Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a method and device for replacing an elevator car battery. When it is detected that the elevator car is moving slowly, a detection starting signal is sent to a first battery grabber. After a first alignment completion signal returned by the first battery grabber based on the detection starting signal is received, the first alignment completion signal is sent to a main control system. The main control system executes elevator stopping and braking actions on the elevator car; and after it is determined that the elevator car has stopped, the battery grabber is controlled to execute a battery replacement operation.

<CIT> discloses an elevator installation that includes at least one car that is displaceable in an elevator shaft; a first supply unit for supplying the car with energy, material, and/or data; and an interchange arrangement for interchanging the first supply unit to the car whereby the first supply unit is removed from or attached to the car during ongoing operation of the elevator installation. The interchange arrangement may remove and/or attach one or more supply units from the car during a regular door-opening cycle where the car stops at a floor of a building in which the elevator installation is installed. A duration of time required to remove the first supply unit from the car, or alternatively add the first supply unit to the car, is less than a duration of time required for a regular door-opening cycle.

An elevator system according to claim <NUM> is provided.

A method according to claim <NUM> is also provided.

Optional features are defined in the dependent claims.

<FIG> schematically illustrates selected portions of an elevator system <NUM>. An elevator car <NUM> is situated to move along a vertical path, which may be in a hoistway, such as by following guiderails <NUM> The elevator car <NUM> includes a frame <NUM> and a cab <NUM> supported on the frame <NUM>.

An elevator car power supply <NUM> is supported on the elevator car <NUM>. The elevator car power supply <NUM> includes a plurality of power sources <NUM>. Each power source <NUM> may comprise a rechargeable battery.

An exchange station <NUM> is situated near the path followed by the elevator car <NUM>. The exchange station <NUM> is configured to remove a selected number of the power sources <NUM> from the elevator car power supply <NUM> when the elevator car <NUM> is situated in a position near the exchange station <NUM>. The exchange station <NUM> removes power sources <NUM> that have a remaining capacity below a selected level or threshold. The exchange station <NUM> is also configured to replace each of the removed power sources <NUM> with a replacement power source <NUM> that has a capacity above the selected level. The exchange station <NUM> in the illustrated example includes the ability to recharge power sources <NUM> that have a diminished capacity so that the recharged power sources <NUM> can then be used to replace power sources <NUM> that are subsequently removed from the elevator car power supply <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a capacity detector <NUM> is situated to detect the capacity of each of the power sources <NUM> of the elevator car power supply <NUM>. The capacity detector <NUM> in some examples detects the voltage or charge level of each of the power sources <NUM>. The detector <NUM> may comprise a voltmeter. The capacity detector <NUM> provides an indication regarding the detected capacity of each of the power sources <NUM> to a controller <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> in the illustrated example includes a computing device, such as a processor and memory associated with the processor. The controller <NUM> is configured, for example by programming, to perform removal and replacement operations to meet the needs of the particular elevator system in which it is being used. The exchange station <NUM> removes any number of the power sources <NUM> from the elevator car power supply <NUM> when such power sources <NUM> have a capacity below a preselected threshold level. Power sources <NUM> from the exchange station <NUM> that have a higher level of power above the selected threshold level replace those that were removed from the elevator car power supply <NUM>.

The elevator system <NUM> includes a vertical motion and dispatching controller <NUM> that directs movement of the elevator car <NUM>. The detector <NUM>, controller <NUM>, or both communicate with the controller <NUM> so the controller <NUM> can schedule an appropriate time for the elevator car <NUM> to reach and remain at the exchange station <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is configured, for example, to direct the elevator car <NUM> to travel to the exchange station <NUM> as a scheduled stop. The controller <NUM> also receives information from the detector <NUM>, controller <NUM>, or both indicating the status of a power source exchange so the controller <NUM> will not issue a command for the elevator car <NUM> to travel to another position until the exchange procedure is complete.

<FIG> schematically shows the detector <NUM> supported on the elevator car <NUM> and the controller <NUM> as part of the exchange station <NUM>. In such an arrangement, wireless communications using a known communication protocol, such as Bluetooth, allows the controller <NUM> to obtain the indications from the detector <NUM> regarding the respective capacities or charge levels of the power sources <NUM>. The respective positions of the detector <NUM> and the controller <NUM> in <FIG> are shown for discussion purposes only. In other configurations, for example, a detector <NUM> is situated within the exchange station <NUM> and on board the elevator car <NUM>. Additionally, the elevator car <NUM> may support some control electronics that are at least partially responsible for facilitating removing and replacing power sources <NUM> from the elevator car power supply <NUM>.

As can be appreciated from <FIG>, the example elevator car power supply <NUM> includes a rack <NUM> that supports the power sources <NUM>. In this example, the rack <NUM> includes a plurality of compartments <NUM>, such as slots, that at least partially receive a corresponding one of the power sources <NUM>. Each compartment <NUM> in this example includes an electrical connector interface that establishes an electrically conductive connection with the power source <NUM> that is received by that compartment <NUM>. The example power source <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a connector portion <NUM> for establishing that connection.

The rack <NUM> includes a retainer that secures the power sources <NUM> relative to their respective compartments <NUM> to maintain the electrically conductive connection with each power source <NUM>. The retainer also establishes a physically secured connection so that the power sources <NUM> remain in a desired arrangement throughout movement of the elevator car <NUM>.

At least one coupling device at the exchange station <NUM> includes a gripper <NUM> and an actuator <NUM> that moves the gripper <NUM> in an automated fashion based upon commands from the controller <NUM>. The gripper <NUM> is configured to grasp a selected power source from the elevator car power supply <NUM>, remove that power source <NUM> and place it into a location at the exchange station <NUM> where the power source <NUM> can be recharged. The gripper <NUM> also grasps a more highly charged power source <NUM> from the exchange station <NUM> to replace the power source <NUM> that has been removed from the rack <NUM>. The coupling device and power source configurations may vary to meet the needs of a particular installation.

The example shown in <FIG> includes the elevator car power supply <NUM> supported beneath the cab <NUM> of the elevator car <NUM>. Another example arrangement is shown in <FIG>. In this example, the elevator car <NUM> includes an elevator car power supply <NUM> that is situated along one of the sides of the elevator car <NUM>. Each of the example elevator cars includes a top, a bottom, and a plurality of sides extending between the top and bottom. In the example of <FIG>, the elevator car <NUM> is a cantilevered elevator car. The elevator car power supply <NUM> is situated along the side of the elevator car <NUM> that is closest to the structure, such as the guiderail <NUM>, that supports the elevator car <NUM>.

Other configurations include the power sources <NUM> of the elevator car supply <NUM> distributed among a plurality of sides of the elevator car. Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this description will realize an appropriate arrangement and location for the power sources <NUM> to achieve a desired car configuration and balance to meet their particular needs.

<FIG> schematically illustrates an elevator system <NUM> that includes a plurality of elevator cars including the elevator car <NUM>, a second elevator car <NUM>, and a third elevator car <NUM>. The elevator system <NUM> includes a plurality of vertical pathways <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. Each of the elevator cars <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> is capable of moving along each of the vertical pathways <NUM>-<NUM>. A horizontally oriented transition path <NUM> facilitates movement of the elevator cars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> among the vertical paths or hoistways <NUM>-<NUM>.

In an embodiment like that shown in <FIG>, the exchange station <NUM> may be situated in or near the transition path <NUM> so that power sources <NUM> may be removed and replaced from the elevator car power supply <NUM> while that elevator car is in a corresponding position along the transition path <NUM>. In such an embodiment, a single exchange station includes enough power sources <NUM> and charging capability to maintain adequate power supply for all of the elevator cars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Utilizing the transition path <NUM> for performing any power source exchange avoids interrupting use of an elevator car within one of the vertical paths <NUM>-<NUM>.

<FIG> also schematically shows exchange stations <NUM>' between two of the vertical paths or hoistways <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Assuming the elevator system was configured without the transition path <NUM> and each of the illustrated elevator cars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is dedicated to the corresponding hoistway or vertical path <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the exchange stations <NUM>' are situated to be able to service both elevator cars on either side of the exchange station.

<FIG> illustrates another example configuration of an elevator system. In this example, the elevator car <NUM>' is coupled with a counterweight <NUM> by a load bearing assembly or roping <NUM>. The elevator car power supply <NUM>' in this example is situated on the counterweight <NUM>. At least one electrically conductive member extends between the elevator car power supply <NUM>' and the elevator car <NUM>' to provide power to the elevator car <NUM>'. In some configurations, the load bearing assembly <NUM> includes the electrically conductive member. One feature of the example shown in <FIG> is that the mass of the elevator car power supply <NUM>' contributes to the mass required for the counterweight <NUM> rather than adding to the mass of the elevator car <NUM>'.

Disclosed configurations provide the ability to apply power to an elevator car without requiring a traveling cable. Utilizing multiple power sources that can individually be removed and replaced depending on their current capacity or charge level enhances various aspects of supplying power to an elevator car using a power supply that travels with the elevator car through a hoistway.

Individually and selectively removing and replacing power sources <NUM> provides the ability to maintain the overall power available from the elevator car power supply <NUM> above a selected minimum level without substantially interrupting the ability of the elevator car <NUM> to service passengers. Swapping out one or more of the power sources <NUM> can occur relatively quickly and in an automated fashion while the elevator car <NUM> is parked at a landing, for example.

Individually and selectively controlling when power sources <NUM> are removed and replaced also allows for the elevator car <NUM> to remain in service for extended periods of time provided that the power sources <NUM> on board the elevator car <NUM> (or counterweight in an example like that shown in <FIG>) have appropriate capacity to power the elevator car as needed.

Additionally, the useful life of the power sources <NUM>, which may be lithium ion batteries for example, can be extended by maintaining the charge level of the power sources <NUM> below an upper threshold and above a minimum threshold. In other words, a shallow charging cycle for each power source <NUM> is possible when using multiple power sources <NUM> for the elevator car power supply <NUM> without removing the elevator car <NUM> from service for extended periods of time.

Additionally, having a plurality of power sources <NUM> allows for a mechanic or technician to more easily service the elevator car power supply <NUM> compared to an arrangement that has a single battery or power source.

Claim 1:
An elevator system (<NUM>), comprising:
an elevator car (<NUM>, <NUM>') that is configured for movement along a path;
an elevator car power supply (<NUM>, <NUM>') supported for movement with the elevator car (<NUM>, <NUM>'), the power supply (<NUM>, <NUM>') including a plurality of power sources (<NUM>); and
an exchange station (<NUM>) near the path and configured to
remove, from the elevator car power supply (<NUM>, <NUM>'), a selected number of the power sources (<NUM>) that have a capacity below a selected level and
replace each of the removed number of the power sources (<NUM>) with a replacement power source (<NUM>) having a capacity above the selected level;
characterised in that
the elevator system (<NUM>) further comprising:
a second elevator car (<NUM>); and
a second elevator car power supply (<NUM>, <NUM>') supported for movement with the second elevator car (<NUM>), the second elevator car power supply (<NUM>, <NUM>') including a plurality of power sources (<NUM>),
wherein
the exchange station (<NUM>) is configured to
remove, from the second elevator car power supply (<NUM>, <NUM>'), a selected number of the power sources (<NUM>) that have a capacity below the selected level and
replace each of the removed number of the power sources (<NUM>) with a replacement power source (<NUM>) having a capacity above the selected level;
wherein the elevator system comprises a plurality of vertical paths (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and at least one horizontal transition path (<NUM>) extending between the vertical paths (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), wherein
the elevator car power supply (<NUM>) is supported on the elevator car (<NUM>),
the second elevator car power supply (<NUM>) is supported on the second elevator car (<NUM>),
the elevator car (<NUM>) and the second elevator car (<NUM>) are each configured to move along the horizontal transition path (<NUM>), and
the exchange station (<NUM>) is in a location to remove and replace the selected number of power sources (<NUM>) while the elevator car (<NUM>) or the second elevator car (<NUM>) is at a corresponding location along the horizontal transition path (<NUM>).