EP2837592A1

EP2837592A1 - Driving system for a lift safety gear

Info

Publication number: EP2837592A1
Application number: EP13382330.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Martin Escofet Esteve; Raul Monge Teresa; Jesús María Herrero Ochoa
Original assignee: Aplicaciones Electromecanicas Gervall SA
Current assignee: Aplicaciones Electromecanicas Gervall SA
Priority date: 2013-08-13
Filing date: 2013-08-13
Publication date: 2015-02-18

Abstract

Driving system for a lift safety gear, formed by a first fixed structure, joined to a second fixed structure, relative to the safety gear, a mobile structure being mounted to this first fixed structure, which when displaced in relation to the same, acts on a drive body of the safety gear mechanism, in such a way that the driving system for the safety gear starts up upon receiving an electrical order signal, obtained from an electronic safety device built into the lift facility.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerned, as described in the present descriptive specification, refers to a driving system for a lift safety gear, this driving system being formed by a first fixed structure, joined to a second fixed structure, relative to the safety gear a mobile structure being mounted to this first fixed structure, which when displaced in relation to the same, acts on the driving body of the safety gear mechanism, in such a way that the driving system for the safety gear starts up upon receiving an electrical order signal, obtained from an electronic safety device built into the elevator facility.
A main object of the invention is, when blocking or wedging the brake caliper, via a roller linked to the same, against the cabin displacement guide or counterweight, an increase of the normal force against the guide is produced, thus causing the mobile structure to be displaced with respect to the fixed structure, acting on the safety gear mechanism in order to activate it.

APPLICATION FIELD

The present specification describes a driving system for lift safety gears, to be applied generally in lift facilities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various mechanisms for driving safety gears, based on an electrical order signal provided by a PESSRAL (Programmable Electronic Components and Systems in Safety related Applications for Lifts) or electronic type device, are known.
Therefore, various patent documents describing a specific drive, depending on the type of safety gear to be activated and other patents, in which the safety gear itself already includes its own drive, can be found, all of these being based on an electrical order signal.
Most of the systems described in said patent documents are based on drive caused by electromagnetic devices (solenoids, magnetic limpets, etc.,) which free the system itself and the driving force is attained via an energy accumulator.
In some cases, the reset of said systems is based on an electrical motor, which overcomes the force of the energy accumulator via a gear motor and in others, it benefits from the movements of the safety gear's mobile components during blocking/wedging, in order to successfully bring the driving system to its balanced or "resting" position.
On the other hand, it may be noted that in some cases, reference is made to systems or devices which are only valid for unidirectional safety gears. In other words, it is not necessary to determine in which direction the safety gear should be activated, which makes the concept easier.
In the case of bidirectional safety gears, most of them use the cabin guide itself as a reference in order to determine the driving direction, in such a way that the device moves the break element towards the guide, and the inertia of the movement itself causes the break element to block the system in the right direction.
In different patent documents, means based on bringing a "cam" closer to the cabin displacement guide are described, which serve to determine the driving direction of the safety gear, for both the drives and complete safety gears ( ES2341359T3 , WO2012080104A1 , WO2013045358A1 , WO2013045359A1 ).
In documents ES2331265T3 , WO2006077243A1 , the designs are based on bringing the safety gear roller itself towards the cabin displacement guide, in order for it to detect the driving direction.
Document WO20080571 bases its driving system design on bringing a caliper up against the cabin displacement guide.
Finally, in one of its designs, document EP2154096A1 shows how bringing closer a brake shoe in the form of a wedge pertaining to the safety gear, the driving direction is detected and the wedge itself subsequently exerts the brake force against the safety gear box.
In short, different driving systems are known depending on the type of safety gear comprised and often even a complete design of the safety gear itself is produced.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present specification describes a driving system for lifts safety gears, this system comprising:

√ a first fixed structure joined to a second fixed structure relative to the safety gear;
√ a mobile structure, relative to the first fixed structure, which supports the driving means consisting of:
- ➢ an electromagnetic device;
- ➢ a transmission element for transmitting the movement of the electromagnetic device to at least one drive caliper against a first cabin displacement guide of lift counterweight;
- ➢ at least, one energy accumulator and;
√ an elastic element which keeps the mobile structure balanced;

√ the first fixed structure has, at least, one second displacement guide for the mobile structure built in it, which supports the driving means for the safety gear, these driving means comprising:
- ○ an electromagnetic device defined by, at least, one solenoid;
- ○ at least, one caliper in which a hollow has been made, in the face opposite to the first cabin displacement guide or lift counterweight, which defines a track on the surface which converges towards its ends, a roller being built into this hollow, kept in a balanced position by, at least, one spring;
- ○ a transmission element for transmitting the movement linked to the core of the solenoid and to the corresponding caliper;
- ○ an energy accumulator linked to the corresponding caliper;

The transmission element for transmitting the movement linked to the core of the solenoid and to the corresponding caliper is defined by a set of levers.
Moreover, the set of transmission levers for transmitting the movement linked to the core of the solenoid and to the corresponding caliper is formed by a first shim generally in "L" shape and a second shim, the first shim being joined to the mobile structure rotationally by its vertex, as well as being joined to the corresponding caliper by one of its ends, its other end being joined to the second shim, attached to the core of the solenoid.
In a practical embodiment of the invention, the electromagnetic device is defined by a solenoid and a magnetic limpet, the second shim joined to the core of the solenoid supporting a fixation plate for fixing to the magnetic limpet in this embodiment.
In this way, when the electromagnetic device is activated, the set of levers relative to the transmission element for transmitting the movement linked to the core of the solenoid and the corresponding caliper, is blocked with the respective roller freed, not contacting the first guide, thus facilitating the ordinary displacement of the cabin or lift counterweight by the first guide.
When the electromagnetic device is deactivated, based on an electrical order signal obtained from an electronic safety device built into the facility, the transmission element for transmitting the movement linked to the core of the solenoid and corresponding caliper is freed, the energy accumulator acting on the corresponding caliper linked to it.
Henceforth, when the energy accumulator operates on the corresponding caliper, it is displaced towards the first cabin or lift counterweight displacement guide, the roller contacting it and sliding along the path made in the caliper itself, towards one of its ends, caused by the relative movement of the driving means relative to the first cabin or lift counterweight displacement guide, until it is blocked between the caliper and the first guide, thereby increasing the normal force against the first guide, until the mobile structure is displaced along the second guide, with respect to the fixed structure and with it, to the transmission body for transmitting the movement to the safety gear mechanism.
On the contrary, upon activating the solenoid, it acts on the transmission element for transmitting the movement linked to the corresponding caliper, withdrawing to the energy accumulator and returning the caliper and the roller, linked to the same, to its free position.
The caliper may be displaced swinging around a rotational axle or linearly towards the first cabin or lift counterweight displacement guide.
In order to complement the description below, and with the aim of helping to a better understanding of the invention characteristics, the present descriptive specification is accompanied by a set of drawings, whose these figures illustrate and represent the most characteristic features of the invention in a non-limiting way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DESIGNS

Figure 1 shows a first perspective view of the driving system for lift safety gears.
Figure 2 shows a second perspective view of the driving system for lift safety gears.
Figure 3 shows a front view in which the second guide may be observed, defined by a pair of bars, in the first fixed structure, along which the mobile structure is displaced, which mounts the safety gear driving means, the same being in the "free" position, having the cabin or lift counterweight the possibility of displacement in a normal way.
Figure 4 shows a view similar to that shown in the previous figure, in which the electromagnetic device has been deactivated, defined by a solenoid and a magnetic limpet, with the resulting swinging of the set of levers after activating the energy accumulator on the corresponding caliper.
Figure 5 shows a view following the sequence of the previous figure, in such a way that the caliper being displaced whilst swaying caused the roller linked to the same to contact the first cabin or lift counterweight displacement guide and it is displaced along the path created in the caliper, guided by a groove created in, at least, one cover sheet for the caliper, to one of its ends, depending on the lift's displacement direction, in order to cause the blockage and wedging thereof.
Figure 6. shows a view following the sequence of the previous figure, in such a way that the continuous displacement of the lift cabin creates an increase in the normal force exerted against the first lift guide, which in turn causes the mobile structure to have displaced along the fixed structure, pulling the transmission element for transmitting the movement to the safety gear mechanism linked to the same.
Figure 7 shows a view following the sequence shown in Figure 4, in such a way that the displacement of the caliper has caused the roller linked to it to contact the first cabin or lift counterweight displacement guide and it is displaced along the track created in the same, until it reaches one of its ends, the lift cabin being displaced in the opposite direction to that shown in Figures 5 and 6, to make it get blocked and wedged.
Figure 8 shows a view following the sequence shown in the previous figure, in such a way that the continuous displacement of the cabin or lift counterweight creates an increase in the normal force exerted against the first cabin or lift counterweight displacement guide, which in turn causes the mobile structure to be displaced along the first fixed structure, dragging the transmission body for transmitting the movement to the safety gear mechanism linked to the same.
Figure 9 shows a view representing the elastic elements which maintain the balance in the mobile structure.
Figure 10 shows a view of a practical embodiment, wherein the electromagnetic device is defined by a solenoid, with no magnetic limpet.
Figures 11 and 12 show respective views of a practical embodiment, wherein the calipers are displaced lineally against the first guide, so that the set of levers is linked to a connecting rod body.
Figure 13 shows a view where the path defined in the caliper for the displacement of the corresponding roller can be seen in detail, the cover sheet with the groove for guiding the roller having been removed.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In view of the figures mentioned and according to the numbering adopted therein, it is possible to observe how the system may be applied to those lifts whose cabin is displaced along a first guide 1 in an ascending and descending direction, in such a way that the system is formed by a first fixed structure 2 joined to the second fixed structure 3 of the safety gear 4, this first structure 2 having a built in second displacement guide 5 for a mobile structure 6 which supports the driving means of the safety gear mechanism 4. In a practical embodiment of the invention, said second guide 5 may consist of a pair of parallel bars.
Therefore, the first fixed structure 2 may be joined to the second fixed structure 3 of the safety gear or brake element in the facility, either via fixing it to the safety gear itself or via fixing it to the cabin or counterweight chassis, resulting in both elements, i.e. the "driving system" and "safety gear or brake element" being joined together.
The mobile structure 6 is mounted to the pair of bars in the second displacement guide 5 via elastic elements 21, which keep it balanced.
The driving means for the safety gear mechanism 4 are formed by an electromagnetic device, defined by a solenoid 7, although the same may have a built in magnetic limpet 8, with, at least, one caliper 9, in which a hollow has been made in the face opposite the first cabin or lift counterweight displacement guide 1, which defines a track 10 in the surface converging towards its ends, in such a way that a transmission element for transmitting movement is linked to the core of the solenoid 7 and the corresponding caliper 9, this caliper 9 being requested by an energy accumulator 11.
Furthermore, relative to the hollow created in the caliper 9, which defines the track 10 in the surface converging to its ends, a roller 12 is located, keeping itself in a balanced position by means of, at least, one spring 13.
In a practical embodiment of the invention, the surface of the track 10 may be generally curved in a concave way, as it can be seen in the designs or, it could have two inclined planes, whilst in a preferred embodiment, the roller 12 will be kept in a balanced position by means of a pair of springs 13.
In this way, the corresponding caliper 9 is rotationally joined to the transmission element for transmitting the movement linked to the core of the solenoid 7 and to the mobile structure 6, the driving body 15 of the safety gear mechanism 4 being fixed to this mobile structure 6, causing its activation in the corresponding direction (ascending or descending).
Henceforth, in a practical embodiment of the invention, the transmission element for transmitting the movement linked to the solenoid core 7 and to the corresponding caliper 9 is defined by a set of levers. Said set of levers may be formed by a first shim 16, generally in a "L" shape, which is joined to the mobile structure 6 at its vertex, as well as being joined to the corresponding caliper 9 by one of its ends and at the other end, being joined to a second shim 17, which in turn is joined to the solenoid core 7. In a practical embodiment of the invention, the caliper 9 is joined rotationally at one of its ends to said first shim 16 and at its other end, is joined rotationally to the mobile structure 6 by the axle 20.
Moreover, in the practical embodiment of the invention wherein the electromagnetic device is formed by a solenoid 7 and a magnetic limpet 8, a sheet 18 is linked to the second shim 17 and to the rod which supports the core of the solenoid, which will contact the magnetic limpet 8, in order to keep the driving means in a position in which the system is freed, thus permitting the cabin to be displaced along the first guide 1 in a normal way, so that, upon deactivating the electromagnetic device, the energy accumulator 11 will act on the corresponding caliper 9, thus making the system to be activated.
With the aim of facilitating the swinging of the corresponding caliper 9, the axle joining the set of levers to the corresponding caliper 9 is fitted into a large opening 19 in the first shim 16, according to said set of levers. Naturally, it would also be possible to present said embodiment in the joining axle 20 of the corresponding caliper 9 with the mobile structure 6, since, it is only a matter of being able to absorb the slight variation in the caliper's 9 trajectory as it sways.
In this way, when the electromagnetic device is activated, the driving means are freed without connecting the rollers 12 to the first guide 1, thus enabling the lift to operate in a normal way, the cabin being displaced along said first guide 1.
Furthermore, when the electromagnetic device is deactivated, based on an electrical order signal obtained from an electronic security device built into the facility (for example signaling speeding), the energy accumulator 11 which presses against the corresponding caliper 9 linked to it, causes the caliper to sway, the roller 12 contacting the first guide 1 and sliding along the track 10, until it reaches one of its ends, causing the relative movement of the driving means relative to the first guide 1, in order to eventually be blocked and wedged, thus increasing the normal force produced against the first guide 1, until the mobile structure 6 is displaced and thereby, the transmission body 15 for transmitting the movement to the safety gear mechanism 4.
The driving system is subsequently restarted and ready to be used, once the lift cabin moves in the opposite direction to the wedging and once again activates the system's electronic feeder source, which is when the core of the solenoid 7 is withdrawn, pulling the second shim 17 and causing the first shim 16 and the caliper 9 linked to it to rotate slightly, therefore causing the energy accumulator 11 to retreat.
When the electronic device is made up of just the solenoid 7, it will be that to support the pressure exerted by the energy accumulator 11. On the other hand, when the electromagnetic device consists of a solenoid 7 and a magnetic limpet 8, a sheet 18 is linked to the second shim 17, which will be fixed to the magnetic limpet 8, thus supporting the pressure exerted by the energy accumulator, operating in exactly the same way as described.
With reference to various figures within the attached designs, it is possible to observe Figure 3 representing the first guide 1 along which the lift cabin is displaced and how the driving means of the safety gear mechanism are mounted to a mobile structure 6, guided by a second guide 5 in relation to the first fixed structure 2, joined to the second fixed structure 3 in the safety gear 4.
Likewise, it is possible to observe how the mobile structure 6 is joined to the safety gear mechanism 4 by a body 15.
In the same way, it is possible to observe how the driving means, mounted to the mobile structure 6, are freed upon the electromagnetic device, defined in this practical embodiment by the solenoid 7 and the magnetic limpet 8, being activated, in such a way that the solenoid 7 is linked to the caliper 9 by means of a transmission element formed by a set of levers, according to a first and second shim 16 and 17, respectively, said caliper in turn being required to operate an energy accumulator 11.
What is more, a sheet 18 is linked to the second shim 17 and to the solenoid core 7, with the electromagnetic device being activated that remains fixed to the magnetic limpet 8, the driving system remaining free, allowing the cabin or lift counterweight to displace along the first guide 1 in a normal way.
We understand the driving system to be "free" when the rollers 12 linked to the corresponding caliper 9 are not in contact with the first cabin or lift counterweight displacement guide 1, making it possible to take the trajectories in a normal way.
Said set of levers is formed by a first shim, generally in a "L" shape, joined rotationally by its vertex to the mobile structure 6, such that one of its ends is joined to the caliper 9 and its other end is joined to the second shim 17, which in turn, is joined to the solenoid core 7.
In joining the first shim 16 to the caliper 9, it is possible to observe how the joining axle fits into a large opening 19, thus facilitating the rotation of the caliper 9 on the joining axle 20 joined to the mobile structure 6.
Moreover, the caliper 9 has a hollow which defines a track 10 which is generally curved/concave in shape, which is closed at its ends, this hollow having a roller 12 which maintains the balance between one pair of springs 13.
In Figure 4 of the designs, it is possible to observe the position adopted by the driving means for the safety gear mechanism 4 in the moment in which the electromagnetic device is deactivated, making it possible to see how, as a result of the energy accumulator 11 operating on the caliper 9, the same has turned slightly, pulling the first and second shims 16 and 17, this causing the sheet 18 to separate from the magnetic limpet 8 and the rollers 12 to contact the first cabin or lift counterweight displacement guide 1.
Figure 5 represents the continuous movement which is produced, it being possible to observe how, as a result of the pressure exerted by the energy accumulator 11 on the caliper 9, the rollers 12 press against the first guide 1 and have been displaced along the track 10, created in the caliper itself 9, up to one end. The displacement direction of the rollers 12 relative to the track 10 depends on the displacement direction of the lift cabin (in this descending embodiment).
Figure 6 of the designs represents the continuous movement produced, it being possible to observe how, as a result of the pressure the energy accumulator 11 continues exerting on the caliper, the rollers 12 are blocked and wedged against the first guide 1, thereby increasing the normal force against the first guide 1, until it causes to the mobile structure 6 to displace along the second guide 5, relative to the first fixed structure 2, this displacement causing the transmitter body 15 for transmitting movement to the safety gear mechanism 4 to be displaced, causing the same to activate.
Figure 7 provides an equivalent representation to that shown in Figure 5 of the driving means of a safety gear mechanism, this time according to the lift cabin being displaced in the opposite direction to that previously indicated (ascending), said representation thereby being consecutive to that shown in Figure 4 of the designs, in such a way that it is possible to observe how, after having deactivated the electromagnetic device, the rollers 12 press against the first guide 1 as a result of the pressure exerted by the energy accumulator 11 on the caliper 9 and have been displaced along the track 10 created in the caliper itself 9, until they reach an end. The direction in which the rollers 12 are displaced in relation to the track 10 depends on the direction in which the lift cabin is displaced (in this case, in an ascending direction).
The representation presented in Figure 8 is equivalent to that shown in Figure 6, with the driving means of a safety gear mechanism, but according to the displacement of the lift cabin in the opposite direction (ascending), said representation therefore being consecutive to that represented in Figure 7 of the designs, in such a way that it is possible to observe how, as a result of the pressure the energy accumulator 11 continues to exert on the caliper 9, the rollers 12 are blocked and wedged against the first guide 1, thereby increasing the normal force against the first guide 1, until they cause the mobile structure 6 to be displaced along the second guide 5, relative to the first fixed structure 2, the displacement of which causing the displacement of the transmitter body 15 to transmit movement to the safety gear mechanism 4, thereby being activated.
In Figure 9 of the designs and likewise in other figures, a practical embodiment of the driving system is represented in which, at least, one sheet 22 has been stuck to the calipers 9, in which an opening 23 has been made in order to guide the roller 12 linked to said caliper 9, it equally being possible to observe how the mobile structure 6 is mounted by means of elastic elements 21, in order to let it remain balanced.
Figure 10 of the designs represents the electromagnetic device, formed by just the solenoid 7, the same serving to support the pressure exerted by the energy accumulator 11.
Figures 11 and 12 of the designs represent an alternative practical embodiment in which the calipers 9 are displaced lineally, in such a way that the set of levers 16 and 17 is linked to a connecting rod 24, which acts on the corresponding caliper 9, thus causing its linear displacement. Henceforth, the connecting rod body 24 is joined at one end to the first lever 16 in the set of levers and at its other end, is linked rotationally to the mobile structure , in such a way that upon the energy accumulator being activated 11, it transmits a linear displacement to the caliper 9 towards the first guide 1.
Finally, in Figure 13 it is possible to observe the configuration of the track 10 in detail defined in the calipers 9 for the displacement of the corresponding roller 12.
Likewise, in another embodiment, Figure 1 shows how the mobile structure 6 may remain balanced by having built in elastic elements 21' in the safety gear itself.

Claims

Driving system for a lift safety gear, this system comprising:
√ a first fixed structure joined to the second fixed structure of the safety gear;

√ a mobile structure, in relation to the first fixed structure, this mobile structure supporting the driving means based on:
➢ an electromagnetic device;

➢ a transmission element for transmitting the movement of the electromagnetic device to, at least, one driving caliper against a first cabin or lift counterweight displacement guide;

➢ at least, one energy accumulator and;

√ an elastic element which keeps the mobile structure balanced;
characterized in that:
√ the first fixed structure (2) has, at least, one second displacement guide (5) for the mobile structure (6) built in, which supports the driving means of the safety gear mechanism (4), these driving means comprising:
○ an electromagnetic device defined by, at least, one solenoid (7);

○ at least, one caliper (9) in which a hollow has been made, in the face opposite the first lift cabin or counterweight displacement guide (1), which defines a surface track (10) converging towards its ends, a roller (12) being built into this hollow, remaining in a balanced position by means of, at least, one spring (13);

○ a transmission element for transmitting the movement linked to the solenoid core (7) and to the corresponding caliper (9);

○ an energy accumulator (11) linked to the corresponding caliper (9);

the corresponding caliper (9) being equally linked to the mobile structure (6), a driving body (15) for the safety gear mechanism (4) being fixed to this mobile structure (6).
Driving system for a lift safety gear, according to claim 1, characterized in that the movement transmission element associated to the solenoid core (7) and to the corresponding caliper (9) is defined by a set of levers.
Driving system for a lift safety gear, according to claim 2, characterized in that the movement transmission set of levers associated to the solenoid core (7) and to the corresponding caliper (9) is constituted by a first shim (16) generally in "L" shape and a second shim (17), the first shim (16) being joined rotationally at its vertex to the mobile structure (6), as well as being joined at one of its ends to the corresponding caliper (9) and at its other end, being joined to the second shim (17), joined to the solenoid core (7).
Driving system for a lift safety gear, according to claim 1, characterized in that the electromagnetic device is defined by a solenoid (7) and a magnetic limpet (8).
Driving system for a lift safety gear, according to claim 4, characterized in that the movement transmission element associated to the solenoid core (7) has a fixation sheet (18) to be fixed to the magnetic limpet (8).
Driving system for a lift safety gear, according to claim 1, characterized in that upon the electromagnetic device being activated, the movement transmission element associated to the solenoid core (7) and to the corresponding caliper (9) is blocked with the respective freed roller (12) not contacting the first guide (1).
Driving system for a lift safety gear, according to claim 1, characterized in that upon the electromagnetic device being activated, based on an electrical order signal obtained from an electronic safety device, the movement transmission element associated to the solenoid core (7) and to corresponding caliper (9) is freed, the energy accumulator (11) acting on the corresponding caliper (9) linked to it.
Driving system for a lift safety gear, according to claim 7, characterized in that upon activating the energy accumulator (11) on the corresponding caliper (9), it is displaced towards the first lift cabin or counterweight displacement guide (1), the roller (12) coming into contact with it and sliding along the track (10) created in the caliper (9) until it reaches one of tits ends, being blocked between the caliper (9) and the first guide (1), thereby increasing the normal force against the first guide (1), displacing the mobile structure (6) along the second guide (5) and with it, the transmission body (15) from transmitting movement to the safety gear mechanism (4).
Driving system for a lift safety gear, according to claim 1, characterized in that the caliper (9) is joined rotationally to the movement transmission element associated to the solenoid core (7) at one end, being joined rotationally at the other end to the mobile structure (6).
Driving system for a lift safety gear, according to claim 1, characterized in that the caliper (9) is linked to a connecting rod body (24), joined rotationally to the movement transmission element associated to the solenoid core (7) at one end and at the other end being joined rotationally to the mobile structure (6), thereby transmitting a linear movement to the caliper (9).
Driving system for a lift safety gear, according to claim 1, characterized in that in order to reset the system, the solenoid (7) which acts on the movement transmission element, linked to the corresponding caliper (9), is activated, withdrawing the energy accumulator (11) and returning the caliper (9) and the roller (12), linked to it, to its free position.