Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator drive unit for managing a regenerative power of an elevator system. The elevator drive unit comprises: first terminals for connecting the elevator drive unit to the mains; second terminals for connecting the elevator drive unit to an elevator hoisting motor; a frequency converter for enabling a bidirectional transfer of power between the mains and the elevator hoisting motor; and a control unit. The control unit is configured to: obtain an indication representing a detection of a special operational situation of the elevator system, introduce a non-zero power limit specific to the detected special operational situation of the elevator system, and control the frequency converter to limit supply of the regenerative power from the elevator hoisting motor to the mains to the power limit. The invention relates also to an elevator system and a method for managing a regenerative power of an elevator system.

Abstract: A method for performing a software update of a people conveyor component in a conveyor system includes downloading a software update from a remote update system based on a request from one or more of the remote update system, at least one conveyor component or the conveyor system such that the software update is downloaded as a background download without affecting an operation of the conveyor system.

Abstract: An elevator includes an elevator shaft defined by surrounding walls and top and bottom end terminals; an elevator car vertically movable in the elevator shaft; elevator hoisting ropes coupled to the elevator car; an elevator hoisting machine including a traction sheave engaged with the elevator hoisting ropes; a traction monitor configured to determine traction of the hoisting machine; an electromechanical brake; a measuring apparatus adapted to provide speed data and position data of the elevator car; and a safety processor associated with the traction monitor and the measuring apparatus. The safety processor includes an ETLS threshold configured to decrease towards the top and/or bottom end terminal in accordance with the position of the elevator car. The ETSL threshold is adjusted on the basis of the traction of the hoisting machine. The safety processor is configured to determine an elevator car slowdown failure if the speed data meets or exceeds the ETSL threshold.

Abstract: A drive system for driving an electric motor includes a drive control unit and a frequency converter including a speed controller. The drive control unit is configured to: define a speed reference of the electric motor; preset operating parameters of the speed controller to provide a first response time of the speed controller, before a drive of the electric motor is initiated; adjust at least one operating parameter of the speed controller to provide a second response time of the speed controller, after the speed of the electric motor reaches a constant speed, wherein the second response time is slower than the first response time; and readjust the at least one operating parameter of the speed controller to provide the first response time, before a deceleration from the constant speed is initiated. A method is disclosed for controlling the drive system for driving the electric motor.

Abstract: An electrical converter unit and a method for reducing thermal stress of a power semiconductor switch, such as an IGBT, of an electrical converter unit, the electrical converter unit comprising at least a gate control circuit wherein the electrical converter unit controls an electrical motor. The method comprises determining load and estimating required motor current based on the determined load and/or a predetermined speed profile. The electrical converter unit has at least a first operating state and a second operating state. The second operating state is used if predetermined criteria is fulfilled, the predetermined criteria relating to at least one of the following: estimated required current, measured motor speed, temperature of the power semiconductor switch and/or electrical converter unit, temperature model of the power semiconductor switch and/or electrical converter unit.

Abstract: A method for determining a rotor position of an electric motor, an elevator and an electrical converter unit are presented. The method comprises supplying a first excitation signal to the electric motor, determining a first response signal generated in the motor in response to the first excitation signal, determining, based on the first response signal, an electrical angle of a direct axis of the motor with respect to a stationary reference frame, supplying a second excitation signal to the motor, wherein the second excitation signal is based on the determined electrical angle, determining a second response signal generated in the motor in response to the second excitation signal, and determining the rotor position based on the second response signal.

Abstract: A people conveyor system and a method for software update of a people conveyor component in a people conveyor system, such as an elevator system, an escalator system and/or a moving walkway system. The conveyor system comprises a plurality of conveyor components, each said conveyor component comprising a memory and a processor running an application software, an updating means for updating conveyor component software, the updating means being communicatively connected to the conveyor components, wherein the updating means comprises or is connected to a processor and a memory, and at least one communication channel, arranged between the updating means and a remote update system.

Abstract: A people conveyor system and a method for software update of a people conveyor component in a people conveyor system, such as an elevator system, an escalator system and/or a moving walkway system. The conveyor system comprises a plurality of conveyor components, each said conveyor component comprising a memory and a processor running an application software, an updating means for updating conveyor component software, the updating means being communicatively connected to the conveyor components, wherein the updating means comprises or is connected to a processor and a memory, and at least one communication channel, arranged between the updating means and a remote update system.

Abstract: A safety system of an elevator provided herein may comprise a safety controller, a sensor unit configured to generate a first sensor signal indicating a travelling parameter and to provide the first sensor signal to an elevator drive unit of the elevator, and a signal converter connected to the sensor unit and configured to convert the first sensor signal into a second signal in a second format compatible with the safety controller and to provide the second signal in the second format to the safety controller. The safety controller may be configured to receive the second signal in the second format and to determine, based on the second signal, if there is an emergency condition.

Abstract: A method for identifying parameters, such as a magnetization-axis and torque-axis inductances, of a permanent magnet motor of an elevator includes applying, such as by a brake controller, at least one hoisting machinery brake to prevent rotation of a rotor of the permanent magnet motor, determining, by a first method, a mean value of motor inductance, as well as the magnetization-axis inductance and the torque-axis inductance as relative inductance values based on the mean value, determining, by a second method, being different than the first method, a mean value of motor main inductances, and determining absolute values of the magnetization-axis and the torque axis inductances based on the motor main inductance obtained by the second method and the relative inductance values obtained by the first method.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided an elevator parking brake comprising brake pads configured to provide a braking force against a guide rail in a loading and unloading situation of an elevator car; and at least one sensor. The elevator parking brake is configured to allow a predetermined amount of movement within the elevator parking brake in the loading and unloading situation of the elevator car, and the at least one sensor is configured to provide at least one indication associated with the movement within the elevator parking brake in the loading and unloading situation of the elevator car.

Abstract: An elevator includes an elevator shaft defined by surrounding walls and top and bottom end terminals; an elevator car vertically movable in the elevator shaft; elevator hoisting ropes coupled to the elevator car; an elevator hoisting machine including a traction sheave engaged with the elevator hoisting ropes; a traction monitor configured to determine traction of the hoisting machine; an electromechanical brake; a measuring apparatus adapted to provide speed data and position data of the elevator car; and a safety processor associated with the traction monitor and the measuring apparatus. The safety processor includes an ETLS threshold configured to decrease towards the top and/or bottom end terminal in accordance with the position of the elevator car. The ETSL threshold is adjusted on the basis of the traction of the hoisting machine. The safety processor is configured to determine an elevator car slowdown failure if the speed data meets or exceeds the ETSL threshold.

Abstract: A method for determining a rotor position of an electric motor, an elevator and an electrical converter unit are presented. The method comprises supplying a first excitation signal to the electric motor, determining a first response signal generated in the motor in response to the first excitation signal, determining, based on the first response signal, an electrical angle of a direct axis of the motor with respect to a stationary reference frame, supplying a second excitation signal to the motor, wherein the second excitation signal is based on the determined electrical angle, determining a second response signal generated in the motor in response to the second excitation signal, and determining the rotor position based on the second response signal.

Abstract: Methods and an apparatuses for determining the movement of a synchronous machine are provided. An apparatus for determining the movement of a synchronous machine includes a determination for at least one electrical magnitude of the synchronous machine; a determination of the position error of the rotor of the synchronous machine, which is fitted to determine the position error of the rotor on the basis of the aforementioned at least one electrical magnitude of the synchronous machine; and also a correction of the movement signal of the incremental sensor, which is fitted to correct the read movement signal of the incremental sensor on the basis of the aforementioned determination of the position error of the rotor of the synchronous machine.

Abstract: An elevator system and a method for monitoring the operating condition of an elevator system are provided. In the method, samples are taken of the control signal of the drive device of the elevator, from the series of samples taken a frequency component is determined that is characteristic to the part of the elevator assembly driven with the drive device, and also the operating condition of the part of the elevator assembly is monitored on the basis of the determined frequency component.

Abstract: A call-giving device for giving an elevator call for an elevator includes a touch-sensitive display having at least one touch detection area. The call-giving device is configured to: detect a first gesture performed in the at least one touch detection area; register a call to a floor according to a floor marking in response to detecting a touch meeting call-giving criterion on the touch-sensitive display at a point corresponding to the floor marking; and present, on the touch-sensitive display, registration data associated with the registered call, the registration data indicative of registered floor calls that have not yet been served by the elevator.

Abstract: In a method for limiting loading of an elevator assembly, a limit value for a maximum permitted loading is set for one or more parts of the elevator assembly, and a loading of the one or more parts of the elevator assembly is determined. A movement magnitude value of the elevator car in the movement profile of the elevator car is modified to limit the loading of the one or more parts of the elevator assembly if the loading of the one or more parts of the elevator assembly exceeds the limit value for the maximum permitted loading.

Abstract: A frequency converter and a method for determining the position of the rotor of an electric machine are provided. The frequency converter includes a load bridge and a control of the load bridge, for supplying electricity between the load bridge and an electric machine connected to the load bridge. The frequency converter includes a determination for at least one electrical parameter of the electric machine, and includes a determination for the position of the rotor of the electric machine. The load bridge is fitted to supply a first alternating electricity excitation signal, which is formed in relation to the electrical angle of the electric machine, to the electric machine. The frequency converter is further fitted to determine the first alternating electricity response signal corresponding to the first alternating electricity excitation signal, and the position of the rotor is determined on the basis of the first alternating electricity response signal.

Abstract: An adjustment device for controlling the electric drive of an elevator in connection with a voltage reduction of the supplying network is disclosed. The electric drive of an elevator includes an electric motor and a power supply apparatus of for adjusting the supply voltage of the electric motor. The adjustment device includes a device configured to control the power supply apparatus and also a speed regulator for adjusting the speed of the electric motor. The adjustment device is arranged to determine the output voltage of the power supply apparatus of the electric motor in relation to the permitted maximum value of the output voltage, and the adjustment device is arranged to interrupt the operation of the speed regulator but to continue the operation of the power supply apparatus of the electric motor when the output voltage of the power supply apparatus of the electric motor reaches the permitted maximum value.

Abstract: An arrangement and a method for supervising the operation of a brake includes a controllable electromechanical brake, including a magnetic circuit with at least two ferromagnetic parts fitted to move in relation to each other. A thrusting force is exerted between the ferromagnetic parts via a spring. The brake includes a magnetizing coil fitted into the magnetic circuit, for forming magnetic attraction between the parts of the brake. The arrangement includes a control of the brake, which includes at least one controllable switch, for adjusting the electricity supply of the magnetizing coil. The control of the brake comprises a supervision of the movement of the magnetic circuit of the brake.