Patent Application
20180244495
The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to elevator systems and, more particularly, to sensing elevator car guiding devices for elevator systems to connect an elevator car to a guide rail.
An elevator system typically includes a plurality of belts or ropes (load bearing members) that move an elevator car vertically within a hoistway or elevator shaft between a plurality of elevator landings. When the elevator car is stopped at a respective one of the elevator landings, changes in magnitude of a load within the car can cause changes in vertical motion state (e.g., position, velocity, acceleration) of the car relative to the landing. The elevator car can move vertically down relative to the elevator landing, for example, when one or more passengers and/or cargo move from the landing into the elevator car. In another example, the elevator car can move vertically up relative to the elevator landing when one or more passengers and/or cargo move from the elevator car onto the landing. Such changes in the vertical position of the elevator car can be caused by soft hitch springs and/or stretching and/or contracting of the load bearing members, particularly where the elevator system has a relatively large travel height and/or a relatively small number of load bearing members. Under certain conditions, the stretching and/or contracting of the load bearing members and/or hitch springs can create disruptive oscillations in the vertical position of the elevator car, e.g., an up and down “bounce” motion.
According to some embodiments, elevator car guiding devices are provided. The elevator car guiding devices include a roller guide frame including a mounting base to be mounted to an elevator car, a first roller supported on the mounting base, the first roller having a first roller wheel configured to engage with and rotate along a guide rail and prevent movement of the elevator car in a first direction, a second roller supported on the mounting base, the at least one second roller having a second roller wheel configured to engage with and rotate along the guide rail and prevent movement of the elevator car in a second direction, and a motion state sensing assembly mounted to the roller guide frame and configured to measure a motion state of the elevator car within an elevator shaft of the elevator system.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator car guiding devices may include that the motion state sensing assembly is operably connected to one of (i) the first roller, (ii) one of the at least one second roller, or (iii) the guide rail.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator car guiding devices may include that the motion state sensing assembly includes an encoder and a connecting element operably connecting the encoder to one of the roller wheels, wherein the connecting element rotates as the respective roller wheel rotates, the encoder configured to measure rotation of the connecting element to determine a motion state of the elevator car.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator car guiding devices may include that the roller guide frame includes a cover, wherein the first roller and the at least one second roller are arranged between the mounting base and the cover, and wherein the motion state sensing assembly is mounted to the cover.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator car guiding devices may include that the roller guide frame includes a first support bracket that supports the first roller wheel within the roller guide and wherein the motion state sensing assembly comprises an encoder bracket that fixedly secures an encoder to the first support bracket.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator car guiding devices may include a connecting element operably connected the encoder to the first roller wheel.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator car guiding devices may include that the motion state sensing assembly comprises a communication component configured to transmit motion state data from the motion state sensing assembly to an elevator controller.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator car guiding devices may include that a portion of the motion state sensing assembly is operably in direct contact with the first roller wheel.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator car guiding devices may include that the at least one second roller is two second rollers with each second roller having a respective roller wheel oriented about the guide rail.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator car guiding devices may include that the motion state sensing assembly is operably connected to one of the two second roller wheels.
According to some embodiments, elevator systems are provided. The elevator systems include an elevator shaft having a plurality of landings, a guide rail extending along the elevator shaft, an elevator machine, an elevator car operably connected to the elevator machine to be driven within the elevator shaft along the guide rail, and an elevator car guiding device mounted to the elevator car. The elevator car guiding device includes a roller guide frame including a mounting base mounted to the elevator car, a first roller supported on the mounting base, the first roller having a first roller wheel configured to engage with and rotate along the guide rail and prevent movement of the elevator car in a first direction, at least one second roller supported on the mounting base, the at least one second roller having a second roller wheel configured to engage with and rotate along the guide rail and prevent movement of the elevator car in a second direction, and a motion state sensing assembly mounted to the roller guide frame and configured to measure a motion state of the elevator car within the elevator shaft.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator systems may include that the motion state sensing assembly is operably connected to one of (i) the first roller, (ii) one of the at least one second roller, or (iii) the guide rail.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator systems may include that the motion state sensing assembly includes an encoder and a connecting element operably connecting the encoder to one of the roller wheels, wherein the connecting element rotates as the respective roller wheel rotates, the encoder configured to measure rotation of the connecting element to determine a motion state of the elevator car within the elevator shaft.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator systems may include that the roller guide frame includes a cover, wherein the first roller and the at least one second roller are arranged between the mounting base and the cover, and wherein the motion state sensing assembly is mounted to the cover.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator systems may include that the roller guide frame includes a first support bracket that supports the first roller wheel within the roller guide and wherein the motion state sensing assembly comprises an encoder bracket that fixedly secures an encoder to the first support bracket.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator systems may include a connecting element operably connected the encoder to the first roller wheel.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator systems may include that the motion state sensing assembly comprises a communication component configured to transmit motion state data from the motion state sensing assembly to the elevator machine.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator systems may include that a portion of the motion state sensing assembly is operably in direct contact with the first roller wheel.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator systems may include that the at least one second roller is two second rollers with each second roller having a respective roller wheel oriented about the guide rail.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator systems may include that the motion state sensing assembly is operably connected to one of the two second roller wheels.
Technical effects of embodiments of the present disclosure include an integrated motion state sensing assemblies that are integrated into roller guides of an elevator car to provide accurate motion state information of the elevator car within an elevator shaft. The term “motion state” as used herein include various states of position/motion, including position, velocity, and acceleration.
The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description and drawings are intended to be illustrative and explanatory in nature and non-limiting.
The subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the present disclosure are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
As shown and described herein, various features of the disclosure will be presented. Various embodiments may have the same or similar features and thus the same or similar features may be labeled with the same reference numeral, but preceded by a different first number indicating the figure to which the feature is shown. Thus, for example, element “a” that is shown in FIG. X may be labeled “Xa” and a similar feature in FIG. Z may be labeled “Za.” Although similar reference numbers may be used in a generic sense, various embodiments will be described and various features may include changes, alterations, modifications, etc. as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, whether explicitly described or otherwise would be appreciated by those of skill in the art.
The roping 107 engages the machine 111, which is part of an overhead structure of the elevator system 101. The machine 111 is configured to control movement between the elevator car 103 and the counterweight 105. The position encoder 113 may be mounted on an upper sheave of a speed-governor system 119 and may be configured to provide position signals related to a position of the elevator car 103 within the elevator shaft 117. In other embodiments, the position encoder 113 may be directly mounted to a moving component of the machine 111, or may be located in other positions and/or configurations as known in the art.
The controller 115 is located, as shown, in a controller room 121 of the elevator shaft 117 and is configured to control the operation of the elevator system 101, and particularly the elevator car 103. For example, the controller 115 may provide drive signals to the machine 111 to control the acceleration, deceleration, leveling, stopping, etc. of the elevator car 103. The controller 115 may also be configured to receive position signals from the position encoder 113. When moving up or down within the elevator shaft 117 along guide rail 109, the elevator car 103 may stop at one or more landings 125 as controlled by the controller 115. Although shown in a controller room 121, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the controller 115 can be located and/or configured in other locations or positions within the elevator system 101.
The machine 111 may include a motor or similar driving mechanism. In accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, the machine 111 is configured to include an electrically driven motor. The power supply for the motor may be any power source, including a power grid, which, in combination with other components, is supplied to the motor.
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.
Embodiments provided herein are directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods related to elevator control at a landing, and particularly to vibration compensation systems to rapidly adjust and account for bounce, oscillations, and/or vibrations within an elevator system. For example, an elevator dynamic compensation control mode is a mode of operation that is used at landings when an elevator car may move up or down (e.g., bounce) due to load changes and/or extension/contraction of load bearing members (e.g., a continuous re-levelling feature). According to embodiments provided herein, systems, structures, and methods of operation are provided to enable improved motion state detection with respect to the location of an elevator car within an elevator shaft. In addition to re-leveling and dynamic compensation control, embodiments provided herein can be used for normal operation/motion control, automated recover options, diagnostics, calibration at installation, etc. Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to one specific application, and any particular applications described herein are provided for illustrative and explanatory purposes only.
Specifically, embodiments provided herein are directed to incorporating a motion state detection element and/or functionality into roller guides of an elevator car (e.g., guiding devices 127 shown in
Turning now to
The elevator car guiding devices 202 are each configured to engage with and move along a guide rail 212 (shown in
The rollers 218, 220 are movably or rotatably mounted to the mounting base 210 by a first support bracket 222 and second support brackets 224, respectively. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, roller guides typically utilize wheels with rolling element bearings mounted on stationary pins (spindles) fixed to pivoting arms supported by the roller guides base, which in turn interfaces with the car frame, as described above. The pivoting arm is retained by a stationary pivot pin fixed to the base. A spring is configured to provide a restoring force and a displacement stop (e.g., a bumper). The roller wheels contact the guide rails of the elevator system and spin with the vertical motion of the car.
As provided herein, and as shown in
The motion state sensing assembly 226 is configured to determine a motion state of an elevator car within an elevator shaft. The motion state sensing assembly 226, in some embodiments such as that shown in
Turning now to
To provide motion state sensing, as enabled herein, the support bracket 322 also has a motion state sensing assembly 326 mounted thereto. As shown, an motion state sensor 328 is mounted on a sensor bracket 340 that is fixedly attached to the support bracket 322. A connecting element 330 operably connects the motion state sensor 328 to the rotating shaft 332. Thus, as the roller 318 rotates when an elevator car moves vertically along a guide rail within an elevator shaft, the rotating shaft 332 will also rotate. As the rotating shaft 332 of the roller 318 rotates so will the connecting element 330, and the rotation of the connecting element 330 is measured by the motion state sensor 328. From this, the motion state sensor 328 generates motion state data and/or information that is used to accurately determine the motion state of the elevator car within the elevator shaft.
Turning now to
To provide motion state sensing, as enabled herein, a motion state sensing assembly 426 is mounted to the support bracket 422. As shown, an motion state sensor 428 is mounted on a sensor bracket 440 that is fixedly attached to the support bracket 422. A connecting element 430 operably connects the motion state sensor 428 to the rotating shaft of the first roller 418. Thus, as the first roller 418 rotates when an elevator car moves vertically along a guide rail within an elevator shaft, the connecting element 430 will rotate and the rotation of the connecting element 430 is measured by the motion state sensor 428. From this, the motion state sensor 428 generates motion state data and/or information that are used to accurately determine the motion state of the elevator car within the elevator shaft.
Advantageously, embodiments provided herein provide an integrated motion state sensing assembly into a roller guide of an elevator car to thus provide accurate motion state information of the elevator car within the elevator shaft. Accordingly, advantageously, for example, direct measurement of elevator car distance from a landing can be obtained for enhanced control of re-leveling (e.g., dynamic compensation control mode of operation). Further, advantageously, motion state sensing assemblies provided herein can be employed, for example, to determine car motion state relative to door zones, car position and/or velocity for motion control, over-speed detection, and/or unintended car movement detection.
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. Rather, the present disclosure can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions, combinations, sub-combinations, or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the scope of the present disclosure. 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.
For example, various configurations and/or designs may be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
In one non-limiting embodiment, a connecting element of a motion state sensing assembly is operably connected to a roller wheel of a side-to-side roller, such as that shown and described above. The motion state sensor, or a portion thereof, (or other part of the motion state sensing assembly) can be directly connected and/or mounted to a rotating axle or shaft of the roller wheel.
In another non-limiting embodiment, the motion state sensing assembly can be operably connected to a front-to-back roller. In such embodiments, the structure, arrangement, and configuration of the motion state sensing assembly can be similar to that shown and described above.
In another non-limiting embodiment, rather than operably connecting to a roller wheel of the roller guide, and additional roller wheel (e.g., dedicated motion state sensing roller wheel) can be mounted on or above the roller guide. For example, a motion state sensor and operably connected additional roller can be mounted to the cover 442 illustrated in
In another non-limiting embodiment, the motion state sensing assembly can be configured to be operably connected directly to a roller wheel. For example, the motion state sensor can be an encoder that is in contact with a motion part of a roller. That is, a wheel of an encoder can be directly in contact with a portion of the roller wheel such that as the roller wheel rotates the encoder wheel rotates and the motion state can be measured. In such embodiments, the encoder can be mounted using spring tension or other mounting means.
Further, although shown and described above with respect to elevator car guiding devices positioned on the top of an elevator car, those of skill in the art will appreciate that embodiments provided herein can be applied to any elevator car guiding devices (e.g., roller guides) of an elevator system. For example, those of skill in the art will appreciate that a traditional elevator car will be equipped with four roller guides. Embodiments provided herein can be applied to one or more of the roller guides to provide motion state sensing at one or more roller guides of the elevator car.
Additionally, although shown and described with a single motion state sensor (e.g., an encoder) on the elevator car guiding device, those of skill in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, multiple motion state sensors can be part of a single elevator car guiding device. In such embodiments, the multiple motion state sensors can measure based on one or more rollers, such that each sensor is configured with respect to a different roller or two or more sensors are configured with respect to a single (the same) roller. Accordingly, various alternative configurations and/or arrangements are considered herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
