Lift kit and associated elevator

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for coupling a load or a counterweight to a rigid drive chain, comprising: a movable fork (1) having at least one finger (11), movable between an engagement position in which, when the device is in place, the finger (11) is engaged with the rigid chain and a disengagement position in which, when the device is in place, the finger (11) is not engaged with the rigid chain, characterized in that the movable fork (1) has guide rollers (15) on its sides parallel to the tilting plane, and in that it comprises side walls (3), located on either side of the movable fork (1), having grooves (31) in an arc of a circle, in which the guide rollers (15) are engaged, forming a means for guiding the fork (1) in tilting between the engagement and disengagement positions, and in that the fork (1) comprises a pinned nut (13),engaged with a threaded rod (5), said threaded rod (5) being configured to be rotated for switching between the disengaged and engaged positions of the movable fork (1). Figure for abstract: [Fig. 3],

Description

Title of the invention: Lifting kit and associated elevator Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of devices for transporting loads and passengers, for example elevators or hoists, conveyor and funicular systems, scenography mechanisms and in particular to devices for transporting loads with rigid driving chains, more particularly to devices for coupling or clutching with the rigid chain(s). Prior art

[0002] Load transport devices are most often set in motion, in the general case, by motor systems, counterweights or balancing masses, cables, hydraulic cylinders and pulleys possibly forming a pulley system. The pulley system and counterweights also reduce the effort required to lift the load, and therefore the engine power required.

[0003] The cables wear out relatively quickly due to their repeated elastic deformations when passing through the pulleys or when being wound / unwound around the drum. Their inspection and replacement are delicate operations.

[0004] The use of rigid chains to replace these cables makes it possible to limit these inconveniences.

[0005] Passenger elevators in particular, but also freight elevators, are subject to regional standards ensuring the safety of the people and loads transported, over a long lifespan with numerous usage cycles (hundreds of thousands of cycles or even millions).

[0006] Chains, and in particular rigid chains, are known in particular for replacing cables in the motor assembly of load transport devices. The chains are in particular more robust and less subject to wear by friction, which implies a potentially longer life cycle, and they work in traction and thrust.

[0007] The chains are subjected to significant forces, particularly at the level of coupling with the load. Selective coupling and decoupling, particularly under load, is then difficult to achieve, due to said significant forces. However, coupling / decoupling under load makes it possible in particular to change the chain without having to remove the load.

[0008] It is known in the field of elevators in particular to provide the device with two parallel rigid chains. In normal operating mode, the two chains are coupled to the load, and in a degraded operating mode, only one of the two strings is coupled to the load, which allows operation to be temporarily maintained and the string that is not coupled to be removed and repaired or replaced.

[0009] The devices for coupling the load to the chain are subjected to a portion of the weight of the load, and therefore to significant forces. Consequently, the coupling devices must be solid, and allow a secure and durable connection, and coupling or decoupling under load. In particular, it would be interesting to be able to do without hydraulic actuators to do this, due to the maintenance they require, and the polluting nature of the oils used.

[0010] There is therefore a need for a coupling device having the advantages mentioned above. Summary of the invention

[0011] In order to meet this need, the invention proposes a coupling device for coupling a load or a counterweight to a rigid drive chain, comprising: a movable fork having at least one finger, movable between an engagement position in which, when the device is in place, the finger is engaged with the rigid chain and a disengagement position in which, when the device is in place, the finger is not engaged with the rigid chain, characterized in that the movable fork has guide rollers on its sides parallel to the tilting plane, and in that it comprises side walls, located on either side of the movable fork, having grooves in an arc of a circle, in which the guide rollers are engaged, forming a means of guiding the fork when it tilts between the engagement and disengagement positions, and in that the fork comprises a pinned nut, engaged with a threaded rod, said threaded rod being configured to be rotated for switching between the disengaged and engaged positions of the movable fork.

[0012] The device is then actuated by rotating the threaded rod, which can be done by means of an electric motor and a possible reducer, which avoids the use of hydraulic devices.

[0013] The fingers are furthermore solid, and their extraction / insertion into the rigid chain can be done without exerting forces that could damage the rigid chain, with a suitable shape of the fingers and movement of the fork.

[0014] The device according to the invention may further have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0015] The threaded rod may protrude from the upper or lower walls, so that it can be actuated by a motor, in particular an electric motor, from above or below.

[0016] The guide rollers may have an annular coating of polymer material forming a sliding surface in contact with the grooves. Alternatively, the guide rollers may be made of steel, and form a rolling connection at the grooves.

[0017] The device may have holes on its side faces, and a hole arranged on the fork, arranged so that in the engaged position, the holes in the side faces and the fork are aligned, and further comprising an alignment detector, configured to detect the alignment of the holes in the fork and the side faces.

[0018] Said alignment detector may in particular comprise a laser transmitter, configured to emit a laser beam passing through the aligned holes in the engagement position, and a photovoltaic sensor located on the other side, the photovoltaic sensor emitting an electrical signal when the laser beam passes through the aligned holes in the engagement position.

[0019] Alternatively, the alignment detector may include a locking bar, inserted through the aligned holes in the engagement position, and which must be removed to allow the movable fork to be tilted into the disengaged position.

[0020] The device may comprise an engagement position detection device, configured to emit a signal when the movable fork is in the extreme engagement or disengagement position, to an electronic control unit.

[0021] The device may comprise a stop surface at its upper face, forming a hyperstatic support surface for the movable fork when it is in the engaged position.

[0022] The fork may in particular be composed of three parts, including a central part carrying the finger(s), and two lateral wings, arranged on either side of the central part, the threaded rod passing between the two lateral wings, behind the central part.

[0023] The device may include a connection to the load or to the counterweight, for example by means of a double yoke, which comprises a stirrup having two passages for axes, respectively at the top and at the bottom, and two axes inserted in the passages, and the upper axis then advantageously comprises a strain gauge, making it possible to measure the load applied to the stirrup.

[0024] The invention also relates to the associated securing device of a load or a counterweight to two rigid driving chains, characterized in that it comprises two coupling devices mentioned above, arranged so as to engage respectively each one of the two rigid chains.

[0025] The coupling devices advantageously have holes on their side faces, and a hole arranged on the fork, so that in the engagement position, the holes of the side faces and of the forks are aligned, and further comprises a locking bar, passing through the aligned holes of the two coupling devices, with a stroke in its longitudinal direction limited so as to make the simultaneous release of the two coupling devices impossible.

[0026] Finally, the invention also relates to the lifting kit for an associated elevator or hoist, comprising two parallel rigid drive chains, connected on the one hand to a platform and on the other hand to a counterweight, characterized in that it comprises a securing device as previously described, the two coupling devices being arranged both at the level of the platform or at the level of the counterweight, so as to couple, when in the engaged position, the platform or the counterweight to the two rigid drive chains. Brief description of the figures

[0027] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on reading the description of the figures below, among which: - [Fig.l] is a side view of a device in the engaged position,

[0028] - [Fig.2] is a side view of the device in the disengaged position,

[0029] - [Fig.3] is a sectional view of the device in the engaged position,

[0030] - [Fig.4] is a sectional view of the device in the disengaged position,

[0031] - [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the fork of the device,

[0032] - [Fig.6] is an exploded view of the fork of the device,

[0033] - [Fig.7] is a three-quarter rear view of the fork and threaded rod of the device,

[0034] - [Fig.8] is a schematic transparent perspective view of a side wall of the device,

[0035] - [Fig.9] is a three-quarter view of a device provided with position detectors of the fork,

[0036] - [Fig. 10] is an exploded view of the main components of a lifting kit using devices according to the invention.

[0037] The embodiments shown are given as illustrative and non-limiting examples. Other embodiments may in particular be obtained by variation or combination of the embodiments described. Detailed description of the figures

[0038] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation in side view of a coupling device 100 of a load to a rigid chain (not shown), with a fork 1 in the engagement position, in which two fingers 11 of the fork 1 protrude from an enclosure 3 formed of screwed walls and come, in the installed state, into engagement with the rigid chain (not shown).

[0039] [Fig.2] is a schematic side view of the coupling device 100 of [Fig.l] with the fork 1 in the disengaged position in in which the two fingers 11 are partially retracted into the enclosure 3 and are not, in the installed state, engaged with the rigid chain (not shown).

[0040] The fork 1 is movable in tilting between the engagement and disengagement positions by actuation of a threaded rod 5, the ends of which protrude from the upper and lower faces of the enclosure 3. Said ends of the threaded rod 5 are in particular configured to engage with an electric motor, for example by comprising a portion with a polygonal, hexagonal or square section for example, or a head provided with a slotted or cross-shaped recess for the power take-off.

[0041] The side walls of the enclosure 3, located on either side of the fork 1, have guide grooves 31 in an arc of a circle, in which are inserted guide rollers 15 (see figures 5 and following) integral with the movable fork 1.

[0042] The rollers 15 are in particular covered, at least on their radial periphery, with an annular coating of polymer material forming a sliding surface in contact with the grooves 31. According to a variant, the rollers 15 are made of metal, in particular stainless steel, and the connection is then rolling.

[0043] In the engagement position, shown in [Fig.l], a through hole 17 of the fork 1 is aligned with corresponding holes in the side walls of the enclosure 3. A locking bar (not shown) can then be inserted into the resulting through housing, or an optical system can detect the resulting gap, which makes it possible to lock and / or verify the correct positioning in the engagement position of the fork 1.

[0044] In particular, a locking bar detector may be implemented to detect the correct insertion, through the aligned holes of the coupling device 100, of the locking bar.

[0045] As an alternative to the locking bar, a laser transmitter, configured to emit a laser beam passing through the aligned holes in the engagement position, may be implemented. A photovoltaic sensor is then located on the other side, the photovoltaic sensor emitting an electrical signal when the laser beam passes through the aligned holes in the engagement position and strikes it.

[0046] [Fig. 3] is a sectional view of the device 100 of figures 1 and 2, in the tilting plane of the fork 1, at the level of the threaded rod 5. The threaded rod 5 is inserted into the enclosure 3, of which it passes through the upper and lower plates, with bearings 51 facilitating its rotation at the level of said plates of the enclosure 3. The threaded rod 5 is engaged with a stud nut 13, which is trapped in the fork 1 by engagement of the studs in holes in the fork 1.

[0047] In the engaged position, the upper surface of the fork 1 is in particular in constrained support against an upper plate of the enclosure 3, which then forms a stop surface allowing hyperstatic support, and therefore reducing the play at the level of the connection and the vibrations of the load.

[0048] [Fig.4] is a sectional view similar to that of [Fig.3], but with the fork 1 in the disengaged position.

[0049] The stud nut 13 is substantially cylindrical, with ends inserted into the fork 1, and is crossed by the threaded rod 5. The studs of the stud nut 13 are also cylindrical, with a diameter smaller than the central portion crossed by the threaded rod 5, and inserted into oblong housings 14 of the fork 1, allowing limited translation of the stud nut 13 relative to the fork 1.

[0050] In figures 1 to 4 is also shown the connection to the load or counterweight, on the right in said figures.

[0051] The connection is made by a double yoke, which comprises a stirrup 110 having two passages for axes 111, 113, respectively at the top and at the bottom. The upper axis 111 is in particular a strain gauge axis, making it possible to measure the load applied to the stirrup 110. The lower axis is a passive axis, without measuring device. The shear force is in particular correlatable to the sole stress measurement at the level of the upper axis 111.

[0052] Figures 5, 6 and 7 are views of the fork 1 illustrating its structure and its connection to the threaded rod 5.

[0053] [Fig. 5] is a three-quarter front view, from the side of the fingers 11, of the fork 1 outside the enclosure 3. The fork 1 can be composed of three parts, a frame 19 which carries the fingers 11 and two lateral wings 20, which extend on either side of the frame 19. The rear portion of the frame 19 is hollowed out with a recess into which, once the device 100 is assembled, the threaded rod 5 is inserted.

[0054] The fork 1 therefore has a Y or U-shaped section, the fingers 11 being located at the base or lower tip of said Y or U-shaped section, while the nipple nut 13 is arranged between the branches of the Y or U (see [Fig.7]).

[0055] [Fig.6] shows the chassis 19 and the side wings 20 in exploded view.

[0056] The chassis 19 has shoulders on either side of a rear groove, and the lateral wings 20 have a complementary portion of the shoulder, into which a rear portion of the chassis 19 is inserted, and the rollers 15, fitted into aligned holes in the lateral wings 20 and the chassis 19, serve for the relative fixing of the chassis 19 and the lateral wings 20. Dowels 12 dedicated to securing are further fitted into aligned holes in the chassis 19 and the lateral wings 20, once in place.

[0057] [Fig.7] illustrates the fork 1 in a three-quarter rear view, with the tapped shaft 13 and the threaded rod 5 in place.

[0058] The nipple nut 13 is located between the two lateral wings 20, and in particular inserted between the two lateral wings 20 during the assembly of the fork 1 by insertion of its nipples in corresponding holes of the side wings 20 when these are attached to the chassis 19.

[0059] [Fig.8] is a schematic representation in three-quarter view of a side wall of enclosure 3, in transparency with the edges visible.

[0060] The enclosure wall 3 comprises in particular two concentric arc-shaped grooves 31. One (inner) is through, and appears in the other figures with the pin 12 which is located behind, while the other (outer) is blind, and therefore does not appear in the other figures, and accommodates the two rollers 15 located on the same side of the fork 1.

[0061] The enclosure wall 3 further comprises blind threads 33 for screws allowing the assembly of the enclosure 3.

[0062] [Fig.9] is a three-quarter view representation of an alternative embodiment of coupling device 100.

[0063] The coupling device 100 comprises extreme position detectors 7, which emit a signal when the fork 1 reaches the engagement or disengagement position.

[0064] The detectors 7 comprise a finger 71 movable with the fork 1, which is here inserted into a bore in the center of the pins 12. The finger 71 comes into contact, in the engagement and disengagement position, with a contactor 73. The contact of the finger 71 actuates the contactor 73 which then emits an electronic signal which can be used to manage the safety of the device 100 for example via an electronic control unit which can, if necessary, inhibit the decoupling of a second device 100 or engage static locking means of the load and thus prevent its release.

[0065] The detectors 7 are here two in number, respectively detecting the disengagement position and the engagement position of the fork 1. Embodiments with a single detector 7, in particular a single detector detecting the engagement position, can however also be envisaged.

[0066] [Fig. 10] is a schematic representation of an elevation kit 200, i.e. the motor device of an elevator or goods lift, configured to be integrated into an elevator shaft of a building and move a cabin or a goods lift platform.

[0067] This elevation kit 200 is assembled and installed in the structure of the elevator shaft or cage. The elevator shaft or cage is the structure, generally made of concrete masonry, in which the load or elevator cabin moves. This shaft or cage is generally rectilinear, tubular, often parallelepipedal, and has openings arranged at the level of the floors and through which access to the load or cabin is made possible.

[0068] The 200 elevation kit is divided into three parts shown exploded in [Fig. 10].

[0069] The 200 elevation kit essentially comprises: - a mobile 201, comprising a plate and guiding means, - two lifting devices 203, each comprising a motor assembly 50 and a rigid chain 70 driven by the motor assembly 50, the two rigid chains 70 being connected to a counterweight 90 or a balancing mass if necessary, and contained and guided in vertical guide profiles.

[0070] The two lifting devices 203 are arranged one against the other, in a mirror image, with their motor assembly 5 located on either side of the guide profiles, themselves terminated by head returns, containing the rigid chain 70. The counterweight or balancing mass 90 is substantially parallelepipedal, and arranged between the front and rear guide profiles of each lifting device 203.

[0071] Two coupling devices 100 couple the moving part respectively to one of the two rigid chains 70. The presence of detectors 7 and / or a locking bar makes it possible to avoid the potentially catastrophic situation in which the two coupling devices 100 are decoupled, and the moving part 201 can fall to the bottom of the elevator shaft. The travel of the locking bar is furthermore or alternatively advantageously limited in its longitudinal direction, so that it is impossible to simultaneously release the two coupling devices 100 by completely extracting the locking bar.

[0072] The coupling devices 100 therefore make it possible to selectively decouple one or other of the rigid chains 70 from the load, by means of an electric motor, without first depositing the load. The connection that said coupling devices 100 provide is furthermore solid, and the removal of the fingers 11 does not trigger forces that could damage the load or the rigid chains 70.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for coupling a load or a counterweight to a rigid drive chain, comprising: a movable fork (1) having at least one finger (11), movable between an engagement position in which, when the device is in place, the finger (11) is engaged with the rigid chain and a disengagement position in which, when the device is in place, the finger (11) is not engaged with the rigid chain, characterized in that the movable fork (1) has guide rollers (15) on its sides parallel to the tilting plane, and in that it comprises side walls (3), located on either side of the movable fork (1), having grooves (31) in an arc of a circle, in which the guide rollers (15) are engaged, forming a means for guiding the fork (1) in tilting between the engagement and disengagement positions, and in that the fork (1) comprises a pinned nut (13),engaged with a threaded rod (5), said threaded rod (5) being configured to be rotated for switching between the disengaged and engaged positions of the movable fork (1).,

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the threaded rod (5) protrudes from the upper or lower walls (3) so that it can be actuated by a motor, in particular an electric motor.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide rollers (15) have an annular coating of polymer material forming a sliding surface in contact with the grooves (31).

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the guide rollers (15) are made of steel, and in that they form a rolling connection at the grooves (31).

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has holes on its lateral faces (3), and a hole (17) arranged on the fork (1), arranged so that in the engagement position, the holes of the lateral faces and of the fork are aligned, and in that it further comprises an alignment detector, configured to detect the alignment of the holes (17) of the fork (1) and of the lateral faces (3).

6. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the detector comprises a laser emitter, configured to emit a beam laser passing through the aligned holes in the engagement position, and a photovoltaic sensor located on the other side, the photovoltaic sensor emitting an electrical signal when the laser beam passes through the aligned holes (17) in the engagement position.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the detector comprises a locking bar, inserted through the holes (17) aligned in the engagement position, and which must be removed to allow the movable fork (1) to be tilted into the release position.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an engagement position detection device (73), configured to emit a signal when the movable fork (1) is in the extreme engagement or disengagement position, intended for an electronic control unit.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a stop surface at its upper face, forming a hyperstatic support surface for the movable fork (1) when it is in the engaged position.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fork (1) is composed of three parts, including a central part (19) carrying the finger(s) (11), and two lateral wings (20), arranged on either side of the central part (19), the threaded rod (5) passing between the two lateral wings (20), behind the central part (19).

11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a connection to the load or the counterweight, by means of a double yoke, which comprises a stirrup (110) having two passages for axes (111, 113), respectively at the top and at the bottom, and two axes (111, 113) inserted in the passages, and in that the upper axis (111) comprises a strain gauge, making it possible to measure the load applied to the stirrup (110).

12. Device for securing a load (201) or a counterweight (90) to two rigid drive chains (70), characterized in that it comprises two coupling devices (100) according to one of the preceding claims, arranged so as to engage each of the two rigid chains (70) respectively.

13. A securing device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the coupling devices (100) have holes on their lateral faces (3), and a hole (17) arranged on the fork (1), so that in the engagement position, the holes of the lateral faces (3) and forks (1) are aligned, and in that it further comprises a locking bar, passing through the aligned holes of the two coupling devices (100), with a stroke in its longitudinal direction limited so as to make the simultaneous release of the two coupling devices (100) impossible.

14. Lifting kit (200) for an elevator or hoist, comprising two parallel rigid drive chains (70), connected on the one hand to a plate (201) and on the other hand to a counterweight (90), characterized in that it comprises a securing device according to claim 12 or 13, the two coupling devices (100) being arranged both at the level of the plate (201) or at the level of the counterweight (90), so as to couple, when in the engaged position, the plate (201) or the counterweight (90) to the two rigid drive chains (70).

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