Lift assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to an elevator installation comprising: - a shaft (14) extending in a multi-story building and having a plurality of openings (16, 20, 24) on each of the floors; - a cabin (28) equipped with a control interface (36) and a motor unit (30) to be able to drive said cabin; - a plurality of call interfaces (38, 40, 42) located respectively in the vicinity of the openings (16, 20, 24); - a controller (44) connected on the one hand to said motor unit (30) and on the other hand to said plurality of call interfaces (38, 40, 42) and to said control interface (36).The installation comprises: - a plurality of first transceivers (46, 48, 50) respectively connected to the call interfaces (38, 40, 42) and a second transceiver (52) connected to said controller (44); and, - third (54) and fourth (56) transceivers connected respectively to said controller (44) and to said control interface (36), and fifth transceivers (58, 60, 62) respectively installed in the vicinity of said openings, said fourth (56) and fifth (58, 60, 62) transceivers communicating according to a second communication protocol with said third transceiver (54).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator installation comprising a shaft installed in a building and a cabin mounted mobilizably in translation inside the shaft.

[0002] Typically, the shaft is installed vertically inside the building, which has multiple floors. The shaft then has multiple openings, each leading to one of the floors.

[0003] The cabin is suspended in the shaft from a drive unit by means of a belt, the drive unit being installed at the top of the shaft. It is attached to one end of the belt, which is mounted astride a drive pulley of the drive unit, while a counterweight is attached to the other end of the belt.

[0004] The installation includes a controller mounted near the drive unit, and a primary cable bundle extending through the shaft between the controller and each floor to reach a call interface. Each call interface, typically coupled with a display interface, allows the car's movement to be controlled for the distance to the floor at which it was called.

[0005] The installation also includes a second, extended catenary cable bundle between the controller and the cabin, connecting to a control interface located inside the cabin. This control interface allows the cabin's movement to be controlled for the desired distance to the desired floor.

[0006] The cables in the first cable bundle are made of copper to efficiently conduct electrical signals. They are therefore permanently installed in the building through the conduit.

[0007] The cables in the second bundle are also made of copper for the same reasons. However, they are subjected to stress with every movement of the cabin. Therefore, these cables must be inspected regularly to prevent breakage. The installation and maintenance of these cable bundles is substantial in cost.

[0008] Wireless elevator systems were then conceived to overcome the aforementioned problems. However, none of them meet the reliability and safety requirements essential for elevator installations.

[0009] Also, a problem that arises and that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an inexpensive wireless elevator installation that respects user safety and is reliable.

[0010] In order to solve this problem, an elevator installation is proposed comprising: a shaft extending along a vertical component in a multi-story building and having a plurality of openings leading respectively to each of the floors; a cabin equipped with a control interface and mounted inside said shaft, and a motor unit to be able to drive said cabin in translation in said shaft; a plurality of call interfaces located respectively in the vicinity of the openings of said plurality of openings; a controller connected on one side to said motor unit and on the other side to said plurality of call interfaces and to said control interface of said cabin.

[0011] The installation includes: a plurality of first radio transceivers respectively connected to the call interfaces and a second radio transceiver connected to said controller to be able to communicate with the first radio transceivers according to a first communication protocol; and, third and fourth radio transceivers connected respectively to said controller and to said control interface of said cabin, and fifth radio transceivers respectively installed in the vicinity of said openings, said fourth and fifth transceivers being adapted to communicate according to a second communication protocol with said third transceiver.

[0012] Thus, one feature of the invention lies in the implementation of radio transceivers operating according to two different protocols. The first communication protocol allows for the exchange of initial information between the call interfaces on each floor and the controller, enabling the elevator to be called, among other things. This initial exchange of information does not require extreme security. In other words, if it contains an accidental error, user safety is not compromised. Consequently, radio transceivers operating according to this first protocol can be relatively inexpensive.

[0013] As for the second communication protocol, which allows information exchange between the third radio transceiver attached to the controller and the fourth and fifth radio transceivers attached to the car and each of the openings respectively, it enables the exchange of safety information. This information includes, for example, indicators of the closing of the landing doors or the car doors. Therefore, the radio transceivers operating according to this second protocol must be more robust and ensure flawless communication. Furthermore, they must not be affected by electromagnetic interference, among other factors.

[0014] Thanks to these two protocols, the second more secure, and the first less secure, the transfer of users can be carried out at a lower cost and yet in complete security.

[0015] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the installation further includes a first battery of accumulators mounted in the cabin to power the fourth transceiver. In this way, no electrical power or control cables are required to connect the elevator cabin to the building. The first battery of accumulators specifically powers the fourth transceiver.

[0016] The installation according to the invention also includes a first inductive charger installed in the shaft at one of the floors to remotely charge the first battery. Therefore, when the cabin approaches one of the floors, its battery is remotely recharged by the first inductive charger.

[0017] Furthermore, the installation, according to the invention, includes a plurality of secondary batteries mounted respectively on each of the aforementioned floors to power the first and fifth transmitter-receivers. Thus, there is no need to provide electrical wiring running through the floors of the building. This offers a significant advantage when installing an elevator in an older building, where no existing wiring is planned.

[0018] Preferably, the installation according to the invention includes a second inductive charger mounted on the cabin to recharge the second batteries at each of the floors. In other words, when the cabin docks at one of the floors for passenger transfer, the second inductive charger, powered by the cabin's battery, recharges the second set of batteries.

[0019] Advantageously, the installation includes a converter between the first battery and the second inductive charger. The converter, located in the cabin, increases the potential of the current delivered by the cabin battery.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the installation further comprises a plurality of first display interfaces located respectively in the vicinity of the openings of said plurality of openings, the first display interfaces being respectively connected to said first radio transceivers. These first display interfaces make it possible to inform users located on the floor of the position of the cabin, for example.

[0021] Preferably, the installation also includes a second display interface installed in the cabin and connected to the fourth radio transceiver. This second interface can also inform users of the cabin's position in the shaft.

[0022] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said first communication protocol is of the ESP-NOW type. Such a communication protocol is advantageously used on an ESP microcontroller, for example the ESP8266. Such a microcontroller operates on the 2.4 GHz band with a range of up to 200 m, which is more than sufficient for the applications envisaged here.

[0023] In other words, the first and second radio transceivers are, for example, ESP8266 boards. This allows for fast communication, which does not require a router and consumes little power.

[0024] Furthermore, this second communication protocol is preferably Wi-Fi. Even more advantageously, the second communication protocol is a secure WPA protocol (Wi-Fi Protected Access), which protects a Wi-Fi network. It should be noted that the ESP8266 and ESP32 boards support these secure communication protocols.

[0025] Thus, information exchanged between the cabin and the controller, and between the floors and the controller, specifically concerning passenger safety, is transmitted via a secure protocol impervious to any accidental or intentional disruption. Furthermore, the transmitted information is monitored and reliable.

[0026] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of example but not limitation, with reference to the attached drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] is a partial schematic side view in right cross-section of an elevator installation according to the invention; and, [ Fig. 2 ] is a synoptic diagram of the operation of the elevator installation illustrated on the [ Fig. 1 ].

[0027] There [ Fig. 1 [ ] shows the top of an elevator installation 10 of a building 12, according to the invention. Thus it illustrates a shaft 14 extending vertically inside the building 12 through a plurality of floors and in particular floors n, n-1 and n-2 as shown.

[0028] Shaft 14 has a first opening 16 on floor n, which is closed by a first landing door 18. The first opening 16 leads onto a landing on floor n. It also has a second opening 20 leading onto a landing on floor n-1 and closed by a second landing door 22, and it has on the [ Fig. 1 ], a third opening 24 leading onto a landing on floor n-2, closed by a third landing door 26.

[0029] The same is naturally true on each of the floors of the building, which are not shown here.

[0030] Inside the shaft 14, a cabin 28 is suspended from a motor unit 30 by means of a belt 32. The belt 32 winds around a drive pulley 34 of the motor unit 30. The cabin is equipped with a control interface 36 installed on the surface inside said shaft 28.

[0031] It should be noted that the cabin can also be suspended from a cable.

[0032] Also, on floor n, installation 10 includes a first call interface 38 located on the corresponding landing, near the first opening 16. On floor n-1, installation 10 includes a second call interface 40 located on the corresponding landing, near the second opening 20. And on floor n-2, installation 10 includes a third call interface 42 located on the corresponding landing, near the third opening 24.

[0033] The elevator installation 10 also includes a controller 44 connected to the motor unit 30. The controller 44 is specifically intended to directly control the motor unit 30.

[0034] It should be noted that the elevator installation does not necessarily include a machine room. Furthermore, the controller is not necessarily located at the top of the shaft. It can, for example, be located at the bottom.

[0035] According to the invention, the elevator installation 10 comprises first radio transceivers respectively installed on each of the floors. Thus, it includes a first radio transceiver 46 on floor n and connected to the first call interface 38, a second first radio transceiver 48 on floor n-1 is connected to the second call interface 40, and a third first radio transceiver 50 on floor n-2 is connected to the third call interface 42.

[0036] The other floors not shown on the [ Fig. 1 ] are also equipped with first radio transceivers respectively connected to the calling interfaces.

[0037] Also, the elevator installation 10 includes a second radio transceiver 52 located at the top of the shaft 28 near the controller 44 to which it is connected.

[0038] The first radio transceivers 46, 48, 50 include an ESP8266 microcontroller, as does the second radio transceiver 52. Each of the first radio transceivers 46, 48, 50 can then communicate wirelessly and remotely with the second radio transceiver 52 according to an ESP-NOW communication protocol.

[0039] Thus, the first radio transceivers 46, 48, and 50 can communicate directly with the second radio transceiver 52 without the need for a router. Furthermore, such a protocol allows for efficient data exchange with low power consumption.

[0040] Therefore, we understand that the control interfaces 38, 40, 42 will allow the engine group 30 to be remotely controlled via the first radio transceivers 46, 48, 50, the second radio transceiver 52 and the controller 44, to drive the cabin 28 to the floor where it has been called.

[0041] In addition, the elevator installation 10 advantageously includes first display interfaces, not shown, located respectively in the vicinity of the openings 16, 20, 24, and respectively connected to the first radio transceivers 46, 48, 50. In this way, the first display interfaces can receive information from the controller 44, via the second radio transceiver 52 and the first radio transceivers 46, 48, 50.

[0042] Such information relates for example to the display of the instantaneous position of cabin 28, the indication of its direction of movement, or any other information concerning the installation of elevator 10.

[0043] The elevator installation 10 also includes a third radio transceiver 54 located at the top of the shaft 14 near the controller 44 to which it is connected. It also includes a fourth radio transceiver 56 located in the car 28 and connected to the car's control interface 36.

[0044] The third and fourth radio transceivers 54 and 56 are wireless network cards connected to a router installed at the top of duct 14, but not shown. The router broadcasts a secure Wi-Fi signal using the WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) protocol. This allows the third and fourth radio transceivers 54 and 56 to communicate wirelessly over a long range and securely. Furthermore, Wi-Fi offers relatively high data rates, enabling the rapid transmission of large amounts of information.

[0045] Furthermore, the elevator installation 10 includes fifth radio transceivers installed on each floor near openings 16, 20, and 24. It comprises a first fifth radio transceiver 58 on floor n, a second fifth radio transceiver 60 on floor n-1, and a third fifth radio transceiver 62 on floor n-2. These fifth radio transceivers 58, 60, and 62 are also wireless network cards connected to the aforementioned router and adapted to exchange information with the third radio transceiver 54 connected to the controller 44.

[0046] Thus, the fifth 58, 60, 62 and third 54 radio transceivers can communicate wirelessly with each other using the secure Wi-Fi signal, according to the WPA secure communication protocol.

[0047] The different types of information exchanged between the radio transceivers described above will be described below.

[0048] The motor unit 30 is powered by the building's electrical supply network. In contrast, the various radio transceivers mentioned above, in particular, are powered by rechargeable batteries, as will be explained below.

[0049] Thus, to power the fourth radio transceiver 56 located in cabin 28, as well as all the elements of said cabin, including in particular the motorization of the door operator, cabin 28 includes a first battery of accumulators 64.

[0050] Also, cabin 28 is equipped along its front wall with a first receiving coil 66 connected to the first battery of accumulators 64 via a first rectifier 68.

[0051] Furthermore, the elevator installation 10 includes, at floor n, and laterally to the first opening 16, along the wall of the shaft 14, a first transmitting coil 70. The first receiving coil 66 and the first transmitting coil 70 are arranged so that they are directly opposite each other, and close to each other, when the elevator car 28 is docked at floor n.

[0052] Also, the first receiving coil 70 is powered by a first converter 72 adapted to generate a high-frequency current. The first converter 72 is itself powered by the building's electrical supply network.

[0053] In other words, when cabin 28 is carried to level n, the first converter 72 causes the first battery 64 located in cabin 28 to be charged by induction.

[0054] In addition, the elevator installation 10 includes on each floor, a second battery of accumulators to power in particular, the first radio transceivers 46, 48, 50 and the fifth radio transceivers 58, 60, 62.

[0055] Thus, it includes a first second battery 74 at the n level, connected in particular to the first first radio transceiver 46 and to the first fifth radio transceiver 58; a second second battery 76 at the n-1 level and connected in particular to the second first radio transceiver 48 and to the second fifth radio transceiver 60; and a third second battery 78 at the n-2 level is connected in particular to the third first radio transceiver 50 and to the third fifth radio transceiver 62.

[0056] The other floors not shown on the [ Fig. 1 ] are also equipped with second batteries of accumulators respectively connected to the first and fifth transceivers.

[0057] Also, each of the second accumulator batteries 74, 76, 78 are connected to a second receiving coil located laterally relative to the opening and along the wall of the sheath 14.

[0058] Thus, the installation 10 includes a first second receiving coil 80 on the n floor, connected to the first second battery 74; a second second receiving coil 82 on the n-1 floor connected to the second second battery 76; and a third second receiving coil 84 on the n-2 floor connected to the third second battery 78.

[0059] The second receiving coils 80, 82, 84 allow the second batteries 74, 76, 78 to be recharged by induction.

[0060] And these second batteries 74, 76, 78 are recharged by means of the first battery 64 located in cabin 28, when it is docked on the upper level.

[0061] To do this, cabin 28 is equipped along its front wall with a second transmitting coil 86 connected to the first battery of accumulators 64 via a second rectifier 88 and a voltage booster 90.

[0062] Also, the second transmitting coil 86 aligns with the second receiving coils 80, 82, 84 when it is connected to the corresponding stages. In this way, the second set of batteries can be recharged by the first battery 64.

[0063] We will refer to the [ Fig. 2 illustrating the two networks implemented through the elevator installation 10 according to the invention.

[0064] Thus, we find the first radio transceivers 46, 48, 50 adapted to communicate bidirectionally with the second radio transceiver 52 coupled to the controller 44 through a first network.

[0065] We also find the fourth radio transceiver 56 and the fifth radio transceivers 58, 60, 62 adapted to communicate respectively in a bidirectional manner with the third radio transceiver 54, through a second network.

[0066] Through this second network, information is mainly exchanged concerning the status of the various safety elements to ensure the safe operation of the elevator for passengers.

[0067] Thus, between the fourth radio transceiver 56 of the cabin and the third radio transceiver 54 directly connected to the controller 44, the following information is exchanged: the state of the cabin doors (open or closed, and whether they are locked); the position of the cabin inside the shaft; the position of the cabin relative to the floor it is approaching; the state of the safety brake (activated or released); the state of the parachute (activated or deactivated); the speed of the cabin; the state of all cabin switches; the state of the cabin's load...

[0068] It should be noted that the control interface located in the cabin is connected to the fourth radio transceiver 56, even though the elevator control itself is not strictly speaking secure information. The same applies to the information exchanges concerning the display interface for information shown in the cabin. However, implementing a separate network specifically for this control and for the display is not justified.

[0069] Also exchanged via this second network, between the fifth radio transceivers 58, 60, 62 and the third radio transceiver 54, are: the status of the landing doors (open or closed); the locking of the landing doors; the status of all the switches in the shaft...

[0070] If one of the various safety elements is not in its normal state, then controller 44 does not activate the movement of the cabin, and puts the elevator to a stop.

[0071] Regarding the first network, it primarily exchanges information concerning calls to the cabin on the floor and landings, as well as information intended for the display interface. This exchanged information is not secure.

[0072] Thus, the first network can be implemented and operated by cheap and low-energy means, through an ESP-NOW communication protocol, while the second network, requiring greater security in the exchange of information, can be operated by a secure WPA-type Wi-Fi network.

[0073] Furthermore, when the state of charge of the first battery 64 of the cabin is below a certain threshold, where it can no longer normally power all the elements of the cabin 28, then a control signal is addressed to the controller 44, via the fourth radio transceiver 56 of the cabin and third radio transceiver 54 connected directly to the controller 44, in order to bring the cabin 28 to the nth floor, so that the first converter 72 causes the inductive charging of the first battery 64.

[0074] In addition, when one of the second batteries 74, 76, 78 has its state of charge below a threshold which no longer allows normal power supply to its first and fifth radio transceivers, then a control signal is also addressed to the controller 44 via the first network and thanks to the first and second transceivers, so that the cabin is brought to the corresponding floor to operate the loading.

Claims

1. Elevator installation comprising: - a shaft (14) extending along a vertical component in a multi-story building and having a plurality of openings (16, 20, 24) opening respectively on each of the floors; - a car (28) equipped with a control interface (36) and mounted inside said shaft (14), and a motor unit (30) to be able to drive said car in translation within said shaft; - a plurality of call interfaces (38, 40, 42) located respectively in the vicinity of the openings (16, 20, 24) of said plurality of openings; - a controller (44) connected on the one hand to said motor unit (30) and on the other hand to said plurality of call interfaces (38, 40, 42) and to said control interface (36) of said car (28); characterized in thatIt comprises: - a plurality of first radio transceivers (46, 48, 50) respectively connected to the call interfaces (38, 40, 42) and a second radio transceiver (52) connected to said controller (44) in order to be able to communicate with the first radio transceivers according to a first communication protocol; and, - third (54) and fourth (56) radio transceivers connected respectively to said controller (44) and to said control interface (36) of said cabin, and fifth radio transceivers (58, 60, 62) respectively installed in the vicinity of said openings, said fourth (56) and fifth (58, 60, 62) transceivers being adapted to communicate according to a second communication protocol with said third transceiver (54).

2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in thatit further includes a first battery of accumulators (64) mounted in said cabin (28) to power said fourth transceiver (56).

3. Installation according to claim 2, characterized in that it includes a first inductive charger (70) installed in said sheath at one of said floors in order to be able to remotely charge said first battery of accumulators (64).

4. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of second accumulator batteries (74, 76, 78) mounted respectively at each of the said stages to power the said first (46, 48, 50) and fifth transceivers (58, 60, 62).

5. Installation according to claim 4, characterized in that It includes a second inductive charger (86) mounted on said cabin to be able to recharge the second batteries (74, 76, 78) at each of said floors.

6. Installation according to claims 2 and 5, characterized in thatit includes a converter (88) between said first battery of accumulators (64) and said second inductive charger (86).

7. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it further comprises a plurality of first display interfaces located respectively in the vicinity of the openings (16, 20, 24) of said plurality of openings, the first display interfaces being respectively connected to said first radio transceivers (46, 48, 50).

8. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it further includes a second display interface installed in said cabin (28) and connected to said fourth radio transceiver (56).

9. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said first communication protocol is of the ESP-NOW type.

10. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in thatsaid second communication protocol is of the Wi-Fi type.

Images