Elevator door interlock assembly

An illustrative example elevator door interlock includes a latch situated for pivotal movement about a pivot axis between a door locking position and a released position. At least one base is configured to be selectively movable relative to the pivot axis. A plurality of door movement bumpers are supported on the at least one base. Selective movement of the at least one base relative to the pivot axis adjusts an alignment position of the door movement bumpers.

BACKGROUND

Elevator systems are in widespread use for carrying passengers between various levels in buildings, for example. Access to an elevator car requires that elevator car doors open when the car is at a landing at which a passenger desires to board the elevator car, for example. Each landing includes hoistway doors that move with the elevator car doors between open and closed positions.

There are various known coupler and interlock arrangements for coupling the elevator car doors to the hoistway doors so that the door mover that causes movement of the car doors also causes desired movement of the hoistway doors. Most door couplers include a set of vanes supported on the elevator car door structure. Most interlocks include a set of rollers supported on the hoistway door structure. When the rollers are received adjacent the vanes, it is possible to move both doors together. The movement of the car doors includes one of the vanes pushing on one of the rollers to move the hoistway door in one direction and the other vane pushing on the other roller to move the hoistway door in the other direction.

It is believed that elevator door system components account for approximately 50% of elevator maintenance requests and 30% of callbacks. Almost half of the callbacks due to a door system malfunction are related to one of the interlock functions.

Another drawback associated with known interlock arrangements is that the process of installing the interlocks along the hoistway is time-consuming and undesirably complicated. Each interlock has to be positioned to receive the coupler vanes as the elevator car approaches the corresponding landing. Inaccurate interlock placement may result in undesired contact between the coupler vanes and the interlock as the elevator car passes the landing, for example. Additionally, adjusting the rollers to achieve the necessary alignment with the coupler requires adjusting the position of the corresponding hoistway door lock and switch to ensure that the interlock properly cooperates with the lock. If the lock and switch components are not accurately positioned, the elevator may not perform reliably as indications from the switches along the hoistway are needed to ensure that all hoistway doors are closed before the elevator car moves along the hoistway.

SUMMARY

An illustrative example elevator door interlock includes a latch situated for pivotal movement about a pivot axis between a door locking position and a released position. At least one base is configured to be selectively movable relative to the pivot axis. A plurality of door movement bumpers are supported on the at least one base. Selective movement of the at least one base relative to the pivot axis adjusts an alignment position of the door movement bumpers.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of the previous paragraph, the at least one base is selectively movable horizontally relative to the pivot axis.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the previous paragraphs, the at least one base comprises a bracket including a plurality of slots, the interlock comprises fasteners at least partially received through the slots, and the fasteners selectively secure the at least one base in a fixed position relative to the pivot axis.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the previous paragraphs, a first one of the bumpers is in a first position on the at least one base, a second one of the bumpers is in a second position on the at least one base, and at least one of the first and second positions is adjustable to selectively adjust a spacing between the bumpers.

An example embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the previous paragraphs includes a latch bumper supported for movement with the latch between the locking and released positions. The latch bumper is configured to be contacted by a door coupler component for moving the latch toward the released position.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the previous paragraphs, there is a gap between the door movement bumpers, the latch bumper is situated relative to the gap such that the door coupler component contacts the latch bumper and urges the latch into the released position when the door coupler component is at least partially in the gap, and the latch bumper is situated relative to the gap when the latch is in the released position so that the latch does not carry any load associated with movement of an associated hoistway door.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the previous paragraphs, a first distance separates the latch bumper from a first one of the door movement bumpers when the latch is in the locking position, a second distance separates the latch bumper from the first one of the door movement bumpers when the latch is in the released position, the first distance is smaller than the second distance and the second distance is at least as large as the gap.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the previous paragraphs, the latch bumper is situated relative to the gap when the latch is in the released position so that the latch does not carry any load associated with movement of an associated hoistway door.

An example embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the previous paragraphs includes a bracket. The bracket is selectively moveable relative to the latch, the latch bumper is supported on the bracket and the bracket is selectively secured to the latch to fix a position of the latch bumper relative to the pivot axis.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the previous paragraphs, the door movement bumpers comprise rollers.

An example embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the previous paragraphs includes a lock including a switch and a switch contact supported on the latch that cooperates with the switch to indicate when the latch is in the locking position. The at least one base is selectively movable relative to the lock and the switch and the lock and the switch remain in a fixed position relative to the pivot axis when the at least one base is selectively moved.

An illustrative example method of installing an elevator door interlock, which includes a latch that is configured to pivot about a pivot axis and two bumpers, includes positioning the latch in a selected position relative to a hoistway door component, adjusting a position of at least a first one of the bumpers relative to the latch by moving a base supporting at least the first one of the bumpers relative to the hoistway door component without moving the pivot axis of the latch, and securing the base in a selected position that secures at least the first one of the bumpers in a desired position relative to the hoistway door component.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the method of any of the previous paragraphs, adjusting the position of the at least first one of the bumpers includes adjusting a position of a second one of the bumpers when moving the base.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the method of any of the previous paragraphs, moving the base comprises moving the base horizontally relative to the pivot axis.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the method of any of the previous paragraphs, the elevator door interlock includes a switch that indicates when the latch is in a locked position and the method comprises establishing a position of the switch relative to the pivot axis of the latch before adjusting the position of the first one of the bumpers.

Another illustrative example elevator door interlock includes a latch configured for pivotal movement about a pivot axis between a door locking position and a released position. At least one door movement bumper is situated to be contacted by a door coupler component for moving an associated hoistway door. A latch bumper is supported for movement with the latch between the locking and released positions. The latch bumper is moveable between a first position corresponding to the latch being in the locking position and a second position corresponding to the latch being in the released position. The latch bumper second position is situated relative to the at least one door movement bumper such that the door movement bumper carries any load associated with the door coupler component moving the associated hoistway door and the latch bumper does not carry any of the load associated with moving the associated hoistway door.

An example embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the previous paragraphs includes at least one base that is configured to be selectively movable relative to the pivot axis. The at least one door movement bumper is supported on the at least one base and selective movement of the at least one base relative to the pivot axis adjusts an alignment position of the at least one door movement bumper.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the previous paragraphs, the at least one base is selectively movable horizontally relative to the pivot axis.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the previous paragraphs, the at least one door movement bumper comprises a plurality of door movement bumpers, there is a gap between the door movement bumpers, the latch bumper is situated relative to the gap such that the door coupler component contacts the latch bumper and urges the latch into the released position when the door coupler component is at least partially in the gap, and the latch bumper is situated relative to the gap when the latch is in the released position so that the latch does not carry any load associated with movement of the associated hoistway door.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the elevator door interlock of any of the previous paragraphs, the at least one door movement bumper comprises a plurality of door movement bumpers, a first distance separates the latch bumper from one of the door movement bumpers when the latch is in the locking position, a second distance separates the latch bumper from the one of the door movement bumpers when the latch is in the released position, the first distance is smaller than the second distance, and the second distance is at least as large as the gap.

The various features and advantages of an example embodiment will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of this invention provide an elevator door interlock that is easily adjustable for properly aligning the interlock with an elevator door coupler. The alignment can be achieved without requiring any adjustment of relative positions of the latch and lock switch components. Embodiments of this invention also separate the door unlocking and door moving functions. In previous interlocks, a roller used to unlock the door lock also carried a significant portion of the load associated with opening the hoistway door. By separating the unlocking and door moving functions, the latch of the interlock and its supporting components do not need to bear the load associated with opening the hoistway door.

FIG. 1schematically illustrates selected portions of an elevator system20. An elevator car22includes car doors24that are situated adjacent hoistway landing doors26when the elevator car22is parked at a landing. At least one portion or component of a door coupler28associated with the elevator car doors24cooperates with an interlock30associated with the hoistway doors26so that the elevator car doors24and the hoistway doors26move together between opened and closed positions.

FIGS. 2-5show the interlock30of an example embodiment. The interlock30includes a latch32that is moveable between a locking position (shown inFIG. 2) and a released position (shown inFIG. 3). A locking surface34on the latch32engages a stop36on a door lock38when the latch32is in the locking position. In the released position shown inFIG. 3, the locking surface34is clear of the stop36and the door26is free to move with the elevator car door24.

The lock38includes a switch40. A switch contact42supported on the latch32cooperates with the switch40to provide an indication when the latch32is in the locking position. The switch40works in a known manner to provide an indication when a corresponding hoistway door26is unlocked based on a lack of contact between the switch40and the switch contact42as shown, for example, inFIG. 3.

A latch bumper44is supported on a bracket46that is secured to the latch32. In this example, at least one fastener48secures the bracket46in a selected position relative to the latch32.

In the illustrated embodiment, the latch bumper44comprises a roller or sleeve supported on the bracket46. In one example embodiment, the bracket46includes a post or boss with a low-friction material sleeve received around the post.

As schematically shown inFIG. 3, when a door coupler component50, such as a vane, contacts the latch bumper44and urges it to the right (according to the drawings), that moves the latch32into the released position ofFIG. 3. The latch32is supported to pivot about a pivot axis52relative to a door component54, such as a door hanger. In this example, the door component54includes a boss or post56that is at least partially received within a slot58on the latch32. The post56and the slot58cooperate to limit the amount of pivotal movement of the latch32relative to the door component54.

Once the latch32is in the released position, the door coupler28including the door coupler components50can move the hoistway door26with the elevator car door24. The illustrated example interlock30includes door movement bumpers60and62. In the example embodiment, the door movement bumpers60and62comprise rollers supported on at least one base63.

One feature of the example interlock30is that the positions of the bumpers60and62relative to the door component54may be adjusted by selectively moving the base63relative to the door component54. In the illustrated example, a plurality of fasteners64are at least partially received through slots66on the base63. When the fasteners64are appropriately loosened, the base63may be moved linearly and horizontally (i.e., right or left according to the drawings) for purposes of changing a position of the door movement bumpers60and62relative to the pivot axis52of the latch32. Moving the base63and the door movement bumpers60and62in this manner allows for aligning the bumpers60and62with the door coupler28without having to move or adjust the pivot axis52of the latch32. One of the features of the illustrated example embodiment is that it allows for adjusting the alignment position of the door movement bumpers60and62without having to change any of the positions of the latch32, the pivot axis52, the switch40or the lock38. This reduces the amount of alignment and adjustment required when attempting to align interlocks at a plurality of landings with the door coupler28on the elevator car22.

In one example embodiment, the door movement bumpers60and62are set in fixed positions on the base63. In another example embodiment, at least one of the door movement bumpers60and62is adjustable into more than one position relative to the base63as shown in phantom at62′. For example, an eccentric adjustment feature allows for changing the position of the axis of at least one of the door movement bumper rollers60and62relative to the base63to change a size of a gap G between the bumpers60and62. The fasteners64selectively secure the base63and the door movement bumpers60and62in a fixed position relative to the door component54to maintain the desired alignment between the door coupler28and the door movement bumpers60and62.

FIG. 2illustrates the base63in a centered position relative to the pivot axis52.FIG. 4illustrates the base63moved or shifted to the right (according to the drawings) relative to the pivot axis52of the latch32.FIG. 5illustrates the interlock30in a condition where the base63has been moved horizontally to the left (according to the drawings) relative to the position shown inFIG. 2.

Another feature of the example interlock30is that the door movement bumpers60and62carry all of the load associated with moving the hoistway door26with the elevator door24. The latch bumper44and latch32do not carry any of the load associated with moving the hoistway door. By separating the door unlocking and door movement functions, the illustrated example reduces the load and wear on the components associated with the latch32that otherwise bear the load associated with moving the hoistway door26in previous interlock designs.

The latch bumper44is situated within the gap G between the door movement bumpers60and62when the latch32is in the locking position shown inFIGS. 2, 4, and 5. The latch bumper44is situated within the gap G so that it makes contact with a door coupler component50, such as a vane prior to that same component contacting the door movement bumper60. As the coupler component50moves to the right (according to the drawings), that urges the latch bumper44to the right causing the latch32to move from the locking position into the released position.

In the locking position, the latch bumper44is spaced laterally from the door movement bumper62by a first distance D1as shown, for example inFIGS. 2 and 4. The latch bumper44is situated a second distance D2in a lateral or horizontal direction from the door movement bumper60. The distances D1and D2together equal the size of the gap G between the door movement bumpers60and62. When the latch32moves into the released position, the latch bumper44moves into a position that is spaced a larger distance from the door movement bumper62, which corresponds to at least the size of the gap G as can be appreciated fromFIG. 3. With the latch bumper44in this position, a door coupler component50, such as a vane, contacts the door movement bumper60and the load associated with moving the hoistway door26is transferred to the door component54through the door movement bumper60and base63without requiring the latch bumper44or the latch32and its associated components to carry any of the load associated with moving the door.

The bracket46includes a slot70that allows for adjusting a position of the latch bumper44relative to the door movement bumpers60and62to achieve the desired amount of movement of the latch32into the released position based on contact between the door coupler component50and the latch bumper44. The adjustment of the bracket46also ensures that the latch bumper44is situated where it will not carry the load associated with moving the door26while the latch32is in the released position.

In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-5, the slot70is arcuate and allows for pivotally adjusting the position of the latch bumper44about the pivot axis52of the latch32. In the example ofFIG. 6, the bracket46′ includes two slots70that are oriented to allow for linear, horizontal adjustment of the bracket46′ relative to the pivot axis52. Such translational or horizontal adjustment allows for changing the position of the latch bumper44relative to the door movement bumpers60and62for selecting the appropriate distances D1and D2to achieve appropriate interlock operation.

One aspect of the brackets46and46′ is that the mass of each serves as a counterweight to bias the latch32into the locking position.

Having the ability to adjust the position of the latch bumper44and door movement bumpers60and62without having to move any of the latch32, pivot axis52or switch40allows for aligning interlocks30along an entire hoistway with the door coupler28of the elevator car22in a more efficient and economical manner There is no need to adjust the latch32or switch contact42relative to the lock38, for example. The relative positions of the pivot axis52, lock38, switch40, and switch contact42do not change during adjustment of the bumper positions so there is no risk of a misalignment between the switch40and switch contact42. This feature of the illustrated example enhances the reliability of proper operation of the elevator system and reduces the amount of labor required to achieve proper alignment between the door coupler28and the interlocks30along the hoistway.

Additionally, the illustrated example embodiments allow for the position of the pivot axis52, the lock38, the switch40, and the switch contact42to all be pre-established in a controlled manufacturing setting. The interlock30may be installed as a preassembled unit onto a door component54, such as a door hanger, which further reduces labor, time and cost and further enhances the accuracy of the relative positions of the components of the interlock30. This type of arrangement leads to a more reliable interlock system and elevator system operation.

Interlocks designed according to an embodiment of this invention facilitate reducing callbacks that are otherwise associated with problems or malfunctions caused by interlock misalignment or wear and tear on the latch and associated components of an interlock. Embodiments of this invention provide cost savings not only during installation or maintenance procedures, but also by reducing the need for maintenance or adjustment during the service life of the associated elevator system.

Different embodiments are shown and described but their respective features are not limited to just those embodiments. For example, at least one of the components of one embodiment may be used in place of a corresponding component of another embodiment. Additional embodiments can be realized by combining various features of the disclosed examples.