Elevator system with guide shoes movably attached to elevator car uprights

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to an elevator system (1) comprising at least one upright (3), wherein a guide shoe (5) is attached to the upright (3) for guiding movement of an elevator car (2) along a guide rail (4), wherein the guide shoe (5) is slidably connected to the upright (3) between an upper position and a lower position, whereby the guide shoe (5) is in the upper position when the elevator car (2) is in a first reduced travel length mode, and whereby the guide shoe (5) is in the lower position when the elevator car (2) is in a second increased travel length mode, while displacement means (9) are attached to the guide shoe (5) for forcing the guide shoe (5) into the upper position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an elevator system comprising at least one column (i.e., a rail to be fixed to an elevator car) for movement along a guide rail stationary within a building. The column shall include guide shoes attached to the column to guide the movement of the elevator car—and thus the attached column—along the guide rail. Background Technology

[0002] In this disclosure, the term "machine" is used for a device that includes—among other things—a (electric) motor, a brake, and a traction pulley. Regarding this technical terminology, it is noteworthy that "drive" controls the power supply to the motor. Furthermore, generally speaking, "car" includes—among other things—a compartment and a frame. The frame includes columns.

[0003] "Guide shoe" should be understood as "car guiding element", which does not necessarily have a geometric configuration like a shoe, but this is preferred.

[0004] Elevator systems can be used to transport loads between floors in a building.

[0005] The elevator system also includes at least one elevator car, at least one counterweight, and at least one machine, such that at least one elevator car can move longitudinally along guide rails and shafts within a building.

[0006] During this ascending or descending movement, typically, the upper guide shoe, fixed to a column, interacts with a guide rail to guide the movement of the elevator car. The lower guide shoe, also fixed to the (same) column, also interacts with the same guide rail to guide the movement.

[0007] On each side of the elevator car (or more accurately, the cabin), there may be two parallel columns, each with an upper guide shoe and a lower guide shoe. Therefore, equivalent or similar pairs of columns with corresponding upper and lower guide shoes may be on opposite sides of the elevator car (or more accurately, the cabin).

[0008] The applicant is known for its high-performance elevator designs. These designs are quick to install and allow for cost-effective building construction. They offer good rooftop isolation and fit perfectly into existing hoisting spaces for elevator replacement. Such high-performance elevator designs should eliminate the need for any maintenance operations performed from the top of the car. Instead, maintenance from the inside of the elevator car should be possible. Refuge space at the top of the hoisting position should no longer be necessary, and any "protrusions" on the building's roof should also be eliminated.

[0009] New safety standards should be implemented. Low pit and low overhead options are particularly desirable. However, such next-generation constructions impose very specific constraints on system layout.

[0010] On the one hand, modern generation designs make maintenance operations within the car possible. On the other hand, they necessitate extending the car guide rails above the machine platform, allowing them to extend into the overhead space.

[0011] By doing so, the distance between car guiding elements (such as guide shoes) must be maximized. However, the designer is also obligated to place guide rails between the machine, including the electric motor, and the car frame (or more precisely, the cabin). This has a negative impact on shaft dimensions and increases costs due to the additional guide rails to be implemented, compared to designs known in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The objective of this disclosure is to eliminate or minimize defects compared to the current state of affairs in the field.

[0013] This is achieved by the elevator system through a cleverly designed sliding connection between the guide shoe and the column (instead of a fixed connection as known in the art). The sliding connection allows the guide shoe to slide between an upper position (which may also be referred to as a fully extended position) and a lower position (which may also be referred to as a retracted position), whereby the guide shoe is in the upper position when the elevator car is in a first (reduced) travel length mode (e.g., between the lowest floor and the penultimate floor), and thus in the lower position when the elevator car is in a second (increased) travel length mode (e.g., between the penultimate floor and the final / highest floor), while a displacement device is attached to the guide shoe to force the guide shoe into the upper position.

[0014] In other words, the concept behind this invention includes enabling the upper car guide to move (i.e., slide) vertically between a first / upper position and a second / lower position.

[0015] The “fully extended” position (i.e., the first position) is defined by the maximum distance between the upper and lower car guide elements (i.e., the upper and lower guide shoes). This position is reached when the elevator car is traveling between, for example, approximately 500 mm below the lowest level and the topmost floor. The “retracted” position (i.e., the second / lower position) is defined by the minimum distance between the upper and lower car guide elements (i.e., the upper and lower guide shoes). This “retracted” position only applies when the elevator car travels from, for example, 500 mm below the topmost / topmost floor to the topmost / topmost floor position.

[0016] Due to the stops located at the upper extremes of the machine platform and / or car guide rails, the upper car guide element (i.e., the upper guide shoe) moves from the "fully extended" position to the "retracted" position. Due to the vertical spring, the upper car guide element (i.e., the upper guide shoe) moves from the "retracted" position to the "fully extended" position. This vertical spring is an embodiment of a displacement device used to force the guide shoe into its upper position. The upper guide shoe can thus extend vertically to a position higher than the two extreme positions. Therefore, the displacement device holds the guide shoe in the upper position. If the elevator car moves in the area 500 mm below the uppermost floor and within the region of the uppermost floor, the guide shoe moves to its lower position against the force of the displacement device (i.e., against the spring force). Due to the mechanical contact between the machine platform and the guide shoe, the guide shoe moves to its lower position. This contact will only occur at low elevator car speeds, as it has already slowed down to reach the highest floor. Only at such low speeds does the upper guide shoe make mechanical contact with the platform, causing the upper guide shoe to move to a lower position on the still-moving column due to the continuous slow movement of the car.

[0017] This disclosure allows the car guide rails to not extend beyond the level of the machine platform, thus making it possible to move the machine closer to the car and increasing the clearance between tensioned components (such as CSB (coated steel strip)) and CWT (counterweight) guide rail supports, and thus reducing the shaft width.

[0018] In other words, in designs known in the art, the guide rail extends beyond (i.e., above) the machine platform. To accommodate the guide rail and the upper guide shoe that interacts with the machine platform and the machine, a certain lateral distance from the compartment and the column to which it is attached is required. In embodiments of this invention, the guide rail may terminate below the machine platform and, of course, below the machine. By allowing this, the machine and machine platform can be brought closer to the compartment and the column with the (upper) guide shoe.

[0019] Lateral guidance is still possible, even in those last few millimeters, by allowing the upper guide shoe to move from its normal “fully extended” position to its “retracted” position (i.e., the lower position).

[0020] By allowing for shorter guide rails and thus enabling the machine platform and machine to be moved closer to the cabin, space in the shaft can be better utilized, for example, by using elevator cars with larger volumes (i.e., larger cross-sections).

[0021] By reducing the required shaft width, existing shafts can be used more efficiently, for example, by accommodating larger-capacity elevator cars. In other words, by moving the machine and machine platform closer to the car, it may be possible to use larger-capacity elevator cars while maintaining the shaft width, or to keep the elevator car size unchanged and reduce the shaft width, thereby gaining more space in the building for other purposes (such as residential use). Of course, a combination of both is also possible.

[0022] Therefore, this concept allows for improved shaft layout by minimizing the distance between the machine and the elevator car, saving approximately 30 mm of width. Additionally, the guide rails can be shorter, resulting in savings in material costs.

[0023] Advantageous embodiments are claimed in the dependent claims.

[0024] One embodiment is characterized in that the displacement device includes a spring connected to the column and to a guide shoe or an opposing plate connected to the guide shoe. Alternatively, the displacement device includes a weight and pulley system attached to the guide shoe or the opposing plate. The spring on one side and the weight and pulley system on the other are effective devices for forcing the guide shoe and, possibly, the opposing plate fixedly connected to the guide shoe, into an upper position. By allowing the guide shoe and / or the opposing plate to be forced into an upper position in this way, the distance between the upper guide shoe and the lower guide shoe fixedly connected to the column is maximized. Thus, the maximum distance between the upper and lower guide shoes is achieved for most of the elevator car's travel distance in the hoistway, thereby providing maximum stability and improved ride quality. The upper guide shoe (and possibly its opposing plate) is only allowed to retract to the lower position in the last centimeter or millimeter below the uppermost floor, when the travel speed has decreased as the elevator approaches the uppermost floor (where it will have to stop). In this area, the travel speed has already decreased because the elevator car is nearing the top floor (where it will have to stop anyway). Therefore, there is only minimal (if any) negative impact on stability and ride quality.

[0025] If the spring is a compression spring or a tension spring, preferably a helical spring, it can easily and reliably provide the force by which it pushes / pulls the upper guide shoe and / or its opposing plate in the upper position over a long period of time.

[0026] Preferably, the guide shoe is movably / slidably positioned in a slot (or preferably multiple slots), wherein one or more slots define an upper and lower position of the (upper) guide shoe at corresponding ends of the slot. In such a configuration, preferably, the two slots may be arranged parallel to each other, parallel to the vertical direction, and preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the post. In an embodiment, the distance from one slot to the edge of the post may be equal for both slots.

[0027] If the guide shoe is positioned on one side of the column and the opposing plate is positioned on the other side of the column, and the guide shoe and the column are connected to each other via a connecting member extending through a slot, the installability of the different components is improved. Additionally, this improves the stability of the elevator car.

[0028] Screws, bolts, and / or rivets have proven to be effective as connecting components.

[0029] An exemplary embodiment of the elevator system includes at least one guide rail that makes guiding contact with at least one guide shoe for guiding the movement of the elevator car during ascending and / or descending operating modes.

[0030] Logically, it is beneficial if the elevator system includes a machine with a motor (such as an electric motor) for lifting the elevator car up or down. Such a motor should be understood as any kind of motor that uses any kind of power (including electrical power, hydraulic power, or other power sources) to lift or lower the elevator car.

[0031] It is also advantageous if the machine is connected to at least one or more guide rails with the top of (all) guide rails facing upwards.

[0032] According to another embodiment, the elevator car includes a car frame, to which at least two columns are fixed, preferably parallel and pointing in a vertical direction.

[0033] To provide easy access to, for example, spring-shaped displacement devices, the spring can be connected at one end to a protrusion on the column.

[0034] All columns may have the same or equivalent guide shoes and comparable interconnection layouts. Attached Figure Description

[0035] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in more detail with respect to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 A schematic diagram depicting an elevator system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2 A schematic side view of an elevator car is depicted, the elevator car having four columns, at least one upper guide shoe at each column, and each of the upper guide shoes contacting a corresponding guide rail, with a machine having a machine platform provided on top of the guide rail.

[0037] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The diagram schematically shows a perspective view of the first side of one of the columns, while Figure 4 It is a perspective view of the other side of the same column, in which the upper guide shoe is in the upper position (i.e., the fully extended position).

[0038] Figure 5 The elevator car is depicted in the position of the uppermost floor or just a few millimeters below it, such that the (upper) guide shoes are in their lower position (i.e., the retracted position), while... Figure 2 They are in their upper position (i.e., the fully extended position).

[0039] Figure 6 and 7 Showing with Figure 3 and 4 In the same embodiment, an upper guide shoe on one side of the column and a corresponding opposing plate on the other side of the column are interconnected to each other, with the upper guide shoe in a lower position (i.e., retracted position) to compress the spring.

[0040] Figure 8 These are different embodiments of the invention, wherein the (upper) guide shoe is slidably held in the opposing plate, which is fixed to the column and slidably holds the (upper) guide shoe on the same side.

[0041] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 An enlarged view of region IX in the image.

[0042] Figure 10 Describing as far as Figure 9 The cross-sectional view depicting the passage through the column, the opposing plate and its connecting parts, and the corresponding parts of the (above) guide shoe and guide rail along line XX.

[0043] The figures are merely illustrative in nature and are intended only to simplify the understanding of the invention.

[0044] Similar features of any of the embodiments shown in the figures should be numbered accordingly. Detailed Implementation

[0045] Figure 1 An elevator system 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is schematically depicted.

[0046] Elevator system 1 includes a shaft 15 extending longitudinally in the direction LD between multiple floors 16 located on different floors. Elevator system 1 includes an elevator car 2 arranged in the shaft 15 and movable longitudinally in the direction LD between the multiple floors 16. Specifically, elevator car 2 is movable along at least one elevator car guide rail 4 provided in the shaft 15 and extending longitudinally in the direction LD.

[0047] The longitudinal direction LD can be oriented in the vertical direction, such as in... Figure 1 As depicted in the figure. In an alternative embodiment not depicted in the figure, the longitudinal direction LD may be tilted relative to the vertical direction.

[0048] Although Figure 1 Only a single elevator car guide rail 4 is depicted in the text, but the elevator system 1 may include multiple elevator car guide rails 4 that extend parallel to each other.

[0049] Although Figure 1While only a single elevator car 2 is depicted in this disclosure, exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may also include an elevator system 1 comprising multiple elevator cars 2 that move in one or more shafts 15.

[0050] The elevator car 2 is movably suspended by means of the tension member 17. Although Figure 1 Only a single tension member 17 is depicted in this disclosure, but exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may also include an elevator system 1, which includes multiple tension members 17.

[0051] At least one tension member 17 (e.g., a rope or belt) is coupled to an elevator drive system 18. The elevator drive system 18 includes a machine with a motor 19 for rotatably driving a shaft 20, and a drive 21 that utilizes and controls electrical energy supplied to the motor 19. The elevator drive system 18 is configured to drive at least one tension member 17, which is coupled to the shaft 20 via traction, to move the elevator car 2 in the longitudinal direction LD within the hoistway 15 between a plurality of floors 16.

[0052] The elevator drive system 18 is further provided with at least one elevator brake 22 for braking the rotation of the shaft 20 so as to allow the movement of the elevator car 2 to be stopped and the elevator car 2 to be held at the desired position in the hoistway 15.

[0053] Optionally, the elevator system 1 may include a counterweight 23. The counterweight 23 may be attached to at least one tension member 17 opposite to the elevator car 2 and configured to move simultaneously and in opposite directions relative to the elevator car 2. The counterweight 23 may move along at least one counterweight guide rail 24 provided in the hoistway 15 and extending in the longitudinal direction LD.

[0054] At least one tension member 17 may be a rope (e.g., a steel cable) or a belt (particularly a coated steel belt). At least one tension member 17 may be uncoated. Alternatively, at least one tension member 17 may be coated, for example, with a coating having a polymer sheath. In a particular embodiment, at least one tension member 17 may be a belt comprising a plurality of polymer-coated steel cables (not shown). The elevator system 1 may have a traction drive including a traction pulley for driving at least one tension member 17.

[0055] exist Figure 1 In the exemplary embodiment depicted, a 1:1 rope is used to suspend the elevator car 2. However, this type of rope is not essential to this disclosure, and different types of rope, such as a 2:1 rope or a 4:1 rope, may also be used.

[0056] Landing doors 25 are located at each of the landings 16. The elevator car 2 is provided with corresponding elevator car doors 26 to allow passengers to move between the landing 16 and the interior of the elevator car 2 when the elevator car 2 is positioned at the corresponding landing 16.

[0057] In order for the elevator car 2 to move along the hoistway 15 between different floors 16, the elevator drive system 18 can be controlled by the elevator controller 27 of the elevator system 1.

[0058] Elevator system 1 may be a machine-room-less elevator system 1. In an alternative embodiment, elevator system 1 may include a machine room 28, which houses elevator drive system 18 and elevator controller 27.

[0059] Input to the elevator controller 27 can be provided via the landing control panel 7a located on each landing 16 (particularly near the landing door 25) and / or via the elevator car control panel 7b located inside the elevator car 2.

[0060] The landing control panel 7a may include elevator hall call buttons and / or destination call buttons. The destination call buttons allow passengers to enter their respective destinations before entering the elevator car 2. With the landing control panel 7a equipped with destination call buttons, there is no need for the elevator car control panel 7b to be located inside the elevator car 2, because the elevator system 1 is entirely controlled by commands input via the landing control panel 7a.

[0061] The floor control panel 7a and the elevator car control panel 7b can be used with Figure 1 The elevator controller 27 is connected by wires (specifically via an electrical bus) or via a wireless data connection, not shown in the diagram.

[0062] exist Figure 2 In this system, elevator system 1 is positioned in shaft 15. In shaft 15, elevator car 2 moves vertically (i.e., in the upward or downward direction).

[0063] like Figure 2 As depicted, at least two columns 3 are used, typically four columns 3. Two columns 3 are on the outside of the elevator car 2 next to the guide rail 4, while at least one (upper) guide shoe 5 is attached to the upper end of the column 3.

[0064] If available Figure 3 and 6 As best viewed from the center, the (upper) guide shoe 5 is slidably connected to the column 3. Figure 3 The (upper) guide shoe 5 is in its upward position, while... Figure 6 The (upper) guide shoe 5 is in its lower position.

[0065] The column 3 has two slots 6. The (upper) guide shoe 5 is connected to the opposing plate 8 via these slots 6 and connecting member 7.

[0066] The displacement device 9 is configured to be connected to the (upper) guide shoe 5, or more precisely, to the opposing plate 8. The displacement device 9 includes a spring 10, i.e., a helical spring, configured as a compression spring. One end of the spring 10 is connected to a protrusion 11 on the column 3.

[0067] If available Figure 2 and 5 As best viewed from the center, the elevator system 1 also includes a machine 12 on a machine platform 13. The distance d between the motor 12 and / or the machine platform 13 on one side and the elevator car 2 on the other side can be minimized, i.e., from about 75 mm to about 45 mm.

[0068] Figures 8 to 10 Different embodiments are depicted. The opposing plate 8 is fixed immovably to the column 3. The (upper) guide shoe 5 engages the protrusion of the opposing plate 8 so that it can move between two extreme positions (i.e., the upper position and the lower position).

[0069] Reference number 1. Elevator System 2. Elevator car 3 Columns 4 guide rails 5 (Upper) Guide Shoe 6 slots 6a Top Cover 7 Connecting components 7a Floor Station Control Panel 7b Elevator car control panel 8 Opposite panels 9. Displacement devices 10 Springs 11. Protrusion 12 motors 13 Machine table 14. Protrusion 15 shafts 16-story station 17 Tension members 18. Elevator drive system 19 motors 20-axis 21 drives 22. Elevator brake 23. Counterweight 24 Counterweight Guide Rails 25th floor station door 26. Car door 27. Elevator controller 28 Computer Room LD longitudinal direction d Distance.

Claims

1. An elevator system (1), the elevator system (1) comprising at least one column (3), wherein a guide shoe (5) is attached to the column (3) for guiding the movement of an elevator car (2) along a guide rail (4), characterized in that, The guide shoe (5) is slidably connected to the column (3) between an upper position and a lower position, such that when the elevator car (2) is in a first reduced travel length mode, the guide shoe (5) is in the upper position, and when the elevator car (2) is in a second increased travel length mode, the guide shoe (5) is in the lower position, while a displacement device (9) is attached to the guide shoe (5) to force the guide shoe (5) to the upper position.

2. The elevator system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The displacement device (9) includes a spring (10) connected to the column (3) and to the guide shoe (5) or the opposing plate (8) connected to the guide shoe (5), or the displacement device (9) includes a weight and pulley system attached to the guide shoe (5) or the opposing plate (8).

3. The elevator system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The spring (10) is a compression spring or a tension spring, preferably a helical spring.

4. The elevator system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The guide shoe (5) is movably positioned in one or more slots (6) to define the upper and lower positions of the guide shoe (5).

5. The elevator system (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The guide shoe (5) is positioned on one side of the column (3), while the opposing plate (8) is positioned on the other / opposite side of the column (3) and is connected to the guide shoe (5) via a connecting member (7) extending through the groove (6).

6. The elevator system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that... At least one guide rail (4) makes guiding contact with at least one or more guide shoes (5) for guiding the movement of the elevator car (2) during ascending and / or descending operating modes.

7. The elevator system (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that... Motor (12), which is used to lift the elevator car (2) up or down.

8. The elevator system (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The motor (12) is connected to one or more guide rails (4) and / or positioned upwards at the top of the guide rail (4).

9. The elevator system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The elevator car (2) includes a car frame, and at least two columns (3) are fixed to the car frame.

10. The elevator system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The spring (10) is connected at one end to the protrusion (11) of the column (3).

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