ELECTRONIC SAFETY DEVICE FOR LIFTS OR LIFTING EQUIPMENT AND ELECTRONIC BRAKE DEVICE

Abstract

An electronic safety device for elevators, designed to decelerate an elevator car by applying a braking element to a guide of the elevator car, comprising an actuating mechanism designed to act on the braking element to make contact with the guide element, and an activation coil (7) supplied with electrical current to activate and deactivate the actuating mechanism. The activation coil is mounted tiltably on a fixed plate so that it performs a tilting movement relative to the position of the guide element, the activation coil (7) being held in a rest position by a clamping device.The actuating mechanism has a first actuating element which can be moved vertically from a rest position to a first upper locking position or a second lower locking position by rotating the activation coil (7) when the current to the activation coil (7) is interrupted.

Description

SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The purpose of this application is to register an electronic safety device for elevators or lifting equipment that avoids mechanical installations of the conventional limiting system.

[0002] More specifically, the invention proposes the development of an electronic parachute that can act in either direction of movement of the elevator car and has a simplified design. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Nowadays, safety systems designed to slow down elevator cars in emergency situations are widely known, with many of them incorporating parachutes as such devices.

[0004] The parachute consists of a braking device designed to slow an elevator car when it reaches a high speed, which can occur in the event of a malfunction, a break in the securing cables, etc. Emergency braking devices are also used to prevent uncontrolled movements of the car, such as a slow slide out of a stationary position. The parachutes can also be activated to lock the car in a specific position, for example, to temporarily protect the safety area during inspection or maintenance of the elevator by qualified technical personnel.

[0005] In this way, the parachute has the main function of enabling the safe operation of the elevator in the event of a risk event detected by the positioning system and must ensure the deceleration of the elevator in the manner of a conventional wedging action.

[0006] These parachute devices are activated by the use of a speed limiter which, when an overspeed is detected, blocks the device and causes the parachute to be activated on the guide elements of the elevator car.

[0007] However, other solutions are currently being developed that are designed to operate without the installation of a speed limiter and utilize electronic means to detect emergency situations. Examples of this type of electronic parachute are disclosed in documents ES 2 887 940 A1 and ES 2 931 528 T3.

[0008] These electronic parachutes are activated by means of a coil or solenoid and are so-called positive safety systems because they are activated by interrupting an electrical current signal, i.e. the parachute is constantly supplied with electrical current and only operates when the supply of electrical current to the coil is interrupted.

[0009] The holder is aware of various electronic-based parachute devices that utilize a rotary movement of the parachute components connected to elastic springs to perform the braking action caused by the friction of the brake blocks with the car guide element. However, it has been noted that these have certain disadvantages, including the complexity of the design required to ensure contact of a contact element, such as a roller, with the car guide, or the difficulty of reactivating the parachute after deployment due to a seizure problem that requires the intervention of an operator to return the actuating components to their rest position, which can result in significant and undesirable downtime for the elevator car.

[0010] Furthermore, the applicant is not currently aware of any invention that has all the features described here. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention has been developed to provide a safety device, also called a parachute, which is designed as a novelty in the field of application and which eliminates the above-mentioned disadvantages and, in addition, offers other additional advantages which will become apparent from the following description.

[0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electronic safety device for elevators or lifting devices, designed to decelerate an elevator car or a lifting device by the action of a braking element on a vertical guide element forming part of the elevator car or the lifting device, of the type essentially comprising an actuating mechanism designed to act on the braking element to come into contact with the guide element; and an activating coil supplied with electrical current for activating and deactivating the actuating mechanism.

[0013] This object is achieved by an electronic safety device for elevators or lifting devices having the features according to claim 1. The electronic safety device is designed to brake an elevator car or a lifting device by the action of a braking element on a vertical guide element which is part of the elevator car or the lifting device, wherein it comprises an actuating mechanism which is designed to act on the braking element in order to come into contact with the vertical guide element, and an activating coil which is supplied with electrical current for activating and deactivating the actuating mechanism.

[0014] The invention is particularly characterized in that the activation coil is tiltably mounted on a fixed plate so that it can perform a tilting movement relative to the position of the guide element, wherein the activation coil is held in a rest position by the arrangement of a tensioning means, wherein the actuating mechanism is provided with a first actuating element which is movable vertically from a rest position into a first upper locking position or a second lower locking position by the rotation of the activation coil when the supply of electrical current to the activation coil is interrupted.

[0015] The first actuating element is coupled to a pin which is movable along a channel present in the fixed plate, this pin being connected to the activation coil in such a way that it is designed to perform a linear movement with respect to the longitudinal axis of an actuating axis which is connected to the activation coil in an axially movable manner, so that the actuating axis is held in the rest position by means of a compressed elastic means.

[0016] Preferably, the channel has a substantially V-shaped form, wherein in a rest position the first actuating element is arranged centrally.

[0017] Advantageously, the device may comprise sensor means for positioning the activation coil with respect to a reference position 0, the latter corresponding to the rest position.

[0018] According to a further aspect of the invention, the device, in particular the sensor means for detecting the positioning, may comprise a movable electrical contact acting through the position of a pin attached to the activation coil, so that when the activation coil is tilted with respect to the reference position 0, the electrical contact sends an electrical signal to a control unit connected to the elevator car.

[0019] According to a further aspect of the invention, the device may comprise secondary detection means designed to detect the position of the first actuating element relative to a reference position 0 corresponding to the rest position. Preferably, the secondary detection means comprise a recess formed in the rotary sleeve with a curved contour and a Hall sensor having a projection with a contour complementary to the recess.

[0020] The tensioning means preferably comprises a helical torsion spring. Furthermore, the device may comprise guide means for the movement of the activation coil, which ensure precision and correct functioning of the device during its activation. Preferably, the guide means comprise at least one pin fixed to a support plate on which the activation coil is integrally mounted. The pin slides along an elongated hole in the fixed plate, thus providing a guide system with a simple design.

[0021] Thanks to these features, a safety device, or parachute, is obtained that acts on the guide elements of the elevator car in both directions of movement, allowing the braking of a wide range of loads while maintaining the same deceleration rate, while always complying with regulations. It is structurally simpler than other state-of-the-art safety devices. It is worth noting that the parachute is activated electronically by interrupting a signal, making it a positive safety component that is always powered when not activated.

[0022] Its structural design is simple and functional, so that the actuating element (roller) is perfectly hidden under the fixed plate and is actuated through the channel, which reduces the risk of seizure.

[0023] It is a further object of the invention to provide an electronic braking device for an elevator.

[0024] This is achieved by an electronic braking device with the features according to claim 11, which comprises the following: - a set of brake blocks designed to brake the elevator car upon contact with the vertical guide element of the elevator car; and - an electronic security device as described above;

[0025] The set of brake pads is located in a holder that is connected to the fixed plate of the safety device via detachable fasteners.

[0026] Preferably, the releasable fastening means comprise screw elements which extend through holes made in the receptacle and in the fixed plate.

[0027] The safety device described therefore constitutes an innovative structure, with structural and constructional features hitherto unknown for the purpose for which it is intended, reasons which, together with its practical usefulness, provide a sufficient basis for obtaining the exclusive right sought here.

[0028] Further features and advantages of the safety device subject of the present invention will become clear from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1.- shows a perspective view of the safety device according to the present invention in the rest state; Fig. 2.- shows a perspective view of the safety device in the actuated state; Fig. 3.- shows a plan view of the safety device in a locking position; Fig. 4.- shows a side view of the safety device in a locking position; Fig. 5.- shows a detailed perspective view of a portion of the electronic braking device; and Fig. 6.- shows a side view of the safety device from below. DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029] In view of the above figures and in accordance with the chosen numbering, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention which includes the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

[0030] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," and the like are used in the specification and claims to distinguish similar elements and not necessarily to describe a sequential or chronological order. The terms may be interchanged under appropriate circumstances, and embodiments of the invention may proceed in sequences other than those described or illustrated herein.

[0031] Furthermore, the terms upper, lower, top, bottom, and the like are used in the specification and claims for descriptive purposes and not necessarily to describe relative positions.

[0032] The figures show an electronic braking device designed to brake a lift car or a lifting device (not shown) by the action of a braking element on a vertical guide element 1 (partially shown) forming part of the lift car or the lifting device, which essentially comprises a set of brake blocks (2) designed to brake the lift car when they come into contact with the vertical guide element 1 of the lift car, and an electronic safety device, generally designated by the reference numeral (3), which will be described in more detail below.

[0033] The set of brake pads 2 is located in a holder 4 which is connected to the fixed plate 5 of the safety device 3 via detachable fastening means.

[0034] Such releasable fastening means comprise a pair of screw elements 6 which extend through holes made in the receptacle 4 and in the fixed plate 5.

[0035] Referring now in particular to the electronic safety device 3 for elevators or lifting equipment, it essentially comprises an actuating mechanism designed to act on the braking element to come into contact with the guide element 1 of the elevator car; and an activating coil 7 supplied with power via an electrical connection socket 8 to activate and deactivate the actuating mechanism.

[0036] The activation coil 7 is tiltably mounted on the fixed plate 5 so that it can perform a tilting movement relative to the position of the guide element 1. The activation coil 7 is held in a rest position by the arrangement of a helical torsion spring 9. The actuating mechanism is provided with a first actuating element 10, preferably a roller, which can be moved vertically from a rest position to a first upper locking position or to a second lower locking position by the rotation of the activation coil 7 when the current to the activation coil 7 is interrupted. The roller is concealed by a curved portion 50 of the fixed plate 5.

[0037] The first actuating element 10 is coupled to a pin 11 which is movable along a channel 13 present in the fixed plate 5, this pin being connected to the activation coil 7 in such a way that it is designed to perform a linear movement with respect to the longitudinal axis of an actuating shaft 12 which is connected to the activation coil 7 in an axially movable manner, so that the actuating shaft 12 is held in the rest position by means of an elastic means 14, in this case a compressed helical spring.

[0038] The activation coil 7, the elastic means 14 and the actuation axis 12 are axially aligned with each other.

[0039] It should be noted that the pin 11 also performs a relative movement with respect to the actuating axis 12, since it is located in a longitudinal window 121 located at one end of the actuating axis 12, close to the attachment location of the guide element 1 and in particular in a section with a depressed cross-section of the actuating axis 12.

[0040] As in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the channel 13 has a substantially V-shaped form when viewed from above, the pin 11 connected to the first actuating element 10 being arranged centrally in a rest position, whereas the safety device, when the pin 11 is located at one of the two ends, shows its effect, that is to say it is in a braking position of the guide element 1 (see Fig. 4).

[0041] Furthermore, sensor means are provided for detecting the positioning of the activation coil relative to a reference position 0, which corresponds to the rest position. Thus, such sensor means comprise a movable electrical contact acting through the position of a detection pin 15 attached to the activation coil, so that when the activation coil 7 is tilted relative to the reference position 0, the electrical contact sends an electrical signal to a control unit connected to the elevator car.

[0042] To ensure the correct operation of the device, guide means for the movement of the activation coil are provided, comprising a pair of guide pins 16 spaced apart from each other and fixed to a support plate 17 on which the activation coil 7 is integrally mounted. As shown in Fig.As can be seen in Figure 4, each of the guide pins 16 can slide along a corresponding elongated hole 18 provided in the fixed plate 5. As can be seen, there is one elongated hole 18 on each side of the activation coil 7.

[0043] Therefore, the support plate 17, the activation coil 7 and the first actuating element (roller) 10 form an assembly which acts by tilting or rotating in the event of a power failure of the activation coil 7.

[0044] In order to know the exact position of the first actuating element 10 and to detect anomalies in operation, such as deterioration of the activation coil 7, secondary detection means are also provided for detecting the position of the first actuating element 10 with respect to a reference position 0 corresponding to the rest position.

[0045] These secondary detection means are located on the opposite side of the fixed plate 5, where the activation coil 7 is located, and consist essentially of a recess 19 formed in the rotary sleeve 20 with a curved contour and a Hall sensor 21 having at its end an extension with a projection 210 with a contour complementary to the recess.

[0046] The operation of the electronic security device described above is described in detail below: During normal operation of the elevator car, the activation coil is supplied with electrical current, with the coil spring 14 in a compressed state, which holds the first actuating element 10 in position. If an abnormality occurs during operation of the elevator car that requires its urgent stop, the power supply to the activation coil 7 is interrupted, and the first actuating element (roller) acts due to the action of the compressed coil spring 14, pressing against the guide element 1 of the car.As soon as the actuating element touches the vertical guide element 1 of the car due to the frictional force generated, the first actuating element 10 is moved up or down relative to the reference point 0, i.e., the center of the channel, where the converging sections defining the channel 13 intersect, taking into account the direction of movement of the elevator car, thus wedging the device in the corresponding direction. The actuating coil 7 acts as a mechanical lever and rotates in the wedging direction thanks to the arrangement of a rotary bushing located on the fixed plate, which acts on the support plate.

[0047] To unclamp the elevator car and return the electronic safety device to its rest position, the activation coil 7 is re-energized and the elevator car moves in the opposite direction to the wedging, so that it is the activation coil 7 that returns the first actuating element 10, i.e. the roller, to the reference position 0, i.e. to the central part of the channel 13.

[0048] The details, shapes, dimensions and other accessories used in the manufacture of the electronic security device according to the invention can be replaced accordingly by others that do not deviate from the scope defined by the claims listed below. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] ES 2 887 940 A1

[0007] ES 2 931 528 T3

[0007]

Claims

[1] Electronic safety device (3) for lifts or lifting equipment, designed to brake a lift car or a lifting equipment by the action of a braking element on a vertical guide element (1) forming part of the lift car or the lifting equipment, comprising: - an actuating mechanism designed to act on the braking element to come into contact with the vertical guide element (1); and - an activation coil (7) which is supplied with electrical current to activate and deactivate the actuating mechanism, characterized bythat the activation coil (7) is tiltably mounted on a fixed plate (5) so that it can perform a tilting movement with respect to the position of the vertical guide element (1), wherein the activation coil (7) is held in a rest position by the arrangement of a tensioning means, wherein the actuating mechanism is provided with a first actuating element (10) which is movable vertically from a rest position to a first upper locking position or a second lower locking position by the rotation of the activation coil (7) when the supply of electrical current to the activation coil (7) is interrupted, wherein the first actuating element (10) is coupled to a pin which is movable along a channel (13) present in the fixed plate (5), wherein this pin is connected to the activation coil (7) in such a way that it is designed to perform a linear movement with respect to the longitudinal axis of an actuation axis (12),which is axially movably connected to the activation coil (7) so that the actuating axis (12) is held in the rest position by means of a compressed elastic means., [2] Electronic security device (3) according to claim 1, characterized by that the channel (13) has a substantially V-shaped form, wherein the first actuating element (10) is arranged centered in a rest position. [3] Electronic security device (3) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by in that it comprises sensor means for detecting the positioning of the activation coil (7) with respect to a reference position 0, the latter corresponding to the rest position. [4] Electronic security device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the sensor means for detecting the positioning comprise a movable electrical contact which acts through the position of a detection pin (15) attached to the activation coil (7), so that when the activation coil (7) is tilted with respect to the reference position 0, the electrical contact sends an electrical signal to a control unit connected to the elevator car. [5] Electronic security device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that it comprises secondary detection means intended to detect the position of the first actuating element (10) with respect to a reference position 0 corresponding to the rest position. [6] Electronic security device (3) according to claim 5, characterized byin that the secondary detection means comprise a recess (19) formed in the rotary sleeve (20) with a curved contour and a Hall sensor (21) which has a projection (210) with a contour complementary to the recess (19). [7] Electronic security device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the clamping device comprises a helical torsion spring. [8] Electronic security device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it comprises guide means for the movement of the activation coil (7). [9] Electronic security device (3) according to claim 8, characterized by in that the guide means comprise at least one guide pin (16) connected to a support plate (17) on which the activation coil (7) is mounted in one piece, the guide pin (16) being able to slide along an elongated hole present in the fixed plate. [10] Electronic security device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the activation coil (7), the elastic means (14) and the actuating axis (12) are axially aligned with one another. [11] Electronic braking device for a lift, comprising: - a set of brake blocks designed to brake the elevator car when they come into contact with the vertical guide element (1) of the elevator car; and - an electronic safety device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 10; in which the set of brake pads is located in a housing connected to the fixed plate (5) of the electronic safety device (3) by releasable fastening means. [12] Braking device according to claim 11, characterized by that the detachable fastening means comprise screw elements which pass through holes made in the holder and in the fixed plate (5).

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