EP1246770B1 - Inspection opening in an elevator car - Google Patents

Abstract

An elevator car is of a construction which facilitates inspection and maintenance function while enhancing passenger safety. The car includes a closeable inspection and maintenance opening in a sidewall. A transparent inspection window or an inspection grille forms a closure for the opening. The closure may be lockable, and can also include a sensor to monitor its state.

Description

The present invention relates to a machine room-less Elevator with at least one moving in an elevator shaft Elevator cabin, with an elevator control that is at least the Driving movements of the elevator controls, with different in Elevator shaft attached and periodically inspected Elevator components, with the car in at least one at least one lockable inspection and has a maintenance opening.

Such an elevator is known from JP 10 231074 A. It will described a machine room-less elevator, in which the inspection and the maintenance of in the elevator shaft or at the This enables elevator car installed elevator components is that lockable in the side walls of the elevator car Inspection and maintenance openings available are in the range of these elevator components.

• Bei der Inspektion von sich über die gesamte Schachthöhe erstreckenden oder in grosser Zahl über diese verteilten Aufzugskomponenten wie beispielsweise Führungsschienen, Tragseile, Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzerseil, Führungsschienenbefestigungen und Schachtinformationsgeber durch während der erforderlichen Inspektionsfahrt geöffnete Inspektions- und Wartungsöffnungen, besteht für die inspizierende Person eine erhebliche Gefahr, mit Kopf, Händen oder Armen mit im Schacht montierten Gegenständen zu kollidieren oder eingeklemmt zu werden.
• Es sind keine Sicherheitseinrichtungen vorhanden, die eine Aufzugsfahrt oder eine Inspektionsfahrt bei offenen Inspektions- und Wartungsöffnungen unterbinden oder dafür sorgen, dass die inspizierende Person während einer solchen Fahrt nicht im Bereich einer solchen Öffnung befinden kann.
• Bei Inspektionsfahrten zwischen den Positionen von einzel nen zu inspizierenden Aufzugskomponenten im Aufzugschacht mit geschlossenen Inspektions- und Wartungsöffnungen ist ein genaues Anfahren dieser Positionen mangels Sicht in den Aufzugschacht schwierig.

The solution to the inspection and maintenance problem in machine room-less elevators described above has the following disadvantages:

• When inspecting elevator components that extend over the entire shaft height or are distributed in large numbers over these, such as guide rails, suspension cables, speed limiter cables, guide rail fastenings and shaft information transmitters through inspection and maintenance openings that are open during the required inspection run, there is a considerable risk for the inspecting person, with Colliding head, hands or arms with objects mounted in the shaft or getting pinched.
• There are no safety devices that prevent an elevator journey or an inspection journey with open inspection and maintenance openings or ensure that the inspecting person cannot be in the area of such an opening during such a journey.
• When inspecting between the positions of individual elevator components to be inspected in the elevator shaft with closed inspection and maintenance openings, it is difficult to approach these positions precisely due to a lack of visibility into the elevator shaft.

The object of the present invention is therefore an elevator concept to propose that with good use of the shaft space and inspection and maintenance without a protective space in the shaft head all elevator components arranged in the elevator shaft. In particular, the safety of the inspecting Person improves review of himself about the entire shaft height or in large numbers these distributed elevator components easier and that Approaching certain positions during inspection trips be simplified.

According to the invention to solve this problem with one Elevator of the type mentioned provided that a transparent Inspection window or an inspection grille which in at least one side wall of the cabin existing at least closes an inspection and maintenance opening.

The elevator according to the invention enables the execution of Inspection and maintenance work on most in the elevator shaft arranged elevator components from the inside of the Cabin off. In addition to making good use of the cross section of the The shaft space can in particular also be the height of the shaft head space be kept very low, as a shelter for the fitter above the cabin is no longer required. The at least one transparent inspection window, or that Inspection grille, allows a visual inspection of yourself extending over the entire shaft height or in large Number over these distributed elevator components, such as Guide rails, suspension cables, speed limiter cable, Guide rail fastenings and shaft information transmitters during the inspection trip without a major Opening in the cabin wall is required. This is for the inspecting person ensures maximum safety. It also simplifies at least one transparent inspection window, or the inspection grille during inspection trips the start of elevator components intended for inspection suitable shaft positions, as there is a view of the elevator shaft as well as on the elevator components.

Advantageous refinements and developments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this closed transparent inspection window or the inspection grille at least one key screw lock on before opening the inspection window or Unlock the inspection grid using a key element is. This will open the transparent inspection window, or the inspection grid by unauthorized persons Prevents people and dangerous situations for passengers.

In a safety-related manner, the closed State of the at least one transparent inspection window, or the inspection grid by an electrical Monitored and the corresponding signal to the Elevator control directed. Depending on the existing control program if the inspection window is not closed or Inspection grille, safety-relevant functions of the elevator, such as normal, level correction or inspection trips also blocked.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the transparent inspection window essentially from one Laminated glass plate or a suitable plate made of transparent Plastic, such as acrylic glass or plexiglass. A window frame is not necessary and the required fastening Hinge and locking components can be used directly what are mounted on the transparent window plates preferably by gluing or by a combination of Gluing and screwing is done. This flat design enables the installation of the inspection window in the cabin wall, without the window inside or outside over the cabin wall protrudes, and it also looks good on hinges a narrow cabin wall space in the interior of the Cabin can be pivoted.

In a further embodiment of the invention, this is transparent Inspection window, or the inspection grille in normal operation through a removable decorative or cladding element or covered by a mirror plate. This leaves the visual appearance of the cabin interior is unaffected through the inspection window or inspection grid, and also the feeling of security of the passengers will not negatively influenced by the view into the elevator shaft. Such plate-shaped elements are preferred using screws or diameter-elastic pins or with a combination of both on the transparent Inspection window, or the inspection grid fixed.

Transparent inspection windows, or inspection grid that reached one or more Have access openings. Placed appropriately, enable this, with hands and arms through the closed To inspect the inspection window or the inspection grille and perform certain operations on elevator components or to feel their state. Although the access openings in its dimensions on the passage of Hands and arms are limited, many inspection and Maintenance procedures with high security for the inspecting Person run without the whole inspection window, or to open the inspection grille. This can much inspection time can be saved.

An advantageous development of the invention consists in that at least one sensor, for example a light barrier or a light curtain that has at least one pass-through opening an inspection window or an inspection grid monitor outstanding objects. The preferably electrical Output signal of the sensor when detection of protruding objects are triggered by the elevator control, to prevent every movement of the elevator car.

According to a further embodiment of the invention The elevator faces the wall of the elevator shaft above the uppermost stop of the shaft door assigned to the elevator car a breakthrough on which the inspector's point of view on the cabin door drive, the coupling device between Cabin door and landing door as well as the landing door lock granted, and also manual access to the above Elements. This breakthrough is required because the inspection and maintenance of these items is paramount Shaft area due to lack of protection space above the Elevator cabin not from the cabin roof as usual and also not made through openings in a cabin wall can be. The breakthrough is with an inspection door closable.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention is in the area of the lower end position of the counterweight in Lift shaft a stop with a normal and a stop position Installed. Positioned in the stop position, this supports the downward counterweight reaching its lower end position, so that the counterweight side Support ropes are relieved. As a result this relief is the between the traction sheave and the Carrier cables reduced the traction force so much that the elevator car has reached its upper end position stop. By the inspecting person if necessary The stop positioned in the stop position stops the counterweight so far before its lower end position that in The area between the shaft head and the cabin roof is sufficient high protection space for one person is formed. Such a Protection room, as in the present machine room-less There is no elevator arrangement in normal operation mandatory if an inspection or maintenance person Carry out inspection runs on the cabin roof got to. This is especially for the control and maintenance of the above Components mentioned in the door operator area make sense because a breakthrough in the shaft wall, as described above, for aesthetic reasons if possible to the top one Floor should remain limited.

In a further embodiment of the elevator according to the invention in the elevator car a command device for controlling inspection trips available at reduced speed. It is useful to have an extension cable, so that the inspection runs in from any position can be controlled from the elevator car so that visual Inspection of elevator components through transparent Inspection window or inspection grid during the inspection possible are. The command device is in normal operation preferably in a closable compartment of the Cabin control panels housed.

According to a further advantageous embodiment variant the elevator control is programmed so that when the door is not closed Inspection window, or inspection grid, or if an object protrudes from a through opening, either no elevator car ride or just an inspection ride is possible with reduced speed. A such inspection trip can only be ordered by clicking on the command device for controlling inspection trips in each case two with the fingers of a single hand not at the same time accessible buttons can be pressed simultaneously. Are for thus both hands required, which ensures that no elevator car ride can take place as long as another hand of the inspecting person outside the Elevator car is located.

Fig. 1

einen schematischen Längsschnitt durch den Schachtkopf eines Aufzugschachts mit darin platzierter Aufzugkabine mit Unterschlingungs-Tragseilanordnung

Fig. 2A

einen schematischen Längsschnitt durch einen Aufzugschacht mit darin platzierter Aufzugkabine in Rucksack-Anordnung

Fig. 2B

einen Ausschnitt aus Fig. 2A mit einer in aktive Position geschwenkten Stütze unter dem Ausgleichs gewicht des Aufzugs

Fig. 3

einen Horizontalschnitt durch eine Aufzugkabine eines erfindungsgemäßen Aufzugs

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the drawing. The same reference numerals are used throughout for identical or functionally identical components. Show:

Fig. 1

a schematic longitudinal section through the shaft head of an elevator shaft with an elevator car placed therein with a suspension rope arrangement

Figure 2A

a schematic longitudinal section through an elevator shaft with elevator car placed therein in a backpack arrangement

Figure 2B

a section of FIG. 2A with a support pivoted into the active position under the counterweight of the elevator

Fig. 3

a horizontal section through an elevator car of an elevator according to the invention

1 shows a schematic longitudinal section through a first Elevator construction with suspension rope arrangement, in which an elevator car 10 in an elevator shaft 11 in Arrow direction 27 is movable. The cabin 10 has one Cabin frame 12 and is on guide rails 13 over schematically shown, attached to the cabin frame 12 Guide shoes 14 out and can be close to a shaft ceiling 15 of the shaft room 11 can be moved up. For movement the cabin 10 is a drive unit 16, the one Drive motor 17 with brake and a traction sheave 18. The traction sheave 18 interacts with a suspension cable 19, down from one side of the traction sheave 18, below the pulleys 20 and under the cabin 10, on the the other side of the shaft up to a first fixed rope point 23 and down from the other side of the traction sheave 18 a counterweight support roller 22 around and up again to a second fixed rope point not shown here Shaft head area is guided.

The cabin 10 has a roof 24, a cabin floor 25 and four side walls 26. In Fig. 1 is that of the drive unit 16 facing side wall 26 with an inspection and Maintenance opening 29 provided with an inventive transparent inspection window 28.A, or an inspection grille 28.B, is closable. The inspection window 28.A, or the inspection grid 28.B, is in the direction of the arrow 30 pivotable about a horizontal axis 33 and in opened position on the canopy 24 lockable. By the closed transparent inspection window 28.A, or the inspection grid 28.B, the inspecting person Visual inspection of elevator components, such as on the drive unit 16, consisting of drive motor 17 with Brake 17.1 and traction sheave 18, on the support cables 19, on Balance weight 21, as on the not shown here Speed limiter and the associated speed limiter rope make without being relative to yourself Elevator car moving past, installed in elevator shaft 11 Elevator components to be at risk.

If manual access to elevator components mounted in the elevator shaft is required for inspection or maintenance work, the inspecting person can either do this through the access openings present in the transparent inspection window 28.A or inspection grille 28.B, or the transparent inspection window 28.A , or the inspection grille 28.B, unlock and open with a key element.
The dimensions of the at least one inspection and maintenance opening and thus the associated transparent inspection window 28A, or the inspection grid 28.B, are adapted to the objects to be inspected or serviced in their area. This also applies to the dimensions and positions of the access openings 31 provided in the transparent inspection windows 28A or inspection grids 28.B.

2A shows a schematic longitudinal section through a second elevator variant with an elevator car 10.2 in one so-called backpack arrangement. Elevator components that correspond to those in Fig. 1, have the same reference numerals Mistake. For an explanation of these elevator components reference is made to the above explanations relating to FIG. 1. 2A are both Guide rails 13.2 attached to a single shaft wall. The elevator car 10.2 is on an L-shaped Cabin frame 12.2, the guide shoes 14.2 to the Guide rails 13.2 on a vertical path in the shaft room 11.2 is performed. In the upper shaft area is between the elevator car 10.2 and the shaft wall with the guide rails in the area between the guide rails mentioned a drive unit 16.2 attached to a drive motor 17.2 with brake and a traction sheave 18.2. The Traction sheave 18.2 acts on a support cable 19.2 by a Side of the traction sheave 18.2 down to one on the cabin frame 12.2 attached rope fixing point 23.2 and from the other side the traction sheave 18.2 to a fixed rope point on a balance weight 21.2 leads.

In both elevator variants (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2A) the Elevator car 10 can be driven past drive unit 16. As a result, the elevator car 10 can be very close to the shaft ceiling 15 drive up the elevator shaft 11, so that the required Height of the shaft room 11 is kept to a minimum becomes.

2A is in the elevator car 10.2 an open transparent inspection window 28.A.2, or an inspection grid 28.B.2, which, as with Arrow 30.2 indicated to be pivotable about a vertical axis 34 is an inspection and maintenance opening in normal operation 29.2 covers. It can also be seen in FIG. 2A that the complete drive unit 16.2, the suspension cables 19.2, the Guide rails 13.2, the guide shoes 14.2, the balance weight 21.2, as well as one not shown here Speed limiter with the associated speed limiter rope after opening the transparent inspection window 28.A.2, or the inspection grid 28.B.2, accessible through the inspection and maintenance opening 29.2 are. The same elements can be used when the inspection window is closed 28.A.2, or Inspection grid 28.B.2, at Standstill of the elevator car 10.2, as also during one Inspection trip to be visually inspected. Manual access on these elements for inspection and maintenance purposes is also here with the inspection window 28.A.2 closed, or inspection grid 28.B.2, through access openings 31.2 possible.

2A is above the uppermost shaft door 35 of the Elevator shaft 11 an opening 36 through the front Well wall 37 available, which in normal operation with a Inspection door 38 closed and by means of a key turn lock is locked. Purpose of this breakthrough 36 it is in particular the inspection and the top floor Maintenance of the drive connection between the cabin door drive 32 and the shaft door 35 and the shaft door locking device with their monitoring switch enable because these operations in the present machine room-less elevator arrangement without protective space above the Elevator cabin not from the roof of the elevator cabin as usual can be made from.

At the bottom of FIG. 2A is a pivotable support 40 with a buffer 41 attached to its upper end recognize that in normal operation in the horizontal position on the Shaft pit floor 42 is located. The pivotable support 40 serves in their vertical position to the balance weight 21.2 block before it has reached its lower end position, as shown in Figure 2B. This also makes the Elevator cabin 10.2 stopped before its upper end position because the remaining one without effect of the counterweight Power transmission between traction sheave and suspension cables is not is sufficient to raise the elevator car 10.2 further. With this Device becomes a safer above the canopy 24.2 Protection area created for the inspecting person. This Protective space is particularly necessary for the inspection and the maintenance of the aforementioned drive connections between cabin door drive and shaft doors and their Landing door locking devices with their monitoring switches on the floors on which the Breakthrough 36 described above in the shaft wall 37 above the shaft doors 35 is not available.

3A to 3D schematically show execution details of FIG Inspection and maintenance openings according to the invention 29.3 with transparent inspection windows 28.A.3 or inspection grids 28.B.3, in an elevator car wall.

3A shows wall elements 44 of an elevator car, which are usually made of sheet steel and on have folds 45 on their long sides as stiffeners. On the surfaces of the wall elements 44 are cladding or Decorative elements 46 attached, their attachment mostly by gluing or screwing. In the illustrated Cabin wall between two wall elements 44 is an inventive one Inspection and maintenance opening 29.3 left out. This inspection and maintenance opening 29.3 is through a transparent inspection window 28.A.3, or an inspection grid 28.B.3, covered that on one side with at least a hinge 47 on one of the wall elements 44 is pivotally attached. The one opposite the hinge Side of the transparent inspection window 28.A.3, or the Inspection grid 28.B.3, is by at least one Key twist lock 48 with the fold of the second Wall element 44 locked. Two pass-through openings can also be seen 31.3. On the surfaces of the transparent inspection window 28.A.3, or the inspection grid 28.B.3, cladding or decorative elements 46 are also attached, which here by means of snap-in expansion pins 51, as in 3D is realized, so that this cladding and decorative elements for visual inspections easily can be removed.

3B shows an inspection and maintenance opening 29.3 by means of a key lock (as in Fig. 3D shown) fixed, transparent inspection window 28.A.3, or an inspection grid 28.B.3 is closed. Such transparent inspection window 28.A.3 or inspection grille 28.B.3, must be unlocked and removed if necessary. For the purpose already described, they can also have access openings exhibit.

In Fig. 3C it is shown how one in the folding fold Wall element 44 built-in safety switch 49 the closed Condition of a transparent inspection window 28.A.3, or inspection grid 28.B.3 monitored. Such a Safety switch 49 can only be used with a special Switch 50 are operated. At least one Switch 50 is in the transparent inspection window 28.A.3 or inspection grid 28.B.3 anchored and actuated in its closed state, the safety switch 49.

3D shows details of the fastening of the transparent inspection windows 28.A.3, or inspection grilles 28.B.3, and of the cladding and decorative elements 46. The transparent inspection windows 28.A.3, or inspection grilles 28.B.3 , are fastened and secured to the folding folds 45 of the wall elements 44 with at least two key turn locks 48.
The cladding and decorative elements 46 are fixed with spreading pins 51 in offset holes in the transparent inspection windows 28.A.3, or inspection grids 28.B.3, in such a way that they can be detached and removed with simple tools.

Claims (10)

1. Machine-room-less elevator with at least one elevator car (10), which moves in an elevator hoistway (11), with an elevator control which controls at least the travel movements of the elevator, with various elevator components which are installed in the elevator hoistway (11) and must be periodically inspected, the elevator car (10) having in at least one of its side walls (26) at least one closable inspection and maintenance opening (29),
   characterized in that
   a transparent inspection window (28.A) or an inspection grille (28.B) forms the closure of the inspection and maintenance opening (29).
2. Machine-room-less elevator according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the transparent inspection window (28.A) or inspection grille (28.B) can be opened by unlatching a safety lock (48) by means of a key element.
3. Machine-room-less elevator according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   at least one sensor (49) monitors the closed state of the inspection window (28.A) or of the inspection grille (28.B) and depending on this state affects safety-relevant functions of the elevator control.
4. Machine-room-less elevator according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that
   the transparent inspection window (28.A) consists essentially of laminated glass or transparent plastic.
5. Machine-room-less elevator according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that
   in normal operation the transparent inspection window (28.A) or inspection grille (28.B) is covered by a removable cladding element or decoration element (46) or by a mirror.
6. Machine-room-less elevator according to one of Claims 4 or 5, characterized in that
   in the transparent inspection window (28.A) or in the inspection grille (28.B) there is at least one reach-through opening (31) whose position with closed inspection window (28.A) or inspection grille (28.B) allows access to certain elevator components.
7. Machine-room-less elevator according to Claim 6,
   characterized in that
   at least one sensor monitors whether an object is projecting from the at least one reach-through opening (31) and this sensor affects safety-relevant functions of the elevator control.
8. Machine-room-less elevator according to one of Claims 4 to 7, characterized in that
   above the hoistway doors (35) assigned to the uppermost stop, the hoistway wall (37) has in it an opening with a lockable inspection door (38).
9. Machine-room-less elevator according to one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that
   within the elevator car (10) is at least one command device for the control of inspection trips.
10. Machine-room-less elevator according to Claim 9,
    characterized in that
    when the inspection window (28.A) or inspection grille (28.B) is not closed, or if an object is projecting from a reach-through opening (31) present in such an inspection window, for the elevator car (10) either no travel is possible or only an inspection trip at limited speed, it being necessary for such an inspection trip for two buttons which are not simultaneously reachable with the fingers of one single hand to be actuated simultaneously.

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