Apparatus for actuating and locking elevator doors

Abstract

Apparatus (100) for actuating and locking elevator doors provided with drive skids (14, 15), said drive skids (14, 15) being mounted on a car door (104a, 104b) and being provided to actuate shaft door drive rollers for actuating shaft doors, said apparatus (100) comprising: - an actuating device (120) to alter a spacing (A) between the drive skids (14, 15), said actuating device (120) comprising an actuating lever (1) connectable to a door actuator, the actuating lever (1) being in operative connection with a first pivotal lever (10), to which the drive skids (14, 15) are pivotally connected; and - a lock system (130) for locking the car door (104a, 104b). The actuating lever (1) and the first pivotal lever (10) are pivotal through a predetermined angle. The apparatus (100) is provided with a tension element (20) which develops between a first anchor point (19) on the actuating lever (1) and a second anchor point (23) on the lock system (130). The tension element (20) is forced to pass around a first deflecting wheel (21) which is pivotally mounted on the first pivotal lever (10).

Description

[0001] The present invention refers to an apparatus for actuating and locking elevator doors, in particular provided with drive skids which are mounted on a car door and which are intended to actuate landing door drive rollers for operating shaft doors. The reference field for the invention is car door couplers in elevators.

[0002] Car door couplers are used in elevator doors to couple the movement of the car door, placed on the elevator car, and the landing door, placed in the elevator shaft. Almost all elevators nowadays have a lock function on their car doors, which is mostly placed on the coupler, to lock the door in absence of the landing door rollers. The landing door always has a lock function which connects with interface parts, mostly rollers, with the coupler.

[0003] The locking function on the coupler consists of a mechanical locking device and an electrical contact to confirm the locking action. Both are moved when the coupler is actuated. This can be achieved with complex mechanical systems that move the mechanical locking device when the coupler interfaces with the landing door lock.

[0004] There are currently two main types of couplers: closing coupler and strut coupler. The closing coupler engages the landing door lock rollers from the outside, while the strut coupler engages the landing door lock rollers from the inside.

[0005] In this context, the Applicant already designed a solution about coupler mechanisms, which is described in patent EP1497217 B1. In this solution, an actuating lever and a pivotal lever cooperate so that by their relative movement to each other the lock is actuated. However, this solution has a main drawback in that the distance between the lock and the actuating mechanism on the coupler vanes is fixed. This often results in a coupler which is positioned next to the lock at a fixed distance. In particular, the lock is often positioned next to the center or slam-post line. This solution is particularly disadvantageous for modernizing operations of elevators: the components need to be realized ad hoc for the specific application, with precise dimensions. It is felt the need for couplers that interact with ease with different designs and brands of landing locks.

[0006] In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose an apparatus for actuating and locking elevator doors, which overcomes the drawbacks in the prior art as described above.

[0007] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for actuating and locking elevator doors, which is flexible to use with different models of components.

[0008] Another objective of the present invention is to make available an apparatus for actuating and locking elevator doors, which make modernization operations of existing elevators easier with respect to the prior art solutions.

[0009] The stated technical task and specified objects are substantially achieved by an apparatus for actuating and locking elevator doors, provided with drive skids, said drive skids being mounted on a car door and being provided to actuate shaft door drive rollers for actuating shaft doors, said apparatus comprising: an actuating device to alter a spacing between the drive skids, said actuating device comprising an actuating lever connectable to a door actuator, the actuating lever being in operative connection with a first pivotal lever, to which the drive skids are pivotally connected; and a lock system for locking the car door; wherein the actuating lever and the first pivotal lever are pivotal through a predetermined angle, wherein the apparatus is provided with a tension element; wherein the tension element develops between a first anchor point on the actuating lever and a second anchor point on the lock system and wherein the tension element is forced to pass around a first deflecting wheel which is pivotally mounted on the first pivotal lever.

[0010] In particular, the lock system is mechanically controlled by the actuating device only by the tension element.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the lock system comprises a latch element that is connected with the second end of the tension element and that operates a switch monitoring the locking.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the lock system comprises a latch element and a compression spring arranged so as to bias the latch element into a closed position.

[0013] Preferably, the tension element is a rope.

[0014] According to one embodiment, a second pivotal lever is provided, which, together with the first pivotal lever and the drive skids, constitutes a parallelogram guide.

[0015] Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the non-limiting, description of a preferred, but non-exclusive embodiment of an apparatus for actuating and locking elevator doors, as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which: figure 1 illustrates an overall view of an apparatus for actuating and locking elevator doors, according to the present invention, when installed; figure 2 illustrates the apparatus of figure 1 in larger scale in a position in which the door actuator has closed the car door; figure 3 illustrates a position of the apparatus when the door actuator has failed with the car door locked; figure 4 illustrates a position in which the lock is unlocked at the landing in order to open the car door.

[0016] With reference to figures, number 100 indicates an apparatus for actuating and locking lift doors, which are provided with drive skids 14, 15. The apparatus 100 is known in the art as elevator door coupler with car door lock, or similar expressions.

[0017] In particular, the apparatus 100 according to the present invention finds the best application as a strut coupler.

[0018] In figure 1, the apparatus 100 according to the present invention is illustrated in its installed condition. The apparatus 100 is configured to cooperate with the drive skids 14, 15.

[0019] A door support 101 in the form of a beam is provided above the entry opening of an elevator car (not illustrated). The door support 101 carries guide rails 102 on which ride rollers 103 from which car doors 104a, 104b are hung. In this context the expression "car door" refers in particular to the car door panels and the car door hangers. The car doors 104a, 104b are operated by an electric motor 105 that is mounted on the door support 101 and that drives a belt 106. The drive belt 106 is connected with an actuating lever 1 of the apparatus 100. Since the apparatus 100 is directly connected with the first car door 104a, the first car door 104a is entrained by the drive belt 106. The first car door 104a is also connected with an endless cable 107 that lies in a vertical plane and is spanned over deflecting wheels 108. The second car door 104b is also connected with the endless belt 107 such that the opening and closing movements of the car doors 104a, 104b are simultaneous and opposite. In addition, actuating rollers of landing doors (not illustrated) are between drive skids 14, 15.

[0020] The components here referred to as "drive skids" are also known in the art with different expressions such as vanes, expansion skates, operating bars, etc.

[0021] The well-known functioning of the door drive will now be briefly described.

[0022] Figure 2 shows a situation where the car doors 104a, 104b and the landing doors are closed. The drive skids 14, 15 of the apparatus 100 are out of engagement with the actuating rollers of the landing doors so that the car can move without affecting these door-actuating rollers. Opening of the doors 104a, 104b is initiated by actuation of the electric motor 105 to move the drive belt 106. Movement of the drive belt 106 first operates the actuating lever 1 in the apparatus 100 that in turn moves the drive skids 14, 15 toward each other. The drive skids 14, 15 push against the landing-door actuating rollers to release a latch (not illustrated) for the landing doors. This position is shown in figures 1 and 4. As soon as the actuating lever 1 of the apparatus 100 engages its abutment, the entire apparatus 100 is pulled by the drive belt 106 to the left in figure 1 and starts opening the first car door 104a. Simultaneously the cable 107 moves the second car door 104b in the opposite direction. The drive rollers entrain and also open the landing doors. The apparatus 100 according to the present invention comprises an actuating device 120 to alter the spacing "A" between the drive skids 14, 15. In other words, the actuating device 120 moves the drive skids 14, 15 towards / away from each other.

[0023] The actuating device 120 comprises the actuating lever 1, already mentioned above. The actuating lever 1 is connectable to a door actuator. In particular, the actuating lever 1 is connected at a pivot 2 with the drive belt 106. The actuating lever 1 can turn about a pivot 3 fixed on the car door hanger 104a or on the coupler base plate (which is fixed on the car door hanger). In the position of figure 2, the drive belt 106 pivots the actuating lever 1 towards the right so that an end of the actuating lever 1 engages an abutment 5 fixed on the car door 104a hanger or on the coupler base plate (which is fixed on the car door hanger). Tension in the drive belt 106 holds the car door 104a in its closed position. A coil spring 6 pulls via a tension rod 7 pivoted at 8 on the actuating lever 1 to pivot it in a counterclockwise direction. The actuating lever 1 carries an engaging element 9that couples the actuating lever 1 with a first pivotal lever 10, which is part of the actuating device. In the illustrated embodiment, the engaging element 9 is directly obtained by shaping the actuating lever 1. In other embodiments (not illustrated), it can be a bar or a distinct element attached to the actuating lever 1.

[0024] Preferably, the first pivotal lever 10 forms with a similar second pivotal lever 11 and the two operating bars 14 and 15 a parallelogrammatic linkage having pivots 12. The first pivotal lever 10 is centrally mounted at the same pivot 3 as the actuating lever 1. The second pivotal lever 11 turns about a pivot 13 below the pivot 3.

[0025] In the position of figure 2, the two drive skids 14, 15 have a maximal spacing "A" so that the here unillustrated landing-door actuating rollers and are not touched. The actuating lever 1 is connected by first and second travel-limiting levers 16 and 17 with a fixed pivot 18.

[0026] The apparatus 100 also comprises a lock system 130 for locking the car door 104a, 104b. The lock system 130 is mechanically controlled by the actuating device 120. In particular, as known, the actuating lever 1 and the first pivotal lever 10 are pivotal through a predetermined angle and a relative movement to each other actuate the lock system 130.

[0027] The actuating device 120 in the form of the actuating lever 1 and the first pivotal lever 10 and the lock system 130 are already known from EP1497217 B1, as well as the control the actuating device 120 exerts.

[0028] The apparatus 100 comprises a tension element 20 interposed between the actuating device 120 and the lock system 130. In particular, the actuating device 120 mechanically controls the lock system 130 via the tension element 20.

[0029] The tension element 20 develops between a first end connected to the actuating lever 1 and a second end connected to the lock system 130. In particular, the actuating lever 1 has an anchor point 19 for the first end of the tension element 20. The lock system 130 has the anchor point 23 for the second end.

[0030] The tension element 20 is also forced to pass around a first deflecting wheel 21 which is pivotally mounted on the first pivotal lever 10. In particular, the tensioning element 20 is rotationally fixed on the deflecting wheel 21.

[0031] The original arrangement of the tension element 20, here above described, allows to move the drive skids unit horizontally without changing the lock system 130. The length of the baseplate and the length of the tension element 20 can be easily adjusted to the required position with respect to the lock position. This enables to utilize the same lock and actuating components for a multitude of modernization solutions. Several arrangements achieved with the present invention are shown in figures 5a-5d.

[0032] In particular, the lock system 130 is mechanically controlled by the actuating device 120 only by the tension element 20. This allows to independently move or position the actuating device 120 and the lock system 130 by variating the length of the tension element 20, as illustrated in figures 5a-5d.

[0033] In particular, the tension element 20 together with the first deflecting wheel 21 define means for variating the mutual position between the actuating device 120 and the lock system 130. In particular, the mutual position changes by variating the horizontal distance.

[0034] Preferably, the lock system 130 comprises a latch element 24 that turns about a pivot 25. The anchor point 23 is on the latch element 24.

[0035] Preferably, a compression spring 26 biases the latch element 24 counterclockwise.

[0036] Preferably, before anchor point 23, the tension element 20 is deflected around a further deflection wheel 22 which is firmly connected to the latch element 24.

[0037] In particular, the latch element 24 has on its end opposite the pivot 25 a latch pin 28 that in the positions of figures 2 and 3 engages in a stationary latch seat 29 and thus mechanically latches the car door 104a.

[0038] In particular, the latch element 24 also operates a switch 27 that serves to monitor the latched condition of the car doors 104a, 104b. In this manner it is possible to satisfy safety regulations that require that the car be stopped immediately if the car doors 104a and 104b are unlatched.

[0039] Figure 3 shows a situation in which the door actuator has failed or has mistakenly tried to open the car doors 104a and 104b outside the designated stopping location. The actuating lever 1 is here set at its end position pivoted counterclockwise, in which position the levers 16 and 17 are spread. When the door actuator has failed, this position is set by the force of the spring 6 which urges the actuating lever 1 into the illustrated position. The first and second pivotal levers 10 and 11 are also maximally pivoted counterclockwise and move the drive skids 14, 15 as far as possible away from each other to a spacing "A" illustrated (which is in its maximumvalue). As a result of the described arrangement for the tension element 20, no significant tension is applied to the tension element 20 as a result of movement from the figure 2 to the figure 3 position so that the latch element 24 stays in the latched position. This ensures that even if power fails or there is an unauthorized attempt to open the car doors 104a and 104b, they will remain latched.

[0040] The position of the apparatus 100 shown in figure 4 corresponds to an intentional opening of the car doors 104a and 104b. The actuating lever 1 is thus pivoted counterclockwise to its end position by the drive belt as in figure 3. Unlike that situation, however, inward movement of the drive skids 14, 15 is limited by the landing-door actuating rollers so that the drive skids 14, 15 are set at a spacing "A" which is intermediate to those of figures 2 and 3.

[0041] The engaging element 9thus pushes against the first pivotal lever 10. Since in the position of figure 4 inward movement of the drive skids 14, 15 is limited, the distance between the anchor point 19 and the first deflecting wheel 21 is increased so that the tension element 20 is tensioned and moves the latch element 24 clockwise. This movement pulls the latch pin 28 out of the latch seat 29 and frees the car door 104a. In addition the switch 27 is opened and stops sending the latched signal.

[0042] It is to be noted that the position of figure 4 can be reached during normal operation by actuation of the door drive from the position of figure 2 in the stopping station and also in an emergency from the position of figure 3 when, for example, the car drops mechanically on power failure into the stopping station. In the latter case the operating bars 14, 15 are pushed apart by the shaft-door actuating rollers which unlatches the car doors 104a, 104b in order to free a person trapped in the car.

[0043] The characteristics of the apparatus for actuating and locking elevator doors, according to the present invention, emerge clearly from the above description, as do the advantages.

[0044] In particular, the anchoring of the ends of the tension element to the actuating lever on one side and to the lock system to the opposite side, together with the imposed passing around the first deflecting wheel pivotally mounted on the first pivotal lever, allows to operate modernization processes with ease. Indeed, it is possible to move the drive skid unit horizontally without changing the lock. The length of the baseplate and the length of the tension element can be easily adjusted to the requires drive skid position in relation to the lock position. This enables to utilise the same lock and actuating components for a multitude of modernization solutions. This is particularly shown infigures 5a-5d, in which several arrangements are achieved with the present invention are illustrated. It is here highlighted that the actuating system and the locking system are identical and just the length of the tensioning element is changed. In particular, the different distances achieved are made evident from the graduated line.

[0045] This means that the maintenance technician has great flexibility in modernization design. Door operator can be coupled with many different landing doors.

[0046] Moreover, the proposed coupler (apparatus) has a simple mechanical design with a reduced number of moving parts with respect to the prior art solutions.

[0047] Moreover, there is no need for any complicated linkages for different distances between the drive skid unit and the lock system. With the proposed arrangement of this invention, the same lock is usable for different iterations.

Claims

1. Apparatus (100) for actuating and locking elevator doors provided with drive skids (14, 15), said drive skids (14, 15) being mounted on a car door (104a, 104b) and being provided to actuate shaft door drive rollers for actuating shaft doors, said apparatus (100) comprising: - an actuating device (120) to alter a spacing (A) between the drive skids (14, 15), said actuating device (120) comprising an actuating lever (1) connectable to a door actuator, the actuating lever (1) being in operative connection with a first pivotal lever (10), to which the drive skids (14, 15) are pivotally connected; and - a lock system (130) for locking the car door (104a, 104b); wherein the actuating lever (1) and the first pivotal lever (10) are pivotal through a predetermined angle, wherein the apparatus (100) is provided with a tension element (20); wherein the tension element (20) develops between a first anchor point (19) on the actuating lever (1) and a second anchor point (23) on the lock system (130) and characterised in that the tension element (20) is forced to pass around a first deflecting wheel (21) which is pivotally mounted on the first pivotal lever (10).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lock system (130) is mechanically controlled by the actuating device (120) only by the tension element (20).

3. Apparatus (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lock system (130) comprises a latch element (24) that is connected with the second end of the tension element (20) and that operates a switch (27) monitoring the locking.

4. Apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock system (130) comprises a latch element (24) and a compression spring (26) arranged so as to bias the latch element (24) into a closed position.

5. Apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tension element (20) is a rope.

6. Apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a second pivotal lever (11) is provided, which, together with the first pivotal lever (10) and the drive skids (14, 15), constitutes a parallelogram guide.

7. Apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means for variating the mutual position between the actuating device (120) and the lock system (130), said means for variating comprising said tension element (20) and said first deflecting wheel (21).

8. Apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, being a strut coupler.

Images