Roller guide shoe for guiding an elevator cab or a counterweight of an elevator

Abstract

A roller guide shoe (1) for guiding an elevator car or counterweight includes a carrier structure (6) designed as a plastic injection molded part, pulleys (4, 4', 5), and rods (10, 11) arranged between the carrier structure (6) and the pulleys (4, 4', 5). The corresponding rods (10, 11) are single-piece molded bodies made of plastic and are designed as curved parts to apply preload to the pulleys (4, 4', 5). The rods (4, 4', 5) are inserted into hinged protrusions (16) of the carrier structure (6), wherein the hinged protrusions (16) engage in recesses (17) on the rods (10, 11) to define a hinge axis. The rods (10, 11) have two arms (12, 13) defining a V-shape.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a roller guide shoe. Background Technology

[0002] Elevators used for transporting people and goods include an elevator car that can move up and down within an elevator shaft. The elevator car moves within the vertical elevator shaft via a drive unit using a carrying mechanism, such as a carrying rope or carrying belt. In addition to the elevator car, an elevator typically includes at least one counterweight that moves in the opposite direction within the elevator shaft. Here, the elevator car and at least one counterweight run in guide rails. Guide shoes are typically used to guide the elevator car and counterweight; these guide shoes can be implemented as sliding guide shoes or roller guide shoes.

[0003] Known and common are multi-piece roller guide shoes with three pulleys, as described in, for example, US 5,107,963 or US 7,562,749. These roller guide shoes utilize air springs or helical compression springs and elastomeric springs to achieve good riding comfort. These roller guide shoes are characterized by their complex structure and large material requirements, and are therefore correspondingly expensive. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art, and in particular, to provide a roller guide shoe for guiding an elevator car or counterweight, characterized by a simple structure. Furthermore, the roller guide shoe should be inexpensive and characterized by its simple operation in assembly.

[0005] According to the invention, these and other objectives are achieved by a roller guide shoe. A roller guide shoe for elevators used for passenger or freight transport guides an elevator car or counterweight along guide rails extending in the traveling or longitudinal direction. The roller guide shoe includes at least one pulley and a carrier structure having a base section, preferably plate-shaped, for securing the roller guide shoe to the elevator car or counterweight, and at least one connecting plate section, preferably extending at right angles from the base section. The base section may have fastening devices, for example, in the form of recesses for receiving fastening screws. The connecting plate section is the portion of the carrier structure corresponding to the pulley. Preferably, the carrier structure has one connecting plate section for each pulley to support and carry at least one pulley. The roller guide shoe typically has three pulleys. In this case, the carrier structure essentially includes the already mentioned base section and three connecting plate sections extending from the base section for supporting and carrying the pulleys. A rod, preferably designed as a curved member, is arranged between the carrier structure and at least one pulley. A curved member is understood herein as a member capable of withstanding bending. Bending refers to the elastic bending of a component under load. Therefore, regarding bending components, the focus is on their elastic properties, not on how such components are manufactured. When roller guide shoes are installed in an elevator, rods designed as bending components can be arranged within the roller guide shoe to bend, thereby creating preload, which is then pressed against the guide rail by a preload pulley. Here, the at least one pulley is rotatably supported on the free end of the rod. Clearly, roller guide shoes are characterized by their particularly simple structure, as they consist essentially of only three parts: a carrier structure, rods, and pulleys. Sufficiently good ride comfort can be achieved by arranging the rods, configured as bending components, between the carrier structure and the at least one pulley when the roller guide shoe is in a ready-to-operate state (or when the roller guide shoe is assembled in the elevator). Because additional spring elements or insulating elements, such as helical compression springs and elastomeric springs, are not required, the roller guide shoe here offers a significant cost advantage compared to conventional roller guide shoes. Another advantage of this roller guide shoe is its low maintenance costs during operation.

[0006] The carrier structure with basic and connecting plate segments can be made of plastic as a one-piece molded body. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one rod can also be designed as a single-piece molded body made of plastic. Such a molded body can be manufactured simply and inexpensively. By using plastic, a weight advantage is also achieved compared to the relatively heavy conventional roller guide shoes made of metal materials.

[0007] The carrier structure can be made of high-strength plastic materials, such as PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PA (polyamide), PS (polystyrene), PES (polyethersulfone resin), POM (polyoxymethylene), PEEK (polyetheretherketone), and TPE (thermoplastic elastomer). The plastic material can also be mixed with fibers to reinforce the structure. Particularly preferred is that the carrier structure is made of fiber-reinforced plastic.

[0008] A particularly advantageous aspect is that the carrier structure, with its base segment and connecting plate segment, is an injection-molded part and / or the rods are injection-molded parts. Here, the injection-molded part is a plastic part manufactured by injection molding. In this way, a stable and torsional-resistant carrier structure can be achieved, wherein the base segment and connecting plate segment are integrally connected to each other.

[0009] At least one pulley may have an internal bearing bushing and an external rim that is rotatably connected to the bearing bushing, for example by a rolling bearing or a sliding bearing, for forming an operating body. Here, the bearing bushing and rim may be made of plastic. The rim may, for example, be composed of multiple plastic components, thereby further improving ride comfort.

[0010] In one embodiment, the rod may be inserted into or snapped onto a hinge protrusion arranged laterally on a connecting plate segment, wherein the hinge protrusion engages in a recess on the rod to define a hinge axis.

[0011] In the connecting plate segments of the carrier structure, locking elements, preferably designed as protrusions, can be provided as supports for the rods, serving to support and form stops to prevent the rods from pivoting around the hinge axis. The protrusions are formed onto the carrier structure and can be easily achieved using the injection molding method mentioned earlier. However, instead of such protrusions integrally connected to the carrier structure, separate locking elements can be used, which are detachably or securely fixed to the carrier structure.

[0012] For ease of assembly, it is advantageous to use a locking lug, in which the lever arm engages in a locking manner. The locking lug may include a support surface and a ramped rising surface immediately adjacent to the support surface, the support surface contacting the lever in the presence of a stop connection. This ramped rising surface can be inclined in such a way that the lever can move along the rising surface during installation until it reaches a terminal position, or, in the presence of a locking connection, a terminal position; the lever arm now contacts the contact surface, which ultimately provides support.

[0013] The rod can have two arms defining a V-shape. This V-shaped rod is particularly well-suited as a bending member, which allows preload to be applied to the pulley. The two rigidly connected arms, due to the V-shape, ensure spring properties in a simple way, enabling bending to produce preload. This V-shape is especially advantageous when the rod is made of plastic.

[0014] When the lever arm is circumferentially angled to 120° to 150°, a favorable bending element is produced.

[0015] Therefore, the rod can preferably have laterally extending reinforcing ribs or reinforcing plates, preferably disposed on the lateral outer contour, for reinforcement.

[0016] The rod may have a spool end laterally molded into the rod in the region of the free end of the rod arm for accommodating a pulley. For example, the pulley may be fitted into the spool end via a bearing bushing.

[0017] The roller guide shoe can have three pulleys. These three pulleys can consist of two opposing pulleys and one pulley. The two opposing pulleys are used for guiding along the lateral guide surfaces extending parallel to the guide rail, while the one pulley is used for guiding along the guide surface on the end side of the guide rail that connects the lateral guide surfaces. Here, each pulley is preferably equipped with a rod.

[0018] The carrier structure for a roller guide shoe with three pulleys can have a preferred plate-shaped base segment and three preferred right-angled connecting plate segments extending from the base segment. The connecting plate segments can be formed in a "T" shape in a plan view.

[0019] If the roller guide shoe has three pulleys, it is advantageous that at least two of the three links, especially the link with pulleys, each have two coaxial axle heads for receiving the pulleys (which are used for guiding along a lateral guide surface corresponding to the guide rail), the pulleys being positioned on opposite sides of the links. Therefore, the same link can be used for the two links provided for lateral guidance. This has the advantage that the same mold can be used during injection molding, which advantageously affects manufacturing costs.

[0020] For a roller guide shoe with three pulleys, the carrier structure preferably has connecting plate segments extending at right angles from the base segment to support the pulleys, wherein the connecting plate segments are interconnected by connecting areas. An emergency guide can be integrated into the carrier structure such that an emergency guide groove extending along the connecting plate segment is provided in the connecting area of ​​the connecting plate segment. Due to the length of the emergency guide groove, this type of emergency guide groove is advantageous for excellent emergency guidance characteristics in emergency situations. Here, the length of the emergency guide groove substantially corresponds to the outer dimension of the carrier structure in the longitudinal direction.

[0021] Emergency guidance trenches can be constructed from trench wall segments, which together form a U-shape. In other words, in a top view, the trench wall segments collectively form the main body of a U-shaped profile. This U-shaped profile body is preferably an integrated component of the carrier structure and is integrally connected to the carrier structure. Connecting plate segments can be connected to the trench wall segments at right angles. Therefore, each connecting plate segment is assigned a trench wall segment, and the corresponding connecting plate segment leads to its corresponding trench wall segment. Another advantage of this design for emergency guidance trenches is that it can additionally strengthen the carrier structure.

[0022] Another aspect of the invention relates to an elevator car or counterweight for an elevator, wherein the elevator car or counterweight is equipped with the aforementioned roller guide shoes. Finally, another aspect of the invention relates to an elevator device having an elevator car and a counterweight connected to the elevator car via a load-bearing mechanism and capable of reversing relative to the elevator car, wherein the elevator car or counterweight is equipped with roller guide shoes for guiding the elevator car or counterweight on guide rails. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Other advantages and individual features will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Wherein:

[0024] Figure 1 A perspective view of a roller guide shoe for an elevator is shown, and

[0025] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 Exploded view of the roller guide shoe. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Figure 1 A roller guide shoe for an elevator, generally indicated by 1, is shown. The roller guide shoe 1 guides the elevator car or counterweight along guide rails (not shown here) extending in the longitudinal direction z. Elevators for multi-story buildings may have an elevator shaft in which the elevator car can move vertically to allow people or goods to be moved vertically to various floors. An elevator may, for example, be configured as a traction elevator system with a counterweight that can move in the opposite direction to the elevator car, wherein the load-bearing mechanism is typically configured as ropes or straps.

[0027] exist Figure 1 The roller guide shoe 1 shown is particularly suitable for guiding along a guide rail, which is constructed of a T-shaped profile (see below). Figure 2The T-shaped profile can be, for example, a steel profile manufactured by rolling. This type of guide rail 2 has long been known, common, and widely used. For guidance on this guide rail 2, which is formed as a T-shaped profile, the roller guide shoe 1 has three pulleys 4, 4', and 5. Each pulley 4, 4', and 5 contacts the guide surface of the guide rail 2 and rolls on that guide surface during car travel.

[0028] The roller guide shoe 1 also includes a carrier structure 6, which has a plate-shaped base segment 7 and connecting plate segments 8 and 9 extending from the base segment 7. The base segment 7 is used to fix the roller guide shoe 1 to the elevator car or counterweight. Here, a hole 27 is provided for fixing the roller guide shoe 1 in the base segment 7 (see...). Figure 2 The fixing bolt 28 is inserted or can be inserted into the hole, and the roller guide shoe 1 can be fixed by means of the fixing bolt. Figure 2 The guide rail 2 is schematically shown. For reinforcement, a metal sleeve (not shown) can be inserted into the hole 27. Connecting plate segments 8 and 9 are used to support and carry pulleys 4, 4', and 5. Connecting plate segment 8 is used to carry two pulleys 4 and 4' facing each other. The pulley 5, which is guided along the guide surface on the end side of the guide rail 2, corresponds to connecting plate segment 9.

[0029] Rods 10 and 11 are arranged between the carrier structure 6 and the corresponding pulleys 4, 4', and 5. The corresponding pulleys 4, 4', and 5 are rotatably supported on the free ends of the corresponding rods 10 and 11. Each rod 10 and 11 has two arms 12 and 13. The two arms 12 and 13 are rigidly connected to each other, and a recess 17 is provided centrally in each rod 10 and 11 between the arms 12 and 13 that define the hinge axis. Rods 10 and 11 are inserted into hinge protrusions 16, which are laterally arranged on the connecting plate segments 8 and 9. After insertion, the hinge protrusions 16 engage with the recesses 17 on the rods 10 and 11.

[0030] Members 10 and 11 are designed as bent members, which allows preload to be applied to pulleys 4, 4', and 5, at least in a ready-to-operate state. When the roller guide shoe 1 is installed in the elevator, members 10 and 11 are arranged in the roller guide shoe 1 such that they bend, thereby creating preload, which presses pulleys 4, 4', and 5 against the guide rail 2. However, this bending rarely deforms and is almost imperceptible to the naked eye. Thanks to the elastic properties that can be influenced primarily by the effective length, shape, and material selection of the lever arm, the desired clamping force for the pulleys can be adjusted quite precisely. Here, members 10 and 11, and especially the lever arm 12 corresponding to the pulley, undergo elastic deformation. The roller guide shoe 1 can be designed such that the bending required to generate preload occurs as far above the hinge axis as possible, i.e., in the lever arm 12 between the hinge axis and the pulley, so as to avoid wear caused by rotation in the hinge protrusion 16.

[0031] Clearly, the roller guide shoe 1 is sufficient to ensure adequate riding comfort without additional spring elements, such as helical compression springs or elastomer-based spring mechanisms. Another advantage is that this curved component can be manufactured in large quantities at low cost.

[0032] In this embodiment, the rods 10 and 11, designed as curved members, have a V-shaped structure. Two arms 12 and 13 define the V-shape. The arms 12 and 13 form an angle of 120° to 150°. Therefore, the "V" is designed as an obtuse angle. However, other shapes for the rods 10 and 11 are also conceivable in principle. For example, the rods 10 and 11 can be curved or have one or, if necessary, multiple bends.

[0033] Each member 10, 11 has a laterally extending reinforcing rib 21 disposed on its lateral outer contour for reinforcement. The reinforcing rib 21 may also be used, depending on its number, orientation, and shape, to preferably adjust the curvature in the member to produce preload.

[0034] Each connecting plate segment 8, 9 of the carrier structure 6 has a locking member 18 as a support for each rod 10, 11. The locking member 18 is designed as a laterally molded protrusion on the carrier structure 6 and constitutes a stop to prevent the rods 10, 11 from pivoting about the hinge axis. The locking member 18 is designed, for example, as a locking lug in which the lower arm 13 of the rods 10, 11 is locked into engagement with the locking lug.

[0035] Other structural details of the roller guide shoe 1 can be found in Figure 2The carrier structure 6 has connecting plate segments 8 and 9 extending at right angles from the plate-shaped base segment 7 to support pulleys 4, 4', and 5. The connecting plate segments 8 and 9 clearly form a T-shape in the top view. The connecting plate segments 8 and 9, extending T-shaped from the base segment 7, are interconnected by a connecting area, in which an emergency guide is integrated, forming an emergency guide groove 25 extending along the connecting plate segments 8 and 9. To form the emergency guide groove 25, groove wall segments 26 are provided, which together form a U-shaped profile body in the top view. Each connecting plate segment 8 and 9 is connected at right angles to its corresponding groove wall segment 26. To reinforce the emergency guide groove 25, a metal gasket (not shown here) can be provided. This gasket can be a U-shaped metal piece that is inserted into the emergency guide groove and abuts against the groove wall segment 26 after insertion.

[0036] The carrier structure 6 is configured as a single-piece molded body made of plastic. Particularly preferably, the carrier structure 6 is made as an injection molded part. The carrier structure 6 can be made of high-strength plastic materials, such as PE, PP, PA, PS, PES, POM, PEEK, and TPE, particularly fiber-reinforced plastics. Other materials are also considered in principle. The carrier structure 6 can also be made of metal materials, such as aluminum castings.

[0037] Like the carrier structure 6, rods 10 and 11 are also single-piece molded bodies made of plastic. This offers many advantages, especially when rods 10 and 11 are manufactured using injection molding. Injection-molded parts can be produced with high precision and low cost. Therefore, relatively complex rod shapes can also be easily manufactured. The bending and preload of pulleys 4, 4', and 5 can be generated or adjusted through the geometry and material of rods 10 and 11, which is particularly well-suited for injection molding. For example, plastics such as PE, PP, PA, PS, PES, POM, PEEK, and TPE are considered for rods 10 and 11. Fiber-reinforced plastics, such as glass fiber reinforced plastics, are particularly suitable as materials. This material has excellent durability and ensures the spring properties of the rods over long periods. Because additional spring elements (such as helical compression springs) are not required compared to conventional roller guide shoes, roller guide shoes 1 consist of a small number of components, thus simplifying assembly and offering significant cost advantages. The bent components or rods 10 and 11 of the roller guide shoe 1, to a certain extent, assume the combined function of the roller carrier and the spring element. Here, the spring constants of the rods 10 and 11 can be determined through the rod structure.

[0038] In principle, a metal variant of the roller guide shoe 1 can also be conceived. The carrier structure 6 can be made of metal, for example, as an aluminum casting. The rods 10 and 11 can also be made of aluminum, for example.

[0039] In the present case, these three pulleys 4, 4', and 5 are pulleys with the same design. However, it is also conceivable to use different pulleys 4, 4', and 5. In particular, pulley 5 can be designed differently from pulleys 4 and 4'. The corresponding pulleys 4, 4', and 5 include an inner bearing bushing 14 and an outer rim 15 that is rotatably connected to the bearing bushing via rolling bearings. Not only the bearing bushing 14 but also the rim 15 is preferably made of plastic. The rim can be constructed from a single plastic component or, if necessary, from multiple plastic components made of different plastics. These components can be applied using a multiphase injection molding method. The rim 15 can, for example, be designed as a two-component injection molded part. Here, the outer component of the rim 15 typically has a greater rigidity than the inner component.

[0040] As from Figure 2 As shown in the exploded view, the roller guide shoe 1 is composed of a small number of components. Essentially, the roller guide shoe 1 consists of only three parts: the carrier structure 6, rods 10 and 11, and pulleys 4, 4', and 5. The three rods 10 and 11 are implemented almost identically. The two rods 10 for pulleys 4 and 4' are designed identically, while the rod 11 for pulley 5 differs from rods 10 only in that, for space reasons, a shaft head 22 is provided only on one side. However, in principle, this rod 11 could also be constructed identically to rods 10 with two shaft heads 22 and 23 (e.g., for roller guide shoes with a larger diameter).

[0041] Figure 2 The diagram also illustrates how the locking nose is constructed to form the locking member 18. The locking nose has a mating surface 19 that contacts the rods 10, 11 in the presence of a locking engagement, and thus defines a stop. Applied to the mating surface 19 is a ramp-shaped rising surface 20. The rising surface 20 is angled such that, during assembly of the rods, the associated arm 13 of the rods 10, 11 can move along the rising surface of the locking nose until reaching a terminal position in which the rods 10, 11, or their arms, remain locked in engagement with the locking nose.

[0042] The roller guide shoe 1 can be assembled as follows: First, the carrier structure 6 is installed (e.g., fixed by bolts 28) onto the elevator car or counterweight. Then, the rods 10 and 11, which are already equipped with pulleys 4, 4', and 5, are assembled onto the carrier structure 6. The pulleys 4, 4', and 5 may have been pre-assembled or installed onto the rods 10 and 11 on-site if necessary. To assemble the rods 10 and 11 onto the carrier structure 6, these rods are placed on the carrier structure 6 and engaged or pushed onto the hinge protrusion 16 by axially inserting their recesses 17 in the region of the pivot axis and locking them in the locking mechanism. To secure the rods 10 and 11 to prevent accidental loosening, retaining rings, nuts, cotter pins, etc., mounted on the hinge protrusion 16 can be used. The fastening mechanism may also be, for example, a locking protrusion located on the circumference of the hinge protrusion 16, onto which the rods 10 and 11 are engaged.

Claims

1. A roller guide shoe (1) for guiding an elevator car or counterweight along a guide rail (2) extending in the longitudinal direction (z), said roller guide shoe comprising: At least one pulley (4, 4', 5). The carrier structure (6) has a base segment (7) for fixing the roller guide shoe (1) to the elevator car or counterweight and at least one connecting plate segment (8, 9) extending from the base segment (7) for carrying at least one pulley (4, 4', 5). Among them, rods (10, 11) are arranged between the carrier structure (6) and the at least one pulley (4, 4', 5), wherein the corresponding pulleys (4, 4', 5) are supported on the free ends of the rods (10, 11) in a manner that allows them to rotate freely. The feature is that a locking member (18) for the rod (10, 11) is provided in the connecting plate segment (8, 9), wherein the locking member (18) is a locking lug, in which the rod (10, 11) and the locking lug maintain a locking engagement.

2. The roller guide shoe (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The carrier structure (6) and / or the rods (10, 11) are each configured as a single-piece molded body made of plastic.

3. The roller guide shoe (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The carrier structure (6) is an injection molded part and / or the rods (10, 11) are injection molded parts.

4. The roller guide shoe (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The at least one pulley (4, 4', 5) has an inner bearing bushing (14) and an outer rim (15), wherein the bearing bushing (14) and the rim (15) are made of plastic.

5. The roller guide shoe (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The rod is inserted into a hinged protrusion (16) arranged laterally on the connecting plate segments (8, 9), wherein the hinged protrusion (16) engages in a recess (17) on the rod (10, 11) to define the hinge axis.

6. The roller guide shoe (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The rods (10, 11) have two arms (12, 13) that define a V-shape.

7. The roller guide shoe (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The recess (17) used to define the hinge shaft is centrally positioned in the rod (10, 11).

8. The roller guide shoe (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The lever arms (12, 13) form an angle of 120° to 150°.

9. The roller guide shoe (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The rods (10, 11) have reinforcing ribs (21) or reinforcing plates.

10. The roller guide shoe (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The rod (10, 11) has axle heads (22, 23) laterally molded onto the connecting plate segments (8, 9) in the region of the free end of the rod arm for receiving pulleys (4, 4', 5).

11. The roller guide shoe (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, having three pulleys (4, 4', 5), characterized in that, The roller guide shoe (1) has three rods (10, 11), wherein each pulley (4, 4', 5) is equipped with a rod (10, 11), and at least two of the three rods have two coaxial axle heads (22, 23) for accommodating the pulleys, wherein the axle heads (22, 23) are located on opposite sides of the rods.

12. The roller guide shoe (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, For a roller guide shoe (1) having three pulleys (4, 4', 5), the carrier structure (6) has a connecting plate segment (8, 9) extending from the base segment (7) for carrying the pulleys (4, 4', 5), wherein an emergency guide is integrated in the carrier structure (6) in such a way that an emergency guide groove (25) extending along the connecting plate segment (8, 9) is provided in the connecting area of ​​the connecting plate segment (8, 9).

13. The roller guide shoe (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The connecting plate segments (8, 9) used to support the pulleys (4, 4', 5) extend from the base segment (7) at right angles.

14. The roller guide shoe (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The emergency guidance trench (25) is U-shaped by means of trench wall segments (26), and the connecting plate segments (8, 9) are respectively connected to the trench wall segments (26) at right angles.

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