Abstract:
A ropeless elevator system includes a first lane, a second lane disposed adjacent to the first lane, and an elevator car moveable within each of the first lane and the second lane. A transfer system is configured to facilitate movement of the elevator car from one of the first lane and the second lane to the other of the first lane and the second lane. The transfer system includes a first transfer assembly arranged in at least one of the first and second lanes. The first transfer assembly is configured to guide the elevator car out of the one of the first and second lanes. A transfer station includes a second transfer assembly configured to receive the elevator car from the first transfer assembly. The second transfer assembly extends between the first and second lanes.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/193,388, filed Jul. 16, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of elevator systems and, more particularly, to ropeless elevator systems including a transfer system. 
         [0003]    Ropeless elevator systems, also referred to as self-propelled elevator systems, are useful in certain applications (e.g., high rise buildings) where the mass of the ropes for a roped system is prohibitive and there is a desire for multiple elevator cars to travel in a single lane. There exist ropeless elevator systems in which a first lane is designated for upward traveling elevator cars and a second lane is designated for downward traveling elevator cars with at least two transfer stations in the hoistway used to move elevator cars horizontally between the first lane and second lane. 
         [0004]    Transfer stations do not typically provide redundancy for transfer station operation. Therefore, the numbers of structures capable of moving elevator cars is equal to or lower than the number of lanes of the hoistway. The assumption is that in a worst case scenario, independent working carriages in the transfer station may work with a reduced number of carriages. Working with a reduced number of carriages decreases overall elevator system efficiency and may cause operation delays, as well as logistical challenges. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       [0005]    Disclosed is a ropeless elevator system including a first lane, a second lane disposed adjacent to the first lane, and an elevator car moveable within each of the first lane and the second lane. A transfer system is configured to facilitate movement of the elevator car from one of the first lane and the second lane to the other of the first lane and the second lane. The transfer system includes a first transfer assembly arranged in at least one of the first and second lanes. The first transfer assembly is configured to guide the elevator car out of the one of the first and second lanes. A transfer station includes a second transfer assembly configured to receive the elevator car from the first transfer assembly. The second transfer assembly extends between the first and second lanes. 
         [0006]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the first transfer assembly includes at least one selectively deployable transfer system arranged in the at least one of the first and second lanes. 
         [0007]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the at least one selectively deployable transfer system includes a first selectively deployable conveyor and a second selectively deployable conveyor. 
         [0008]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the at least one selectively deployable transfer system includes a first selectively deployable transfer system arranged in the first lane and a second selectively deployable transfer system arranged in the second lane. 
         [0009]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the at least one selectively deployable transfer system includes a first selectively deployable transfer system arranged in the first lane and a second selectively deployable transfer system arranged in the first lane vertically spaced from the first selectively deployable transfer system. 
         [0010]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the second transfer assembly includes a first transfer system extending along a first axis generally horizontally from the one of the first and second lanes and a second transfer system extending along a second axis generally perpendicularly relative to the first axis. 
         [0011]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the first transfer system includes at least one first conveyor assembly and the second transfer system includes at least one second conveyor assembly. 
         [0012]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the at least one first conveyor assembly is selectively vertically adjustable relative to the at least one second conveyor assembly. 
         [0013]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the at least one second conveyor assembly is selectively vertically adjustable relative to the at least one first conveyor assembly. 
         [0014]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the transfer station is horizontally off-set relative to each of the first and second lanes. 
         [0015]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include a linear motor system including a fixed portion mounted in at least one of the first lane and the second lane, and a moving portion mounted to the elevator car, the moving portion being configured and disposed to disengage the fixed portion during horizontal movement of the elevator car from the one of the first and second lanes. 
         [0016]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include a guide structure extending along one of the first and second lanes and at least one roller assembly mounted to the car, the roller assembly including at least one pivot arm supporting one or more rollers that selectively engage with the guide structure. 
         [0017]    Also disclosed is a transfer system for a ropeless elevator system including a first transfer assembly configured to guide an elevator car out of the one of a first lane and a second lane. The transfer station includes a second transfer assembly configured to receive the elevator car from the first transfer assembly. The second transfer assembly extends between the first and second lanes. 
         [0018]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the first transfer assembly includes at least one selectively deployable transfer system arranged in the at least one of the first and second lanes. 
         [0019]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the at least one selectively deployable transfer system includes a first selectively deployable conveyor and a second selectively deployable conveyor. 
         [0020]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the at least one selectively deployable transfer system includes a first selectively deployable transfer system arranged in the first lane and a second selectively deployable transfer system arranged in the second lane. 
         [0021]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the at least one selectively deployable transfer system includes a first selectively deployable transfer system arranged in the first lane and a second selectively deployable transfer system arranged in the first lane vertically spaced from the first selectively deployable transfer system. 
         [0022]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the second transfer assembly includes a first transfer system extending along a first axis generally horizontally from the one of the first and second lanes and a second transfer system extending along a second axis generally perpendicularly relative to the first axis. 
         [0023]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the first transfer system includes at least one first conveyor assembly and the second transfer system includes at least one second conveyor assembly. 
         [0024]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the at least one first conveyor assembly is selectively vertically adjustable relative to the at least one second conveyor assembly. 
         [0025]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the at least one second conveyor assembly is selectively vertically adjustable relative to the at least one first conveyor assembly. 
         [0026]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein the transfer station is horizontally off-set relative to each of the first and second lanes. 
         [0027]    Further disclosed is a method of transferring an elevator car between elevator lanes. The method includes shifting an elevator car to a transfer station, deploying one or more selectively deployable conveyors, positioning the elevator car onto the one or more selectively deployable conveyors, shifting the elevator car from one lane upon the selectively deployable conveyors onto a transfer assembly, and guiding the elevator car to another lane on the transfer assembly. 
         [0028]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein shifting the elevator car onto a transfer assembly includes shifting the elevator car onto one or more of a first plurality of conveyor systems. 
         [0029]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein guiding the elevator car to another lane includes shifting the elevator car upon one or more of a second plurality of conveyor systems. 
         [0030]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein guiding the elevator car to another lane includes shifting the one or more of the first plurality of elevator systems relative to the one or more of the plurality of second conveyor systems. 
         [0031]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein shifting the elevator car from the one lane includes disengaging a roller assembly from a guide rail. 
         [0032]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein shifting the elevator car from the one lane includes moving the elevator car horizontally to disengage a moving portion of a linear motor assembly from a stationary portion of the linear motor assembly. 
         [0033]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein deploying the one or more selectively deployable conveyors includes rotating the one or more selectively deployable conveyors into the lane. 
         [0034]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include wherein rotating the one or more selectively deployable conveyors into the lane includes pivoting the one or more selectively deployable conveyors upwardly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0035]    The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike: 
           [0036]      FIG. 1  illustrates a multicar ropeless elevator system, in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0037]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of one elevator car of the multicar ropeless elevator system, in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0038]      FIG. 3  is a top partial plan view of the elevator car of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0039]      FIG. 4  illustrates the elevator car of  FIG. 2  arranged above a selectively deployable transfer system in a non-deployed configuration, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0040]      FIG. 5  illustrates the elevator car of  FIG. 4  arranged above the selectively deployable transfer system depicted in a deployed configuration, in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0041]      FIG. 6  illustrates the elevator car of  FIG. 5  resting upon the selectively deployable transfer system, in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0042]      FIG. 7  illustrates a roller assembly arranged on the elevator car of  FIG. 6  disengaging from a guide structure, in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0043]      FIG. 8  illustrates the selectively deployable transfer system shifting the elevator car of  FIG. 6  out of a lane, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0044]      FIG. 9  illustrates the elevator car of  FIG. 8  entering a transfer station and moving, upon a second transfer assembly, to another lane, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0045]      FIG. 10  illustrates the elevator car of  FIG. 9  being received by a first transfer system of the second transfer assembly, in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 11  illustrates the elevator car of  FIG. 10  being shifted along a second transfer system of the second transfer assembly, in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0047]    A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a multicar, ropeless elevator system  10  is illustrated according to one embodiment. Elevator system  10  includes a hoistway  11  having a plurality of lanes  13 ,  15  and  17 . While three lanes are shown in  FIG. 1 , it is understood that embodiments may be used with multicar, ropeless elevator systems that have any number of lanes. In each lane  13 ,  15  and  17 , elevator cars  20  travel in one direction, i.e., up or down, or in multiple directions (i.e., both up and down). For example, in  FIG. 1  elevator cars  20  in lanes  13  and  17  travel up and elevator cars  20  in lane  15  travel down. One or more elevator cars  20  may travel in a single lane  13 ,  15  and  17 . 
         [0049]    In the exemplary embodiment shown, an upper transfer station  24  may be located above a top most floor  26 . Upper transfer station  24  facilitates horizontal travel of one or more elevator cars  20  between select ones of lanes  13 ,  15  and  17 . It is understood that upper transfer station  24  may be located at top most floor  26 . A lower transfer station  28  may be arranged below a first floor  30 . In a manner similar to that described above, lower transfer station  28  facilitates horizontal travel of one or more of elevator cars  20  between select ones of lanes  13 ,  15  and  17 . It is understood that lower transfer station  28  may be located at first floor  30 . Although not shown in  FIG. 1 , one or more intermediate transfer stations may be used between lower transfer station  28  and upper transfer station  24 . Intermediate transfer stations may be similar to lower transfer station  28  and/or upper transfer station  24 . Additionally, both lower transfer station  28  and upper transfer station  24  may be at system terminals, or at any floor above or below. Therefore, it is to be understood that upper transfer station  24  represents an upper most transfer station in ropeless elevator system  10 , and lower transfer station  28  represents a lower most transfer station in ropeless elevator system  10 . Transfer stations at various locations advantageously impact the functional capability of the system by increasing loop options. For example, the lanes  13 ,  15  and  17  may include elevator cars  20  traveling in a unidirectional or bidirectional manner. Furthermore, parking of elevator cars  20  may be performed in transfer stations  24  and  28  depending on the particular location and configuration. 
         [0050]    Elevator cars  20  are self-propelled using, for example, a linear motor system  32  having one or more fixed portions or motor primaries  34  and one or more moving portions or motor secondaries  36 . The one or more fixed portions  34  are mounted in and extend along lanes  13 ,  15  and  17 . The one or more moving portions  36  are mounted on elevator cars  20 . In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, moving portion(s)  36  is positioned and arranged to disengage from fixed portion(s)  34  allowing elevator car  20  to freely translate or horizontally shift into, for example, one or the other of upper transfer station  24  and lower transfer station  28  as well as any transfer stations that may be arranged therebetween. Drive signals are provided to fixed portion  34  and/or moving portion  36  from a controller (not shown) to control movement of elevator cars  20  in a respective one of lanes  13 ,  15  and/or  17 . 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , elevator car  20  is guided by one or more guide structures  40  extending along the length of lane  15 , where the guide structure  24  may be affixed to hoistway wall (not separately labeled), propulsion device (also not separately labeled), carriage structural member  42 , or stacked over each other. For ease of illustration, the view of  FIG. 2  only depicts a single side guide structure  40 ; however, there may be two or more guide structures  40  positioned, for example, on opposite sides of elevator car  20 . Guide structure  40  includes a first guide rail  46  that supports moving portion  36  of linear motor system  32  and a second guide rail  48 . Elevator cars  20  also include a roller assembly  50  that interacts with second guide rail  48  of guide structure  40 . 
         [0052]    More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 3 , roller assembly  50  includes a first roller member  54 , a second roller member  55 , a third roller member  56 , and a fourth roller member  57 . Second and third roller members  55  and  56  are mounted to a pivot arm  58 , while first and fourth roller members  54  and  57  are fixedly mounted to elevator car  20 . Pivot arm  58 , as will be discussed more fully below, disengages second and third roller members  55  and  56  from second guide rail  48  allowing elevator car  20  to freely shift into upper transfer station  24 , lower transfer station  28 , and/or any one of a number of intermediate transfer stations (not shown) without being constrained by connections to guide structure  40 . 
         [0053]    In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, ropeless elevator system  10  includes a first transfer assembly  64  that guides elevator car  20  from lane  13  into a desired one of upper transfer station  24 . It should however be noted that ropeless elevator system  10  may include additional first transfer assembles in lane  13  to guide elevator car  20  into lower transfer station  28 , and any one of a number of intermediate transfer stations (not shown). Also, one or more first transfer assemblies (not separately labeled) may be arranged in lanes  15  and  17 . First transfer assembly  64  includes a first selectively deployable transfer system  68  and a second selectively deployable transfer system  70 . Each selectively deployable transfer system  68  and  70  includes a corresponding selectively deployable conveyor  72  and  74 . 
         [0054]    In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6 , first and second selectively deployable transfer systems  68  and  70  are initially in a non-deployed configuration such as shown in  FIG. 4 . In the non-deployed configuration, elevator cars  20  may travel along an unobstructed path along each one of lanes  13 ,  15  and  17 . When desired to move into a transfer station, such as upper transfer station  24 , elevator car  20  is moved to a position above first and second selectively deployable transfer systems  68  and  70 . At this point, selectively deployable transfer systems  68  and  70  may be deployed, such as shown in  FIG. 5 . Once deployed, elevator car  20  may be supported by first and second selectively deployable conveyors  72  and  74 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . At this point, it should be understood that while shown as rotating downward to deploy, first and second selectively deployable transfer systems  68  and  70  may be rotated upwardly to deploy. Selectively deployable transfer systems  68  and  70  may also be translated linearly. 
         [0055]    In further accordance with an exemplary embodiment, once elevator car  20  is supported, pivot arm  58  may be rotated to disengage second and third roller members  55  and  56  from guide structure  40 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . At this point, elevator car  20  may be shifted rearwardly to disengage motor secondary  36  from motor primary  34 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . Further shifting guides elevator car  20  into upper transfer station  24 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . Of course, it should be understood that elevator car  20  could be shifted forwardly depending upon construction preferences. 
         [0056]    In further accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, ropeless elevator system  10  includes a second transfer assembly  84  arranged in upper transfer station  24 . Of course, it should be understood that ropeless elevator system  10  may also include a second transfer assembly in lower transfer station  28  as well as any one of a number of intermediate transfer stations (not shown). Second transfer assembly  84  includes a first transfer system  90  that receives elevator car  20  along a first axis from, for example, lane  13 , and a second transfer system  92  that guides elevator car  20  along a second axis, horizontally between lanes  13 ,  15  and  17 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0057]    In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, first transfer system  90  includes a first plurality of conveyor belt systems  95 - 100  that extend along the first axis. That is, first conveyor belt systems  95 - 100  may include one or more conveyor belts (not separately labeled) that move elevator car  20  out from a respective one of lanes  13 ,  15  and  17  into upper transfer station  24 . Second transfer system  92  includes a second conveyor assembly  104  having a second plurality of conveyor belt systems  106 - 108  that extend along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. Second conveyor assembly  104  shifts elevator car  20  between lanes  13 ,  15  and  17 . 
         [0058]    In further accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, first conveyor assembly  94  is selectively shiftable relative to second conveyor assembly  104 . More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 10 , when second transfer system  92  is in an elevator car receiving mode, first conveyor assembly  94  may project proudly of second conveyor assembly  104 . In this manner, first transfer assembly  64  may seamlessly guide elevator car  20  into upper transfer station  24 . Once received, first conveyor assembly  94  may be lowered such that elevator car  20  rests upon second conveyor assembly  104 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . Of course, it should be understood that second conveyor assembly  104  may be shiftable relative to first conveyor assembly  94  or both first and second conveyor assemblies  94  and  104  may be shiftable. 
         [0059]    At this point, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiment describe a system for shifting elevator cars horizontally between any existing lanes. In this manner, one or more elevator cars may, for example, travel up in lane  13  and then travel down in lane  17  while additional elevator cars may travel in lane  15  in order to reduce elevator wait times. That is, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, multiple elevator cars may exist in a lane. Accordingly, during select periods, more lanes may be designated as downward travel lanes and at other select periods, more lanes may be designated as upward travel lanes. Further, the exemplary embodiments provide a system that allows elevator cars to transfer between lanes without interrupting continuity of guide structure. It should be further understood, that the exemplary embodiments could be combined with other elevator car transfer systems in order to meet design and operational requirements of a structure. Still further, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments may be employed to transfer an elevator car to a parking station and/or a maintenance location without shutting down a lane. 
         [0060]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0061]    While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.