Elevator car frame

Abstract

To provide an elevator car frame that can be easily assembled. [Solution] In the elevator car frame 1, the column mechanism 5 has a foldable frame column 6. The state of the frame column 6 can change between a folded state in which the frame column 6 is folded and an unfolded state in which the frame column 6 is extended linearly along the vertical direction. When the upper frame 3 moves upward relative to the car floor 2 while lifting the upper end of the frame column 6, the state of the frame column 6 changes from the folded state to the unfolded state. When the upper frame 3 moves downward relative to the car floor 2 while approaching the car floor 2 together with the upper end of the frame column 6, the state of the frame column 6 changes from the unfolded state to the folded state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an elevator car frame.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a column in an elevator car frame is divided into an upper column and a lower column, and the upper column and the lower column are detachably connected to each other.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional elevator car frame disclosed in Patent Document 1, the column is divided into an upper column and a lower column. Therefore, in the car frame, the part including the upper column and the part including the lower column are separately carried into the site, and the upper column and the lower column are connected to each other at the site, whereby the car frame is assembled. Therefore, when assembling the car frame, it is necessary to connect the upper column to the lower column while aligning the position of the upper column suspended by a crane with the position of the lower column. As a result, the work of assembling the car frame becomes troublesome.

[0005] This disclosure solves the above problems and aims to provide an elevator car frame that can be easily assembled.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The elevator car frame according to this disclosure comprises a car floor, an upper frame positioned above the car floor, and a pair of connecting structures that connect the upper frame to the car floor, each of which has at least one column mechanism, the column mechanism having a foldable frame column, the lower end of the frame column being attached to the car floor by a floor mounting bracket and rotatable relative to the car floor about the floor mounting bracket, the upper end of the frame column being attached to the upper frame by a frame mounting bracket and rotatable relative to the upper frame about the frame mounting bracket, the state of the frame column is changeable between a folded state in which the frame column is folded and an unfolded state in which the frame column is extended linearly along the vertical direction, the state of the frame column changes from a folded state to an unfolded state when the upper frame moves upward relative to the car floor while pulling up the upper end of the frame column, and the state of the frame column changes from an unfolded state to a folded state when the upper frame moves downward relative to the car floor together with the upper end of the frame column while approaching the car floor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, the cage frame can be easily assembled. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a side view showing the elevator car frame according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a front view showing the cage frame in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a side view showing the cage frame when the frame columns in Figure 1 are in the folded state. [Figure 4] This is a side view showing the elevator car frame according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a front view showing the cage frame. [Figure 6] Figure 4 is a side view showing the cage frame when the frame columns are in the folded state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments for carrying out the subject matter of this disclosure will be described with reference to the attached figures. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are simplified or omitted as appropriate. The subject matter of this disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any modification of any component of the embodiments or omission of any component of the embodiments is possible without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0010] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a side view showing the elevator car frame according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a front view showing the elevator car frame of Figure 1. In the figures, the elevator car frame 1 has a car floor 2, an upper frame 3, and a pair of connecting structures 4.

[0011] In cage frame 1, two mutually orthogonal directions along the floor surface of cage floor 2 are defined as the width direction X and the depth direction Y. In addition, in cage frame 1, the direction orthogonal to both the width direction X and the depth direction Y is defined as the height direction Z. Cage frame 1 is positioned so that the height direction Z coincides with the vertical direction.

[0012] The cage floor 2 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above. As shown in Figure 2, side plates are formed at both ends of the cage floor 2 in the width direction X of the cage frame 1, perpendicular to the floor surface of the cage floor 2. Each side plate is arranged along the depth direction Y of the cage frame 1.

[0013] The upper frame 3 is positioned above the cage floor 2. The upper frame 3 has a front frame section, a rear frame section, and a pair of side frame sections. The front frame section and the rear frame section are positioned along the width direction X of the cage frame 1, respectively. The front frame section and the rear frame section are positioned at a distance from each other in the depth direction Y of the cage frame 1. The pair of side frame sections are positioned along the depth direction Y of the cage frame 1, respectively. The pair of side frame sections are positioned at a distance from each other in the width direction X of the cage frame 1. Of the pair of side frame sections, one side frame section is connected to one end of the front frame section and the rear frame section, respectively, and the other side frame section is connected to the other end of the front frame section and the rear frame section, respectively. As a result, the upper frame 3 is a rectangular four-sided frame.

[0014] Each of the pair of connecting structure parts 4 connects the upper frame 3 to the cage floor 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the pair of connecting structure parts 4 are arranged on both sides of the cage floor 2 and the upper frame 3 in the width direction X of the cage frame 1. Among the pair of connecting structure parts 4, one connecting structure part 4 connects one side frame part of the upper frame 3 to one side plate part of the cage floor 2, and the other connecting structure part 4 connects the other side frame part of the upper frame 3 to the other side plate part of the cage floor 2. The configurations of the respective connecting structure parts 4 are the same as each other.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, a reference line P corresponding to each connecting structure part 4 is set on the cage frame 1. The reference line P is a virtual straight line along the vertical direction passing through the cage floor 2 and the upper frame 3. In the present embodiment, the reference line P is set at the central position of the cage floor 2 in the depth direction Y of the cage frame 1.

[0016] Each connecting structure part 4 has two column mechanisms 5. In each connecting structure part 4, the positions of the two column mechanisms 5 in the depth direction Y of the cage frame 1 are determined based on the reference line P.

[0017] In each connecting structure part 4, the two column mechanisms 5 are arranged with the reference line P interposed therebetween in the depth direction Y of the cage frame 1. In the present embodiment, the two column mechanisms 5 are arranged at symmetric positions with respect to the reference line P in each connecting structure part 4. Also, in the present embodiment, the configuration of each column mechanism 5 is symmetric with respect to the reference line P.

[0018] Each column mechanism 5 has a frame column 6 and a cross member 7.

[0019] The lower end of the frame column 6 is attached to the side plate part of the cage floor 2 by a floor fixture 61. An intervening plate 22 as a spacer is interposed between the lower end of the frame column 6 and the side plate part of the cage floor 2. Accordingly, the lower end of the frame column 6 is attached to the side plate part of the cage floor 2 via the intervening plate 22. Also, the lower end of the frame column 6 is rotatable with respect to the cage floor 2 about the floor fixture 61.

[0020] The floor fixture 61 is a fastener having bolts and nuts. The lower end of the frame column 6 can be rotated relative to the basket floor 2 about the floor fixture 61 by loosening the fastening of the floor fixture 61. Therefore, the floor fixture 61 functions as a rotation axis of the frame column 6 with respect to the basket floor 2. The direction along the axis of the floor fixture 61 coincides with the width direction X of the basket frame 1. The lower end of the frame column 6 is fixed to the basket floor 2 so as not to move by tightening the floor fixture 61.

[0021] The upper end of the frame column 6 is attached to the side frame portion of the upper frame 3 by a frame fixture 62. Further, the upper end of the frame column 6 can be rotated relative to the upper frame 3 about the frame fixture 62.

[0022] The frame fixture 62 is a fastener having bolts and nuts. The upper end of the frame column 6 can be rotated relative to the upper frame 3 about the frame fixture 62 by loosening the fastening of the frame fixture 62. Therefore, the frame fixture 62 functions as a rotation axis of the frame column 6 with respect to the upper frame 3. The axis of the frame fixture 62 is parallel to the axis of the floor fixture 61. The upper end of the frame column 6 is fixed to the upper frame 3 so as not to move by tightening the frame fixture 62.

[0023] The frame column 6 can be folded. Thereby, the state of the frame column 6 can be changed between a folded state in which the frame column 6 is folded and an unfolded state in which the frame column 6 extends linearly along the vertical direction. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the basket frame 1 when the state of the frame column 6 is the unfolded state is shown.

[0024] The frame column 6 has a lower column member 63 and an upper column member 64.

[0025] One end of the lower column member 63 is the lower end of the frame column 6. One end of the upper column member 64 is the upper end of the frame column 6.

[0026] The other ends of the lower column member 63 and the upper column member 64 are connected to each other by a connector 65. Furthermore, the other ends of the lower column member 63 and the upper column member 64 are rotatable relative to each other around the connector 65.

[0027] The connector 65 is a fastener having a bolt and nut. The other ends of the lower column member 63 and the upper column member 64 can rotate relative to each other around the connector 65 by loosening the tightening of the connector 65. Therefore, the connector 65 functions as the axis of rotation of the upper column member 64 relative to the lower column member 63. The axis of the connector 65 is parallel to the axes of the floor mounting bracket 61 and the frame mounting bracket 62, respectively. The lower column member 63 and the upper column member 64 are fixed in place so as not to move relative to each other by tightening the connector 65.

[0028] The state of the frame column 6 changes between a folded state and an unfolded state as the lower column member 63 rotates relative to the cage floor 2 and the upper column member 64 rotates relative to the upper frame 3, while the lower column member 63 and the upper column member 64 rotate around the connector 65.

[0029] The elevator car frame 1 has positioning lines A corresponding to each column mechanism 5. Each positioning line A is a virtual straight line set along the vertical direction on the elevator car frame 1 with respect to a reference line P. In this embodiment, two positioning lines A are set symmetrically with respect to the reference line P in the depth direction Y of the elevator car frame 1.

[0030] In each column mechanism 5, the floor mounting fixture 61 and the frame mounting fixture 62 are positioned at the location through which the positioning line A passes. In each column mechanism 5, when the frame column 6 is in the deployed state, as shown in Figure 1, the longitudinal direction of the upper column member 64 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the lower column member 63, so that the frame column 6 extends in a straight line along the positioning line A. Therefore, when the frame column 6 in each of the two column mechanisms 5 is in the deployed state, each frame column 6 extends along the reference line P and faces each other across the reference line P.

[0031] Here, Figure 3 is a side view showing the cage frame 1 when the frame column 6 in Figure 1 is in the folded state. When the frame column 6 is in the folded state, the frame column 6 is bent because the upper column member 64 is inclined relative to the lower column member 63. Also, when the frame column 6 is in the folded state, the lower column member 63 is inclined relative to the cage floor 2, and the upper column member 64 is inclined relative to the upper frame 3.

[0032] As a result, when the frame column 6 is in the folded state, the position of the frame mounting bracket 62 is closer to the floor mounting bracket 61 in the vertical direction than when the frame column 6 is in the unfolded state. Also, when the frame column 6 is in the folded state, the position of the connector 65 is further from the positioning line A in the depth direction Y of the cage frame 1 than when the frame column 6 is in the unfolded state.

[0033] When the upper frame 3 moves upward relative to the car floor 2 from the folded state of the frame column 6, the upper end of the frame column 6 is pulled up by the upper frame 3. At this time, the upper end of the frame column 6 moves upward relative to the lower end of the frame column 6 as the connector 65 approaches the positioning line A. When the connector 65 reaches the positioning line A, the frame column 6 is unfolded in a straight line, and the state of the frame column 6 becomes the unfolded state. Therefore, as the upper frame 3 moves upward relative to the car floor 2 while pulling up the upper end of the frame column 6, the state of the frame column 6 changes from the folded state to the unfolded state.

[0034] On the other hand, when the upper frame 3 moves downward relative to the car floor 2 from the state where the frame column 6 is unfolded, the frame column 6 bends due to the opposite action described above, and the state of the frame column 6 becomes folded. Therefore, as the upper frame 3 moves downward relative to the car floor 2 together with the upper end of the frame column 6, the state of the frame column 6 changes from the unfolded state to the folded state.

[0035] In the cage frame 1, either the cage floor 2 or the upper frame 3 is the mounting target member. The bracing members 7 of each column mechanism 5 are attached to the mounting target member. In this embodiment, the cage floor 2 is the mounting target member. Therefore, in this embodiment, the bracing members 7 of each column mechanism 5 are attached to the cage floor 2.

[0036] The bracing member 7 is attached to the car floor 2 by a horizontal sliding device 71. In this embodiment, the lower end of the bracing member 7 is attached to the side plate portion of the car floor 2 by the horizontal sliding device 71. Also, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the lower end of the bracing member 7 is located outside the car frame 1 in the width direction X of the car frame 1, relative to the side plate portion of the car floor 2. Furthermore, the bracing member 7 is rotatable relative to the car floor 2 about the horizontal sliding device 71. The horizontal sliding device 71 is a rotatable axis relative to the car floor 2. Therefore, the horizontal sliding device 71 is the axis of rotation of the bracing member 7 relative to the car floor 2. The axis of the horizontal sliding device 71 is parallel to the axis of the floor mounting device 61. That is, the axis of the horizontal sliding device 71 is the axis along the width direction X of the car frame 1.

[0037] Multiple horizontal elongated holes 21 corresponding to each column mechanism 5 are provided horizontally along the side plate of the cage floor 2 as horizontal guides. Therefore, in this embodiment, two horizontal elongated holes 21 are provided on each side plate of the cage floor 2. In addition, in this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of each horizontal elongated hole 21 coincides with the depth direction Y of the cage frame 1.

[0038] The positions of the two horizontal elongated holes 21 provided in the common side plate section of the cage floor 2 are such that they straddle the reference line P and each positioning line A in the depth direction Y of the cage frame 1. In each column mechanism 5, the bracing members 7 are attached to the side plate section of the cage floor 2 by horizontal sliding devices 71 inserted into the corresponding horizontal elongated holes 21.

[0039] In each column mechanism 5, the horizontal sliding device 71 is slidable horizontally relative to the car floor 2 while being guided by the corresponding horizontal elongated hole 21. In this embodiment, in each column mechanism 5, the horizontal sliding device 71 is slidable relative to the car floor 2 along the depth direction Y of the car frame 1.

[0040] In each column mechanism 5, the range in which the horizontal sliding device 71 can slide relative to the car floor 2 is the range in the longitudinal direction of the corresponding horizontal elongated hole 21. As a result, in each column mechanism 5, the horizontal sliding device 71 can slide relative to the car floor 2 between an outer restricting position and an inner restricting position that is closer to the positioning line A than the outer restricting position.

[0041] Of the two ends of each horizontal elongated hole 21, the end closer to the positioning line A is the inner end 21a of the horizontal elongated hole, and the end further from the positioning line A is the outer end 21b of the horizontal elongated hole. Each horizontal elongated hole 21 has a horizontal elongated hole space 21c that protrudes downward from the outer end 21b of the horizontal elongated hole.

[0042] The horizontal sliding device 71 is held in an inward restricting position relative to the car floor 2 by engaging with the side plate portion of the car floor 2 at the inner end 21a of the horizontal elongated hole. The horizontal sliding device 71 is also held in an outward restricting position relative to the car floor 2 by fitting into the horizontal elongated hole space 21c.

[0043] Furthermore, the bracing member 7 is attached to the middle section of the frame column 6 by a bracing slide 72. In each column mechanism, as described above, the lower end of the frame column 6 is attached to the side plate of the cage floor 2 via an intervening plate 22. As a result, in each column mechanism, the position of the frame column 6 is offset in the width direction X of the cage frame 1 relative to the position of the bracing member 7, and interference between the bracing member 7 and the frame column 6 is avoided. In this embodiment, the upper part of the bracing member 7 is attached to the upper column member 64 by a bracing slide 72. The bracing member 7 is rotatable relative to the frame column 6 with respect to the bracing slide 72. The bracing slide 72 is a rotatable axis relative to the frame column 6. Therefore, the bracing slide 72 is the axis of rotation of the bracing member 7 relative to the frame column 6. The axis of the bracing slide 72 is parallel to the axis of the horizontal slide 71. In other words, the axis of the bracing slide 72 is the axis along the width direction X of the cage frame 1.

[0044] The bracing member 7 is provided with a bracing elongated hole 73 along its longitudinal direction, serving as a bracing guide. In this embodiment, the bracing elongated hole 73 is located at the top of the bracing member 7. The bracing member 7 is attached to the upper column member 64 of the frame column 6 by a bracing slide 72 inserted into the bracing elongated hole 73.

[0045] The brace slide 72 is slidable relative to the brace member 7 along the longitudinal direction of the brace member 7, guided by the brace slot 73. The range in which the brace slide 72 can slide relative to the brace member 7 is the range in the longitudinal direction of the brace slot 73. As a result, the brace slide 72 can slide relative to the brace member 7 between the upper restricting position and the lower restricting position, which is closer to the horizontal slide 71 than the upper restricting position.

[0046] Of the two ends of the bracing slot 73, the end closer to the horizontal sliding device 71 is the inner end 73a of the bracing slot, and the end further away from the horizontal sliding device 71 is the outer end 73b of the bracing slot. The bracing slot 73 has a bracing slot space 73c that protrudes laterally from the outer end 73b of the bracing slot.

[0047] The brace slide 72 is held in the lower restricting position by engaging with the brace member 7 at the inner end 73a of the brace slot. The brace slide 72 is also held in the upper restricting position by fitting into the brace slot space 73c.

[0048] In each column mechanism 5, the frame column 6 operates as the upper frame 3 moves vertically relative to the cage floor 2, causing the state of the frame column 6 to change between a folded state and an unfolded state. In each column mechanism 5, the bracing slide 72 slides relative to the bracing member 7 in conjunction with the movement of the frame column 6, and the horizontal slide 71 slides relative to the cage floor 2, changing the inclination of the bracing member 7 relative to the cage floor 2. As a result, in each column mechanism 5, the bracing member 7 is displaced relative to the cage floor 2 and the frame column 6 between the folded-holding position shown in Figure 3 and the unfolded-holding position shown in Figure 1. In other words, the bracing member 7 is displaced relative to the cage floor 2 and the frame column 6 in conjunction with the movement of the frame column 6 when the state of the frame column 6 changes between a folded state and an unfolded state. The folded-holding position is the position of the bracing member 7 that maintains the state of the frame column 6 in the folded state. The unfolded and held position is the position of the bracing member 7 that maintains the frame column 6 in the unfolded state.

[0049] When the bracing member 7 is in the folded-holding position, as shown in Figure 3, it is inclined with respect to the car floor 2 in a direction away from the positioning line A, from the lower end of the bracing member 7 toward the upper end of the bracing member 7. As a result, when the bracing member 7 is in the folded-holding position, it is inclined with respect to the car floor 2 such that the position of the bracing elongated hole space 73c is below the outer end 73b of the bracing elongated hole.

[0050] When the bracing member 7 is in the folded holding position, the horizontal sliding device 71 is in an inward restricting position relative to the cage floor 2, and the bracing sliding device 72 is in a downward restricting position relative to the bracing member 7.

[0051] When the frame column 6 is in the folded state, the bracing member 7 is positioned in the folded-holding position, causing the bracing member 7 to brace against the frame column 6 and the cage floor 2. This prevents the frame column 6 from bending further, and the frame column 6 is kept in the folded state. In other words, the bracing member 7 maintains the frame column 6 in the folded state by being positioned in the folded-holding position.

[0052] On the other hand, when the bracing member 7 is in the deployed and held position, as shown in Figure 1, it is inclined with respect to the cage floor 2 in a direction that approaches the positioning line A from the lower end of the bracing member 7 toward the upper end of the bracing member 7. As a result, when the bracing member 7 is in the deployed and held position, it is inclined with respect to the cage floor 2 such that the position of the bracing elongated hole space 73c is above the outer end 73b of the bracing elongated hole.

[0053] When the bracing member 7 is in the deployed and held position, the horizontal sliding device 71 is in an outward restricting position relative to the cage floor 2, and the bracing sliding device 72 is in an upper restricting position relative to the bracing member 7. When the horizontal sliding device 71 is in the outward restricting position, it is fitted into the horizontal elongated hole space 21c by the weight of the bracing member 7. When the bracing sliding device 72 is in the upper restricting position, it is fitted into the bracing elongated hole space 73c by the weight of the bracing member 7.

[0054] When the frame column 6 is in the unfolded state, the bracing member 7 is positioned in the unfolded holding position, causing the bracing member 7 to brace against the frame column 6 and the cage floor 2. This prevents the frame column 6 from bending, and the frame column 6 is kept in the unfolded state. In other words, the bracing member 7 maintains the frame column 6 in the unfolded state by being positioned in the unfolded holding position.

[0055] Next, the assembly method of the elevator car frame 1 will be explained. The elevator car frame 1 is transported from the factory to the elevator installation site and then assembled at the installation site. When the elevator car frame 1 is transported from the factory to the elevator installation site, as shown in Figure 3, each frame column 6 is in a folded state. At this time, each bracing member 7 located in the folded-holding position braces between the car floor 2 and the frame column 6, thereby maintaining the folded state of each frame column 6. Also, at this time, the height dimension Z of the elevator car frame 1 is smaller than when each frame column 6 is in the unfolded state.

[0056] When assembling the elevator car frame 1 at the elevator installation site, the tightening of the floor mounting bracket 61, frame mounting bracket 62, and connecting bracket 65 should be loosened in advance.

[0057] Next, the upper frame 3 is lifted by the crane and moved upward relative to the cage floor 2. As a result, in each column mechanism 5, the upper end of the frame column 6 is lifted by the upper frame 3, and the state of the frame column 6 changes from the folded state to the unfolded state.

[0058] When the upper end of the frame column 6 is lifted by the upper frame 3, the frame column 6 moves so that the angle of the bend of the frame column 6 widens as the connector 65 approaches the positioning line A. At this time, in conjunction with the movement of the frame column 6, the bracing slide 72 slides relative to the bracing member 7 from the lower restricting position to the upper restricting position, while the horizontal slide 71 slides relative to the car floor 2 from the inner restricting position to the outer restricting position. As a result, the inclination of the bracing member 7 relative to the car floor 2 changes. Due to the change in the inclination of the bracing member 7 relative to the car floor 2, the bracing member 7 is displaced from the folded holding position to the unfolded holding position relative to the car floor 2 and the frame column 6.

[0059] Subsequently, when the frame column 6 is deployed, as shown in Figure 1, the bracing slide 72 reaches the upper restricting position and the horizontal slide 71 reaches the outer restricting position. As a result, the bracing member 7 reaches the deployed holding position. At this time, due to the weight of the bracing member 7, the bracing slide 72 fits into the bracing elongated space 73c and the horizontal slide 71 fits into the horizontal elongated space 21c. As a result, the position of the bracing slide 72 relative to the bracing member 7 is maintained at the upper restricting position, and the position of the horizontal slide 71 relative to the cage floor 2 is maintained at the outer restricting position. Therefore, the position of the bracing member 7 relative to the frame column 6 and the cage floor 2 is maintained at the deployed holding position. In each column mechanism 5, the bracing member 7, which is in the deployed holding position, braces between the cage floor 2 and the frame column 6, thereby maintaining the state of each frame column 6 in the deployed state.

[0060] Next, the floor mounting bracket 61, frame mounting bracket 62, and connecting bracket 65 are tightened. This completes the assembly of the cage frame 1.

[0061] When returning the frame columns 6 in the cage frame 1 from the unfolded state to the folded state, first the upper frame 3 is suspended by a crane, and each bracing member 7 is lifted, the bracing slide 72 is removed from the bracing elongated space 73c, and the horizontal slide 71 is removed from the horizontal elongated space 21c. This allows the bracing slide 72 to slide relative to the bracing member 7, and the horizontal slide 71 to slide relative to the cage floor 2.

[0062] Next, the upper frame 3 is lifted by a crane and moved downward relative to the cage floor 2. This causes each frame column 6 to change from the unfolded state to the folded state. At this time, in conjunction with the movement of each frame column 6, each bracing member 7 is displaced from the unfolded holding position to the folded holding position.

[0063] In this type of elevator car frame 1, the column mechanism 5 has a foldable frame column 6. The lower end of the frame column 6 is attached to the car floor 2 by a floor mounting bracket 61. The upper end of the frame column 6 is attached to the upper frame 3 by a frame mounting bracket 62. As the upper frame 3 moves upward relative to the car floor 2 while pulling up the upper end of the frame column 6, the state of the frame column 6 changes from the folded state to the unfolded state. As the upper frame 3 moves downward relative to the car floor 2 while approaching the car floor 2 together with the upper end of the frame column 6, the state of the frame column 6 changes from the unfolded state to the folded state.

[0064] Therefore, the car frame 1 can be easily assembled simply by lifting the upper frame 3 with a crane or the like and moving the upper frame 3 upward relative to the car floor 2. In addition, by folding each frame column 6, the height Z dimension of the car frame 1 can be reduced, making the size of the car frame 1 more compact. As a result, the car frame 1 can be packed and transported without separating the car floor 2 and the upper frame 3, reducing the effort required for packing and transporting the car frame 1. Furthermore, at the elevator installation site, the work of connecting the car floor 2 and the upper frame 3 to each other when assembling the car frame 1 can be eliminated, making the car frame 1 easy to assemble.

[0065] Furthermore, the frame column 6 has a lower column member 61 and an upper column member 62. One end of the lower column member 61 is the lower end of the frame column 6. One end of the upper column member 62 is the upper end of the frame column 6. The other ends of the lower column member 61 and the upper column member 62 are connected to each other by a connector 65. This simplifies the structure of the frame column 6.

[0066] Furthermore, in each column mechanism 5, the bracing member 7 is attached to the cage floor 2 by a horizontal sliding device 71. The horizontal sliding device 71 is slidable horizontally relative to the cage floor 2. The bracing member 7 is attached to the middle part of the frame column 6 by a bracing sliding device 72. The bracing sliding device 72 is slidable along the longitudinal direction of the bracing member 7. The bracing member 7 is displaceable relative to the cage floor 2 and the frame column 6 between a folded-holding position that keeps the frame column 6 in a folded state and an unfolded-holding position that keeps the frame column 6 in an unfolded state. In conjunction with the movement of the frame column 6 when the state of the frame column 6 changes between the folded state and the unfolded state, the bracing sliding device 72 slides relative to the bracing member 7, and the horizontal sliding device 71 slides relative to the cage floor 2, causing the inclination of the bracing member 7 relative to the cage floor 2 to change, and the bracing member 7 is displaced between the folded-holding position and the unfolded-holding position.

[0067] Therefore, the bracing members 7 can be displaced between a folded-hold position and an unfolded-hold position in conjunction with the movement of the frame columns 6. This makes it possible to more reliably maintain the state of the frame columns 6 in the changed state, whether folded or unfolded, even when the state of the frame columns 6 changes between the folded state and the unfolded state. Consequently, the cage frame 1 can be transported stably while keeping each frame column 6 in the folded state. Furthermore, by keeping each frame column 6 in the unfolded state, the shape of the cage frame 1 can be stabilized.

[0068] Furthermore, when the frame columns 6 in the two column mechanisms 5 are in the deployed state, each frame column 6 extends along the reference line P and faces each other across the reference line P. This increases the strength with which the upper frame 3 is connected to the car floor 2 by the connecting structure 4. This makes it possible to further stabilize the state in which the upper frame 3 is connected to the car floor 2.

[0069] Embodiment 2. Figure 4 is a side view showing the elevator car frame according to Embodiment 2. Figure 5 is a front view showing the elevator car frame of Figure 4. Figure 6 is a side view showing the elevator car frame 1 when the frame columns 6 of Figure 4 are in the folded state. Figures 4 and 5 show the elevator car frame 1 when the frame columns 6 are in the unfolded state. In each column mechanism 5, the bracing member 7 is a threaded rod. Also, in each column mechanism 5, similar to Embodiment 1, the horizontal sliding device 71 is a rotatable axis relative to the car floor 2, and the bracing sliding device 72 is a rotatable axis relative to the frame columns 6.

[0070] In each column mechanism 5, a through-hole is provided in the horizontal sliding device 71 through which the bracing member 7 slides. This allows the bracing member 7 to slide relative to the horizontal sliding device 71 along the longitudinal direction of the bracing member 7. The through-hole in the horizontal sliding device 71 is perpendicular to the axis of the horizontal sliding device 71.

[0071] As shown in Figure 5, a pair of first nuts 75, which serve as first fasteners, are screwed into the bracing member 7. The bracing member 7 is secured to the horizontal sliding device 71 by being sandwiched between the pair of first nuts 75. In this way, the bracing member 7 is attached to the cage floor 2 by the horizontal sliding device 71. The position of each first nut 75 relative to the bracing member 7 is adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the bracing member 7 by rotating each first nut 75. The position of the horizontal sliding device 71 relative to the bracing member 7 is adjustable by adjusting the position of the pair of first nuts 75 relative to the bracing member 7.

[0072] Furthermore, in each column mechanism 5, a through-hole is provided in the bracing slide 72 through which the bracing member 7 slides. This allows the bracing member 7 to slide relative to the bracing slide 72 along the longitudinal direction of the bracing member 7. The through-hole in the bracing slide 72 is perpendicular to the axis of the bracing slide 72.

[0073] As shown in Figure 5, a pair of second nuts 76, which serve as second fasteners, are screwed into the bracing member 7. The bracing member 7 is secured to the bracing slide 72 by being sandwiched between the pair of second nuts 76. In this way, the bracing member 7 is attached to the frame column 6 by the bracing slide 72. The position of each second nut 76 relative to the bracing member 7 is adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the bracing member 7 by rotating each second nut 76. The position of the bracing slide 72 relative to the bracing member 7 is adjustable by adjusting the position of the pair of second nuts 76 relative to the bracing member 7.

[0074] When the bracing member 7 is in the deployed and held position, the bracing slide 72 is in the upper restricting position, as shown in Figure 4. When the bracing member 7 is in the folded and held position, the bracing slide 72 is in the lower restricting position relative to the bracing member 7, as shown in Figure 6. The other configurations are the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0075] Next, the assembly method of the cage frame 1 will be explained. When each frame column 6 is in the folded state, as shown in Figure 6, the horizontal sliding device 71 is positioned in an inward restricting position relative to the cage floor 2, and the bracing sliding device 72 is positioned in a downward restricting position relative to the bracing member 7. At this time, the horizontal sliding device 71 is fastened to the bracing member 7 by a pair of first nuts 75. The bracing sliding device 72 is also fastened to the bracing member 7 by a pair of second nuts 76. This prevents the bracing member 7 from coming off the horizontal sliding device 71 and the bracing sliding device 72, and maintains the folded state of each frame column 6.

[0076] When assembling the elevator car frame 1 at the elevator installation site, the second nut 76 on the side furthest from the horizontal sliding device 71 is rotated to move the second nut 76 away from the horizontal sliding device 71 relative to the bracing member 7. This allows the bracing sliding device 72 to slide from the lower restricting position to the upper restricting position relative to the bracing member 7.

[0077] Next, the upper frame 3 is lifted by a crane and moved upward relative to the elevator car floor 2. As a result, in each column mechanism 5, the upper end of the frame column 6 is lifted by the upper frame 3, and the state of the frame column 6 changes from the folded state to the unfolded state. At this time, in conjunction with the movement of the frame column 6, the bracing slide 72 slides toward the upper restricting position relative to the bracing member 7, while the horizontal slide 71 slides toward the outer restricting position relative to the elevator car floor 2. As a result, the bracing member 7 is displaced from the folded holding position to the unfolded holding position relative to the elevator car floor 2 and the frame column 6.

[0078] When the frame column 6 is in the unfolded state, as shown in Figure 4, the bracing slide 72 reaches the upper restricting position and the horizontal slide 71 reaches the outer restricting position. As a result, the bracing member 7 reaches the unfolded holding position. When the horizontal slide 71 reaches the outer restricting position, the horizontal slide 71 fits into the horizontal elongated hole space 21c. As a result, the position of the horizontal slide 71 relative to the cage floor 2 is maintained at the outer restricting position. Also, when the bracing slide 72 reaches the upper restricting position, the second nut 76 on the side closer to the horizontal slide 71 is rotated to move the second nut 76 toward the bracing slide 72 and tighten the second nut 76 onto the bracing slide 72. As a result, the bracing slide 72 remains attached to the bracing member 7, and the position of the bracing slide 72 relative to the bracing member 7 is maintained at the upper restricting position. Therefore, the position of the bracing member 7 relative to the frame column 6 and the cage floor 2 is maintained at the unfolded holding position, and the state of each frame column 6 is maintained in the unfolded state. The subsequent steps are the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0079] When returning the frame columns 6 in the cage frame 1 from the unfolded state to the folded state, the upper frame 3 is suspended by a crane, and each bracing member 7 is lifted to detach the horizontal sliding device 71 from the horizontal elongated space 21c. This allows the horizontal sliding device 71 to slide relative to the cage floor 2 from the outer restricting position to the inner restricting position. In addition, one of the pair of second nuts 76, the second nut 76 closer to the horizontal sliding device 71, is rotated to move the second nut 76 relative to the bracing member 7 in a direction closer to the horizontal sliding device 71. This allows the bracing sliding device 72 to slide relative to the bracing member 7 from the upper restricting position to the lower restricting position.

[0080] Next, the upper frame 3 is lifted by a crane and moved downward relative to the cage floor 2. This causes each frame column 6 to change from the unfolded state to the folded state. At this time, the horizontal sliding device 71 moves from the outer restricting position to the inner restricting position due to the sliding of the horizontal sliding device 71 relative to the cage floor 2. Also, the bracing sliding device 72 moves from the upper restricting position to the lower restricting position due to the sliding of the bracing member 7. As a result, the bracing member 7 is displaced from the unfolded holding position to the folded holding position.

[0081] When the bracing slide 72 reaches the lower restricting position, the second nut 76 on the side furthest from the horizontal slide 71 is rotated to move the second nut 76 toward the bracing slide 72, and the second nut 76 is tightened onto the bracing slide 72. This keeps the bracing slide 72 in place on the bracing member 7, and the position of the bracing slide 72 relative to the bracing member 7 is maintained at the lower restricting position. As a result, the bracing member 7 is kept in the folded holding position, and the state of each frame column 6 is kept in the folded state.

[0082] In this type of elevator car frame 1, the bracing members 7 in each column mechanism 5 are threaded rods. The bracing slide 72 is provided with a through hole through which the bracing member 7 slides. A pair of second nuts 76 are screwed into the bracing member 7 to secure the bracing slide 72 to the bracing member 7. This allows for more precise adjustment of the position of the bracing slide 72 relative to the bracing member 7. Furthermore, the structure of the bracing member 7 can be simplified, which helps to reduce the weight of the elevator car frame 1.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the horizontal sliding device 71 is fastened to the bracing member 7 by a pair of first nuts 75, and the bracing sliding device 72 is fastened to the bracing member 7 by a pair of second nuts 76. However, when the elevator is operated with the car frame 1 suspended in the hoistway by a rope connected to the upper frame 3, a tensile load is applied to the bracing member 7, so the first nut 75 closer to the bracing sliding device 72 of the pair of first nuts 75 may be omitted. Also, the second nut 76 closer to the horizontal sliding device 71 of the pair of second nuts 76 may be omitted.

[0084] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the assembly of the cage frame 1 is completed by tightening the floor mounting bracket 61, the frame mounting bracket 62, and the connecting bracket 65, respectively. However, if the state of each frame column 6 is kept in the unfolded state, the floor mounting bracket 61, the frame mounting bracket 62, and the connecting bracket 65 do not need to be tightened. Also, in this case, the floor mounting bracket 61, the frame mounting bracket 62, and the connecting bracket 65 may each be simply a rotating shaft.

[0085] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, two column mechanisms 5 are included in each of the pair of connecting structures 4. However, the number of column mechanisms 5 included in the connecting structure 4 may be one or three or more. When three or more column mechanisms 5 are included in the connecting structure 4, the three or more column mechanisms 5 are arranged side by side in the depth direction Y of the cage frame 1.

[0086] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the bracing member 7 is included in each column mechanism 5. However, if the state of the frame column 6 is maintained in both the folded state and the unfolded state by tightening the floor mounting fixture 61, the frame mounting fixture 62, and the connecting fixture 65, respectively, then the bracing member 7 may not be necessary.

[0087] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, it is not possible to remove the bracing members 7 from the cage floor 2 and the frame columns 6. However, the bracing members 7 may be detachable from the frame columns 6 and the mounting target member, which is either the cage floor 2 or the upper frame 3. In this case, the state of the frame columns 6 is changed between a folded state and an unfolded state with the bracing members 7 removed from the frame columns 6. In this case, by attaching the bracing members 7 to the mounting target member, which is either the cage floor 2 or the upper frame 3, and the frame columns 6, the state of the frame columns 6 can be kept in a folded state or kept in an unfolded state.

[0088] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the reference line P corresponding to each connecting structure 4 is set at the central position of the car floor 2 in the depth direction Y of the car frame 1. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the reference line P may be set at a position offset from the central position of the car floor 2 in the depth direction Y of the car frame 1.

[0089] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the two column mechanisms 5 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the reference line P in each connecting structure 4. However, the two column mechanisms 5 may be arranged asymmetrically with respect to the reference line P.

[0090] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the mounting target member to which the bracing member 7 is attached by the horizontal sliding device 71 is the cage floor 2. However, the mounting target member to which the bracing member 7 is attached by the horizontal sliding device 71 may be the upper frame 3. In this case, a horizontal elongated hole 21 is provided in the side frame portion of the upper frame 3. In this case, the bracing member 7 is attached to the side frame portion of the upper frame 3 by the horizontal sliding device 71 inserted into the horizontal elongated hole 21. Furthermore, in this case, the bracing member 7 is attached to the lower column member 63 of the frame column 6 by the bracing sliding device 72. Even in this way, the bracing member 7 can be linked to the movement of the frame column 6 when the state of the frame column 6 changes between a folded state and an unfolded state. This makes it possible to displace the bracing member 7 in conjunction with the movement of the frame column 6 between a folded holding position that maintains the state of the frame column 6 in a folded state and an unfolded holding position that maintains the state of the frame column 6 in an unfolded state.

[0091] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the floor mounting bracket 61 is not slidable relative to the lower column member 63. However, the floor mounting bracket 61 may be slidable relative to the lower column member 63 along the longitudinal direction of the lower column member 63. In this case, the lower column member 63 is provided with an elongated hole in the lower column into which the floor mounting bracket 61 is inserted, along the longitudinal direction of the lower column member 63. In this case, the floor mounting bracket 61 is slidable relative to the lower column member 63 along the elongated hole in the lower column member 63. In this way, when the frame column 6 is in the deployed state, the position of the frame column 6 relative to the car floor 2 can be adjusted by sliding the lower column member 63 relative to the floor mounting bracket 61. This makes it possible to adjust the distance between the car floor 2 and the upper frame 3 in the height direction Z of the car frame 1.

[0092] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the frame mounting bracket 62 is not slidable relative to the upper column member 64. However, the frame mounting bracket 62 may be slidable relative to the upper column member 64 along the longitudinal direction of the upper column member 64. In this case, the upper column member 64 is provided with an elongated hole in the upper column into which the frame mounting bracket 62 is inserted, along the longitudinal direction of the upper column member 64. In this case, the frame mounting bracket 62 is slidable relative to the upper column member 64 along the elongated hole in the upper column member 64. In this way, when the frame column 6 is in the deployed state, the position of the frame column 6 relative to the upper frame 3 can be adjusted by sliding the upper column member 64 relative to the frame mounting bracket 62. This makes it possible to adjust the distance between the car floor 2 and the upper frame 3 in the height direction Z of the car frame 1.

[0093] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the connector 65 is not slidable relative to the lower column member 63. However, the connector 65 may be slidable relative to the lower column member 63 along the longitudinal direction of the lower column member 63. In this case, the lower column member 63 is provided with a connecting slot into which the connector 65 is inserted, along the longitudinal direction of the lower column member 63. In this case, the connector 65 is slidable relative to the lower column member 63 along the connecting slot. In this way, when the frame column 6 is in the unfolded state, the length of the frame column 6 can be adjusted by sliding the lower column member 63 relative to the connector 65. This makes it possible to adjust the distance between the car floor 2 and the upper frame 3 in the height direction Z of the car frame 1.

[0094] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the connector 65 is not slidable relative to the upper column member 64. However, the connector 65 may be slidable relative to the upper column member 64 along the longitudinal direction of the upper column member 64. In this case, the upper column member 64 is provided with a connecting slot into which the connector 65 is inserted, along the longitudinal direction of the upper column member 64. In this case, the connector 65 is slidable relative to the upper column member 64 along the connecting slot. In this way, when the frame column 6 is in the unfolded state, the length of the frame column 6 can be adjusted by sliding the upper column member 64 relative to the connector 65. This makes it possible to adjust the distance between the car floor 2 and the upper frame 3 in the height direction Z of the car frame 1.

[0095] The configurations shown in the embodiments described above are merely examples of the content of this disclosure. The embodiments can be combined with other known technologies. Some parts of the configurations of the embodiments can be omitted or modified without departing from the gist of this disclosure.

[0096] Examples of aspects that may be included in this disclosure are listed below as an addendum. (Note 1) Basket bed and, An upper frame positioned above the aforementioned cage floor, A pair of connecting structures that connect the upper frame to the cage floor, Equipped with, Each of the aforementioned connecting structures has at least one column mechanism, The aforementioned column mechanism has a foldable frame column, The lower end of the frame column is attached to the cage floor by a floor mounting bracket and is rotatable relative to the cage floor with respect to the floor mounting bracket. The upper end of the frame column is attached to the upper frame by a frame mounting bracket and is rotatable relative to the upper frame with respect to the frame mounting bracket. The state of the frame column can change between a folded state in which the frame column is folded and an unfolded state in which the frame column extends linearly along the vertical direction. As the upper frame moves upward relative to the cage floor while lifting the upper end of the frame column, the state of the frame column changes from the folded state to the unfolded state. An elevator car frame in which the state of the frame column changes from the unfolded state to the folded state as the upper frame moves downward relative to the car floor while approaching the car floor together with the upper end of the frame column. (Note 2) The aforementioned frame column has a lower column member and an upper column member. One end of the lower column member is the lower end of the frame column. One end of the upper column member is the upper end of the frame column, The other ends of the lower column member and the upper column member are connected to each other by a connector. The state of the frame columns changes between the folded state and the unfolded state as described in Appendix 1, by the lower column member rotating relative to the car floor around the floor mounting bracket, and the upper column member rotating relative to the upper frame around the frame mounting bracket, while the lower column member and the upper column member rotate relative to each other around the connecting member. (Note 3) The column mechanism has a bracing member, Either the cage floor or the upper frame is a component to be attached. The bracing member is attached to the mounting target member by a horizontal sliding device, and is rotatable relative to the mounting target member with respect to the horizontal sliding device as its axis. The horizontal sliding device is slidable along the horizontal direction relative to the mounting target member, The bracing member is attached to the middle of the frame column by a bracing slide and is rotatable relative to the frame column with respect to the bracing slide. The bracing slide is slidable relative to the bracing member along the longitudinal direction of the bracing member. As the state of the frame column changes between the folded state and the unfolded state, the bracing slide mechanism slides relative to the bracing member, and the horizontal slide mechanism slides relative to the mounting target member, the inclination of the bracing member relative to the mounting target member changes, causing the bracing member to be displaced relative to the mounting target member and the frame column between the folded holding position and the unfolded holding position. The elevator car frame as described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2, wherein the bracing member maintains the state of the frame column in the folded state by being positioned in the folded holding position, and maintains the state of the frame column in the unfolded state by being positioned in the unfolded holding position. (Note 4) Each of the aforementioned connecting structures has two of the aforementioned column mechanisms. The two column mechanisms are arranged on either side of a reference line that runs vertically through the cage floor and the upper frame, When the state of each of the frame columns in the two column mechanisms is the deployed state, each frame column extends along the reference line and faces each other across the reference line, forming an elevator car frame as described in any one of the items from Appendix 1 to Appendix 3. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0097] 1 cage frame, 2 cage floor, 3 upper frame, 4 connecting structure, 5 column mechanism, 6 frame column, 7 bracing member, 61 floor mounting bracket, 62 frame mounting bracket, 63 lower column member, 64 upper column member, 65 connector, 71 horizontal sliding bracket, 72 bracing sliding bracket.

Claims

1. Basket bed and, An upper frame positioned above the aforementioned cage floor, A pair of connecting structures that connect the upper frame to the cage floor, Equipped with, Each of the aforementioned connecting structures has at least one column mechanism, The aforementioned column mechanism has a foldable frame column, The lower end of the frame column is attached to the cage floor by a floor mounting bracket and is rotatable relative to the cage floor with respect to the floor mounting bracket. The upper end of the frame column is attached to the upper frame by a frame mounting bracket and is rotatable relative to the upper frame with respect to the frame mounting bracket. The state of the frame column can change between a folded state in which the frame column is folded and an unfolded state in which the frame column extends linearly along the vertical direction. As the upper frame moves upward relative to the cage floor while lifting the upper end of the frame column, the state of the frame column changes from the folded state to the unfolded state. As the upper frame moves downward relative to the cage floor while approaching the cage floor together with the upper end of the frame column, the state of the frame column changes from the unfolded state to the folded state. The column mechanism has a bracing member, Either the cage floor or the upper frame is a component to be attached. The bracing member is attached to the mounting target member by a horizontal sliding device, and is rotatable relative to the mounting target member with respect to the horizontal sliding device as its axis. The horizontal sliding device is slidable along the horizontal direction relative to the mounting target member, The bracing member is attached to the middle of the frame column by a bracing slide and is rotatable relative to the frame column with respect to the bracing slide. The bracing slide is slidable relative to the bracing member along the longitudinal direction of the bracing member. As the state of the frame column changes between the folded state and the unfolded state, the bracing slide mechanism slides relative to the bracing member, and the horizontal slide mechanism slides relative to the mounting target member, the inclination of the bracing member relative to the mounting target member changes, causing the bracing member to be displaced relative to the mounting target member and the frame column between the folded holding position and the unfolded holding position. The bracing member is an elevator car frame that maintains the state of the frame column in the folded state by being positioned in the folded holding position, and maintains the state of the frame column in the unfolded state by being positioned in the unfolded holding position.

2. The aforementioned frame column has a lower column member and an upper column member. One end of the lower column member is the lower end of the frame column. One end of the upper column member is the upper end of the frame column, The other ends of the lower column member and the upper column member are connected to each other by a connector. The state of the frame columns changes between the folded state and the unfolded state as the lower column member rotates relative to the car floor around the floor mounting bracket, and the upper column member rotates relative to the upper frame around the frame mounting bracket, while the lower column member and the upper column member rotate relative to each other around the connecting member.

3. Each of the aforementioned connecting structures has two of the aforementioned column mechanisms. The two column mechanisms are arranged on either side of a reference line that runs vertically through the cage floor and the upper frame. The elevator car frame according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein when the state of each of the frame columns in the two column mechanisms is the deployed state, each frame column extends along the reference line and faces each other across the reference line.

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