Guidance device, carriage for moving objects, use of carriage, and method for constructing elevator guide rails

Abstract

A guide device for guiding a carriage (1) along a guide rail (11) of an elevator comprises a frame (3), a pair of guide wheels (4) connected to the frame (3) and configured to roll on opposing support surfaces (12a, 12b) of the guide rail (11) and configured to be able to pivot a limited angle about a pivot axis (5), and first and second limiting elements (6, 7) connected to the frame (3) below and above the pair of guide wheels and configured to cooperate with a guide surface (12c) of the guide rail (11) to limit the movement of the guide device towards the guide rail (11). The guide device is configured to apply a force to the support surfaces (12a, 12b) of the guide rail (11) via the guide wheels (4a, 4b).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a guiding device for guiding a movable carriage along a vertical guide rail of an elevator, as defined in independent claims 1 and 4. The invention further relates to a carriage for moving objects along a vertical guide rail of an elevator. The invention also relates to the use of such a carriage and to a method for constructing a guide rail of an elevator, as defined in further independent claims.

[0002] Most elevators are equipped with vertical guide rails to guide the elevator car and counterweight. Elevators often have separate guide rails for the elevator car and counterweight. The guide rails extend vertically from the bottom to the top of the elevator shaft. Each guide rail is typically composed of multiple vertical sections. The guide rails are assembled by connecting these sections together at the installation site. A standard guide rail has a T-shaped cross section. The arms of the cross section are used to attach the guide rail to the elevator shaft, often using a guide rail bracket. The stems of the cross section form protrusions that serve as support surfaces for the elevator car or counterweight. Typically, the elevator car and counterweight are each supported between a pair of opposing guide rails.

[0003] Guide rails can also be used during the construction phase of an elevator. For example, guide rails can guide mobile scaffolding or lifting equipment used to raise components required for the elevator. Guide rails can also guide lifting equipment used to lift and assemble guide rail components, for example, if assembly begins at the bottom of the elevator shaft and utilizes sections where guide rails are already assembled. Such lifting equipment can be supported between a pair of guide rails, although this requires that both guide rails be assembled simultaneously.

[0004] It is difficult to support a lifting device with a single guide rail. This is because the guide rail is attached to the wall of the elevator shaft, and therefore a guide means that engages with the back of the guide rail is not available. Therefore, the guide means can only engage with the shaft portion of the T-section shaped guide rail. The forces exerted on the lifting device by the lifting rope and gravity tend to cause the lifting device to rotate on the guide rail, which can cause the lifting device to come off the rail. Overview

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved guide device for guiding a movable carriage along a vertical guide rail of an elevator, the carriage being configured to be movable by at least one hoisting member, the guide rail including a first support surface extending vertically and a second support surface parallel to the first support surface and facing in the opposite direction, the vertical direction being defined as a first direction, a horizontal direction perpendicular to the first and second support surfaces being defined as a second direction, and a direction perpendicular to the first and second directions being defined as a third direction. Characteristic features of the guide device according to the present invention are defined in claims 1 and 4. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for constructing an elevator guide rail, the characteristic features of which are defined in another independent claim. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved carriage for moving an object along a vertical guide rail of an elevator, and to use such a carriage to lift the object in an elevator shaft.

[0006] The guide device according to the present invention includes a frame, a first guide wheel connected to the frame and configured to roll on a first support surface of the guide rail, and a second guide wheel opposite to the first guide wheel and configured to roll on a second support surface of the guide rail, wherein the first guide wheel and the second guide wheel are configured to be able to pivot about a pivot axis that is located at a position away from an imaginary central plane of the guide wheel in a third direction when the first guide wheel is in a use position of the guide device parallel to the second direction, and the first guide wheel and the second guide wheel can be rotated about a pivot axis that is located at a position away from an imaginary central plane of the guide wheel in a third direction by a limited angle about the pivot axis in each direction from a direction in which the imaginary central plane of the guide wheel is parallel to the first direction. the guide device comprises a first pair of guide wheels constituting the guide device to allow the first and second guide wheels to rotate; a first limiting element connected to the frame and positioned below the first pair of guide wheels when the guide device is in use position; and a second limiting element connected to the frame and positioned above the first pair of guide wheels when the guide device is in use position, the first and second limiting elements being configured to cooperate with the surfaces of the guide rails to limit movement of the guide device toward the guide rails in a third direction, and the guide device being configured to apply forces acting in the second direction to the first and second support surfaces via the first and second guide wheels.

[0007] In another configuration, the guide device includes, in addition to the above-mentioned frame and the above-mentioned first pair of guide wheels, a third guide wheel coupled to the frame and configured to roll on a first support surface of the guide rail, and a fourth guide wheel opposite to the third guide wheel and configured to roll on a second support surface of the guide rail, wherein the third guide wheel and the fourth guide wheel are configured to be able to pivot about pivot axes that are located at positions away from imaginary central planes of the guide wheels in the third direction when in a use position of the guide device parallel to the second direction, and the imaginary central planes of the guide wheels are parallel to the first direction. the guide device is provided with a second pair of guide wheels that configures the guide device to allow the third and fourth guide wheels to rotate around the pivot axis by limited angles in each direction from a certain direction, and a first limiting element that is connected to the frame and disposed between the first and second pair of guide wheels, the first limiting element being configured to cooperate with a guide surface of the guide rail to limit movement of the guide device toward the guide rail in the third direction, and the guide device being configured to apply a force acting in the second direction to the first and second support surfaces via the third and fourth guide wheels.

[0008] Thus, the guiding device according to the invention comprises at least a first pair of guide wheels and at least one limiting element, and also comprises at least a second pair of guide wheels or a second limiting element.

[0009] Thus, in the guide device of the present invention, the guide device can rotate within a limited range. Because the guide wheels press against the support surfaces of the guide rails, friction between each guide wheel and the corresponding support surfaces of the guide rails generates a force that counteracts gravity or a lifting force acting on the guide device. The guide wheel's pivot axis is located away from the center plane of the guide wheel, and the force causes the guide wheel to rotate about the pivot axis. When the guide device moves upward, the upper edge of the guide wheel faces toward the guide rail, i.e., toward the wall of the elevator shaft to which the guide rail is attached in a typical device. When the guide device moves downward, the lower edge of the guide wheel pivots toward the guide rail. Because the guide device is guided toward the guide rail in both directions of movement, derailment of the guide device is effectively prevented. The limiting element prevents the guide device from moving in the third direction beyond a predetermined limit. This keeps the guide device in a constant position in the third direction. Limiting the rotation angle of the guide wheels allows the guide wheels to roll smoothly.

[0010] The guide device allows the support of a carriage for lifting an object on one guide rail in an elevator shaft, which allows, for example, two carriages to be used independently of each other in one elevator shaft.

[0011] A carrier according to the present invention comprises a guide device as defined above.

[0012] The method according to the present invention comprises the following steps: - attaching at least one guide rail element to the elevator shaft wall at the lower end of the elevator shaft to form an installed guide rail section; - placing the carriage as defined above on the installed guide rail section, - Use the carriage to lift one guide rail element to the top edge of the installed guide rail section; - Mounting the raised guide rail element on the elevator shaft wall above the installed guide rail section.

[0013] The method according to the invention makes it possible to use an already installed guide rail section and to install a guide rail element on top of the already installed guide rail section. The two guide rails can be installed independently of each other.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide device is coupled to the frame and includes a second pair of guide wheels, including a third guide wheel configured to roll on a first support surface of the guide rail and a fourth guide wheel opposite the third guide wheel and configured to roll on a second support surface of the guide rail, the third and fourth guide wheels each configured to pivot about a pivot axis located away from an imaginary central plane of the guide wheels in the third direction when the guide device is in use and parallel to the second direction, the guide device being configured to allow the third and fourth guide wheels to rotate about the pivot axis by a limited angle in each direction from a direction in which the imaginary central plane of the guide wheels is parallel to the first direction, the second pair of guide wheels being located below the first limiting element when the guide device is in use, and the guide device being configured to apply a force acting in the second direction to the first and second support surfaces via the third and fourth guide wheels, increasing the force maintaining contact between the guide device and the guide rail.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide device is configured to allow the first guide wheel and the second guide wheel to rotate about the pivot axis by up to 5 degrees, preferably up to 2 degrees, in each direction.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide device is configured to allow the third and fourth guide wheels to rotate about the pivot axis by up to 5 degrees, preferably up to 2 degrees, in each direction.

[0017] By limiting the rotation of the guide wheel to 5 or 2 degrees, the guide wheel rolls smoothly on the support surface. It may also be possible to limit the rotation to an even smaller angle, for example, ±1 degree from the first direction.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide device further comprises a second limiting element connected to the frame and arranged above the upper pair of the two pairs of guide wheels when the guide device is in its use position, the second limiting element being configured to cooperate with the guide surface of the guide rail to limit movement of the guide device towards the guide rail in a third direction.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide device comprises a third limiting element connected to the frame and arranged below the second guide wheel in the use position of the guide device, the third limiting element being configured to cooperate with a guide surface of the guide rail to limit movement of the guide device towards the guide rail in a third direction.

[0020] The present invention, which has two pairs of guide wheels, cooperates with a single limiting element between the pair of guide wheels, but limiting elements disposed below and / or above the guide wheels improve the functionality of the guide device.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the device further comprises a fourth limiting element arranged between the second pair of guide wheels and the first limiting element, the fourth limiting element being configured to cooperate with a guide surface of the guide rail to limit movement of the guide device towards the guide rail in a third direction.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first pair of guide wheels, the first limiting element, and the second limiting element are arranged on a first wheel assembly, and the pivot axes of the first pair of guide wheels form a common pivot axis about which the first wheel assembly can pivot. By arranging the guide wheels and the limiting element on the same wheel assembly, each component can be accurately positioned relative to each other. The tolerances that can be applied to other parts of the guiding device do not have to be as strict.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first wheel assembly includes a counterweight disposed on the opposite side of the pivot axis from the first pair of guide wheels in the third direction, and the counterweight encourages the first wheel assembly to rotate when the movement direction of the guide device changes from upward movement to downward movement.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second pair of guide wheels, the third limiting element, and the fourth limiting element are disposed on a second wheel assembly, and the pivot axes of the second pair of guide wheels form a common pivot axis about which the second wheel assembly can pivot, The second wheel assembly provides the same advantages as the first wheel assembly.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second wheel assembly includes a counterweight disposed on the opposite side of the pivot axis from the second pair of guide wheels in the third direction, the counterweight urging the second wheel assembly to rotate in the same manner as the first wheel assembly.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the limiting element is configured to cooperate with a guide surface connecting the first support surface to the second support surface, so that the limiting element can roll or slide on the tip surface of the T-section shaped shaft of the guide rail.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the guiding device includes means for adjusting the force acting on the support surface via the guide wheel. The greater the force acting on the support surface, the better the contact between the guiding device and the support surface can be maintained. On the other hand, the rolling resistance of the guide wheel increases. By using the force adjustment means, the force can be optimized.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the restricting element comprises a restricting wheel, which minimizes the resistance to movement offered by the restricting element.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the coefficient of friction between the guide wheel and the guide rail is set to be at least 0.15, which is sufficient to effectively maintain contact between the guide device and the guide rail.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a carriage for moving objects along a vertical guide rail of an elevator is configured to lift guide rail elements that make up the guide rail of the elevator.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide device is configured to apply a force to the guide rail via the guide wheel, the force being 0.5 to 3 times the force of gravity acting on the carriage when the carriage is subjected to its maximum design load, thereby maintaining contact between the guide device and the guide rail and causing the guide wheel to pivot when the direction of movement of the carriage changes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] 1 illustrates schematically an elevator shaft and carriage according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 shows a side view of a carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the carrier in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a partial view showing the carriage in FIG. 2 moving upward. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a partial view showing the downward movement of the carriage in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates a wheel assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 shows a wheel assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 illustrates a flow chart of a method according to the present invention. [Figure 10] 1 shows details of a carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11] 10 shows details of a carrier according to another embodiment of the present invention; Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an elevator shaft 10. The elevator shaft 10 is provided with guide rails 11 for guiding the elevator car and / or counterweight of the elevator. The guide rails 11 extend vertically within the elevator shaft 10. Each guide rail 11 extends from the bottom to the top of the elevator shaft 10. Each guide rail 11 is attached to the wall of the elevator shaft 10. While the guide rails 11 can be attached directly to the wall, in FIG. 1 the guide rails 11 are attached to the wall of the elevator shaft 10 via brackets. FIG. 1 shows two guide rails 11. Each guide rail 11 is formed of multiple guide rail elements 11a. One guide rail 11 is fully installed, while the other guide rail 11 is under construction.

[0034] FIG. 1 shows two carriages 1. Each carriage 1 is arranged on one guide rail 11. The carriage 1 is configured to be movable vertically along the guide rail 11. Each carriage 1 is configured to be lifted by at least one hoisting member 20. The hoisting member 20 may be, for example, a wire such as a steel wire, a belt such as a toothed belt or a flat belt, or a coated rope. Each hoisting member 20 is operated by a motor 21. The motor 21 is preferably an electric motor. The motor 21 can be operated at least for the purpose of lifting the carriage 1. The carriage 1 may be configured to move downward by gravity when any brake acting on the motor 21, the hoisting member 20, and / or the carriage 1 is released. However, the motor 21 can also be operated to lower the carriage 1.

[0035] Figures 2 to 8, 10 and 11 show various views of a guide device and a carriage 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 2 to 5, 8, 10 and 11 show a portion of a guide rail 11 that can be accommodated with the guide device of the present invention.

[0036] The guide rail 11 has a first support surface 12a extending in the vertical direction. The guide rail 11 also has a second support surface 12b. The second support surface 12b is parallel to the first support surface 12a and faces in the opposite direction. Hereinafter, the vertical direction will also be referred to as the first direction A. In the illustrated example, the guide rail 11 has a T-shaped cross section. Therefore, the guide rail 11 has a shaft portion and two arms 13. The first and second support surfaces 12a and 12b are disposed on both sides of the shaft portion. The surface 12c connecting the first and second support surfaces 12a and 12b forms the guide surface of the guide device. The guide rail 11 is attached to the wall of the elevator shaft via the cross-sectionally shaped arms 13. The guide rail 11 does not have to have a T-shaped cross section. The first and second support surfaces 12a and 12b can also be, for example, both sides of an I-shaped or rectangular cross section.

[0037] Hereinafter, the horizontal direction perpendicular to the first and second support surfaces 12a, 12b will be referred to as the second direction B. Hereinafter, the horizontal direction perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the second direction B will be referred to as the third direction C.

[0038] The guiding device according to the invention comprises a frame 3. The frame 3 may be made, for example, from steel plates and steel profiles, and thus comprises a number of parts which may be attached to one another, for example by welding and / or by means of suitable fastening elements such as screws, bolts and nuts, etc.

[0039] The guide device further comprises a first guide wheel pair 4. The first guide wheel pair comprises a first guide wheel 4a and a second guide wheel 4b. The first guide wheel 4a is configured to roll on a first support surface 12a of the guide rail 11, and the second guide wheel 4b is configured to roll on a second support surface 12b of the guide rail 11 opposite to the first guide wheel 4a. Thus, in the case of a T-shaped guide rail 11, the guide wheels 4a and 4b are arranged on opposite sides of the shaft portion of the cross-sectional shape of the guide rail.

[0040] The first guide wheel 4a and the second guide wheel 4b are swivelable about a pivot axis 5. In the operating position of the guide device, the pivot axis 5 is parallel to the second direction B. The pivot axis 5 is arranged in the third direction C at a distance from an imaginary central plane D of the guide wheels 4a, 4b. The central plane D is a plane that crosses the outer periphery of the guide wheels 4a, 4b at the midpoint of the outer periphery in the direction of the rotation axis of the guide wheels 4a, 4b.

[0041] The guide device further includes a first limiting element 6 connected to the frame 3 and arranged below the first pair of guide wheels 4 when the guide device is in the use position, and a second limiting element 7 connected to the frame 3 and arranged above the first pair of guide wheels 4 when the guide device is in the use position. The first and second limiting elements 6, 7 are each configured to cooperate with a guide surface 12c of the guide rail 11 to limit movement of the guide device toward the guide rail 11 in the third direction C. In the example shown in the figure, the guide surface 12c is a surface connecting the first support surface 12a and the second support surface 12b. However, the guide surface may be another surface.

[0042] The guide device is configured to apply a force acting in the second direction B to the first and second support surfaces 12a, 12b via the first guide wheel 4a and the second guide wheel 4b, thereby pressing the guide wheels 4a, 4b against the support surfaces 12a, 12b of the guide rail 11.

[0043] The guide wheels 4a, 4b are rotatable in the vertical direction along the guide rail 11. This allows the guide wheels 4a, 4b to move the carriage 1 up and down. To move the carriage 1 in the third direction, the guide wheels 4a, 4b must overcome the frictional force generated by pressing the guide wheels 4a, 4b against the contact surfaces 12a, 12b. This allows the guide wheels 4a, 4b to maintain contact between the carriage 1 and the guide rail 11.

[0044] When the carriage 1 is lifted by the hoisting member 20, the rolling resistance of the guide wheels 4a, 4b prevents movement. This generates a force that rotates the guide wheels 4a, 4b around the pivot axis 5. As a result, the guide wheels 4a, 4b rotate, and their upper edges point toward the guide rail 11, i.e., toward the arm 13 of the cross-sectional shape of the guide rail 11. As the carriage 1 moves upward, the guide wheels 4a, 4b urge the carriage 1 toward the guide rail 11. However, the second limiting element 7 cooperating with the guide surface 12c of the guide rail 11 limits the movement of the carriage 1 toward the guide rail 11. This keeps the position of the carriage 1 constant in the third direction C.

[0045] When the carriage 1 is lowered, the rolling resistance of the guide wheels 4a, 4b prevents movement. This generates a force that rotates the guide wheels 4a, 4b around the pivot axis 5. As a result, the guide wheels 4a, 4b rotate so that their lower edges face towards the guide rail 11. As the carriage 1 moves downward, the guide wheels 4a, 4b urge the carriage 1 towards the guide rail 11. However, the first limiting element 6 cooperating with the guide surface 12c of the guide rail 11 limits the movement of the carriage 1 towards the guide rail 11. This keeps the position of the carriage 1 constant in the third direction C.

[0046] The rotation of the guide wheels 4a, 4b around the pivot axis 5 is limited to a predetermined angle. For example, the guide device may be configured so that the first guide wheel 4a and the second guide wheel 4b can rotate around the pivot axis 5 by up to 5 degrees in each direction from a direction in which the imaginary central plane D of the guide wheels 4a, 4b is parallel to the first direction A.

[0047] By limiting the rotation of the guide wheels 4a, 4b, the rolling of the guide wheels 4a, 4b is made smooth. The rotation angle may be limited to a maximum of 2 degrees in each direction, or a maximum of 1 degree in each direction.

[0048] In the illustrated embodiment, the guide device further includes a second pair of guide wheels 14. The second guide wheels include a third guide wheel 14a and a fourth guide wheel (not shown). The third guide wheel 14a is configured to roll on the support surface 12a of the guide rail 11, and the fourth guide wheel is configured to roll on the support surface 12b of the guide rail 11 opposite to the third guide wheel 14a. Thus, the third and fourth guide wheels are disposed on opposite sides of the shaft portion of the cross-sectional shape of the guide rail.

[0049] The third guide wheel 14a and the fourth guide wheel are rotatable about a pivot axis 15. In the use position of the guide device, the pivot axis 15 is parallel to the second direction B. The pivot axis 15 is disposed at a position away from an imaginary center plane E of the third and fourth guide wheels in the third direction C.

[0050] The guide device applies a force acting in the second direction B to the first and second support surfaces 12a, 12b via the third guide wheel 14a and the fourth guide wheel, thereby pressing the guide wheels against the support surfaces 12a, 12b of the guide rail 11.

[0051] The second guide wheel pair 14 is arranged below the first guide wheel pair 4 in the use position of the guide device.

[0052] The second pair of guide wheels 14 functions in the same way as the first pair of guide wheels 4. When the carriage 1 moves upwards, the upper ends of the third and fourth guide wheels face the guide rail 11, and when the carriage 1 moves downwards, the lower ends of each guide wheel face the guide rail 11.

[0053] The rotation angle of the second guide wheel pair 14 is limited in the same way as the rotation angle of the first guide wheel pair 4 .

[0054] Two pairs of guide wheels may be used to increase the force maintaining contact between the carriage 1 and the guide rail 11. However, a second pair of guide wheels is not required and one pair of guide wheels is sufficient.

[0055] The guide arrangement may be provided with a third pair of guide wheels which functions in a manner similar to the first and second pairs of guide wheels. The guide arrangement may also include more pairs of guide wheels.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the guide device further comprises a third limiting element 16 connected to the frame 3 and arranged below the second pair of guide wheels 14 when the guide device is in the use position, and a fourth limiting element 17 connected to the frame 3 and arranged between the first limiting element 6 and the second pair of guide wheels 14 when the guide device is in the use position. The third and fourth limiting elements 16, 17 are each configured to cooperate with the guide surface 12c of the guide rail 11 to limit movement of the guide device toward the guide rail 11 in the third direction C. The fourth limiting element 17 is not required, and the guide device could comprise only three limiting elements.

[0057] The second pair of guide wheels 14 could also be disposed between the first pair of guide wheels 4 and the first limiting element 6, in which case a third limiting element would also be unnecessary. Thus, the guide device could have two pairs of guide wheels and limiting elements below and above the guide wheels. An arrangement with two pairs of guide wheels could function with just a single limiting element disposed between the two pairs of guide wheels 4, 14.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the limiting elements 6, 7, 16, and 17 comprise limiting wheels. The limiting wheels are configured to roll along a guide surface 12c connecting the first and second support surfaces 12a and 12b of the guide rail 11. These wheels are used to reduce friction between the limiting elements and the guide surface 12c. However, the limiting elements may also be sliding elements. The limiting elements could also be integrated into a single sliding surface. The sliding surface could be disposed between the first and second pairs of guide wheels, or could extend from above the first pair of guide wheels 4 to below the second pair of guide wheels 14. Longer limiting elements between two pairs of guide wheels would be particularly suitable for guide devices with only one limiting element.

[0059] The limiting elements 6, 7, 16, 17 could also be configured to cooperate with a surface other than the surface 12c connecting the first and second support surfaces 12a, 12b of the guide rail 11. For example, the limiting elements could cooperate with the T-section shaped arms 13 of the guide rail 11. Although in the example shown, the bolts that attach the guide rail 11 to the wall of the elevator shaft 10 protrude from the arms 13, making this impractical, it would also be possible to use other types of attachment means that leave at least part of the surface of the arms unused.

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, the first guide wheel pair 4 is arranged in a first wheel assembly. Two possible configurations are shown in Figures 6 and 7. The first wheel assembly comprises a first guide wheel 4a, a second guide wheel 4b, a first limiting element 6, and a second limiting element 7. The pivot axis 5 of the first guide wheel pair 4 forms the common pivot axis of the first wheel assembly. Thus, when the guide wheels 4a, 4b pivot about the pivot axis 5, the first limiting element 6 and the second limiting element 7 also rotate about the pivot axis 5.

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, the second guide wheel pair 14 is disposed on a second wheel assembly. The second wheel assembly includes a third guide wheel 14a, a fourth guide wheel, a third limiting element 16, and a fourth limiting element 17. The pivot axis 15 of the second guide wheel pair 14 forms a common pivot axis of the second wheel assembly. As a result, when the third and fourth guide wheels pivot about the pivot axis 15, the third limiting element 16 and the fourth limiting element 17 also rotate about the pivot axis 15.

[0062] Arranging the guide wheels and limiting elements on a common wheel assembly facilitates positioning the guide wheels and limiting elements relative to one another with sufficient precision. It also allows less strict tolerances to be used in manufacturing the guide frame 3. However, the limiting elements 6, 7, 16, 17 do not have to be arranged to pivot about the pivots 5, 15. The limiting elements could also be rigidly attached to the frame 3.

[0063] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the first wheel assembly includes a counterweight 18. The counterweight 18 is disposed on the opposite side of the pivot axis 5 in the second direction B relative to the first guide wheel 4a and the second guide wheel 4b. The second wheel assembly may include a counterweight disposed in a similar manner. The counterweight 18 balances the wheel assembly and facilitates its rotation when the carriage 1 starts moving downwards.

[0064] When the carriage 1 is arranged on the guide rail 11, the guide device is arranged so that there is a gap between the guide surface 12c and at least one limiting element of each wheel assembly, thereby allowing the wheel assemblies to swivel.

[0065] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide device includes a means for adjusting the force acting on the support surfaces 12a and 12b via the guide wheels 4a, 4b, and 14a. A sufficient force is required to prevent the carriage 1 from derailing. On the other hand, the greater the force, the more the carriage 1 resists vertical movement, and therefore the greater the force required to lift the carriage 1. The guide device may be configured to apply a force to the guide rail 11 via the guide wheels 4a, 4b, and 14a, the force being 0.5 to 3 times the gravitational force acting on the carriage 1 when the maximum design load of the carriage 1 is applied to the carriage 1. FIG. 8 shows one embodiment, in which the guide device includes bolts 22 and 23 for adjusting the force acting on the guide rail 11 via the guide wheels 4a, 4b, and 14a. By tightening the bolts 22 and 23, the respective guide wheels are moved toward the respective support surfaces 12a and 12b, thereby increasing the force acting on the guide rail 11.

[0066] The force that needs to be exerted on the guide rail 11 through the guide wheels is determined by the coefficient of friction between the guide wheels 4a, 4b, 14a and the guide rail 11. The coefficient of friction is preferably set to be at least 0.15, more preferably at least 0.25. Friction is influenced by the choice of guide wheel material or coating. The guide wheels may be made from polyurethane, for example. The coefficient of friction between steel and polyurethane would be approximately 0.30. The guide wheels could also be made from other materials and coated to obtain suitable properties.

[0067] FIG. 4 shows the state in which the carriage 1 is moving upward. The upper edges of the guide wheels 4a, 4b, and 14a face the guide rail 11. The second limiting element 7 and the fourth limiting element 17 contact the guide surface 12c. The first limiting element 6 and the third limiting element 16 are separated from the guide surface 12c. As the carriage 1 moves upward, the guide wheels 4a, 4b, and 14a direct the carriage 1 toward the guide rail 11. The second and fourth limiting elements 7 and 17 limit the carriage 1 from moving in the third direction C. The limiting elements 7 and 17 also limit the rotation of the guide wheels 4a, 4b, and 14a. The angle between the center planes D and E of the guide wheels and the vertical direction A may be, for example, less than 1.0 degree. The allowable rotation angle of the guide wheels 4a and 14a is determined by the initial position of the carriage 1 on the guide rail 11.

[0068] When the direction of movement of the carriage 1 changes, the movement is hindered by the rolling resistance of the guide wheels 4a, 4b, 14a. This generates a force that rotates the guide wheels 4a, 4b, 14a around their respective pivot axes 5, 15. As a result, the guide wheels 4a, 4b, 14a rotate so that their lower edges face toward the guide rail 11. The first and third limiting elements 6, 16 come into contact with the guide surface 12c of the guide rail 11. The second and fourth limiting elements 7, 17 move away from the guide surface 12c.

[0069] Figures 10 and 11 show two different configurations for limiting the pivot angle of the guide wheels. In the embodiments of Figures 10 and 11, the first wheel assembly comprises a body 24. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the frame 3 of the guide device comprises a groove 25. The groove 25 is configured to limit the movement of the body 24 of the wheel assembly, thereby limiting the pivot angle of the wheel assembly about the pivot point 5. In the embodiment shown in Figure 11, the guide device is provided with limiting means 26, 27, which are configured to limit the pivot angle of the wheel assembly about the pivot point 5. The limiting means 26, 27 are adjustable, which allows adjustment of the maximum pivot angle.

[0070] The rotation angle of the second wheel assembly may be limited in a similar manner to the rotation angle of the first wheel assembly. Even if the guide wheel is not disposed on a wheel assembly having a limiting element, the rotation of the guide wheel can be limited in a similar manner.

[0071] The guide device according to the invention may be used in any carriage 1 used to move objects along the vertical guide rails 11 of an elevator in an elevator shaft 10.

[0072] In the embodiment shown, the carriage 1 is configured to lift guide rail elements 11a for constructing the guide rail 11 of the elevator.

[0073] FIG. 9 shows in a flow chart a method for constructing an elevator guide rail 11 according to the present invention.

[0074] In a first step 101 of the method, at least one guide rail element 11a is attached to the wall of the elevator shaft 10 at the lower end of the elevator shaft 10 to form an installed guide rail section.

[0075] In a second step 102 of the method, the carriage 1 according to the invention is placed on the installed guide rail section.

[0076] In a third step 103 of the method, the carrier 1 is used to lift the guide rail element 11a onto the top end of the installed guide rail section.

[0077] In a fourth step 104 of the method, the raised guide rail element 11a is attached to the wall of the elevator shaft 10 above the installed guide rail section.

[0078] The method according to the invention allows the construction of several guide rails 11 independently of one another, so that two guide rails 11 of an elevator car or counterweight do not have to be constructed simultaneously. In this way, an already constructed guide rail 11 can be used to lift an object using a carriage according to the invention while another guide rail 11 is being constructed. The method according to the invention may be fully or partially automated.

[0079] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but that it may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A guide device for guiding a movable carriage along a vertical guide rail of an elevator, the carriage being configured to be movable by at least one hoisting member, the guide rail including a first support surface extending in a vertical direction and a second support surface parallel to the first support surface and facing in an opposite direction, the vertical direction being defined as a first direction, a horizontal direction perpendicular to the first and second support surfaces being defined as a second direction, and a direction perpendicular to the first and second directions being defined as a third direction, the guide device comprising: - a frame; a first pair of guide wheels connected to the frame, the first pair of guide wheels comprising a first guide wheel configured to roll on a first support surface of the guide rail, and a second guide wheel opposite the first guide wheel configured to roll on a second support surface of the guide rail, the first and second guide wheels being configured to be able to pivot about a pivot axis that is located away from an imaginary central plane of the guide wheels in a third direction when in a use position of the guide device parallel to the second direction, the first pair of guide wheels being connected to the frame and the second guide wheel configured to be able to pivot about the pivot axis in each direction by an angle that is limited from a direction in which the imaginary central plane of the guide wheels is parallel to the first direction; a first limiting element connected to the frame and arranged below the first pair of guide wheels in the use position of the guide device; a second limiting element connected to the frame and arranged above the first pair of guide wheels in the use position of the guide device; the first and second limiting elements are each configured to cooperate with a guide surface of the guide rail to limit movement of the guide device toward the guide rail in a third direction; the guide device is configured to apply a force acting in a second direction to the first and second support surfaces via the first and second guide wheels; the guide device is coupled to the frame and comprises a second pair of guide wheels including a third guide wheel configured to roll on a first support surface of the guide rail and a fourth guide wheel opposite the third guide wheel and configured to roll on a second support surface of the guide rail, the third guide wheel and the fourth guide wheel being configured to be rotatable about a pivot axis disposed at a position away from an imaginary central plane of the guide wheel in the third direction when the guide device is in use and parallel to the second direction, the guide device being configured to allow the third guide wheel and the fourth guide wheel to rotate about the pivot axis by a limited angle in each direction from a direction in which the imaginary central plane of the guide wheel is parallel to the first direction, and the guide device being configured to apply a force acting in the second direction to the first and second support surfaces via the third guide wheel and the fourth guide wheel; the second pair of guide wheels is disposed below the first limiting element when the guide device is in a use position, the guide device further comprising a third limiting element coupled to the frame and disposed below the second pair of guide wheels when the guide device is in a use position, the third limiting element being configured to cooperate with a guide surface of the guide rail to limit movement of the guide device toward the guide rail in a third direction; The guide device further includes a fourth limiting element disposed between the second pair of guide wheels and the first limiting element, the fourth limiting element being configured to cooperate with a guide surface of the guide rail to limit movement of the guide device toward the guide rail in a third direction.

2. 2. The guide device according to claim 1, wherein the guide device is configured to allow the first guide wheel and the second guide wheel to rotate about the pivot axis by up to 5 degrees, preferably up to 2 degrees, in each direction.

3. A guide device for guiding a movable carriage along a vertical guide rail of an elevator, the carriage being configured to be movable by at least one hoisting member, the guide rail including a first support surface extending in a vertical direction and a second support surface parallel to the first support surface and facing in an opposite direction, the vertical direction being defined as a first direction, a horizontal direction perpendicular to the first and second support surfaces being defined as a second direction, and a direction perpendicular to the first and second directions being defined as a third direction, the guide device comprising: - a frame; a first pair of guide wheels connected to the frame, the first pair of guide wheels including a first guide wheel configured to roll on a first support surface of the guide rail, and a second guide wheel located on the opposite side of the guide rail to the first guide wheel and configured to roll on a second support surface, the first and second guide wheels being configured to be able to pivot about a pivot axis that is located away from an imaginary central plane of the guide wheels in a third direction when in a use position of the guide device parallel to the second direction, the imaginary central plane of the guide wheels being configured to allow the first and second guide wheels to pivot about the pivot axis by an angle that is limited in each direction from a direction in which the imaginary central plane of the guide wheels is parallel to the first direction; a second pair of guide wheels connected to the frame, the second pair of guide wheels including a third guide wheel configured to roll on a first support surface of the guide rail, and a fourth guide wheel opposite the third guide wheel configured to roll on a second support surface of the guide rail, the third guide wheel and the fourth guide wheel being configured to be able to pivot about a pivot axis that is located away from an imaginary central plane of the guide wheels in the third direction when in a use position of the guide device parallel to the second direction, the pivot axis being configured to allow the third guide wheel and the fourth guide wheel to rotate about the pivot axis by an angle that is limited in each direction from a direction in which the imaginary central plane of the guide wheels is parallel to the first direction; a first limiting element connected to the frame and arranged between the first pair of guide wheels and the second pair of guide wheels; a first limiting element configured to cooperate with a guide surface of the guide rail to limit movement of the guide device toward the guide rail in a third direction; the guide device is configured to apply a force acting in a second direction to the first and second support surfaces via the first and second guide wheels; the guide device is configured to apply a force acting in a second direction to the first and second support surfaces via the third and fourth guide wheels; the second pair of guide wheels is disposed below the first limiting element when the guide device is in a use position, the guide device further comprising a third limiting element coupled to the frame and disposed below the second pair of guide wheels when the guide device is in a use position, the third limiting element being configured to cooperate with a guide surface of the guide rail to limit movement of the guide device toward the guide rail in a third direction; The guide device further includes a fourth limiting element disposed between the second pair of guide wheels and the first limiting element, the fourth limiting element being configured to cooperate with a guide surface of the guide rail to limit movement of the guide device toward the guide rail in a third direction.

4. 4. A guide device according to claim 1, wherein the guide device is configured to allow the third and fourth guide wheels to rotate about the pivot axis by a maximum of 5 degrees, preferably a maximum of 2 degrees, in each direction.

5. 5. The guide device according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising a second limiting element connected to the frame and positioned above an upper pair of guide wheels of the two pairs of guide wheels when the guide device is in a use position, the second limiting element being configured to cooperate with the guide surface of the guide rail to limit movement of the guide device toward the guide rail in a third direction.

6. 6. The guide device according to claim 1, wherein the second pair of guide wheels, the third limiting element, and the fourth limiting element are disposed on a second wheel assembly, and the pivot axes of the second pair of guide wheels form a common pivot axis about which the second wheel assembly is rotatable.

7. 7. The guide apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second wheel assembly includes a counterweight disposed on an opposite side of the pivot axis from the second pair of guide wheels in the third direction.

8. 8. The guide device according to claim 1, wherein the first pair of guide wheels, the first limiting element, and the second limiting element are arranged on a first wheel assembly, and the pivot axes of the first pair of guide wheels form a common pivot axis about which the first wheel assembly is rotatable.

9. 9. The guide apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first wheel assembly includes a counterweight disposed on an opposite side of the pivot axis from the first pair of guide wheels in the third direction.

10. 10. A guide device according to any preceding claim, wherein the limiting element is adapted to cooperate with a guide surface connecting the first and second support surfaces.

11. 11. A guide device according to claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting the force acting on said support surface via said guide wheel.

12. 12. A guide according to any preceding claim, wherein the restricting element comprises a restricting wheel.

13. 13. A guide device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the coefficient of friction between said guide wheels and said guide rails is set to be at least 0.

15.

14. 14. A carriage for moving an object along a vertical guide rail of an elevator, the carriage including a guide device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. 15. A car according to claim 14, wherein the car is configured to lift guide rail elements that make up the guide rail of an elevator.

16. A carrier as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein the guide device is configured to apply a force to the guide rail via the guide wheel, the force being 0.5 to 3 times the gravitational force acting on the carrier when the maximum design load of the carrier is applied to the carrier.

17. Use of a carriage according to any one of claims 14 to 16 for lifting objects in an elevator shaft.

18. 1. A method of constructing an elevator guide rail, the method comprising: - attaching at least one guide rail element to the wall of the elevator shaft at the lower end of said elevator shaft to form an installed guide rail section; - placing a carrier according to any one of claims 14 to 16 on a first support surface extending vertically of the installed guide rail section and on a second support surface parallel to the first support surface and facing in the opposite direction; - using said carriage to lift a guide rail element onto the upper end of said installed guide rail section; - attaching the raised guide rail element to the wall of the elevator shaft above the installed guide rail section.

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