Device for actuating elevator doors

Abstract

A device for actuating elevator doors, comprising means (2) for moving the car door (3) and at least one device (5) for coupling between the car door (3) and the floor doors (6). The movement means (2) comprise at least one first flexible element (7) for motion transmission which extends between first guiding wheels (8a, 8b), of which at least one is connected to a first motor, and the coupling device (5) is actuatable by means of a second flexible element (10) for motion transmission which extends between second guiding wheels (11a, 11b), of which at least one is connected to a second motor; means (12) being also provided for interconnection between the first and second flexible elements (7, 10) which functionally connect the first and second flexible elements (7, 10) to the coupling device (5) and are adapted to transmit mutually cooperating synergistically forces, selectively to the coupling device (5) or to the car door (3).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for actuating elevator doors.

[0002] As is known, elevators are constituted by a car that can be actuated in motion along an elevator shaft that extends vertically, to allow users to move among the floors of the building served by the elevator.

[0003] The elevator car is equipped with at least one door which can open, in order to allow access to the car, while at the floors of the building there are respective floor doors which control access to the elevator shaft from the floors of the building.

[0004] As is also known, with the car at the floor desired by the users, the car doors are actuated automatically, to open or close, by an actuation device, mounted on said car and constituted in general by a carriage, which is integral with the car door and is slidingly movable, with respect to the car, along a linear guide, by the action of a flexible element, constituted by a belt, which extends between a pair of wheels with mutually parallel axes, one wheel being idle and the other being motorized.

[0005] In particular, in common types of elevator, when the car stops at a floor the car door couples to the corresponding floor door, so that the opening actuation of the car door by the associated actuation device also drags the floor door to open, so as to allow the users to access the car from the floor where the car has stopped.

[0006] For safety reasons, a removable locking device is furthermore associated with each floor door and allows to lock the floor doors in the closed condition, in order to prevent their opening in the absence of the car at the corresponding floor, and is deactivated as a consequence of the coupling of the car door with the corresponding floor door.

[0007] Typically, the coupling between the car door and the floor door is achieved by means of an expansion coupling device, also called clamp or chute, which is associated with the car door, as well as by means of abutment elements, associated with the floor doors, which are designed to be engaged by the expansion coupling device, so as to render the car door integral with the floor door at which the car has stopped.

[0008] More particularly, the expansion coupling device is constituted essentially by a pair of engagement bars, which are substantially mutually parallel and face each other and are oriented along the direction of movement of the car, while the abutment elements are constituted, for each floor door, by idle contrast wheels, which are arranged so as to be positioned on mutually opposite sides with respect to the engagement bars of the expansion coupling device, when the car is at the corresponding floor door.

[0009] In greater detail, the engagement bars of the expansion coupling device are movable on command between an inactive condition, in which they are mutually closer, so as not to engage or engage simply by sliding the abutment elements provided on the floor doors, and an active condition, in which they are mutually spaced so as to engage the abutment elements so as to render the car door and the corresponding floor door mutually integral.

[0010] Furthermore, in the transition from the inactive position to the active position, the engagement bars of the expansion device produce a displacement of the abutment elements which determines, by means of an adapted kinematic connection, also the deactivation of the removable locking device of the floor door that has been rendered integral with the car door by the expansion coupling device.

[0011] In some types of elevator, the transition of the expansion coupling device from the inactive condition to the active condition occurs in a so-called passive manner, since it is performed following the actuation of said belt which allows the movement of the car door.

[0012] In other types of elevator, instead, the actuation of the expansion coupling device is provided in an active manner, i.e., by means of a dedicated actuator, which is different and separate with respect to the one that actuates the belt that moves the car door.

[0013] Despite the advantage of rendering the movements of the expansion actuation device and of the car door mutually independent, the active actuation of the expansion coupling device entails, with respect to passive activation, greater constructive complexity and consequently higher production costs.

[0014] In an attempt to solve such problem, an actuation device for elevator doors, described in WO2018 / 206530, has been provided which comprises a first flexible motion transmission element, connected to the car door and designed to actuate the car door in motion, and a second flexible motion transmission element, designed to actuate the expansion coupling device independently of the first flexible element.

[0015] In particular, the first flexible element is constituted by a first belt having a closed extension, which winds between a first pair of guiding wheels, one of which is connected to a first motor, while the second flexible element is constituted by a second belt having a closed extension, which winds between a second pair of guiding wheels, one of which is connected to a second motor.

[0016] With this solution, when the car door is actuated to open, the first motor and the second motor cooperate with each other synergistically by both giving an active contribution in performing the movement of the car door and of the floor door, while, when the car door is actuated to close, there is the drawback that the second motor, having to act anyway to keep the expansion coupling device in the active condition, acts as a motor brake, thus acting in the opposite way with respect to the action applied by the first motor to move the closure of the car door and also the floor door with it.

[0017] The aim of the present invention is to provide a device for actuating elevator doors that is capable of improving the background art in one or more of the above mentioned aspects.

[0018] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a device for actuating elevator doors in which the motors that are present can cooperate not only in the opening step but also in the closure step of the elevator doors.

[0019] Another object of the invention is to provide a device for actuating elevator doors that is capable of giving the greatest assurances of reliability and safety in use.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for actuating elevator doors that is constructively simple to provide.

[0021] A still further object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the background art in a manner that is alternative to any existing solutions.

[0022] Not least object of the invention is to provide a device for actuating elevator doors that can be competitive also from a purely economic standpoint.

[0023] This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a device for actuating elevator doors according to claim 1, optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics of the dependent claims.

[0024] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the device for actuating elevator doors according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an elevator car provided with the actuation device according to the invention, with the car door and the floor door in the closed condition and a coupling device in the inactive condition; Figures 2 to 6 are perspective views of the actuation device according to the invention in a sequence of steps in which the coupling device is brought to the active condition and the car door and the floor door are brought to the open position; Figures 7 to 11 are enlarged-scale front elevation views, with portions shown in phantom lines and others in cutaway, of the actuation device according to the invention in a sequence of steps in which the coupling device is brought to the active condition and the car and floor doors are subsequently brought to the open position; Figure 12 is a schematic front elevation view of a different embodiment of the invention; Figure 13 is a schematic front elevation view of a further embodiment of the invention.

[0025] With reference to the figures, the device for actuating elevator doors according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises movement means 2 which allow to actuate in motion the car door 3, which is associated with a car 4 of the elevator, which is movable along an elevator shaft, in order to perform the displacement of the car door 3 between a closed condition and an open condition of the access opening to the car 4.

[0026] In particular, said movement means 2 are supported by the car 4, preferably at a crossmember 4a arranged above the access opening of said car.

[0027] The actuation device comprises, moreover, at least one coupling device 5, which has the function of coupling the car door 3 to the floor doors 6, which are in turn designed to close the openings for access to the elevator shaft that are located at the various floors of the building.

[0028] The coupling device 5 is structured so that it can pass on command from an inactive condition, shown for example in Figures 1, 2, and 7, assumed in particular during the movement of the car 4 along the elevator shaft, to an active condition, shown for example in Figures 5, 6 and 10, in which it allows to render mutually integral the car door 3 and the floor door 6 that is located at the floor of the building at which the car 4 has stopped, and vice versa.

[0029] As shown, the movement means 2 comprise at least one first flexible element 7 for motion transmission, which is constituted for example by a belt or other similar transmission element.

[0030] The first flexible element 7 is functionally connected to the car door 3 and extends, along a closed extension, between first guiding wheels 8a, 8b, of which at least one, for example the one designated in the figures by 8a, is connected to a first motor 9a.

[0031] The coupling device 5 can in turn be actuated in order to allow its transition between the inactive condition and the active condition by means of a second flexible element 10 for motion transmission, which extends, conveniently along a closed extension, between second guiding wheels 11a, 11b, of which at least one, for example the one designated in the figures by 11b, is connected to a second motor 9b, which can be actuated with a synchronized, i.e., co-ordinated, motion with respect to the first motor 9a.

[0032] Means 12 for interconnection between the first flexible element 7 and the second flexible element 10 being provided, which are supported by the car door 3 and allow the first flexible element 7 and the second flexible element 10 to interact positively with each other, so that they can both collaborate actively, cooperating synergistically in actuating the movement of the car door 3 and of the floor door 6 not only from the closed condition to the open condition, as in the background art, but also from the open condition to the closed condition.

[0033] In particular, the interconnection means 12 are, for example, supported by a carriage element 13 connected integrally to the car door 3 and mounted slidingly, by means of free sliding wheels 14, along at least one horizontal guide 15, which is fixed to the crossmember 4a of the car 4.

[0034] The interconnection means 12 are, moreover, capable of connecting functionally the first flexible element 7 and the second flexible element 10 to the coupling device 5, so as to allow the first flexible element 7 and the second flexible element 10 to both collaborate actively, cooperating synergistically not only in actuating the movement of the car door 3 and of the floor door 6 but also in actuating the transition of the coupling device 5 between the active condition and the inactive condition.

[0035] More particularly, the interconnection means 12 are adapted to transmit forces, generated respectively by the first motor 9a, by means of the first flexible element 7, and by the second motor 9b, by means of the second flexible element 10, and cooperating with each other synergistically, selectively to the coupling device 5, in order to perform the transition thereof between the inactive condition and the active condition, or to the car door 3, in order to perform the displacement of the car door 3 and of the floor door 6 between the closed condition and the open condition, with the coupling device 5 in the active condition, depending on the methods of actuation of the first motor 9a and of the second motor 9b and, more particularly, depending on whether, advantageously, the first motor 9a and the second motor 9b are actuated along mutually concordant or discordant rotation directions.

[0036] Preferably, the interconnection means 12 allow to transmit forces, generated by the first motor 9a, by means of the first flexible element 7, and by the second motor 9b, by means of the second flexible element 10, and mutually synergistically cooperating, selectively to the coupling device 5, in order to perform the transition thereof between the inactive condition and the active condition, when the first motor 9a and the second motor 9b are actuated along mutually discordant rotation directions, or to the car door 3, in order to perform the displacement of the car door 3 and of the floor door 6 between the closed condition and the open condition, with the coupling device 5 in the active condition, when the first motor 9a and the second motor 9b are actuated along mutually concordant rotation directions.

[0037] Conveniently, the coupling device 5 comprises at least one pair of engagement bars 16a, 16b which face each other and are mutually parallel and are oriented substantially along the direction of motion of the car 4 along the elevator shaft and can be moved to engage with abutment means supported by the floor door 6, major details hereinafter, in order to obtain the coupling of the car door 3 with the floor door 6.

[0038] The engagement bars 16a, 16b are connected to actuation means 17 which, by means of their motion, allow the transition of the engagement bars 16a, 16b from a coupling position with the abutment means, in which the coupling device 5 is in the inactive condition, to a disengagement position from the abutment means, in which the coupling device 5 is in the active condition, and vice versa.

[0039] More particularly, the coupling device 5 is preferably of the expansion type and in this case the disengagement position of the engagement bars 16a, 16b corresponds to a mutually closer position thereof, while the coupling position of the engagement bars 16a, 16b corresponds to a mutually spaced position thereof.

[0040] The interconnection means 12 are in a motion transmission relationship with the actuation means 17, so as to be able to transmit the motion to the actuation means 17 which allows the transition of the engagement bars 16a, 16b between the mutually closer position and the mutually spaced position.

[0041] More particularly, the interconnection means 12 are adapted to transmit forces to the actuation means 17 that cooperate with each other synergistically and are generated by the first and the second motors 9a, 9b by virtue of the first and second flexible elements 7 and 10, in order to impart to the actuation means 17, selectively, a movement adapted to produce the displacement of the engagement bars 16a, 16b from the mutually closer position to the mutually spaced position, upon the actuation of the first motor 9a along a first direction of rotation, and of the second motor 9b in a direction of rotation that is opposite with respect to the first direction of rotation, or a movement adapted to produce the displacement of the engagement bars 16a, 16b from the mutually spaced position to the mutually closer position upon the actuation of the first motor 9a in a second direction of rotation that is opposite with respect to the first direction of rotation and of the second motor 9b in the direction of rotation that is opposite with respect to the second direction of rotation.

[0042] Conveniently, the abutment means associated with the floor door 6 are constituted by contrast wheels 18a and 18b, mounted freely about their corresponding axes and arranged on mutually opposite sides with respect to the engagement bars 16a, 16b, so that they can be engaged by contact by the engagement bars 16a, 16b when said bars are brought to the mutually spaced position, so as to render the floor door 6 integral with the car door 4.

[0043] Advantageously, safety means are provided which ensure the removable locking of the car door 3 and of the floor door 6 in the closed condition of the corresponding openings.

[0044] In particular, the safety means comprise, for example, a first engagement lever 19a, which is rotatably supported by the car door 3 and is adapted to engage a first retention pin 20a, which is integral with the car 4, in order to allow the removable locking of the car door 3 in the closed condition, and a second engagement lever 19b, which is supported rotatably by the floor door 6 and is adapted to engage a second retention pin 20b, which is integrally associated with the structure of the building, in order to allow, in turn, the removable locking of the floor door 6 in the closed condition.

[0045] It should be noted that the disengagement of the second engagement lever 19a from the first retention pin 20a occurs as a consequence of the movement of the engagement bars 16a, 16b, which, by passing from the mutually closer position to the mutually spaced position, produce the movement of one of the contrast wheels, for example, with reference to the figures, of the contrast wheel 18b, so that the unlocking of the floor door 6 can occur only in the presence of the car 4 at the corresponding floor.

[0046] In particular, the contrast wheel 18b is supported rotatably by the second engagement lever 19b, which in turn is pivoted to the car door 3.

[0047] The deactivation of the safety means associated with the car door 3 is, in turn, allowed only in the presence of a floor door 6. In particular, the disengagement of the first engagement lever 19a from the first retention pin 20a is conveniently provided by means of a system that works on the contrast between the engagement bars 16a, 16b of the coupling device 5 and the contrast wheels 18a, 18b supported by the floor door 6. More precisely, during the transition of the engagement bars 16a, 16b from the mutually closer position to the mutually spaced position, one of the engagement bars, for example the one designated by the reference numeral 16b, by pressing against the corresponding contrast wheel 18a acts by compression on elastic means, not shown, which in turn act on the first engagement lever 19a, so as to provide the disengagement thereof from the first retention pin 20a, providing the threshold of force necessary to discriminate the presence of the floor door 6.

[0048] In greater detail, it should be noted that, as shown, the first guiding wheels 8a, 8b and the second guiding wheels 11a, 11b are conveniently arranged so that their axes are oriented substantially parallel to each other and substantially at right angles to the movement direction of the car 4 along the elevator shaft, i.e., to the plane of arrangement of the opening of the car 4.

[0049] More particularly, the first flexible element 7 and the second flexible element 10 are arranged so that each has two segments which extend between the corresponding guiding wheels along directions that are substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to said direction of motion of the car 4.

[0050] In practice, the first flexible element 7 and the second flexible element 10 have, conveniently, each a respective upper segment 7a, 10a and a respective lower segment 7b, 10b, which extend substantially horizontally.

[0051] Optionally, the first flexible element 7 and the second flexible element 10 can be arranged so that one is inside the closed extension of the other, as in the example of Figures 1-11, or can also be arranged one above the other, as in the examples of embodiment of Figures 12 and 13.

[0052] According to one possible embodiment, the interconnection means 12 comprise gear systems which are engaged by the first flexible element 7 and by the second flexible element 10 and interact with each other and with the coupling device 5.

[0053] Conveniently, the gear systems comprise at least one first pulley 21, which is supported rotatably by the car door 3 and is engaged by the first flexible element 7, and at least one second pulley 22, which is supported rotatably by the car door 3 and engaged by the second flexible element 10. In particular, the first pulley 21 and the second pulley 22 are in a mutual meshing relationship and conveniently have mutually substantially identical diameters.

[0054] In greater detail, the first pulley 21 is engaged by a segment of the first flexible element 7, while the second pulley 22 is engaged by a segment of the second flexible element 10 that is arranged in a matching position with respect to the segment of the first flexible element 7 that engages the first pulley 21. More precisely, the first pulley 21 is, for example, engaged by the upper segment 7a of the first flexible element 7, while the second pulley 22 is in turn engaged by the upper segment 10a of the second flexible element 10.

[0055] Advantageously, first engagement rollers 23 are provided which are arranged on mutually opposite sides with respect to the first pulley 21 and engage the upper segment 7a of the first flexible element 7 in order to allow the winding of the upper segment 7a of the first flexible element 7 around the upper portion of the first pulley 21 and second engagement rollers 24 are provided which are arranged laterally to the second pulley 22 and in turn engage the upper segment 10a of the second flexible element 10, in order to wind the latter around the upper portion of the second pulley 22.

[0056] Conveniently, at least one first gear 25 is provided which rotates integrally with the first pulley 21 and at least one second gear 26 is provided which instead rotates integrally with the second pulley 22 and meshes with the first gear 25. Preferably, the first gear 25 and the second gear 26 have substantially mutually identical diameters.

[0057] More particularly, with reference to the embodiment of Figures 1-11, it is optionally possible to provide two first pulleys 21 arranged so as to be mutually aligned along a direction that is substantially parallel to the extension of the upper segment 7a of the first flexible element 7 and wound, on at least one peripheral portion thereof, by the upper segment 7a of the first flexible element 7. Conveniently, the two first pulleys 21 are arranged laterally, on mutually opposite sides, to a second pulley 22, which is wound, on a peripheral portion thereof, by the upper segment 10a of the second flexible element 10.

[0058] Advantageously, in this case, the first engagement rollers 23 are arranged on mutually opposite sides with respect to the first pulleys 21 and engage the upper segment 7a of the first flexible element 7 in order to allow the winding of the upper segment 7a of the first flexible element 7 around the two first pulleys 21, so that it can pass over the second pulley 22.

[0059] In the embodiment of Figures 1-11, there is moreover a first gear 25 arranged so as to be in axial alignment and integral in rotation with one of the two first pulleys 21, while a second gear 26 is arranged so as to be in axial alignment and integral in rotation with the second pulley 22 and meshes with the first gear 25.

[0060] Conveniently, the actuation means 17 of the engagement bars 16a, 16b may be provided by lever means, interposed between the engagement bars 16a, 16b and constituted, for example, by linkages 27, hinged at the opposite ends to the engagement bars 16a, 16b and pivoted, at an intermediate portion thereof, to the car door 3 or, more preferably, to the carriage 13, about a pivoting axis which is substantially perpendicular to the movement direction of the engagement bars 16a, 16b.

[0061] With reference to the embodiment of Figures 1-11, at least one of the gears 25, 26 is in a motion transmission relationship with at least one of the linkages 27.

[0062] More particularly, the first gear 25 is engaged with a third gear 28, which is supported rotatably by the car door 3 and meshes in turn with a pinion 29 which is rigidly coupled to the intermediate portion of one of the linkages 27 and can rotate about the same pivoting axis thereof, so that rotation in one direction of the first gear 25 about its own axis can provide a rotation in the same direction, about its own pivoting axis, of the linkage 27 kinematically connected thereto and, therefore, also of the other linkages 27, with consequent displacement of the engagement bars 16a, 16b between the mutually closer position and the mutually spaced position.

[0063] Figure 12 shows schematically a different embodiment, in which the actuation means 17 of the engagement bars 16a, 16b are provided by virtue of rack means which are connected to the engagement bars 16a, 16b and mesh with the gear systems that provide the interconnection means 12.

[0064] More particularly, in this embodiment, at least one of the pulleys 21, 22, for example the first pulley 21, is integrally connected in rotation to a toothed wheel 30, which is coaxial thereto and is engaged, in mutually diametrically opposite points, by a pair of racks 31, which are each rigidly connected to a respective engagement bar 16a, 16b and extend along a substantially horizontal direction, so that the rotation of the toothed wheel 30 can determine the displacement of the engagement bars 16a, 16b between the mutually closer position and the mutually spaced position.

[0065] The operation of the actuation device, according to the invention, is as follows.

[0066] With reference to the embodiment of Figures 1-11, when the car 4 has stopped at the desired floor, the engagement bars 16a, 16b, which are in the mutually closer position, are interposed between the contrast wheels 18a, 18b and the first and second engagement levers 19a, 19b are respectively engaged with the first and second retention pins 20a, 20b, ensuring the locking of the car door 3 and of the floor door 6 in the closed condition, as shown in particular in Figures 1 and 2 and Figure 7.

[0067] At this point, the first motor 9a and the second motor 9b are activated, so as to rotate respectively the first guiding wheels 8a, 8b in one direction and the second guiding wheels 11a, 11b in the opposite direction of rotation and so that the movement imparted to the first flexible element 7 by the first guiding wheels 8a, 8b is synchronized or in any case coordinated with the movement imparted to the second flexible element 10 by the second guiding wheels 11a, 11b. With reference to the view of Figure 7, the first guiding wheels 8a, 8b are, for example, rotated counterclockwise while the second guiding wheels 11a, 11b are rotated clockwise.

[0068] As a consequence of the rotational actuation of the first guiding wheels 8a, 8b by the first motor 9a and of the second guiding wheels 11a, 11b by the second motor 9b in the opposite direction of rotation with respect to the first guiding wheels 8a, 8b and so as to impart to the second flexible element 10 a movement that is coordinated with the movement of the first flexible element 7, the upper segment 7a of the first flexible element 7 produces an action on the first pulleys 21, so as to rotate them in the same direction as the first guiding wheels 8a, 8b, while the upper segment 10a of the second flexible element 10, which is actuated with a movement that is correlated with the movement of the upper segment 7a of the first flexible element 7, acts on the second pulley 22 so as to rotate it in the opposite direction with respect to the first pulleys 21.

[0069] The rotation of the first pulleys 21 in the opposite direction with respect to the second pulley 22 is allowed by the meshing relationship between the first gear 25 and the second gear 26 and therefore the first gear 25 and the second gear 26 are in turn rotated, so as to cooperatively collaborate, both providing the mutually synergistic forces received by the first and second motors 9a, 9b which allow the rotational actuation of the third gear 28, which acts so as to rotate the pulley 29 and consequently the linkage 27 which is integral with the pulley 29, in the sense that produces a movement of the engagement bars 16a, 16b from the mutually closer position to the mutually spaced position, so that the engagement bars 16a, 16b can come into contact with the contrast wheels 18a, 18b, so as to render the floor door 6 integral with the car door 3.

[0070] The thrust received by the contrast wheel 18b by the corresponding engagement bar 16b during the transition of the engagement bars 16a and 16b from the mutually closer position to the mutually spaced position produces the rotation of the second engagement lever 19b and subsequently also of the first engagement lever 19a, with consequent disengagement of said levers from the respective retention pins 20a, 20b, as shown in Figures 3-5 and 8-10.

[0071] At this point, the actuation of the second guiding wheels 11a, 11b by the second motor 9b is reversed, so that they can rotate in the same direction of rotation as the first guiding wheels 8a, 8b and transmit a coordinated movement to the first and the second flexible elements 7 and 10, respectively.

[0072] In this situation, since the rotation of the pulleys 21, 22 is blocked by the mutual meshing of the first and the second gears 25, 26, the first and the second flexible elements 7 and 10 both act cooperatively, by means of the first and second pulleys 21, 22, on the car door 3 and on the floor door 6, rendered integral with the car door 3 as a result of the engagement of the engagement bars 16a, 16b with the contrast wheels 18a, 18b. In this way, the forces generated by the first and second motors 9a, 9b act synergistically on the car door 3 and on the floor door 6, thereby cooperating in dragging the car door 3 and the floor door 6 from the closed condition to the open condition, as shown in Figures 6 and 11.

[0073] In order to move the car door 3 and the floor door 6 from the open condition to the closed condition, the first motor 9a is actuated so as to rotate the first guiding wheels 8a, 8b in the opposite direction of rotation to the one that allowed to bring the car door 3 and the floor door 6 from the closed condition to the open condition, particularly, with reference to the views of Figures 7-11, in a clockwise direction, and at the same time the second motor 9b is actuated so as to rotate the second guiding wheels 11a, 11b in the same direction in which the first guiding wheels 8a, 8b are actuated, i.e. also in a clockwise direction, again with reference to the views of Figures 7-11 and so as to move the second flexible element in a coordinated manner with respect to the movement imparted to the first flexible element 7.

[0074] In this manner, the first pulleys 21 and the second pulley 22, by not being able to rotate due to the mutual meshing of the first gear 25 with the second gear 26, allow to transmit the mutually synergistic forces generated by the first and second motors 9a, 9b and received by means of the first and second flexible elements 7, 10 to the car door 3 and to the floor door 6 so as to drag them from the open condition to the closed condition.

[0075] Once the car door 3 and the floor door 6 have been brought to the closed condition, the second motor 9b is actuated so as to turn the second guiding wheels 11a, 11b in rotation in the opposite direction to the one in which the first guiding wheels 8a, 8b are turned by the first motor 9a, i.e., counterclockwise with reference to the views of Figures 7-11, and so as to move the second flexible element 10 in a manner that is coordinated with the movement of the first flexible element 7, in order to obtain the rotation of the first pulleys 21 and of the second pulley 22, with consequent transmission of a synergistic action, by the first and second gears 25, 26, which allows to rotate the third gear 28 and consequently the pinion 29 as well as the linkage 27 which is integral therewith, in the direction that produces the displacement of the engagement bars 16a, 16b from the mutually spaced condition towards the mutually closer position, so as to disengage the engagement bars 16a, 16b from the contrast wheels 18a, 18b and obtain, therefore, the uncoupling of the floor door 6 from the car door 3.

[0076] Furthermore, again as a consequence of the transition of the engagement bars 16a, 16b from the mutually spaced condition to the mutually closer position, the first engagement lever 19a and the second engagement lever 19b are returned into engagement with the first retention pin 20a and the second retention pin 20b, respectively, thus ensuring the locking of the car door 3 and of the floor door 6 in the closed condition.

[0077] With reference to the embodiment of Figure 12, it can be noted that, as a consequence of the actuation of the first motor 9a and of the second motor 9a so that the first guiding wheels 8a are rotated in one direction and the second guiding wheels 11a, 11b are rotated in a synchronized manner with respect to the first guiding wheels 8a, 8b but in the opposite direction, the upper segment 7a of the first flexible element 7 and the upper segment 10a of the second flexible element 10 act, respectively, on the first pulley 21 and on the second pulley 22, imparting to the first pulley 21 and to the second pulley 22 a rotational motion, allowed by the mutual meshing of the first gear 25 with the second gear 26, so that the forces generated by the first and the second motors 9a, 9b can cooperatively rotate the toothed wheel 30 and, therefore, move in translation the racks 31, with consequent displacement of the engagement bars 16a, 16b between the mutually closer position and the mutually spaced position.

[0078] In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects.

[0079] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0080] Thus, for example, as in the embodiment shown schematically in Figure 13, the interconnection means 12, instead of being constituted by gear systems, as in the embodiments described earlier, may optionally also comprise a rocker element 32 which is freely pivoted, with an intermediate portion thereof, on the car door 3, or on a portion that is integral with the car door 3, and articulated, at its opposite ends, to matching segments respectively of the first flexible element 7 and of the second flexible element 10. More particularly, the rocker element 32 may, for example, be articulated at one end to the upper segment 7a of the first flexible element 7 and, at the other end, to the upper segment of the second flexible element 10.

[0081] In this manner, the actuation of the first motor 9a in one direction and of the second motor 9b in the opposite direction allows the upper segment 7a of the first flexible element 7 and the upper segment 10a of the second flexible element 10 to apply to the rocker element 32 forces capable of synergistically producing the oscillation of the rocker element 32 about its fulcrum.

[0082] Advantageously, in this case, the rocker element 32 is functionally connected to the actuation means 17 of the engagement bars 16a, 16b, so that an oscillation of the rocker element 32 about its fulcrum, in one direction or the other, can result in a movement of the actuation means 17 that is capable of producing the transition of the engagement bars 16a, 16b from the mutually closer position to the mutually spaced position or vice versa.

[0083] For example, the rocker element 32 is rigidly fixed to a first linkage 27a, which conveniently extends substantially perpendicular to the rocker element 32 and is hinged at the opposite ends to the engagement bars 16a, 16b, while a second linkage 27b, hinged to the car door 3, at a middle section thereof, and articulated at its ends to the engagement bars 16a, 16b, may be provided for the purpose of stabilizing the movement of the engagement bars 16a, 16b.

[0084] With reference again to this embodiment, once the rocker element 32 has been brought to the angular position that allows to arrange the engagement bars 16a, 16b in the mutually spaced position, by actuating the first motor 9a and the second motor 9b in mutually concordant directions of rotation the forces applied to the rocker element 32 by the upper segment 7a of the first flexible element 7 and by the upper segment 10a of the second flexible element 10 act synergistically in order to produce the displacement of the car door 3 and of the floor door 6 between the closed condition and the open condition.

[0085] According to another possible embodiment, the interconnection means 12 may also be structured to transmit mutually synergistically cooperating forces and are generated by the first motor 9a, by means of the first flexible element 7, and by the second motor 9b, by means of the second flexible element 10, and between each other, selectively to the coupling device 5, to actuate the transition of the latter from the inactive condition to the active condition, when the first motor 9a and the second motor 9b are actuated along mutually concordant directions of rotation, or to the car door 3, in order to perform the displacement of the car door 3 and of the floor door 6 from the closed condition to the open condition, with the coupling device 5 in the active condition, when the first motor 9a and the second motor 9b are actuated according to mutually discordant directions of rotation.

[0086] In this case, the interconnection means 12 may be connected to mutually non-matching segments of the first and second flexible elements 7 and 10. For example, they may be connected to the upper segment 7a of the first flexible element 7 and to the lower segment 10b of the second flexible element 10, or they may be connected to the lower segment 7b of the first flexible element 7 and to the upper segment 10a of the second flexible element 10.

[0087] Moreover, it is possible that, with optional obvious modifications, that the coupling device 5 might be of the compression type, instead of the expansion type. In this case, the abutment means and in particular the contrast wheels 18a and 18b are interposed between the engagement bars 16a, 16b, and said bars, in the transition of the coupling device 5 from the inactive condition to the active condition, are moved from a mutually spaced position, in which they are in a position of uncoupling from the retention means, to a mutually closer position, in which they are in a position of coupling with the abutment means, and, vice versa, in the transition of the coupling device 5 from the active condition to the inactive condition, they are moved from the mutually closer position to the mutually spaced position.

[0088] Furthermore, all the details may be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0089] In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

[0090] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A device for actuating elevator doors, comprising means (2) for moving the car door (3), supported by the car (4) of the elevator, and at least one device (5) for coupling between the car door (3) and the floor doors (6), said coupling device (5) being adapted to pass on command from an inactive condition to an active condition, in which it is adapted to render mutually integral the car door (3) and the floor door (6) that corresponds to the stopping floor of the car (4), and vice versa, said movement means (2) comprising at least one first flexible element (7) for motion transmission which is functionally connected to the car door (3) and extends between first guiding wheels (8a, 8b), of which at least one is connected to a first motor (9a), said coupling device (5) being actuatable from said inactive condition to said active condition by means of a second flexible element (10) for motion transmission which extends between second guiding wheels (11a, 11b), of which at least one is connected to a second motor (9b), which can be actuated with a synchronized motion with respect to said first motor (9a), the device further comprising means (12) for interconnection between said first flexible element (7) and said second flexible element (10) which are supported by said car door (3) and functionally connect said first flexible element (7) and said second flexible element (10) to said coupling device (5), said interconnection means (12) being adapted to transmit forces, generated respectively by said first motor (9a), by means of said first flexible element (7), and by said second motor (9b), by means of said second flexible element (10), and cooperating with each other synergistically, selectively to said coupling device (5), in order to perform the transition of said coupling device (5) from said inactive condition to said active condition, or to said car door (3), in order to perform the transition of said car door (3) and of said floor door (6) from said closed condition to said open condition, with said coupling device (5) in said active condition, depending on the methods of actuation of said first motor (9a) and of said second motor (9b), characterized in that said first guiding wheels (8a, 8b) and said second guiding wheels (11a, 11b) are arranged so that their axes are oriented substantially parallel to each other, said first flexible element (7) and said second flexible element (10) having segments (7a, 7b, 10a, 10b) which extend between the corresponding guiding wheels (8a, 8b, 11a, 11b) along directions that are substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to said direction of motion of the car (4).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said interconnection means (12) are adapted to transmit forces, generated respectively by said first motor (9a), by means of said first flexible element (7), and by said second motor (9b), by means of said second flexible element (10), and cooperating mutually synergistically, selectively to said coupling device (5), in order to perform the transition of said coupling device (5) from said inactive condition to said active condition, upon the actuation of said first motor (9a) and of said second motor (9b) along mutually discordant rotation directions, or to said car door (3), in order to perform the transition of said car door (3) and of said floor door (6) from said closed condition to said open condition, with said coupling device (5) in said active condition, upon the actuation of said first motor (9a) and of said second motor (9b) in mutually concordant rotation directions.

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said interconnection means (12) are adapted to transmit forces, generated respectively by said first motor (9a), by means of said first flexible element (7), and by said second motor (9b), by means of said second flexible element (10), and cooperating mutually synergistically, selectively to said coupling device (5), in order to perform the transition of said coupling device (5) from said inactive condition to said active condition, upon the actuation of said first motor (9a) and of said second motor (9b) along mutually concordant rotation directions, or to said car door (3), in order to perform the transition of said car door (3) and of said floor door (6) from said closed condition to said open condition, with said coupling device (5) in said active condition, upon the actuation of said first motor (9a) and of said second motor (9b) along mutually discordant rotation directions.

4. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling device (5) comprises at least one pair of engagement bars (16a, 16b) which face each other and are mutually parallel and are oriented substantially along the direction of motion of the car (4), and abutment means, supported by said floor door (6) and engageable by said engagement bars (16a, 16b), said engagement bars (16a, 16b) being connected to actuation means (17) adapted to allow the transition of said engagement bars (16a, 16b) from a position of uncoupling from said abutment means, in which said coupling device (5) is in said inactive condition, to a position of coupling with said abutment means, in which said coupling device (5) is in said active condition, and vice versa, said interconnection means (12) being in a motion transmission relationship with said actuation means (17).

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that said engagement bars (16a, 16b) are in a mutually spaced position when they are in said coupling position and are in a mutually closer position when they are in said uncoupling position.

6. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims 4-5, characterized in that said interconnection means (12) are adapted to transmit forces to said actuation means (17) that cooperate mutually synergistically in order to impart a movement to said actuation means (17), selectively, that is adapted to produce the displacement of said engagement bars (16a, 16b) from said mutually closer position to said mutually spaced position, upon the actuation of said first motor (9a) along a first direction of rotation and of said second motor (9b) in a direction of rotation that is opposite with respect to said first direction of rotation, or a movement adapted to produce the displacement of said engagement bars (16a, 16b) from said mutually spaced position to said mutually closer position, upon the actuation of said first motor (9a) in a second direction of rotation that is opposite with respect to said first direction of rotation and of said second motor (9b) in the direction of rotation that is opposite with respect to said second direction of rotation.

7. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said interconnection means (12) comprise gear systems which are engaged by said first flexible element (7) and by said second flexible element (10) and interact with each other and with said coupling device (5).

8. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said gear systems comprise at least one first pulley (21), which is supported rotatably by said car door (3) and is engaged by said first flexible element (7), and at least one second pulley (22), which is supported rotatably by said car door (3) and engaged by said second flexible element (10), said at least one first pulley (7) and said at least one second pulley (22) being in a mutual meshing relationship.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that said at least one first pulley (21) is engaged by a segment of said first flexible element (7) and in that said at least one second pulley (22) is engaged by a segment of said second flexible element (10) that is arranged in a matching position with respect to the segment of said first flexible element (7) that engages said first pulley (22).

10. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims 8-9, characterized in that it comprises at least one first gear (25) which rotates integrally with said at least one first pulley (21) and at least one second gear (26) which rotates integrally with said at least one second pulley (22) and meshes with said first gear (25).

11. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said interconnection means (12) comprise a rocker element (32) which is pivoted, with an intermediate portion thereof, on said car door (3) and is articulated, at its opposite ends, to matching segments respectively of said first flexible element (7) and of said second flexible element (10).

12. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims 4-6, characterized in that said actuation means (17) comprise lever means interposed between said engagement bars (16a, 16b).

13. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims 4-6, characterized in that said actuation means (17) comprise rack means which are connected to said engagement bars (16a, 16b) and mesh with said gear systems.

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