FLOOR POSITION DETECTION DEVICE OF AN ELEVATOR SYSTEM

A floor position detection device for an elevator system that determines a position of a car relative to a floor has a sensor unit and an evaluation device producing a floor signal having at least two states being an “outside the range of the floor” state when outside a range of the floor and a “within the range of the floor” state when within the overall range of the floor. The sensor unit has at least two sensors that each produce a floor position characteristic value and the evaluation device produces the floor signal based on a comparison between at least two of the characteristic values. The floor signal can adopt at least two mutually distinguishable states within the range of a floor, wherein each of these states corresponds to a partial range of the range of the floor, the partial ranges fully covering the range of the floor.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a floor position detection device of an elevator system, to an elevator control system of an elevator system, and to an elevator system.

BACKGROUND

A generic floor position detection device is known from WO 2018/219504 A1. This known floor position detection device can be used to determine whether an elevator car of the elevator system is within a range of a floor or outside a range of a floor.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to further develop this known floor position detection device in such a way that it is as backwards compatible as possible with the known floor position detection device and nevertheless can indicate whether the elevator car is located within the range of a floor above the door sill or below the door sill.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the floor position detection device, by the elevator control system, and by the elevator system according to the advantageous embodiments defined and/or described in the description.

In the approach presented here, the floor signal within the range of a floor can adopt at least two, mutually distinguishable states, wherein each of these mutually distinguishable states corresponds to a partial range of the range of a floor. The partial ranges fully cover the range of a floor.

A floor position detection device can thereby be realized in a simple manner which can detect a plurality of positions relative to a door sill in the range of a floor of the elevator car. Furthermore, the floor position detection device according to the invention can also be used with elevator control systems which are designed for the use of the floor position detection device according to WO 2018/219504 A1.

According to one aspect of the invention, the floor position detection device has a sensor unit and an evaluation device for producing a floor signal having at least two states. The floor position detection device is used in an elevator system to determine a position of a car of the elevator system relative to a floor. The floor signal can adopt at least one “outside the range of the floor” state outside a range of a floor and a “within the range of the floor” state within the overall range of the floor. The sensor unit has at least two sensors which each produce a floor position characteristic value. Furthermore, the evaluation device is configured to produce the floor signal on the basis of a comparison between at least two of the floor position characteristic variables, wherein the floor signal can adopt at least two, mutually distinguishable states within the range of a floor, and wherein each of these mutually distinguishable states corresponds to a partial range of the range of a floor, wherein the partial ranges fully cover the range of a floor.

The floor position detection device or the evaluation device transmits the floor signal via a communications connection to an elevator control of the elevator system. The elevator control uses the floor signal particularly for the accurate positioning of an elevator car that can be moved in an elevator shaft on a floor or a shaft door associated with a floor. To indicate the position of a floor in a travel direction of the elevator car, at least one magnetic means is placed in the elevator shaft at a position designating the location of the floor. For example, the magnetic means can be arranged on the shaft door associated with the floor and the floor position detection device on the elevator car-particularly on a car door of the elevator car. This allows the elevator control to use the floor signal to position the car door and therefore the car accurately opposite the shaft door of the floor. The mentioned magnetic means may also be considered part of the floor position detection device.

When the magnetic means is at the correct position in the elevator shaft, and the floor position detection device is at the correct position on the elevator car, the “in the range of the floor” state of the floor signal shows that the elevator car is correctly positioned opposite the floor. The car door, in particular, can then be opened, which, in the usual manner, also opens the shaft door associated with the floor. In this case, the “outside the range of the floor” state of the floor range shows that the elevator is not positioned in the immediate vicinity of a floor or at least not yet completely correctly opposite the floor, and that in particular the car door cannot be opened. Furthermore, by subdividing the range of a floor into partial ranges, information can be transmitted to the elevator controller about which position the elevator car is located in relative to the floor, so that the position can be corrected. This can be necessary, for example, when an elevator car is being loaded or unloaded, or when people are entering or exiting the elevator car. In both cases, the total weight of the elevator car, including an additional load, changes. Weight changes can lead to a change in position of the car within the shaft, which is corrected by the elevator controller.

The designations “within the range of the floor” and “outside the range of the floor” are only exemplary designations for two different states of the floor signal.

The floor position detection device can be designed such that the at least two sensors of the sensor unit are formed by sensors for measuring a field. This allows a measurement of the field surrounding the element generating the field. For example, the field can be generated by a magnet, wherein the field is a magnetic field in this case. For example, Hall effect sensors can be used to measure the magnetic field.

The floor position detection device can be designed such that a unique floor signal can be derived from the floor position characteristic values at each position of the elevator car. This makes it possible, for example, to immediately determine the position of the elevator car relative to a floor after a power failure, without the elevator car having to move to determine the position.

The floor position detection device can be designed to detect one of the states in each position of the elevator car, wherein the states are the “outside the range of the floor” state and one of the mutually distinguishable states within the range of a floor.

The floor position detection device can be designed to detect the entry direction into the range of a floor by means of the sensor unit.

The floor position detection device can be designed to subdivide the range of a floor at least into an upper partial range and a lower partial range, wherein the floor signal adopts the “within the upper partial range of the range of the floor” state in the upper partial range and adopts the “within the lower partial range of the range of the floor” state in the lower partial range.

The floor position detection device can be designed such that the floor signal is mapped by a voltage at an output of the evaluation device or at an output of an output module connected to the evaluation device, wherein each state is characterized by one or more voltages and/or voltage ranges. It is particularly advantageous to assign corresponding, different voltages to the range of a floor, wherein these voltages are in a voltage range in which in particular the voltage associated with the “outside the range of the floor” state is not located. For example, the voltage 0 volts can be associated with the “outside the range of the floor” state, the voltage 10 volts can be associated with the “within the upper partial range of the range of the floor” state, and the voltage 24 volts can be associated with the “within the lower partial range of the range of the floor” state. Furthermore, the voltage range for the “within the range of the floor” state can be defined by a voltage greater than 8 volts, wherein no upper voltage is absolutely necessary for the range. Alternatively, the “within the upper partial range of the range of the floor” state could also be characterized by the voltage 24 volts, and the “within the lower partial range of the range of the floor” state could also be characterized by the voltage 10 volts. Other voltages are also possible. The aforementioned voltages are only examples.

As described in WO 2018/219504 A1, the floor position detection device known from WO 2018/219504 A1 outputs either 0 volts or 24 volts. However, the elevator control system in which the known floor position detection device is used detects any voltage above 8 volts as “within the range of the floor.” Consequently, the floor position detection device according to the present invention—in particular, according to this preferred embodiment—is compatible with the floor position detection device known from WO 2018/219504 A1.

Furthermore, the “within the range of the floor” state can be characterized by a plurality of voltages different from one another, wherein each of these voltages is associated with one of the partial ranges of the range of a floor.

A further aspect of the invention relates to an elevator control system of an elevator system having the floor position detection device as described above and below.

A further aspect of the invention relates to an elevator system having the elevator control system as described above and below.

Further advantages, features, and details of the invention can be found in the following description of embodiments and with reference to the drawings, in which like or functionally like elements are provided with identical reference signs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According toFIG.1, an elevator system10has an elevator car14movable in an elevator shaft12. The elevator car14is suspended by carrying means16in the shape of a rope or a belt and can be driven up and down in the elevator shaft12, i.e., in a travel direction13, by means of a drive machine (not shown). The elevator system10is controlled by an elevator control18, which control, among other things, has a signal connection with the drive machine via communications connections (not shown).

In the elevator shaft12, a magnetic means22in the shape of a permanent magnet is arranged at a location20that designates a floor. The magnetic means22is surrounded by a magnetic field24generated by it, which field is symbolically represented by some magnetic field lines. The magnetic means22designates the floor in the vertical direction, i.e., in the travel direction13of the elevator car14. For example, it can be arranged on a shaft door that is not shown.

A floor position detection device26is arranged on the elevator car14, which device is in communications connection with the elevator control18and whose structure is represented in more detail inFIG.2. The floor position detection device26is arranged on the elevator car14in such a manner that it preferably is at a horizontal distance of between 5 and 25 mm to the magnetic means22when passing the magnetic means22. The floor position detection device26can be arranged, for example, on a car door that is not shown.

The floor position detection device26and the elevator control18are components of an elevator control system19of the elevator system10. The elevator control system19comprises in particular other sensors and actuators that are not shown.

According toFIG.2, the floor position detection device26has a first Hall effect sensor28, a second Hall effect sensor30, a third Hall effect sensor32, and a fourth Hall effect sensor34arranged one above the other in the travel direction13. The four Hall effect sensors28,30,32, and34form a sensor unit35. When the floor position detection device26is arranged on the elevator car14, the four Hall effect sensors28,30,32,34are arranged in such a way that they are all at essentially the same minimum distance from the magnetic means22when the elevator car14passes the magnetic means22.

Sensor signals of the four Hall effect sensors28,30,32,34are forwarded to an evaluation device36, which device is implemented as a programmable microprocessor. The evaluation device36first calculates four floor position characteristic values from the sensor signals mentioned and links them to a floor signal, which passes them to an output module38. The output module38amplifies the floor signal and forwards it to the elevator control18. The progression of the floor position characteristic values and the floor signal at the output of the evaluation device36is shown inFIG.3,FIG.4,FIG.5, andFIG.6. In these figures, the sensor position “s” is the abscissa (x coordinate) and the signal value “U, 0-3” is the ordinate (y coordinate). The output module38could also be dispensed with. Instead of the analog output signal described below at the output of the output module38, the output module could also supply a purely digital output signal.

In order to calculate the floor position characteristic values, the evaluation device36calibrates the sensor signals of the four Hall effect sensors28,30,32,34to compensate for possible measurement differences of the individual Hall effect sensors28,30,32,34. For this purpose, the evaluation device36multiplies each sensor signal by a corresponding calibration factor. The calibration factors are determined during a calibration of the floor position detection device26to complete production of the floor position detection device26. For this purpose, one each of four, identical magnetic means is arranged at a fixed distance in front of the four Hall effect sensors28,30,32,34. The mentioned distance is selected so that each of the four sensor signals of the four Hall effect sensors28,30,32,34safely exceeds a threshold value. As soon as the evaluation device36detects that all four sensor signals are greater than the threshold value, it automatically starts a calibration. The calibration factors are determined in such a manner that, during calibration, each floor position characteristic value resulting from the multiplication of the sensor signal with the corresponding calibration factor has the same value of, for example, 300 mV. Alternatively, the calibration can also take place during a learning run of the elevator car14.

The floor position detection device26also has a power supply unit40, which supplies the four Hall effect sensors28,30,32,34, the evaluation device36, and the output module38with a supply voltage. The power supply unit40supplies the four Hall effect sensors28,30,32,34and the evaluation device36with the same 2 V supply voltage and the output module38with a different 24 V supply voltage. The power supply unit40and therefore the floor position detection device26are supplied with an input voltage of 24 V for this purpose. Of course, other voltages could also be used.

InFIG.3, the progressions of floor position characteristic values, as well as of a corresponding floor signal when passing the magnetic means22of the elevator car14and therefore of the floor position detection device26are shown from top to bottom. Or, in other words,FIG.3specifies the floor signal as a function of the position of the elevator car relative to the floor, wherein the relative position is measured from above.

Curve48shows the first floor position characteristic value of the first Hall effect sensor28, curve50shows the second floor position characteristic value of the second Hall effect sensor30, curve52shows the third floor position characteristic value of the third Hall effect sensor32, and curve54shows the fourth floor position characteristic value of the fourth Hall effect sensor34. Curve56shows the progression of the floor signal. The floor signal56can adopt the “outside the range of the floor” state and “within the range of the floor” state, wherein the “within the range of the floor” state in this exemplary embodiment is subdivided into the two, mutually distinguishable states, “within the upper partial range of the range of the floor” and “within the lower partial range of the range of the floor.”

Furthermore, inFIG.3, the “outside the range of the floor” state is marked “0,” the “within the upper partial range of the range of the floor” state is marked “1,” and the “within the lower partial range of the range of the floor” state is marked “2.” The “within the range of the floor” state is characterized by a value greater than or equal to “1.”

The floor signal56is amplified by the output module38as follows:

The logic signal “0,” which corresponds to the “outside the range of the floor” state, is mapped to a voltage of 0 volts at the output of the output module38. The logic signal “1,” which corresponds to the “within the upper partial range of the range of the floor” state, is mapped to a voltage of 10 volts at the output of the output module38. The logic signal “2,” which corresponds to the “within the lower partial range of the range of the floor” state, is mapped to a voltage of 24 volts at the output of the output module38. Furthermore, a voltage of, for example, more than 8 V corresponds to the “within the range of the floor” state. Of course, the specified voltages are only exemplary and not limiting to the invention.

The floor position characteristic values48,50,52, and54rise from a quiescent level when the Hall effect sensor in question28,30,32, and34enters the range of the magnetic means22, i.e., is immersed in the magnetic field24. They reach their maximum when the Hall effect sensor28,30,32, and34in question is precisely at the level of the magnetic means22, in order to sink back to the quiescent level when moving away from the magnetic means22. From the size of the associated floor position characteristic values48,50,52, and54, therefore, the distance of the corresponding Hall effect sensor28,30,32,34from the magnetic means22in travel direction13can be inferred.

The first Hall effect sensor28and the second Hall effect sensor30are arranged in such a manner that, when the floor position detection device26approaches the magnetic means22and therefore one floor, the approach can be derived from the first floor position characteristic value48and the second floor position characteristic value50. This can be seen from the fact that the first floor position characteristic value48rises before the second floor position characteristic value50. The evaluation device36assigns the floor signal56the “within the upper partial range of the range of the floor” state starting from the “outside the range of the floor” state if the second floor position characteristic value50becomes larger than or equal to the first floor position characteristic value48, and, at the same time, the second floor position characteristic value50is larger than the third floor position characteristic value52.

When the elevator car14further passes the magnetic means22, the evaluation device36then assigns the “within the lower partial range of the range of the floor” state to the floor signal56if the third floor position characteristic value52becomes greater than or equal to the second floor position characteristic value50, and, at the same time, the third floor position characteristic value52is greater than the fourth floor position characteristic value54.

When the elevator car14further passes the magnetic means22, the evaluation device36then assigns the “outside the range of the floor” state to the floor signal56if the fourth floor position characteristic value54becomes greater than or equal to the third floor position characteristic value52.

When the car continues, the strengths of the floor position characteristic values48,50,52,54—in particular, also the floor position characteristic value54—continue to decrease, so that they are all below a threshold value58.

In addition, the relative position of the elevator car to a floor can also be determined at any point in time from the floor position characteristic values48,50,52,54of the Hall effect sensors28,30,32,34.

The “outside the range of the floor” position is characterized by the following conditions, applicable alternatively to one another:all floor position characteristic values48,50,52,54are less than or equal to the threshold value58, orthe first floor position characteristic value48is greater than the threshold value58and, at the same time, greater than the second position characteristic value50, orthe fourth floor position characteristic value54is greater than the threshold value58and, at the same time, greater than the third position characteristic value52.

The “within the upper partial range of the range of the floor” state is characterized in that the second position characteristic value50is greater than or equal to the first position characteristic value48and greater than or equal to the third position characteristic value52. In addition, the second position characteristic value50is greater than the threshold value58.

The “within the lower partial range of the range of the floor” state is characterized in that the third position characteristic value52is greater than the second position characteristic value50and greater than or equal to the fourth position characteristic value54. In addition, the third position characteristic value52is greater than the threshold value58.

The magnetic means22and the floor position detection device26are arranged in such a manner that the floor signal56has the “within the range of the floor” state when the elevator car14is positioned opposite a floor in such a manner that the car door and therefore also the shaft door can be opened at the same time. Furthermore, the magnetic means22and the floor position detection device26are aligned with one another in such a way that the change of the floor signal56between “within the upper partial range of the range of the floor” and “within the lower partial range of the range of the floor” takes place when the door sill of the elevator car door is aligned flush with the door sill of the corresponding shaft door.

The “outside the range of the floor,” “within the floor region,” “within the upper partial range of the floor,” and “within the lower partial range of the floor” states can also be defined by other conditions for the floor position characteristic values. An example is shown inFIG.4. Of course, the vertical distances between the sensors must optionally be adapted to the conditions for the floor position characteristic values.

In the exemplary embodiment according toFIG.4, the “outside the range of the floor” state is characterized in that all floor position characteristic values48,50,52,54are less than the threshold value58.

The “within the upper partial range of the range of the floor” state is characterized in that the first position characteristic variable48is greater than or equal to the threshold value58, or the second position characteristic value50is greater than or equal to the threshold value58and is, at the same time, greater than or equal to the third position characteristic value52.

The “within the lower partial range of the range of the floor” state is characterized in that the fourth position characteristic value54is greater than or equal to the threshold value58, or the third position characteristic value52is greater than or equal to the threshold value58and is, at the same time, greater than or equal to the second position characteristic value50.

Furthermore, the “within the range of the floor” state can be divided not only into two states, but also into more than two different states. For example, the “within the range of the floor” state, as shown in the exemplary embodiment according toFIG.5, can be divided into the “within the upper partial range of the range of the floor,” “within the central partial range of the range of the floor,” and “within the lower partial range of the range of the floor” states.

In the exemplary embodiment according toFIG.5, the “outside the range of the floor” state is characterized in that all floor position characteristic values48,50,52,54are less than the threshold value58.

The “within the upper partial range of the range of the floor” state is characterized in that the first position characteristic variable48is greater than or equal to the threshold value58and is, at the same time, greater than the second position characteristic value50.

The “within the central partial range of the range of the floor” state is characterized in that the second position characteristic value50is greater than or equal to the first position characteristic value48, and that the third position characteristic value52is greater than or equal to the fourth position characteristic value54. In addition, it is also required that the second position characteristic value50or the third position characteristic value52be greater than the threshold value58.

The “within the lower partial range of the range of the floor” state is characterized in that the fourth position characteristic value54is greater than or equal to the threshold value58, and the fourth position characteristic value54is greater than or equal to the third position characteristic value52.

Furthermore, the number of Hall effect sensors of the sensor unit can also be changed—for example, only two sensors can be used. A corresponding exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.6.

The first Hall effect sensor provides the first floor position characteristic value48shown inFIG.6, and a second Hall effect sensor provides the second floor position characteristic value50also shown inFIG.6. From these two floor position characteristic values, the floor signal56also shown inFIG.6can be derived as follows:

The “outside the range of the floor” state is characterized in that the first floor position characteristic value48and the second floor position characteristic value50are less than a threshold value58.

The “within the range of the floor” state is characterized in that the first floor position characteristic value48or the second floor position characteristic value50is greater than the threshold value58. As in the preceding exemplary embodiments, the “within the range of the floor” state is characterized by a value of the floor signal56greater than or equal to 1.

The “within the upper partial range of the range of the floor” state is characterized in that the first floor position characteristic value48is greater than or equal to the second floor position characteristic value50, and, at the same time, the first floor position characteristic value48is greater than the threshold value58. This state is mapped by a value1of the floor signal56.

The “within the lower partial range of the range of the floor” state is characterized in that the second floor position characteristic value50is greater than the first floor position characteristic value48, and, at the same time, the second floor position characteristic value50is greater than the threshold value58. This state is mapped by a value2of the floor signal56.

It is also possible that the floor position detection device has three or more than four Hall effect sensors.

Finally, it should be noted that terms such as “having,” “comprising,” etc., do not preclude other elements or steps, and terms such as “a” or “one” do not preclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps which have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above.