Elevator car of an elevator installation and method of installing an elevator installation

Abstract

An elevator car (3) has a car floor (5) which is constructed in a foldable manner and which is composed of two floor sections (8, 9) which are connected to one another by means of a pivot axis (S). The car floor (5) is placed in the elevator shaft (2) in an initial position in which it is folded together and is then unfolded. After unfolding, the car floor (5) is in a final position. The manufacture of the elevator car (3) can now be completed, wherein car side walls (6) and a car roof (7) are mounted on the fully unfolded car floor (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a lift car for use in lifting equipment. Furthermore, this invention also relates to an installation method for installing lifting equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Elevator equipment for transporting people and goods includes an elevator car that can move up and down within an elevator shaft. The elevator car can be moved by a drive unit via a load-bearing device, such as a load-bearing rope or load-bearing belt. The elevator car includes a car floor, car side walls, and a top plate, and typically at least one car door. The elevator car is mounted, for example, in a car frame, which itself is guided in rails fixed to the elevator shaft and moved by the drive unit. However, self-supporting elevator cars also exist, which can be used without a car frame. The car floor must typically bear the weight of the car superstructure, including the car side walls, top plate, car door, and various mounting components, as well as the entire maximum effective load. An example of such an elevator car is known from EP1004538B1. The car floor is constructed of a composite or sandwich structure and is essentially composed of two spaced-apart steel plates with a supporting structure of multiple intersecting flat profiles arranged between them. The car floor is heavy and bulky, making it difficult to operate. Therefore, it is challenging to transport the car floor within the building, maneuver it through narrow spaces, and allow it to enter the shaft through openings.

[0003] The transportation problem can be solved by dividing the car floor into multiple modular components and transporting them accordingly. At the installation location of the elevator equipment, these separate components must be connected to each other using threaded fasteners. Tightening the car floor to its final position is a demanding and time-consuming process. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art, and in particular to provide an elevator car that is optimized in terms of transportation to the installation site and installation.

[0005] This objective is achieved through an elevator car. The elevator car includes a car floor. When the car floor is in its final position, the elevator car or elevator equipment is ready to operate. Many advantages are gained because the car floor is designed to be foldable. The handling of the car floor is improved. The car floor can be transported in a reduced form and operated within the building where the elevator shaft is located. Since the car floor is foldable as a whole, installation costs can be significantly reduced. In particular, it is not necessary to painstakingly connect and secure the various components of the floor to each other.

[0006] The car floor, constructed in a foldable manner, can be folded from an initial position to the aforementioned final position. Here, the final position corresponds to the position where the car floor is preferably fully unfolded. In other words, in the final position, the car floor is unfolded into a planar position to create a walking or usable area for passengers or goods within the car. In the initial position, the car floor can be folded. The initial position is preferably one in which the car floor is supplied at the factory, transported, and placed in the elevator shaft or other installation location. Therefore, the initial position corresponds to a pre-installation position. The folded car floor is smaller and requires less space compared to the unfolded car floor in the final position.

[0007] In a top view, the car floor can have a rectangular shape. Here, the rectangular sides can approximately correspond to the width and depth of the elevator car. The car floor can cover the entire bottom surface of the car floor in the final position; in the initial position, the car floor can only cover a portion of the bottom surface of the car floor.

[0008] Preferably, the car floor is composed of two floor sections hinged together, wherein the floor sections extend over the entire width or depth of the car. Therefore, the car floor is composed of a small number of associated components, which is advantageous for operation and installation.

[0009] A particular advantage is that the car floor consists of two floor sections connected to each other by a pivot axis. Therefore, the car floor comprises only two related components. This two-piece car floor (where each component is formed by a floor section) can be easily transported in its folded state (initial position) and can be unfolded particularly easily, i.e., by a single pivoting movement to achieve the final position. Each floor section can form a half of the floor; therefore, a floor section can also be referred to as a half of the car floor.

[0010] In another embodiment, at least two base plate sections may each have a flat, preferably sheet-formed base plate segment defining a foot surface or usable surface. Passengers or cargo may directly impact the access surface. However, indirect impact is also conceivable. In the final position, a cover plate may be placed, for example for decorative purposes, on adjacent base plate segments.

[0011] The car floor can have at least two floor sections interconnected by a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis is located within one of the floor sections. Therefore, the pivot axis is not arranged on the edge side, but rather offset inwardly relative to the edge of the floor section, such that the pivot axis is positioned or arranged within one of the floor sections relative to the plan view of the car floor. This arrangement allows the car floor to meet high requirements for stability and bending stiffness in its final position.

[0012] Another embodiment relates to an elevator car having a car floor having a first floor section and a second floor section hinged to the first floor section via a pivot axis. Here, the pivot axis is located within the first floor section. The second floor section may have a flat floor segment and at least two hinged arms, the second floor section being hingedly connected to the first floor section via said hinged arms.

[0013] To improve stability, it is advantageous that the second base plate section is connected to the first base plate section in such a way that the hinge arm of the second base plate section rests flat on or is supported on the first base plate section in its final position.

[0014] Hinged connections are preferably formed by hinges.

[0015] Locking mechanisms can be provided to fix the car floor in its final position. For example, the car floor can be designed to be foldable, such that when the car floor is in its final position, it cannot be folded further upward by means of appropriate locking mechanisms (such as the aforementioned lever elements supported on the floor segments).

[0016] To ensure a stable connection between the two base plate sections, it is advantageous to provide more than three, preferably more than five, hinged arms.

[0017] At least two base plate sections may include longitudinal ribs extending perpendicular to the pivot axis to form a reinforcing structure. In addition to the longitudinal ribs, each base plate section may also include transverse ribs extending parallel to the pivot axis. Thus, these transverse and longitudinal ribs can form a grid-like structure. The longitudinal ribs may, for example, be welded to the respective flat base plate sections. However, the ribs may also be L- or Z-shaped sheet metal profiles that are screwed, riveted, or otherwise secured to the base plate sections. Of course, other rib profile shapes are also conceivable.

[0018] These two hinged arms can be connected to the longitudinal ribs respectively, and are therefore integral components of the reinforcement device.

[0019] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a car floor plate for the aforementioned elevator car.

[0020] Finally, another aspect of the invention relates to an installation method for installing an elevator system, wherein the elevator system particularly includes the elevator car described above. The installation method is advantageous in the following steps: providing the elevator car with a car floor plate constructed in a foldable manner; placing the folded car floor plate into the elevator shaft or, if necessary, into another installation position; unfolding the car floor plate placed in the elevator shaft; and completing the elevator car manufacturing process, wherein car side walls and a car top plate are installed on the car floor plate. Of course, car doors and other car components can be assembled as needed.

[0021] In terms of method, another advantage is that the folded car floor is lowered from an upright position or from an upright position (e.g., a more or less upright position), wherein the partially unfolded car floor has an inverted "V" shape when lowered. This lowered car floor cannot be further unfolded or folded upwards when it reaches its final position. If a corresponding locking mechanism is provided, the car floor can be fixed in its final position. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Other individual features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Wherein:

[0023] Figure 1 A simplified perspective view of the height of an elevator with an elevator car is shown.

[0024] Figure 2 A simplified view showing the height of the folded car floor (initial position) of the elevator car according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This shows the final position after the car floor has been deployed. Figure 1 The car floor in the middle;

[0026] Figure 4 A perspective view of the car floor in its initial position is shown;

[0027] Figure 5 The image shows the partially unfolded car floor during the lowering process, and...

[0028] Figure 6 The car floor is shown in its final position. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Figure 1The image shows an elevator system generally indicated by 1, which has an elevator car 3 fixed to a load-bearing device 4. The elevator shaft is schematically shown and labeled 2. Such or similar elevator systems have long been known and commonly used. Vertical side walls 6 are connected to the car floor 5; the elevator car 3 is enclosed by a top plate 7. The elevator car 3... Figure 1 The suspension system is simplified and is only exemplarily connected directly to the support device 4, which can be, for example, a wire rope or a support belt. Other suspension schemes are also conceivable, such as using the support device to wrap around the elevator car from below. The elevator car 3 can be designed as a self-supporting elevator car or an elevator car with a car frame. The car floor 5, with its specific structure and characteristics, is described in detail below.

[0030] Figure 2 and Figure 3 A first embodiment of a car floor 5 constructed in a foldable manner for use in an elevator system 1 is shown. Figure 2 The car floor is shown in its initial position. In this position, the car floor 5 is folded together. The car floor 5 consists of two floor sections 8 and 9, which are connected to each other by a hinge 15, preferably in the form of a hinge.

[0031] As from Figure 2 It can also be seen that the folded car floor, indicated by symbol 5', is first laid flat in the shaft pit of the elevator shaft 2 in its initial position. The two floor sections 8 and 9 are oriented horizontally in this position.

[0032] To achieve the final position, the upper floor section 9 is transferred to a flat position during the pivoting movement indicated by the arrow, thus placing floor section 9 next to and flush with the first floor section 8. Now reaching the final position, in which the car floor 5 is fully extended, the car floor 5 unfolds planarly on a common plane to create a walking area for passengers in the car. This final position is... Figure 3 As shown in the image.

[0033] Now, the car side wall 6 and the roof 7 can be added to the car floor 5. If necessary, the decorative panel 16 can be placed on the car floor 5.

[0034] The folded-up car floor 5' requires less space and can be easily transported. In particular, the folded-up car floor 5 can be easily and efficiently transported within a building and maneuvered through narrow spaces. Especially compared to conventional car floor 5, which is at least twice as large and therefore correspondingly bulky, it is easier to place the car floor 5, which is smaller in size due to folding, into the elevator shaft through the shaft opening.

[0035] According to Figure 2 and Figure 3 In this embodiment, the two floor plate sections 8 and 9 correspond to the half of the car floor plate, respectively. The hinge portion 15 is arranged on the edge side at the floor plate sections 8 and 9.

[0036] In the following Figures 4 to 6 The diagram shows another variation of the car floor 5 constructed in a folding manner. The folding car floor 5 consists of two hingedly connected floor sections 8 and 9, wherein the pivot axis is not located on the edge side, but rather within one of the floor sections. Here, the pivot axis, indicated by S, is arranged within the first floor section, indicated by 8. The second floor section 9 includes a flat floor segment 11 and a hinge arm 12. The hinge arm 12 forms the connection between the second floor section 9 and the first floor section 8.

[0037] The two base plate sections 8 and 9 each have flat base plate segments 10 and 11, which lie on a horizontal plane when the car base plate 5 is fully extended to achieve its final position and placed on the bottom of the shaft for further car installation or positioned at other heights within the elevator shaft 2. Base plate segment 11 can be formed from cut sheet metal. Sidewall portions created at the edges through folding or bending processes can be connected to base plate segments 10 and 11.

[0038] As seen in this embodiment and especially from Figure 5 As can be seen, six articulated arms 12 are provided. However, fewer, or even possibly more, articulated arms are also possible. The car floor 5 also has longitudinal ribs 13 and transverse ribs 14, which are arranged on the underside of the floor segments 10, 11. These longitudinal ribs 13 and transverse ribs 14 form a reinforcing structure for reinforcing their respective floor segments 10, 11 and for reinforcing the car floor 5. The articulated arms 12 may be formed by the longitudinal ribs 13 extending relative to the floor segment 11. Thus, the articulated arms 12 are connected to the longitudinal ribs and are an integral part of the reinforcing structure, at least in their final position.

[0039] The car floor 5 is designed such that it is folded together in its initial position. In this position, the car floor 5, constructed in a foldable manner, is delivered from the factory, transported, and sent to the shaft or other installation location.

[0040] The installation method for installing the elevator equipment 1 includes the following steps: First, a car floor plate 5 constructed in a foldable manner is provided. The folded car floor plate 5' is placed in the elevator shaft 2. From the upright position ( Figure 4 The car floor is lowered and unfolded simultaneously. Figure 5 In the middle, upon arrival Figure 6Before the final position shown, the car floor, indicated by 5' here, is in the middle position. From Figure 5 As can be seen, the partially folded car floor 5 has an inverted "V" shape when folded down. Once the car floor 5 is fully unfolded ( Figure 6 The process can continue as the elevator car 3 is manufactured, wherein the car floor 5 is fitted with car side walls and car top plate, and as needed, car doors and various mounting parts are fitted.

Claims

1. A lift car (3) for a lifting device (1), wherein, The elevator car (3) includes a car floor plate (5), characterized in that the car floor plate (5) is composed of at least two floor plate sections and is constructed in a manner that allows it to fold between an initial position where the sections are folded together and a final position where it is fully unfolded in a state ready for operation. When the car floor plate (5) is in the initial position, the bottom surface of the elevator car (3) is not completely covered by the car floor plate (5). When the car floor plate (5) is in the final position, a vertical car side wall (6) is mounted on the car floor plate (5), thereby completely covering the bottom surface of the elevator car (3) with the car floor plate (5).

2. The elevator car (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The car floor (5) is composed of at least two floor sections that are connected to each other in a hinged manner, and the floor sections extend over the entire width or depth of the car.

3. The elevator car (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The car floor (5) is composed of two floor sections connected to each other by a pivot axis (S).

4. The elevator car (3) according to claim 2, characterized in that, At least two base plate sections each have flat base plate segments.

5. The elevator car (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The car floor (5) includes at least two floor sections connected to each other by a pivot axis (S), wherein the pivot axis (S) is located within one of the floor sections.

6. The elevator car (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The car floor (5) has a first floor section (8) and a second floor section (9) hinged to the first floor section (8) via a pivot axis (S), the pivot axis (S) being located within the first floor section (8), and the second floor section (9) having a flat floor segment (11) and at least two hinge arms (12), the second floor section (9) being hinged to the first floor section (8) via the hinge arms.

7. The elevator car (3) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second base plate section (9) is connected to the first base plate section (8) in such a way that the hinge arm (12) of the second base plate section (9) is laid flat or supported on the first base plate section (8) in the final position.

8. The elevator car (3) according to claim 6, characterized in that, There are more than three articulated arms (12).

9. The elevator car (3) according to claim 8, characterized in that, There are more than five articulated arms (12).

10. The elevator car (3) according to claim 5, characterized in that, At least two base plate sections include longitudinal ribs (13) extending at right angles to the pivot axis (S) to form a reinforcing structure.

11. The elevator car (3) according to claim 10, characterized in that, At least two hinged arms (15) are connected to longitudinal ribs (13) respectively, thereby forming an integral part of the reinforcing structure.

12. A car floor (5) for use in an elevator car (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A method for installing a lifting device (1) having a lifting car (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by the following steps: Provide the elevator car (3) with a car floor plate (5) that can be folded. Place the folded car floor into the elevator shaft (2) or into another installation location. Unfold the car floor. The elevator car (3) is manufactured, wherein, Car side walls (6) and car top plate (7) are mounted on the car floor plate (5).

14. The installation method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The folded car floor is laid down from its upright position, wherein the car floor has an inverted V-shaped shape when laid down.

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