Roller guide shoes used to guide the elevator car

Abstract

An elevator (10) includes an elevator car (2) guided on two opposing guide rails (3). Each guide rail (3) includes a U-shaped guide groove (11) having a front guide surface (12) and a side guide surface (13). For guiding the elevator car (2), roller guide shoes (1) are provided, each roller guide shoe having: two pulleys (4, 5) rotatably supported on a common shaft (19) about a rotation axis (R1) for guiding along the front guide surface (12) of the U-shaped guide groove (11); and guide rollers (6) accommodating between the side guide surfaces (13) of the U-shaped guide groove (11) for lateral guidance. A decorative panel (15) is placed in front of the pulleys (4, 5) to cover the respective pulleys (4, 5), wherein the decorative panel (15) forms an emergency guide (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a roller guide shoe as described in the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to an elevator whose elevator car is equipped with such a roller guide shoe. Background Technology

[0002] Elevators used for transporting people and goods include an elevator car that can move up and down within an elevator shaft. The elevator car can be moved within the vertical elevator shaft by means of a drive unit using lifting devices (such as slings or straps). In addition to the elevator car, elevator equipment typically includes at least one counterweight that moves in the opposite direction within the elevator shaft. Here, the elevator car and at least one counterweight run in guide rails. Guide shoes are typically used to guide the elevator car and counterweight; these guide shoes can be designed as sliding guide shoes or roller guide shoes.

[0003] To ensure the elevator car is guided linearly with sufficient precision, guide rails fixed in the elevator shaft are used. T-shaped metal profiles have long been known and commonly used. T-shaped profiles have rail seats mounted to the shaft wall and rail lintels. The rail lintel has two opposing guide surfaces and one end guide surface, along which sliding guide shoes or roller guide shoes can move in a sliding or rolling manner. In addition to its guiding function, the guide surfaces of the rail lintel also serve as engagement surfaces for safety devices that brake the elevator car to bring it to a stop. The safety device can also be a fall arrestor to stop the car. Guide rails designed with T-shaped profiles have been proven effective over many years.

[0004] Guide rails for guiding elevator cars are also known, and these guide rails include U-shaped guide grooves. For example, such guide rails are known from WO2020 / 127787A1. This guide rail includes guide profiles for the elevator car and counterweight within the same component. The guide profile of the elevator car is designed as a U-shaped guide groove. The elevator car has guide shoes that are accommodated in the U-shaped or recessed guide grooves of the elevator rail. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to avoid known drawbacks, and in particular to provide a roller guide shoe that can safely and reliably guide an elevator car. Furthermore, the roller guide shoe should also offer high ride comfort.

[0006] According to the invention, this and other objectives are achieved by a roller guide shoe as described in claim 1. The roller guide shoe for an elevator used to transport people or goods guides the elevator car along a guide rail extending in the direction of travel or longitudinal direction. The guide rail has a U-shaped guide groove for receiving the roller guide shoe. Here, the U-shaped guide groove may have two lateral guide surfaces opposite each other and a front guide surface connecting the lateral guide surfaces to each other, wherein the lateral guide surfaces and the front guide surface define a "U" shape in cross-section. Here, the lateral guide surfaces are preferably perpendicular to the front guide surface. The two lateral guide surfaces opposite each other may extend along a first direction with respect to the cross-section. The front guide surface may extend along a second direction in the cross-section. These two directions, i.e., the first direction on one side and the second direction on the other side, may be perpendicular to each other within the rectangular "U".

[0007] The roller guide shoe includes two pulleys rotatably supported on a common shaft and preferably spaced apart from each other via this shaft, for guiding along the front guide surface. During car travel, the pulleys can travel along the front guide surface. The two paired pulleys ensure optimal end-side guidance of the elevator car. Preferably, the pulleys are rotatably supported or fixed to the free end of the shaft relative to each other. For lateral guidance, the roller guide shoe includes a guide body that can be accommodated between the lateral guide surfaces. Preferably, during car travel, the guide body is guided in an oscillating manner between the lateral guide surfaces. Therefore, the guide body does not simultaneously contact both lateral guide surfaces.

[0008] According to the first embodiment, the guide body may be a guide roller, the roller axis of which extends perpendicularly to the axis of the two pulleys (or more precisely, the axis of rotation of the aforementioned axis). Here, the axis of rotation of the pulleys may extend along the first direction described above; the roller axis of the guide roller may extend along the second direction described above.

[0009] For optimal guidance, it is advantageous that the guide roller is at least 50% larger than the pulley in terms of its outer diameter, and preferably at least twice as large.

[0010] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the pulleys are spaced apart from each other to such an extent that, when viewed vertically or through a predetermined longitudinal projection, they reach approximately the outer diameter of the guide roller. When another guide is used instead of the guide roller, for example, a sliding guide is used to achieve sliding guidance, the pulley will reach the outer dimension of the alternative guide. Here, the expression "approaching" preferably refers to a few millimeters.

[0011] Roller guide shoes can be equipped with emergency guides. These emergency guides ensure that guiding function is maintained even if one or more rollers are missing (e.g., due to bearing failure).

[0012] The roller guide shoe may be equipped with a panel for covering the pulley. The panel may be arranged forward in the roller guide shoe relative to the pulley to advantageously cover it. Particularly preferably, each pulley may be equipped with a separate panel. The panel that partially covers the respective pulley on the circumferential side prevents the pulley from becoming unnecessarily contaminated, especially by dirt particles falling from above. Here, the panel may be arranged on the upper side of the roller guide shoe, or in the installed state, it may be arranged on the upper side of the roller guide shoe.

[0013] Of particular advantage is that one or more trim panels form an emergency guide, thereby achieving a particularly effective and compact roller guide shoe.

[0014] The roller guide shoe may have a guide shoe housing having a carrier segment for carrying the pulley and / or guide body and a fixing segment for securing the roller guide shoe to the elevator car. Here, the carrier segment and the fixing segment may extend at right angles to each other. The carrier segment is designed flat or has a pre-defined plane (also referred to as the "carrier surface"). In a preferred embodiment, the pulley's axis or rotation axis extends parallel to the carrier surface, and the guide roller's roller axis extends at right angles to the carrier surface. The fixing segment may also be designed flat.

[0015] The carrier segment and the fixing segment can preferably be components of the integrated structure and therefore can be integrally connected to each other. The integrated structure for forming the guide shoe housing can be made of a high-strength synthetic material, for example, in the form of an injection molded part. Alternatively, it is advantageous that the guide shoe housing, including the carrier segment and the fixing segment, is made from a single cut segment of metal sheet, which is erected from a flat position to a final position by means of a bending or folding process. Such roller guide shoes can be manufactured easily and inexpensively.

[0016] The trim panels and / or emergency guidance components may be formed from metal segments, which are components of the guide shoe housing made from cut sections of metal sheet.

[0017] Alternatively, the guide shoe housing can be designed as a two-piece unit, having a base component comprising a fixed segment and a carrier segment as a first component, and a carrier component having a carrier segment mounted on the base component as a second component. Here, an emergency guide can be assigned to the carrier component. The carrier component can be made from a single cut section of sheet metal. The emergency guide can be formed by folding the cut section of sheet metal. Therefore, the carrier component can be moved from a flat position to a final position using bending or flanging processes.

[0018] An elongated member may be molded or fixed onto the fixed section. This elongated member has a hook-shaped engagement that mates with a beam-like protrusion of the guide rail or another spring-forming guide section of the guide rail to form an anti-derailment component. The beam-like protrusion may form a braking section of the guide rail. In this guide rail, the guide section and the braking section are positionally separated from each other.

[0019] Finally, another aspect of the invention relates to an elevator having an elevator car equipped with the aforementioned roller guide shoes for guiding the elevator car on guide rails. The elevator also includes two preferably opposing guide rails for guiding the elevator car, wherein the longitudinally extending guide rails each contain a U-shaped guide groove.

[0020] An elevator with an elevator car may also have at least one counterweight, which is connected to the elevator car via a hoist and can move in the opposite direction to the elevator car. Preferably, the elevator may have one counterweight for each elevator car, or it may have two counterweights. The elevator may include guide rails, which serve as linear guides for both the elevator car and the counterweight.

[0021] The elevator car may have a front side with car doors. Furthermore, the elevator car may have a back side opposite the front side and two car sides connecting the front and back sides to each other. The elevator may, for example, include an elevator car supported on the front side and two opposing counterweights connected to the elevator car via hoists, the counterweights being movable in the opposite direction to the elevator car. Here, the counterweights are guided on opposing counterweight guide rails mounted on opposing sides of the elevator shaft adjacent to the car sides. Here, a common guide rail profile is formed on each side for guiding the elevator car and counterweights. Therefore, the guide rail serves as a linear guide for the elevator car and counterweights. Such an elevator with a front-supported car is also called a "frontsack elevator." Attached Figure Description

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

[0023] Figure 1 The illustration shows a greatly simplified top view of an elevator according to the invention, the elevator having an elevator car equipped with roller guide shoes for guiding the elevator car along longitudinally extending guide rails.

[0024] Figure 2 A partial perspective view of an elevator car with roller guide shoes and associated guide rails is shown.

[0025] Figure 3 Show Figure 2 A perspective view of the guide shoes of an elevator roller;

[0026] Figure 4 The following views show a perspective view of the roller guide shoe; and

[0027] Figure 5 Showing according to Figure 2 A variation of the roller guide shoe. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Figure 1 An elevator, indicated by 10, is shown for use in a multi-story building. The building has an elevator shaft 22, and an elevator car 2 can move vertically up and down in the elevator shaft to various floors for transporting people or goods.

[0029] according to Figure 1 The elevator is designed as a traction elevator system with at least one counterweight 23 that moves in the opposite direction to the elevator car 2. The elevator 10 shown here has two counterweights 23, as well as hoists and (not shown) drives. Two drives (e.g., traction sheave drives) drive corresponding hoists (e.g., belts, cables) and thus cause the elevator car 2 and the two counterweights 23 to move in opposite directions. Each drive is assigned to one of the counterweights 23. To guide the elevator car 2 and the counterweights 23, two opposing guide rails 3 are provided on both sides of the elevator car 2. A special feature of the elevator 10 shown in this embodiment is the special guide rails 3, which serve as linear guides for the elevator car 2 and the corresponding counterweights 23. The guide rails 3 can be manufactured as a single-piece rolled profile.

[0030] The elevator car 2 has a front side 24 with a car door 27, a rear side 26 opposite to the front side, and two side walls 25 connecting the front and rear sides to each other. The elevator car 2 is supported on the front side. Guide rails 3 are located on the opposite sides of the elevator shaft 22, adjacent to the side walls 25. The guide rails 3 are fixed to the elevator shaft by a horizontal support structure 29 located in the area on the front side of the elevator shaft 22. The elevator equipment 1 is designed as a so-called "front-loaded elevator". Further details regarding the front-loaded elevator and the use of shared guide rails to guide the car and counterweight can be found in WO2020 / 127303A1 and WO2020 / 127787A1.

[0031] The guide rails 3 each include U-shaped guide grooves 11, in which the roller guide shoes 1 for guiding the elevator car 2 are accommodated. The roller guide shoes 1 have two pulleys 4 and 5 for frontal guidance and a guide roller 6 for lateral guidance. The rotation axes of the pulleys 4 and 5 and the guide rollers are indicated by R1 and R2, respectively. Details regarding the structure and function of the roller guide shoes 1 can be found later. Figures 2 to 5 I learned this from the middle.

[0032] exist Figure 1It can also be seen that the corresponding counterweight 23 is guided along the guide rail 3 by means of a guide structure shown only schematically. The safety device is indicated by 20. The safety device 20 can also be a fall arrestor for braking the car. A fall arrestor is a device used to prevent the elevator car from overspeeding downwards. For example, a solution with a fall arrestor wedge that can be operated by a force spring is known. The force spring is pre-biased by an electromagnet, and the pre-biased force spring is released when needed. However, the safety device 20 can be a car brake. When the car is parked, the car brake can be used to secure the elevator car. In order to intercept or brake the elevator car 2, the safety device 20 interacts with the beam-like protrusion 21 of the guide rail 3.

[0033] Figure 2 A roller guide shoe 1 is shown, which is arranged on the elevator car 2 in the area of ​​the car bottom 28. The direction of travel of the elevator car 2 is indicated by arrow z. The guide rail 3, shown in dashed lines, is clearly designed as a hollow profile, wherein the guide rail 3 is manufactured as a one-piece rolled profile in this embodiment. The guide groove 11 has two lateral guide surfaces 13 opposite to each other and a front guide surface 12 connecting the lateral guide surfaces to each other. The front guide surface 12 and the lateral guide surfaces 13 connected to it at right angles define a "U" shape in cross-section. Pulleys 4 and 5 travel on the front guide surface 12. The guide roller 6 is guided between the lateral guide surfaces 13 in an oscillating manner. The roller axis R2 extends at a right angle to the rotation axis R1 of the two pulleys 4 and 5.

[0034] Two pulleys 4 and 5 are rotatably supported on a common shaft 19. End-side guidance is achieved by the pulleys 4 and 5, which are spaced apart from each other via the shaft 19. The advantages of end-side guidance are high reliability and improved ride comfort.

[0035] from Figure 3 As can be seen, guide roller 6 has a significantly larger outer diameter than pulleys 4 and 5. In this case, the outer diameter of guide roller 6 is approximately twice the outer diameter of pulleys 4 and 5. Pulleys 4 and 5 are spaced apart, so that the pulleys reach near the outer diameter of guide roller 6.

[0036] The roller guide shoe 1 has a guide shoe housing 7, which has a carrier segment 8 and a fixing segment 9 extending at right angles from the carrier segment. The carrier segment 8 is used to support pulleys 4 and 5 and guide rollers 6. The fixing segment 9 is used to fix the roller guide shoe 1 to the elevator car 2. The guide shoe housing 7 with the carrier segment 8 and the fixing segment 9 is L-shaped. Based on this L-shape, the roller guide shoe 1 can be installed on the edge between the horizontal bottom side of the car bottom 28 and the vertical outer side of the car wall 25, and fixed to the elevator car 2 by means of screws 30.

[0037] Other details of the roller guide shoe 1 can be found from Figure 3 and Figure 4 The guide shoe housing 7, comprising a carrier segment 8 and a fixed segment 9, is made from a single sheet metal section, which is erected from a flat position to the final position shown here by means of a bending or folding process. The flat-designed carrier segment 8 defines a carrier surface. The rotation axis R1 of the pulleys 4 and 5 extends parallel to this carrier surface, and the roller axis R2 of the guide roller extends at a right angle to the carrier surface of the carrier segment 8. The roller guide shoe 1 also includes an emergency guide 14, which is a component of the guide shoe housing 7 made from the sheet metal section. The emergency guide 14 can be easily formed after a corresponding cutting operation by folding the sheet metal section. The emergency guide 14 has two decorative panels 15 to partially cover the pulleys 4 and 5, with each decorative panel 15 positioned in front of the pulleys 4 and 5 respectively. An extension 31 is fixed to the fixed segment 9. The elongated member 31 has a hook-shaped engagement 18 that engages with the spring-forming protrusion 21 of the guide rail 3 to form an anti-derailment component. The hook-shaped engagement 18 surrounds the guide rail 3 in the area of ​​the protrusion 21, thereby ensuring, for example, that derailment can be prevented in the event of an earthquake.

[0038] Figure 5 A variation of the roller guide shoe 1 is shown, wherein the guide shoe housing 7 is designed as a two-piece unit. The two-piece guide shoe housing 7 has a base component 16 formed from a sheet metal, which has a fixed segment 8 and a sheet metal segment molded at right angles to the fixed segment. A second component is arranged on this sheet metal segment. The second component forms a carrier component 17, to which the carrier segment 8 for carrying pulleys 4 and 5 and the guide roller 6 are attached. The carrier component 17 has a folded edge forming an emergency guide 14. According to... Figure 5 Another difference between the roller guide shoe 1 in this embodiment and the previous embodiment lies in the different arrangement of the guide rollers 6 and pulleys 4 and 5. Figure 5 In the middle, pulleys 4 and 5 are arranged at the lower part of the carrier segment 8 or at the end opposite to the fixed segment 8.

[0039] exist Figures 3 to 5 The roller guide shoe 1 shown is not necessarily only used in front-loaded elevators, but can also be used in other elevators where the elevator car is guided on a guide rail with a U-shaped guide groove.

Claims

1. A roller guide shoe (1) for guiding an elevator car (2) of an elevator (10) along a guide rail (3) extending in the longitudinal direction (z) and including a U-shaped guide groove (11), said roller guide shoe (1) comprising: Two pulleys (4, 5) supported on a common shaft (19) in a manner that allows them to rotate freely about the axis of rotation (R1) are used for guiding along the front guide surface (12) of the U-shaped guide groove (11), and A guide body, which can be accommodated between the lateral guide surfaces (13) of a U-shaped guide groove (11) for lateral guidance, The guide body is a guide roller (6), and the roller axis (R2) of the guide roller extends at a right angle to the rotation axis (R1) of the two pulleys (4, 5). The guide roller (6) is at least 50% larger in outer diameter than the pulleys (4, 5).

2. The roller guide shoe (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer diameter of the guide roller (6) is at least twice the outer diameter of the pulleys (4, 5).

3. The roller guide shoe (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A decorative panel (15) is provided in front of the pulleys (4, 5) to cover the respective pulleys (4, 5).

4. The roller guide shoe (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The decorative panel (15) forms an emergency guide (14).

5. The roller guide shoe (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The roller guide shoe (1) has a guide shoe housing (7) having a carrier segment (8) for carrying pulleys (4, 5) and / or guides and a fixing segment (9) for fixing the roller guide shoe (1) to the elevator car (2), wherein the carrier segment (8) and the fixing segment (9) extend at right angles to each other.

6. The roller guide shoe (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The guide shoe housing (7), which includes a carrier segment (8) and a fixing segment (9), is made from a single cut segment of metal plate.

7. The roller guide shoe (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The decorative panel (15) is formed from plate segments, which are one or more components of the guide shoe housing (7) made from cut sections of metal plate.

8. The roller guide shoe (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, An elongation (31) is molded or fixed on a fixed segment (9), the elongation having a hook-shaped engagement (18) that mates with the profile segment (21) forming the spring to form an anti-derailment component.

9. An elevator (10) having an elevator car (2) and two guide rails (3) for guiding the elevator car (2), wherein, The guide rails (3) extending in the longitudinal direction (z) each include U-shaped guide grooves (11), wherein the elevator car (2) is equipped with roller guide shoes (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for guiding the elevator car on the guide rails (3).

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