Oil into the buffer

Abstract

The present invention provides an oil-filled shock absorber that allows the plunger to return to its normal position without being hindered from rising, even if the plunger itself rotates as it rises. [Solution] An oil-filled buffer is positioned to contact the elevator car 6 or counterweight 7 at a predetermined distance from the elevator car 6's normal stopping position, and comprises: a circular detection unit provided on the upper part of the plunger, having a diameter larger than the diameter of the cylinder when viewed from the vertical direction; a distance measuring means that measures a first distance to the detection unit in a non-contact manner and outputs a signal indicating the measured first distance; a storage unit that stores a predetermined second distance based on the distance from the detection unit to the distance measuring means in the state before the elevator car 6 contacts the plunger; and a determination unit 41 that compares the first distance and the second distance and outputs a first signal when the first distance is less than the second distance, and outputs a second signal when the first distance is greater than the second distance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an oil buffer having a plunger and a cylinder arranged so as to contact a car or a counterweight at a position separated by a predetermined distance from a regular stop position of an elevator car.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, it has been disclosed to provide an oil buffer device with a switch for detecting that a plunger has returned to a normal return position or an operating position (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the buffer, a spring receiver provided at the top of the plunger, a support member is provided on the spring receiver, and one end of a rod-shaped cam is vertically inserted through a fastener at the end of this support member. The other end of this cam is formed in a triangular shape. A U-shaped guide attached to the side of the cylinder, the horizontal part of this guide is vertically penetrated by the cam respectively, and this guide regulates and guides the reciprocating motion of the cam accompanying the vertical motion of the plunger in the vertical direction. A detection switch for detecting this triangular shape is provided on the side of the cylinder. On the other hand, when the plunger rises after the buffer operates, the plunger itself may rise while rotating. When the plunger rises while rotating, the cam also rotates in conjunction, so there is a problem that the cam gets caught on the guide, inhibiting the rise of the plunger and stopping halfway.

[0005] This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an oil-filled shock absorber that can return to its normal return position without the upward movement of the plunger being hindered, even if the plunger itself rotates as it rises. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The oil-filled buffer in this invention is an oil-filled buffer having a plunger and a cylinder that are arranged to contact the elevator car or counterweight at a predetermined distance from the normal stopping position of the elevator car, and is characterized by comprising: a circular detection part provided on the upper part of the plunger and having a diameter larger than the diameter of the cylinder when viewed from the vertical direction; a distance measuring means provided at a position overlapping the detection part when viewed from the vertical direction and at a distance below the plunger, which measures a first distance to the detection part in a non-contact manner and outputs a signal indicating the measured first distance; a storage unit that stores a predetermined second distance based on the distance from the detection part to the distance measuring means in the state before the car contacts the plunger; and a determination unit that compares the first distance and the second distance and outputs a first signal when the first distance is less than the second distance, and outputs a second signal when the first distance is greater than the second distance. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This invention makes it possible to realize an oil-filled shock absorber that can return to its normal return position without the upward movement of the plunger being hindered, even if the plunger itself rotates as it rises. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a front view showing the entire oil-filled buffer for an elevator according to Embodiment 1 of this invention during normal elevator car operation. [Figure 2] This is a front view showing the case where an elevator car collides with the oil-filled buffer (overall) of an elevator according to Embodiment 1 of this invention. [Figure 3]This is a front view showing the case where a counterweight collides with the oil-filled buffer (overall) of an elevator according to Embodiment 1 of this invention. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged view of an elevator car buffer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and is a front view showing the operation of the distance measuring device. [Figure 5] This is an enlarged view of an elevator counterweight buffer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and is a front view showing the distance measuring device in standby mode. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a front view showing the entire elevator car buffer 8a during normal operation of the car 6. Figure 2 is a front view showing the case where the car 6 collides with the elevator car buffer 8a, and Figure 3 is a front view showing the case where the counterweight 7 collides with the elevator's counterweight buffer 9a. Figure 4 is a front view of the elevator car buffer 8a showing the operation of the distance measuring device 84. Figure 5 is a front view of the elevator's counterweight buffer 9a showing the standby state of the distance measuring device 94.

[0010] The hoisting machine 2 includes a drive sheave 20, a hoisting machine motor (not shown), and a hoisting machine brake (not shown). The hoisting machine motor rotates the drive sheave 20. The hoisting machine brake maintains the drive sheave 20 in a stationary state. The hoisting machine brake also brakes the rotation of the drive sheave 20.

[0011] A suspension system 5 is wrapped around the drive sheave 20 and the deflection sheave 3. The suspension system 5 is made up of multiple ropes or multiple belts. A cage 6, which serves as a lifting body, is connected to the first end of the suspension system 5. A counterweight 7, which serves as a lifting body, is connected to the second end of the suspension system 5.

[0012] The cage 6 and counterweight 7 are suspended within the hoistway 1 by the suspension body 5 and move up and down within the hoistway 1 by rotating the drive sheave 20. The control panel 4 controls the hoisting machine 2 to raise and lower the cage 6 and counterweight 7. The control panel 4 also cuts off the power supply to the hoisting machine motor and hoisting machine brake as needed.

[0013] When the power supply to the hoisting machine motor is cut off, it loses the driving force to the drive sheave 20. When the power supply to the hoisting machine brake is cut off, it generates a braking force on the drive sheave 20.

[0014] A pair of car guide rails (not shown) and a pair of counterweight guide rails (not shown) are installed in the elevator shaft 1. The car guide rails guide the movement of the elevator car 6. The counterweight guide rails guide the movement of the counterweight 7.

[0015] A cage buffer 8 and a counterweight buffer 9 are installed at the bottom of the elevator shaft 1. An upper limit switch 10 is installed above the elevator shaft 1, and a lower limit switch 11 is installed below it.

[0016] The cage buffer 8 is located at the bottom of the hoistway 1 and directly below the cage 6. The counterweight buffer 9 is located at the bottom of the hoistway 1 and directly below the counterweight 7. Oil-filled buffers are used for both the cage buffer 8 and the counterweight buffer 9.

[0017] The upper limit switch 10 and the lower limit switch 11 are installed on the wall surface in the elevator shaft 1 that is closest to the side of the elevator car 6.

[0018] The side of the elevator car 6 is provided with a detection unit 60 that can contact the upper limit switch 10 or the lower limit switch 11 when the elevator car 6 moves up and down within the elevator shaft 1. The upper limit switch 10 and the lower limit switch 11 are each connected to the control panel 4.

[0019] In FIG. 1, the car 6 usually moves up and down within the hoistway 1 in a range where the detected part 60 does not contact the upper limit switch 10 or the lower limit switch 11. When the car 6 moves beyond the normal running range for some reason, the detected part 60 contacts the upper limit switch 10 or the lower limit switch 11, and at the same time, this state is output to the control panel 4.

[0020] In FIG. 2, when the lower limit switch 11 detects the detected part 60, the control panel 4 detects that the car 6 may move downward beyond the normal running range and collide with the car buffer 8.

[0021] Also, in FIG. 3, when the upper limit switch 10 detects the detected part 60, the control panel 4 detects that the car 6 may move upward beyond the normal running range and the counterweight 7 may collide with the counterweight buffer 9.

[0022] Next, the structure of the car buffer 8 will be described. Since the structure of the counterweight buffer 9 is the same as that of the car buffer 8, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0023] In FIGS. 4 to 5, the car buffer 8 includes a cylinder 80, a plunger 81, a plunger return spring 82, a detected member 83, and a distance measuring device 84.

[0024] The counterweight buffer 9 includes a cylinder 90, a plunger 91, a plunger return spring 92, a detected member 93, and a distance measuring device 94.

[0025] The car buffer 8 is installed on the base 83. The base 83 is installed at the bottom of the hoistway 1. The cylinder 80 is installed such that the axial direction of the cylinder 80 is parallel to the vertical direction. Inside the cylinder 80, there is oil as a resistor.

[0026] The plunger 81 is inserted into the cylinder 80. The plunger 81 is displaceable along the axial direction of the cylinder 80 between the extended position shown in Figure 2 and the compressed position shown in Figure 3.

[0027] The extended position is the position of the plunger 81 when it is not subjected to any force from the cage 6. The compressed position is the position of the plunger 81 when the cage 6 collides with the plunger 81 and the plunger 81 is pushed down.

[0028] The plunger 81 has a cylindrical plunger body 81a and a disc portion 81b. The disc portion 81b is provided at the upper end of the plunger body 81a. The outer diameter of the disc portion 81b is larger than the outer diameter of the plunger body 81a.

[0029] As a result, the outer circumferential surface of the disc portion 81b protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the plunger body 81a. The upper ends of the disc portion 81b and the plunger body 81a are always exposed from the upper end of the cylinder 80.

[0030] The detected member 83 is located directly below the disc portion 81b. The detected member 83 is formed in a disc shape that is larger than the outer diameter of the disc portion 81b and the outer diameter of the cylinder 80. As a result, the outer circumferential surface of the detected member 83 protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder 80.

[0031] The cylinder 80 has a cylindrical cylinder body 80a and an annular portion 80b. The annular portion 80b is provided at the upper end of the cylinder body 80a. The outer diameter of the annular portion 80b is larger than the outer diameter of the cylinder body 80a.

[0032] As a result, the outer circumferential surface of the annular portion 80b protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder body 80a. A plunger 81 passes through the inside of the annular portion 80b.

[0033] The plunger return spring 82 is located between the cylinder 80 and the plunger 81. The plunger return spring 82 is a coil spring. The plunger 81 passes inside the plunger return spring 82.

[0034] The plunger return spring 82 is compressed when the plunger 81 is displaced to the compressed position. The plunger return spring 82 also applies a force to the plunger 81 that returns it from the compressed position to the extended position.

[0035] The distance measuring device 84 is mounted on the cylinder 80. The distance measuring device 84 is a non-contact type, and the measuring device body 840 is fixed to the outer surface of the cylinder body 80a.

[0036] The upper end of the measuring instrument body 840 has an irradiation section 842 that emits laser light 841. The measuring instrument body 840 is also positioned radially outward of the annular section 80b.

[0037] The distance measuring device 84 is positioned so as to overlap the detected member 83 when viewed from the vertical direction. The laser light 841 emitted from the irradiation unit 842 is measured for the time it takes for the light to hit the detected member 83, reflect, and return to the distance measuring device 84. The first distance 12 from the distance measuring device 84 to the detected member 83 is measured based on this time.

[0038] Furthermore, since the detected member 83 is formed in a disc shape, the area of ​​the light-receiving area as seen from the distance measuring device 84 does not change even when the plunger 81 rotates and rises. Therefore, the laser light 841 emitted from the irradiation unit 842 reliably hits the detected member 83 and is reflected.

[0039] A protective cover 843 is provided on the upper part of the measuring instrument body 840, which is openable and closable directly above the irradiation unit 842 and capable of irradiating or shielding the laser beam 841. The protective cover 843 is provided with a drive unit 844 (not shown) that allows the protective cover 843 to be opened and closed at will.

[0040] The drive unit 844 is provided with a spring 844a (not shown) that displaces the protective cover 843 from a closed state to an open state. The drive unit 844 is also provided with a trigger 844b (not shown) that compresses the spring 844a and maintains the protective cover 843 in a closed state.

[0041] The drive unit 844 is equipped with a motor 844c (not shown) that operates the trigger 844b and opens and closes the protective cover 843. The motor 844c is driven and controlled by the control panel 4.

[0042] The control panel 4 is connected to an upper limit switch 10 and a lower limit switch 11, a distance measuring device 84, a distance measuring device 94, a drive unit 844, and a drive unit 944 (not shown), and each of them is capable of communicating with or supplying power to the others.

[0043] The control panel 4 contains an internal memory 40 and a determination unit 41 that are capable of communicating with the control panel 4. The internal memory 40 stores a value that indicates a predetermined second distance 13 based on the distance from the detected unit 83 to the distance measuring device 84 in the state before the cage 6 makes contact with the plunger 81.

[0044] The control panel 4 is constantly informed of the operating status of the upper limit switch 10 and the lower limit switch 11.

[0045] If the upper limit switch 10 or the lower limit switch 11 does not detect the detection unit 60, the control panel 4 does not output a predetermined signal to the drive unit 844. Therefore, the protective cover 843 remains covering the irradiation unit 842 from above, and the closed state is maintained.

[0046] When the lower limit switch 11 detects the detection unit 60, the control panel 4 drives the motor 844c to activate the trigger 844b. When the trigger 844b is activated, the spring 844a is released from its compressed state.

[0047] At this time, the elastic force generated when the spring 844a is released from its compressed state causes the protective cover 843 to quickly displace from the closed state to the open state, and the laser beam 841 is irradiated from the irradiation unit 842.

[0048] When the laser beam 841 is emitted from the irradiation unit 842, the laser beam 841 strikes the member to be detected 83, and the distance measuring device 84 begins measuring the first distance 12 to the member to be detected 83.

[0049] Next, the operation when the car 6 collides with the car buffer 8 will be described. As shown in Figure 2, when the car 6 moves downward beyond the normal travel range and the lower limit switch 11 detects the detected part 60, the control panel 4 displaces the protective cover 843 of the distance measuring device 84 from the closed state to the open state. At this point, the distance measuring device 84 begins measuring the first distance 12 to the detected member 83.

[0050] Furthermore, when the cage 6 collides with the disc portion 81b of the cage buffer 8, the plunger 81 is compressed. When the plunger 81 is compressed, the detected member 83 descends together with the disc portion 81b.

[0051] As the detected member 83 descends, the distance from the distance measuring device 84 to the detected member 83 decreases. Since the first distance 12 from the distance measuring device 84 to the detected member 83 is output to the control panel 4, the judgment unit 41 compares the first distance 12 with the second distance 13.

[0052] The determination unit 41 compares the first distance 12 with the second distance 13, and if it determines that the first distance 12 is less than the second distance 13, it outputs a first signal 41a (not shown) to the control panel 4 indicating that the detected member 83 has been displaced downward.

[0053] When the control panel 4 receives the first signal 41a, it determines that "the plunger 81 has been displaced from the extended position to the compressed position due to the cage 6 colliding with the cage buffer 8," and cuts off the power supply to the hoisting machine 2.

[0054] Next, we will describe the operation when the cage 6 returns to its normal return position after colliding with the cage buffer 8. As the cage 6 moves away from the cage buffer 8, the plunger 81 fully returns from the compressed position to the extended position, and the detected member 83 returns to its original position.

[0055] The determination unit 41 compares the first distance 12 with the second distance 13, and if it determines that the first distance 12 is greater than the second distance 13, it outputs a second signal 41b (not shown) to the control panel 4 indicating that the detected member 83 has returned to its original position.

[0056] When the control panel 4 receives the second signal 41b, it determines that "the cage 6 has collided with the cage buffer 8, then separated from the cage buffer 8, and the plunger 81 has been displaced from the compressed position to the extended position," and resumes supplying power to the hoisting machine 2, which had been shut off.

[0057] As the cage 6 moves away from the cage buffer 8 and moves upward, the lower limit switch 11 detects the detected part 60. At this time, the control panel 4 controls the motor 844c to drive the trigger 844b, causing the spring 844a to be compressed from its extended state.

[0058] The spring 844a is compressed to a predetermined state and held in place by the trigger 844b. This maintains the compressed state of the spring 844a. At this point, the protective cover 843 of the distance measuring device 84 is displaced from the open state to the closed state. Once the protective cover 843 is displaced from the open state to the closed state, the distance measuring device 84 terminates the measurement of the first distance 12 to the detected member 83.

[0059] Furthermore, the distance measuring device 94 of the counterweight buffer 9 is a device with almost the same configuration, function, and effect as the distance measuring device 84 of the cage buffer 8. However, the timing at which the control panel 4 controls the opening and closing of the protective cover 843 or the protective cover 943 differs.

[0060] Specifically, distance measuring device 84 differs in that, while the lower limit switch 11 controls the opening and closing of the protective cover 843 when it detects the detected part 60, distance measuring device 94 performs the same control when the upper limit switch 10 detects the detected part 60.

[0061] Therefore, since the operation of the distance measuring device 94 is almost the same as that of the distance measuring device 84, a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0062] As described above, according to Embodiment 1, in a car buffer 8 having a plunger 81 and a cylinder 80 arranged to contact the elevator car 6 or counterweight 7 at a predetermined distance from the normal stopping position of the elevator car 6, the device includes a circular detection unit 83 provided on the upper part of the plunger 81 and having a diameter larger than the diameter of the cylinder 80 when viewed from the vertical direction, and a distance measuring device 8 provided at a position overlapping the detection unit 83 when viewed from the vertical direction and located below the plunger 81, which measures a first distance 12 to the detection unit 83 in a non-contact manner and outputs a signal indicating the measured first distance 12. The oil-filled buffer 8 is equipped with 4, a storage unit 4b that stores a predetermined second distance 13 based on the distance from the detected unit 83 to the distance measuring device 84 in the state before the cage 6 contacts the plunger 81, and a determination unit 41 that compares the first distance 12 and the second distance 13 and outputs a first signal 41a when the first distance 12 is less than the second distance 13, and outputs a second signal 41b when the first distance is greater than the second distance. As a result, even if the plunger 81 itself rotates as it rises, the upward movement of the plunger 81 is not hindered, and the plunger 81 can be returned to its normal return position without being hindered.

[0063] Furthermore, since the distance measuring device 84 measures the distance to the object by irradiating it with a laser beam 841, the first distance 12 to the detection unit 83 can be measured in a non-contact manner.

[0064] Furthermore, the distance measuring device 84 is provided with a protective cover 843 that can be opened and closed directly above the irradiation unit 842 that emits the laser beam 841 and can irradiate or shield the laser beam 841. The protective cover 843 is opened and closed based on an output signal from a limit switch 10 or limit switch 11 that is installed in the elevator shaft 1 and detects the position of the car 6. Under normal circumstances, the irradiation unit 842 is covered with the protective cover 843 to prevent contamination, and the protective cover 843 can be automatically opened when the car 6 travels beyond the normal travel area. In addition, the protective cover 843 can be automatically closed after the car 6 collides with the oil-filled buffer 8 and returns to the normal travel area.

[0065] In Embodiment 1, a distance measuring device 84 using a laser beam 841 is used as the distance measuring means, but it is not necessarily required to use a laser beam 841. For example, it goes without saying that similar effects and advantages can be achieved by using distance measuring means such as infrared rays or radio waves. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 1 Hoistway, 2 Hoisting machine, 3 Sheave, 4 Control panel, 40 Internal memory, 41 Judgment unit, 5 Suspension body, 6 Cage, 60 Detected unit, 7 Counterweight, 8 Cage buffer, 80 Cylinder, 81 Plunger, 82 Plunger return spring, 83 Detected component, 84 Distance measuring device, 841 Laser beam, 842 Irradiation unit, 843 Protective cover, 9 Counterweight buffer, 90 Cylinder, 91 Plunger, 92 Plunger return spring, 93 Detected component, 94 Distance measuring device, 943 Protective cover, 10 Upper limit switch, 11 Lower limit switch, 12 First distance, 13 Second distance [Industrial applicability]

[0067] The present invention relates to an oil-filled buffer having a plunger and a cylinder that are positioned to contact the elevator car or counterweight at a predetermined distance from the elevator car's normal stopping position.

Claims

1. An oil-filled buffer having a plunger and a cylinder arranged to contact the elevator car or counterweight at a predetermined distance from the elevator car's normal stopping position, A circular detection portion is provided at the top of the plunger and, when viewed from the vertical direction, has a diameter larger than the diameter of the cylinder, A distance measuring means is provided at a position overlapping the detected portion when viewed from the vertical direction, and at a distance below the plunger, which measures a first distance to the detected portion in a non-contact manner and outputs a signal indicating the measured first distance. A storage unit that stores a predetermined second distance based on the distance from the detected part to the distance measuring means in the state before the basket comes into contact with the plunger, An oil-filled buffer is characterized by comprising: a determination unit that compares the first distance with the second distance and outputs a first signal when the first distance is less than the second distance, and outputs a second signal when the first distance is greater than the second distance.

2. The oil-filled buffer according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance measuring means is a distance measuring device that irradiates a target object with laser light to measure the distance to the target object.

3. The distance measuring means is provided so as to be openable and closable directly above the irradiation section that emits the laser light, and includes a protective cover capable of irradiating or shielding the laser light. The oil-filled buffer according to claim 2, characterized in that it controls the opening and closing of the protective cover based on an output signal output from a limit switch that is provided in the elevator shaft and detects the position of the elevator car.

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