Method for customizing an elevator hoisting machine

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for customizing an elevator hoisting machine to meet application design specifications, the elevator hoisting machine including a magnet assisted reluctance machine with a rotor (10), the method comprising: - providing the rotor (10), the rotor (10) having a set of magnet receptacle flux barriers (50a, 50b, 50c), the magnet receptacle flux barriers (50a, 50b, 50c) forming recesses that extend within the rotor (10) along a rotor axis (A), wherein each magnet receptacle flux barrier (50a, 50b, 50c) includes a magnet receptacle section (51a, 51b, 51c) that is configured to receive a permanent magnet (16) in a geometrically defined manner, wherein a design of the rotor (10) is independent from the application design specifications, - obtaining application design specifications, - determining an application-specific magnet arrangement based on the application design specifications, the application-specific magnet arrangement defining a set of magnet-carrying flux barriers and respective permanent magnets (16), the set of magnet-carrying flux barriers being a subset of the set of magnet receptacle flux barriers (50a, 50b, 50c), - mounting the respective permanent magnet in the magnet receptacle section (51a, 51b, 51c) of each magnet-carrying flux barrier.

Description

[0001] Method for customizing an elevator hoisting machine

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a method for customizing an elevator hoisting machine, to a set of customizing a reluctance machine, to a set of elevator hoisting machines and to a set of elevators.

[0003] Reluctance machines are electrical machines that are interesting for various applications due to their efficiency, robustness, and reliability. Due to their generally simple design, they are further particularly cost-efficient. Reluctance machines generally include a stator and a rotor, with the stator typically containing a series of windings through which electric current flows to generate a magnetic field. The rotor, in turn, interacts with this magnetic field, causing it to rotate and produce mechanical work. Specifically, the rotor guides the magnetic flux induced by windings of the stator. The torque in reluctance machines is generated based on the principle of magnetic reluctance, which involves a magnetic circuit responding to an applied magnetic flux. In the rotor of a reluctance machine, channel-like flux barriers can be foreseen that extend along the rotor axis. Corresponding designs are known in the art.

[0004] To enhance the machine performance of a reluctance machine and in particular the power density, it is known to foresee additional permanent magnets in the rotor. Such machines are commonly referred to as magnet-assisted reluctance machines.

[0005] US2022 / 0224176A1 permanent magnet assisted synchronous reluctance machine includes a stator that includes a plurality of electrical conductors radially disposed on the stator. The permanent magnet assisted synchronous reluctance machine also includes a rotor that includes a body having an outer diameter corresponding to an inner diameter of the stator and a plurality of recesses disposed on a surface of the rotor. The permanent magnet assisted synchronous reluctance machine also includes at least one ferrite magnet disposed in a corresponding recess of the rotor.

[0006] A general drawback regarding magnet-assisted reluctance machine is that the geometric design and dimensioning, in particular of the flux barriers and additional permanent magnets, is generally determined respectively optimized in a highly application-specific manner, making large-scale production difficult and the design for a specific application time consuming and costly. It is an overall objective of the present disclosure to improve the situation regarding universality and cost-efficiency of magnet-assisted reluctance machines in the field of elevators, specifically their application as elevator hoisting machines. The overall objective is achieved by the subject of the independent claims. Particular exemplary and favorable embodiments are further defined by the subject of the dependent claims and the overall disclosure.

[0007] In an aspect, the present disclosure concerns a method for customizing an elevator hoisting machine to meet application design specifications. The elevator hoisting machine includes a mag-net-assisted reluctance machine with a rotor. The method includes providing the rotor, the rotor having a set of magnet receptacle flux barriers, the magnet receptacle flux barriers forming recesses that extend within the rotor along a rotor axis. Each magnet receptacle flux barrier includes a magnet receptacle section that is configured to receive a permanent magnet in a geometrically defined manner, in particular defined position and orientation. A design of the rotor is independent from the application design specifications. The method further includes obtaining application design specifications and determining an application-specific magnet arrangement based on the application design specifications. The application-specific magnet arrangement defines a set of magnet-carrying flux barriers and respective permanent magnets. The permanent magnets may be of identical or different design. The set of magnet-carrying flux barriers are a subset of the set of magnet receptacle flux barriers. The method further includes mounting the respective permanent magnet in the magnet receptacle section of each magnet-carrying flux barrier.

[0008] In a further aspect, the present disclosure concerns a set of at least two elevator hoisting machines. The elevator hosting machines include in each case a respective magnet-assisted reluctance machine and are configured to meet different application design specifications. The mag-net-assisted reluctance machines each include a rotor, the rotor having a set of magnet receptacle flux barriers. The magnet receptacle flux barriers form recesses that extend within the rotor along a rotor axis. Each magnet receptacle flux barrier includes a magnet receptacle section that is configured to receive a permanent magnet in a geometrically defined manner. For each mag-net-assisted reluctance machine, a subset of the magnet receptacle flux barriers forms a set of magnet-carrying flux barriers, wherein a respective permanent magnet is mounted in the magnet receptacle section of each magnet-carrying flux barrier. The set of magnet-carrying flux barriers and / or the design of the of permanent magnets is determined for each elevator hoisting machine by a respective application-specific magnet arrangement, the application specific magnet arrangement being different for the elevator hoisting machines of the set of elevator hoisting machines. A design of the rotor is identical for all elevator hoisting machines of the set of elevator hoisting machines. The design of a permanent magnet may include the geometric shape, dimensions, as well as its material and characteristics. The elevator hoisting machines may be designed respectively customized in accordance with the present disclosure as discussed above and further below.

[0009] In a further aspect, the present disclosure concerns a set of at least two elevators, the elevators including in each case a respective hoistway, a respective car, a respective traction member and a respective elevator drive. For each elevator, the car is arranged vertically movable in the hoistway and is suspended by the traction member, wherein the elevator drive is coupled to the traction member for moving the traction member and thereby the car. The elevator drives include in each case a respective elevator hoisting machine, wherein the elevator hoisting machines form, in combination, a set of elevators hoisting machines in accordance with the present disclosure. It is noted that the elevators of the set of elevators are not necessarily close to each other and / or in the same building, but may well be at different locations, including different countries and / or cities. The elevators may, however, also be partly or completely close to each other and may, e.g. be in one and the same building. Optionally, they may form or be part of an elevator group.

[0010] The magnet receptacle flux barriers of the magnet-assisted reluctance machines are generally flux barriers but have a magnet receptacle section that can optionally receive a permanent magnet. The arrangement of magnets is chosen in accordance with the application design specifications. Since the design of the rotor as such is independent from such application design specifications, the required time and effort for customizing the magnet-assisted reluctance machine for a specific application is largely reduced. Further, the rotor as well as further components of the magnet-assisted reluctance machine can be pre-manufactured at large scale, since the only difference between different machines for different applications is the arrangement of permanent magnets, which can be individually done during customization. It is noted that the permanent magnets, while being mounted in the rotor and rotating therewith in operation, are in this document considered as in principle distinct from the rotor.

[0011] It is noted that the resulting design of a customization in accordance with the present disclosure is not necessarily strictly optimal in each case for every specific application respectively the application design specifications in a particular case. However, this drawback is outweighed by the gain in efficiency, regarding design, large-scale production, logistics, etc.

[0012] An application-specific magnet arrangement as resulting from the customization method may, in dependence of the application design specifications, result in a design where each magnet receptacle flux barrier is a magnet-carrying flux barrier, or with other words, the set of magnet-carrying flux barriers corresponding to the set of magnet receptacle flux barriers. Further it is possible that no magnet-carrying flux barriers are present, or with other words, the set of magnet-carrying flux barriers is empty respectively non-existing. In this case, the resulting elevator hoisting machine is a mere reluctance machine without magnet-assistance.

[0013] Further, different types of permanent magnets may be possible, i.e. permanent magnets of different magnetic field strengths and / or materials. For one and the same elevator hoisting machine, a permanent magnet of identical design respectively type may be mounted in the magnet receptacle section of all magnet-carrying flux barriers. In other designs, permanent magnets of different designs are mounted in the magnet receptacle sections of different magnet-carrying flux barriers. The permanent magnets of the set of permanent magnets may in each case be of identical design or may include permanent magnets of two or more different design. The set of permanent magnets is given by the combination of all permanent magnets of an elevator hoisting machine.

[0014] A particular advantage of a method for customizing elevator hoisting machines in accordance with the present disclosure and the corresponding hoisting machines results from the fact that the design of the rotor is as such independent from the application design specifications. With other words, the same type of rotor is identical for hosting machines of different design specifications, i.e. only a single type of rotor or a comparatively small number of different rotors needs to be designed and stocked, while allowing to serve a large variety of applications.

[0015] It is noted that in the field of elevators, the space that is required by the hoisting machine is generally limited and critical. There, the hoisting machine, and in particular the stator and rotor, is typically optimized for a particular use or particular design specifications, respectively, in order to allow in each case a design that is as compact as possible. The approach that is pursued in accordance with the present disclosure differs from the established procedure in that the rotor is as such is generic and different application specific design criteria are met only by the mounting of permanent magnets. It has surprisingly been found that in that way hoisting machines can be provided for different applications with an identically designed rotor and without violating the constraints regarding size and dimensions. With other words, the here-described approach has been found to provide a favorable compromise between a design that is as compact as possible for given design specifications and design that is favorable under large-scale production and logistics aspects.

[0016] As a rule, the performance and in particular the power density will increase with the number of permanent magnets and with the magnetic field strength of such permanent magnets.

[0017] The permanent magnets may be fixed respectively mounted in the magnet receptacle sections using various technologies as generally known in the art, such as (a) screwing; (b) gluing; (c) welding; (d) snap-fit fastening; (e) clamping. The mounting may be reversible and allow dismounting, or may be permanent and not allow dismounting without damage, allowing the mounting of new permanent magnets and / or re-use of the permanent magnets in another elevator hoisting machine.

[0018] Typically, one respective permanent magnet is mounted in the magnet receptacle section of each magnet-carrying flux barrier and the number of permanent magnets accordingly corresponds to the number of magnet-carrying flux barriers. In other embodiments, however, two or more permanent magnets may be mounted in one and the same magnet-carrying flux barrier.

[0019] The permanent magnets may, e.g., be ferrite magnets and / or neodymium magnets. Other magnet materials are possible as well.

[0020] In an embodiment, the method is a method of newly commissioning the elevator hoisting machine. Alternatively, the method is a method of modifying, in particular upgrading, an existing elevator hoisting machine. Optionally, the method may include removing and / or re-arranging at least some previously mounted permanent magnets from magnet receptacle sections. An upgrading may in particular include mounting permanent magnets in the magnet receptacle sections of magnet receptacle flux barriers that did so far not carry a permanent magnet, and / or replacing permanent magnet by others of different design, e.g., permanent magnets having a higher magnetic field strength. In some cases, the modifying may include a downgrading. Such downgrading may be reasonable, e.g. were the way a building is used changes, and a lower-performance elevator would be sufficient according for the new usage. In such cases, some or all permanent magnets may be dismounted from an elevator hoisting machine A and reused for different elevator hoisting machine B.

[0021] In an embodiment, at least some magnet receptacle sections, in particular all magnet receptacle sections, have a rectangular cross section and are configured to receive a respective permanent magnet of rectangular cross section. The cross section refers to a circumferential contour a viewing direction along respectively parallel to the rotor axis. A rectangular cross section is particularly favorable regarding the design and manufacture of the permanent magnets as well as the magnet-carrying flux barriers. Other cross, sections, however, are possible as well. In a particular an embodiment, a cross section of the magnet receptacle flux barrier corresponds to the rectangular cross section of its magnet receptacle section for at least some magnet receptacle flux barriers, in particular all magnet receptacle flux barriers. The cross section of the magnet receptacle flux barriers is accordingly also rectangular fur such design.

[0022] In an embodiment, all magnet receptacle sections have an identical type of geometric shape respectively contour. The type of geometrical shape generally refers to the cross-sectional contour. The specific dimensions may be identical of differ among the magnet receptacle sections. The type of geometric shape may in particular be an U-shape or a rectangular shape.

[0023] In an embodiment, the magnet receptacle flux barriers include in each case two outer flux barrier section. The outer flux barrier sections extend outwardly towards a rotor periphery, in particular in an arched manner. The magnet receptacle section is arranged between the outer flux barrier sections. For magnet-carrying flux barriers, the respective permanent magnet does generally not extend into the outer flux barrier sections. The magnet receptacle section may form a central section of a magnet receptacle flux barrier and be connected to the outer flux barrier sections. For the magnet receptacle flux barriers being generally U-shaped as mentioned before, the outer flux barrier sections may in particular form the legs and the magnet receptacle section may form the base of such U-shape.

[0024] In an embodiment, the set of magnet receptacle flux barriers includes at least two groups of magnet receptacle flux barriers, wherein all magnet receptacle flux barriers belonging to the same group are in each case of identical design and magnet receptacle flux barriers belonging to different groups are in each case of different design. The difference in design among the groups may in particular include different dimensions. The general type of geometrical shape may or may in an embodiment be identical, for example U-shaped as mentioned before.

[0025] In a particular embodiment, the at least two groups of magnet receptacle flux barriers include a group of inner magnet receptacle flux barrier and a group of outer magnet receptacle flux barriers, wherein each inner magnet receptacle flux barrier extends in a cross-sectional view in an area delimited by an associated outer magnet receptacle flux barrier, wherein the number of inner magnet receptacle flux barriers corresponds to the number of outer magnet receptacle flux barriers.

[0026] For such embodiment, the outer magnet receptacle flux barriers have larger dimensions than the inner magnet receptacle flux barrier. The outer magnet receptacle flux barriers generally extend closer to the rotor axis than the inner magnet receptacle flux barriers. The outer sections of all magnet receptacle flux barrier may extend to the same radial distance with respect to the rotor axis respectively extend to a common delimiting circle around the rotor axis. Such delimiting cycle may be given by or close to the rotor periphery.

[0027] In a particular embodiment, one or more groups of intermediate magnet receptacle flux barriers may be arranged in the same manner.

[0028] At least an inner magnet receptacle flux barrier, as applicable one or more intermediate magnet receptacle flux barrier and associated outer magnet receptacle flux barrier may in each case establish a magnet receptacle flux barrier unit. Within each magnet receptacle flux barrier unit, the magnet receptacle flux barriers may be arranged along a radial line that extends through the rotor axis. The magnet receptacle flux barriers of the magnet receptacle flux barrier unit may be arranged with respect to the radial line in a circumferentially symmetrical respectively centered manner.

[0029] In a particular embodiment, the respective magnet receptacle sections are for each group of magnet receptacle flux barriers arranged circumferentially distributed, in particular equally circumferentially distributed, with an in each an identical distance to the rotor axis. The magnet receptacle sections may in particular in each case be arranged along a respective tangent to a common circle around the rotor axis. For magnet receptacle sections with a rectangular contour, the longer edges may extend along such tangents.

[0030] In an embodiment, the arrangement of magnet-carrying flux barriers and permanent magnets respectively is rotationally symmetric. By way of example, every, every second or every third of all magnet receptacle flux barriers in circumferential direction may carry a magnet respectively be magnet-carrying flux barriers.

[0031] In an embodiment, all magnet receptacle sections are of identical design. In particular, the shape of the contour as well as the dimensions may be identical. This type of embodiment has the advantage that only permanent magnets of a single geometric design are needed for the customization.

[0032] In an embodiment, the method further includes fdling at least the magnet receptacle sections of magnet receptacle flux barriers that are no magnet carrying flux barriers with a filler. The filler may be premanufactured and mounted in generally the same way as the permanent magnets. Alternatively, the filler may be made from a flowable material, such as resin, and be cured within the respective magnet receptacle section. The filler is favorably of a magnetically passive material. As applicable, also outer magnet receptacle flux barrier sections may additionally or alternatively be filled with filler. As applicable, the filler may also serve as adhesive for mounting the permanent magnets.

[0033] In an embodiment, the rotor includes a set of further flux barriers, wherein the further flux barriers do in each case not include a magnet receptacle section.

[0034] In an embodiment, the rotor includes a set of further magnet receptacles, the further magnet receptacles forming recesses that extend within the rotor along the rotor axis, wherein the further magnet receptacles are configured to receive a permanent magnet in a geometrically defined manner. Such further magnet receptacles are not part of a magnet receptacle flux barrier respectively formed integrally with a flux barrier. In a particular embodiment, the application-specific magnet arrangement further defines a set of magnet-carrying further magnet receptacles, the set of magnet-carrying further magnet receptacles being a subset of the set of further magnet receptacles. The method may include mounting a respective permanent magnet in each magnet-carrying further magnet receptacle. In the following, examples for the invention are described in more detail with reference to the figures. There is shown in

[0035] Figure la a chart indicating various steps of a method for customizing the rotor of an elevator hoisting machine,

[0036] Figure lb a chart indicating various steps of a further method for customizing the rotor of an elevator hoisting machine,

[0037] Figure 2a an illustration of a rotor inside a stator with an application-specific magnet arrangement,

[0038] Figure 2b an illustration of a rotor inside a stator, with an application-specific magnet arrangement,

[0039] Figure 3 a detail of an application-specific magnet arrangement,

[0040] Figure 4a an illustration of a rotor inside a stator with an application-specific magnet arrangement,

[0041] Figure 4b an illustration of a rotor inside a stator, with an application-specific magnet arrangement,

[0042] Figure 5a an illustration of a rotor inside a stator with an application-specific magnet arrangement,

[0043] Figure 5b an illustration of a rotor inside a stator, with an application-specific magnet arrangement,

[0044] Figure 6 an illustration of an elevator,

[0045] Figure 7 an illustration of a set of elevators.

[0046] In the interest of clarity, all figures are highly schematic.

[0047] Figure la shows a chart of a method in accordance with the present disclosure. The method describes the commission of a new elevator hoisting machine. First, application design specifications are obtained (step 1). The application design specifications may include factors such as required torque, speed, and / or power. The application design specifications are generally part of respectively are derived from corresponding specifications of an elevator in which the elevator hoisting machine shall be used.

[0048] Second, an application specific magnet arrangement is determined (step 2) according to the application design specifications. Customizing the elevator hoisting machine in accordance with the application specific magnet arrangement improves the performance of the elevator hoisting machine as compared to a mere reluctance machine. The application-specific magnet arrangement defines a set of magnet-carrying flux barriers and a respective set of permanent magnets. Determining the application specific magnet arrangement may be done based on numerical simulations for various magnets arrangement candidates from which the application-specific magnet arrangement is subsequently selected as best fit. Additionally, or alternatively, determining the application-specific magnet arrangement may be based on algebraic formulas and / or tables that list one or more design specifications for different magnet arrangements, as well as empiric formulas and / or design rules for magnet-assisted reluctance machines as known in the art.

[0049] Third, the set of permanent magnets is mounted (step 3) in the magnet-carrying flux barriers according to the application-specific magnet arrangement. The custom magnet arrangement may in some embodiments include information what type respectively design of permanent magnets shall be mounted in each magnet-carrying flux barrier. The design of the magnet may or may not be identical for all magnet-carrying flux barriers. The permanent magnets may be mounted using any appropriate technology, for example such as mentioned before in the general description.

[0050] It is noted that in some cases the application-specific magnet arrangement may in fact be an arrangement without permanent magnets. In such case step 3 may be omitted. Further, it is noted that it may not be possible to meet all potential application design specifications with the same type of rotor. Therefore, a set of differently designed rotor types that are each designed in accordance with the present disclosure may be available and step 2 may include selecting a rotor type from the set of rotor types.

[0051] Figure lb shows a chart of a further method in accordance with the present disclosure. The method is a method of upgrading of an existing elevator hoisting machine. First, application design specifications are obtained (step 1) that are to be met after the upgrading. Second, an application specific magnet arrangement is determined (step 2) according to the application design specifications. Both steps generally correspond to the before-mentioned embodiment as described with reference to Figure la. The application-specific magnet arrangement improves the performance of the reluctance machine in respect to at least one custom requirement. Third, the set of permanent magnets is mounted (step 3) as discussed in the context of Figure la. In some cases, this step may include removing and / or rearranging at least some permanent magnets already mounted in the plurality of slots. This may be the case, e.g., if previously mounted permanent magnets need to be replaced fully or partly by permanent magnets of another type, e.g. permanent magnets having a larger magnetic field strength, in order to meet the application design specifications. In some cases, the mounting of the set of permanent magnets (step 3) only includes adding one or more permanent magnets in addition to already present permanent magnets.

[0052] Figure 2a and Figure 2b each illustrate a rotor 10 inside a stator 20 of an elevator hoisting machine together with rotor axis A. The stators 20 and rotors 10 illustrated in Figure 2a and Figure 2b are identical, with the only difference being the arrangement of permanent magnets.

[0053] The rotor 10 include an arrangement of magnet receptacle flux barriers as best visible in Figure 3, illustrating a detail D as indicated in Figure 2b. The arrangement of magnet receptacle flux barriers includes identically designed magnet receptacle flux barrier units 50’ that are arranged circumferentially equally distributed at the rotor 10, with Figure 3 showing two adjacent magnet receptacle flux barrier units 50’. Each magnet receptacle flux barrier unit 50’ includes an outer magnet receptacle flux barrier 50a, an inner magnet receptacle flux barrier 50c and in the shown design an intermediate magnet receptacle flux barrier 50b. All magnet receptacle flux barriers are realized by throughgoing channels that extend in the rotor 10 parallel to the rotor axis A.

[0054] Each magnet receptacle flux barrier 50a, 50b, 50c includes a respective magnet receptacle section 5 la, 5 lb, 51c as central section, from which at both sides outer flux barrier sections 52a, 52b, 52c extend towards the rotor periphery 10’. It can be seen that for each magnet receptacle flux barrier unit 50’ the intermediate magnet receptacle flux barrier 50b is arranged in an area that is delimited by the outer magnet receptacle flux barrier 50a and the rotor periphery 10’. Similarly, the inner magnet receptacle flux barrier 50c is arranged in an area that is delimited by the intermediate magnet receptacle flux barrier 50b and the rotor periphery 10’. All magnet receptacle sections 5 la, 5 lb, 51c further extend parallel to each other at different radial distances, with the magnet receptacle section 5 la of the outer magnet receptacle flux barrier 50a being closes to the rotor axis A and the magnet receptacle section 51c of the inner magnet receptacle flux barrier 50c being closest to the rotor periphery 10’. The outer flux barrier sections 52a, 52b, 52 end at or close to the rotor periphery 10’ as indicated by reference 14. The application-specific magnet arrangement in Figure 2a is different to the application-specific magnet arrangement in Figure 2b, resulting in different elevator hoisting machines. Specifically, in Figure 2a, the magnet receptacle sections 51b of the intermediate magnet receptacle flux barrier 50b in each magnet receptacle flux barrier unit 50 carries a respective permanent magnet 16 The magnet receptacle sections 5 la, 51c of the outer magnet receptacle flux barriers 50a and the inner magnet receptacle flux barriers 50c, in contrast, are empty respectively have no permanent magnet do not carry permanent magnets and accordingly remain empty, indicated by reference number 12. In Figure 2b, in contrast, the magnet receptacle sections 5 lb of the intermediate magnet receptacle flux barrier 50b are empty respectively do not carry permanent magnets, indicated by reference number 12. The magnet receptacle sections 50a, 50c of the outer magnet receptacle flux barriers 50a and the inner magnet receptacle flux barriers 50c carry a respective permanent magnet 16.

[0055] Figure 4a and Figure 4b each illustrate a rotor 10 inside a stator 20, similar to Figure 2a and Figure 2b as discussed before. In contrast to the design shown in Figures, 2a, 2b, however, the magnet receptacle flux barrier units 50’ do not include intermediate magnet receptacle flux barriers 50b, but only outer magnet receptacle flux barriers 50a and inner magnet receptacle flux barriers 50c, i.e., two magnet receptacle flux barriers per group. Further, all magnet receptacle sections (not referenced in Figure 4a, Figure 4b) are of identical design, i.e., have identical shape and dimensions. Such design has the advantage that no different types of permanent magnets need to be provided. In contrast, as best seen in Figure 3, the magnet receptacle sections 5 la, 5 lb, 512c have different dimensions for the before-discussed type of embodiment.

[0056] The application-specific magnet arrangements are different for the elevator hoisting machines of Figure 4a and Figure 4b. In Figure 4a, the magnet receptacle sections 51c of inner magnet receptacle flux barriers 50c the do not carry permanent magnets and accordingly remain empty, indicated by reference number 12, while the magnet receptacle section 5 la of the outer magnet receptacle flux barriers 50a do carry permanent magnets 16. In Figure 4b, the arrangement is reversed.

[0057] Figures 5a and Figure 5b illustrate further exemplary designs for the elevator hoisting machine. The design of Figure 5a is generally similar to the design of Figure 2a and Figure 2b, in particular regarding the arrangement of magnet receptacle flux barriers. In the design of Figure 5a, however, an arrangement of further magnet receptacles 18, 18’ is foreseen. The further magnet receptacles 18, 18’ are in each case configured for mounting a permanent magnet as applicable in accordance with the application design specifications, but have no flux barriers outer flux barrier sections. The further magnet receptacles 18, 18’ are in the shown design arranged in two concentric rings around the rotor axis A, with the further magnet receptacles 18 forming an outer ring and the further magnet receptacles 18’ forming an inner ring. In the shown exemplary design, the further magnet receptacles 18’ in each case carry a permanent magnet 16, while the further magnet receptacles 18 do in each case not carry a permanent magnet, indicated by reference 12.

[0058] In the example of Figure 5b, the rotor 10 is generally designed similar to Figure 4a and Figure 4b. In addition, a single ring of further magnet receptacles 18 is foreseen. In the shown exemplary configuration, every second further magnet receptacles 18 carry a permanent magnet, indicated by reference 16, while the others do not carry a permanent magnet.

[0059] In all designs, permanent magnet receptacles respectively magnet receptacle sections that do not carry a permanent magnet may optionally filled with a filler as discussed above in the general description. Further, outer flux barrier sections may optionally be filled with a filler.

[0060] Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary elevator 100 in accordance with the present disclosure. The elevator 100 includes a car 101 and a counterweight (102) that are arranged vertically movable in a hoistway 104. The car 101 and the counterweight 102 are connected via a flexible traction member 103 that may be realized, e.g. by one or multiple ropes or belts. The traction member 103 further suspends the car 101 and the counterweight 102.

[0061] The elevator 100 further includes an elevator drive 105. The elevator drive 150 includes an elevator hoisting machine 120, a traction sheave 121 and a machine brake 122 as generally known in the art. The traction sheave 121 and the hoisting machine are coupled via a drive shaft 123 that is in turn coupled to or formed integrally with the rotor 10 of the elevator hoisting machine. The traction member 103 is guided over and coupled to the traction sheave 121 such that rotating the traction sheave 121 via the elevator hoisting machine 120 results in the car 101 and the counterweight 102 moving vertically in the hoistway 104 in each case opposite directions. The elevator hoisting machine 120 is customized using a method in accordance with the present disclosure as discussed above. Figure 7 illustrates a set of elevators 100’, 100”. The elevator 100’ includes an elevator hoisting machine 120’ and the elevator 100” includes an elevator hoisting machine 120”. Both elevators 100’, 100” may generally correspond to elevator 100 as shown in Figure 6.

[0062] The elevators 100’, 100” are designed to meet different application design specifications that are in particular reflected by differently designed elevator hoisting machines 120’, 120”. With exception of a different application-specific magnet arrangement, however, the elevator hoisting machines 120’, 120” may be designed identically and in particular have in each case an identi-cally designed rotor 10. The elevator hoisting machines 120’, 120” form, in combination, a set of elevator hoisting machines in accordance with the present disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Method for customizing an elevator hoisting machine (120) to meet application design specifications, the elevator hoisting machine (120) including a magnet-assisted reluctance machine with a rotor (10), the method comprising:providing the rotor (10), the rotor (10) having a set of magnet receptacle flux barriers (50a, 50b, 50c), the magnet receptacle flux barriers (50a, 50b, 50c) forming recesses that extend within the rotor (10) along a rotor axis (A), wherein each magnet receptacle flux barrier (50a, 50b, 50c) includes a magnet receptacle section (5 la, 5 lb, 51c) that is configured to receive a permanent magnet (16) in a geometrically defined manner, wherein a design of the rotor (10) is independent from the application design specifications,obtaining application design specifications,determining an application-specific magnet arrangement based on the application design specifications, the application-specific magnet arrangement defining a set of magnetcarrying flux barriers and respective permanent magnets (16), the set of magnet-carrying flux barriers being a subset of the set of magnet receptacle flux barriers (50a, 50b, 50c),mounting the respective permanent magnet in the magnet receptacle section (5 la, 5 lb, 51c) of each magnet-carrying flux barrier.

2. Method according to claim 1, whereinthe method is a method of newly commissioning the elevator hoisting machine (120); or, alternatively,the method is a method of modifying, in particular upgrading, an existing elevator hoisting machine (120), wherein the method optionally includes removing and / or rearranging at least some previously mounted permanent magnets (16) from magnet receptacle sections (51a, 51b, 51c).

3. Method according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein at least some magnet receptacle sections (5 la, 5 lb, 51c), in particular all magnet receptacle sections (5 la, 5 lb, 51c), have a rectangular cross section and are configured to receive a respective permanent magnet of rectangular cross section.

4. Method according to anyone of the previous claims, wherein all magnet receptacle sections (5 la, 5 lb, 51c) have an identical type of geometric shape respectively contour, wherein the type of geometric shape is in particular an U-shape or a rectangular shape.

5. Method according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the magnet receptacle flux barriers (50a, 50b, 50c) include in each case two outer flux barrier section (52a, 52b, 52c), the outer flux barrier sections (52a, 52b, 52c) extending outwardly towards a rotor periphery (10’), in particular in an arched manner, wherein the magnet receptacle section (5 la, 5 lb, 51c) is arranged between the outer flux barrier sections (52a, 52b, 52c).

6. Method according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the set of magnet receptacle flux barriers (50a, 50b, 50c) includes at least two groups of magnet receptacle flux barriers, wherein all magnet receptacle flux barriers belonging to the same group are in each case of identical design and magnet receptacle flux barriers (50a, 50b, 50c) belonging to different groups are in each case of different design.

7. Method according to claim 6, wherein the at least two groups of magnet receptacle flux barriers (50a, 50b, 50c) include a group of inner magnet receptacle flux barriers (50c) and a group of outer magnet receptacle flux barriers (50a), wherein each inner magnet receptacle flux barrier (50c) extends in a cross-sectional view in an area delimited by an associated outer magnet receptacle flux barrier (50a), wherein the number of inner magnet receptacle flux barriers ((50c) corresponds to the number of outer magnet receptacle flux barriers (50a).

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein an arrangement of at least an inner magnet receptacle flux barrier (50c) and associated outer magnet receptacle flux barrier (50a) establish a magnet receptacle flux barrier unit (50’), wherein within each magnet receptacle flux barrier unit (50’) the magnet receptacle flux barriers (50a, 50b, 50c) may be arranged along a radial line that extends through the rotor axis (A), wherein the magnet receptacle flux barriers (50a, 50b, 50c) of the magnet receptacle flux barrier unit (50’) are arranged with respect to the radial line in a circumferentially symmetrical respectively centered manner.

9. Method according to anyone of claims 6 to 8, wherein for each group of magnet receptacle flux barriers (50a, 50b, 50c) the respective magnet receptacle sections (5 la, 5 lb, 51c) are- 17 - arranged circumferentially distributed, in particular equally circumferentially distributed, with an in each an identical distance to the rotor axis (A).

10. Method according to anyone of the preceding claims, the method further including fdling at least the magnet receptacle sections (5 la, 5 lb, 51c) of magnet receptacle flux barriers (50a, 50b, 50c) that are no magnet carrying flux barriers with a fdler.

11. Method according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the rotor (10) includes a set of further flux barriers, wherein the further flux barriers do in each case not include a magnet receptacle section.

12. Method according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the rotor (10) includes a set of further magnet receptacles (18), the further magnet receptacles (18) forming recesses that extend within the rotor (10) along the rotor axis (A), wherein the further magnet receptacles (18) are configured to receive a permanent magnet (16) in a geometrically defined manner.

13. Set of at least two elevator hoisting machines (120’, 120”),wherein the elevator hosting machines (120’, 120’ ’) include in each case a respective magnet-assisted reluctance machine and are configured to meet different application design specifications,wherein the magnet-assisted reluctance machines each include a rotor (10), the rotor (10) having a set of magnet receptacle flux barriers (50a, 50b, 50c), the magnet receptacle flux barriers (50a, 50b, 50c)) forming recesses that extend within the rotor (10) along a rotor axis (A), wherein each magnet receptacle flux barrier (50a, 50b, 50c) includes a magnet receptacle section (5 la, 5 lb, 51c) that is configured to receive a permanent magnet (5 la, 5 lb, 51c) in a geometrically defined manner,wherein, for each magnet-assisted reluctance machine (120’, 120”), a subset of the magnet receptacle flux barriers (50a, 5 lb, 51c) forms a set of magnet-carrying flux barriers, wherein a respective permanent magnet (16) is mounted in the magnet receptacle section (5 la, 5 lb, 51c) of each magnet-carrying flux barrier (50a, 50b, 50c), wherein the set of magnet-carrying flux barriers and / or the design of the permanent magnets (16) is determined for each elevator hoisting machine by a respective application-specific magnet arrangement, the application specific magnet arrangement being different for the elevator hoisting machines (120’, 120”) of the set of elevator hoisting- 18 - machines,where a design of the rotor (10) is identical for all elevator hoisting machines of the set of elevator hoisting machines (120’, 120”).

14. Set of elevator hoisting machines (120’, 120”)) according to claim 13, wherein the elevator hoisting machines (120’, 120”) are in each case customized according to anyone of claims 1 to 12.

15. Set of at least two elevators (100’, 100”), the elevators (100’, 100”) including in each case a respective hoistway (104), a respective car (101), a respective traction member (103) and a respective elevator drive (120), wherein, for each elevator (100’, 100”), the car (1.1) is arranged vertically movable in the hoistway (104) and is suspended by the traction member (103), wherein the elevator drive (105) is coupled to the traction member (103) for moving the traction member (103) and thereby the car (101),wherein the elevator drives (105) include in each case a respective elevator hoisting machine (120’, 120”), wherein the elevator hoisting machines (120’, 120”) form, in combination, a set of elevator hoisting machines according to anyone of claims 13 or 14.

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