EP3541734B1 - Elevator car - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an elevator car according to the preamble of claim 1.

Elevator systems for transporting people and goods contain elevator cars that can be moved up and down in a vertical direction in an elevator shaft. The cabins can be moved by means of a drive unit via suspension means, for example in the form of suspension cables or suspension belts.

For certain situations, it may be necessary for a person to go to a roof of the elevator car in order to carry out the work (e.g. maintenance work, inspection) from there. For this it is necessary that people can stay safely on the elevator car roof. If, for example, the width of a gap between the cabin and an adjacent shaft wall is too large, balustrades must be installed on the cabin roof to prevent falls. Such balustrades on elevator car roofs have been known and used for a long time.

Furthermore, in most countries there are regulations that prescribe when a balustrade is to be provided and how this is to be designed in principle. Such regulations are specified, for example, in the European standard EN81-21.

For example, it may be required that a balustrade be provided on the roof of the elevator car that protrudes sufficiently upwardly from the roof of the elevator car to prevent a person from moving over an edge of the roof. According to EN81-21, such a balustrade should protrude at least 70 cm or at least 110 cm above the roof, depending on the gap width.

In the case of elevator systems, it may be desirable to keep the elevator shaft as short as possible. The required minimum height of the balustrade can conflict with the desire for lower shaft head heights. In the case of machine room-less elevators, where the drive is located in the shaft, the drive may overlap the elevator car when viewed from above, which is why conventional balustrades are unsuitable for these cases could be. Pivoting balustrades have been proposed for these applications, which can be pivoted about an axis of rotation between a folded-down position and an erected position. Such pivotally designed balustrades, for which the terms "foldable balustrades" or "foldable balustrades" are familiar in the art, are for example from EP 1 925 581 A1 known.

The EP 1 925 581 A1 shows a balustrade designed to be pivotable, in which the axis for forming the axis of rotation for the pivoting movement is mounted so that it can be displaced to a limited extent in a vertical slot. To erect the balustrade, it must be swiveled and slightly lifted at the same time. To secure the erected position, an upwardly open recess is provided on a roof-side fastening element, into which a pin attached to the balustrade can be inserted by lowering. A disadvantage of this balustrade is that it is relatively difficult to handle and the erection and folding back of the balustrade requires a certain level of technical skill.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to avoid the disadvantages of the known and in particular to provide an elevator car with an improved balustrade which is designed to be pivotable. When the balustrade is in a folded position, it should be easy to erect and reliably secured in the erected position.

This object is achieved with an elevator car having the features of claim 1. The elevator car includes a swingable balustrade mounted on a roof of the elevator car. The pivotable balustrade is designed in such a way that it rotates about a preferably fixed axis of rotation between a folded-down position, in which the balustrade can be oriented substantially horizontally at least in sections, and an erected position, in which the balustrade is oriented substantially vertically can be pivoted in sections.

Because the balustrade has a locking mechanism to secure the erected Having position with which the balustrade can be locked via a locking connection during a pivoting movement to create the erected position, advantageous handling of the balustrade can be ensured. The balustrade is easy to set up and secure. The locking mechanism is designed in such a way that during the pivoting movement for setting up the balustrade, the balustrade can be automatically fixed in the set-up position thanks to the latching connection.

In a first embodiment, the balustrade can consist of a lower part that is stationary with respect to the elevator car and an upper part that can move about the axis of rotation. Such a two-part balustrade is particularly advantageous with regard to personal safety. Compared to balustrades, in which the axes of rotation are located in the area of a floor of the cabin roof or a cabin top, so that in the folded-down position of the balustrade people on the roof would not be secured against falling, the present balustrade unfolds a certain degree even in the folded-down position protective effect. Because the lower part of the balustrade, which still protrudes upwards, has a separating effect and can protect a falling person from falling into the shaft.

Particularly preferably, the movable part of the balustrade is aligned essentially horizontally in the folded-down position. A stop can be arranged on the stationary part of the balustrade, on which the movable part is supported in the folded-down position. The stop can be, for example, an angle piece attached to a post of the stationary part or a horizontal bend.

The mentioned balustrade with the lower, stationary part and the upper, movable part can be arranged on at least one side of the roof on the elevator car. Depending on the configuration of the shaft, further balustrades can be provided on the other sides of the cabin roof. For example, it would be possible to provide a conventional fixed balustrade, which has a lower balustrade height, in addition to the two-part balustrade mentioned, for example on an opposite side of the roof. This second balustrade could, for example, be of the same height as the lower fixed part of the first-mentioned balustrade.

The lower fixed part of the balustrade can have a middle, horizontally running one Spar and the upper movable part may include a handrail. Furthermore, a skirting board can be provided in the area of the top of the roof.

The locking mechanism can have a latching element which can be brought into engagement with an engagement means in order to secure the raised position. For unlocking from engagement or from a locking position, the latching element can be moved in such a way that the engagement means is freed, whereby the balustrade can be brought back into the folded-down position. The latching element can therefore be a latching element that can be moved between the locking position mentioned and an unlocking position. For example, the locking mechanism can be a latching element that can be linearly displaced to a limited extent under prestress or is mounted in some other way vertically in a post part assigned to the stationary part of the balustrade.

The locking mechanism can have at least one spring for generating a pretension for the latching element in the locking position. Thus, the latching element is biased into the locking position by means of the spring. Reliable locking can be ensured thanks to the preload.

Preferably, the balustrade may comprise a two-piece pillar having a lower pillar portion which is stationary with respect to the elevator car and an upper pillar portion pivotally attached to the lower pillar portion. As a rule, the balustrade has two such posts. The two posts form the lateral boundary of the balustrade and are used to attach the handrail and other strips such as the middle spar, which is located about halfway up. The locking mechanism described above can be arranged on a two-part post (possibly even on both posts). The latching element can be mounted so that it can be displaced vertically to a limited extent on the lower post part. The engagement means with which the latching element can be brought into engagement can be assigned to the upper post part.

At least one vertical slot-shaped guide for guiding the latching element can be provided in the lower post part. The latching element can, for example, have at least one tongue-shaped guide section, which can be passed through the guide slot or accommodated in it.

The upper post part can comprise a preferably flat, flat profile wall, the front edge of which facing the latching element forms the engagement means for engaging with the latching element in the locking position. Of course, however, other configurations of intervention means are also conceivable. For example, the means of engagement can be formed by a latching hook or a latching cam.

The latching element can contain a run-up flank along which the engagement means can be moved when the balustrade is erected or pivoted to create the erected position. The latching element can have a latching lug which is arranged on the front end of the ramp flank which faces the engagement means.

At least in the locking position, the actuating element can have a horizontal surface for hand gripping or foot gripping surface. An ergonomically favorable actuation of the locking mechanism to release the locking position can be achieved in this way.

The actuating element can be aligned horizontally at least in the locking position. A sufficiently large force for manual operation or foot operation for triggering the unlocking process can be applied to the horizontally aligned actuating element.

For simple manual actuation of the actuation element or foot actuation of the actuation element, it is advantageous if the actuation element has a lever section that is free by a length of at least 10 cm and is essentially horizontal at least in the locking position.

In a preferred embodiment, the actuating element can be designed as a lever which is mounted on a post part so that it can pivot to a limited extent. The actuating element designed as a lever interacts with the latching element in such a way that the latching element is displaced by pivoting the actuating element and thus reaches the unlocked position.

For simple and cost-effective production, it can be advantageous if the latching element and/or the actuating element are designed as bent parts made of sheet metal are.

A further aspect of the invention could be aimed at an elevator with an elevator shaft and an elevator car that can be moved up and down in it according to the preceding description.

Fig. 1

eine stark vereinfachte und schematisierte Seitenansicht auf einen Aufzug mit einer erfindungsgemässen Aufzugskabine, auf der eine schwenkbar ausgestaltete Balustrade angeordnet ist,

Fig. 2

eine vergrösserte Darstellung der Balustrade aus Fig. 1 in einer aufgestellten Position,

Fig. 3

die Balustrade in niedergeklappter Position,

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Dachs einer Aufzugskabine mit einer schwenkbar ausgestalteten Balustrade in aufgestellter Position gemäss einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Ansicht auf einen mit einem Verriegelungsmechanismus zum Sichern der aufgestellten Position ausgerüsteten Pfosten der Balustrade gemäss Fig. 4,

Fig. 6

eine detaillierte perspektivische Ansicht des Verriegelungsmechanismus (Detail A von Fig. 5), und

Fig. 7

der Verriegelungsmechanismus von Fig. 6, jedoch aus einer rückseitigen Perspektive.

Further individual features and advantages of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the drawings. Show it:

1

a highly simplified and schematic side view of an elevator with an elevator car according to the invention, on which a pivotable balustrade is arranged,

2

an enlarged view of the balustrade 1 in a standing position,

3

the balustrade in the folded position,

4

a perspective view of a roof of an elevator car with a pivotable balustrade in the erected position according to a further embodiment,

figure 5

a perspective view of a post of the balustrade equipped with a locking mechanism for securing the erected position according to FIG 4 ,

6

a detailed perspective view of the locking mechanism (detail A of figure 5 ), and

7

the locking mechanism of 6 , but from a rear perspective.

1 shows an elevator system, denoted overall by 1, for a multi-storey building. The elevator 1 comprises an elevator shaft 11 in which an elevator car 1 can be moved vertically up and down to transport people or goods to individual floors. The movement of the elevator car 1 takes place via suspension means designated 13, which carry the car 1 in a 2:1 suspension. The suspension means 13 can be one or more suspension ropes or suspension belts.

The support means 13, which can be moved by means of a drive 14, carry the car 1 and a counterweight 16. Deflection rollers for forming an undersling are denoted by 15, via which the car 1 is connected to the support means 13. The drive 14, for example having a traction sheave that can be rotated via an electric motor, is fastened to a shaft ceiling 17 to form an elevator without a machine room. Of course, the drive 14 could also be attached to a shaft wall 12. As an alternative to in 1 In addition to the basic configuration of the elevator shown, other elevator types and other suspension configurations would also be conceivable. Except for a special balustrade 4, which is described and shown in detail below, alternatives to the one shown in 1 Elevator variant shown, elevators 1 with other suspension configurations and other elevator types are also conceivable.

The cabin 1 includes a cabin roof 2, which closes the cabin 1 at the top. Since there is too large a gap between the shaft wall 12 and a side wall 3 of the cabin 1, it is necessary to provide the already mentioned balustrade 4 on the cabin roof 2 for fall protection. The balustrade 4 can be extended from an in 1 shown set up position into a folded down position. The corresponding closing movement is indicated with an arrow s. For this purpose, the balustrade 4 is designed in two parts and has a lower stationary part 5 and an upper movable part 6 . In dashed lines, the upper part 6 is in the folded down position 1 recognizable.

In the embodiment according to 1 only one balustrade 4 is arranged or shown on the roof 2 of the cabin 1 . Depending on the cabin and the design of the shaft, the cabin 1 could of course also have several balustrades each assigned to one side of the cabin 1 . These additional balustrades could be similar to the balustrade 4 or they could be of conventional rigid construction. For example, it would be conceivable to provide a less high balustrade on the opposite side, that is to say the side which faces the shaft wall designated 12', because of the smaller gap between car 1 and shaft wall 12'. This deeper balustrade could do without moving parts.

The figures 2 and 3 show a possible embodiment of a balustrade 4 according to the invention. The lower part 5 of the balustrade 4 is firmly connected to the cabin 3 . in the in 2 In the deployed position shown, the upper part 6 of the balustrade is reliably aligned vertically and secured in position thanks to a locking mechanism 7 . The locking mechanism 7 has a latching element 8 and an engaging means 9 cooperating therewith, which prevent an inward pivoting movement of the upper part 6 of the balustrade in the s-direction. A vertical stop 33, which is fastened to the lower post part 22, prevents any pivoting movement of the upper part 6 to the outside or to the opposite side.

The upper part can be pivoted about an axis of rotation denoted by R, which runs horizontally and parallel to the roof edge 35 of the roof 2 . The pivoting movement s from the raised position can only be accomplished after the locking mechanism 7 has been unlocked. For this purpose, a latching element 8 of the locking mechanism 7 must be moved downwards in the direction of arrow e to unlock the locking mechanism 7 .

The balustrade 4 has two posts 18, which are vertical at least in the raised position, to which horizontal rails, such as the handrail designated 19, are attached as required. The posts 18 are each designed in two parts and have a lower post part 22 and an upper upper post part 23 which is fastened pivotably about the axis of rotation R on the lower post part.

The upper post part 23 has a step-like latching receptacle at the lower end. This latching receptacle forms an engagement means 9 for the engagement of the latching element 8. In this exemplary embodiment, the latching element 24 is a latching cam which is assigned to the lower post part 22. The latching element 8 is pressed upwards into the corresponding latching receptacle of the engagement means 9 by means of a spring 34 .

An actuating element 24 is arranged on the latching element 8 and can be gripped by maintenance personnel or another person on the cabin roof 2 . The locking of the locking mechanism 7 is released via the actuating element 24 by pulling the locking element 8 downwards in the e-direction. After the unlocking has taken place, the upper part 6 of the balustrade 4 can simply be pivoted downwards in the s-direction.

In 3 the balustrade is shown in the folded down position. In the folded-down position, the balustrade 4 is partially aligned horizontally. The upper post part 23 running horizontally in the folded-down position is supported on a stop 32 which is arranged on the lower post part 22 .

To create the erected position, the upper part 6 of the balustrade 4 must be pivoted upwards in the a-direction. When erecting the balustrade in the a-direction, the balustrade 4 is automatically secured in the erected position thanks to the snap-in connection ( 2 ).

4 FIG. 1 shows a pivotable balustrade 4 mounted on a roof 2 of an elevator car 1 according to a second exemplary embodiment. The balustrade 4 has two posts 18, 18'. A central spar 20 is attached to the lower post portions and is located approximately halfway up the balustrade. The handrail 19, which is assigned to the upper post parts 23, 23', which can be pivoted about the axis of rotation R, is interrupted in an upper area. The profile parts for the upper handrail sections 36 and 37 are connected via vertical profile parts to a continuous horizontal profile which forms a lower handrail section 38 in the area of the interruption.

How out 4 As further shown, the post 18 has an extension. The extension is formed by a profile element 39 which is connected to the upper post part 23 . At the free end of the extension 39 is a buffer 40, for example made of rubber or another resilient or dampening material. The extension 39 with the buffer 40 limits a possible upward movement of the cabin and defines a safety space for people on the cabin roof when the balustrade 4 is in the deployed position.

From the locking mechanism 7 for securing the erected position of the balustrade 4 is in 4 a horizontal actuating element 24 can be seen, with which the locking element 8 can be moved vertically downwards for unlocking. Further structural details of the design of the locking mechanism 7 of the second embodiment are from the Figures 5 to 7 removable.

figure 5 shows the post 18 equipped with the locking mechanism 7. The actuating element 24 for actuating the locking mechanism 7 is pivotably mounted on the lower post part 22 about an axis of rotation R2. The lever-like actuating element 24 is arranged so far down that it can be actuated manually or, if necessary, can also be actuated by foot by the maintenance personnel. The length, designated L, by which the lever-like actuating element 24 protrudes is ideally at least 10 cm. The distance H2 below which the actuating element 24 is arranged in relation to the axis of rotation R for pivoting the balustrade is therefore preferably at least 10 cm.

Above all, if foot actuation is provided, the distance (H1) of the actuation element 24 to the attic or to the top of the cabin should be selected to be small. The actuating element 24 then results in an advantageous foot pedal. In this case, the height H1 should be 30 cm or less.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG figure 5 created by a bend 24. This bend 24 is connected in one piece to the lower post part 22 made from sheet metal.

From the enlarged detail view according to 6 it can be seen that two tongue-like guide sections 26 are provided for the displaceable mounting of the locking element 8 in the lower post part 22 , which are accommodated in vertical slots 25 . The two guide slots 25 enable precise guidance of the locking element 8. The actuating element 24 is in direct contact with the lower guide sections 26 of the locking element 8. If the actuating element 24 is pivoted downwards in the e' direction, a translational movement of the locking element 8 results below.

This movement of the locking element 8 is indicated by the arrow e.

The spring 34 causes the latching element 8 to be prestressed into the deployed position. Thanks to the spring 34, there is a restoring force acting in the direction of the arrow f, as a result of which automatic locking takes place when the balustrade is erected. The pivoting back of the actuating element 24 in the P-direction also occurs under the action of a spring.

Out of 7 it is easy to see how the upper post part 23 is fixed in position in the locking position of the locking element 8 . The upper post part 23 is presently formed from an L-shaped angle profile, the profile wall of the angle profile designated 27 being sandwiched in the region of the lower profile edge between the latching element 8 and a wall of the lower post part 22 forming a stop 33 . For this sandwich-like accommodation of the profile wall 27 forming an engagement means, a recess 41 is provided in the latching element, which is adapted to the profile thickness of the profile wall 27 . The wall of the at least partially L-shaped profile for forming the lower post part 22 facing the latching element 8 forms the vertical stop 33.

Out of 7 It can then be seen that the spring 34, which in the present example is formed by a helical compression spring, is arranged to run diagonally in the latching element. In this way, the spring 34 reliably holds the locking element 8 in the lower post part 22.

Claims (15)

1. Elevator cab (1) comprising a pivotable balustrade (4) that is attached to a roof (2) of the elevator cab (1) and can be pivoted, at least in portions, between a folded-down position and an erected position, characterized in that the balustrade (4) comprises a locking mechanism (7) for securing the erected position, by means of which locking mechanism the balustrade (4) can be locked by a latching connection in the event of a pivot movement for establishing the erected position.
2. Elevator cab (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the balustrade (4) consists of a lower stationary part (5) and an upper part (6) that is movable about an axis of rotation (R).
3. Elevator cab (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the movable part (6) of the balustrade (4) is oriented substantially horizontally in the folded-down position.
4. Elevator cab according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking mechanism (7) comprises a latching element (8) that can be brought into engagement with an engagement means (9) in order to secure the erected position.
5. Elevator cab according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking mechanism (7) comprises at least one spring (34) for generating a preload for the latching element (8) in the locking position.
6. Elevator cab according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the balustrade (4) comprises a two-part post (18) comprising a lower post part (22) and an upper post part (23) that is pivotably fastened to the lower post part, the locking mechanism (7) being arranged on the post (18), the latching element (8) being mounted vertically on the lower post part (22) so as to be displaceable to a limited extend, and the engagement means (9) being assigned to the upper post part (23).
7. Elevator cab according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one vertical guide (25) for guiding the latching element (8) is provided in the lower post part (22).
8. Elevator cab according to either claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that the upper post part (23) comprises a profile wall (27), the front edge (28) of which, facing the latching element (8), forms the engagement means (9) for the engagement with the latching element (8) in the locking position.
9. Elevator cab according to any of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the latching element (8) comprises a sloped shoulder (29), along which the engagement means (9, 28) can travel during the pivot movement for establishing the erected position of the balustrade.
10. Elevator cab according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the locking mechanism (7) comprises an actuation element (24), in the form of a foot pedal or a handle, for unlocking the locking position.
11. Elevator (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that, for the pivot movement of the balustrade (4), the actuation element (24) is arranged at a spacing (H1) of at least 10 cm, preferably at least 20 cm, and particularly preferably at least 30 cm, below an axis of rotation (R).
12. Elevator cab according to either claim 10 or claim 11, characterized in that the actuation element (24) is formed as a lever that is mounted on a post part (22) so as to be pivotable to a limited extent.
13. Elevator cab according to any of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the actuation element (24) comprises a horizontal hand contact surface or foot contact surface (30), at least in the locking position.
14. Elevator cab according to any of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the actuation element (24) comprises a lever portion which is horizontal, at least in the locking position, and of which a length (L) of at least 10 cm is self-supporting.
15. Elevator cab according to any of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the latching element (8) and/or the actuation element (24) are formed as bent parts made of sheet metal.

Images