Elevator car with at least one elevator belt slack detection unit arranged on one car side wall

Abstract

An elevator (1) having a car (2) in which at least one slack detection unit (5) associated with a support mechanism (6) is attached to the car (2), preferably to a side wall (3) of the car (2), in particular to a lower half (4) or an upper half of the side wall (3), and the at least one slack detection unit is connected to the support mechanism (6).

Description

[0001] This invention relates to an elevator. An elevator for transporting passengers or goods has an elevator car that can move vertically between floors in an elevator shaft by applying force to a support mechanism attached to the elevator car.

[0002] A slack detection unit is used to detect slack in the support mechanism. US 6,123,176 discloses a device for monitoring the tension of a support mechanism in an elevator. This device, as is common in other prior art, is attached to the end portion of the support mechanism located at the top of the elevator car and / or the top of the counterweight. Because this arrangement increases the distance between the top of the car and the end portion of the support mechanism, it results in an increased demand for space in the end portion of the elevator shaft.

[0003] Among other considerations, an improved / alternative device for slack detection may be needed, requiring less elevator shaft space. Specifically, it may be necessary to monitor the support structure for slack in an automated and reliable manner without increasing elevator shaft space.

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to avoid the drawbacks of known elevators and, in particular, to provide an improved elevator. Specifically, this elevator can be installed in buildings with shallow pit / top depths. The elevator is characterized by small space requirements and a compact design, while providing reliable slack detection.

[0005] According to the invention, these and other tasks are accomplished by an elevator having the features of claim 1. The elevator includes a car. At least one slack detection unit associated with a support mechanism is attached to the car. Preferably, the slack detection unit is attached to a side wall of the car, particularly to the lower or upper half of the side wall. The slack detection unit is connected to the support mechanism.

[0006] The at least one slack detection unit is connected to a suspension mechanism located on the side wall of the car, which typically results in the slack detection unit or multiple slack detection units being located outside the vertical projection of the elevator car relative to the car body.

[0007] Attaching the slack detection unit to the sidewall reduces the vertical shaft space required. Overall, the elevator is inexpensive and effective in terms of safety.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the support mechanism is guided to a suspension point located at the slack detection unit for suspending the elevator car from the floor, the suspension point / slack detection unit being positioned at the floor of the elevator car.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the elevator car is suspended only on at least one slack detection unit.

[0010] In this type of elevator, the slack detection unit is used solely for suspending the car and simultaneously for detecting slack in the support mechanism, reducing the required space compared to existing solutions. The fact that the slack detection unit is connected to the support mechanism that carries the elevator car and thus serves as the suspension point for the support mechanism allows for space efficiency.

[0011] The elevator preferably includes two suspension mechanisms to achieve advantageous weight compensation. In this case, the elevator may include an elevator car supported by two support mechanisms, wherein each support mechanism for suspending the elevator car on the floor side is guided to suspension points arranged on opposite sides of the elevator car, these suspension points being positioned on the car floor. Therefore, the elevator has two slack detection units, each connected to a corresponding suspension mechanism.

[0012] Preferably, in the elevator described above and below, the slack detection unit includes a slack sensor connected to the support mechanism, preferably directly connected to the support mechanism, to detect changes in the tension of the support mechanism.

[0013] Such a sensor can be implemented as a simple switch that turns on or off based on the tension within the support mechanism. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor can be implemented as a strain gauge, thereby allowing the actual tension within the support mechanism to be derived.

[0014] In another embodiment of the elevator described above and below, the relaxation detection unit further includes a lever arranged to transmit the motion of the support mechanism to the relaxation sensor.

[0015] The lever allows the suspension point of the support mechanism to be separated from the slack sensor by transferring at least a portion of the force applied from the support mechanism to the suspension point. In this way, the slack sensor does not need to be sized for the entire suspension force.

[0016] Preferably, the relaxation sensor is a male-female contact bridge, which includes a female or male contact attached to the support mechanism or the lever and a corresponding male or female contact attached to the car.

[0017] Male and female bridges are an advantageous type of contact, especially suitable for harsh environments expected in elevator suspensions (e.g., with high levels of vibration and dirt).

[0018] In another embodiment, the corresponding relaxation detection unit includes a buffer, preferably a rotationally symmetric buffer, preferably a cylindrical buffer, preferably surrounded by a hollow cylindrical housing body, wherein the support mechanism or a support mechanism connector adjacent to the support mechanism is connected to the buffer, preferably directly connected to the buffer, and preferably guided through the buffer. The buffer may have corresponding cavities for the support mechanism or support mechanism connector to pass through.

[0019] In other words, the relaxation detection unit is used to buffer the elevator car. The buffer can be positioned above the suspension point. The buffer is preferably arranged in the vertical projection of the suspension point, wherein the suspension mechanism and the buffer associated with the suspension mechanism are particularly preferably coaxial with each other.

[0020] The buffer at the suspension point is used to provide damping for vibrations generated by the drive and transmitted to the car through the support mechanism.

[0021] Besides the hollow cylindrical shape, other shapes for the buffer body can be envisioned. For example, the buffer can also have a conical outer profile. Thanks to the buffer body, vibrations from the actuator or support mechanism can be effectively damped. Such buffer bodies can be readily and inexpensively sourced and adapted as needed.

[0022] The buffer body can be made of an elastomer. The buffer body can be made of rubber. The buffer body can also be a spring.

[0023] The end component can be fixed to the free end of the support mechanism or to the support mechanism connector, and the end component can directly or indirectly abut against the buffer body. The end component can be, for example, a threaded nut screwed onto the support mechanism connector including a threaded rod, and is preferably secured by means of a suitable fastening mechanism.

[0024] Regarding operational safety and durability, it is advantageous for the buffer to have an impact element. The impact element can preferably be made of a metallic material, such as steel.

[0025] An impact element is a component that introduces compressive forces, damped by the buffer, into the buffer body during landing. The impact element protects the buffer body from abrasion.

[0026] Impact components can be made, for example, from metal sheets through a forming process.

[0027] The support mechanism can be attached to the impact element. Vibrations of the support mechanism are transmitted to the buffer body via the impact element. The end components can rest on and be supported by the impact element.

[0028] The impact element may have a central cavity that is complementary to the cavity of the buffer body for receiving a support mechanism or support mechanism connector, so that the impact element can be placed precisely at the buffer.

[0029] In one embodiment of the elevator, the impact element is partially or wholly implemented by the lever, which is directly or indirectly connected to the buffer.

[0030] Therefore, the functions of the impact element (protecting the buffer) and the lever (transferring at least a portion of the suspension force to the slack sensor) can be effectively combined in space into one piece.

[0031] The support mechanism can be one or more straps. The advantage of support straps is that they allow for optimal space utilization and are particularly suitable for space-saving designs. Alternatively, the support mechanism can be formed from one or more ropes.

[0032] Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of slack detection units to attach a support mechanism to the side wall of an elevator car. Alternatively, the elevator car according to the invention may include at least one slack detection unit from or via which the elevator car can be suspended. In other words, the slack detection unit(s) provides (multiple) suspension points and is therefore an integrated part of the suspension points. The slack detection units(s) have a dual function. On the one hand, they allow the detection of slack ropes as in conventional slack contacts; on the other hand, they are now also used to support or suspend the elevator car.

[0033] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:

[0034] Figure 1 This is a simplified side view of the elevator according to the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An enlarged sectional view of the side view; and

[0036] Figure 3 This is a simplified perspective view of male contact 15.

[0037] Figure 1 An elevator 1 for a multi-story building is shown. The building has an elevator shaft. The elevator 1 includes an elevator car 2 that can move vertically up and down in the elevator shaft to transport people or goods to various floors (not shown). The elevator car 2 has side walls 3 and a car floor 7, which form a car body of approximately cuboid shape.

[0038] The elevator car 2 moves via a support mechanism labeled 6, from which the car 2 is suspended; the support mechanism 6 can be one or more belts. However, it is also conceivable to use suspension ropes as the support mechanism 6. The support mechanism 6 is connected to a drive unit (not shown) to move the car 2.

[0039] Due to structural or other reasons, space may be too small for conventional elevators with a pit and a top. Special elevators with low pit depths are known and common, where the pit depth is less than 60 cm, and preferably less than 35 cm or less. The elevator 1 shown here and explained in detail below is particularly suitable for such elevator systems with low pit depths or for pitless elevators.

[0040] Elevator 1 may also include at least one counterweight (not shown), which is connected to elevator car 2 and is capable of moving up and down in the opposite direction to elevator car 2. Elevator car 2 and the at least one counterweight move along a vertical guide (not shown). Typically, such elevators have only one drive, such as a traction pulley drive, which drives the support mechanism, thereby causing the elevator car and counterweight to move in opposite directions.

[0041] However, elevator 1 can also have two counterweights and two drives. Each of the support mechanisms 6 is connected to one of the two counterweights. Elevator 1 can have a special guide rail through which both the elevator car 2 and the corresponding counterweights are linearly guided. The guide rail can be manufactured as a one-piece rolling profile. Such an elevator 1 can be designed as a so-called "front bag elevator". More details about front bag elevators, the guide rails of the elevator car 2, and counterweights with common guide rails can be found in WO 2020 / 127303 A1 and WO2020 / 127787 A1.

[0042] To suspend the elevator car 2 in the base area, the support mechanism 6 is guided to suspension points 10 (only one of the two suspension points is visible in the figure) located on opposite sides of the elevator car 2. These suspension points 10 are positioned on the lower half of the side wall 4 at the bottom area of ​​the car 2 (alternatively, on the upper half of the side wall 4, not shown). The suspension points 10, and therefore the slack detection unit 5, are also located outside the vertical projection of the elevator car 2 relative to its car body, defined by the car side wall 3.

[0043] exist Figure 2The structural details of the special design of the slack detection unit 5 used to suspend the elevator car 2 can be seen. The suspension point 10 is defined by the slack detection unit 5, which has a hollow cylindrical body 11. The body 11 can be designed as a one-piece unit and can be made of metal.

[0044] The support mechanism 6 (or more precisely, the support mechanism connector 21 adjacent to the support mechanism 6) is guided through the buffer body 17, as... Figure 2 As shown. The buffer body 17 is preferably rotationally symmetrical. The buffers 17, respectively assigned to the slack detection unit 5 and thus to the support mechanism 6, are integrated within the slack detection unit 5 to temporarily support the elevator car 2 relative to the shaft floor during any travel. Each buffer 17 is directly or indirectly connected to one of the support mechanisms 6. Thus, the elevator car 2 is suspended from or via the buffer 17, thereby achieving damping of the elevator car 2 during its travel. Therefore, vibrations generated by the drive and transmitted to the car 2 through the support mechanism 6 can be easily reduced, resulting in good travel comfort. The buffer 17 can be designed as a one-piece molded body and can be made of rubber or plastic, particularly an elastomer.

[0045] The support mechanism 6 is equipped with a support mechanism end connection part 20 at the end of the car (e.g. Figure 1 As shown, the support mechanism connector 21 is connected to the support mechanism end connector 20. The suspension mechanism end connector 20 can be, for example, a suspension mechanism end connector known from WO 03 / 022723 A1 or EP 2261162 A1. The load-bearing mechanism connector 21 has a threaded rod. Two end members 25 are each formed by a nut and are located at the free end of the suspension mechanism connector 21. A fixing device 16 is provided for fixing the end members 25.

[0046] The relaxation detection unit 5 also includes one or more impact elements 12, which are preferably made of metal. The impact elements 12 contact the end member 25 (or, optionally, the corresponding metal portion attached to the end member 25). The support mechanism 6 is attached to the impact element 12 via the end member 25. The end member 25 rests on and is supported by the impact element 12. During car travel, vibrations or oscillations of the support mechanism 6 are introduced into the buffer 17 via the impact elements 12.

[0047] The impact element 12 has a stepped shape, with its first part serving as the impact element 12 and its second part connected to the male contact 15, which makes contact with the corresponding female contact 13 attached to the side wall 3 of the car.

[0048] Figure 3 The male contact of relaxation detection unit 5 is shown.

Claims

1. An elevator (1) having a car (2), wherein: At least one slack detection unit (5) associated with a supporting mechanism (6) is attached to the car (2), preferably to a side wall (3) of the car (2), in particular to a lower half (4) or an upper half of the side wall (3), and the at least one slack detection unit (5) is connected to the supporting mechanism (6).

2. The elevator (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The elevator car (2) is suspended on the at least one slack detection unit (5).

3. The elevator (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The slack detection unit (5) comprises a slack sensor (7) connected to the supporting mechanism (6), preferably directly connected to the supporting mechanism (6), to detect changes in tension of the supporting mechanism (6).

4. Elevator (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein The slack detection unit (5) further comprises a lever (8), which is arranged to transmit the movement of the support mechanism (6) to the slack sensor (7).

5. The elevator (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The slack sensor (7) is a switch (9), in particular a male-female contact bridge (9), which includes a female contact or a male contact (15) attached to the support mechanism (6) or the lever (8) and a corresponding male contact or a female contact (13) attached to the car (2).

6. Elevator (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein The corresponding slack detection unit (5) comprises a buffer (17), which is preferably a rotationally symmetrical buffer (17), preferably a cylindrical buffer (17), which is preferably surrounded by a hollow cylindrical housing body (11), and wherein the support mechanism (6) or a support mechanism (6) connection element (21) adjacent to the support mechanism (6) is connected to the buffer (17), preferably directly connected to the buffer (17), and preferably guided through the buffer (17).

7. The elevator (1) according to claim 6, wherein: The buffer (17) is a spring and / or an elastic body and / or a rubber body.

8. Elevator (1) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein An end member (25) is fixed to the free end of the support mechanism (6) and abuts directly or indirectly against the buffer (17).

9. Elevator (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein: The buffer (17) has an impact element (12), which is preferably made of a metallic material.

10. Elevator (1) according to claim 9 as appended to claim 4, wherein: The impact element (12) is partially or completely implemented by the lever (8), and the impact element (12) is directly or indirectly connected to the buffer (17).

11. Elevator (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein The supporting mechanism (6) is a belt.

12. Use of a slack detection unit (5) for attaching a support mechanism (6) to a side wall of an elevator car (2).

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