Slack rope monitoring device for elevator systems, elevator system and method and use

Abstract

In elevator systems, the correct functioning of traction devices must be monitored. The invention relates to a slack rope monitoring device for elevator systems for monitoring at least one rope of the elevator system, configured to trigger at least one type of safety measure, in particular in response to breakage / tear-off; and configured to monitor a plurality of ropes by individually or in a bundled manner enclosing the ropes at at least one longitudinal position of the ropes by means of a carriage that is held in position and displaceable in an at least approximately horizontal direction in response to a rope force exceeding a predefined threshold. This also allows for advantageous structural integration into the respective elevator system.Furthermore, the invention also relates, among other things, to a corresponding method in which the enclosed cables are monitored at at least one longitudinal position by means of the carriage held in position, wherein the carriage triggers at least one type of safety measure when a cable force threshold is exceeded in at least an approximately horizontal direction. This also provides high robustness and a high level of safety.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to a slack cable monitoring device for elevator installations, in particular for elevator installations having elevator cars arranged one above the other in the same elevator shaft, and for monitoring at least one cable of the elevator installation with regard to intended function, and for triggering at least one type of safety measure, in particular in response to breakage / break-off. The present invention further relates to an elevator installation equipped therewith. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for slack cable monitoring in an elevator installation, in particular in an elevator installation having elevator cars arranged one above the other in the same elevator shaft, wherein at least one cable of the elevator installation is monitored with regard to its intended function, in particular with regard to breakage or break-off of the cable, wherein at least one type of safety measure is triggered in particular in response to breakage / break-off. The present invention also relates not least to the use of at least one carriage held in a predefined position relative to an elevator car of an elevator installation with respect to at least one direction by means of holding elements functioning as predetermined breaking points for providing such a slack rope monitoring. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus and a method according to the preamble of the respective independent claim.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn cable-driven or traction-means-based elevator systems, the carrying cables and compensating cables (or lower cables) fulfil an important safety function which has to be continuously monitored or monitored. A crack in individual cables must be immediately detectable or diagnosed and must lead to a system-side safety reaction, e.g. a switching off or braking. In particular in elevator systems with cars (or cars, elevator cars) arranged one above the other in the same shaft, it is also of great importance, in particular for protecting the second car, that a very reliable monitoring of traction-means-like supporting and / or compensating means is provided. In response to a breakage or break of at least one of these traction means, at least one safety measure should advantageously be able to be initiated with the greatest possible reliability, in particular an opening of at least one safety circuit can be brought about, in particular by a switch or switching or control process being triggered.According to the prior art, for example, a cable position detection or cable function detection is carried out with reference to a fixed point of the cable, for example in the machine room. However, such a reference cannot be implemented advantageously for all elevator arrangements. There is interest in an improved manner of integrating a cable monitoring functionality, in particular also for pull-out systems in which a fixed point of the respective cable is provided on the corresponding elevator car and / or on the corresponding counterweight, that is to say not a fixed fixed point, but rather a fixed point which moves in the vertical direction. Proceeding from the prior art, a need is to be felt in particular for a robust and, from a structural point of view, advantageously integratable sleeping rope monitoring. Not least, particularly with regard to the already existing technical system variant range, there is also interest in the simplest possible adaptability for different elevator systems.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object to provide a slack cable monitoring device and a corresponding monitoring method in each case for elevator installations, with the result that a slack cable monitoring which is as safe and robust as possible can be provided, in particular with respect to cable breakage / break-off, in particular also in elevator installations having elevator cars arranged one above the other in the same shaft. It is also an object to configure the slack cable monitoring device such that the respective cable can be monitored without perceptible structural changes on the elevator installation, in particular also in elevator installations without a fixed fixed point for the respective cable.This object is achieved by a slack rope monitoring device according to claim 1 and by a method according to the subordinate method claim. Advantageous refinements of the invention are explained in the respective dependent claims. The features of the exemplary embodiments described below can be combined with one another, provided that this is not explicitly negated.A slack cable monitoring device is provided which is configured for elevator installations, in particular elevator installations having elevator cars arranged one above the other in the same elevator shaft, and is configured for monitoring at least one cable of the elevator installation with regard to intended function, in particular with regard to breakage or break-off of the cable, and is configured for triggering at least one type of safety measure, in particular in response to breakage / break-off;According to the invention, it is proposed that the sleeping cable monitoring device is configured to monitor a plurality of cables jointly by individually or bundled gripping of the cables at at least one longitudinal position of the cables by means of a carriage which is held in a positioned manner and is displaceable in an at least approximately horizontal direction in response to a pre-definable cable movement and a cable force (in particular horizontally aligned) exceeding a pre-definable threshold value. This provides a robust and effective way of monitoring, in particular with advantageous structural integration into the elevator installation. In particular, a very space-saving implementation of the carriage components can also be effected.Herein, rope is to be understood as meaning in particular a traction means of the elevator installation which fulfills a support function or compensation function.If, according to the present disclosure, reference is made to a / the device for sleeping rope monitoring, this is first to be understood as meaning the design manner of realizing the monitoring, in particular including the manner of gripping the plurality of ropes. The sleeping rope monitoring device can optionally also comprise a control unit or at least one control / regulation technology unit or device, or optionally be in communication therewith, e.g. with a collision preventing unit.Personalised terms, unless formulated in the neutroleum here, can relate to all sexes within the scope of the present disclosure.In other words, the invention can also be described as follows: A / the sleeping cable monitoring system according to the present disclosure preferably comprises a carriage which is fastened and guided in the region of a / the corresponding upper beam (or analogously a corresponding structural support component) of the corresponding elevator car, for example a carriage which is fastened and guided under a / the corresponding upper beam for a / the lower elevator car, in particular in the case of so-called 1:1 suspension (fixed point for the respective cable advantageously on the elevator car and on the counterweight; in delimiting therefrom, for example in the case of a 2:1 suspension, a fixed point is advantageously provided in the region of the machine room), wherein the carriage encloses a plurality of cables. By means of drivers fastened to the corresponding stationary cable, the carriage can be displaced by the cable movement in the event of a crack, which leads to a movement of the cable, for example, when moving away / moving, as a result of which at least one switch can be actuated, for example, depending on the direction. In other words: the carriage can be displaced relative to at least one shifting component by means of at least one of the cables, and the at least one shifting component is advantageously arranged fixedly at least with respect to a horizontal spatial direction, e.g. fixed to the upper spar. In this case, both or opposite horizontal directions can also be monitored, for example by two switches (one per direction) being provided or arranged in the corresponding (longitudinal) position. Advantageously, the switches are fastened to brackets or similar fastening means, between which the carriage is guided. In order to be able to ensure a certain resistance to cable movements and relative movements, the carriage can be held in the desired position, for example, by means of positioning angles made of thin sheet metal. If a cable is torn along by the corresponding driver, in the arrangement described above, positioning angles are therefore bent open in the manner of a predetermined bending / breaking point, and mechanical switches, for example roller switches, which are arranged at a predefined longitudinal distance, for example, can be triggered, for example by means of screws or pins projecting upwards or downwards on the carriage. Advantageously, the drivers, e.g. designed as hose clamps, are fastened to the respective cable at a certain (longitudinal) distance from the carriage, in particular in order to allow certain relative movements. In order to ensure that breaking cables trigger the at least one circuit component in both (longitudinal) directions, the corresponding driver can optionally be / are fastened to the corresponding cable in a carriage which is bounded by the bounded section or on both sides outside the carriage. In this way, in particular a cable tear on load-bearing cables of the elevator system can be detected, in particular in combination with the triggering of at least one safety measure via actuation of switches actuated by the carriage.The configuration according to the invention of the sleeping cable monitoring system provides not least also the advantage that it is scalable with respect to the number of cables without the need for a noticeable structural adaptation. In this respect, although a prestress directed horizontally onto the cables may also be implemented for monitoring purposes, for example with a roller prestressed by means of springs on the respective cable, wherein a loss of the prestress force would be detected, for example in that the roller acts on a switch via a flap / switching flag, it would be necessary in this case to monitor each individual cable.It is to be understood that the configuration according to the invention of the slack cable monitoring does not have to be limited to a specific type of traction means, but can also be transmitted by the person skilled in the art for traction means which are different from the present disclosure, but which are at least approximately the same.According to one exemplary embodiment, the sleeping cable monitoring device is configured to trigger at least one type of safety measure, in particular in response to breakage / break-off, by a control unit of the sleeping cable monitoring device or of the elevator installation or by a collision preventing unit of the elevator installation or by transmission of a corresponding signal by at least one circuit component. In other words: the sleeping rope monitoring device supplies a / the trigger for triggering a safety measure, wherein the realization / initiation of the corresponding safety measure can also be effected by further devices of the elevator installation which are in communication with the sleeping rope monitoring device. In this case, the respective circuit component can be fixed, for example, on the upper beam, in particular in such a way that a relative movement of the carriage horizontally relative to the upper beam brings about an actuation of the corresponding circuit component.According to one exemplary embodiment, the sleeping cable monitoring device is configured to trigger a / the at least one type of safety measure when the cable force threshold value is exceeded in an at least approximately horizontal direction by actuator coupling of the (longitudinal) position of the carriage with at least one circuit component, in particular in the region of the corresponding (longitudinal) position of the supported carriage. This facilitates monitoring based on pre-definable cable force threshold values, in particular in the horizontal direction, wherein a pre-definable amount of a cable movement can also be taken into account, in particular via a pre-definable distance of drivers relative to the frame of the carriage.According to one exemplary embodiment, the carriage has a web or a frame which encloses at least two cables in the region of the at least one monitored, held longitudinal position (reference position) of the carriage in each case circumferentially, preferably by single-cable embedding provided at at least two points of the web or frame in the cable longitudinal direction. Here, the enclosing can also be enclosing without appreciable adhesion / friction. This also makes it possible to implement the safety device without any noticeable influence on the usual operation of the elevator installation or without any noticeable effect on any relative movements of the cables lying within the provided tolerance range.According to one exemplary embodiment, the carriage is constructed from two webs or frame halves, which each enclose the respective cable at least approximately over a circumferential angle in the range of 180°, in particular from above and from below, for example at at at least two locations in the cable longitudinal direction at a distance in the range of, for example, 15-30 cm. This also facilitates not least the advantageous structural integration of the safety or monitoring device described here, in particular in the area of structural support components of the respective elevator car.According to one exemplary embodiment, the gripping of the cables is configured such that a relative movement of the respective cable relative to the carriage is tolerated within a pre-definable tolerance range. In other words: a cable force is advantageously not transmitted directly between cable and enclosure on the carriage, but indirectly via a driver / drivers which stop on the carriage after the corresponding desired relative movement. In the sense of a pre-definable longitudinal tolerance or relative movement tolerance, this also enables reliable monitoring taking into account the different relative movements of the individual cables, which are caused, for example, by different cable lengths.According to one exemplary embodiment, the gripping of the cables takes place without perceptible static friction or is / is predefined at least below a comparatively low static friction threshold value. This also promotes a (certain) relative movement of individual cables in the provided tolerance range without the carriage being acted upon by a perceptible force. For example, a passage formed by the enclosure for the respective cable is minimally larger than the cable diameter.According to one exemplary embodiment, at least one axially fixed driver is provided on the respective cable at a predefined distance from a / the web or frame (section) of the carriage, wherein the driver has a greater radial extent than a / the enclosure formed by means of the web or frame around the respective cable, wherein the respective driver is connected axially fixedly to the respective cable in such a way that exceeding the cable force threshold value leads to an axial force transmission via the driver / s to a / the predetermined breaking point (or predetermined bending point) between the carriage and the holding position and breaking open the predetermined breaking point and displacing the carriage and actuating the at least one circuit component, in particular in opposite horizontal directions on both sides, In particular, when a tolerance threshold value of a cable position change in the longitudinal direction (in the manner of slipping) defined by the relative position of the corresponding driver relative to the frame or web is exceeded. This also promotes not least an advantageous compromise between a freely adjustable length compensation tolerance and an effective action time for the trigger for triggering a safety measure. The respective driver can be placed or mounted, for example, radially at the corresponding desired longitudinal position of the respective cable and fastened axially.For example, a width (or longitudinal dimension in the cable longitudinal direction) of the carriage is advantageous which corresponds at least approximately to twice the tolerance longitudinal distance of the driver axial position on the cable relative to the carriage or to the desired stop position. In this embodiment, the respective driver can optionally be / are arranged outside the carriage or inside the carriage (in particular between two webs). This also facilitates not least a realization of the joint gripping of a large number of ropes without a risk of individual drivers interfering. In other words, in the case of adjacent cables, the arrangement of the drivers can advantageously alternate, that is to say alternately either outside or inside the carriage.According to one exemplary embodiment, the carriage can be / is held in the intended longitudinal position by means of holding elements, in particular angles and / or pressure pieces and / or spring elements, which act in the manner of predetermined breaking points, in particular in combination with retaining levers, in a / the holding position on an upper member or in the region of an upper member of the corresponding elevator car. This on the one hand facilitates an assembly which is advantageously adaptable from a constructional point of view, and on the other hand also a predetermined breaking point which is scalable in a simple manner.An "upper beam" is understood to mean a cabin-specific structurally essential carrier via which the ropes can be guided (in particular carrying ropes), for example bundled five or six ropes. It is to be understood that the holding on the upper beam described here can alternatively also be realized by holding on another type of carrier if the corresponding ropes to be monitored are guided longitudinally on another carrier. Based on the present disclosure, the person skilled in the art can also realize a holding support of the carriage at other alternative locations or relative positions.According to one exemplary embodiment, the holding elements are formed by means of angles of predefined material thickness and deformation resistance force. As a result, a predetermined breaking threshold value can also be predefined in a comparatively simple manner with respect to a cable force acting at least approximately horizontally (in the longitudinal direction) on the carriage; this also opens up, for example, the possibility of a comparatively uncomplicated adaptation of the triggering threshold value to different cable lengths or shaft heights.According to one exemplary embodiment, a threshold value for a / the triggering cable force can be predefined by means of the slack cable monitoring device, in particular in that the holding elements are implemented with a predetermined breaking point or predetermined bending point which is predefined as a function of a cable pull force. For example, it can be set that the predetermined breaking force should exceed a cable force potentially exerted in the range of tolerable length changes as intended by at least a factor of 5 or 10, in particular since significantly higher forces act in the event of cable breaking. The person skilled in the art can also define this factor, for example, as a function of the shaft height or the height to be overcome by the respective elevator car. The predetermined breaking point can also be referred to as a target (open) bending point, in particular in the case of holding elements in the form of bent sheet metal parts.According to one exemplary embodiment, the carriage is configured for mounting in an at least approximately horizontal orientation in the longitudinal direction of the ropes and flat in a height range of, for example, 5-20 cm below or above a structural support component such as, for example, a / the upper beam of the corresponding elevator car. This not least facilitates a / the structural integration, particularly expedient according to the invention, into the respective elevator system, in particular in such a way that even in the case of cars arranged one above the other in the same shaft no noticeable intervention has to take place within the shaft, but rather an elegant integration of the monitoring in a comparatively well protected region of a structural carrier component oriented substantially horizontally.According to one exemplary embodiment, the carriage has a width in the transverse direction which is adapted to the cable thickness in such a way that the carriage can enclose a scalable number of cables in the range from at least two to six cables, for example five cables enclosed next to one another at least approximately in a horizontal plane. This simplifies not least also the implementation for a joint monitoring of a comparatively large number of ropes without the apparatus complexity thereby increasing appreciably and without numerous rollers or deflection units, for example, depending on the number of ropes, involving the risk of jamming or blocking.According to one exemplary embodiment, the sleeping cable monitoring device comprises the at least one circuit component, wherein the at least one circuit component is preferably a mechanical circuit component which is coupled via at least one switching element (e.g. pin, screw) to the carriage or its desired longitudinal position, in particular via two switching elements arranged on both sides of the circuit component in the cable longitudinal direction. This not least also enables a robust reliable implementation, also for a bidirectional functioning. The mechanical configuration of the circuit components in this case not least also provides a high safety level.The aforementioned object is also achieved by an elevator installation having at least one slack cable monitoring device according to the present disclosure, wherein a / the carriage of the slack cable monitoring device is fastened to the corresponding elevator car by means of fastening means, in particular angles, preferably to an upper beam or in the region of the upper beam of a / the corresponding elevator car of the elevator installation. This results in the aforementioned advantages, in particular with regard to a high safety level with comparatively low outlay on apparatus technology, e.g. also realized as a retrofitting option.According to one exemplary embodiment, the sleeping cable monitoring device is implemented for a / the lower elevator car of the elevator installation, in particular in an arrangement below the upper beam. This structural integration also enables a high level of safety, in particular since the carriage itself is also arranged in a protected environment between the upper spar and the canopy and, in the event of damage, is / would be acted upon substantially only by horizontally acting forces, which allows an even more precise adjustment.According to one exemplary embodiment, the sleeping cable monitoring device is implemented for a / the upper elevator car of the elevator installation, in particular in an arrangement above the upper beam. It is to be understood that within an elevator installation, both arrangements of the carriage (above and below a / the structural carrier component) described here can also be / can be combined with one another.According to one exemplary embodiment, a / the respective / s cable of the elevator installation is fixed to a / the corresponding elevator car and / or to a / the corresponding counterweight at a fixed point which displaces in the vertical direction. In other words: No fixed fixed point is used for fixing the respective cable. This type of cable fixing has also proven to be particularly expedient in connection with a 1:1 suspension. According to one exemplary embodiment, the ropes are guided according to a 1:1 suspension, in particular in an elevator installation with elevator cars arranged one above the other in the same elevator shaft.The aforementioned object is also achieved by a method according to the corresponding subordinate method claim, namely by a method for slack rope monitoring in an elevator installation, in particular in an elevator installation with elevator cars arranged one above the other in the same elevator shaft, wherein at least one rope of the elevator installation is monitored with regard to its intended function, in particular with regard to breakage or break-off of the rope, wherein at least one type of safety measure is triggered in particular in response to breakage / break-off; wherein a plurality of ropes are monitored jointly by individually or bundled gripping of the ropes at at least one longitudinal position of the ropes by means of a carriage held in a positioned manner and displaceable in at least approximately horizontal direction in response to a pre-definable rope movement and a (in particular horizontally oriented) rope force exceeding a pre-definable threshold value, wherein the carriage triggers the at least one type of safety measure upon exceeding the rope force threshold value in at least approximately horizontal direction, in particular based on actuator coupling of the (longitudinal) position of the carriage with at least one circuit component. This results in the aforementioned advantages, in particular with regard to a very robust, reliable trigger for initiating safety measures.According to one embodiment, at least one driver connected axially fixedly to the respective cable brings about, on the respective cable, an axial force transmission to / the predetermined breaking point (or predetermined bending point) between the slide and the holding position and a breaking open of the predetermined breaking point and a displacement of the slide when the cable force threshold value is exceeded, wherein actuation of the at least one circuit component takes place by means of the slide, in particular when a tolerance threshold value of a cable position change in the longitudinal direction defined by the relative position of the corresponding driver relative to the slide is exceeded. This mode of operation in the sense of an axial stop against the cable slipping through the carriage can be implemented comparatively elegantly and slenderly largely independently of the number of cables monitored, at a high safety level.According to one embodiment, the at least one circuit component is actuated mechanically by the carriage in that at least one switching element (e.g. pin, screw) is coupled to the carriage or its desired longitudinal position, in particular via two switching elements arranged on both sides of the circuit component (e.g. configured as a roller switch) in the cable longitudinal direction. For example, roller switches are provided which are connected in a wired manner to at least one further control / regulation device of the elevator installation, e.g. to a control unit and / or a collision preventing unit. On the one hand, the mechanical manner of actuation / triggering and, on the other hand, the wired connection provide a high degree of robustness and can have an advantageous effect on the highest possible reliability. Alternatively, a wireless signal transmission can also be implemented, in particular by providing a communication module for wireless transmission on the respective elevator car.According to one embodiment, in response to a cable-driven displacement of the carriage by actuating at least one circuit component, a signal for triggering or initiating a / the at least one type of safety measure is generated, in particular by means of a / the control unit. The slack cable monitoring system detects the cause and supplies a trigger which can then be further processed in a manner specific to the system and / or control technology in order to implement specific safety measures.The aforementioned object is also achieved by a control unit for an elevator installation having at least one sleeping cable monitoring device according to the present disclosure, wherein the control unit is configured to trigger at least one type of safety measure, in particular to open at least one safety circuit (preferably the safety circuits of all the cars involved), in response to actuation of at least one circuit component by a cable-driven displacement of a / the carriage of the sleeping cable monitoring device on the basis of a / the signal of the corresponding circuit component, wherein steps of a method for sleeping cable monitoring according to one of the preceding method claims are advantageously implemented in that a plurality of circuit components which can be actuated in a direction-specific manner are in communication with the control unit. In this way, the aforementioned advantages can be realized, in particular with regard to an advantageous control / regulation integration of the trigger supplied by means of the monitoring device into the operation of the entire elevator installation.It is to be understood that the at least one type of safety measure can optionally also be predefined by a collision prevention unit; in this respect, the above reference to the control unit is to be understood as an example; the person skilled in the art can, depending on the configuration of the respective elevator system, specify which requirements are to be made by a control unit of the elevator system or by a collision prevention unit; in this respect, the present invention is based primarily on the concept of generating a trigger or a signal template for triggering the respective safety measure.The aforementioned object is also achieved by using at least one carriage, which is held in a predefined position relative to an elevator car of an elevator installation with respect to at least one direction by means of holding elements acting as predetermined breaking points, for gripping ropes coupled to the elevator car for providing a triggering function of a slack rope monitoring system, which carriage is configured for triggering at least one type of safety measure, in particular in response to rope breakage / break-off, wherein the ropes are gripped by means of the carriage, wherein the carriage is held on the corresponding elevator car, wherein at least one driver is fastened in an axially fixed manner to the respective rope, which driver is configured such that an axial slipping through of the corresponding rope results in a breaking open of the holding elements and in a displacement of the carriage and in a switching of at least one circuit component and thereby in a triggering of the at least one type of safety measure, In particular, in a slack rope monitoring device according to the present disclosure. In this way, the aforementioned advantages can be realized, in particular also with regard to a retrofitting option for existing already installed elevator installations. The rope is advantageously enclosed by two frame halves or web halves of the carriage; in other words, it is not necessary to guide the respective rope with a free end through the enclosure.Summary: In elevator installations, the correct functioning of traction means must be monitored. The invention relates to a slack cable monitoring device for elevator installations for monitoring at least one cable of the elevator installation, configured to trigger at least one type of safety measure, in particular in response to breakage / break-off; and configured to monitor a plurality of cables by individually or bundled gripping of the cables at at least one longitudinal position of the cables by means of a carriage which is held in a positioned manner and is displaceable in an at least approximately horizontal direction in response to a pre-definable cable movement and a cable force which exceeds a pre-definable threshold value. This also allows an advantageous structural integration into the respective elevator installation. Furthermore, the invention also relates, inter alia, to a corresponding method in which the encased ropes are monitored at at least one longitudinal position by means of the slide held in position, wherein the slide triggers the at least one type of safety measure when a / the rope force threshold value is exceeded in an at least approximately horizontal direction. This not least also provides high robustness and a high safety level.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURESThe invention is described in more detail in the following drawing figures, wherein reference numerals that are not explicitly described in a respective drawing figure are referred to the other drawing figures. The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a sleeping cable monitoring device according to an exemplary embodiment; FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C show in two side views and in a plan view a sleeping cable monitoring device according to an exemplary embodiment; FIGS. 3A, 3B show, in a side view and in a detailed side view (section), an exemplary integration of a sleeping cable monitoring device according to exemplary embodiments into an elevator installation; FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an exemplary integration of a sleeping cable monitoring device according to a further exemplary embodiment into an elevator installation; FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a holding element of a sleeping cable monitoring device according to exemplary embodiments, said holding element acting as a predetermined bending / breaking point; FIG. 6 shows in a side view an example of an elevator installation for which a slack cable monitoring device according to exemplary embodiments can be provided; FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of steps of a method for slack rope monitoring according to exemplary embodiments;DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURESThe invention will first be explained with general reference to all reference numerals and figures. Special features or individual aspects or aspects of the present invention that are easily visible / representable in the respective figure are individually the subject in connection with the respective figure.An elevator installation 1 has at least one elevator car 3 coupled to at least one cable 7, wherein the force exerted by the elevator car can be at least partially compensated by at least one counterweight 9. The elevator car 3 is guided via at least one structural support component 5 of the elevator car (at least approximately stationary with respect to the horizontal directions), in particular via an upper spar, on the at least one cable 7, e.g. suspended via revolving rollers. A slack cable monitoring device 10 is arranged on or at least in the region of the structural support component 5 and is held positioned relative thereto, in particular a slide 11 (or release slide, switching slide) of the slack cable monitoring device 10, for example by means of fastening means 18, for example in the form of a sheet metal angle screwed on by means of fastening screws 18.1. The cabin 3 is usually coupled to a plurality of ropes 7. The carriage 11 enables a single rope embedding 17 individually per rope. At least one circuit component 21 is provided on the carriage (in particular as a component of at least one switching unit 20), e.g. at least one mechanical switch, in particular a roller switch, and the circuit component 21 can be fastened, for example, by means of a fastening 23, arranged positioned on the carriage, e.g. in the form of an angle profile or a stamped / bent part. In this case, the fastening part 23 can also assume a holding function for the carriage 11, in particular in that a holding edge or a bent-over edge holds the carriage against the force of gravity. Advantageously, the carriage 11 has a frame 16, which can comprise one or more webs 16.1. The frame or web is advantageously formed from two frame or web halves 16.3, by means of which semi-cylindrical inner surface segments 17.1 for receiving or individually enclosing a respective cable are advantageously defined. In this case, the carriage 11 can be arranged relative to the structural carrier component 5 in a pre-definable monitoring longitudinal position x 10 (reference position), e.g. at least approximately centrally in the longitudinal direction with respect to the total extent of the structural carrier component 5.The elevator installation 1 optionally comprises a control unit 19 and / or a collision preventing unit, here schematically illustrated by the same reference sign.The mode of operation of the sleeping rope monitoring device 10 is explained in more detail below. A cable force Fs (exerted at least approximately in the horizontal direction, in particular in the longitudinal direction x), which exceeds a pre-definable threshold value, causes the corresponding cable to slide through the cable-specific enclosure 17 on the slide 11 until a driver 13 (e.g. a hose clamp) strikes against the frame 16 or the corresponding web 16.1 of the slide 11; from this moment, an axial force is transmitted from the corresponding cable to the frame of the slide which has hitherto still been held in a predefined position, and this force is transmitted to the holding elements 12 (in particular a positioning angle) which hold the frame of the slide in the longitudinal position. The holding elements 12 function as a desired bending / breaking point, i.e. they can be bent up or broken open from a specific cable force threshold value. Only when the desired bending / breaking point(s) 12 burst does the carriage 11 actually undergo a displacement in the horizontal cable force direction, and only when such a displacement does the switching elements 15 or triggering elements (e.g. screws protruding upward) fastened in a positioned and aligned manner on the frame of the carriage interact with the corresponding roller switch 21 a, 21 b, in particular by extending a / the roller 21.1 of the corresponding roller switch 21 a, 21 b(mechanical switching). As a function thereof, at least one safety measure can be triggered, for example by first generating a signal and forwarding it to a control unit 19. As can be seen, for example, from FIG. 1, the roller 21.1 of the corresponding roller switch 21 a, 21 bmay be pivoted out bidirectionally in both longitudinal movement directions of the carriage, so that a direction-specific signal may also be generated.A method for slack cable monitoring in an elevator installation, in particular in an elevator installation with elevator cars arranged one above the other in the same elevator shaft, can accordingly advantageously have the following steps:Step S1 positionally holding a horizontally displaceable carriage;Step S2 Axial force transmission between cable and carriage by drivers;Step S 3 breaking open at least one predetermined breaking point;Step S4: Actuating at least one circuit component by the carriage;Step S 5 generating a signal for triggering a / the safety measure;Step S 6 triggering the at least one safety measure;Specific features of the invention are explained below with reference to individual figures or exemplary embodiments.Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a slack cable monitoring device 10 including four cables. Two roller switches 21a, 21b are provided on both sides of the enclosed ropes, the rollers 21.1 of which are arranged between switching elements 15 aligned perpendicular to the intended direction of movement of the carriage 11.In FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, a / the sleeping rope monitoring device 10 is shown in three different views. FIG. 2A shows the comparatively flat structure, which promotes integration in the region of the corresponding structural support component of the respective elevator car. It can be seen in FIG. 2B that the drivers 13 can be arranged optionally outside the carriage or between webs of the frame of the carriage. In this respect, the frame of the carriage provides both outer stop surfaces and inner stop surfaces. In FIG. 2C, the two frame halves 16.3 can be seen, which each provide an at least approximately semicylindrical enclosure (inner surface segment 17.1) for the respective cable; the frame halves can also be placed around cables which have already been installed, in the sense of a retrofitting option.It is to be understood that the manner of gripping the cables, which is evident in FIGS. 1 and 2, is advantageous, in particular with regard to the embodiment of the drivers described here, in order to enable cable-specific monitoring. For example, a sensory surface or the like can also be provided in the region of the respective stop end face of the corresponding web or of the frame of the slide, by means of which sensory surface or the like can be detected which cable or which driver strikes the frame. Nevertheless, the skilled person can also realize a bundled gripping of a plurality of ropes on the basis thereof, for example by holding the ropes together, but being guided individually by bottleneck points and being able to transmit a force to the frame, for example via a local thickening.In FIGS. 3A, 3B, a / the structural support component 5 is visible in each case in a side view, and the sleeping rope monitoring device 10 is integrated slenderly below this structural support component 5. It can be seen in FIG. 3A that the slack cable monitoring device 10 is integrated flush into the cable course between the deflection rollers guiding the cables on the carrier component. The carriage can assume the relative positions of the cables, in particular their transverse distance relative to one another, which are predetermined by the deflecting rollers (surround is configured geometrically correspondingly). FIG. 3B shows an exemplary manner of fastening, in particular by means of sheet metal angles and screws on the underside of the carrier component 5, wherein the carriage is secured against dropping, for example via bent-over edges.In FIG. 4, a / the structural support component 5 can be seen from a perspective from above. The ropes 7 are guided slightly diagonally offset relative to the width extension direction of the cabin; in this respect, the longitudinal direction of the ropes described here does not exactly correspond to the width extension direction of the cabin. The degree of diagonal deviation of the longitudinal direction of the cables is individual on an anal-specific basis and can therefore be varied within the scope of the present invention. The manner of the constructive integration of the slack rope monitoring device 10 or the carriage 11 is not particularly influenced thereby.In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the fastening of the circuit components and the positioned holding of the slide are realized by means of two types of sheet metal angle sections 18, 23, which can be screwed to one another and, for example, also aligned relative to one another by means of slots, for example each provided as bent stamped parts (in the sense of mounting sheets specifically contoured with respect to the connection to the carrier component). This embodiment on the one hand facilitates the structural integration in the region of the carrier component 5, on the other hand, a plurality of functions, such as, for example, also an advantageously robust and position-accurate switch fastening, can be realized by means of comparatively less cost-effective parts. The skilled person can also devise alternative embodiments of the fastening and holding means starting from this configuration.FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary configuration of the holding elements 12, here as a positioning angle for providing a desired bending point. In the region of the bore, the holding element is mounted on a holding bracket or fastening plate of the slack cable monitoring device 10, and the bent-over section without bore rests on the end face of the carriage and holds it in the longitudinal position until the cable force threshold value predefined by the required bending-over force and number of holding elements 12 (for example two per side of the carriage) is exceeded. Then, the bent portion bends and the carriage displaces and the at least one circuit component is actuated or generates a signal for triggering a safety measure.FIG. 6 outlines a lift installation 1 in a roughly schematic manner, illustrating the cable guidance. The integration of the sleeping rope monitoring device 10 illustrated here by way of example on one of the cabins 3 can also take place on other cabins.FIG. 7 outlines a method for slack cable monitoring in an elevator installation, wherein at least one cable of the elevator installation is monitored with regard to its intended function, wherein at least one type of safety measure is triggered in particular in response to breakage / break-off; wherein a plurality of cables are monitored jointly by gripping the cables at at least one longitudinal position of the cables by means of a carriage which is held in a positioned manner and is displaceable from a pre-definable cable movement and cable force, wherein the carriage triggers the at least one type of safety measure when a pre-definable cable movement and the predefined cable force threshold value are exceeded in an at least approximately horizontal direction, in particular based on actuator coupling of the (longitudinal) position of the carriage to at least one circuit component. Such a method advantageously has the following steps:Step S1 positionally holding a horizontally displaceable carriage;Step S2 Axial force transmission between cable and carriage by drivers;Step S 3 breaking open at least one predetermined breaking point;Step S 4, in particular mechanical actuation of a circuit component by the carriage;Step S 5 generating a signal for triggering a / the at least one safety measure;Step S 6 triggering the at least one safety measure, e.g. in response to cable breakage / break-off;It is to be understood that the relative positions of the individual components shown in the figures can be individually adapted. For example, the circuit components can be arranged differently and can also be coupled to the predetermined breaking point elements, for example. In this respect, the exemplary embodiments shown here are to be understood as exemplary implementations, in particular optimized with regard to robustness and safety. The skilled person can make requirements-specific modifications for specific applications on the basis thereof.List of reference characters1 Lift installation 3 Lift cage 5 Structural support component, e.g. upper beam of a lift cage 7 Cable 9 Counterweight 10 Slack cable monitoring device 11 Slide (release slide, switching slide) 12 Holding elements, in particular positioning angle (desired bending / breaking point) 13 Drivers, in particular hose clamp 15 Switching element, release element, e.g. upwardly protruding screw 16 Frame 16.1 Web 16.3 Web half or frame half 17 Individual cable embedding 17.1 Inner surface segment for receiving a respective cable 18 Fastening means, in particular sheet metal angle 18.1 Fastening screws 19 Control unit 20 Switching unit 21 Switching component, e.g. mechanical switch, in particular roller switch 21 a, 21b first and second roller switches 21.1 roller 23 fastening the circuit component Fs cable force S1 step S1: positioned holding of a horizontally displaceable carriage S2 step S2: axial force transmission between cable and carriage by drivers S3 step S3: breaking open at least one predetermined breaking point S4 step S4: actuation of at least one circuit component by the carriage S5 step S5: generation of a signal for triggering a / the safety measure S6 step S6: triggering of the longitudinal position (reference position) of the sleeping cable monitor x, y, z longitudinal direction, transverse direction, height direction (in particular perpendicular) monitoring at least one safety measure x10

Claims

A slack cable monitoring device (10) configured for elevator installations (1), in particular for elevator installations having elevator cars (3) arranged one above the other in the same elevator shaft, and configured for monitoring at least one cable (7) of the elevator installation (1) with regard to intended function, in particular with regard to breakage or break-off of the cable, and configured for triggering at least one type of safety measure, in particular in response to breakage / break-off; characterized in that the slack cable monitoring device (10) is configured to monitor a plurality of cables (7) jointly by individually or bundled gripping of the cables (7) at at least one longitudinal position of the cables (7) by means of a carriage (11) held in a positioned manner and displaceable in response to a pre-definable cable movement and a cable force (Fs) exceeding a pre-definable threshold value in an at least approximately horizontal direction (x).The sleeping rope monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the sleeping rope monitoring device is configured to trigger a / the at least one type of safety measure, in particular in response to breakage / break-off, by a control unit or collision preventing unit or by transmission of a corresponding signal by at least one circuit component.The slack cable monitoring device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slack cable monitoring device is configured to trigger a / the at least one type of safety measure when the cable force threshold value is exceeded in an at least approximately horizontal direction by actuator coupling of the (longitudinal) position of the carriage with at least one circuit component, in particular in the region of the corresponding (longitudinal) position of the supported carriage.The sleeping rope monitoring device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carriage has a web or a frame, which in the region of the at least one monitored, held (longitudinal) position of the carriage, encloses at least two ropes circumferentially in each case, preferably by single rope embedding provided at at least two locations of the web or frame in the longitudinal direction of the rope.The sleeping rope monitoring device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carriage is constructed from two webs or frame halves, which each enclose the respective rope at least approximately over a circumferential angle in the range of 180°, in particular from above and from below, for example at at least two locations in the rope longitudinal direction at a distance in the range of, for example, 15-30 cm.The slack cable monitoring device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping of the cables is configured such that a relative movement of the respective cable relative to the carriage is tolerated in a pre-definable tolerance range; and / or wherein the gripping of the cables takes place without perceptible static friction or is / is predefined at least below a comparatively low static friction threshold value.The slack cable monitoring device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one axially fixed driver is provided on the respective cable at a predefined distance from a / the web or frame (section) of the carriage, wherein the driver has a greater radial extent than a / the enclosure formed by means of the web or frame around the respective cable, wherein the respective driver is connected axially fixedly to the respective cable in such a way that exceeding the cable force threshold value leads to an axial force transmission via the driver / s to a / the predetermined breaking point between carriage and holding position and breaking open the predetermined breaking point and displacing the carriage and actuating the at least one circuit component, in particular on both sides in opposite horizontal directions, in particular, when a tolerance threshold value of a cable position change in the longitudinal direction defined by the relative position of the corresponding driver relative to the frame or web is exceeded.The sleeping rope monitoring device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carriage is / is held in a / the holding position on an upper beam or in the region of an upper beam of the corresponding elevator car in the intended longitudinal position by means of holding elements, in particular angles and / or pressure pieces and / or spring elements, in particular in combination with retaining levers, acting in the manner of predetermined breaking points.The slack cable monitoring device according to the preceding claim, wherein the holding elements are formed by angles of predefined material thickness and deformation resistance force; and / or wherein a threshold value for a / the triggering cable force can be predefined by means of the slack cable monitoring device, in particular in that the holding elements are implemented with a predefined predetermined breaking point depending on a cable pull force.The sleeping cable monitoring device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carriage is configured for mounting in an at least approximately horizontal orientation in the longitudinal direction of the cables and flat in a height range of e.g. 5-20 cm below or above a structural support component such as e.g. a / the upper beam of the corresponding elevator car.The slack rope monitoring device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carriage has a width in the transverse direction which is adapted to the rope thickness such that the carriage can enclose a scalable number of ropes in the range of at least two to six.The slack cable monitoring device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slack cable monitoring device comprises the at least one circuit component, wherein the at least one circuit component is preferably a mechanical circuit component which is coupled via at least one switching element to the carriage or its desired longitudinal position, in particular via two switching elements arranged on both sides of the circuit component in the cable longitudinal direction.Lift installation (1) having at least one slack cable monitoring device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a / the carriage (11) of the slack cable monitoring device (10) is fastened by means of fastening means (18), in particular angles, to the corresponding lift cage (3) of the lift installation (1), preferably to an upper beam (5) or in the region of the upper beam (5) of a / the corresponding lift cage (3).Lift installation according to the preceding claim, wherein the slack cable monitoring device is implemented for a / the lower lift cage of the lift installation, in particular in an arrangement below the upper beam; and / or wherein the slack cable monitoring device is implemented for a / the upper lift cage of the lift installation, in particular in an arrangement above the upper beam; and / or wherein a respective cable of the lift installation is fixed to a corresponding lift cage and / or to a corresponding counterweight at a fixed point which displaces in the vertical direction.Method for slack cable monitoring in an elevator installation (1), in particular in an elevator installation having elevator cars (3) arranged one above the other in the same elevator shaft, wherein at least one cable (7) of the elevator installation (1) is monitored with regard to its intended function, in particular with regard to breakage or break-off of the cable, wherein at least one type of safety measure is triggered in particular in response to breakage / break-off; characterized in that a plurality of cables (7) are monitored jointly by individually or bundled gripping of the cables (7) at at least one longitudinal position of the cables (7) by means of a carriage (11) which is held in a positioned manner and is displaceable in response to a pre-definable cable movement and a cable force (Fs) which exceeds a pre-definable threshold value, in at least approximately horizontal direction (x), wherein the carriage (11) triggers the at least one type of safety measure when the cable force threshold value is exceeded in the at least approximately horizontal direction (x), in particular based on actuator coupling of the (longitudinal) position of the carriage (11) to at least one circuit component (21).Method according to the preceding method claim, wherein at least one driver connected axially fixedly to the respective cable brings about an axial force transmission to / the predetermined breaking point between the slide and the holding position on the respective cable, and brings about a breaking open of the predetermined breaking point and a displacement of the slide, wherein actuation of the at least one circuit component takes place by means of the slide, in particular when a tolerance threshold value of a cable position change in the longitudinal direction defined by the relative position of the corresponding driver relative to the slide is exceeded.Method according to one of the preceding method claims, wherein the at least one circuit component is actuated mechanically by the carriage in that at least one switching element is coupled to the carriage or its desired longitudinal position, in particular via two switching elements arranged on both sides of the circuit component in the cable longitudinal direction.Method according to one of the preceding method claims, wherein in response to a cable-driven displacement of the carriage by actuating at least one circuit component, a signal for triggering a / the at least one type of safety measure is generated, in particular by means of a / the control unit.Control unit (19) for an elevator installation (1) having at least one slack cable monitoring device (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the control unit (19) is configured to trigger at least one type of safety measure, in particular to open at least one safety circuit, in response to actuation of at least one circuit component (21) by a cable-driven displacement of a / the carriage (11) of the slack cable monitoring device (10) on the basis of a / the signal of the corresponding circuit component (21), wherein steps of a method for slack cable monitoring according to one of the preceding method claims are advantageously implemented in that a plurality of circuit components (21) which can be actuated in a direction-specific manner are in communication with the control unit (19).Use of at least one carriage (11), which is held in a predefined position relative to an elevator car (3) of an elevator installation (1) with respect to at least one direction (x) by means of holding elements (12) acting as predetermined breaking points, for enclosing ropes (7) coupled to the elevator car (3) for providing a triggering function of a slack rope monitoring system, which is configured for triggering at least one type of safety measure, in particular in response to rope breakage / break-off, wherein the ropes (7) are enclosed by means of the carriage (11), wherein the carriage (11) is held on the corresponding elevator car (3), wherein at least one driver (13) is fastened axially fixedly to the respective rope (7), which driver is configured in such a way, an axial sliding through of the corresponding cable (7) leads to a breaking open of the retaining elements (12) and to a displacement of the carriage (11) and to a switching of at least one switching component (21) and thereby to a triggering of the at least one type of safety measure.

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