Elevator platform locking system

Abstract

This invention relates to an elevator platform locking system. The elevator system includes an elevator car arranged to travel between multiple floors in an elevator shaft. The platform locking system includes a car portion disposed on the elevator car and a landing portion disposed at a landing. The car portion includes a connecting assembly, and the landing portion is arranged along the elevator shaft and has a socket. The connecting assembly is configured to selectively engage with the socket at the landing to securely connect the elevator car to the elevator shaft. In the engaged state, vertical movement of the elevator car is prevented. The connecting assembly is also configured to selectively disengage from the socket at the landing to separate the elevator car from the elevator shaft. In the disengaged state, the elevator car travels freely within the elevator shaft.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The topics disclosed in this article generally relate to elevator systems, and more particularly to elevator car and elevator platform locking devices and systems. Background Technology

[0002] Elevator systems are used to transport loads between floors in a building. The loads can be very high, and the elevator car may tend to travel as such loads are added to or unloaded. One type of high-load elevator is a vehicle or car elevator. Vehicle elevators are commonly used in multi-level parking structures, car showrooms, and auto service centers to move vehicles between floors. In urban environments with limited horizontal space, these systems are crucial for optimizing space utilization. By enabling vertical transport of vehicles, these elevators help maximize the number of vehicles that can be accommodated within a given footprint.

[0003] Traditional vehicle elevators typically face challenges related to load balancing, safety, and operational efficiency. The weight of the vehicle can vary significantly, and the elevator system must be able to handle these variations without compromising safety or performance. Furthermore, loading and unloading the vehicle must be smooth and safe to prevent damage and ensure the safety of operators and passengers. Another challenge is the alignment of the elevator platform with the landing level. Misalignment can lead to difficulties in driving the vehicle onto and off the platform, potentially causing damage to the vehicle or the elevator system. Therefore, precise control mechanisms and robust locking systems are required to maintain the platform in a stable and level position during loading and unloading operations. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to some embodiments, an elevator system is provided. The elevator system includes an elevator car and a platform locking system, the elevator car being arranged to travel between multiple floors in an elevator shaft. The platform locking system includes a car portion disposed on the elevator car and a platform portion disposed at a first floor among the multiple floors, the car portion having a coupling assembly, and the platform portion being disposed along the elevator shaft and having a socket. The coupling assembly is configured to selectively engage with the socket at the first floor to securely connect the elevator car to the elevator shaft, wherein, in the connected state, vertical movement of the elevator car is prevented, and the coupling assembly is configured to selectively disengage from the socket at the first floor to separate the elevator car from the elevator shaft, wherein, in the separated state, the elevator car travels freely within the elevator shaft.

[0005] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, another embodiment of the elevator system may include: each of a plurality of landings includes a corresponding landing portion having a corresponding socket, wherein the connection assembly of the elevator car is configured to selectively connect and disconnect with each of the plurality of sockets.

[0006] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, other embodiments of the elevator system may include: a landing portion including a plurality of sockets, and a car portion including a plurality of connection components, wherein each connection component is configured to selectively connect with a corresponding socket among the plurality of sockets.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, another embodiment of the elevator system may include: a socket comprising one or more socket ramps configured to press at least a portion of the connecting assembly into a socket cavity defined by the socket.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, another embodiment of the elevator system may include: the car portion including a support arm, wherein a connecting assembly is arranged at the end of the support arm.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, another embodiment of the elevator system may include: a support arm movably supported on a mounting bracket, wherein the mounting bracket is securely attached to the elevator car.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, other embodiments of the elevator system may include: a mounting bracket including at least one support rail, and a support arm including at least one roller configured to travel along at least one support rail.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, another embodiment of the elevator system may include a linear actuator configured to selectively drive movement of the support arm to engage or disengage the coupling assembly from the socket.

[0012] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, another embodiment of the elevator system may include: a coupling assembly including a support arm, a hydraulic cylinder supported at the end of the support arm, and a movable element operatively connected to the hydraulic cylinder, wherein the movable element is configured to move relative to the support arm during engagement and disengagement of the coupling assembly from the bearing housing.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, another embodiment of the elevator system may include: when the movable element is placed in the socket, the hydraulic cylinder is selectively locked to prevent movement of the movable element.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, another embodiment of the elevator system may include: a hydraulic cylinder including a housing, a piston disposed within the housing and dividing the hydraulic cylinder into a first chamber and a second chamber, working fluid contained within the first chamber and the second chamber, and a flow path connecting the first chamber to the second chamber.

[0015] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, another embodiment of the elevator system may include a flow controller arranged along a flow path, the flow controller being configured to selectively control the flow between the first chamber and the second chamber.

[0016] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, another embodiment of the elevator system may include: a flow controller configured to prevent flow between the first and second chambers when the movable element is placed in the socket.

[0017] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, other embodiments of the elevator system may include: the movable element including one or more ramps configured to push the movable element to be placed in a socket.

[0018] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, another embodiment of the elevator system may include an elevator controller configured to selectively control the operation of the platform locking system.

[0019] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, other embodiments of the elevator system may include at least one sensor assembly arranged to detect engagement between the car section and the landing section.

[0020] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, other embodiments of the elevator system may include at least one sensor assembly arranged to detect the proximity of the car section and the landing section.

[0021] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, another embodiment of the elevator system may include at least one sensor assembly arranged to monitor hydraulic pressure within the platform locking system.

[0022] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, another embodiment of the elevator system may include: a car portion disposed below the car sill on the bottom of the elevator car, and a landing portion disposed below the landing sill of the first landing.

[0023] According to some embodiments, a method for operating an elevator system is provided. The elevator system includes an elevator car, at least one landing, and a platform locking system having a car portion and a landing portion. The car portion has a coupling assembly on the elevator car, and the landing portion has a socket at at least one landing. The method includes: moving the elevator car to at least one landing; deploying at least a portion of the coupling assembly of the car portion to engage with a socket of the landing portion; engaging the coupling assembly to form a fixed connection with the socket; disengaging the coupling assembly from the fixed connection with the socket; and retracting at least a portion of the coupling assembly from the socket.

[0024] Unless otherwise expressly indicated, the foregoing features and elements may 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, rather than limiting. Attached Figure Description

[0025] This subject matter is specifically pointed out and explicitly claimed at the end of the specification. The foregoing and other features and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 These are schematic illustrations of elevator systems that may employ various embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 2A This is a schematic illustration of a platform locking system for an elevator system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the platform locking system being shown in a first operating phase; Figure 2B It is in the second operational phase. Figure 2A A schematic diagram of a platform locking system; Figure 2C It is in the third operational stage. Figure 2A A schematic diagram of a platform locking system that connects the elevator car to the landing. Figure 2D Illustration Figure 2A The separation operation of the platform locking system; Figure 3A This is a schematic illustration of a platform locking system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 3B yes Figure 3A A schematic diagram of the layer station section of the platform locking system; Figure 3C yes Figure 3A A schematic diagram of a portion of the car section of the platform locking system; Figure 3D yes Figure 3A A schematic diagram of another part of the car section of the platform locking system; Figure 3E This is shown as the connection between the car section and the landing section before... Figure 3A A side view of the operation steps of the platform locking system; Figure 3F It is shown as having a connection between the car section and the landing section. Figure 3A A side-view cross-sectional diagram of the platform locking system; Figure 3G It is shown as having a connection between the car section and the landing section. Figure 3A A top view of the platform locking system; Figure 4A It is a schematic illustration of an elevator car having multiple platform locking systems according to the present disclosure, shown in a disengaged state; Figure 4B The diagram shows the parts in the engagement state. Figure 4A The system; Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a method for operating an elevator system according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and Figure 6 This is a schematic illustration of an example of a sensor assembly that can be incorporated into embodiments of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an elevator system 101, which includes an elevator car 103, a counterweight 105, a rope 107, guide rails 109, a machine 111, a position encoder 113, and an elevator controller 115. The elevator car 103 and the counterweight 105 are connected to each other by the rope 107. The rope 107 may include or be configured as, for example, a rope, steel cable, and / or coated steel strip. The counterweight 105 is configured to balance the load of the elevator car 103 and is configured to facilitate simultaneous and opposite movement of the elevator car 103 relative to the counterweight 105 within the elevator shaft 117 and along the guide rails 109.

[0027] The hanging rope 107 engages with the machine 111, which in this illustrative embodiment is part of the overhead structure of the elevator system 101, although other arrangements are possible without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The machine 111 is configured to control movement between the elevator car 103 and the counterweight 105. A position encoder 113 may be mounted on the upper pulley of the speed regulator system 119 and may be configured to provide a position signal relating to the position of the elevator car 103 within the elevator shaft 117. In other embodiments, the position encoder 113 may be directly mounted to the moving part of the machine 111, or may be located in other locations and / or configurations as known in the art.

[0028] As shown in the illustrative arrangement, elevator controller 115 is located in controller room 121 of elevator shaft 117 and is configured to control the operation of elevator system 101 and, in particular, the operation of elevator car 103. In other embodiments, controller 115 may be located in other locations, including but not limited to being fixed to a landing or landing door, or in a cabinet located at a landing. Elevator controller 115 may provide drive signals to machine 111 to control the acceleration, deceleration, leveling, stopping, etc., of elevator car 103. Elevator controller 115 may also be configured to receive position signals from position encoder 113. When moving up or down along guide rail 109 within elevator shaft 117, elevator car 103 may stop at one or more landings 125 as controlled by elevator controller 115. Although shown in controller room 121, those skilled in the art will recognize that elevator controller 115 may be located and / or constructed in other locations or positions within elevator system 101.

[0029] 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 device for the motor may be any power source, including a power grid, which supplies power to the motor in combination with other components. Although shown and described as having a rope system, elevator systems employing other methods and mechanisms for moving the elevator car within an elevator shaft may utilize embodiments of this disclosure. Figure 1 These are non-limiting examples presented merely for illustrative and explanatory purposes. For example, although the illustration shows a passenger elevator system, it will be appreciated that vehicles, automobiles, and other heavy-duty elevator systems may be constructed with similar features and components.

[0030] It is advantageous to enable the elevator car to be fixed or otherwise coupled to a building or elevator shaft to provide a robust and rigid connection. Such a rigid connection can be used for loading and unloading operations, particularly for potentially heavy loads and / or to ensure that the elevator car sill remains substantially flush with adjacent landings. Such a system can be arranged and configured to accommodate misalignment between the car sill and landings, especially during coupling operations. Once the coupling is complete, the system can be secured or fixed to prevent or substantially minimize further movement of the elevator car. According to some embodiments of this disclosure, elevator cars into which the elevator platform locking system described herein can be incorporated may be passenger elevator cars, cargo or maintenance elevator cars, vehicle elevator cars, etc., as will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein.

[0031] Now for reference Figures 2A to 2D Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of a portion of an elevator system 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The elevator system 200 includes an elevator car 202 having a car sill 204 mounted or installed on an elevator platform 206. The elevator car 200 is movable along an elevator shaft and configured to stop at one or more floors / stations, and as shown in Figure 2, the car sill 204 is arranged adjacent to a station sill 208 of station 210. Station 210 may be one of a plurality of different stations arranged vertically along the elevator shaft and / or may be one of a plurality of different stations arranged at a single level in the elevator shaft. During operation, the elevator car 200 may be configured to selectively and securely engage or connect with the building to ensure that the elevator car 200 does not move when a load is added to or removed from the elevator car 200.

[0032] To securely and permanently connect the elevator car 200 to the landing 210, the elevator car 200 and the landing 210 are constructed with a platform locking system 212. As shown in this illustrative configuration, the platform locking system 212 includes a landing portion 214 and a car portion 216. The landing portion 214 of the platform locking system 212 is attached to the landing 210 (or the wall of the elevator shaft) below the landing sill 208. The car portion 216 of the platform locking system 212 is mounted in or to the elevator platform 206 below the car sill 204. When the elevator car 200 is positioned at the landing 210, it is desirable to ensure that the car sill 204 does not move relative to the landing sill 208, especially during loading / unloading operations. Therefore, when the elevator car 200 stops at the landing 210, the landing portion 214 and the car portion 216 are arranged to be substantially aligned.

[0033] The landing portion 214 includes a socket 218 attached to the landing 210 and / or the landing sill 208, and in this configuration, it is positioned below the landing sill 208 and attached to the wall of the elevator shaft. It will be appreciated that similar configurations may be incorporated at the top portion of the elevator car or located at other positions and / or locations on the walls of the elevator shaft and / or on the elevator car. The socket 218 is configured to receive a portion or component of the car portion 216 within a socket cavity 220.

[0034] The car portion 216 includes a support arm 222, with a coupling assembly 224 disposed at the end of the support arm 222. The coupling assembly 224 includes a hydraulic cylinder 226 disposed at the end of the support arm 222. The hydraulic cylinder 226 defines a housing having an internal cavity containing a working fluid 228 (e.g., an incompressible fluid). The internal cavity of the hydraulic cylinder 226 is divided into a first chamber 230 and a second chamber 232, which are separated by a piston 234. The piston 234 is part of a movable element 236 configured to move within the internal cavity of the hydraulic cylinder 226 to change the size of the respective chambers 230, 232 and the amount of working fluid 228 in each of the respective chambers 230, 232. To accommodate changes in the position of the piston 234 and movement of the movable element 236, the first chamber 230 and the second chamber 232 are fluidly connected via a flow path 238. For example, when the working fluid 228 enters the first chamber 230, the piston 234 can be pushed toward the second chamber 232, causing the volume of the second chamber 232 to decrease and the volume of the first chamber 230 to increase. When this occurs, the piston 234 moves relative to the hydraulic cylinder 226, and the movable element 236 also moves relative to the hydraulic cylinder 226. The movable element 236 includes a ramp 240. The ramp 240 has a tapered surface arranged such that the car portion 216 can engage with the landing portion 214. The ramp 240 is configured to slidably engage with the surface of the socket 218, such that the coupling assembly 224 can be inserted into and engage with the socket 218. In other configurations, the ramp 240 may be replaced by a tapered pin or other structure that can adjust the alignment between the two elements during engagement of the coupling assembly 224 and the socket 218.

[0035] As by Figure 2A As indicated by arrow 242, the connecting assembly 224 can be translated by extending the support arm 222. Figure 2B The image shows a portion of the extension of the support arm 222. (See image for reference.) Figures 2A to 2BAs shown, the car sill 204 is arranged slightly above or offset from the landing sill 208. This offset is acceptable for its intended use, but it can cause misalignment of the coupling assembly 224 relative to the socket 218. Accordingly, misalignment can cause problems with the coupling when the coupling assembly 224 is deployed or activated to engage with the socket 218. However, because the coupling assembly 224 is configured with a piston 234 and working fluid 228, when the coupling assembly 224 moves into the socket cavity 220, the ramp 240 can contact the socket 218 to move the movable portion 236 relative to the hydraulic cylinder 226. When the movable portion 236 is pushed into movement, it causes the working fluid 228 to move from one of the cavities (e.g., the first chamber 230) defined within the hydraulic cylinder 226 to another cavity (e.g., the second chamber 232).

[0036] In some configurations, the size and shape of the connecting assembly 224 may be set slightly smaller than the inner surface of the socket 218, enabling a transition fit or line-to-line engagement. A clearance fit may also be used. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the ramp 240 may be formed of a semi-compliant material that allows for an interference fit between the connecting assembly 224 and the socket 218.

[0037] like Figure 2C As shown, the coupling assembly 224 engages within the socket 218, with a ramp 240 arranged to contact the inner surface of the socket 218. As shown, the second chamber 232 is significantly larger than the first chamber 230 because the piston 234 moves downward relative to the hydraulic cylinder 226. Once the coupling assembly 224 is engaged within the socket 218, a flow controller 242 (e.g., a valve, flow restrictor, etc.) can be used to close the flow path 238 to ensure that the elevator car 200 does not move further. With the flow controller 242 closed, movement of the working fluid 228 between chambers 230, 232 is prevented, thus holding the piston 234 in place and thereby securing the coupling assembly 224 firmly within the socket 218. In some configurations, partial flow restriction can be used to achieve variable stiffness of the connection between the coupling assembly 224 and the socket 218, thereby allowing a certain amount of movement, such as enabling load detection. With the connecting assembly 224 engaged with the socket 218, the elevator car 200 is fixedly connected to the elevator shaft to ensure that the car sill 204 does not move when the load 244 moves onto (or leaves) the elevator car 200.

[0038] like Figure 2DAs shown, after the load 244 is moved onto the elevator car 200, the flow controller 242 can be reopened to allow the flow of working fluid 228 between the two chambers 230, 232 of the hydraulic cylinder 226. When the coupling assembly 224 is removed from the socket 218, the elevator car 200 can change its position (move) within the elevator shaft because the elevator car 200 is no longer fixedly connected to the elevator shaft using the platform locking system 212.

[0039] According to some embodiments, the operation of the platform locking system of this disclosure can be performed automatically, remotely, manually, or in a combination of these methods. In the case of an automatic platform locking system, the operation of the platform locking system can be performed automatically before the door opens when the elevator car arrives at a designated floor and the elevator car door is intended to open for loading / unloading. This can be controlled by an elevator controller, etc., as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In the case of manual or remote operation, the user can activate a button, switch, key activation, etc., to induce the platform locking system to operate and engage the coupling components with the bearing, as described above. According to some non-limiting embodiments, a passive system (e.g., hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, electronic, mechanical, etc.) is provided, wherein a double-acting hydraulic cylinder assembly (e.g., hydraulic cylinder 226, piston 234, movable element 236, and working fluid 228) is used to restrict the movement of the elevator car. The cylinder (e.g., hydraulic cylinder 226) is configured such that the piston (e.g., piston 234) is free to adapt to any station inaccuracies during engagement, as fluid (e.g., working fluid 228) flows from one end of the cylinder to the other (e.g., between chambers 230, 232). Once a rigid connection is required, the flow between the ends (e.g., chambers 230, 232) is blocked by a flow controller (e.g., flow controller 242), and the cylinder exhibits rigidity due to the incompressible nature of the working fluid 228. The load can then be released by allowing flow between the cylinder ends.

[0040] Now for reference Figures 3A to 3G The illustration shows a schematic diagram of a platform locking system 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3A This is a perspective view of the platform locking system 300. Figure 3B The diagram shows a portion of the layer station section 302 of the platform locking system 300. Figure 3C The diagram shows part 304 of the car section of the platform locking system 300. Figure 3D The figure shows a mounting bracket 306 for connecting the car portion 304 to the elevator car. Figure 3E This is a side elevation view of the platform locking system 300 in its retracted state. Figure 3F This is a side elevation view of a platform locking system 300 in an extended or deployed state. Figure 3GThis is a bottom view showing the car portion 304 of the platform locking system 300 in an extended or deployed state. The platform locking system 300 can be installed on the elevator car in a manner similar to that shown and described above, and can be operated to selectively and rigidly connect the elevator car to the building.

[0041] refer to Figures 3A to 3G The platform locking system 300 includes a landing section 302 and a car section 304. The landing section 302 includes a socket 308 that defines a socket cavity 310 for receiving a connecting assembly 312 of the car section 304. Figure 3B As shown, the landing portion 302 includes a socket mounting bracket 314 for securing a socket 308 to an elevator shaft wall, a landing sill, or other structure located near the landing door of the elevator system. The socket 308 may also include an optional socket ramp 316 defined as an angled surface. The socket ramp 316 may be arranged to facilitate placement of a coupling assembly 312 within the socket cavity 310 of the socket 308. The coupling assembly 312 may include a corresponding ramp 318 arranged on a movable element 320 of the car portion 304. The ramp 318 may facilitate placement of the movable element 320 within the socket 308. For example, if the movable element 320 is not aligned with the socket 308, the ramp 318 may allow the movable element 320 to be pressed into proper placement within the socket 308. The movable element 320 is configured to move relative to the hydraulic cylinder 322, similar to the situation described above, such as by the flow of working fluid between two chambers separated by a piston.

[0042] Hydraulic cylinder 322 and movable element 320 are arranged at the end of support arm 324. Support arm 324 is movable and driven by linear actuator 326. Support arm 324 includes one or more rollers 328 to allow linear or translational movement of support arm 324 relative to mounting bracket 306 of car section 304. Mounting bracket 306 includes support rail 330, along which rollers 328 will travel when linear actuator 326 is actuated to deploy (extend or retract) support arm 324 and attached components / elements. Linear actuator 326 may be controlled via wired or wireless communication with elevator controller or other electronic control system. In some embodiments, as noted above, linear actuator 326 may be configured to be automatically actuated when the associated elevator car arrives at a landing and the elevator doors are to be opened for loading / unloading. During operation, the coupling assembly 312 is moved by the linear operation of the linear actuator 326, and the coupling assembly 312 is guided into the socket cavity 310 of the socket 308. As the coupling assembly 312 begins to enter the socket cavity 310, the ramp 318 of the coupling assembly 312 and the socket ramp 316 can interact to help position the coupling assembly 312 within the socket 308.

[0043] When the connecting assembly 312 is positioned within the socket 308, the movable element 320 can be freely adjusted upwards or downwards due to the free flow of the working fluid, similar to the situation described above. For example, the working fluid may be in two chambers or cavities (e.g., Figures 2A to 2D Free flow occurs between the first chamber 230 and the second chamber 232 shown. When the coupling assembly 312 is fully inserted into the socket 308, working fluid can be contained within the hydraulic cylinder 322 and the flow path 332. A flow controller 334 is arranged along the flow path 332 and configured to selectively stop the free flow through the flow path 332. For example, when the coupling assembly 312 is in the retracted state (e.g., ...), Figure 3E Move to a deployed or extended state (e.g., Figure 3A , Figure 3F , Figure 3G When the flow controller 334 is in the open state, the flow controller 334 is turned on or in the open state. Once the connecting assembly 312 is placed in or connected to the socket 308, the flow controller 334 can be turned off, shut off, or otherwise enter the closed state to prevent free flow of the working fluid. In order to prevent the working fluid from flowing through the flow path 332, and since the working fluid is incompressible, the connecting assembly 312 will become a rigid structure that will not move and thus can hold the elevator car in place relative to the landing.

[0044] In some configurations, variable stiffness of the connection can be achieved using intermediate flow control operations for confined flow between chambers. Such intermediate or variable stiffness connections allow for small movements of the elevator car while maintaining a substantially rigid connection that would prevent large movements of the elevator car. Accordingly, re-leveling or minor vertical adjustments of the elevator car can occur to align the car with the landing. After leveling or re-leveling during such an intermediate connection step, fluid flow can be completely confined to fix the elevator car to the landing, as described above. For example, such intermediate or variable stiffness connections can also be used to estimate or measure the load on the elevator car by monitoring the pressure of the fluid within the connection.

[0045] Now for reference Figures 3E to 3G This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the platform locking system 300. Figure 3E The diagram shows the platform locking system 300 in its retracted state. Figures 3F to 3G The diagram illustrates a platform locking system 300 in a deployed or extended state. (Example) Figures 3E to 3F As shown, the platform locking system 300 can be installed or attached to the bottom of the elevator platform 336. For example, the mounting bracket 306 can be configured to be securely attached to the elevator platform 336 using fasteners, welding, adhesive, or other attachment methods. When in the retracted state ( Figure 3EWhen the elevator car is in motion, the connecting component 312 is positioned below the car sill 338 and does not extend, so that the connecting component 312 does not interfere with the movement of the elevator car in the elevator shaft.

[0046] When the platform locking system 300 is actuated or operated, such as when reaching a landing with a landing sill 340, the linear actuator 326 can be operated to deploy and extend the support arm 324 along the support rail 330. The coupling assembly 312 thus moves toward the socket 308. As the coupling assembly 312 begins to enter the socket cavity 310 of the socket 308, the ramp 318 of the coupling assembly 312 can contact and interact with the socket ramp 316 to cause the movable element 320 to be pushed into center within the socket 308. Note that the position of the support arm 324 does not change as the movable element 320 moves due to the interaction of ramps 316, 318. That is, only the movable element 320 is vertically adjusted during engagement / coupling operations. The movable element 320 is vertically adjusted by means of working fluid flowing between the two chambers of the hydraulic cylinder, as described above. Once the movable element 320 is placed within the housing 308, the flow controller 334 switches to a closed state to prevent further fluid flow between the chambers, thus making the assembly a rigid structure capable of holding the elevator car in place during loading and unloading. After the loading / unloading operations(s) are completed, the flow controller 334 can be opened, and the coupling assembly 312 can be retracted from the housing 308 by the operation of the linear actuator 326.

[0047] like Figures 3A to 3C As shown, the socket 308 is box-shaped, having two vertical walls and two horizontal walls, and the connecting assembly 312 has a complementary shape. In some configurations, the vertical portion may be omitted, where the socket is defined by two parallel plates, etc. Such parallel plates may include socket ramps or other tapered surfaces to facilitate positioning of the connecting assembly within the socket. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the socket may be defined along the entire width of the elevator shaft, such that a single large socket extending the width of the landing / elevator car can be arranged to receive one or more connecting assemblies. Additionally, although shown as having a substantially square shape, it will be appreciated that other geometries of the socket and / or connecting assembly may be employed without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The geometries of the connecting assembly and the socket may be selected to achieve self-alignment between the two components, such as by using tapered surfaces, tapered pins, etc.

[0048] In the configuration described above, the platform locking system is shown and illustrated as a hydraulic configuration that relies on the flow of incompressible working fluid between the chambers of a hydraulic cylinder. The flow can be controlled by a flow controller to prevent or limit the flow and lock the system into a rigid or semi-rigid state. However, it will be appreciated that other types of mechanisms can be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, and not limited to, magnetorheological systems, pneumatic devices, mechanical springs and locking arrangements, solenoids and / or linear actuators, etc., can be used to achieve free movement and selective locking / fixing. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the configurations described and illustrated above are for illustrative and explanatory purposes only and are not intended to be limited to the specific features described herein.

[0049] Furthermore, although a linear actuator is used to illustrate and describe translation or extension of the coupling assembly, other mechanisms for translational movement may be employed without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, and not limited to, linear actuators, rack and pinion configurations, gear transmission systems, magnetic systems, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, electric actuators, etc., may be used to provide lateral or horizontal movement, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0050] Now for reference Figures 4A to 4B This illustration shows a schematic diagram of an elevator car 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The elevator car 400 is configured to travel within an elevator shaft 402. In some configurations, the elevator shaft 402 may include a plurality of different floors or landings that can be arranged vertically along the elevator shaft. In some configurations, a plurality of elevator landing doors may be arranged on a single floor, and the elevator car 400 may rotate or translate from one landing door to the next landing door (e.g., car elevator, parking lift, etc.). Furthermore, the elevator car 400 may be used to perform a combination of vertical and horizontal movement to provide access to multiple different locations within a building. The elevator car 400 and the elevator shaft 402 are configured with a plurality of platform locking systems 404 at each landing. Figures 4A to 4B The diagram shows four platform locking systems 404. Each platform locking system 404 includes a corresponding car section 406 installed to the elevator car 400 and a corresponding landing section 408 for receiving a portion of the corresponding car section 406.

[0051] Figure 4A The diagram illustrates a platform locking system 404 in a retracted state, with a gap 410 between the elevator car 400 and the elevator shaft 402. The gap 410 is restricted during normal operation, allowing the elevator car 400 to move freely along the elevator shaft 402. Figure 4BThe diagram illustrates a platform locking system 404 in a deployed or extended state. As shown, the car portion 406 spans the gap 410 to engage with the corresponding landing portion 408. It will be appreciated that, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, the elevator car may include one, two, three, four, or more platform locking systems, which may be arranged at the top, bottom, or between the top and bottom of the elevator car. The number and arrangement of the platform locking systems can be customized depending on the load expected to be carried by the elevator car to achieve the desired robust and stable connection between the elevator car and the building.

[0052] Now for reference Figure 5 The diagram illustrates a process 500 for operating an elevator system. The elevator system used to perform process 500 includes at least one platform locking system, such as those shown and described above. At step 502, the elevator car moves to the landing where loading / unloading operations will be performed. When the elevator car arrives at the landing, the platform locking system may be deployed at step 504 before or simultaneously with opening the elevator car doors. During the deployment step of step 504, the coupling assembly may extend from the elevator car toward a socket disposed on the building defining the elevator shaft. During deployment, a movable element of the coupling assembly is free to move to adjust in a vertical position relative to the socket to allow the movable element to be fully seated within the socket.

[0053] At step 506, the platform locking system is engaged to form a rigid connection and coupling between the elevator car and the building. Engagement is achieved by preventing flow between the fluid chambers of the hydraulic cylinders, as shown and described above. In other embodiments, alternative (or additional) mechanisms may be employed to securely fasten the movable elements and coupling assembly to the building. At step 508, with the elevator car securely coupled to the building via the platform locking system, loading and / or unloading operations can be performed. Once loading / unloading is complete, at step 510, the platform locking assembly can be released from the coupling / engagement with the housing and retracted to allow free movement of the elevator car.

[0054] Now for reference Figure 6 This illustration shows a schematic diagram of an elevator system 600 with a platform locking system 602 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The platform locking system 602 may be similar to the systems shown and described above, and therefore, for simplicity and clarity, similar features may not be illustrated, labeled, or discussed. The platform locking system 602 includes a coupling component 604 that can be selectively deployed or extended to engage with a socket 606, for example, as shown and described above. The coupling component 604 is attached to the elevator car 608, and the socket 606 is attached to a landing 610.

[0055] In this illustrative configuration, the platform locking system 602 includes multiple sensors or sensor assemblies that can be used to assist in the operation of the platform locking system 602 and / or the operation of the elevator system 600. For example, a first sensor assembly 610 may be provided to detect when the coupling assembly 604 is positioned within the socket 606. Such detection can provide data to the controller to determine when the coupling assembly 604 is fully inserted into the socket 606, and thus fluid flow locking or other locking of the coupling assembly 604 can be performed. A second sensor assembly 612 may be provided to detect the initial alignment position of the elevator car 608 relative to the landing 610. In some non-limiting configurations, and for illustrative purposes only, the second sensor assembly 612 may be used to perform a re-leveling operation prior to the deployment of the coupling assembly 604. Accordingly, initial leveling and positioning of the coupling assembly 604 relative to the socket 606 can be performed. It will be appreciated that the re-leveling or initial leveling does not need to be complete, as the platform locking system 602 may include the ramps discussed above to allow minimal offset while still ensuring proper engagement and rigid connection.

[0056] In this illustration, the platform locking system 602 includes a third sensor assembly 614, which can be coupled to the flow lines and / or hydraulic system of the platform locking system 602. The third sensor assembly 614 can be used to monitor the hydraulic circuit and measure hydraulic pressure to estimate the load in the elevator car. This information can be transmitted to the elevator controller, which can then adjust the power to ensure support for the load after the platform locking assembly disengages from the building, allowing the elevator to properly support the load. For example, a small, measurable flow can be achieved by allowing restricted flow between the chambers of the coupling assembly 604, and the load on the elevator car can be obtained based on the flow or its properties. During such a state, the platform locking system 602 can be in a partially fixed engagement, allowing a small or acceptable amount of movement of the elevator car relative to the landing. In some embodiments, the partially restricted flow can be used to allow damping of the elevator car's bounce or for other purposes, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In other words, the platform locking system 602 may have variable stiffness, ranging from no engagement and the elevator car moving freely in the elevator shaft to a fully fixed engagement and the flow in the platform locking system 602 is completely restricted and fluid exchange between its chambers is blocked.

[0057] Advantageously, embodiments of this disclosure are directed to systems and mechanisms for securely and rigidly connecting or coupling an elevator car to a building on a selective basis. The systems disclosed herein offer a relatively compact construction that allows for engagement and disengagement with relatively small forces and the transmission of large forces without relative movement. According to some embodiments, automatic coupling of the elevator car to the building can be performed to ensure the elevator car is secured during load loading and unloading. In some configurations, a platform locking system can be used for transport vehicles or high-load elevators, such as those with a capacity of 5 tons (10,000 lbs; approximately 4,500 kg) or greater, and multiple platform locking systems can increase the load capacity for the elevator. Furthermore, advantageously, the systems disclosed herein provide an easy or simple release mechanism by reversing the engagement operation after engagement and coupling. Furthermore, advantageously, embodiments of this disclosure also enable selective coupling of the elevator car to the building, even when there is an offset between the elevator car portion and the landing portion of the platform locking system. For example, components of the platform locking system may include ramps or angled surfaces provided to ensure engagement without requiring perfect alignment between components. Furthermore, the use of hydraulic, pneumatic, or other similar mechanisms allows for passive adjustment of components during engagement and connection, thus enabling automated operations for connection and disconnection.

[0058] As used herein, the use of the terms “a,” “an,” “the,” and similar references in the context of the description (especially in the context of the following claims) shall be construed as covering both the singular and plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or specifically contradicted by the context. The modifier “about” used in conjunction with quantities includes the stated value and has a meaning determined by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with the measurement of the particular quantity).

[0059] Although this disclosure has been described in detail with reference to only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that this disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, modifications may be made to this disclosure to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions, combinations, sub-combinations, or equivalent arrangements not previously described but commensurate with the spirit and 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 as limited to the foregoing description, but only to the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An elevator system, comprising: An elevator car, which is arranged to travel between multiple floors in an elevator shaft; as well as The platform locking system includes: A car portion, disposed on the elevator car, the car portion including a connecting assembly; and The landing section, located at the first of the plurality of landings, is arranged along the elevator shaft and includes a support socket. The connecting assembly is configured to selectively engage with the socket at the first floor to securely connect the elevator car to the elevator shaft, wherein, in the connected state, vertical movement of the elevator car is prevented. The connecting component is configured to selectively disengage from the socket at the first floor to separate the elevator car from the elevator shaft, wherein, in the separated state, the elevator car can move freely within the elevator shaft.

2. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the plurality of landing stations includes a corresponding landing section having a corresponding socket, wherein the connection assembly of the elevator car is configured to selectively connect and disconnect with each of the plurality of sockets.

3. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein, The landing section includes a plurality of sockets, and the car section includes a plurality of connecting assemblies, wherein each connecting assembly is configured to selectively connect to a corresponding socket among the plurality of sockets.

4. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein, The socket includes one or more socket ramps configured to press at least a portion of the coupling assembly into a socket cavity defined by the socket.

5. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein, The car section includes a support arm, wherein the connecting assembly is disposed at the end of the support arm.

6. The elevator system according to claim 5, wherein, The support arm is movably supported on a mounting bracket, wherein the mounting bracket is securely attached to the elevator car.

7. The elevator system according to claim 6, wherein: The mounting bracket includes at least one support rail; and The support arm includes at least one roller configured to travel along the at least one support track.

8. The elevator system of claim 5, further comprising a linear actuator configured to selectively drive movement of the support arm to engage or disengage the coupling assembly from the bearing.

9. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein, The connection component includes: Support arm; A hydraulic cylinder, supported at the end of the support arm; and A movable element operatively connected to the hydraulic cylinder. The movable element is configured to move relative to the support arm during the engagement and disengagement of the coupling assembly with the bearing socket.

10. The elevator system according to claim 9, wherein, When the movable element is placed in the socket, the hydraulic cylinder is selectively locked to prevent movement of the movable element.

11. The elevator system according to claim 9, wherein, The hydraulic cylinder includes: case; A piston is arranged within the housing and divides the hydraulic cylinder into a first chamber and a second chamber. Working fluid, contained within the first chamber and the second chamber; and A flow path that connects the first chamber to the second chamber.

12. The elevator system of claim 11, further comprising a flow controller arranged along the flow path, the flow controller being configured to selectively control the flow between the first chamber and the second chamber.

13. The elevator system according to claim 12, wherein, The flow controller is configured to prevent flow between the first chamber and the second chamber when the movable element is placed in the socket.

14. The elevator system according to claim 9, wherein, The movable element includes one or more ramps configured to press the movable element into place within the socket.

15. The elevator system according to claim 1, further comprising an elevator controller, wherein, The elevator controller is configured to selectively control the operation of the platform locking system.

16. The elevator system of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor assembly arranged to detect engagement between the car portion and the landing portion.

17. The elevator system of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor assembly arranged to detect the proximity of the car portion and the landing portion.

18. The elevator system of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor assembly arranged to monitor hydraulic pressure within the platform locking system.

19. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein: The car section is located below the car sill on the bottom of the elevator car; and The landing section is located below the landing sill of the first landing.

20. A method of operating an elevator system, the elevator system comprising an elevator car, at least one landing, and a platform locking system, the platform locking system having a car portion and a landing portion, the car portion including a connecting assembly on the elevator car, and the landing portion including a socket at the at least one landing, the method comprising: Move the elevator car to the at least one floor station; Deploy at least a portion of the connecting assembly of the car section to engage with the socket of the landing section; The connecting components are connected and fixedly connected to the bearing socket; Disengage the connecting assembly from the fixed connection with the socket; as well as At least a portion of the connecting component is retracted from the bearing.

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