Lifting device with improved ascending / descending body impact prevention function

Abstract

The present invention provides a lifting device with an improved ascending / descending body impact prevention function, the lifting device comprising a microcomputer which performs the functions of: storing a number of rotations count value of a rotation sensor when an ascending / descending body descends and touches the floor so that a lifting rope is in a non-loaded state or when a user sets a stop position; and reducing the rate of descent of the ascending / descending body before the ascending / descending body reaches the previously stored rotation amount count value during the next descent, thereby softening the impact when the ascending / descending body touches the floor.

Description

Elevator-type device with improved shock-absorbing function

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0007590, filed January 17, 2024, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0081480, filed June 21, 2024, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an elevator device with improved shock-prevention function of an elevator, and more particularly, to an elevator device having a main body fixed to a ceiling or wall and having a structure capable of alleviating shock applied to an elevator rope when the elevator ends its ascent.

[0003] An outlet is a device that supplies electricity by connecting a plug to various home appliances or electrical devices. It can usually be installed embedded in the ceiling or wall of various facilities.

[0004] In multi-use facilities such as schools, restaurants, cafes, and bars, electrical appliances are used simultaneously in multiple locations within a limited space, so many electrical outlets are installed on the ceilings, walls, and floors of the interior. When necessary, it is also common to connect power strips to the outlets and branch power cables to multiple locations.

[0005] Recently, as the use of portable electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, and touchpads has become more widespread, it is common to see people charging portable electronic devices by connecting them to outlets in public facilities.

[0006] However, the use of electrical outlets in these multi-use facilities is not only unsightly due to the complex wiring running along the walls and floors of the interior, but also inconvenient to plug in or unplug electrical appliances, and there is a risk of safety accidents such as tripping on cables scattered on the floor.

[0007] Alternatively, a technology has been proposed to install a drum on a ceiling or wall and connect an outlet to the end of the reel so that it can be raised and lowered. For example, Patent Publication No. 10-1530169 discloses a drum outlet lifting device characterized in that the wires can be wound in a longitudinal stack to prevent twisting or kinking of the wires, the first winding part and the second winding part rotate through a power unit (motor), and the main power supply line and the outlet power supply line can continuously supply power even during rotation for winding or drawing out, the diameter of the first winding part is formed smaller than the diameter of the second winding part, and the length of the outlet power supply line drawn out is formed longer than the length of the main power supply line unwinding.

[0008] However, since the conventional drum outlet lifting device operates the motor to wind the cable after the outlet is finished being used, the cable may be damaged, such as by a short circuit, when the outlet hits the main body and the cable is impacted at the same time, so a countermeasure is needed to address this.

[0009] The present invention was created to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide an elevator device with improved shock prevention function for the elevator that can prevent noise or damage caused by collision with the floor when the elevator is lowered.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an elevating device having a structure capable of alleviating shock when the main body and the elevator are connected upward.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an elevating device with improved shock prevention function that can solve the problem of a power cable connected to an elevating electrical outlet being disconnected during the winding process.

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an elevating device having an improved elevating device shock prevention function, including: a main body installed on an indoor ceiling or wall or a support of a predetermined shape and having a storage space provided therein; a drum rotatably stored inside the main body and having an elevator rope wound around its circumference; a driving motor disposed inside the main body and providing a rotational force to the drum; an elevator suspended from a lower end of the elevator rope; a rotation sensor detecting the rotation amount of the drum; and a microcomputer that performs a function of storing a rotation amount count value of the rotation sensor when the elevator rope reaches a no-load state when the elevator body descends or when a user sets a stop position, and a function of decelerating a descent speed before reaching the pre-stored rotation amount count value when the elevator body descends the next time, thereby mitigating the shock when the elevator body reaches the floor.

[0013] The above microcomputer can perform pulse control to reduce the descending speed of the elevator.

[0014] Preferably, the method may further include a sensor for stopping the elevation installed in the main body and operable when the elevation of the elevator ends; and a buffer means installed in the main body or the elevator to alleviate the impact caused by the elevation force of the elevator immediately before the elevation of the elevator ends.

[0015] The above-mentioned buffer means may include an elevator cover assembled to enable pressing and elastic recovery on the upper or lower portion of the elevator; and an elastic body that elastically biases the elevator cover in a direction that separates it from the elevator.

[0016] The elevator cover is pressed to alleviate the impact immediately before the elevator ends its ascent or descent, and the sensor for stopping the ascent can be operated by contact with the elevator cover.

[0017] Alternatively, the buffer means may include a rod-shaped body that protrudes from the lower end of the main body or the lifting body and is assembled to be pressed and elastically restored; and an elastic body that elastically biases the rod-shaped body in a direction that separates it from the main body.

[0018] Just before the lifting or lowering of the above-mentioned elevator ends, the rod-shaped body is pushed by the above-mentioned elevator body and moves to alleviate the impact, and the sensor for stopping the lifting can be operated by contact with the rod-shaped body or elastic body.

[0019] The above-mentioned elevator cable may be a power cable, and the elevator body may be an electrical outlet having at least one plug insertion port provided on one side.

[0020] The power cable may be connected to the center of the upper surface of the above-mentioned elevator, and a plurality of plug insertion ports may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the upper surface.

[0021] The above-mentioned elevator cable may be a power cable or a wire rope, and the elevator body may be any one selected from among a light, a CCTV camera, a ventilation fan, and a fire detector, or a member connected thereto.

[0022] The elevating device with improved elevating body impact prevention function according to the present invention has the following effects.

[0023] First, if the elevator is an electrical outlet, it can prevent the problem of the electrical outlet colliding with the main body during the winding process of the power cable, causing the power cable to be disconnected.

[0024] Second, if the elevator is equipped with a light, CCTV camera, ventilation fan, or fire detector, it can prevent the elevator cable from being cut or the equipment from being damaged during the winding process.

[0025] Third, even if the height of the floor that the elevator touches changes due to changes in the usage environment of the elevator, the shock mitigation function can be continuously performed by detecting the unloaded state of the elevator rope or reflecting the user's stop position setting in the control of the elevator's descent speed.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an elevating device with improved elevating body impact prevention function according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 is a side view of Figure 1.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an elevating device with improved elevating body shock prevention function as shown in FIG. 1.

[0029] Fig. 4 is a side view showing the end of the lifting state of the elevator in Fig. 2.

[0030] Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing in detail the configuration of the buffer means in Figure 3.

[0031] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the elevator being lowered in Figure 5.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a side view of an elevating device with improved elevating body impact prevention function according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing in detail the configuration of the buffer means in Figure 7.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an elevating device with improved elevating body impact prevention function according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the present invention.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an elevating device with improved shock prevention function of an elevator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a main body (100) installed in a high place such as a ceiling, a drum (130) which is a cable reel rotatably stored inside the main body (100), a drive motor (131) fixed to the main body (100) to provide rotational force to the drum (130), a gear unit (not shown) that reduces the rotational force of the drive motor (131) and transmits it to the drum (130), an elevator (120) that can be raised and lowered by being hung on an elevator rope (102), and a microcomputer (132) that controls the drive motor (131) to raise and lower the elevator (120). In addition, the device may include a buffering means for alleviating shock caused by the upward force of the elevator (120) immediately before the elevator (120) is lifted. Here, the drum (130), the driving motor (131) and the gear part are disclosed in detail in Patent Publication No. 10-2506700, which the applicant of the present invention previously applied for and was granted a patent for, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0036] The main body (100) can be installed on a ceiling or wall within a building, or on a support of a predetermined shape, such as a pole or building pillar. The shape of the main body (100) is not limited to the example illustrated in the drawing and can be modified in various ways. A storage space for storing a drum (130) is provided within the main body (100).

[0037] The drum (130) is rotatably housed inside the main body (100) and has a lifting rope (102) wound around its circumference. The total length of the lifting rope (102) wound around the drum (130) can be selected in various ways depending on the installation environment. The lifting rope (102) can be completely unwound from the drum (130) when the lifting body (120) has been lowered to the required position.

[0038] The lifting rope (102) can be wound in one layer on the outer surface of the drum (130). It is preferable that the starting point at which the lifting rope (102) is wound on the outer surface of the drum (130) be selectable considering the entire length of the lifting rope (102). That is, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the winding of the lifting rope (102) can be set to end at the longitudinal midpoint of the drum (130) when the lifting body (120) completes rising.

[0039] The elevator (120) can be installed to be hung from an elevator rope (102). If the elevator (120) is an electrical outlet, at least one plug insertion port (121) can be provided on the upper surface of the elevator (120). The elevator (120) can basically include a plastic injection molded product in the shape of a disk. According to this configuration, when the elevator is completed, it comes into close contact with the center of the lower surface of the main body (100), so that the device can be configured compactly overall. The elevator (120) is configured in the shape of a disk and comes into close contact with the center of the lower surface of the main body (100) when the elevator is completed. The elevator (120) can be embedded so that its lower surface is parallel to the surface of the ceiling, or alternatively, it can be installed externally so as to protrude.

[0040] The elevator (120) has an elevator rope (102) connected to the center of the upper surface, and a plurality of plug insertion ports (121) can be arranged symmetrically on both sides based on the center.

[0041] The drive motor (131) may be directly or indirectly fixed to the main body (100) and placed within the hollow space of the drum (130). A gear unit consisting of a reduction gear assembly that reduces the rotational force and transmits it to the drum (130) may be connected to the rotation shaft of the drive motor (131).

[0042] The microcomputer (130) can perform overall operation control of the elevator device, as well as the up and down movement of the elevator body (120) and its speed control. To this end, the microcomputer (132) can detect the movement distance of the elevator body (120) by receiving a detection signal in real time from a rotation sensor (134) when the elevator device is in operation and detecting the rotation amount (rotational speed) of the driving motor (131).

[0043] The rotation sensor (134) is a sensor that detects the amount of rotation (e.g., number of rotations) of the drum (130), and may be configured as, for example, an encoder. In this case, the encoder may be installed on one side or the periphery of a guide roll (not shown) that guides the position of the driving motor (131), the drum (130), or the lifting rope (102).

[0044] The microcomputer (130) can store the rotation amount count value of the rotation sensor (134) in the storage unit (136), which is a memory device, when the elevator (120) touches the floor during the descent of the elevator (120) and the elevator rope (102) becomes unloaded (unloaded), or when the user sets the stop position according to the user's selection. In addition, the microcomputer (130) can perform the function of reducing the shock and noise when the elevator (120) touches the floor by driving the switching element (137) in advance before the rotation amount count value pre-stored in the storage unit (136) is reached during the next descent of the elevator (120), thereby reducing the descent speed of the elevator (120).

[0045] The state in which the elevator body (120) touches the floor and the elevator rope (102) becomes unloaded (unloaded) can be detected by the unload detection sensor (133) that is stored in the main body (100) and detects the tension applied to the elevator rope (102). The unload detection sensor (133) can be configured as a load sensor, such as a load cell, for example.

[0046] When a user sets a stop position at a desired point by pressing and holding a specific button on a wired or wireless remote control (138) for a predetermined period of time or by pressing a pre-arranged function button, the microcomputer (130) can perform a function of storing the rotation amount count value of the rotation sensor (134) corresponding to the set stop position in the storage unit (136). That is, the user can set the stop position by selecting or inputting the stop position of the elevator (120) that he or she wants using the remote control (138).

[0047] The microcomputer (130) performs control to reduce the descending speed of the elevator (120) by driving the switching element (137) at a preset point in time (for example, when the pre-stored rotational quantity count value is 100, at the point in time when it becomes 98) before the rotational quantity count value pre-stored in the storage unit (136) is reached during the next descent of the elevator (120), thereby reducing the rotational speed of the driving motor (131) until it stops. Here, it goes without saying that the count value set at the point in time when the descending speed deceleration begins before the rotational quantity count value is reached can be varied in various ways.

[0048] The switching element (137) may be a relay element that supplies power to the driving motor (131). Alternatively, the switching element (137) may be a semiconductor switching element such as a field effect transistor (FET). The microcomputer (130) may perform pulse control, such as pulse width modulation (PWM), to reduce the rotational speed of the driving motor (131).

[0049] The above-described buffer means can be installed on the main body (100) or the elevator (120) to further enhance the function of alleviating the impact caused by the upward or downward force of the elevator (120) immediately before the end of the descent of the elevator (120). The above-described buffer means can be equipped with an elevator cover (122) that is assembled to the upper or lower part of the elevator (120) so as to be pressed and elastically returned. For convenience of explanation, FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an embodiment in which the elevator cover (122) is installed only on the upper part of the elevator (120).

[0050] The above-mentioned buffer means may include an elevator cover (122) assembled on the upper part of the elevator body (120) so as to be pressed and elastically returned, and an elastic body (123) that elastically biases the elevator body cover (122) in a direction (e.g., upward) that separates it from the elevator body (120). Immediately before the elevator body (120) is lifted, the elevator cover (122) is first pressed against the main body (100) to alleviate the impact, and then a part of the elevator cover (122) comes into contact with the elevation stop sensor (109). That is, the elevation stop sensor (109) can be switched from an off state to an on state by operating upon contact with the elevator body cover (122).

[0051] The sensor (109) for stopping the rise is fixed to the main body (100) and part of it can be placed on the lifting path of the elevator (120). The sensor (109) for stopping the rise is installed so that it can be operated by coming into contact with the buffer means when the elevator (120) completes rising. A typical limit switch can be employed as the sensor for stopping the rise (109). As shown in Fig. 8, the limit switch can include a body, a lever assembled to the body, a spring providing elasticity to the lever, and a contact point switchable by the lever. The sensor for stopping the rise (109) is not limited to these examples and various known products can be employed. When the sensor for stopping the rise (109) is operated, the microcomputer (130) stops the driving motor (131) to stop the winding of the elevator rope (102).

[0052] Alternatively, the buffer means may include a rod-shaped body (124) that protrudes from the lower end of the main body (100) and is assembled to be pressed and elastically restored, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and an elastic body (125) that elastically biases the rod-shaped body (124) in a direction that separates it from the main body (100).

[0053] Just before the end of the rise of the elevator (120), the rod-shaped body (124) is first pushed and pressed against the main body (100) by the elevator (120) to alleviate the impact, and then the upper end of the rod-shaped body (124) or the upper end of the elastic body (125) can come into contact with the elevation stop sensor (109). That is, the elevation stop sensor (109) can be switched from an off state to an on state by operating upon contact with the rod-shaped body (124) or the elastic body (125). As shown in Fig. 8, the rod-shaped body (124), the elastic body (125), and the elevation stop sensor (109) can be assembled into a substantially single housing and formed into a single component. This configuration can be very usefully applied when the elevator cable (102) is a power cable or a wire rope, and the elevator body (120) is one selected from among a light, a CCTV camera, a ventilation fan, a fire detector (such as a smoke detector or a flame detector), or a member connected thereto.

[0054] Although not shown in the drawing, the elevator cover (122) or the rod-shaped body (124) provided as the buffer means can be installed in substantially the same configuration on the lower part of the elevator (120).

[0055] An elevating device with an improved shock-prevention function having the above configuration can be applied to multi-use facilities such as homes, offices, schools, restaurants, cafes, bars, warehouses, etc. In the case where the elevating device (120) is an electrical outlet, the elevating device is installed corresponding to each table to charge portable electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, touchpads, etc., or to prevent disconnection of the elevating line (power cable) when providing a power supply connected to the plug of devices such as various experimental devices, heating devices, video conferencing devices, etc. In addition, in the case where the elevating device (120) is one selected from among a light, a CCTV camera, a ventilation fan, and a fire detector (such as a smoke detector or a flame detector), it is possible to prevent disconnection of the elevating line (power cable or wire rope) as well as damage to the elevating device.

[0056] The user can lower the elevator (120) by operating the remote control (138). The elevator (120) can be positioned in the air at a predetermined height from the ground or can be landed on a table surface before using the elevator. Alternatively, the user can lower the elevator (120) by pulling it downward with his / her hand. In this case, the elevator does not lower when the load or tensile force set by the braking resistance or gear reduction ratio is lowered, thereby preventing safety accidents.

[0057] The elevator (120) can automatically control the descent speed by a microcomputer (132), thereby preventing noise or damage due to impact with the floor. Here, the floor may be, for example, an outdoor ground, a tiled floor in an indoor or kitchen area, the top surface of a science lab table or desk, or the user's palm. In addition, the floor may have various variations.

[0058] The microcomputer (132) stores the rotation count value when the elevator (120) descends and touches the floor during the first operation of the elevator device and the elevator rope becomes unloaded (unloaded) or when the user sets the stop position. Thereafter, the microcomputer (132) performs a function of decelerating the descent speed before reaching the pre-stored rotation count value during the next descent of the elevator (120), thereby alleviating the shock when the elevator (120) touches the floor. This deceleration control can be performed every time the elevator is lowered. The point in time when the deceleration control starts can vary depending on the rotation count value stored in the storage unit (136). For example, if the stored rotation amount count value is 100, the microcomputer (132) controls the driving motor (131) to decelerate by controlling the switching element (137) to on / off pulses from the point when the rotation amount count value is 98 each time the elevator (120) descends, thereby preventing the elevator (120) from colliding with the floor abruptly.

[0059] Afterwards, when the environment of use changes, such as a change in the installation location of the lifting device, and the lifting body (120) descends and touches the floor during the first operation and the lifting rope becomes unloaded (unloaded), if the rotation count value is, for example, 80, the microcomputer (132) stores this in the storage unit (136) and controls the switching element (137) to turn on / off pulses from the point when the rotation count value is 78 at each subsequent descent, thereby controlling the driving motor (131) to decelerate until it stops.

[0060] When the use of the lifting device is finished, the user can operate the wired or wireless remote control (138) to raise the lifting body (120) and return it to its original position on the ceiling. The lifting body (120) rises by the winding operation of the driving motor (131), and when it reaches the lower surface of the main body (100), i.e., when the rise is completed, the shock is alleviated by the elastic pressing action of the buffer means, and a part of the buffer means comes into contact with the rising stop sensor (109), so that the driving motor (131) can be stopped.

[0061] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention and the equivalent scope of the patent claims to be described below by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0062] When the present invention is applied, it can be installed on the ceiling of various multi-use facilities to charge portable electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, touchpads, etc., or to implement an elevating electric outlet that can be conveniently connected to the plugs of devices such as laboratory equipment, heating equipment, video conferencing equipment, etc.

Claims

1. A main body that is installed on an indoor ceiling or wall or a support of a certain shape and has a storage space inside; A drum that is rotatably stored inside the main body and has a lifting rope wound around its circumference; A driving motor arranged within the main body to provide rotational force to the drum; A hoist hanging from the bottom of the above hoisting rope; a rotation sensor for detecting the rotation amount of the drum; and An elevator device having an improved shock prevention function, comprising a microcomputer for storing a rotation amount count value of a rotation sensor when the elevator touches the floor and the elevator rope becomes unloaded during the descent of the elevator or when a user sets a stop position, and for reducing the shock when the elevator touches the floor by slowing down the descent speed before reaching the stored rotation amount count value when the elevator is lowered the next time.

2. In paragraph 1, An elevator device having an improved shock prevention function characterized in that the microcomputer performs pulse control to reduce the descending speed of the elevator.

3. In paragraph 1, A sensor for stopping the rise installed in the above main body and operable when the lifting body ends its rise; and An elevator device with improved elevator shock prevention function, further comprising a buffer means installed on the main body or the elevator to alleviate shock caused by the upward force of the elevator immediately before the elevator ends its ascent.

4. In the third paragraph, the buffer means, A lift cover assembled to enable pressing and elastic recovery on the upper or lower part of the lift; and An elevating device having an improved elevating body shock prevention function, characterized by having an elastic body that elastically biases the elevating body cover in a direction separating the elevating body from the elevating body.

5. In paragraph 4, Just before the end of the ascent or descent of the above-mentioned elevator, the above-mentioned elevator cover is pressed to alleviate the impact, An elevating device with improved elevating body shock prevention function, characterized in that the above-mentioned rising stop sensor operates by contact with the elevating body cover.

6. In the third paragraph, the buffer means, A rod-shaped body that is assembled to protrude from the lower part of the main body or the lifting body and is capable of being pressed and elastically restored; and An elevating device having an improved shock-prevention function, characterized by having an elastic body that elastically biases the rod-shaped body in a direction away from the main body.

7. In paragraph 6, Just before the end of the ascent or descent of the above-mentioned elevator, the above-mentioned rod-shaped body is pushed by the above-mentioned elevator to move and relieve the impact, An elevating device with improved shock prevention function, characterized in that the above-mentioned rising stop sensor operates by contact with the above-mentioned rod-shaped body or elastic body.

8. In paragraph 1, The above lift cable is a power cable, An elevating device having an improved shock-prevention function, characterized in that the elevating body is an electrical outlet having at least one plug insertion port provided on one side.

9. In paragraph 8, An elevating device having an improved shock prevention function, characterized in that the power cable is connected to the center of the upper surface of the elevating body and a plurality of plug insertion ports are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the upper surface.

10. In paragraph 1, The above-mentioned lifting rope is a power cable or wire rope, An elevating device having an improved elevating body shock prevention function, characterized in that the elevating body is one selected from among a light, a CCTV camera, a ventilation fan, and a fire detector, or a member connected thereto.

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