Elevator Positioning System and Method
First Claim
1. An elevator positioning system for aligning an elevator car with one or more landings, wherein the elevator car is operable to travel within a hoistway to the one or more landings, wherein the elevator positioning system comprises:
- a. a sensor configured to attach to a portion of the elevator car;
b. a detectable member, wherein the detectable member is detectable by the sensor; and
c. at least one positioning member, wherein the positioning member is attachable to a select one of a portion of the hoistway and an elevator guide rail, wherein the positioning member is positionable so that the sensor can detect a select one of the presence of the detectable member and the absence of the detectable member, and wherein the sensor signals the detection to an elevator controller of the elevator positioning system to control position of the elevator car within the hoistway relative to the one or more landings.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An elevator positioning system includes an optical tape, optical tape clips, and a sensor. The optical tape clips are mountable to various structures within the hoistway. A crossbar of the optical tape clips is located between a sensor and optical tape such that the sensor detects an interruption in the optical tape and signals the detection to an elevator controller. The elevator car can then be controlled to align evenly with the landings associated with the hoistway. Another elevator positioning system includes a sensor and a reflector clip assembly. The reflector clip assemblies are mountable to various structures within the hoistway. A reflector target of the reflector clip assemblies faces the sensor such that the sensor detects the reflector target and signals the detection to an elevator controller. The elevator car can then be controlled to align evenly with the landings associated with the hoistway.
16 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An elevator positioning system for aligning an elevator car with one or more landings, wherein the elevator car is operable to travel within a hoistway to the one or more landings, wherein the elevator positioning system comprises:
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a. a sensor configured to attach to a portion of the elevator car; b. a detectable member, wherein the detectable member is detectable by the sensor; and c. at least one positioning member, wherein the positioning member is attachable to a select one of a portion of the hoistway and an elevator guide rail, wherein the positioning member is positionable so that the sensor can detect a select one of the presence of the detectable member and the absence of the detectable member, and wherein the sensor signals the detection to an elevator controller of the elevator positioning system to control position of the elevator car within the hoistway relative to the one or more landings. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for positioning and aligning an elevator car with a landing, wherein the method comprises:
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a. attaching a sensor to the elevator car; b. attaching at least one positioning member to a select one of a portion of a hoistway and an elevator guide rail, wherein the at least one positioning member attaches without the use of tools, wherein the positioning member is associated with a detectable member; c. moving the elevator car such that the sensor travels past the at least one positioning member and the detectable member; d. detecting a select one of the presence of the detectable member and the absence of the detectable member; and e. signaling the detection to an elevator controller to control position of the elevator car within the hoistway relative to the landing. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. A detection member for use with a sensor in an elevator hoistway in which an elevator car travels to one or more landings, the detection member comprising:
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a. a clip configured to attach to a select one of a portion of a hoistway and an elevator guide rail using one or more resiliently biased arms configured for grasping; b. a detectable portion; and c. one or more alignment targets configured to provide a reference for setup and adjustment of a position of the detectable portion relative to the clip. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification