EP3898480B1 - Method for moving an elevator car of an elevator for the evacuation of passengers and brake opening device for moving an elevator car of an elevator for the evacuation of passengers - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for moving an elevator car of an elevator for evacuating passengers and a brake opening device for moving an elevator car of an elevator for evacuating passengers.

Methods for moving an elevator car to evacuate passengers from an elevator car in the event of a power failure are known. That's how she describes it EP 3 216 735 A1 a method of gradually releasing the brake on an elevator car after a power failure to move the elevator car to a floor. The electrical impulses for releasing the brake always have the same size or duration, for example a duration of 270 ms at intervals of 1000 ms.

The disadvantage of this is that since the elevator car moves very slowly or not at all depending on the weight ratios between the counterweight and the elevator car with people or passengers, a large number of electrical pulses are required to move the elevator car significantly. It can therefore take a very long time before the elevator car has been moved to a height at which the people or the passengers can leave the elevator car.

There may be a need, among other things, for a method for moving an elevator car of an elevator for evacuating passengers or a brake opening device for moving an elevator car of an elevator for evacuating passengers in the event of a power failure, in which the elevator car with a small number can be moved technically easily and quickly by impulses to a height at which the passengers can leave the elevator car.

Such a need can be met by a method for moving an elevator car of an elevator for evacuating passengers and a brake opening device for moving an elevator car of an elevator for evacuating passengers according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for moving an elevator car of an elevator for evacuating passengers from the elevator car of the elevator in the event of a power failure in which a brake blocks a vertical movement of the elevator car is proposed, the method comprising the steps of: applying a electrical impulse or multiple electrical impulses to the brake of the elevator car to release the brake and enable the vertical movement of the elevator car, the brake being released as long as the respective electrical impulse is applied to the brake; Determination of a covered height (difference formation in relation to the height of the elevator car at the beginning of the application of the electrical impulse), which the elevator car has covered during and thus since the beginning of the application of the respective electrical impulse;
comparing the determined altitude traveled to a predetermined distance; and terminating the application of the respective electrical pulse to the brake when the determined height traveled is equal to or greater than the predetermined distance.

The advantage of this is that typically the duration or time span of the electrical impulse to open the brake during which the brake is opened is not a predetermined time duration or span of time, but rather the duration or span of time of the electrical impulse or the application of the electric Impulse to the brake is variable and depends on the distance covered by the elevator car in height (ie along the elevator shaft). Thus, in general, the elevator car can move with people or passengers the same distance during the application of the electrical impulse for releasing the brake, regardless of the weight ratios between the counterweight and the weight of the elevator car. Consequently, the elevator car can usually be moved by a significant distance with a particularly small number of electrical impulses and moved to a level or a height at which the people or the passengers can safely leave the elevator car (e.g. at height one floor). In addition, the comfort for the passengers in the elevator car typically increases, since the number of brake openings and brake closings is reduced. In addition, in In general, the passengers can be evacuated from the elevator car within a short time. In addition, the effort involved in evacuating the passengers from the elevator car typically decreases.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a brake opening device for moving an elevator car of an elevator for evacuating passengers from the elevator car of the elevator in the event of a power failure in which a brake blocks a vertical movement of the elevator car is proposed, the brake opening device comprising: a pulse generating device for Applying one or more electrical impulses to the brake of the elevator car to release the brake and enable the height movement of the elevator car, the brake being released as long as the respective electrical impulse is applied to the brake, and a determination device for determining a height traveled by the elevator car , which the elevator car has covered during the application of the respective electrical impulse, and for comparing the determined height with a predetermined distance, the brake opening device being designed in such a way that the application of the j respective electrical impulse to the brake is terminated when the determined distance traveled is equal to or greater than the predetermined distance.

Possible advantages of the brake opening device correspond analogously to the advantages described above of the method specified above.

According to a third aspect of the invention, an elevator for passengers is proposed, the elevator comprising an elevator car for accommodating the passengers and a brake opening device as described above.

Possible features and advantages of embodiments of the invention can be considered, among other things, and without limiting the invention, as being based on the ideas and insights described below.

As already explained in the introduction, in the event of a power failure, passengers must be evacuated from the elevator car of an elevator. In the event of a power failure, the elevator car is often not at a level or height along the Elevator shaft on which the passengers can leave the elevator car safely after opening the door or doors of the elevator car.

The elevator car is usually braked or blocked by one or more brakes that are closed when there is no power, so that a vertical movement along the elevator shaft is not possible as long as the brake or brakes is or are closed. In order to move the elevator car, the brake or the brakes is or are thus released in that an electrical impulse is applied to the brakes once or several times, which opens the respective brake. During the electrical impulse, the brake typically remains in the open state, allowing the elevator car to move.

In the prior art, the lengths of the electrical pulses are the same, i.e. each electrical pulse has the same length. During the respective electrical impulse, however, the elevator car moves very slowly under certain circumstances, so that the movement in height or the distance covered in height per electric impulse is only very small. Therefore, in the prior art, moving a significant distance (e.g., a few centimeters or a few tens of centimeters) may take a very long time. Consequently, with conventional approaches, it may take a very long time before the elevator car has been moved to a level or a height at which the passengers can safely exit or be evacuated from the elevator car after the door or doors have been opened.

Through embodiments of the method presented here for moving an elevator car of an elevator for evacuating passengers from the elevator car of the elevator and the brake opening device presented here for moving an elevator car of an elevator for evacuating passengers from the elevator car of the elevator, the above-mentioned problems or deficits in conventional approaches addressed.

In the method presented here and the brake opening device presented here, the distance covered along the elevator shaft or along the height is a termination criterion for ending the application of the electrical pulse or the opening of the brake. Once a predetermined distance or height has been covered by the elevator car during an electrical impulse (i.e. when the specified distance is reached or exceeded), the electrical impulse or the application of the electrical impulse is terminated, so that the brake closes again and the brake stops the elevator car or . brakes.

As explained in the context of the embodiments, in addition to the ending criterion for covering the specified distance, there can be other ending criteria for ending the application of the electrical pulse to the brake, which may occur earlier than the ending criterion for covering the specified distance.

According to one embodiment of the method, a speed of the elevator car is also determined during the vertical movement during the application of the respective electrical impulse, the speed of the elevator car is compared with a predetermined speed, the application of the respective electrical impulse to the brake being terminated when the specific speed is equal to or greater than the specified speed.

In other words, in this embodiment, reaching or exceeding a predetermined speed can be a further criterion for terminating the application of the electrical pulse to the brake. The application of the electrical pulse to the brake can thus be terminated as soon as either the specific distance has reached or exceeded the predefined distance or the specific speed has reached or exceeded the predefined speed.

This typically prevents the elevator car from reaching too high a speed in a technically simple manner. As a rule, this would lead to large negative accelerations when braking the elevator car, which under unfavorable circumstances could adversely affect the comfort or the health of the passengers in the elevator car. In addition, this generally protects the brake, since the forces that occur when the elevator car is braked can be kept particularly low. In addition, it is prevented that at high speeds, the means if the brake is operated outside of the intended operating parameters, the brake is overstressed or fails.

According to one embodiment of the method, a period of time since the application of the respective electrical impulse to the brake to release the brake is also determined, the specific period of time is compared with a predetermined period of time, the application of the respective electrical impulse to the brake being terminated when the certain period of time is equal to or greater than the predetermined period of time.

In other words, in this embodiment, the elapse of a predetermined period of time can be another criterion for terminating the application of the electrical pulse to the brake. The application of the electrical pulse to the brake can thus be terminated as soon as either the specific distance has reached or exceeded the predefined distance or the specific time period has reached or exceeded the predefined time period. It is possible that the application of the electrical pulse to the brake is terminated as soon as either the specific distance has reached or exceeded the predefined distance or the specific speed has reached or exceeded the predefined speed or the specific period of time has reached or exceeded the predefined period of time .

The advantage of this is that the elevator car is typically not moved in one piece or uninterruptedly for too long. This tends to increase the comfort of the passengers in the elevator car, who might otherwise get the impression that the brake has failed, which could create anxiety among the passengers.

According to one embodiment of the method, the electrical pulse is a square-wave pulse.

In other words, in this embodiment, the electrical pulse can always have its maximum value or its minimum value. Values in between can generally only occur for a short period of time.

This typically protects the brake or the material of the brake, since the brake opens completely immediately when the electrical impulse is applied.

According to one embodiment of the method, the electrical pulse is a voltage pulse.

In other words, in this embodiment the electrical pulse can have an increased voltage value (e.g. a high voltage for opening the brake compared to a low voltage or zero voltage for closing the brake). The electrical impulse can thus include the application of an increased voltage to the brake.

The advantage of this is that the brake can usually have a particularly simple technical design. In addition, the electrical impulse can usually be generated technically in a particularly simple manner.

According to one embodiment of the method, the electrical pulse is generated by a controller, in particular a microcontroller.

In other words, in this embodiment, a controller can apply the electrical pulse to the brake or a controller can generate the electrical pulse.

One advantage of this is that the electrical pulse can generally be generated technically in a particularly simple and reliable manner.

According to one embodiment of the brake opening device, the brake opening device is designed to determine a speed of the elevator car during the vertical movement during the application of the respective electrical impulse and to compare the determined speed of the elevator car with a predetermined speed, the brake opening device being designed in such a way that the application of the electrical Pulse to the brake is terminated when the determined speed is equal to or greater than the predetermined speed.

In other words, in this embodiment the brake opening device can have a further termination criterion for the application of the electrical pulse to the brake. The application of the electrical pulse can be terminated when either the determined distance is equal to or greater than the predetermined distance or the determined speed of the elevator car is equal to or greater than the predetermined speed.

In this way, it can generally be ensured in a technically simple manner that the elevator car does not reach or exceed a speed that is too high. A speed of the elevator car that is too high when the application of the electrical impulse is ended can typically lead to high negative accelerations when the elevator car is braked. Under unfavorable circumstances, these can adversely affect the comfort or health of the passengers in the elevator car. A further advantage of this embodiment of the brake opening device is that the brakes for braking the elevator car are usually spared, since the forces that occur when braking the elevator car can be kept particularly low.

According to one embodiment of the brake opening device, the brake opening device is designed to determine a period of time since the application of the respective electrical impulse to the brake to release the brake and to compare the determined period of time with a predetermined period of time, the brake opening device being designed in such a way that the application of the respective electrical pulse to the brake is terminated when the specific time period is equal to or greater than the predetermined time period.

In other words, in this embodiment of the brake opening device, there can be a further termination criterion, when this criterion is met, the application of the electrical pulse is terminated. Thus, the brake opening device can end the application of the electrical pulse to the brake as soon as either the specific distance has reached or exceeded the predefined distance or the specific period of time has reached or exceeded the predefined period of time. It is possible for the brake opening device to stop applying the electrical impulse to the brake as soon as either the determined distance exceeds the predetermined distance has reached or exceeded or the specific speed has reached or exceeded the predefined speed or the specific time period has reached or exceeded the predefined time period.

The advantage of this is that the elevator car is generally not moved in one piece or uninterruptedly for too long by the brake opening device. This tends to increase the comfort of the passengers in the elevator car, who might otherwise get the impression that the brake has failed, which could create anxiety among the passengers.

According to one embodiment of the brake release device, the electrical pulse is a square-wave pulse.

In other words, the electrical pulse can have the shape of a rectangle, i.e. the value of the electrical pulse can have either its maximum value or its minimum value or zero.

As a result, the brake or the material of the brake can generally be protected, since the brake is completely open when the electrical impulse is applied.

According to one embodiment of the brake release device, the electrical pulse is a voltage pulse.

Stated another way, in this embodiment, applying the electrical pulse may include increasing the voltage applied to the brake. The electrical impulse can thus have an increased voltage.

The advantage of this is that the brake can usually have a particularly simple technical design. In addition, the electrical impulse can usually be generated technically in a particularly simple manner.

According to one embodiment of the brake opening device, the pulse generating device includes a controller, in particular a microcontroller. In other words, in this embodiment, the electrical pulse can be generated by a controller or microcontroller.

One advantage of this is that the electrical pulse can typically be generated technically in a particularly simple and reliable manner. In addition, the brake opening device can usually be designed particularly cost-effectively. The controller or microcontroller is often present anyway for other tasks in the control of the elevator.

The distance covered by the elevator car during the respective electrical impulse can be determined or measured in different ways. For example, the distance can be determined by means of a magnetic tape with position information, the magnetic tape running along the height of the elevator shaft. The height position of the elevator car can be determined by reading the information on the magnetic tape at the respective height at which the elevator car is currently located. The distance or height covered since the application of the electrical impulse can be determined by forming the difference between the height at the beginning of the application of the electrical impulse and when the application of the electrical impulse has ended. A further possibility for determining the distance or height covered is for the height of the elevator car to be determined by laser measurement or laser distance measurement. To this end, the elevator car can have one or more laser devices for emitting a laser beam in the direction of the floor of the elevator shaft and/or in the direction of the ceiling of the elevator shaft. The height of the elevator car or the distance of the elevator car from the floor or the ceiling can be determined by means of transit time measurement and/or interference. The height or distance covered during the application of the electrical impulse can be determined by forming the difference in relation to the height of the elevator car at the beginning of the application of the electrical impulse. The distance covered can be determined with a particularly high level of certainty and reliability. This means that there can be several checking levels or processes, so that the distance covered or the height of the elevator car can be determined with a particularly high degree of reliability. Errors in determining the height or the distance covered can thus essentially be ruled out.

The speed of the elevator car can be determined or measured in different ways. For example, the speed can be determined using the determined distance per unit of time (e.g. distance per second). It is also conceivable that the speed of the elevator car along the height is determined via the rotational speed of a disk or the like for moving the elevator car in height. The speed can also be determined using particularly reliable means. The specific speed can thus have a particularly high level of reliability.

The length of time since the respective electrical pulse was applied can be determined or measured in different ways. For example, a timer or an oscillator, e.g., a quartz crystal or a piezoelectric oscillator, with a predetermined frequency can be used to determine the duration. The timer or oscillator can be a device with a particularly high reliability. Errors in determining the time duration and/or in determining the speed are thus essentially ruled out.

It is pointed out that some of the possible features and advantages of the invention herein with reference to different embodiments of the method for moving an elevator car of an elevator for evacuating passengers from the elevator car of the elevator and the brake opening device for moving an elevator car of an elevator for evacuation of Passengers are described from the elevator car of the elevator. A person skilled in the art recognizes that the features can be combined, adapted or exchanged in a suitable manner in order to arrive at further embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1a zeigt

ein Distanz-Zeit-Diagramm für eine erste Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens;

Fig. 1b zeigt

ein Geschwindigkeits-Zeit-Diagramm für die erste Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens;

Fig. 2a zeigt

ein Distanz-Zeit-Diagramm für eine zweite Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens;

Fig. 2b zeigt

ein Geschwindigkeits-Zeit-Diagramm für die zweite Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens;

Fig. 3a zeigt

ein Distanz-Zeit-Diagramm für eine dritte Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens;

Fig. 3b zeigt

ein Geschwindigkeits-Zeit-Diagramm für die dritte Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens; und

Fig. 4 zeigt

eine schematische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Aufzugs.

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, neither the drawings nor the description being to be construed as limiting the invention.

Figure 1a shows

a distance-time diagram for a first embodiment of the method according to the invention;

Figure 1b shows

a speed-time diagram for the first embodiment of the method according to the invention;

Figure 2a shows

a distance-time diagram for a second embodiment of the method according to the invention;

Figure 2b shows

a speed-time diagram for the second embodiment of the method according to the invention;

Figure 3a shows

a distance-time diagram for a third embodiment of the method according to the invention;

Figure 3b shows

a speed-time diagram for the third embodiment of the method according to the invention; and

4 shows

a schematic view of an embodiment of the elevator according to the invention.

The figures are merely schematic and not true to scale. The same reference symbols denote the same or equivalent features in the various figures

1 shows a distance-time diagram for a first embodiment of the method according to the invention. Fig. 1b shows a speed-time diagram for the first embodiment of the method according to the invention.

In the event of a power failure, the elevator car 10 of an elevator 5 is automatically braked by a brake 18 or a plurality of brakes and further movements of the elevator car 10 along the height of the elevator shaft 15 are blocked. The brake 18 or brakes is de-energized in the locked or blocked state. If the elevator car 10 has not been braked to the height of a floor, the elevator car 10 must be moved to the height or level of a floor or other exit option so that the passengers can be evacuated from the elevator car 10 or can leave the elevator car 10 safely .

For this purpose, the brake 18 (or the brakes) of the elevator car 10 is repeatedly released by electrical impulses, so that the elevator car 10 can move incrementally or piecemeal along the height of the elevator shaft 15 during the respective release of the brake 18 . The electrical impulses are usually triggered manually, i.e. by an operator or maintenance person.

While the electrical pulse is applied to the brake 18, the brake 18 remains open and the elevator car 10 can move by gravity. Alternatively or additionally, the elevator car 10 can be weighed down with weights and/or pulled with ropes along the direction of the elevator shaft 15 .

The electrical pulse can be applied or generated to the brake 18 by a controller or a microcontroller. The controller can be a controller or microcontroller, which takes on additional tasks for controlling the movement of the elevator car 10 in the normal case. However, it is also conceivable that a special controller or microcontroller is present. The pulse generating device 30 or the controller can be a device with a particularly high level of reliability, so that errors when applying the electrical pulse or when ending the electrical pulse are essentially ruled out. In particular, individual components of the pulse generating device 30 or the controller or even an entire brake opening device 20 designed therewith can be designed as safe components which, for example, meet a safety requirement level (Safety Integrity Level - SIL) SIL-2, SIL-3 or even SIL-4 .

The temporal lengths or durations or time spans of the electrical pulses can be of different sizes.

The electrical pulse can be a voltage pulse. This means that the voltage applied to the brake 18 during the electrical pulse is higher than the voltage applied to the brake 18 outside of the electrical pulse. However, it is also conceivable that the electrical impulse is a current impulse.

The electrical impulse can in particular be a square-wave impulse. This means that the electrical impulse is either at its maximum level or at its minimum level (e.g. zero level). Values in between only occur for a very short time, if at all.

Thus, the electrical pulse can be a square-wave voltage pulse.

It is also possible that the electrical impulse is the interruption of a current signal or voltage signal, which current signal or voltage signal is normally present at the brake 18 during the power failure. The electrical impulse then interrupts the current signal or voltage signal which ensures that the brake 18 is closed, and in this way opens the brake 18.

The brake release device 20 has a pulse generating device 30 and a determination device 40 . The pulse generating device 30 is designed to apply the electrical pulse to a brake 18 of the elevator car 10 to release the brake 18 , the brake 18 being released as long as the electrical pulse is present at the brake 18 . The determination device 40 is designed to determine or detect a distance covered by the elevator car 10 during a vertical movement of the elevator car 10 while the respective electrical pulse is being applied to the brake 18 . The speed of the elevator car 10 can also be determined or calculated by means of the determination device 40 . It is also possible for the determination device 40 to determine the length of time since the electrical pulse was applied. The brake opening device 20 can function as a pulse electric brake opening device (PEBO).

The application of the electrical impulse to the brake 18 is terminated when the elevator car 10 has moved a predetermined distance d _max along the elevator shaft 15 while the brake 18 is released by the application of the electrical impulse. After the application of the electrical pulse to the brake 18 is terminated, the brake 18 closes again and thus brakes the elevator car 10 so that the elevator car 10 can no longer move until the brake 18 is released again.

In Fig. 1a the time t is plotted on the x-axis and the distance d covered by the elevator car 10 along the elevator shaft 15 is plotted on the y-axis. As soon as the specified distance d _max (also called maximum distance) has been covered by the elevator car 10 during the opening of the brake 18 by applying a single electrical pulse, the application of the electrical pulse is terminated. As a result, the elevator car 10 is stopped by the brake 18 . It is also possible that the application of the electrical impulse is only terminated when the predetermined distance is exceeded.

In Fig. 1b the time t is plotted on the x-axis and the speed v of the elevator car 10 along the height or along the elevator shaft 15 on the y-axis.

After the application of the electrical pulse is terminated, there may be a predetermined or variable pause in which no electrical pulse is applied to the brake 18 . During this pause, the brake 18 remains in the locked state. The variable pause may depend, for example, on how long the brake 18 was open during the immediately preceding electrical impulse. If the brake 18 was opened for a longer period of time, the pause before the next electrical pulse can be longer accordingly. Also, the variable pause may depend on the distance traveled during the immediately preceding electrical impulse. It is also conceivable that the variable break depends on the distance covered within a specified period of time (e.g. within the last minute).

The speed v of the elevator car 10 increases in Fig. 1b slightly faster than linear.

the inside Fig. 1a and in Fig. 1b The course of the distance traveled by the elevator car 10 shown is typical when the weight of the elevator's counterweight is much greater than the weight of the elevator car 10 with passengers.

Figure 2a shows a distance-time diagram for a second embodiment of the method according to the invention. Figure 2b shows a speed-time diagram for the second embodiment of the method according to the invention.

In Figure 2a the time t is plotted on the x-axis and the distance d covered by the elevator car 10 along the elevator shaft 15 is plotted on the y-axis. In Figure 2b the time t is plotted on the x-axis and the speed v of the elevator car 10 along the height or along the elevator shaft 15 on the y-axis.

A further ending condition for ending the electrical impulse can be present in the method or the brake opening device 20, namely that a predetermined maximum time duration t _max or time span has been reached. This means that the maximum duration or period of time for which the electrical pulse is applied is t _max . The brake 18 is therefore not opened in one go for longer than t _max . This means that the application of the electrical impulse is ended when the elevator car 10 has covered the predetermined maximum distance d _max during the opening of the brake 18 or when the electrical impulse is (at least) for the time period or time span t _max on the brake 18 plant. If at least one of these two termination conditions is met, the application of the electrical pulse is terminated in the method or the brake opening device 20 .

For this purpose, the time that has elapsed since the electrical pulse was applied is recorded or determined and compared with the specified time period t _max . The further termination condition is met if the specific period of time is equal to or greater than the specified period of time t _max .

The maximum or predetermined time period or time span t _max can be in the range of seconds, for example 10 s. This ensures that the elevator car 10 does not move longer than the time period or time span t _max at a time, ie without interruption emotional. Consequently, it is ensured that the passengers in the elevator car 10 are not frightened. If the brake 18 is opened for any length of time or for a very long time, ie until the specified distance d _max has necessarily been covered, under unfavorable circumstances the passengers could get the impression that the brake 18 is no longer working.

At the in Figures 2a and 2b shown course, the elevator car 10 is accelerated only very slowly and moves at a correspondingly low speed. During the electrical impulse, the predetermined maximum distance d _max is not covered. Nevertheless, the electrical impulse is ended because the maximum duration or time span of the electrical impulse t _max has been reached.

the inside Figures 2a and 2b The curve shown occurs in particular when the weight of the elevator car 10 with passengers essentially corresponds to the weight of the counterweight.

The elevator car 10 can move up or down along the elevator shaft 15 . This depends on the weight of the elevator car 10 with passengers versus the weight of the counterweight. Additional factors here are additional weights for moving the elevator car 10 and/or ropes for moving the elevator car 10 if it does not move appreciably on its own.

Figure 3a shows a distance-time diagram for a third embodiment of the method according to the invention. Figure 3b shows a speed-time diagram for the third embodiment of the method according to the invention.

In Figure 3a the time t is plotted on the x-axis and the distance d covered by the elevator car 10 along the elevator shaft 15 is plotted on the y-axis. In Figure 3b the time t is plotted on the x-axis and the speed v of the elevator car 10 along the height or along the elevator shaft 15 on the y-axis.

Another termination condition can be the speed reached by the elevator car 10 . When the speed of the elevator car 10 along the elevator shaft 15 reaches or has reached or exceeded a predetermined maximum speed or predetermined speed v _max , the electrical pulse is ended. As in Figure 3b clearly recognizable, the electrical impulse or the application of the electrical impulse is ended, although the specified distance d _max , as in Figure 3a can be seen has not yet been covered.

This prevents the elevator car 10 from reaching too high a speed. This protects the brake 18 when the application of the electrical pulse is terminated. In addition, this reduces the maximum negative acceleration that occurs on the Passengers in the elevator car 10 when braking the elevator car 10 when closing the brake 18 acts limited.

It is possible that only the two termination conditions of covering the specified distance d _max and the elapse of the specified time period t _max or time span of the application of the electrical pulse apply. It is also possible that only the two termination conditions of covering the specified distance d _max and reaching the specified speed v _max apply. In both of these possibilities, the electrical pulse is terminated as soon as one of the two termination conditions is met.

It is also possible for all three ending conditions to apply simultaneously, ie the ending conditions of covering the specified distance d _max , the elapse of the specified time period t _max or time span of the application of the electrical pulse and reaching the specified speed v _max . As soon as at least one of the termination conditions is met, the electrical pulse or the application of the electrical pulse to the brake 18 is terminated.

The specified distance d _max can be 10 cm or 5 cm, for example. The specified maximum speed v _max can be 0.1 m/s, for example. The specified period of time t _max or time period can be 10 s, for example.

There can be a time interval of e.g. 0.5 s or 1 s between the electrical pulses.

4 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the elevator 5 according to the invention. The elevator 5 comprises an elevator car 10 for accommodating the passengers and a brake opening device 20 with the pulse generating device 30 and the determination device 40. The brake opening device 20 is connected via a connecting line to an electric brake 18 of the elevator car 10 , which can move up and down in the elevator shaft 15 when the brake 18 is released. In the de-energized state (ie also in the event of a power failure), the brake 18 is closed and brakes the elevator car 10. The brake 18 can be opened by the brake opening device 20 by means of an electrical impulse and remains so opened during the application of the electrical impulse. The duration of the application of the electrical impulse is determined by the distance covered by the elevator car 10 during the application of the electrical impulse. In addition, a predetermined speed (maximum speed) and/or the lapse of a predetermined period of time can determine the duration of the application of the electrical pulse.

The brake opening device 20 can be arranged in a technical room of the elevator 5 . The application of an electrical impulse to the brake 18 can be triggered or started manually, for example, by an operator or technician actuating an evacuation button of the brake opening device 20 . Application of the electrical pulse is terminated upon the satisfaction of one or more of the termination conditions (distance traveled) described above. Pressing the evacuation button may be repeated until the elevator car 10 has incremented to a level at which the passengers can be safely evacuated from the elevator car 10 . This can be indicated, for example, by an optical signal (LED) and/or an acoustic signal. The door or doors of the elevator car 10 can now be opened so that the passengers can exit the elevator car 10 safely.

The brake release device 20 may be powered by an off-mains power supply and/or by a generator during a mains power outage.

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 (13)

1. Method for moving an elevator car (10) of an elevator (5) for evacuating passengers from the elevator car (10) of the elevator (5) in the event of a power failure, in which method a brake (18) blocks a vertical movement of the elevator car (10),
   wherein the method comprises the following steps:

   applying an electrical pulse or a plurality of electrical pulses to the brake (18) of the elevator car (10) to release the brake (18) and unblock the vertical movement of the elevator car (10), wherein the brake (18) is released for as long as the particular electric pulse is applied to the brake (18);

   determining a covered height which the elevator car (10) has covered during the application of the particular electrical pulse;

   comparing the determined covered height with a predetermined distance (d_max); and

   terminating the application of the particular electrical pulse to the brake (18) when the determined covered height is equal to the predetermined distance (d_max) or greater than the predetermined distance (d_max).
2. Method according to claim 1, wherein furthermore

   a speed of the elevator car (10) is determined during the vertical movement during the application of the particular electrical pulse,

   the speed of the elevator car (10) is compared with a predetermined speed (v_max),

   and the application of the particular electrical pulse to the brake (18) is terminated when the determined speed is equal to the predetermined speed (v_max) or greater than the predetermined speed (v_max).
3. Method according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein furthermore

   a period since the application of the particular electrical pulse to the brake (18) for releasing the brake (18) is determined,

   the determined period is compared with a predetermined period (t_max), and the application of the particular electrical pulse to the brake (18) is terminated when the determined period is equal to the predetermined period (t_max) or greater than the predetermined period (t_max).
4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein
   the respective electrical pulse is a square pulse.
5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein
   the respective electrical pulse is a voltage pulse.
6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein
   the respective electrical pulse is generated by a controller, in particular a microcontroller.
7. Brake opening device (20) for moving an elevator car (10) of an elevator (5) for evacuating passengers from the elevator car (10) of the elevator (5) in the event of a power failure, by a brake (18) blocking a vertical movement of the elevator car (10),
   wherein the brake opening device (20) comprises the following:

   a pulse-generating device (30) for applying an electrical pulse or a plurality of electrical pulses to the brake (18) of the elevator car (10) to release the brake (18) and unblock the vertical movement of the elevator car (10), wherein the brake (18) is released for as long as the particular electric pulse is applied to the brake (18),

   characterized in that

   a determination device (40) for determining a covered height of the elevator car (10) which the elevator car (10) has covered during the application of the particular electrical pulse, and for comparing the determined height with a predetermined distance (d_max),

   wherein the brake opening device (20) is designed such that the application of the particular electrical pulse to the brake (18) is terminated when the determined covered height is equal to the predetermined distance (d_max) or greater than the predetermined distance (d_max).
8. Brake opening device (20) according to claim 7, wherein

   the brake opening device (20) is designed to determine a speed of the elevator car (10) during the vertical movement during the application of the particular electrical pulse, and to compare the determined speed of the elevator car (10) with a predetermined speed (v_max),

   and wherein the brake opening device (20) is designed such that the application of the electrical pulse to the brake (18) is terminated when the determined speed is equal to the predetermined speed (v_max) or greater than the predetermined speed (v_max).
9. Brake opening device (20) according to either claim 7 or claim 8, wherein

   the brake opening device (20) is designed to determine a period since the application of the particular electrical pulse to the brake (18) for releasing the brake (18) is determined, and to compare the determined period with a predetermined period (t_max),

   and wherein the brake opening device (20) is designed such that the application of the particular electrical pulse to the brake (18) is terminated when the determined period is equal to the predetermined period (t_max) or greater than the predetermined period (t_max).
10. Brake opening device (20) according to any of claims 7-9, wherein
    the respective electrical pulse is a square pulse.
11. Brake opening apparatus (20) according to any of claims 7-10, wherein
    the respective electrical pulse is a voltage pulse.
12. Brake opening device (20) according to any of claims 7-11, wherein
    the pulse-generating device (30) comprises a controller, in particular a microcontroller.
13. Elevator (5) for passengers, comprising

    an elevator car (10) for accommodating the passengers,
    and

    a brake opening device (20) according to any of claims 7-12.

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