Elevator suspension member with coating

Abstract

The invention relates to an elevator suspension component with a coating. A method and assembly includes at least one suspension member that supports an elevator car and facilitates movement of the elevator car within a hoistway. A sheath encloses the at least one suspension member. The coating at least partially covers the sheath, and the coating includes at least one anti-light characteristic.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Elevator systems are widely used to transport passengers between floors in buildings. Some elevator systems are traction-based, where a suspension assembly (sometimes called a rope) suspends the elevator car and counterweight. The suspension assembly also facilitates moving the elevator car when needed. Traditional suspension assemblies include round steel ropes; however, elevator systems also include other types of suspension components, such as flat belts or other types of ropes that have tension members wrapped in a compressible polymer sheath. Such suspension components are often used in glass hoistways, which expose the suspension components to external light conditions. These conditions may affect the suspension components for long periods of time. Summary of the invention

[0002] An exemplary example assembly includes at least one suspension component that supports an elevator car and facilitates movement of the elevator car within a hoistway, a jacket that encases the at least one suspension component, and a coating that at least partially covers the jacket, wherein the coating includes at least one light-resistant property.

[0003] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, the at least one light resistance property includes ultraviolet light resistance.

[0004] In addition to, or in the alternative to, one or more of the above features, the coating is a completely solid-based or water-based formulation.

[0005] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, the coating further comprises a low friction additive.

[0006] In addition to or in the alternative to one or more of the above features, the low friction additive comprises a fluorocarbon.

[0007] Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the above features, at least one of the suspension components includes a plurality of tension members encased within a sheath, and wherein the sheath includes a compressible material.

[0008] Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the above features, the jacket has an outwardly facing side and a traction side supported on at least one pulley, and wherein the coating covers only the outwardly facing side.

[0009] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, the hoistway includes one or more walls formed from a translucent material or a transparent material.

[0010] An exemplary example elevator system includes: an elevator car; at least one suspension component that supports the elevator car and facilitates movement of the elevator car within a hoistway, wherein the at least one suspension component includes a plurality of tension members encased in a jacket; and a coating at least partially covering the jacket, wherein the coating includes an ultraviolet light protective coating.

[0011] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, the coating includes a low friction additive.

[0012] Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the above features, the sheath comprises a compressible material.

[0013] Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the above features, the jacket has an outwardly facing side and a traction side supported on at least one pulley, and wherein the coating covers only the outwardly facing side.

[0014] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, the hoistway includes one or more walls formed from a translucent material or a transparent material.

[0015] An illustrative example method for coating a suspension component that supports an elevator car and facilitates movement of the elevator car within a hoistway includes: wrapping a plurality of tension members within a jacket to form at least one suspension component; and applying a coating to at least partially cover a portion of the jacket, wherein the coating includes at least one light-resistant property.

[0016] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, the at least one light resistance property includes ultraviolet light resistance.

[0017] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, the method includes adding a low friction additive to the coating.

[0018] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, the method includes applying the coating to cover only the side of the sheath facing the external light source, leaving the pulling side of the sheath uncoated.

[0019] In addition to or in the alternative to one or more of the above features, the method includes, immediately after applying the coating, curing the coating with a UV light source.

[0020] In addition to or in the alternative to one or more of the above features, applying the coating includes brushing, rolling or spraying the coating onto the jacket.

[0021] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, the method includes forming at least one wall of the hoistway from a translucent or transparent material.

[0022] The various features and advantages of the example embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description.The drawings accompanying the detailed description can be briefly described as follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 Selected parts of an elevator system are schematically shown.

[0024] Figure 2 A portion of an example suspension component is schematically shown.

[0025] Figure 3 An example of a coated suspension component is schematically shown.

[0026] Figure 4 is a flow chart of an example method of coating a suspension component. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an elevator suspension component coated with an ultraviolet (UV) protective coating to enhance UV resistance and minimize sheath degradation due to UV damage.

[0028] Figure 1 Selected portions of an elevator system 20 are schematically shown. The elevator car 22 is supported by a roping or suspension assembly 24 that includes a plurality of suspension members 26. In one example, the elevator system 20 is a traction-based system in which a controller controls operation of the machine 16 to cause selected movement of the elevator car 22. The elevator car 22 is coupled to a counterweight 28 by the suspension members 26. The suspension members 26 are driven by the machine 16 about a traction sheave 30 and any additional deflection sheaves 18 as the elevator car 22 moves within a hoistway 32 between landings or floors.

[0029] Depending on the building configuration, the shaft 32 can be located at various locations within the building. In some cases, at least a portion of the shaft 32 can be along the exterior surface of the building. In one example, the shaft 32 includes one or more walls 34 formed of a translucent or transparent material through which external light can pass. For example, the shaft wall 34 can be made of a plastic-based material or a glass material.

[0030] Figure 2 A portion of an example suspension component 26 is schematically shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the suspension component 26 is a flat belt that includes a plurality of tension members 36 wrapped in a sheath 38 of a compressible material, such as, for example, polyurethane or other similar material. In many embodiments, the tension members 36 include steel cables, and the suspension component 26 is referred to as a coated steel belt (CSB), for example. Other embodiments include tension members made of different materials and non-flat sheath surfaces, such as sheath surfaces that incorporate ribs, grooves, or similar features.

[0031] When the suspension component 26 is used in a glass hoistway 32 that does not include UV blocking glass or film, degradation of the component 26 may occur due to prolonged exposure to sunlight. Figure 3As shown in , the jacket 38 has an exterior-facing side 40, such as a printed side, and a traction side 42 supported on the traction sheave 30, such as an interior-facing side. The present disclosure provides a coating 44 including at least one light-resistant property that at least partially covers the jacket 38. In one example, the at least one light-resistant property includes UV resistance. Any type of coating with UV resistance can be applied to the jacket 38. Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this description will be able to determine which UV-resistant coating to use for each elevator application. This type of coating 44 is particularly beneficial for specific devices, such as sightseeing elevators, which require enhanced UV protection of the component 26 without changing the structure of the glass.

[0032] In one example, the coating 44 covers only the exterior facing side 40. Since the exterior facing side 40 is the only side facing external lighting, a coating on the traction side 42 would not be required, thereby saving costs.

[0033] In one example, coating 44 is a completely (eg, 100%) solid-based or water-based formulation. Thus, coating 44 does not include or require any type of flammable solvents.

[0034] In one example, the coating 44 includes a low friction additive. The low friction additive may include a fluorocarbon, such as, for example, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) or other similar materials. PVDF additives are particularly beneficial due to their inherent UV resistance and low wear / friction properties. The use of low friction additives reduces friction and wear of the coating 44 over time. The use of low friction additives also prevents stick-slip of the suspension components 26, which may cause noise generated by interaction with various pulleys installed in the elevator system.

[0035] Figure 4 A flow chart is shown of an example method of coating a suspension component 26. In one example, the method includes the step of encasing a plurality of tension members 36 within a jacket 38 to form at least one suspension component 26, as indicated at 100. The method also includes the step of applying a coating 44 to at least partially cover a portion of the jacket 38, as indicated at 200, wherein the coating 44 includes at least one light-resistant property.

[0036] The method may include any of the following steps alone or in any combination.In one example, the at least one light resistance property includes UV resistance.

[0037] In one example, the method includes adding a low friction additive to the coating 44 .

[0038] In one example, the method includes applying a coating 44 to cover only a side 40 of the jacket 38 that faces the external light source, leaving a pulling side 42 of the jacket 38 uncoated.

[0039] In one example, the method includes, immediately after applying the coating 44 , curing the coating 44 with a UV light source 46 .

[0040] In one example, the coating 44 is applied with an applicator 48. The applicator 48 may apply the coating 44 by brushing, rolling, or spraying the coating 44 onto the jacket 38.

[0041] In one example, the method includes forming at least one wall 34 of the hoistway 32 from a translucent or transparent material.

[0042] The present disclosure utilizes a coating 44 on the printed side 40 of the suspension component 26 that includes UV protection to enhance UV resistance and reduce the possibility of jacket degradation. The applied coating 44 avoids the use of flammable solvents and incorporates low friction additives to reduce friction and wear of the cured coating, as well as reduce noise.

[0043] The coating 44 can be applied on-site at a particular job site where UV protection of the suspension component 26 is desired; however, the coating 44 can also be applied prior to on-site installation, such as after the suspension component 26 is extruded at a manufacturing facility. The coating application process includes the steps of applying the coating via a spray, brush, or roller coating process / applicator, followed by a rapid cure using a UV light source 46, a heat source, or a combination thereof. For example, Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the applicator 38 applies the coating 44 to the jacket (the lower portion of the jacket 38), and then the suspension component 26 is moved away from the applicator 38 (see arrow 50) to a UV curing light source 46, a heat source, or a combination thereof, which is applied for a predetermined amount of time to accelerate the curing of the coating 44. UV and / or heat assisted rapid curing is intended to minimize downtime and allow for application in the field.

[0044] Finally, since the coating 44 is applied only to the printed side 40, it will not change the traction characteristics required for the function of the suspension component. In addition, by focusing on the selective application of the coating in the field, the need and cost associated with changing the formulation of all suspension components is avoided.

[0045] The foregoing description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of the invention. The scope of legal protection afforded this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.

Claims

1. A component comprising: at least one suspension member that supports the elevator car and facilitates movement of the elevator car within the hoistway; a sheath enclosing the at least one suspension component; as well as A coating at least partially covers the sheath, wherein the coating includes at least one light-resistant property.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein The at least one light resistance property includes ultraviolet light resistance.

3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The coatings are either completely solids-based or water-based formulations.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The coating includes a low friction additive.

5. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The low friction additive includes a fluorocarbon compound.

6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one suspension member comprises a plurality of tension members encased within the jacket, and wherein the jacket comprises a compressible material.

7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The jacket has an outwardly facing side and a traction side supported on at least one pulley, and wherein the coating covers only the outwardly facing side.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: The hoistway includes one or more walls formed of a translucent material or a transparent material.

9. An elevator system, comprising: Elevator car; at least one suspension member that supports the elevator car and facilitates movement of the elevator car within the hoistway, wherein the at least one suspension member includes a plurality of tension members encased in a jacket; as well as A coating at least partially covers the sheath, wherein the coating comprises an ultraviolet light protective coating.

10. The elevator system according to claim 9, wherein: The coating includes a low friction additive.

11. The elevator system according to claim 9, wherein: The sheath comprises a compressible material.

12. The elevator system according to claim 9, wherein: The jacket has an outwardly facing side and a traction side supported on at least one pulley, and wherein the coating covers only the outwardly facing side.

13. The elevator system according to claim 9, wherein: The hoistway includes one or more walls formed of a translucent material or a transparent material.

14. A method of coating a suspension component that supports an elevator car and facilitates movement of the elevator car within a hoistway, the method comprising: encasing a plurality of tension members within a sheath to form at least one suspension member; and A coating is applied to at least partially cover a portion of the sheath, wherein the coating includes at least one light-resistant property.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: The at least one light resistance property includes ultraviolet light resistance.

16. The method of claim 14 including adding a low friction additive to the coating.

17. The method of claim 14, comprising applying the coating to cover only the side of the sheath facing the external light source, leaving the pulling side of the sheath uncoated.

18. The method according to claim 17, comprising: Immediately after the coating is applied, it is cured using a UV light source.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein: Applying the coating comprises: The coating is brushed, rolled or sprayed onto the jacket.

20. The method of claim 14, comprising forming at least one wall of the hoistway from a translucent or transparent material.

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