FR2823495A1 - Coupling between cabin and landing doors of elevator comprises two vertical plates and upper and lower connecting rods, forming deformable parallelogram, and vertical L-section rods suspended on plates - Google Patents

Abstract

The coupling comprises a deformable parallelogram unit comprising two vertical plates (12,121), an upper inverted T-shaped connecting rod (32) and a lower connecting rod (34). A pre-stressed spring has its ends fixed on one of the plates and a support plate (40) so that the unit is returned to a separated position. Vertical L-section rods (48,481) comprising a flat web (49) and an angled web (51) are suspended on the plates, with their angled webs turned towards each other, by means of an articulated parallelogram shaped suspension (52,54,521,541). A cabin door (61) locking mechanism rotates on the support plate.

Description

see the content of the ffih bobe of its transparency.

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  COUPLING DEVICE BETWEEN CAB DOORS AND

  LANDING DOORS OF AN ELEVATOR, WITH SECURITY

OPENING.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

  The present invention relates to a coupling device between the

  cabin doors and landing doors of an elevator.

  It will be recalled that a coupling device is a mechanical system which is fixed to the cabin door of an elevator and which, on the one hand, actuates the lock of the landing door in order to lock or unlock it and on the other hand, to make the landing doors of the cabin doors integral so that they move at the same time as the cabin doors when the latter are moved in movement

  opening or closing by their drive system.

  The landing door lock is a mechanical device which prevents any opening of the landing door, other than by the action of the cabin door on this lock or by an intervention of maintenance personnel, from the landing, to the using a special key in case of emergency.

  TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

  Several coupling devices of this type are known in the art. These devices function satisfactorily as long as the elevator operates normally, but in the event of a breakdown, they do not guarantee absolute safety for passengers who are locked in the cabin. For example, if the cabin is blocked between two floors, without power cut, and an order to open the doors is given inadvertently, there is a risk for passengers to fall on the landing or in the sheath from the elevator to

  through the gaping opening of the cabin.

  In addition, if a power failure occurs when the cabin is on a level, passengers will not be able to leave the

  cabin without outside assistance.

  From US Pat. No. 6,021,871, a coupling device is known which partially remedies these drawbacks. This device comprises a deformable assembly in the form of an articulated parallelogram, comprising two vertical rods and two parallel rods,

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  articulated by their middle on a support plate which is fixed to the upper part of the cabin door and by their ends on the upper and lower ends of the rods, so that the rods can move apart or approach one of the other while remaining parallel and vertical. The coupling device according to this patent further comprises a guide rail fixed to the cabin and which is provided with an input cam on which rolls a roller mounted journalling at the upper end of one of the rods. The cam has a profile such that, when the opening of the cabin door, at the moment when the cabin arrives on a floor, it causes the separation of the two rods against the force of a spring. reminder, and their abutment respectively with two rollers carried by the lock of the landing door of said stage, thus unlocking the lock and coupling between them the landing doors and cabin doors. The coupling device according to said patent also comprises a locking mechanism comprising a transmission lever fixed to one of the rods and at the end of which is articulated by one of its vertices, a triangular culLueur. The rocker arm carries a support roller at a second top and is articulated by its third top to a latch provided with a bolt capable of cooperating with a door catch

  by the cabin, so as to prevent the opening of the cabin door.

  The travel of the support roller is limited by a fixed support rail which is

mounted on the landing door.

  Thanks to this arrangement, when the cabin arrives in an opening area and an opening order is given, the cabin door begins to open on a short stroke corresponding to the clearance between the bolt and the keeper. This movement leads to the opening of the seems deformable in the form of a parallelogram and the abutment of the support roller on the fixed support rail, which causes the pivoting of the rocker arm and the unlocking of the latch. The continued opening movement of the car door causes the parallelogram assembly to open further until the rods come to bear against the rollers of the landing door lock. The lock is then unlocked and can be opened simultaneously with the car door to the fully open position.

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  On the other hand, when the cabin is blocked between two landings, therefore in an area where there is no support rail, even if an opening order is given, the latch remains locked and the cabin door does not

can be opened.

  Thus, the coupling device according to said patent fully guarantees passenger safety by the fact that the cabin door remains locked when the cabin is blocked between two floors, but it is unable to allow the opening of the cabin door and the landing door, inside the cabin, when the cabin is stopped

  in an open area and there is a power failure.

  In addition, this coupling device is relatively complicated because it uses several expensive parts which must be precisely arranged, such as the input cam, the support rail and the

  CulMotor transmission mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

  The present invention seeks to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a coupling device between the car doors and the landing doors of an elevator, which prevents the doors from being opened from the inside when the car is blocked between two floors, and which, on the other hand, allows passengers to open the cabin door and the landing door from inside the cabin when it is blocked

on one level.

  The locking device according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises: - a deformable assembly in the form of an articulated parallelogram comprising two vertical plates, an upper rod in inverted T and a lower rod, these two rods being parallel to each other and being pivotally mounted about their center on a support plate which is fixed to the upper part of a cabin door, the central branch of the T-link being connected to a drive mechanism of the cabin doors, so that the 'deformable assembly can be entrained between a position where the pads are close together and a position where they are spread apart; - A prestressed spring, the ends of which are fixed to one of the plates and to the support plate so as to return the deformable assembly to the separated position;

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  - two vertical rods constituted by L-shaped section profiles comprising a flat wing and a bent wing, said rods being suspended on the plates, with their bent wings turned towards one another, by suspension means in the form of articulated parallelogram which allow them to be moved independently of each other to a position of equilibrium which they take under the action of their own weight and o they are separated from each other between a position active o they are close to each other, said rods carrying stop means; and - a cabin door locking mechanism rotatably mounted on the support plate and which is capable of being pivoted between an unlocking position towards which it is urged by said stop means of one or other of the rods, when said rod is brought into its active position and where it locks the cabin door, and a locking position which it resumes normally when said rod is returned

at the equilibrium position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

  The invention will be better understood on reading the description of a

  embodiment of the coupling device, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a coupling device according to the invention; Figure 2 is an elevational view of the coupling device in the assembled state seen from the interior of the cabin, when the cabin approaches a stage down; Figure 3 is an elevational view of the coupling device in normal operation, shown at the time when the cabin is stopped at a level and the cabin door has been unlocked; FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the coupling device illustrating the situation where the cabin is stopped at a level, in the case where a power failure has occurred and showing how the cabin doors can be opened and landing doors from inside the cabin; and Figure 5 shows the state of the coupling device when the cabin

is blocked between two floors.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

  The structure of the coupling device 10 according to the invention will firstly be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. These figures represent the coupling device seen from outside the cabin. This coupling device being symmetrical with respect to a vertical mediating plane, we will only describe the part located to the left of the figures. The homologous elements found on the right-hand side will be designated by the

  same references assigned to index 1.

  The coupling device comprises two elongated and vertical plates 12, 121 articulated by two points of their length 16, 18 and 16, 18, on axes 24, 26 and 28, 30 carried respectively by an upper link 32 in the shape of an inverted T and by a lower right link 34. These two links are constantly parallel to each other and are themselves articulated by an intermediate point of their length 36, 38 on a support plate 40 which is fixed to the part

  top of a cabin door 42.

  The plates 12, 121 and the links 32, 34 thus form an articulated parallelogram which can be deformed so that the plates can be moved from a separated position, shown for example in FIG. 3, to a close position, shown on the

  Figure 2, always remaining vertical.

  A tension spring 44 fixed by its ends on one of the plates, for example 12, and on the support plate 40 tends to return the articulated parallelogram system 12, 121, 32, 34 in a position where the plates 12, 12l are spaced from each other and o the links 32, 34 are substantially horizontal (Figure 3). This position is defined by the abutment of one end of the link 32 against a stop 46 fixed on the support plate 40. The close position is defined by the abutment of the other end of the T-link on

  a second stop 47 fixed on the support plate 40.

  On the plates 12, 121 are suspended, by means of two articulated suspension systems, two vertical rods 48, 48 constituted by L-section profiles each comprising a flat wing 49 which is applied to the corresponding plate and a bent wing 51. The curved wings of the two rods are adjacent and turn their backs. The rods carry stops 53, 53 whose role

will appear later.

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  The suspension systems being identical, we will only describe the one found on the left in FIG. 1. This suspension system comprises two parallel suspension links 52, 54 articulated by one of their ends on axes 55, 59 fixed to the upper ends and lower of the plate 12. The other ends of the suspension rods carry axes 56, 58 which are received in oblong holes 60, 62 drilled in the plate 12. These same axes 56, 58 revolve in holes 64, 66 drilled in the left rod 48. Each plate 12 with the corresponding rod 48 and the two corresponding suspension links 52, 54 therefore form a

  deformable articulated parallelogram.

  The oblong holes 60, 62 have an inclined direction from bottom to top from left to right in FIG. 2, so that when the rod 48 is fixed to the plate 12 by the two suspension links 52, 54, it hangs under its own weight in a natural low position shown in this figure, in which the axes 56, 58 abut against the lower edge of the oblong holes. The rod 48 can be moved away from this position, by pushing it to the right in FIG. 2 until the axes 56, 58 abut against the end

  upper oblong holes. This position is shown in Figure 3.

  At the center of the support plate 40 is pivotally mounted around an axis 63 a locking device 61 comprising an S-shaped pivoting element which has symmetry with respect to said axis and a lever arm 68 fixed integrally to the central portion of element 65 in S. The lever arm carries at its end a bolt 70, which is capable of cooperating with a keeper 72 fixed in a fixed part of the cabin. The bolt 70 and the keeper 72 form a cabin door lock. The locking device also comprises two contacts forming part of a safety chain, one of said contacts 75 being

  fixed to the end of the lever arm and the other 77 being fixed to the cabin.

  The cabin cannot leave until the chain is closed.

  Under the action of the poies of the lever arm 68, the locking device 61 tends to rotate around the axis 63 until it comes to bear on a stop 76 which is fixed on the support plate. In this position, the bolt 70 cooperates with the keeper 72 and locks the lock of

cabin door.

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  Figures 2 and 3 show the coupling device in the assembled state. The plates 12, 12, are assembled to the link 32 in inverted T and to the right link 34 by introducing the axes of articulation 24, 26, 28, 30 into the holes 16, 16, 18, 18 respectively and in them fixing by means of circlips, not shown. The plates then overlap the ends of the element 65. On the contiguous vertical edges of the plates are formed notches 78, 78 leaving the ends of the element 65 uncovered. The suspension links 52, 54, 52, 54 are then fixed. on the plates 12, 12, then hook the rods 48, 481 by introducing the axes 56, 58, 56, 58i into the holes 64, 66, 64, 66. The axes are maintained in said

  holes by means of nuts, not shown.

  The stops 53, 53 formed on the rods then pass through the notches 78, 78, and are then located exactly near the

  ends of the pivoting element 65, as shown in FIG. 3.

  In a manner known per se, the cabin door is driven in closing and opening movement by means of a drive mechanism 83, shown in FIG. 2. This mechanism comprises a belt 84 which is wound around a driving pulley 86 and a mad pulley 88. The central leg of the link 32 is connected in a manner

  articulated to the belt 84 by means of a fastener 90.

  The coupling device also comprises a pawl 92 mounted pivoting around a pivot 94 fixed on the support plate 40. The pawl carries at one end a pin 96 (FIG. 2) intended to penetrate into a notch 98 formed at the end of the link 32 in T opposite to that which rests on the stop 46. The pawl is biased by a spring 100 in a direction for which the axis 96 enters the notch 98 and it can be moved from this position at the start closing movement of the cabin door by a fixed stop 102 mounted on the lintel of the cabin. As shown in Figure 2, each landing door 104 is provided at its upper part with a lock 106 serving to lock the landing door. This lock comprises a fixed part 108 which is fixed to the landing door and which is provided with a fixed roller 110. The lock also comprises a pivoting part 112 which is capable of pivoting about an axis 114 carried by the fixed part. The pivoting part is provided with a movable roller 116 mounted on the other side of the roller 110 relative to the axis

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  114. The pivoting part is provided on the side where the movable roller 116 is located with a counterweight 118 which therefore tends to return the pivoting part downwards, to an equilibrium position o the movable roller is practically at the same level as the fixed roller. The pivoting part is provided at the end opposite the counterweight, with a strike hole into which a bolt 120 which can be secured to the lintel 122 of the landing door can penetrate. The moving part 112 is shown in FIG. 2 in its locked position where the bolt 120 is engaged with the strike hole. The landing door is then locked. In this position, the distance d horizontally measured between the rollers 110, 116 is greater than the distance d between the adjacent edges of the plates 12, 12i, when the coupling device is closed, as in FIG. 2. The distance _ is however less than the distance d which separates the adjacent edges of said plates, when the coupling device is separated, as

shown in Figure 3.

  If the movable part 112 is pivoted in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2, the latch 120 emerges from the keeper and the movable roller 116

  slightly moves away from the fixed roller 110.

  The operation of the coupling device will now be explained.

OPERATION

  1. Normal operation Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the normal operation of the coupling device. When the cabin is in motion, the coupling device is in the contracted state shown in FIG. 2. The plates 12, 121 are brought together and the rods 48, 48 are in the low position under the action of their own weight. The rods can thus pass freely between the two rollers 110, 116 of the landing door lock. When the car comes to a stop at a landing, the elevator controller gives an opening order to the drive mechanism 83. The latter drives the belt 84 in the direction of the arrow f, this which causes the pivoting of the T-link 32 and therefore the spacing of the plates 12, 12. The coupling device is located

  then in the state shown in Figure 3.

  When the T-link reaches the horizontal position, the axis 9 6 of the

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  pawl 92 engages in notch 98 of said link,

  thus blocking the coupling device in the open position.

  The spreading movement of the pads is transmitted to the rods 48, 481. In this movement, the bent wings 51, 51l of the rods abut against the rollers 110, 116. I1 results first of all from a slight pivoting of the part mobile 112 of the landing door lock clockwise and therefore unlocking the landing door, then because the distance of the rollers becomes invariable, the latter cause the lifting rods 48, 48 by pivoting the axes 56, 56 58, 581 of the connecting rods

  suspension 52, 54, 521, 541 in the oblong holes 60, 62.

  The rods come in the close position shown in Figure 3. In their movement, they rotate, thanks to the stops 53, 531, which they carry, the part 65 in S and therefore the lever 68. The security lock 61 is then unlocked. The landing door is then entered integrally with the car door by the drive mechanism 83.

  2. Case of the cabin stopped on one floor with a power failure.

  The coupling device is then in the state shown in FIG. 4. According to the invention, the doors can nevertheless be opened manually from the inside by a passenger. It suffices for this that it exerts a push on the cabin door in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4. In this movement, the wing 51 of the left rod 48 comes into abutment against the roller 116, and causes the unlocking of the landing door lock. In addition, said rod is raised upward and to the right and its stop 53 rotates the part 65 in S. which

  causes the safety lock 61 to open.

  Of course, the opening can also be made from the landing. This situation is shown here in Figure 4. The doors are then opened by the movement of the fixed roller 110 which, by pulling the landing door, comes into contact with the rod 481 and disengages the bolt

keeper 72.

  3. Case of the cabin blocked between two stages This situation is illustrated by FIG. 5. The coupling device is in the contracted state and the rods 48, 48 are in the low position. There is nothing to rotate the rods, neither manually because they are inaccessible from inside the cabin, nor mechanically since

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  the rollers 110, 116 are not present at this level. Even if the current is not cut and an opening order is given by a passenger, the opening mechanism 83 (Figure 1) will bring the coupling device in the open position where the pads are completely apart from each other, but the rods will remain in the low position and will have no action on the unlocking device

  81, due to the absence of the rollers 110, 116.

  Doors cannot therefore be opened from the inside. This avoids any risk of falling on the bearing or in the sheath. However, the doors can be opened safely from the

  level by maintenance personnel using a special key.

  In conclusion, the invention makes it possible to open the cabin door and the landing door by means of the landing door lock, in all cases where the cabin is on a level, but

  prohibits opening when the cabin is blocked between two floors.

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Claims (5)

  1. Coupling device between the cabin doors and the landing doors of an elevator, with opening safety, characterized in that it comprises: - a deformable assembly in the form of an articulated parallelogram comprising two vertical plates (12, 12 ), an upper link (32) in the shape of an inverted T and a lower link (34), these two links being parallel to each other and being pivotally mounted around their center on a support plate (40) which is fixed to the upper part a cabin door (42), the central branch of the T-link being connected to a drive mechanism (83) of the cabin doors, so that the deformable assembly can be driven between a position o the pads are close together and a position where they are moved apart; - a pre-stressed spring (44), the ends of which are fixed to one of the plates and to the support plate so as to return the deformable assembly to the separated position; - two vertical rods (48, 48) constituted by L-shaped section profiles comprising a flat wing (49) and a bent wing (51), said rods being suspended on the plates, with their bent wings turned towards one another other by means of suspension articulated in the form of an articulated parallelogram (52, 54, 521, 541) which allow them to be moved independently of one another from an equilibrium position which they assume under the 'action of their own weight and o they are spaced from each other in an active position o they are brought closer to each other, stop means (53, 531) being formed on the rods; and - a cabin door locking mechanism (61) rotatably mounted on the support plate (40) and which is capable of moving between an unlocking position towards which it is urged by the stop means (53, 53) of the one or the other of the rods (48, 48), when said rod is brought into its active position and where it locks the cabin door, and a locking position which it resumes   normally when said rod is in said equilibrium position.   2. Coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that said suspension means comprise for each rod, two suspension rods (52, 54) articulated by one of their 12 2823495   ends (55, 59) at the upper and lower ends of the rod, their other ends carrying axes (56, 58) which are received in oblong holes (60, 62) drilled in the corresponding plate (12)   and which rotate in holes drilled in said rod.   3. Coupling device according to claim 2, characterized in that said oblong holes (60, 62) have an inclined direction such that when the rod (48) is fixed to the plate (12) by the two suspension links (52 , 54), it hangs under its own weight in a low position, in which said axes (56, 58) of the rods are in abutment against the lower edge of the oblong holes and that the rod (48) can be moved from this position towards an active position by pushing it until said axes (56, 58) abut against the upper ends of the oblong holes, so that in this movement the stop (53) carried by said rod causes the pivoting mechanism unlocking (61) and unlocking the cabin door (42).   4. Coupling device according to claim 3, characterized in that when the coupling device expands, the rods (48, 48) are pushed back to their active position by rollers (110, 116) whose   is fitted with the landing door lock (106).   5. Coupling device according to claim 3, characterized in that the distance d measured horizontally between the rollers 110, 116 is greater than the distance d1 between the adjacent edges of the plates 12, 12, when the coupling device is closed and is less than the distance d which separates the adjacent edges of said