Patent Description:
The invention further relates to methods of moving an elevator car according to claims <NUM> and <NUM>.

An elevator system comprises an elevator car moving along a hoistway extending between a plurality of landings, and an elevator drive configured for driving the elevator car.

The elevator system may comprise components arranged within the hoistway outside the elevator car, which need to be accessed for maintenance and/or repair.

The elevator car comprises at least one opening allowing a mechanic to access such components by reaching out of the elevator car. When the elevator car moves or starts to move while a mechanic is reaching out of the elevator car, there is a risk that parts of the human body of the mechanic are squeezed between the elevator car and the hoistway.

It therefore is desirable to prevent the elevator car from moving while a person is reaching out of an elevator car.

According to <CIT> an elevator car is of a construction which facilitates inspection and maintenance function while enhancing passenger safety.

The car includes a closeable inspection and maintenance opening in a sidewall. A transparent inspection window or an inspection grille forms a closure for the opening. The closure may be lockable, and can also include a sensor to monitor its state.

According to <CIT>) and elevator car comprises a front surface arranged in a neighboring surface area. The elevator car is confined to an outer edge, in an elevator shaft direction, where a protective chamber is formed between the surface area and the outer edge of the elevator car. A person is accommodated in the protective chamber. The surface area is adjusted along the elevator shaft direction.

According to the invention, an elevator car defining an interior space comprises at least one opening formed within the top (ceiling) and/or within the bottom (floor) of the elevator car and providing a passage between the interior space and an exterior of the elevator car allowing a person within the interior space to reach out of the interior space. The elevator car further comprises at least one sensor configured for detecting any object extending through the at least one opening.

The at least one sensor may be connected with an alarm device device issuing an acoustical/audible and/or optical/visible alarm when an object extending through the at least one opening is detected. The at least one sensor may issue a signal to an elevator drive, in particular to a controller, of the elevator system for preventing any movement of the elevator car when an object extending through the at least one opening is detected.

The object detected by the sensor in particular may be a part of human body, such as a head, an arm and/or a foot, of a mechanic reaching out of the elevator car.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention further include an elevator system comprising a hoistway extending between a plurality of landings; at least one elevator car according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, which is configured for moving along the hoistway between the plurality of landings; and an elevator drive configured for moving the elevator car along the hoistway. In such an elevator system, the at least one sensor of the elevator car may be connected with the elevator drive and configured for preventing any movement of the elevator car when an object extending through the at least one opening is detected.

The invention further includes a method of moving an elevator car in such an elevator system. The method includes providing input to the elevator drive via an input device; moving the elevator car according to said input; and stopping and preventing any movement of the elevator car when the sensor detects an object, in particular a part of a human body, extending through the at least one opening.

The invention also includes a method of moving an elevator car in such an elevator system, wherein the method includes providing input to the elevator drive via an input device; moving the elevator car according to said input; determining the current position of the elevator car; and stopping and preventing any movement of the elevator, when the sensor detects an object, in particular a part of a human body, extending through the at least one opening, and the determined position of the elevator car is within a predetermined distance from an end of the hoistway and/or the elevator car is moving towards said end of the hoistway reducing the distance between the elevator car and said end of the hoistway.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention further include a method of maintaining and/or repairing an elevator system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein the method includes employing the method according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention for moving the at least one elevator car to a predetermined position within the hoistway, stopping the at least one elevator car at said predetermined position, and accessing a component of the elevator system outside the at least one elevator car by reaching through the at least one opening of the elevator car.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention allow for safe operation, maintenance and repair of an elevator system, in particular including accessing components of the elevator system within the hoistway, even when a person, in particular a mechanic, is reaching out of the elevator car into the hoistway.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention allow reducing the clearance between the elevator car and components arranged within the hoistway requested by the safety code (EN81-<NUM>). According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, the mechanic will be obliged to stay inside the interior space of the elevator car when the elevator car is moving. This avoids all risk of the mechanic being sheared or crushed between the elevator car and components arranged within the hoistway.

A number of optional features are set out in the following. These features may be realized in particular embodiments, alone or in combination with any of the other features, unless specified otherwise.

The at least one sensor may include at least one light emitter and at least one light detector, in particular a laser and a laser detector, constituting a light barrier for detecting an object extending through the opening by interrupting the light barrier.

The at least one sensor may include an ultrasound emitter and a corresponding ultrasound receiver, or a radar wave emitter and a corresponding radar wave receiver for detecting an object extending through the opening due to ultrasound or radar waves reflected by said object.

The at least one sensor may include an optical camera for detecting an object extending through the opening in at least one picture taken by the camera.

For providing safe and convenient access through the at least one opening, the elevator car may comprise a platform allowing a person standing on the platform to reach trough the at least one opening. The platform may be movable between a storage position, in which it does not interfere with passengers within the elevator car, and a working position, in which it provides access to the at least one opening.

Depending on the position of the components, which are to be accessed, within the hoistway, an additional opening may be formed within at least one sidewall of the elevator car.

In order to allow a mechanic to move the elevator car to a desired position within the hoistway, an elevator system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention may comprise an input device provided within or at the elevator car, the input device being configured for receiving and transmitting manual inputs to the elevator drive for controlling the movement of the elevator car.

In the following, an exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in more detail with reference to the enclosed figures.

<FIG> schematically depicts an elevator system <NUM>.

The elevator system <NUM> includes an elevator car <NUM> movably arranged within a hoistway <NUM> extending between a plurality of landings <NUM>. The elevator car <NUM> in particular is movable in a longitudinal (vertical) direction along a plurality of car guide members <NUM>, such as guide rails, extending along the vertical direction of the hoistway <NUM>. Only one of said car guide members <NUM> is depicted in <FIG>.

Although only one elevator car <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, the skilled person understands that exemplary embodiments of the invention may include elevator systems <NUM> including a plurality of elevator cars <NUM> moving in one or more hoistways <NUM>.

The elevator car <NUM> comprises a top (ceiling) <NUM>, a bottom (floor) <NUM> and a plurality of sidewalls <NUM> extending between the top <NUM> and the bottom <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM> defining an interior space <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM>.

The elevator car <NUM> is movably suspended by means of a tension member <NUM>. The tension member <NUM>, for example a rope or belt, is connected to an elevator drive <NUM>, which is configured for driving the tension member <NUM> in order to move the elevator car <NUM> along the height of the hoistway <NUM> between the plurality of landings <NUM>, which are located on different floors.

The exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG> uses a <NUM>:<NUM> roping for suspending the elevator car <NUM>. The skilled person, however, easily understands that the type of the roping is not essential for the invention and that different kinds of roping, e.g. a <NUM>:<NUM> roping or a <NUM>:<NUM> roping may be used as well.

The tension member <NUM> may be a rope, e.g. a steel wire rope, or a belt. The tension member <NUM> may be uncoated or may have a coating, e.g. in the form of a polymer jacket. In a particular embodiment, the tension member <NUM> may be a belt comprising a plurality of polymer coated steel cords (not shown). The elevator system <NUM> may have a traction drive including a traction sheave for driving the tension member <NUM>. In an alternative configuration, which is not shown in the figures, the elevator system <NUM> may be an elevator system <NUM> without a tension member <NUM>.

The elevator system <NUM> also may comprise e.g. a hydraulic drive or a linear drive. The elevator system <NUM> may have a machine room (not shown) or it may be a machine room-less elevator system <NUM>.

The elevator system <NUM> further includes a counterweight <NUM> attached to the tension member <NUM> and configured for moving concurrently and in opposite direction with respect to the elevator car <NUM> along at least one counterweight guide member <NUM>. The skilled person will understand that the invention may be applied also to elevator systems <NUM> which do not comprise a counterweight <NUM>.

Each landing <NUM> is provided with a landing door <NUM>, and the elevator car <NUM> is provided with a corresponding elevator car door <NUM> for allowing passengers to transfer between a landing <NUM> and the interior of the elevator car <NUM> when the elevator car <NUM> is positioned at the respective landing <NUM>.

The elevator drive <NUM> includes an elevator controller <NUM> which is configured for controlling the elevator drive <NUM> for moving the elevator car <NUM> along the hoistway <NUM> between the different landings <NUM>.

Input to the elevator drive <NUM>, in particular to the controller <NUM>, may be provided via landing control panels 7a, which are provided on each landing <NUM> close to the landing doors <NUM>, and/or via an elevator car control panel 7b, which is provided inside the elevator car <NUM>.

The landing control panels 7a and the elevator car control panel 7b may be connected with the elevator drive <NUM> by means of electric wires, which are not shown in <FIG>, in particular by an electric bus, or by means of wireless data connections.

The elevator car <NUM> may be equipped with at least one position reference system <NUM>, which is configured for detecting and/or determining the position of the elevator car <NUM> within the hoistway <NUM>.

The position reference system <NUM> may be an absolute position reference system <NUM>, including a position detector <NUM> configured for interacting with a coded tape <NUM> extending along the length of the hoistway <NUM>. The position reference system <NUM> may comprise a position detector <NUM> which is configured for determining the current position of the elevator car <NUM> within the hoistway <NUM> by detecting and integrating velocities and/or accelerations of the elevator car <NUM>.

<FIG> depict perspective views of an elevator car <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention during maintenance and/or repair procedures.

For accessing a component <NUM> of the elevator system <NUM> located within the hoistway <NUM> outside the elevator car <NUM>, a mechanic <NUM> within the interior space <NUM> of the elevator car has opened an opening <NUM> provided at the top <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM> allowing him to reach through the top <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM> for accessing the component <NUM>. The mechanic <NUM> may use at least one tool <NUM> when working on said component <NUM>.

In the exemplary embodiment depicted in <FIG>, the opening <NUM> extends basically completely over the top <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, which are not explicitly depicted in the figures, the opening <NUM> may extend only over a portion of the top <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM> and/or the elevator car <NUM> may comprise two or more openings <NUM> provided at different positions at the top <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM>.

Similar openings (not shown) may be formed within the bottom <NUM> and/or within at least one sidewall <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM>, respectively.

The elevator car <NUM> may comprise a movable platform <NUM>, which is movable between a storage position (not shown), e.g. at the top <NUM> or at the bottom <NUM> of the interior space <NUM>, and a working position, in which it is depicted in <FIG>. When the platform <NUM> is arranged in the working position, a mechanic <NUM> may step onto the platform <NUM> for reaching through an opening <NUM> in the upper part of the elevator car <NUM>.

The platform <NUM> may be mounted to the elevator car <NUM> by at least one scissor mechanism <NUM> extending between the platform <NUM> and the top <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM>, as it is exemplarily depicted in <FIG>. A ladder <NUM> may be provided for allowing the mechanic <NUM> to climb conveniently onto the platform <NUM> when it is arranged in the working position in some distance above the bottom <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM>.

When the mechanic <NUM> is reaching through the opening <NUM>, at least some parts of his body are located within the hoistway <NUM> outside the interior space <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM>.

Thus, in case the elevator car <NUM> moves while the mechanic <NUM> is reaching through the opening <NUM>, there is some risk that parts <NUM> of the mechanic's body are squeezed between the elevator car <NUM> and the top, walls or bottom of the hoistway <NUM>.

It therefore is desirable to prevent any movement of the elevator car <NUM> while the mechanic <NUM> is reaching through an opening <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM> into the hoistway <NUM>.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the elevator car <NUM> is equipped with at least one sensor <NUM> (see <FIG>), which is configured for monitoring an opening <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM> and for detecting any object <NUM>, in particular any tools <NUM> used by the mechanic <NUM> or parts <NUM> of a human body, extending through said opening <NUM>.

In the embodiment depicted in <FIG> a plurality of sensors <NUM> are provided next to each other establishing a virtual safety curtain <NUM> extending across the opening <NUM>. For clarity of the illustration, not all sensors <NUM> are provided with reference signs in <FIG>.

The at least one sensor <NUM> is connected with the elevator drive <NUM>, in particular the controller <NUM>. The elevator drive <NUM> is configured for stopping and/or preventing any movement of the elevator car <NUM> when the at least one sensor <NUM> detects any object <NUM>, in particular a tool <NUM> or a part <NUM> of a human body, extending through the opening <NUM>.

The at least one sensor <NUM> may be connected with the elevator drive <NUM> by means of electrical wires (not shown), including a bus system, such as a CAN bus, or by a wireless data connection.

The at least one sensor <NUM> may be implemented creating a light barrier, in particular a light barrier including at least one laser light source, extending over the whole opening <NUM>. Alternatively, the sensor <NUM> may constitute a plurality of light barriers, wherein each of the light barriers monitors a section of the opening <NUM>.

Instead of creating a light barrier, the at least one sensor <NUM> may employ ultrasonic or radar waves for detecting any objects <NUM> extending though the opening <NUM>, or it may comprise least one optical camera, which is configured for monitoring the opening <NUM> and detecting any objects <NUM> extending though the opening <NUM>. Combination of different techniques are possible as well.

In an elevator system <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the elevator car <NUM> is allowed to move only when all tools <NUM> and parts <NUM> of a human body, in particular of a mechanic <NUM> being present within the elevator car <NUM>, are completely located within the interior space <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM> (see <FIG>), and in particular when no object <NUM> extends though the opening <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM>.

An input device <NUM>, in particular a manual service control device, may be provided within the elevator car <NUM>. The input device <NUM> may be configured for allowing the mechanic <NUM> being present on the platform <NUM> to manually control the movement of the elevator car <NUM>, in particular for moving the elevator car <NUM> to a position within the hoistway <NUM> which allows convenient access to a desired component <NUM> of the elevator system <NUM>.

As an additional safety measure, the input device <NUM> may be positioned and configured so that the mechanic <NUM> is able to move the elevator car <NUM> by operating the input device <NUM> only when his body is completely within the interior space <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM>.

Such a safety measure, however, might be circumvented by two mechanics <NUM> cooperating with each other, in particular by a first mechanic <NUM> reaching out of the opening <NUM> and a second mechanic <NUM> operating the input device <NUM>.

In an elevator system <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, even such a cooperation of at least two mechanics <NUM> does not result in an unsafe situation, as any movement of the elevator car <NUM> is prevented when an object <NUM>, in particular a tool <NUM> or a part <NUM> of a human body extends though the opening <NUM>, as it has been described before.

Instead of, or in addition to, stopping and preventing any movement of the elevator car <NUM> when an object <NUM> extending through the opening <NUM> is detected, the elevator car <NUM> may be equipped with an alarm device <NUM> which is configured for issuing an acoustic and/or optical alarm signal in case an object <NUM> extending through the opening <NUM> is detected.

In a further configuration, the elevator drive <NUM> may be configured to allow movement of the elevator car <NUM> under certain circumstances despite an object <NUM> extending through the opening is detected.

For example, in case an object <NUM> extending through an opening <NUM> formed at the top <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM> is detected, the elevator drive <NUM> may allow the elevator car <NUM> to move downwards, as in case of a downward motion of the elevator car <NUM>, there is no risk that an object <NUM> is squeezed between the top <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM> and the upper end <NUM> of the hoistway <NUM>.

The elevator car <NUM> even may be allowed to move upwards even if an object <NUM> extending through an opening <NUM> formed at the top <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM> is detected, as long as a distance D<NUM> (see <FIG>) between the top <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM> and the upper end <NUM> of the hoistway <NUM> is larger than a predetermined distance providing a sufficiently large safety space between the top <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM> and the upper end <NUM> of the hoistway <NUM>.

Similarly, the elevator car <NUM> may be allowed to move upwards, in case an object <NUM> is detected as extending though an opening <NUM> formed within the bottom <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM>.

The elevator car <NUM> even may be allowed to move downwards even if an object <NUM> extending through an opening <NUM> formed within the bottom <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM> is detected, as long as a distance D<NUM> (see <FIG>) between the bottom <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM> and the lower end <NUM> of the hoistway <NUM> is larger than a predetermined distance providing a sufficiently large safety space between the bottom <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM> and the lower end <NUM> of the hoistway <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Elevator car (<NUM>) defining an interior space (<NUM>) comprising:
at least one opening (<NUM>) formed within a ceiling or a floor of the elevator car (<NUM>) and providing a passage between the interior space (<NUM>) and the exterior of the elevator car (<NUM>) allowing a mechanic (<NUM>) within the interior space (<NUM>) to reach out of the elevator car (<NUM>); characterised by
at least one sensor (<NUM>) configured for detecting any object (<NUM>) extending through the at least one opening (<NUM>).