Patent Publication Number: US-11046557-B2

Title: Elevator door interlock assembly

Description:
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. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  schematically illustrates selected portions of an elevator system including a door interlock designed according to an embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 2  is schematically shows an example elevator door interlock designed according to an embodiment of this invention with a latch in a locked position. 
         FIG. 3  shows the example interlock of  FIG. 2  with the latch in a released position. 
         FIG. 4  shows an adjustment feature of the example interlock. 
         FIG. 5  shows the example interlock in another adjusted configuration. 
         FIG. 6  schematically shows another example elevator door interlock designed according to an embodiment of this invention. 
     
    
    
     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. 1  schematically illustrates selected portions of an elevator system  20 . An elevator car  22  includes car doors  24  that are situated adjacent hoistway landing doors  26  when the elevator car  22  is parked at a landing. At least one portion or component of a door coupler  28  associated with the elevator car doors  24  cooperates with an interlock  30  associated with the hoistway doors  26  so that the elevator car doors  24  and the hoistway doors  26  move together between opened and closed positions. 
       FIGS. 2-5  show the interlock  30  of an example embodiment. The interlock  30  includes a latch  32  that is moveable between a locking position (shown in  FIG. 2 ) and a released position (shown in  FIG. 3 ). A locking surface  34  on the latch  32  engages a stop  36  on a door lock  38  when the latch  32  is in the locking position. In the released position shown in  FIG. 3 , the locking surface  34  is clear of the stop  36  and the door  26  is free to move with the elevator car door  24 . 
     The lock  38  includes a switch  40 . A switch contact  42  supported on the latch  32  cooperates with the switch  40  to provide an indication when the latch  32  is in the locking position. The switch  40  works in a known manner to provide an indication when a corresponding hoistway door  26  is unlocked based on a lack of contact between the switch  40  and the switch contact  42  as shown, for example, in  FIG. 3 . 
     A latch bumper  44  is supported on a bracket  46  that is secured to the latch  32 . In this example, at least one fastener  48  secures the bracket  46  in a selected position relative to the latch  32 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the latch bumper  44  comprises a roller or sleeve supported on the bracket  46 . In one example embodiment, the bracket  46  includes a post or boss with a low-friction material sleeve received around the post. 
     As schematically shown in  FIG. 3 , when a door coupler component  50 , such as a vane, contacts the latch bumper  44  and urges it to the right (according to the drawings), that moves the latch  32  into the released position of  FIG. 3 . The latch  32  is supported to pivot about a pivot axis  52  relative to a door component  54 , such as a door hanger. In this example, the door component  54  includes a boss or post  56  that is at least partially received within a slot  58  on the latch  32 . The post  56  and the slot  58  cooperate to limit the amount of pivotal movement of the latch  32  relative to the door component  54 . 
     Once the latch  32  is in the released position, the door coupler  28  including the door coupler components  50  can move the hoistway door  26  with the elevator car door  24 . The illustrated example interlock  30  includes door movement bumpers  60  and  62 . In the example embodiment, the door movement bumpers  60  and  62  comprise rollers supported on at least one base  63 . 
     One feature of the example interlock  30  is that the positions of the bumpers  60  and  62  relative to the door component  54  may be adjusted by selectively moving the base  63  relative to the door component  54 . In the illustrated example, a plurality of fasteners  64  are at least partially received through slots  66  on the base  63 . When the fasteners  64  are appropriately loosened, the base  63  may be moved linearly and horizontally (i.e., right or left according to the drawings) for purposes of changing a position of the door movement bumpers  60  and  62  relative to the pivot axis  52  of the latch  32 . Moving the base  63  and the door movement bumpers  60  and  62  in this manner allows for aligning the bumpers  60  and  62  with the door coupler  28  without having to move or adjust the pivot axis  52  of the latch  32 . One of the features of the illustrated example embodiment is that it allows for adjusting the alignment position of the door movement bumpers  60  and  62  without having to change any of the positions of the latch  32 , the pivot axis  52 , the switch  40  or the lock  38 . This reduces the amount of alignment and adjustment required when attempting to align interlocks at a plurality of landings with the door coupler  28  on the elevator car  22 . 
     In one example embodiment, the door movement bumpers  60  and  62  are set in fixed positions on the base  63 . In another example embodiment, at least one of the door movement bumpers  60  and  62  is adjustable into more than one position relative to the base  63  as shown in phantom at  62 ′. For example, an eccentric adjustment feature allows for changing the position of the axis of at least one of the door movement bumper rollers  60  and  62  relative to the base  63  to change a size of a gap G between the bumpers  60  and  62 . The fasteners  64  selectively secure the base  63  and the door movement bumpers  60  and  62  in a fixed position relative to the door component  54  to maintain the desired alignment between the door coupler  28  and the door movement bumpers  60  and  62 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the base  63  in a centered position relative to the pivot axis  52 .  FIG. 4  illustrates the base  63  moved or shifted to the right (according to the drawings) relative to the pivot axis  52  of the latch  32 .  FIG. 5  illustrates the interlock  30  in a condition where the base  63  has been moved horizontally to the left (according to the drawings) relative to the position shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Another feature of the example interlock  30  is that the door movement bumpers  60  and  62  carry all of the load associated with moving the hoistway door  26  with the elevator door  24 . The latch bumper  44  and latch  32  do 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 latch  32  that otherwise bear the load associated with moving the hoistway door  26  in previous interlock designs. 
     The latch bumper  44  is situated within the gap G between the door movement bumpers  60  and  62  when the latch  32  is in the locking position shown in  FIGS. 2, 4, and 5 . The latch bumper  44  is situated within the gap G so that it makes contact with a door coupler component  50 , such as a vane prior to that same component contacting the door movement bumper  60 . As the coupler component  50  moves to the right (according to the drawings), that urges the latch bumper  44  to the right causing the latch  32  to move from the locking position into the released position. 
     In the locking position, the latch bumper  44  is spaced laterally from the door movement bumper  62  by a first distance D 1  as shown, for example in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . The latch bumper  44  is situated a second distance D 2  in a lateral or horizontal direction from the door movement bumper  60 . The distances D 1  and D 2  together equal the size of the gap G between the door movement bumpers  60  and  62 . When the latch  32  moves into the released position, the latch bumper  44  moves into a position that is spaced a larger distance from the door movement bumper  62 , which corresponds to at least the size of the gap G as can be appreciated from  FIG. 3 . With the latch bumper  44  in this position, a door coupler component  50 , such as a vane, contacts the door movement bumper  60  and the load associated with moving the hoistway door  26  is transferred to the door component  54  through the door movement bumper  60  and base  63  without requiring the latch bumper  44  or the latch  32  and its associated components to carry any of the load associated with moving the door. 
     The bracket  46  includes a slot  70  that allows for adjusting a position of the latch bumper  44  relative to the door movement bumpers  60  and  62  to achieve the desired amount of movement of the latch  32  into the released position based on contact between the door coupler component  50  and the latch bumper  44 . The adjustment of the bracket  46  also ensures that the latch bumper  44  is situated where it will not carry the load associated with moving the door  26  while the latch  32  is in the released position. 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 , the slot  70  is arcuate and allows for pivotally adjusting the position of the latch bumper  44  about the pivot axis  52  of the latch  32 . In the example of  FIG. 6 , the bracket  46 ′ includes two slots  70  that are oriented to allow for linear, horizontal adjustment of the bracket  46 ′ relative to the pivot axis  52 . Such translational or horizontal adjustment allows for changing the position of the latch bumper  44  relative to the door movement bumpers  60  and  62  for selecting the appropriate distances D 1  and D 2  to achieve appropriate interlock operation. 
     One aspect of the brackets  46  and  46 ′ is that the mass of each serves as a counterweight to bias the latch  32  into the locking position. 
     Having the ability to adjust the position of the latch bumper  44  and door movement bumpers  60  and  62  without having to move any of the latch  32 , pivot axis  52  or switch  40  allows for aligning interlocks  30  along an entire hoistway with the door coupler  28  of the elevator car  22  in a more efficient and economical manner There is no need to adjust the latch  32  or switch contact  42  relative to the lock  38 , for example. The relative positions of the pivot axis  52 , lock  38 , switch  40 , and switch contact  42  do not change during adjustment of the bumper positions so there is no risk of a misalignment between the switch  40  and switch contact  42 . 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 coupler  28  and the interlocks  30  along the hoistway. 
     Additionally, the illustrated example embodiments allow for the position of the pivot axis  52 , the lock  38 , the switch  40 , and the switch contact  42  to all be pre-established in a controlled manufacturing setting. The interlock  30  may be installed as a preassembled unit onto a door component  54 , 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 interlock  30 . 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. 
     The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this invention. The scope of legal protection given to this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.