Elevator propulsion device comprising a power supply arranged to reduce noise in the car
By installing a power supply device in the elevator system, using an energy source such as a battery as a noise barrier, the problem of noise propagation in self-propelled elevators is solved, improving the passenger experience.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- OTIS ELEVATOR CO
- Filing Date
- 2021-07-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-24
AI Technical Summary
In modern elevator systems, especially self-propelled climbing elevators, noise can easily spread within the cabin, affecting the passenger experience.
A power supply device is installed between the motor module and the elevator car, using an energy source such as a battery as a noise barrier, and noise propagation is reduced by arranging blocks of energy sources.
This effectively reduces the noise generated by the motor module from entering the elevator car, improving passenger comfort.
Smart Images
Figure CN114104913B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Background Technology
[0001] Elevator systems typically consist of cabins for transporting passengers between floors within a building. Many elevators include a machine located in a fixed position (e.g., in a machine room away from the shaft). Some modern elevator systems include a machine within the shaft, eliminating the need for a machine room. Recently, self-propelled climbing elevators have been proposed. The motor or mechanism used to move the elevator car is supported for vertical movement along with the elevator car. Eliminating the machine room increases the likelihood of hearing elevator system noise within the cabin. Self-propelled elevator cars can further increase the likelihood of hearing machine noise within the cabin. Summary of the Invention
[0002] An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator propulsion device includes: at least one drive member configured to engage and climb a vertical structure; a motor module including at least one motor configured to cause movement of the drive member and corresponding movement of the elevator car; and a power supply device including at least one energy source configured to supply power to the motor. The power supply device is positioned adjacent to the motor module such that a mass of the at least one energy source provides a noise barrier to reduce noise transmission from the motor into the elevator car.
[0003] In an example embodiment of an elevator propulsion device having at least one feature of the aforementioned paragraph, the power supply device includes a plurality of energy sources, and at least some of the energy sources are arranged as a first noise barrier between one side of the motor module and the elevator car.
[0004] In an example embodiment of an elevator propulsion device having at least one feature of any of the preceding paragraphs, other energy sources in the energy source are arranged as a second noise barrier positioned along the other side of the motor module.
[0005] In an example embodiment of an elevator propulsion device having at least one feature of any of the preceding paragraphs, the motor module includes a top, a bottom, and multiple sides between the top and bottom, the bottom of the motor module facing away from the elevator car, and multiple energy sources jointly establishing a noise barrier surrounding the top and all of the multiple sides of the motor module.
[0006] In an example embodiment of an elevator propulsion device having at least one feature of any of the preceding paragraphs, the power supply device includes at least one support panel that supports at least one energy source at a selected position relative to the motor module.
[0007] In an example embodiment of at least one feature of the elevator propulsion device in any of the preceding paragraphs, at least one support panel comprises a first layer of a first material and a second layer of a second material, wherein the first material is more rigid than the second material.
[0008] In an example embodiment of an elevator propulsion device having at least one feature of any of the preceding paragraphs, at least one support panel includes a third layer, a second layer is located between the first and third layers, and the third layer includes a first material.
[0009] In an example embodiment of an elevator propulsion device having at least one feature of any of the preceding paragraphs, the first material comprises a metal, and the second material is either organic or a polymer.
[0010] In an example embodiment of an elevator propulsion device having at least one feature of any of the preceding paragraphs, the power supply device includes a housing, the housing includes at least one support panel, and the housing generally surrounds at least one energy source.
[0011] In an example embodiment of an elevator propulsion device having at least one feature of any of the preceding paragraphs, the housing includes a plurality of sidewalls that collectively define a space, and at least a portion of the noise-generating motor module is positioned within the space.
[0012] In an example embodiment of an elevator propulsion device having at least one feature of any of the preceding paragraphs, the housing surrounds the entire motor module and at least one energy source.
[0013] In an example embodiment of an elevator propulsion device having at least one feature of any of the preceding paragraphs, at least one energy source includes at least one battery.
[0014] In an example embodiment of an elevator propulsion device having at least one feature of any of the preceding paragraphs, at least one energy source comprises a plurality of batteries.
[0015] An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator car, the elevator car including the elevator propulsion device of any of the preceding paragraphs and an elevator compartment having a side facing the motor module.
[0016] In an example embodiment of an elevator car having at least one feature of the aforementioned paragraphs, the elevator car includes a floor having a floor area, and the power supply device includes a plurality of energy sources arranged parallel to the floor, and the plurality of energy sources cover an area that coextensively extends with the floor area.
[0017] In an example embodiment of an elevator car having at least one feature of any of the preceding paragraphs, the energy source is located below the car.
[0018] An illustrative example embodiment of a method for reducing noise transmission from the motor module of an elevator propulsion device to the elevator car, the method comprising positioning a power supply device between the motor module and the elevator car, such that a mass of at least one energy source in the power supply device serves as a noise barrier between the motor module and the elevator car.
[0019] In an example embodiment of the method having at least one feature of the foregoing paragraphs, the power supply device includes a plurality of energy sources, and the method includes arranging the plurality of energy sources generally around at least a portion of a noise-generating motor module.
[0020] In an example embodiment of the method having at least one feature of any of the preceding paragraphs, at least one energy source includes at least one battery.
[0021] In an example embodiment of the method having at least one feature of any of the preceding paragraphs, the elevator car includes a floor having a floor area, the power supply device includes a plurality of energy sources arranged parallel to the floor, and the plurality of energy sources cover an area extending together with the floor area.
[0022] Various features and advantages of at least one of the disclosed exemplary embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The accompanying drawings, accompanying the detailed description, can be briefly described below. Attached Figure Description
[0023] Figure 1 The illustration schematically depicts selected portions of an example embodiment of an elevator system that includes a power supply device for reducing noise transmission into the elevator car.
[0024] Figure 2 The illustration schematically depicts selected features of an example battery pack configuration. Detailed Implementation
[0025] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates selected portions of elevator system 20. Elevator car 22 includes elevator compartment 24. Elevator propulsion device 26 is associated with or is part of elevator car 22. Elevator propulsion device 26 includes at least one side 27 facing elevator compartment 24. Elevator propulsion device 26 includes at least one drive member 28 configured to climb along a vertical structure 30 to selectively move elevator car 22. In some embodiments, each drive member 28 includes a wheel that rolls along a surface of vertical structure 30, which may include, for example, an I-beam.
[0026] Motor module 32 includes at least one motor for moving drive member 28. Power supply device 34, such as a battery module or battery pack, includes at least one energy source configured to supply power to motor module 32. Power supply device 34 is at least partially located between motor module 32 and side 27 of elevator propulsion device 26, wherein the bulk of at least one energy source of power supply device 34 provides a noise barrier to reduce noise transmission from motor module 32 into elevator car 24. Because motor module 32 is adjacent to elevator car 24, noise generated by motor module 32 may be heard by passengers in elevator car 24. Power supply device 34 provides a barrier to reduce such noise transmission.
[0027] Figure 2 An example configuration of the power supply device 34 is shown. A housing 40 supports multiple energy sources 42 in an arrangement that provides an effective noise barrier. The housing 40 includes panels having a first layer 44 defining the exterior of the housing 40, a second layer 46 adjacent to the first layer 44, and a third layer 48 defining the interior of the housing 40. Some embodiments include a single layer (e.g., the first layer 44) or two layers, rather than three layers. Some embodiments may include more than three layers.
[0028] The first layer 44 and the third layer 48 can be more rigid than the second layer 46. In this example, the first layer 44 and the third layer 48 comprise the same material (e.g., metal). The second layer 46 comprises a different material with sound-insulating properties. For example, the first layer 44 and the third layer 48 are aluminum, and the second layer 46 is rubber. In some embodiments, the second layer 46 comprises foam or batting, either of which may comprise polymers or organic materials. Laminated panels with sound-insulating properties are commercially available, and some embodiments of the housing 40 are made of such panels.
[0029] Example housing 40 defines a space 50 configured to receive at least a portion (e.g., one or more motors) of a noise-generating motor module 32. An energy source 42 is arranged generally around the space 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the energy source 42 is positioned around all sides of the motor module 32 except for the side facing away from the elevator car 24 (bottom in the figure). This arrangement utilizes the bulk of the energy source to isolate the elevator car 24 from noise associated with the operation of the motor module 32. In one embodiment, the energy source 42 may simply be located between the motor module 32 and the elevator car 24, and may or may not be located on one or more sides of the motor module 32.
[0030] In this example, some of the energy sources are arranged on a first floor parallel to side 27 of the elevator propulsion device 26. In some embodiments, these energy sources are arranged to cover an area extending along the floor area of the elevator car 24. In the illustrated embodiment, these energy sources are positioned above the top of the motor module 32. Other energy sources 42 are arranged on a second floor positioned along the side of the battery module 34.
[0031] The power supply device 34 can be configured to adapt to the shape and size of the motor module 32 while providing a noise barrier. In some embodiments, the housing 40 includes a separate support panel to which the power source 42 is mounted.
[0032] Various energy sources can be employed in different embodiments. For example, energy source 42 can be an energy storage device, such as a battery or capacitor, or an energy generation device (such as a fuel cell). The illustrated example embodiment includes a battery as energy source 42. The battery serves as an effective noise barrier, partly due to its bulk. Using the bulk of the battery of the power supply device 34 as a sound barrier provides an efficient way to prevent noise transmission into the elevator car 24 without requiring additional noise insulation materials. Using a battery or other energy source 42 that needs to power the motor module 32 as a noise barrier saves space and reduces the cost of additional noise reduction materials that would otherwise be required.
[0033] The foregoing description is illustrative in nature and not limiting. Changes and modifications to the disclosed examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art and do not necessarily depart from the essence of the invention. The scope of legal protection given to this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.
Claims
1. An elevator propulsion device, comprising: At least one driving member, the at least one driving member being configured to engage a vertical structure and climb along the vertical structure. A motor module comprising at least one motor configured to cause movement of the drive member and corresponding movement of the elevator car, the motor module having a top and multiple sides extending transversely to and below the top. A power supply device including at least one energy source configured to supply power to the motor, wherein the power supply device is positioned adjacent to the motor module such that a block of the at least one energy source provides a noise barrier to reduce the transmission of noise from the motor into the elevator car. The power supply device includes multiple energy sources, and at least some of these energy sources are arranged as a first noise barrier layer between the top of the motor module and the elevator car; and In this configuration, at least some of the other energy sources are arranged as a second noise barrier layer, which is positioned below the first noise barrier layer and adjacent to the plurality of sides of the motor module, such that the motor module is at least partially tucked into a recessed space defined by the first noise barrier layer and the second noise barrier layer.
2. The elevator propulsion device as described in claim 1, wherein, The motor module also has a bottom facing away from the elevator car, and the plurality of energy sources together establish a noise barrier surrounding the plurality of sides and the top of the motor module.
3. The elevator propulsion device as described in claim 1, wherein, The power supply device includes at least one support panel that supports the at least one energy source at a selected position relative to the motor module.
4. The elevator propulsion device as described in claim 3, wherein, The at least one support panel includes a first layer of a first material and a second layer of a second material, wherein the first material is more rigid than the second material.
5. The elevator propulsion device as described in claim 4, wherein, The at least one support panel includes a third layer, the second layer being located between the first layer and the third layer, and the third layer comprising the first material.
6. The elevator propulsion device as described in claim 5, wherein, The first material includes a metal, and the second material is one of the following: organic; or polymer.
7. The elevator propulsion device as described in claim 3, wherein, The power supply device includes a housing, the housing including at least one support panel, and the housing generally surrounds the at least one energy source.
8. The elevator propulsion device as described in claim 7, wherein, The housing includes multiple sidewalls that collectively define a space, and at least a portion of the motor module that generates noise is located within the space.
9. The elevator propulsion device as described in claim 7, wherein, The housing surrounds the entire motor module and the at least one energy source.
10. The elevator propulsion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The at least one energy source includes at least one battery.
11. The elevator propulsion device as claimed in claim 10, wherein, The at least one energy source includes multiple batteries.
12. An elevator car comprising an elevator propulsion device as claimed in claim 1 and an elevator compartment having a side facing the motor module.
13. The elevator car as described in claim 12, wherein, The elevator car includes a floor with a floor area, and the power supply device includes a plurality of energy sources arranged parallel to the floor, and the plurality of energy sources cover an area that extends together with the floor area.
14. The elevator car as described in claim 12, wherein, The energy source is located below the compartment.
15. A method for reducing noise transmission from a motor module of an elevator propulsion device to an elevator car, the method comprising positioning a power supply device between the motor module and the elevator car, such that a block of at least one energy source of the power supply device serves as a noise barrier between the motor module and the elevator car; in, The motor module has a top and multiple sides, the multiple sides being transverse to the top and extending below the top; The power supply device includes multiple energy sources, and at least some of these energy sources are arranged as a first noise barrier layer between the top of the motor module and the elevator car; and In this configuration, at least some of the other energy sources are arranged as a second noise barrier layer, which is positioned below the first noise barrier layer and adjacent to the plurality of sides of the motor module, such that the motor module is at least partially tucked into a recessed space defined by the first noise barrier layer and the second noise barrier layer.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The method includes arranging the plurality of energy sources substantially around at least a portion of the motor module that generates noise.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein, The at least one energy source includes at least one battery.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein, The elevator car includes a floor with a floor area, and the power supply device includes a plurality of energy sources arranged parallel to the floor, and the plurality of energy sources cover an area that extends together with the floor area.