EP2609028B1

EP2609028B1 - Device for controlling the position of a blocking member in an elevator system

Info

Publication number: EP2609028B1
Application number: EP10856342.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Aurélien FAUCONNET; Nicolas Guillot
Original assignee: Otis Elevator Co
Current assignee: Otis Elevator Co
Priority date: 2010-08-25
Filing date: 2010-08-25
Publication date: 2020-02-26
Anticipated expiration: 2030-08-25
Also published as: EP2609028A1; EP2609028A4; WO2012025774A1

Description

BACKGROUND

Elevator systems include a variety of devices to protect mechanics or technicians during inspection and maintenance procedures. With the introduction of machine roomless elevator systems, new challenges were presented for maintaining an adequate clearance above the top of an elevator car. In machine roomless systems and other low overhead elevator systems, it is necessary to ensure that there is adequate space above an elevator car to accommodate an individual on top of the car during a maintenance or inspection procedure.
One proposal includes providing a blocking member near a bottom of a hoistway to prevent a counterweight from descending below a selected vertical position in the hoistway. The blocking member prevents the counterweight from dropping below a position in which the elevator car would be considered too close to the top of the hoistway, for example. One such blocking member that is available from Otis Elevator Company has to be manually reset to move the blocking member out of a blocking position when a maintenance or inspection procedure is complete. One challenge presented by a manually resettable blocking member is that it either would require an individual to enter the pit of the hoistway to manually manipulate the blocking member or it would require a relatively significant amount of force to pull on the blocking member from a higher position within the hoistway, in order for the blocking member to be manually reset.
WO 2010/000912 A1 discloses a blocking device for an elevator system.

SUMMARY

From a first aspect, the invention provides a device for controlling the position of a blocking member in an elevator hoistway, as set forth in claim 1.
The invention also provides an elevator system as set forth in claim 10.
The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 schematically shows selected portions of an example elevator system.
Figure 2 schematically shows additional features of the example elevator system of Figure 1.
Figure 3 schematically shows interaction between a lever and a guide member in one example embodiment.
Figure 4 schematically shows movement of a blocking member in one example embodiment.
Figure 5 schematically shows another embodiment of an example elevator system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 schematically shows selected portions of an elevator system 20. An elevator car 22 is coupled with a counterweight 24 for movement within a hoistway 26. A blocking member 32 is provided near a bottom 36 of the hoistway 26 such as within a pit, for example. The blocking member 32 is selectively moveable between a blocking position shown in solid lines in Figure 1 and a retracted position shown in phantom lines at 32' in Figure 1. When the blocking member 32 is in the blocking position, the counterweight 24 is limited from descending all the way within the hoistway 26. The blocking member 32 maintains a desired clearance between the bottom of the counterweight 24 and the bottom 36 of the hoistway 26. At the same time, a desired amount of clearance is maintained between a top of the elevator car 22 and an overhead surface 38 such as the top of the hoistway 26. Such clearance provides adequate space to accommodate an individual 40 such as a mechanic or technician on top of the elevator car 22 during a maintenance or inspection procedure, for example.
The example blocking member 32 may be automatically deployed into the blocking position 32 for purposes of conducting a maintenance or inspection procedure. In one example, the blocking member 32 has to be manually reset into the retracted position 32'. Figure 2 schematically illustrates a device for controlling the position of the blocking member 32 between the blocking position and the retracted position. In the example of Figure 2, the blocking member 32 is shown adjacent a guiderail 50 that guides vertical movement of the car 22 or the counterweight 24 (not shown in Figure 2) within the hoistway 26. A first cable 52 is connected with the blocking member 32 near a first end 54 of the first cable 52. The first cable 52 is aligned parallel with the guiderail 50 within the hoistway 26.
A second cable 56 is aligned parallel with the first cable 52. The second cable 56 has a first end 58 near the bottom of the hoistway 36 and a second end 60 near the top 38 of the hoistway 26.
A first lever 62 is connected to the second cable 56 near the first end 58 of the second cable 56. The first lever 62 is pivotally supported by a portion 33 of the blocking member 32 that remains fixed or stationary in the hoistway near one end 64 of the first lever 62. In one example, a bracket (not shown in Figure 2) that secures portions of the blocking member 32 to the guiderail 50 provides a pivot point near the end 64 of the first lever 62. The second cable 56 is connected to the lever 62 near an opposite end 66 of the first lever 62.
A second lever 70 is provided near the top 38 of the hoistway 26. The second lever 70 is connected to the first cable 52 near a second end 71 of the first cable 52 and near one end 72 of the second lever 70. The second cable 56 is connected to the second lever 70 near the second end 60 of the second cable 56 and near an opposite end 74 of the second lever 70.
The "ends" of the cables and levers are not necessarily the end of the material used for those components. It is useful to consider the length of each cable between the levers as having a functional "end" at the location where the cable is connected to a lever. The operative length of each cable is that portion which is involved in moving the blocking member 32.
The connections between the levers 62 and 70 and the cables 52 and 56 allows for movement of the second cable 56 to cause corresponding movement of the levers 62 and 70 and the first cable 52 in a manner that controls the position of the blocking member 32. For example, a downward force as schematically shown by the arrow 80 on the second cable 56 causes a corresponding upward movement of the first cable 52, shown schematically by the arrow 82, which results in movement of the blocking member 32. In this example, upward movement of the first cable 52 causes the blocking member 32 to be pulled into the retracted position where it is clear of the counterweight 24. This allows for manually resetting the blocking member 32 by pulling down on the second cable 56.
One feature of the illustrated example is that the second lever 70 effectively multiplies the pulling force applied by an individual onto the second cable 56 to reduce the amount of effort required to cause sufficient upward movement in the first cable 52 to cause the blocking member 32 to be pulled into the retracted position. In other words, the combination of cables and levers provides better leverage for an individual pulling down on the second cable 56 to cause upward movement of the first cable 52 and the blocking member 32 than causing upward movement of the first cable 52 alone. Pulling down on the second cable 56 is also easier in most circumstances than pulling upward on the first cable 52.
Another feature of the illustrated example is that the second cable 56 is located near access openings into the hoistway 26. As can be appreciated from Figure 2, a depth direction of the hoistway is shown from left to right in the drawing. When an individual is standing on one of the landings 84, 86 or 88, that individual can readily reach the second cable 56 by extending their arm slightly into the hoistway 26 without having to enter the hoistway 26. This allows an individual on any of the landings 84, 86 or 88 to pull down on the second cable 56 to cause corresponding upward movement of the first cable 52 for purposes of resetting the position of the blocking member 32. This provides an advantage compared to an arrangement in which an individual would have to approach the center of the hoistway in the depth direction to be able to access the first cable 52, for example, for purpose of resetting the blocking member 32. Therefore, the illustrated example provides a more efficient arrangement that reduces the need for an individual to be on top of the elevator car 22 or to enter the pit.
The illustrated example includes a guide member 90 for guiding movement of the second lever 70 to cause the desired corresponding movement of the first cable 52 responsive to a downward or upward force on the second cable 56. In this example, the guide member 90 provides a pivot about which the second lever 70 is moveable. In another example shown in Figure 3, the guide member 90 comprises a bracket that includes a groove 92. A follower member such as a boss 94 on the second lever 70 is at least partially received within the groove 92. The follower member 94 follows along the groove 92 to cause desired movement of the second lever 70 responsive to a force upon the second cable 56. In either case, the guide member 90 is set into a fixed position near the top of the hoistway.
Figure 4 schematically shows movement of the blocking member 32 in one example. The blocking member 32 includes a follower portion 100 that follows along a surface on the guiderail 50. The follower portion 100 is pivotally connected at 102 to a body 104 of the blocking member 32. When the blocking member 32 is in the blocking position, the upper portion of the body 104 is moved away from the guiderail 50 (e.g., toward the right according to the illustration). When a sufficient downward force (represented by arrow 80 in Figure 4) is applied to the second cable 56, corresponding upward movement (represented by arrow 82) of the first cable 52 will pull the follower 100 upward along the guiderail 50 and cause the body 104 to move as schematically shown by the arrow 106 into the retracted position shown at 32'.
Figure 5 illustrates another example embodiment. One difference between the example of Figure 5 compared to the example of Figure 2 is that there is no lever near the bottom 36 of the hoistway 26. The first cable 52 has its first end 54 connected with the blocking member 32. The first end 58 of the second cable 56 is connected with a securing member 120 near the bottom 36 of the hoistway 26. The securing member 120 in one example provides a fixed point at which the first end 58 of the second cable 56 remains within the hoistway 26. In another example (not shown in Figure 5), the securing member 120 includes a spring that allows for the first end 58 to be somewhat moveable relative to the bottom 36 of the hoistway 26. In yet another example (not illustrated in Figure 5), the securing member 120 comprises a weight that is effectively suspended by the second cable 56. In each example embodiment, the securing member 120 prevents the second cable 56 from freely moving within the hoistway 26. In the example of Figure 5, there is no requirement for a lever near the bottom 36 of the hoistway 26, but the same advantages described above regarding the cooperation between the cables 52 and 56 and the lever 70 facilitate an individual manually controlling the position of the blocking member 32 by manipulating the second cable 56.
The illustrated examples provide an efficient way of manually controlling the position of a blocking member within a hoistway. The illustrated examples minimize the amount of effort required by an individual to cause manual movement of the blocking member to reset it and minimize the amount of time the individual must be within the hoistway (e.g., in a pit or on top of an elevator car).
The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this invention. The scope of legal protection given to this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.

Claims

A device for controlling a position of a blocking member (32) in an elevator hoistway (26), characterised by comprising:
a first cable (52) that is connected to the blocking member (32) near a first end (54) of the first cable (52), the first cable (52) having a second end (71);

a second cable (56) having a first end (58) and a second end (60);

a lever (70) that is connected to the first cable (52) and the second cable (56) near the second ends of each of the first and second cables (52, 56), the first cable (52) being connected near one end (72) of the lever (70) and the second cable (56) being connected near an opposite end (74) of the lever (70), wherein movement of the second cable (56) causes corresponding movement of the lever (70) and the first cable (52) to change a position of the blocking member (32) within the hoistway (26).
The device of claim 1, comprising
a guide (90) associated with the lever (70) to guide movement of the lever (70) responsive to the movement of the second cable (56).
The device of claim 2, wherein
the guide (90)
comprises a bracket including a groove (92) that establishes a direction of movement of the lever (70); and
a follower portion (100) of the lever (70) is received at least partially in the groove (92).
The device of any preceding claim, wherein a downward force on the second cable (56) causes an upward movement of the first cable (52).
The device of any preceding claim, wherein the movement of the second cable (56) causes the corresponding movement of the first cable (52) to move the blocking member (32) from a blocking position to a retracted position, wherein the blocking member (32) limits vertical movement of a movable mass (24) in the hoistway (26) when the blocking member (32) is in the blocking position and the blocking member (32) is clear of the mass (24) in the retracted position.
The device of any preceding claim, wherein the first end (58) of the second cable (56) is connected to another lever (62) near the blocking member (32).
The device of claim 6, wherein the another lever (62) has one end (64) supported near the blocking member (32) and another end (66) connected with the second cable (56) near the first end (58) of the second cable (56).
The device of any preceding claim, wherein the first end (58) of the second cable (56) is supported near a bottom (36) of the hoistway (26).
The device of any preceding claim, wherein the lever (70) is near a top (38) of the hoistway (26).
An elevator system (20), comprising:
an elevator car (22) that is moveable within a hoistway (26);

a counterweight (24) that is coupled with the elevator car (22) for corresponding movement in the hoistway (26);

a blocking member (32) that is moveable between a blocking position, in which the blocking member limits vertical movement of the counterweight (24), and a retracted position, in which the blocking member (32) is clear of the counterweight (24); and

a device of any preceding claim for controlling the position of the blocking member (32) in the hoistway (26).
The elevator system of claim 10, wherein the blocking member (32) is near a bottom (36) of the hoistway (26), the blocking member (32) preventing the counterweight (24) from moving below a selected location in the hoistway (26), which prevents the elevator car (22) from moving above a selected position in the hoistway (26), thereby maintaining a desired clearance in the hoistway (26) above the elevator car (22).
The elevator system of claim 10 or 11, wherein
the hoistway (26) comprises a plurality of access openings along at least one side of the hoistway (26), each of the access openings being at a landing (84, 86, 88) spaced along a height of the hoistway (26); and
the second cable (56) is positioned near the side of the hoistway (26) such that the second cable (56) is accessible by an individual on one of the landings (84, 86, 88) when the individual is outside of the hoistway (26).
The elevator system of claim 12, wherein the blocking member (32) and the first cable (52) are located approximately in a middle of the hoistway (26) in a depth direction from one side of the hoistway (26) to an oppositely facing side of the hoistway (26), and wherein the second cable (56) is closer to the one side of the hoistway (26) than is the first cable (52).
The elevator system of claim 13, wherein the device is a device as claimed in claim 2 or 3 or in any of claims 4 to 9 as dependent directly or indirectly upon claim 2 or 3 comprising a guiderail (50) along which the elevator car (22) or the counterweight (24) moves within the hoistway (26) and wherein the guide (90) is secured to the guiderail (50) near a top (38) of the hoistway (26).