DE102021204833A1 - transport system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport system for people or loads in a building, comprising a drive device, a transport device, in particular a cabin, which can be moved by means of the drive device, and at least one braking device for braking the transport device, the at least one braking device being designed as a flow retarder.

Description

The invention relates to a transport system for people or loads in a building, comprising a drive device, a transport device, in particular a cabin, which can be moved by means of the drive device, and at least one braking device for braking the transport device.

The invention further relates to a building.

The invention further relates to a method for transporting people and loads.

Although the present invention is generally applicable to any transportation device, the present invention will be described in relation to transportation devices in the form of elevators in buildings.

Elevators in buildings, which are used to transport people and loads, are equipped in a known manner with a device that is activated if the drive fails or if a defined rate of fall is exceeded and can bring the elevator car to a standstill. In a known manner, these devices have friction brakes that provide the braking power. These can be designed with a speed or centrifugal force-dependent actuation and power generation.

The disadvantage here is that the frictional heat generated during braking reduces the coefficient of friction during operation, as a result of which the braking force or the braking torque is reduced. The resulting increasing (fall) speed can be compensated for by increasing the actuating force of the friction brake, but such an increase in braking power leads to further heating of the friction brake, which, in addition to the drop in the coefficient of friction, also causes wear.

Another disadvantage of the known friction brakes is that it is not possible to predict the position at which the elevator car will ultimately come to a standstill. In known elevators, the elevator car therefore often “stops” in the middle of a danger area, which makes evacuation of people in the elevator car considerably more difficult or even impossible. Irrespective of this, rescue workers must first determine the position of the elevator car in order to then be able to select the appropriate floor for opening the elevator shaft doors and the elevator car doors.

One object of the present invention is therefore to provide a transport system, a building with a transport system, and a method for transporting people and loads, which makes it easier to evacuate people or loads from the transport device in an emergency. A further object of the present invention is to provide a transport system, a building with a transport system and a method for transporting people and loads, which allows for a simple and inexpensive construction and a simple implementation or implementation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an alternative transport system, an alternative building with a transport system and an alternative method for transporting people and loads.

In one embodiment, the present invention solves the above-mentioned tasks in a transport system for people or loads in a building, comprising a drive device, a transport device, in particular a cabin, which can be moved by means of the drive device and at least one braking device for braking the transport device, characterized in that that the at least one braking device is designed as a flow retarder.

In a further embodiment, the present invention solves the above objects with a building with a transport system according to any one of claims 1-14.

In a further embodiment, the present invention achieves the above-mentioned objects with a method for transporting people and loads with a transport system according to one of Claims 1-14, wherein a transport device that can be moved by means of a drive device is braked by means of at least one braking device for braking the transport device , wherein the at least one braking device is designed as a flow retarder.

In other words, a braking system comprising a flow retarder is proposed for embodiments of the invention. This has, for example, a rotor which has a plurality of elements, for example blades or vanes, aligned in particular at an angle to the tangential movement. The shape of the vanes can be adjusted in order to change the properties, in particular the braking torque, of the flow retarder. With the housing of the flow retarder can also be connected to an element which is fixed with respect to the rotation and thus forms a stator. The stator can also be provided with blades into which an operating medium accelerated by the rotor flows and is deflected, as a result of which a moment of resistance is built up on the rotor.

In particular, embodiments of the invention are used in elevators without suspension ropes, since an emergency braking device is required there in the transport system, which secures the elevator car from falling if the power supply is interrupted. As already described above, known braking devices have the disadvantage that although the elevator car is braked, the elevator car remains in the position in the elevator shaft where it was at the time of the power failure.

One of the advantages achieved in this way is that the speed of the transport device can be limited in a self-regulating manner, so that it can move to a defined evacuation level in particular, making it easier to evacuate people or loads from the transport device there, for example in an emergency. Another advantage is the simple and inexpensive design and the simple implementation or implementation.

Other features, advantages, and other embodiments of the invention are described below or will become apparent thereby.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the flow retarder can be operated with a gaseous and/or liquid operating medium, in particular with air, water, oil or glycol. Air has proven to be particularly advantageous as an operating medium, as it is always available, non-flammable and light. The flow retarder can be designed to be largely open and optimized with regard to air exchange for energy dissipation, in particular for cooling. In principle, however, other operating media, for example oil, water, water-glycol or the like, are also conceivable. When using water-based fluids as the operating medium, the formation of vapor bubbles or evaporation of the fluid is avoided by the housing of the flow retarder being designed to be pressure-resistant and the pressure level inside being adjusted according to the vapor pressure.

According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the flow retarder is designed to interact with a building-side element, in particular a building-fixed element. In this way, the reliability of the deceleration is increased.

According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the flow retarder is designed to interact positively and/or frictionally with the building-side, in particular building-fixed element for the transmission of forces to the flow retarder. This provides a simple and at the same time reliable power transmission.

According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the element on the building side interacts mechanically with the transmission element, in particular the element on the building side being provided with a tooth system, which is engaged by a toothed wheel for the transmission of forces to the flow retarder. The mechanical interaction can be provided in particular by means of a mechanical connection to an element fixed in the building, for example in the form of a rail, pipe, cable, rope, etc., which is arranged in the direction of movement of the transport device over the entire length or direction of extension of the possible movement. The advantage here is that high braking forces can be absorbed or transmitted.

According to a further advantageous development of the invention, in order to transmit forces by means of frictional engagement, an impeller is pressed against the element on the building side by means of a pressing device. For example, an impeller in the form of a drive roller is pressed onto the structure fixed to the building with a correspondingly large amount of force so that the braking forces and braking torques are safely transmitted. The advantage of this is the simple implementation.

According to a further advantageous development of the invention, a particularly switchable clutch device is arranged between the transmission element and the flow retarder in the power transmission path. The advantage of this is the higher flexibility and lower energy consumption, since, for example, the flow retarder is not required for braking in an upward movement of an elevator car.

According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the clutch device is designed as a centrifugal clutch, in particular with the centrifugal clutch being designed to remain closed after it has been actuated for the first time. This enables braking by means of the flow retarder in a particularly simple manner, for example when an elevator car is moving downwards. If, in particular, a certain speed limit is exceeded for the elevator car, for example in an emergency or if the elevator drive fails, locks this centrifugal clutch automatically and the operative connection to the rotor shaft of the flow retarder is switched. In other words, the speed of the centrifugal clutch or the centrifugal force is defined here as the initial triggering threshold value, which activates the braking device. After activation, the flow retarder preferably remains activated, even if the speed falls below the threshold value or the direction of movement of the elevator car or, in general, of the transport device changes.

According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the centrifugal clutch can be brought into an open state again by means of a separate device.

The advantage of this is particularly reliable braking, since the centrifugal clutch can no longer open on its own. In other words, the braking device is deactivated using special means or measures and/or by authorized persons, for example by a manual and/or externally controlled “reset” device.

According to a further advantageous development of the invention, a plurality of braking devices are arranged and configured in such a way that they interact, in particular mechanically and/or hydraulically, that when one of the braking devices is actuated, at least one additional braking device, in particular all of the additional braking devices, is actuated. If there are several braking devices, all other braking devices are activated automatically when one braking device is activated automatically. In particular, a mechanical release without electrical components can be provided for this purpose, for example by means of a linkage, cable pull or the like or via a hydraulic connection. In this case, when a centrifugal clutch is activated, an external element can also be activated, with the result that separating elements of the clutches of the other braking devices are also triggered. The braking devices can all be designed the same or completely or partially differently.

According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the transport device can be moved into a defined end position when the brake device is actuated, an opening device that can be actuated from inside the transport device being able to be actuated at the end position to open the transport device. The braking device or braking devices thus decelerate the transport device to a defined, non-critical speed and this then moves to the end position, for example to the bottom of an elevator shaft. There, a defined emergency exit is particularly advantageous, which allows an uncomplicated exit from the transport device. The speed of the transport device can be designed to be relatively high, for example approximately 5 m/s to 10 m/s, without exposing people to a risk of injury in emergency situations. Standing still, for example between floors, is therefore impossible. It proves to be particularly advantageous if the end position is located in a safe area. A hatch or door can be arranged for the exit, which can be opened from inside the transport device in order to enable self-evacuation.

According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the transport device can be moved into a defined end position when the brake device is actuated, with a deceleration device for the transport device being arranged in the region of the end position, in particular in the form of a brake and/or a hydraulic and/or pneumatic damper. If the end position of the transport device is known, the deceleration of the transport device in the end position can be limited by a suitable device, in particular in the form of a chock and/or a hydraulic and/or pneumatic damper which, for example, comes into contact with the transport device in the area of the end position and thereby builds up an increasingly higher, additional braking force and thus brakes the transport device, for example, to a speed of <0.5 m/s up to the end position.

According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the at least one braking device is arranged on a wall, ceiling and/or floor of the transport device, preferably on an outer wall of the transport device. This enables easy accessibility, for example for maintenance purposes.

According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the transport system is designed as an elevator. This provides a vertically movable transport system for people and loads.

According to a further advantageous development of the building, the flow retarder is arranged on a part of the building. The transport device can thus be designed to be compact.

Further important features and advantages of the invention result from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those still to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred designs and embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, with the same reference symbols referring to identical or similar or functionally identical components or elements.

• 1 einen Strömungsretader gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 2 ein Transportsystem gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 3 ein Transportsystem gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 4 ein Gebäude mit Transportsystem gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung; und
• 5 ein Gebäude mit Transportsystem gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung.

It shows in schematic form

• 1 a flow retarder according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• 2 a transport system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• 3 a transport system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• 4 a building with transportation system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
• 5 a building with transportation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 Figure 12 shows a flow retarder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

shows in detail 1 the principle of a flow retarder 1. The rotor 51, which is driven by a shaft 53, accelerates a fluid which is then fed via the outlet of the rotor 51b to and through a stator 52, which is fixed to a part of the building, from its inlet 52a flows to its outlet 52b. The fluid flowing out of the stator 52 is then sucked in again by the rotor 51 via the inlet 51a, as a result of which a circuit is formed (reference number 50, direction of flow of the fluid as the operating medium of the flow retarder). The resulting resistance torque generates a reaction torque on the rotor 51, which is a braking torque and thus represents the function known as a retarder.

2 Figure 12 shows part of a transport system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In 2 a part of a transport system 100 with an elevator car 6 having a door 7 is shown. A flow retarder 1 which is connected to a gear 5 is arranged on the outside 6a of the cabin 6 . The gear 5 in turn is in engagement with a toothing 4 which is arranged on the housing 2 . The toothed wheel 5 , which is in operative connection with the rotor 51 of the flow retarder 1 , engages in this toothing 4 . This gear wheel 5 can be directly operatively connected to the rotor 51 or can be connected via other drive elements such as gear wheels, chains, belts or similar means. It can make sense to design the transmission ratios between gear wheel 5 and rotor 51 differently according to the requirement, for example to increase the rotor speed, for example to provide a gear for this purpose. The elevator car 6 is guided by means that are not shown or described in detail here, in particular in such a way that the engagement between the gearwheel 5 as the drive wheel and the toothing 4, for example in the form of a rail, is ensured.

3 Figure 12 shows part of a transport system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In 3 is essentially the transport system 100 according to 2 shown. In contrast to the transport system 100 according to 2 is the flow retarder 1 in the transport system 100 according to 3 supported and arranged on the roof of the elevator car 6 via carrier 8 .

In principle, it is conceivable to also use the floor or the ceiling structure of the cabin 6 as a support for the systems. However, this arrangement does not correspond to the direction of movement, which makes it necessary to reverse the direction of rotation.

the 4 and 5 12 show a building with a transportation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In 4 a building 2 is shown, on the top floor of which a drive device 3 for an elevator car 6 is arranged. The flow retarder 1 is arranged here in the drive device 3 or is connected to it, in particular via a clutch. The elevator car 6 is shown here in the defined end position 9 .

In 5 the view from outside the shaft of the elevator car 6 is shown. In the end position 9 a door 10 is arranged, which can be opened from within the shaft and the elevator car 6 in an emergency.

In the case of simple elevator systems, it can make sense not to brake the descent of the elevator car 6 via the drive device 3, but to carry it out without wear using the flow retarder 1. The use of a flow retarder 1 in an emergency is preferred. For one only in the sun derfall / emergency to be activated flow retarder 1 is proposed to use a centrifugally actuated clutch. When a certain limit speed of one of the gears 5 operatively connected to the toothing 4 fixed to the building is exceeded, the centrifugal clutch is activated, whereby the non-positive and/or positive connection for driving the rotor 51 of the flow retarder 1 is ensured.

• - Einfache und kostengünstige Implementierung.
• - Zuverlässiges Abbremsen.
• - Definierte Endposition für Transporteinrichtung.
• - Einfachere Evakuierung von Personen oder Lasten aus der Transporteinrichtung beispielsweise im Notfall.

In summary, at least one embodiment of the present invention offers at least one of the following advantages and/or has at least one of the following features:

• - Simple and inexpensive implementation.
• - Reliable braking.
• - Defined end position for transport device.
• - Easier evacuation of people or loads from the transport facility, for example in an emergency.

Although the present invention has been described on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto but can be modified in many different ways.

Reference List

1

flow retarder

2

building

3

drive device

4

gearing

5

gear

6

cabin/elevator basket

6a

Exterior of cabin/elevator basket

7

cabin door

8th

carrier

9

End position cabin/elevator cage

10

door

50

Direction of flow of fluid

51

rotor

51a

input rotor

51b

exit rotor

52

stator

52a

input stator

52b

output stator

53

Wave

100

transport system

Claims (17)

Transport system (100) for people or loads in a building (2), comprising a drive device (3), a transport device (6), in particular a cabin, which can be moved by means of the drive device (3), and at least one braking device (1) for Braking of the transport device (6), characterized in that the at least one braking device (1) is designed as a flow retarder (1). Transport system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the flow retarder (1) can be operated with a gaseous and/or liquid operating medium, in particular with air, water, oil or glycol. Transport system according to one of Claims 1 - 2 , characterized in that the flow retarder (1) is designed to interact with a building-side, in particular building-fixed element (4). Transport system according to claim 3 , characterized in that the flow retarder (1) is designed to interact positively and/or frictionally with the building-side, in particular building-fixed element (4) for the transmission of forces to the flow retarder (1). Transport system according to claim 4 , characterized in that the building-side element (4) interacts mechanically with the transmission element (5), in particular wherein the building-side element (4) is provided with teeth, into which a gear (5) for the transmission of forces to the flow retarder (1 ) intervenes. Transport system according to claim 3 or 4 , characterized in that for the transmission of forces by means of frictional engagement, an impeller (5) is pressed against the element (4) on the building side by means of a pressing device. Transport system according to one of Claims 1 - 6 , characterized in that an in particular switchable coupling device is arranged between the transmission element (5) and the flow retarder (1) in the power transmission path. Transport system according to claim 7 , characterized in that the clutch device is designed as a centrifugal clutch, esp special wherein the centrifugal clutch is designed to remain closed after initial actuation. Transport system according to claim 8 , characterized in that the centrifugal clutch can be brought into an open state again by means of a separate device. Transport system according to one of Claims 1 - 9 , characterized in that a plurality of braking devices (1) are arranged and are designed to interact, in particular mechanically and/or hydraulically, in such a way that when one of the braking devices (1) is actuated, at least one additional, in particular all of the additional braking devices (1) are actuated. Transport system according to one of Claims 1 - 10 , characterized in that the transport device (6) can be moved into a defined end position (9) when the braking device is actuated, wherein at the end position (9) an opening device (10) which can be actuated from inside the transport device (6) can be actuated to open the transport device. Transport system according to one of Claims 1 - 11 , characterized in that the transport device (6) can be moved into a defined end position (9) when the brake device is actuated, a delay device for the transport device (6) being arranged in the region of the end position (9), in particular in the form of a brake and/or a hydraulic and/or pneumatic damper. Transport system according to one of Claims 1 - 12 , characterized in that the at least one braking device (1) is arranged on a wall (6a), ceiling and/or floor of the transport device (6), preferably on an outer wall (6a) of the transport device (6). Transport system (100) according to one of Claims 1 - 13 , designed as an elevator. Building (2) with a transport system (100) according to one of Claims 1 - 14 . Building (2) according to claim 15 , wherein the flow retarder (1) is arranged on a part of the building. Method for transporting people and loads with a transport system (100) according to one of Claims 1 - 14 A transport device (6) that can be moved by means of a drive device (3) is braked by means of at least one brake device (1) for braking the transport device (6), the at least one brake device (1) being designed as a flow retarder.

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