections of the outer perimeter that contact the supporting element and / or the guiding member has improved braking capacity at startup and causes less damage to the guide rail. For example, in the case where the sections of the outer perimeter of the movable braking element that contact the supporting element and / or the guiding member have the shape of an arc section, its curvature can be defined by the radius of the arc section, and the larger the radius of the arc section, the smaller its curvature. Therefore, the movable braking element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention allows for a reduction in the size of the movable braking element while avoiding a corresponding increase in the curvature of its outer perimeter. Thus, the size of the elevator safety device can be reduced without reducing the maximum braking capacity and / or enhancing the impact on the guide rail of the elevator device after startup.

[0008] Similarly, the movable braking element of an elevator safety device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention allows for an improvement in the braking capacity of the elevator safety device without increasing the size of the movable braking element and the elevator safety device.

[0009] The movable braking element of an elevator safety device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention further allows for a reduction in potential damage to the guiding member of the elevator system that may be caused by the engagement of the movable braking element with the guiding member.

[0010] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention further includes an elevator car that includes at least one elevator safety device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also include a counterweight for an elevator, the counterweight including at least one elevator safety device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention further include an elevator system, the elevator system including an elevator car that is movable between a plurality of landings along guiding members and including at least one elevator safety device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also include an elevator system, the elevator system including a counterweight for an elevator, the counterweight being movable between a plurality of landings along guiding members and including at least one elevator safety device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] The following lists a plurality of optional features of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, these features may be implemented individually or in combination with any other features in a particular embodiment.

[0015] When the movable braking element rotates about its axis of rotation during frictional engagement between the movable braking element and the guiding member, the axis of rotation of the movable braking element can move along the circumference of a circle. When the movable braking element moves rotationally along the support element, the movable braking element remains in contact with the support element arranged on one side of the movable braking element. The movable braking element also remains in contact with the guide rail arranged on the opposite side of the movable braking element. During the course of the movement, the non-circular cross-section of the movable braking element causes the axis of rotation of the movable braking element to move along the circumference of a circle, which, when observed in a local coordinate system, moves linearly along the support element together with the movable braking element.

[0016] Specifically, the non-circular cross-section may include a plurality of circular arc segments. Each of the circular arc segments has a curvature defined by an arc having a radius. Each of the circular arc segments has the same radius.

[0017] The cross-section of the movable braking element may have the shape of a Reuleaux polygon, in particular the shape of a Reuleaux triangle or the shape of a Reuleaux pentagon. A Reuleaux polygon is an example of a non-circular geometry with a constant width, which can be used to design the movable braking element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Although, according to strict mathematical definitions, a Reuleaux polygon has sharp corners, it is understood that, in the context of the present invention, a movable braking element with a constant width is also recognized as having the shape of a Reuleaux polygon, the movable braking element substantially having the shape of a Reuleaux polygon, in particular the curved edges of a Reuleaux polygon, but having smooth rounded corners.

[0019] To provide a movable braking element having a constant width according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the movable braking element substantially has the shape of a Reuleaux polygon with smooth rounded corners, the circumferential periphery of the movable braking element may include a plurality of arcuate sections having at least two different curvatures. Each of the arcuate sections has a curvature defined by an arc having a radius. Each of the arcuate sections has one of a first radius and a second radius. The circumferential periphery of the movable braking element may, for example, include six arcuate sections. Each of the six arcuate sections has one of a first radius and a second radius arranged alternately along the circumferential periphery of the movable braking element.

[0020] The circumferential periphery of the movable braking element may particularly include a first set of arcuate sections having a first curvature as defined by a first radius, and a second set of arcuate sections having a second curvature as defined by a second radius different from the first radius. The first set of arcuate sections and the second set of arcuate sections may be arranged alternately along the circumferential periphery of the movable braking element. The first set of arcuate sections may particularly have a first length along the circumferential periphery of the movable braking element, and the second set of arcuate sections may particularly have a second length along the circumferential periphery of the movable braking element, the second length being different from the first length. The second length may be significantly shorter than the first length.

[0021] The first set of arcuate sections may particularly be defined by the curved edges of a first Reuleaux polygon, and the second set of arcuate sections may particularly be defined by the curved edges of a second Reuleaux polygon.

[0022] Forming the circumferential periphery of the movable braking element from a first set of arcuate sections having a first curvature as defined by a first radius and a second set of arcuate sections having a second curvature as defined by a second radius different from the first radius provides a suitable way to design a movable braking element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which can be easily adjusted according to individual needs.

[0023] The support element may be a support rod extending in a longitudinal direction between two opposite ends.

[0024] The support element may be rigid or at least partially elastic. The support element may particularly be at least partially elastic in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support element and the axis of rotation of the movable braking element. When the elevator safety device is in its activated state, the at least partially elastic support element may apply an elastic force on the movable braking element. Applying an elastic force on the movable braking element may enhance the maximum braking capacity provided by the elevator safety device.

[0025] To provide an at least partially elastic support, the support element may include a spring assembly. The spring assembly may particularly include a leaf spring or a stack formed by a plurality of leaf springs.

[0026] In an alternative embodiment, the elevator safety device may include one or more compression springs that bear against a rigid plate.

[0027] In another embodiment, the support element may have a rigid surface on the side facing the roller and a spring assembly on the opposite side.

[0028] The elevator safety device may include at least one stop configured to stop the movement of a movable braking element along the support element. The stop may be further configured to stop any rotation of the movable braking element. The stop may be particularly configured to stop any further movement and / or rotation of the movable braking element when the movable braking element has reached the end of the support element, so as to prevent the movable braking element from moving beyond the end of the support element.

[0029] The at least one stop may be provided by a part of the housing. The at least one stop may also be integrally formed with a part of the housing.

[0030] An elevator car and / or an elevator counterweight according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a first elevator safety device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and a second elevator safety device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] In the first elevator safety device, the first end of the support element may be the lower end of the support element facing the floor of the hoistway, and the second end of the support element arranged closer to the guide rail than the first end may be the upper end of the support element facing the upper end of the hoistway.

[0032] In the second elevator safety device, the first end of the support element may be the upper end of the support element facing the upper end of the hoistway, and the second end of the support element arranged closer to the guide rail than the first end may be the lower end of the support element facing the floor of the hoistway.

[0033] This combination of the first elevator safety device and the second elevator safety device allows braking of the elevator car or the elevator counterweight in both directions of movement (i.e., upward movement and downward movement) along the guiding member. Description of the Drawings

[0034] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail with reference to the drawings:

[0035] Figure 1 An elevator system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is schematically depicted.

[0036] Figure 2 A perspective view of an elevator car according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0037] Figure 3 Figure A depicts a schematic plan view of an elevator safety device in a deactivated standby state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 3 Figure B depicts the elevator safety device depicted in Figure 3 Figure A in an activated state.

[0039] Figure 4 depicts Figure 3 Figure A and Figure 3 an enlarged view of a movable braking element employed in the elevator safety device depicted in Figure B.

[0040] Figure 5 depicts an example of a Reuleaux triangle.

[0041] Figure 6 depicts an example of a Reuleaux pentagon.

[0042] Figure 7A and 7B schematically shows the rotation of a movable braking element between two parallel linear guides according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 8 depicts a schematic view of a movable braking element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 9 depicts a schematic plan view of an elevator safety device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description

[0045] Figure 1 schematically depicts an elevator system 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] The elevator system 2 includes a hoistway 4 extending in a vertical direction between a plurality of landings 8 located on different floors. The elevator system 2 includes an elevator car 6 arranged within the hoistway 4 for moving between the plurality of landings 8. The elevator car 6 is particularly movable along a plurality of car guiding members 14 (such as guide rails), and the car guiding members 14 extend in the vertical direction of the hoistway 4. Only one of the car guiding members 14 can be seen in Figure 1 . Although Figure 1 only a single elevator car 6 is depicted in, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention may include an elevator system 2 including a plurality of elevator cars 6 moving in one or more hoistways 4.

[0047] The elevator car 6 is movably suspended by means of a tension member 3. The tension member 3 is connected to an elevator drive 5 which is configured to drive the tension member 3 in order to move the elevator car 6 along the height of the hoistway 4 between a plurality of landings 8. The elevator drive 5 is controlled by an elevator system controller 9.

[0048] The tension member 3 can be a rope, such as a steel rope, or a belt. The tension member 3 can be uncoated. Alternatively, the tension member 3 can be coated with a coating, such as a coating in the form of a polymer sheath. In a particular embodiment, the tension member 3 can be a belt comprising a plurality of polymer-coated steel ropes (not shown). The elevator system 2 can have a traction drive which includes a traction sheave for driving the tension member 3.

[0049] Figure 1 The exemplary embodiment shown in uses a 1:1 rope winding for suspending the elevator car 6. However, it will be readily understood by a person skilled in the art that the type of rope winding is not essential for the present invention and different types of rope winding, such as 2:1 or 4:1 rope winding, can also be used.

[0050] Figure 1 The elevator system 2 depicted also includes an elevator counterweight 21. The elevator counterweight 21 is attached to the tension member 3 opposite the elevator car 6 and is configured to move along at least one counterweight guide member 15. The present invention can be similarly applied to an elevator system 2 that does not include an elevator counterweight 21.

[0051] In an alternative configuration not shown in the figures, the elevator system 2 can be an elevator system 2 without a tension member 3. Instead, the elevator system 2 can include, for example, a hydraulic drive or a linear drive. The elevator system 2 can have Figure 1 a machine room not shown in the figures, or it can be a machine-roomless elevator system.

[0052] Each landing 8 is provided with a landing door 11 and the elevator car 6 is provided with a corresponding elevator car door 12 for allowing passengers to transfer between the landing 8 and the interior of the elevator car 6 when the elevator car 6 is positioned at the corresponding landing 8.

[0053] Inputs to the elevator system controller 9 can be provided via a landing control panel 7a provided at each landing 8 (especially near the landing door 11) and / or via an elevator car control panel 7b provided inside the elevator car 6.

[0054] The landing control panel 7a may include elevator hall call buttons and / or destination call buttons. The destination call buttons allow passengers to enter their respective destinations before entering the elevator car 6. In the case where the landing control panel 7a is equipped with elevator hall call buttons, there is no need to provide an elevator car control panel 7b inside the elevator car 6, because the elevator system 2 is completely controlled by commands input via the landing control panel 7a.

[0055] The landing control panel 7a and the elevator car control panel 7b may be connected to the elevator system controller 9 by means of electric wires (not shown therein, in particular by an electric bus such as a CAN bus) or by means of a wireless data connection. Figure 1

[0056] The elevator car 6 is equipped with at least one elevator safety device 20, which is schematically shown at the elevator car 6 in Figure 1

[0057] The elevator safety device 20 can be operated to brake or at least assist in braking, i.e., slow down or stop the movement of the elevator car 6, by engaging with at least one car guiding member 14.

[0058] Alternatively or additionally, the elevator counterweight 21 may be equipped with at least one elevator safety device 20, which is configured to engage with at least one counterweight guiding member 15. For simplicity of illustration, Figure 1 the elevator counterweight 21 depicted in

[0059] Figure 2 is an enlarged view of an elevator car 6 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The elevator car 6 includes a car ceiling 62, a car floor 64, and a plurality of car side walls 66. The car ceiling 62, the car floor 64, and the plurality of side walls 66 together define an interior space 68 of the elevator car 6 for accommodating and transporting passengers 70 and / or goods. For simplicity of illustration, Figure 2 the goods are not shown in

[0060] The elevator safety device 20 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is attached to the side wall 66 of the elevator car 6.

[0061] Although only a single elevator safety device 20 is depicted in Figure 1 and Figure 2 respectively, those skilled in the art will understand that a single elevator car 6 and a single elevator counterweight 21 may be respectively equipped with a plurality of safety devices 20.

[0062] In particular, in a configuration where the elevator system 2 includes a plurality of car guiding members 14, each elevator car 6 may be equipped with a plurality of elevator safety devices 20. Each of the plurality of elevator safety devices 20 may be respectively associated with one of the car guiding members 14.​​

[0063] Similarly, in configurations where the elevator system 2 includes a plurality of counterweight guide members 15, each elevator counterweight 21 of the elevator system 2 may be equipped with a plurality of elevator safety devices 20. Each elevator safety device 20 may be associated with one of the counterweight guide members 15, respectively.

[0064] Alternatively or additionally, two or more elevator safety devices 20 may be provided on top of each other at the same side wall 66 of the elevator car 6 or the elevator counterweight 21 to engage the same guide members 14, 15.

[0065] The safety device 20 is generally operable to brake its movement relative to the guide members 14, 15 in only one direction. Thus, the elevator car 6 and / or the elevator counterweight 21 may be equipped with at least two elevator safety devices 20 configured to brake movement in opposite directions relative to the guide members 14, 15.

[0066] The at least two elevator safety devices 20 may particularly include a first elevator safety device 20 configured to brake the downward movement of the elevator car 6 / elevator counterweight 21 relative to the guide members 14, 15; and a second elevator safety device 20 configured to brake the upward movement of the elevator car 6 / elevator counterweight 21 relative to the guide members 14, 15.

[0067] Below, the structure and operating principle of the elevator safety device 20 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0068] Figure 3 A depicts a schematic plan view of an elevator safety device 20 in a deactivated standby state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] Figure 3 B depicts the elevator safety device 20 in a starting state Figure 3 depicted in A.

[0070] Figure 3 The elevator safety device 20 depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B includes a housing 22. When the elevator safety device 20 is installed in the elevator system 2, the housing 22 is closed, for example, by a cover plate (not shown in the figures). In Figure 3 FIGS. 3A and 3B, the housing 22 is depicted in an open state without the cover plate to allow the internal structure of the elevator safety device 20 to be shown.

[0071] A first opening 24a is formed in the top portion of the housing 22, and a second opening 24b is formed in the bottom portion of the housing 22. The two openings 24a, 24b provide a passage 25 that extends through the elevator safety device 20 and allows the elevator guide members 14, 15 to pass through the elevator safety device 20.

[0072] The elevator safety device 20 includes two engaging members, in particular a brake shoe 26 as the first engaging member and a movable brake element 28 as the second engaging member.

[0073] The first engaging member and the second engaging member are arranged opposite to each other and a gap is formed therebetween. The gap is part of a passage 25 extending through the elevator safety device 20 and is configured to accommodate a part of the guiding members 14, 15 of the elevator system 2 extending in a longitudinal direction, in particular in a vertical direction.

[0074] The brake shoe 26 is supported by a housing 22 on a first side of the elevator guiding members 14, 15 passing through the elevator safety device 20, and this first side is Figure 3 the left side in the orientation of the elevator safety device 20 depicted in A and 3B.

[0075] The movable brake element 28 is arranged on a second side of the guiding members 14, 15 passing through the elevator safety device 20, and this second side is Figure 3 the right side in the orientation of the elevator safety device 20 depicted in A and 3B. Thus, the guiding members 14, 15 extend through the elevator safety device 20 between the brake shoe 26 and the movable brake element 28.

[0076] The elevator safety device 20 further includes a support element 30, in particular a support rod, which is also arranged on the second side of the guiding members 14, 15.

[0077] The support element 30 has two opposite ends 30a, 30b fixed to the housing 22. The elevator safety device 20 may in particular include a first fixing device 34a and a second fixing device 34b, the first fixing device being configured to fix the first end 30a of the support element 30 to the housing 22 and the second fixing device being configured to fix the second end 30b of the support element 30 to the housing 22.

[0078] The first fixing device 34a and the second fixing device 34b may be mounted to the housing 22. Alternatively, the fixing devices 34a, 34b may be integrally formed with the housing 22.

[0079] The support element 30 may be fixed within the fixing device 34 by fixing elements (which are not shown in Figure 3 A and Figure 3 B). Such fixing elements may include screws or bolts extending through the support element 30. The support element 30 may also be fixed to the fixing device 34 by clamping, soldering, welding or bonding.

[0080] A central portion of the support element 30 located between the two opposite ends 30a, 30b may be movable relative to the housing 22.

[0081] The support element 30 may in particular comprise at least one leaf spring 33 which is fixed to the housing 22 at two opposite ends 30a, 30b, and the at least one leaf spring 33 has a central part. The support element 30 may in particular comprise a plurality of leaf springs 33 which are arranged on top of one another in a sandwich structure, forming a stack of leaf springs 33.

[0082] The support element 30 extends at an angle with respect to the guide members 14, 15 such that the second end 30b of the support element 30 is arranged closer to the guide members 14, 15 than the first end 30a of the support element 30. Thus, a tapered region is defined between the guide members 14, 15 and the support element 30.

[0083] The support element 30 may in particular be arranged at an angle in the range between 3° and 15° with respect to the guide members 14, 15.

[0084] The movable braking element 28 is movably arranged in the tapered region defined by the guide members 14, 15 and the support element 30. The movable braking element 28 is in particular configured to roll along the support element 30 and at the same time to roll along the longitudinal extension of the guide members 14, 15.

[0085] When the elevator safety device 20 is in the standby configuration, in which the elevator safety device 20 is not activated, as Figure 3 depicted in A, the movable braking element 28 is in the standby position, in which it does not contact the guide members 14, 15. In the standby configuration, the elevator safety device 20 and thus the elevator car 6 or the elevator counterweight 21 to which the elevator safety device 20 is mounted can move freely along the guide members 14, 15.

[0086] As Figure 3 depicted in A, the standby position of the movable braking element 28 may be located near the first end 30a of the support element 30.

[0087] To activate the elevator safety device 20, the movable braking element 28 is moved by an activation mechanism (not depicted in the figures) towards the guide members 14, 15 to a position in which the movable braking element 28 contacts the guide members 14, 15.

[0088] The contact of the movable braking element 28 with the guide members 14, 15 results in a frictional engagement between the movable braking element 28 and the guide members 14, 15. Due to this frictional engagement, a downward movement of the elevator safety device 20 relative to the guide members 14, 15 causes the movable braking element 28 on one side of the movable braking element 28 ( Figure 3unfolds along the guiding members 14, 15 on the left side of the movable braking element 28 in FIGS. A and 3B, and unfolds upward along the supporting element 30 on the other side of the movable braking element 28 ( Figure 3 the right side of the movable braking element 28 in FIGS. A and 3B).

[0089] As Figure 3 shown in FIG. B, due to the inclined orientation of the supporting element 30 relative to the guiding members 14, 15, the movement of the movable braking element 28 along the guiding members 14, 15 and along the supporting element 30 causes the movable braking element 28 to move into a wedged state, in which the movable braking element 28 is clamped between the guiding members 14, 15 and the supporting element 30.

[0090] When the movable braking element 28 is in the wedged state, in which it is clamped between the guiding members 14, 15 and the supporting element 30, the movable braking element 28 presses against the guiding members 14, 15. This generates a braking force between the guiding members 14, 15 and the movable braking element 28 and between the guiding members 14, 15 and the brake shoes 26 of the elevator safety device 20. The braking force can brake the movement of the elevator safety device 20 relative to the guiding members 14, 15 until the movement has been stopped.

[0091] Knurling intended to interact with the guiding members 14, 15 can be formed on the circumferential periphery of the movable braking element 28.

[0092] Optionally, grooves can be formed in the surface of the supporting element 30 facing the guiding members 14, 15, and corresponding collars can be formed on the circumferential surface of the movable braking element. The collars formed on the movable braking element can be received in the grooves formed in the surface of the supporting element to prevent the knurling from contacting the supporting element 30 and interacting with the supporting element. Figure 3 The grooves and collars are not shown in FIGS. A and 3B.

[0093] The elevator safety device 20 can further include a stop 36, which is located near the second end 30b of the supporting element 30. The stop 36 is configured to prevent the movable braking element 28 from moving beyond the second end 30b of the supporting element 30. The stop 36 can further be configured to prevent the movable braking element 28 from rotating.

[0094] The stop 36 can be attached to the housing 22 and supported by the housing 22. The stop 36 can also be integrally formed with the housing 22, for example as a part of the housing 22.

[0095] The safety device 20 can be configured such that the elevator car 6 or the elevator counterweight 21 to which the safety device 20 is mounted has come to a complete stop when or before the movement of the movable braking element 28 along the support element 30 is stopped by the stop member 36. Such a safety device 20 is referred to as an "instantaneous safety device" 20. Figure 9 An example of such an "instantaneous safety device" 20 is depicted.

[0096] In a so-called "progressive safety device" 20, even after the movement of the movable braking element 28 along the support element 30 has been stopped by the stop member 36, the movable braking element 28 still moves along the guide members 14, 15. When stopped by the stop member 36, the movable braking element 28 becomes a static braking element 28, i.e., a braking element 28 that is stationary relative to the elevator safety device 20, in particular relative to the support element 30. Optionally, the stop member 36 can also prevent the braking element 28 from rotating.

[0097] After having been stopped by the stop member 36, the braking element 28 can slide along the guide members 14, 15 either rotatably or non-rotatably. This sliding movement of the braking element 28 results in a frictional force between the braking element 28 and the guide members 14, 15. The frictional force ultimately stops any movement of the elevator safety device 20 relative to the guide members 14, 15.

[0098] Figure 3 The elevator safety device 20 depicted in FIGS. A and 3B is configured to brake the downward movement of the elevator safety device 20 relative to the guide members 14, 15.

[0099] The elevator safety device 20 configured to brake the upward movement of the elevator safety device 20 relative to the guide members 14, 15 will be oriented in an inverted orientation relative to Figure 3 the orientation depicted in FIGS. A and 3B, i.e., an orientation in which the first end 30a of the support element 30 is oriented towards the top and the second end 30b of the support element 30 (which is closer to the guide members 14, 15 than the first end 30a) is oriented towards the bottom.

[0100] As Figure 3 depicted in FIGS. A and 3B, the movable braking element 28 has a cross-section of non-circular shape, which is oriented parallel to Figure 3 the projection plane of FIGS. A and 3B. The non-circular cross-section of the movable braking element 28 defines a geometry with a constant width.

[0101] Figure 4 is depicted Figure 3 An enlarged view of the movable braking element 28 employed in the elevator safety device 20 depicted in FIGS. A and 3B.

[0102] In Figure 3In the embodiments depicted in A, 3B, and 4, the outer circumferential periphery of the movable braking element 28 includes six arcuate sections 31, 32 having two different curvatures.

[0103] The outer circumferential periphery of the non-circular cross-section particularly includes a first set of arcuate sections 31 having a first curvature defined by a first radius, and a second set of arcuate sections 32 having a second curvature defined by a second radius different from the first radius. The first set of arcuate sections 31 and the second set of arcuate sections 32 are alternately arranged along the outer circumferential periphery of the movable braking element 28. In other words, respectively, the first set of arcuate sections 31 are arranged between two arcuate sections 32 of the second set, and the second set of arcuate sections 32 are arranged between two arcuate sections 31 of the first set.

[0104] In a further exemplary embodiment, the outer circumferential periphery of the non-circular cross-section of the movable braking element 28 may be a Reuleaux polygon, such as, for example, Figure 5 the Reuleaux triangle depicted in Figure 6 or the Reuleaux pentagon depicted in

[0105] However, Figures 4 to 6 the different non-circular cross-sections of the movable braking element 28 depicted in

[0106] are shown only by way of example. The present invention is not particularly limited to the selection of the cross-sections depicted in the figures. The non-circular cross-section of the movable braking element 28 may be any non-circular cross-section that defines a geometry having a constant width. Figure 7A and 7B are schematically shown for a movable braking element 28 having a non-circular cross-section having the profile of a Reuleaux triangle.

[0107] When the movable braking element 28 rotates between two parallel linear guides, the axis of rotation A of the movable braking element 28 moves along a circle C.

[0108] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the use of a movable braking element 28 having a non-circular cross-section allows for an increase in the radius of the arcuate sections 31 of the outer circumferential periphery of the movable braking element 28 that contact the brake shoe 26 and the support element 30 when the movable braking element 28 rotates along the movable braking element 28 and the support element 30, without increasing the size of the movable braking element 28, and in particular without increasing the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the movable braking element 28.

[0109] Alternatively, when the movable brake element 28 rotates and moves along the movable brake element 28 and the support element 30, the size of the movable brake element 28, in particular the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the movable brake element 28, can be reduced without reducing the radius of the arcuate section 31 of the movable brake element 28 that contacts the brake shoe 26 and the support element 30.

[0110] Figure 8 A schematic view of a movable brake element 28 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is depicted. Similar to the movable brake element 28 depicted in Figure 7A and 7B the movable brake element 28 depicted in Figure 8 has a non-circular cross-section with a Reuleaux triangle profile.

[0111] The curvature of the curved section 31 defined by the arcuate sides of the Reuleaux triangle can have, for example, a first radius R1 of 21.65 mm.

[0112] When rotating and moving along the guide members 14, 15 and along the support element 30 (where the arcuate section 31 contacts the guide members 14, 15 and the support element 30), the movable brake element 28 unfolds along the guide members 14, 15 and the support element 30 as if it were a (virtual) circular roller having a first radius R1. Thus, the first radius R1 of the first set of arcuate sections 31 can be represented as the effective radius R of the movable brake element 28 eff .

[0113] Although having a relatively large effective radius R of 21.65 mm eff , the movable brake element 28 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention fits into an envelope circle E having a much smaller second radius R2 (i.e., a second radius R2 of 12.50 mm). In other words, compared to a (virtual) circular brake element having a circular cross-section with an effective radius R with R1 = 21.65 mm eff the movable brake element 28 depicted in Figure 8 has a much smaller size.

[0114] The aforementioned first radius R1 and second radius R2 are provided only as examples. The first radius R1 and second radius R2 of the movable brake element 28 according to the exemplary embodiment can be set according to the corresponding requirements, in particular according to the maximum braking force required to reliably brake the elevator car 6 and / or the elevator counterweight 21, and according to the available space within the elevator safety device 20.

[0115] Increasing the effective radius R of the arcuate sections 31 of the movable brake element 28 that respectively contact the guide members 14, 15 and the support element 30 effEnable the elevator safety device 20 to reliably brake an elevator car 6 and / or an elevator counterweight 21 having a greater weight and / or moving at a greater speed.

[0116] The movable braking element 28 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention allows these advantages to be achieved by increasing the effective radius R of the curvature of the arcuate section 31 of the movable braking element 28 eff without increasing the overall size of the movable braking element 28.

[0117] Alternatively, the size of the movable braking element 28, in particular the diameter, can be reduced without reducing the braking capacity of the movable braking element 28.

[0118] Increasing the effective radius R that defines the curvature of the arcuate section 31 of the movable braking element 28 eff further allows for a reduction in potential damage to the guiding members 14, 15, which may be caused by the engagement of the movable braking element 28 with the guiding members 14, 15.

[0119] The dimensions of the functional components of the safety device 20, in particular the dimensions of the movable braking element 28 and the support element 30, can be set such that before the elevator car 6 or the elevator counterweight 21 comes to a complete stop, no more than a single arcuate section 31 of the outer circumferential perimeter of the movable braking element 28 unfolds along the guiding members 14, 15 and along the support element 30, respectively.

[0120] In another embodiment, the movable braking element 28 can be configured such that before the elevator car 6 or the elevator counterweight 21 comes to a complete stop, more than a single arcuate section 31 of the outer circumferential perimeter of the movable braking element 28 unfolds along the guiding members 14, 15 and along the support element 30.

[0121] Figure 9 An example of the elevator safety device 20 according to this embodiment is depicted in. In Figure 9 In the exemplary embodiment depicted in, the cross-section of the movable braking element 28 has the shape of a Reuleaux pentagon as depicted in Figure 6 In.

[0122] Figure 9 The elevator safety device 20 depicted in includes a support element 30 having two support surfaces 38a, 38b, rather than the elongated support element 30 as shown in Figure 3 A and 3B. The two support surfaces 38a, 38b are arranged adjacent to each other to form a continuous support surface.

[0123] The two support surfaces 38a, 38b are oriented at different angles with respect to the guiding members 14, 15 and the opposing brake shoes 26.

[0124] InFigure 9 In the embodiment depicted in Figure 9 , the elevator safety device 20 is configured such that when the movable braking element 28 starts to deploy along the support element 30, a first arcuate section 31 of the outer circumferential periphery of the movable braking element 28 deploys along the first support surface 38a, and after the movable braking element 28 has reached and passed through the end of the first support surface 38a adjacent to the second support surface 38b, a second arcuate section 32 of the outer circumferential periphery of the movable braking element 28 deploys along the second support surface 38b.

[0125] As Figure 9 depicted in Figure 9 , in a configuration where the inclination angle of the first support surface 38a with respect to the guide members 14, 15 is less than the inclination angle of the second support surface 38b, the larger inclination angle of the second support surface 38b causes the second support surface 38b to act as a stop to halt the movement of the movable braking element 28.

[0126] In an alternative configuration not explicitly shown in the figures, the inclination angle of the first support surface 38a with respect to the guide members 14, 15 may be greater than the inclination angle of the second support surface 38b. This configuration of the first support surface 38a and the second support surface 38b may result in an increased horizontal movement of the movable braking element 28 before engagement. This may allow for a reduction in the total length of the support element 30 and thus a reduction in the height of the elevator safety device 20.

[0127] In a further embodiment not explicitly shown in the figures, the movable braking element 28 may include more than two support surfaces 38a, 38b, each allowing a respective one of three or more arcuate sections 31, 32 of the outer circumferential periphery of the movable braking element 28 to deploy along different support surfaces 38a, 34b as the movable braking element 28 rotates from its standby position to its activated position.

[0128] The three or more arcuate sections 31, 32 may be oriented at different angles with respect to the guide members 14, 15 and the opposing brake shoe 26.

[0129] Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for its elements without departing from the scope of the present invention. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present invention without departing from its basic scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the present invention include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

[0130] Reference

[0131] 2 Elevator system

[0132] 3 Tension member

[0133] 4 Hoistway

[0134] 5 Lift drive

[0135] 6 Lift car

[0136] 7a Control panel

[0137] 7b Control panel

[0138] 8 Landing

[0139] 9 Lift system controller

[0140] 11 Landing door

[0141] 12 Car door

[0142] 14 Guide member

[0143] 15 Guide member

[0144] 20 Safety device

[0145] 21 Counterweight

[0146] 22 Housing

[0147] 24a First opening

[0148] 24b Second opening

[0149] 25 Passage

[0150] 26 Brake shoe

[0151] 28 Brake element

[0152] 30 Support element

[0153] 30a First end of the support element 30b Second end of the support element 31 First arcuate section

[0154] 33 Leaf spring 32 Second arcuate section

[0155] 34a First fixing device

[0156] 34b Second fixing device

[0157] 36 Stop

[0158] 38a First support surface

[0159] 38b Second support surface

[0160] 62 Car roof

[0161] 64 Car floor

[0162] 66 Side wall

[0163] 68 Internal space

[0164] 70 Carry passengers.

Claims

1. An elevator safety device (20), comprising: a housing (22) configured for attachment to an elevator car (6) of an elevator system (2) or to an elevator counterweight (21) of said elevator system (2), said housing (22) comprising a passage (25) for allowing a guide member (14, 15) to pass therethrough; a brake shoe attached to the housing (22) and located on a first side of the guide member (14, 15) passing through the passage (25); a support element (30) arranged on a second side of the guide member (14, 15) passing through the passage (25), the support element (30) extending at an angle relative to the guide member (14, 15) so as to define a tapered region between the guide member (14, 15) and the support element (30); as well as a movable brake element (28) rotatable about an axis of rotation (A) of the movable brake element (28); wherein at least in the activated state of the elevator safety device (20), the movable brake element (28) is arranged in the tapered area defined by the support element (30) and the guide components (14, 15), and the movable brake element (28) can be rotatably moved along the support element (30) to a wedging state between the support element (30) and the guide components (14, 15); The movable brake element (28) has a non-circular cross section in a plane oriented perpendicular to the rotation axis (A), the non-circular cross section being defined by a closed curve with a constant width.

2. The elevator safety device (20) according to claim 1, wherein: When the movable brake element (28) rotates about its rotation axis (A), the rotation axis (A) of the movable brake element (28) moves along the circumference of a circle.

3. The elevator safety device (20) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The non-circular cross-section includes a plurality of circular arc-shaped segments, each of the circular arc-shaped segments having a same curvature as defined by a radius of the circular arc.

4. The elevator safety device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The cross section of the movable brake element (28) has the shape of a Lurox polygon, in particular a Lurox triangle or a Lurox pentagon.

5. The elevator safety device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The circumferential periphery of the movable brake element (28) comprises a plurality of circular arc segments (31, 32) having at least two different curvatures as defined by respective radii of each of the circular arc segments, wherein the circumferential periphery of the movable brake element (28) comprises in particular six circular arc segments (31, 32).

6. The elevator safety device (20) according to claim 5, wherein: The circumferential periphery of the movable braking element (28) includes a first group of arc-shaped segments (31) having a first curvature as defined by a first radius, and a second group of arc-shaped segments (32) having a second curvature as defined by a second radius different from the first radius; wherein the first group of arc-shaped segments (31) and the second group of arc-shaped segments (32) are alternately arranged along the circumferential periphery of the movable braking element (28); wherein in particular, the first group of arc-shaped segments (31) have a first length along the circumferential periphery of the movable braking element (28), and wherein the second group of arc-shaped segments (32) have a second length along the circumferential periphery of the movable braking element (28), and the second length is different from the first length.

7. The elevator safety device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The support element (30) is rigid.

8. The elevator safety device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The bearing element (30) is elastic, wherein the bearing element (30) is elastic in particular in a direction oriented perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the bearing element (30) and to an axis of rotation (A) of the movable braking element (28).

9. The elevator safety device (20) according to claim 8, wherein: The support element (30) comprises a spring assembly, wherein the spring assembly in particular comprises a leaf spring (33) or a stack of a plurality of leaf springs (33).

10. An elevator safety device (20) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least one stop (36), which is configured to stop the movement of the movable braking element (28) along the supporting element (30), wherein the at least one stop (36) is in particular provided by a part of the housing (22) and / or is formed integrally with a part of the housing (22).

11. Elevator car (6) or elevator counterweight (21) comprising at least one elevator safety device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The elevator car (6) or elevator counterweight (21) according to claim 11, comprising: The first elevator safety device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first end (30a) of the supporting element (30) is a lower end of the supporting element (30) facing the floor of the hoistway (4), and the second end (30b) of the supporting element (30) arranged closer to the guide member (14, 15) than the first end (30a) is an upper end of the supporting element (30) facing the upper end of the hoistway (4); A second elevator safety device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first end (30a) of the supporting element (30) is an upper end of the supporting element (30) facing the upper end of the shaft (4), and the second end (30b) of the supporting element (30) arranged closer to the guide member (14, 15) than the first end (30a) is a lower end of the supporting element (30) facing the floor of the shaft (4).

13. Elevator system, comprising an elevator car (6), said elevator car (6) being movable along guide members (14, 15) between a plurality of landings; wherein said elevator car (6) is an elevator car (6) according to claim 11 or claim 12.

14. The elevator system according to claim 13, further comprising an elevator counterweight (21) configured to move simultaneously and in opposite directions relative to the elevator car (6), wherein the elevator counterweight (21) is an elevator counterweight (21) according to claim 11 or claim 12.

15. A method for activating an elevator safety device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the method comprises moving the movable brake element (28) to a position in which it contacts the guide part (14, 15), resulting in frictional engagement between the movable brake element (28) and the guide part (14, 15), so that when the elevator safety device (20) moves along the guide part (14, 15), the movable brake element (28) moves to a wedging state between the support element (30) and the guide part (14, 15) due to the frictional engagement with the guide part (14, 15).

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