Elevator car and elevator assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to an elevator car and an elevator assembly. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to an elevator car (1) defining an interior space (4) for accommodating passengers and / or goods. The elevator car (1) comprises a working platform (8) which can move up and down in an inner space (4); and pulling means (10) mounted to the elevator car (1) above the interior space (4) and connected to the working platform (8) for moving the working platform (8) between the stowed position and the lowered position and holding the working platform (8) in the operating position. The pulling means (10) comprises a retraction mechanism. The retraction force of the retraction mechanism is set to compensate for the weight or less of the work platform (8). The present disclosure also relates to an elevator assembly having an elevator hoistway (2) and an elevator car (1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an elevator car having a work platform and pulling means for moving and holding the work platform, and an elevator assembly having an elevator shaft and an elevator car. BACKGROUND

[0002] It is known to provide a work platform which is located in an elevator car defining an interior space. The work platform is movable between a stowed position and a lowered position. In the operating position, the work platform is located at a height within the elevator car so that a maintenance person can stand on the work platform and access elevator components through an opening in the ceiling of the elevator car. This often requires the maintenance person to exert a significant amount of force on the work platform to push it upwardly back to the stowed position, and to be careful when lowering the work platform to prevent sudden dropping or free fall of the work platform. For this reason, the work platform is moved and held by using a support structure comprising a scissor mechanism.

[0003] In this respect, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved technique for an elevator car having a work platform. More specifically, the present disclosure shall be applicable to elevator cars having different car sizes. SUMMARY

[0004] This is solved by the elevator car and elevator assembly according to the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0005] According to an aspect, an elevator car defines an interior space for accommodating passengers and / or goods. The elevator car can define the interior space in the shape of a cuboid or an elliptic cylinder or a circular cylinder. The elevator car can have a floor, a ceiling and a plurality of side walls, at least one of which can comprise an elevator door, in order to define the interior space. The elevator car can have at least one elevator car frame structure. The elevator car comprises a work platform. The work platform is movable up and down within the interior space. The work platform can be part of the ceiling or can be the entire ceiling. The work platform can be shaped rectangular, elliptic or circular. The elevator car comprises a pulling device which is mounted to the elevator car above the interior space and which is connected to the work platform for moving the work platform between a stowed position, which can also be called an upper position, and a lowered position and for holding the work platform in an operating position. The operating position can be between the stowed position and the lowered position. For example, the pulling device can be mounted on a top of the elevator car frame which is arranged around an upper end of the elevator car. The pulling device can reach into the interior space through an opening defined by the elevator car frame for moving and holding the work platform. The stowed position can be within the elevator car frame. That is, in the stowed position, the work platform can be located within the elevator car frame. The pulling device comprises a retraction mechanism. A retraction force of the retraction mechanism is set to compensate for the weight of the work platform or less. The retraction mechanism can comprise a spring mechanism for generating the retraction force. That is, a spring return force of the spring mechanism can correspond to the retraction force. In this way, the retraction mechanism prevents the work platform from falling down quickly when lowering the work platform from the stowed position. Thus, the risk of injury, for example head injury, is avoided or at least reduced. Furthermore, the work platform can be easily brought back to the stowed position with a small force.

[0006] According to an aspect, the pulling device can comprise a self-locking mechanism which is configured to block movement of the pulling device when a certain activation force towards the lowered position is exceeded. Thus, in case the work platform is moved with too much force, i.e. too fast, the movement of the work platform towards the lowered position is blocked or stopped.

[0007] According to an aspect, the length of the pulling device can be set in dependence on the lowered position such that the operating position corresponds to the lowered position. The pulling device can omit any fixation mechanism which allows holding the work platform in a position between the upper position and the lowered position. In this way, only the lowered position can be set as the operating position. For example, the length of the pulling device can be adjusted such that the work platform is between 0.9 and 1.1 meters, in particular 1.0 meter, below the upper end of the elevator car. The upper end of the elevator car then forms a handrail for a person standing on the work platform. Thus, safety requirements with respect to elevator car maintenance are met.

[0008] According to an aspect, the work platform comprises a self-locking mechanism configured to automatically engage with the elevator car when the work platform is in the stowed position. For example, the self-locking mechanism can engage with the elevator car frame arranged on the upper end of the elevator car. By using the self-locking mechanism, the movement of the work platform towards the lowered position unintentionally is limited.

[0009] According to an aspect, the self-locking mechanism is a snap-action mechanism and / or a latch. A recess for the snap-action mechanism and / or the latch can be formed in the elevator car, in particular in the elevator car frame. In this way, the work platform can be securely stowed in the stowed position.

[0010] According to an aspect, the pulling means can comprise at least one belt reel and a corresponding belt. The pulling means can for example comprise two, three, four, five, six or any other natural number of belt reels and corresponding belts. In this case, the retraction mechanism can be comprised in the belt reel. Since the belt can be wound in a compact manner, the pulling means only require a small space. Furthermore, by using a belt, the risk of tangling can be reduced compared to an electric wire or cable.

[0011] According to an aspect, the work platform can comprise a lateral movement limiting mechanism. In this way, a rotation of the work platform in the operating position, for example the lowered position, can be avoided or limited.

[0012] According to an aspect, the lateral movement limiting mechanism is configured to avoid any movement in the lateral direction. The lateral movement limiting mechanism can be formed by a plurality of components. The lateral movement limiting mechanism can engage with the work platform as well as with other components of the elevator car, for example the side walls and / or the elevator car frame. The lateral movement limiting mechanism can comprise a screw mechanism, a sliding component and / or a rotating component. The lateral movement limiting mechanism can be configured such that it avoids damaging other components of the elevator car frame. For example, the lateral movement limiting mechanism can be arranged in the gap between the work platform and the other components of the elevator car, i.e. the side walls and / or the elevator car frame. In this way, a rotation of the work platform can be completely avoided.

[0013] According to an aspect, the lateral movement limiting mechanism can be removably attachable to the work platform. For example, the lateral movement limiting mechanism can be attached to the corners and / or edges of the work platform. In particular, the lateral movement limiting mechanism can be at least one foam block. For example, two foam blocks can be inserted into the gap between the work platform and the other components of the elevator car, i.e. the side walls and / or the elevator car frame, on opposite sides of the work platform. Thus, the lateral movement limiting mechanism can be attached when the work platform is in the operating position, for example the lowered position. In this way, the work platform can easily be moved into the operating position and can then be fixed against rotation by installing the lateral movement limiting means.

[0014] According to an aspect, a pushing / pulling mechanism can be attached or attachable on the underside of the work platform and can be configured to push the work platform towards the stowed position and to pull the work platform towards the lowered position. The pushing / pulling mechanism can be a handle attached to the underside of the work platform. The pushing / pulling mechanism can be an eyelet attached to the underside of the work platform and a hook engageable with the eyelet. The eyelet can even be formed by the handle. This allows to maneuver the platform in a controlled manner into the lowered position or the stowed position.

[0015] According to an aspect, a telescopic or foldable ladder can be stored on the upper side of the work platform. The ladder can be used by maintenance personnel to climb onto the work platform which has been moved into the operating position, e.g. the lowered position, in order to perform maintenance work above the elevator car. When placing the ladder on the floor, the rotational resistance of the work platform is improved.

[0016] According to an aspect, the ladder can be pivotable around an edge of the work platform. This way, the installation of the ladder is facilitated.

[0017] According to an aspect, a decorative ceiling can be removably attached or attachable above the interior space and below the work platform in the stowed position. This way, the work platform can be hidden behind the decorative ceiling and the visual appearance of the interior space can be defined by the decorative ceiling.

[0018] According to an aspect, the decorative ceiling can be pivotable relative to the work platform. For example, one edge of the decorative ceiling can be mounted to the elevator car or elevator car frame by means of at least one hinge. This way, the disassembly of the decorative ceiling is facilitated when using the work platform.

[0019] According to an aspect, the elevator car does not comprise a scissor mechanism for moving and holding the work platform. This means that the elevator car, i.e. the pulling means, can omit arms, bearings and / or hinges. This way, a complex and expensive structure for moving and holding the work platform can be avoided.

[0020] According to an aspect, an elevator assembly comprises an elevator shaft and an elevator car according to the preceding aspect. Thus, when lowering the work platform from the stowed position towards the lowered position, the retracting mechanism can avoid the work platform to fall down in the elevator car quickly. Thus, the risk of injury, e.g. head injury, is avoided or at least limited. Furthermore, the work platform can be moved into the stowed position with a small force. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below by way of example only, with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of an elevator assembly with an elevator shaft and an elevator car is shown, wherein a work platform is lowered from a stowed position towards a lowered position; and

[0023] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the elevator assembly rotated 90 degrees compared to Figure 1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. Identical components are assigned identical reference numerals in the figures. It is noted that these embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only and the description of the embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the elevator assembly rotated 90 degrees compared to Figure 2 Figure 1 shows another cross-sectional view of the elevator assembly rotated 90 degrees compared to

[0026] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 the elevator car 1 defines an interior space 4 in the shape of a cuboid for accommodating passengers and / or goods. For this purpose, the elevator car 1 has a floor, a ceiling and a plurality of side walls, at least one of which can comprise an elevator door. In some embodiments, the elevator car 1 can have the shape of an elliptic cylinder or a circular cylinder. On the top end of the elevator car 1, i.e. above the interior space 4, the elevator car 1 can have an elevator car frame 6. In Figure 1 and Figure 2 only the top frame of the elevator car frame 6 is shown. In some embodiments, the elevator car 1 can comprise only the top frame.

[0027] The elevator car 1 comprises a work platform 8. The work platform 8 is movable up and down within the interior space 4. In Figure 1 the work platform 8 is part of the ceiling and shaped rectangular. In some embodiments, the work platform 8 can be circular or elliptic.

[0028] For moving the work platform 8 between a stowed position, also called upper position, and a lowered position and for holding the work platform 8 in an operating position, the elevator car 1 comprises a pulling means 10. The pulling means 10 is mounted to the elevator car above the interior space 4, in the present embodiment to the elevator car frame 6, and is connected to the work platform 8.

[0029] In the present embodiment, the pulling means 10 comprises four belt reels 12 and corresponding belts 14. Due to perspective reasons, Figure 1 and Figure 2 ​​Only two tape reels 12 and two tapes 14 are shown. However, the number of tape reels 12 and tapes 14 is not limited to four, and the pulling device 10 can have, for example, two, three, five, six, or any other natural number of tape reels. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As can be seen, the spool 12 is mounted on the top of the elevator car frame 6, and the belt 14 extends into the interior space 4 through the opening defined by the elevator car frame 6. In this embodiment, the retracted position is located inside the elevator car frame 6. That is, the work platform 8 is arranged inside the elevator car frame 6 when it is in the retracted position.

[0030] The work platform 8 has a self-locking mechanism configured to automatically engage with the elevator car frame 6 when the work platform 8 is in the retracted position. In this embodiment, the self-locking mechanism is a latching mechanism 16 that engages with a recess 18 in the elevator car frame 6. In some embodiments, the self-locking mechanism may include a latch that can be manually slid into the recess 18 formed in the elevator car frame 6, for example by moving a latch handle that protrudes toward the recess 18 through a slit formed in the underside of the work platform 6.

[0031] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this embodiment, a push / pull mechanism is attached to the underside of the work platform 8. Using the push / pull mechanism, the work platform 8 can be pushed to a retracted position and pulled to a lowered position. In this embodiment, the push / pull mechanism includes an eyelet 20 attached to the underside of the work platform 8 and a hook 22 that engages with the eyelet 20.

[0032] Figure 1 A scenario is illustrated where the work platform 8 is pulled from a retracted position to a lowered position using hook 22. To prevent the work platform 8 from falling rapidly, the pulling device 10 includes a retraction mechanism. In this embodiment, the retraction mechanism is included in a belt reel 12. The retraction force of the retraction mechanism is set to compensate for or less than the weight of the work platform 8. That is, the retraction force is equal to or less than the weight of the work platform 8. The retraction mechanism may include a spring mechanism for generating the retraction force. That is, the spring return force of the spring mechanism corresponds to the retraction force. Furthermore, the pulling device 10, i.e., the belt reel 12, includes a self-locking mechanism configured to prevent movement of the work platform 8 when a specific activation force toward the lowered position is exceeded.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the decorative ceiling 24 is removably attached above the interior space 4 and below the work platform 8 in the retracted position. In this embodiment, one edge of the decorative ceiling 24 is hinged to the elevator car frame 6, allowing it to pivot relative to the work platform 8 in the retracted position.

[0034] Figure 2 The diagram shows the work platform 8 in the lowered position. In this embodiment, the length of the pulling device 10 (i.e., the belt 14) is set according to the lowered position, such that the operating position corresponds to the lowered position. The pulling device 10 (i.e., the belt reel 12) omits any fixing mechanism that would allow the work platform 8 to be held between the raised and lowered positions.

[0035] To prevent the work platform 8 from rotating in the lowered position, the work platform 8 includes a lateral movement limiting mechanism. In some embodiments, the lateral movement limiting mechanism is configured to prevent any movement in the lateral direction. Specifically, the lateral movement limiting mechanism is removably attachable to the work platform 8, for example, to a corner and / or edge of the work platform 8. Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the foam block 26 is removably attached to the corner of the work platform 8. The foam block 26 can be carried by maintenance personnel performing maintenance work on the elevator car.

[0036] The elevator car 2 includes a telescopic or foldable ladder 28, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the ladder 28 can be stored on the upper side of the work platform 8. After the work platform 8 is brought to the lowered position (i.e., the operating position), the ladder 28 is... Figure 2 As indicated by the curved arrow, it pivots around the edge of work platform 8 to allow maintenance personnel to access work platform 8.

[0037] Reference number list

[0038] 1. Elevator car

[0039] 2. Elevator shaft

[0040] 4. Interior Space

[0041] 6. Elevator car frame

[0042] 8. Work Platform

[0043] 10 Pulling devices

[0044] 12 with scrolls

[0045] 14 belts

[0046] 16. Buckling mechanism

[0047] 18 concavity

[0048] 20 holes

[0049] 22 hooks

[0050] 24 Decorative Ceilings

[0051] 26 foam block

[0052] 28 ladder

Claims

1. An elevator car (1) defining an interior space (4) for accommodating passengers and / or goods, said elevator car (1) comprising: A work platform (8) that can move up and down within the internal space (4), and A pulling device (10), which is mounted above the interior space (4) to the elevator car (1) and connected to the work platform (8), is used to move the work platform (8) between a retracted position and a lowered position and to hold the work platform (8) in the operating position. Its features are, The pulling device (10) includes a retraction mechanism whose retraction force is set to compensate for the weight of the work platform (8) or less.

2. The elevator car (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pulling device (10) includes a self-locking mechanism configured to prevent movement of the pulling device (10) when a specific activation force is exceeded toward the lowered position.

3. The elevator car (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, The length of the pulling device (10) is set according to the lowering position, so that the operating position corresponds to the lowering position.

4. The elevator car (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The working platform (8) includes a self-locking mechanism (16, 18) configured to automatically engage with the elevator car (1) when the working platform (8) is in the retracted position.

5. The elevator car (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The self-locking mechanism (16, 18) is a latching mechanism (16) and / or a latch.

6. The elevator car (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The pulling device (10) includes at least one belt reel (12) and a corresponding belt (14).

7. The elevator car (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The work platform (8) includes a lateral movement restriction mechanism (26).

8. The elevator car (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The lateral movement limiting mechanism (26) is configured to prevent any movement in the lateral direction.

9. The elevator car (1) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that, The lateral movement limiting mechanism (26) is removably attachable to the work platform (8).

10. The elevator car (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, Pulling / pushing mechanisms (20, 22) are attached to or may be attached to the underside of the work platform (8) and configured to push the work platform (8) toward the retracted position and pull the work platform (8) toward the lowered position.

11. The elevator car (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, A telescopic or foldable ladder (28) is stored on the upper side of the work platform (8).

12. The elevator car (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that, The ladder (28) can pivot around the edge of the work platform (8).

13. The elevator car (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, A decorative ceiling (24) is removably attached or can be attached above the interior space (4) and below the work platform (8) in the retracted position.

14. The elevator car (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, It does not include a scissor mechanism for moving and holding the work platform (8).

15. An elevator assembly comprising an elevator shaft (2), characterized in that, The elevator car (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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