ELEVATOR APPARATUS

Abstract

 Elevator apparatus comprising a control unit comprising a main drive control unit housed in a first container (7) and a main manoeuvre control unit housed in a second container (8), both located outside the elevator shaft (2), wherein said first and second container (7, 8) are separated from each other or in contact so that the surface of a floor projection of both containers (7, 8) does not coincide with the surface of the floor projection of at least one of said containers (7, 8) considered individually. The invention allows to optimise floor efficiency, reducing the impact of the control unit, while a simpler and safer installation and maintenance of the elevator apparatus is achieved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention has application in the industry of elevator apparatuses, and more specifically in the field of control units for elevator apparatuses, allowing the optimisation of efficiency on the floor, reducing the impact of the control unit while a simple and safe installation and maintenance of the elevator apparatus is achieved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The operation of a elevator apparatus is driven by a control unit that can be considered, broadly, to include a main drive control unit and a main manoeuvre control unit.

[0003] The main drive control unit consists of a set of elements responsible for activating, regulating and controlling the drive unit of the elevator apparatusdevice, which can be electric or hydraulic. In the event that the drive unit is an electric machine, the most important element of the main drive control unit is the speed controller, which controls the rotational speed of the electric machine. In the event that the drive unit is hydraulic, the most important elements are contactors, which control the operation of the pump and the electronic circuit board that controls the hydraulic solenoids.

[0004] For its part, the main manoeuvre control unit consists of a set of elements responsible for the control and the integrated management operation of the elevator apparatus, including aspects such as the movement of the car, lighting, security systems and even the control of the main drive control unit itself. The base element of the main manoeuvre control unit is a central processing unit, CPU for its acronym in English, which is the element in which the computer programming is run and that allows the operating logic of the elevator apparatus.

[0005] Currently, there is a tendency that seeks to optimise the space in a building that is necessary to accommodate the elevator apparatus, maximising the efficiency of the elevator shaft, within which the machine room-less elevator apparatus, MRL by its acronym in English, are encompassed. So, to free up space in the elevator shaft as much as possible, it is attempted to remove from the elevator shaft those fundamental elements of the control unit of the elevator apparatuses which occupy more physical space, among which are included the main drive control unit and the main manoeuvre control unit.

[0006] In the international application No. WO-02094698-A1 an example of a solution is described in the sense indicated in the preceding paragraph. According to this international application, on the landing of the top floor, specifically next to the floor's door, a switch board cubicle is provided, which comprises two parts, an upper part that houses the manoeuvre control elements, and that comprises a door with a lock, and a lower part, which accommodates the control elements of the drive unit, that is, the controller or variable speed device. In turn, to facilitate differentiated access of an operator to each of these units, the lower part also includes its own door with its corresponding independent lock.

[0007] The fact that the main units of the control unit are installed on the top floor landing makes them easily accessible, allowing for their assembly and maintenance to be performed more comfortably and safely.

[0008] However, according to this solution, the efficiency of the elevator shaft is increased at the expense of penalising the efficiency on the floor level on which said cubicle is found, specifically the last floor level, because the two parts that comprise the cubicle described therein occupy considerable volume and can have excessive dimensions dependant on the space of the landing itself, possibly annoying users of the landing, reducing the free passage area or hindering the manoeuvrability of wheelchairs for users with reduced mobility.

[0009] This problem is more acute in the case of the elevator apparatus being installed in an existing building, in a detached house and even in new construction sites where the project must adapt to a plot of reduced dimensions, i.e., in those cases where the conditions of landing space being available are scarce, so having a single volume of considerable size is an issue and a major impact on the floor level, even hindering access to the elevator apparatus itself from that landing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention relates to an elevator apparatus which enables to optimise floor efficiency, reducing the impact on the floor of the control unit of the elevator apparatus, while a simpler and safer installation and maintenance of the elevator apparatus is achieved.

[0011] The elevator apparatus proposed by the invention comprises, at least, one car moveable through a elevator shaft between at least two floor levels served by the elevator apparatus. The car is driven by a drive unit located in the elevator shaft. It is indistinctly contemplated that the drive unit is electric or hydraulic. For its part, each floor level comprises at least one boarding area to said at least one car. Also, the elevator apparatus comprises at least one floor door at each boarding area.

[0012] Boarding areas mean those areas or spaces, located outside the elevator shaft, giving access to the elevator apparatus. It is understood that each boarding area includes the space in the vicinity of a floor door, the ceiling and the adjacent or opposite walls of the room or landing where that floor door is located.

[0013] Also, the elevator apparatus comprises a elevator apparatus control unit, which in turn comprises a main drive control unit, which can control the drive unit, and a main manoeuvre control unit, which can control the operation of the elevator apparatus. An example of an operating sequence is that the main manoeuvre control unit receives an order of movement from the elevator apparatus, manages this information and sends to the main drive control unit the necessary information and travel characteristics according to the order, so that said main drive control unit executes the order, by controlling the operation of the drive unit.

[0014] So, according to the invention, the main drive control unit is housed in a first container located outside the elevator shaft, while the main manoeuvre control unit is housed in a second container, also located outside the elevator shaft. According to the invention, said first and second containers are found alternatively at one of the following two locations outside the elevator shaft. The first alternative is that said first and second containers are separated from each other. The second alternative is that said first and second container are partially in contact so that the surface of a floor projection, i.e. corresponding to a floor of the building, of both containers in contact, that is, the perimeter of the projection of the set of both containers, does not coincide with the surface of the floor projection of at least one of said containers considered individually. That is, the floor projection of both containers will always be different from the floor projection of one of them considered individually.

[0015] Thus, the significant reduction of the impact of a cubicle that occupies a large single volume is achieved, by providing the fundamental elements of the control unit divided into two smaller volumes. In the concept of division and making the most of space is the idea that these smaller volumes occupied by the containers are arranged, either separated, or in the case of being in contact, they are in the manner indicated, so that their impact is less on the floor. In the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, it will be understood more immediately what the arrangements, according to the invention, involve and their benefits.

[0016] The possibility is contemplated, if the available space so permits, of the said first and second container being located on the same floor level, thus optimising the necessary wiring between the elements of the control unit and facilitating the work of the operator.

[0017] If the available space does not allow it, the possibility of that said first and second container being located in boarding areas located on different floor levels is contemplated.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] To complete the description that is going to be made and to assist a better understanding of the invention's characteristics, according to a preferred practical embodiment thereof, accompanying as an integral part of said description, is a set of drawings, where in an illustrative and non-limiting way, the following is represented:

Figure 1.- shows a schematic view of a section of an embodiment of the elevator apparatus according to the invention, in which each floor level has only one boarding area and the drive unit is electric.

Figure 2.- shows a schematic view as that of Figure 1 of another embodiment, in which each floor level has two boarding areas and the drive unit is hydraulic.

Figures 3 to 5.- each show an elevation view and a cross section in which the floor projection of the containers, of three embodiments in which the containers are in the same boarding area, is seen.

PREFERRED MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0019] In view of the aforementioned figures can be observed how in one of the possible embodiments of the invention the elevator apparatus proposed by the invention is a machine room-less elevator apparatus, MRL, with an electric drive unit (5) located at the upper end of the elevator shaft (2), as in the case shown in Figure 1, or a hydraulic drive unit (5) located in the elevator shaft (2) as in the case shown in Figure 2. Also, is contemplated an intermediate arrangement or at the lower end of the elevator shaft (2) for the drive unit, although it is not shown.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the elevator apparatus comprises a car (1) movable through a elevator shaft (2) between a plurality of floor levels (3, 4) served by the elevator apparatus, although in the schematic representation of Figures 1 and 2 only two floor levels (3, 4) are shown.

[0021] The car (1) is driven by a drive unit (5) located in the elevator shaft (2). For its part, each floor level (3, 4) comprises at least one boarding area (3', 3", 4', 4") to said car (1). In Figure 1, each floor level (3, 4) comprises a single boarding area (3', 4') while in Figure 2 each floor level (3, 4) comprises two boarding areas (3', 3", 4', 4"). The elevator apparatus comprises one floor door (6) in each boarding area (3', 3", 4', 4").

[0022] The elevator apparatus comprises an elevator apparatus control unit, which in turn comprises a main drive control unit, which can control the drive unit, and a main manoeuvre control unit, which can control the operation of the elevator apparatus.

[0023] As can be seen in the figures, the main drive control unit is housed in a first container (7) located outside the elevator shaft (2), while the main manoeuvre control unit is housed in a second container (8), also located outside the elevator shaft (2). According to the invention, said first and second containers (7, 8) are alternatively at one of the following two locations outside the shaft. The first alternative is that said first and second container are separated from each other, as shown in the embodiments of Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5. The second alternative, shown in Figure 4, is that said first and second container are partially in contact so that the surface of a floor projection, (as shown in view b) i.e. corresponding to a floor of the building, of both containers (7, 8) in contact, that is, the perimeter of the projection of the set of both containers, does not coincide with the surface of the floor projection of at least one of said containers (7, 8) considered individually.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the containers (7, 8) comprise at least one flat side, and preferably have a prismatic configuration.

[0025] As has been shown in the Figures 2 to 5, if the available space so permits, said first and second container (7, 8) are located on the same floor level (3, 4), thus optimising the necessary wiring between the elements of the control unit, and facilitating the work of the operator.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the above, as depicted in the embodiments of Figures 3 to 5, it is contemplated that the first and second container (7, 8) be located in the same boarding area (3', 3", 4', 4").

[0027] In Figure 2 is shown an embodiment in which at least one floor level (3, 4) comprises at least two boarding areas (3', 3", 4', 4"),said first and second container (7, 8) being located in different boarding areas (3', 3", 4', 4") of the same floor level (3).

[0028] If the available space does not allow it, as has been shown in Figure 1, the possibility of said first and second container (7, 8) being located in boarding areas (3', 3", 4', 4") located on different floor levels (3, 4), is contemplated.

[0029] Also, according to a preferred embodiment, it is contemplated that the first container (7) is located on a floor level (3, 4) closer to the drive unit (5) than the second container (8), among other aims to reduce the length of wiring between the drive unit (5) and the main drive control unit and to minimise interference of an electromagnetic nature and the loss of signal quality.

[0030] For the same wiring optimisation purpose, in the case of the above two paragraphs, it is contemplated that the second container (8) be located on a floor level (3, 4) adjacent to the floor level (3, 4) on which the first container (7) is located.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the first container (7) is located on the closest floor level (3, 4) to the drive unit (5). In the case of existing works, the closest floor level, is the closest floor level in which there is enough space for the arrangement of the first container (7), which can occur in the boarding area of the last, penultimate or previous floors because of problems with space.

[0032] In any event, given the use of space made, the possibility that the control unit of the elevator apparatus comprises energy storage means housed in either of said first and second container (7, 8) is contemplated.

[0033] Also, preferably, as shown in the embodiments of Figures 3 to 5, at least one of said first and second container (7, 8) is located on the same wall in which is located a floor door (6) both in the lintel area and on the side, although their arrangement is also contemplated on walls adjacent or opposite to the door and even on the floor or ceiling of the boarding area.

[0034] In view of this description and set of figures, a person skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of the invention that have been described can be combined in many ways within the scope of the invention. The invention has been described according to preferred embodiments thereof, but for a person skilled in the art it will be evident that multiple variations can be introduced in said preferred embodiments without exceeding the object of the claimed invention.

Claims

1. A elevator apparatus comprisingat least one car (1) movable through a elevator shaft (2) between at least two floor levels (3, 4) driven by a drive unit (5) located in the elevator shaft (2),where each floor level (3, 4) comprises at least one boarding area (3', 3", 4', 4") to said at least one car (1), the boarding areas (3', 3", 4', 4") being located outside the elevator shaft (2),
at least one floor door (6) in each boarding area (3', 3", 4', 4"),
the elevator apparatus comprising a control unit of the elevator apparatus which in turn comprise a main drive control unit,
which can control the drive unit, and
a main manoeuvre control unit, which can control the operation of the elevator apparatus, characterised in that the main drive control unit is housed in a first container (7) located outside the elevator shaft (2), and the main manoeuvre control unit is housed in a second container (8) located outside the elevator shaft (2), wherein:said first and second container (7, 8) are separated from each other, orsaid first and second container (7, 8) are partially in contact so that the surface of a floor projection of both containers (7, 8) in contact does not coincide with the surface of the floor projection of at least one of said containers (7, 8) considered individually.

2. The elevator apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said first and second containers (7, 8) are located on the same floor level (3, 4).

3. The elevator apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said first and second container (7, 8) are located in the same boarding area (3', 3", 4', 4").

4. The elevator apparatus according to Claim 2, in which at least one floor level (3, 4) comprises at least two boarding areas (3', 3", 4', 4"), said first and second container (7, 8) being located in different boarding areas (3', 3", 4', 4").

5. The elevator apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said first and second container (7, 8) are located in boarding areas (3', 3", 4', 4") located on different floor levels (3, 4).

6. The elevator apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the first container (7) is located on a floor level (3, 4) closer to the drive unit (5) than the second container (8).

7. The elevator apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 and 6, wherein the second container (8) is located on a floor level (3, 4) adjacent to the floor level (3, 4) on which the first container (7) is located.

8. The elevator apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first container (7) is located on the closest floor level (3, 4) to the drive unit (5).

9. The elevator apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit of the elevator apparatus comprises energy storage means housed in either of said first and second container (7, 8).

10. The elevator apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said first and second container (7, 8) is located on the same wall in which a floor door (6) is situated.

11. The elevator apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive unit (5) is electric.

12. The elevator apparatus according to any of the Claims 1 to 10, wherein the drive unit (5) is hydraulic.

Drawing