HK1180665B - Braking device for a door operator - Google Patents

Description

Brake device for door operator

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from korean patent application No. 10-2010-0040043817 filed on 11/5/2010 and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Background

The elevator doors are suspended by a hoist having wheels which are seated in or along a track attached to the lintel of the elevator car. The doors are electrically opened and closed by means of a reversible electric motor that drives a cable of a spreader attached to each door.

An elevator car door opening and closing apparatus of a prior art elevator car 301 is shown in fig. 11. At one end of the car door head 303, a motor 304 is fixedly mounted, and at the other end, a driven wheel 309 is mounted with a fixed gap. A drive belt 310 having an endless loop is wound between the motor 304 and the driven wheel 309. At the car door head 303, a car door rail 311 is mounted in the longitudinal direction of the door opening 302. The two car doors 312 are respectively suspended on the car door guide rails 311 by the car door hangers 313. Each car door hanger 313 has several rollers 314, and the rollers 314 perform smooth circular movement along the car door guide 311. The car door 312 is connected to the drive belt 310 through brackets 315 and 316 attached to the car door hanger 313. In the related art having such a configuration, when the car door 312 moves along the car door guide 311, the car door 312 is opened and closed by the power of the motor 304 by driving the rotation of the belt 310.

If power is lost, it is desirable that the door remain in its current position, even if fully or partially open. In fact, some elevator and/or fire codes require that during a power interruption, the automatic power operated door does not move before power is restored and that the door open or close button is pressed. Contrary to this expectation, the car doors will typically drift closed from the landing side door at the landing zone due to a closing force against system friction, e.g., as a result of a closing weight typically used to facilitate the closing of the doors during normal operation.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one example provided herein, a device for inhibiting closing of a door controlling an access enclosure (enclosure) includes a first magnet disposed on a driven portion of the device and a second magnet disposed on a fixed portion of the enclosure. The first and second magnets are configured to register with each other as the door moves toward the closed position such that if the first and second magnets are in register with each other, the pole of the first magnet is in close proximity to the pole of the second magnet such that the first and second magnets act against each other to inhibit movement of the door toward the closed position.

According to another example provided herein, an apparatus for inhibiting control of closing of an elevator car door entering an elevator car includes a power mechanism for closing the door, a first magnet disposed on a driven portion of the door, and a second magnet disposed on a portion of the car. The first and second magnets are configured to register with each other as the door moves toward the closed position such that if the first and second magnets are in register with each other, the pole of the first magnet is in close proximity to the pole of the second magnet such that the first and second magnets act against each other to inhibit movement of the door toward the closed position.

According to yet another example provided herein, a method of inhibiting the closing of a powered door if the door loses power includes the steps of: providing a first magnet disposed on the door; providing a second magnet disposed on the enclosure adjacent the door such that the first and second magnets are in registry with each other along a length of travel of the door; and causing the first magnet and the second magnet to act to block movement of the door toward the closed position.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

Drawings

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, appended claims, and the accompanying exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, which are briefly described below.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a magnet disposed in an elevator system.

Fig. 2 is a first embodiment of a magnet array in an elevator system as disclosed in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the spreader of fig. 2 having a first array of magnets.

Fig. 4 is a depiction of the door header of fig. 2 with a second array of magnets.

Fig. 5 is a second embodiment of the location of the array of magnets provided on the spreader.

Fig. 6 is a depiction of the door header of fig. 7.

Fig. 7 is an assembled view of the spreader (shown in phantom) and door header of fig. 5 and 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the elevator system of fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a depiction of the spreader and door header of fig. 7 in a fully closed position.

Fig. 10 is a depiction of the spreader and door header of fig. 7 shown in a fully open position.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view showing a conventional car door opening and closing apparatus of an elevator.

Fig. 12 is a schematic view showing a main part of a car door opening and closing apparatus of an elevator of a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a disassembled oblique view showing a main part of the third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view showing a main part of an apparatus of a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a schematic view showing first and second magnets of a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram showing first and second magnets of an alternative version of the third embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 17 is a schematic sectional view showing another mounting example of the first and second magnets according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Efforts have been made to use the same or similar reference numbers throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Referring now to fig. 1, an elevator car 10 (see fig. 2) includes a stationary header 25 and a movable door 12. The door 12 includes a hanger 15 and a door panel 20 (see fig. 2, etc.) suspended from the hanger 15. The spreader 15 and the door lintel 25 are separated by an axis 30. Essentially, the sling 15 may be any component that moves relative to the elevator car and moves with the car door panel 20 or causes the car door panel 20 to move. Similarly, the header 25 is any component of the elevator car 10 that is fixed relative to any portion that moves relative to the elevator car 10 and moves with the car doors 12 or causes the car doors 12 to move. The spreader 15 may be suspended from the door lintel 25 by means of one or more wheels 75. More specifically, the wheels 75 of the spreader 15 may be received in or on tracks or rails 80 formed on the door lintel 25 and rolled. In other embodiments, the spreader 15 may have shoes (shoes) configured to slide on or in corresponding rails of the lintel 25. Regardless, the header 25 and spreader 15 may be registered with one another in a variety of ways to accomplish the concepts presented herein.

According to the first embodiment disclosed herein, the spreader 15 has mounted thereon a first array of magnets 35 disposed at a first angle a relative to the axis 30. The lintel 25 has a second magnet array 40 disposed at a second angle B relative to the axis 30. As shown here, angle a is about 45 degrees and angle B is about 45 degrees, such that the sum of angle a and angle B and the relationship between each of the first magnet arrays 35 and each of the second magnet arrays 40 is about 90 degrees. Although the sum of angle a and angle B is shown as about 90 degrees, other angles for the first and second magnet arrays are contemplated herein. Further, it is also contemplated herein that the total angle between the first and second magnet arrays may vary along the length of each array, depending on the position of the door panel 20 relative to the header when the door 12 is closed. For example, if the door panel 20 is closer to fully closed and loses power, the total angle between the magnets in the first magnet array 35 and the magnets in the second magnet array 40 may vary.

Each magnet in the first and second magnet arrays 35, 40 may be a permanent magnet. Electromagnets may be used if separate power supplies (not shown) for the two arrays are available.

The first and second magnet arrays 35, 40 have their poles arranged such that they are in close proximity to the other pole with a similar arrangement. In other words, the south pole (or the north pole) of each of the first magnet array 35 and the second magnet array 40 is arranged closest to the axis 30. Similar poles form the vertices of angles a and B. By aligning similar poles closest to the axis 30, the first and second magnet arrays 35, 40 repel each other in a direction opposite to "closed" (see fig. 1) to prevent (or at least inhibit) the spreader 15 (and thus the door panel 20) from drifting toward a closed position after power is lost in the elevator system.

Referring now to fig. 2-4, the arrangement of the first and second magnet arrays 35, 40 is shown. The first magnet array 35 is disposed on a first holder 45, the first holder 45 having a plurality of faces 50 on which magnets 55 are conventionally mounted. As set forth above, each of the magnets 55 has the same pole disposed toward the axis 30. Similarly, the second magnet array 40 is disposed on a second holder 60, the second holder 60 having a plurality of faces 65 on which magnets 70 are conventionally mounted. As set forth above, each of the magnets 70, like the magnet 55, has the same pole disposed toward the axis 30. Face 50 of magnet 55 is angled to provide angle a and face 65 of magnet 70 is correspondingly angled to provide angle B. Each magnet 55 in the first magnet array 35 is attached to the corresponding face 50 by bonding or the like, and each magnet 70 in the second magnet array 40 is similarly attached to the corresponding face 65 by bonding or the like. The first holder 45 is attached to the vertical portion 85 of the spreader 15 in registry with the second holder 60 attached to the vertical portion 90 of the door lintel 25. In fig. 2, the elevator door is partially open.

The second holder 60 is longer than the first holder 45 to cope with the travel length of the door panel 20. As the door moves towards the closed position, the first retainer 45 is in registry with the second retainer 60 so that the magnets 55 and 70 are in registry over the entire length of travel as long as the door is partially open. If the door is not open, the magnets 55 and 70 may not be in registration with each other because the first holder 45 is in registration with the longitudinal portion without magnets (see, e.g., 195 on the second holder 160 in FIG. 9). If the magnets 55 of the first magnet array 35 and the magnets 70 of the second magnet array 40 are in registration, they provide a repelling force to inhibit the door panel 20 from moving toward the closed position. The second retainer 60 on the door lintel 25 extends the length of travel of the door panel 20 to ensure registration of the first and second magnet arrays 35, 40 so that the door panel 20 may remain in its then-current (e.g., open) position when power is lost. The first holder 45 and the second holder 60 are arranged in a horizontal plane in this embodiment.

Although the first holder 45 is shown holding four magnets 55, other numbers of magnets may be held by the first holder. Similarly, other numbers of magnets 70 may be retained on the second retainer 60.

Referring now to fig. 5-8, another example embodiment is shown. A third holder 145 holding a third magnet array 135 is disposed adjacent the upper edge 200 of the spreader 115. Referring to fig. 6, the fourth holder 160 of the fourth magnet array 140 on the door lintel 125 is disposed over and in registration with the third holder 145 on the spreader 115. Third holder 145 and fourth holder 160 are in a vertical plane and are in registry with each other about axis 30A (see fig. 10). The fourth keeper 160 is arranged on the door head 125 inside the spreader wheel 205, the spreader 115 being suspended from the spreader wheel 205. The downward facing fourth magnet array 140 of the fourth holder 160 is configured to register with the upward facing third magnet array 135 of the third holder 145.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the door panel 20 is shown fully closed. The third magnet array 135 held on the third holder 145 and the fourth magnet array 140 held on the fourth holder 160 are not in registration. Therefore, there is no repulsive force to keep the door open.

Referring to fig. 10, the door is shown fully open and the third magnet array 135 held on the third holder 145 and the fourth magnet array 140 held on the fourth holder 160 are in registry with one another. In such a position, as discussed previously, the repulsive force of the poles of the third magnet array 135 held on the third holder 145 and the same poles of the fourth magnet array 140 held on the fourth holder 160 acts to reduce the likelihood of the door panel 20 closing, i.e., the fourth holder 160 inhibits the closing of the door panel 20. Since the fourth array 140 extends along the length of the door opening, the magnets will cooperate to provide a repelling force at any point along the door that can prevent the car door from closing when power is lost.

Two versions of the third embodiment of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to fig. 12 to 16. In both versions of this embodiment, the motor 330 includes a rotating shaft 332, a stator 336, a rotor 337, and a pulley 333, the pulley 333 being coupled to the shaft 332 at an outer circumferential surface thereof. The motor 330 fixedly installed at one end of the car door head 320 further includes a base 331 and a housing 334, the housing 334 covering the rotation shaft 332 and being fixedly coupled to the base 331. A driven wheel 350 is mounted at the opposite end of the head 320, and an endless belt 360 extends between the motor 330 and the driven wheel 350. Car doors 370, each connected to upper and lower sides of the belt 360, respectively, open and close according to forward and backward rotation of the belt 360. As shown in fig. 14, a bearing 335 may be interposed between the rotation shaft 332, the motor base 331 and the motor housing 334 to facilitate rotation of the shaft 332 and the pulley 333.

In this third embodiment, which also includes a pair of magnet arrays for preventing (or at least inhibiting) door closing when the motor 330 loses power, a fifth magnet array 380 is radially and fixedly disposed on one side of the motor pulley 333, and a sixth magnet array 390 is radially and fixedly disposed at an adjacent opposite side of the fifth magnet array 380 on the inside surface of the motor housing 334. Each of the magnets in the fifth magnet array 380 has a polarity opposite to the polarity of the corresponding magnet in the sixth magnet array 390 such that a mutual attraction is formed between the magnet arrays 380, 390. Accordingly, when the rotating shaft 332 is stopped, for example, when the power of the motor 330 is removed, the rotating shaft 332 is prevented (or at least inhibited) from automatically rotating due to the attraction between the fifth and sixth magnet arrays 380 and 390.

The fifth and sixth magnet arrays 380 and 390 are respectively composed of several magnets 381, 391 each having an arc shape. Further, the magnets 381, 391 are separated at a fixed pitch in the circular arc direction and form a circular shape.

In the first version of the third embodiment shown in fig. 15, several magnets 381, 391 of each of the fifth and sixth magnet arrays 380, 390 are arranged to have different polarities from each other in the circular arc direction. For example, several magnets 381 of a circular shape forming the fifth magnet array 380 are arranged in the order of n-type → s-type → n-type → s-type in the clockwise direction. The magnets 391 of the sixth magnet array 390 are arranged in the clockwise direction in s-type → n-type → s-type → n-type. When the motor pulley 333 is forcibly rotated by the rotating shaft 332, since the rotational force of the motor 330 is stronger than the attraction of the magnetic force between the magnets, the attraction is not decisive. However, if the power of the motor 330 is cut off, the attraction generated between the magnets 381, 391 having polarities different from each other works, thereby preventing (or at least suppressing) the motor pulley 333 from rotating.

In a second version of the third embodiment shown in fig. 16, several magnets 381, 391 of each of the fifth 380 and sixth 390 magnet arrays have different polarities with respect to each other, but all polarities are the same. In other words, all the magnets 381 forming the circular shape of the fifth magnet array 380 are arranged in the clockwise order of n-type → n-type, and all the magnets 391 of the sixth magnet array 390 are arranged in the clockwise order of s-type → s-type. When the motor pulley 333 is forcibly rotated by the rotating shaft 332, since the rotational force of the motor 330 is stronger than the attraction of the magnetic force between the magnets, the attraction is not decisive. However, if the power of the motor 330 is cut off, the attraction between the magnets acts, thereby preventing (or at least inhibiting) the motor pulley 333 from automatically rotating.

In a fourth embodiment of the invention shown in fig. 17, a similar magnet array 380, 390 to that used in the third embodiment is employed. However, in this embodiment, the fifth magnet array 380 is connected to the plate 339 provided at one end of the rotation shaft 332, and the sixth magnet array 390 is disposed on the motor base 331 opposite to the fifth array 380. Of course, either of the magnet arrangements used in the two versions of the third embodiment (shown in fig. 15 and 16) may be employed in this fourth embodiment.

The operation procedure of the apparatus for preventing (or at least suppressing) the closing of the car door of the elevator according to the third and fourth embodiments will be described below. First, the rotational force of the rotational shaft 332 of the motor 330 is transmitted to the motor pulley 333 via the outer circumferential surface of the rotational shaft 332. Accordingly, the belt 360 wound around the outer circumferential surfaces of the motor pulley 333 and the driven pulley 350 rotates forward and backward. Upper and lower sides of the annular ring of the belt 360 are connected to the respective left and right car doors 370, thereby enabling the doors 370 to be mutually opened and closed by a hanger 371 sliding or rolling along the car door guide 321. Since the motor pulley 333 is forcibly rotated by the rotating shaft 332, and since the rotational force of the motor 330 is stronger than the attraction of the magnetic force between the fifth and sixth magnet arrays 380 and 390, the attraction is overcome by the force of the motor 330.

When the car door 370 is opened and closed in this way by the rotational force of the motor 330, if the power of the motor 330 is cut off, the rotation of the rotational shaft 332 and the motor pulley 333 is stopped. As a result of this stopping, the attraction between the fifth and sixth magnet arrays 380, 390 acts, thereby preventing (or at least inhibiting) the motor pulley 333 from automatically rotating in response to the natural closing action of the door 370.

While attractive forces are contemplated for use in the third and fourth embodiments, it should be understood that arrangements of the fifth and sixth magnet arrays 380, 390 are contemplated herein in which repulsive forces are utilized. For example, in another alternative version of the third embodiment, a fifth array or a sixth array may be provided on the inside surface of the pulley 333 and the motor housing 334 such that the repulsive force of the fifth and sixth magnet arrays 380 and 390 acts to stop the rotational movement of the pulley (similar to the arrangement of the first and second magnet arrays 35 and 40).

Similarly, it is contemplated that the first and second magnet arrays 35, 40 may be similarly ordered in polarity as the arrangement of the fifth and sixth magnet arrays 380, 390, such that the attractive force, rather than the repulsive force, may prevent (or at least inhibit) movement of the door 20. The distinction between using attractive or repulsive magnetic forces is a phase problem that may not be significant given the number of magnets in each array.

Additionally, while the first and second magnet arrays 35, 40 are arranged linearly and the fifth and sixth magnet arrays 380, 390 are arranged non-linearly, other shapes may be used to take advantage of the attractive or repulsive forces of the magnets to achieve the objectives provided herein. Further, it is contemplated herein that fifth magnet array 380 and sixth magnet array 390 may be placed on driven wheel 350 and on head 320 adjacent driven wheel 350 using the teachings provided herein.

The above-discussion is intended to be merely illustrative of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the appended claims to any particular embodiment or group of embodiments. Thus, while the present invention has been described in detail with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof, it should also be appreciated that numerous other modifications and/or changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader and intended scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. For example, while combinations of features are shown in the illustrated examples, not all features need be combined to realize the benefits of various embodiments of the present invention. In other words, a system designed according to an embodiment of this disclosure will not necessarily include all of the features shown in any one of the figures or all of the portions schematically shown in the figures. Furthermore, selected features of one example embodiment may be combined with selected features of other example embodiments.

The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from this disclosure. The scope of legal protection given to this disclosure can only be determined by studying the following claims.

Claims (37)

1. A device for inhibiting the closing of a door controlling access to an enclosure, the device comprising:

a first permanent magnet disposed on the driven portion of the device, an

A second permanent magnet disposed on a fixed portion of the enclosure,

wherein the first and second magnets are configured to register with each other as the door moves toward a closed position, and

wherein if the first and second magnets are in registry with one another, the poles of the first magnet are in close proximity to the poles of the second magnet such that the first and second magnets act against one another to inhibit movement of the door toward the closed position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second magnets is aligned at an angle relative to an axis passing between the door and the enclosure.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the angle is 45 °.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second magnets are aligned at an angle relative to each other.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the angle is 90 °.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the poles of the first magnet and the poles of the second magnet repel each other.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the first magnet or the second magnet is a first plurality of magnets aligned along a length of travel of the door such that the second magnet is in registration with the first magnet along the length of travel of the door.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the first plurality of magnets are held by a holder having a plurality of angled faces, each face holding a magnet thereon.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the angled face is angled at 45 ° relative to an axis passing between the door and the enclosure.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the other of the first magnet or the second magnet is a second plurality of magnets aligned along a portion of a length of travel of the door such that the second plurality of magnets are in registration with the first plurality of magnets along the length of travel of the door, and wherein the first plurality of magnets and the second plurality of magnets are not in registration with each other if the door is in a closed position.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second plurality of magnets are held by a holder having a plurality of angled faces, each face holding a magnet thereon.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are registered in a horizontal plane.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are in registration in a vertical plane.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the poles of the first magnet and the second magnet attract each other.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the poles of the first magnet and the poles of the second magnet repel each other.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the first magnet is non-linearly disposed on the driven portion.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the second magnet is disposed on the fixed portion in a non-linear configuration in registration with the first magnet.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the driven portion is a pulley driven by a motor.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the stationary portion is the motor.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the non-linear configuration is arcuate.

21. An apparatus for inhibiting control of closing of an elevator car door that enters an elevator car, the apparatus comprising:

a power mechanism for closing the door,

a first permanent magnet disposed on the driven portion of the door, an

A second permanent magnet disposed on a portion of the car,

wherein the first and second magnets are configured to register with each other as the door moves toward a closed position, and

wherein if the first and second magnets are in registry with one another, the pole of the first magnet is in close proximity to the pole of the second magnet such that the first and second magnets interact with one another to inhibit movement of the door toward the closed position.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein each of the first and second magnets is aligned at an angle relative to an axis passing between the door and the enclosure.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the angle is 45 °.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein each of the first and second magnets are aligned at an angle relative to each other.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the angle is 90 °.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the poles of the first magnet and the poles of the second magnet repel each other.

27. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein one of the first magnet or the second magnet is a first plurality of magnets aligned along a length of travel of the door such that the second magnet is in registration with the first magnet along the length of travel of the door.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the other of the first magnet or the second magnet is a second plurality of magnets aligned along a portion of a length of travel of the door such that the second plurality of magnets are in registration with the first plurality of magnets along the length of travel of the door and are not in registration with the first plurality of magnets if the door is in a closed position.

29. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the poles of the first magnet and the poles of the second magnet attract each other.

30. The device of claim 21, wherein the first magnet is disposed on the driven portion in a first non-linear configuration.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein the second magnet is disposed on the fixed portion in a second non-linear configuration, wherein the second non-linear configuration is in registration with the first non-linear configuration.

32. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the driven portion is a pulley driven by a motor.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the stationary portion is the motor.

34. The device of claim 30, wherein the first non-linear configuration is arcuate.

35. A method of inhibiting the closing of a powered door if the door loses power, the method comprising:

providing a first permanent magnet, the first magnet disposed on the door,

providing a second permanent magnet disposed on the enclosure adjacent the door such that the first and second magnets are in registry with each other along a length of travel of the door,

upon loss of the power, the first and second magnets are caused to act to block movement of the door toward a closed position.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

the first magnet and the second magnet are acted upon as the first magnet and the second magnet travel in a linear direction relative to each other.

37. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

the first magnet and the second magnet are acted upon as the first magnet and the second magnet travel in a non-linear direction relative to each other.