Patent Description:
Elevator systems require maintenance to be performed on the various components thereof, with some such components located exterior to an elevator car, such as within an elevator shaft. To perform maintenance on such components, technicians may be required to gain access to the exterior of the elevator car. Accordingly, typical elevator cars are provided with a ceiling access panel or similar opening to allow for a technician to access the top of an elevator car from the inside of the elevator car. The ceiling access panels are manually operable and can be difficult to access depending on the size or dimensions of the elevator car. Accordingly, improved access to and operation of ceiling access panels of elevator cars may be advantageous.

According to the invention, an elevator car according to claim <NUM> is provided.

In addition, further embodiments of the elevator car may include that the access panel operator includes a first pulley, a second pulley, and an access panel cable operably connecting the first pulley to the access panel.

In addition, further embodiments of the elevator car may include a lock arranged to selectively secure the access panel in a closed position.

In addition, further embodiments of the elevator car may include that the lock includes an electrically driven lock driver and a lock pin, wherein, in a closed state, the lock pin engages with a locking bracket of the access panel.

In addition, further embodiments of the elevator car may include that the selectively engageable coupling is electrically connected to a control panel to enable selective operation of the selectively engageable coupling.

In addition, further embodiments of the elevator car may include that the control panel is a car operating panel of the elevator car.

In addition, further embodiments of the elevator car may include that the car door operator includes a pulley and a door operator cable operably connected to the pulley of the car door operator.

In addition, further embodiments of the elevator car may include that the selectively engageable coupling includes a motor and drive shaft arranged to selectively drive operation of car door operator and the access panel operator.

In addition, further embodiments of the elevator car may include that a pulley of the access panel operator is attached to the drive shaft.

In addition, further embodiments of the elevator car may include a first coupling element arranged to selectively couple with the car door operator and a second coupling element arranged to selectively couple with the access panel operator.

In addition, further embodiments of the elevator car may include that at least one of the first coupling element and the second coupling element comprises an armature and a friction ring.

In addition, further embodiments of the elevator car may include that the selectively engageable coupling includes a first electromagnet arranged proximate to the car door operator and a second electromagnet arrange proximate the access panel operator, wherein the first and second electromagnets are arranged to selectively control engagement with the car door operator and the access panel operator.

In addition, further embodiments of the elevator car ceiling access systems may include that the access panel is hingedly connected to the top of the elevator car.

The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations within the scope of the appended claims.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an elevator system <NUM> including an elevator car <NUM>, a counterweight <NUM>, a roping <NUM>, a guide rail <NUM>, a machine <NUM>, a position encoder <NUM>, and an elevator controller <NUM>. The elevator car <NUM> and counterweight <NUM> are connected to each other by the roping <NUM>. The roping <NUM> may include or be configured as, for example, ropes, steel cables, and/or coated-steel belts.

The roping <NUM> engages the machine <NUM>, which, in this illustrative embodiment, is part of an overhead structure of the elevator system <NUM>, although other arrangements are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The position encoder <NUM> may be mounted on an upper sheave of a speed-governor system <NUM> and may be configured to provide position signals related to a position of the elevator car <NUM> within the elevator shaft <NUM>. In other embodiments, the position encoder <NUM> may be directly mounted to a moving component of the machine <NUM>, or may be located in other positions and/or configurations as known in the art.

The elevator controller <NUM> is located, as shown in the illustrative arrangement, in a controller room <NUM> of the elevator shaft <NUM> and is configured to control the operation of the elevator system <NUM>, and particularly the elevator car <NUM>. In other embodiments the controller <NUM> can be located in other locations, including, but not limited to, fixed to a landing or landing door or located in a cabinet at a landing. The elevator controller <NUM> may provide drive signals to the machine <NUM> to control the acceleration, deceleration, leveling, stopping, etc. of the elevator car <NUM>. The elevator controller <NUM> may also be configured to receive position signals from the position encoder <NUM>. When moving up or down within the elevator shaft <NUM> along guide rail <NUM>, the elevator car <NUM> may stop at one or more landings <NUM> as controlled by the elevator controller <NUM>. Although shown in a controller room <NUM>, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the elevator controller <NUM> can be located and/or configured in other locations or positions within the elevator system <NUM>.

Although shown and described with a roping system, elevator systems that employ other methods and mechanisms of moving an elevator car within an elevator shaft may employ embodiments of the present disclosure.

<FIG> is a schematic illustration of an elevator system <NUM> that may incorporate embodiments disclosed herein. As shown in <FIG>, an elevator car <NUM> is located at a landing <NUM>. The elevator car <NUM> may be called to the landing <NUM> by a passenger or mechanic <NUM> that desires to travel to another floor within a building or perform maintenance on a portion of the elevator system <NUM>. A car door lintel <NUM> of the elevator system <NUM> can include a door opening system or door operator to enable opening and closing of car doors <NUM> and landing doors <NUM> when the elevator car <NUM> is located at the landing <NUM>. At times, such as during maintenance operations, a mechanic <NUM> may need to access an elevator car top <NUM> through a ceiling access panel <NUM>. Embodiments provided herein are directed to improved systems for opening and operating ceiling access panels and providing access to an elevator car top.

Turning now to <FIG>, a schematic illustration of an elevator car ceiling access system <NUM> is shown. The elevator car ceiling access system <NUM> is mounted or installed on a top <NUM> of an elevator car <NUM>. The top <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM> includes an access panel <NUM> that is openable to allow access to an exterior of the elevator car <NUM>. The elevator car <NUM> further includes elevator car doors <NUM> that are openable by a car door operator <NUM> which includes a door operator cable <NUM> (e.g., door aircord, belt, etc.), as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.

The elevator car ceiling access system <NUM> is coupled to or includes the car door operator <NUM> to enable opening and/or closing of the ceiling access panel <NUM>. The elevator car ceiling access system <NUM> is mounted to the top <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM> and/or a sill <NUM> and provides a selectively engageable coupling <NUM> that couples to the car door operator <NUM> and to an access panel operator <NUM>. That is, the selectively engageable coupling <NUM> of the elevator car ceiling access system <NUM> includes the car door operator <NUM>, the access panel operator <NUM>, and a motor <NUM> operably connected between both the car door operator <NUM> and the access panel operator <NUM>. The selectively engageable coupling <NUM> is operable to selectively couple and drive, using motor <NUM>, one or the other of the car door operator <NUM> and the access panel operator <NUM>. As shown, the car door operator <NUM> is at least partially mounted to the sill <NUM> with a car door pulley <NUM> operably coupled to the door operator cable <NUM>.

The access panel operator <NUM> includes a first pulley <NUM> and a second pulley <NUM> with an access panel cable <NUM> extending around the pulleys <NUM>, <NUM> and fixedly connected to the access panel <NUM>. The access panel cable <NUM> connects to the access panel <NUM> by a fixed coupling <NUM>. The first pulley <NUM>, in some embodiments, is a drivable pulley that can be driven or rotated by the motor <NUM> and the second pulley <NUM> is an idle pulley that allows the access panel cable <NUM> to travel about the second pulley <NUM> during operation (opening/closing) of the access panel <NUM>.

In normal operation, the car door operator <NUM> is engaged and operates as known in the art to enable opening and closing of the elevator car doors <NUM>. Engagement of the car door operator <NUM> is provided through a first coupling element <NUM>, as described below. The first coupling element <NUM> can be selectively controlled or operated to engage with the car door pulley <NUM> to enable the motor <NUM> to drive operation of the elevator car doors <NUM>. However, in a maintenance mode of operation, the first coupling element <NUM> may disengage from connection with the car door pulley <NUM> of the car door operator <NUM> and a second coupling element <NUM> will engage with the access panel operator <NUM> and the first pulley <NUM> thereof, thus allowing opening and closing of the access panel <NUM>.

The motor <NUM> of the selectively engageable coupling <NUM>, in some embodiments, includes a drive shaft <NUM> that is used for driving operation of the car door operator <NUM>, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Further, when switched from engagement with the car door operator <NUM> to engagement with the access panel operator <NUM>, the motor <NUM> is used to drive opening and/or closing of the access panel <NUM>. The motor <NUM> drives rotation of the drive shaft which can rotate the car door pulley <NUM> of the car door operator <NUM> or the first pulley <NUM> of the access panel operator <NUM>, depending on which operator <NUM>, <NUM> the selectively engageable coupling <NUM> is operably coupled or connected to, e.g., by engagement of the first or second coupling elements <NUM>, <NUM>. The motor <NUM> may be fixedly mounted to or attached to the sill <NUM> and/or the top <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM>. The first pulley <NUM> of the access panel operator <NUM> may be mounted to and/or part of the drive shaft <NUM> and thus is mounted to the top <NUM> or sill <NUM> through the motor <NUM>.

The elevator car ceiling access system <NUM> further includes a lock <NUM>. The lock <NUM> can secure the access panel <NUM> to the top <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM> when not in operation, thus preventing unauthorized access to the exterior of the elevator car <NUM>. In some embodiments, the lock <NUM> may be an electromechanical lock that is connected to an electrical circuit of the elevator car <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, the lock <NUM> of the elevator car ceiling access system <NUM> can be electrically connected to a car operating panel or other control panel of the elevator car <NUM> or other part of the elevator system. In such embodiments, a mechanic can use the car operating panel to operate the lock <NUM> to unlock the access panel <NUM> to allow opening thereof and thus gain access to the top <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the first pulley <NUM> can be driven by the selectively engageable coupling <NUM> to unspool the access panel cable <NUM> to lower or open the access panel <NUM>. In other embodiments, the access panel <NUM> may open merely by the pull of gravity, with the access panel cable <NUM> providing a maximum opening and/or to aid in smooth opening of the access panel <NUM>. When closing, the selectively engageable coupling <NUM> can drive the first pulley <NUM> of the access panel operator <NUM> to re-spool the access panel cable <NUM> and pull the access panel <NUM> into a closed position. When in the closed position, the lock <NUM> can be reengaged to secure the access panel <NUM> to the top <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG>, a schematic illustration of a lock <NUM> in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The lock <NUM> includes a locking bracket <NUM> that is fixedly attached to an access panel <NUM>. A locking mechanism <NUM> is mounted to a top <NUM> of an elevator car, with the locking mechanism <NUM> including a lock driver <NUM> and a lock pin <NUM>. In a closed state (not shown) the lock pin <NUM> engages with the locking bracket <NUM> to secure the access panel <NUM> into or relative to the top <NUM> of the elevator car, thus preventing access to the top <NUM> of the elevator car. To open the access panel <NUM>, a mechanic can operate a control circuit or control panel (e.g., at a car operating panel) to actuate the lock driver <NUM> to retract the lock pin <NUM> (e.g., electromagnetic operation) and thus release the connection with the access panel <NUM>. As such, the lock may include an electrically driven lock driver <NUM> to drive movement, actuation, or operation of the lock pin <NUM>. When unlocked, the access panel <NUM> may be lowered by operation of a pulley system or by gravity. To relock the access panel <NUM>, the pulley system may pull the access panel <NUM> back up into position such that the locking bracket <NUM> aligns with the lock driver <NUM> and the lock pin <NUM>, and the lock pin <NUM> can be actuated to reengage with the locking bracket <NUM>. In some embodiment, the movement of the access panel <NUM> may be manual. Further, in some embodiments, the lock pin <NUM> may be biased into the locking position and as the locking bracket <NUM> is moved into position, it will urge the lock pin <NUM> into the lock driver <NUM> and once aligned, the lock pin <NUM> may be urged back into engagement with the locking bracket <NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG>, schematic illustrations of an elevator car ceiling access system <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure are shown. <FIG> illustrates the elevator car ceiling access system <NUM> in a closed and locked state and <FIG> illustrates the elevator car ceiling access system <NUM> in an open state. The elevator car ceiling access system <NUM> may be similar to the configurations shown and described above. In the closed state, an access panel <NUM> is secured and locked in position relative to a top <NUM> of an elevator car, as shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the access panel <NUM> is opened and supported, in part, by an access panel cable <NUM>. When opened, as shown in <FIG>, an access opening <NUM> is provided such that a mechanic or other authorized personnel can access an exterior of the elevator car.

As shown in <FIG>, a motor <NUM> of the elevator car ceiling access system <NUM> can be mounted to a sill <NUM> and/or to the top <NUM>. A brace, bracket, or other support can be used to mount the motor <NUM> to the top <NUM> of an elevator car, as illustratively shown. Further, as shown, a first pulley <NUM> can be supported or connected to the motor <NUM> by a drive shaft <NUM> that is driven by the motor <NUM>. A second pulley <NUM> of the elevator car ceiling access system <NUM> may also be mounted to the top <NUM> of the elevator car, by a bracket, support, or other structure. The access panel cable <NUM> is wound about the first pulley <NUM> and extends around or about the second pulley <NUM> to connect with the access panel <NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG>, a schematic illustration of an elevator car ceiling access system <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. In <FIG>, an access panel <NUM> is shown in an open position and suspended or retained by an access panel cable <NUM> that is connected at one end to the access panel <NUM> at a fixed coupling <NUM> and at the other end to a first pulley <NUM> and disposed about a second pulley <NUM>. As shown, the first pulley <NUM> is operably connected to a selectively engageable coupling <NUM>, as described herein. The access panel <NUM> is hingedly connected to a top <NUM> of an elevator car by hinges <NUM>. The access panel <NUM> can be secured into a closed position by a lock <NUM>, similar to that described above.

Turning now to <FIG>, a schematic illustration of an operation of an elevator car ceiling access system <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The elevator car ceiling access system <NUM> includes a selectively engageable coupling <NUM> operably connecting a car door operator <NUM> and an access panel operator <NUM>. The car door operator <NUM> includes a car door pulley <NUM> with at least a portion of a door operator cable <NUM> connected thereto. The car door pulley <NUM> of the car door operator <NUM> is rotatable to operate (e.g., open/close) an elevator system door. The access panel operator <NUM> includes a first pulley <NUM> with an access panel cable <NUM> wrapped thereon. The first pulley <NUM> of the access panel operator <NUM> is rotatable to spool and unspool the access panel cable <NUM> during operation (e.g., opening/closing) of an access panel.

The selectively engageable coupling <NUM> includes a motor <NUM> or other drive mechanism to drive rotation of a drive shaft <NUM> (e.g., an axle). Fixedly connected to the drive shaft <NUM> is a first coupling element <NUM> and a second coupling element <NUM>. The first coupling element <NUM> is arranged to selectively couple with a portion of the car door pulley <NUM> of the car door operator <NUM> and the second coupling element <NUM> is arranged to selectively couple with a portion of the first pulley <NUM> of the access panel operator <NUM>.

Selective coupling is controlled by operation of a first electromagnet <NUM> and a second electromagnet <NUM>. The first electromagnet <NUM> is arranged proximate to the car door pulley <NUM> of the car door operator <NUM> and the second electromagnet <NUM> is arranged proximate to the first pulley <NUM> of the access panel operator <NUM>. By applying current through a control circuit <NUM> (e.g., by operation at a car operating panel) one or the other of the first and second electromagnets <NUM>, <NUM> may be energized to act or pull upon a respective pulley <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, the car door pulley <NUM> of the car door operator <NUM> can include a first magnet <NUM> and the first pulley <NUM> of the access panel operator <NUM> can include a second magnet <NUM>. When the first electromagnet <NUM> is energized, the car door pulley <NUM> of the car door operator <NUM> will be urged to the right in <FIG> such that the first magnet <NUM> will contact and magnetically engage with the first coupling element <NUM>. When the drive shaft <NUM> is driven by the selectively engageable coupling <NUM>, the drive shaft <NUM> will rotate, and thus the first coupling element <NUM> and engaged car door pulley <NUM> of the car door operator <NUM> will rotate. This is the arrangement schematically shown in <FIG>. As shown, the second magnet <NUM> is not engaged with the second coupling element <NUM>, and thus the first pulley <NUM> of the access panel operator <NUM> does not rotate. Although described herein as a magnet, those of skill in the art will appreciate that any ferromagnetic material may be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

However, when it is desired to open an access panel of the present disclosure, a mechanic or other authorized personnel can use a control operation (e.g., at a car operating panel) to energize the second electromagnet <NUM> (and de-energize the first electromagnet <NUM>). When the second electromagnet <NUM> is energized, the second magnet <NUM> that is coupled to or part of the first pulley <NUM> of the access panel operator <NUM> will be urged to the left in <FIG> such that the second magnet <NUM> will contact and engage with the second coupling element <NUM>. At the same time, the car door pulley <NUM> of the car door operator <NUM> will move to the left and disengage from the first coupling element <NUM>. Accordingly, the selectively engageable coupling <NUM> can be used to drive operation of the access panel operator <NUM> (e.g., open a ceiling panel of an elevator car).

Turning now to <FIG>, a schematic illustration of an alternative arrangement of an elevator car ceiling access system <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The elevator car ceiling access system <NUM> includes a selectively engageable coupling <NUM> having a motor <NUM> that is operably connected to a car door operator <NUM> and an access panel operator <NUM>. The car door operator <NUM> includes a car door pulley <NUM> with at least a portion of a door operator cable <NUM> connected thereto. The car door pulley <NUM> of the car door operator <NUM> is rotatable to operate (e.g., open/close) an elevator system door. The access panel operator <NUM> includes a first pulley <NUM> with an access panel cable <NUM> wrapped thereon. The first pulley <NUM> of the access panel operator <NUM> is rotatable to spool and unspool the access panel cable <NUM> during operation (e.g., opening/closing) of an access panel.

The selectively engageable coupling <NUM> includes the motor <NUM> or other drive mechanism to drive rotation of a drive shaft <NUM> (e.g., an axle). Connected to the drive shaft <NUM> is a first coupling element <NUM> and a second coupling element <NUM>. The first coupling element <NUM> is arranged to selectively couple with a portion of the car door pulley <NUM> of the car door operator <NUM> and the second coupling element <NUM> is arranged to selectively couple with a portion of the first pulley <NUM> of the access panel operator <NUM>.

Selective coupling is controlled by operation of an electromagnet <NUM> (e.g., a permanent magnet and a coil) that is part of the car door operator <NUM>. The electromagnet <NUM> is arranged proximate to the car door pulley <NUM> of the car door operator <NUM>. During normal operation, the magnet of the electromagnet <NUM> will for engagement of a first friction ring <NUM> and a first armature <NUM> to force a coupling between the motor <NUM> and the car door pulley <NUM> and thus no current is needed for normal operation of the elevator car doors.

By applying current through the control circuit <NUM> the permanent magnet of the electromagnet <NUM> can be neutralized and thus allow movement of the system for engagement with the access panel operator <NUM>. For example, an access panel coil <NUM> can be energized to force a second friction ring <NUM> into engagement with a second armature <NUM> of the first pulley <NUM>. When the access panel coil <NUM> and the coil of the electromagnet <NUM> are energized, the first armature <NUM> will be urged out of engagement with the first friction ring <NUM> such that the car door pulley <NUM> will be disengaged. At the same time, the energized access panel coil <NUM> will urge the second friction ring <NUM> into engagement with the second armature <NUM> to allow operation and rotation of the first pulley <NUM>. When the drive shaft <NUM> is driven by the motor <NUM>, the drive shaft <NUM> will rotate, and thus the second coupling element <NUM> and engaged first pulley <NUM> of the access panel operator <NUM> will rotate.

Advantageously, embodiments described herein provide for an easy to use and secure access panel in a top of an elevator car. Such systems allow for opening of ceiling panels or other access panels of elevator cars to be opened, regardless of height or dimensions of the elevator car. Further, advantageously, embodiments provided herein do not require additional mechanisms as the system is operably coupled to existing car door operators.

As used herein, the use of the terms "a," "an," "the," and similar references in the context of description (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or specifically contradicted by context. The modifier "about" used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity).

While the present disclosure has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Additionally, while various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the present disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments.

Claim 1:
An elevator car (<NUM>, <NUM>) having a top (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and at least one elevator car door (<NUM>), comprising:
an elevator car ceiling access system (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
an access panel (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) located in the top (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the elevator car (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
an access panel operator (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and
a car door operator (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
characterized by
a selectively engageable coupling (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) arranged between the car door operator (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the access panel operator (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and arranged to selectively couple to the car door operator (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the access panel operator (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to enable selective opening of the access panel (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).