EP1894875B1 - Safety device for a lift facility and a lift facility with such a safety device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a safety device for an elevator installation with at least one elevator car according to the preamble of the independent claims. In addition, the invention relates to a corresponding elevator installation.

Typically, elevator cars in a multi-vehicle elevator system are each equipped with their own drive and their own braking system. The electronic control of the entire elevator system is often designed so that there should be no collisions of the individual elevator cars. Particularly in the case of an emergency stop or even in the case of a normal floor stop of a cabin, it can not be ensured under all circumstances that a further elevator car situated above or below the same elevator shaft can still stop in time to avoid a collision. This could be avoided by giving the controller sufficient distances between the individual elevator cars and also adapted vertical speeds. Such a requirement, however, can not fully utilize the transport capacity of a multi-vehicle elevator installation, which has an impact on the cost-benefit efficiency.

From the European patent EP 769 469 B1 Now, a multi-mobile elevator system is known, which includes means for opening the safety circuit of an elevator car, if it comes to an undesired approach to another elevator car. According to the cited patent, security modules are present at each elevator car, which evaluate the car positions and speeds in order to be able to trigger braking operations on other elevator cars, if necessary. The individual safety modules must always know and evaluate the cabin positions and speeds of the other elevator cars involved in order to be able to react correctly in an emergency. To it needs a special decision module, which is responsible for determining the stop commands in an emergency.

A similar complex solution is from the international patent application WO 2004/043841 A1 or US 2003/0057030 A1 known. According to this patent application, infrared, laser or ultrasonic sensors which measure the distances to the adjacent elevator cars located above and below the elevator car can be arranged on each elevator car. In addition, it is proposed to additionally use a shaft information system, so that, for example, measuring strips arranged in the shaft can be scanned by sensors on the elevator cars in the form of light barriers. Also, this electro-optical approach makes it possible to control the distance of the elevator cars and possibly also the distance to the shaft bottom and, if necessary, intervene in the control to prevent a collision.

Especially in the international patent application WO 2004/043841 A1 described solution is complicated because it requires communication between different opto-electronic components of the elevator cars to allow statements about the current distance and the current speeds of the elevator cars.

In addition, the described solutions are difficult to initialize during commissioning, since all systems must be coordinated. The complexity of the systems may make these solutions susceptible to interference.

It is in view of the known arrangements, a first object of the present invention to provide a multi-vehicle elevator system, which are automatically stopped at an approach between two elevator cars, the cabs before driving without a complex exchange of information between the elevator cars is necessary.

A further object of the present invention is to prevent an undesired approach or collision of the car with the shaft ends in an elevator installation with at least one elevator car when the elevator car approaches the shaft ends.

In other words, it is a question of improving the safety of elevator installations with simple and reliable means.

The solution of the objects is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are realized by the dependent claims.

The present invention is equally suitable for preventing a collision between two elevator cars that are relatively approaching and one for preventing a collision between an elevator car and a shaft end. In the following, equivalent variants of the safety device according to the invention for an elevator installation will be described.

In a first variant, the safety device for an elevator installation with an upper elevator car and a lower elevator car, both of which can be moved substantially independently along a vertical direction in a common elevator shaft of the elevator installation, comprises a first electro-optical detection system with a first light source in a lower area the upper elevator car and with a first detector. The first detector has a photosensitive, first sensor area in an upper area of the lower elevator car. The first light source outputs a collimated first light beam at a first angle with respect to the vertical direction. The first angle is predetermined so that when approaching the upper and lower elevator cars, the first light beam strikes the first sensor area and is thus detectable by the first detector and the first detector triggers a reaction to prevent a collision of the elevator cars.

In addition, the safety device has a second electro-optical detection system with a second light source in an upper region of the lower elevator car and a second detector in a lower region of the upper elevator car comprises.

With knowledge of the present invention, the first variant can also be implemented with more than two elevator cars, which can be moved substantially independently vertically in a common elevator shaft. Where then between each of these elevator cars at least one light source and provided for this detector is present.

In a second variant, the safety device for an elevator installation with a lower shaft end and with at least one elevator car, which is movable substantially independently along a vertical direction in an elevator shaft of the elevator installation, comprises a first electro-optical detection system with a first light source in a lower area of the elevator system Elevator car and with a first detector. The first detector has a photosensitive, first sensor area in the region of the lower shaft end. The first light source outputs a collimated first light beam at a first angle with respect to the vertical direction. The first angle is predetermined such that when the elevator car approaches the lower shaft end, the first light beam strikes the first sensor area and is thus detectable by the first detector and the first detector triggers a reaction to prevent a collision of the elevator car.

In addition, the safety device has a second electro-optical detection system with a second light source in the region of the lower shaft end and via a second detector in a lower region of the elevator car.

In a third variant, the safety device for an elevator installation with an upper shaft end and with at least one elevator car, which is movable substantially independently along a vertical direction in an elevator shaft of the elevator installation, comprises a first electro-optical detection system with a first light source in the region of the upper shaft end and with a first detector. The first detector has a photosensitive, first sensor area in the upper area of the elevator car. The first light source outputs a collimated first light beam at a first angle with respect to the vertical direction. The first angle is predetermined such that, when the elevator car approaches the upper shaft end, the first light beam strikes the first sensor area and is thus detectable by the first detector and the first detector triggers a reaction to prevent a collision of the elevator car.

In addition, the safety device has a second electro-optical detection system with a second light source in an upper region of the elevator car and a second detector in the region of the upper shaft end.

Of course, these variants can advantageously also be combined, i. the elevator car of the second variant may be the lower of several elevator cars in a common elevator shaft of the elevator system of the first variant, both of which are substantially independently movable along a vertical direction in the elevator shaft.

Analogously, the elevator car of the third variant can be the upper one of a plurality of elevator cars in a common elevator shaft of the elevator system of the first variant, both of which can be moved substantially independently along a vertical direction in the elevator shaft.

Of course, a combination of all three variants in an elevator system is possible. Such a combination realizes one Prevention of collisions of the two elevator cars with each other and with shaft ends.

An advantage of the invention results from the simple arrangement of commercially available electro-optical components in order to prevent a collision of an elevator car in an elevator shaft. Another advantage is the selbstätigen detection of the distance by the detector and the triggering of an autonomous reaction to unwanted approach of the elevator cars. Furthermore, the detector in conjunction with a local computing unit is capable of triggering a collision-preventing reaction based on speed information with a small amount of computation. In addition, the redundant design of the safety device provides additional security and enables an autonomous and rapid collision-preventing reaction of all elevator cars.

• Fig. 1A eine schematische, seitliche Ansicht einer ersten Multimobil-Aufzugsanlage gemäss Erfindung in einem ersten Zeitpunkt;
• Fig. 1B eine schematische, seitliche Ansicht der Multimobil-Aufzugsanlage nach Fig. 1A in einem späteren Zeitpunkt;
• Fig. 2 eine schematische, seitliche Ansicht eines Teils einer zweiten Multimobil-Aufzugsanlage gemäss Erfindung;
• Fig. 3 eine schematische, seitliche Ansicht eines Teils einer dritten Multimobil-Aufzugsanlage gemäss Erfindung.

In the following, the invention will be described in detail by means of embodiments and with reference to the non-scale drawings. Show it:

• Fig. 1A a schematic, side view of a first multi-vehicle elevator system according to the invention in a first time;
• Fig. 1B a schematic, side view of the multi-vehicle elevator system according to Fig. 1A at a later date;
• Fig. 2 a schematic, side view of a portion of a second multi-vehicle elevator installation according to the invention;
• Fig. 3 a schematic, side view of a portion of a third multi-vehicle elevator system according to the invention.

A first embodiment of the invention is in connection with the two snapshots in the Figures 1A and 1B described. Shown is a simple multi-vehicle elevator installation 10 with an upper elevator car A1 and a lower elevator car A2, both of which can be moved substantially independently vertically in a common elevator shaft 11 of the elevator installation 10 along a vertical direction z. For this purpose, the elevator cabs A1, A2 are provided with a drive and a holding brake per elevator car A1, A2, or, for example, can be individually coupled to a central drive system in order to allow individual movement in the elevator shaft 11. In addition, there are other approaches to individually move the elevator cars of a multi-vehicle elevator system.

A safety device is provided which comprises a first electro-optical detection system 20 having a first light source 21 arranged in a lower area of the upper elevator car A1, as in FIGS Figures 1A and 1B indicated schematically. Particularly suitable light sources are light-emitting diodes which emit concentrated light. Even better are laser diode or solid state laser.

Furthermore, the detection system 20 comprises a first detector 22, which comprises a photosensitive, first sensor area 22 in an upper area of the lower elevator car A2. As sensor region 22, photodiodes, phototransistors or other photosensitive elements can be used.

The first light source 21 is designed and arranged to emit a collimated first light beam L1 at a first angle W1 with respect to the vertical direction z in. In the example shown, the light beam L1 is directed downwards.

In Fig. 1A a snapshot is shown (distance between the cars is S1), where the upper elevator car A1 moves downwards at a speed v1 and the lower elevator car A2 stands still (v2 = 0). In the moment shown, the light beam L1 hits somewhere against a wall of the elevator shaft 11 somewhere above the lower elevator car A2.

Now reduces the relative distance of the two elevator cars A1 and A2 to a minimum distance S2, as in Fig. 1B As shown, the light beam L1 strikes the sensor area 22 for the first time.

According to the invention, the first angle W1 is predetermined or adjusted such that, as the upper and lower elevator cars A1, A2 approach, the first light beam L1 strikes the first sensor region 22 as soon as the minimum distance S2 is reached. At this instant of impact, the light beam L1 is thus detectable by the first detector 22, 24, and this detector 22, 24 triggers a reaction R1, which is passed on to a controller or the like, for example via a line or connection 23.

The present invention now permits various forms of implementation or expansion stages of the safety device.

In the simplest form of implementation, a reaction can be triggered immediately upon first contact of the light beam L1 with the sensor region 22. In this case, it suffices if the sensor region 22 has a size-in the sense of surface area-that makes it possible to ensure that reliable detection of the light beam L1 by the detector 22, 24 is possible despite the fluctuations in the elevator installation 10 ,

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 2 indicated. In this figure, a snapshot is shown shortly after the light beam L1 was first detected by a photosensitive portion 22.1 of the sensor portion 22.

The sections are preferably separately evaluable, ie they each have individual electrical connections. Preferably, in the various embodiments, a corresponding evaluation system 24 (or 24 and 28 in the case of Fig. 3 ) is provided to trigger an adapted response (R1, R2, R3, R4) in response to which of the sections 22.1 - 22.n the first light beam L1 strikes.

If one now the same distances as in the Figures 1A and 1B assuming the distance would be smaller than S2 in the moment shown.

Since the upper elevator car A1 continues to move toward the lower car A2 at the speed v1, the "light spot" generated by the light beam L1 shifts to the left. The safety device can now be configured, programmed or set such that upon the first impact on the section 22.1 of the sensor region 22 an advance warning is issued as a reaction or the elevator installation 10 or the elevator car A1 and / or A2 is transferred to a pre-warning mode. If the light point now exceeds a predetermined further section 22.4 of the sensor region 22, a final reaction can be triggered (for example an emergency stop by triggering the brake device or the safety brake of the upper and / or the lower elevator car A1, A2). This two-step approach adds security and helps prevent false tripping.

Based on Fig. 2 Now, another embodiment of the invention will be explained. As indicated by an arrow below the sensor area 22, the point of light travels to the left at a speed v1 * when the relative distance between the elevator cars A1, A2 is reduced at a speed v1. This speed v1 * allows a computational determination of the speed v1 using simple trigonometric approaches. For example, if the angle W1 is 45 degrees, then v1 = v1 * since tan 45 = 1. If the angle W1 is greater than 45 degrees, then v1 * is greater than v1. At smaller angles W1, v1 * becomes smaller than v1, ie one obtains a kind of reduction or deceleration. Such a slowing down can reduce the size of the sensor area 22, which may be advantageous since the corresponding sensors are expensive.

In Fig. 3 another variant is shown. This variant is currently preferred because it offers the greatest security. As shown, two electro-optical detection systems are used. The first detection system is designed analogously to the system shown in the preceding figures. The second Detection system can be identical, but sits almost mirrored in the upper part of the lower elevator car A2. The corresponding second sensor area 26 is seated in the lower area of the upper elevator car A1.

In the example shown, both angles are equal, i. W1 = W2. The angles can also be specified or adjusted differently. If the electro-optical detection systems are identical and if W1 = W2, both electro-optical detection systems will at the same time emit signals or at the same time trigger reactions R3, R4.

The figures schematically indicate that the detectors trigger reactions in each case. The nature of the reactions differs depending on the embodiment, programming or setting of the devices. In the figures, it is indicated that the detectors are capable of delivering signals or information via lines or other connections 23 or 27. These signals or information are then either processed before reactions are triggered, or they immediately trigger the responses, for example, by opening a switch that is part of a safety circuit.

There are numerous ways to accomplish the triggering of the reactions. The particular realization depends on various details of the respective elevator installation 10. If, for example, the elevator installation 10 has its own safety circuit per elevator car A1, A2, the safety circuit of the upper and / or lower elevator car A1, A2 can be interrupted by the detector (s).

A multi-mobile elevator installation 10 preferably has one own safety circuit per elevator car A1, A2, in which several safety elements, such as safety contacts and switches, are arranged in a series connection. The corresponding elevator car A1 or A2 can only be moved if the safety circuit and thus also all safety contacts integrated in it are closed. The safety circuit is connected to the drive or the brake unit of the elevator installation 10 in order to interrupt the driving operation of the corresponding elevator car A1 or A2, if such a reaction is desired.

However, the invention can also be used in elevator systems which are equipped with a safety bus system instead of the mentioned safety circuit.

Alternatively or in addition to opening the safety circuits and the brakes of the respective elevator cars A1, A2 can be triggered.

Alternatively or additionally, any catch brakes of the respective elevator cars A1, A2 can be triggered.

• Öffnen eines Sicherheitskreises von mindestens einer Aufzugskabine A1, A2,
• Signal an eine Aufzugssteuerung,
• Auslösen einer Bremsvorrichtung von mindestens einer Aufzugskabine A1, A2,
• Auslösen einer Fangbremse von mindestens einer Aufzugskabine A1, A2,
• Überführen von mindestens einer Aufzugskabine A1, A2 in einen Vorwarnzustand,
• Anpassung der Vertikalgeschwindigkeit v1, v2 von mindestens einer Aufzugskabine A1, A2.

Depending on the embodiment, one or more of the following reactions can be triggered by the detectors 22, 24 or 26, 28:

• Opening a safety circuit of at least one elevator car A1, A2,
• Signal to an elevator control,
• Triggering a braking device of at least one elevator car A1, A2,
• Triggering a safety brake of at least one elevator car A1, A2,
• Transferring at least one elevator car A1, A2 into a pre-warning state,
• Adaptation of the vertical speed v1, v2 of at least one elevator car A1, A2.

So you can realize with the invention, a distance control or a combined distance and speed control.

The angles W1, W2 can be adjusted in a range of 0 to 90 ° with respect to the vertical direction z. Preferably, the angles W1, W2 are in the range between 0 and 60 degrees, and more preferably between 10 and 50 degrees.

Advantageously, the angle W1, W2 as a function of individual or several parameters, such as the position, speed or acceleration of an elevator car A1, A2, the distance, relative speed or relative acceleration of the elevator car A1, A2 to a reference point or the operating state of the elevator system 10, in time set variably.

By setting the angle W1, W2, for example, at a higher speed of the car A1, A2, the angle W1, W2 can be set smaller, so that the light beam L1, L2 falls on the detector 22, 24 at an earlier time and thus to it an earlier time a reaction R1, R2, R3, R4 can trigger. At a lower speed, accordingly, the need for an early response R1, R2, R3, R4 is reduced, and thus a larger angle W1, W2 can be set. The relationship between acceleration and angle is analogous.

The operating condition of an elevator installation 10, such as in the inspection or maintenance state, often indicates a reduced maximum speed. Thus, in the case of an inspection trip of the elevator car A1, A2, the angle W1, W2 of the light beam L1, L2 can be increased already after the transfer of the elevator car A1, A2 into an inspection state, since the elevator car A1, A2 can only be moved at reduced speed.

The position of the elevator cars A1, A2 serves, for example, to determine the time of a variable adjustment of the angle W1, W2. Accordingly, a critical distance between the elevator cars A1, A2 or between an elevator car A1, A2 and the shaft end defined. If this value is undershot, the variable setting of the angle W1, W2 begins.

If several elevator cars run in the same shaft 11, a corresponding safety device can also be provided between these elevator cars.

In addition, corresponding sensor areas can also be provided at the lower and / or upper shaft end of the elevator shaft 11 in order to prevent a dangerous approach of an elevator car to the respective shaft end. The operating principle in this case is the same as described in connection with the other embodiments.

Claims (15)

1. Safety equipment for a lift installation (10) with an upper lift cage (A1) and a lower lift cage (A2), which are both movable substantially independently along a vertical direction (z) in a common lift shaft (11) of the lift installation (10), wherein the safety equipment comprises a first electro-optical detection system (20) with a first light source (21) in a lower region of the upper lift cage (A1) and with a first detector (22, 24), characterised in that

   - the first detector (22, 24) comprises a light-sensitive first sensor region (22) in an upper region of the lower lift cage (A2) and

   - the first light source (21) issues a focussed first light beam (L1) at a first angle (W1) with respect to the vertical direction (z) and the first angle (W1) is so predetermined that on approach of the upper and the lower lift cages (A1, A2) the first light beam (L1) is incident on the first sensor region (22) and thus is detectable by the first detector (22, 24) and the first detector (22, 24) triggers a reaction (R1, R2, R3, R4).
2. Safety equipment (20) according to claim 1, characterised in that the safety equipment (20) comprises a second electro-optical detection system with a second light source (25) in an upper region of the lower lift cage (A2) and with a second detector (26, 28) in a lower region of the upper lift cage (A1).
3. Safety equipment for a lift installation (10) with a lower shaft end and with at least one lift cage (A2), which is movable substantially independently along a vertical direction (z) in a lift shaft (11) of the lift installation (10), wherein the safety equipment comprises a first electro-optical detection system (20) with a first light source (21) in a lower region of the lift cage (A2) and with a first detector (22, 24), characterised in that

   - the first detector (22, 24) comprises a light-sensitive first sensor region (22) in the region of the lower shaft end and

   - the first light source (21) issues a focused first light beam (L1) at a first angle (W1) with respect to the vertical direction (z) and the first angle (W1) is so predetermined that on approach of the lift cage (A2) to the lower shaft end the first light beam (L1) is incident on the first sensor region (22) and thus is detectable by the first detector (22, 24) and the first detector (22, 24) triggers a reaction (R1, R2, R3, R4).
4. Safety equipment (20) according to claim 3, characterised in that the safety equipment (20) comprises a second electro-optical detection system with a second light source (25) in the region of the lower shaft end and with a second detector (26, 28) in a lower region of the lift cage (A2).
5. Safety equipment for a lift installation (10) with an upper shaft end and with at least one lift cage (A1), which is movable substantially independently along a vertical direction (z) in a lift shaft (11) of the lift installation (10), wherein the safety equipment comprises a first electro-optical detection system (20) with a first light source (21) in the region of the upper shaft end and with a first detector (22, 24), characterised in that

   - the first detector (22, 24) comprises a light-sensitive first sensor region (22) in the upper region of the lift cage (A1) and

   - the first light source (21) issues a focused first light beam (L1) at a first angle (W1) with respect to the vertical direction (z) and the first angle (W1) is so predetermined that on approach of the lift cage (A1, A2) to the upper shaft end the first light beam (L1) is incident on the first sensor region (22) and thus is detectable by the first detector (22, 24) and the first detector (22, 24) triggers a reaction (R1, R2, R3, R4).
6. Safety equipment (20) according to claim 5, characterised in that the safety equipment (20) comprises a second electro-optical detection system with a second light source (25) in an upper region of the lift cage (A1) and with a second detector (26, 28) in the region of the upper shaft end.
7. Safety equipment (20) according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the lift cage (A2) is the lower of several lift cages (A1, A2) in a common lift shaft (11) of the lift installation (10), which are both movable substantially independently along a vertical direction (z) in the lift shaft (11).
8. Safety equipment (20) according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the lift cage (A1) is the upper of several lift cages (A1, A2) in a common lift shaft (11) of the lift installation (10), which are both movable substantially independently along a vertical direction (z) in the lift shaft (11).
9. Safety equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sensor region (22) comprises several light-sensitive sections (22.1 - 22.n) able to separately evaluated.
10. Safety equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first detector (22, 24) comprises an evaluating system (24) so as to be able to trigger a matched reaction (R1, R2, R3, R4) in dependence on the sections (22.1 - 22.n) on which the first light beam (L1) is incident.
11. Safety equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that one or more of the following reactions can be triggered by the first detector (22, 24):

    - opening a safety circuit of at least one lift cage (A1, A2),

    - signal to a lift control,

    - triggering a braking device of at least one lift cage (A1, A2),

    - triggering a safety brake of at least one lift cage (A1, A2),

    - transferring at least one lift cage (A1, A2) to a pre-warning state,

    - adaptation of the vertical speed (v1, v2) of at least one lift cage (A1, A2).
12. Safety equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a spacing control or a combined spacing and speed control is realised by means of the electro-optical detection system or systems.
13. Safety equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the angle (W1, W2) between the light beam (L1, L2) and the vertical direction (z) is settable to be variable in time in dependence on individual or several parameters.
14. Safety equipment according to claim 13, characterised in that the parameters represent the position, speed or acceleration of a lift cage (A1, A2), the spacing, the relative speed or the relative acceleration of a lift cage (A1, A2) with respect to a reference point or the operational state of the lift installation (10).
15. Lift installation (10) with safety equipment (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lift installation (10) comprises at least one lift cage (A1, A2), with a drive and a holding brake per lift cage (A1, A2) and wherein a collision of the lift cages (A1, A2) can be prevented by the reaction (R1, R2, R3, R4).

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