Coupler, coupler arrangement and method

Abstract

A coupler, a coupler arrangement and a method of opening an elevator car door to service a mechanism of a landing door. The coupling (20) comprises two vertically oriented blades (24, 25) which are spaced apart from each other by a lateral distance. The first blade (24) comprises a gap (G) through which a counterpart (21) mounted on the landing door (16) can pass. The blades are mounted on an elevator car door (17). The gap may be selectively opened and closed, and when opened, the elevator car door may be opened without opening the landing door.

Description

Background Art

[0001] The present invention relates to a coupler which can be mounted on an elevator car door of an elevator.

[0002] The invention also relates to a coupler arrangement and a method of opening an elevator car door to service a landing door mechanism.

[0003] The field of the invention is defined more particularly in the preambles of the independent claims.

[0004] An elevator comprises an elevator car that moves vertically in the elevator shaft and stops at landings. The elevator includes an automatic door system in which the connection between the elevator car door and the landing door is provided with a coupler arrangement, so that the elevator car door and the landing door can be opened simultaneously when the elevator car is at a landing. Known door opening solutions have been shown to contain several disadvantages when it comes to servicing the door mechanisms. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a novel coupler and a coupler arrangement for a door system of an elevator, and to provide a novel method for opening the doors of an elevator car when servicing the door system.

[0006] The coupling according to the invention is characterized by the features of the first independent device claim.

[0007] The coupling arrangement according to the invention is characterized by the features of the second independent device claim.

[0008] The method according to the invention is characterized by the characterizing features of the independent method claim.

[0009] The disclosed solution is based on the concept that the coupling comprises two vertically oriented blades positioned at a transverse distance from one another. The blades are mounted or connected to the structure of the elevator car door. The first blade includes a gap through which a mating part mounted on the landing door can pass. The gap can be selectively opened and closed. The gap is sized to allow the mating part to pass through the opened gap. When the elevator car is at a landing, the gap can be opened, thereby allowing the elevator car door to be opened without opening the landing door. Opening the gap and opening the elevator car are performed by maintenance personnel.

[0010] More specifically, the coupler includes a first blade and a second blade, each of which is an elongated member that can be vertically mounted on the outer surface of the elevator car door and positioned at a lateral distance from each other. The first blade includes a lateral gap or aperture that can be selectively opened and closed. In other words, the first blade includes a guide surface that does not extend uniformly end to end, but rather has an opening formed by a gap. The gap is open in a lateral direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the blade. During normal operation of the elevator, the gap is closed and can be opened for maintenance, inspection, and possibly other purposes.

[0011] In practice, when the elevator car reaches a landing or landing area, the coupler receives the landing door's counterpart between the blades and engages the elevator car door and the landing door via the coupler and the counterpart. When so engaged, the elevator car door and the landing door open and close together in a joint movement. This engagement can now be temporarily released.

[0012] In an alternative door opening solution, the counterpart is not located between the blades, but rather outside them. The blades are then arranged to move away from each other when the door opens. However, the blades are provided with an openable and closable gap for releasing the engagement between the extension blades and the counterpart, allowing the elevator car door to open without interfering with the counterpart, thereby opening the landing door.

[0013] An advantage of the disclosed solution is that the engagement or coupling between the elevator door and landing door opening mechanisms can be selectively disconnected, allowing the elevator car door to be opened without opening the landing door. Thus, the disclosed openable gap provides an independent opening feature for the elevator car door system. This is useful when performing inspections and maintenance measures on the landing doors.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the vanes may be mounted on the outer surface of the elevator car door panel, ie on the surface on the side of the elevator hoistway, or alternatively on the top or superstructure of the elevator car door.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the disclosed solution is particularly intended for use in elevators with hoistways that have a pit of limited height or no pit at all. In elevators of this low-pit type, servicing the lowest landing door from the pit presents a safety risk. However, when the elevator car is at the lowest landing and the elevator car door is open according to the present solution to perform work from the elevator car, the lowest landing door system can be safely inspected and serviced. Thus, there is no need to enter the pit.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the first blade includes a base blade portion and a separate closure element. The base blade includes a cutout that forms an opening. The closure element can be selectively attached to and removed from the base blade portion to close and open a gap. In other words, a fixed gap exists, and the blade closure element serves as a bridge element, filler plate, or filler element to cover the gap.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the coupling comprises a blade cover which is removably mountable on the surface of the first blade.An advantage is that the combination of gap and blade cover is simple, strong and cheap.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the blade cover is mounted on the first blade on the surface side facing the second blade. In other words, the blade cover is located on the inner surface side of the first blade.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the blade cover is configured to cover the entire surface of the first blade facing the second blade. When the cover is a uniform piece, it can have a rigid construction. Under construction site conditions, handling of such a piece is easy.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the blade cover is a metal element manufactured by cutting and bending techniques.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the length of the blade cover is dimensioned to extend from one end to the other end of the first blade.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the shape of the blade cover corresponds to the shape of the first blade.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the gap of the blades is located at a central portion of the first blade.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the opposite ends of the blades comprise curved portions pointing away from the central axis of the blades, such that when the curved portions point away from each other, a vertical gap or space between the blades is open at both ends.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the blade cover is provided with quick coupling means for releasably mounting the blade cover to the basic structure of the first blade. This makes handling of the blade cover simple and quick.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the blade cover is releasable and mountable from above, ie it is provided with fastening means allowing mounting from the roof of the elevator car.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the blade cover is provided with a shape-locking element at its first end and at least one fastening screw at its second end for releasable attachment to the base structure of the first blade. The first end with the shape-locking element is easily and quickly coupled to the lower end of the first blade, and the fastener can then be secured to the upper end of the first blade by means of the fastening screw. The shape-locking element or feature may comprise a hook-shaped portion or a bend configured to partially receive the lower end of the first blade within it.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the disclosed coupler can also be easily retrofitted to existing elevators to facilitate their maintenance operations.

[0029] According to an alternative embodiment, there is no rigid gap, but the first blade is formed from at least two components, and at least one of these components is movable relative to the other component to selectively form and close the gap. Thus, the gap can be formed between a fixed component and a movable component, or between two movable components. The movement device of one or both movable components can be arranged so that it can be actuated from above. In addition, the movement device can include a mechanism for easy and rapid operation.

[0030] According to an alternative embodiment, the first blade is provided with a movable closing element. The movable closing element can slide or rotate relative to the basic structure of the first blade to selectively close and open the gap. The movable closing element can be connected to the basic structure, for example, by a hinge. Alternatively, the closing element can slide under the guidance of a suitable guide surface. The closing element can be arranged to slide, for example, vertically or horizontally.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the disclosed solution also relates to a coupler device for a door system of an elevator. The coupler device includes a coupler mounted on the outer surface side of the elevator car door and provided with a vertical first blade and a vertical second blade. The blades are arranged at a certain lateral distance from each other. The counterpart is mounted on the landing door facing away from the elevator landing, that is, the counterpart faces the coupler. When the elevator car arrives at the landing, the coupler is configured to receive the counterpart between the blades. In addition, the first blade includes a transverse gap that can be selectively opened and closed and is located at a section corresponding to the position of the counterpart. In response to the opening of the gap, relative movement between the coupler and the counterpart is allowed. Then, the engagement between the coupler and the counterpart is released in the lateral direction.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the counterpart comprises at least one roller.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the counterpart comprises two rollers.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the landing door comprises a locking unit which is configured to be opened by pushing two rollers of a counterpart towards each other by means of a vane of a coupling.

[0035] According to one embodiment, between the roller of the counterpart and the vane of the coupling is a gap on both lateral sides, so that there is physical contact between the roller and the vane only when the door system or landing door locking unit is actuated.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the disclosed solution also relates to a method for opening an elevator car door for servicing a landing door mechanism of an elevator by opening the elevator car door. The method comprises: disengaging the connection between the coupler of the elevator car door and a counterpart of the landing door when the coupler of the elevator car door is located between a first blade and a second blade of the coupler; performing the disengagement by opening a gap of the first blade of the coupler, whereby the coupler together with the elevator car door can move laterally relative to the counterpart; and opening the elevator car door independently of the landing door.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises opening the gap by removing a separate closing element blocking the gap and closing the gap by reinstalling the closing element.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises at least partially accessing the roof of the elevator car through a maintenance hatch and opening a gap in the first vane. Thereafter, the elevator car door is manually opened. Maintenance of the landing door through the open elevator car door is performed from the elevator car without opening the landing door. Thus, maintenance and inspection measures can be performed safely from the elevator car.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises opening the elevator car when the elevator car is at the lowest landing.Then servicing the lowest landing door mechanism through the opened elevator car door.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the disclosed method is implemented when replacing guide shoes of a landing door.

[0041] The embodiments disclosed above can be combined in order to form suitable solutions having those of the above-mentioned features as desired. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Some embodiments are described in more detail in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0043] Figure 1 is a schematic and highly simplified side view of an elevator,

[0044] Figure 2 is a schematic side view showing access to the coupling device via a maintenance hatch,

[0045] Figure 3-5 is a schematic top view of a center-open door system in different operating positions,

[0046] Figure 6 and Figure 7 is a schematic top view of a sliding and telescopic door system in different operating positions.

[0047] Figure 8 is a schematic side view of a coupling arrangement wherein the blades of the coupling include gaps and removable blade covers,

[0048] Figure 9 is a schematic side view showing the independent lateral movement of the coupling relative to the counterpart,

[0049] Figure 10 is a schematic side view of another coupling in which the blades are provided with blade covers,

[0050] Figure 11 is a schematic side view of a coupling device comprising a removable closure element at a gap,

[0051] Figure 12 is a schematic side view of a blade with a vertically slidable closing element provided at the gap,

[0052] Figure 13 is a schematic side view of a blade with a horizontally slidable closing element provided at the gap,

[0053] Figure 14 and Figure 15 is a schematic side view of a coupling device comprising a blade provided with two movable parts between which a gap can be formed,

[0054] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram showing some features of the coupling device,

[0055] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating some method steps for repairing landing doors;

[0056] Figure 18 and Figure 19 is a schematic side view of another type of coupling device which is also provided with a removable closure element on the blade.

[0057] For the sake of clarity, the accompanying drawings show some embodiments of the disclosed solution in a simplified manner. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same elements. Specific embodiments

[0058] Figure 1A traction elevator 1 is disclosed, installed in an elevator hoistway 2 of a building B. The elevator 1 includes an elevator car 3 for receiving a load to be transported. The car 3 and counterweight assembly 4 are suspended on suspension ropes 5 that pass through a hoisting machine 6. The hoisting machine 6 includes a traction sheave 7 driven by an electric motor M. Friction occurs between the suspension ropes 5 and the traction sheave 7, which transmits the hoisting power to the elevator system. The hoisting machine 6 may include one or more additional sheaves 8 for guiding and controlling the suspension ropes 5. The hoisting machine 6 may be located in an upper machine room 9, or alternatively, the system may be a so-called machine-room-less elevator. A compensating chain or rope 10 may be connected between the counterweight assembly 4 and the bottom of the elevator car 3. The elevator car 3 can be driven to a desired landing L or floor under the control of one or more control units CU. Below the first or lowest landing, there may be a pit 11 of the elevator hoistway 2. Below the first landing L1, there may be a buffer 12 in the elevator hoistway.

[0059] The landing L is provided with landing doors and the elevator car 3 is provided with elevator car doors. Figure 1 The doors and their opening mechanisms are not disclosed in the specification. However, when the elevator car arrives at the corresponding landing L, the elevator car door engages with each landing door. The engagement with the doors can be accomplished by the coupler device disclosed herein.

[0060] Figure 2 The lower part of the elevator 1 is disclosed, as well as the situation when the elevator car 3 is positioned at the lowest landing L1 for maintenance purposes. A maintenance person inside the elevator car 3 can open a maintenance hatch 13 on the roof 14 of the elevator car 3 and can then at least partially access the roof 14 with the aid of a bracket 15. The maintenance person can then access the coupling device that couples the landing door 16 and the elevator car door 17. For the sake of clarity, Figure 2 The coupling device is not shown in the figure. When the coupling device is disengaged, the elevator car door 17 can be opened and the required inspection and maintenance measures can be carried out from the elevator car. There is no need to enter the pit 11 and open the landing door 16. Therefore, when working in the elevator car, the working conditions are safe and comfortable.

[0061] Figure 3 and Figure 4The basic structure of a door system with a center opening principle is disclosed. A landing door 16 may include two door panels 16a, 16b, which, when actuated by an opening actuator 18, open in opposite lateral directions. The movement of the landing door 16 is transmitted to an elevator car door 17, which is provided with two door panels 17a, 17b, which also open from the center to opposite lateral sides. The opening force generated by the opening actuator 18 is transmitted from the landing door 16 to the elevator car door 17 by means of a coupling device 19, which includes a coupling 20 mounted on the outer side of the elevator car door 17 and a counterpart 21 mounted to the landing door 16 on a surface facing the coupling 20. The coupling 20 and the counterpart 21 conform to the features disclosed herein. Furthermore, there is a first transmission means 22 for transmitting the opening and closing forces between the door panels 16a and 16b, and correspondingly, there is a second transmission means 23 for transmitting the opening and closing forces between the door panels 17a and 17b. The transmission means 22, 23 may comprise, for example, a wire rope, a chain, a transmission belt or chain links. Figure 4 , doors 16 and 17 are fully open.

[0062] Figure 5 A maintenance situation is disclosed in which a gap G is formed to the left leaf of the coupling 20 so that the right door panel 17a can be manually pushed open without affecting the counterpart 21. Since the door panel 17a is mechanically connected to the left door panel 17b by means of the mentioned second transmission means 23, both door panels 17a, 17b are opened simultaneously. When the elevator car door 17 is open, free access to the mechanism of the landing door 16 is provided.

[0063] Figure 6 Another type of door system is disclosed, in which the disclosed solution can be implemented when repairing landing doors. In this case, the landing door 16 and the elevator car door 17 are sliding telescopic doors, wherein the door panels 16a, 16b and 17a, 17b can slide laterally on one side and at least partially inside each other. An opening actuator 18 moves the door panel 16a, and a transmission device transmits the motion to the door panel 16b, which retracts into the door panel 16a. In normal operating mode, a coupling device 19 also transmits the motion to the door panel 17a and further to the door panel 17b, causing the door panel 17b to retract into the door panel 17a. The transmission device for connecting the door panels 16a, 16b and 17a, 17b together is not shown.

[0064] Figure 7The invention discloses that the elevator car door 17 can be opened independently of the landing door 16. The coupler 20 of the coupler device includes an openable gap G in one of its blades, and allows the coupler 20 to be moved to the right together with the door 17. The landing door 16 remains closed, thereby providing the possibility of inspection and maintenance thereof. The coupler device is based on the features and embodiments disclosed in this document.

[0065] Furthermore, the solution disclosed in this document can be implemented in any other type of door system. Thus, the number of door panels can be just one, or, for example, three. Furthermore, the opening direction can be different from that of the exemplary door system.

[0066] Figure 8 A coupling device 19 is disclosed, comprising a coupling 20 and a counterpart 21. Coupling 20 includes a first blade 24 and a second blade 25. When the elevator car is vertically positioned at a landing, a roller 26 of counterpart 21 is positioned between first and second blades 24, 25. Blades 24, 25 are elongated members and can be made of metal or any other suitable material capable of transmitting door-opening force. First blade 24 is provided with a gap G in its midsection. When the elevator car is at a landing, roller 26 and gap G are aligned. During normal use, gap G is closed by a blade cover 27, which serves as a removable closure element 28. Thus, blade cover 27 can be removed for the duration of a maintenance operation and reinstalled thereafter. Blade cover 27 can include a positive locking element 29, such as a hook-shaped bend 30, at its lower end and a fastening screw 30 at its upper end. Blade cover 27 can be easily removed from above. Reinstallation is facilitated since the form-locking element 29 can first be hooked onto the lower end of the first blade and then fixed by means of the fastening screw 31. The construction of the blades 24, 25 and the blade cover 27 is simple, inexpensive and durable.

[0067] Figure 9 The situation is shown when the blade cover 27 is removed and the gap G is opened. The coupling 20 and the elevator car door can then be moved to Figure 9 Since the coupling 20 and the counterpart 21 are released from each other, the counterpart 21 and the landing door remain immovable.

[0068] Figure 10 A coupling 20 is disclosed which is Figure 8 and Figure 9 The coupling shown in FIG. 1 differs only in that the blades 24 and 25 comprise support portions 32 , 33 which make it possible to strengthen the structure of the blades.

[0069] Figure 11A coupling 20 is disclosed in which the gap G of the first blade 24 can be closed by means of a separate, removable closing element 28 that can be mounted on the outer surface side of the first blade 24. The closing element 28 can be supported to the first blade 24 by means of a supporting element 34 and locked in place by means of a fastening screw 31 or a corresponding fastening element.

[0070] Figure 12 and Figure 13 A second blade 24 is disclosed that includes a sliding closure element 28. Figure 12 In the embodiment, the closing element 28 can slide vertically and is supported by means of the supporting elements 35 and 36. Figure 13 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the closing element 28 can slide in the transverse direction and is supported by the supporting elements 37 and 38 .

[0071] Figure 14 and Figure 15 A coupling 20 is disclosed wherein a first blade 24 comprises two parts 24a and 24b which are movable relative to each other such that a gap G can be formed therebetween.

[0072] Figure 16 This is an overview of the basic features of the coupling arrangement. These features have been disclosed above in this document.

[0073] Figure 17 The measures required to repair the landing door mechanism according to the present solution are disclosed.

[0074] Figure 18 and Figure 19 A coupling device 19 is disclosed, which is also provided with a removable closure element 28 on the blades 24, 25. This solution differs from the solution shown in the previous figures in that the counterpart 21 is not located between the blades 24, 25, but is located outside the blades 24, 25. The blades 24, 25 are then arranged to move away from each other when the door is opened. The blades are provided with an openable and closable gap G for releasing the engagement between the extended blades 24, 25 and the counterpart 21, allowing the elevator car door to open without affecting the counterpart 21 and opening the landing door. Figure 19 The situation is shown in dashed lines when the blades 24 , 25 are deployed away from each other without moving the counterpart 21 .

[0075] The gap G may be provided with a blade cover 27 which may be of a similar type to that in the previous figures and, furthermore, the mounting means and other features of the blade cover 27 may also be of a similar type to that disclosed herein.

[0076] The drawings and the related description are intended only to illustrate the concept of the invention. In its details, the invention may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A coupler (20) for a door system of an elevator car (3); in, The connector (20) comprises: a first blade (24) and a second blade (25), each of the first blade (24) and the second blade (25) being elongated members capable of being vertically mounted on the structure of the door (17) of the elevator car at a lateral distance from each other; It is characterized by: At least the first blade (24) includes a transverse gap (G); And wherein the gap (G) can be selectively opened and closed.

2. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein: The first blade (24) comprises a basic blade portion and a separate closing element (28); The basic blade includes a cutout forming an open portion; and The closing element (28) is selectively mountable on and removable from the basic blade portion for closing and opening the gap (G).

3. The coupling according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The coupling (20) includes a blade cover (27) that is removably mountable on a surface of the first blade (24).

4. The coupling according to claim 3, wherein: The length dimension of the blade cover (27) is designed to extend from one end to the other end of the first blade (24).

5. The coupling according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The shape of the blade cover (27) corresponds to the shape of the first blade (24).

6. A coupling according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that The blade cover (27) is provided with quick coupling means for releasably mounting the blade cover (27) to the basic structure of the first blade (24).

7. A coupling according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that The blade cover (24) is provided with a form-locking element (29) at its first end and with at least one fastening screw (31) at its second end for releasable mounting to the basic structure of the first blade (24).

8. A coupler device (19) for a door system of an elevator (1); The coupling device (19) comprises: a coupler (20) mounted on the hoistway-side structure of the elevator car door (17) and provided with a vertical first blade (24) and a vertical second blade (25) arranged at a lateral distance from each other; A counterpart (21) mounted on the landing door (16) facing away from the landing (L) of the elevator (1); and wherein the blades (24, 25) of the coupling (20) are configured to cooperate with the counterpart (21) at the landing (L) when the doors (16, 17) are opened; It is characterized by: At least the first blade (24) includes a transverse gap (G) that can be selectively opened and closed and is located at a section corresponding to the position of the counterpart (21); And wherein, in response to the opening of the gap (G), relative movement between the coupling (20) and the counterpart (21) is permitted, thereby following the release of the engagement between the coupling (20) and the counterpart (21) in the lateral direction.

9. The coupling device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The counterpart (21) comprises at least one roller (26).

10. The coupling device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The coupling (20) is configured to receive a counterpart (21) between blades (24, 25) at a landing (L).

11. A method for opening an elevator car door (17), for servicing a landing door (16) of an elevator (1) by opening the elevator car door (17), It is characterized by disengaging the connection between the coupler (20) and the counterpart (21) when relative lateral movement occurs during opening between the first and second blades (24, 25) of the coupler (20) of the elevator car door (17) and the counterpart (21) of the landing door (16); The disengagement is performed by opening a gap (G) of a first blade (24) of the coupling (20), whereby the coupling (20) together with the elevator car door (17) can be moved laterally relative to the counterpart (21); and The elevator car door (17) is opened independently of the landing door (16).

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The gap (G) is opened by removing a separate closing element (28) blocking the gap (G), and the gap (G) is closed by reinstalling the closing element (28).

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that at least partially accessing the roof of the elevator car (3) through a maintenance hatch (13) and opening the gap (G); Manually opening the elevator car door (17); and The landing door (16) is serviced from the elevator car (3) through the opened elevator car door (17) without opening the landing door (16).

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 11 to 13, characterized in that When the elevator car (3) is at the lowest landing (L1), opening the elevator car door (17); and The lowest landing door (16) mechanism is serviced through the open elevator car door (17).

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