System and method for retrofitting a service cable of an elevator for modernization

Abstract

The travelling cable provides high voltage and data communication to the elevator car. The high voltage is converted by a transformer in the elevator car, thereby reducing the number of conductors required in the travelling cable. Furthermore, data acquisition from sensors and analysis of sensor signals is performed at the elevator car, thereby reducing the number of data lines in the travelling cable. With the reduced requirements for the travelling cable, the existing travelling cable provides the required power and data lines for modernized elevator cars. New installations require only a travelling cable with a minimum number of power conductors and data lines.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to traveling cables for elevators and to the upgrading and replacement of elevator cars utilizing traveling cables. Background Technology

[0002] Elevator cars require a lifting mechanism to support them and move them between floors. Raising and lowering the elevator car typically utilizes a hydraulic mechanism wound on a reel or lifting cables. However, the elevator car also requires a traveling cable to supply power, video and audio data, sensor signals, control signals, and other data from the elevator car.

[0003] When modernizing elevator control systems, the removal and replacement of traveling cables is often mandatory due to the unique signal zones utilized by different manufacturers at different times. Existing traveling cables may not have sufficient conductor or may not meet the conductor specifications of the new control system to utilize them.

[0004] Replacing the elevator cabling is one of the most labor-intensive operations during modernization, requiring two technicians 16 hours of work for removal, installation, and rewiring. This poses a challenge to the overall installation time and labor costs. It also increases elevator downtime and disruption to building occupants, as the building is typically still in use during modernization.

[0005] Even if the existing accompanying cables meet all the specific requirements for the proper operation of the new control system, identifying conductors with appropriate connections and rewiring multiple signals presents installation and variability challenges. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a traveling cable with a minimum number of conductors for power and data transmission.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an elevator car that requires fewer conductors for power and data.

[0008] Another objective of this invention is to utilize existing traveling cables that have been modernized for elevator cars.

[0009] Another objective of this invention is to facilitate the replacement of elevator cars with new elevator cars by utilizing existing traveling cables.

[0010] This system and method transfers functionality to the elevator car, reducing the requirements for the traveling cable. The elevator car can have a transformer to change the voltage of the received power. In this way, the traveling cable only needs to provide power at one voltage. The transformer provides the elevator car with the required different voltages. Therefore, the traveling cable only needs a high-voltage conductor. The transformer converts the high voltage to any required voltage, such as 110 volts or a lower voltage. Additionally, the elevator car can have a computer to perform analysis and control based on sensor signals. Sensor signals include the elevator car's position within the elevator shaft, the position of the elevator doors, and other parameters required for elevator car operation. Moreover, data signals are also transmitted through a single type of data conductor. When needed, the data signals are converted into a format suitable for the data conductor.

[0011] The requirement to reduce the number of traveling cables allows existing traveling cables to be reused along with the updated elevator car, as the existing cables have sufficient conductors to supply all the power and data needs of the elevator car. Additionally, the reduced number of effective conductors simplifies the connection between the existing traveling cables and the updated elevator car. Furthermore, the newly installed traveling cables have fewer conductors. The new cables only require conductors attached to a single voltage source (e.g., high voltage) to supply power, and only one type of data conductor (e.g., Ethernet cable) is needed for data signals.

[0012] This system simplifies the requirements for the traveling cable. Specifically, only one voltage (e.g., high voltage) is transmitted to the elevator car. Only data capable of being transmitted via Ethernet conductors is transmitted to and from the elevator car. The data signal is converted into an Ethernet-ready signal, and the data conductor with the Ethernet-ready signal is connected to an interface such as a media converter to transmit the signal to the Ethernet cable. By utilizing a single voltage value and an Ethernet-only cable, the requirements for the traveling cable are minimized. These requirements can be met with existing traveling cables or newly installed traveling cables that have only one voltage value and the conductors required for Ethernet-ready data signals.

[0013] The further scope of this application will become clearer from the detailed description given below. However, while the detailed description and specific examples illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, they are given by way of illustration only, and various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and are not intended to limit the invention, wherein:

[0015] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of a system with an elevator car and a traveling cable. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The elevator system 10 includes a control space 20, a traveling cable 30, and an elevator car 50. The control space can be located in a machine room that houses the motor and hoisting cable. The control space includes a power supply 22, a system controller 24, a control media converter 26, and a battery 28.

[0017] System controller 24 controls all aspects of the elevator car, including moving the elevator car between floors, opening and closing doors, and providing signals for communication with the elevator car. This communication includes messages and entertainment provided to the video screen inside the elevator car, as well as alarm and telephone signals received from the elevator car. System controller 24 also receives and transmits all other data required for the operation of the elevator car. System controller 24 is hardware capable of executing algorithms that require performing functions associated with the operation of elevator system 10. System controller 24 may be a central processing unit (CPU). System controller and control media converter 26 also perform the necessary conversions so that the traveling cable can have a data conductor of a certain type, which will be explained in more detail later. System controller 24 and control media converter 26 may be configured as a single unit, thus eliminating the need for a data conductor between system controller 24 and control media converter 26.

[0018] Power source 22 is preferably a high-voltage power source, such as 230V, to provide the power required by the elevator car during operation. The control space also includes a battery 28 to supply power in the event of a power outage. Battery 28 stores power that can be transmitted to controller 24. Battery 28 may be a rechargeable battery that receives power during normal power supply and can be used in the event of a power outage. Power can be received from power source 22 or from another power line located in the control space.

[0019] The elevator car's power supply device 52 is connected to the power source 22 via the power conductor 32 of the traveling cable 30. Preferably, two power conductors are present to provide the necessary power to the power supply device 52. The power supply device 52 includes a voltage converter, such as a step-down transformer coil or a step-up transformer coil. In this way, a single voltage supplied by the power source 22 can be converted to any voltage required by the elevator car 50. The elevator car also includes a battery 58 for supplying power to the elevator car in the event of a power loss from the power supply device 52. The battery 58 stores power that can be transmitted to components of the elevator car, including telephones or intercoms, emergency lighting and alarm systems, and, when necessary, door opening. The battery 58 may be a rechargeable battery that receives power to maintain a charge during normal power supply. The battery receives power from the power supply device 52 under normal conditions, i.e., power supplied by the power supply device 52, and provides power when the power supply device 52's power is interrupted. No separate power conductor is required in the traveling cable to transmit power from the power source 22 to the battery 58.

[0020] Data also needs to be communicated via the traveling cable. To reduce the requirements for the traveling cable, only one type of data conductor, such as Ethernet cable, is used. In this case, any signals that are not suitable for the traveling cable's data conductor need to be converted. Additionally, any other type of data conductor in the elevator car will need to be connected to the interface with the traveling cable's data conductor. The existing traveling cable conductor can be used as a twisted pair for use as an Ethernet cable.

[0021] The elevator car includes a car controller 54 to receive and process data, such as signals from sensors indicating the car's position in the hoistway and the position of the car doors. The car controller 54 is hardware capable of executing algorithms that require functions associated with the operation of the elevator system 10. The car controller 54 can be a single CPU performing all the required functions, or it can be separate CPUs, each performing different functions required for elevator car operation. The car controller 54 performs as much data analysis as possible to reduce the amount of data sent to the system controller 24. One function of the car controller 54 is to convert any data signal into a format that can be transmitted via the data conductor of the traveling cable. For example, voice data received via a telephone in the elevator car, typically installed for emergency purposes, can be converted into a VoIP signal that can be transmitted over an Ethernet cable in the traveling cable. Therefore, the car controller 54 is connected to the car media converter 56 via an Ethernet conductor to transmit the converted signal. The car controller 54 and the car media converter 56 can be configured as a single unit, thus eliminating the need for a data conductor between the car controller 54 and the car media converter 56.

[0022] The car controller 54 is connected to the car media converter 56, which in turn is connected to the control media converter 26 via the data line 34 of the traveling cable. The control media converter 26 can be connected to the car controller via an Ethernet connection. The car media converter 56 receives data signals exchanged between the elevator car and the control space. In addition to receiving converted data signals from the car controller, the car media converter 56 also receives Ethernet-ready signals that do not require conversion. When these signals are transmitted by data conductors of a different type than the data conductors of the traveling cable, the media converter acts as an interface between different types of data conductors. Different types of data conductors connected to the media converter include fiber optic cables, coaxial cables, and copper wires. For example, media converters 26 and 56 can be an interface between the fiber optic cable and the Ethernet cable of the traveling cable. The media converter can be a processor chip integrated into the controller board or a separate component, and can use a pair of twisted-pair cables to transmit and receive data signals to and from the Ethernet. As described above, media converters 26 and 56 and controllers 24 and 54 can be a single unit.

[0023] The car media converter 56 and car controller 54 also function in a similar manner to those used for data received via the traveling cable. The car media converter allows data signals to be transmitted to components in the elevator car via data conductors of types other than those used in the traveling cable. The car controller converts the data signals into other formats to allow the signals to be sent to other components in the elevator car. Using the preceding example, VoIP signals received via the traveling cable can be converted into signals suitable for telephone communication within the elevator car, if necessary. Just as the car media converter 56 and car controller 54 perform the necessary conversions for data transmitted to and received from the traveling cable, the system controller 24 and control media converter 26 perform the necessary conversions for data transmitted to and received at the other end of the traveling cable.

[0024] By implementing Ethernet-based communication and multiple requirements for the accompanying cable, such as a shielded twisted pair for communication, a shielded twisted pair for alarm telephone voice, and two conductors for alarm and "help is coming" signals, as well as CAT 5e cable for other connection requirements, the data conductors can be simplified to just two conductors in the accompanying cable. The specifications of these conductors are widely selectable depending on the chosen media converter technology.

[0025] The traveling cable between the control space and the elevator car requires a minimal number of components. For example, two electrical conductors can supply the required power from power source 22 to power supply device 52. Only two conductors are needed between the control medium converter 26 in the control space and the car medium converter 56 in the elevator car to transmit data signals. The advantage of reducing the number of components is that existing traveling cables can be utilized when modernizing the elevator car to include power supply device 52 and car medium converter 56. Conventional traveling cables have a greater number of cables, so existing traveling cable conductors can be used in modernized elevator cars. Since each electrical conductor connects power source 22 to power supply device 52, the connection is simple because there is no confusion about where the two ends of the power conductor are connected. Similarly, conductors for data transmission are also connected between the control medium converter 26 in the control space and the car medium converter 56 in the elevator car, making the connection of the data conductors simple.

[0026] Therefore, the present invention has been described, and it is obvious that the invention can have many variations. Such variations should not be considered as departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such variations that are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of protection of the following claims.

Claims

1. An elevator system, comprising: A control space having a power source that provides power at a first voltage. An elevator car, the elevator car having a power supply device, the power supply device having a voltage converter, the voltage converter receiving a first voltage and supplying power with a second voltage different from the first voltage; as well as A traveling cable having a power conductor for transmitting the first voltage from the power source to the power supply equipment and a data line for transmitting data signals.

2. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein, The voltage converter is a step-down transformer.

3. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein, The elevator car also includes a car central processing unit and a car media converter connected to the car central processing unit.

4. The elevator system according to claim 3, wherein, The control space also includes a controller central processing unit and a control media converter connected to the controller central processing unit.

5. The elevator system according to claim 4, wherein, The accompanying cable also includes a data conductor that extends between the control medium converter in the control space and the car medium converter in the car.

6. The elevator system according to claim 1 further includes a rechargeable battery, which receives power from the power supply equipment.

7. The elevator system according to claim 3, wherein, The central processing unit in the car converts analog voice signals into VoIP signals.

8. The elevator system according to claim 4, wherein, The car central processing unit and the car media converter are a single unit, and The car central processing unit and the car media converter are a single unit.

9. An elevator car, comprising: A power supply device, the power supply device including a voltage converter configured to receive a first voltage and supply power at a second voltage different from the first voltage; as well as Central processing unit; as well as A media converter, which serves as an interface between different types of data conductors.

10. The elevator car according to claim 9, further comprising a rechargeable battery, the rechargeable battery receiving power from the power supply device.

11. The elevator car of claim 9, further comprising a first data conductor extending from the media converter, the first data conductor being connectable to a system controller.

12. The elevator car of claim 11, further comprising at least one second data conductor extending to the media converter, wherein the first data conductor and the at least one second data conductor are data conductors of different types.

13. The elevator car according to claim 11, wherein, The first data conductor is a twisted pair.

14. The elevator car according to claim 9, wherein, The central processing unit and the media converter are a single unit.

15. The elevator car according to claim 9, wherein, The central processing unit converts analog voice signals into VoIP signals.

16. A method for modernizing an elevator car, comprising: The traveling cable, which has multiple power conductors and multiple data conductors, is disconnected from the elevator car. Install updated elevator cars; Attaching the traveling cable to the updated elevator car, wherein attaching the traveling cable to the updated elevator car includes: The first of the plurality of electrical conductors is attached to the transformer of the updated elevator car; as well as The first data conductor of the plurality of data conductors is attached to the media converter of the updated elevator car.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The first power conductor is a high-voltage power conductor.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The transformer is a step-down transformer used to reduce the voltage received from the first power conductor.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein, The first data conductor is a twisted pair.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising converting the analog voice signal into a VoIP signal.

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