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DIM360 (Ver 1.5 21 Nov 2005) - 1100000/0 1710000/0
1398290
EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
published in accordance with Art. 158(3) EPC
A1
20040317
EP
01934341.7
20010525
20030115
ja
en
en
20040317
200412
20040317
200412
7
7B 66B 5/00 A
de
AUFZUGSVORRICHTUNG
en
ELEVATOR DEVICE
fr
DISPOSITIF DE LEVAGE
1
MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
00208589
95 355 a/fi
2-3, Marunouchi 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-8310
JP
HIGASHINAKA, T. Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
2-3, Marunouchi 2-chome Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-8310
JP
KODERA, Hideaki Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
2-3, Marunouchi 2-chome Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-8310
JP
HOFFMANN - EITLE
00101511
Patent- und Rechtsanwälte Arabellastrasse 4
81925 München
DE
AT
BE
CH
CY
DE
DK
ES
FI
FR
GB
GR
IE
IT
LI
LU
MC
NL
PT
SE
TR
JP2001004384
20010525
ja
WO2002096789
20021205
200249
The invention is directed to an elevator system in which a control panel (5) is arranged so that an engineer (7a, 7b) can perform maintenance and inspection on the control panel (5) from that position after having ridden on an upper section (2a) of a passenger car (2) from a platform (6) disposed outside a hoistway (1). As a result, the engineer (7a, 7b) can readily, efficiently perform operations without a necessity of moving the passenger car (2) after having gotten thereon for performing maintenance and inspection of the control panel (5).

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an elevator system having a passenger car whose ascending and descending operations are controlled by a control panel.

Background Art
An elevator system of traction type which tows a passenger car by means of a hoist rope, to thereby elevate or lower the car within a hoistway, has hitherto been provided with a machinery room disposed outside the hoistway, for instance, on a rooftop. Installed in the machinery room are a hoisting machine for taking up the hoist rope, and a control panel electrically connected to the hoisting machine or the like for controlling ascending and descending operation of the passenger car. When performing inspection and maintenance on the elevator system, a maintenance engineer enters the machinery room and performs predetermined working operation.
There has been known an elevator system which obviates a necessity for providing a machinery room outside the hoistway and enables space savings, by means of mounting a hoisting machine having a control panel integrated therein at the highest position within the hoistway (as disclosed in, e.g., Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 010434/1995).
However, such a known elevator system suffers a problem of poor working efficiency, which arises when a service engineer performs inspection and maintenance on a control panel. Specifically, with a view toward performing inspection and maintenance on a control panel disposed at the highest position within the hoistway, the engineer must first ride on top of the passenger car from a platform outside the hoistway. The passenger car is moved to the neighborhood of the highest position in the hoistway while the engineer remains on top of the car, and the car is then stopped at that position. Subsequently, the engineer performs predetermined operation from that position.
In particular, if an elevator car cannot move by itself (i.e., if the car is in a non-self-propelled state), the passenger car must be moved by releasing a brake of the hoisting machine while the engineer remains on the top of the car. Thus, ease of operation cannot be ensured for the engineer on top of the car.
Therefore, the invention aims at providing an elevator system which solves the drawbacks of the conventional elevator system and enables space savings by obviation of a machinery room outside a hoistway and achievement of a high efficiency of inspection and maintenance of a control panel.

Disclosure of the Invention
The invention is also directed to the improved elevator system, wherein a lower end of a control panel of the elevator system is arranged so as to be aligned substantially with the floor of a platform so that an engineer can performmaintenance and inspection operations from that position when having ridden on an upper section of a passenger car from a platform outside of a hoistway. As a result, in performing maintenance and inspection on the control panel, the engineer does not need to move, from the top of the passenger car, to another position where maintenance of the control panel is to be performed and can perform easy, efficient operation.
The invention is also directed to the improved elevator system, wherein the control panel is supported by a guide rail or a wall surface. As a result, in performing maintenance and inspection on the control panel, the engineer does not need to move, from the top of the passenger car, to another position where maintenance of the control panel is to be performed and can perform easy, efficient operation.
The invention is also directed to the improved elevator system, wherein the lower end of the control panel is arranged so as to be aligned substantially with the upper surface of the car when the engineer has moved the passenger car to a location where the engineer can easily ride on the upper section of the car from the platform. As a result, the engineer can ride on the upper section of the passenger car and perform maintenance and inspection on the control panel from that position without fail.
The invention is also directed to the improved elevator system, wherein the lower end of the maintenance area of the control panel is arranged so as to come to an elevated position above the upper surface of the upper section when the engineer has moved the passenger car to the location where the engineer can have easily ride the upper section of the car from the platform. As a result, the engineer can ride on the upper section of the passenger car and perform maintenance and inspection on the control panel from that position without fail.

Brief Description of the Drawings
- Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing a first preferable elevator system according to the invention; and
- Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing a second preferable elevator system according to the invention.

Modes for Implementing the Invention
The invention will be described in more detail by reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing an elevator system according to a first embodiment of the invention. In Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 designates a hoistway surrounded by wall surfaces 8, and a passenger car 2 carrying passengers is caused to ascend or descend within the hoistway 1. Reference numeral 3 designates a guide rail which is engaged with the passenger car 2, to thereby guide ascending and descending action of the passenger car 2. An unillustrated counterweight guide rail is engaged with an unillustrated counterweight, to thereby guide ascending and descending operations of the counterweight. Reference numeral 4 designates a hoist rope which tows the passenger car 2 and the counterweight by way of an unillustrated hoisting machine. Here, the hoisting machine is disposed at the highest position within the hoistway 1 and supported by the guide rail 3 or an unillustrated counterweight guide rail.
In the elevator system of such a construction, the hoisting machine is activated under control of a control panel to be described later, whereby the passenger car 2 is caused to ascend and descend within the hoistway 1.
Reference numeral 5 designates a control panel which is electrically connected to the hoisting machine or the like by means of a harness and which controls the ascending and descending speeds of the passenger car 2 and timings thereof. Here, the control panel 5 is supported on the guide rail 3 by means of a support section 3a so as not to cause interference with the passenger car 2. In more detail, the control panel 5 is supported by the guide rail 3 such that a lower end 5a of the control panel is made flush with a platform 6 (e.g., at the highest floor), which is disposed at one of a plurality of floors for use by passengers.
The passenger car 2 has an upper section 2a, and a service engineer 7a, 7b can ride on the upper section 2a from the previously-described platform for use by passengers.
In the elevator system constructed in the manner set forth, maintenance and inspection on the control panel 5 are performed according to the following procedures. In short, with a view toward performingmaintenance and inspection on the control panel 5 disposed in the vicinity of the predetermined platform 6 within the hoistway, the engineer 7a, 7b first moves the passenger car 2 such that the upper section 2a of the car 2 is brought into substantially alignment with the height of the predetermined platform 6. Here, the passenger car 2 can be moved by means of activating forceful passenger car movement means which can be operated from outside the hoistway. In particular, when the control panel 5 is out of service or the passenger car 2 cannot move by itself for reasons of a power failure, the passenger car 2 is moved by means of releasing a brake of the hoisting machine.
Next, the engineer 7a, 7b rides on the upper section 2a of the passenger car 2 from the platform 6. At this time, the control panel 5 is disposed such that the lower end 5a of the control panel is substantially aligned with the position of the upper section 2a. In other words, the control panel 5 is disposed at a position where the engineer 7a, 7b can easily reach it. Then, the engineer 7a, 7b performs predetermined operations on the control panel 5 from that position.
As mentioned above, the elevator system of the first embodiment obviates a necessity for moving the passenger car 2 to the highest position in the hoistway 1 after the engineer has ridden on the upper section 2a for performing maintenance and inspection on the control panel 5. The engineer can readily perform working operations while on the upper section 2a, which is level with the platform 6. This is particularly effective for a case where the passenger car 2 cannot travel by itself. In the event that the passenger car 2 cannot move by itself, the passenger car 2 is moved by means of releasing a brake. Before riding on the upper section 2a, the engineer can complete movement of the car 2. Further, tools or repair parts can be transported readily from the platform 6, thereby significantly improving a working efficiency. There can be provided an elevator system which has the control panel 5 disposed within the hoistway 1 and achieves space savings.
In the first embodiment, the control panel 5 is supported by the guide rail 3. However, even in the case where the control panel 5 is supported by the wall surface 8 so as to prevent occurrence of interference with the passenger car 2, there is yielded the same advantage as that yielded in the first embodiment.
The control panel 5 may be disposed at any location in the vicinity of a platform of any floor from among a plurality of floors.
Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing an elevator system according to a second embodiment of the invention.
The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in terms of the location where the control panel 5 is disposed. As shown in Fig. 2, the control panel 5 houses parts which are objects of maintenance, and a maintenance area 9 which is an object of maintenance is provided in the control panel 5. The control panel 5 is supported by the guide rail 3 such that a lower end 9a of the maintenance area 9 comes to an elevated position from the upper section 2awhen an engineer has moved the passenger car 2 to a location where they can easily ride on the upper section 2a from the platform.
In the elevator system having the foregoing construction, maintenance and inspection is performed on the control panel 5 in accordance with the following procedures. In other words, with a view toward performing maintenance and inspection on the control panel 5 disposed in the vicinity of the platform 6 of a predetermined floor within the hoistway, the engineer 7a, 7b first moves the passenger car 2 such that the upper section 2a of the car 2 is brought substantially into alignment with the height of the predetermined platform 6.
Next, the engineer 7a, 7b rides on the upper section 2a of the passenger car 2 from the platform 6. At this time, a lower end 9a of the maintenance area 9 of the control panel 5 is situated at a position higher than the upper section 2a. In other words, the maintenance area 9 of the control panel 5 is disposed at a position at which the engineer 7a, 7b can easily reach. Then, from that position the engineer 7a, 7b performs predetermined operations for the maintenance area 9 of the control panel 5.
As mentioned above, the elevator system of the second embodiment obviates a necessity for moving the passenger car 2 to the highest position in the hoistway 1 after the engineer has ridden on the upper section 2a for performing maintenance and inspection on the maintenance area 9 of the control panel 5. The engineer can readily perform working operations while on the upper section 2a, which is level with the platform 6. This is particularly effective for a case where the passenger car 2 cannot travel by itself. In the event that the passenger car 2 cannot move by itself, the passenger car 2 is moved by means of releasing a brake. Before riding on the upper section 2a, the engineer can complete movement of the car 2. Further, tools or repair parts can be readily transported from the platform 6, thereby significantly improving a working efficiency. Moreover, there can be provided an elevator system which has the control panel 5 disposed within a hoistway 1 and achieves space savings.
In the embodiments, the terms "maintenance and inspection" of the control panel 5 are employed herein as a broad concept encompassing adjustment, repair, and replacement of parts of the control panel 5.
As is evident, the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth and, as required, is susceptible to various alterations or modifications of the embodiments falling within the scope of the invention other than those that are suggested in the embodiments. In addition, the number, positions, and shapes of the constituent members are not limited to those described in connection with the embodiments. Desirable number, positions, and shapes may be employed for implementing the invention. Throughout the drawings, like constituent elements are assigned like numerals.

Industrial Applicability
As has been described, an elevator system of the invention is arranged so that an engineer can perform maintenance and inspection on a control panel at his or her current position after having ridden on an upper section of a passenger car from a platform outside of a hoistway. As a result, the elevator system can be utilized as an elevator system which obviates a necessity for moving the passenger car after the engineer has ridden on the passenger car for performing maintenance and inspection on the control panel and enables the engineer to perform easy, efficient operation.
In the elevator system of the invention, the control panel is supported by a guide rail or a wall surface. As a result, the elevator system can be utilized as an elevator system which obviates a necessity for moving the passenger car after the engineer has ridden the same for performing maintenance and inspection of the control panel and which enables the engineer to perform easy, efficient operation.
In the elevator system of the invention, the lower end of the control panel is arranged so as to be aligned substantially with the upper surface of the car when the engineer has moved the passenger car to a location where the engineer can easily ride on the upper section of the car from the platform. As a result, the elevator system is useful as an elevator system which enables an engineer to ride on the upper section of the car and perform inspection and maintenance on the control panel without fail from that position.
In the elevator system of the invention, the lower end of the maintenance area of the control panel is arranged so as to come to an elevated position above the upper surface of the upper section when the engineer has moved the passenger car to the location where the engineer can easily ride on the upper section of the car from the platform. As a result, the elevator system is useful as an elevator system which enables an engineer to ride on the upper section of the car and perform inspection and maintenance of the control panel from that position without fail.
1. An elevator system equipped with a passenger car which is caused to ascend and descend within a hoistway, and a control panel for controlling ascending and descending operations of the passenger car, wherein
the passenger car has an upper section which enables an engineer to ride the same from any one of platforms of a plurality of floors disposed outside the hoistway; and
the control panel is disposed so that, when an engineer has ridden onto the upper section of the passenger car from a platform of a predetermined floor, the control panel can be subjected to maintenance and inspection from that position.
2. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein the control panel is supported by a guide rail for guiding ascending and descending operations of the passenger car.
3. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein the control panel is supported on the wall surface of the hoistway.
4. The elevator system according to any one of claims 1 through 3, wherein the control panel is disposed such that a lower end of the control panel is aligned substantially with the upper surface of the upper section of the passenger car when an engineer has ridden on the upper section of the passenger car.
5. The elevator system according to any one of claims 1 through 3, wherein the control panel has a maintenance area which is an object of maintenance and is arranged such that a lower end of the maintenance area comes to a position higher than the the upper surface of the upper section of the passenger car when an engineer has ridden on the upper section of the passenger car.