HK40058794A - Safety gear arrangement, elevator system, and method for operating a safety gear of an elevator system - Google Patents

Description

Safety gear arrangement, elevator system and method for operating a safety gear of an elevator system

Technical Field

This invention generally relates to elevators. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to safety gear for elevators.

Background

A typical elevator is equipped with safety tongs. The elevator safety gear is a safety protection device. Elevator safety gear is usually operated by the overspeed governor of the elevator. The function of the safety gear is to decelerate, stop and keep the elevator car in contact with the elevator guide rails when the speed of the elevator car exceeds the speed set by the elevator overspeed governor.

In known attempts, overspeed governors with long governor ropes are mechanically operated, which complicates them. Furthermore, it may be difficult to separate the elevator car after operation of the safety gear.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is to provide a safety gear arrangement, an elevator system and a method for operating a safety gear of an elevator system. It is a further object of the invention that the safety gear arrangement, the elevator system and the method provide a solution which is efficient and of which the construction can be simple and compact.

The object of the invention is achieved by a safety gear arrangement, an elevator system and a method for operating a safety gear of an elevator system as defined in the corresponding independent claims.

According to a first aspect, a safety gear arrangement for an elevator system is provided. The safety gear arrangement comprises a safety gear mechanism comprising at least one wedge part of the safety gear arrangement, wherein in a normal position the at least one wedge part is retracted and in an operating position is extended by a first spring element, such as a torsion spring element, to act on a guide rail of the elevator system. Furthermore, the safety gear arrangement comprises a triggering device comprising an electromagnet, a second spring element, such as a compression spring element, an actuating member and an excitation power input, wherein the electromagnet, while being provided with excitation power by the excitation power input, is arranged to overcome the second spring element, keeping the actuating member in an unfired position. Still further, the safety gear device comprises an actuation member arranged to operate the safety gear mechanism in response to the actuation member being moved from the non-triggered position to the triggered position by the second spring element.

In various embodiments, the safety gear mechanism may comprise a locking mechanism operatively coupled with the actuation member, wherein the locking mechanism is arranged to hold the safety gear mechanism in the normal position when the actuation member is in the non-triggered position and to release the safety gear mechanism when the actuation member is in the triggered position, such that the first spring element moves the at least one wedge portion. Further, optionally, the safety gear mechanism may comprise at least one first support member operatively (such as mechanically) coupling the locking mechanism and the wedge portion.

In some embodiments, the safety gear mechanism may comprise two wedge portions, wherein in the normal position the wedge portions are retracted and in the operating position the wedge portions are extended to act on the guide rails of the elevator system. Optionally, additionally, the safety gear mechanism may comprise two first support members operatively (such as mechanically) coupling the locking mechanism and the wedge portion, respectively.

Alternatively or additionally, the first support members are operatively coupled with respect to each other by a joint.

In various embodiments, the safety gear device may comprise a linear motor, such as being part of the safety gear mechanism, wherein the linear motor is arranged to move the safety gear mechanism from the operating position to the normal position. Further, optionally, the trigger device may be arranged to move from the triggered position to the non-triggered position in response to the safety gear arrangement moving from the operating position to the normal position.

In various embodiments, in the unfired position, the actuating member and the electromagnet are in direct contact.

Furthermore, the safety gear device may comprise at least one third support member operatively (such as mechanically) coupling the actuation member and the linear motor.

In various embodiments, the locking mechanism may be arranged to lock the safety gear mechanism in response to the safety gear mechanism being moved from the operating position to the normal position.

Furthermore, the safety gear arrangement may comprise two safety gear mechanisms, wherein the first safety gear mechanism comprises at least one wedge portion for acting on one guide rail of the elevator system, and wherein the second safety gear mechanism comprises at least one second wedge portion for acting on the safety gear arrangement of the other guide rail of the elevator system, wherein the safety gear arrangement further comprises a triggering device arranged to operate both safety gear mechanisms in response to the actuating member being moved from the unfired position to the triggered position due to the second spring element. Further, optionally, the two safety gear mechanisms may be mechanically coupled with the trigger device by a fourth support member (such as a rod).

According to a second aspect, an elevator system is provided. The elevator system comprises an elevator car movable in an elevator hoistway and a safety gear arrangement according to the first aspect mounted on the elevator car.

According to a third aspect, a method for operating safety gear of an elevator system is provided.

The method comprises the following steps:

-supplying excitation power to an electromagnet of a triggering device via an excitation power input, the triggering device being operatively coupled with the safety gear to hold the safety gear in the normal position, and

-interrupting the excitation power for moving the actuating member of the triggering device from the non-triggered position to the triggered position due to the second spring element for operating the safety gear.

The invention provides a safety gear arrangement, an elevator system and a method for operating a safety gear of an elevator system. The invention provides the advantage over the known solutions that the construction of the safety gear device is simpler and more compact, since the control is implemented by an electric triggering device, without the need for a long rope of the overspeed governor. The triggering device is efficient because the electromagnet requires a small amount of energy to keep the safety gear device in its normal position. According to some embodiments, it is easier to separate the wedges from the guide rail due to the linear motor than in known attempts.

Various other advantages will become apparent to the skilled person based on the following detailed description.

The terms "first," "second," and the like, if not explicitly stated, are used herein to distinguish one element from another, and do not particularly prioritize or order them.

The exemplary embodiments of the invention presented herein should not be construed as limiting the applicability of the appended claims. The verb "to comprise" is used in this text as an open limitation, not excluding the presence of features not yet recited. The features recited in the dependent claims may be freely combined with each other, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Some embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an elevator system according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2A and 2B schematically illustrate the safety gear device according to the first embodiment of the invention in its normal position from opposite sides, i.e. from a first side and a second side, respectively.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates, from a first side, a safety gear device according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the actuating member is in its triggered position.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates, from a first side, a safety gear device according to a first embodiment of the invention in its operating position.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates, from a first side, a safety gear device according to a first embodiment of the invention in its operating position.

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates, from a first side, a safety gear device according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the safety gear device is moved to its normal position.

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates the safety gear device according to the first embodiment of the invention from the second side, wherein the actuating member is moved to its non-triggered position.

Fig. 8 schematically illustrates the safety gear device according to the first embodiment of the invention from a second side, with the actuating member in its non-triggered position and the safety gear device in its normal position.

Fig. 9A and 9B schematically illustrate the safety gear device according to the second embodiment of the invention in its normal position from opposite sides, i.e. from the first side and the second side, respectively.

Fig. 10 schematically illustrates, from a first side, a safety gear device according to a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the actuating member is in its triggered position.

Fig. 11 schematically illustrates, from a first side, a safety gear device according to a second embodiment of the invention in its operating position.

Fig. 12 schematically illustrates, from a first side, a safety gear device according to a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the actuating member is in its triggered position.

Fig. 13 schematically illustrates a safety gear device according to a second embodiment of the invention from a first side, where the safety gear device is moved to its normal position.

Fig. 14 schematically illustrates, from a first side, a safety gear device according to a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the actuating member is moved to its non-triggered position.

Fig. 15 schematically illustrates a safety gear device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an elevator system 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The elevator system 100, or as can be seen in fig. 1, an elevator 100 or one of the elevators (such as a group of elevators) of the system 100, may comprise an elevator car 10 arranged to move or be movable in a hoistway 12. Movement of the elevator car 10 can preferably be implemented by means of hoisting ropes or belts 13 connected to hoisting pulleys 14 or the like. Further, the elevator system 100 may include a safety gear device 30, such as connectively disposed on the elevator car 10 (e.g., to a bottom thereof) and configured to clamp the guide rail 117 to slow, stop, and/or maintain the position of the elevator car 10 when in operation.

The elevator 100 may preferably comprise landings 19 or landing floors and e.g. landing floor doors and/or openings between which the elevator car 10 is arranged to move during normal elevator operation, such as to move people and/or goods between said landings 19.

Further, the elevator 100 may comprise a motor 20 arranged to operate (such as rotate by its rotor) the traction sheave 14 to move the elevator car 10, if not essentially directly coupled to the hoisting ropes 13. The traction sheave 14 may be directly or indirectly geared to the shaft of the motor 20 through a mechanical connection 22. The elevator 100 may include a machine room or be machine room-less, such as having a motor 20 in the hoistway 12.

Elevator 100 may preferably include at least one or at least two (more) hoist machine brakes 16 configured to resist or preferably prevent movement of motor 20 (i.e., its rotor) directly or through and/or between traction sheave 14 or its components. Furthermore, the elevator 100 may comprise a brake controller 25 configured to operate at least one of the at least one hoisting machinery brake 16. The brake controller 25 may also be connected with other elements of the elevator 100, such as the elevator controller 1000. The brake controller 25 may comprise or at least be connected with an actuator (not shown) for operating the brake 16.

Still further, the elevator 100 may additionally include guide rails 17 or tracks 17 disposed into the hoistway 17 for guiding movement of the elevator car 10, for example. The elevator car 10 may include guide shoes, rollers, etc. that contact one or some of the guide rails 17 as they move.

At least in some embodiments, there may additionally be a counterweight 18 disposed in connection with the elevator car 10, such as is known to those skilled in the elevator art.

The elevator system 100 can also comprise an elevator drive unit 29, such as at least an inverter unit 27 (e.g. a frequency converter) and preferably an elevator motor 20. The elevator drive unit 29, such as its inverter unit 27, may comprise an input for receiving absolute position and/or speed information of the elevator car 10, such as from an encoder mounted to the elevator car 10 or to the elevator motor 20.

In various embodiments, the elevator 100 includes an elevator control unit 1000 for controlling operation of the elevator system 100. The elevator control unit 1000 may be placed in communicative connection with the various subsystems and/or devices of the elevator system 1000, such as with the elevator car 10, the safety gear arrangement 50, the elevator drive unit 29, the brake controller 25, and/or the floor door.

Fig. 2A and 2B schematically illustrate the safety gear device 30 according to the first embodiment of the invention in its normal position from opposite sides, i.e. from a first side and a second side, respectively. The safety gear arrangement 30 may comprise a safety gear mechanism 32, the safety gear mechanism 32 comprising at least one wedge portion 34A, 34B of the safety gear arrangement 30, wherein in the normal position 101 the at least one wedge portion 34A, 34B is retracted and in the operating position 102 (not shown in fig. 2A and 2B) is extended by a first spring element 36, such as a torsion spring element, to act on the guide rail 17 of the elevator system 100. Although two wedge portions 34A, 34B are shown in fig. 2A and 2B, in some embodiments there may be only one wedge portion 34A, 34B or more than two wedge portions 34A, 34B.

Furthermore, with respect to fig. 2B, the safety gear arrangement 30 may comprise a trigger device 40, the trigger device 40 comprising an electromagnet 41 (such as arranged within a main body 45 of the device 40), a second spring element 42 (such as a compression spring element), an actuating member 44 (the part extending within the main body 45 is shown with dashed lines), and a field power input 46, wherein the electromagnet 41, while being provided with field power through the field power input 46, is arranged to hold the actuating member 44 in an unfired position 111 against the second spring element 42. The actuating member 44 may be arranged to operate the safety gear mechanism 32 in response to the actuating member 44 being moved from the unfired position 111 to the fired position (not shown in fig. 2A and 2B) due to the second spring element 42 (such as when the excitation power is cut off or interrupted). This will cause the at least one wedge portion 34 to move to its operating position 102, whereby, if the safety gear device 30 has been properly set to the elevator system 100 and is configured for operation, the at least one wedge portion 34 moves to its operating position 102 towards the guide rail 17 or other clamping surface. The safety gear arrangement 30 may also comprise a frame to which at least some of its components (i.e. at least those components that require said mounting) can be mounted, and by means of which the arrangement 30 can be mounted to the elevator car 10.

In various embodiments, the actuating member 44 may comprise a single component or consist of several components mechanically connected to each other. In fig. 2B, for example, the actuating member 44 essentially comprises two parts, one of which is mostly within the body 45, such as a main shaft or axle, and a horizontal element to which the most part within the body 45 is attached. Thus, the second spring element 42 may also be arranged to exert a force on the actuation member 44, such as on the horizontal element in fig. 2B, which may be part of the actuation member 44. It is noted, however, that the actuating member 44 may also be made of a single component in nature.

In various embodiments, the elevator system 100, or in particular the safety gear device 30, can include additional braking surface(s) or element(s) disposed on opposite sides of the guide rail 17 such that a wedge mounted on the wedge portion 34 squeezes the guide rail 17 therebetween to decelerate the elevator car 10.

Further, the safety gear device 30 may comprise a locking mechanism 38 operatively (preferably mechanically) coupled with the actuation member 44, wherein the locking mechanism 38 is arranged to: the safety gear mechanism 32 is held in the normal position 101 when the actuating member 44 is in the non-triggered position 111, and the safety gear mechanism 32 is released when the actuating member 44 is in the triggered position, so that the first spring element 36 moves the at least one wedge portion 34A, 34B. Locking mechanism 38 may include locking member(s) 39, for example including a flange or "pawl" therein as shown in fig. 2A, to retain safety gear device 30 in normal position 101.

In some embodiments, safety gear mechanism 32 may include at least one first support member 33A, 33B that mechanically couples locking mechanism 38 and wedge portions 34A, 34B.

Alternatively or additionally, the safety gear mechanism 32 may comprise two wedge portions 34A, 34B, such as shown in fig. 2A and 2B, wherein in the normal position 101 the wedge portions 34A, 34B are retracted and in the operating position 102 the wedge portions 34A, 34B are extended to act on e.g. the guide rail 17 of the elevator system 100. Optionally, safety gear mechanism 30 may additionally include one of first support members 33A that mechanically couples locking mechanism 38 and one of wedge portions 34A, and another of first support members 33B that mechanically couples locking mechanism 38 and the other of wedge portions 34B.

Still further, the safety gear mechanism 32 may include first support members 33A, 33B operatively coupled relative to each other by a joint.

Further, alternatively or additionally, the first support member(s) 33A, 33B may extend between the locking mechanism 38 and one of the wedge portion(s) 34A, 34B. Thus, the first support member(s) 33A, 33B may be a unitary element or a plurality of elements, or alternatively may be composed of a plurality of elements (such as will be illustrated in fig. 15).

In various embodiments, such as shown in fig. 2B, the safety gear device 30 may comprise a motor, such as a linear motor 50, wherein the linear motor 50 is arranged to move the safety gear mechanism 30 from the operating position 102 to the normal position 101. Further, the trigger device 40 may be arranged to move from the triggered position to the non-triggered position 111 in response to the safety gear mechanism 32 moving from the operating position 102 to the normal position 101.

In some embodiments, such as shown in fig. 2A and 2B, in the un-triggered position 111, the actuating member 44 and the electromagnet 41 are in direct contact with each other, such as without an air gap therebetween. This is visible in fig. 2B, where the portion of the actuating member 44 within the body 45 is substantially in contact with the electromagnet 41. It is however clear that an intermediate layer (such as of magnetic material) may also be provided between the actuating member 44 and the electromagnet 41. Thus, the electromagnet 41 may be used to hold the actuation member 44 in its non-triggered position 111 against the force of the second spring element 42. In various embodiments, the electromagnet 41 may be advantageously designed, such as sized, such that it may generate sufficient force to hold the actuation member 44 in its position, but may not necessarily be able to move the actuation member 44 from the triggered position to the non-triggered position 111.

Alternatively, there may be a second support member 47 that mechanically couples the actuating member 44 and the locking mechanism 38 to each other. In fig. 2B, there may be a shaft of the joint connecting the locking mechanism 38 and the actuating member 44.

In some embodiments, the safety gear device 30 may comprise at least one third support member 48A, 48B operatively (preferably mechanically) coupled with the actuation member 44 and the linear motor 50 or at least participating in the mechanical coupling of the actuation member 44 and the linear motor 50. By means of said operative coupling, preferably mechanical coupling, the actuation member 44 is configured to move to the non-triggered position 111. Thus, as shown, the operative coupling (preferably mechanical coupling) is not necessarily present in all positions of the safety gear device 30.

In various embodiments, the locking mechanism 38 may be configured to lock the safety gear device 32 in response to the safety gear mechanism 32 moving from the operating position 102 into the normal position 101. In the embodiment according to fig. 2B, this is implemented, for example, such that the linear motor 50 moves the third support member(s) 48A, 48B, which, as better shown in fig. 2A, with their clamping part(s), such as flanges, moves the first support members 33A, 33B away from each other, and then, also by moving the actuating member 44, the locking mechanism 38 is arranged to lock the safety gear mechanism 32. This will be described in more detail below.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates, from a first side, a safety gear device 30 according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the actuating member is in its triggered position. Thus, the actuating member 44 has been moved by the force of the second spring element 42, thereby operating the locking mechanism 38 to release the first support member 33A, 33B, in this case the end thereof. Fig. 3 illustrates the instant the locking mechanism 38 has released the first support members 33A, 33B, however, due to inertia, the force of the first spring element 36 has not moved the first support members 33A, 33B.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates from a first side a safety gear device 30 according to a first embodiment of the invention in its operating position 102. It can be seen that the wedge portion 34 is extended by a first spring element 36, such as a torsion spring element, to act on the guide rail 17 of the elevator system 100.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates from a first side a safety gear device 30 according to a first embodiment of the invention in its operating position 102. Fig. 5 illustrates the operation when the clamping occurs when the elevator car 10 moves downward. Since the safety gear arrangement 30 according to various embodiments may be bidirectional, the wedge portions 34A, 34B clamp the guide rails 17 differently relative to each other according to the direction of movement of the elevator car 10 as known to the person skilled in the art.

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates, from a first side, a safety gear device 30 according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the safety gear device 30 is moved to its normal position 101. This may be done manually, however, as mentioned above, it may be implemented by the portion of the third support member 48A, 48B that grips the first support member 33A, 33B, thereby separating them against the force of the first spring element 36. Of course, the third support members 48A, 48B or other means may be used to push the first support members 33A, 33B. The movement of the third support member 48A, 48B may be implemented, for example, by a linear motor 50. As can be seen in fig. 6, the locking mechanism 38 may be substantially simultaneous, but preferably arranged to lock the first support member 33A, 33B to its position corresponding to the normal position 101 of the device 30 slightly later.

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates the safety gear device 30 according to the first embodiment of the invention from a second side, wherein the actuating member 44 is moved to its non-triggered position 111. It can be seen that the third support member 48A, or a portion thereof, pushes the actuating member 44 so that it is in contact with the electromagnet 41.

In various embodiments, the safety gear device 30 may now be set to its normal position 101, however, in the first embodiment, the third support member 48A still needs to be moved away from the actuating member 44, so that its operation is not prevented. It is clear that this can also be implemented in other ways, however, in the first embodiment, a linear motor 50 is used for this, as shown in fig. 8.

Fig. 8 schematically illustrates the safety gear device 30 according to the first embodiment of the invention from a second side, with the actuating member 44 in its unfired position 111 and the safety gear device 30 in its normal position 101. As can be seen in fig. 8, there is a small gap between a portion of the third support member 48A and the actuating member 44, allowing the actuating member 44 to move freely relative to a portion of the third support member 48A when triggered.

Fig. 9A and 9B schematically illustrate a safety gear device 30 according to a second embodiment of the invention in its normal position 101 from opposite sides, i.e. from a first side and a second side, respectively. As with the first embodiment, the safety gear arrangement 30 may comprise a safety gear mechanism 32, the safety gear mechanism 32 comprising at least one wedge portion 34A, 34B of the safety gear arrangement 30, wherein in the normal position 101 the at least one wedge portion 34A, 34B is retracted and in the operating position 102 (not shown in fig. 9A and 9B) the at least one wedge portion 34A, 34B is extended by a first spring element (not shown) to act on the guide rail 17 of the elevator system 100. Although two wedge portions 34A, 34B are shown in fig. 9A and 9B, in some embodiments there may be only one wedge portion 34A, 34B or more than two wedge portions 34A, 34B.

Furthermore, with regard to fig. 9B, the safety gear arrangement 30 may comprise a triggering device 40 comprising an electromagnet 41 (such as arranged within a main body 45 of the device 40), a second spring element 42 (such as a compression spring element), an actuating member 44 (the part extending within the main body 45 is shown with dashed lines), and a field power input 46, wherein the electromagnet 41 is arranged to hold the actuating member 44 in an unfired position 111 against the second spring element 42 while being provided with field power through the field power input 46. The actuating member 44 may be arranged to: the safety gear mechanism 32 is operated in response to the actuation member 44 moving from the un-triggered position 111 to a triggered position (not shown in fig. 9A and 9B) due to the second spring element 42, such as when the excitation power is cut off or interrupted. This will cause the at least one wedge portion 34 to move to its operating position 102 and, thus, if the safety gear device 30 has been properly set to the elevator system 100 and is configured for operation, the at least one wedge portion 34 moves toward the guide rail 17 or other clamping surface. The safety gear device 30 may also comprise a frame to which at least some of its components (those components requiring said mounting) can be mounted and by means of which the device 30 can be mounted to the elevator car 10.

As can be seen in fig. 9A and 9B, there are wedge portions 34A, 34B on both sides of the device 30. It should be noted, however, that there may be only one or a set of wedge portions 34A, 34B on only one side of the device 30, such as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, there may also be wedge portions 34A, 34B on both sides of the device 30. This is also described in connection with fig. 15.

In various embodiments, the actuating member 44 may comprise a single component or consist of several components mechanically connected to each other. In fig. 9B, for example, the actuating member 44 is comprised primarily of two components, one of which is largely within the body 45, such as a main shaft or axle, and a vertical element to which the components largely within the body 45 are attached. Thus, the second spring element 42 may also be arranged to exert a force on the actuating member 44, such as on the vertical element in fig. 9B, which may be part of the actuating member 44. It is to be noted, however, that the actuating member 44 may basically also be made of a single component.

Further, the safety gear device 30 may comprise a locking mechanism 38 operatively (preferably mechanically) coupled with the actuation member 44, wherein the locking mechanism 38 is arranged to hold the safety gear mechanism 32 in the normal position 101 when the actuation member 44 is in the non-triggered position 111, and to release the safety gear mechanism 32 when the actuation member 44 is in the triggered position, such that the first spring element 36 moves the at least one wedge portion 34A, 34B.

In some embodiments, safety gear mechanism 32 may include at least one first support member 33A, 33B mechanically coupling locking mechanism 38 and wedge portions 34A, 34B.

Alternatively or additionally, the safety gear mechanism 32 may comprise two wedge portions 34A, 34B, such as shown in fig. 9A and 9B, wherein in the normal position 101 the wedge portions 34A, 34B are retracted and in the operating position 102 are extended to act on e.g. the guide rails 17 of the elevator system 100. Optionally, safety gear mechanism 30 may additionally include one of first support members 33A that mechanically couples locking mechanism 38 and one of wedge portions 34A, and another of first support members 33B that mechanically couples locking mechanism 38 and the other of wedge portions 34B.

Still further, the safety gear mechanism 32 may include first support members 33A, 33B operatively coupled relative to each other by a joint.

In other embodiments, there may be one or a set of wedge portions 34A, 34B on either side of the safety gear trigger device 40.

Further, alternatively or additionally, the first support member(s) 33A, 33B may extend between the locking mechanism 38 and one of the wedge portion(s) 34A, 34B. Thus, the first support member(s) 33A, 33B may be a unitary element or a plurality of elements or, alternatively, may be composed of a plurality of elements, such as will be illustrated in fig. 15.

In various embodiments, such as shown in fig. 9A and 9B, the safety gear device 30 may comprise a linear motor 50, wherein the linear motor 50 is arranged to move the safety gear mechanism 30 from the operating position 102 to the normal position 101. Further, the trigger device 40 may be arranged to move from the triggered position to the non-triggered position 111 in response to the safety gear mechanism 32 moving from the operating position 102 to the normal position 101.

In some embodiments, such as shown in fig. 9A and 9B, in the un-triggered position 111, the actuating member 44 and the electromagnet 41 are in direct contact with each other, such as without an air gap therebetween. This is visible in fig. 9B, where the portion of the actuating member 44 within the body 45 is substantially in contact with the electromagnet 41. It is however clear that an intermediate layer (such as of magnetic material) may also be provided between the actuating member 44 and the electromagnet 41. Thus, the electromagnet 41 may be used to hold the actuation member 44 in its non-triggered position 111 against the force of the second spring element 42. In various embodiments, the electromagnet 41 may be advantageously designed, such as sized, such that it may generate sufficient force to hold the actuation member 44 in its position, but may not necessarily be able to move the actuation member 44 from the triggered position to the non-triggered position 111.

Alternatively, there may be a second support member 47 that mechanically couples the actuating member 44 and the locking mechanism 38 to each other. In fig. 9B, there may be a shaft of the joint connecting the locking mechanism 38 and the actuating member 44.

In some embodiments, the safety gear device 30 may comprise at least one third support member 48A, 48B operatively (preferably mechanically) coupled with the actuation member 44 and the linear motor 50 or at least participating in the operative (preferably mechanical) coupling of the actuation member 44 and the linear motor 50. By means of said operative coupling, preferably mechanical coupling, the actuation member 44 is configured to move to the non-triggered position 111. Thus, as shown, the operative coupling need not be present in all positions of the safety gear device 30.

In various embodiments, the locking mechanism 38 may be configured to lock the safety gear device 32 in response to the safety gear mechanism 32 moving from the operating position 102 to the normal position 101. In the embodiment according to fig. 2B, this is implemented, for example, such that the linear motor 50 moves the third support member(s) 48A, 48B, which, as better shown in fig. 2A, with their clamping part(s), such as flanges, moves the first support members 33A, 33B away from each other, and then, also by moving the actuating member 44, the locking mechanism 38 is arranged to lock the safety gear mechanism 32. This will be described in more detail below.

In fig. 9A and 9B, the actuating member 44 may also serve as part of the locking mechanism 38. Once the trigger device 40 is operated, i.e. moved from the unfired position 111 to the triggered position 112, the actuating member 44 is moved away from the ends of the first support members 33A, 33B, thereby releasing them. This is also illustrated in fig. 10.

Fig. 10 schematically illustrates, from a first side, a safety gear device 30 according to a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the actuating member 44 is in its trigger position 112. It can be seen that movement of the actuating member 44 releases the first support members 33A, 33B from the normal position 101.

Fig. 11 schematically illustrates from a first side a safety gear device 30 according to a second embodiment of the invention in its operating position 102. It can be seen that the wedge portion 34 protrudes through a first spring element, such as a torsion spring element, to act on the guide rail 17 of the elevator system 100.

Fig. 12 schematically illustrates from a first side a safety gear device 30 according to a second embodiment of the invention in its operating position 102. Fig. 12 illustrates the operation when the clamping occurs when the elevator car 10 moves downward. Since the safety gear arrangement 30 according to various embodiments may be bidirectional, the wedge portions 34A, 34B clamp the guide rails 17 differently relative to each other according to the direction of movement of the elevator car 10 as known to the person skilled in the art.

Fig. 13 schematically illustrates a safety gear device 30 according to a second embodiment of the invention from a first side, wherein the safety gear device 30 is moved to its normal position 101. This may be done manually, however, as mentioned above, it may be implemented by portions of the third support member 48A, 48B gripping the first support member 33A, 33B, thereby separating or pushing them apart against the force of the first spring element. The movement of the third support member 48A, 48B may be implemented, for example, by a linear motor 50. As can be seen in fig. 13, the locking mechanism 38 may be substantially simultaneous, but preferably arranged slightly later to lock the first support member 33A, 33B to its position corresponding to the normal position 101 of the device 30.

In various embodiments, moving the safety gear device 30 to its normal position 101 may comprise using a reset member 61, 62, such as shown in fig. 13. May be an integral part of one of the first support members 33A, 33B or may be a separate element arranged to move in response to movement of one of the first support members 33A, 33B, the element 60 may be arranged to move the first reset member 61, as can be seen from fig. 12 and 13. The first reset member 61 then moves the second reset member 62, or at least the element connected with the second support member 47, which is pivotally coupled to the first reset member 61 and the second support member 47.

Thus, the actuating member 44 locks the first support members 33A, 33B. The actuating member 44 moves while in contact with the electromagnet 41 in the triggering device 40.

Fig. 14 schematically illustrates, from a first side, a safety gear device 30 according to a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the actuating member 44 is moved to its non-triggered position 111. The third support member 48A or a part thereof moves the actuating member 44 such that it locks the first support members 33A, 33B in the normal position 101 by e.g. catching the ends of the first support members 33A, 33B in a slot provided in the actuating member 44, while resetting the triggering device 40. Then, as in the first embodiment, the electromagnet 41 may be energized, and thereby the actuating member 44 is held in the non-triggered position 111.

Fig. 15 schematically illustrates a safety gear device 30 according to an embodiment of the invention. The safety gear device 30 of fig. 15 is similar to the safety gear device of the second embodiment, however, it should be noted that it may also be similar to the safety gear device of the first embodiment. It can be seen that the safety gear device 30 is mounted below the elevator car (shown at the top of the figure).

In some embodiments, the safety gear arrangement 30 may thus comprise only one trigger device 40, which trigger device 40 is arranged to operate one safety gear mechanism 32, thereby comprising one or more wedge portion(s) 34A, 34B connected to the guide rail 17, such as shown and described above. On the other hand, the safety gear arrangement 30 may comprise only one trigger device 40, which trigger device 40 is arranged to operate a plurality of safety gear mechanisms 32A, 32B, and comprises wedge part(s) 34A, 34B connected to a plurality of guide rails 17, 17B, respectively, such as shown in fig. 15.

Furthermore, according to other embodiments, there may be a plurality of trigger devices 40, which plurality of trigger devices 40 is arranged in connection with a plurality of safety gear mechanisms 32A, 32B and thereby wedge portion(s) 34A, 34B connected with a plurality of guide rails 17, 17B, respectively. The safety gear arrangement 30 according to said further embodiment may further comprise a common control device or system (not shown) arranged in connection with each of the excitation power inputs 46 of the plurality of triggering devices 40. Thus, the triggering device 40 may be operated simultaneously by a common control device or system, which may be set to interrupt the excitation power.

In various embodiments the safety gear arrangement 30 comprises two safety gear mechanisms 32A, 32B, wherein the first safety gear mechanism 32A comprises at least one wedge portion for acting on one guide rail 17 of the elevator system 100, and wherein the second safety gear mechanism 32B comprises at least one second wedge portion of the safety gear arrangement 30 for acting on another guide rail 17B of the elevator system 100, wherein the safety gear arrangement 30 further comprises a triggering device 40, which triggering device 40 is arranged to operate both safety gear arrangements 32A, 32B in response to the actuation member 44 being moved from the unfired position 111 to the fired position 112 by the second spring element 42. Thus, one triggering device 40 can be used to operate both safety gear mechanisms 32A, 32B, e.g. on opposite sides of the elevator car 10.

As described previously with respect to fig. 2A, 2B, 9A and 9B, the first support member 33A, 33B may be a unitary element or a plurality of elements, or alternatively, may be composed of a plurality of elements. In fig. 15, the first elements of the first support members 33A, 33B are arranged closer to the triggering device 40, while the second parts coupled with the wedge portions 34A, 34B are arranged closer to the guide rails 17, 17B, which second parts are arranged against the guide rails 17, 17B when the safety gear arrangement 30 is operated.

Thus, the two safety gear mechanisms 32 may be operatively coupled with the trigger device 40 by at least one fourth support member 52A, 52B (such as one or more rods). Thus, the fourth support member(s) 52A, 52B may be provided at least between said first and second elements of the first support member 33A, 33B.

As can be seen in fig. 2A, 3-6, 9A-15, the wedge portions 34A, 34B may be arranged to move at least towards or preferably contact the rail(s) 17, 17B by a groove (or substantially any inclined surface) that is not parallel to the contact surface of the rail 17, 17B. The wedge portions 34A, 34B and/or the first support members 33A, 33B or elements thereof or other intermediate elements between the wedge portions 34A, 34B and the trigger device 40 may be arranged to move along one or more grooves or inclined surface(s) such that the wedge portions 34A, 34B move closer to the guide rails 17, 17B when the apparatus 30 is operated. It should be noted, however, that this is merely an exemplary way of implementing the movement of the wedge portions 34A, 34B towards the guide rails 17, 17B when the device 30 is operated (and/or away from the guide rails 17, 17B when the device 30 moves from the operating position 102 back to the normal position 101).

FIG. 16 illustrates a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

Step 200 refers to the start-up phase of the method. The appropriate devices and components are obtained and the system is assembled and configured for operation.

Step 210 refers to supplying excitation power to the electromagnet 41 of the triggering device 40 via the excitation power input 46, the triggering device 40 being operatively coupled with the safety gear to hold the safety gear in the normal position 101.

Step 220 refers to interrupting the excitation power, the actuating member 44 for the triggering device 40 being moved from the non-triggered position 111 to the triggered position 112 due to the second spring element 42 of the triggering device 40, the second spring element 42 of the triggering device 40 being used to operate the safety gear.

In some preferred embodiments, the method may further comprise: after said operation of the safety gear, the safety gear (such as the safety gear device according to the various embodiments described above) is arranged from the operating position 102 to the normal position 101 by means of a motor, such as a linear motor, comprised in the safety gear device 30. Optionally, the arranging may comprise: in response to the arrangement of the safety gear arrangement 40 from the operating position 102 to the normal position 101, the triggering device 40 is arranged to be moved from the triggering position 112 to the non-triggering position 111. The arrangement of the triggering device 40 can also be performed by an electric motor. This may take place simultaneously with the described arrangement of the safety gear from the operating position 102 into the normal position 101.

Method execution may stop in step 299.

In various embodiments of the method, a safety gear device 30 according to the aforementioned first or second embodiment may be utilized.

Claims (10)

1. A safety gear arrangement (30) for an elevator system (100), comprising:

a safety gear mechanism (32) comprising two wedge parts (34A, 34B) of the safety gear device (30), wherein in a normal position (101) the two wedge parts (34A, 34B) are retracted and in an operating position (102) the two wedge parts (34A, 34B) are extended by means of a first spring element (36), such as a torsion spring element, such that at least one of the two wedge parts (34A, 34B) acts on a guide rail (17) of the elevator system (100),

triggering device (40) comprising an electromagnet (41), a second spring element (42), such as a compression spring element, an actuating member (44) and a field power input (46), wherein the electromagnet (41) is arranged to keep the actuating member (44) in an unfired position (111) against the second spring element (42) while providing field power via the field power input (46), wherein the actuating member (44) is arranged to: -operating the safety gear mechanism (32) in response to the actuation member (44) moving from the non-triggered position (111) to a triggered position (112) due to the second spring element (42), and

wherein the safety gear mechanism (32) further comprises a locking mechanism (38) operatively coupled with the actuation member (44), and two first support members (33A, 33B), wherein the locking mechanism (38) is arranged to: -keeping the safety gear mechanism (32) in the normal position (101) when the actuating member (44) is in the non-triggered position (111), and-releasing the safety gear mechanism (32) when the actuating member (44) is in the triggered position (112), such that the first spring element (36) causes a movement of the two wedge portions (34A, 34B), the two first support members (33A, 33B) being operatively coupled with respect to each other by means of a joint and operatively coupling the locking mechanism (38) and the two wedge portions (34A, 34B), respectively, and

wherein the wedge portions (34A, 34B) are arranged to clamp the guide rail (17) differently relative to each other depending on the direction of movement relative to the guide rail (17) for bidirectional operation of the safety gear device (30).

2. The safety gear device (30) according to claim 1, comprising a linear motor (50), wherein the linear motor (50) is arranged to move the safety gear mechanism (32) from the operating position (102) to the normal position (101).

3. The safety gear arrangement (30) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the trigger device (40) is arranged to: from the triggered position (112) to the non-triggered position (111) in response to movement of the safety gear mechanism (32) from the operating position (102) to the normal position (101).

4. The safety gear device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the non-triggered position (111) the actuating member (44) and the electromagnet (41) are in direct contact.

5. The safety gear device (30) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, comprising at least one third support member (48A, 48B) operatively coupling the actuating member (44) and the linear motor (50).

6. The safety gear device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the locking mechanism (38) is arranged to: locking the safety gear device (32) in response to the safety gear device (30) moving from the operating position (102) to the normal position (102).

7. Safety gear device (30) according to any of claims 1 to 6, comprising two safety gear mechanisms (32A, 32B), wherein the first safety gear mechanism (32A) comprises at least one wedge portion for acting on one guide rail (17) of the elevator system (100), and wherein the second safety gear mechanism (32B) comprises at least one second wedge part for acting on the safety gear device (30) of another guide rail (17B) of the elevator system (100), wherein the safety gear arrangement (30) further comprises the triggering device (40), the trigger device (40) is arranged to operate the two safety gear mechanisms (32A, 32B) in response to the actuation member (44) moving from the non-triggered position (111) to the triggered position (112) due to the second spring element (42).

8. The safety gear device (30) according to claim 7, wherein the two safety gear mechanisms (32A, 32B) are mechanically coupled with the trigger apparatus (40) by at least one fourth support member (52A, 52B), such as a rod.

9. An elevator system (100) comprising an elevator car (10) movable in an elevator hoistway (12), wherein a safety gear arrangement (30) according to any of claims 1-8 is mounted on the elevator car (10).

10. A method for operating a safety gear of an elevator system (100) according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the method comprises:

-providing (210) excitation power to the electromagnet (41) of the trigger device (40) via the excitation power input (46) to keep the safety gear in a normal position (101), the trigger device (40) being operatively coupled with the safety gear, and

-interrupting (220) the excitation power for the movement of the actuating member (44) of the triggering device (40) from the non-triggered position (111) to the triggered position (112) due to the second spring element (42) of the triggering device (40), the second spring element (42) of the triggering device (40) being used for operating the safety gear.