Elevator, method for operating an elevator in an emergency

An elevator comprising:

• an elevator shaft;
• a car movable in the elevator shaft;
• a drive moving the car in the elevator shaft;
• a brake attached to the car;
• a safety control unit having an input for selecting from first, second and third operating modes of the elevator, the safety control unit adapted to distinguish between a first input signal at the input and a second input signal at the input;
• a main switch device including a switch, the main switch device being accessible to an individual from outside the elevator shaft, wherein the main switch device is electrically connected to the safety control unit;
• and
• wherein the switch is switchable between a first state and a second state, wherein the safety control unit selects the first operating mode when the switch is switched to the first state, selects the second operating mode when the switch is switched to the second state and the safety control unit detects the first input signal at the input, and selects the third operating mode when the switch is switched to the second state and the safety control unit detects the second input signal at the input.

A method for emergency operation of the elevator, the method comprising the steps of:

• accessing a main switch device from outside an elevator shaft of the elevator, the main switch device having a switch and being electrically connected to a safety control unit of the elevator, wherein when the switch is switched to a first state the safety control unit selects a first operating mode to perform normal operation of the elevator;
• switching the switch of the main switch device from the first state to a second state;
• wherein when the switch is switched to the second state and the safety control unit detects a first input signal, the safety control unit selects a second operating mode to perform automatic pulsed emergency brake opening of a brake of the elevator;
• and
• wherein when the switch is switched to the second state and the safety control unit detects a second input signal, the safety control unit selects a third operating mode to perform a manual movement of a car of the elevator.