Patent Publication Number: US-11034544-B2

Title: Lift system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a U.S. National Stage Entry of International Patent Application Serial Number PCT/EP2017/053238, filed Feb. 14, 2017, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2016 202 363.2, filed Feb. 16, 2016, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to elevators, including elevator installations for conveying persons and/or loads. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The cars of elevator installations have hitherto been supplied with electrical energy via suspended cables. The electrical energy serves, amongst other things, for illuminating the car and supplying the control device with energy. High-quality elevator installations are provided, in addition, with air-conditioning of the cabins. In the case of very high buildings, the air-conditioning is also combined with a pressure regulation of the cabins. These devices require a very high usage of energy. However, the use of the suspended cables, particularly in very high elevator installations, is problematic by reason of the weight and the tendency to vibrate, so alternatives to the use of the suspended cable are desirable. Sliding contacts have the disadvantage of major wear and emission of noise. As a rule, suspended cables are unsuitable in elevator installations having two or more cars per elevator shaft. 
     An elevator with an emergency power-supply device is known from EP 1 272 418 B1. The emergency power-supply device comprises an energy-storage unit for electrical energy, which bridges brief drops or interruptions of mains voltage and in the event of failure of the mains supply guarantees the implementation of an evacuation ride to the next stop. 
     The charging-times of such energy-storage units have hitherto been comparatively lengthy; if the complete energy supply is to be ensured by such energy-storage units without suspended cables and sliding contacts, only the dwell-times at a stop could be used for the purpose of charging. In highly effective elevator installations, however, the dwell-times are minimal and therefore too short as an exclusive opportunity for charging. 
     Thus a need exists for an alternative concept for cars of elevator installations, one that manages without suspended cables. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1 a    is a schematic view of an example elevator installation in a first configuration in a first situation during translation of a supply unit. 
         FIG. 1 b    is a schematic view of the example elevator installation in the first configuration in a second situation during the translation of a supply unit. 
         FIG. 1 c    is schematic view of the example elevator installation in the first configuration in a third situation during the translation of a supply unit. 
         FIG. 2 a    is a schematic view of an example elevator installation in a second configuration in a first situation during translation of a supply unit. 
         FIG. 2 b    is a schematic view of the example elevator installation of  FIG. 2 a    in the second configuration in a second situation during the translation of a supply unit. 
         FIG. 2 c    is a schematic view of the example elevator installation of  FIG. 2 a    in the second configuration in a third situation during the translation of a supply unit. 
         FIG. 3 a    is a schematic view of an example translation unit that includes an example multi-jointed robot arm. 
         FIG. 3 b    is a schematic view of another example translation unit that includes an example extensible telescopic arm. 
         FIG. 3 c    is a schematic view of still another example translation unit that includes an example extensible scissors arm. 
         FIG. 3 d    is a schematic view of still another example translation unit that includes an example rigid-back chain. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Although certain example methods and apparatus have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents. Moreover, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that reciting ‘a’ element or ‘an’ element in the appended claims does not restrict those claims to articles, apparatuses, systems, methods, or the like having only one of that element, even where other elements in the same claim or different claims are preceded by ‘at least one’ or similar language. Similarly, it should be understood that the steps of any method claims need not necessarily be performed in the order in which they are recited, unless so required by the context of the claims. In addition, all references to one skilled in the art shall be understood to refer to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     Accordingly, an elevator installation includes at least one car which is displaceable in an elevator shaft, in particular several cars which are displaceable in an elevator shaft. In each instance at least one supply unit for supplying the car—in particular with energy, material and/or data—is provided on the car. In accordance with the invention, the elevator installation includes an interchange arrangement which has been set up to carry out a procedure for interchange of the supply unit on the car, namely for removing the supply unit from the car and/or for attaching the supply unit to the car. 
     Now the essence of the invention consists, in particular, in providing the cars with interchangeable supply units which are removed from the car for the purpose of loading and are loaded, in particular in a fixed loading device. In this case the really short stays at a stop can be utilized merely for the purpose of interchanging the supply units; on the other hand, the procedure for loading the supply units, which takes a longer time, can take place independently of the dwell-time of the car at a stop. Consequently it is possible to transfer large amounts of energy, material or data to the car within a short time. A continuous supply line, for instance by virtue of a suspended cable or by virtue of sliding contacts which are available over the entire travel path, can consequently be dispensed with. 
     In particular, electrical energy can be stored in the supply unit. Furthermore, the storage of compressed air or cold air by way of material conceivable, with which an air-conditioning system attached to the car is operated. A brake of the elevator cabin can be operated by compressed air. Condensed water from the air-conditioning system can also be conducted away via a supply unit. The attaching of ballast (for example, a counterweight) by way of material can also take place in the proposed manner. 
     The interchange arrangement preferentially comprises a car unit, a shaft unit and a translation unit. The car unit is firmly attached to the car, and the shaft unit is firmly attached to the elevator shaft. The translation unit has been set up to translate the supply unit between a first position on the car unit and a second position on the shaft unit. The term “elevator shaft” in this connection is to be understood broadly and encompasses substantially all the fixed devices of the elevator installation, in particular a separate machine room or maintenance room. 
     The translation unit preferentially includes a gripper which has been set up to establish a firm connection between the translation unit and the supply unit. The gripper is displaceable between a first gripper position and a second gripper position. In the first or second gripper position the gripper has in each instance been arranged in such a way that the supply unit fastened thereto is in the first or second position thereof, respectively. 
     The car unit includes means for removing the energy, the material or the data that has/have been loaded in the supply unit. The shaft unit includes means for loading the supply unit with energy, material or data. This can take place by virtue of a coupling. 
     The coupling has to be configured in a manner depending on the type of loading. A coupling for electrical energy is, for instance, a plug-in connection or a pressure contact; a compressed-air coupling is suitable for the transfer of compressed air by way of material. For data, use may be made of any hardwired couplings that are suitable for electrical connections. 
     The interchange arrangement has preferentially been set up that by virtue of the transferring of the supply unit into the first or second position the supply unit is converted into a state in which an exchange of energy, material and/or data with the car unit or with the shaft unit has been made possible. 
     In this case the interchange arrangement has preferentially been set up to carry out the interchange procedure during ongoing operation of the car. By this, it is meant, in particular, that during the interchange procedure the car can continue to carry out the transportation tasks for conveying persons or loads without a noticeable delay in operation occurring in the process. 
     The interchange arrangement has preferentially been set up to carry out the interchange procedure during a regular door-opening cycle. In particular in this case, the duration of an interchange procedure is not longer than the minimal duration of a door-opening cycle. 
     The regular stopping at a stop is utilized for the purpose that, in addition to the boarding and alighting of passengers, the supply unit can also be exchanged. In the case of optimal utilization of the door-opening cycle, no delay consequently arises by virtue of the interchange procedure. The duration of the interchange procedure in this case is defined as the period in which the car is prevented from traveling further by reason of the interchange procedure. The interchange procedure in this case does not necessarily include the complete introduction of the supply unit into a shaft-side loading station. 
     The removing of a first supply unit from the car preferentially takes place during a first door-opening cycle. The attaching of a second supply unit to the car takes place during a second, subsequent door-opening cycle. 
     By virtue of the fact that either the removing from the car or the attaching of the supply unit to the car takes place merely within one door-opening cycle, really short door-opening cycles can also make an interchange procedure possible. With such a method it is furthermore preferred that at all tines a (further) supply unit remains on the car, said supply unit ensuring the supply of the car during the intermediate period in which, although the first supply unit has already been removed, the second supply unit has not yet been attached. 
     In a preferred configuration, the removing of a first supply unit from the car and the attaching of a second supply unit to the car take place during a single door-opening cycle. This has the advantage that after a door-opening cycle unladen supply work has been completely replaced by a laden supply unit. In this connection it is then not absolutely essential that a further supply unit remains on the car in order to ensure the supply during the exchange. A single receiving unit (car unit) for receiving the supply unit on the car may be sufficient. 
     A stationary supply line has preferably been attached in the elevator shaft, said supply line having been set up to supply the car for the duration of an interchange procedure. In particular, if only one car unit has been provided, this may have the consequence that no supply unit has been arranged on the car during the interchange procedure. For this period the stationary supply line ensures the appropriate supply of the car. 
     The features of the dependent claims may find application, reformulated where appropriate, in a claim relating to a method for operating or controlling an elevator installation as disclosed in the claims or in the description, and also for using such an elevator installation. 
     The invention further relates to a method for controlling an elevator installation, in particular an elevator installation of the aforementioned type. The elevator installation includes at least one, in particular several cars which are displaceable in an elevator shaft. At least one supply unit for supplying the car—in particular with energy, material and/or data—is attached to the car. A destination stop is assigned on the basis of a control program, taking user inputs to a car into consideration. When the car passes this destination stop, the car is decelerated there, so that, in particular, persons can enter or leave the car at this destination stop. In accordance with the invention, the assigning of a stop as destination stop now takes place while taking the loading-state of the supply unit into consideration. The assigning as destination stop preferentially furthermore takes place while taking free loading capacities at this stop into consideration. 
     In particular, the shaft unit at which the supply unit can be loaded is located at a destination stop. In the case where the supply unit has been unloaded in a short time, a speedy interchange procedure is required. In one configuration of the invention, a check is now made as to which stop is provided with an interchange device, the shaft unit of which is currently ready for the accommodation of an unladen supply unit. Once such a stop has been ascertained, it can be established as a destination stop which will be approached by the car in the course of the next pass. An interchange procedure is then carried out. To this extent, this destination stop is equated to other stops that, by reason of a user input, were established as destination stop and are to be approached by the car. 
       FIG. 1 a    shows a first elevator installation  1  according to the invention. Said elevator installation includes a car  3  which is displaceable in an elevator shaft, represented here by two shaft walls  2 , along a vertical travel path F. For the purpose of supplying with electrical energy, a first and a second supply unit  4 ′,  4 ″ have been attached to the car  3 . The exchange of electrical energy from the respective supply unit  4 ′,  4 ″ to the car  3  takes place in each instance via a coupling  15 . In traveling operation, the electrical energy is used for illumination or for control purposes. The drive of the elevator is brought about via a linear drive which is not represented. 
     The energy stored in the supply units is finite. For the purpose of charging the supply units, the latter are removed from the car  3  and transferred in fixed charging stations on the elevator shaft. For this purpose the elevator installation  3  comprises an interchange arrangement  10 . 
     The interchange arrangement  10  comprises a first and a second car unit  11 ′,  11 ″, which are respectively attached to the car  3  and can respectively receive a supply unit  4 ′,  4 ″. The supply units  4  supply the car  3  with energy via the couplings  15  already mentioned. The first car unit  11 ′ is arranged above the cabin of the car  3 ; the second car unit  11 ″ is arranged below the cabin of the car  3 , other types of arrangement being readily possible. 
     The interchange arrangement  10  includes a first and a second translation unit  13 ′,  13 ″ for translating the first and second supply units  4 ′,  4 ″, respectively, from the first and second car units  11 ′,  11 ″, respectively, to a corresponding first and second shaft unit  12 ′,  12 ″, respectively, which are attached to the elevator shaft  2 . The shaft units constitute the charging stations; the supply unit  4  is supplied with electrical energy for charging via a coupling  15  to the shaft unit  12 ′,  12 ″. 
     The first and second translation units  13 ′,  13 ″ respectively comprise a first and second gripper  14 ′,  14 ″ which are respectively displaceable between a first gripper position, facing toward the car unit  11 , and a second gripper position, facing toward the shaft unit  12 .  FIG. 1 a    shows the two grippers  14 , in each instance in the second gripper position thereof. 
     During the operation of the elevator installation  10  a supply unit  4  has been attached to at least one of the car units  11  in each operating state; in  FIG. 1 a    the first supply unit  4 ′ has been attached to the first car unit  11 ′. An interchange procedure is initiated in timely manner before the first supply unit  4 ′ has stored any energy. For this purpose, the car  3  firstly arrives at a stop which is equipped with an interchange arrangement  10  according to the invention. Unnoticed by the passengers who are leaving or entering the car  3 , the first supply unit  4 ′ is exchanged for a second supply unit  4 ″. The first gripper  14  now travels into the first gripper position thereof ( FIG. 1 b   ) and grips the first supply unit  4 ′ attached to the car unit  11 , as a result of which a firm connection between the first gripper  14 ′ of the first supply unit  4 ′ is established. Substantially at the same time, by shifting the second gripper  14 ″ the interchange arrangement  10  brings the second supply unit  4 ″ out of the second position thereof on the second shaft unit  12 ″ into the first position thereof on the second car unit  11 ″. By virtue of linkage with the aid of the coupling  15 , an energy-transferred connection between the second supply unit  4 ″ and the second car unit  11 ″ is established, so that the car  3  is now supplied by the second supply unit  4 ″. 
     Subsequently the unladen first supply unit  4 ′ is detached from the first car unit  11 ′ and transferred to the first shaft unit  12 ′ ( FIG. 1 c   ). The first supply unit  4 ′ is loaded there while the car simultaneously leaves the stopping station, following the travel path F. 
       FIG. 2 a    shows a second elevator installation  1  according to the invention, which largely corresponds to the elevator installation according to  FIG. 1 ; in the following, only the differences will be considered. 
     Only one car unit  11  is arranged on the car  3 . In addition, interchange arrangement  10  includes only one translation unit  13  with a gripper  14 . First of all, the the first supply unit  4 ′ is removed from the car unit  11  by the translation unit  13  and subsequently transferred into the free first shaft unit  12 ′ ( FIG. 2 b   ). Subsequently the gripper  14  travels to the second shaft unit  12 ″ and grips the second, loaded supply unit  4 ″ there and takes it to the car unit  11  ( FIG. 2 c   ). The translation unit  13  in this case is displaceable along the shaft  2  and can consequently serve both shaft units  12 . 
     Since only one car unit  11  is provided, in a short intermediate period no supply unit  4  has been attached to the car  3 . In this intermediate period the energy supply is ensured via a stationary supply line  16 . A contacting can take place, for instance, via a sliding contact. 
     In the configurations shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the translation unit  13  comprises a belt conveyor  17  and the gripper  14  attached thereto. In the following figures, alternative translation units will be presented which can be employed in the elevator installations shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       FIG. 3 a    shows a translation unit  13  which includes a multi-jointed robot arm  18 , at the end of which the gripper  14  is attached. Shown is an intermediate position of the gripper  14  between the first and the second gripper position. 
       FIG. 3 b    shows a translation unit  13  which includes an extensible telescopic arm  19 , at the end of which the gripper  14  is attached. Shown are the first gripper position ( FIG. 3 b   , top) and the second gripper position ( FIG. 3 b   , bottom). 
       FIG. 3 c    shows a translation unit  13  which includes an extensible scissors arm  20 , at the end of which the gripper  14  is attached. Shown is an intermediate position of the gripper  14  between the first and the second gripper position. 
       FIG. 3 d    shows a translation unit  13  which includes a rigid-back chain  21 , at the end of which the gripper  14  is attached. Such a chain is basically described in DE 20 2012 001 762 U1 and is often employed in connection with the automatic actuation of windows. Shown are the second gripper position ( FIG. 3 b   , top) and the first gripper position ( FIG. 3 b   , bottom). 
     LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 
     
         
           1  elevator installation 
           2  elevator shaft/shaft wall 
           3  car 
           4  supply unit 
           10  interchange arrangement 
           11  car unit 
           12  shaft unit 
           13  translation unit 
           14  gripper 
           15  coupling 
           16  supply line 
           17  belt conveyor 
           18  robot arm 
           19  telescopic arm 
           20  scissors arm 
           21  rigid-back chain 
         F direction of travel