EP2336072B1 - Monitoring of a load bearing and drive device of a lift assembly - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an elevator installation, in which at least one elevator car or at least one counterweight is moved in opposite directions in an elevator shaft, wherein the at least one elevator car and the at least one counterweight run along guide rails, carried by one or more carrying and propelling means and driven by a traction sheave of a drive unit. The present invention relates in particular to the carrying and blowing agent, namely a method for checking or monitoring the carrying and blowing agent of the elevator installation and a device according to the invention for carrying out this method.

In elevator systems, the use of supporting and blowing agents has prevailed, which consist of at least one current-conducting steel cable and non-conductive sheaths or made of specialty plastics ropes, in which a conductor is incorporated. As a result, a test current can be applied for monitoring the individual supporting cable or the individual supporting cables - also called cords. In the circuit thus formed or in a plurality of circuits thus formed, the current flow or the current intensity, the voltage, the electrical resistance or the electrical conductivity is measured and thus provides information about the integrity or the degree of wear of the carrier and propellant.

For example, the published patent application DE-A1-39 34 654 a serial connection of all individual cords and an ammeter, or, instead of an ammeter, an electronic circuit in which the base resistance of an emitter-connected transistor is measured.

The patent US B2-7,123,030 discloses a calculation of the electrical resistance by a measurement of the current voltage by means of a so-called Kelvin bridge and a comparison of the thus determined voltage value with an input reference value.

The international publication WO-A2-2005 / 094250 discloses a temperature-dependent measurement of the electrical resistance or the electrical conductivity, in which the different environmental and thus also assumed carrier temperature is taken into account, which can be very different, especially in high elevator shafts.

Another international publication WO-A2-2005 / 094248 discloses special interconnections of the individual cords, to avoid electric fields and to avoid transversal ions between the individual cords.

A European publication EP-A1-1 275 608 An application of the same applicant as the present application discloses a monitoring of the sheath by applying a positive pole of a voltage source to the cords, so that in case of a defective sheath a ground contact is made.

In all these known monitoring of the carrying and blowing agent, however, is disadvantageous that the information about the wear or the present accident of the carrying and blowing agent can be falsified by the state of the support and propellant itself, for example, cross-circuits between individual cords, damage on the sheathing and breakage of a cord or parts of it in a combination occur.

In this context, reference is made to a patent application for monitoring a carrying and propellant an elevator installation of the same applicant, the same day has been filed and the disclosure of which is included in the present patent application. There, a solution is presented, which allows a more accurate diagnosis of a carrying and propellant by a method and a corresponding device by proposed at both ends of the support and propellant contacting elements, each with different resistances on each cord.

An object of the present invention is to propose a monitoring and monitoring device for carrying and propellant, the cost-optimized provides more accurate or qualitatively classifiable information about the state of the carrier and propellant and thus achieves a higher level of security for the elevator system is to be avoided or costly too early replacement of the carrier and propellant.

The solution of the problem is initially in the arrangement of a circuit which is basically applied to a single end of a support and propellant with at least four conductive cords. This takes place only at one end of the carrying and blowing agent, preferably by means of a contacting element provided for this purpose. At the other end of the support and propellant a Kontaktierungsbrücke, or an interconnection is provided which connects the at least four cords of the support and propellant to a first and a second circuit. Thus, this embodiment is particularly suitable to be used in an elevator system with direct, or 1: 1 suspended cabin and counterweight, since in this case the contact bridge can be arranged for example at the suspension point of the counterweight and the contacting is accordingly arranged on the cabin. Thus, only the cabin needs to be accessible for the purpose of contacting.

The connection or interconnection of the in a row and parallel to each other in a common sheath arranged cords is basically such that each individual cord of the first circuit of at least one cord of the second circuit is adjacent and each individual cord of the second circuit of at least one cord of the first circuit is adjacent.

This in turn results in a first embodiment variant of a corresponding interconnection, in which in each case a cord of the first circuit and in each case a cord of the second circuit are arranged in an alternating sequence. In other words, the cords form a row in which the first cord belongs to the first circuit and is followed by a second cord that is part of the second circuit. This second cord, in turn, is followed by a third cord, which in turn is part of the first circuit. This third cord is followed by a fourth cord, which is part of the second circuit, etc. Thus, there is an alternating arrangement in which the edge cords of one cord of the other circuit, and the remaining cords on both sides of one Cord of the respective other circuit are adjacent.

A second embodiment of an interconnection arranges the cords so that in each case one cord of a circuit is adjacent to a cord of the other circuit, but this is done in pairs. The sequence is thus, for example, assuming a carrying and blowing agent with eight cords and when the cords of the first circuit with A and those of the second circuit with B, A1-B1-B2-A2-A3-B3-B4 -A4. In the first embodiment variant of the interconnection, however, it would be A1-B1-A2-B2-A3-B3-A4-B4.

A basic variant of an arrangement thus provides a carrying and propellant having at least four conductive cords. This carrying and blowing agent is substantially encased, but has at the one end the common Contacting element or at the other end of the Kontaktierungsbrücke, which are in each case in contact with the conductive cords in the above-mentioned interconnections. This can be ensured by the conductive cords are freed from the sheath at these points, or have the contacting element or the Kontaktierungsbrücke - preferably concave grooves ausformende - contact surfaces which penetrate the sheathing with Kontaktierungsnadeln.

Contacting elements, as they can basically be found at one end of the carrying and propellant according to a corresponding monitoring device use, for example, in the international application PCT / EP2009 / 064812 or in the European publication EP-A1-127 56 08 disclosed. The contacting elements disclosed in these documents can be arranged not only at the ends of the carrier and propellant, but optionally also between them. Other contacting elements are for example in the publications WO-A2-2005 / 094249 . WO-A2-2005 / 094250 or WO-A2-2006 / 127059 disclosed.

A contacting element corresponding to the monitoring device is preferably connected to a contacting device and this in turn preferably connected to an evaluation unit, which evaluates the signal or the relevant current characteristic or several relevant current characteristics at the cords of the first circuit in a first test step and in one next, later test step evaluates the signal or the relevant current characteristic or several significant current characteristics at the cords of the second circuit.

In order for the measurement of the cords of the first circuit in the first test step and in a later, second test step, the measurement of the cords of the second circuit can take place, the contacting device or with their associated evaluation switchable or configured as a shift register.

A first embodiment variant of this switchable contacting device works mechanically and manually. For this purpose, it has a contact strip with elevations and depressions, which correspond not every adjacent cord, but only every other cord within its parallel arrangement in the carrying and blowing agent. The elevations preferably have contact cams, which thus make contact in a first contact position of the switchable contacting device only to corresponding contact surfaces on the cords of the first circuit. After an adjustment of the contact strip, for example by means of a lever and a guide carriage, get the contact cam on the surveys only with the cords of the second circuit contact.

A second embodiment of the switchable contacting device still has the described contact strip within the guide carriage, but instead of the manually operated lever, an electromechanical actuator, which is preferably actuated automatically by means of a timer.

A third embodiment variant of the switchable contacting device works purely electronically. For this purpose, the contacts to both the cords of the first circuit, as well as the cords of the second circuit physically exist, with appropriate electronic components - preferably again by means of an automatic timing - so openable and closable that the measuring according to the first test step and then the measuring according to the second test step can be done. Basically, such electronic switching devices or electronic shift registers or so-called demultiplexer or time-demultiplexer known to a person skilled in the art and thus not Subject of a description within this patent application.

The Kontaktierungsbrücke at the other end of the carrying and blowing means establishes the contact between the cords of the first circuit on the one hand and on the other hand between the cords of the second circuit. For this purpose, the contacting bridge preferably comprises two contact plates, which preferably enclose the corresponding cords, which have been removed correspondingly from the casing, with concave grooves. Between the contact plates, a third, insulating intermediate plate is arranged and all three plates are taken, for example, with screw; Clamping the leading cords here. The screw connections are preferably guided through insulated bores and underlaid with insulating discs, so that no electrical contact between the first and the second contact plate is possible.

A further embodiment variant of a Kontaktierungsbrücke provides that the conductive cords are not freed from their sheath and the preferably concave grooves in the contact plates have contact pins which pierce the sheath of the corresponding cords. In this case, the sheathing of the carrying and propellant acts as an insulator, so that it is possible to dispense with the third, insulating intermediate plate.

The contact plates of both embodiments are preferably wider than the support and propellant, so that attachment to the end of the support and propellant beyond, but also this side of the attachment point of the support and propellant in the shaft, on the counterweight or on the elevator car is possible.

A monitoring device further comprises at least one voltage source, which is connectable to the support and propellant and a the state of the support and Propellant corresponding test current causes. According to a first embodiment variant in this regard, a first voltage source corresponding to a first test current to a cord of the first circuit and a second voltage source with a second, preferably different from the first voltage source characteristic to a cord of the second circuit can be applied.

The two voltage sources are not mandatory, but preferably automatically switched on and off manually if necessary or by means of a timer.

Furthermore, however, it is also possible to provide a single voltage source and, accordingly, a single test current, wherein the voltage source can be switched by means of a switching device into a first and a second switching position. In the first switching position, the test current can be applied to a cord or to the contact plate of the first circuit, and in the second switching position to a cord or to the contact plate of the second circuit.

This switching device for the voltage source can also - like the switchable contacting device - be designed to be manually operated. An electromechanical embodiment variant thereof is preferably timed automatically and coupled with the then also electromechanically switchable contacting device so that every other switching of the latter, the switching device of the voltage source mitschaltet. Furthermore, the switching device of the voltage source can also be implemented purely electronically and is preferably coupled to a likewise purely electronic configuration variant of the switchable contacting device.

As already mentioned, the following cases can be considered as damage incidents: cord break, short circuit (short circuit between two cords) or both together. These Damage events can be determined with a monitoring device as described so far in the following test procedure.

In a first test step, the voltage source is applied to a cord, usually the first edge cord, of the first circuit. On all other cords of this first circuit it is checked whether a signal arrives or a corresponding test current or one of its current characteristics can be measured. If this is not the case with a cord of the first circuit, then this cord is broken. On the other hand, if the test current can not be measured on any of the cords of the first circuit, then the one to which the test current has been applied is broken - for example, the first edge cord. Subsequently, the contact position of the contacting element or the evaluation unit connected thereto is changed from the first contact position to the cords of the first circuit to the second contact position to the cords of the second circuit by means of a switching of the switchable contacting device. In the present case, no voltage is applied to these cords of the second circuit, but if a current characteristic can still be measured, there is a short circuit between the cords concerned and one or more adjacent cords.

In a second test step, the application of the voltage source to a cord of the first circuit is switched to applying the voltage source to a cord of the second circuit. This may be done, for example, on the second cord or, with an even total number of cords, on the second edge cord opposite the first edge cord on the other side of the support and propellant. Now, as in the first test step, it is checked on all cords of the second circuit whether the test current can be measured. If this is not the case on a cord of the second circuit, then this cord is broken. If the test current can not be measured at any cord of the second circuit, then that cord is broken, to which the test current has been applied, for example, the second cord or the second edge cord. Subsequently, preferably also with the described switchable contacting device, the now present contact position is switched back to the cords of the second circuit to the contact position to the cords of the first circuit and determined analogously to the first test step, if there is a short circuit.

Of course, it is possible to make the measurements on the cords not only with the described switchable contacting device, but also individually on each cord, but the cumulative and automated measurement has advantages in terms of a quick diagnosis or a short test period and thus only short downtime of the elevator system provided that it is foreseen that the verification can not take place during its operation.

A further embodiment provides that the aforementioned first test step and the following second test step are repeated in the further sequence for all remaining cords. This further enhances informative value about the condition of the suspension element. In addition, by using specific characteristic resistors, which may for example be integrated into the connections of the cords in the contacting bridge - as disclosed in the parallel application for monitoring a carrier and propellant -, a further improvement in the diagnosis of the condition of the suspension element can be achieved , In this co-pending application it is disclosed that at each end of a cord of the support and drive belt a certain characteristic resistor is arranged. Using this teaching can now be determined more precisely with the present monitoring device based on a detected resistance, or the corresponding test current, where, for example, a cross-circuit between cords is present.

Quasi in a third test step, the evaluation of the measurement results from the first and the second test step by means of an evaluation takes place. This evaluation unit preferably has a computer, which on the one hand is able to compare the measurement result of the first test step with the measurement result of the second test step and thus determine which cords have cross-connection to each other. On the other hand, based on input reference values, the computer is able to issue a release message or a - preferably staggered - warning message or - preferably via a coupling to a computer of the elevator control - to stop the operation of the elevator installation.

In a preferred embodiment are each - formed in a support and drive belt with many cords four groups and the cords of these groups are connected to two circuits, as previously explained together and evaluated. Thus, a precise localization of the diagnosed damage can be made.

With regard to the mentioned reference values, it is preferable not to allow operation of the elevator installation with a broken cord and to limit the permissible number of cross-connections to a certain number. Too high a number of cross-overs can cause such a high level of unimpeded contact or current flow between the cords, which dilutes the unambiguous detection of a cord breakage.

Another contact point of the respective test circuit - be it the first or the second circuit of the respective cords comprising - can be arranged at one or more points at which or on which the carrying and blowing agent passes during operation.

This point can, for example, be an arbitrary deflection roller, be it a stationary one in the elevator shaft arranged deflection roller or else the or one of the deflection rollers of the counterweight or the elevator car. However, as a point at which the carrying and blowing agent passes, there is also a so-called retainer, ie a derailment protection, which the deflection rollers usually have. But also support rollers of the counterweight or the elevator car and in principle also the traction sheave and metallic shaft components come into consideration. It is essential only that the point is conductive and can be grounded - in the case of operating the monitoring device with DC - or a voltage can be applied to the point - in the case of operating the monitoring device with AC - and in principle a contact with the conductive part or the conductive parts of a carrier and propellant is possible.

This latter contact between the point, for example, the guide roller, and the conductive part or the conductive parts of the support and propellant can be realized, for example, the conductive cords of the support and propellant not completely, but only substantially with non-conductive plastic is sheathed. There remain juxtaposed conductive points or even entire free parts of the cross-sectional circumference, which extend over the entire unwinding length of the support and propellant and can be in electrical contact with the deflection roller. Another way to make the contact between the cords and the pulley or the point with the third resistor is the incorporation of conductive strands in the sheath of the support and propellant. In principle, a carrying and blowing agent with a conductive sheath is possible, but then preferably has an insulating layer between the conductive cord and the conductive sheath.

In principle, however, an arrangement is also possible with a monitoring device in which current flows to this additional contact point or to several Additional contact points only arises when the sheath of a cord, for example, in a cross-circuit or even in a cord breakage, is so damaged that individual strands of the cord emerge. Thus, if all the other rollers that carry and carry the propellant are grounded, for example, an RCD connected to the point of contact will detect this damage and provide information about where in the entire length of the cord she is.

The cords are thus connected to voltage sources in such a way that specific total resistances, current intensities or-given a constant voltage source-specific voltages at the measuring points result, depending on the respective failure mode. The respective measured values can be clearly assigned to a respective damage event. The measurement can be queried both permanently and at intervals or only as needed before and / or during each trip as a corresponding condition for a ride release.

Preferably, the detection or the calculation of the measured values described is computer-assisted and automatic and can be displayed on a display or monitor. The computer of the evaluation unit is preferably further able to save the occurrence of damage and thus to create a damage cluster image.

In particular, in a monitoring device for a support and propellant with a relatively high number of multiple cords, it is also possible, preferably by means of the supporting computer, the extent of damage or the state of the entire support and propellant in terms of the number of damaged areas and in the To assess the extent of each individual damaged site and thus issue a staggered warning message. For example, it can be realized that a carrier and propellant with For example, 12 cords, in which only rarely and with low intensity occurs a cross-circuit, can still be safely used for a certain time. This certain waiting period is recorded by the computer and shortened again or leads to a shutdown of the elevator system, if the extent of the damage should expand accordingly or another damage event should be added. In the example given with 12 cords can be made by a previously described division into three groups of four cords, which are then divided into two circuits, a more accurate statement on the condition of the carrying and propellant.

In order to avoid a falsification of the measurements, which can take place continuously, ie even when the elevator installation is stationary, only during a journey and / or before a journey, it is provided to discharge static charges of the elevator installation continuously or at least before a measurement is carried out by a grounding ,

The disclosed embodiments of a monitoring device can preferably be combined with a flexible counter, so that further information flows into the monitoring device, which is preferably computer-assisted, and thus the determination of the ability to discard a carrier and propellant becomes even more reliable.

The measurement may relate to the following current characteristics: resistance and / or a resistance characteristic, current, voltage, frequency, inductance, capacitance or combinations thereof.

• Die Messwerte sind im Gegensatz zu einer einfachen Durchgangsprüfung quantifizier- und qualifizierbar und somit sind präzisere und gestaffelte Warnmeldungen generierbar.
• Es ist ein Schadenshäufungs-Bild erstellbar.
• Die Messwerte sind weitgehend unabhängig von dem spezifischen Widerstand eines Cords.
• Trotz dem Vorliegen eines allfälligen Querschlusses bleibt ein Cordbruch erkennbar.
• Es ist nur eine einseitige Anschlussstelle durch ein entsprechendes Kontaktierungselement erforderlich.

In summary, a monitoring device according to the invention provides the following advantages:

• In contrast to a simple continuity test, the measured values can be quantified and qualified and thus more precise and staggered warning messages can be generated.
• It is a damage accumulation image buildable.
• The measurements are largely independent of the resistivity of a cord.
• Despite the presence of a possible cross-circuit a cord break remains recognizable.
• It is only a one-sided connection point required by a corresponding contacting element.

Beyond the verification of a carrying and propellant means of such a monitoring device addition further evaluation criteria for the condition of the carrying and propellant be used. Thus, in addition to the described electrical measurement and the described Biegewechselzähler example, a pure driving count, sensors for the slack of the carrier and propellant, magnetic measurements, ultrasound measurements, radiographs, visual controls or just simply the age of the carrier and propellant used as an evaluation criterion.

In the context of the disclosure of the present application is a monitoring system to which the previously explained monitoring device is only one part and further, listed by way of example above evaluation criteria in the computer of the evaluation or an other computer of the elevator system flow. It should be noted that monitoring of a carrying and propellant usually contains several partial monitoring. For example, continuous monitoring, as described above, takes place. At certain intervals, visual checks are usually carried out to determine external damage and, depending on a period of operation (number of trips, etc.), detailed checks are carried out, for example by means of transmission or magnetic-inductive test methods. In many cases there are also time criteria for the determination the state of the support belt and drive belt taken into account, for example, if an aging-related embrittlement of a jacket is to be expected. A selection or determination of the required checks is usually made depending on the type of elevator installation, taking into account load, operating cycles, frequency of use, external conditions, etc. The aforementioned computer is preferably on the one hand in a position to cumulatively take into account all the evaluation criteria and on the other hand to issue a corresponding release message, a service indication, a stop signal, but also information about the actual state of the carrier and propellant, as well send a message to the owner or service company.

Further or advantageous embodiments of a monitoring device for a carrier and propellant in an elevator system form the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention will be explained symbolically and by way of example with reference to figures. The figures are described coherently and comprehensively. The same reference symbols denote the same components, reference symbols with different indices indicate functionally identical or similar components.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer beispielhaften Aufzugsanlage mit einer Überwachungseinrichtung für das Trag- und Treibmittel gemäss Stand der Technik;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer ersten Ausgestaltungsvariante einer Überwachungseinrichtung für ein Trag- und Treibmittel mit vier Cords;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung der Führung des Trag- und Treibmittels über ein Eck einer Aufzugskabine, bei gleichzeitiger Darstellung eines Cordbruchs und eines Querschlusses;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung einer Ausgestaltungsvariante einer Kontaktierungsbrücke und

Fig. 5

eine schematische Darstellung einer zweiten Ausgestaltungsvariante einer Überwachungseinrichtung für das Trag- und Treibmittel.

It shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of an exemplary elevator system with a monitoring device for the supporting and blowing agent according to the prior art;

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of a first embodiment variant of a monitoring device for a supporting and blowing agent with four cords;

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of the leadership of the carrying and propellant over a corner of an elevator car, while displaying a cord breakage and a cross-circuit;

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of an embodiment variant of a Kontaktierungsbrücke and

Fig. 5

a schematic representation of a second embodiment variant of a monitoring device for the support and propellant.

The Fig. 1 shows an elevator system 100, as known from the prior art, for example in a illustrated 2: 1 suspension. In an elevator shaft 1, an elevator car 2 is movably arranged, which is connected via a support and propellant 3 with a movable counterweight 4. The support and propellant 3 is driven during operation by means of a traction sheave 5 of a drive unit 6, which are arranged in the uppermost region of the elevator shaft 1 in a machine room 12. The elevator car 2 and the counterweight 4 are guided by extending over the shaft height guide rails 7a and 7b and 7c.

The elevator car 2 can serve a top floor door 8, further floor doors 9 and 10 and a lowest floor door 11 at a delivery height h. The elevator shaft 1 is formed by shaft side walls 15a and 15b, a shaft ceiling 13 and a shaft bottom 14 on which a shaft bottom buffer 19a for the counterweight 4 and two shaft bottom buffers 19b and 19c for the elevator car 2 are arranged.

The support and propellant 3 is attached to a fixed attachment point or Tragmittelfixpunkt 16 a to the shaft ceiling 13 and guided parallel to the shaft side wall 15 a to a support roller 17 for the counterweight 4. From here again via the traction sheave 5, to a first deflection or support roller 18a and a second deflection or support roller 18b, the elevator car 2 unterschlingend, and to a second stationary attachment point or Tragmittelfixpunkt 16b on the shaft ceiling 13th

In the vicinity of the first stationary attachment point or suspension point 16a and in the vicinity of the second stationary attachment point or Tragmittelfixpunktes 16b is in each case a contacting element 20a and 20b arranged at the respective ends of the support and propellant 3. At the contacting elements 20a and 20b, a symbolically illustrated test circuit 23 with a test current IP can be applied, with the example, a simple continuity test of the supporting and propellant 3 can be realized.

The Fig. 2 schematically shows a monitoring device 200a in an elevator installation 100a. A support and propellant 3a, which essentially consists of four cords A1, B1, A2, B2 and a casing 22 essentially enveloping these cords A1, B1, A2, B2, is disposed at a first end 43a of the carrying and propelling means 3a, a contacting bridge 27 is connected, which connects the cord A1 to the cord A2 and thus forms a first circuit 21a. The contacting bridge 27 further connects the cord B1 to the cord B2, thus forming a second circuit 21b.

Connected to a second end 43b of the supporting and propelling means 3a is a contacting element 20 which, corresponding to each cord A1, B1, A2, B2, has a contact 28a-28d. A switchable contacting device 29 has contact cams 30a and 30b which, in a first contact position KP1, make contact with the cords A1 and A2 of the first circuit 21a. In a second, shown in dashed line contact position KP2, the switchable contacting device 29 has contact with the cords B1 and B2 of the second circuit 21b. By means of a switching device 31, a test current IPa of a grounded ground 24 voltage source Ua to the Cord Al can be applied in a first switching position SP1. In a second, shown in dashed line position SP2 of the switching device 31, the test current IPa to the Cord B1 can be applied.

Depending on the switching position SP1 or SP2 of the switching device 31 thus includes a test circuit 23a either the first circuit 21a or the second circuit 21b. The test circuit 23a further comprises a measuring device 25 whose measurement results can be forwarded to an evaluation unit 32 with an integrated computer 41. A connection point 34 may preferably be designed as a switch. From an optional contact point P, which is, for example, a deflection roller, measurement signals optionally pass directly via a line 33 into the evaluation unit 32. These measuring signals of the contact point P could alternatively also be supplied to the measuring device 25.

In the Fig. 3 is in principle the monitoring device 200a or the elevator system 100a from the Fig. 2 shown again, however, in this Fig. 3 schematically shows how the support and propellant 3a a lift cage 2a in pulleys or support rollers 35a and 35b unterschlingt and that there is a cross-circuit Qsch between the Cord Al and the Cord B1. Furthermore, it is shown that individual strands 26 of the cord Al have emerged from the sheath 22 and thus a cord break Cb is imminent or already present. The pulleys or support rollers 35a and 35b represent contact points P1 and P2, the hint to the test circuit 23a from the Fig. 2 are connected. According to requirements, a plurality of such carrying and blowing agents can be guided in a parallel arrangement. Here it is also clear that when using this monitoring device only one end of the connection to a measuring arrangement must be accessible, since the other end of the support and propellant must include only contact bridges.

In the Fig. 4 schematically shows how a Kontaktierungsbrücke 27 is configured by way of example. The support and propellant 3a is captured by two conductive contact plates 36a and 36b, and these two conductive contact plates 36a and 36b of two insulating plates 37a and 37b by means not shown screw. Thus, the screw no line bridge between the conductive Contact plates 36a and 36b can make holes 38a-38d, are used by the screws, each equipped with an insulator 39a-39d.

The conductive contact plate 36a has concave grooves 40a-40d, of which only the concave grooves 40a and 40c have contact pins 42 piercing the sheath 22 of the supporting and propelling means 3a, so that the cords A1 and A2 are connected to each other. On the other hand, the conductive contact plate 36b has corresponding concave grooves 40e-40h of which only the concave grooves 40f and 40h are provided with contact pins 42, so that this contact plate 36b makes the electrical connection between the cords B1 and B2.

The conductive contact plates 36a and 36b may alternatively be plates instead of one-piece plates, which merely have the necessary conductive connections or even only flexible cable connections.

In the Fig. 5 there is shown schematically a monitoring device 200b and thus an elevator system 100b in which a carrying and driving means 3b having twelve cords A1'-A6 'and B1'-B6' is used. The cords are divided into three groups of cords, which in turn are divided into two circuits. A Kontaktierungsbrücke 27a at a first end 43a 'of the supporting propellant 3b shows in contrast to a strictly alternating interconnection according to Fig. 2 this time alternatively a pairwise alternating interconnection, but now also corresponding to three first circuits 21a ', 21a ", 21a"' of cords A1'-A2 ', A3'-A4', A5'-A6 'and correspondingly three second circuits 21b ', 21b ", 21b"' of the cords B1'-B2 ', B3'-B4', B5'-B6 '.

A contacting element 20a at a second end 43b 'of the carrying and driving means 3b comprises a preferably integrated switchable contacting device 29a in the form a time-demultiplexer that can time-controlled switch every single Cord A1'-A6 'and B1'-B6'. A test current IPb of a voltage source Ub grounded to a ground 24a is connected via a test circuit 23b and a switching device 31a, preferably also electronically and timed, to either the cord A1 'or the cord B1' and further to the cord A3 ', B3 'and the cords A5', B5 'can be applied. In this way, a current characteristic of the test current IPb at each individual Cord Al'-A6 'and B1'-B6' can be measured by a measuring device 25a and forwarded to an evaluation unit 32a with a preferably integrated computer 41a. Thus, if, for example, the voltage source Ub is applied to the cord A3 'via the switching device 31a and the measuring device 25a detects a test current IPb at the cord A5', a cross-circuit between Cord A5 'and Cord A4' is established. Measuring signals from a contact point P 'can, as required, also pass directly to the evaluation unit 32a via a line 33a, but in principle can also be supplied to the measuring device 25a.
The content of the examples can be combined. Thus, of course, the 12 cords of the suspension according to Fig. 5 can be divided into two circuits to six cords or it can also be divided into two groups, each with two circuits to three cords. Also, as explained in section [0033], the ends of the cords in all the examples can be provided with specific resistances, whereby an even more accurate statement can be made about the state of the suspension element.

Claims (2)

1. Method for checking a supporting and driving means (3a, 3b) in a lift system (100a, 100b), which supporting and driving means contains at least four cords (A1, A2, A1'-A6', B1, B2, B1'-B6') which are arranged in a row and parallel to one another in a common casing (22, 22a), and with these cords being connected at a first end of the supporting means (3a, 3b) so as to form two circuits (21a-21a"', 21b-21b"'), so that each individual cord (A1, A2, A1'-A6') of a first circuit (21a-21a"') has at least one cord (B1, B2, B1'-B6') of a second circuit (21b-21b"') adjacent to it, and each individual cord (B1, B2, B1'-B6') of the second circuit (21b-21b"') has at least one cord (A1, A2, A1'-A6') of the first circuit (21a-21a'") adjacent to it, and
   having a monitoring device (200a, 200b) which is connected to a contact-making element (20a, 20b) at a second end of the supporting and driving means, with the contact-making element (20a, 20b) at the second end of the supporting and driving means (3a, 3b) allowing contact to be made with each individual cord, so that a measuring apparatus (25, 25a) of the monitoring device can determine whether the first and second circuit are intact or interrupted and whether there is contact between the first and second circuit, with the monitoring device (200a, 200b) having a switching apparatus (31, 31a) for a voltage source (Ua, Ub) of a test circuit (23a, 23b), the said switching apparatus interacting with a switchable contact-making apparatus (29, 29a), comprising the following steps:

   a) applying a test voltage (Ua, Ub) to a cord (A1, A2, Al'-A6') of a first circuit (21a-21a"');

   b) measuring at least one electrical characteristic current variable of the test current [IPa, IPb] by means of a measuring apparatus (25, 25a) at each individual cord (A1, A2, A1'-A6') of the first circuit (21a-21a"') in a first contact position (KP1) of the switchable contact-making apparatus (29, 29a);

   c) switching over the switchable contact-making apparatus (29, 29a) to a second contact position (KP2) at each individual cord (B1, B2, B1'-B6') of a second circuit (21b-21b"'); and

   d) measuring at least one electrical characteristic current variable of the test current [IPa, IPb] by means of the measuring apparatus (25, 25a) at each individual cord (B1, B2, B1'-B6') of the second circuit (21b-21b"').
2. Method for checking a supporting and driving means (3a, 3b) according to Claim 1, comprising the following further steps:

   e) moving the voltage source (Ua, Ub) to a cord (A1, A2, A1'-A6') of the second circuit (21a-21a"'); or applying a second voltage source with a characteristic which is different to the first voltage source to a cord (B1, B2, B1'-B6') of the second circuit (21b-21b"'):

   f) measuring at least one electrical characteristic current variable of the test current by means of the measuring apparatus (25, 25a) at each individual cord (B1, B2, B1'-B6') of the second circuit (21b-21b"');

   g) switching over the switchable contact-making apparatus (29, 29a) to the first contact position (KP1) at each individual cord (A1, A2, A1'-A6') of the first circuit (21a-21a"');

   h) measuring at least one electrical characteristic current variable of the second test current by means of the measuring apparatus (25, 25a) at each individual cord (A1, A2, A1'-A6') of the first circuit (21a-21a"');

   i) evaluating the measurement data by means of the evaluation unit (32, 32a);

   j) electronically processing the measurement data from the measuring apparatus (25, 25a) by means of a computer (41, 41a) of the evaluation unit (32, 32a); and

   k) outputting an enable message or a staggered warning message or stopping the lift system (100a, 100b).

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