GB775718A - Improvements in or relating to elevator systems - Google Patents

Abstract

775,718. Door-operating apparatus. WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC INTERNATIONAL CO. April 27, 1955 [May 4, 1954 ; May 4, 1954], No. 12128/55. Drawings to Specification. Class 65 (1). [Also in Groups XXX, XXXVI, XXXVII and XL (b)] The door of a lift is normally closed at a predetermined interval (say 5 seconds) after stopping of the car, and this interval may be lengthened (say to 6 seconds) when the stop is in response to a call from a floor (where the intending passenger may have some distance to walk to the lift) and shortened (e.g. to 3 seconds) when it is in response to a floor-selecting device in the car. In order to expedite operation of the lift, the interval may be reduced or terminated when the car is loaded within, say, 80 per cent of capacity, and may be reduced on movement of a passenger into or out of the lift, as detected by a beam of energy (light or invisible radiation) (see Group XL (b)) or a capacitance change (see Group XXXVI); the reduction may be to 2 seconds for the first person in the case of a stop in response to a floor-call and to ¢ second for each subsequent person (renewed on the passage of each person). Two beams of energy, with separate detectors, may be used to provide a different response according to the direction of movement of the passenger, so that if the car stops in response to a floor-call (with or without a car-call) the interval is reduced only by a person entering the car and not by one leaving. A warning of impending closing may be given by any suitable means. Once the door has started to close, it may continue, or it may be reversible on contact with an obstruction, by means of a sensitive edge device, or on interruption of the beam by a late passenger, then closing again on expiry of a short period (e.g. ¢ second) after reaching the open position or after restoration of the beam respectively. If the beam is obstructed for an unduly long time (say 4 seconds) a different warning may be given, and closing is started nevertheless. If the door still fails to -close in a reasonable time (say 12 seconds), the closing may be made independent of all safety devices except simultaneous operation of the sensitive edge of the door and a similar device on the closing post or a meeting door; the movement of the door in this case may be made slower and/or with more power in part or all of the movement, by varying resistances connected to the motor, and normal closing may be restored if the obstruction is removed. The time intervals may be varied or cancelled by manual switches, in conjunction with car-position switches if the effect is desired only at certain floors, or by time-switches to provide different control conditions at peak-load hours. In one embodiment described, a lever pivoted above the door is connected to the door by a pin and slot and is actuated by opposed solenoids; in another embodiment, the lever is connected to a rack engaged by a pinion driven by a reversible motor. The shaft door is connected to the car door, for simultaneous operation, by the usual vane device.