WO2018114552A1

WO2018114552A1 - Traction system for hinged landing doors, a landing door, an elevator arrangement and a method for operating a landing door

Info

Publication number: WO2018114552A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/082732
Authority: WO
Inventors: Henrique FERREIRA DA SILVA
Original assignee: Inventio Ag
Priority date: 2016-12-20
Filing date: 2017-12-14
Publication date: 2018-06-28

Abstract

A traction device (1) for a hinged landing door (10) of an elevator device (20) comprises a housing (2) and at least one wheel (3) being mounted on an axle, wherein the axle (4) is arranged in the housing and is drivable by a motor (5). The housing (2) is mountable to the lower part (11) of a landing door (10), such that the wheel (3) is suitable for rolling on the floor (12).

Description

Traction system for hinged landing doors, a landing door, an elevator arrangement and a method for operating a landing door

The invention concerns a traction system for hinged landing doors of elevator devices, a landing door with a traction device, an elevator arrangement and a method for opening and/or closing a landing door.

A traditional type of elevator doors are hinged doors being arranged as a landing door attached to a shaft. This type of door is still used today, normally for smaller elevators, especially due to a shortage of space or due to economic reasons.

Some elevators may have semi-manual doors with a configuration of a manual door outside and an automatic door inside attached to the elevator car.

The hinged doors may comprise an automatic interlocking mechanism which permits the doors to be opened when the elevator car is stopped at the floor and at no other time, as for example disclosed in US 2,918,988 or in GB 2 447 891.

The elevator may be equipped with a sensor that detects objects on the doorway when opening and closing. If the sensor detects a person or an object, it will give a corresponding signal and/or will cause the doors to reopen and does not cause the door to close until the person moved away or the object is removed from the doorway.

Usually hinged doors are opened or closed manually using hands, although some that of them close and/or open automatically, for example by a door operating mechanism. Sometimes the door can be spring loaded so that the gate cannot be left open, or the gate can automatically close when the user presses a button.

The closing movement may be achieved by a hydraulic component acting as an absorber. These types of absorbers, however, are not auto-adjustable. For example when there is a temperature change, the oil viscosity changes and thereby also the relating closing and/or opening force. Furthermore the variation of the clamping force is very narrow. Generally automatic doors with a central or lateral opening are very weak for frontal impact. Hinged doors are essentially much stronger for frontal impact just because of their basic geometry.

However, automatic doors provide a more convenient handling than hinged doors.

Automatic drives are also known for swinging doors, for example doors with sliding bars or hinged bars or drives connected to the axle of the hinge, as disclosed for example in EP 1 936 089 Al . However, these drives are generally not suitable for a landing door of an elevator, since they need some space which is not available close to an elevator. These drives are especially not suitable for upgrading an existing elevator door.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a landing door and an elevator arrangement, which prevent the disadvantages of the known solutions and which permit a safe and convenient use of an elevator door.

According to the present invention a traction device for a hinged landing door of an elevator device comprises a housing and at least one wheel being mounted on an axle. The axle is arranged in the housing and is drivable by a motor. The housing is mountable to a part of a landing door, such that the wheel is suitable for rolling on a floor or on a ceiling.

Preferably the housing can be mounted on the surface of the landing door facing the elevator shaft. When the door is closed the traction device is protected by the door and the traction device does not limit the opening movement of the landing door. The retrofitted traction device does also not impair the optical appearance of the landing door.

The traction devise does not need any space besides the volume of the housing. Hence the traction devices can easily be retrofitted with an existing door at an elevator arrangement already being in use.

Since the at least one wheel is mounted on an axle being arranged in the housing, the moving parts of the traction device are protected by the housing and there is only a low risk of damage or impairing the function of the traction device due to contamination or impact.

The axle may be arranged with its axis being inclined with respect to a lower edge of the housing. In case the housing is mounted to the landing door with the lower and/or upper edge being aligned to the lower and/or upper edge of the landing door, the axle will be inclined with respect to the floor and/or ceiling of the building where the elevator arrangement is installed. The axis of a generally elongate axle usually is identical with the axis of rotation of a wheel mounted to the axes.

Preferably the rotation plane, being perpendicular to the rotation axis, of the at least one wheel is inclined with respect to a lateral edge of the housing. Usually the lateral edge of the housing includes a right angle with the lower and upper edge of the housing.

The inclination of the wheel results in a curved track of the rolling wheel. The inclination is preferably adapted to the intended position of the traction devices, in particular to the distance between the intended position of the traction device and the hinged edge of the landing door. The movement of the traction device hence is preferably adapted to be circular with a radius corresponding to said distance. The movement of the wheels will not counteract the movement of the hinged door during opening and/or closing.

In an advantageous embodiment the traction device comprises at least two, preferably four, wheels. The wheels are preferably mounted on a common axle. The traction devices may be arranged with respect to the landing door, such that the axle is parallel to the landing door face. Hence the traction device can be implemented with a flat arrangement such that the traction device only has a small spatial extension in a direction facing away from the door.

Favourably the wheels have different effective diameters, and the axle is preferably arranged inclined with respect to a lower edge of the housing, such that in the mounted state all wheels touch the floor or the ceiling.

Typically the axis of an elongate axle coincidences with the rotation axis of the wheels. Hence the movement track of the wheels will be circular. In the mounted state the trac- tion device automatically follows the line of movement of the mounting position during opening or closing of the landing door. With an inclined rotation axis the wear of the wheels is uniform, which prolongs the lifetime of the wheels.

Preferably the traction device comprises at least one resilient element, for example a spring, for forcing the wheel or the wheels towards the floor or the ceiling respectively.

In particular the resilient element is arranged between the axle and the housing, such that all wheels being arranged on the axle are pressed simultaneously.

The axle may also be attached to the housing by the at least one resilient element.

The resilient element provides for compensating necessary up and down movements of the wheels due e.g. to an uneven floor or due to small obstacles on the floor.

Preferably the pressure force of the resilient element is adjustable. For example the tension of a spring may be adjusted by a suitable tool, for example a screwdriver.

The more the wheels are pressed against the floor or the ceiling respectively, the more energy may be transmitted from the motor to the floor and the greater is the potential driving force of the traction device.

The motor for driving the axle can be externally arranged with respect to the traction device and can be linked to the traction device by a transmission element.

In a favourable embodiment of the invention the traction device comprises an electric motor for driving the wheel in an opening and/or a closing movement action. Since the motor is only for movement of a door being supported by hinges, the motor may be small enough to be arranged within the housing.

Preferably the at least one wheel is driven by at least one traction belt, which is in particular arranged between the axle and the motor. When driving the axle all wheels arranged on the axle are driven simultaneously. In a preferential embodiment of the invention the traction device comprises a system for monitoring an electric parameter, in particular the electric current, of the electric motor.

The system may be used for controlling the activity of the motor depending on the parameter. Usually the electric motor works with predetermined electric parameters, for example with a specifically pre-set current. The system for monitoring may verify the setting and may record a possible deviation.

The system may comprise an alarm device, which emits a signal, for example an optical or acoustical signal, in case of an irregularity, for example in case the electric parameter increases above a predetermined value or decreases below a predetermined value.

The traction device may comprise a system for controlling the electric motor. For example the system may provide for switching off the electric motor and/or for adjusting or inverting the movement of action. The motor may also be switched to idle. Usually the motor offers two movement actions, one for opening the door, wherein the motor runs in a first direction, and one for closing the door, wherein the motor runs in the other direction.

In particular the system for controlling the electric motor is coupled to the system for monitoring an electric parameter of the electric motor. Hence the system may provide for switching off the electric motor and/or for adjusting or inverting the movement of action, in case the electric parameter increases above a predetermined value or decreases below a predetermined value.

Typically the current of an electric motor increases, when the motor has to work against a sudden and/or increasing load, such as an obstacle or a barrier in the opening or closing zone of the door or a stopper to which the door butts when it is totally open or closed. The system for monitoring may detect such a change in the motor current. The system for controlling may then deactivate the motor. The system may additionally hold the deactivated state for some time and then invert the movement of action.

In an analogous way the current of the electric motor typically decreases when the automatically moved door is moved by an additional force, for example by hand. The system for monitoring may detect such a change in the motor current and the system for controlling may deactivate the motor, such that the door is operated completely manually.

The system of monitoring may also detect when the motor is moved by an external force instead of a motor power supply, for example when someone starts to open or close the door manually. The system for controlling may then activate the motor, such that the further opening is automatic.

The traction device may contain a power supply, such as batteries. However, particularly the traction device comprises an electric interface for power supply and/or controlling. The interface typically provides an electric connection to a power supply and/or to a control system of an elevator device.

The interface may be used for switching on and off the electric motor, for switching on and off the system for monitoring the electric parameter of the electric motor and/or for switching on and off the system for controlling the motor.

According to the present invention a traction device for a hinged landing door of an elevator device, in particular as described above, comprises a drive, an actuator for moving a door, a sensor for detecting a measurement value corresponding to an external force on the traction device and a control unit being construed such that the drive is switched off as soon the measurement values does not fulfil predetermined criteria.

The drive may be a motor, in particular an electric motor. The actuator for moving a door may comprise at least one wheel. The traction device according to this aspect is, however, not limited to a wheel but could be used in context with any other suitable actuator such as toothed rails or rods. The sensor may for example detect a current of an electric motor or the pressure in a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder.

The control unit is construed such that the drive is switched off as soon as a measurement value or a change of a measurement value increases above a predetermined value or decreases below a predetermined value. The drive and at least a part of the actuator may be arranged in a housing or on a mounting plate being mountable to a landing door.

The traction device is a self-controlling system, which may stop its action and/or turns to a neutral state as soon as the course of action deviates from a predetermined process.

According to the present invention a landing door comprises a traction device as described above. The traction device is mounted on a part of the landing door, preferably on a lower part.

In a preferred embodiment the landing door comprises a closing mechanism, in particular a non-electric mechanism, such as a spring, for supporting the closing movement of the door. Advantageously the closing system closes the landing door, when no other force effects the door, for example when the motor of the traction device is switched off and/or the door is not held open by an outer force. When a landing door accidentally is opened in an irregular state, for example without the cabin being on the level of the landing door and the traction system not being activated, the closing mechanism will provide for closing the door.

Preferably the closing mechanism provides a closing force to the at least partially opened door in any case, also without any power supply.

In case the door is opened in a regular situation a control system of the motor preferably is adapted for the motor being able to work additionally against the closing force of the closing mechanism and in case the door is closed in a regular situation the control system of the motor preferably is adapted for absorbing the impact of the door when contacting the frame.

According to the present invention an elevator arrangement comprises at least one landing door as described above.

In a favourable embodiment the elevator arrangement comprises a safety mechanism for assuring the presence of an elevator car on a level of a respective landing door. The safety mechanism may comprise a component which is arranged on the elevator car and which provides for releasing an automatic interlocking system keeping the hinged landing door regularly closed as long as the elevator car is not on the level of the landing door.

The safety mechanism may be connected to the system for controlling the motor of the traction device, for allowing the activation of the traction device only when an elevator car is present on the respective level and for not allowing to switch on the motor as long as the elevator car is not on the respective level.

Preferably the elevator arrangement comprises a sensor, in particular an optical sensor, for detecting an obstacle in the door zone.

The sensor may be arranged on the landing door frame, for example a header. Alternatively or additionally a sensor may be arranged on the elevator car. The sensor or a group of sensors may be installed such that they make a check on the whole movement range of the door.

Preferably the sensor is electrically connected by a connection line to a system for controlling a motor of the traction device.

In case the sensor detects an obstacle in the door zone the sensor may generate an output signal. This signal may be received by an alarm device, emitting an alarm signal, such as flashing light or a sound.

The output signal may also be received by the system for controlling the motor of the traction device, which may prohibit the start of the motor, may stop the motor, may bring the motor into idle and/or may invert the direction of action of the motor.

In case the sensor verifies that that the movement area of the door has no barrier, the motor of the traction device will be allowed to be activated. In an alternative embodiment the elevator arrangement comprises a button for activating and/or deactivating an electric motor and/or a system for controlling a motor of the traction device.

The button may be arranged on the landing door frame, for example a jamb. By using the button the traction device can be activated or deactivated, such that in demand the landing door may be operated completely manually or automatically.

For example in case a user presses the button, the system for controlling a motor of the traction device will understand that the passenger wants to handle the door on his own. So the motor of the traction device will not be activated, will be switched off or will idle and the door works as a manually operated door.

According to the present invention a method for opening and/or closing a hinged landing door, preferably as described above, comprises the steps of an electric motor of a traction device driving a wheel rolling on a floor or on a ceiling in the opening or closing direction and thereby moving the landing door. In particular the motor as well as the wheel are mounted on the landing door.

Preferably said method steps only may start, when a safety mechanism has assured the presence of an elevator car on the level of the landing door.

Preferably a sensor checks if there is an obstacle in the door zone. A signal may be emitted if an obstacle in the door zone is detected by the sensor.

The sensor may send an electric signal to a system for controlling the motor of the traction device.

If no obstacle is detected the traction device will be activated and the electric motor of the traction device will start to drive the wheel in the opening or closing direction.

In a preferred embodiment a system for monitoring an electric parameter, in particular a current, of the electric motor monitors an electric parameter, in particular a current, of the motor of the traction device. Preferably if the landing door is forced in the opening or closing direction, a system for controlling the electric motor of the traction device will switch off the motor and/or will invert the direction of movement.

Preferentially the traction system will detect when the user does not want to wait for the automatic action of the traction device. If someone forces the door to close when the traction device is closing or forces the door to open when the traction device is opening, the system for controlling the motor will get a respective signal from the system for monitoring. The signal indicates that someone handles the door faster than the motor normally does. As a consequence the motor may be deactivated.

Preferentially, if the door touches an obstacle something during the door movement, the electric current of the motor of the traction device will increase. If the electric current increases above a predetermined value, for example above a value which corresponds to a force greater than 100-500N, in particular 150N applied to the door (force determined by the standard NM207), the system for controlling the motor will get a respective signal from the system for monitoring. The signal indicates that an obstacle is in the way. As a consequence the motor may be deactivated, the system for controlling may provide for a waiting time, for example 1-10 seconds, in particular 3 seconds, and may then invert the movement of action.

Thus even without an explicit sensor for detecting an obstacle the elevator arrangement will comply with the standards and will avoid hurting a person or cause damage.

The object of the invention is further achieved by the use of a traction device, in particular as described above, with a hinged landing door of an elevator device. The traction device comprises a housing and at least one wheel being mounted on an axle. The axle is arranged in the housing and is drivable by a motor. The housing is mountable to a part of the landing door, such that the wheel is suitable for rolling on a floor or on a ceiling.

The invention is explained in more detail in the following in exemplary embodiments and with the aid of drawings. The figures show

Figure 1 a schematic sectional representation of an example of a traction device according to the invention;

Figure 2 a schematic representation of an example of an elevator arrangement according to the invention in a perspective view;

Figure 3 a schematic representation of an example of a system for monitoring an electrical parameter;

Figure 4 a schematic sectional representation of an adjustable spring.

Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional representation of a traction device 1 according to the invention. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an elevator arrangement 20 according to the invention in a perspective view, with the traction device 1 mounted to a landing door 10.

The traction device 1 comprises a housing 2 and for example four wheels 3 being mounted on one axle 4. The axle 4 is arranged in the housing 2 and is drivable by a motor 5, in this case an electric motor. The housing 2 is mounted to a lower part 11 of a landing door 10 (see figure 2), such that the wheels 3 are suitable for rolling on a floor 12.

The axle 5 is arranged with an axis 6 being inclined with respect to a lower edge 7 of the housing 2, such that the rotation planes 8 of the wheels 3 are inclined with respect to a lateral edge 9 of the housing 2.

The wheels 3 have different effective diameters 13. The axle 4 is arranged inclined with respect to a lower edge 7 of the housing 2, such that in the mounted state all wheels 3 touch the floor 12.

When the door 10 moves, the wheels 3 automatically follow a curved path 27.

The traction device 1 may comprise two resilient elements 14a, in this case springs, for forcing the wheels 3 towards the floor 12. The resilient elements 14 may be arranged between the axle 4 and the housing 9. The wheels 3 may be driven by two traction belts 15, which transfer a driving force between the axle 4 and the motor 5.

The traction device 1 may comprise an electric interface 16, in this case an electrical connection line, for power supply and/or controlling.

The landing door 10 may comprise a closing mechanism 17, in this case a spring, for supporting the closing movement of the door 10. One part of the closing mechanism 17 may be connected to the landing door frame 23.

The elevator arrangement 20 may comprise a safety mechanism 18 for assuring the presence of an elevator car 19 on a level of a respective landing door 10.

The safety mechanism 18 may detect the presence of an elevator car 19 and may lock the landing door 10, in case no elevator car 19 is on the respective level.

It may be electrically connected by a connection line 25 to the traction device 1.

The elevator arrangement 20 may comprises an optical sensor 21 for detecting an obstacle in the door zone 22. The sensor 21 may be arranged on a landing door frame 23, for example on a header 24.

The elevator arrangement 20 may comprise a button 26 for activating and/or deactivating the traction device 1.

The safety mechanism 18, the sensor 21 and/or the button 26 may be electrically connected by a connection line 25 to the traction device 1.

The elevator arrangement 20 may be used fully automatically. The arrangement 20 starts working only when the safety mechanism 18 is deactivated.

In the fully automatic mode the sensor 21 may check if there is an obstacle in the door zone 22 that may interfere with a proper door opening. If the sensor detects an obstacle in the door zone 22, a light (not explicitly shown in the figure) may begin to flash or a buzzer (not explicitly shown in the figure) may begin to emit a sound. In case an obstacle is detected the traction device 1 may be deactivated. If the sensor 21 verifies that there is no obstacle in the door zone 22, the traction device 1 will be activated and the door 10 starts to open.

The system may also understand, when the user does not want to wait for the automatic opening or closing. If someone forces the door 10 to close or to open when the traction device 1 is activated, a controller, for example a system for monitoring an electrical parameter 30 as shown in figure 3, will detect that the door 10 is handled faster than by only using the traction device 1. The motor 5 of the traction device 1 will be deactivated and the door 10 may be used as a manual door.

Alternatively the elevator arrangement 20 may be used as a partially automatic system without the use of an external sensor 21 for detecting obstacles. Obstacles in the door zone 22 will then be detected by a system for monitoring an electric parameter 30 (not explicitly disclosed in Figures 1 and 2).

The system for monitoring an electric parameter 30 will also detect, if the door 10 is handled faster than by only using the traction device 1 , for example when a user does not want to wait for the automatic opening or closing. The motor 5 of the traction device 1 may be deactivated in this case.

The elevator arrangement 20 may be used completely controlled by the user, when for example the motor 5 of the traction device 1 is switched off by pushing the button 26. Alternatively, the system for monitoring an electric parameter 30 is operating and the traction device 1 will stay activated as long as there is no sudden increase or decrease of movement to assist a manual use.

Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an example of a system for monitoring an electrical parameter 30.

The system for monitoring an electrical parameter 30 monitors an electrical current of a load 28, for example the current of the motor 5 of the traction device 1. The system comprises two current monitors 29, one for each direction and an operational amplifier 31 for generating a single output, depending on the direction and on the value of the current. Output values between 0 and 2.5 V represent current values in a first direction, output values between 2.5V and 5V represent current values in the other direction.

For example, when the electrical current becomes equal or bigger than the electrical current corresponding to a force of 150 N applied to the door, the motor 5 of the traction device 1 may be switched off. After a waiting time of for example 3 seconds the direction of movement of the traction device 1 may be inverted.

Figure 4 shows a schematic sectional representation of an adjustable spring 14a

(see Fig 1). The pressure force of the spring 14a is adjustable with a tool 32, for example a screw driver.

Reference numbers

Traction device (1) housing (2)

wheel (3)

axle (4)

motor (5)

axis (6)

lower edge (7) of the housing roller plane (8)

lateral edge (9)

elevator door (10) lower part (11)

floor (12)

rotational diameters (13) resilient element (14) Spring 14a

traction belt (15) contact line (16) closing mechanism (17) safety mechanism (18) elevator car (19)

Elevator device (20) sensor (21)

door zone (22)

landing door frame (23) header (24)

connection line (25) button (26)

curved path 27

load 28

current monitors 29 system for monitoring (30) operation amplifier 31 tool 32

Claims

1. Traction device (1) for a hinged landing door (10) of an elevator device (20), wherein the traction device (1) comprises a housing (2) and

at least one wheel (3) being mounted on an axle (4),

wherein the axle (4) is arranged in the housing and is drivable by a motor (5), and wherein the housing (2) is mountable to a part (11) of a landing door (10), such that the wheel (3) is suitable for rolling on a floor (12) or on a ceiling, wherein the traction device comprises an electric motor (5) for driving the wheel (3) in an opening and/or a closing movement action, preferably by at least one traction belt (15) between the axle (3) and the motor (5), wherein the traction device (1) comprises a system for controlling the electric motor (5), in particular a system for inverting the movement of action, when the electric current increases above a predetermined value or decreases below a predetermined value.

2. Traction device (1) as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the axle (5) is arranged with an axis (6) being inclined with respect to a lower edge (7) of the housing (2) and preferably the rotation plane (8) of the at least one wheel (3) is inclined with respect to a lateral edge (9) of the housing (2).

3. Traction device (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the

traction device (1) comprises at least two, preferably four, wheels (3), the wheels (3) being mounted on a common axle (4).

4. Traction device as (1) claimed in claim 3,

wherein the wheels (3) have different effective diameters (13), and the axle (3) is preferably arranged inclined with respect to a lower edge (7) of the housing (2), such that in the mounted state all wheels (3) touch the floor (12) or the ceiling.

5. Traction device (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the traction device (1) comprises at least one resilient element (14), for example a spring (14a), for forcing the wheel (3) towards the floor (12) or the ceiling, the resilient element (14) being arranged between the axle (4) and the housing (9), wherein preferably the pressure force of the resilient element (14) is adjustable.

6. Traction device (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims wherein the traction device (1) comprises a system for monitoring (30) an electric parameter, in particular the electric current, of the electric motor (5).

7. Traction device (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims wherein the system for controlling the electric motor (5) is suitable for switching off the electric motor (5), when the electric current increases above a predetermined value or decreases below a predetermined value.

8. Traction device (1) as claimed in one of claims 6 or 7 wherein the traction device (1) comprises an electric interface (16) for power supply and/or controlling, in particular for switching on and off the electric motor (5), for switching on and off the system for monitoring the electric parameter of the electric motor and/or for switching on and off the system for controlling the motor (5).

9. Traction device (1) for a hinged landing door (10) of an elevator device (20), in particular according to claims 1-9, wherein the traction device (1) comprises a drive, for example a motor (5), an actuator for moving a door, for example comprising a wheel (3) or a rail, a sensor for detecting a measurement value corresponding to an external force on the traction device (1), and a control unit being construed such that the drive is switched off as soon the measurement values exceeds at least one predetermined value.

10. Landing door (10) with a traction device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the traction device (1) is mounted on a part (11) of the landing door (10), preferably on a lower part.

11. Elevator arrangement (20) with at least one landing door (10) as claimed in claim 10.

12. Elevator arrangement (20) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the elevator arrangement (20) comprises a button (26) for activating and/or deactivating an electric motor (5) and/or a system for controlling a motor (5) of the traction device (1).

13. Method for opening and/or closing a landing door (10), preferably as claimed in claim 10,

wherein an electric motor (5) of a traction device (1) drives a wheel (3) rolling on a floor (12) or on a ceiling in the opening or closing direction and thereby moving the landing door (10).

14. Method as claimed in claim 13, wherein

-a sensor (21) checks if there is an obstacle in the door zone (22),

-optionally a signal is emitted if an obstacle in the door zone (22) is detected by the sensor (21),

-if no obstacle is detected the traction device (1) will be activated and the electric motor (5) of the traction device (1) will start to drive the wheel (3) in the opening or closing direction.

15. Method as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein

a system for monitoring an electric parameter, in particular a current, of the electric motor (5) monitors an electric parameter, in particular a current, of the motor (5) of the traction device (1),

if the landing door (10) is forced in the opening or closing direction, a system for controlling the electric motor (5) of the traction device (1) will switch off the motor (5) and/or will invert the direction of movement.