EP3301051A1 - Lift facility with shaft lighting - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is a method for operating an elevator installation (10) with a shaft illumination (28) in an elevator shaft (12), wherein the shaft illumination (28) can be manually switched on and off. An activation of the shaft lighting (28) is in this case only possible when the elevator installation (10) is in an inspection mode. Preferably, a first switching element (34) and at least one second switching element (36) are connected to the shaft illumination (28) in such a way that activation of the shaft illumination (28) is only possible if the first switching element ( 34) and at least a second switching element (36) are turned on. An elevator control device (16) automatically switches on the first switching element (34) when the elevator installation (10) is in an inspection mode. The invention then relates to an elevator system (10) operating according to the method, a circuit with the first switching element (34) and the at least one second switching element (36) for monitoring the elevator installation (10) and finally a method for retrofitting an elevator installation (10). with such a circuit.

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating and monitoring an elevator installation, in particular a method for operating and monitoring an elevator installation in connection with or during a service operation by service personnel. The invention likewise relates to an elevator system operating according to the method and to an elevator control device functioning as a control device of the elevator system with an implementation of the method in software and / or hardware and finally a computer program functioning as a control program of the elevator control device with an implementation of the method.

When using a service in an elevator shaft of an elevator installation, the utmost caution is required. A technician enters the elevator shaft and controls from a position on the roof of the elevator car the interior of the elevator shaft, in particular the shaft doors, lighting, guides, sensors, cables and / or suspension means, etc. When entering or entering the elevator shaft becomes a special mode (Inspection mode) of the elevator system is activated, whereby, for example, when the inspection mode is activated, cabin rides are only possible with a significantly reduced speed compared to the normal operating mode (normal operating mode). Upon entering the elevator shaft, shaft illumination installed in the elevator shaft is likewise activated, so that the technician can recognize the functional units to be examined and can perform the necessary inspections in the elevator shaft. It is conceivable that the technician enters the elevator shaft without activating the inspection mode.

From the EP 1 110 900 A1 An approach is known in which the inspection mode is automatically activated when one of the shaft doors is opened or released for manual opening. The control device of the elevator system registers this by means of a corresponding sensor, automatically switches to the inspection mode and also automatically activates the shaft lighting.

The technician may use a method according to the approach in the EP 1 110 900 A1 equipped elevator system recognize the activated inspection mode that the shaft lighting is switched on. However, this requires extensive sensors on the Shaft doors and requires a complex control to ensure that entering the shaft space is reliably detected. The implementation of such an approach will therefore be considered due to considerations of economic efficiency rather in the context of a new installation of an elevator system and is especially for already in operation elevator systems too expensive and therefore not very useful.

An object of the present invention is correspondingly to provide a particularly simple, easy-to-implement and easily retrofittable even in operating elevator systems method for operating an elevator system during service use of service personnel, which increases the security of service personnel during service use.

This object is achieved by means of a method for operating an elevator installation with the features of claim 1. The elevator installation comprises, in a manner known per se, a shaft lighting system mounted in an elevator shaft. If necessary, the shaft lighting is switched on or off manually, for example via an electrical switch or another operating unit. The or each luminaire of the shaft lighting can be connected to an electrical energy source by means of a shaft lighting circuit, referred to below as a circuit for short, and is connected to the energy source for activating the shaft lighting. According to the proposed solution, activation of the shaft lighting is only possible when the elevator installation is in an inspection mode.

In one embodiment, a first switching element and at least one second switching element are connected in the circuit. This circuit ensures that activation of the shaft lighting for illuminating the elevator shaft for inspection and maintenance purposes is only possible if the first switching element and at least one second switching element are turned on. The first switching element is switched on when the elevator installation is in an inspection mode, for example in that the inspection mode can be activated by means of the first switching element. The at least one second switching element is usually an electrical switch that can be manually operated. As a result, the shaft lighting can only be switched on when the elevator installation is in an inspection mode.

In one embodiment of the method, it is assumed that the elevator installation comprises, as is usually the case, elevator system control in the form of a centralized or distributed elevator control device in a manner known per se. In this embodiment of the method it is provided that the normally switched off first switching element is automatically switched on by means of the elevator control device when the elevator installation is in an inspection mode. Also in this embodiment - due to the automatic activation by the elevator control device - the first switching element is turned on when the elevator installation is in an inspection mode.

Turning on a switching element means, according to common usage, that a current flow through the switching element is possible. Accordingly, no current flow through the switching element is possible after switching off a switching element. Activation of the shaft illumination for illuminating the elevator shaft for inspection and maintenance purposes is understood as switching on the shaft illumination, so that the illumination of the elevator shaft is fundamentally ensured. This does not exclude that even with an activated shaft lighting, for example, this is briefly turned off again, in order to warn a person in the elevator shaft or in the surrounding area of the elevator shaft in this way.

The term inspection mode is used here and in the following as a generic term for special operating modes of the elevator installation and in practice often includes terms used instead of the term inspection mode such as service mode or maintenance mode and, for example, a mode with which test drives are performed, a mode for exemptions from People etc.

In one embodiment of the method, the function of switching on and off the shaft lighting is performed by means of the elevator control device. This means, for example, that in the circuit only a first switching element is arranged. This first switching element is switched by the elevator control device and a signal of the manually operated second switching element or a corresponding manual input in an operating unit is processed by the elevator control device. The elevator control device then activates the first switching element and thus the shaft lighting only when the elevator control device in the inspection mode is offset and the manual operation of the second switching element or the corresponding input has been made on the control unit.

A further object of the invention is to provide an elevator installation which is intended and arranged to operate according to the method and, if appropriate, according to one or more embodiments of the method. This object is likewise achieved by means of an elevator installation which comprises means for carrying out the method described here and below. In such an elevator installation, it is provided, for example, that a first switching element and at least one second switching element are connected in a circuit comprising the shaft lighting of the elevator installation such that activation of the shaft lighting is only possible if the first switching element and at least one second switching element are switched on and that the first switching element is turned on when the elevator installation is in an inspection mode, for example by activating the inspection mode by means of the first switching element, or by means of an elevator control device of the elevator installation, the first switching element is automatically switched on when the elevator installation is in an inspection mode located.

The advantage of the approach proposed here is, above all, that it is very simple and nevertheless efficient. A technician will only enter the elevator shaft if he can see something in the elevator shaft, that is, only when the shaft lighting is switched on. The approach proposed here ensures that the shaft lighting can be switched on as intended, ie in a manner suitable for illuminating the hoistway for inspection and maintenance purposes, only when the elevator installation is in an inspection mode and, for example, predetermined driving due to the inspection mode and speed limits for the or each elevator car of the elevator installation are in force.

Another advantage of the approach proposed here is that it is not only suitable for new elevator systems, but also that elevator systems already in operation can be retrofitted with very little effort. After retrofitting, the elevator installation in question is in accordance with the method described here and below, in which the shaft lighting of the elevator installation can only be switched on as intended if the elevator installation is in one Inspection mode is located, operable.

For retrofitting an elevator installation, which comprises a shaft light mounted in a shaft shaft, it is provided that on the one hand in a shaft lighting circuit comprising a first switching element is switched, wherein the first switching element is connected in such a way that activation of the shaft lighting only possible is when the first switching element and at least one already belonging to the circuit second switching element are turned on and on the other hand, either the first switching element is turned on when the elevator system is in an inspection mode, for example by means of the first switching element of the inspection mode is activated, or a Elevator control device of the elevator system is set up to automatically turn on the first switching element when the elevator system is in an inspection mode. The switching of the first switching element in the circuit comprises only the separation of the previous circuit and the connection of the free due to the separation line ends to the first switching element. The setting up of the elevator control device for detecting the switching state of the first switching element or for automatically switching on the first switching element comprises, for example, a supplement to a control program executed by the elevator control device, in particular a supplement to the control program for instructions to query whether the elevator installation is in the inspection mode and to turn it on of the first switching element depending on the result of the query.

Overall, the innovation proposed here is also a circuit for monitoring an elevator installation by means of a method of the type described here and below. The elevator installation to be monitored comprises, in a manner known per se, shaft illumination in an elevator shaft. The circuit comprises in a circuit with the shaft lighting a first switching element and at least a second switching element. The first switching element and the at least one second switching element are connected in such a way in the circuit that a proper activation of the shaft lighting is only possible if the first switching element and at least one second switching element are turned on. The first switching element is switched on when the elevator installation is in an inspection mode, for example by the inspection mode being activatable by means of the first switching element. Alternatively, that is first switching element automatically switched by means of an elevator control device of the elevator system and is automatically turned on by the elevator control device when the elevator system is in an inspection mode.

For the sake of further description, in order to avoid unnecessary repetition, features and details described in connection with said method for operating and monitoring an elevator installation as well as possible embodiments, of course, also in connection with and with regard to the set up for carrying out the method Lift system and its elevator control device and vice versa apply. Accordingly, the elevator installation and its elevator control device can also be developed in accordance with one or more method features, for example such that the elevator installation or the elevator control device comprises means for executing method steps executed in the context of the method. Likewise, the method may be developed in accordance with one or more device features, for example, such that the intended use of the means specified in a device feature takes place within the scope of the method.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. This used backlinks point to the further development of the subject matter of the main claim by the features of the respective subclaim and are not to be understood as a waiver of the achievement of an independent, objective protection for the feature combinations of the related subclaims. Furthermore, with a view to an interpretation of the claims in a closer specification of a feature in a subordinate claim, it is to be assumed that such a restriction does not exist in the respective preceding claims.

A particularly simple way by which it can be ensured that a proper activation of the shaft lighting is only possible when the first switching element and at least a second switching element are turned on, is that the first switching element and the at least one second switching element in the circuit are electrically connected in series with the shaft lighting.

In one embodiment of the method, which assumes that the elevator installation comprises an elevator control device, the elevator control device switches the first switching element or another switching element automatically clocked on and off when the elevator system is not in the inspection mode. In this way, it is immediately and uniquely recognizable on the basis of the actually given lighting situation in the elevator shaft whether the elevator installation is in inspection mode or not. When the elevator installation is in the inspection mode, according to the general form of the method, the first switching element is switched on or the elevator control device switches on the first switching element automatically. When a technician desiring to enter the hoistway activates the second switching element or a second switching element to activate the shaft lighting, the shaft lighting is turned on. The technician recognizes at the intended activation of the shaft lighting that the elevator system is in inspection mode. On the other hand, if the elevator installation is not in the inspection mode, the elevator control device switches on and off the first switching element or a further switching element in clocked fashion.

The first switching element is switched on and off by means of the elevator control device when the elevator control device controls the first switching element, that is, if the elevator control device would normally permanently switch on the first switching element in an activated inspection mode. The further switching element is switched on and off by means of the elevator control device when the elevator control device does not control the first switching element and the elevator control device is rather caused by the first switching element to activate the inspection mode. Then, the elevator control device has no influence on the switching state of the first switching element and instead of the first switching element, the elevator control device switches the further switching element clocked on and off.

When the technician operates the second switching element or a second switching element in such a clocked switching on and off of the first switching element or of the further switching element, a flashing of the shaft lighting results. The technician recognizes that the shaft lighting is basically functional and that the elevator system is not in the inspection mode. This clear recognition of whether the elevator system may not be in the inspection mode, is in the General embodiment of the method is not yet given, because there, the shaft lighting can therefore not be activated, for example, because bulbs of the shaft lighting are defective or another error is present. In order to avoid unnecessary wear and unnecessary energy consumption, it is optionally provided that the first switching element or any further switching element is switched on and off automatically only when the second switching element or a second switching element is switched on or if it can be sensed by means of the lighting circuit in that at least one second switching element is switched on. As a result, continuous clocking of the first switching element during normal operation of the elevator installation can be prevented, which correspondingly increases a service life of the first switching element.

In a particular embodiment of the method, the elevator control device automatically switches off or off the first switching element or the further switching element at least temporarily, or when the elevator control device is signaled that a technician previously present in the elevator shaft has left or left the elevator shaft. In this way, the or each technician still present in the elevator shaft receives the information that another technician has left the elevator shaft. For this purpose, the elevator installation and the elevator control device comprise a per se known sensor system by means of which a technician can indicate entering and leaving the elevator shaft in an electronically evaluable manner. By means of such a sensor, the elevator control device can be signaled and is signaled during operation that a technician previously present in the elevator shaft has left or left the elevator shaft.

In a further particular embodiment of the method, the elevator control device automatically switches the first switching element or the further switching element off or clocked on and off when an elevator car of the elevator system and a counterweight moved with the elevator car meet in the elevator shaft or the elevator car or the counterweight in enter a meeting zone. For this, too, the elevator installation and the elevator control device comprise a per se known sensor system, by means of which an encounter of the elevator car and the counterweight and / or an entry of the elevator car or the counterweight into a meeting zone can be sensed. By means of such a sensor, the elevator control device can be signaled and is signaled during operation that an elevator car and the counterweight in the elevator shaft moving with the elevator car meet or the elevator car or the counterweight enter a meeting zone.

In yet another particular embodiment of the method, the elevator control device switches off the first switching element or the further switching element automatically at least temporarily or clocked on and off when an elevator car of the elevator system approaches a shaft bottom of the elevator shaft or a shaft ceiling of the elevator shaft. For this, too, the elevator installation and the elevator control device comprise a per se known sensor system, by means of which a position of the elevator car relative to the shaft bottom and / or the shaft ceiling can be sensed. By means of such a sensor, the elevator control device can be signaled and is signaled during operation that the elevator car approaches the shaft floor or the shaft ceiling.

Obviously, the last two embodiments have the advantage that warning messages can be given by means of the shaft lighting present in the elevator shaft. Both embodiments are considered individually or in combination.

In the previously described embodiments, the first switching element and the at least one second switching element in the circuit with the shaft lighting are electrically connected in series. These embodiments may alternatively, as explained at the beginning of the description, be carried out by the function of the possibly clocked switching on and off the shaft lighting are made directly by means of the elevator control device. This means that in the circuit only a first switching element is arranged, said first switching element is switched by the elevator control device and wherein the signal of the manually operated second switching element or the corresponding manual input in the operating unit is processed by the elevator control device.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Corresponding objects or elements are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals.

The embodiment is not to be understood as limiting the invention. Rather, additions and modifications are quite possible in the context of the present disclosure, in particular those, for example, by combination or modification of individual in conjunction with the described in the general or specific description part and in the claims and / or the drawing features or method steps for those skilled in the art with regard to the solution of the problem can be removed and lead by combinable features to a new subject or to new process steps or process steps.

Fig. 1

eine Aufzugsanlage mit einer Schachtbeleuchtung in einem Aufzugsschacht,

Fig. 2

eine Schaltung zur Ansteuerung einer Schachtbeleuchtung, wobei die Schaltung ein erstes Schaltelement und zumindest ein zweites Schaltelement umfasst und wobei das erste Schaltelement eingeschaltet ist, wenn sich die Aufzugsanlage in einem Inspektionsmodus befindet,

Fig. 3

eine Schaltung zur Ansteuerung einer Schachtbeleuchtung, wobei die Schaltung ein erstes Schaltelement und zumindest ein zweites Schaltelement umfasst und wobei das erste Schaltelement mittels einer Aufzugssteuerungseinrichtung schaltbar ist,

Fig. 4

ein Flussdiagramm zur Illustration einer Funktion einer Aufzugssteuerungseinrichtung zum Schalten des ersten Schaltelements abhängig von einem Betriebszustand der Aufzugsanlage sowie

Fig. 5

eine Schaltung gemäß Figur 2 mit einem mittels der Aufzugssteuerungseinrichtung schaltbaren weiteren Schaltelement.

Show it

Fig. 1

an elevator installation with shaft lighting in a lift shaft,

Fig. 2

a circuit for controlling a shaft lighting, wherein the circuit comprises a first switching element and at least a second switching element and wherein the first switching element is turned on when the elevator installation is in an inspection mode,

Fig. 3

a circuit for controlling a shaft lighting, wherein the circuit comprises a first switching element and at least a second switching element and wherein the first switching element is switchable by means of an elevator control device,

Fig. 4

a flowchart for illustrating a function of an elevator control device for switching the first switching element depending on an operating state of the elevator system and

Fig. 5

a circuit according to FIG. 2 with a switchable by means of the elevator control device further switching element.

The representation in FIG. 1 schematically shows in a very simplified manner an elevator installation 10 in a building, not shown, having at least one elevator car 14 movable in an elevator shaft 12 and an elevator control device 16. The elevator control device 16 is provided in a manner known per se for controlling and monitoring the elevator installation 10. The elevator car 14 is movable in a manner known per se in the elevator shaft 12 so that different floors 18 of the building can be reached.

To move the elevator car 14, a drive device 20 controlled by the elevator control device 16 is provided in a manner known per se, for example a drive device 20 in the form of an electric motor. The drive device 20 drives for this purpose also known per se a traction sheave 22 or the like, so that by means of a guided over the pulley 22 and shown here as an example of a support means supporting cable 24 or by means of other support means the respective movement of the elevator car 14 and a simultaneous Movement of a counterweight 26 takes place. A commonly available, but basically optional compensation rope, which is attached to compensate for the weight of the support means, in particular for balancing the weight of the or each support cable 24, on the underside of the elevator car 14 and the underside of the counterweight 26 is not shown in the illustration.

Shaft illumination 28 is located in elevator shaft 12. Shaft illumination 28 typically comprises a plurality of lights mounted along the entire height of elevator shaft 12, for example lights with fluorescent lamps or the like.

In the illustration in FIG. 2 the entirety of the luminaires covered by the shaft lighting 28 is shown in the form of a block. The shaft lighting 28 is supplied in a manner known per se from a voltage source 30 with electrical energy. In a circuit 32 with the shaft lighting 28 and the voltage source 30 are a first switching element 34 and at least one second switching element 36th

The first switching element 34 is switched on when the elevator installation 10 is in an inspection mode. For example, it is provided that the inspection mode is activated by means of the first switching element 34. In that sense is symbolic in FIG. 2 a connection of the elevator control device 16 parallel to the first switching element 34th shown. This is intended to illustrate that the switching state of the first switching element 34 can be detected for the elevator control device 16 and that the respective switching state is detected during operation. The first switching element 34 is a service personnel in particular manually operable switching element, for example, a switching element in the form of a conventional pressure, rocker or latching switch. Accordingly, when the first switching element 34 is turned on, the elevator controller 16 detects it and automatically activates the inspection mode. The first switching element 34 can also have two parallel and jointly operated switching bridges (not shown), wherein only one of the switching bridges is part of the circuit 32 with the shaft lighting 28 and the other switching bridge part of a circuit for sensing the switching state of the first switching element 34 by the elevator control device 16 is.

Depending on the configuration, instead of the direct arrangement in the circuit 32, the second switching element 36 may also be designed as an input element or input unit for the elevator control device 16. The elevator control device 16 or a control program 40 arranged in the elevator control device 16 then activates the first switching element 34 and thus the shaft lighting 28 only if the elevator control device 16 is set in the inspection mode and the second switching element 36 is switched or if the corresponding input is made to the operating unit is.

The second switching element 36 is a service element in particular manually operable switching element, for example, a switching element in the form of a conventional light switch. In the area of the elevator installation 10, a plurality of second switching elements 36 can be provided.

Visible, the circuit 32 is closed only when the first switching element 34 is turned on and also the second switching element 36 (or at least a second switching element 36) is turned on. Only then is the shaft lighting 28 switched on. An actuation of the or a second switching element 36 by a technician remains without effect as long as not also the first switching element 34 is turned on. As described above takes place in the in FIG. 2 shown embodiment by means of the first switching element 34, the activation of the inspection mode. Accordingly, a technician can not switch on the shaft lighting 28 as long as the elevator installation 10 not in inspection mode. Without an activated shaft lighting 28, the technician will not enter the elevator shaft 12. This ensures with high certainty that work in the elevator shaft 12 is only performed when the elevator installation 10 is in the inspection mode.

The representation in FIG. 3 shows essentially the same details as the illustration in FIG FIG. 2 , so that reference can be made to avoid repetition on the local description.

Unlike the in FIG. 2 shown situation is in the embodiment according to FIG. 3 the first switching element 34 by means of the elevator control device 16 operable. For this, the elevator control device 16 is shown with an arrow pointing in the direction of the first switching element 34. The arrow illustrates the possibility for the automatic actuation of the first switching element 34. The actuation of the first switching element 34 by the elevator control device 16 takes place in a basically known manner by means of a control signal 38 generated by the elevator control device 16 which switches on the first switching element 34 (FIG. Turn on "means that the switching element 34 is placed in the switching state" closed "and current can flow through the switching element 34). The first switching element 34 is, for example, a relay, a contactor, a semiconductor switch or the like.

Recognizable in this embodiment, the circuit 32 is closed only when the first switching element 34 is turned on and also the second switching element 36 (or at least a second switching element 36) is turned on. Only then is the shaft lighting 28 switched on. An actuation of the or a second switching element 36 by a technician remains so long without effect, as well as not the first switching element 34 is turned on. The latter is done in the embodiment according to FIG. 3 only automatically by means of the elevator control device 16, and only if the elevator system 10 is in an inspection mode and for the elevator control device 16 in a basically known manner, for example by means of a switch not shown here, activated or selected a corresponding mode has been. Accordingly, a technician can not switch on the shaft lighting 28 as long as the elevator installation 10 is not in the inspection mode. Without an activated shaft lighting 28, the technician will not enter the elevator shaft 12. In this embodiment too, it is ensured with a high degree of certainty that work in the elevator shaft 12 is only carried out when the elevator installation 10 is in the inspection mode.

The control signal 38 is automatically generated by means of the elevator control device 16 and in accordance with the respective functionality of the elevator control device 16. For this purpose, the elevator control device 16 comprises, for example in a manner known per se, a processing unit in the form of a microprocessor or the like and a memory in which the control program 40 determining the functionality of the elevator control device 16 is loaded. The elevator control device 16 may also explicitly be a distributed elevator control device 16, that is to say an elevator control device 16 with functional units spatially separated from each other but, for example, communicatively connected.

A control signal 38, which causes the first switching element 34 to be switched on when the elevator installation 10 is in the inspection mode, is a control signal 38 which effects a permanently electrically conductive connection via the first switching element 34 during the switched-on state. In the simplest case, it is a signal with a constant level, which causes the switching element 34 to be switched on / off. When the inspection mode is ended, the elevator controller 16 generates a control signal 38 which causes the first switching element 34 to be turned off. In order to automatically generate such a control signal 38, it is checked during operation of the elevator installation 10 and during operation of the elevator control unit 16 whether the elevator installation 10 is in the inspection mode. This is done in the case of a lift control device 16 executing a control program 40 under control of the control program 40 and according to the program code instructions included in the control program 40. Whether the elevator installation 10 is in the inspection mode is coded, for example, by the content of a variable used by the control program 40.

The control program 40 then includes the query of the contents of the variables and depending on the result of the comparison, the control signal 38 is generated. The representation in FIG. 4 shows in a schematically simplified form an implementation possibility of Related functionality of the control program 40 in the form of a flowchart. Thereafter, it is cyclically checked by means of a query 42, whether the elevator installation 10 is in the inspection mode, for example by querying the contents of a corresponding variable. Depending on the result of the comparison, the control signal 38 is generated. If the comparison reveals that the elevator installation 10 is in the inspection mode (illustrated by the symbol "+"), a branch is made to a first function block 44. On the other hand, if the comparison shows that the elevator installation 10 is not in the inspection mode (illustrated by the symbol "-"), a branch is made to a second function block 46. The execution of the first function block 44 causes the generation of a control signal 38, which turns on the first switching element 34. This is in the illustration in FIG. 4 symbolically illustrated by a control signal 38 shown in the interior of the first function block 44 with a rising edge and a constant level thereafter. As long as the elevator installation 10 is in the inspection mode, during cyclic execution of the in FIG. 4 shown portion of the control program 40 again and again branched due to the query 42 to the first function block 44 and a once switched first switching element 34 remains turned on. If the elevator installation 10 is no longer in the inspection mode, the query 42 delivers a corresponding result and it is branched to the second function block 46. The execution of the second function block 46 causes the generation of a control signal 38, which permanently switches off the first switching element 34, for example. This is in the illustration in FIG. 4 symbolically illustrated by a control signal 38 shown in the interior of the second functional block 46 with a constant "zero level". As long as the elevator system 10 is not in the inspection mode, the cyclic passage of the in FIG. 4 shown portion of the control program 40 always branched due to the query 42 to the second function block 46 and generates a control signal 38 according to the functionality of the second function block 46.

In a specific embodiment of the elevator installation 10 and of the elevator control unit 16, it may be provided that the elevator control unit 16 generates a special control signal 38 when the elevator installation 10 is not in the inspection mode, for example in a normal operating mode. Due to such a special control signal 38, for example, a clocked switching on and off of the first switching element 34 results. A clock frequency and / or a pulse width of such a special control signal 38 are optionally predeterminable and, for example, by parameters of the control program 40 is coded. Such a special control signal 38 is shown in FIG FIG. 4 shown in a slightly offset below the second function block 46 shown further second functional block 46. This representation is intended to indicate that the functionality of the second functional block 46 can be specified as required. Such a special control signal 38 causes the shaft lighting 28 to flash when the second switching element 36 (or a second switching element 36) is turned on while the elevator system 10 is not in the inspection mode. The fact that the elevator installation 10 is not in the inspection mode can be recognized particularly well by means of a blinking shaft lighting 28. Namely, if the shaft lighting 28 remains deactivated due to a corresponding control signal 38 and can not be activated by operating the or a second switching element 36, the technician only realizes that the elevator shaft 12 is not illuminated by means of the shaft lighting 28. However, this can also occur if there is a fault in the circuit 32 or if the one or more bulbs of the shaft lighting 28 is or are defective. In the case of a flashing shaft lighting 28, it can be clearly recognized that it is fundamentally functional and that the shaft lighting 28 can not be activated in the desired manner because the elevator installation 10 was not placed in the inspection mode necessary for entering the elevator shaft 12.

The fact that according to the FIG. 3 embodiment shown by means of the elevator control device 16 automatically influence on the state of the circuit 32 with the shaft lighting 28 can be taken and thus can also be influenced automatically whether the shaft lighting 28 by means of an actuation of the or a second switching element 36 is switched on, can also be used for more Exploit functions.

For example, it is provided in certain elevator systems 10 that a technician entering the elevator shaft 12, as it were, logs onto the elevator installation 10 and its elevator control device 16. A technician leaving the elevator shaft 12 logs out again. In this way, it can be ensured, for example, that the elevator control device 16 can only be switched back out of the inspection mode into the normal operating mode if in a service operation with several technicians they have left the elevator shaft 12 again. With in accordance with the circuit in FIG. 3 given possibility of influence of the elevator control device 16 on the circuit 32 with the shaft lighting 28, the shaft lighting 28 can automatically be turned off, for example, for a short time or cyclically switched on and off for a predetermined or predetermined period of time when a technician leaves the elevator shaft 12 and logs out for it.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the shaft lighting 28 is automatically switched off by the elevator control device 16, for example, for a short time or cyclically switched on and off for a predetermined or predefinable period of time when the elevator car 14 and the elevator car 12 move in the elevator shaft 12 Counterweight 26 encounter or the elevator car 14 or the counterweight 26 in a meeting zone B ( FIG. 1 ) enter. Then, the shaft lighting 28 also functions as a signal element for signaling a momentary danger situation in the elevator shaft 12.

To obtain the above based on the representations in the Figures 3 and 4 described possibility of influence of the elevator control device 16 on the state of the circuit 32 with the shaft lighting 28 also in the embodiment according to FIG. 2 in which the inspection mode is activated by means of the first switching element 34, a further switching element 34a which can be activated by means of the elevator control device 16 is additionally provided in the electric circuit 32, as shown in FIG FIG. 5 is shown. The activation of the further switching element 34a by the elevator control device 16 takes place in the same way and under the same conditions as described above in connection with FIGS Figures 3 and 4 has been described, so that reference can be made to avoid unnecessary repetition on the local statements, which for the embodiment according to FIG. 5 and the automatic activation of the further switching element 34a apply accordingly.

Finally, the innovation proposed here can be briefly summarized as follows: An elevator installation 10 and a method for operating and monitoring an elevator installation 10, which comprises a shaft illumination 28 in an elevator shaft 12, wherein a first switching element 34 and at least one second switching element 36 connected in such a way in a circuit 32 with the shaft lighting 28, that an activation of the shaft lighting 28 is only possible, when the first switching element 34 and at least one second switching element 36 are turned on, and wherein the first switching element 34 is turned on when the elevator installation 10 is in an inspection mode, or wherein the first switching element 34 is switched on automatically by means of an elevator control device 16 and automatically during operation is turned on when the elevator system 10 is in an inspection mode. In addition, a circuit intended for monitoring the elevator installation 10 with such a first switching element 34, in particular a first switching element 34 which can be automatically switched on by means of the elevator control device 16, and the at least one second switching element 36, and finally a method for retrofitting an elevator installation 10 with such a circuit Circuit.

Claims (12)

Method for operating an elevator installation (10),
wherein the elevator installation (10) comprises a shaft illumination (28) mounted in an elevator shaft (12), which shaft illumination (28) can be manually switched on and off,
characterized,
that activation of the shaft lighting (28) is only possible when the elevator installation (10) is in an inspection mode. Method according to claim 1,
wherein a first switching element (34) and at least one second switching element (36) are connected in a circuit (32) comprising the shaft lighting (28) such that the activation of the shaft lighting (28) is only possible if the first switching element (34 ) and at least a second switching element (36) are turned on, wherein the first switching element (34) is turned on when the elevator installation (10) is in the inspection mode. Method according to claim 2,
wherein an elevator control device (16) of the elevator installation (10) automatically switches on the first switching element (34) when the elevator installation (10) is in an inspection mode. Method according to claim 2 or 3,
wherein an elevator control device (16) of the elevator installation (10) or the elevator control device (16) automatically switches the shaft illumination (28) or the first switching element (34) or another switching element (34a) on and off when the elevator installation ( 10) is not in an inspection mode. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4,
wherein an elevator control device (16) of the elevator installation (10) or the elevator control device (16) switches the shaft lighting (28) or the first switching element (34) or another switching element (34a) off automatically at least for a short time or switches it on and off when: the elevator control device (16) is signaled that a previously in the elevator shaft (12) present technician the Elevator shaft (12) leaves or left, or when another technician enters the elevator shaft (12). Method according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein an elevator control device (16) of the elevator installation (10) or the elevator control device (16) switches the shaft lighting (28) or the first switching element (34) or another switching element (34a) off automatically at least for a short time or switches it on and off when: an elevator car (14) of the elevator installation (10) and a counterweight (26) moving in the elevator shaft (12) move with the elevator car (14) or the elevator car (14) or the counterweight (26) enter a meeting zone. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein an elevator control device (16) of the elevator installation (10) or the elevator control device (16) switches the shaft lighting (28) or the first switching element (34) or another switching element (34a) off automatically at least for a short time or switches it on and off when: an elevator car (14) of the elevator installation (10) approaches a shaft floor of the elevator shaft (12) or a shaft ceiling of the elevator shaft (12). Elevator installation (10) with means (16, 34, 34a, 36, 40) for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims. Elevator installation (10) according to claim 8,
wherein a first switching element (34) and at least one second switching element (36) in such a shaft lighting (28) comprehensive circuit (32) are connected, that an activation of the shaft lighting (28) is only possible if the first switching element (34 ) and at least a second switching element (36) are turned on and
wherein the first switching element (34) is turned on when the elevator installation (10) is in an inspection mode, or
by means of the elevator control device (16), the first switching element (34) is automatically switched on when the elevator installation (10) is in an inspection mode. Elevator system (10) according to claim 8, wherein the first switching element (34) and the at least one second switching element (36) in the circuit (32) are electrically connected in series. Method for retrofitting an elevator installation (10) which comprises an elevator control device (16) and a shaft illumination (28) mounted in an elevator shaft (12),
wherein a first switching element (34) is connected in a circuit (32) comprising the shaft lighting (28),
wherein the first switching element (34) is switched into the circuit (32) such that activation of the shaft lighting (28) is only possible if the first switching element (34) and at least one second switching element (36) are switched on and
wherein the first switching element (34) is turned on when the elevator installation (10) is in an inspection mode, or
the elevator control device (16) is arranged to automatically switch on the first switching element (34) when the elevator installation (10) is in an inspection mode. Circuit for monitoring an elevator installation (10) by means of a method according to one of Claims 1 to 6,
wherein the elevator installation (10) in a lift shaft (12) comprises shaft lighting (28),
the circuit comprising a circuit (32) with the shaft lighting (28) and in the circuit (32) a first switching element (34) and at least one second switching element (36),
wherein the first switching element (34) and the at least one second switching element (36) are so connected in the circuit (32) that activation of the shaft lighting (28) is only possible if the first switching element (34) and at least a second Switching element (36) are turned on, and
wherein the first switching element (34) is turned on when the elevator installation (10) is in an inspection mode, or
the first switching element (34) can be switched on by means of an elevator control device (16) of the elevator installation (10).

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