ES2368396B1 - OPERATING PROCEDURE OF A DEVICE AGAINST THE UNCONTROLLED MOVEMENT OF THE ELEVATOR CABIN. - Google Patents

Abstract

Operation procedure of a protection device against the uncontrolled movement of the cabin of an elevator. # The object of the present invention is an operation procedure for a protection device against the uncontrolled movement of a cabin of an elevator, in particular, A control module is configured to act on the device to cause the elevator car to be blocked at a time when it is stopped at a floor.

Description

Operation procedure of a protection device against uncontrolled movement of the elevator car.

The object of the present invention is an operating procedure for an uncontrolled movement protection device of an elevator car. In particular, a control module is configured to act on the device to cause the elevator car to be blocked at a time when it is stopped at the height of a floor.

Background of the invention

Speed limiters intended for the operation of cable suspended transport means, such as elevators, cable cars, etc. are well known. Examples of speed limiters are described in patent ES 2 306 623, the holder of which is the same as that of the present application.

As a result of changes in regulations and updates regarding safety components in elevators, component manufacturers have developed new components that, when incorporated into speed limiters, allow increasing the safety measures of an elevator. Among these components are the devices against uncontrolled movement of the cabin.

However, because there are different types and manufacturers of speed limiters, each of them requires a different device against uncontrolled movement of the cabin.

Description of the invention

The present invention is directed to a method of operation of a certain device against uncontrolled movement of an elevator car, so that the device blocks the movement of said car only at times when it is necessary to maintain the safety of the people present in the cabin.

Although there are different types of speed limiters on the market, almost all of them have common elements: a pulley installed on an axis on which a cable or similar slides, and a retention means linked to the pulley to stop or control the cabin movement when necessary. The particular device against uncontrolled movement of an elevator car that is desired to be controlled by the method of the invention is configured to engage one of such speed limiters, and comprises an electromagnetic actuator whose deactivation causes the elevator car to be interlocked. thanks to a mechanism that will be described in more detail later in this document. On the contrary, when the electromagnetic actuator is activated, that is, it receives power, the movement of the cabin is allowed.

Well, the method of the invention for operating the device against uncontrolled movement of the cabin comprises the following operations:

1) Monitor a first signal that indicates if the cabin is at the level of a floor and a second signal that indicates if the cabin door is open. These two signals can be acquired using a wide variety of acquisition means, such as induction proximity sensors, ultrasound, infrared, etc.

2) Feed the electromagnetic actuator whenever it is detected that the door is closed. Indeed, when the door is closed in principle it can be assumed that the operation of the elevator is normal, whether or not the cabin is at ground level. Consequently, it is not necessary to remove the power to the electromagnetic actuator by system to cause the cabin to block.

3) When the first signal indicates that the door is open and also the second signal indicates that the cabin is level with one floor, stop the power to the electromagnetic actuator. This is the case in which there are possibly people entering or leaving the elevator, and therefore it is advisable to block the cabin to prevent any possible movement of ascent or descent.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 shows a front elevation view of a speed limiter for an elevator that includes the uncontrolled movement protection device.

Fig. 2 shows a front elevation view of the speed limiter with the protection device.

Fig. 3 shows an exploded side elevation view of the speed limiter and the protection device.

Fig. 4 shows a sectioned side elevation view of the limiter with the protection device.

Fig. 5 shows a diagram of a module capable of carrying out the process of the present invention.

Description of a preferred embodiment

First, it is described in detail in a speed limiter (1) and an example of a device (20) against uncontrolled movement of the cabin of an elevator operable by the control module of the invention. Once these elements have been described, an example of the process of the invention will be described.

Figs. 1 and 2 show a speed limiter, indicated generally with reference (1), comprising a pulley (2) on an axis (3) in which a cable or the like (C) and related retention means slide to the pulley (2). A bench body (4) with two facing wings serves to support the shaft (3). The operation of the retention means of this speed limiter (1) may be the same as described in the Spanish patent ES 2306623. This speed limiter is further provided with a device for detecting the movement of a lift cabin.

The device (20) against uncontrolled movement, which has been shown separately from the speed limiter in Fig. 3, comprises a toothed crown (5) that is integrally coupled to the pulley (2) of the limiter (in one embodiment alternatively it can be an integral part of the pulley itself), a tilting support (6) attachable to the axis (3) of the speed limiter (1) such that it performs a tilting displacement with respect to said axis (3), as indicated by the It fl eats (f) in Fig. 2, which includes a locking mechanism that acts on the toothed crown (5) and an electric detector (7) associated with the locking mechanism and the movement path of the tilting support (6). As can be seen, the tilting support (6) is constituted by an elongated body that is fixed on its upper part by means of an orifice through which the axis (3) passes.

When the tilting support (6) has made a predetermined angular displacement stroke caused by the movement of the pulley (2) and therefore of the elevator car, such as a distance defined by a maximum angle, it is suitable for sending a motion detection signal through an electric switch (7) and subsequently causing a mechanical interlock of the speed limiter, thereby causing the cable or similar of the speed limiter to be pulled and consequently the wedging of the parachute (means retention) provided.

The tilting support (6) may optionally include tensioning means that are coupled to the housing body

(4) of speed limiter 5 (1).

As regards the locking mechanism, it mainly comprises a locking piece (10) attachable to the gear ring (5) for blocking, a trigger (11) linked to the electromagnetic actuator (8) (electromagnet, coil or the like ) which is attached to the locking piece (10).

The trigger (11) has an axis that is externally provided with a coil spring (not represented for reasons of clarity).

Guiding means are provided in the tilting support by which the locking piece moves linearly. Specifically, there are provided two grooved portions (12) practiced in an aligned manner in the body of the tilting support (6) through which a guide body (13) fixed to the locking piece (10) passes in each of them. This guide body (13) consists in the present embodiment in a metal cylindrical body fixed by means of fasteners.

The tilting support (6) additionally has an elongated section (60), connected to it by screws, which has an arcuate recess (61) centered on its upper flange, in which the elongated section (60) is susceptible to stop with a switch (70) protruding from the bottom of the electrical switch (7). This elongated section (60) has two mechanical stops (14) that are fixed to the tilting support (6).

The tensioning means mentioned above may be coupled to the elongated section (60) of the tilting support (6).

The locking piece (10) has the end (101) facing the toothed crown (5) a tooth-like shape that facilitates the coupling in the space between teeth of the toothed crown (5).

Returning back to the bench body (4) it is constituted by two fins (4a, 4b) facing each other between which the shaft (3) is supported, which include stop means to limit the angular travel of the tilting support (6), which they consist of a groove (40) with an arcuate path practiced on one of the fins of the bench body. The two mechanical stops (14) define the maximum travel of the tilting support with respect to a groove (40).

The flap (4a) having the aforementioned groove (40) may include a pin or the like in which the tensioning means are fastened in the case of being present.

The operation of the detection device according to the invention and described in the speed limiter (1) is as follows:

At the moment in which a cabin of an elevator stops at the level of a floor, the passage of electric current flow towards the coil is cut so that it pushes the blocking element (10) upwards, by action of a spring , until it stops with the toothed crown (5) (position shown in Figure 1). When the device is in this position, in case of a displacement of the cabin, the toothed crown (5) rotates due to the rotation of the pulley (2), dragging the tilting support with its locking mechanism (10) Incorporated. In this situation, the switch (70) moves up so that it causes the electrical switch (7) to send a signal informing of the existence of a movement of movement that is received by an elevator control unit that will activate the means which it deems convenient to stop the elevator car. In the event that this displacement of the cabin, whether with the doors open or closed, does not stop, the tilting support (6) will collide at one end of the groove (40) causing the pulley to stop (2 ) of the speed limiter with the stop (14) by action of the locking piece (10) and the toothed crown (5) and, consequently, the draft on the speed limiter cable. This shot on the cable of the limiter causes the parachute to operate causing the cab to stop and stay stopped.

Finally, Fig. 5 shows a diagram of a control module (100) designed to carry out the process of the invention. This control module (100) has the following inputs / outputs:

E1 Indicator signal input that the cabin is at floor level.

E2 Indicator signal input that the cabin door is open.

S Power output to the electromagnetic actuator (8) of the device against uncontrolled movement described previously.

A Power input to the control module (100).

B Battery power input to the control module (100).

Control output of the state of the electromagnetic actuator (8).

C ’Input connected to the electrical switch (9) that indicates that the electromagnetic actuator (8) is activated. This switch (9) is connected in the control module (100) and from this to the "control unit" or control panel of the elevator. Only when this contact is activated, and therefore the limiter can rotate freely, the movement of the elevator is allowed.

Thus, when the entrance (E1) indicates that the cabin is at the level of a floor and, simultaneously, the entrance (E2) indicates that the cabin door is open, we are in the situation where there are possibly people entering and leaving of the cabin. The control module (100) automatically cuts off the power supplied through the output (S) to the electromagnetic actuator (8). Consequently, the force exerted by the spring (not shown) causes the rise of the blocking piece (10), its end (101) being introduced between the crown teeth (5) to achieve the blockage of the cabin, thus preventing possible accidents

Once the door has been closed, the control module (100) feeds back the electromagnetic actuator (8), so that the electromagnetic force exceeds the force exerted by the spring and the locking part (10) descends again, releasing the crown (5) and thus allowing the movement of the elevator car.

The control module (100) can be powered through the input (A), or batteries (not shown) can be used through the input (B).

The input (C) of the control module (100), through the corresponding contact, indicates the current state of the electromagnetic actuator (8).

Finally, the button (P) allows the electromagnetic actuator (8) to be temporarily fed to unlock the cab in case of a drop in the supply voltage.

This control module (100) may, in principle, be constituted by a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a DSP, an FPGA, or others, although in this particular example it is an electronic board. In any case, the control module (100) will be designed to carry out the process of the invention or, in the case of a programmable device, it will have stored the necessary instructions to carry out the process of the invention.

Claims (2)

1. Operating procedure of a device (20) for protection against uncontrolled movement of an elevator car, the protection device (20) being suitable for coupling to a speed limiter (1) comprising a pulley (2) on an axis (3) through which a cable or the like and retention means linked to the pulley (2) slides, and the protection device (20) comprising an electromagnetic actuator (8) whose deactivation causes the cab to be interlocked of the elevator, the procedure being characterized in that it comprises the following operations:

-

monitor a first signal (E1) that indicates if the cabin is at the level of a floor and a second signal (E2) that indicates if the cabin door is open;

-

feed the electromagnetic actuator (8) at the times when the second signal (E2) indicates door is closed; Y

-

When the first signal (E1) indicates that the cabin is at the level of a floor and also the second signal (E2) indicates that the door is open, stop the power to the electromagnetic actuator (8).

SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application no .: 201131121 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 01.07.2011 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: B66B5 / 00 (2006.01) B66B5 / 02 (2006.01) RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

Documents cited Claims Affected

X

US 2007000736 A1 (SHIKAI MASAHIRO et al.) 04.01.2007, one

paragraphs [1-5], [53-60], [193-195], [264]; figures.

TO

EP 1780160 A1 (MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP) 02.05.2007, one

Figures & Summary of the WPI database. Recovered from EPOQUE; AN 2005-796878.

TO

GB 1436742 A (WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORP) 26.05.1976, one

Figures & Summary of the WPI database. Recovered from EPOQUE; AN 1976-F0291X.

TO

US 5509505 A (STEGER RUDOLPH et al.) 23.04.1996, one

Figures & Summary of the WPI database. Recovered from EPOQUE; AN 1995-289943.

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of realization of the report 26.10.2011

Examiner M. B. Castañón Chicharro Page 1/4

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Application number: 201131121 Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols) B66B Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, terms of search used) INVENES, EPODOC State of the Art Report Page 2/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201131121 Date of Completion of Written Opinion: 10.26.2011 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims Claims one IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims one IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published. State of the Art Report Page 3/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201131121 1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

US 2007000736 A1 (SHIKAI MASAHIRO et al.) 04.01.2007

2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement The technical object of the invention is the procedure for operating a device against uncontrolled movement of the elevator car. The inventor intends to offer a versatile device, capable of being coupled to all speed limiters comprising pulley and retention means linked to the pulley, blocking the device the cabin, only when it is necessary to maintain the safety of the people present in the cabin . The request consists of a claim, which describes the steps of the Procedure. Of the documents cited in the State of the Art Report, the document closest to the invention is considered document US2007000736 (D01). D01 discloses the operating procedure of a device (33) for protection against uncontrolled movement of an elevator car, suitable for coupling to a speed limiter (See paragraphs 1, 4 and 53), which comprises a pulley (8, 9) on an axis through which a cable (10) and retaining means linked to the pulley slides. The device (33) comprising an electromagnetic actuator (35) (See Figs. 5 and 6), whose deactivation causes the interlocking of the elevator car (See paragraph 55). Understanding the Operation Procedure the following operations (See Fig. 26, paragraphs 193 to 195): Monitoring of the signals position of the cabin (109) and state of opening or closing of the door (140), supply of the electromagnetic actuator (35 ) when no anomaly is detected by the sensors (112) and stop of said power supply, when the sensors (112) detect anomalous situation (open door, cabin position at floor level) causing cabin interlocking. The difference between D01 and the claim of the request is that in D01 there is a cabin position signal thanks to the sensor (109) and in the claim of the application there is the signal E1 indicating whether the cabin is at the level of a floor. However, this difference is irrelevant, since the determination of the exact position of the cabin will always give us the information of the E1 signal. Therefore, claim 1 is new but lacks inventive activity. (Art. 6 and 8 of Patent Law 11/1986) State of the Art Report Page 4/4