Elevator counterweight assembly for energy recovery and corresponding elevator system

Abstract

To provide a system and a device for energy recovery applied to an elevator field.SOLUTION: A counterweight assembly for an elevator comprises: an electric energy generator module which includes at least one generator 22, and generates electric power when the at least one generator 22 rotates its shaft; at least one mechanism 21 to convert the linear motion of the counterweight into the rotational motion to rotate the shaft of the at least one generator 22; and a power storage module to store the electric power generated by the electric energy generator module.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Various exemplary embodiments relate generally to systems and devices for energy recovery, with particular application to the field of elevators. [Background technology]

[0002] An elevator system typically includes a car and a counterweight, both of which are guided in opposite directions through an elevator shaft. Both the car and the counterweight are mechanically connected by one or more hoist ropes (e.g., steel ropes) and are suspended from a grooved traction sheave, the axle of which is connected to a gearbox and an electric motor to rotate the traction sheave in the appropriate direction at the desired speed. The mass of the counterweight is equal to the mass of the car carrying approximately half of the car's maximum load.

[0003] The energy expenditure required by an elevator system to move a car up and down depends, among other things, on the relative weight of the car compared to the counterweight and its load (i.e., its occupancy factor). Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an elevator counterweight assembly, the assembly comprising: an electrical energy generator module including at least one generator that generates electrical power when the shaft rotates; at least one mechanism for converting linear motion of the assembly into rotary motion for rotating the shaft of the at least one generator; a storage module for storing the power generated by the electrical energy generator module; a power transfer module for discharging the capacitor module to at least one power sink external to the assembly; a battery management unit for causing a power transfer module to discharge the storage module to the elevator motor when a storage charge level is below a threshold and to discharge the storage module to another sink when the storage charge level exceeds the threshold.

[0005] The counterweight includes mechanical and electrical components that allow for energy recovery when the counterweight moves. A generator and storage module is housed within the counterweight, replacing the inert weight used in conventional counterweights.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the at least one mechanism for converting linear motion into rotational motion comprises one of a bevel gear or a worm gear, a first shaft of the bevel gear or the worm gear being mechanically connected to the axle of the at least one generator so as to induce rotational motion of the axle of the at least one generator when the first shaft rotates.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the second shaft of the bevel or worm gear is connected to a wheel, the rotation of which induces the rotation of the second shaft. The wheel is adapted to contact a surface parallel to the direction of movement of the assembly, so that the front The wheels rotate during movement of the assembly.

[0008] According to one embodiment, said surface is part of or fixed to a mechanical guide of said assembly for guiding said assembly in its linear motion.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the storage module comprises at least one of at least one supercapacitor, at least one ultracapacitor, and at least one battery.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the power transfer module comprises: contacts adapted to make electrical contact with corresponding contacts on the exterior of said assembly, or an induction mat adapted to cooperate with another induction mat outside said assembly;

[0011] According to one embodiment, the assembly further comprises a frame for holding said electrical energy generator module and said capacitor module, the size of said frame being adjustable according to at least one dimension.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the electrical energy generator module comprises at least one group of generators, the shafts of which are mechanically coupled and arranged so that rotation of the axle of one generator induces rotation of the axles of the other generators of the group, and at least one shaft of the group of generators in the arrangement is connected to one of the at least one mechanism for converting linear motion of the assembly into rotational motion.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the array of generators is arranged along a direction parallel or perpendicular to the intended direction of movement of the assembly.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the assembly further comprises a plurality of arrays of generators arranged along parallel and / or orthogonal directions.

[0015] According to one embodiment, respective mechanisms for converting linear motion into rotational motion are provided on the first and second shafts, respectively, at each end of the generator array.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the assembly comprises: and at least one of: means for engaging and disengaging elements of the at least one mechanism for converting linear motion to rotational motion of the assembly; and a switch for opening and closing an electrical circuit connecting and disconnecting all or a portion of a generator of the energy generator module to the storage module.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the mechanism for converting linear motion of the assembly into rotational motion comprises at least one of a kinetic flywheel module and a continuously variable transmission module as part of a motion transmission train.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an elevator system comprising: Basket, the defined counterweight assembly; a drive unit mechanically connected to the car and the counterweight assembly via rope means.

[0019] The rope means may comprise one or more of: one or more ropes, one or more belts, one or more cables, one or more chains. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] The exemplary embodiments will be more fully understood from the detailed description given below and the accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of example only and are not intended to limit the disclosure.

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an elevator system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram providing an overview of an energy recovery module and a capacitor module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of a counterweight; [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of a mechanism used to convert linear motion into rotational motion; FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of the counterweight. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of a mechanism used to convert linear motion into rotational motion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Various exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some exemplary embodiments are shown.

[0023] Detailed examples are disclosed herein. However, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely exemplary for purposes of describing example embodiments. The example embodiments may be embodied in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein. Thus, while example embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that there is no intention to limit the example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows an elevator system according to an exemplary embodiment. The system according to this embodiment comprises a car 1, a traction sheave 2, a counterweight 3, a motor 4, a rope 5 or set of ropes 5, a control unit 6, counterweight guide members 7a and 7b, and, optionally, a gearbox 8. The car and counterweight are attached to a set of steel ropes 5 (only one rope is shown in FIG. 1 ) suspended on the traction sheave 2 and prevented from slipping by appropriately formed grooves in the traction sheave 2. The term "rope" is used to encompass all possible alternatives for the function of the rope, i.e., enabling the motor to move the car and counterweight in opposite directions. Alternatives may include, for example, one or more belts, one or more cables, or one or more chains. The shaft of the traction sheave 2 is connected to a gearbox 8, which is connected to the shaft of the motor 4. The motor 4, the gearbox 8 (if present), and the traction sheave 2 form a drive unit for moving the car 1 and the counterweight 3 in opposite directions. In other implementations, the drive unit may be configured differently (e.g., with more than one sheave). A control unit 6, which may include a processor, memory, software, a communication bus, and appropriate control interfaces, is connected to the different parts of the system to enable control, status monitoring, and fault handling. Although the control unit 6 is shown as a central unit, different parts may have their own control units and partially or completely replace the functions of the central control unit 6. The outline 9 of the lower part of the elevator system shaft is also shown. The counterweight 3 is guided, for example, by lateral guide members 7a and 7b (such as steel bars or rails) fixed to the vertical wall of the elevator system shaft. According to this embodiment, the counterweight 3 comprises a frame 10 that houses an electric energy generator module 11, a storage module 12, and one or more weights 13. FIG. 1 provides a brief overview of some components installed in the counterweight 3. The combined weight of the frame 10, the generator module 11, the storage module, the weights 13, and possibly other components arranged on the counterweight are taken into account to calculate the total weight of the counterweight required in the elevator system. According to an alternative embodiment, the generator module, the storage module, and the weights are constructed in a modular manner. For example, the storage module can be expanded by adding storage elements for additional storage capacity, thereby removing some weights to maintain an appropriate overall weight of the counterweight. Similarly, additional generators can be provided.

[0025] 2 is a schematic block diagram of the energy generator module 11, the storage module 12, and additional components to generally illustrate how electrical energy is collected, stored, and transmitted for further use according to one exemplary embodiment. The energy generator module 11 comprises a linear-to-rotary motion conversion mechanism 21 connected to the shaft of a generator 22. The function of the mechanism 21 is to convert the linear motion of the counterweight 3 into rotary motion that can rotate the shaft of the generator 22 directly or via one or more intermediate modules. The function of the generator 22 is to generate electrical power to supply the storage module 12. The energy generator module 11 may comprise one or more mechanisms 21 and one or more generators 22. Several exemplary embodiments are described below.

[0026] According to an alternative embodiment, the energy generator module may include additional sub-modules. For example, the linear-to-rotary motion converter 21 may be connected to a speed-increasing gearbox to increase the rotational speed of the generator axle compared to the output of the linear-to-rotary motion converter 21. According to another alternative embodiment, the linear-to-rotary motion converter 21 may also, or in addition to, be connected to the generator axle via a continuously variable transmission to provide a substantially constant rotational speed to the generator axle. According to yet another alternative embodiment, which can be used in conjunction with the other embodiments described above, a kinetic flywheel is arranged in the system of elements providing rotational motion to the generator. The function of the flywheel is to store energy when rotated by another element of the mechanism 21 (e.g., the output shaft of a bevel gear or worm gear, described below in connection with Figures 4 and 6), and to return that energy when the counterweight stops moving by using the inertia of the flywheel to continue rotating the generator axle. According to yet another alternative embodiment, which can be used in conjunction with any of the above, the energy generator module includes actuator means that allow mechanical disengagement and reengagement of elements in its system. This allows the braking effect on the movement of the counterweight to be reduced or eliminated if desired.

[0027] The storage module comprises a battery management unit 23 that controls the charging and discharging of the storage elements. According to the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1, as shown in Fig. 2, these storage elements comprise at least one capacitor (indicated by element 24) and / or at least one battery (indicated by element 25). The capacitor 24 may, for example, be a supercapacitor or an ultracapacitor. The battery management unit 23 monitors the charge level of the different storage elements and switches the power received from the generator 22 to the storage elements as needed. The battery management unit 23 is also configured to electrically disconnect the storage modules, either as a whole or element by element, from the generator module 22 when certain conditions are met, which is diagrammatically indicated by a switch 28. Conversely, certain The generator may be partially or fully disconnected or reconnected when certain conditions are met. Such conditions may include, for example, one or more of the following: when the capacitor element is fully charged, or when it is not desirable to recover energy from the movement of the counterweight 3. Other conditions may also apply.

[0028] According to an alternative embodiment, the storage device comprises both a capacitor and a battery.

[0029] The battery management unit 23 includes a processor that executes software to control the capacitors and / or batteries. The battery management unit 23 determines the available storage elements and evaluates the efficiency level of each element with respect to the required needs. For example, when both types of elements are available, capacitors can typically charge and discharge more quickly than batteries. Therefore, the battery management system may determine to prioritize the use of capacitors as the primary charging and discharging element compared to batteries, relying on the batteries only when the capacitors are fully charged and discharged.

[0030] According to an alternative embodiment, the battery management unit discharges the capacitor element relative to the battery element.

[0031] The diagram in FIG. 2 also shows a power transmission module 26 connected to the storage module. The function of the power transmission module 26 is to discharge the storage element to a sink 27 of the power grid of the power system operator and / or the power system of the building housing the elevator system, and / or to a battery, and / or to the elevator main motor 4. According to the present embodiment, this transmission is performed under the control of the battery management system 23. The transmission module 26 may be implemented as a first induction mat that cooperates with a second induction mat 27 when the counterweight is stationary and located in a specific position in the shaft, for example, at an extremely high or low position. The transmission module 26 may also comprise multiple induction mats. Such induction mats can be located at several positions on the counterweight so that they are automatically positioned opposite corresponding mats 27 in the shaft at different positions of the counterweight.

[0032] When power is transmitted to the elevator's main motor itself, the battery management unit 23 can determine how the capacitor element is used as a function of information about the elevator's operation. Such information may include one or more of the following: the number of elevator calls to be answered, the distance the elevator must travel to answer the calls, and the car load. Such information may be provided to the battery management unit 23 by the control unit 6. For short trips with limited load, the battery management may prioritize the capacitor element, while for long trips with high load, the battery element may be prioritized. Thus, joint use of both the battery and the capacitor can be optimized. Simulations show that for trips of 30 to 50 floors, the efficiency reaches approximately 66% of the travel energy consumed, but for a 20-story building, the efficiency drops to 25%.

[0033] According to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the counterweight capacitor element comprises a supercapacitor, such as the "NAWACap Power" capacitor developed by NAWA Technologies. These are suitable for the application described herein because they can collect and store the maximum energy generated during a short session (e.g., energy generated over and over again by traveling between successive floors). Their large number of charge-discharge cycles makes them well suited to elevator systems, limiting maintenance requirements.

[0034] According to a variant embodiment, the battery management unit 23 is adapted to monitor the charge level of the storage module. The battery management unit 23 may control the activation of the transmission module's induction mats or contacts as needed. According to one embodiment, such a charge level may be, for example, 85% for a battery.

[0035] According to an alternative embodiment, the capacitor module is used solely to power the main motor of the elevator, which works in a "closed loop".

[0036] The elevator system also includes a conversion circuit for converting the DC power provided by one or more sinks by the capacitor elements, e.g., to generate a three-phase voltage when the capacitor elements power the elevator main motor. This conversion circuit is not shown. Power conversion circuits are known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in further detail.

[0037] According to a variant embodiment, the transmission module 26 comprises electrical contacts which cooperate with electrical contacts of the sink 27 to discharge the capacitor element.

[0038] According to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the energy stored in the batteries is discharged via either an induction mat or probe aligned or interlocked with the top or bottom of the counterweight to facilitate discharge at a given location in the elevator shaft. In another non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the counterweight discharges current through a connecting running cable attached to the underside of the counterweight. In this case, the cable can be connected to the drive motor / drive board to power these components. The stored energy is supplied via a battery management system located on the counterweight (note that according to another non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the battery management system is located in the shaft or elevator motor room). According to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the energy stored in the batteries is discharged using the Hall effect at various locations along the vertical track.

[0039] According to a variant embodiment, the frame 10 of the counterweight 3 is adjustable in size according to at least one direction. The frame 10 may also be called a sling. The adjustable size allows for various combinations of energy generator modules, storage modules and weights to be considered.

[0040] According to an alternative embodiment, the frame is adjustable along the direction of movement of the counterweight 3. For this purpose, according to one example, the frame may comprise an upper frame element and a lower frame element. The upper frame element comprises an upper bar and two transverse bars fixed to each end of the upper bar so as to form an inverted U-shape when in the working position. The upper bar is adapted to be attached to a rope 5. The lower frame element comprises a lower bar and two transverse bars fixed to each end of the lower bar so as to form a U-shape when in the working position. It is provided that the respective transverse bars of each of the upper and lower frame elements are fixed to form a rectangular frame. Before being fixed to each other, a corresponding pair of transverse bars may slide relative to each other to form a rectangular frame of adjustable size along the intended direction of movement. The corresponding transverse bars may be fixed using suitable means. For example, different transverse bars of the frame 10 may be fixed to each other. Holes may be formed along the length of the crossbars of the lower frame element at different locations corresponding to the length. Holes may also be provided toward the ends of the crossbars of the upper frame element, away from the upper bar. After the crossbars of the upper frame element and the crossbars of the lower frame element are positioned to obtain the appropriate length of frame 10, they are secured together using fastening means such as bolts and nuts. The bolts are placed through corresponding holes in a pair of corresponding crossbars. Other interlocking means may be provided between corresponding crossbars.

[0041] According to another alternative embodiment, the frame 10 is adjustable in width, for example to accommodate different shaft widths and / or different spacing of the counterweight guides 7a and 7b.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a counterweight 3. According to this embodiment, the counterweight comprises at least one stack 31 of multiple generators 22 vertically aligned along and connected by its axle. FIG. 3 illustrates a counterweight with two such stacks, each stack located along a respective side edge of the counterweight. Each stack is connected to one or more linear-to-rotational motion conversion mechanisms 21. In FIG. 3, the axle of the generator at each end of the stack is connected to a corresponding linear-to-rotational motion conversion mechanism 21. Stacking the generators reduces the number of such mechanisms required. The counterweight further comprises a storage module 12 divided into two rows of storage elements. The interconnection of these rows with the battery management unit is not shown in FIG. 3. The generators 22 are connected to the storage module via appropriate wiring 30. When the counterweight is in a given position (e.g., lowest position) and the contacts 32 touch corresponding contacts (not shown) on the exterior of the counterweight that are connected to a power sink, the capacitor module is connected to the contacts 32, allowing the capacitor elements to be discharged under the control of the battery management unit 23. The counterweight also comprises a weight 13 in the form of a set of one or more weight bars.

[0043] Placing the energy generator and capacitor modules on the counterweight increases the latter function: inert weight replaces the weight of utility components within the elevator system frame.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a linear-to-rotary motion conversion mechanism 21 that can be used in conjunction with the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3. The mechanism 21 includes a wheel or roller 40 with an axle 41. When in the operating position, the roller 40 is positioned against and in contact with the guide 7a (or 7b), and when the counterweight moves, friction between the guide and the roller causes the roller to rotate about the axle 41. A first gear 42 of a bevel gear assembly is fixed to the axle 41. Rotation of the first gear 42 rotates a second gear 43 of the bevel gear assembly about an axis 44. The axis 44 is fixed to the generator axle (or, in an alternative embodiment, to an intermediate module such as a kinetic flywheel, continuously variable transmission, or gearbox). According to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the gear axes are arranged at 90°, but the angle may vary depending on the position and orientation of other elements of the electrical energy generator module 11. According to a variant embodiment, the mechanism 21 comprises an actuator (not shown) for engaging and disengaging the gears 42 and 43 of the bevel gear assembly. According to another variant embodiment, the mechanism 21 comprises an actuator for separating the wheel 40 from or re-engaging the guides 7a or 7b. The actuator may be under the control of the battery management unit 23 (for example, when the capacitor module element is fully charged) or the central control unit 6 (when braking of the counterweight is not desired).

[0045] According to one embodiment, the radius of the wheel 40 is between 5 cm and 15 cm. At a speed of 1000 rpm to 3000 rpm, the rotation speed of the wheels 40 is approximately 1000 rpm to 3000 rpm. Considering the embodiment of Figure 3 as an example, a generator weighing 25 kg would produce 3 kW to 5 kW at a rotation speed of 2500 rpm with an efficiency of 90%, and a stack with six generators would weigh approximately 150 kg and produce approximately 20 kW.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the counterweight 3. According to this embodiment, the counterweight comprises at least one stack 51 of multiple generators 22 horizontally aligned along and connected by its axle. FIG. 5 illustrates three such counterweights, which are arranged parallel to the upper and lower bars of the frame 10 of the counterweight 3. Each stack is connected to one or more linear-to-rotary motion converters 21. In FIG. 5, the axle of the generator at each end of the stack is connected to a corresponding linear-to-rotary motion converter 21. The counterweight further comprises a storage module 12 divided into three packs of storage elements. The interconnection of these packs with the battery management unit is not shown in FIG. 5. The generator 22 is connected to the storage module 12 via appropriate wiring 30. The counterweight also comprises a weight 13 in the form of one or more sets of weight bars. The embodiment of FIG. 5 also comprises an induction mat 50 or another type of induction-based power transmission device connected to the packs of storage elements via appropriate wiring. Activation of the mats is controlled by the battery control unit 23 (not shown). The mats 50 cooperate with a corresponding induction mat (not shown) located near the mats 50 when the counterweight is at its lowest point in the elevator shaft. Multiple mats can also be used. With respect to the embodiment of FIG. 3, a similar induction-based power transfer module can be implemented in place of the contacts shown in the first embodiment. Conversely, the contacts of the first embodiment of FIG. 3 can be used in place of the induction mat of the second embodiment of FIG. 5. Those skilled in the art can devise other modules for transferring power from the capacitor module to an external sink.

[0047] 3 and 5 present two embodiments using vertically and horizontally aligned generator stacks. Hybrid embodiments using both types of stacks can be readily devised by those skilled in the art. The generator or its stack may also be positioned at an angle, with the linear-to-rotary motion conversion mechanism 21 appropriately adapted.

[0048] FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the linear-to-rotary motion conversion mechanism 21. The mechanism 21 comprises a wheel or roller 60 with an axle 61. When in the operating position, the roller 60 is positioned against and in contact with one of the counterweight guides (not shown), and when the counterweight moves, friction between the guide and the roller causes the roller to rotate about the axle 61. A gear wheel 62 is fixed to the axle 61. Rotation of the gear wheel 62 rotates a threaded worm shaft 63 extending an axle 64. The axle 64 is fixed to the axle or intermediate module of the generator 20. The same variations mentioned in relation to the embodiment of FIG. 3 apply to the embodiment of FIG. 6.

[0049] According to a numerical example, which takes into account generators that are much lighter than the previous examples, for example weighing 0.5 kilograms, with a speed of 3000 rpm and a mechanical efficiency of 90%, the generators may each generate 20 W. If 10 such generators are used per row (considering the embodiment of Figure 5), this represents a weight of 5 kilograms and produces 200 W per row.

[0050] While the above embodiments relate to a counterweight moving along a vertical path, the principles described herein can easily be adapted to paths that are not vertical, such as an inclined path, provided that the wheels of mechanism 21 can remain in contact with the surface so that the counterweight rotates as it moves along the path.

Claims

1. An elevator counterweight assembly (3), comprising: an electrical energy generator module (11) comprising at least one generator (22), said at least one generator generating electrical power when the shaft rotates; at least one mechanism (21) for converting the linear motion of the assembly into rotary motion for rotating the shaft of said at least one generator; a storage module (12) for storing the power generated by the electrical energy generator module (11); a power transfer module (26) for discharging the capacitor module to at least one power sink (27) external to the assembly (3); and a battery management unit (23) for causing a power transmission module (26) to discharge the capacitor module to the elevator motor when a capacitor charge level is below a threshold, and to discharge the capacitor module to another sink when the capacitor charge level is above the threshold.

2. 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanism (21) for converting linear motion into rotational motion comprises one of a bevel gear (42, 43) or a worm gear (62, 63), and a first shaft (41, 61) of the bevel gear or the worm gear is mechanically connected to the axle of the at least one generator (22) so as to induce rotational motion of the axle of the at least one generator when the first shaft rotates.

3. 3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the second shaft (44, 64) of the bevel or worm gear is connected to a wheel (40, 60) such that rotation of the wheel induces rotation of the second shaft, the wheel being in contact with a surface parallel to the direction of movement of the assembly, and the wheel rotating during movement of the assembly.

4. 4. An assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the surface forms part of or is fixed to a mechanical guide (7a, 7b) of the assembly for guiding the assembly in its linear movement.

5. 5. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the capacitor module (12) comprises at least one of at least one supercapacitor, at least one ultracapacitor, and at least one battery.

6. 6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the storage module comprises both at least one battery and at least one capacitor, and further comprises a battery management unit that prioritizes the use of the at least one capacitor when the length of the trip is equal to or less than a given threshold, and prioritizes the use of the at least one battery when the length of the trip exceeds the given threshold.

7. The power transmission module (26) contacts adapted to make electrical contact with corresponding contacts external to said assembly; 7. An assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one of the induction mats (50) adapted to cooperate with another induction mat external to the assembly.

8. The electrical energy generator module (11) and the storage module (12) 8. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a frame for holding, the size of said frame (10) being adjustable according to at least one dimension.

9. 9. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the electrical energy generator module comprises at least one group of generators (22), the shafts of which are mechanically coupled in an arrangement (31, 51) so that rotation of the axle of one generator induces rotation of the axles of the other generators of the group, and at least one shaft of the group of generators in the arrangement is connected to one of the at least one mechanism (21) for converting linear motion of the assembly into rotational motion.

10. 10. An assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that the array of generators (31, 51) is arranged along a direction parallel or perpendicular to the intended direction of movement of the assembly (3).

11. Assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of arrays (31, 51) of generators arranged along parallel and / or orthogonal directions.

12. 12. An assembly according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that respective mechanisms (21) for converting linear motion into rotational motion are provided on the first and second shafts, respectively, at each end of the generator arrangement (31, 51).

13. 13. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising at least one of: means for engaging and disengaging elements of the at least one mechanism for converting linear motion into rotational motion of the assembly; and a switch (28) for opening and closing an electrical circuit connecting and disconnecting all or part of a generator of the energy generator module (11) to the storage module (12).

14. 14. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the mechanism (21) for converting linear motion of the assembly into rotational motion comprises at least one of a kinetic flywheel module and a continuously variable transmission module as part of a motion transmission train.

15. 1. An elevator system comprising: Basket (1) and A counterweight assembly (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 14; a drive unit (2, 4, 8) mechanically connected to said car and said counterweight assembly via rope means (5).

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