Patent ID: 7793760

Claim:
An elevator comprising: a guide rail provided in an elevator shaft vertically; an elevator car moving up and down along the guide rail; a guiding unit provided on the elevator car for guiding the elevator car, the guiding unit having a magnet unit containing a core and coils forming an electromagnet thereby generating a magnetic force against the guide rail through an air gap; and a controller for controlling the magnetic force by maneuvering an exciting current for exciting the electromagnet, wherein the controller is configured to control the magnetic force so as to: displace the elevator car gradually so as to produce an air gap between the guiding unit and the guide rail when the elevator car starts to move; bring the guiding unit into non-contact with the guide rail when the elevator car is traveling; and reduce an air gap between the guiding unit and the guide rail partially to displace the elevator car gradually and bring the guiding unit into contact with the guide rail when the elevator car is stopped, whereby the guiding unit attracts and fixes the guide rail while the elevator car is stopped.