Elevator speed controller assembly with damper

Abstract

This invention relates to an elevator speed controller assembly with a damper, and more particularly, to a speed controller assembly for an elevator car. The speed controller assembly includes: a trigger pulley; a centrifugal trigger mechanism configured to rotate with the trigger pulley, the centrifugal trigger mechanism being configured to activate an elevator car safety brake; the centrifugal trigger mechanism including a first weight member configured to move in response to the rotational speed of the centrifugal trigger mechanism; and a first damper coupled to the first weight member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments described herein relate to an overspeed governor for elevators, and more particularly to an elevator governor assembly having a damper to dampen the movement of a weighted component of the elevator governor assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Elevator systems may include safety systems to prevent the elevator car from traveling at excessive speeds. Traditionally, elevator safety systems include a mechanical speed sensor, often referred to as an overspeed governor, a governor rope, and a mechanical linkage connected to a safety gear for selectively engaging the elevator guide rails. The overspeed governor can be mounted on the car, in the machine room, or in the hoistway. The safety system is mounted on the car, and the linkage or governor rope end assembly connects the system to the governor. When the governor detects a dangerous situation due to excessive travel speed, it sends a force to the safety gear via the tensioned governor rope and linkage. The safety gear then engages the guide rails and stops the elevator car.

[0003] Some overspeed governors employ electronic triggering. As the elevator car speed increases, the weight component of the elevator governor assembly expands outward due to centrifugal force. One or more contact switches or activation sensors in the weight component generate electrical signals to electronically trigger safety operation. A first switch / sensor may disable power to the machine, which then imparts motion to the elevator car. A second switch / sensor may activate the elevator car safety brake (e.g., causing the elevator car safety brake to engage the guide rails).

[0004] The governor assembly is designed to activate the elevator car safety brake in response to speed. In some situations, the acceleration of the elevator car may cause the governor assembly to unintentionally activate the elevator car safety brake. For example, in the event of an emergency stop during upward travel of a lightly loaded or empty elevator car, the governor assembly may activate the elevator car safety brake. This is, for example, due to the upward acceleration of the elevator car during the delay between power cut-off to the elevator machine and activation of the machine brake. This acceleration increases when the mass difference between the counterweight and the empty car (e.g., system overbalance) becomes large. The governor assembly may also activate the elevator car safety brake in response to unstable behavior of passengers in the elevator car (e.g., jumping, dancing, etc.) that causes sufficiently significant elevator car acceleration to activate the elevator car safety brake. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one embodiment, a speed controller assembly for an elevator car includes: a trigger pulley; a centrifugal trigger mechanism configured to rotate with the trigger pulley, the centrifugal trigger mechanism being configured to activate an elevator car safety brake; the centrifugal trigger mechanism including a first weight member configured to move in response to the rotational speed of the centrifugal trigger mechanism; and a first damper coupled to the first weight member.

[0006] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, other embodiments may include a first damper that is a rotational damper.

[0007] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, other embodiments may include a first damper comprising: a housing; a rotor positioned within the housing; and a damping medium within the housing.

[0008] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, other embodiments may include, wherein the first damper includes: a first connection point configured for connection to a first weight member; and a second connection point configured for connection to a trigger pulley.

[0009] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, other embodiments may include a first damper located at a pivot point between the first weight member and the trigger pulley.

[0010] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, other embodiments may include a centrifugal trigger mechanism that further includes a second weight member configured to move in response to the rotational speed of the centrifugal trigger mechanism.

[0011] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, other embodiments may include a first damper coupled to a second weight member.

[0012] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, other embodiments may include a first damper located at a pivot point between a first weight member and a second weight member.

[0013] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, other embodiments may include a second damper coupled to a second weight member.

[0014] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, other embodiments may include a second damper comprising a first connection point configured for connection to a second weight member; and a second connection point configured for connection to a trigger pulley.

[0015] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, other embodiments may include a spring connected to the first weight member.

[0016] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, other embodiments may include a centrifugal trigger mechanism that activates the elevator car safety brake via a mechanical linkage.

[0017] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, other embodiments may include a centrifugal trigger mechanism that activates the elevator car safety brake via an electrical signal.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the elevator system includes: a shaft; an elevator car configured to travel in the shaft; and a speed controller assembly.

[0019] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, other embodiments may include a speed controller assembly mounted to an elevator car.

[0020] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, other embodiments may include wherein the governor assembly is mounted in the shaft.

[0021] Unless otherwise expressly stated, the foregoing features and elements can be combined in various combinations without exclusivity. These features and elements, and their operation, will become more apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the following description and drawings are intended to be illustrative and interpretative in nature, and not restrictive. Attached Figure Description

[0022] This disclosure is illustrated by way of example and is not limited to the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference numerals indicate similar elements.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an elevator system that can be adopted according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the speed controller assembly in the example embodiment.

[0025] Figure 3 Elements of a speed controller assembly in an example embodiment are depicted.

[0026] Figure 4 A damper in an example embodiment is depicted. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Figure 1This is a perspective view of an elevator system 101, which includes an elevator car 103, a counterweight 105, a tension member 107, guide rails 109, a machine 111, a position reference system 113, and a controller 115. The elevator car 103 and the counterweight 105 are connected to each other via the tension member 107. The tension member 107 may include or be configured as, for example, a rope, cable, and / or coated steel strip. The counterweight 105 is configured to balance the load of the elevator car 103 and to facilitate simultaneous and opposite-direction movement of the elevator car 103 within the elevator shaft or hoistway 117 and along the guide rails 109 relative to the counterweight 105.

[0028] Tension member 107 engages machine 111, which is part of the overhead structure of elevator system 101. Machine 111 is configured to control movement between elevator car 103 and counterweight 105. Position reference system 113 may be mounted on a fixed portion at the top of hoistway 117, such as on a support or guide rail, and may be configured to provide a position signal relating to the position of elevator car 103 within hoistway 117. In other embodiments, position reference system 113 may be directly mounted to a moving part of machine 111, or may be located in other locations and / or configurations known in the art. Position reference system 113 may be any device or mechanism for monitoring the position of elevator car 103 and / or counterweight 105, as known in the art. For example, but not limited to, position reference system 113 may be an encoder, sensor, or other system, and may include speed sensing, absolute position sensing, etc., as those skilled in the art will appreciate.

[0029] As shown, controller 115 may be located in controller room 121 of hoistway 117 and configured to control the operation of elevator system 101, and particularly the operation of elevator car 103. It will be appreciated that controller 115 does not need to be in controller room 121, but may be located in hoistway 117 or elsewhere in the elevator system. Controller 115 may provide drive signals to machine 111 to control the acceleration, deceleration, leveling, stopping, etc., of elevator car 103. Controller 115 may also be configured to receive position signals from position reference system 113 or any other position reference device. When moving up or down along guide rail 109 within hoistway 117, elevator car 103 may stop at one or more floors 125 as controlled by controller 115. Although shown in controller room 121, those skilled in the art will appreciate that controller 115 may be located and / or configured in other locations or positions within elevator system 101. In one embodiment, controller 115 may be remotely located or situated in a distributed computing network (e.g., a cloud computing architecture). The controller 115 can be implemented using a processor-based machine, such as a personal computer, server, distributed computing network, etc.

[0030] Machine 111 may include a motor or similar drive mechanism. According to embodiments of this disclosure, machine 111 is configured to include an electrically driven motor. The power supply for the motor may be any power source (including a power grid), which, in combination with other components, is supplied to the motor. Machine 111 may include a traction pulley that applies a force to tension member 107 to move elevator car 103 within hoistway 117. Machine 111 may also include a brake to stop the movement of elevator car 103.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of an overspeed controller assembly 200 mounted on the elevator car 103, configured to provide a safety feature to the elevator car 103. In operation, the car-mounted overspeed controller assembly 200 enables the elevator car 103 to be effectively stopped during an overspeed event.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, the chassis 202 supports the speed controller 204. The speed controller 204 includes a safety lever 206, a trigger pulley 208, an inertial pulley 210, a centrifugal trigger mechanism 212, and a trigger ring 214. Figure 2 The diagram also shows cable 216, which may be a cable, rope, wire, etc. configured to extend between the top and bottom of the elevator shaft or shaft 117.

[0033] The chassis 202 is configured to attach to an external surface, structure, or side of the elevator car 103, such as a column of the elevator car 103 near the guide rails 109 on which the elevator car 103 travels. The chassis 202 may be a sheet metal and includes attachment points for the speed controller 204 and associated components. Additionally, the chassis 202 may include one or more openings 218 configured to attach the chassis 202, and thus the speed controller 204, to the elevator's structure or surface.

[0034] The chassis 202 also supports a safety device 220 configured to engage or trigger in the event of an overspeed condition of the elevator, thereby providing a safety mechanism employing the speed controller 204. In an exemplary embodiment, the triggering device may include a centrifugal triggering mechanism 212 attached to a trigger pulley 208 rotatably mounted to the chassis 202. Figure 2 As shown, the inertia pulley 210 can also be rotatably mounted to the chassis 202 and adjacent to the trigger pulley 208. The cable 216 can be anchored at the top of the elevator shaft or hoistway 117 and can be freely suspended. The cable 216 can also be tensioned by a mass block at the bottom of the elevator shaft or hoistway 117. At the speed controller assembly 200 mounted in the car, the cable 216 travels in an "S" pattern or coiled around the trigger pulley 208 and the inertia pulley 210. For example, the cable 216... Figure 1 Extending downwards on the left side, it wraps around the bottom of the inertial pulley 210, in Figure 2 It meanders upwards and to the left, wraps around trigger pulley 208, and then extends downwards to the right of trigger pulley 208.

[0035] During operation, as the elevator car 103 moves up and down within the elevator shaft or shaft, cable 216 transmits the elevator car speed to the speed controller 204 by looping around trigger pulley 208 and inertial pulley 210, as described above. Centrifugal trigger mechanism 212 rotates together with trigger pulley 208. In the event of overspeed when the elevator car 103 is traveling, centrifugal trigger mechanism 212 engages trigger pulley 208 with trigger ring 214. This occurs in response to the outward pivoting of the weight component of centrifugal trigger mechanism 212 in response to centrifugal force. Once engaged, trigger ring 214 moves together with trigger pulley 208. Figure 2 Both are in the counterclockwise direction. The force from the rotation of the trigger ring 214 is transmitted to the safety lever 206. Then, the counterclockwise movement of the safety lever 206 causes the safety device 220 to engage frictionally with other structures in the guide rail 109 or shaft or hoistway 117 to slow down or stop the elevator car 103.

[0036] Figure 2 The speed governor assembly in the example embodiment is a car-mounted speed governor assembly. Embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to car-mounted speed governor assemblies, but are also applicable to speed governor assemblies installed in other locations (e.g., in hoistway 117, in machine room, etc.).

[0037] Figure 2 In the example embodiment, the speed controller assembly 200 mechanically activates the safety device 220 via a safety lever 206. Embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to speed controller assemblies that mechanically activate elevator car safety brakes. In some embodiments, switch contacts or sensors (not shown) are used to electrically activate the elevator car safety brake. As the speed of the elevator car 103 increases, a weight member of the centrifugal trigger mechanism 212 pivots outward in response to centrifugal force. At a set speed, one of the weight members physically contacts the switch contact or is detected by a sensor. A signal from the switch contact or sensor is sent to a controller that initiates activation of the elevator car safety brake. Such systems are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2024 / 0199376, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0038] Embodiments of this disclosure use one or more dampers in the governor assembly 200 to prevent the elevator car safety brake from responding to acceleration rather than speed activation. Figure 3The trigger pulley 208 and centrifugal trigger mechanism 212 of the speed controller assembly 200 in the example embodiment are depicted. The trigger mechanism 212 includes, for example, three weight members 302, 304, and 306. It should be understood that the trigger mechanism 212 may include more or fewer than three weight members 302, 304, and 306.

[0039] Weight members 302, 304, and 306 are pivotally connected to trigger pulley 208 at first pivot positions 303, 305, and 307. Each of the first pivot positions 303, 305, and 307 may include an axis allowing rotation of the respective weight member 302, 304, and 306 relative to trigger pulley 208. Weight members 302, 304, and 306 are also pivotally connected to each other at second pivot positions 313, 315, and 317. Each of the second pivot positions 313, 315, and 317 may include an axis allowing rotation of the respective weight member 302, 304, and 306 relative to the respective adjacent weight member 302, 304, and 306.

[0040] In one embodiment, at least one of the first pivot positions 303, 305, and 307 includes a damper to dampen rotational movement between the respective weight members 302, 304, and 306 and the trigger pulley 208. One, two, or all of the first pivot positions 303, 305, and 307 may include dampers. The dampers may replace the shafts pivotally connecting the respective weight members 302, 304, and 306 and the trigger pulley 208.

[0041] In another embodiment, at least one of the second pivot positions 313, 315, and 317 includes a damper to dampen rotational movement between weight members 302, 304, and 306 and adjacent weight members 302, 304, and 306. One, two, or all of the second pivot positions 313, 315, and 317 may include dampers. The dampers may replace the shafts that pivotally connect the respective weight members 302, 304, and 306 to the adjacent weight members 302, 304, and 306.

[0042] The damper may also be used in combination with a damper at one or more of the first pivot positions 303, 305, and 307, and at one or more of the second pivot positions 313, 315, and 317. The number and location of the damper(s) used may vary depending on the application of the governor assembly 200.

[0043] The triggering mechanism 212 may also include one or more springs 330 connected to one or more of the weight members 302, 304 and 306. Figure 3A spring 330 is depicted connecting weight members 304 and 306. Additional springs may be used between other counterweight members 302, 304, and 306. One or more springs 330 are used to preload one or more of the weight members 302, 304, and 306. The one or more springs 330 may be linear springs (e.g.,...) Figure 3 (As shown in the illustration) or torsion spring, such as that described in U.S. Patent 11,453,571. One or more dampers may be used in conjunction with one or more springs.

[0044] Figure 4 A damper 400 in an example embodiment is depicted. The damper 400 is a rotary damper and includes a cylindrical housing 402 and a cylindrical rotor 404. The housing 402 contains a damping medium 406, such as a viscous fluid or a series of friction elements. The primary function of the rotary damper 400 is to absorb and dissipate kinetic energy, thereby reducing the amplitude of vibrations and stabilizing the movement of one or more of the weighted components 302, 304, and 306. The damping medium 406 within the housing 402 provides a damping effect. The damping medium 406 may be a viscous fluid (such as oil or silicone) or a series of friction elements (such as pads or discs). When the rotor 404 moves, it encounters resistance from the damping medium 406, which absorbs energy and reduces motion. Seals (such as O-rings) may be used, if necessary, to contain the damping medium 406 within the housing 402.

[0045] The damper 400 includes a first connection point 408 and a second connection point 410. In one embodiment, the first connection point 408 is connected to one of the weight members 302, 304, and 306, and the second connection point 410 is connected to the trigger pulley 208. In this embodiment, the damper 400 is located at one of the pivot points 303, 305, or 307. In another embodiment, the first connection point 408 is connected to one of the weight members 302, 304, and 306, and the second connection point 410 is connected to the other of the weight members 302, 304, and 306. In this embodiment, the damper 400 is located at one of the second pivot points 313, 315, or 317.

[0046] The use of one or more dampers 400 reduces the sensitivity of the weight components 302, 304, and 306 to the acceleration of the elevator car 103, making the governor assembly 200 robust to emergency braking and abnormal passenger behavior events. The embodiment prevents the governor assembly from unintentionally activating the elevator car safety brake during emergency braking or abnormal passenger behavior.

[0047] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that, when used in this specification, the terms “comprising” and / or “including” specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0048] Those skilled in the art will recognize that various exemplary embodiments have been shown and described herein, each having certain features in a particular embodiment, but this disclosure is not intended to be limiting. Rather, this disclosure may be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions, combinations, sub-combinations, or equivalent arrangements not described to date but commensurate with the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, while various embodiments of this disclosure have been described, it will be understood that aspects of this disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments. Therefore, this disclosure should not be considered limited to the foregoing description, but only to the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A speed controller assembly for an elevator car, the speed controller assembly comprising: Trigger pulley; A centrifugal triggering mechanism is configured to rotate together with the trigger pulley, and the centrifugal triggering mechanism is configured to activate the elevator car safety brake; The centrifugal trigger mechanism includes a first weight member configured to move in response to the rotational speed of the centrifugal trigger mechanism; as well as A first damper connected to the first weight component.

2. The governor assembly of claim 1, wherein, The first damper is a rotating damper.

3. The governor assembly of claim 2, wherein, The first damper includes: case; The rotor positioned within the housing; and The damping medium in the housing.

4. The governor assembly of claim 3, wherein, The first damper includes: A first connection point, configured to connect to the first weight component; and The second connection point is configured to connect to the trigger pulley.

5. The governor assembly of claim 4, wherein, The first damper is located at the pivot point between the first weight member and the trigger pulley.

6. The governor assembly of claim 1, wherein, The centrifugal triggering mechanism also includes: The second weight component is configured to move in response to the rotational speed of the centrifugal trigger mechanism.

7. The governor assembly of claim 6, wherein, The first damper is connected to the second weight component.

8. The governor assembly of claim 7, wherein, The first damper is located at the pivot point between the first weight member and the second weight member.

9. The speed governor assembly according to claim 6, further comprising: The second damper is connected to the second weight member.

10. The governor assembly of claim 9, wherein, The second damper includes: A first connection point, configured for connection to the second weight component; and The second connection point is configured to connect to the trigger pulley.

11. The speed governor assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: A spring, which is connected to the first weight component.

12. The governor assembly of claim 1, wherein, The centrifugal triggering mechanism activates the elevator car safety brake via a mechanical linkage.

13. The governor assembly of claim 1, wherein, The centrifugal triggering mechanism activates the elevator car safety brake via an electrical signal.

14. An elevator system, comprising: Well shaft; An elevator car configured to travel within the shaft; as well as The speed controller assembly according to claim 1.

15. The elevator system of claim 14, wherein, The speed controller assembly is installed in the elevator car.

16. The elevator system of claim 14, wherein, The speed governor assembly is installed in the shaft.

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