ELEVATOR WITH SMOOTH TUBE ELEVATOR DRIVE AND DRIVE CARRIER WITH SINGLE-PIECE SOLID RING SHELL

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an elevator according to the preamble of claim 1. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] The invention can be used for both passenger and freight elevators. The term "elevator" is generally understood to mean a vertical elevator, i.e., an elevator with a car, which is usually guided on car rails and moves up and down vertically. The car is suspended from one or, usually, several parallel suspension cables that run over a traction sheave, thus raising and lowering the elevator car. A counterweight is usually provided, which is attached to the other end of the suspension cable(s) running over the traction sheave.

[0003] Elevator drives for such traction sheave elevators are known in many different forms.

[0004] Since so-called "machine-room-less elevators" are now almost exclusively built, elevator drives are usually designed with the traction sheave suspended, i.e., mounted on a shaft that is supported on only one side of the traction sheave. This allows the drive to be positioned laterally within the elevator shaft, in a recess in the shaft wall, or close to the side of the elevator shaft, with the traction sheave extending into the shaft via the drive's correspondingly long shaft stub.

[0005] This means that the elevator drive as a whole is exposed to a relatively large tilting moment in the direction of the elevator shaft, and therefore requires a correspondingly solid housing that is firmly connected to the building. Only in this way can the high transverse forces acting on the drive shaft via the traction sheave be absorbed upstream of the drive.

[0006] Because of this, it is inevitable that the engine housings are made to be massive and therefore heavy and bulky.

[0007] The same applies to lifts that are intended for installation in a separate machine room and which are often lifts for heavy loads.

[0008] This causes problems, especially when it comes to modernization.

[0009] While in a new building, the elevator drive is conveniently installed from above using a crane before the roof is completed, during a modernization project, the elevator drive often has to be transported through the interior of the building to its installation location, which is usually near the shaft head. Both the heavy weight of the elevator drives and their bulky dimensions have proven to be disadvantageous, often requiring the removal of existing door frames to create sufficient space for the elevator drive to pass through.

[0010] To solve this problem, a multi-part drive mount was designed. This can consist of two halves that enclose and clamp the elevator drive when installed. This allows the elevator drive to be transported through the building to or from its intended installation position independently of the drive mount. This makes transport much easier. The elevator drive is installed in or removed from the drive mount in the shaft headroom or machine room itself and / or shortly before installation in the shaft headroom or machine room.

[0011] When installing the elevator drive into the drive holder, however, the two halves of the drive holder must be precisely aligned relative to each other to avoid distorting the motor. This becomes even more important the thinner and therefore more elastic the motor housing becomes. This makes this assembly step very laborious and difficult, and even the smallest deviations from the ideal mounting position of the elevator drive in the drive holder can significantly reduce the service life of the elevator drive.

[0012] DE 20 2013 105006 U1 and WO 2020 / 209820 A2 each describe a drive for an elevator, wherein the drive carrier has two partial ring shells. THE UNDERLYING TASK

[0013] In view of this, the object of the invention is to provide a simple system with which the assembly of such an elevator drive is facilitated. THE INVENTIVE SOLUTION

[0014] According to the invention, this problem is solved with the features of the main claim.

[0015] For this purpose, an elevator is proposed with an elevator drive comprising a traction sheave, a drive carrier for holding the elevator drive in a predetermined position, preferably the intended working position, and at least one hoist rope and a car guided along guide rails.

[0016] As mentioned, the term "elevator drive" includes the traction sheave, but also the motor, any gears, fans, and other components. The motor is therefore part of the elevator drive.

[0017] According to the invention, the drive carrier is characterized in that it has a one-piece solid ring shell, the inner circumferential surface of which precisely accommodates the housing of the elevator drive; at least in the area of ​​the contact surface between the solid ring shell and the outer surface of the housing of the elevator drive. To facilitate this accommodation of the elevator drive in the solid ring shell, the housing of the elevator drive is preferably designed as a flat, circumferentially essentially closed smooth tube in precisely this area of ​​the contact surface between the solid ring shell and the outer surface of the housing of the elevator drive.

[0018] This ensures that the elevator drive is kept in its intended working position even under the loads that occur during operation.

[0019] In order to ensure such a function, the inner circumferential surface of the solid ring shell and the outer surface of the housing of the elevator drive must be designed to complement each other so that the solid ring shell accommodates the elevator drive or its housing with a "precise fit".

[0020] A "precise fit" can be understood here as complementary dimensions and surface finishes of the inner circumferential surface of the solid ring shell and the outer circumferential surface of the housing, which together preferably form a transition fit. A clearance fit is also possible, but not preferred. A press fit is not considered, because, on the one hand, this would significantly complicate the assembly of the elevator drive, and, on the other hand, the elevator drive would experience excessive radial compressive forces when installed.

[0021] The elevator drive should therefore have a housing whose outer surface preferably predominantly forms a circumferentially closed tube section, the smooth tube, whose outer contour is complementary to the inner contour of the solid ring shell, wherein the smooth tube is preferably continuous or has a smooth surface; preferably with a circular-cylindrical surface.

[0022] The complementary one-piece "full ring shell" also preferably describes a self-contained, one-piece, hollow cylinder section.

[0023] It should be noted here that the housing of the elevator drive preferably corresponds at least largely, and particularly preferably even entirely, to the motor housing. Thus, the housing of the elevator drive is usually synonymous with the motor housing, which is why we will largely refer to it as the "housing" below. The "smooth tube" is therefore not an additional component that is slipped around the actual motor housing, but rather simply describes the design of the motor housing. Thus, the housing is manufactured using the usual manufacturing processes for motor housings, preferably by casting.If the accuracy achievable with these manufacturing processes with regard to dimensions and / or shape and / or surface quality is not sufficient to achieve an appropriate fit between the smooth tube and the solid ring shell, the casing is further machined accordingly on its outer surface, at least in the area of ​​the contact surface between the solid ring shell and the casing, usually by turning and / or grinding.

[0024] Furthermore, the phrase "housing designed as a smooth tube" does not mean that the entire housing must be designed as a smooth tube, but rather that the contact surface between the solid ring shell and the housing must be designed as a smooth tube. The smooth tube is therefore more of a section of the housing.

[0025] This generally results in a frictional connection between the drive carrier with its solid ring shell and the elevator drive with its smooth tube. This frictional connection can also be preferably supplemented by various means that can ensure an additional positive connection, such as radial compression screws for additional positional security of the elevator drive.

[0026] The resulting frictional connection transfers a significant, or preferably predominant, portion of the torque generated during operation from the elevator drive to the drive support. Furthermore, the smooth tube in the solid ring shell prevents the drive housing from rotating under the influence of the reaction torque to the torque occurring at the traction sheave.

[0027] Since the solid ring shell essentially rests against the housing of the elevator drive along its entire inner circumferential surface, the waste heat generated by the elevator drive during operation is also directly dissipated from the housing into the solid ring shell. The solid ring shell therefore serves as a heat sink, at least when the motor housing is fitted precisely so that there is no significant heat transfer resistance between the motor housing and the solid ring shell.

[0028] Because the drive support has a solid ring shell on which the elevator drive usually rests fully or over a large area and which completely surrounds the elevator drive, the elevator drive can be held securely in its intended position in the shaft even under the influence of high traction sheave transverse forces.

[0029] On the other hand, the elevator drive and the drive support are detachable components for transport purposes, allowing them to be transported separately. The drive support and the elevator drive are designed in such a way that the drive support can be removed from the elevator drive without having to open the dirt-sensitive interior of the elevator drive. This means that the drive support is not part of the housing that shields the elevator drive from the environment, but is designed separately.

[0030] According to the invention, the housing shielding the elevator drive from the environment can be designed to be comparatively lightweight, since, when the elevator drive is fully installed, it is preferably essentially completely enclosed by the drive support and is thus stabilized despite its reduced inherent stability - compared to a drive housing that is only provided with removable feet on the underside and therefore has to carry out the entire load transfer essentially via the drive housing, which itself is correspondingly solid. Because - as described above - the elevator drive experiences frictional connection with at most one transition fit, there is no need to fear any harmful deformation of the elevator drive, which would have a negative impact on the precision of the motor shaft bearing and / or the motor air gap.

[0031] This generally allows the elevator drive and drive support to be assembled and disassembled quickly and easily, and the drive and drive support can be moved independently of each other through the building to their respective locations. Vertical mounting of the motor is also possible. PREFERRED TRAINING

[0032] There are a number of ways to design the invention in such a way that its effectiveness or usefulness is further improved.

[0033] A particularly preferred embodiment is that the solid ring shell essentially accommodates the motor of the elevator drive, with only a minor portion of the motor of the elevator drive located outside the area enclosed by the solid ring shell. Since the motor is usually the most critical and / or heaviest part of the elevator drive, it is of utmost importance to be able to hold this motor in its intended position. It is therefore expedient for the elevator drive to be enclosed by the solid ring shell, especially in the area of ​​the motor.

[0034] Another preferred embodiment is that the solid ring shell accommodates the majority of the elevator drive motor, with only the smaller part of the elevator drive motor located outside the area enclosed by the solid ring shell. Analogous to what has already been said, the following also applies here: Since the motor is usually the most critical and / or heaviest part of the elevator drive, it is of utmost importance to be able to hold this motor in its intended position. Therefore, it is expedient for the elevator drive to be enclosed by the solid ring shell, especially in the area of ​​the motor.

[0035] Furthermore, it is particularly preferred if at least one free end, or better still, both free ends, of the solid ring shell are surrounded by at least one essentially radially oriented, circumferentially integrally closed reinforcing rib. These reinforcing ribs thus increase the stability and rigidity of the drive carrier. It should be noted, however, that the respective reinforcing rib does not have to be directly connected to the free end of the solid ring shell; rather, the free end can extend beyond the reinforcing rib.

[0036] It is also preferred that the solid ring shell be designed to be essentially rigid. This ensures proper clamping of the elevator drive.

[0037] A further preferred embodiment consists in the elevator drive being designed without a gear. A gear would unnecessarily increase the space encompassed by the solid ring shell. Furthermore, a gear would increase the weight of the drive significantly, thereby counteracting the advantage achieved by the invention, namely that the drive and its mounting bracket can be conveniently moved into place through the building.

[0038] Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that the smooth tube of the housing be designed such that its wall thickness is WG ≥ 10 mm, with the smooth tube ideally being made of steel or cast iron. The smooth tube itself expediently also has at least one hole into which a screw or a pin extending into the solid ring shell is inserted, which forms a rotation lock. It is, of course, particularly expedient to provide several such screws and / or pins and a corresponding number of holes in the smooth tube.

[0039] A further preferred embodiment consists in providing a plateau in the upper eighth, preferably even in the upper sixteenth, of the properly installed drive support, particularly preferably directly adjacent to the upper end of at least one of the reinforcing ribs. This plateau—when multiple reinforcing ribs are used—connects these reinforcing ribs to one another. This provides additional stiffening, increasing the stability of the drive support, and also provides a means of attaching the terminal box of the elevator drive.

[0040] Furthermore, it is particularly preferred if at least one, preferably two, base plates are connected to the lower end of the at least one reinforcing rib of the drive support. When multiple reinforcing ribs are used, these base plates connect these reinforcing ribs to one another and, once the drive support has been properly installed, are in contact with the installation surface. This essentially forms a base frame that can be used to securely install and secure the elevator drive.

[0041] The present invention can also be advantageously used for the renovation of existing elevator systems or the retrofitting of elevator systems with a drive system comprising a drive that itself does not have feet or base frames for installation in and / or attachment to the building. The drive system additionally comprises a frame, preferably equipped with feet, that is designed for installation in and / or attachment to the building. The frame, in turn, has a solid ring shell that at least partially encompasses the elevator drive.

[0042] This solid ring shell holds the drive in place, preferably clamping it in a torsion-proof manner. The drive housing is preferably made primarily of a smooth tube, the strength of which is matched to the clamping force of the solid ring shell.

[0043] Advantageously, an elevator drive for installation in an elevator is described, wherein the elevator drive is preferably characterized in that the casing of the elevator drive housing is formed predominantly by a smooth tube, thus forming a tube with a preferably substantially smooth, circular surface on its outer circumference. Further design options, modes of operation, and advantages will become apparent from the explanations of the exemplary embodiment with reference to the figures. LIST OF FIGURES

[0044] The Fig. 1 shows the drive holder with full ring shell in three-dimensional view; however, without winding drive. Fig. 2 shows the drive holder with full ring shell and the winding drive in three-dimensional view, whereby the winding drive is not yet encompassed by the drive holder. Fig. 3shows the drive holder with full ring shell with the elevator drive fixed in the intended mounting position in a three-dimensional view from the front. Fig. 4 shows the drive holder with full ring shell with the elevator drive fixed in the intended mounting position (analogous to Fig. 3 ) in three-dimensional view from behind. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0045] First, Fig. 1the drive carrier 3 without the elevator drive 1. The drive carrier 3 comprises a self-contained, one-piece solid ring shell 4. This solid ring shell 4 preferably has a wall thickness W of at least 12 mm and better still at least 20 mm. It is preferably made of steel or cast iron and has the shape of a hollow cylindrical section. The solid ring shell 4 could theoretically also have the shape of a polygonal hollow polygon, e.g., a 12-sided shape. However, the hollow cylindrical shape is clearly preferred. The solid ring shell 4 is an essential component of the drive carrier, but preferably does not form it alone.

[0046] This solid ring shell 4 is surrounded by two parallel, spaced-apart reinforcing ribs 8a and 8b. These reinforcing ribs 8a and 8b are integrally closed in the circumferential direction and have an opening through which the solid ring shell 4 can be received. These two reinforcing ribs 8a and 8b are preferably aligned substantially vertically. The solid ring shell is expediently made of steel or weldable cast steel and then welded to the two reinforcing ribs 8a and 8b, which in such a case are also made of such a material. The free ends 7 of the solid ring shell can, as in Fig. 1 shown, also protrude beyond the reinforcing rib. The two reinforcing ribs 8a and 8b preferably have the same or at least a similar thickness WV (see Fig. 2 ) of at least 12 mm, or better still at least 18 mm.

[0047] The reinforcing rib 8a (the reinforcing rib facing the traction sheave) also preferably has several fastening eyes 15 raised from the surface of the reinforcing rib 8a, with which the brakes and cable retainers in particular can be attached more easily later (see Fig. 3 ).

[0048] The two reinforcing ribs 8a and 8b each have an upper end 13 and a lower end 14. The second reinforcing rib 8b has a plateau 9 in the form of a flat, level plate directly adjacent to its upper end 13, which is connected to the first reinforcing rib 8b. This plateau 9 is preferably used for mounting a terminal box 20 (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) and, if necessary, also for attaching the brake cabling. Preferably, the two reinforcing ribs 8a and 8b are not the same size; rather, the reinforcing rib 8a on the side directly facing the traction sheave is larger. It is also advantageous if one of the two reinforcing ribs 8a or 8b—ideally the reinforcing rib 8b facing away from the traction sheave—has attachment points or rope eyes for the attachment of a lifting device.

[0049] In addition, the two reinforcing ribs 8a and 8b are connected to each other by means of support struts 10, preferably at the middle height of the drive carrier.

[0050] At the lower end of the reinforcing ribs 8a and 8b, two base plates 11 are attached to the outer region of the reinforcing ribs 8a and 8b, which in turn connect the two reinforcing ribs 8a and 8b to each other. Each of the base plates 11 preferably has several through-openings through which the two base plates 11 can be secured to the building using appropriate anchors or dowels and screws. Each of the base plates expediently has a wall thickness WF perpendicular to its surface that is substantially greater throughout than the correspondingly measured wall thickness W of the solid ring shell 4 and its reinforcing ribs 8a and 8b. This wall thickness WF is preferably at least 30 mm, even better at least 40 mm.

[0051] The base plates 11 are preferably positioned relative to the solid ring shell 4 such that each protrudes beyond the solid ring shell on at least two opposite sides, which significantly increases the stability of the construction.

[0052] Preferably, additional stiffeners are provided, such as the triangular stiffeners formed by the foot ribs 12. These are attached to the two outer sides of the foot plates 11, preferably welded, and additionally support the foot plates 11 against the reinforcing ribs 8a and 8b.

[0053] It should also be noted that the production of the solid ring shell 4 from cast iron allows for particularly efficient production in larger quantities, in particular if the solid ring shell becomes an integral part of a drive carrier 3 cast in one piece.

[0054] Fig. 2also shows the elevator drive 1, which is being inserted into the elevator support 3. The elevator drive 1 is preferably designed as a gearless drive. It essentially consists of an electric motor housed in a housing 5. The housing of the elevator drive 1 is thus preferably the housing of the motor. On one side, the motor shaft 18 protrudes from the housing 5. The motor shaft 18 is connected to the traction sheave 2 (see Fig. 3 ), usually with the help of a feather key.

[0055] The casing shell is predominantly formed by a smooth tube 6. The smooth tube 6 has a smooth surface on its outer circumference. It typically has the shape of a tube that is preferably completely closed in the circumferential direction. The outer radius of the smooth tube is typically between 250 mm and 450 mm, and the inner diameter of the solid ring shell 4 is adjusted accordingly.

[0056] This smooth tube 6 is also preferably thick-walled and has a wall thickness WG in the radial direction, which is not shown in the figures, as this would require a sectional view of the elevator drive 1. In this way, the smooth tube 6 can be subjected to relatively high forces acting in the radial direction without it being significantly deformed, in the sense that the internal motor is adversely affected, e.g., by the bearings being unfavorably tensioned or the air gap being impaired. The diameter of the motor shaft 18 is stepped several times and preferably decreases gradually from the side facing the traction sheave 2 to the side facing away from the traction sheave 2.

[0057] Particularly noteworthy in the context of the invention is that the elevator drive 1 is equipped with a fan 16 external to the motor, which drives a cooling air flow through the motor. This compensates for the fact that heat dissipation via the smooth tube 6 is not optimal because it is completely surrounded by the solid ring shell 4. Therefore, the smooth tube 6 cannot be equipped with cooling fins to improve convective cooling, nor can it itself be directly exposed to the ambient air from the outside.

[0058] The outer surface of the smooth tube 6 and the inward-facing surface of the solid ring shell 4 are preferably matched to one another such that the solid ring shell 4 rests against the outer circumferential surface of the smooth tube 6 over its predominant or even substantially entire surface; preferably by creating a transition fit. In this way, the smooth tube 6 is held frictionally in the solid ring shell 4. This means that at least a significant portion of the reaction torque occurring during operation, which counteracts the torque applied by the drive pulley 2, can be transferred from the smooth tube 6 to the drive carrier 3 by frictional engagement.

[0059] In some cases, it is expedient to provide an additional anti-twist device if necessary. It is particularly advantageous to implement such an anti-twist device by providing the solid ring shell 4 with at least one radially extending through-hole through which a screw is inserted and screwed into a thread 21 of the thick-walled smooth tube 6. Usually, not just one such screw is provided, but several screws are provided. Alternatively, it is equally possible to provide a pinning connection, for example in the form of at least one grooved pin, which is pushed through a diameter-matched through-hole in the solid ring shell and engages in a corresponding blind hole in the smooth tube 6. The first-mentioned screw connection has the advantage that it can be loosened more easily if the engine has to be removed for maintenance work. Removing a pin is more complicated.

[0060] Based on the Fig. 2It can also be seen that the smooth tube 6 itself is preferably equipped with at least one retaining projection 17 that protrudes at least substantially radially from a circumferential surface. The retaining projection 17 preferably has the shape of a circular ring that is closed in the circumferential direction. As a rule, it in turn has several through holes 19 for screwing (preferred) or possibly pinning to a correspondingly designed end face 7 of the solid ring shell 4 or the reinforcing rib 8b facing away from the drive pulley. Receiving threads 22 must be provided here, which are arranged complementarily to the through holes 19 of the retaining projection 17.

[0061] The retaining projection 17, which is fixed with screws, whereby the screws are inserted through the through holes 19 and screwed into the receiving threads 22, can be Fig. 4This allows for the provision of additional form and / or frictional locking of the smooth tube 6, which preferably also contributes to reliably preventing the smooth tube 6 from slipping relative to the solid ring shell 4. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0062] 1Elevator drive 2Elevator drive pulley 3Drive support 4Solid ring shell 5Housing 6Smooth tube 7Free end of the solid ring shell 8aFirst reinforcement rib (facing the traction sheave) 8bSecond reinforcement rib (facing away from the traction sheave) 9Plateau 10Reinforcing strut 11Foot plate 12Foot rib 13Upper end of the reinforcement rib 14Lower end of the reinforcement rib 15Mounting eye 16Blower 17Housing retaining projection 18Motor shaft 19Thread 20Terminal box 21Thread of the smooth tube 22Receiving thread L Longitudinal drive axis; also rotation axis of the traction sheave W Wall thickness of the solid ring shell WG Wall thickness of the smooth tube WF Wall thickness of the base plate WV Wall thickness of the reinforcing rib

Claims

1. An elevator with an elevator drive (1) that includes a drive wheel (2), a drive carrier (3) for holding the elevator drive (1) in a predetermined position, and at least one hoisting cable, as well as a cabin guided along guide rails, characterized in that the drive carrier (3) has a one-piece full-ring shell (4) whose inner circumferential surface precisely accommodates the housing (5) of the elevator drive (1) at least in the area of its contact surface with the full-ring shell (4),, preferably designed as a flat, circumferentially at least substantially closed smooth tube (6), thereby holding the elevator drive (1) in its intended working position even under the loads occurring during operation.

2. Elevator according to claim 1, characterized in that the full-ring shell (4) substantially accommodates the motor of the elevator drive (1) and only an insignificant part of the motor of the elevator drive (1) is located outside the area enclosed by the full-ring shell (4).

3. Elevator according to claim 1, characterized in that the full-ring shell (4) accommodates essentially the motor of the elevator drive (1) and only a non-essential part of the motor of the elevator drive (1) is located outside the area enclosed by the full-ring shell (4).

4. Elevator according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one free end (7), preferably both free ends, of the full-ring shell (4) is surrounded by at least one essentially radially oriented, integrally closed reinforcement rib (8a, 8b) in the circumferential direction.

5. Elevator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the full-ring shell (4) is designed to be stiff against bending.

6. Elevator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the full-ring shell (4) is made of steel or cast iron and preferably has a consistent wall thickness W of ≥ 12 mm, preferably even ≥ 20 mm.

7. Elevator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elevator drive (1) is designed without a gearbox.

8. Elevator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the smooth tube (6) of the housing (5) is designed such that its wall thickness WG is ≥ 10 mm, wherein the smooth tube (6) ideally consists of steel or cast iron.

9. Elevator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the upper eighth, preferably even in the upper sixteenth of the properly positioned drive carrier (3), particularly preferred directly following the upper end of at least one of the reinforcement ribs (8a, 8b), a platform (9) is provided that connects these reinforcement ribs (8a, 8b) together when using multiple reinforcement ribs (8a, 8b).

10. Elevator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between several reinforcement ribs (8a, 8b), at least one, preferably two reinforcement struts (10) are provided that connect the reinforcement ribs (8a, 8b) together.

11. Elevator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one, preferably two foot plates (11) are connected to the lower end of at least one of the reinforcement ribs (8a, 8b) of the drive carrier (1), which, when using several reinforcement ribs (8a, 8b), connect these reinforcement ribs (8a, 8b) together and are in contact with the positioning ground after the drive carrier (3) is positioned as intended.