Safety circuit for passenger transport system, passenger transport system and method for operating safety circuit for passenger transport system

Abstract

A safety circuit (20) for a passenger transport system (1) is described. The passenger transport system (1) comprises at least one control unit (16) for controlling at least one function of the passenger transport system (1). The safety circuit (20) comprises: two or more safety switches (15) in series configured for stopping at least one function of the passenger transport system (1) upon activation of at least one of the safety switches (15) in the event of a safety risk; and two or more respective microcontrollers (22), where each microcontroller (22) is coupled to the control unit (16) and to a corresponding one of the safety switches (15), and each microcontroller (22) comprises a unique identification, where the safety switch (15) and the respective microcontroller (22) are coupled to each other such that when one of the safety switches (15) is activated, the microcontroller (22) is activated. A respective one of the microcontrollers (22) is activated, and wherein the microcontrollers (22) are configured to send a respective identification to the control unit (16) when they are activated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology described herein generally relates to a safety circuit for a passenger transport system, a passenger transport system, and a method for operating the safety circuit of the passenger transport system. More specifically, the technology relates to a safety circuit for a passenger transport system, a passenger transport system, and a method for operating the safety circuit of the passenger transport system. Background Technology

[0002] Passenger transport systems can be elevators, escalators, or moving walkways. Elevators are used to transport passengers throughout the entire shaft of a building using elevator cars. Typically, multiple passengers and / or one or more goods can be accommodated in the car and then transported from a starting floor to a destination floor within the building. During such a journey, additional passengers can enter or exit the car during intermediate stops at other floors. Escalators are also used to transport passengers from a starting floor to a destination floor within a building, where passengers are transported via moving staircases or steps. Moving walkways can be considered as escalators, extending horizontally and used to transport passengers from one location to another within the same floor of the corresponding building.

[0003] Every modern passenger transport system includes one or more safety switches that can be activated automatically or manually in the event of a safety risk. In the case of an elevator as a passenger transport system, the safety switch may be located next to the shaft door of the corresponding elevator shaft, inside the elevator car, on the top of the car, or in the elevator pit. In the case of an escalator or moving walkway, the safety switch may be located at or near the first end of the escalator or corresponding moving walkway, at or near the second end of the escalator or corresponding moving walkway opposite to the first end, and / or at one or more locations between the first and second ends. When one of the safety switches is activated, a signal can be sent to the control unit of the corresponding passenger transport system, and at least one safety measure can be activated. However, when two or more safety switches may be installed in series, the control unit cannot identify which safety switch is activated. Therefore, determining which safety switch is activated and what safety risks arise from it can be a tedious task.

[0004] Therefore, an improved safety circuit for passenger transport systems may be needed, which could help the control unit of the passenger transport system pinpoint the location of a safety risk in the event of such a risk. Furthermore, a passenger transport system incorporating the improved safety circuit may be required. Additionally, a method for operating the safety circuit of the passenger transport system may be needed, enabling the safety circuit to achieve the aforementioned results and advantages. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This need can be met by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims, as well as in the following description and related drawings.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the technology described herein, a safety circuit for a passenger transport system is proposed. The passenger transport system includes at least one control unit for controlling at least one function of the passenger transport system. The safety circuit includes: two or more safety switches configured to, in the event of a safety risk, deactivate at least one of the safety switches to stop at least one function of the passenger transport system; and two or more corresponding microcontrollers, wherein each microcontroller is coupled to the control unit and coupled to a corresponding one of the safety switches, and each microcontroller includes a unique identifier, wherein the safety switches and the corresponding microcontrollers are coupled to each other such that when one of the safety switches is activated, the corresponding microcontroller is activated, and wherein the microcontroller is configured to send the corresponding identifier to the control unit upon its activation.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the technology described herein, a passenger transport system is proposed. The passenger transport system includes: a control unit for controlling at least one function of the passenger transport system; and safety circuitry as described above and below, wherein the control unit is configured to perform at least one safety measure upon receiving an identifier from one of the microcontrollers.

[0008] According to a third aspect of the technology described herein, a method for operating a safety circuit of a passenger transport system is proposed. The passenger transport system includes at least one control unit for controlling at least one function of the passenger transport system. The method includes: in the event of a safety risk, activating a microcontroller among microcontrollers associated with a corresponding safety switch of the safety circuit when a safety switch is activated; and sending a unique identifier of the microcontroller to the control unit upon activation of the microcontroller.

[0009] It should be noted that the possible features and advantages of embodiments of the technology described herein are described in part with respect to one aspect of the foregoing and in part with respect to another aspect of the foregoing. Those skilled in the art will recognize that features can be suitably transferred from one aspect to another and / or from one embodiment to another, and that features can be modified, adapted, combined, and / or replaced, etc., to form further embodiments of the technology described herein.

[0010] A microcontroller, assigned to the corresponding safety switch and sending its identifier to the control unit of the passenger transport system, enables the control unit to identify which safety switch is activated. This may help in finding the cause of a safety risk, thereby ultimately remediating the safety risk in a quick and / or easy manner, and / or finding appropriate safety measures to avoid any injury or damage caused by the safety risk.

[0011] Passenger transport systems may include elevators, escalators, or moving walkways. Safety switches may be located at different locations within or near the passenger transport system. For example, in the case of an escalator or moving walkway as a passenger transport system, the safety switch may be located at or near the first end of the escalator or corresponding moving walkway, at or near the second end of the escalator or corresponding moving walkway opposite to the first end, and / or at one or more locations between the first and second ends. Alternatively, in the case of an elevator as a passenger transport system, the safety switch may be located next to the shaft door of the corresponding elevator shaft, inside the elevator car, on the top of the car, or in the pit of the elevator shaft.

[0012] The function of a passenger transport system controlled by a control unit can be, for example, any function relating to the movement of passengers and / or the permission or denial of access to the portion of the passenger transport system that carries passengers. For example, in the case of an elevator, this function could be, for instance, the movement of the corresponding car in the vertical direction. This function can be controlled by the control unit via a motor for lifting the car. Alternatively, in the case of an elevator, this function could be the movement of the car or one or more doors of the hoistway in which the car is arranged. Specifically, in these cases, the car can stop and / or the opening or closing of the doors of the car and / or hoistway can be stopped respectively when a corresponding safety switch is activated. Alternatively, in the case of an escalator or moving walkway, the function could be the movement of a moving portion of the moving walkway on which passengers stand while being transported. In this case, the movement of the escalator or moving walkway can stop when a corresponding safety switch is activated.

[0013] This function can be stopped directly by a safety switch, by a microcontroller, or by the control unit via the microcontroller upon receiving the microcontroller's ID. The microcontroller coupled to the control unit can be communicatively coupled to the control unit, allowing one or more signals to be transmitted from the microcontroller to the control unit, for example, via one or more wires or wirelessly. The microcontroller coupled to the corresponding safety switch can be directly connected to the respective safety switch via one or more conductive vias. For example, each of the microcontrollers and the corresponding safety switch can be arranged close to each other, for example, within the same housing or on the same printed circuit board (PCB). The unique identifier can be a code or a number.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the safety switch is coupled to a corresponding microcontroller via a corresponding single-pole double-throw (SPDT) contact. This facilitates the safe and easy activation of the microcontroller after the corresponding safety switch is activated. Typically, an SPDT contact has a switch controlled by a single physical actuator and a contact that can be connected to either of two other contacts. In other words, an SPDT contact is capable of connecting either of two terminals to a common terminal.

[0015] According to one embodiment, each microcontroller is coupled to a power source such that when the corresponding safety switch is activated, the microcontroller is activated by being supplied with power. This can contribute to low power consumption because the microcontroller does not require any power as long as the safety switch is not activated. For example, in the case where the safety switch is coupled to the corresponding microcontroller via a corresponding SPDT contact, the safety switch, the corresponding microcontroller, and the power source can be coupled to each other via SPDT contacts such that when the corresponding safety switch is activated, the microcontroller is coupled to the power source via the SPDT contacts. The power source can be the same power source that supplies power to the safety switch and / or the control unit. Alternatively, the power source can be a battery directly connected to the microcontroller.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the safety switch is configured to be operated by a person aware of a safety risk, i.e., manually, or the safety switch is configured to operate automatically when a safety risk is automatically detected. For example, in the case of manual activation, the safety switch may include a button, such as a large red button, which can be easily activated by a person. Alternatively, the safety risk may be automatically detected by one or more sensors of the passenger transport system (specifically one or more sensors of the safety circuitry).

[0017] According to one embodiment, the safety circuit includes a control unit of a passenger transport system, wherein the control unit is configured to stop at least one function of the passenger transport system controlled by the control unit upon receiving an identifier from one of the microcontrollers. Therefore, the control unit can be considered part of the safety circuit, which can perform one or more safety measures in the event of a safety risk. This can help prevent any damage or injury caused by the safety risk.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the safety measure performed by the control unit upon receiving an identifier from one of the microcontrollers is to stop at least one function of the passenger transport system controlled by the control unit. For example, if the function of the control unit is to move the elevator car or the stairs of an escalator, or if the function is to move the elevator doors, the safety measure could be to stop the corresponding movement. This can help avoid any damage or injury caused by a safety risk.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the method includes stopping at least one function of the passenger transport system when a safety switch is activated. This can help avoid any damage or injury caused by safety risks. Specifically, in this embodiment, the function can be stopped without a control unit and / or independently of the control unit, for example, stopped by the safety switch alone, but the control unit is notified by the microcontroller which safety switch was activated and / or stopped the function. The function can be stopped directly by the safety switch, or by the microcontroller, or by the control unit via the microcontroller upon receiving the microcontroller's ID. Attached Figure Description

[0020] In the following description, advantageous embodiments of the technology described herein will be illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, neither the drawings nor the description should be construed as limiting the technology described herein.

[0021] Figure 1 A cross-sectional side view of a passenger transport system according to an embodiment of the technology described herein is shown.

[0022] Figure 2 A block diagram of a safety circuit of a passenger transport system in a first state, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein, is shown.

[0023] Figure 3 It shows the second state. Figure 2 Block diagram of the safety circuit.

[0024] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating a method for operating a safety circuit of a passenger transport system according to an embodiment of the technology described herein is shown.

[0025] The accompanying drawings are schematic only and not drawn to scale. The same reference numerals refer to the same or similar features. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Figure 1 A cross-sectional side view of a passenger transport system 1 according to an embodiment of the technology described herein is shown. The passenger transport system 1 can be configured to transport one or more passengers and / or goods from one floor 10 of a building to another floor 10, or from one location within the same floor of a building to another location. In this embodiment, the passenger transport system 1 is an elevator. However, in other embodiments of the invention, the passenger transport system 1 may be an escalator or a moving walkway.

[0027] An elevator is installed in a building having an elevator shaft 3. The elevator includes an elevator car 5. The elevator car 5 is movable within the elevator shaft 3, for example, vertically. The elevator car 5 is mechanically connected to the elevator counterweight 2 via at least one suspension element 4 (e.g., a rope). The suspension element 4 can be guided between the elevator car 5 and the counterweight 2 via one or more deflection rollers 12. The suspension element 4, and therefore the elevator car 5 and the counterweight 2, can be moved by means of an elevator motor (not shown), thereby enabling the displacement of the elevator car 5. The motor can be controlled by means of a control unit 16. The control unit 16 can be installed on the elevator car 5. However, the control unit 16 can also be installed at another location on the elevator, for example, in the area of ​​the ceiling of the elevator shaft 3.

[0028] The elevator car 5 can be configured to accommodate (multiple) people and / or (multiple) loads to be transported. The elevator car 5 has a car opening 6 through which personnel can enter or exit the elevator car 5, or through which loads can be brought into or removed from the elevator car 5. The elevator car 5 has a car door 7 for exposing or closing the car door opening 6. The elevator may include a car door actuator 8, mechanically coupled to the car door 7, such that the car door 7 can be moved by means of the car door actuator 8, particularly opening or closing. Corresponding mechanical couplings are known from the prior art. The elevator may include a car door controller 14, communicatively coupled to the car door actuator 8, such that the car door actuator 8 can be controlled by means of the car door controller 14. In particular, the car door controller 14 can be communicatively coupled to the car door actuator 8, such that the car door controller 14 can transmit control signals to the car door actuator 8, for example wirelessly or via cable.

[0029] The elevator shaft 3 may include shaft openings 9 at each floor 10 to provide access from the elevator car 5 to the corresponding floor 10 of the building. Shaft doors 11 may be arranged at each of these shaft openings 9. If the elevator car 5 is located on one of the floors 10, the corresponding shaft opening 9 may be positioned opposite the car door 7. With the car door 7 open and the shaft door 11 open, the elevator car 5 can then enter or exit the corresponding floor 10.

[0030] The elevator may include a shaft door actuator 13 and a shaft door controller 19. The shaft door actuator 13 may be mechanically coupled to a shaft door 11, allowing the shaft door 11 to move, specifically open or close, by means of the shaft door actuator 13. Corresponding mechanical couplings are known from the prior art. The shaft door controller 19 may be communicatively coupled to the shaft door actuator 13, allowing the shaft door actuator 13 to be controlled by means of the shaft door controller 19. Specifically, the shaft door controller 19 may be communicatively coupled to the shaft door actuator 13, allowing the shaft door controller 19 to transmit control signals to the shaft door actuator 13, for example, wirelessly or via cable.

[0031] The car door controller 14 and the hoistway door controller 19 can be communicatively coupled to the elevator's control unit 16. Specifically, the car door controller 14 and the hoistway door controller 19 can be coupled to the control unit 16 such that one or more control signals and / or sensor signals can be exchanged between the car door controller 14 and the control unit 16 and / or between the hoistway door controller 19 and the control unit 16. For example, the control unit 16 can be configured to initiate and / or stop the movement of the car door 7 and / or the hoistway door 11 via the respective door controllers 14, 19.

[0032] The function of the passenger transport system 1 controlled by the control unit 16 can be, for example, any function relating to the movement of the portion of the passenger transport system 1 that transports (multiple) passengers and / or permits or denies access to that portion of the passenger transport system 1 that transports (multiple) passengers. For example, in the case of an elevator, this function could be the movement of the car 5, for example, in the vertical direction. This function can be controlled by the control unit 16 via a motor for lifting the car 5. Alternatively, in the case of an elevator, this function could be the movement of one or more of the doors 7, 11 of the car 5 or the hoistway 3. Alternatively, in the case of an escalator or moving walkway, the function could be the movement of the moving portion of the moving walkway on which passengers stand while being transported.

[0033] The passenger transport system 1 includes two or more safety switches 15 configured to stop at least one function of the passenger transport system 1 when at least one safety switch 15 is activated in the event of a safety risk. The safety switches 15 may be located at different locations within or near the passenger transport system 1. For example, in the case of an elevator as the passenger transport system 1, the safety switch 15 may be located next to the shaft door 11 of the elevator shaft 3, inside the elevator car 5, on the top of the car 5, or in the pit of the elevator shaft 3. Alternatively, in the case of an escalator or moving walkway as the passenger transport system 1, the safety switch 15 may be located at or near the first end of the escalator or corresponding moving walkway, at or near the second end of the escalator or corresponding moving walkway opposite to the first end, and / or at one or more locations between the first and second ends (not shown).

[0034] Safety switches 15 can be configured to be operated by a person aware of a safety risk, i.e., manually. For example, each safety switch 15 may include a button, such as a large red button, which can be easily activated by a person. Alternatively, one or more of the safety switches 15 can be configured to operate automatically, for example, upon automatic detection of a safety risk via one or more sensors of the passenger transport system 1.

[0035] In the event of a safety risk, the function to be stopped when at least one of the safety switches 15 is activated, in the case of an elevator, is to stop the movement of the car 5 and / or stop the opening or closing of the doors 7, 11 of the car 5 and / or the hoistway 3 when the corresponding safety switch 15 is activated. In the case of an escalator or moving walkway, in the event of a safety risk, the function to be stopped when at least one of the safety switches 15 is activated is to stop the movement of the stair section of the escalator or the moving walkway when the corresponding safety switch 15 is activated.

[0036] Figure 2 A block diagram of a safety circuit 20 of a passenger transport system 1 in a first state, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein, is shown. The safety circuit 20 includes two or more safety switches 15 configured to stop at least one function of the passenger transport system 1 when at least one safety switch 15 is activated in the event of a safety risk. The safety circuit 20 also includes two or more microcontrollers 22, one for each safety switch 15. The passenger transport system 1 may include one safety circuit 20 comprising two or more safety switches 15 and corresponding microcontrollers 22, or the passenger transport system 1 may include two or more safety circuits 20, each safety circuit 20 comprising one safety switch 15 and one corresponding microcontroller 22.

[0037] Safety switch 15 can be coupled to a corresponding microcontroller 22 via a corresponding single-pole double-throw (SPDT) contact. Each SPDT contact can be a switch controlled by a single physical actuator (i.e., the corresponding safety switch 15), and a contact coupled to control unit 16 and can be connected to either of two other contacts, one of which can be coupled to the corresponding microcontroller 22, and the other of which can be coupled to control unit 16.

[0038] Therefore, in Figure 2 In the first state shown, the safety switch 15 is not activated, the microcontroller 16 is not coupled to the control unit 16, and no power is supplied to the microcontroller 16.

[0039] Figure 3 It shows the second state. Figure 2 The block diagram of safety circuit 20 is shown. In the second state, safety switch 15 is activated, and the corresponding microcontroller 22 is coupled to control unit 16 and powered. Each microcontroller 22 includes a unique identifier. The unique identifier can be a code or a number.

[0040] Safety switches 15 and corresponding microcontrollers 22 are coupled to each other such that when one of the safety switches 15 is activated, a corresponding microcontroller 22 is activated. The microcontroller 22 coupled to the corresponding safety switch 15 can be directly connected to the corresponding safety switch 15 via one or more conductive vias. For example, each of the microcontrollers 22 and the corresponding safety switch 15 can be arranged close to each other, for example, arranged in the same housing or on the same printed circuit board (PCB) (not shown).

[0041] The microcontroller 22 can be communicatively coupled to the control unit 16, such that one or more signals can be transmitted from the microcontroller 22 to the control unit 16, for example, via one or more wires or wirelessly. The microcontroller 22 is configured to send a corresponding identifier to the control unit 16 when it is activated.

[0042] Microcontroller 22 can be coupled to an energy source such that when the corresponding safety switch 15 is activated, microcontroller 22 is activated by being supplied with energy. Energy from control unit 16 can be supplied to safety switch 15 via diode 24 and capacitor 26. Diode 24 can be coupled to a single pole of SPDT contact, capacitor 26, and microcontroller 22, while capacitor 26 can be coupled to one of the two contacts of the SPDT contact connected to control unit 16. Thus, each microcontroller 22 is coupled to the corresponding safety switch 15 and, in a second state, to control unit 16. In particular, when safety switch 15 is coupled to the corresponding microcontroller 22 via the corresponding SPDT contact, safety switch 15, the corresponding microcontroller 22, and (multiple) energy sources are coupled to each other via SPDT contacts such that when the corresponding safety switch 15 is activated, microcontroller 22 is coupled to the energy source via the SPDT contact. The energy source can be the same energy source from which it supplies energy to safety switch 15 and / or control unit 16. Alternatively, the energy source can be a battery (not shown) directly connected to microcontroller 22.

[0043] The function of passenger transport system 1 to be stopped can be stopped directly by safety switch 15, or by microcontroller 22, or by control unit 16 via microcontroller 22 upon receiving an ID from microcontroller 22. For example, as described above, the safety measure performed by control unit 16 upon receiving an ID from one of the microcontrollers 22 could be to stop at least one function of passenger transport system 1 controlled by control unit 16. For example, if the function of control unit 16 is to move the elevator car 5 or the stairs of an escalator, or if the function is to move one of the doors 7 or 11 of an elevator, the safety measure could be to stop the corresponding movement.

[0044] Figure 4 A flowchart is shown of a method for operating a safety circuit 22 of a passenger transport system 1 according to an embodiment of the technology described herein.

[0045] In step S2, under the condition of a safety risk, when the corresponding safety switch 15 is activated, one of the microcontrollers 22 associated with one of the safety switches 15 in the safety circuit 22 can be activated.

[0046] In step S4, the unique identifier of the microcontroller 22 can be sent to the control unit 16 when the microcontroller 22 is activated.

[0047] In step S6, at least one function of the passenger transport system 1 can be stopped when the safety switch 15 is activated. This function can be stopped without the control unit 16 and / or independently of the control unit 16, for example, by the safety switch 15 alone, but the control unit 16 is notified by the microcontroller 22 which safety switch 15 was activated and / or which function was stopped. The function can be stopped directly by the safety switch 15, or by the microcontroller 22, or by the control unit 16 via the microcontroller 22 upon receiving an ID from the microcontroller 22.

[0048] Finally, it should be noted that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple. Elements described in association with different embodiments may also be combined. It should also be noted that reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A safety circuit (20) for a passenger transport system (1), wherein the passenger transport system (1) includes at least one control unit (16) for controlling at least one function of the passenger transport system (1), the safety circuit (20) comprising: - Two or more safety switches (15), the two or more safety switches (15) being configured to stop at least one function of the passenger transport system (1) when at least one of the safety switches (15) is activated in the event of a safety risk; as well as - Two or more corresponding microcontrollers (22), wherein each microcontroller (22) is coupled to the control unit (16) and to a corresponding one of the safety switches (15), and each microcontroller (22) includes a unique identifier, wherein The safety switches (15) and their corresponding microcontrollers (22) are coupled to each other such that when one of the safety switches (15) is activated, the corresponding one of the microcontrollers (22) is activated, wherein Each of the microcontrollers (22) is coupled to a power source (28) such that when the corresponding safety switch (15) is activated, the microcontroller (22) is activated by being supplied with power, and The microcontroller (22) is configured to send a corresponding identifier to the control unit (16) when it is activated.

2. The safety circuit (20) according to claim 1, wherein The safety switch (15) is coupled to the corresponding microcontroller (22) through the corresponding single-pole double-throw contact.

3. The safety circuit (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The safety switch (15) is configured to be operated by a person aware of the safety risk, or The safety switch (15) is configured to operate automatically when the safety risk is automatically detected.

4. The safety circuit (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the control unit (16) of the passenger transport system (1), wherein The control unit (16) is configured to stop at least one function of the passenger transport system (1) controlled by the control unit (16) when it receives an identifier from one of the microcontrollers (22).

5. A passenger transport system (1), comprising: Control unit (16) for controlling at least one function of the passenger transport system (1); as well as The safety circuit (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The control unit (16) is configured to perform at least one security measure upon receiving the identifier from one of the microcontrollers (22).

6. The passenger transport system (1) according to claim 5, wherein The safety measure performed by the control unit (16) upon receiving the identifier from one of the microcontrollers (22) is to stop at least one function of the passenger transport system (1) controlled by the control unit (16).

7. A method for operating a safety circuit (20) of a passenger transport system (1), wherein the passenger transport system (1) includes at least one control unit (16) for controlling at least one function of the passenger transport system (1), the method comprising: In the event of a security risk, when the safety switch (15) is activated, the microcontroller (22) associated with the safety switch (15) of the security circuit (20) is activated; as well as When the microcontroller (15) is activated, its unique identifier is sent to the control unit (16).

8. The method of claim 7, comprising: At least one function of the passenger transport system (1) is stopped when the safety switch (15) is activated.

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