Door mechanism assembly for an elevator

Abstract

A door mechanism assembly (100) for an elevator comprising a plate (1) having a through opening (1a) and a carrier wheel (2), mounted on the plate (1) and rotatable about a rotation axis (Y). The door mechanism assembly (100) further comprises a mounting assembly (30), configured to connect the carrier wheel (2) to the plate (1), which comprises a fastening element (3) configured for supporting the carrier wheel (2) in rotation about the rotation axis (Y). The rotation axis (Y) is stationary with respect of the fastening element (3), and the fastening element (3) is rotatably engaged with the plate (1) for rotating about an adjusting axis that is offset with respect to the rotation axis (Y) in such a way that a rotation of the fastening element (3) about the adjustment axis causes a change in the position of the rotation axis (Y). The rotation of the fastening element (3) allows an adjustment in the position of the plate (1).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] DOOR MECHANISM ASSEMBLY FOR AN ELEVATOR Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a door mechanism assembly for an elevator. The invention is therefore in the field of mechanisms for moving doors along a predetermined direction, such as elevator doors. The door mechanism assembly finds application in both landing and cabin doors.

[0004] Background art

[0005] In general, a door operator assembly for an elevator comprises a carrier wheel and a plate (known as carrier) which is integral with the carrier wheel. In detail, the plate has a through opening and the carrier wheel is mounted on the plate by means of threaded elements arranged in correspondence of the through opening. The carrier is the component which connects the door panel with the opening / closing mechanism.

[0006] It is known that during the assembly or maintenance of door mechanisms, it is necessary to ensure a correct positioning of the plate with respect to the main frame of the elevator, in particular the plate must be vertically adjusted.

[0007] More specifically, the plate develops along a main direction, the carrier wheel rotates about a rotation axis which is transverse with respect to the main direction and the plate must be adjusted along a direction which is transverse both to the main direction and to the rotation axis.

[0008] Nowadays, this adjustment is performed by means of additional shims, for example disposed between the carrier and the panel.

[0009] The disadvantage of his type of adjustment is that it requires considerable assembly or maintenance time due to the need to select the most suitable shim, which causes an operator to carry out subsequent assembly and disassembly attempts, increasing the installation / maintenance timing.

[0010] The use of additional shims is therefore poorly functional for an operator, resulting in higher maintenance time and costs, the latter due to both the installation time required and to the cost of the furniture of additional shims.

[0011] Additional shims are in fact substantially additional parts of the door operator assembly, which result in additional costs.

[0012] Disclosure of the invention

[0013] In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a door mechanism assembly for an elevator which overcomes the drawbacks in the prior art described above.

[0014] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a door mechanism assembly for an elevator, which is simpler and quicker to install as well as to maintain.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a door mechanism assembly for an elevator, which has a less expensive installation and / or maintenance.

[0016] The stated technical task and specified objects are substantially achieved by a door mechanism assembly for an elevator comprising a mounting assembly, configured to connect the carrier wheel to the plate, comprising a fastening element which is configured to support the carrier wheel in rotation about a rotation axis and which is rotatable about an adjustment axis, in such a way that a rotation of the fastening element causes a change in the position of the rotation axis of the carrier wheel.

[0017] In other words, a rotation of the fastening element about the adjustment axis defines a change in the relative position between the plate and the carrier wheel.

[0018] The carrier wheel is not movable with respect to the plate, therefore, rotation of the carrier wheel about the adjustment axis defines a displacement of the plate, so that the adjustment of the positioning of the plate is advantageously operable by a rotation of the fastening element without the use of additional shims.

[0019] In detail, the plate has a through opening and the fastening element is rotatably engaged with the plate, in particular with the edges of the through opening of the plate, for rotating about the adjustment axis. Preferably, the rotation of the fastening element is manually operable, more preferably is operable by a manual tool such as a screwdriver or a wrench, thereby allowing a convenient adjustment of the plate position.

[0020] The fastening element has a guide surface defining the rotation axis of the carrier wheel. According to an aspect of the present invention, the guide surface is defined by a central bore of the fastening element and the mounting assembly comprises a pin inserted or insertable into the central bore and having an axial extension such that the pin protrudes axially from the central bore, passes through the through opening of the plate and enters a central hole in the carrier wheel for supporting the carrier wheel about the rotation axis.

[0021] According to an alternative aspect of the present invention, the fastening element and the pin define a single monolithic body.

[0022] According to an aspect of the present invention, the fastening element has a mounting portion arranged about the adjustment axis and defining an outer mounting surface, which is fitted or can be fitted into the through opening of the plate in such a manner that a rotation of the fastening element about the adjustment axis within the opening causes a change in the relative position between the plate and the carrier wheel.

[0023] This technical feature allows a faster and simpler adjustment of the plate positioning without using any shim.

[0024] According to an aspect of the present invention, the fastening element comprises a flange portion that abuts, or is designed to abut, to the plate in proximity of the through opening, an engaging portion, preferably with polygonal outline, adjacent to the flange and engageable by a manual tool such as a screwdriver or a wrench. The flange portion advantageously allows a performant tightening of the fastening element on the plate, for example by means of a screw and a bolt, while the engaging portion allows an easier engagement of the fastening element to adjust the plate positioning.

[0025] According to an aspect of the present invention, the mounting portion comprises a couple of interconnection tabs facing each other and asymmetrical with respect to each other, which are fitted, or can be fitted, into the through opening of the plate for guiding the rotation of the fastening element within the through opening.

[0026] Preferably, the interconnection tabs are radially distanced between each other, and the guide surface is arranged between them.

[0027] Brief description of drawings

[0028] Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the non-limiting description of a preferred embodiment of a door mechanism assembly for an elevator as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

[0029] - Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a portion of the door assembly in perspective and exploded view;

[0030] - Figure 1A illustrates a component of the door assembly of figure 1 in perspective view;

[0031] - Figure 1 B illustrates the component of figure 1 A in a frontal view;

[0032] - Figure 2 illustrates the portion of the door assembly of figure 1 in another perspective and exploded view;

[0033] - Figure 3 illustrates the portion of the door assembly of figure 1 and 2 in a perspective and mounted view.

[0034] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0035] With reference to the figures 1-3, the number 100 indicates a door mechanism assembly for an elevator, which, for simplicity, will be referred to as “door assembly 100”.

[0036] The door assembly 100 is configured for use in an elevator, in particular the door assembly 100 is configured to move the doors of an elevator between an open position and closed position.

[0037] The door assembly 100 may be used to move both the car and the landing doors of an elevator. For example, the door assembly 100 is known as door operator.

[0038] With reference to figures 1 , 2 and 3, the door assembly 100 comprises a plate 1 , which is preferably a metal plate, extending along a main direction “X”.

[0039] Preferably the plate 1 defines, at least partially, an hanger plate of the door assembly 100.

[0040] The plate 1 has a through opening 1a, which preferably has a shape which is elongated along the main direction “X” of the plate 1 .

[0041] More preferably, as shown in figure 2, the through opening 1a has a circular portion 10c and an elongated portion 10d extending away from the circular portion 10c along the main direction “X” of the plate 1 .

[0042] With reference to figures 1 , 2 and 3 the door assembly 100 further comprises a carrier wheel 2 integral with the plate 1 and rotatable about a rotation axis “Y”, transverse, preferably perpendicular, to the main direction “X” of the plate.

[0043] The carrier wheel 2 is therefore mounted on the plate 1 , in particular in correspondence of the through opening 1a.

[0044] Preferably, the carrier wheel 2 is configured to support and / or to actuate an elongated member such as cable.

[0045] In addition, the position of the carrier wheel 2 is not movable. The carrier wheel 2 is therefore in a fixed position.

[0046] In order to connect the carrier wheel 2 to the plate 1 , and in order to support in rotation the carrier wheel 2, the door assembly 100 comprises a mounting assembly 30 fitted or configured to be fitted at the through opening 1a.

[0047] Preferably, the mounting assembly 30 is fitted or configured to be fitted at the elongated portion 10d of the through opening 1a.

[0048] In a mounting phase, the carrier wheel 2 and the mounting assembly 30 can be moved along the elongated portion 10d to adjust their position along the main direction “X”.

[0049] The carrier wheel 2 is therefore connected to the plate 1 in correspondence of its through opening 1a by means of the mounting assembly 30. In detail, the mounting assembly 30 engages the carrier wheel 2 in correspondence of a central portion of the carrier wheel 2 itself, in particular in correspondence of a central through hole 2a of the carrier wheel 2.

[0050] With reference to figures 1A and 1 B, the mounting assembly 30 comprises a fastening element 3 having a guide surface “S1” defining the rotation axis “Y” of the carrier wheel 2. The rotation axis “Y” of the carrier wheel 2 is therefore stationary with respect to the fastening element 3, which is configured for supporting the carrier wheel 2 in rotation about the rotation axis “Y”.

[0051] More specifically, the guide surface “S1” has a cylindrical outline and is defined by a central bore “F” of the fastening element 3.

[0052] According to the preferred embodiment, the fastening element 3 is a nut.

[0053] The mounting assembly 30 preferably comprises a pin 4, inserted or insertable into the central bore “F” of the fastening element 3 and having an axial extension such that the pin 4 protrudes axially, along the rotation axis “Y”, from the central bore “F”, passes through the through opening 1a of the plate 1 and enters a central hole 2a in the carrier wheel 2 for supporting the carrier wheel 2 about the rotation axis “Y”.

[0054] The pin 4 and the fastening element 3 can either be separated bodies or define a single monolithic body.

[0055] Preferably, the mounting assembly 30 further comprises a threaded member (not shown in the accompanying figures), such as a bolt, threadedly engaged with the pin 4 to tighten the carrier wheel 2 and the fastening element 3 against the plate 1 when the door operator 100 is operated.

[0056] Advantageously the pin 4 and the fastening element 3, being separable from the plate 1 and from the carrier wheel 2, allow an easier and faster disassembling of the door operator 100, reducing maintenance and installation costs.

[0057] According to a peculiar aspect of the present invention, the fastening element 3 is rotatably engaged with the plate 1 , in particular with the through opening 1a of the plate 1 , for rotating about an adjustment axis “Z”, shown in figure 1 B.

[0058] The adjustment axis “Z” is offset with respect to the rotation axis “Y” defined by the guide surface “S1”, in such a way that a rotation of the fastening element 3 about the adjustment axis “Z” causes a change in the position of the rotation axis “Y”, in particular with respect to the adjustment axis “Z” and to the through opening 1a pf the plate 1.

[0059] In other words, with reference to figure 1 B, the adjustment axis “Z” is parallel to the rotation axis “Y” but at a predetermined distance “e” from the rotation axis “Y”, so that a rotation of the fastening element 3 about the adjustment axis “Z” defines a displacement of the rotation axis “Y”. Preferably, the adjustment axis “Z” is perpendicular to the main direction “X”.

[0060] A rotation of the fastening element 3 about the adjustment axis “Z” defines a displacement of the rotation axis “Y” along a circumference having a radius which is equal to the distance “e” between the rotation axis “Y” and the adjustment axis “Z”.

[0061] A change in the position of the rotation axis “Y”, about which the carrier wheel 2 is rotatable, corresponds to a change in the position of the plate 1 . Advantageously, by the adjustment axis “Z” it is possible to adjust the position of the plate 1 by a rotation of the fastening element 3, without using any additional shim.

[0062] Therefore, in order to adjust the position of the plate 2, an operator only needs to rotate the fastening element 3 about the adjustment axis “Z”, which makes the operation faster and easier.

[0063] The adjustment axis “Z” is defined by a mounting portion 3a of the fastening element 3.

[0064] In detail, the fastening element 3 has a mounting portion 3a which defines an outer mounting surface “S2” having a cylindrical outline which is fitted, or can be fitted, in the through opening 1a of the plate 1. Preferably, the mounting portion 3a of the fastening element 3 is fitted or configured to be fitted at the elongated portion 10d of the through opening 1a.

[0065] In detail, the mounting surface “S2” is arranged about an axis “Z” defining the adjustment axis “Z”.

[0066] The mounting surface “S2” (defining the adjustment axis “Z”) and the guide surface “S1” (defining the rotation axis “Y”) are therefore eccentric between each other, as shown in figure 1 B.

[0067] With reference to figures 1 and 1A, the mounting surface “S2” engages opposite edges 10a, 11a of the through opening 1a, in such a manner that the fastening element 3 is bound to rotate in contact with the opposite edges 10a, 11 a of the through opening 1 a.

[0068] A rotation of the fastening element 3 within the opening 1a and about the adjustment axis “Z” therefore causes a change in the position of the rotation axis “Y” between the opposite edges 10a, 11a and consequently a change in the position of the plate 1 , being the carrier wheel 2 in a fixed position.

[0069] Therefore, the mounting portion 3a allows an adjustment in the position of the plate 1 .

[0070] Structurally, the mounting portion 3a of the fastening element 3 comprises a couple of interconnection tabs 30a, 31 b defining the mounting surface “S2” of the fastening element 3 itself as shown in figures 1-1 B.

[0071] The interconnection tabs 30a, 31 b are facing each other.

[0072] The interconnection tabs 30a, 31b are asymmetrical with respect to each other.

[0073] The interconnection tabs 30a, 31b are fitted, or can be fitted, into the through opening 1a of the plate 1 for guiding the rotation of the fastening element 3 within the opening 1a. More specifically, each interconnection tab 30a, 31 b engages with a respective edge 10a, 11a of the through opening 1a, the edges 10a, 11a of the through opening 1a being opposite between each other.

[0074] More specifically, the couple of interconnection tabs 30a, 31 b comprises a first tab 30a extending along a radial direction on the connecting fastening element 3 by a first distance, and a second tab 31 b extending along a radial direction on the connecting fastening element 3 by a second distance greater than the first distance.

[0075] Preferably, the first and the second interconnection tab 30a, 31 b have the same axial extension along the rotation axis “Y”.

[0076] The interconnection tabs 30a, 31 b are radially distanced between each other and the guide surface “S1” is arranged between them.

[0077] More specifically, each interconnection tab 30a, 31 b is arranged next to the central through hole “F” of the fastening element 3.

[0078] The fastening element 3 is manually rotatable around the adjustment axis “Z”, preferably by means of a manual tool such as a screwdriver or a wrench, while during the operation of the door assembly 100, the fastening element 3 is kept in the adjusted position at least partly by friction. The fastening element 3 is therefore rotated about the adjustment axis “Z” to adjust the plate 1 position and then, when the adjustment is complete, the fastening element 3 is tightened to the plate 1 .

[0079] According to an aspect of the present invention, the mounting assembly 30 comprises clamping means 40 inserted or insertable into the through opening 1a of the plate 1 and into the central bore “F” of the fastening element 3 to keep the fastening element 3 pressed against the plate 1 when the door operator 100 is operated.

[0080] Preferably, the clamping means 40 comprise a screw-and-bolt means fitted into the guide surface “S1” of the fastening element 3.

[0081] More preferably, the clamping means 40 comprise the pin 4, which has a threaded end (not shown in the accompanying drawings) configured to be coupled with a bolt (not shown in the accompanying drawings) in order to tighten the fastening element 3 and the carrier wheel 2 to the plate 1.

[0082] In order to allow an operator a convenient adjustment of the plate 1 by a rotation of the fastening element 3, the fastening element 3 has an engaging portion 300, preferably with polygonal outline, engageable by a manual tool such as a screwdriver or a wrench. More preferably, the engaging portion has a hexagonal outline.

[0083] In order to ensure a good tightening of the fastening element 3 on the plate 1 , the fastening element 3 has a flange portion 301 adjacent to the engaging portion 300 and shown in figures 1 A and 1 B.

[0084] The flange portion 301 abuts, or is designed to abut, to the plate 1 in proximity of the through opening 1a when the door operator 100 is operated, the flange portion 301 therefore performs a function which is similar to the function of a screw washer.

[0085] Preferably, the flange portion 301 abuts the plate 1 thanks to a tightening of the clamping means 40.

[0086] The interconnection tabs 30a, 31 b are preferably adjacent to the flange portion 301 , which is therefore interposed between the interconnection tabs 30a, 31 b and the engaging portion 300.

[0087] The central bore “F” of the fastening element 3 extends on the engaging portion 300 and on the flange portion 301 , defining a hole through the engaging and the flange portion 300, 301 .

[0088] The present invention further provides an elevator comprising the door mechanism assembly 100 above described.

[0089] The characteristics of the door mechanism assembly 100 according to the present invention emerge clearly from the above description, as do the advantages.

[0090] In particular, the use of an eccentric fixing part, which is the described fastening element, allows an adjustment of the position of the plate without use of any shims. It is indeed sufficient to rotate the fastening element about the adjustment axis.

[0091] More specifically, the mounting surface inserted into the through opening of the plate allows a displacement of the rotation axis of the carrier wheel and consequently an adjustment of plate.

[0092] Therefore, the fastening element, in particular its mounting portion, allows a faster and an easier plate adjustment, ensuring at the same time lower installation / maintenance costs for the door assembly.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A door mechanism assembly (100) for an elevator comprising:- a plate (1 ) extending along a main direction (X) and comprising a through opening (1a);- a carrier wheel (2), mounted on the plate (1 ) and rotatable about a rotation axis (Y) which is transverse to the main direction (X); and- a mounting assembly (30), configured to connect the carrier wheel (2) to the plate (1 ), wherein the mounting assembly (30) comprises a fastening element (3) having a guide surface (S1 ) defining said rotation axis (Y) for supporting the carrier wheel (2) in rotation about said rotation axis (Y), the rotation axis (Y) being stationary with respect of the fastening element (3), and wherein the fastening element (3) is rotatably engaged with the plate (1 ) for rotating about an adjustment axis (Z) that is offset with respect to said rotation axis (Y) in such a way that a rotation of the fastening element (3) about the adjustment axis (Z) causes a change in the position of the rotation axis (Y).

2. The door mechanism assembly (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the fastening element (3) has a mounting portion (3a) defining an outer mounting surface (S2) that has a cylindrical outline and that is fitted in the through opening (1a), wherein the mounting surface (S2) is arranged about an axis (Z) defining said adjustment axis (Z) in such a manner that rotation of the fastening element (3) within the opening (1a) about the adjustment axis (Z) causes said change in the position of the rotation axis (Y).

3. The door assembly (100) according with claim 2, wherein the fastening element (3) has a flange portion (301 ) that abuts to the plate (1 ) in proximity of the through opening (1a), and wherein the mounting assembly (30) comprises clamping means (40) designed to keep the fastening element (3) pressed against the plate (1 ), preferably said clamping means (40) comprising a screw-and-bolt means fitted into said guide surface (S1 ).

4. The door mechanism assembly (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the mounting portion (3a) of the connecting fastening element (3) comprises a couple of interconnection tabs (30a, 31 b) facing each other and asymmetrical with respect to each other, the interconnection tabs (30a, 31 b) being fitted into the through opening (1a) of the plate (1 ) for guiding said rotation of the fastening element (3) within the through opening (1a).

5. The door mechanism assembly (100) according to claim 4, wherein the interconnection tabs (30a, 31 b) of the couple of interconnection tabs (30a, 31 b) are radially distanced each other and between them being arranged said guide surface (S1 ).

6. The door mechanism assembly (100) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the couple of interconnection tabs (30a, 31b) comprises a first tab (30a) extending along a radial direction on the connecting fastening element (3) by a first distance and a second tab (31b) extending along a radial direction on the connecting fastening element (3) by a second distance, greater than the first distance, the first and the second interconnection tab (30a) preferably having the same axial extension along the rotation axis (Y).

7. The door mechanism assembly (100) according to any one of the claims 4 to 6, wherein each tab (30a, 31b) of the couple of interconnection tabs (30a, 31 b) has an outer surface having an arc of circle outline.

8. The door mechanism assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide surface (S1 ) is defined by a central bore (F) of the fastening element (3) and wherein the mounting assembly (30) comprises a pin (4) inserted or insertable into said central bore (F) and having an axial extension such that the pin (4) protrudes axially from the central bore (F), passes through the through opening (1a) of the plate (1 ) and enters a central hole (2a) in the carrier wheel (2) for supporting the carrier wheel (2) about the rotation axis (Y).

9. The door mechanism assembly (100) according with claim 8, whereinthe mounting assembly (30) further comprises a threaded member threadedly engaged with the pin (4) to tighten the carrier wheel (2) and the fastening element (3) against the plate (1 ).

10. The door mechanism assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the through opening (1a) has a circular portion(10c) and an elongated portion (10d) extending away from the circular portion (10c) along the main direction (X) of the plate (1 ), the fastening element (3) being fitted at said elongated portion (10d).

11. Elevator, comprising the door mechanism assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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