Lift facility

Abstract

The invention relates to an elevator system, comprising an elevator cab (2) on which are mounted buffers (10) which are each assigned to a supporting means (5) and which are connected to the supporting means (5). The buffers (10) can be used for damping the elevator car (2) during the travel of the car.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an elevator system. The elevator system for transporting persons or goods has an elevator car that can be moved up and down between floors in an elevator shaft.

[0002] Buffers serve to temporarily support the elevator car against the pit during a buffer run. Such buffers are important components of safety devices in elevator systems and are designed to ensure that, in the event of an unbraked run (so-called buffer run) into the pit caused by a malfunction, the elevator car is brought to a stop not abruptly, but within a short braking distance, thus providing the best possible protection for passengers and minimizing damage to the equipment. Buffers are frequently located in the pit of an elevator system. In elevator systems with shallow pits or for pitless elevators, buffers can be attached to the car, as is known, for example, from WO 2017 / 064123 A1. CN 2 597 438 Y discloses a vibration damping system that dampens vibrations transmitted to the elevator car by the suspension elements, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to avoid the disadvantages of the known invention and, in particular, to create an improved elevator system. Specifically, the elevator system should be suitable for installation in buildings with shallow pits. The elevator car of the elevator system should be characterized by a small footprint and compact design while simultaneously offering good ride comfort.

[0004] These and other problems are solved according to the invention with the elevator system, which has the features of claim 1. The elevator system comprises an elevator car to which at least one buffer associated with a support element is attached, the buffer being connected to a support element for carrying the elevator car. The buffer serves to temporarily support the elevator car against the shaft floor during any buffer travel. Because the buffer is connected to a support element for carrying the elevator car, the buffer can be used to dampen the elevator car during travel. Vibrations originating from the support elements or the drive can be dampened by means of the buffer.

[0005] The elevator system is characterized by its simple design. Another advantage is its space-saving design. The elevator system is cost-effective yet efficient in terms of safety and ride comfort.

[0006] The elevator system can comprise an elevator car, preferably movable vertically up and down and supported by one or more suspension elements, wherein the suspension element for ground-level suspension of the elevator car leads to a suspension point located on the car floor. However, the elevator system can also be designed with a dual suspension system, resulting in advantageous weight balancing. In this case, the elevator system can comprise an elevator car supported by suspension elements, wherein the suspension elements for ground-level suspension of the elevator car lead to suspension points located on opposite sides of the elevator car, which are positioned on the car floor. The elevator system thus has two buffers, each buffer being connected to a suspension element.

[0007] The buffer, which contacts the shaft floor during any buffer travel to support the elevator car, serves in other words to cushion the elevator car when it comes to rest on the shaft floor. The buffer can be positioned below a suspension point. The buffer is preferably arranged in the vertical projection of the suspension point, with the suspension element and the associated buffer preferably running coaxially to each other.

[0008] Connecting at least one buffer to the load-bearing element typically results in the buffer(s) being located outside the vertical projection of the elevator car relative to its body, where they are intended to accommodate passengers and / or goods. It is conceivable to provide additional cabin-side buffers positioned within the vertical projection of the elevator car. These additional buffers would be of conventional design and not connected to the load-bearing element.

[0009] A damping element formed by the buffer is provided at a suspension point to dampen the vibrations generated by the drive and transmitted to the cabins via the support means.

[0010] In a further embodiment, the respective buffer can have a preferably hollow cylindrical buffer body through which the support element or a support element connection piece adjoining the support element is guided. The buffer body can have a corresponding cavity for the passage of the support element or support element connection piece.

[0011] The buffer body can thus form the aforementioned damping element. Instead of a hollow cylinder, other shapes for the buffer body are also conceivable. For example, the buffer could also have a conical outer contour. Thanks to the buffer body, vibrations originating from the drive or the load-bearing elements can be effectively dampened. Such buffer bodies can be procured easily and cost-effectively and adapted to specific requirements.

[0012] The buffer body can be made of an elastomer. The buffer body can be made of rubber.

[0013] An end piece can be fixed to the free end of the support element, which rests directly or indirectly against the buffer body. This end piece can, for example, be a threaded nut screwed onto a support element connector comprising a threaded rod and preferably secured by appropriate locking devices.

[0014] With regard to operational reliability and durability, it can be advantageous for the buffer to have an impact element. The impact element is preferably made of a metallic material, for example, steel. The impact element is a component of the buffer through which pressure forces, which the buffer needs to absorb, can be introduced into the buffer body upon impact. The impact element protects the buffer body from wear. The impact element can, for example, be manufactured from a metal plate using a forming process.

[0015] The lifting element can be attached to the impact element. The vibrations of the lifting element are transmitted to the buffer body via the impact plate. The end piece can rest on the impact element and be supported by it.

[0016] The impact element can have a central indentation complementary to the cavity of the buffer body for the form-fitting reception of the impact element into the interior of the hollow cylinder, so that the impact element can be inserted into the buffer body via this.

[0017] The supporting element can be one or more straps. Supporting straps have the advantage that they allow for optimal use of space and are particularly suitable for space-saving designs. Of course, the supporting element could also be one or more ropes.

[0018] Another, though unclaimed, aspect of the invention relates to an elevator car for the elevator system described above. The elevator car is equipped with at least one buffer, associated with a support element for carrying or suspending the elevator car, for temporarily supporting the elevator car against the shaft floor during any buffer travel (or for cushioning the elevator car when it comes to rest on the shaft floor). This buffer is connectable to, or already connected to, the support element. Alternatively, the elevator car according to the invention can have at least one buffer on which, or over which, the elevator car can be suspended. In other words, the buffers define the suspension points and are thus an integral part of the suspension points. The buffers have a dual function.On the one hand, they cushion the elevator car downwards when it touches down onto the shaft floor – just like conventional buffers; on the other hand, they now also serve to support or suspend the elevator car.

[0019] From a procedural standpoint, this concerns a method for operating an elevator system, and in particular the elevator system described above, in which at least one buffer is provided on the elevator car for temporarily supporting the elevator car against the shaft floor during any buffer travel. In addition to this support function, the buffer also dampens the up-and-down movement of the elevator car to increase ride comfort. This elevator car is particularly well-suited for elevator systems with shallow pits or for pitless elevators.

[0020] Further individual features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment and from the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 is a simplified side view of an elevator system according to the invention, and Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a suspension point (Detail A from Fig. 1 ).

[0021] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows an elevator system, designated as 1, for a multi-story building. The building has an elevator shaft 3. The elevator system 1 contains an elevator car, designated as 2, which moves vertically up and down in the elevator shaft 3 and transports people or goods to individual floors (not shown). The elevator car 2 has side walls 6 and a floor 7, which generally form a cuboid-shaped car body. The car body is mounted on a support structure 9 (see Figure 1). Figure 2 ) mounted, which is assigned to cabin floor 7.

[0022] The movement of the elevator car 2 is effected by means of support elements 5, from which the car 2 is suspended; these support elements 5 can be one or more straps. Alternatively, support cables can also be used as support elements 5. The support elements 5 are connected to a drive (not shown) for moving the car.

[0023] For structural or other reasons, there may be insufficient space for a conventional elevator system with a pit and head. Such specialized elevator systems with shallow pits, typically less than 60 cm and preferably less than 35 cm deep, are well-known and commonly used. The elevator system shown here and explained in detail below is particularly well-suited for such systems with shallow pits or for pitless elevators.

[0024] The elevator system 1 can further comprise at least one counterweight (not shown) connected to the cabin 2, which is movable up and down in the opposite direction to the cabin 2. The elevator cabin 2 and the at least one counterweight are moved along (not shown) vertical guides. Typically, such elevator systems have only one drive, for example a traction drive, which drives the suspension elements and thus moves the elevator cabin and the counterweight in opposite directions.

[0025] The elevator system 1 can also have two counterweights. Each of the load-bearing elements 5 is connected to one of the two counterweights. The elevator system 1 can have special guide rails with which both the elevator car 2 and the respective counterweights serve as linear guides. The guide rails can be manufactured as one-piece roller profiles. Such an elevator system 1 can be designed as a so-called "front-loading elevator". Further details on the front-loading elevator and the guidance of the elevator car 2 and the counterweights with common guide rails can be found in WO 2020 / 127303 A1 and WO 2020 / 127787 A1.

[0026] The support means 5 for suspending the elevator car 2 from the floor to suspension points 8, 8' arranged on opposite sides of the elevator car 2 (see Figure 2) are guided, which are evidently positioned on the cabin floor 7 of the elevator car 2. The suspension points 8, 8' and thus also the buffers 10 are located outside the vertical projection of the elevator car 2 with respect to its cabin body, which is defined by the cabin side walls 6.

[0027] Each elevator car 2 is equipped with a buffer 10, assigned to one of the suspension elements 5, for temporarily supporting the car 2 against the shaft floor during any buffer travel. Each buffer 10 is connected to one of the suspension elements 5. The elevator car 2 is thus suspended from or above the buffers 10, which dampen the car 2 during travel. The vibrations generated by the drive and transmitted to the car 2 via the suspension elements 5 are thus easily reduced, resulting in a comfortable ride. This design is characterized not only by its good damping properties but also by its ease of installation.

[0028] Constructive details of the special design of the suspension point 8 for carrying or suspending the elevator car 2 are from Figure 2Removable. The suspension point 8 is defined by the buffer 10, which has a hollow cylindrical buffer body 11. The buffer body 11 can be designed as a one-piece molded body and made of rubber or a plastic, in particular an elastomer. The support element 5, or more precisely a support element connection piece 14 adjoining the support element 5, is guided through the buffer body 11. The buffer body 11 is preferably rotationally symmetrical.

[0029] The suspension element 5 is fitted at its cabin end with a suspension element end connection 20, to which a suspension element connector 14 is attached. The suspension element end connection 20 can be a suspension element end connection such as those known from WO 03 / 022723 A1 or EP 2 261 162 A1. The suspension element connector 14 has a threaded rod. At the free end of the suspension element connector 14 is an end part 15 formed by a nut. To secure the end part 15, as described in Figure 3 shown, a fuse 16 is provided.

[0030] The buffer 10 further comprises an impact element 12, preferably made of a metallic material. During a buffer run, the impact element 12 contacts the shaft floor (or, optionally, a metallic counterpart attached to the shaft floor to form a stop). The support element 5 is attached to the impact element 12. The end part 15 rests on and is supported by the impact element 12. During the cabin run, the vibrations or oscillations of the support element are transmitted via the impact element 12 into the buffer body 11.

[0031] The impact element 12 has a central indentation 19 complementary to the cavity 18 of the hollow cylinder for the positive locking reception of the impact element 12 into the cavity, so that the impact element 12 can be inserted into the buffer body 11 via this.

[0032] In addition to the impact element 12, the buffer 10 can have a (not shown) sleeve-like housing for receiving the buffer body 11.

Claims

1. An elevator system with an elevator car (2), wherein at least one buffer (10) which is associated with a suspension means (5) is attached to the elevator car (2) for temporarily supporting the elevator car relative to the shaft floor during any buffer travel, characterized in that the buffer is connected to the suspension means (5) and on which buffer the elevator car (2) is suspended, whereas in the suspension point a damping element for damping the vibrations generated by the drive and transmitted to the elevator car by the suspension means being provided which damping element is formed by the buffer (10).

2. The elevator system according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective buffer (10) has a hollow-cylindrical buffer body (11), and in that the suspension means (5) or a suspension means connecting piece (14) connected to the suspension means (5) is guided through the buffer body (11).

3. The elevator system according to claim 2, characterized in that an end part (15) is fixed to a free end of the suspension means (5), which end part directly or indirectly abuts the buffer body (11).

4. The elevator system according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the buffer (10) has an impact element (12) preferably made of a metallic material.

5. The elevator system according to claim 4, characterized in that the suspension means (5) is fastened to the impact element (12).

6. The elevator system according to either claim 4 or claim 5, depending on claim 2, characterized in that the impact element (12) has a central indentation (19) complementary to a cavity (18) of the preferably hollow-cylindrical buffer body (11).

7. The elevator system according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the suspension means (5) are belts.

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