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EP 2 569 240 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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09.04.2014 Bulletin 2014/15 |
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Date of filing: 13.05.2011 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC):
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International application number: |
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PCT/IB2011/052106 |
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International publication number: |
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WO 2011/141893 (17.11.2011 Gazette 2011/46) |
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SYSTEM FOR LOAD DETECTION IN A CABIN OF AN ELEVATOR
SYSTEM ZUR LASTERFASSUNG IN EINER AUFZUGSKABINE
SYSTÈME DE DÉTECTION DE CHARGE DANS UNE CABINE D'ASCENSEUR
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL
NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
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Priority: |
14.05.2010 CH 750102010
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Date of publication of application: |
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20.03.2013 Bulletin 2013/12 |
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Proprietor: Kone Corporation |
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00330 Helsinki (FI) |
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Inventors: |
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- GALLI, Omar
CH-6648 Minusio (CH)
- HOERLER, Marco
CH-6596 Gordola (CH)
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Representative: Zardi, Marco |
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M. Zardi & Co. SA
Via Pioda 6 6900 Lugano 6900 Lugano (CH) |
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References cited: :
EP-A1- 1 988 047 WO-A2-2007/141371
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WO-A1-01/83350 GB-A- 515 520
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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[0001] The present invention relates to technique of elevators. The invention relates in
particular to a system for the detection of the load of the cabin of an elevator.
[0002] An elevator is normally equipped with a system able to detect and measure the load
of the cabin, i.e. the presence of one or more persons in the same cabin. Said system
is useful for the managing of auxiliary functions, for example actuation of the internal
light of the cabin when a person boards, but first of all it is important to detect
whether the maximum allowed load is exceeded, for safety reasons. For example a control
may be provided to hinder the start of the elevator if the load exceeds the maximum
value.
[0003] It is known to make use of a weighing system integrated in the floor of the cabin.
Said system in general comprises a plurality of sensors (typically load cells), for
example at least one sensor in the central part and another four sensors at the corners
of the floor. A single sensor located in a point of the floor could in fact miss the
detection of a person standing in a corner of the cabin. A shortcoming of this system
is the poor precision and the relatively high cost. The cabin is rendered more complex
and costly by the presence of these sensors.
[0004] Other known systems provide for the measurement of the deformation of plates directly
connected to the load-bearing cables. Another technique provides for the measure of
deflection of a load joint in a load-sensitive position, for example on an arch or
on the cables fastening plate. These systems have a low cost but are fairly imprecise
and can only be applied to elevators suspended on metal cables; moreover it has been
noted that the measure is subject to a considerable hysteresis leading to low precision.
One Example of the above mentioned measuring systems is presented in
WO 2007/141371.
[0005] The invention relates in particular to elevators of the so called self-supporting
type, suitable for serving a limited number of floors and therefore particularly attractive
for small homes and/or renovations where it is generally not possible to obtain the
room for installation of a conventional elevator.
[0006] A self-supporting elevator essentially comprises a cabin, a frame structure comprising
two vertical guides, a drive comprising a motor and at least one suspension means,
which is preferably represented by a belt rather than cables with circular section.
A self-supporting elevator is preferably without a counterweight, so that the overall
dimensions are quite small. The known load detection systems, which have been discussed
above, are not suitable and/or are not satisfactory, particularly in this type of
elevators.
[0007] The invention aims to devise a system for the measure of the weight transported by
an elevator, which is simple and inexpensive to make, and which allows accurate measure.
[0008] The object is achieved with an elevator according to independent claim 1. Some preferred
embodiments of the invention are described in the annexed dependent claims. An aspect
of the invention also consists of a method for the detection of the load of a cabin
of an elevator, according to independent claim 9.
[0009] According to the invention the load is measured by means of a measure of deformation
of an interface plate between the cabin and a carriage. The term plate is meant to
refer, for the purpose of the present invention, to a generic support member that
may have any form. The measure is made with a suitable device, realized with a technique
in itself known. For example a strain gauge associated with said plate can be used.
[0010] Said plate is the interface between the cabin and a carriage which is part of the
drive system. The plate in a preferred embodiment comprises at least one first portion
which is firmly connected to the cabin, and a second portion which carries a pulley
or an assembly of pulleys and therefore is substantially connected to the carriage.
The measurement system comprises at least one device for the measure of a relative
displacement between the first portion and the second portion of plate. This displacement
gives an indirect measure of the load of the cabin.
[0011] The advantages of the invention are essentially the compactness, the simplicity and
the reduced installation time, without the need to modify the cabin. More particularly
the sensors in the floor of the cabin are no longer required. The cabin is made simpler
and consequently the cost is reduced. This advantage is particularly appreciated in
self-supporting elevators wherein the overall cost needs to be reduced. The measure
is accurate and is not influenced for example by the position of the load inside the
cabin.
[0012] The invention is now described in greater detail and with reference to the drawings,
which show non-limiting preferred embodiments thereof, in which:
Fig. 1 shows schematically an elevator according to a preferred embodiment of the
invention;
Fig. 2 shows a detail of the elevator of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 illustrates the measurement of the load by means of the deformation of the
fastening plate between cabin and carriage, in the elevator of Fig. 1,
according to one of the embodiments,
Fig. 4 shows a variant of embodiment of said plate, and
Fig. 5 shows a further variant of embodiment of said plate.
[0013] Referring to the drawings, an elevator comprises a cabin 1 equipped with guides 2
and suspended on a belt 3 which is wound on pulleys 4. The example shows an elevator
without counterweight. More particularly (Fig. 2) the cabin 1 is driven by a carriage
5 comprising a fixed part integral with the cabin and a suspended part. The fixed
part is formed substantially by a plate 6 which carries an assembly of pulleys 4.
The suspended part is denoted by 7 and comprises another assembly of pulleys 4, and
is connected to the fixed part with a system dampened by means of springs 8.
[0014] The load of the cabin 1 is detected and measured essentially through the measurement
of a deformation of the plate 6 which represents mechanically the connection member
between cabin 1 and carriage 5.
[0015] In the examples of the drawings the plate 6 is substantially two-dimensional and
flat.
[0016] According to the embodiment of Fig. 3 said plate 6 essentially comprises a central
portion (or core) 10 which carries the respective pulleys 4, and two wings 11 which
are bolted to the rear wall of the cabin. As a result the two wings 11 are substantially
integral with the cabin, while the part 10 is substantially integral with the carriage
5, i.e. with the assembly of the belt 3 and pulleys 4. The parts 10 and 11 of the
plate 6 are connected by ribbings 12 which have a determined flexibility and more
particularly allow a displacement between the core 10 and the wings 11.
[0017] A first way of measuring the load of the cabin 1 is to take a measure of the gap
distance denoted by 13. Fig. 3 (a) relates to the empty cabin while Fig. 3 (b) relates
to the loaded cabin. The weight of the cabin 1 is transmitted as a force L on the
wings 11 rigidly connected to the cabin. The structure of the plate 6 is deformed
under load, with the effect that the gap distance 13 reduces from a value 13a at rest,
to a value 13b under load. Knowing the variables of the system including rigidity
of the plate 6 and weight of the empty cabin 1, said distance 13 can be correlated
to the overall weight of the cabin in working conditions and therefore to the load.
[0018] In the embodiment of Fig. 4 the plate 6 has an upper bridge portion 14 which is substantially
integral with the wings 11. A strain gauge 20 measures the gap distance 13 between
the upper portion 15 of the core 10 and the above mentioned bridge portion 14. It
shall be noted that the core 10 of the plate is substantially integral with the suspended
part (pulleys and belt) of the carriage 5, while the wings 11 and the bridge portion
14 are essentially integral with the fixed part, i.e. with the cabin.
[0019] In Fig. 5 a different embodiment of the plate 6 and position of the strain gauge
20 can be noted. Said strain gauge 20 measures the deflection of a crosspiece 16 of
the plate 6. Said crosspiece 16 has two end portions integral with the wings 11, while
the central part of said crosspiece 16 is connected to the core 10, via a ribbing
17. Consequently the crosspiece 16 bends under load and the deflection is detected
by the sensor 20. The elongation of the everted section of said crosspiece 16 is correlated
to a relative displacement between the core 10 and the wings 11 and indirectly to
the load of the cabin 1.
[0020] The electrical signal of the device 20 is transmitted to the control system of the
elevator to detect the load of the cabin and in particular to detect a possible overload.
[0021] The drive system comprises other assemblies of pulleys integral with the load-bearing
frame (Fig. 1) and is not described in detail, being not essential for the purpose
of the invention. It is to be noted that the suspension means may comprise a single
belt 3 or several belts. The assemblies of pulleys 4 preferably comprise coplanar
pulleys and each assembly comprises a series of pulleys of decreasing diameter, as
shown in Fig. 2.
1. Elevator comprising a fixed structure (2) and a cabin (1), a drive system comprising
at least one suspension means (3) wound on pulleys (4) and a carriage (5) for driving
said cabin (1), said carriage being connected to said cabin (1) by an interface plate
(6) and comprising a system for measurement of the load of said cabin by means of
at least one measure of deformation of said plate (6), wherein:
- said plate (6) comprises at least a first portion which is firmly connected to the
cabin (1) and at least a second portion which is connected to at least one pulley
(4) of the carriage (5), and said system of measurement comprises at least one measuring
device (20) suitable for measuring a relative displacement between said first (11)
and second portion (10) of the plate, consequent to the deformation of said plate,
and
- said plate (6) is substantially two-dimensional and flat in shape, said second portion
of the plate being represented by a core part (10), which carries said at least one
suspension pulley (4) of the cabin, and said first portion being represented by two
wings (11) at the sides of said core part and firmly fixed to the cabin.
2. Elevator according to claim 1, the core (10) and the wings (11) being connected by
ribbings (12) of said plate.
3. Elevator according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said system of measurement
comprises at least one measuring device (20) suitable for measuring a gap distance
(13) formed in said plate (6).
4. Elevator according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said system of measurement
comprises at least one device (20) suitable for measuring a deflection of a crosspiece
portion (16) of said plate, said crosspiece portion (16) having ends connected to
the wings (11) of the plate, and a central part connected to the core part (10) of
the plate itself
5. Elevator according to any one of the previous claims, said elevator being a self-supporting
elevator without counterweight and said at least one suspension means (3) being a
belt.
6. Method for the measurement of the load of a cabin (1) of an elevator according to
claim 1, wherein the elevator comprises at least a cabin (1) and a drive system comprising
a carriage (5) for driving said cabin, the carriage comprising at least one assembly
of pulleys whereon a suspension means (3) is wound, the method being characterised by measuring the relative displacement between a core part (10) and two wings (11) of
a substantially two-dimensional flat plate (6) of connection between the cabin (1)
and the carriage (5), said core part (10) of the plate carrying at least one suspension
pulley (4) of the carriage (5), and said two wings (11) being located at the sides
of said core part and being firmly fixed to the cabin.
1. Aufzug, aufweisend eine feststehende Struktur (2) und eine Kabine (1), ein Antriebssystem,
das wenigstens ein Aufhängungsmittel (3) umfasst, das um Rollen (4) gewickelt ist,
und einen Laufwagen (5) zum Antreiben der Kabine (1), wobei der Laufwagen mit der
Kabine (1) durch eine Verbindungsplatte (6) verbunden ist und ein System zur Messung
der Last der Kabine anhand von wenigstens einem Maß der Verformung der Platte (6)
aufweist, wobei:
- die Platte (6) wenigstens einen ersten Teil aufweist, der fest mit der Kabine (1)
verbunden ist, und wenigstens einen zweiten Teil, der mit wenigstens einer Rolle (4)
des Laufwagens (5) verbunden ist, und das System zur Messung wenigstens eine Messvorrichtung
(20) aufweist, die zur Messung einer relativen Verlagerung zwischen dem ersten (11)
und dem zweiten Teil (10) der Platte geeignet ist, die aus einer Verformung der Platte
resultiert, und
- die Platte (6) im Wesentlichen zweidimensional und in der Form flach ist, wobei
der zweite Teil der Platte durch einen Kernteil (10) verkörpert ist, der die wenigstens
eine Aufhängungsrolle (4) der Kabine trägt, und der erste Teil durch zwei Flügel (11)
an den Seiten des Kernteils verkörpert und fest an der Kabine befestigt ist.
2. Aufzug nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Kern (10) und die Flügel (11) durch Verrippungen
(12) der Platte verbunden sind.
3. Aufzug nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das System zur Messung wenigstens
eine Messvorrichtung (20) aufweist, die zur Messung eines Spaltabstands (13) geeignet
ist, der an der Platte (6) ausgebildet ist.
4. Aufzug nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Messsystem wenigstens eine
Vorrichtung (20) aufweist, die zur Messung einer Biegung eines Querstückabschnitts
(16) der Platte geeignet ist, wobei der Querstückabschnitt (16) Enden aufweist, die
mit den Flügeln (11) der Platte verbunden
sind, und ein Mittelstück, das mit dem Kernteil (10) der Platte selbst verbunden ist.
5. Aufzug nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Aufzug ein selbsttragender
Aufzug ohne Gegengewicht und das wenigstens eine Aufhängungsmittel (3) ein Riemen
ist.
6. Verfahren zur Messung der Last einer Kabine (1) eines Aufzugs gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei
der Aufzug wenigstens eine Kabine (1) und ein Antriebssystem aufweist, das einen Laufwagen
(5) zum Antreiben der Kabine (1) aufweist, wobei der Laufwagen wenigstens eine Baugruppe
von Rollen aufweist, um die ein Aufhängungsmittel (3) gewickelt ist, wobei das Verfahren
durch ein Messen der relativen Verlagerung zwischen einem Kernteil (10) und zwei Flügeln
(11) einer im Wesentlichen zweidimensionalen, flachen Platte (6) der Verbindung zwischen
der Kabine (1) und dem Laufwagen (5) gekennzeichnet ist, wobei der Kernteil (10) der
Platte wenigstens eine Aufhängungsrolle (4) des Laufwagens (5) trägt und die zwei
Flügel (11) an den Seiten des Kernteils angeordnet sind und fest an der Kabine befestigt
sind.
1. Ascenseur comprenant une structure fixe (2) et une cabine (1), un système d'entraînement
comprenant au moins un moyen de suspension (3) enroulé sur des poulies (4) et un chariot
(5) pour entraîner ladite cabine (1), ledit chariot étant relié à ladite cabine (1)
par une plaque d'interface (6), et comprenant un système de mesure de la charge de
ladite cabine par l'intermédiaire d'au moins une mesure de déformation de ladite plaque
(6), dans lequel :
- ladite plaque (6) comprend au moins une première partie qui est fermement reliée
à la cabine (1) et au moins une seconde partie qui est reliée à au moins une poulie
(4) du chariot (5), et ledit système de mesure comprend au moins un dispositif de
mesure (20) adapté pour mesurer un déplacement relatif entre ladite première (11)
et ladite seconde partie (10) de la plaque, à la suite de la déformation de ladite
plaque, et
- ladite plaque (6) est sensiblement en deux dimensions et de forme plate, ladite
seconde partie de la plaque étant représentée par une partie de noyau (10) qui supporte
ladite au moins une poulie de suspension (4) de la cabine, et ladite première partie
étant représentée par deux ailes (11) sur les côtés de ladite partie de noyau et fermement
fixées à la cabine.
2. Ascenseur selon la revendication 1, le noyau (10) et les ailes (11) étant reliés par
des nervures (12) de ladite plaque.
3. Ascenseur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ledit
système de mesure comprend au moins un dispositif de mesure (20) adapté pour mesurer
une distance d'écartement (13) formé dans ladite plaque (6).
4. Ascenseur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ledit
système de mesure comprend au moins un dispositif (20) adapté pour mesurer une déviation
d'une partie d'entretoise (16) de ladite plaque, ladite partie d'entretoise (16) ayant
des extrémités reliées aux ailes (11) de la plaque, et une partie centrale reliée
à la partie de noyau (10) de la plaque elle-même.
5. Ascenseur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, ledit ascenseur étant
un ascenseur autoportant sans contrepoids et ledit au moins un moyen de suspension
(3) étant une courroie.
6. Procédé pour la mesure de la charge d'une cabine (1) d'un ascenseur selon la revendication
1, dans lequel l'ascenseur comprend au moins une cabine (1) et un système d'entraînement
comprenant un chariot (5) pour entraîner ladite cabine, le chariot comprenant au moins
un ensemble des poulies sur lesquelles un moyen de suspension (3) est enroulé, le
procédé étant caractérisé par la mesure du déplacement relatif entre une partie de noyau (10) et deux ailes (11)
d'une plaque plate sensiblement bidimensionnelle (6) de connexion entre la cabine
(1) et le chariot (5), ladite partie de noyau (10) de la plaque supportant au moins
une poulie de suspension (4) du chariot (5), et lesdites deux ailes (11) étant localisées
sur les côtés de ladite partie de noyau et étant fermement fixées à la cabine.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description