EP2344405A1

EP2344405A1 - Elevator arrangement

Info

Publication number: EP2344405A1
Application number: EP09818840A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sakari Korvenranta; Pekka LEPPÄAHO
Original assignee: Kone Corp
Current assignee: Kone Corp
Priority date: 2008-10-06
Filing date: 2009-10-06
Publication date: 2011-07-20
Also published as: WO2010040888A1; CN102216188B; FI20080547A0; FI20080547A7; FI20080547L; CN102216188A; EP2344405A4

Abstract

Elevator arrangement, which comprises an elevator car (1), means for moving the elevator car (1), such as e.g. hoisting roping and a traction sheave machine, which elevator car (1) comprises a brake (2), and a movable mechanical detent (6) connected to the brake (2), by moving which detent (6) from a first position (I) to a second position (II) the brake is arranged to be moved into the braking position, and a movable mechanical detent (5) in the elevator hoistway, which detent is arranged to be moved into the path of passage of the detent (6) that is on the elevator car (1). The detent (6) is arranged to move in relation to the detent (5) in the lateral direction (x) and in the vertical direction (y) after the detents (5 and 6) hit each other.

Description

ELEVATOR ARRANGEMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is an elevator arrangement as defined in the preamble of claim 1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A large number of different safety devices of an elevator are known to prior art, with which safety devices a temporary safety space, e.g. for a serviceman, is achieved at the end of the elevator hoistway. Most commonly this is arranged with mechanical detents, which are arranged to stop the elevator car and to prevent it from moving through to the end of the elevator hoistway. This can be implemented e.g. with a mechanical detent fixed in the elevator hoistway, which detent is arranged to be moved into the path of passage of a mechanical detent fixed to the elevator car. Prior art also includes the types of arrangements in which a detent fixed to the elevator car can be activated by a serviceman by moving the detent temporarily into such a position that the detent is placed face-to-face with a detent in the elevator hoistway. In the solutions described above, the elevator car is able to move only so far until the detents facing each other meet, after which movement of the elevator car is prevented. Thus movement of the elevator car can be limited for the time that a serviceman is on the roof of the elevator car or in the pit. Otherwise the serviceman would be prone to being squashed between the elevator car and the end of the elevator hoistway. A problem of these solutions is that the detents are dimensioned to be heavy.

Also known from prior art is a type of arrangement corresponding to that described above for forming a safety space at the end of the elevator hoistway, in which arrangement the detent moving in the elevator hoistway is arranged to be moved into the path of passage of the activation detent of the safety gear on the elevator car. When the detents meet, the safety gear on the elevator car moves into the braking position. Since there is no need for the detent structures in these types of solutions to function as buffers that the absorb kinetic energy of the elevator car, the detent of the elevator hoistway can in these types of solutions be dimensioned to be lightweight. In these solutions, however, movement of the elevator car still continues for the distance required for braking of the elevator car after the detents have hit each other. A problem in prior-art solutions has been to find a reliable and simple method to enable movement of the detent that moves along with the elevator car even after it has hit the detent in the hoistway. One problem, among others, has been to prevent the detents breaking each other after the detents hit each other.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to eliminate, among others, the aforementioned drawbacks of prior-art solutions. More particularly the purpose of the invention is to produce a more developed detent arrangement of an elevator than earlier ones. The purpose of the invention is further to produce one or more of the following advantages, among others:

- An elevator arrangement is achieved, in which the activation detent of the brake, which detent being on the elevator car, is still able to move along with the elevator car after hitting the detent in the elevator hoistway.

- An elevator arrangement is achieved, in which the brake, e.g. a safety gear, that is on the elevator car continues to stay securely activated after tripping of the safety gear even after the elevator car has moved past the point where the detent in the elevator hoistway hits the activation, detent of the safety gear that is on the elevator car.

- An elevator arrangement, of which the detent arrangement is simple, is achieved.

- An elevator arrangement is achieved, in which the detent structure is not broken due to a long braking distance of the elevator car.

- An elevator arrangement that can be dimensioned to be of light structure, and the detent arrangement of which is reliable and safe, is achieved.

- An elevator arrangement is achieved, in which activation of a safety device is easy (because of a good working height and visibility, among other reasons) .

- An elevator arrangement is achieved, in which a safety device does not increase the minimum depth of the pit and does not cause risk of stumbling when going into the pit .

- An elevator arrangement is achieved, in which a temporary safety space can be achieved simply and safely.

- An elevator arrangement is achieved, in which a temporary safety space can be achieved inexpensively and with a simple structure .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The elevator arrangement according to the invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 1. Other embodiments of the invention are characterized by what is disclosed in the other claims. Some inventive embodiments are also presented in the descriptive section and in the drawings of the present application. The inventive content of the application can also be defined differently than in the claims presented below. The inventive content may also consist of several separate inventions, especially if the invention is considered in the light of expressions or implicit sub-tasks or from the point of view of advantages or categories of advantages achieved, In this case, some of the attributes contained in the claims below may be superfluous from the point of view of separate inventive- concepts. The features of the various embodiments can be applied within the framework of the basic inventive concept in conjunction with other embodiments.

The elevator arrangement according to the invention comprises an elevator car, means for moving the elevator car, such as e.g. hoisting roping and a traction sheave machine, which elevator car comprises¹ a brake, and a movable mechanical detent 6 connected to the brake, by moving which detent from a first position to a second position the brake is arranged to be moved into the braking position, and a movable mechanical detent 5 in the elevator hoistway, which detent is arranged to^' be moved into the path of passage of the detent on the elevator car. The detent 6 is arranged to move in relation to the detent 5 in the lateral direction x and in the vertical direction y when the detents hit each other. One advantage, among others, is that the detent 6 does not remain in contact with that part of the detent 5 that the detent 6 first hits. Since the detents are able to move in relation to each other in the lateral direction and in the vertical direction, the detent 6 is able exit from the point of the detent 5 in the direction of movement of the elevator car under review. In other words the detent 5 is able to change its trajectory after hitting the detent 5, and that being the case the structure of the elevator is not damaged during the braking distance of the elevator car.

In one embodiment of the invention the detent 5 is arranged to guide the detent 6 to move in relation to the detent 5, preferably along with the. detent 5 in the lateral direction x and in the vertical direction y. In one embodiment of the invention the detent 5 comprises a detent surface A, which guides the detent 6 to move in the lateral direction x and in the vertical direction y in relation to the detent 5.

In one embodiment of the invention, the detent 5 comprises a detent surface A for moving the detent 6 from the position I to the position II after the detent 6 hits the detent surface A, and a detent surface B for preventing the detent 6 from moving back into the position I after the detent 6 has moved from the point of the detent surface A to the point of the detent surface (B) .

In one embodiment of the invention the detent surface A is at a first height and the detent surface B is at a second height, and the detent surface B is arranged to prevent the ^' detent 6 from moving back into the position I after the detent 6 has moved from the first height to the second height .

In one embodiment of the invention the detent surface A and the detent surface B are at an angle with respect to each other.

In one embodiment of the invention the detent surface A guides the detent 6 to move simultaneously in the lateral direction and the vertical direction in relation to the detent 5.

In one embodiment of the invention the detent surface B is parallel with the direction of travel of the elevator car.

In one embodiment of the invention the brake is a brake that corresponds to the guide rail, preferably a safety gear, most preferably a progressive safety gear. Preferably the elevator arrangement also comprises second means, such as an overspeed governor_/ for starting the braking of the aforementioned brake.

In one embodiment of the invention the detent 6 is supported on the elevator car in a bending manner, such that the bending of the detent 6 around its axis of rotation is transmitted to the brake and moves the brake into the braking position.

In one embodiment of the invention the braking of the brake started by the detent is arranged ^' to stop the elevator car at a distance from the end of the elevator hoistway, towards which end the elevator car advances before braking such that a safe space for a person (free space into which a person can fit unharmed) remains between the elevator car and the end of the elevator hoistway.

In one embodiment of the invention in normal drive when the elevator car is stopped more or less at the level of the aforementioned end, a safe space for a person does not remain between the elevator car and the end of the elevator hoistway.

In one embodiment of the invention it comprises means for monitoring the status of the movable detent.

In one embodiment of the invention it comprises means for determining the status of the movable detent .

In one embodiment of the invention it comprises means for transferring the status data to the elevator control.

In one embodiment of the invention when the detent is in the active status (in the activated position) the elevator control permits moving of the elevator car only with service drive. In this case preferably at least the maximum run speed is lower than in normal drive. In one embodiment of the invention the elevator is an elevator with reduced bottom clearance and/or an elevator with reduced top clearance.

In one embodiment of the invention the movable detent is arranged to be moved into the path of passage and out of the path of passage of the detent on the elevator car, preferably manually by a serviceman.

In one embodiment of the invention the movable detent can be moved in a sliding fashion to-and-fro on the same track, e.g. guided by guide rails, for moving the detent into the path of passage and out of the path of passage of the detent on the elevator car.

In one embodiment of the invention the detent is supported so that it is able to flex slightly in the x direction, more particularly after the detent hits it, and preferably is not able to move essentially in the y direction. The flexibility can be arranged with spring support. The flexibility protects the structure from breaking .

In one embodiment of the invention it comprises means for locking the detent into the activated position, preferably e.g. manually by a serviceman.

In one embodiment of the invention the detent can be moved into the path of passage of the detent, e.g. manually by a serviceman or with a separate actuator, in which path it can preferably be locked into position so rigidly that the supporting force of the detent is sufficient to move the detent on the elevator car when the detents meet .

In one embodiment of the invention the detent is supported on a guide rail. This can be done e.g. by means of a support frame, which support frame comprises a bracket . The bracket can be a guide bracket that keeps a guide rail in position.

In one embodiment of the invention the detent comprises a plate, which is supported in its position in the elevator hoistway such that it can be moved to-and-fro on the plane of the plate for moving the detent between the active position and the inactive position. One advantage, among others, is a structure that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

In one embodiment of the invention the plate comprises a detent surface and a detent surface, the width of which detent surfaces preferably essentially corresponds to the thickness of the plate.

In one embodiment of the invention when the detent hits the detent, the detent exerts supporting force on the detent in the direction of the plane of the plate.

In one embodiment of the invention the plate comprises a detent surface on the narrow side of the plate (on the side that is in the directipn of the material thickness) .

In one^" embodiment of the invention the sill of the door of the bottommost level of the elevator is at a distance of at most 0.5 m, preferably at most 0.25 m, from the bottom of the elevator hoistway. In this case the elevator has a very shallow pit or even no pit at all, which makes the elevator one that is simple and easy to install .

In one embodiment of the invention the braking of the brake started by the detent is arranged to stop • the elevator car at a distance from the end of the elevator hoistway towards which end the elevator car advances before braking such that a free space remains between the elevator car and the end of the elevator hoistway in question, which space meets at least one of the following criteria: the space accommodates the fitting into it of a rectangular prism of a size of at least 0.5m*0.6m*0.8m when lying on one of its sides, preferably when the space is between the elevator car and the roof of the elevator hoistway, the space accommodates the fitting into it of a rectangular prism of a size of at least 0.5m*0.6m*l . Om when lying on one of its sides, preferably when the space is between the elevator car and the bottom of the elevator hoistway.

In one embodiment of the invention when the elevator car is stopped more or less at the level of the aforementioned end, the aforementioned one criterion is not fulfilled.

LIST OF FIGURES

In the following, the invention will be described in detail by the aid of some embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, wherein

Fig. 1 presents one embodiment of the elevator arrangement according to the invention.

Fig. 2 presents one embodiment of the elevator arrangement according to the invention.

Figs. 3 and 4 present a three-dimensional view of a preferred embodiment of the elevator arrangement presented in Figs . 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 presents an elevator arrangement according to the invention, which comprises an elevator car 1, an elevator hoistway S and means (not shown) for moving the elevator car, such as e.g. a traction sheave machine fixed to the building and hoisting ropes. The elevator car 1 comprises a brake 2, to which a movable mechanical detent 6 is connected, by moving which detent 6 from a first position

I to a second position II the brake 2 is arranged to be moved into the braking position. The elevator hoistway S comprises a mechanical detent 5, which is arranged to be moved into the path of passage of the detent 6 on the elevator car 1, so that after the elevator car 1 has moved towards the end of the elevator hoistway a certain distance from the end the detents 5 and 6 hit each other. Thus the detent 6 is arranged to be moved to the position

II for moving the brake 2 into the braking position when the elevator car is at a pre-defined point. When the brake 2 has moved into the braking position, movement of the elevator car stops after a certain braking distance. The detent 5 is arranged at a suitable distance from the end of the hoistway, so that even after a braking distance a safe space for a person remains between the elevator car 1 and the end of the elevator hoistway S. The detent 5 can be moved into the path of passage of the detent 6 by moving it in the lateral direction x of the elevator hoistway S. The moving occurs on the horizontal plane in the figure, but can simultaneously occur also in the y direction, because it is essential that the moving occurs at least in the x direction. In the figure the position of the detent 5 when it is activated, i.e. on the path of passage of the detent 6, is drawn with an unbroken line, and its position when out of the path of passage with a dashed line.

The detent 5 can be moved, e.g. manually by a serviceman or with a separate actuator, into the path of passage of the detent 6 , in which path it can preferably be locked into position so rigidly that the supporting force of the detent 5 is sufficient to move the detent 6 on the elevator car. When the elevator car 1 moves in the longitudinal direction y of the hoistway S so far that the detents (5 and 6) hit each other, the detent 5 starts to move the detent 6 in the lateral direction x of the elevator hoistway towards the position II (in the figure the position is presented with a dashed line) . Since mobility is arranged with a lever mechanism, the detent 6 when it bends also moves slight in the y direction with relation to the elevator car. The detent 6 is arranged to move in relation to the detent 5 also in the vertical direction y, i.e. in the direction of movement of the elevator car, after the detents 5 and 6 hit each other, which enables movement of the detent 6 during braking of the elevator car 1 until the elevator car has stopped. This is achieved with the geometries of the detents 5 and 6. The cooperation of the shapes of the detents 5 and 6 guides the detent 6 to behave in the way described above . The detent 6 is connected to the brake 2 with a lever mechanism 7, which is arranged to permit movement of the detent 6 and to transmit the movement of the detent 6 to the brake 2. The brake 2 is most preferably a brake that corresponds to the guide rail 3 as shown in Fig. 1, but it could alternatively be another type, e.g. a brake corresponding to the elevator ropes .

In the figure, detents 5 are in the proximity of both ends of the elevator hoistway S, but the detent 5 can also be installed in the proximity of only one end of the elevator hoistway S, which in this case is preferably the bottom end. When a detent 5 is installed at both ends of the hoistway, the brake 2 must be able to brake movement occurring in both directions. The brake 2 is in this case preferably a bi-directional safety gear, most preferably a bi-directional progressive safety gear. When the detent arrangement is only at one end of the hoistway, the brake 2 can be any prior-art safety gear whatsoever, preferably a one-directional safety gear, most preferably a one- directional progressive safety gear. The detent 5 in Figs. 1 and 2 preferably comprises the type of detent surface A that guides the movable detent 6 to move along with the surface A in relation to the detent 5 in the transverse direction x of the elevator hoistway and in the direction of movement y of the elevator car. The guiding occurs preferably such that the detent 6 moves essentially in the y direction supported by the stationary detent 5 e.g. by sliding.

Fig. 2 presents in principle one preferred method for implementing the solution according to Fig.l. The parts 2, 6 and 7 are in connection with the elevator car 1 and travel along with the elevator car 1. The other parts presented are in the elevator hoistway S corresponding to what is earlier presented. The brake 2 is a safety gear, which is arranged to travel along with the guide rail 3 such that the guide rail 3 passes between the safety gear. The roller that functions as the brake shoe of the safety gear is connected with a lever mechanism 7 to the detent 6, a movement of which in the x direction causes the lever mechanism 7 to . rotate in the manner indicated by the arrow, in which case the roller rises and wedges against the guide rail 3, and starts to brake the movement of the elevator car 1. The dashed line in Fig. 2 describes the trajectory of the detent 6 when it hits the activated detent 5 (the detent 5 has moved in the x direction towards the detent 6) as the elevator car 1 moves towards the bottom end of the hoistway and guided by the detent 5 the detent 6 starts to move in the direction indicated by the arrow from the position I to the position II at the same time as the movement of the elevator car further moves it in the longitudinal direction y of the elevator hoistway. Thus the detent moves in relation to the detent 5 in the lateral direction x and in the vertical direction y after the detents (5 and ' 6) hit each other. The detent surface A that is on the path of passage of the detent 6 is at an angle with respect to the path of passage of the detent 6 and functions as a guide that guides the detent 6, which detent surface A by means of the essentially rigid support of the detent 5 exerts an opposing force on the detent 6 when the detent 6 hits against the detent 5, which opposing force comprises force components of the x direction and of the y direction and which opposing force is arranged by means of the force component of the x direction to push the detent 6 in the x direction. The detent surface A is arranged to move the detent 6 to the position II such that the detent 6 reaches the position II at the juncture of the detent surfaces A and B. After the detent 6 has moved to the position II the detent 5 no longer needs to exert the y-direction component of support force on the detent 6. The detent surface B is arranged to prevent the detent 6 from moving back into the position I as the detent moves along with the • elevator car along the detent surface B. Only one guide rail 3 has been drawn in Fig. 2 for the sake of clarity, but the lever mechanism 7. is preferably connected to a brake 2 corresponding to also a second guide rail, preferably with a lever of the lever mechanism 7, which lever is in the proximity of the detent 6.

Figs. 3 and 4 present three-dimensional views from different directions of one preferred practical embodiment for the solution of Figs. 1 and 2. The figures present details of the detent arrangement. For the sake of clarity, some of the components of the elevator car have been omitted (including the elevator car) . The detent 5 is supported on a guide rail 3 by means of a support frame, which support frame comprises a bracket 8 and a support plate 14. The detent 5 is supported on the support plate 14 with the support plate 13, which can move in the x direction in relation to the support plate 14. The detent 5 is fixed to the support plate 13 supported by springs 9 . so that it is able to flex slightly in the x direction. The detent 5 is supported with shape locking in the y direction on the support plate 13, so that the detent 5 is not able to move essentially in the y direction. The figures present a situation in which the detent 5 has moved to the active position, i.e. in the path of passage of the detent 6, and the detent 6 is just hitting the detent 5, on the surface A. When the elevator car moves farther, the lever arrangement 7 fixed to the elevator car advances in the direction y in the figures and starts to bend under the force of the detent 5 around the shaft V in the direction indicated by the arrow. The shaft 7' of the lever arrangement 7 in this case bends and moves in the y direction, but preferably does not move in either the x or the z position. Bending of the shaft 7' is transmitted to the brake 2 (not shown) . Locking of the detent 5 into the activated position occurs e.g. via a spring- loaded pin 12, by pulling which the pin locking between the support plates 13 and 14 is released. For this purpose there is a hole/holes through the plates 13,14, and the pin 12 disposed into which hole locks relative movement of the plates. When the pin locking is pulled open, the detent can be moved in the y direction because the support plates are connected movably to each other with the protrusion (not shown) on the support plate 13, which travels under guidance in the guide groove 15 that is in the plate 14. The elevator arrangement further comprises, preferably but not necessarily, means for monitoring the status of the mechanical movable detent 5. In this case limit plates 11 are fixed to the support plate 13 and limit sensors 10 to the support plate 14, for monitoring the status data of the position of the detent 5. These means for monitoring the status data of the detent 5 preferably comprise means for transferring the status data to the elevator control .

The detent 5 comprises a detent surface A for moving the detent 6 from the position I to the position II after the detent 6 hits the detent surface A, and a detent surface B for preventing the detent 6 from moving back into the position I after the detent 6 has moved from the point of the detent surface A to the point of the detent surface B. Thus after the brake 2 has started to brake, the lever mechanism that operates the brake 2 is no longer able to exit from the braking position after the detent has moved during the braking forwards in the y direction from the point of the detent surface A, i.e. from the point at which braking started. The detent surface A is at a first height and the detent surface B is at a second height in the elevator hoistway S.

The detent 5 is preferably geometrically such that that the detent surface A and the detent surface B are at an angle with respect to each other. The detent surface A can be inclined, in which case it guides the detent 6 to move simultaneously in the lateral direction and the vertical direction in relation to the detent 5. After the detent surface A has moved the distance of the detent 6, which is sufficient to trip the brake, it is preferable that at the point of the detent surface B the detent 6 is no longer essentially moved farther in the longitudinal direction x, to avoid breaking some part of the apparatus. In this case the detent surface B is preferably parallel with the direction of travel of the elevator car. Thus the detent surface B keeps the detent 6 in the position II. Preferably the movement made by the detent surface 6 bends the lever mechanism 7 by approx. 10 degrees. The detent 5 preferably comprises at least at its top end or bottom end a surface that is inclined with respect to the movement direction of the elevator car (depending on whether a top safety device or a bottom safety device is in question) , but most preferably both at its top end and at its bottom end. In this case when the elevator car hits the detent 5 from either direction when the detent 5 is activated, no parts are broken. The detent 5 is preferably elongated in the y direction. The combined length (in the y direction) ■ of the detent surfaces A and B is preferably over 20 cm, most preferably over 30 cm. The sill of the door D of the bottommost level of the elevator is at a distance of at most 0.5 m, preferably at most 0.25 m, from the bottom of the elevator hoistway (in the manner shown in Fig. 1) . In this case the elevator car must be able during normal drive to advance to close to the end. Since a large free space, into which a person can safely fit, is not left at the end in normal drive, the pit of the elevator hoistway can be left to remain shallow or even be totally omitted. The detent 5 presented in this application is able when active to stop the elevator car at a sufficient distance from the end so that a safe temporary space for a person remains at the end.

Vertical distance refers to the y direction of movement of the elevator car, which is essentially the vertical direction, and the lateral direction x refers to the lateral direction of the elevator hoistway, which is essentially the horizontal direction. It is obvious that the solution is also suited for a diagonal elevator. The directions x, y and z are most preferably at right angles to each. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, in which the invention is described using examples, but that many adaptations and different embodiments of the invention are possible within the frameworks of the inventive concept defined by the claims presented below. Thus it is obvious that movement in the lateral (x) direction of the elevator hoistway can be transmitted to the brake also otherwise than in the way presented. Namely, the detent 6 could make a to-and-fro movement on guide rails instead of a bending movement, which to-and-fro movement can be transmitted with a lever mechanism or corresponding, e.g. by pushing the roller of the brake into contact with the guide rail. It is also obvious that the geometry of the detent pair (5,6) can be formed to be the reverse of what is presented, in which case the movable detent on the elevator car could itself form by means of the support force of the detent in the elevator hoistway a guiding ramp, which movable detent in the elevator hoistway could in this case be a pin, a plate or corresponding. It is also obvious that the brake 2 can be different to what is presented, e.g. a gripper- type guide rail brake. In the solutions presented the parts that form the detent surfaces A and B are integrated into each other, but it is obvious that the detent 5 could comprise detent parts that are separate to each other and are provided with detent surfaces. In this case the aforementioned detent parts would preferably be supported on a common movable frame, by moving which the detent can be activated. It is also obvious that although the detent 6 preferably slides under the guidance of the detent surfaces A and B, the movable detent 6 could also alternatively comprise a roll, the passage of which is guided by the detent surfaces A and B. It is also obvious that the detents 5 or 6 can be geometrically different to what is presented. The detent surface A can be e.g. curved. Also the detent surface B could be inclined or curved. It is also obvious that the detent surface A can change into the detent surface B without a clear border, e.g. with pronounced rounding.

Claims

1. Elevator arrangement, which comprises an elevator car (1) , means for moving the elevator car (1) , such as e.g. hoisting roping and a traction sheave machine, which elevator car (1) comprises a brake (2) , and a movable mechanical detent (6) connected to the brake (2), by- moving which detent (6) from a first position (I) to a second position (II) the brake is arranged to be moved into the braking position, and a movable mechanical detent (5) in the elevator hoistway, which detent is arranged to be moved into the path of passage of the detent (6) that is on the elevator car (1) , characterized in that the detent (6) is arranged to move in relation to the detent (5) in the lateral direction (x) and in the vertical direction (y) after the detents (5 and 6) hit each other.

2. Elevator arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the detent (5) is arranged to guide the detent (6) to move in the lateral direction (x) and in the vertical direction (y) in relation to the detent (5) .

3. Elevator arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 above, characterized in that the detent (5) comprises a detent surface (A) , which guides the detent (6) to move in the lateral direction (x) and in the vertical direction (y) in relation to the detent (5) .

4. Arrangement according to any of claims 1-3 above, characterized in that the detent (5) comprises

- a detent surface (A) for moving the detent (6) from the position (I) to the position (II) after the detent (6) hits the detent surface (A) , and

- a detent surface (B) for preventing the detent (6) from moving back into the position (I) after the detent (6) has moved from the point of the detent surface (A) to the point of the detent ■ surface (B)

5. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-4 above, characterized in that the detent surface (A) is at a first height and the detent surface (B) is at a second height and the detent surface (B) is arranged to prevent the detent (6) from moving back into the position (I) after the detent (6) has moved from the first height to the second height .

6. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that the detent surface (A) and the detent surface (B) are at an angle with respect to each other.

7. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-6, characterized in that the detent surface (A) guides the detent (6) to move simultaneously in the lateral direction and in the vertical direction in relation to the detent (5) .

8. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-7, characterized in that the detent surface (B) is parallel with the direction of travel of the elevator car.

9. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-8, characterized in that the brake (2) is a brake that corresponds to the guide rail (3), preferably a safety gear, most preferably a progressive safety gear.

10. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-9, characterized in that the detent (6) is supported on the elevator car in a bending manner, such that the bending of the detent (6) around its axis of rotation is transmitted to the brake (2) and moves the brake (2) into the braking position.

11. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-10, characterized in that the braking of the brake (2) started by the detent (5) is arranged to stop the elevator car (1) at a distance from the end of the elevator hoistway towards which end the elevator car advances before braking such that a safe space for a person remains between the elevator car and the end of the elevator hoistway.

12. Elevator arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that in normal drive when the elevator car is stopped more or less at the level of the aforementioned end, a safe space for a person does not remain between the elevator car and the end of the elevator hoistway.

13. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-12, characterized in that it comprises means for monitoring the status of the movable detent (5) .

14. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-13, characterized in that it comprises means (10, 11, 14) for determining the status of the movable detent (5) .

15. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-14, characterized in that it comprises means for transferring the status data to the elevator control .

16. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-15, characterized in that when the detent (5) is in the active status the elevator control permits moving of the elevator car only with service drive .

17. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-16, characterized in that the elevator is an elevator with reduced bottom clearance elevator and/or an elevator with reduced top clearance elevator.

18. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-17, characterized in that the movable detent (5) is arranged to be moved into the path of passage and out of the path of passage of the detent that is on the elevator car, preferably manually by a serviceman.

19. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-18, characterized in that the movable detent (5) can be moved in a sliding fashion to-and-fro on the same track, e.g. guided by guide rails (15) , for moving the detent into the path of passage and out of the path of passage of the detent (6) on the elevator car.

20. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-19, characterized in that the detent (5) is supported so that it is able to flex slightly in the x. direction, more particularly after the detent (6) hits it.

21. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-20, characterized in that it comprises means (12) for locking the detent (5) into the activated position, e.g. manually by a serviceman.

22. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-21, characterized in that the detent (5) can be moved into the path of passage of the detent (6), e.g. manually by a serviceman or with a separate actuator, in which path it can preferably be locked into position so rigidly that the supporting force of the detent (5) is sufficient to move the detent (6) on the elevator car when the detents meet .

23. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-22, characterized in that the detent (5) is supported on a guide rail (3) .

24. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-23, characterized in that the detent (5) comprises a plate, which is supported in its position in the elevator hoistway such that it can be moved to-and-fro on the plane of the plate (x-y plane) for moving the detent (5) between the active position and the inactive position.

25. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-24, characterized in that the plate comprises a detent surface (A) and a detent surface (B) , the width of, which detent surfaces preferably essentially corresponds to the thickness of the plate.

26. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-25, characterized in that when the detent (6) hits the, detent (5) , the detent (5) exerts a supporting force on the detent (6) in the direction of the plane of the plate (x- y plane) .

27. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-26, characterized in that the plate comprises a detent surface (A, B) on the narrow side of the plate.

28. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-27, characterized in that the sill of the door (D) of the bottommost level of the elevator is at a distance of at most 0.5 m, preferably at most 0.25 m, from the bottom of the elevator hoistway.

29. Elevator arrangement according to any of claims 1-28, characterized in that the braking of the brake (2) started by the detent (5) is arranged to stop the elevator car (1) at a distance from the end of the elevator hoistway, towards which end the elevator car advances before braking such that a free space remains between the elevator car and the end of the elevator hoistway, which space meets preferably at least one of the following criteria: the space accommodates the fitting into it of a rectangular prism of a size of at least 0.5m*0.6m*0.8m when lying on one of its sides, preferably when the space is between the elevator car and the roof- of the elevator hoistway, the space accommodates the fitting into it of a rectangular prism of a size of at least 0.5m*0.6m*l . Om when lying on one of its sides, preferably when the space is between the elevator car and the bottom of the elevator hoistway.

30. The elevator system according to the invention is further characterized in that when the elevator car is stopped more or less at the level of the aforementioned end, the aforementioned one criterion is not fulfilled.