Lifting device

Abstract

To provide a lifting device having a rack and pinion drive system which enables significant reduction of noise during operation.SOLUTION: A lifting device includes: a rack rail R laid along a vertical direction and formed with a rack gear; at least one drive part 20 which rotationally drives a pinion gear P which engages with the rack gear; a moving part 2 which is provided with a transport space and is driven by the drive part 20 to move up or down the rack rail R; a rail frame B which supports the rack rail R and tubular guide rails G provided in parallel with the rack rail R; guide rollers D which are provided at the moving part 2, sandwich the guide rail, and guide the moving part 2 to cause the moving part 2 to travel in a lifting direction; and a filler which fills an interior of the guide rails G.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lifting device that rises and falls by its own driving force. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, many construction elevators (lifting devices) temporarily installed at construction sites employ a mechanism for raising and lowering using a rack and pinion drive system. Lifting devices equipped with this drive system include a cage that carries workers and equipment, and the cage is supported by a lifting frame having multiple drive units. A pinion gear is attached to each of the output shafts of the multiple drive units. Each pinion gear meshes with a rack rail on which a rack gear is formed. The multiple drive units rotate and drive each pinion gear to raise and lower the lifting frame on which the cage is supported.

[0003] This lifting device can be raised and lowered by its own driving force, and the lifting range can be extended by adding rack rails in the vertical direction according to the progress of the construction. Furthermore, when adding rack rails, this lifting device can stop the lifting frame at any position by operating the braking device of the driving device. As such, the above lifting device is becoming mainstream because it has a simple and inexpensive configuration and is highly reliable. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-284179 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above lifting device, the driving device is configured by directly attaching the pinion gear to the output shaft of the reducer. The driving device is rigidly connected to the lower part of the lifting frame. A highly accurate positional relationship is required between the pinion gear and the rack rail to ensure reliable meshing. For this reason, an adjustment roller that cooperates with the pinion gear to clamp the rack rail is disposed on the back of the rack rail on the side opposite to the surface on which the rack gear is formed, and is adjusted so that a certain amount of backlash is ensured between the pinion gear and the rack rail.

[0006] In addition, it is necessary for the pinion gears of the multiple drive units to face the rack rail in the correct direction, and the guide roller assemblies installed above and below the lifting device adjust the position of the lifting frame to accommodate this. However, there are limits to ensuring the vertical accuracy of the rack rails that are stacked in accordance with the progress of the construction work, and the positional accuracy of the cage, and it is currently not possible to achieve the order of several hundred microns that is originally required for rack and pinions.

[0007] As a result, the rack and pinion generates a loud rolling noise and also becomes a vibration source, vibrating the components via the drive shaft. The elevator is directly connected to the boarding and disembarking cage, which transmits vibrations from the vibration source. The vibrations transmitted to the cage directly lead to a deterioration in ride comfort, and the cage also radiates the vibrations. The vibrations radiated from the cage generate a loud solid-borne sound because the cage has a large radiation area.

[0008] Due to the above factors, the issue with rack and pinion drive lifting equipment is that it generates very loud noise. In the case of large construction lifting equipment, the noise level can exceed 100 dB near the inside and outside of the cage, and there is a demand for reducing the noise. It is known that rack and pinion drive lifting equipment generates loud noise due to sound sources such as the rolling sound of the rack and pinion contact parts that propagate through the air, the harmonic sound of the inverter, the hum of the drive unit caused by the vibration of the rack and pinion, and the solid-borne sound of the cage, etc.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a lifting device having a rack and pinion drive system that can significantly reduce noise during operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a lifting device comprising: a rack rail laid along a vertical direction and having a rack gear formed thereon; at least one drive unit that rotates and drives a pinion gear that meshes with the rack gear; a moving unit that is provided with a transportation space and is driven by the drive unit to raise and lower the rack rail; a rail frame that supports the rack rail and a tubular guide rail that is provided parallel to the rack rail; a plurality of guide rollers that are provided on the moving unit and clamp the guide rail to guide the moving unit in the raising and lowering direction while allowing it to run; and a filling material that is filled inside the guide rail.

[0011] According to the present invention, by filling the inside of the tubular guide rail with a filler, it is possible to reduce vibrations occurring in the guide rail and also reduce noise occurring inside the guide rail.

[0012] The filler of the present invention may have closed cells, which are a countless number of independent cells.

[0013] According to the present invention, the countless air bubbles in the filler are formed as independent bubbles, in which each bubble is not connected to the others, thereby reducing vibrations and noise generated in the guide rails and frame members and preventing an increase in the weight of the device.

[0014] In the guide roller of the present invention, a tread surface that comes into contact with the guide rail may be formed of an elastic material.

[0015] According to the present invention, the tread surface of the guide roller that runs on a metal guide rail is formed from an elastic material, so that noise and vibration during running can be significantly reduced compared to metal guide rails.

[0016] The guide roller of the present invention may include a pair of flange portions that hold the tread surface therebetween.

[0017] According to the present invention, a pair of flange portions that sandwich the sides of the tread surface limit deformation of the tread surface formed of an elastic member in both lateral directions when the tread surface runs on the guide rail, thereby increasing the contact area of ​​the tread surface with the guide rail and improving durability.

[0018] The guide roller of the present invention may be configured so that the guide rail is sandwiched between the tread surface and the filler.

[0019] According to the present invention, the guide rail is sandwiched between the filler inside the tubular guide rail and the tread surface of the guide roller on the outside, thereby making it possible to absorb vibrations occurring in the guide rail. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, the noise generated during operation of a lifting device having a rack and pinion drive system can be significantly reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing an outline of the configuration of a lifting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the outline of the configuration of the lifting device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a rail frame. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a mounting state of a guide rail for a counterweight. [Diagram 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a method of applying the filler material. FIG. [Figure 6] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a configuration of a support portion. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a guide roller. [Figure 8] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the guide rail is sandwiched between the guide roller and the filler. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A lifting device according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The lifting device according to the embodiment is raised and lowered by its own driving force.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lifting device 1 includes a rack rail R laid along the vertical direction and a moving unit 2 that moves along the rack rail R.

[0024] The rack rail R is fixed to a rail frame B which is fixed to a wall W of a structure or the like. For convenience, the surface viewed from the direction directly facing the wall W (the -X direction in the drawing) will be referred to as the front hereinafter. The rail frame B is formed, for example, as a frame having a truss structure extending vertically. The rail frame B is configured as modules B1 within a range of a predetermined distance in the vertical direction, and can be extended upward by adding modules B1 to the upper part.

[0025] The rear side of the rail frame B is fixed to a wall W via a fixing member K. A rack rail R is fixed to the front side of the rail frame B. A pair of guide rails G extending vertically are fixed to both side surfaces of the rail frame B. The guide rails G are formed in a tubular shape with a circular cross section. The rack rail R and the pair of guide rails G are divided into units of the same length as the module B1. The rack rail R and the pair of guide rails G are fixed to the module B1, and are added and extended upward as the module B1 is added.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 3, a rack gear R1 with spur teeth is formed on one side of the rack rail R. A pinion gear meshes with the rack gear R1 as described below. The other side of the rack rail R is formed flat. An adjust roller runs on the other side of the rack rail R as described below. The pinion gear and adjust roller support the moving part 2 and run in the vertical direction while holding the rack rail R in between.

[0027] The guide rail G is provided parallel to the rack rail R. The guide rail G is sandwiched between a plurality of guide rollers D. The plurality of guide rollers D are provided on the moving part 2 as described below, and support the moving part 2 and guide its movement in the up and down directions.

[0028] The moving unit 2 is provided with a transportation space, and is driven by a drive unit described below to move up and down the rack rail R. The moving unit 2 includes a lifting frame 3 that runs along the rack rail R. The lifting frame 3 is formed into a rectangular frame body when viewed from the front. The four corners of the lifting frame 3 include four support parts 4 that are supported by guide rails G via multiple guide rollers D.

[0029] The support unit 4 includes, for example, one guide roller D that supports the front side of the guide rail G, two guide rollers D that support the back side of the guide rail G, and one guide roller D that supports the side side of the guide rail G. The support unit 4 supports the lifting frame 3 with the four guide rollers D, and guides the up and down movement of the lifting frame 3 while clamping the guide rail G.

[0030] A cage 10 having a transportation space formed therein is fixed to the lifting frame 3. The lifting frame 3 and the cage are connected by a plurality of first fixing members E1 made of an elastic member. This prevents vibrations generated in the lifting frame 3 from being transmitted to the cage 10. The configuration of the first fixing members E1 will be described later.

[0031] The cage 10 is formed into a box-shaped frame. The walls, floor, ceiling, and door of the cage 10 are formed of gratings to reduce weight. In the lift frame 3, the lower part of the cage 10 is supported by the upper part of the support frame 3A.

[0032] The support frame 3A is formed in a box-shaped frame body that protrudes in the front direction of the lift frame 3. The cage 10 and the support frame 3A are connected by a plurality of first fixing members E1, which will be described later. This prevents vibrations generated in the lift frame 3 from being transmitted to the cage 10. A drive frame 5 that supports a drive unit 20 that raises and lowers the lift frame 3 is provided below the support frame 3A.

[0033] The drive frame 5 is fixed inside the support frame 3A at the front of the lift frame 3. The drive frame 5 is formed into a box-shaped frame. The drive frame 5 and the lift frame 3 are supported by a plurality of connecting members C, which will be described later. The connecting members C support the drive frame 5 so as to be movable within a predetermined range in the vertical direction relative to the lift frame 3. The drive frame 5 and the support frame 3A are connected by a plurality of second fixing members E2 formed of an elastic member. An upper portion of the drive frame 5 and an upper portion of the support frame 3A are connected by a plurality of second fixing members E2. A lower portion of the drive frame 5 and a lower portion of the support frame 3A are connected by a plurality of second fixing members E2.

[0034] At least one drive unit 20 is fixed inside the drive frame 5. The drive unit 20 is fixed to a plate-shaped portion 6 provided on the drive frame 5. The plate-shaped portion 6 is attached parallel to a surface directly facing the lift frame 3. Three circular holes 6H are formed in the plate-shaped portion 6 along the vertical direction. The drive unit 20 is fixed to the plate-shaped portion 6 so that the output shaft protrudes from the holes 6H.

[0035] In the drive frame 5, for example, three drive units 20 are arranged along the vertical direction. The drive unit 20 includes, for example, a motor 21 serving as a drive source. A reducer 22 that reduces the rotation speed and increases the torque to output is connected to an output shaft (not shown) of the motor 21. A pinion gear P that meshes with a rack gear R1 of the rack rail R is connected to an output shaft 23 of the reducer 22. The output shaft of the reducer 22 and the pinion gear P are connected by a joint 30 formed of an elastic member. The joint 30 will be described later. The pinion gear P meshes with the rack gear R1 on one side of the rack rail R. An adjust roller J is provided adjacent to the pinion gear P on the other side of the rack rail R opposite to the rack gear R1.

[0036] The adjust roller J is provided to ensure backlash when the pinion gear P and the rack gear R1 mesh. The adjust roller J and the pinion gear P hold the rack rail R. When the pinion gear P is rotationally driven by the drive unit 20 and meshes with the rack gear R1 of the rack rail R to travel along the rack rail R, the adjust roller J maintains a distance from the pinion gear P to prevent the pinion gear P from deviating from the rack gear R1.

[0037] The pinion gear P and the adjust roller J are also provided on the upper part of the lifting frame 3. The pinion gear P and the adjust roller J provided on the upper part of the lifting frame 3 are not driven by the drive unit 20, but are provided to rotate freely. The pinion gear P and the adjust roller J on the upper part of the lifting frame 3 regulate the rotation of the lifting frame 3 generated by the drive torque of the pinion gear P driven by the drive unit 20.

[0038] As a result, the rotation of the lifting frame 3 generated by the driving torque of the pinion gear P is not transmitted to the multiple guide rollers D running along the guide rail G, and the moving part 2 can be lifted and lowered smoothly. With the above configuration, the driving part 20 can lift and lower along the rack rail R by driving the pinion gear P to rotate.

[0039] Next, vibration and soundproofing measures for the lifting device 1 will be described.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, on both sides of the module B1 of the rail frame B, guide rails WR for a counterweight (not shown) that rises and falls in conjunction with the rise and fall of 2 are attached in the vertical direction parallel to the guide rail G. The guide rails WG are formed in a tubular shape with a circular cross section. Since the guide rails G, WG are formed as hollow metal tubes, when vibrations or impacts occur, a large reverberating noise is diffused to the surroundings. The inside of the guide rails G, WG is filled with, for example, a filler V. The filler V is filled for each module B1. The filler V is, for example, urethane foam. The urethane foam is formed, for example, by using a chemical agent to foam urethane resin before hardening, and then hardening it in the foamed state.

[0041] As shown in Figure 5, the openings at the bottom ends of the guide rails G, WG in module B1 are sealed using adhesive tape T or the like (see Figure 5 (1)). Filler V in the form of a liquid chemical is poured into the inside of the guide rails G, WG. The chemical reacts, causing the urethane resin to foam and expand. The filler V protrudes from the top ends of the guide rails G, WG and hardens in a foamed state (see Figure 5 (2)). The protruding filler V is cut off (see Figure 5 (3)). Inside the filler V, independent air bubbles are formed, which are countless independent air bubbles. An independent air bubble is an air bubble in which each individual air bubble among the countless air bubbles is not connected to the others.

[0042] Filling the inside of the tubular guide rail G, WG with the filler V reduces vibrations generated in the guide rail G, WG and reduces noise reverberating inside the guide rail and inside the frame member. The filler V can be produced by a simple process of injecting an agent into the inside of the guide rail G, WG. Also, filling the inside of the tubular guide rail G, WG with the filler V can prevent water from entering the inside of the guide rail G, WG and prevent internal corrosion.

[0043] The filler V is made of a lightweight foam, which prevents the weight of the device from increasing, reduces the impact on the vertical independence of the module B1 of the rail frame B, and prevents an increase in the burden during assembly and disassembly. Once the filler V is applied to the guide rails G, WG, it can be used repeatedly, which reduces the construction cost.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 6, the support unit 4 includes a plurality of guide rollers D that clamp the guide rail G and guide the lifting frame 3 in the lifting and lowering direction. The support unit 4 shown in the figure is the one located at the upper right when viewed from the front as a representative example. The support unit 4 located at the lower right when viewed from the front also has the same configuration, being symmetrical from top to bottom. The upper and lower support units 4 located on the left side when viewed from the front are configured symmetrically with the upper and lower support units 4 on the right side.

[0045] The support unit 4 includes a plurality of guide rollers D and a support plate 4A supporting the plurality of guide rollers D. In the support plate 4A, one guide roller D1 that runs on the front side of the guide rail G is rotatably supported. In the support plate 4A, two guide rollers D2, D3 that run on the back side of the guide rail G are rotatably supported. When viewed from the front, the guide roller D1 is rotatably supported between the two guide rollers D2, D3.

[0046] A guide rail G is sandwiched between a guide roller D1 and two guide rollers D2 and D3. A guide roller D4 running on the right side of the guide rail G is rotatably supported above the guide roller D2. The guide roller D4 prevents the moving part 2 from deviating to the right. In the guide roller D, a tread surface U that contacts the guide rail G is formed into a curved U-shaped groove whose diameter decreases in the axial direction so as to match the cross-sectional shape of the guide rail G. The guide rollers D1-D4 may also be applied to the guide rail WG.

[0047] The tread surface U is formed of an elastic material such as urethane or nylon. This reduces the transmission of contact noise and contact vibration generated between the guide rollers D and the guide rails G, WG, and the impact generated when traveling over the joints of the guide rails G to the moving part 2. The curved tread surface U increases the contact area with the lifting mast, dispersing the contact stress. The guide rollers D can significantly reduce noise and vibration during traveling compared to metal guide rails.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 7, the guide roller D may have a pair of flange portions F that hold the sides of the tread surface U. The flange portions F are formed, for example, in a doughnut shape (see FIG. 7(2)). The pair of flange portions F hold both sides of the tread surface U and limit deformation in both lateral directions when the tread surface runs on the guide rails G, WG. The pair of flange portions F increase the contact area of ​​the tread surface U with the guide rails G, WG compared to the guide roller D that does not have the pair of flange portions F (see FIG. 7(1)). The pair of flange portions F can improve the durability of the tread surface U by limiting deformation of the tread surface U.

[0049] 8, the guide roller D clamps the guide rails G, WG between the tread surface U and the filler V, and transmits vibrations generated on the guide rails G, WG to the tread surface U and the filler V. The energy of the vibrations transmitted to the tread surface U and the filler V is converted into thermal energy by the elastic deformation of the tread surface U and the filler V.

[0050] As described above, the lifting device 1 can reduce the solid-borne noise and contact noise generated in the rail frame B with a simple configuration when the rack rail is raised and lowered by driving the pinion gear P. The lifting device 1 forms the tread surface U of the guide roller D with an elastic material, thereby suppressing the transmission of vibration to the carrier, which has a large radiation area, and reducing the solid-borne noise of the carrier.

[0051] With the lifting device 1, soundproofing measures can be taken to suppress airborne sound, which is the dominant type of noise generated, and significantly reduce the overall noise level. With the lifting device 1, operational constraints due to noise generation are eliminated, and the efficiency of material lifting and worker movement can be significantly improved. With the lifting device 1, it can operate for long periods of time by linking with a material transport robot. With the lifting device 1, the guide rollers D made of an elastic member reduce wear on the guide rails G, WG compared to conventional guide rollers made of steel members, and therefore the lifespan of the guide rails G, WG can be improved.

[0052] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in this embodiment, a lifting device for construction is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to lifting devices other than construction devices and lifting devices for transporting objects other than people. In addition, the above-mentioned configuration may be applied to a moving body that uses a rack and pinion that moves horizontally and diagonally. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1...lifting device, 2...moving part, 3...lifting frame, 3A...support frame, 4...support part, 4A...support plate, 5...drive frame, 6...plate-shaped part, 6H...hole, 10...cage, 20...drive part, 21...motor, 22...reduction gear, 23...output shaft, 30...joint part, B...frame for rail, B1...module, C...connecting member, D...guide roller, D1...guide roller, D1-D4...guide roller, D2...guide roller, D3...guide roller, D4...guide roller, E1...first fixing member, E2...second fixing member, F...flange part, G...guide rail, J...adjusting roller, K...fixing member, P...pinion gear, R...rack rail, R1...rack gear, T...adhesive tape, U...tread surface, V...filler, W...wall surface, WG...guide rail, WR...guide rail

Claims

1. a rack rail laid along a vertical direction and having a rack gear formed thereon; At least one drive unit that rotates a pinion gear that meshes with the rack gear; A moving unit that is provided with a transportation space and is driven by the driving unit to raise and lower the rack rail; A rail frame that supports the rack rail and a tubular guide rail that is provided in parallel with the rack rail; a plurality of guide rollers provided on the moving part, the guide rollers sandwiching the guide rail to guide the moving part in a lifting and lowering direction; A filler is filled inside the guide rail, the rail frame and the guide rail are modularized within a range of a predetermined distance in the vertical direction, The filler is filled in each of the modules, The rail frame is formed into a frame body having a truss structure extending in a vertical direction, A guide rail for a counterweight is attached to the rail frame along a vertical direction parallel to the guide rail. Lifting equipment.

2. The filler has a number of independent air bubbles formed therein. A lifting device according to claim 1.

3. The tread surface of the guide roller that contacts the guide rail is formed of an elastic material. A lifting device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The guide roller includes a pair of flange portions that sandwich the sides of the tread surface. A lifting device according to claim 3.

5. The guide roller holds the guide rail between the tread surface and the filler. A lifting device according to claim 3 or 4.

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