EP1935824B1 - Method and system for modernising a lift system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method and system for modernizing an elevator system according to the definition of the preambles of the independent claims.

Elevators for the transport of persons / goods are relatively durable capital goods with lifetimes of 20 years and more. If after such a long time a major overhaul of an elevator system is pending, the components of the elevator system are technologically often obsolete, which makes a more or less complete replacement of the components necessary, which is called modernization below.

A disadvantage of this method of modernizing an elevator installation is that the transport capacity of the elevator installation is at best maintained during the modernization. If an elevator is exchanged in an elevator installation with, for example, three elevators, this means a temporary reduction of the transport capacity by 33%. Users, on the other hand, do not want to suffer comfort during modernization and continue to be promoted as quickly and directly as possible. Long waiting times or awkward transfers are perceived as unpleasant.

The object of the invention is to provide a method and a system in which waiting times or changes perceived as detrimental to the user during the modernization of an elevator installation are largely avoided. This method should be cost-effective and compatible with established standards in mechanical engineering and the electronics industry.

This object is achieved by the invention according to the definition of the independent patent claims.

According to the invention, an elevator system located in a building is modernized with several elevators in a building. On at least one floor of the building is at least one floor terminal for entering a landing call. The floor terminal is connected to a group controller for communicating an inputted floor call. At least one elevator is controlled by the group control according to the communicated floor call. At least one call detection unit is connected to the group controller for communicating an inputted floor call. At least one new floor terminal will be installed on at least one floor for entering a landing call. The new floor terminal is connected to the call detection unit for communication of an inputted floor call. Advantageously, on the floor where a new floor terminal is mounted, the existing floor terminals are made inaccessible.

Thus, in the modernization, a floor call is entered via a new floor terminal, which floor call is communicated to the call detection unit and from there is communicated directly or indirectly to the group control. This has the advantage that on this floor a floor call can only be entered at a new floor terminal. Thus, a user is prevented from entering a floor call several times, at an old floor terminal and at a new floor terminal. Such a multiple entry of a landing call unnecessarily reduces the transport capacity of the elevator installation.

Further advantageous embodiments of the inventions are defined in the appended claims.

Advantageously, then a new group control is installed. At least one elevator is relocated from the existing group control to the new group control. The suspended elevator is controlled by the new group controller and the call detection unit is connected to the new group controller for communication of an entered floor call.

The call detection unit not only communicates with the old group control, but also with the new group control. The call detection unit may communicate with the group controllers in a direct or indirect manner. This makes it possible to adapt the traffic volume during modernization to the changing transport capacity of the elevator installation.

Advantageously, the call detection unit is an independent unit or component of a floor terminal. Advantageously, several call detection units are mounted per floor.

Advantageously, floor calls entered on the new floor terminal are distributed according to at least one rule to the existing group control and to the new group control. Advantageously, a random distribution or an alternating distribution or a performance-related distribution is used as a rule. This has the advantage that if the new group control is more efficient, ie has a higher capacity than the existing group control, entered floor calls will be specifically allocated to this more powerful new group control. According to the invention, at least one floor, preferably on each floor, is fitted with at least one new floor terminal for entering a floor call, and the new floor terminals are connected to the call detection unit for communication of an entered floor call.

Advantageously, the starting floor of the entered floor call is communicated by the call detection unit as a start signal to the group control, and the group control communicates the receipt of the entered landing call as an acknowledgment signal to the call detection unit. The call detection unit detects the deactivation of the acknowledgment signal, whereupon the call detection unit communicates the destination floor of the entered floor call as the destination signal to the group control. This has the advantage that the call detection unit has a destination call entered at a new floor terminal translated for the previous group control. The call detection unit first communicates a start signal and then a destination signal to the previous group controller.

Advantageously, the new floor terminal is a start-up call terminal or a destination call terminal. If the new floor terminal is a destination call terminal, existing car terminals are made inaccessible. This also avoids multiple entry of a call, once as a destination call at the destination call terminal and then as a car call in the car terminal, which reduces the transport capacity of the elevator system.

Advantageously, the call detection unit is dismantled after transferring the last of the elevators from the existing group control to the new group control. The call detection unit can thus be used again in further modernizations.

Advantageously, the call detection unit or a new floor terminal on an interface for picking up signals such as start signals, acknowledgment signals and destination signals. In this way, the signals can be easily and quickly tapped in future modernizations.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Ansicht eines Teils einer zu modernisierenden Aufzugsanlage,

Fig. 2

eine Ansicht eines Teils eines Stockwerks der zu modernisierenden Aufzugsanlage gemäss Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Verschaltung einer Ruferfassungseinheit mit bestehenden Stockwerkterminals und einer bestehenden Gruppensteuerung einer zu modernisierenden Aufzugsanlage gemäss Fig. 1 und 2,

Fig. 4

eine schematische Verschaltung der Kabinenterminals mit einer bestehenden Gruppensteuerung einer zu modernisierenden Aufzugsanlage gemäss Fig. 1 und 2,

Fig. 5

eine erste Ausführungsform einer schematischen Verschaltung einer Ruferfassungseinheit gemäss Fig. 3 mit der bestehenden Gruppensteuerung und mit einer neuen Gruppensteuerung,

Fig. 6

eine schematische Ansicht eines Teils der zu modernisierenden Aufzugsanlage gemäss Fig. 1 und 2 nach Verschaltung der Ruferfassungseinheit gemäss Fig. 5 mit der bestehenden Gruppensteuerung und mit der neuen Gruppensteuerung,

Fig. 7

eine Ansicht eines Teils eines Stockwerks der zu modernisierenden Aufzugsanlage gemäss Fig. 6,

Fig. 8

eine zweite Ausführungsform einer schematischen Verschaltung einer Ruferfassungseinheit gemäss Fig. 3 mit der bestehenden Gruppensteuerung und mit einer neuen Gruppensteuerung,

Fig. 9

eine schematische Ansicht eines Teils der zu modernisierenden Aufzugsanlage gemäss Fig. 1 und 2 nach Verschaltung der Ruferfassungseinheit gemäss Fig. 8 mit der bestehenden Gruppensteuerung und mit der neuen Gruppensteuerung, und

Fig. 10

eine Ansicht eins Teils eines Stockwerks der zu modernisierenden Aufzugsanlage gemäss Fig. 9.

In the following, the invention will be described in detail by way of exemplary embodiments, in which:

Fig. 1

a schematic view of a part of an elevator system to be modernized,

Fig. 2

a view of a portion of a floor of the elevator to be modernized according to Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

a schematic interconnection of a call detection unit with existing floor terminals and an existing group control according to an elevator system to be modernized Fig. 1 and 2 .

Fig. 4

a schematic interconnection of the car terminals with an existing group control according to an elevator system to be modernized Fig. 1 and 2 .

Fig. 5

a first embodiment of a schematic interconnection of a call detection unit according to Fig. 3 with the existing group control and with a new group control,

Fig. 6

a schematic view of a part of the modernized elevator system according to Fig. 1 and 2 after connection of the call detection unit according to Fig. 5 with the existing group control and with the new group control,

Fig. 7

a view of a portion of a floor of the elevator to be modernized according to Fig. 6 .

Fig. 8

a second embodiment of a schematic interconnection of a call detection unit according to Fig. 3 with the existing group control and with a new group control,

Fig. 9

a schematic view of a part of the modernized elevator system according to Fig. 1 and 2 after connection of the call detection unit according to Fig. 8 with the existing group control and with the new group control, and

Fig. 10

a view of a part of a floor of the elevator to be modernized according to Fig. 9 ,

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a part of an elevator system to be modernized. More details are off Fig. 2 refer to. Fig. 2 shows a view of a portion of a floor of the elevator to be modernized according to Fig. 1 , The elevator installation is installed in a building with, for example, three floors 20, 20 ', 20 ", and at least one lift shaft 10 has several For example, the elevator installation comprises three elevators A, B, C each with an elevator car 11, 11 ', 11 ". Each elevator car 11, 11 ', 11 "is connected via at least one support means with a counterweight 14, 14', 14". Each suspension element is driven by a drive 15, 15 ', 15 "For example, the drives 15, 15', 15" are arranged with a group control 5 in a machine room 3 above the elevator shaft 10. Access to the elevator cars 11, 11 ', 11 "takes place from the floors 20, 20', 20" via floor doors 1, 1 ', 1 "and car doors 13, 13', 13". The landing doors 1, 1 ', 1 "and car doors 13, 13', 13" of the elevator cars 11, 11 ', 11 "are opened and closed in a coordinated manner Fig. 1 and 2 this means that a landing door 1 of the left elevator A on the third floor 20 "and a car door 13 of the left elevator A are opened only when the elevator car 11 of the left elevator A is on the third floor 20".

To enter a landing call at least one floor terminal is necessary. According to Fig. 1 located on each floor 20, 20 ', 20 "of the building at least one floor terminal 2, 2', 2". According to Fig. 2 is located on each floor 20, 20 ', 20 "next to each elevator A, B, C exactly one floor terminal 2, 2', 2". The floor terminal 2, 2 ', 2 "is connected to the group controller 5 for communicating an inputted floor call A floor call indicates to the group controller 5 the start floor from which a user wants to be moved with a lift A, B, C in the building.

The elevators A, B, C are controlled by the group control 5 according to the communicated floor call. As soon as a user enters a landing call on a floor 20, 20 ', 20 ", this call is communicated as a start floor to the group control 5. To operate the landing call, the group control 5 selects an elevator car 11, 11', 11". This elevator car 11, 11 ', 11 "is moved into the starting floor.The landing door 1, 1', 1" and the car door of the elevator car 11, 11 ', 11 "are opened and the user can lift the elevator car 11, 11', 11 " to enter. The user then issues a car call in the elevator car 11, 11 ', 11 ". For entering a car call, a car terminal 12, 12', 12" is located in each elevator car 11, 11 ', 11 ". 12 ', 12 "is connected to the group controller 5 for communication of an entered car call The car call is communicated as a destination floor to the group controller 5. The group controller 5 now moves the elevator car 11, 11', 11" into this destination floor. After the elevator car 11, 11 ', 11 "is retracted in the destination floor, the landing door 1, 1', 1" and the car door of the elevator car 11, 11 ', 11 "are opened and the user can access the elevator car 11, 11', 11 "left.

Fig. 3 For example, each floor terminal 2, 2 ', 2 "has at least one call button 22, 22', 22", 24, 24 ', 24 "and at least one acknowledgment lamp 21, 21'. , 21 ", 23, 23 ', 23". Via a call button 22, 22 ', 22 "is entered a floor call for an upward drive in the building, via a call button 24, 24', 24" is entered a floor call for a downward drive in the building. The input of a floor call in the start floor is done for example by closing an electrical contact at the output of the call button 22, 22 ', 22 ", 24, 24', 24", so that an electric current flows, which is detected by the group control 5 as a start signal. The group controller 5 confirms receipt of the landing call by activating an acknowledgment lamp 21, 21 ', 21 ", 23, 23', 23" in the start floor. The receipt of a landing call for an upward drive is confirmed with an acknowledgment lamp 21, 21 ', 21 ", the receipt of a landing call for a downward drive is confirmed with an acknowledgment lamp 23, 23', 23". The activation of an acknowledgment lamp 21, 21 ', 21 ", 23, 23', 23" takes place, for example, by applying an electrical voltage to two outputs of the acknowledgment lamp 21, 21 ', 21 ", 23, 23', 23", so that these is supplied with electricity and lights up. The group control 5 thus communicates bidirectionally with the floor terminals 2, 2 ', 2 ", which are notified as a start signal of which call button 22, 22', 22", 24, 24 ', 24 on which floor terminals 2, 2 ', 2 "from which floor 20, 20', 20" has been actuated and confirms the receipt of such floor call with an acknowledgment signal by activating a call button 22, 22 ', 22 ", 24, 24 The acknowledgment lamp 21, 21 ', 21 ", 23, 23', 23" is deactivated only when the elevator car 11, 11 ', 21 ", 21", 21 ", 23, 23', 23" are assigned ', 11 "into the start floor.

Fig. 4 The cab terminals 12, 12 ', 12 "function in an analogous manner as the floor terminals 2, 2', 2". For example, each car terminal 12, 12 ', 12 "for Each floor 20, 20 ', 20 "operated by the elevator car 11, 11', 11" has a call button 122, 124, 126 and an acknowledgment lamp 121, 123, 125. The entry of a car call, for example, by closing an electrical contact at the output of the call button 122, 124, 126 so that flows over communication lines 128, an electric current, which is detected by the group control 5 as a target signal. The group control 5 confirms the receipt of the car call by activating an acknowledgment lamp 121, 123, 125. The activation of an acknowledgment lamp 121, 123, 125 takes place, for example, by applying an electrical voltage via communication lines 127 to two outputs of the acknowledgment lamp 121, 123, 125, so that this is supplied with electricity and lights up. This acknowledgment signal is likewise generated by the group controller 5. The acknowledgment lamp 121, 123, 125 is only deactivated when the elevator car 11, 11 ', 11 "has moved into the destination floor.

To modernize the elevator installation, at least one call detection unit 40 for communicating an inputted floor call is connected to the existing group control 5. In this regard shows Fig. 3 a schematic connection of a call detection unit 40 with at least one existing floor terminal 2, 2 ', 2 "and with the existing group control 5. The call detection unit 40, for example, via communication lines 213, 213', 213", 224, 224 ', 224 "with three floor terminals 2, 2 ', 2 "and connected to the group control 5. The communication is bidirectional, communication lines 224, 224 ', 224 "communicate a landing call input to a floor terminal 2, 2', 2" to the call detection unit 40, and communication lines 213, 213 ', 213 "communicate to receive a landing call from the hall Group controller 5 to the call detection unit 40. The communication lines 224, 224 ', 224 "communicate both an inputted floor call for a down trip and an input floor call for an up drive; and the communication lines 213, 213 ', 213 "communicate the receipt of an inputted floor call for a down travel as well as the receipt of an inputted floor call for an up journey." The communication lines 213, 213 ', 213 ", 224, 224', 224" are, for example, signal lines on which start signals and acknowledgment signals as electrical voltages and currents are conducted Fig. 3 the signal lines are parallel to each other and three signal lines transmit two state information. As part of the modernization of the elevator installation, such signal lines can be easily and quickly laid between the floor terminals 2, 2 ', 2 "and the call detection unit 40. In particular, such signal lines can be routed without adversely affecting the transport capacity of the elevator installation connected to all floor terminals 2, 2 ', 2 "on all floors 20, 20', 20".

According to the Fig. 4 . 5 and 8th the call detection unit 40 has a larger number of inputs and outputs for bidirectional communication via communication lines 213, 213 ', 213 ", 224, 224', 224", 413, 424, 428. The call detection unit 40 therefore has suitable electric current and voltage generators and sensors for detecting and generating the start signals, the target signals and the acknowledgment signals applied to the inputs and outputs.

As in the first embodiment of the interconnection of a call detection unit 40 according to Fig. 5 2, the call detection unit 40 is a standalone unit and installed, for example, in the engine room 3. The call detection unit 40 can also be part of a new floor terminal 4 'in a floor 20 ", which in the second embodiment of the interconnection of a call detection unit 40 according to Fig. 8 to 10 is shown.

The elevator installation to be modernized is now prepared for the replacement of at least one component of the elevator installation. Such components are the group control 5, the floor terminals 2, 2 ', 2 ", the drives 15, 15', 15", the landing doors 1, 1 ', 1 ", but also the elevator cars 11, 11', 11" and the Counterweights 14, 14 ', 14 ".

As in the 6 and 7 9 and 10, at least one floor 20, 20 ', 20 ", at least one new floor terminal 4, 4' is mounted for entering a floor call, Advantageously, at least one new floor terminal 4, on several floors 20, 20 ', 20", 4 'mounted. Advantageously, at least one new floor terminal 4, 4 'is mounted on each floor 20, 20', 20 " Fig. 5 and 8th 2, the communication of the new floor terminal 4, 4 'with the call detection unit 40 is bidirectional. Provided communication lines 413, 424 are, for example, signal lines, on which electrical voltages and currents are conducted. These signal lines may be part of a bus system such as a LON bus.

The new floor terminal 4 of the first embodiment of the interconnection of a call detection unit 40 according to Fig. 5 to 7 is functionally identical to the previous floor terminals 2, 2 ', 2 "and thus a starter terminal Fig. 5 to a schematic interconnection of a new floor terminal 4 for communicating an input floor call with the call detection unit 40. For example, the new floor terminal 4 at least one call button 42, 44 and at least one acknowledgment lamp 41, 43 on. Via a call button 42, a floor call is entered for an upward drive in the building, via a call button 44 a floor call for a downward drive in the building is entered. The receipt of a landing call for an upward drive is confirmed with an acknowledgment lamp 41, the receipt of a landing call for a downward drive is confirmed with an acknowledgment lamp 43. At least one communication line 424 communicates a floor call inputted to the new floor terminal 4 to the call detection unit 40, and at least one communication line 413 communicates receipt of floor call from the group controller 5 to the new floor terminal 4. The call detection unit 40 communicates the start floor of an inputted floor call via the communication Lines 224, 224 ', 224 "as a start signal to the group controller 5 and the group controller 5 communicates the receipt of an inputted floor call as an acknowledgment signal via the communication lines 213, 213', 213" to the call detection unit 40.

The Fig. 8 to 10 show a second embodiment of the interconnection of a call detection unit 40, which is part of a new floor terminal 4 '. The new floor terminal 4 'according to Fig. 8 to 10 is functionally identical to the previous car call terminals 12, 12 ', 12 "and thus is a destination call terminal The new floor terminal 4' has a call button for each floor 20, 20 ', 20" operated by the elevator car 11, 11', 11 " 422, 424, 426 and an acknowledgment lamp 421, 423, 425 on.

In detail shows Fig. 8 to a schematic interconnection of a new floor terminal 4 'for communication of an entered floor call via the call detection unit 40 to the group controller 5. At least one communication line 424 communicates a floor call entered at the new floor terminal 4' call detection unit 40 and at least one communication line 413 communicates Receiving a landing call from the group controller 5 to the new floor terminal 4 '. The call detection unit 40 communicates the start floor of the entered hall call via the communication lines 224, 224 ', 224 "as a start signal to the group controller 5, and the group controller 5 communicates receipt of an inputted floor call as an acknowledgment signal via the communication lines 213, 213', 213 After an elevator car 11, 11 ', 11 "serving the landing call has been moved by the group control 5 into the starting floor, the group control 5 deactivates the acknowledgment signal on one of the communication lines 213, 213', 213". The call detection unit 40 detects this deactivation of the acknowledgment signal and in response communicates the destination floor of the floor call 4 'entered floor call as a target signal via a communication lines 428 to the group control 5. For this purpose, the call detection unit 40 has a suitable sensor, for example, as electrical voltage is detected at outputs of the communication lines 213, 213 ', 213 "applied acknowledgment signal of the group control 5. Also, the call detection unit 40 has a suitable generator, for example, to the flowing as electrical current via communication lines 428 to the group control 5 target signal The shape and size of the target signals can be detected easily and quickly, because they are located at the outputs 128 of the call buttons 122, 124, 126 of the Cabin terminals 12, 12 ', 12 "as soon as a car call is input. In a learning phase, they can thus be tapped there and stored in a data memory of the call detection unit 40.

The new floor terminal 4, 4 'is thus indirectly, that is connected via the call detection unit 40 with the existing group control 5. As in the embodiments according to 6 and 7 9 and 10, the existing storey terminals 2, 2 ', 2 "are made inaccessible on the floors 20, 20', 20", so that the entry of a floor call only takes place via a new floor terminal 4, 4 '. For example, a wall is raised in front of the existing floor terminals 2, 2 ', 2 "at an inaccessible existing floor terminal 2, 2', 2" so that the existing floor terminals 2, 2 ', 2 "for However, it is also possible for the signal lines of the call buttons 22, 22 ', 22''', 24, 24 ', 24 "of the existing floor terminals 2, 2', 2 "to the group controller 5 to cap and place user information, after which the existing floor terminals 2, 2 ', 2" are disabled for entering a floor call. As in the embodiment according to Fig. 9 In the same way, the car terminals 12, 12 ', 12 "are also made inaccessible to the installation of a new floor terminal 4' which functions as a destination call terminal, so that both entering a landing call and that of a car call is only input a destination call via a new floor terminal 4, 4 'takes place.

The call detection unit 40 or a new floor terminal 4, 4 'advantageously has interfaces for picking up signals, such as start signals, acknowledgment signals and destination signals. For example, a call detection unit 40 or a new floor terminal 4, 4 'has a simple and quickly accessible interface. For example, such an interface is laterally outwardly attached to a housing of the call detection unit 40 and the new floor terminal 4, 4 '. Any interfaces with proven industry standards such as RS232, USB, FTT10, etc. can be used. In this way, the signals can be easily and quickly tapped in future modernizations.

As soon as a new group controller 6 is installed as part of the modernization of the elevator installation, and at least one elevator A, B, C is transferred from the existing group controller 5 to the new group controller 6, so that the suspended elevator A, B, C of the new Group control 6 is controlled, the new group controller 6 is connected to the communication of an input floor call with the call detection unit 40. Fig. 6 shows in detail how, for example, a new group control 6 is installed in the machine room 3.

Thus, during the modernization, the call detection unit 40 communicates not only with the old group controller 5 but also with the new group controller 6. This allows distribution of the entered floor calls to the old group controller 5 and to the new group controller 6. Advantageously, on the new floor terminal 4 , 4 'floor calls entered according to at least one rule on the existing group control 5 and distributed to the new group control 6. Advantageously, a random distribution or an alternating distribution or a performance-related distribution is used as a rule. For this purpose, the call detection unit 40 has at least one electrical processor with at least one data memory. The data memory stores an algorithm that is loaded into the electrical processor and executed by the electrical processor. The algorithm executes this rule. For example, the algorithm has a first parameter P1, which indicates the number of lifts A, B, C of the elevator installation, which are controlled by the existing group control 5. A second parameter P2 of the algorithm indicates the number of elevators A, B, C which are driven by the new group controller 6. Furthermore, the algorithm has a third parameter K1 for the capacity of the existing group controller 5 and a fourth parameter K2 for the capacity of the new group controller 6. Furthermore, the algorithm performs a targeted call allocation. The fifth parameter Z1 designates the call allocation to the existing group controller 5 and (Z1-1) designates the call allocation to the new group controller 6. This results in an effective transport capacity TKE: $$\mathrm{TKE}=\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="P"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0004.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">P</figure-callout>}1*\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="K"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0004.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">K</figure-callout>}1*\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="Z"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0004.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">Z</figure-callout>}1+\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="P"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">P</figure-callout>}2*\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="K"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">K</figure-callout>}2*\left(1-\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="Z"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0004.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">Z</figure-callout>}1\right)$$

In the event that one of the three elevators A, B, C is relocated from the existing group control 5 for modernization and is therefore not available in principle, and that another of the three elevators A, B, C is transferred to the new group control 6, follows: P1 = P2 = 1. With a capacity of the new group controller 6 which is 20% higher than the capacity of the existing group controller 5, K2 = 1.2 * K1.

A random distribution or an alternating distribution of the entered floor calls to the existing group control 5 and to the new group control 6 corresponds to: Z1 = (1-Z1) = 0.5. In the present case then results in an effective transport capacity TKE = 1.1.

The algorithm now allows a specific consideration of the higher capacity K2 of the new group control 6, in which the existing group control 5 is given a relatively low call allocation Z1. For Z1 = 0.2 then results in an effective transport capacity TKE = 1.16, a value of 6% higher than that of the random distribution or the alternating distribution.

The parameters of the algorithm can easily be adapted to the changing transport capacity of the elevator installation during modernization.

After transferring the last of the elevators A, B, C from the existing group controller 5 to the new group controller 6, the call detection unit can be disassembled.

With knowledge of the present invention, various variations of the embodiment shown can be realized. Thus, the building may have more than three floors, and the elevator system may consist of more than three lifts. Of course you can also use elevators without counterweights.

It is also possible to use elevators without suspension elements. The drives can also be arranged in the elevator shaft. The group control and the call detection unit can also be arranged in any room of the building, so that a machine room is not necessary. You can also use floor terminals with more than two call buttons. Nor is it necessary that the floor terminals have acknowledgment lamps. The signal lines may be connected in parallel or else serially with the call detection unit.

Claims (16)

1. A method for the modernisation of a lift installation with several lifts (A, B, C) in a building, with at least one storey terminal (2, 2', 2") for input of a storey call on at least one storey (20, 20', 20") of the building, which storey terminal (2, 2', 2") is, for communication of an input storey call, connected with a group control (5), and at least one lift (A, B, C) is controlled in accordance with the communicated storey call from the group control (5), characterised in that at least one call detecting unit (40) is, for communication of an input storey call, connected with the group control (5), that at least one new storey terminal (4, 4') is, for input of a storey call, mounted on at least one storey and that the new storey terminal (4, 4') is, for communication of an input storey call, connected with the call detecting unit (40).
2. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that on the storey where a new storey terminal (4, 4') is mounted the existing storey terminal (2, 2', 2") is made inaccessible.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a new group control (6) is installed and that at least one lift (A, B, C) is transferred from the existing group control (5) to the new group control (6), that the transferred lift (A, B, C) is controlled by the new group control (6) and that the call detecting unit (40) is, for communication of an input storey, connected with the new group control (6).
4. The method according to claim 3, characterised in that storey calls input at the new storey terminal (4, 4') are distributed to the existing group control (5) and to the new group control (6) in accordance with at least one rule.
5. The method according to claim 4 characterised in that a random distribution or an alternating distribution or a performance-related distribution is used as the rule.
6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that at least one new storey terminal (4, 4') is, for input of a storey call, mounted on several storeys, preferably on each storey, and that the new storey terminals (4, 4') are, for communication of an input storey call, connected with the call detecting unit (40).
7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the start storey of the input storey call is communicated as a start signal to the group control (5) by the call detecting unit (40) and that the receipt of the input storey call is communicated as an acknowledgement signal to the call detecting unit (40) by the group control (5).
8. The method according to claim 7, characterised in that the deactivation of the acknowledgement signal is detected by the call detecting unit (40).
9. The method according to claim 8, characterised in that the destination storey of the input storey call is communicated as a destination signal to the group control (5) by the call detecting unit (40).
10. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that if the new storey terminal (4') is a destination call terminal, existing cage terminals (12, 12', 12") are made inaccessible.
11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the call detecting unit (40) after transfer of the last of the lifts (A, B, C) from the existing group control (5) to the new group control (6) is demounted.
12. A system for the modernisation of a lift installation with several lifts (A, B, C) in a building, with at least one storey terminal (2, 2', 2") for input of a storey call on at least one storey (20, 20', 20") of the building, which storey terminal (2, 2', 2") is, for communication of an input storey call, connected with a group control (5), and at least one lift (A, B, C) is controlled in accordance with the communicated storey call from the group control (5), characterised in that at least one new storey terminal (4, 4') is, for input of a storey call, mounted on at least one storey, that the new storey terminal (4, 4') is, for communication of an input storey call, connected with at least one call detecting unit (40) and that the call detecting unit (40) is, for communication of an input storey call, connected with the group control (5).
13. System according to claim 12, characterised in that the call detecting unit (40) is an independent unit or a component of the storey terminal (4, 4').
14. System according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that several call detecting units (40) are mounted for each storey (20, 20', 20").
15. System according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterised in that the new storey terminal (4) is a start call terminal or that the new storey terminal (4') is a destination call terminal.
16. System according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterised in that the call detecting unit (40) or the new storey terminal (4, 4') comprises an interface for detecting signals such as start signals, acknowledgement signals and destination signals.

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