ELEVATOR SYSTEM

Abstract

 In an-elevator apparatus, a footboard displaceable from a normal position to a weighting position through addition of a weight is provided on a car in the vicinity of an edge thereof on a landing doorway side. The footboard displaced to the weighting position is mechanically held at the weighting position by a holding mechanism. The holding of the footboard at the weighting position by the holding mechanism is released through manipulation of a release manipulation portion. A displacement state of the footboard is detected by a detection switch. A control device controls the operation of the car based on a manipulation state of the detection switch.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator apparatus whose operation mode can be changed over between an automatic operation mode and a maintenance operation mode.

Background Art

[0002] In a conventional elevator apparatus, a detection switch such as a piezoelectric mat is installed on a car. When a maintenance operator gets on the detection switch, a signal is transmitted to an elevator control device to prohibit the operation of the car. By manipulating an on-car inspection switch provided on the car, a changeover in operation mode to an inspection mode is made (e. g. , see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1: JP 11-322214 A

Disclosure of the Invention

Problem to be solved by the Invention

[0004]  In the conventional elevator apparatus constructed as described above, the operation of the car is prohibited only when the maintenance operator is on the detection switch. Therefore, when the maintenance operator closes a landing door without manipulating the on-car inspection switch and then moves out of a region on the car where the detection switch is installed, the car is automatically operated with the maintenance operator thereon.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an elevator apparatus that makes it possible to more reliably prevent a car from being automatically operated with a maintenance operator thereon.

Means for solving the Problems

[0006] An elevator apparatus according to the present invention includes: a car; a footboard provided on the car in a vicinity of an edge thereof on a landing doorway side and designed to be displaceable from a normal position to a weighting position through addition of a weight; a holding mechanism for mechanically holding the footboard displaced to the weighting position at the weighting position; a release manipulation portion for releasing holding of the footboard at the weighting position by the holding mechanism; a detection switch for detecting a displacement state of the footboard; and a control device for controlling operation of the car based on a manipulation state of the detection switch.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] 

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a car of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a circuitry of a control device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a car of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a circuitry of a control device of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Best Modes for carrying out the Invention

[0008] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1

[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a car of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 1, a car 1 has a car frame (not shown) suspended within a hoistway, and a car chamber 2 supported by the car frame. A front surface of the car chamber 2 is provided with a car doorway 2a. The car doorway 2a is opened/closed by a pair of car doors 3. A landing doorway 4 is provided at a landing of each stop floor. The landing doorway 4 is opened/closed by a pair of landing doors (not shown) .

[0010] A footboard 5 is provided on the car chamber 2 in the vicinity of an edge thereof on the landing doorway 4 side. An end of the footboard 5 on the other side of the landing doorway 4 (rear end of the footboard 5) is connected to an upper portion of the car chamber 2 by means of a plurality of hinges 6. Thus, the footboard 5 can be turned around an axis parallel to a width direction of the car 1.

[0011] Aplurality of springs 7 are interposed between an upper surface of the car chamber 2 and a lower surface of the footboard 5. The footboard 5 is held at a normal position by the springs 7 when a maintenance operator is not on the footboard 5. When the maintenance operator gets on the footboard 5 to add a weight thereto, the springs 7 are compressed, and the footboard 5 is turned in such a direction that an end thereof on the landing doorway 4 side (front end thereof) is depressed. As a result, the footboard 5 is displaced to a weighting position.

[0012] A front end surface of the footboard 5 is provided with a protrudable/retractable latch 8. A latch engagement member 9, with which the latch 8 is engaged when the footboard 5 is displaced to the weighting position, is fixed on the car chamber 2. A holding mechanism 10, which is composed of the latch 8 and the latch engagement member 9, mechanically holds the footboard 5 displaced to the weighting position at the weighting position.

[0013] A release handle 11 serving as a release manipulation portion for releasing the holding of the footboard 5 at the weighting position by the holding mechanism 10 is provided on the footboard 5 in the vicinity of the front end thereof. Bymanipulating the release handle 11 in a rotating manner in the direction of an arrow A of Fig. 1, the latch 8 is retracted to the footboard 5 side and thereby disengaged from the latch engagement member 9. Thus, the front end of the footboard 5 is pushed up by the springs 7, so the footboard 5 is returned to the normal position.

[0014] A detection switch 12 for detecting a displacement state of the footboard 5 is provided on the car chamber 2. The detection switch 12 is mechanically manipulated through displacement of the footboard 5 to the weighting position. A control device 13 controls the operation of the car 1 based on a manipulation state of the detection switch 12.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a circuitry of the control device 13 of Fig. 1. The detection switch 12 is connected in series to a power supply switch 14 for making a changeover between an operable state and an inoperable state. The detection switch 12 is connected to an automatic operation side thereof when the footboard 5 is at the normal position, and to a maintenance operation side thereof when the footboard 5 is at the weighting position.

[0016] An operation mode changeover switch 15 for making a changeover in operation mode between an automatic operation mode and a maintenance operation mode is connected in series to the detection switch 12. The operationmode changeover switch 15, which is provided on the car 1, is manipulated by the maintenance operator on the car 1.

[0017] A normal operation command issuing relay 16 is connected to a terminal of the operation mode changeover switch 15 on an automatic operation side thereof. An UP operation command issuing relay 18 and a DOWN operation command issuing relay 19 are connected in parallel to a terminal of the operation mode changeover switch 15 on a maintenance operation side thereof via a maintenance running switch 17.

[0018] As described above, the detection switch 12 is normally connected to the automatic operation side thereof. Accordingly, when the operation mode changeover switch 15 is connected to the automatic operation side thereof while a contact of the power supply switch 14 is closed, the normal operation command issuing relay 16 is energized, so the operation mode is set to the automatic operation mode. In the automatic operation mode, the car 1 is automatically operated in response to calls from landings and calls from within the car 1.

[0019] In this state, when the detection switch 12 is changed over to the maintenance operation side thereof and the operation mode changeover switch 15 is changed over to the maintenance operation side thereof, the operation mode is changed over to the maintenance operationmode. In the maintenance operation mode,callsfrom within the car 1 and calls from the landings are invalidated, and the maintenance operator manipulates the maintenance running switch 17 to raise/lower the car 1 at low speed.

[0020] In the elevator apparatus constructed as described above, the footboard 5 displaced to the weighting position is mechanically held at the weighting position by the holding mechanism 10 until the release handle 11 is manipulated. Therefore, even in the unlikely event that the maintenance operator closes the landing doors without manipulating the operation mode changeover switch 15 and moves out of a region on the car 1 where the footboard 5 is provided, the car 1 is not automatically operated. That is, the car 1 can be more reliably prevented from being automatically operated with the maintenance operator thereon.

[0021] The footboard 5 is mechanically held at the weighting position by the holding mechanism 10. Therefore, even if the maintenance operator carelessly forgets to manipulate the power supply switch 14 or the operation mode changeover switch 15 by an oversight and steps onto the car 1 during the repair of a malfunction involving a blackout, the detection switch 12 is manipulated by the footboard 5. Therefore, the car 1 is prevented from being operated.

[0022] Further, the release handle 11 is provided on the footboard 5 in the vicinity of the front end thereof, so the release handle 11 can be manipulated after the maintenance operator has moved onto the landing.
Still further, the operation mode changeover switch 15 is provided on the car 1 separately from the detection switch 12 so as to permit maintenance operation only when the detection switch 12 is actuated and the operation mode changeover switch 15 is changed over to the maintenance operation side thereof, and to permit automatic operation only when the detection switch 12 is released and the operation mode changeover switch 15 is changed over to the automatic operation side thereof. Therefore, an erroneous changeover in operation mode can be prevented more reliably.

[0023] The release handle 11 and the latch 8 may be integrated with each other . In this case, a commercial door component having a handle integrated with a latch can be employed as an example. As a result, a cost reduction can be achieved.
In the foregoing example, the latch 8 and the latch engagement member 9 are provided on the footboard 5 and the car chamber 2, respectively. On the contrary, however, the latch engagement member 9 and the latch 8 may be provided on the footboard 5 and the car chamber 2, respectively.

Embodiment 2

[0024] Reference will be made next to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a car of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Although omitted in Fig. 1 for the sake of simplicity, a structure for supporting the car doors 3 is also illustrated in Fig. 3. Referring to Fig. 3, a release button 21 serving as a release manipulation portion for releasing the holding of the footboard 5 at the weighting position by the holding mechanism 10 is provided on an end surface of the footboard 5 on the landing doorway 4 side thereof (front end surface of the footboard 5) . By manipulating the release button 21 in a pressing manner in the direction of an arrow B of Fig. 3, the latch 8 is retracted to the footboard 5 side and thereby disengaged from the latch engagement member 9. Thus, the front end of the footboard 5 is pushed up by the springs 7 (Fig. 1), so the footboard 5 is returned to the normal position.

[0025] A girder 22 for supporting the car doors 3, which has an inverse-L-shaped cross-section, is fixed to an upper portion of the front surface of the car chamber 2. The girder 22 is provided with an opening portion 22a for exposing the release button 21 to the landing side. The release button 21 is manipulated through the opening portion 22a from the landing side.

[0026] A door rail 23 for guiding the opening/closing movements of the car doors 3 is fixed to the girder 22. Each of the car doors 3 has a door panel 24, a door hanger 25 fixed to an upper portion of the door panel 24, and a pair of hanger rollers 26 provided on the door hanger 25 to be rolled on the door rail 23. The car doors 3 are suspended from the door rail 23. Embodiment 2 of the present invention is identical to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in other constructional details.

[0027] In the elevator apparatus constructed as described above, the release button 21 is provided on the front end surface of the footboard 5. Therefore, the release button 21 can be more reliably manipulated from each of the landings.
The girder 22 is provided with the opening portion 22a to allow the release button 21 to be manipulated through the opening portion 22a. Therefore, the release button 21 can be more reliably manipulated from each of the landings.

[0028] The release button 21 may be provided on the landing doorway 4 side with respect to the girder 22. Thus, the release button 21 is not easily manipulated on the car 1. As a result, the release button 21 can be more reliably manipulated from each of the landings.

Embodiment 3

[0029] Reference will be made next to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a circuitry of a control device of an elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In this example, the detection switch 12 serves also as the operation mode changeover switch 15. That is, when the footboard 5 is displaced to the weighting position through addition of a weight, the detection switch 12 is changed over to the maintenance operation side thereof, so the operation mode is changed over to the maintenance operation mode. When the footboard 5 is returned to the normal position, the detection switch 12 is returned to the automatic operation side thereof, so the operation mode is changed over to the automatic operation mode. Embodiment 3 of the present invention is identical to Embodiment 1 or 2 of the present invention in other constructional details.

[0030] In the elevator apparatus constructed as described above, the operation mode is changed over to the maintenance operation mode when the footboard 5 is displaced to the weighting position, and returned to the automatic operation mode when the footboard 5 is returned to the normal position. Therefore, the operation mode changeover switch 15 is not required. As a result, a cost reduction can be achieved, and an erroneous changeover in operation mode can be prevented from being made due to a failure to manipulate the operation mode changeover switch 15 or an erroneous manipulation thereof.

[0031] In each of the foregoing examples, the release handle 11 or the release button 21 is illustrated as the release manipulation portion. However, the release manipulation portion should not be limited in shape or mechanism thereto, and may be realized as, for example, a knob. The release manipulation portion is not necessarily manipulated in a rotating manner or a pressing manner, and may be manipulated in a pulling manner.
In each of the foregoing examples, the footboard 5 is returned to the normal position due to restoring forces of the springs 7. However, an elastic body such as rubber or the like may be employed as an example of restoration means for restoring the footboard 5 to the normal position.
Further, the footboard 5 is turned to be displaced between the normal position and the weighting position in each of the foregoing examples. However, the footboard 5 may be designed, for example, to be displaced vertically as a whole.
Still further, the single footboard 5 is employed in each of the foregoing examples. However, the footboard 5 may be divided into a plurality of boards.
Although the single detection switch 12 is employed in each of the foregoing examples, it is also appropriate to employ a plurality of detection switches and disable automatic operation when displacement of the footboard 5 to the weighting position is detected by any one of the detection switches.

Claims

1. An elevator apparatus comprising:

a car;

a footboard provided on the car in a vicinity of an edge thereof on a landing doorway side and designed to be displaceable from a normal position to a weighting position through addition of a weight;

a holding mechanism for mechanically holding the footboard displaced to the weighting position at the weighting position;

a release manipulation portion for releasing holding of the footboard at the weighting position by the holding mechanism;

a detection switch for detecting a displacement state of the footboard; and

a control device for controlling operation of the car based on a manipulation state of the detection switch.

2. An elevator apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the release manipulation portion is provided on the footboard in a vicinity of an end thereof on the landing doorway side.

3. An elevator apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the release manipulation portion is provided on an end surface of the footboard on the landing doorway side thereof.

4. An elevator apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein:

the car is provided, on an upper portion of a front surface thereof, with a girder for supporting a car door; and

the girder is provided with an opening portion for manipulating the release manipulation portion from the landing doorway side.

5. An elevator apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein:

the car is provided, on an upper portion of a front surface thereof, with a girder for supporting a car door; and

the release manipulation portion is provided on the landing doorway side with respect to the girder.

6. An elevator apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the holding mechanism has a latch provided in a protrudable and retractable manner on one of the footboard and the car, and a latch engagement member provided on the other of the footboard and the car to allow the latch to be engaged therewith when the footboard is displaced to the weighting position.

7. An elevator apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein the latch and the release manipulation portion are integrated with each other.

8. An elevator apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein:

the car has provided thereon an operation mode changeover switch for making a changeover in operation mode between an automatic operation mode and a maintenance operation mode; and

the control device makes a changeover in operation mode to the maintenance operation mode only when presence of the footboard at the weighting position is detected by the detection switch and the operation mode changeover switch is changed over to a maintenance operation side thereof, and makes a changeover in operation mode to the automatic operation mode only when presence of the footboard at the normal position is detected by the detection switch and the operation mode changeover switch is changed over to an automatic operation side thereof.

9. An elevator apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the detection switch serves also as an operation mode changeover switch for making a changeover in operation mode between an automatic operation mode and a maintenance operation mode.

Drawing