EP3681835B1 - Elevator system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an elevator system having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

the WO 2010/072656 A1 describes an elevator system with two elevator cars that can be displaced in a vertical direction in an elevator shaft, each elevator car being connected to a counterweight via a carrying and driving means in the form of a steel cable. The elevator system has two drive machines in the form of electric motors, which can each drive a traction sheave, over which a suspension and drive means is guided. This means that the two elevator cars can be moved independently of one another in the elevator shaft by the drive machines. The cross-section of the elevator shaft must therefore be designed in such a way that the counterweights can be guided past the elevator cars.

the EP 2219985 B1 describes an elevator system with two elevator cars that can be displaced in a vertical direction in an elevator shaft, a self-contained suspension element guided around a lower deflection roller and an upper deflection roller, a drive machine in the form of an electric motor assigned to the suspension element, and a controllable coupling device arranged on each elevator car. The support means has several coupling elements, which can be designed as holes or cams, for example. A coupling device of an elevator car can be coupled to and uncoupled from a coupling element, with which a drive connection between the respective elevator car and the suspension element can be established and released. An elevator car coupled to a suspension element can thus be displaced in the first elevator shaft by means of the suspension element that can be driven by the respective drive machine. Also EP 1 693 331 describes a similar elevator system.

The elevator cars are only moved in one direction in the named elevator shaft, ie only upwards or only downwards. In order to be able to implement circulating operation of the elevator cabins, the elevator system has an additional one elevator shaft. The elevator cars can be moved horizontally between the two elevator shafts by means of a transfer device. During operation of the elevator system, an elevator car is coupled to a suspension element at a lower or an upper end position via its coupling device and a coupling element and is displaced upwards or downwards by the associated drive machine via the suspension element until it reaches the upper or lower end position has reached. There the elevator car is uncoupled from the suspension element and is horizontally shifted by a transfer device into the elevator shaft for the other direction of displacement into the other elevator shaft.

In contrast, it is in particular the object of the invention to propose an elevator system which, on the one hand, requires only little space in a building and, on the other hand, enables the suspension element to be implemented in a simple and therefore cost-effective manner. According to the invention, this object is achieved with an elevator system having the features of claim 1.

The elevator system according to the invention has a first elevator car which can be displaced in the vertical direction in a first elevator shaft. It also has a self-contained first suspension means guided around a lower deflection roller and an upper deflection roller and a first drive machine assigned to the first suspension means. The first suspension means has a first primary coupling element to which a first coupling device arranged on the first elevator car can be coupled. A drive connection can thus be produced between the first elevator car and the first suspension element, so that the coupled first elevator car can be displaced in the first elevator shaft by means of the first suspension element that can be driven by the first drive machine. According to the invention, the first primary coupling element of the first suspension element is designed as a connecting element which connects two free ends of the first suspension element to one another.

The use of a self-contained suspension means makes it possible to dispense with a counterweight that has to be guided past the elevator car, which allows for a small cross-section of the elevator shaft. In addition, said coupling element fulfills a dual function. On the one hand, it serves to couple the elevator car to the suspension element and, on the other hand, it is simple and inexpensive Realization of the closed support means.

In particular, the coupling element fulfills the function of a so-called belt lock or a cable connector. In this way, a self-contained suspension element can be produced very simply, inexpensively and safely from an originally open, elongated suspension element by connecting the two free ends with the coupling element. The coupling element can, for example, have two suspension element end connections connected to one another, which, for example, correspond to EP 1634842 A2 can be executed. The two suspension element end connections can be connected, for example, via an intermediate piece to which they can be screwed or welded, for example. The coupling element can also have a one-piece housing.

The elevator shaft is arranged in or on a building and runs mainly in the vertical direction, so that when the elevator cars are moved in the elevator shaft, they are mainly moved vertically.

The support means is self-contained, that is to say, for example, is designed in the shape of a ring. It can thus also be described as endless. However, this does not mean that it consists of a homogeneous ring or just one piece. Rather, the ring is realized by connecting two free ends of suspension element parts by the coupling element designed as a connecting element. The suspension element is guided around a lower and an upper deflection roller, with at least one deflection roller serving as a drive roller or traction sheave, via which the suspension element can be driven by the drive machine assigned to it. In particular, the deflection rollers have an effective diameter of less than 100 mm. Such small effective diameters of a deflection pulley serving as a traction sheave enable a gearless drive of the suspension element, which requires little installation space. The deflection rollers are in particular arranged in such a way that their respective axis of rotation is perpendicular to an adjacent shaft wall of the elevator shaft. In particular, a tensioning device can be arranged on the suspension element, with which on the one hand the required suspension element pretension is generated and on the other hand deviations in the original length of the self-contained suspension element and operational plastic length changes of the suspension element are compensated for. The required clamping forces can, for example, with tension weights, gas springs or metal springs.

The drive machine is designed in particular as an electric motor that is controlled by an elevator controller. The elevator control controls the entire operation of the elevator system, so it controls all controllable components of the elevator system and is connected to switches and sensors of the elevator system. The elevator control can be designed as a single central elevator control or consist of several decentralized controls that are responsible for subtasks.

The coupling device arranged on the elevator car is arranged in particular on a floor or a roof of the elevator car. The coupling to a coupling element of the suspension element takes place in particular in a form-fitting manner, with a friction-fitting coupling also being conceivable. The coupling element has, in particular, a mainly horizontally oriented recess into which a bolt of the coupling device can enter, for example, in an actuation direction. In the simplest case, the coupling element can be screwed to the elevator car. In this case, the coupling device is designed as one or more screws. A positive or frictional connection between the elevator car and the suspension element can thus be produced via the coupling device and the coupling element, so that the elevator car is also displaced when the propellant is displaced or moved. A drive connection can thus be produced between the elevator car and the suspension element and thus ultimately between the elevator car and the drive machine assigned to the suspension element.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first coupling device is coupled to the first primary coupling element in such a way that the first coupling device cannot be uncoupled from the first primary coupling element during normal operation of the elevator system. Thus, in normal operation there is always a drive connection between the first elevator car and the first suspension element. Thus, the first elevator car is shifted exclusively in the first elevator shaft. This enables a particularly simple construction of the elevator system. In this embodiment, a suspension element of the elevator system has precisely one coupling element.

Normal operation of the elevator system should be understood to mean an operating mode be carried in which passengers are transported in the elevator car. Normal operation is to be distinguished in particular from a maintenance phase in which a maintenance technician can carry out maintenance on the elevator system, from an installation phase in which the elevator system is installed, and from a dismantling phase in which the elevator system is dismantled. In the three phases mentioned it can happen that the coupling of the first coupling device to the first primary coupling element is released. The coupling device is coupled to the coupling element in particular in the installation phase and possibly in the maintenance phase, but not during normal operation of the elevator system.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first coupling device can be controlled in such a way that, during normal operation of the elevator system, the first coupling device can be coupled to the first primary coupling element and can be uncoupled from the first primary coupling element. A drive connection between the first elevator car and the first suspension element can thus be established and released. When the elevator car is uncoupled from the suspension element, it can be moved out of the first elevator shaft, for example into a second elevator shaft. This makes the elevator system particularly flexible.

An elevator system with a fixed connection between the first elevator car and the first suspension element during normal operation has, in particular, at least one second elevator car, which is also moved only in the first elevator shaft. The connection between the second elevator car and the second suspension element is in particular identical to that of the first car. The two elevator cars can be moved independently of each other. In this way, a very high transport capacity of the elevator system can be achieved in relation to the space requirement. In particular, the elevator system can also have more than two, for example three or four elevator cars.

An elevator system with a connection between the first elevator car and the first suspension element that can be released during normal operation has, in particular, at least one second elevator car, which can also be moved into a second elevator shaft. The coupling and decoupling of the second elevator car to the second suspension element takes place in particular in the same way as in the case of the first elevator car. The two Elevator cabins can be relocated independently of each other. In this way, a very high transport capacity of the elevator system can be achieved in relation to the space requirement. In particular, the elevator system can also have more than two, for example three or four elevator cars. The coupling devices are controlled in particular in such a way that, at least during the displacement of an elevator car, only one elevator car is coupled to a (single) suspension element. Only one (single) elevator car is shifted in the shaft by a (single) suspension element.

If there is more than one suspension element, it may be necessary for the coupling devices to be able to couple to the coupling elements of the various suspension elements. The coupling devices are then arranged to be displaceable horizontally, in particular transversely to their direction of actuation. When an elevator car is to be coupled to a suspension element, the coupling device is first displaced transversely to its direction of actuation in such a way that it is correctly positioned in relation to the coupling element of the corresponding suspension element. The coupling to the suspension element can then take place, in particular by extending a bolt of the coupling element. In this case, it is also possible for a correspondingly positioned coupling device to be provided on the elevator car for each suspension element.

Even if there are several suspension elements, one coupling device in a fixed position, that is to say a non-displaceable coupling device, per elevator car can be sufficient. This requires an elevator car to be assigned to a coupling element, which will be discussed in more detail below.

For the realization of an elevator system with more than one elevator car, the elevator systems have a second elevator car that can be displaced in the vertical direction in the first elevator shaft, a self-contained second suspension element guided around a lower deflection roller and an upper deflection roller, and a second drive machine assigned to the second suspension element . A second coupling device is arranged on the second elevator car. The second suspension element has a second primary coupling element to which the second coupling device can be coupled, with which a drive connection can be established between the second elevator car and the second suspension element. This means that the coupled second elevator car can be be displaced in the first elevator shaft by the second suspension element that can be driven by the second drive machine. The elevator system can thus be operated particularly effectively and many passengers can be transported in the building, in particular with different destination floors. The elevator system can also have more than two, in particular four, six or eight suspension elements per elevator shaft, so that four, six or eight elevator cars can also be displaced simultaneously and independently of one another in an elevator shaft.

In an embodiment of the invention, the support means have, in addition to the primary coupling element mentioned, a secondary coupling element to which coupling devices can be coupled and uncoupled. The primary and secondary coupling elements of a suspension element are arranged such that when the elevator car coupled to a suspension element via a coupling element is displaced from a lower end position to an upper end position or vice versa, no coupling element is guided around a deflection roller. In particular, the primary and secondary coupling elements are identical.

This means that no coupling element is guided around or over one of the deflection rollers when the elevator car is displaced between the two end positions, that is to say when there is a maximum displacement in the elevator shaft. Thus, only the flexible suspension element is guided over the deflection rollers, which is possible without sacrificing comfort, such as jerking or noise development. In addition, when designing the coupling elements, it is not necessary to ensure that they can be guided around or over the deflection rollers at all, nor whether they can be guided around or over the deflection rollers with as little loss of comfort as possible. The coupling elements can thus be optimally designed for their tasks of enabling the coupling device to be coupled to a suspension element and connecting two free ends of the suspension element. In addition, no installation space has to be provided in the area of the deflection rollers in which the coupling elements can be guided around the deflection rollers. This enables a simpler construction of the elevator system.

In this case, the suspension means consists of two suspension means parts, the free ends of which are connected by means of a primary coupling element and a secondary coupling element are connected. A free end of the first suspension element part is connected to a free end of the second suspension element part, so that the suspension element forms a closed ring.

This arrangement of the coupling elements on a suspension means allows the drive machine assigned to the suspension means to be controlled in such a way that a coupling element is never guided around a deflection pulley during operation of the elevator system.

Said first and second elevator cars do not have to be displaceable in the first elevator shaft at the same time. In particular, it is possible for the first elevator car to be displaced in the elevator shaft first and then the second elevator car to be displaced in the elevator shaft, in particular in the same direction. For this purpose, the first elevator car is removed from the elevator shaft, in particular before or during the displacement of the second elevator car.

In an embodiment of the invention, the two coupling elements of the suspension element are arranged in such a way that when the first elevator car, which is coupled to the suspension element via a coupling element, is displaced from a lower end position to an upper end position or vice versa, no coupling element comes into contact with a deflection roller. This means that the coupling element does not touch the deflection rollers. A deflection roller cannot be damaged by a coupling element or vice versa.

This arrangement of the coupling elements on a suspension means allows the drive machine assigned to the suspension means to be controlled in such a way that a coupling element never comes into contact with a deflection pulley during operation of the elevator system. The suspension element can therefore always be stopped in good time so that the coupling elements never reach the deflection rollers or, for example, maintain a certain minimum distance from the deflection rollers.

In an embodiment of the invention, the two coupling elements of a suspension element are arranged in such a way that when an elevator car coupled to a suspension element via a primary coupling element has reached the upper end position, the secondary coupling element is positioned in such a way that a coupling device of a lower end position arranged elevator car can couple to the secondary coupling element. When an elevator car is displaced downwards, the secondary coupling element is accordingly positioned when the first elevator car reaches the lower end position such that a coupling device of an elevator car arranged in the upper end position can couple to the other coupling element. Whenever the first elevator car has reached one of the two end positions, another elevator car can thus be coupled to the secondary coupling element at the other end position and thus prepare for the displacement of the other elevator car. In this way, the decoupling of an elevator car and the coupling of another elevator car can take place at least partially simultaneously, with the result that an effective operation of the elevator system is made possible.

In an embodiment of the invention, the drive machines are controlled by an elevator controller. This is intended to reverse a direction of movement of the suspension element for the next displacement of an elevator car when an elevator car has reached the lower end position or the upper end position, depending on the direction of displacement. It is thus advantageously possible to move both elevator cars of the elevator system in the same direction in the elevator shaft without a coupling element being guided around a deflection roller or coming into contact with a deflection roller during operation of the elevator system. The elevator control is thus intended to move the elevator cars in the elevator shaft only in one direction, ie only from bottom to top or only from top to bottom.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first and the second elevator car can also be displaced in the vertical direction in a second elevator shaft arranged parallel to the first elevator shaft. The elevator system also has a first transfer device, by means of which elevator cars can be moved from the first elevator shaft to the second elevator shaft, and a second transfer device, by means of which elevator cars can be moved from the second elevator shaft to the first elevator shaft. A relocation of the elevator cars in the second elevator shaft is implemented analogously to the relocation in the first elevator shaft. In particular, the elevator cars are shifted only from bottom to top in the first elevator shaft and only from top to bottom in the second elevator shaft. It is not relevant which elevator shaft is the first and which is the second elevator shaft referred to as.

An analog realization of the shifting of the elevator cars in the elevator shaft should be understood to mean that at least one suspension element with appropriately arranged primary and secondary coupling element is also provided in the second elevator shaft, which can be driven via an associated drive machine. In addition, all of the above-mentioned configurations of the invention can also be applied to the second elevator shaft.

The provision of the second elevator shaft and the two transfer devices advantageously enable circulating operation of the elevator system. The transfer devices are arranged in particular in the area of the end positions of the elevator cars. If, for example, an elevator car reaches the upper end position when moving upwards in the first elevator shaft, then after all passengers have left the elevator car and it has uncoupled from the suspension element, it is horizontally shifted to the upper end position of the second elevator shaft by means of the upper transfer device. It can then be coupled to a suspension element in the second elevator shaft and thus be shifted downwards in the second elevator shaft to the lower end position. From there it is in turn shifted horizontally by the lower transfer device into the lower end position of the first elevator shaft, from where it can be shifted back up. In this case, in particular, several, for example four, elevator cars per elevator shaft can be shifted simultaneously, with only one elevator car ever being coupled to a suspension element. This enables a particularly effective operation of the elevator system.

The transfer facilities can in particular according to the transfer facilities in the form of horizontal displacement units EP 2219985 B1 be executed. In this case, the transfer device has a vertical guide rail piece that guides the elevator car in the transfer device. The transfer device can be positioned in such a way that the guide rail piece forms a section of a vertical guide rail by which the elevator car is guided during displacement in an elevator shaft. The elevator car then has a braking device with which the elevator car at the integrated in the transfer device Guide rail piece can be temporarily fixed during the shift between the elevator shafts.

In an embodiment of the invention, the same number of suspension elements, each with two coupling elements, are arranged in the first elevator shaft and in the second elevator shaft. A maximum number of elevator cars is the same size as a total number of suspension elements of the elevator system. In particular, the number of elevator cars is exactly the same as the total number of suspension elements. This means that the number of coupling elements per elevator shaft is greater than or equal to the number of elevator cars to be shifted in an elevator shaft. In this way, each elevator car in each of the two elevator shafts can be assigned a specific coupling element or, when coupled to two suspension elements at the same time, two coupling elements, with the respective coupling elements being arranged in the same position in the two elevator shafts. In this context, assignment should be understood to mean that an elevator car is coupled via its coupling device exclusively to the coupling element or elements assigned to it. Each elevator car therefore requires only one coupling device or, in the case of simultaneous coupling to two coupling elements, only two coupling devices which are each arranged at a fixed position. The coupling devices are thus not displaceable transversely to the direction of actuation of the bolts of the coupling devices. This enables the coupling devices to be implemented in a cost-effective manner. In addition, in this case the coupling device requires particularly little installation space.

For example, with two suspension elements (a left and a right suspension element) and thus four coupling elements (a left, primary and a right, secondary coupling element per suspension element) per elevator shaft of the first elevator car, the left coupling element of the left suspension element, of the second elevator car the left coupling element of the the right suspension element, the third elevator car the right coupling element of the left suspension element and the fourth elevator car the right coupling element of the right suspension element. These assignments are the same in both elevator shafts. The coupling element assigned to an elevator car is thus arranged in the same position in both elevator shafts. Thus, for example, the first elevator car requires only one coupling device, which is positioned so that it can only be coupled to the left-hand coupling element of the left-hand suspension element.

In an embodiment of the invention, the suspension means are designed as belts. Belts have excellent traction properties and are particularly well suited to interacting with controllable coupling devices. The belts can be designed, for example, as flat belts, V-ribbed belts or toothed belts and can be reinforced with tensile reinforcements in the form of wire ropes, synthetic fiber ropes or synthetic fiber fabrics. In this way, an elevator car coupled to the suspension element can be shifted over a great height without impermissible vertical oscillations occurring.

However, it is also possible for the suspension means to consist of one or more ropes, in particular wire parts.

In an embodiment of the invention, the coupling elements are guided when shifted in the elevator shaft. The guide used for this is designed in particular in such a way that it prevents the coupling elements from hitting a passing elevator car. This enables a particularly comfortable and safe operation of the elevator system. When an elevator car is relocated in the elevator shaft, it cannot be completely ruled out that the suspension element and thus the coupling element that is not connected to an elevator car will vibrate. Without a guide for the coupling element, there would in particular be a risk that the coupling element would hit the elevator car when driving past it. Such an impact would, on the one hand, lead to an audible impact and, on the other hand, could cause damage to the elevator car and/or the coupling element. This danger is avoided by guiding the coupling elements.

In an embodiment of the invention, each elevator car has two coupling devices. These are intended to be coupled to the coupling elements of two different suspension means at the same time. The drive machines of the two suspension elements are controlled in a synchronized manner, so that both suspension elements are driven and displaced synchronously. The two coupling devices of an elevator car are arranged in particular on opposite sides of the elevator car. They are in particular intended to be coupled to a respective coupling element of a suspension element at diagonally opposite positions. This enables a particularly even or evenly distributed introduction of force into the elevator car, which allows the elevator car to tilt very little during the displacement. On the one hand, this enables the elevator car to be moved comfortably and, on the other hand, guides in the elevator car are subjected to little stress, which makes a simple and more cost-effective design possible and also leads to very little wear. In addition, compared to only one coupling device per elevator car, only approximately half the force has to be introduced via a coupling device. This enables the use of cost-effective drive machines, which also only take up a small amount of space.

For this purpose, the two coupling devices are in particular not mechanically coupled, but are controlled accordingly by the elevator control. When being coupled to the two suspension elements, the coupling devices are in particular positioned in such a way that a connecting line at the level of the center of gravity of the elevator car runs between the two coupling elements of the suspension elements through said center of gravity. This enables a particularly even introduction of force into the elevator car.

It is also possible for each elevator car to have only a single coupling device. The elevator car can then only be coupled to one suspension means and be displaced in the elevator shaft by means of this.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the drawings, in which identical or functionally identical elements are provided with identical reference symbols. The drawings are merely schematic and not true to scale.

Fig. 1

einen ersten Aufzugschacht eines Aufzugssystems mit einer ersten und einer zweiten Aufzugkabine, welche sich an Tragmittel ankoppeln und von ihnen abkoppeln können,

Fig. 2

ein Ankoppelelement eines Tragmittels aus Fig. 1 in einer vergrösserten Darstellung,

Fig. 3

eine Sicht von oben auf den ersten Aufzugschacht des Aufzugsystems in Fig. 1 mit insgesamt acht Antriebmaschinen,

Fig. 4

eine Sicht von unten auf eine Aufzugkabine des Aufzugsystems in Fig. 1 mit zwei Kopplungseinrichtungen zur Ankopplung an und Abkopplung von Ankoppelelementen der Tragmittel,

Fig. 5a - c

eine stark vereinfachte Darstellung eines Aufzugsystems nach Fig. 1 mit zwei Aufzugschächten, zwei Transfereinrichtungen und zwei Aufzugkabinen mit unterschiedlichen Positionen der Aufzugkabinen zur Erläuterung der Funktionsweise des Aufzugsystems,

Fig. 6

einen einzigen Aufzugschacht eines Aufzugssystems mit einer ersten und einer zweiten Aufzugkabine, welche fest an Tragmittel angekoppelt sind und

Fig. 7

eine Sicht von unten auf eine Aufzugkabine des Aufzugsystems in Fig. 6 mit zwei Kopplungseinrichtungen zur festen Ankopplung an Ankoppelelemente zweier Tragmittel.

show:

1

a first elevator shaft of an elevator system with a first and a second elevator car, which can be coupled to suspension means and uncoupled from them,

2

a coupling element of a suspension element 1 in an enlarged one Depiction,

3

a top view of the first elevator shaft of the elevator system in 1 with a total of eight drive machines,

4

a view from below of an elevator car of the elevator system in 1 with two coupling devices for coupling to and decoupling of coupling elements of the suspension means,

Fig. 5a - c

a highly simplified representation of an elevator system 1 with two elevator shafts, two transfer facilities and two elevator cars with different positions of the elevator cars to explain how the elevator system works,

6

a single elevator shaft of an elevator system with a first and a second elevator car, which are rigidly coupled to suspension means and

7

a view from below of an elevator car of the elevator system in 6 with two coupling devices for fixed coupling to coupling elements of two suspension elements.

According to 1 an elevator system 10 has a first elevator shaft 12 in which a first elevator car 14 and a second elevator car 16 are arranged. The first elevator car 14 is located at a lower end position 18 which corresponds to a position of the elevator car 14 on a bottom floor of the building 20 having the elevator system 10 . The second elevator car 16 is located at an upper end position 22, which corresponds to a position of the elevator car 16 on a top floor of the building 20. Between the lower end position 18 and the upper end position 22 there are a large number of floors, which are 1 are not shown.

The elevator system 10 has a vertical guide rail 24 running in the vertical direction, on which the elevator cars 14, 16 are guided during displacement in the elevator shaft 12. To move the elevator cars 14, 16 in the elevator shaft 12, the elevator system 10 has a total of eight self-contained suspension elements, of which in FIG 1 four support means 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d are shown. The support means 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d are designed as belts and are each guided around a lower deflection roller 28 and an upper deflection roller 30.

The two deflection rollers 28, 30 of a support means 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d are arranged vertically one above the other, so that the support means 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d run vertically between the deflection rollers 28, 30. The deflection rollers 28, 30 have in particular an effective diameter of less than 100 mm. The lower deflection rollers 28 are arranged below the first elevator car 14 and are each connected to a tension weight 32 . The tensioning weight 32 acts as a tensioning device with which, on the one hand, the required suspension element pretension is generated and, on the other hand, deviations in the original length of the self-contained suspension elements 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d as well as operational plastic length changes of the suspension elements 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d are compensated for.

The upper deflection rollers 30 are arranged above the second elevator car 16 and each serve as a traction sheave for a drive machine 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d designed as an electric motor. Each suspension element 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d is assigned a drive machine 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, by means of which the suspension element 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d can be driven and displaced. The drive machines 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d are controlled by an elevator controller 36, which controls all the actuators of the elevator system 10.

Each suspension element 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d consists of two suspension element parts 38, 40, the free ends 42 of which (see 2 ) are connected by means of a primary docking element and a secondary docking element. In each case, a free end 42 of the first suspension element part 38 is connected to a free end of the second suspension element part 40, so that each suspension element 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d forms a closed ring. A coupling element can thus also be used as a connecting element 45 (see 2 ) are designated. In the 1 only the first primary coupling element 44.1a and the first secondary coupling element 44.2a of the first suspension element 26a, and the second primary coupling element 44.1b and the second secondary coupling element 44.2b of the second suspension element 26b are shown. The first primary coupling element 44.1a is shown in FIG 2 enlarged. The coupling element 44.1a and thus the connecting element 45 consists of two suspension element end connections 46 aligned in opposite directions, which are connected to an intermediate piece 50 having a recess 48.

The intermediate piece 50 has a mainly cuboid outer contour. The Tragmittelendverbindungen 46 can, for example, according to in the EP 1634842 A2 described suspension element end connections. An extendable bolt 60 (see 4 ) a coupling device arranged on an elevator car 14, 16 (see, for example, coupling device 58b in 4 ) immerse, whereby the coupling device is coupled to the coupling element. By pulling the bolt 60 out of the recess 48, the coupling device can be uncoupled from the coupling element. The coupling devices are arranged on a floor 51 of the elevator cars 14, 16 and in connection with the 4 described in more detail. A coupling element 44.1a. 44.2a, 44.2a, 44.2b, to which a coupling device has coupled, has a filled-in square in the figures. In the 1 is thus the second elevator car 16 via the coupling element 44.1b with the second, in the 1 connected to the far left suspension means 26b.

It is also possible for the coupling devices to be arranged on the roof of an elevator car. The positions of the coupling elements on the support means must then be adjusted accordingly.

As soon as an elevator car 14, 16 is connected to a coupling element 44.1a. 44.2a, 44.2a, 44.2b is coupled, a drive connection is established between the elevator car 14, 16 and the suspension element 26a, 26b. In this coupled state, the elevator car 14, 16 is carried along by the suspension element 26a, 26b and thus displaced in the elevator shaft 12 when the suspension element 26a, 26b is driven or displaced by the drive machine 34a, 34b assigned to it. in 1 The state shown can thus be shifted 16 in the elevator shaft 12, the second elevator car. Since the first elevator car is 14 in 1 is coupled to no suspension means 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d is in the state of 1 a displacement of the first elevator car 14 in the elevator shaft 12 is not possible.

In 3 a view from above of the first elevator shaft 12 with a total of eight drive machines 34 is shown. The drive machines 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d are each drive-connected to a traction sheave in the form of a deflection pulley 30, over which a respective suspension element 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d runs. For reasons of clarity, in the 3 the reference numbers shown for one side only. Four drive machines 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d are arranged on opposite sides of the elevator car 16, with two drive machines 34a, 34b being arranged on one side and two drive machines 34c, 34d on the other side of the vertical guide rail 24 on each of the opposite sides of the elevator car 16 . Drive axles 52 of the drive machines 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d run parallel to one another, one drive machine 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d being arranged on one side of the elevator car 16 coaxially with a corresponding drive machine on the other side of the elevator car 16. A car door, not shown, of the elevator car 16 is located on one or both free sides 54 of the elevator car 16, on which no drive machines 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d are arranged.

The elevator control 36 controls two corresponding drive machines on opposite sides in the same way or synchronously, so that the suspension elements 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d assigned to them also move or are displaced synchronously. Two drive machines are controlled in the same way, which are arranged diagonally with respect to a center of gravity 56 of the elevator car 16, for example in 3 the upper, leftmost prime mover 34b; and the lower, rightmost prime mover. With the eight drive machines 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, a total of four elevator cars can be displaced in the first elevator shaft 12 simultaneously and independently of one another.

In 4 a view from below of the elevator car 16 with two coupling devices 58b for coupling to two coupling elements of the suspension means is shown. In the 4 the coupling devices 58b are coupled to the two primary coupling elements 44.1b of the second suspension element. The coupling devices 58b are each opposite those in FIG 4 not shown drive machines 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d and thus arranged opposite the coupling elements of the suspension means. Each coupling device 58b has a bolt 60 which can be extended and retracted in an actuation direction 62 which is oriented in the direction of the coupling elements 44.1b. For extending and retracting the bolt 60, the coupling device 58b has an actuating actuator 64, which can be embodied as an electric motor, for example. To position the bolt 60 relative to the coupling elements 44.1b, the bolt 60 can be used together with the actuating actuator 64 can be displaced horizontally and perpendicularly to the direction of actuation 62 along a rail 66 by means of a positioning actuator 68, which is also designed as an electric motor, for example.

In order to couple a coupling device 58b and thus the elevator car 16 to a coupling element 44.1b and thus to the second suspension element, the bolt 60 is first correctly positioned with respect to the corresponding coupling element 44.1b. Then the bolt 60 is extended, whereby the bolt 60 dips into the recess 48 of the coupling element 44.1b. A form-fitting connection is thus produced between the coupling device 58b and the coupling element 44.1b and thus between the elevator car 16 and the second suspension element. When this form-fitting connection is established, the elevator car 16 is displaced in the elevator shaft 12 as soon as the second suspension element is driven or displaced by the drive machine 34b.

As already in connection with 3 described, the elevator car 16 is coupled to two support means, which are arranged diagonally with respect to the center of gravity 56 of the elevator car. This takes place in that the elevator car 16 is coupled to coupling elements 44.1b which are arranged diagonally with respect to the center of gravity 56 of the elevator car 16.

Each coupling element 44.1a. 44.2a, 44.2a, 44.2b is guided by a guide 53 during displacement in the elevator shaft 12. The guide 53 is between each coupling element 44.1a. 44.2a, 44.2a, 44.2b and the elevator car 16 and runs through the entire elevator shaft 12. The guides 53 in particular prevent a free coupling element 44.1a from striking. 44.2a, 44.2a, 44.2b, i.e. a coupling element 44.1a. 44.2a, 44.2a, 44.2b, to which no elevator car 14, 16 is coupled, to a passing elevator car 14, 16.

It is also possible that the bolts of the coupling devices cannot be displaced transversely to the direction of actuation. In this case, the coupling devices have separate bolts and actuating actuators for each coupling element.

It is also possible for an elevator car to have only one coupling device, so that an elevator car is coupled to only one suspension means for displacement in the elevator shaft. This is the case in particular when the drive machines and thus the suspension means are arranged on a side of the elevator car which is opposite the car door and thus the shaft doors.

With the representations of Figures 5a, 5b and 5c the functioning of the elevator system 10 and in particular the arrangement of the primary and secondary coupling elements 44.1b, 44.2b of the second suspension element 26b is described in more detail. In the Figures 5a, 5b and 5c For reasons of clarity, only an upper and a lower area of the elevator system 10 and only the second suspension element 26b per elevator shaft are shown. In addition, the pulleys 28, 30 with a compared to 1 larger diameter shown.

The elevator system 10 according to FIG Figures 5a, 5b and 5c In addition to a first elevator shaft 12, it has a second elevator shaft 13, which is arranged parallel to the first elevator shaft 12. The second elevator shaft 13 is designed analogously to the first elevator shaft 12 . The relocation of the elevator cars 14, 16 in the second elevator shaft 13 is implemented analogously to the relocation in the first elevator shaft 12. In the first elevator shaft 12, the elevator cars 14, 16 are only displaced upwards and in the second elevator shaft 13 only downwards.

In the Figure 5a is the first elevator car 14 in the first elevator shaft 12 at the lower end position 18. She is on her in the Figures 5a, 5b and 5c not shown coupling device to a secondary in which Figure 5a right coupling element 44.2b of the second suspension element 26b coupled. The first elevator car 14 has only a single, non-displaceable coupling device. The coupling device is arranged in such a way that it can be coupled to the secondary coupling element 44.2b. The first elevator car 14 can thus only be coupled to the secondary coupling element 44.2b, so that the first elevator car 14 is assigned the secondary coupling element 44.2b.

A second, in the Figure 5a primary, left coupling element 44.1b of the second support means 26b is arranged on the second support means 26b that a Coupling device located at the upper end position 22 elevator car could uncouple to the primary coupling element 44.1b. A deflection roller 28, 30 is arranged between the secondary coupling element 44.2b and the primary coupling element 44.1b of the second suspension element 26b.

In order to move the first elevator car 14 upwards, the drive machine 34b drives the upper deflection roller 30 in a counterclockwise direction of movement, which is indicated by a directional arrow 69 . The first elevator car 14 is shifted between the lower end position 18 and the upper end position 22 to the upper end position 22 with possible intermediate stops at floors. Simultaneously with the shift of the secondary, in the Figure 5a right coupling element 44.2b up, the primary is in the Figure 5a left coupling element 44.1b shifted downwards. During said displacement, neither of the two coupling elements 44.1b, 44.2b comes into contact with one of the two deflection rollers 28, 30. The coupling elements 44.1b, 44.2b therefore neither touch one of the two deflection rollers 28, 30, nor are they guided around the deflection rollers 28, 30.

The second elevator car 16 is located in the Figure 5a in the second elevator shaft 13 at the upper end position 22. She is in the Figures 5a, 5b and 5c not shown coupling device to a primary in which Figure 5a left coupling element 44.1b of the second suspension element 26b coupled. The second elevator car 16 also has only a single, non-displaceable coupling device. The coupling device is arranged in such a way that it can be coupled to the primary coupling element 44.1b. The second elevator car 16 can thus only be coupled to the primary coupling element 44.1b, so that the second elevator car 16 is assigned the primary coupling element 44.1b.

A secondary in which Figure 5a The right-hand coupling element 44.2b of the second suspension element 26b is arranged on the second suspension element 26b in such a way that a coupling device of an elevator car located in the lower end position 18 could be uncoupled from the secondary coupling element 44.2b. A deflection roller 28, 30 is arranged between the primary coupling element 44.1b and the secondary coupling element 44.2b of the second suspension element 26b.

To move the second elevator car 16 downwards, the drive machine 34b also drives the upper deflection roller 30 counterclockwise. The second elevator car 16 is shifted between the upper end position 22 and the lower end position 18 to the lower end position 18 with possible intermediate stops at floors. Simultaneously with the shift of the primary, in the Figure 5a left coupling element 44.1b down, the secondary is in the Figure 5a right coupling element 44.2b shifted upwards. During said displacement, neither of the two coupling elements 44.1b, 44.2b comes into contact with one of the two deflection rollers 28, 30.

In Figure 5b the situation is shown when the first elevator car 14 in the first elevator shaft 12 has reached the upper end position 22 and the second elevator car 16 in the second elevator shaft 13 has reached the lower end position 18 . Since in the first elevator shaft 12 the elevator cars 14, 16 are only moved up and in the second elevator shaft 13 only down, both elevator cars 14, 16 have to carry out a shaft change.

In order to carry out shaft changes, the elevator system 10 has a first, upper transfer device 70 by means of which the first elevator car 14 can be shifted at the upper end position 22 from the first elevator shaft 12 into the second elevator shaft 13 . The first transfer device 70 has a vertical guide rail piece 72 which guides the first elevator car 14 in the first transfer device 70 . Before the displacement begins, the first transfer device 70 is positioned such that the guide rail piece 72 forms a section of the vertical guide rail 24 of the first elevator shaft 12, by which the first elevator car 14 is guided during displacement in the first elevator shaft 12. The first elevator car 14 has a braking device 74 with which the first elevator car 14 is temporarily fixed to the guide rail piece 72 integrated in the first transfer device 70 during the displacement between the first elevator shaft 12 and the second elevator shaft 13 .

The elevator system 10 also has a second, lower transfer device 76 for moving the second elevator car 16 in the lower end position 18 from the second elevator shaft 13 into the first elevator shaft 12. The second, lower Transfer device 76 is designed analogously to the first, upper transfer device 70 . The second elevator car 16 also has a braking device 74.

The transfer devices 70, 76 can in particular corresponding to the transfer devices in the form of horizontal displacement units EP 2219985 B1 be executed.

In Figure 5c the situation after the displacement of the two elevator cars 14, 16 is shown. The first elevator car 14 is positioned in the second elevator shaft 13 at the upper end position 22 and the second elevator car 16 is positioned in the first elevator shaft 12 at the lower end position 18 .

The now in the first elevator shaft 12 at the lower end position 18 arranged second elevator car 16 is now on their coupling device to the primary in which Figure 5c coupled left coupling element 44.1b of the second support means 26b. The secondary, in the Figure 5c The right-hand coupling element 44.2b of the second suspension element 26b is arranged on the second suspension element 26b in such a way that a coupling device of an elevator car located in the upper end position 22 could be uncoupled from the secondary coupling element 44.2b.

To move the second elevator car 16 upwards, the drive machine 34b now drives the upper deflection roller 30 in a clockwise direction. The drive machine 34b is thus controlled by the elevator control in such a way that the direction of movement of the second suspension element 26b is reversed for the next displacement of an elevator car when an elevator car has reached the lower end position or the upper end position.

The second elevator car 16 is shifted between the lower end position 18 and the upper end position 22 to the upper end position 22 with possible intermediate stops at floors. Simultaneously with the shift of the primary, in the Figure 5c left coupling element 44.1b up, the secondary is in the Figure 5c right coupling element 44.2b shifted downwards.

The first elevator car 14 is located in the Figure 5c in the second elevator shaft 13 at the upper end position 22. It is connected to the secondary, in the Figure 5c right coupling element 44.2b of the second suspension element 26b coupled. The primary in the Figure 5c The left-hand coupling element 44.1b of the second suspension element 26b is arranged on the second suspension element 26b in such a way that a coupling device of an elevator car located in the lower end position 18 could be uncoupled from the primary coupling element 44.1b.

In order to move the first elevator car 14 downwards, the drive machine 34b now also drives the upper deflection roller 30 in a clockwise direction. It takes place compared to Figure 5a ie a reversal of the direction of movement of the second suspension element 26b also takes place. The first elevator car 14 is shifted between the upper end position 22 and the lower end position 18 to the lower end position 18 with possible intermediate stops at floors. Simultaneously with the shift of the secondary, in the Figure 5c right coupling element 44.2b down, the primary is in the Figure 5c left coupling element 44.1b shifted upwards.

After this in Figures 5a-5c The scheme shown can be used in the elevator system according to the Figures 1 - 4 four and thus a total of eight elevator cars per elevator shaft are shifted simultaneously in the vertical direction.

It is also possible for the elevator system to have a third elevator shaft in which elevator cars that are currently not required can be parked.

In the 6 and 7 an elevator system 110 with only a single elevator shaft 112 is shown. The elevator system 110 in 6 and 7 is constructed very similarly to the elevator system 10 according to FIG Figures 1 - 5 , so that only the differences between the elevator system 110 and the elevator system 10 are discussed.

The elevator system 110 in 6 has a total of four elevator cars that can be moved independently of one another, with only a first, lower elevator car 114 and an upper, second elevator car 116 being shown. The first elevator car 114 is coupled to a first suspension element 126a via a first coupling device 158a and a first primary coupling element 144.1a. The second elevator car 116 is coupled to a second suspension element 126b via a second coupling device 158b and a second primary coupling element 144.1b. The coupling is designed in such a way that it cannot be released during normal operation of the elevator system 110, ie the named coupling devices cannot be uncoupled from the coupling elements. Thus, during normal operation of the elevator system 110 there is always a drive connection between an elevator car and the suspension element assigned to it.

The four elevator cars can thus be relocated in the elevator shaft 112 independently of one another.

As in 7 shown, a bolt 160 of the second coupling device 158b enters a recess 148 of the second primary coupling element 144.1b. The bolt 160 is fixed to the floor 151 of the second elevator car 116 via two U-shaped fastening elements 164 arranged at a distance from one another. The two fastening elements 164 are screwed to the base 151 by means of screws which are not shown. The bolts 160, the fastening elements 164 and the screws thus form the coupling device 158b, which implement a coupling to the second primary coupling element 144.1b, which cannot be released during normal operation of the elevator system 110.

Alternatively, the coupling element could also be screwed directly to the elevator car.

The elevator cars can also be supported by a mainly L-shaped frame, which is guided and driven. Such an embodiment is also referred to as a backpack arrangement.

Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "comprising," "comprising," etc. do not exclude other elements or steps, and terms such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that features or steps that have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments can also be used in combination with other features or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting.

Claims (15)

1. Elevator system, comprising

   - a first elevator car (14, 114) which can be moved in a first elevator shaft (12, 112) in the vertical direction,

   - a first closed support means (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 126a, 126b) which is guided about a lower deflection roller (28) and an upper deflection roller (30),

   - a first drive machine (34a) which is paired with the support means (26a, 126a), and

   - a first coupling device (158a) arranged on the first elevator car (14, 114),

   wherein the first support means (26a, 126a) has a first primary coupling element (44.1a, 144.1a) which can be coupled to the first coupling device (158a), thus producing a drive connection between the first elevator car (14, 114) and the first support means (26a, 126a), and the coupled first elevator car (14, 114) can be moved in the first elevator shaft (12, 112) by means of the first support means (26a, 126a) which is driven by the first drive machine (34a),
   characterized in that
   the first primary coupling element (44.1 .a, 144.1a) of the first support means (26a, 126a) is designed as a connection element (45) which connects two free ends (42) of the first support means (26a, 126a) together.
2. Elevator system according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the first coupling device (158a) is coupled to the first primary coupling element (144.1a) such that, during a normal operation of the elevator system (110), the first coupling device (158a) cannot be decoupled from the first primary coupling element (144.1a); as a result, there is always a drive connection between the first elevator car (114) and the first support means (126a) during normal operation.
3. Elevator system according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the first coupling device is controllable such that, during a normal operation of the elevator system (10), the first coupling device can be coupled to the first primary coupling element (44.1a) and can be decoupled from the first primary coupling element (44.1a); as a result, a drive connection between the first elevator car (14) and the first support means (26a) can be produced and detached.
4. Elevator system according to one of the claims 2 or 3,
   characterized by

   - a second elevator car (16, 116) which can be moved in the first elevator shaft (12, 112) in the vertical direction,

   - a closed second support means (26b, 126b) which is guided about a lower deflection roller (28) and an upper deflection roller (30),

   - a second drive means (34b) which is paired with the second support means (26b), and

   - a second coupling device (58b, 158b) arranged on the second elevator car (16, 116),

   wherein the second support means (26b, 126b) has a second primary coupling element (44.1b, 144.1b) which can be coupled to the second coupling device (58b, 158b), thus producing a drive connection between the second elevator car (16, 116) and the second support means (26b, 126b), and the coupled second elevator car (16, 116) can be moved in the first elevator shaft (12, 112) by means of the second support means (26b, 126b) which is driven by the second drive machine (34b).
5. Elevator system according to claim 3 and 4,
   characterized in that
   the support means (26a, 26b) have a secondary coupling element (44.2a, 44.2b), to and from which coupling devices (58b) can be coupled and decoupled, respectively, and the primary and secondary coupling elements (44.1a, 44.2a, 44.1b, 44.2b) of a support means (26a, 26b) are arranged such that, in case of a movement of an elevator car (14, 16), which is coupled to a support means (26a, 26b) via a coupling element (44.1a, 44.2a; 44.1b, 44.2b), from a lower end position (18) to an upper end position (22), or vice versa, no coupling element (44.1a, 44.2a; 44.1b, 44.2b) is guided about a deflection roller (28, 30).
6. Elevator system according to claim 5,
   characterized in that
   the two coupling elements (44.1a, 44.2a; 44.1b, 44.2b) of a support means (26a, 26b) are arranged such that, in case of a movement of an elevator car (14, 16), which is coupled to a support means (26a, 26b) via a coupling element (44.1a, 44.2a; 44.1b, 44.2b), from the lower end position (18) to the upper end position (22), or vice versa, no coupling element (44.1a, 44.2a; 44.1b, 44.2b) comes into contact with a deflection roller (28, 30).
7. Elevator system according to claim 5 or 6,
   characterized in that
   the two coupling elements (44.1a, 44.2a; 44.1b, 44.2b) of a support means (26a, 26b) are arranged such that, when an elevator car (14, 16), which is coupled to a support means (26a, 26b) via a primary coupling element (44.1a, 44.2b), has reached the upper end position (22), the secondary coupling element (44.2a, 44.2b) is positioned such that a coupling device (58b) of an elevator car (14, 16) arranged in the lower end position (18) can couple to the secondary coupling element (44.2a, 44.2b).
8. Elevator system according to claim 5, 6, or 7,
   characterized in that
   the drive machines (34a, 34b, 34c, 34d) are controlled by an elevator controller (36) which is provided to reverse a movement direction (69) of the support means (26a, 26b) for the next movement of an elevator car (14, 16) when an elevator car (14, 16) has reached the lower end position (18) or the upper end position (22).
9. Elevator system according to one of the claims 3 to 8,
   characterized in that

   the first elevator car (14) and the second elevator car (16) can also be moved in the vertical direction in a second elevator shaft (13) arranged parallel to the first elevator shaft (12), and

   the elevator system (10) has

   - a first transfer device (70), by means of which elevator cars (14, 16) can be displaced from the first elevator shaft (12) to the second elevator shaft (13), and

   - a second transfer device (76), by means of which elevator cars (14, 16) can be displaced from the second elevator shaft (13) to the first elevator shaft (12),

   wherein a movement of the elevator cars (14, 16) in the second elevator shaft (13) is realized analogously to the movement in the first elevator shaft (12).
10. Elevator system according to claim 9,
    characterized in that
    the elevator cars (14, 16) in the first elevator shaft (12) are moved only from the bottom to the top, and in the second elevator shaft (13) only from the top to the bottom.
11. Elevator system according to claim 9 or 10,
    characterized in that,
    in the first elevator shaft (12) and in the second elevator shaft (13), an equal number of support means (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d), each having one primary coupling element (44.1a, 44.1b) and one secondary coupling element (44.2a, 44.2b), are arranged, and a number of the elevator cars (14, 16) is at most equal to a total number of the support means (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d).
12. Elevator system according to one of the claims 1 to 11,
    characterized in that
    the support means (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d) are designed as belts.
13. Elevator system according to one of the claims 1 to 12,
    characterized in that,
    in case of a movement, the coupling elements (44.1a, 44.2a, 44.1b, 44.2b) are guided in the first elevator shaft (12).
14. Elevator system according to one of the claims 1 to 13,
    characterized in that
    each elevator car (14, 16) comprises two coupling means (58b) which are provided to simultaneously couple to coupling elements (44.1a, 44.2a, 44.1b, 44.2b) of two different support means (26a, 26b).
15. Elevator system according to claim 14,
    characterized in that
    the two coupling devices (58b) are arranged on opposite sides of the elevator car (14, 16).

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