Elevator main cable replacement method and replacement assisting tool

Abstract

Provided are an elevator main cable replacement method and a replacement assisting tool, which can lessen the burden on a worker. In an upper area of an elevator (1) equipped with a plurality of main cables (7), a newly provided main cable (7) is set in place to replace a portion, on the upper area side, of an existing main cable (7) that has been cut. A bent back section (33) of the newly provided main cable (7) which hangs downward is run along a movable pulley (22). A portion of the existing main cable (7) that has been cut, the portion running between the upper area and a lower area, is connected to the movable pulley (22). To prevent rotation of the bent back section (33) around an up-down direction, a pair of guide rings (23) are each placed on sections on both sides of another main cable (7) that is to be replaced, the both sides being identified when observed from a counterweight sheave (16) of the another main cable. While collecting the existing main cable (7) in the lower area, the bent back section (33) of the newly provided main cable (7) is lowered to the lower area by taking, as a guide, the other main cable (7) having the guide rings (23) placed thereon.

Description

Elevator main rope replacement method and replacement aid

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method and an aid for replacing an elevator main rope.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an elevator main rope replacement aid. The replacement aid includes a horizontal bar member, a guide member, a pulley, and a rope connection means. The horizontal bar member is installed between the guide rails of the counterweight. The guide members are installed at both ends of the horizontal bar member and slide on the guide rails. The pulleys are attached to the horizontal bar member with a new main rope wound around them. The rope connection means is installed on the horizontal bar member and connects the existing main rope.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-151364

[0004] However, the replacement aid of Patent Document 1 is heavy because it includes large parts such as a horizontal bar member that spans between the guide rails, which places a heavy burden on workers when attaching and detaching the replacement aid.

[0005] The present disclosure is directed to solving such problems, and provides a method and an auxiliary tool for replacing an elevator main rope that can further reduce the burden on workers.

[0006] The elevator main rope replacement method according to the present disclosure is applicable to an elevator in which both ends of each of a plurality of main ropes including a first rope and a second rope are fixed in an upper region, a lower sheave around which each of the plurality of main ropes is wound is located in a lower region below the upper region, and a first portion of each of the plurality of main ropes on one side as viewed from the lower sheave and a second portion of each of the plurality of main ropes on the other side as viewed from the lower sheave are arranged between the upper region and the lower region in a hoistway, and the main rope replacement method includes an upper cutting step of cutting each of the first portion and the second portion of the existing first rope in the upper region, an upper arrangement step of replacing the existing first rope with a new first rope in the upper region and providing a turned-up portion that hangs downward in the upper region, a tensioning step of applying tension to the first portion and the second portion of the second rope, and after the upper arrangement step, hanging the turned-up portion of the new first rope on a sheave of a movable pulley in the upper region, and the first rope and the second rope so as to prevent rotation of the first rope around the top and bottom directions; a connecting step, which follows the upper cutting step and the auxiliary tool attaching step, of connecting the portion of the existing first rope that was cut in the upper cutting step and that is disposed between the upper region and the lower region to the movable pulley in the upper region; an installation and recovery step, which follows the tensioning step and the connecting step, of lowering the turned-up portion of the new first rope to the lower region while using the first portion of the second rope that is hung around the first guide ring and the second portion that is hung around the second guide ring as guides while recovering the existing first rope in the lower region; and a lower arranging step, which follows the installation and recovery step, of removing the turned-up portion of the new first rope from the groove wheel of the movable pulley and hanging it on the lower sheave in the lower region.The elevator main rope replacement method according to the present disclosure is applied to an elevator in which both ends of each of a plurality of main ropes including a first rope and a second rope are fixed in an upper region, a lower sheave around which each of the plurality of main ropes is wound is located in a lower region below the upper region, and a first portion of each of the plurality of main ropes on one side as viewed from the lower sheave and a second portion of each of the plurality of main ropes on the other side as viewed from the lower sheave are arranged between the upper region and the lower region in a hoistway, and the main rope replacement method includes an upper cutting step of cutting each of the first portion and the second portion of the existing first rope in the upper region, an upper arrangement step of replacing the existing first rope with a new first rope in the upper region and providing a turned-up portion that hangs downward in the upper region, a tensioning step of applying tension to the first portion and the second portion of the second rope, and after the upper arrangement step, hanging the turned-up portion of the new first rope on a sheave of a movable pulley in the upper region, The method includes an auxiliary tool attaching step of attaching the first portion of the second rope to a first guide ring attached to the movable pulley and the second portion of the second rope to a second guide ring attached to the movable pulley so as to suppress rotation of the turned-up portion in the up-and-down direction; a connecting step, which follows the upper cutting step and the auxiliary tool attaching step, of connecting the portion of the existing first rope that was cut in the upper cutting step and that is arranged between the upper region and the lower region to the movable pulley in the upper region; an installation and recovery step, which follows the tensioning step and the connecting step, of using the first portion of the second rope that is hung around the first guide ring and the second portion that is hung around the second guide ring as guides to lower the turned-up portion of the new first rope to the lower region while recovering the existing first rope in the lower region; and a lower arrangement step, which follows the installation and recovery step, of removing the turned-up portion of the new first rope from the groove wheel of the movable pulley and hanging it on the lower sheave in the lower region.

[0007] The elevator main rope replacement aid according to the present disclosure is applicable to an elevator in which both ends of each of a plurality of main ropes, including a first rope and a second rope, are fixed in an upper region, a lower sheave around which each of the plurality of main ropes is wound is located in a lower region below the upper region, and a first portion of each of the plurality of main ropes on one side as viewed from the lower sheave and a second portion of each of the plurality of main ropes on the other side as viewed from the lower sheave are disposed between the upper region and the lower region in a hoistway. the first rope being cut in the upper region and a movable pulley having a connecting portion to which the portion of the first rope that has been cut in the upper region and that is disposed between the upper region and the lower region is connected; a first guide ring that is hung on the first portion of the first rope and the first portion of the second rope to which tension is applied so as to suppress rotation of the turned-back portion in the up-down direction; and a second guide ring that is hung on the second portion of the first rope and the second portion of the second rope to which tension is applied so as to suppress rotation of the turned-back portion in the up-down direction.The elevator main rope replacement aid according to the present disclosure is applicable to an elevator in which both ends of each of a plurality of main ropes, including a first rope and a second rope, are fixed in an upper region, and a lower sheave around which each of the plurality of main ropes is wound is located in a lower region below the upper region, and a first portion of each of the plurality of main ropes on one side as viewed from the lower sheave and a second portion of each of the plurality of main ropes on the other side as viewed from the lower sheave are disposed between the upper region and the lower region in a hoistway. The apparatus comprises a movable pulley having a grooved wheel on which the hanging turn-back portion of the newly installed first rope is hung, and a connection portion to which the portion of the existing first rope that has been cut in the upper region and that is arranged between the upper region and the lower region is connected; a first guide ring attached to the movable pulley and hung on the first portion of the second rope to which tension is applied so as to suppress rotation of the turn-back portion in the vertical direction; and a second guide ring attached to the movable pulley and hung on the second portion of the second rope to which tension is applied so as to suppress rotation of the turn-back portion in the vertical direction.

[0008] The replacement method or replacement aid according to the present disclosure further reduces the burden on workers performing the work of replacing the elevator main rope.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an elevator according to embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a front view of a terminal device for a main rope of an elevator according to embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a replacement aid according to embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of main rope replacement work using the replacement aid according to embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of main rope replacement work using the replacement aid according to embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of main rope replacement work using the replacement aid according to embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of main rope replacement work using the replacement aid according to embodiment 1. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of main rope replacement work using the replacement aid according to embodiment 1. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of main rope replacement work using the replacement aid according to embodiment 1. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a replacement aid according to embodiment 2.

[0010] The embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that the subject matter of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any component of the embodiments may be modified or omitted within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0011] First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of an elevator 1 according to a first embodiment.

[0012] The elevator 1 is applied, for example, to a building having multiple floors. A hoistway 2 for the elevator 1 is provided in the building. The hoistway 2 is a vertically long space spanning multiple floors. A landing 3 is provided at each floor. The landing 3 is located adjacent to the hoistway 2. In this example, a machine room 4 is provided above the hoistway 2. A pit 5 is provided at the bottom of the hoistway 2. The elevator 1 includes a hoisting machine 6, main ropes 7a and 7b, a car 8, and a counterweight 9. Here, when there is no need to distinguish between the main ropes 7a and 7b, the main ropes may be simply referred to as the main ropes 7. The elevator 1 includes multiple main ropes 7, including the main ropes 7a and 7b. The elevator 1 may also include other main ropes not shown. That is, the elevator 1 may also include three or more main ropes 7. The elevator 1 is, for example, a 2:1 roping elevator.

[0013] The hoisting machine 6 is disposed in, for example, the machine room 4. The hoisting machine 6 may also be disposed in the upper part of the hoistway 2, etc. The hoisting machine 6 includes a motor and a drive sheave. The motor of the hoisting machine 6 is a device that generates driving force. The drive sheave of the hoisting machine 6 is a sheave that rotates by the driving force generated by the motor of the hoisting machine 6.

[0014] Each main rope 7 is, for example, a wire rope made of twisted strands. Each main rope 7 is wound around the drive sheave of the hoisting machine 6. In this example, each main rope 7 is wound around a deflector sheave 10 arranged in the machine room 4. Each main rope 7 supports the load of the car 8 on one side of the drive sheave of the hoisting machine 6. Each main rope 7 supports the load of the counterweight 9 on the other side of the drive sheave of the hoisting machine 6. One end of each main rope 7 is fixed by a terminal device 11p in the upper region of the elevator 1. The other end of each main rope 7 is fixed by a terminal device 11q in the upper region of the elevator 1. Here, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the terminal device 11p and the terminal device 11q, they may be simply referred to as the terminal device 11. The upper region of the elevator 1 is, for example, the upper end of the hoistway 2, including the portion corresponding to the top floor. The upper area of ​​the elevator 1 may include a machine room 4 located above the hoistway 2.

[0015] The car 8 is a device that transports passengers of the elevator 1 between multiple floors by traveling up and down in the hoistway 2. The car 8 is disposed between a pair of car guide rails 12 provided in the hoistway 2. The car guide rails 12 are disposed parallel to each other in the up-and-down direction. The car 8 includes a car sheave 13 and multiple car guide shoes 14. The load of the car 8 is supported by multiple main ropes 7 wound around the car sheave 13. Each car guide shoe 14 is disposed facing one of the car guide rails 12. The car 8 travels up and down while being guided by the pair of car guide rails 12 through each car guide shoe 14 via the multiple main ropes 7 that are wound up by the driving force generated by the motor of the hoist 6.

[0016] The counterweight 9 is a device that balances the load acting on both sides of the drive sheave of the hoisting machine 6 between the car 8. The counterweight 9 is disposed between a pair of counterweight guide rails 15 provided in the hoistway 2. The counterweight guide rails 15 are disposed parallel to each other in the vertical direction. The counterweight 9 includes a counterweight sheave 16 and multiple counterweight guide shoes 17. The load of the counterweight 9 is supported by multiple main ropes 7 wound around the counterweight sheaves 16. Each counterweight guide shoe 17 is disposed facing one of the counterweight guide rails 15. The counterweight 9 travels in the hoistway 2 in the opposite direction to the traveling direction of the car 8 while being guided by the pair of counterweight guide rails 15 through each counterweight guide shoe 17 via the multiple main ropes 7 that are wound up by the driving force generated by the motor of the hoisting machine 6.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a front view of the terminal device 11 of the main rope 7 of the elevator 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0018] The terminal device 11 of each main rope 7 includes a rod 18, a spring 19, and a nut 20. The rod 18 is a rod-shaped part that is connected to the twisted strands of the main rope 7, etc. The nut 20 is passed through the threaded part of the rod 18. The spring 19 is passed through the rod 18. The vertical position of the rod 18, etc., is adjusted by tightening or loosening the nut 20. Furthermore, the twist of the twisted strands of the main rope 7, etc., is adjusted by rotating, for example, the rod 18 of the terminal device 11.

[0019] Here, for example, during repair or maintenance, the main ropes 7 of the elevator 1 are replaced from the existing main ropes 7 to new main ropes 7. In the work of replacing the main ropes 7, a replacement aid not shown in FIG. 2 is used.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the replacement aid 21 according to the first embodiment.

[0021] The replacement aid 21 includes a movable pulley 22 and a pair of guide rings 23 .

[0022] The movable pulley 22 includes a sheave 24, an outer frame 25, a shaft 26, and a hook 27. The sheave 24 is a component around which the main rope 7 to be replaced is wound. The outer frame 25 is a component that houses the sheave 24. The outer frame 25 is made up of, for example, a pair of side plates. In this example, the outer frame 25 houses the sheave 24 between the pair of side plates. The shaft 26 is provided on the outer frame 25. The shaft 26 rotatably supports the sheave 24. The hook 27 is attached to the outer frame 25. In this example, the movable pulley 22 is configured so that the bottom of the sheave 24 is open so that the main rope 7 can be easily hung on the sheave 24. The hook 27 is attached to the side plate of the outer frame 25 via, for example, a hinge 28. The hook 27 may be detachably attached to the outer frame 25.

[0023] Each guide ring 23 is a ring-shaped member through which one or more main ropes 7 can be passed. Each guide ring 23 is a ring-shaped member that can be opened and closed, such as a carabiner. One guide ring 23 is an example of a first guide ring. The other guide ring 23 is an example of a second guide ring.

[0024] Next, an example of the replacement work of the main ropes 7 using the replacement aid 21 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 8. The replacement work is performed, for example, by multiple workers. The steps of the replacement work may be performed in a different order if possible, or may be performed in parallel by one or more workers if possible. In Figures 4 to 8, the existing main ropes 7 are indicated by thick dotted lines. Furthermore, in Figures 4 to 8, the newly installed main ropes 7 are indicated by thick solid lines. Figures 4 to 8 are diagrams showing an example of the replacement work of the main ropes 7 using the replacement aid 21 according to the first embodiment.

[0025] First, as shown in Fig. 4, the worker performing the replacement work moves the counterweight 9 to the lower region of the elevator 1. The lower region of the elevator 1 is, for example, the lower end of the hoistway 2, including the portion corresponding to the lowest floor. The lower region of the elevator 1 may also include, for example, a portion corresponding to the ground floor, where materials can be carried in and out from outside the building. In this example, the worker moves the counterweight 9 to the lowest floor. At this time, the car 8 moves to the top floor.

[0026] In this case, if each main rope 7 is traced from one end to the other, it descends from the upper region to the lower region, turns around at the counterweight sheave 16 in the lower region, and ascends from the lower region to the upper region. That is, for each main rope 7, two parallel portions on the terminal device 11p side and the terminal device 11q side as viewed from the counterweight sheave 16 are arranged between the upper and lower regions in the hoistway 2. Here, the counterweight sheave 16 is an example of a lower sheave in the lower region of the elevator 1. For each main rope 7, the portion on one side of the counterweight sheave 16 that extends from the counterweight sheave 16 in the lower region to the upper region is an example of a first portion. Furthermore, for each main rope 7, the portion on the other side of the counterweight sheave 16 that extends from the counterweight sheave 16 in the lower region to the upper region is an example of a second portion. For example, the portion of each main rope 7 on the terminal device 11p side as viewed from the counterweight sheave 16 is an example of a first portion. In this case, the portion of each main rope 7 on the terminal device 11q side as viewed from the counterweight sheave 16 is an example of the second portion.

[0027] In this example, the worker sequentially replaces the multiple main ropes 7 from existing ones to new ones. In this example, the worker replaces the main rope 7a of the multiple main ropes 7 with a new one, and then replaces the main rope 7b with a new one. Of the multiple main ropes 7, the main rope 7 to be replaced, in which the existing one is removed and a new one is installed, is an example of a first rope. Of the multiple main ropes 7, at least one other than the first rope is an example of a second rope. Here, the worker first removes the existing main rope 7a and installs the new main rope 7a. At this time, the main rope 7a is an example of the first rope. Furthermore, the main rope 7b is an example of the second rope.

[0028] In the upper area, a worker uses, for example, a chain block 29 to support the load of the car 8 on a structure or the like in the hoistway 2. In the lower area, a worker uses, for example, a pipe support 30 to support the load of the counterweight 9. This releases the tension in each main rope 7 that is applied by the loads of the car 8 and counterweight 9.

[0029] Then, in the lower area, the worker cuts each of the existing main ropes 7 at the cutting point W near the counterweight sheave 16 so as to separate the two parallel sections on the terminal device 11p side and the terminal device 11q side when viewed from the counterweight sheave 16.

[0030] 5, the worker secures both the cut end on the terminal device 11p side and the cut end on the terminal device 11q side of each of the existing main ropes 7 cut at the cutting point W in the lower region to a structure or the like in the hoistway 2 using, for example, a rope clip. At this time, the worker applies tension to the portion on the terminal device 11p side and the portion on the terminal device 11q side of each of the existing main ropes 7 by pulling each of the cut ends on the terminal device 11p side and the terminal device 11q side in the longitudinal direction using, for example, a wire tensioner 31.

[0031] In the upper region above counterweight sheave 16, a worker cuts the portion of the existing main rope 7a on the terminal device 11p side at cutting location X. In the upper region above counterweight sheave 16, a worker also cuts the portion of the existing main rope 7a on the terminal device 11q side at cutting location Y. At this time, the worker temporarily fixes the cut ends below cutting location X and below cutting location Y of the existing main rope 7a cut in the upper region to a structure of the hoistway 2 in the upper region to prevent them from falling below the hoistway 2. The worker connects the cut ends above cutting location X and above cutting location Y of the existing main rope 7a cut in the upper region. The worker may cut cut locations X and Y after temporarily fixing the lower sides of cutting location X and cutting location Y and connecting the upper sides of cutting location X and cutting location Y.

[0032] The worker removes the portion of the existing cut main rope 7a remaining in the upper region, for example, as follows. The portion of the existing cut main rope 7a remaining in the upper region includes the end on the terminal device 11p side and the end on the terminal device 11q side. Here, the portion of the existing main rope 7a including the end on the terminal device 11q side is wound around the car sheave 13, the drive sheave of the hoist 6, and the deflector sheave 10, in order from the side closest to the terminal device 11q. Of the two portions of the existing main rope 7a pulled out from the car sheave 13, the worker cuts the portion on the terminal device 11q side at the cutting point Z. The worker carries the new main rope 7a wound around the drum 32s to a work location in the upper region, such as the landing 3 on the top floor. The worker connects the cut end of the existing main rope 7a on the car sheave 13 side at cut point Z to the end of the new main rope 7a unwound from the drum 32s. The worker removes the end of the existing main rope 7a on the terminal device 11p side, for example, by pulling it toward the terminal device 11p and recovering it. Here, the cut ends of the existing main rope 7a above cut point X and cut point Y are connected to each other. Therefore, the end of the existing main rope 7a on the terminal device 11p side, the cut end above cut point X, the cut end above cut point Y, and the cut end on the car sheave 13 side at cut point Z are recovered in order on the terminal device 11p side. The worker also removes the end of the existing main rope 7a on the terminal device 11q side.

[0033] The worker places the new main rope 7a in the upper area. Because the cut end of the existing main rope 7a on the terminal device 11q side of the cut point Z and the end of the new main rope 7a are connected, the new main rope 7a is placed in the upper area by retrieving the end of the existing main rope 7a on the terminal device 11p side.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6 , the worker connects the end of the new main rope 7a that was connected to the existing main rope 7a to the terminal device 11p. At this time, the new main rope 7a is wound around the deflector sheave 10, the drive sheave of the hoist 6, and the car sheave 13, starting from the end closest to the terminal device 11p. At this time, the worker provides a turn-back portion 33 on the new main rope 7a in the upper region. The turn-back portion 33 is a portion of the new main rope 7a that hangs downward. The turn-back portion 33 hangs downward, for example, in a U-shape. Here, the worker may apply tension to the new main rope 7a by, for example, hanging the new main rope 7a on an auxiliary sheave (not shown) provided in the upper region to prevent the new main rope 7a from untwisting.

[0035] Next, as shown in FIG. 7 , the worker hooks the sheave 24 of the movable pulley 22 of the replacement aid 21 onto the turn-back portion 33 of the new main rope 7a in the upper region. The worker hooks one guide ring 23 of the replacement aid 21 onto the terminal device 11p side of the portion of the new main rope 7a pulled out from the sheave 24 of the movable pulley 22, and onto the terminal device 11p side of the portion of the existing main rope 7b arranged between the upper and lower regions. The worker hooks the other guide ring 23 of the replacement aid 21 onto the drum 32s side of the portion of the new main rope 7a pulled out from the sheave 24 of the movable pulley 22, and onto the terminal device 11q side of the portion of the existing main rope 7b arranged between the upper and lower regions. In this example, the worker hooks each guide ring 23 above the shaft 26 of the movable pulley 22. At this time, the pair of the newly installed main rope 7a and the existing main rope 7b to which tension is applied, which are hung on the movable pulley 22, are connected by a pair of guide rings 23 on both sides of the groove wheel 24, so that rotation around the turn-back portion 33 in the vertical direction is suppressed.

[0036] The worker connects the cut ends of the existing main rope 7a that are cut in the upper region below cut point X and below cut point Y to the movable pulley 22 in the upper region. The worker connects the existing main rope 7a and the movable pulley 22, for example, by hanging the existing main rope 7a on the hook 27. At this time, the hook 27 of the movable pulley 22 is an example of a connection part.

[0037] A worker carries a drum 32t for winding up the existing main rope 7a to a work location in a lower area, such as the landing 3 on the lowest floor. The worker connects both cut ends of the existing main rope 7a, which was cut at the cutting point W in the lower area, to the drum 32t carried in the lower area. The worker retrieves the existing main rope 7a on the drum 32t in the lower area while letting out the new main rope 7a from the drum 32s in the upper area. At this time, the turn-back portion 33 of the new main rope 7a is lowered to the lower area, guided by two strands of the existing main rope 7b stretched between the upper and lower areas via a pair of guide rings 23. At this time, the load of the existing main rope 7a is applied to the turn-back portion 33 of the new main rope 7a through the movable pulley 22, thereby reducing the load on the worker who is letting out the new main rope 7a.

[0038] Furthermore, as the turn-back portion 33 of the new main rope 7a moves downward, the twist of the new main rope 7a generates a force that rotates the turn-back portion 33 in the vertical direction, i.e., causes twisting. At this time, the turn-back portion 33 of the new main rope 7a is connected to the two strands of the main rope 7b stretched between the upper region and the lower region via a pair of guide rings 23, so that rotation in the vertical direction is suppressed. On the other hand, as the length from the upper region to the turn-back portion 33 increases, the force that causes twisting due to the twist of the new main rope 7a increases. For this reason, the worker pays out the new main rope 7a while rotating the end portion on the terminal device 11p side according to the length of the new main rope 7a that has been paid out, so as to suppress twisting due to the twist of the new main rope 7a. In this example, the worker unwinds the new main rope 7a while rotating the end portion on the terminal device 11p side by an amount of rotation proportional to the unwinding length of the new main rope 7a.

[0039] Then, as shown in FIG. 8 , the worker removes the movable pulley 22 from the turn-back portion 33 of the new main rope 7a in the lower region. The worker hooks the turn-back portion 33 of the new main rope 7a onto the counterweight sheave 16 in the lower region. The worker applies tension to the new main rope 7a in the lower region by pulling it outward in the longitudinal direction using, for example, a tensioner 31. Applying tension to the new main rope 7a prevents the new main rope 7a from untwisting. In the lower region, the worker pulls the portion of the two strands of the new main rope 7a stretched between the upper region and the lower region that rises when the counterweight 9 rises. Here, the two strands of the new main rope 7a stretched between the upper region and the lower region are connected through the portion hung on the counterweight sheave 16, so pulling one portion applies tension to both portions.

[0040] In the lower area, the worker removes the guide rings 23 from the new main rope 7a and the existing main rope 7b. In the upper area, the worker connects the end of the new main rope 7a on the drum 32s side to the terminal device 11q. In this way, the existing main rope 7a is replaced with the new one.

[0041] After that, the worker removes the existing main rope 7b and installs the new main rope 7b. At this time, the main rope 7b is an example of the first rope, and the main rope 7a is an example of the second rope.

[0042] The worker cuts the existing main rope 7b in the upper region in the same manner as for the main rope 7a. Then, the worker places a new main rope 7b in the upper region in place of the existing main rope 7b. At this time, the worker provides a folded portion 33 on the new main rope 7b in the upper region.

[0043] Thereafter, in the upper region, the worker hooks the sheave 24 of the movable pulley 22 of the replacement aid 21 around the turned-back portion 33 of the newly installed main rope 7b. The worker hooks one guide ring 23 of the replacement aid 21 around the terminal device 11p side of the portion of the newly installed main rope 7b pulled out from the sheave 24 of the movable pulley 22, and around the terminal device 11p side of the portion of the newly installed main rope 7a arranged between the upper region and the lower region. The worker hooks the other guide ring 23 of the replacement aid 21 around the drum 32s side of the portion of the newly installed main rope 7b pulled out from the sheave 24 of the movable pulley 22, and around the terminal device 11q side of the portion of the newly installed main rope 7a arranged between the upper region and the lower region. At this time, the pair of the newly installed main rope 7b hung on the movable pulley 22 and the newly installed main rope 7a to which tension has been applied is connected by a pair of guide rings 23 on both sides of the groove wheel 24, so that rotation around the turn-back portion 33 in the vertical direction is suppressed.

[0044] The worker connects the lower cut end of the cut portion of the existing main rope 7b that was cut in the upper region to the movable pulley 22 in the upper region. The worker connects both cut ends of the existing main rope 7b that were cut at the cutting point W in the lower region to the drum 32t that was brought into the lower region. The worker retrieves the existing main rope 7b from the drum 32t in the lower region while letting out the new main rope 7b from the drum 32s in the upper region. At this time, the turn-back portion 33 of the new main rope 7b is lowered to the lower region via the pair of guide rings 23, guided by the two strands of the new main rope 7a that are stretched between the upper and lower regions. At this time, the load of the existing main rope 7b is applied to the turn-back portion 33 of the new main rope 7b via the movable pulley 22, thereby reducing the burden on the worker who is letting out the new main rope 7b.

[0045] Furthermore, as the turn-back portion 33 of the new main rope 7b moves downward, the twist of the new main rope 7b generates a force that rotates the turn-back portion 33 in the vertical direction, i.e., causes twisting. At this time, the turn-back portion 33 of the new main rope 7b is connected to the two strands of the main rope 7a stretched between the upper region and the lower region via a pair of guide rings 23, so that rotation in the vertical direction is suppressed. Furthermore, the worker reels out the new main rope 7b while rotating the end portion on the terminal device 11p side in accordance with the length of the newly reeled out main rope 7b, so as to suppress twisting due to the twist of the new main rope 7b. In this example, the worker reels out the new main rope 7b while rotating the end portion on the terminal device 11p side by an amount of rotation proportional to the length of the newly reeled out main rope 7b.

[0046] Thereafter, in the lower region, the worker removes the movable pulley 22 from the turned-back portion 33 of the new main rope 7b. The worker hangs the turned-back portion 33 of the new main rope 7b on the counterweight sheave 16 in the lower region. In the lower region, the worker applies tension to the new main rope 7b by pulling the new main rope 7b outward in the longitudinal direction using, for example, a tensioner 31. Applying tension to the new main rope 7b prevents the new main rope 7b from untwisting.

[0047] In the lower area, the worker removes the guide rings 23 from the new main ropes 7b and 7a. In the upper area, the worker connects the end of the new main rope 7b on the drum 32s side to the terminal device 11q. In this way, the existing main ropes 7b are replaced with new ones.

[0048] After replacing all of the main ropes 7 with new ones, the workers remove the chain block 29, pipe support 30, etc., and apply tension due to the loads of the car 8 and counterweight 9 to each main rope 7. At this time, the workers remove the wire tensioner 31, etc., which had been applying tension to the new main ropes 7.

[0049] In an elevator 1 having three or more main ropes 7, the guide ring 23 may be hung on three or more main ropes 7, including a new main rope 7 with the movable pulley 22 hung on the turn-back portion 33 and multiple other main ropes 7. That is, multiple second ropes may be used for one first rope. In this case, the multiple other main ropes 7 may be only the existing main rope 7, only the new main rope 7 that has already been replaced, or a mixture of the existing main ropes 7 and the new main ropes 7. Since the hanging down of the turn-back portion 33 is guided by the multiple main ropes 7 to which tension is applied, twisting of the turn-back portion 33 is more effectively suppressed.

[0050] As described above, the method for replacing the main ropes 7 of an elevator 1 according to the first embodiment is applied to an elevator 1 having multiple main ropes 7. Both ends of each main rope 7 are fixed in the upper region of the elevator 1. Each main rope 7 is wound around the counterweight sheave 16. This replacement method is performed when the counterweight sheave 16 is located in the lower region of the elevator 1 and when both sides of each main rope 7, as viewed from the counterweight sheave 16, are positioned between the upper and lower regions in the hoistway 2. The lower region is the region below the upper region. The replacement method includes an upper cutting process, an upper arrangement process, a wire tensioning process, an auxiliary tool installation process, a connection process, an installation and recovery process, and a lower arrangement process. In the upper cutting process, a worker cuts both sides of the counterweight sheave 16 of the existing main rope 7 to be replaced in the upper region. In the upper placement process, workers replace the existing main rope 7 to be replaced with a new main rope 7 to be replaced and provide a turned-up portion 33 that hangs downward in the upper region. In the tensioning process, workers apply tension to both sides of the other main rope 7 as seen from the counterweight sheave 16. The auxiliary tool attachment process is performed after the upper placement process. In the auxiliary tool attachment process, workers hook the sheave 24 of the movable pulley 22 to the turned-up portion 33 of the new main rope 7 to be replaced in the upper region. In the auxiliary tool attachment process, workers hook one guide ring 23 to each of the main rope 7 to be replaced and the other main rope 7 as seen from the counterweight sheave 16, so as to prevent the turned-up portion 33 from rotating around the up-and-down direction. The connection process is performed after the upper cutting process and the auxiliary tool attachment process. In the connecting process, the worker connects the portion of the existing main rope 7 to be replaced that was cut in the upper cutting process and that is positioned between the upper and lower regions to the movable pulley 22 in the upper region. The installation and recovery process is performed after the tensioning process and the connection process. In the installation and recovery process, the worker recovers the existing main rope 7 to be replaced in the lower region, while lowering the turned-up portion 33 of the new main rope 7 to be replaced to the lower region, using as guides the portions on both sides of the counterweight sheave 16 of the other main rope 7 to which the guide ring 23 is attached. The lower placement process is performed after the installation and recovery process.In the lower placement step, in the lower region, a worker removes the turned-back portion 33 of the main rope 7 to be newly replaced from the sheave 24 of the movable pulley 22 and hooks it around the counterweight sheave 16. Furthermore, the main rope 7 replacement aid 21 of the elevator 1 according to the first embodiment includes the movable pulley 22 and a pair of guide rings 23. The movable pulley 22 includes the sheave 24 and a hook 27. The turned-back portion 33 of the main rope 7 to be newly replaced is hooked onto the sheave 24. The portion of the existing main rope 7 to be replaced that was cut in the upper region and that extends between the upper region and the lower region is connected to the hook 27. The pair of guide rings 23 are hooked around the main rope 7 to be replaced and the other main ropes 7 on one side of the counterweight sheave 16 and the other main ropes 7, respectively, so as to prevent the turned-back portion 33 from rotating around the top and bottom.

[0051] With this configuration, the vertical rotation of the main rope 7 to be replaced is suppressed by the guides of the other main ropes 7. Because the other main ropes 7 are stretched adjacent to and parallel to the main rope 7 to be replaced, there is no need to configure the replacement aid 21 to reach long objects, such as the counterweight guide rail 15, located far from the main rope 7. Therefore, the replacement aid 21 does not require long components such as arms or horizontal bar members, making it lighter and more compact. This further reduces the workload of the worker who attaches the replacement aid 21 to the main rope 7 to be replaced. Furthermore, the lightweight replacement aid 21 reduces the need to set up scaffolding for installation, etc. This further improves the efficiency of the main rope 7 replacement work. Furthermore, because the new main rope 7 being paid out during the installation and recovery process is balanced with the existing main rope 7 being recovered, the workload of the worker who pays out the new main rope 7 is reduced. In addition, since the upper cut end of the existing main rope 7 is suspended by the new main rope 7 and the movable pulley 22, no device such as a winch is required to suspend the existing main rope 7 during replacement work.

[0052] In addition, the installation and recovery process includes a procedure of unwinding the main rope 7 while rotating at least one end thereof according to the length of the unwinding of the main rope 7 to be newly installed and replaced, so as to suppress twisting due to twisting of the main rope 7.

[0053] This configuration prevents twisting due to twisting of the newly installed main ropes 7, even in an elevator 1 with a high lift, a long hoistway 2, and a long length from the upper region to the turn-back portion 33. This allows replacement work to be performed more reliably without deteriorating the quality of the newly installed main ropes 7.

[0054] The method for replacing the main ropes 7 also includes a lower cutting step. In the lower cutting step, an operator cuts the existing other main rope 7 to be replaced in a lower region so as to separate both sides of the main rope 7 as viewed from the counterweight sheave 16. The tensioning step is performed after the lower cutting step. The tensioning step includes a procedure of applying tension to both sides of the main rope 7 as viewed from the counterweight sheave 16 by pulling each of the cut ends on both sides of the existing other main rope 7 cut in the lower region in the lower cutting step.

[0055] With this configuration, the other existing main ropes 7 already laid between the upper and lower regions are used as guides, so there is no need to place long guide objects in the hoistway 2. This further improves the efficiency of the main rope 7 replacement work.

[0056] Alternatively, the tensioning process includes a procedure of applying tension to the portions of the main rope 7 on both sides of the counterweight sheave 16 of the other main rope 7 to be newly replaced, by pulling the portion on the side that rises when the counterweight 9 rises.

[0057] With this configuration, the newly installed other main ropes 7 that have been previously placed between the upper and lower regions are used as guides, so there is no need to place long guide objects in the hoistway 2. In addition, the portion of the newly installed main ropes 7 that is pulled to apply tension does not pass through the counterweight sheave 16, so the load on the newly installed main ropes 7 is reduced.

[0058] The lower sheave in the lower region does not have to be the counterweight sheave 16. For example, in an elevator 1 in which the hoisting machine 6 is provided in the lower region of the hoistway 2, the method for replacing the main ropes 7 may be applied with the drive sheave of the hoisting machine 6 as the lower sheave.

[0059] Embodiment 2 In Embodiment 2, differences from the example disclosed in Embodiment 1 will be described in particular detail. For features not described in Embodiment 2, any of the features of the example disclosed in Embodiment 1 may be adopted.

[0060] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a replacement aid 21 according to the second embodiment.

[0061] The movable pulley 22 of the replacement aid 21 has ears 34, for example, on both the left and right sides of the outer frame 25. The left and right ears 34 are provided on the left and right outer sides of the sheave 24. In this example, the movable pulley 22 is configured to open the left and right sides of the sheave 24 so that the main rope 7 can be easily hung on the sheave 24. One of the left and right ears 34 is provided, for example, on one of the side plates that make up the outer frame 25. In this case, the other of the left and right ears 34 is provided on one of the side plates that make up the outer frame 25. Each ear 34 may be provided on the same side plate, or one ear 34 may be provided on each of a pair of side plates. The left and right ears 34 may be attached to the side plates of the outer frame 25 via hinges 28, for example.

[0062] A hole is provided in each of the left and right ears 34. The width between the holes in the left and right ears 34 is shorter than the width between the pair of counterweight guide rails 15. The width between the holes in the left and right ears 34 is approximately the diameter of the counterweight sheave 16. In this example, the width between the holes in the left and right ears 34 is shorter than the diameter of the counterweight sheave 16. One guide ring 23 is attached so as to be hung in the hole in the left ear 34. The other guide ring 23 is attached so as to be hung in the hole in the right ear 34.

[0063] When using this replacement aid 21, the worker hooks the sheave 24 of the movable pulley 22 of the replacement aid 21 around the turn-back portion 33 of the new main rope 7a provided in the upper region. The worker hooks one guide ring 23 attached to the movable pulley 22 around the portion of the new main rope 7a pulled out from the sheave 24 of the movable pulley 22 on the terminal device 11p side, and the portion of the existing main rope 7b arranged between the upper and lower regions on the terminal device 11p side. The worker hooks the other guide ring 23 attached to the movable pulley 22 around the portion of the new main rope 7a pulled out from the sheave 24 of the movable pulley 22 on the drum 32s side, and the portion of the existing main rope 7b arranged between the upper and lower regions on the terminal device 11q side. At this time, the movable pulley 22 is connected on both sides to the existing main rope 7b to which tension is applied by the guide rings 23 attached on both sides, so that rotation around the turn-back portion 33 in the vertical direction is suppressed.

[0064] As described above, in the auxiliary tool attachment step of the method for replacing the main rope 7 of the elevator 1 according to the second embodiment, the worker hangs one guide ring 23 attached to the movable pulley 22 on each of the portions on both sides of the counterweight sheave 16 of the other main rope 7 to be replaced, as viewed from the counterweight sheave 16, so as to suppress rotation of the turn-back portion 33 around the up-down direction. Also, in the replacement auxiliary tool 21 for the main rope 7 of the elevator 1 according to the second embodiment, each guide ring 23 is attached to the movable pulley 22. The pair of guide rings 23 are hung on each of the portions on both sides of the counterweight sheave 16 of the other main rope 7 to be replaced, as viewed from the counterweight sheave 16, so as to suppress rotation of the turn-back portion 33 around the up-down direction.

[0065] With this configuration, the pair of guide rings 23 are attached to the movable pulley 22, so the guide rings 23 are less likely to interfere with the new main rope 7 to be replaced. Also, the guide rings 23 are less likely to get caught in the sheave 24 together with the main rope 7 to be replaced that is hung on the sheave 24. Also, because the guide rings 23 are attached to the movable pulley 22, the guide rings 23 are less likely to get caught on the main rope 7 to be replaced or on other main ropes 7 above the movable pulley 22. This allows the replacement work of the main rope 7 to be carried out more smoothly.

[0066] The pair of guide rings 23 may be fixed to the movable pulley 22 or may be provided integrally with the movable pulley 22 .

[0067] The main rope replacement method according to the present disclosure can be applied to elevators having multiple main ropes, and the replacement aid according to the present disclosure can be applied to the replacement method.

[0068] 1 elevator, 2 hoistway, 3 landing, 4 machine room, 5 pit, 6 hoisting machine, 7, 7a, 7b main rope, 8 car, 9 counterweight, 10 deflector, 11, 11p, 11q terminal device, 12 car guide rail, 13 car sheave, 14 car guide shoe, 15 counterweight guide rail, 16 counterweight sheave, 17 counterweight guide shoe, 18 rod, 19 spring, 20 nut, 21 replacement aid, 22 movable pulley, 23 guide ring, 24 groove, 25 outer frame, 26 shaft, 27 hook, 28 hinge, 29 chain block, 30 pipe support, 31 wire tensioner, 32s, 32t drum, 33 folded portion, 34 edge portion, W, X, Y, Z cutting portion

Claims

1. The method for replacing a main rope is applied to an elevator in which both ends of each of a plurality of main ropes including a first rope and a second rope are fixed in an upper region, a lower sheave around which each of the plurality of main ropes is wound is in a lower region below the upper region, and a first portion of each of the plurality of main ropes on one side as viewed from the lower sheave and a second portion of each of the plurality of main ropes on the other side as viewed from the lower sheave are disposed across the upper region and the lower region in a hoistway, an upper cutting step of cutting each of the first portion and the second portion of the existing first rope in the upper region; an upper arrangement process of replacing the existing first rope with a newly installed first rope in the upper region and providing a folded portion hanging downward in the upper region; a tensioning step of applying tension to the first portion and the second portion of the second rope; After the upper arrangement step, an auxiliary attachment step of hanging a groove of a movable pulley on the turn-back portion of the newly installed first rope in the upper region, and hanging a first guide ring on the first portion of the first rope and the first portion of the second rope, and hanging a second guide ring on the second portion of the first rope and the second portion of the second rope, respectively, so as to suppress rotation of the turn-back portion around the up-down direction; a connecting step of connecting a portion of the existing first rope cut in the upper cutting step, the portion being disposed between the upper region and the lower region, to the movable pulley in the upper region, after the upper cutting step and the auxiliary tool attaching step; After the tensioning step and the connecting step, an installation and recovery step is performed in which the first portion of the second rope around which the first guide ring is hung and the second portion of the second rope around which the second guide ring is hung are used as guides to recover the existing first rope in the lower area while lowering the turned-up portion of the newly installed first rope to the lower area. A lower arrangement process in which, after the installation and recovery process, the newly installed turn-back portion of the first rope is removed from the groove of the movable pulley and hung on the lower sheave in the lower area; A method for replacing an elevator main rope comprising:

2. The method for replacing a main rope is applied to an elevator in which both ends of each of a plurality of main ropes including a first rope and a second rope are fixed in an upper region, a lower sheave around which each of the plurality of main ropes is wound is in a lower region below the upper region, and a first portion of each of the plurality of main ropes on one side as viewed from the lower sheave and a second portion of each of the plurality of main ropes on the other side as viewed from the lower sheave are disposed across the upper region and the lower region in a hoistway, an upper cutting step of cutting each of the first portion and the second portion of the existing first rope in the upper region; an upper arrangement process of replacing the existing first rope with a newly installed first rope in the upper region and providing a folded portion hanging downward in the upper region; a tensioning step of applying tension to the first portion and the second portion of the second rope; After the upper arrangement step, an auxiliary attachment step of hanging the groove of a movable pulley on the turn-back portion of the newly installed first rope in the upper region, and hanging the first portion of the second rope on a first guide ring attached to the movable pulley and the second portion of the second rope on a second guide ring attached to the movable pulley so as to suppress rotation of the turn-back portion around the up-down direction; a connecting step of connecting a portion of the existing first rope cut in the upper cutting step, the portion being disposed between the upper region and the lower region, to the movable pulley in the upper region, after the upper cutting step and the auxiliary tool attaching step; After the tensioning step and the connecting step, an installation and recovery step is performed in which the first portion of the second rope around which the first guide ring is hung and the second portion of the second rope around which the second guide ring is hung are used as guides to recover the existing first rope in the lower area while lowering the turned-up portion of the newly installed first rope to the lower area. A lower arrangement process in which, after the installation and recovery process, the newly installed turn-back portion of the first rope is removed from the groove of the movable pulley and hung on the lower sheave in the lower area; A method for replacing an elevator main rope comprising:

3. The installation and recovery step includes a procedure of unwinding the first rope while rotating at least one end portion according to the length of the unwinding of the first rope so as to suppress twisting due to twisting of the newly installed first rope, 3. A method for replacing an elevator main rope according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a lower cutting step of cutting the existing second rope in the lower region so as to divide the first portion and the second portion. Equipped with The tensioning step is performed after the lower cutting step, and includes a step of applying tension to the first and second portions of the existing second rope by pulling the cut ends of the existing second rope cut in the lower region in the lower cutting step, the cut ends being on the first and second portions of the existing second rope.

3. A method for replacing an elevator main rope according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The lower sheave is a sheave provided on a counterweight, The tensioning step includes a step of applying tension to the first and second parts of the newly installed second rope by pulling a part of the first and second parts of the newly installed second rope that rises when the counterweight rises.

3. A method for replacing an elevator main rope according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The replacement aid is applied to an elevator in which both ends of each of a plurality of main ropes including a first rope and a second rope are fixed in an upper region, a lower sheave around which each of the plurality of main ropes is wound is located in a lower region below the upper region, and a first portion of each of the plurality of main ropes on one side as viewed from the lower sheave and a second portion of each of the plurality of main ropes on the other side as viewed from the lower sheave are disposed across the upper region and the lower region in a hoistway, A movable pulley having a groove on which a turn-back portion of the newly installed first rope hanging downward from the upper region is hung, and a connection portion to which a portion of the existing first rope cut in the upper region that is disposed between the upper region and the lower region is connected; A first guide ring is hung on the first portion of the first rope and the first portion of the second rope to which tension is applied so as to suppress rotation of the turned-back portion in the up-down direction; A second guide ring is hung on the second portion of the first rope and the second portion of the second rope to which tension is applied so as to suppress rotation of the turned-back portion in the up-down direction; An elevator main rope replacement aid equipped with:

7. The replacement aid is applied to an elevator in which both ends of each of a plurality of main ropes including a first rope and a second rope are fixed in an upper region, a lower sheave around which each of the plurality of main ropes is wound is located in a lower region below the upper region, and a first portion of each of the plurality of main ropes on one side as viewed from the lower sheave and a second portion of each of the plurality of main ropes on the other side as viewed from the lower sheave are disposed across the upper region and the lower region in a hoistway, A movable pulley having a groove on which a turn-back portion of the newly installed first rope hanging downward from the upper region is hung, and a connection portion to which a portion of the existing first rope cut in the upper region that is disposed between the upper region and the lower region is connected; A first guide ring is attached to the movable pulley and is hung on the first portion of the second rope to which tension is applied so as to suppress rotation of the turned-back portion in the up-down direction; A second guide ring is attached to the movable pulley and is hung on the second portion of the second rope to which tension is applied so as to suppress rotation around the turn-back portion in the up-down direction; An elevator main rope replacement aid equipped with: