AN ELEVATOR SHAFT IN A MANUAL DRIVE OPERATING MODE

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various example embodiments generally relate to the field of elevator systems . In particular, some example embodiments relate to a solution for operating an elevator car in an elevator shaft in a manual drive operating mode .

BACKGROUND

In addition to a normal operating mode , an elevator may have a manual drive operating mode . The manual drive operating mode may be useful , for example , in connection with inspection and/or maintenance operations of an elevator system . In the manual drive operating mode an elevator car may be driven with a reduced speed, for example , 0 . 3 m/ s . The manual drive may be carried out by continuously activating input means , such as a push button or a switch in a manual operating panel . When the input means in the manual operating panel are deactivated, the movement of the elevator car stops . This means that in the manual drive operating mode the elevator car is moving only when the input means are maintained activated . The manual operating panel may be arranged, for example , in an elevator shaft pit, inside the elevator car or on the roof of the elevator car .

The reduced speed is safe for the manual drive operation . However, at the same time it may mean that it may take a long time to trans fer the elevator car to a new location inside the elevator shaft .

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect , there is provided a method that comprises receiving, by an elevator controller, instructions to drive an elevator car to a predefined direction in an elevator shaft in a manual drive operating mode ; obtaining, by the elevator controller, information indicating a position and speed of the elevator car in the elevator shaft ; and generating, by the elevator controller, at least one control signal to drive the elevator car to the predefined direction in the elevator shaft with a first speed, when the elevator car is located within a predefined distance from an elevator shaft end terminal , and with a second speed, when the elevator car is located elsewhere in the elevator shaft , wherein the second speed is higher than the first speed .

In an implementation form of the first aspect , obtaining, by the elevator controller, information indicating a position and speed o f the elevator car in the elevator shaft , comprises obtaining the information indicating the position of the elevator car in the elevator shaft based on absolute positioning information of the elevator car in the elevator shaft .

In an implementation form of the first aspect , obtaining, by the elevator controller, information indicating a position and speed o f the elevator car in the elevator shaft , comprises obtaining the information indicating the position of the elevator car in the elevator shaft in response to detecting at least one position reference obj ect in the elevator shaft .

In an implementation form of the first aspect , the method further comprises generating, by the elevator controller, a safety control signal for bringing the elevator car to a safe state , when the speed of the elevator car exceeds the first speed and the elevator car is located within predefined distance from the elevator shaft end terminal . In an implementation form of the first aspect , the method further comprises generating, by the elevator controller, a safety control signal for bringing the elevator car to a safe state , when the speed of the elevator car exceeds the second speed and the elevator car is located elsewhere in the elevator shaft .

According to a second aspect , there is provided an elevator controller comprising means for receiving instructions to drive an elevator car to a predefined direction in an elevator shaft in a manual drive operating mode ; means for obtaining information indicating a position and speed o f the elevator car in the elevator shaft ; and means for generating at least one control signal to drive the elevator car to the predefined direction in the elevator shaft with a first speed, when the elevator car is located within a predefined distance from an elevator shaft end terminal , and with a second speed, when the elevator car is located elsewhere in the elevator shaft ; wherein the second speed is higher than the first speed .

In an implementation form of the second aspect , the means for obtaining are configured to obtain the information indicating the position of the elevator car in the elevator shaft based on absolute positioning information of the elevator car in the elevator shaft .

In an implementation form of the second aspect , the means for obtaining are configured to obtain the information indicating the position of the elevator car in the elevator shaft in response to detecting at least one position reference obj ect in the elevator shaft .

In an implementation form of the second aspect , the elevator controller further comprises means for generating a safety control signal for bringing the elevator car to a safe state , when the speed of the elevator car exceeds the first speed and the elevator car is located within predefined distance from the elevator shaft end terminal .

In an implementation form of the second aspect , the elevator controller further comprises means for generating a safety control signal for bringing the elevator car to a safe state , when the speed of the elevator car exceeds the second speed and the elevator car is located elsewhere in the elevator shaft .

According to a third aspect , there is provided an elevator system comprising a manual operating panel comprising an input element , a sensor system configured to generate information indicating a position and speed of an elevator car in an elevator shaft ; and an elevator controller of the first aspect .

In an implementation form of the third aspect , the sensor system comprises marking obj ects arranged at predetermined positions in the elevator shaft and a car sensor is arranged to the elevator car to provide an indication when the elevator car reaches the position of a marking obj ect .

In an implementation form of the third aspect , the sensor system comprises a position reference obj ect arranged to identi fy a limit of the predefined distance from the elevator shaft end terminal .

According to a fourth aspect , there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that , when executed by the at least one proces sor, cause the apparatus to at least perform : receiving instructions to drive an elevator car to a predefined direction in an elevator shaft in a manual drive operating mode ; obtaining information indicating a position and speed of the elevator car in the elevator shaft ; and generating at least one control signal to drive the elevator car to the predefined direction in the elevator shaft with a first speed, when the elevator car i s located within a predefined distance from an elevator shaft end terminal , and with a second speed, when the elevator car is located elsewhere in the elevator shaft , wherein the second speed is higher than the first speed .

According to a fi fth aspect , there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to perform the method of the first aspect .

According to a sixth aspect , there is provided a computer-readable medium comprising a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to perform the method of the first aspect .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings , which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this speci fication, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention . In the drawings :

FIG . 1 illustrates an elevator system according to an example embodiment .

FIG . 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a method according to an example embodiment . FIG . 3 illustrates an elevator car moving in an elevator shaft according to an example embodiment .

FIG . 4 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus according to an example embodiment .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG . 1 illustrates an elevator system according to an example embodiment . The elevator system comprises an elevator controller 102 configured to control a drive 104 . The drive 104 controls a motor 106 that then moves an elevator car 100 in an elevator shaft . The elevator system may comprise a sensor system 108 that provides information indicating a position and speed of the elevator car in the elevator shaft , when the motor 106 is operated . The elevator system may also comprise a manual operating panel 110 configured to enable a manual drive operating mode that may be used, for example , in connection with inspection and/or maintenance operations of an elevator system . In the manual drive operating mode the elevator car may be driven with a reduced speed, for example , 0 . 3 m/ s . The manual drive may be carried out by continuously activating input means , such as a push button or a switch in the manual operating panel 110 . When the input means are deactivated, the movement of the elevator car 100 stops in the elevator shaft . Thus , in the manual drive operating mode the elevator car 100 is moving only when the input means are maintained activated . The manual operating panel 110 may be arranged, for example , in an elevator shaft pit , inside the elevator car 100 or on the roof of the elevator car 100 .

FIG . 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a method according to an example embodiment . At 200 instructions to drive an elevator car to a predefined direction in an elevator shaft in a manual drive operating mode may be received by an elevator controller . The instructions may be received, for example, from a manual operating panel used to manually drive the elevator car .

At 202 information indicating a position and speed of the elevator car in the elevator shaft may be obtained by the elevator controller . The information may be obtained, for example , for a sensor system configured to provide the information, when the elevator car moves in the elevator shaft .

At 204 at least one control s ignal may be generated by the elevator controller to drive the elevator car to the predefined direction in the elevator shaft with a first speed, when the elevator car is located within a predefined distance from an elevator shaft end terminal , and with a second speed, when the elevator car is located elsewhere in the elevator shaft . The second speed is higher than the first speed . In an example embodiment , the first speed is about 0 . 3 m/ s and the second speed is about 0 . 63 m/ s . Further, in an example embodiment , the predef ined distance extends to a di stance of about two meters from a top or bottom end of the elevator shaft . In other example embodiments , di f ferent first and/or second speeds may be used .

In an example embodiment , the sensor system may comprise , for example , marking obj ects arranged at predetermined positions in the elevator shaft . A car sensor may be arranged to the elevator car to provide an indication when the elevator car has reached the position of a marking obj ect . Further, in an example embodiment , the sensor system may comprise a position reference obj ect , for example , a magnet , arranged to identi fy a limit of the predefined distance from the elevator shaft end terminal . This enables a reliable way define the limit to a correct distance from the elevator shaft end terminal .

In an example embodiment , the sensor system may comprise a complementary positioning system providing a complementary indication of the position of the elevator car in the elevator shaft between the marking obj ects . The complementary positioning system may comprise , for example , a car encoder or an acceleration sensor fixed to the elevator car . With the complementary system a linear position of the elevator car in the elevator shaft may be determined everywhere within the operational range of the elevator car .

In an example embodiment , the elevator controller may be configured to generate a safety control signal for bringing the elevator car to a safe state , when the speed of the elevator car exceeds the first speed and the elevator car is located within predefined distance from the elevator shaft end terminal . In another example embodiment , the elevator controller may be configured to generate a safety control signal for bringing the elevator car a safe state , when the speed of the elevator car exceeds the second speed and the elevator car is located elsewhere in the elevator shaft . The safety control signal may cause the hoisting machine brakes to be applied and the power supply interrupted to the hoisting motor . The first and second speeds may be selected, for example , such that the safety control signal is generated when the speed of the elevator car exceeds 115% of the speed of 0 . 3 m/ s when the car is within the speed limit zone , or exceeds the speed of 0 . 63 m/ s when the elevator car is located elsewhere in the elevator shaft . The elevator controller may comprise , for example , a separate monitoring unit or an electronic safety controller that performs the aboveidentified speed monitoring functions and generates the safety control signal in a similar manner.

FIG. 3 illustrates an elevator car moving 100 in an elevator shaft 300 according to an example embodiment. The elevator car 100 moves in the elevator shaft 300, when a drive controls a motor connected to the elevator car 100. References 302, 304 refer to a predefined distance from an elevator shaft end terminal. The predefined distances may be the same or different at both ends of the elevator shaft 300. The predefined distance sets a distance within which the elevator car 100 is controlled to move in the elevator shaft 300 with a first speed. When the elevator car 100 moves outside the predefined distance from the elevator shaft end terminal, i.e. within the distance indicated by a reference sign 306, the elevator car 100 may be controlled to move with a second speed. The second speed is higher than the first speed, and the first speed may be, for example, about 0.3 m/ s and the second speed is about 0.63 m/ s .

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus 400 according to an example embodiment. In an example embodiment, the apparatus 400 may implement functions of an elevator controller. The apparatus 400 comprises one or more processors 402, and one or more memories 404 that comprise computer program code 406. The apparatus 400 may also comprise a communication interface 408 for wired and/or wireless communication. Although the apparatus 400 is depicted to include only one processor 402, the apparatus 400 may include more than one processor. In an example embodiment, the memory 404 is capable of storing instructions, such as an operating system and/or various applications. The memory 404 may store a people transit associated user application that may be executed by the apparatus 400 to implement various features and embodiment discussed herein .

Furthermore , the processor 402 is capable of executing the stored instructions . In an example embodiment , the processor 402 may be embodied as a multi-core processor, a single core processor, or a combination of one or more multi-core processors and one or more single core processors . For example , the processor 402 may be embodied as one or more of various process ing devices , such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor ( DSP ) , a processing circuitry with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing devices including integrated circuits such as , for example , an application speci fic integrated circuit (AS IC ) , a field programmable gate array ( FPGA) , a microcontroller unit (MCU) , a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like . In an example embodiment, the processor 402 may be configured to execute hard-coded functionality . In an example embodiment , the processor 402 is embodied as an executor of software instructions , wherein the instructions may speci fically configure the processor 402 to perform the algorithms and/or operations described herein when the instructions are executed, for example , the steps discussed relating to FIG . 2 .

The memory 404 may be embodied as one or more volatile memory devices , one or more non-volatile memory devices , and/or a combination of one or more volatile memory devices and non-volatile memory devices . For example , the memory 404 may be embodied as semiconductor memories ( such as mask ROM, PROM (programmable ROM) , EPROM ( erasable PROM) , flash ROM, RAM ( random access memory) , etc . ) . In an embodiment , the at least one memory 404 may store program instructions 406 that , when executed by the at least one processor 402 , cause the apparatus 400 to perform the functionality of the various embodiments discussed herein . Further, in an embodiment , at least one of the processor 402 and the memory 404 may constitute means for implementing the discussed functionality .

At least one o f the examples and embodiments disclosed above may enable a solution in which a higher inspection speed outside the predefined distance from the elevator shaft end terminal reduces the time needed for installation and repair of the elevator when long distances need to be driven with the manual drive operating mode . Further, when a position reference obj ect , for example , a magnet , i s used to indicate the predefined distance from the elevator shaft end terminal , the solution can be used also be fore a setup has been driven, and thus a higher speed limit can be used also during installation .

Example embodiments may be implemented in software , hardware , application logic or a combination of software , hardware and application logic . The example embodiments can store information relating to various methods described herein . This information can be stored in one or more memories , such as a hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, RAM, and the like . One or more databases can store the information used to implement the example embodiments . The databases can be organi zed using data structures ( e . g . , records , tables , arrays , fields , graphs , trees , lists , and the like ) included in one or more memories or storage devices listed herein . The methods described with respect to the example embodiments can include appropriate data structures for storing data collected and/or generated by the methods of the devices and subsystems of the example embodiments in one or more databases .

The components of the example embodiments may include computer readable medium or memories for holding instructions programmed according to the teachings and for holding data structures , tables , records , and/or other data described herein . In an example embodiment , the application logic, software or an instruction set is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readable media . In the context of this document, a "computer-readable medium" may be any media or means that can contain, store , communicate , propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus , or device , such as a computer . A computer- readable medium may include a computer-readable storage medium that may be any media or means that can contain or store the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus , or device , such as a computer . A computer readable medium can include any suitable medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution . Such a medium can take many forms , including but not limited to , non-volatile media, volatile media, transmission media, and the like .

While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features as applied to preferred embodiments thereof , it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit o f the disclosure . For example , it is expres sly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the disclosure . Moreover, it should be recogni zed that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiments may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice . Furthermore , in the claims means-plus- function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents , but also equivalent structures .

The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature described herein and any combination of two or more such features , to the extent that such features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present speci fication as a whole , in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art , irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims . The applicant indicates that the disclosed aspects/embodiments may consist of any such individual feature or combination of features . In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modi fications may be made within the scope of the disclosure .