[0030] As shown and described herein, various features of the present disclosure will be presented. Various embodiments may have the same or similar features, and therefore the same or similar features can be labeled with the same reference symbols, but with a different first number in front to indicate the figure in which the feature is shown. Thus, for example, the element "a" shown in Figure X can be labeled "Xa" and the similar feature in Figure Z can be labeled "Za". Although similar reference symbols may be used in a general sense, various embodiments will be described, and various features may include changes, alterations, modifications, etc., as understood by those skilled in the art, whether they are described explicitly or in other ways, they will be described Those skilled in the art understand.
[0031] Figure 1A It is a perspective view of an elevator system 101, which includes an elevator car 103, a counterweight 105, a roping 107, a guide rail 109, a machine 111, a position encoder 113 and a controller 115. The elevator car 103 and the counterweight 105 are connected to each other by a rope 107. The roping 107 may include or be configured as, for example, a rope, a steel cable, and/or a coated steel belt. The counterweight 105 is configured to balance the load of the elevator car 103 and is configured to facilitate simultaneous movement of the elevator car 103 in the elevator shaft 117 and along the guide rail 109 in the opposite direction relative to the counterweight 105.
[0032] The roping 107 engages the machine 111 that is part of the elevated structure of the elevator system 101. The machine 111 is configured to control the movement between the elevator car 103 and the counterweight 105. The position encoder 113 may be installed on the upper pulley of the governor system 119 and may be configured to provide a position signal related to the position of the elevator car 103 within the elevator shaft 117. In other embodiments, the position encoder 113 may be directly mounted to the moving component of the machine 111, or may be located in other positions and/or configurations known in the art.
[0033] As shown in the figure, the elevator controller 115 is located in the controller room 121 of the elevator shaft 117 and is configured to control the operation of the elevator system 101 (especially the elevator car 103). For example, the elevator controller 115 may provide a driving signal to the machine 111 to control the acceleration, deceleration, leveling, stopping, etc. of the elevator car 103. The elevator controller 115 may also be configured to receive a position signal from the position encoder 113. When moving up or down along the guide rails 109 in the elevator shaft 117, the elevator car 103 may stop at one or more landings 125 while being controlled by the controller 115. Although shown in the controller room 121, those skilled in the art should understand that the elevator controller 115 may be located and/or configured at other locations or locations within the elevator system 101.
[0034] The machine 111 may include a motor or similar drive mechanism. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the machine 111 is configured to include an electric drive motor. The power source for the motor can be any power source, including a power grid, which is supplied to the motor along with other components.
[0035] Although a roping system is shown and described, an elevator system that employs other methods and mechanisms for moving an elevator car in an elevator shaft may adopt the embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 1A It is a non-limiting example presented only for the purpose of illustration and explanation.
[0036] Figure 1B It is a schematic side view of the elevator car 103 when it is operably connected to the guide rail 109. As shown in the figure, the elevator car 103 is connected to the guide rail 109 by one or more guide devices 127. The guide device 127 may be a guide shoe, a roller, etc. (as those skilled in the art should understand). The guide rail 109 defines a guide rail track having a base 129 and blades 131 extending therefrom. The guiding device 127 of the elevator car 103 is configured to travel along and/or engage with the blade 131 of the guide rail 109. The guide rail 109 is installed to the elevator shaft 117 through one or more brackets 135 ( Figure 1A Shown in) of the wall 133. The bracket 135 is configured to be securely mounted to the wall 133, such as by bolts, fasteners, etc. (as known in the art). The base 129 of the guide rail 109 is firmly attached to the bracket 135, and therefore the guide rail 109 can be firmly and fixedly mounted to the wall 133. As those skilled in the art should understand, the guide rails of the counterweight of the elevator system can be similarly configured.
[0037] Installing the guide rail 109 in the elevator shaft 117 and to the wall 133 can be a labor-intensive operation that consumes a lot of time and manpower. In view of this, a guide rail with improved mounting characteristics is provided according to the present disclosure.
[0038] Reference now Figure 2A-2K , Showing various schematic diagrams of guide rails according to non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 2A It is a schematic diagram of a rail 200 having a plurality of rail portions 202 connected by a plurality of rail connectors 204. The guide rail 200 is foldable so that the guide rail section 202 can be Figure 2A Stacked as shown. The rail connector 204 is configured to enable adjacent rail portions 202 to rotate relative to each other. Figure 2A The guide rail 200 is shown in a folded or stowed state.
[0039] Figure 2B-2K The movement and operation of the rail connector 204 connecting the first rail portion 202a and the second rail portion 202b are schematically shown. Figure 2B It is a rear isometric view of the rail connector 204 and the rail portions 202a, 202b in the folded state. Figure 2C Yes Figure 2B Front isometric view of the illustrated illustration. Figure 2D-2E They are respectively a rear isometric view and a front isometric view showing the rail connector 204 and the rail sections 202a, 202b in an intermediate state when the rail sections 202a, 202b rotate from the folded state to the unfolded state. Figure 2F-2G These are respectively a rear isometric view and a front isometric view showing the rail connector 204 and the rail portions 202a, 202b in an unfolded state before the rail portions 202a, 202b are fixed together. Figure 2H-2I These are respectively a rear isometric view and a front isometric view showing the rail connector 204 and the rail portions 202a, 202b in a deployed state fixed together. Figure 2J It is a schematic side view of the rail connector 204 and the rail parts 202a, 202b in the unfolded state, Figure 2K It is a schematic front view of the rail connector 204 and the rail parts 202a, 202b in the unfolded state.
[0040] Such as Figure 2B-2C As shown, the first rail portion 202a and the second rail portion 202b include corresponding bases 206a, 206b and corresponding blades 208a, 208b. The first rail portion 202a includes a first alignment feature 212 formed on the end 214 of the first rail portion 202a. Similarly, the second rail portion 202b includes a second alignment feature 216 formed on the end 218 of the second rail portion 202b. The first alignment feature 212 and the second alignment feature 216 are optional and can have various structural configurations. For example, such as Figure 2B-2C As shown, the first alignment feature 212 is a rib or protrusion, and the second alignment feature 216 is a channel or recess that is shaped to receive the first alignment feature 212. Without departing from the scope of the present invention, other types of alignment features may be used, including but not limited to keyholes, keyways, curved, geometric, and/or contoured surfaces, and the like. Alignment features 212, 216 are provided to help align the first guide rail portion 202a and the second guide rail portion 202b for installation in the elevator shaft when rotating from the folded state to the expanded state. Although the alignment features 212, 216 spanning the respective bases and blades are shown, in other embodiments, the alignment features may be formed only on the base or only on the blades, and therefore without departing from the scope of the present disclosure Under the circumstances, various alternative configurations were considered.
[0041] The rail connector 204 is firmly attached to both the first rail portion 202a and the second rail portion 202b near the ends 214, 218. The rail connector 204 includes a first fixing plate 220 and a first stop plate 222 that are firmly connected to the first rail portion 202a, and a second fixing plate 224 and a second stop plate that are firmly connected to the second rail portion 202b 226. The first fixing plate 220 and the second fixing plate 224 are rotatably connected around a pivot 228. The first fixing plate 220 and the second fixing plate 224 and the first stop plate 222 and the second stop plate 226 are firmly connected to the first rail portion 202a and the second rail portion 202b by a fastener 230, respectively.
[0042] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2B-2K As shown, the fixed plates 220, 224 and the stop plates 222, 226 are separate plates, which are partially held together by one or more fasteners 230. However, in other embodiments, the fixed plate and the stop plate may be welded together, formed integrally, or attached or connected in other ways. The fixed plates 220, 224 can be moved from a folded state (for example, Figure 2B-2C ) Rotate to the expanded state (for example, Figure 2F-2G ). The fixing plates 220, 224 enable the first guide rail portion 202a and the second guide rail portion 202b to be fixed to each other in the unfolded state to form a guide rail that can be mounted to the wall of the elevator shaft, for example, as Figure 1B Shown.
[0043] Furthermore, in some embodiments, such as Figure 2B-2K As shown, the pivot 228 may be a fastener that firmly and rotatably connects the first fixing plate 220 to the second fixing plate 224. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the pivot 228 may take other forms, such as a pin, axle, or drive shaft configuration. In other embodiments, the pivot may be formed as a bearing, hinge, or other structure.
[0044] As mentioned above, Figure 2B-2C Show the two rail parts 202a, 202b in a folded state (for example, as Figure 2A Shown). Figure 2A The guide rail portion 202 can be expanded to form a complete and continuous guide rail installed in the elevator shaft of the elevator system. Figure 2A The guide rail 200 shown is folded so that it can be easily moved into the elevator shaft and positioned therein. The rail 200 can then be extended, wherein each rail portion 202 is connected by a rail connector 204 and rotated relative to an adjacent rail portion 200 by the rail connector 204.
[0045] For example, such as Figure 2D-2E As shown, when the rail portions 202a, 202b are rotated from the folded state to the unfolded state, the first rail portion 202a is in a rotating state relative to the second rail portion 202b. As shown in the figure, the first rail portion 202 a and the first fixing plate 220 rotate about the pivot 228 relative to the second rail portion 202 b and the second fixing plate 224. When the two guide rail parts 202 a and 202 b are rotated to the unfolded state, the first fixing plate 220 will contact the second stop plate 226 and the second fixing plate 224 will contact the first stop plate 222. In addition, the alignment features 212, 216 will engage each other.
[0046] For example, in Figure 2F-2G , The rear isometric view and the front isometric view of the rail connector 204 and the first rail portion 202a and the second rail portion 202b in the unfolded state are shown. As shown, in the unfolded state, the first fixing plate 220 abuts and contacts the second stop plate 226, and the second fixing plate 224 abuts and contacts the first stop plate 222. In addition, the alignment features 212, 216 engage to align the first rail portion 202a and the second rail portion 202b.
[0047] Such as Figure 2F-2G As shown, the first fixing plate 220 and the second fixing plate 224 respectively include fixing holes 232, 234 (also Figure 2D-2E Shown in). When the first fixing plate 220 and the second fixing plate 224 rotate to the unfolded state, the fixing holes 232 and 234 are aligned. Such as Figure 2G As shown, the guide rail portions 202a, 202b also include guide rail holes 236a, 236b, which are aligned with the fixing holes 232, 234, so that the fixing plates 220, 224 can be fixed to the guide rail portions 202a, 202b, and thus form a fixed and stable The guide rails are used to operate with the elevator system.
[0048] Such as Figure 2H-2K As shown, a plurality of fixing fasteners 238 are inserted through the fixing holes 232, 234 and the rail holes 236a, 236b to fix the rail portions 202a, 202b in the unfolded state. As shown, the bases 206a, 206b and blades 208a, 208b of the rail portions 202a, 202b are aligned to form a continuous rail portion. The guide rail portions 202a, 202b are firmly fixed so that the elevator car can move along the guide rail 200. That is, when in the unfolded state, the guide rail 200 forms a guide rail track for supporting and guiding the movement of the elevator car in the elevator shaft.
[0049] Such as Figure 2J As shown, the first stop plate 222 is positioned and fixed between the first fixing plate 220 and the base 206a of the first rail portion 202a. On the contrary, the second fixing plate 224 is positioned and fixed between the second stop plate 226 and the base 206b of the second rail portion 202b. Due to this configuration, when rotated to the unfolded state, a part of the first fixing plate 220 contacts and abuts the second stop plate 226, and a part of the second fixing plate 224 contacts and abuts the first stop plate 222. As should be understood, the thickness of the stop plates 222, 226 and the fixed plates 220, 224 may be the same so as to achieve flush engagement. Therefore, the first stopper plate 222 can be operated as a gasket or branch pipe for the first fixed plate 220, so that the second fixed plate 224 can be moved to the first fixed plate 220 and the first rail portion 202a and the second rail portion The position between the bases 206a and 206b of 202b, such as Figure 2J Shown.
[0050] Advantageously, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a foldable rail track. Therefore, a guide rail that is compact and can be easily manipulated and installed is provided. In some configurations, each rail portion of the foldable rail track may have a length that enables the folded rail to be transported into the pit of the elevator shaft in the folded or unfolded state. Therefore, the folding rail track according to the embodiments provided herein can be very compact. For example, in a non-limiting configuration, when expanded or unfolded and installed, for a 10m (32 ft) rail track, the folding rail may have about 2m×0.6m×0.1m (about 6.5 feet×2 feet×0.3 feet) )size of). By having such a small size in the folded state, for example, a forklift and a hoist can be used to transport the folded guide rail directly into the pit of the elevator shaft. Once in the pit of the elevator shaft, the mechanic can use the elevator to lift and unfold the foldable rail track. For example, the elevator may be attached to the first or top rail portion of the foldable rail, and the first or top rail portion is lifted by the free end. When the first rail part is lifted by the free end, the second or next rail part will also be lifted by the connection between the first and second rail parts realized by the rail connector according to the present disclosure. Therefore, the foldable guide rail track can be extended to the unfolded state to form a continuous guide rail track extending in the elevator shaft. Once extended, the mechanic can use various fastening mechanisms (such as screws or bolts) to firmly connect or attach each rail part at the rail connector to fasten and fix each fixing plate of the rail connector. Spin. The first or top rail part of the rail is folded, and the first or top rail part is lifted by the free end.
[0051] Advantageously, the embodiments provided herein enable compact and foldable rail tracks to be easily transported and installed in elevator shafts. This compact and foldable rail track can eliminate long rail track sections. In addition, this compact and foldable rail track makes installation simple (for example, reducing the number of installers/mechanics required, reducing installation time, etc.).
[0052] Furthermore, advantageously, the foldable rail track as provided herein enables pre-assembly at the factory. For example, according to the present disclosure, any number of rail parts can be attached by rail connectors, so that any desired length of mounting rail track can be realized. Furthermore, in some embodiments, each rail portion may have a different length, which may provide additional customizability for the foldable rail track according to the present disclosure.
[0053] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be easily understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the present disclosure may be modified to incorporate any number of variations, changes, substitutions, combinations, sub-combinations, or equivalent arrangements not described herein but commensurate with the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, although various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it should be understood that aspects of the present disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments.
[0054] Therefore, the present disclosure should not be regarded as limited by the foregoing description, but only by the scope of the appended claims.
