Apparatus and arrangement for dispensing rope of elevator and method

Abstract

An apparatus (100) and a method for dispens- ing rope to an overspeed governor (11) of an elevator in construction-time use. The ap- paratus comprises a storage reel (1) for overspeed governor rope (15), a storage reel holder (4) configured to receive and hold the storage reel (1), a deflector arrange- ment (5) comprising at least two deflectors (2, 3), and a rope clamp (22) releasably coupling the overspeed governor rope (15) with the apparatus (100). The storage reel holder (4) and the deflector arrangement (5) are configured such that the overspeed gov- ernor rope (15) dispensed from the storage reel (1) runs through the deflector arrange- ment (5) and through the rope clamp (22) when the rope (15) is released from the rope clamp (22). The deflector arrangement (5) is pro- vided with a resistance arrangement (6) for resisting running of the overspeed governor rope (15) through said rope clamp (22).

Description

[0001] APPARATUS AND ARRANGEMENT FOR DISPENSING ROPE OF ELEVATOR AND METHOD

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] The invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing rope to an overspeed governor of an elevator in constructiontime use .

[0004] The invention further relates to an arrangement for a construction-time use elevator .

[0005] The invention still further relates to a method for extending overspeed governor rope of an elevator in constructiontime use .

[0006] During the construction stage of high-rise buildings , there is often a need to use an elevator before the building has been completed . Moreover, in high-rise buildings the lower floors are generally completed and ready for normal use before the higher f loors are finished . Therefore , the elevators are required to be able to serve the already completed floors in as normal a manner as possible , even i f the higher floors of the building are still under construction . A so-called j ump elevator has been developed for construction-time use . In this solution, the final elevator shafts are built to their completed form in connection with the erection of the building and at least some of the elevator shafts are provided with a temporary machine room with an elevator car attached to it . At certain stages of construction, when a suitable number of new floors have been completed, a so-called j ump-li ft is performed, whereby the temporary elevator machine room is moved higher up by the distance allowed by the number of new floors . At the same time , all the required elevator components are extended to a level corresponding to the new height to enable the elevator to serve the new height level in the normal manner . A problem relating to overspeed governor rope ( OSG) in the j ump elevators is that during the j ump, a rope clamp is used to control the OSG rope run from a storage reel as the elevator car is moved up .

[0007] As the height position of the temporary machine room rises , the weight of the OSG rope will increase and in a certain height to such extent that, when the clamp is released, the pressure is first released from the inner core of the OSG rope while the clamp still has a hold of the outer strands thereof . This may result so-called birdcaging of the outer layer, i . e . critical damage to the OSG rope . This may necessitate the OSG rope to be replaced, which causes extra work and costs .

[0008] BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0009] Viewed from a first aspect , there can be provided an apparatus for dispensing rope to an overspeed governor of an elevator in construction-time use , the apparatus comprising a storage reel for overspeed governor rope , a storage reel holder configured to receive and hold the storage reel and allowing rotation of said reel around an axis thereof , a deflector arrangement comprising at least two deflectors , and a rope clamp releasably coupling the overspeed governor rope with the apparatus , wherein the storage reel holder and the deflector arrangement are configured such that the overspeed governor rope dispensed from the storage reel runs through the deflector arrangement and through the rope clamp when the rope is released from the rope clamp, and wherein the deflector arrangement is provided with a resistance arrangement for resisting running of the overspeed governor rope through said rope clamp .

[0010] Thereby an apparatus where the OSG rope is released in the clamp in a controlled manner avoiding the inner core of the OSG rope come loose from the outer strands thereof may be achieved . Viewed from a further aspect , there can be provided an arrangement for a construction time use elevator, the arrangement comprising the apparatus according to the first aspect , and an elevator car arranged to move in an elevator shaft , an overspeed governor comprising at least an overspeed governor sheave over which an overspeed governor rope has been fitted to run, a tensioning pulley which is placed in the lower part of the shaft and under which the overspeed governor rope has been fitted to run, and a safety gear, operatively coupled with the overspeed governor rope , and wherein the apparatus is arranged to control the speed and / or amount of overspeed governor rope being let out from a storage reel to extend the loop of the overspeed governor rope .

[0011] Thereby an arrangement where the OSG rope is released in the clamp in a controlled manner avoiding the inner core of the OSG rope come loose from the outer strands thereof may be achieved .

[0012] Viewed from a still further aspect , there can be provided a method for extending overspeed governor rope of an elevator in construction-time use , the elevator comprising the apparatus according to the first aspect , and an elevator car arranged to move in an elevator shaft , an overspeed governor comprising an overspeed governor sheave , a tensioning pulley and an overspeed governor rope attached to and moved by the elevator car and running as a loop between the overspeed governor sheave and the tensioning pulley, the method comprising :

[0013] - releasing the overspeed governor rope from the rope clamp,

[0014] - controlling the speed and / or amount of rope let out from the storage reel by the apparatus , while

[0015] - moving the elevator car to a new top position in the shaft , and - coupling the overspeed governor rope fixedly to the apparatus with the rope clamp to prevent the overspeed governor rope from running from the storage reel any further .

[0016] Thereby a method releasing the OSG rope from the clamp in a controlled manner, thus avoiding the inner core of the OSG rope come loose from the outer strands thereof , may be achieved .

[0017] The apparatus , the arrangement and the method are characterised by what is stated in the independent claims . Some other embodiments are characterised by what is stated in the other claims . Inventive embodiments are also disclosed in the speci fication and drawings of this patent application . The inventive content of the patent application may also be defined in other ways than defined in the following claims . The inventive content may also be formed of several separate inventions , especially i f the invention is examined in the light o f expres sed or implicit sub-tasks or in view of obtained benefits or benefit groups . Some of the definitions contained in the following claims may then be unnecessary in view of the separate inventive ideas . Features of the di f ferent embodiments of the invention may, within the scope of the basic inventive idea, be applied to other embodiments .

[0018] Various embodiments of the first aspect may comprise at least one feature from the following paragraphs :

[0019] In one embodiment , the storage reel holder comprises a holder brake system for resisting rotation of the storage reel arranged on the storage reel holder .

[0020] An advantage is that an excessive unwinding of the overspeed governor rope due to inertia of rotating reel may be prevented . In one embodiment , the resistance o f the holder brake system is arranged to be adj ustable .

[0021] An advantage is that the unwinding of the overspeed governor rope can be optimi zed .

[0022] In one embodiment , the overspeed governor rope dispensed from the storage reel is routed through the deflector arrangement more than once before going through the rope c 1 amp .

[0023] An advantage is that a very precise control of release of the rope may be achieved .

[0024] In one embodiment , at least one of the deflectors is provided with the resistance arrangement and the rest of the deflectors is / are without the resistance arrangement .

[0025] An advantage is that the operation of the deflector arrangement is easily controllable .

[0026] In one embodiment , at least one of the deflectors is a pulley arranged to rotate around its axis .

[0027] An advantage is that a robust and rope- friendly structure of deflector arrangement may be achieved .

[0028] In one embodiment , the deflector is a pulley, and the resistance arrangement comprises a pulley brake system, such as a friction brake or a centri fugal brake .

[0029] An advantage is that a robust and rope- friendly brake system may be achieved . In one embodiment , the pulley brake system comprises a braking force adj usting equipment .

[0030] An advantage is that the feeding of the overspeed governor rope during a j ump-li ft can be optimi zed .

[0031] In one embodiment , the apparatus comprises a limiter device that is arranged to activate the pulley brake system after a predetermined length of rope has been dispensed from the storage reel .

[0032] An advantage is that an unintentional feeding of the overspeed governor rope during a j ump-li ft may be prevented .

[0033] In one embodiment , at least one of the deflectors is nonrotating .

[0034] An advantage is that the deflector has a simple structure .

[0035] In one embodiment , at least one of the def lectors comprises at least one rope groove arranged on its periphery .

[0036] An advantage is that the rope loops can be kept in good order on the deflector, and that the braking ef fect focused to the rope can controlled precisely .

[0037] In one embodiment , the apparatus comprises a base comprising a fastening arrangement for fastening the apparatus detachably to an elevator car, a lever arm hinged to the base to be movable in a vertical plane , and a termination point for overspeed governor rope end arranged at the free end of the lever arm .

[0038] An advantage is that the lever arm provides further adaptability in the apparatus during the j ump-li ft . In one embodiment , the method comprises controlling the length of rope let out from the storage reel by the holder brake system of the storage reel holder .

[0039] An advantage is that an excessive unwinding of the overspeed governor rope due to inertia of rotating reel may be prevented .

[0040] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0041] Some embodiments illustrating the present disclosure are described in more detail in the attached drawings , in which

[0042] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of an apparatus , arrangement and method for dispensing rope to an overspeed governor of an elevator in construction-time use in partial crosssection,

[0043] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a detail of an apparatus , arrangement and method for dispensing rope to an overspeed governor of an elevator in construction-time use ,

[0044] Figure 3 is a schematic view of a detail of an apparatus , and

[0045] Figure 4 illustrates a method for extending overspeed governor rope of an elevator in construction-time use .

[0046] In the figures , some embodiments are shown simpli fied for the sake of clarity . Similar parts are marked with the same reference numbers in the figures .

[0047] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of an apparatus , an arrangement and a method for dispensing rope to an overspeed governor of an elevator in construction-time use in partial cross-section, and Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a detail of an apparatus , arrangement and method for dispensing rope to an overspeed governor of an elevator in construction-time use .

[0049] The arrangement 200 comprises an elevator car 16 that is arranged to move in an elevator shaft 20 . It is to be noted that only the lowest part of the elevator shaft is shown in Figure 1 . The arrangement 200 further comprises an overspeed governor 11 having an overspeed governor sheave I la . An overspeed governor rope 15 has been fitted to run over said overspeed governor sheave I la . A tensioning pulley 17 is placed in the lower part of the shaft 20 . Said overspeed governor rope 15 has been fitted to run under the tensioning pulley 17 . The overspeed governor rope 15 is attached to and moved by the elevator car 16. The overspeed governor rope 15 is running as a loop between the overspeed governor sheave I la and the tensioning pulley 17 . A safety gear 12 is operatively coupled with the overspeed governor rope 15 . Furthermore , the arrangement 200 comprises the apparatus 100 that is described more detailed later in this description .

[0050] A temporary machine room 26 is placed in the shaft 1 at suitable height depending on the stage of construction of the elevator . The temporary machine room 26 is provided with guides fitted to move along the elevator guide rail s 30 in the same way as the guides of the elevator car . The temporary machine room 26 carries an elevator hoisting machine (not shown) . At certain stages of construction, when a suitable number of new floors have been completed, a j ump-li ft is performed . In the j ump-li ft the temporary elevator machine room 26 is moved higher up by the distance allowed by the number of new floors .

[0051] The overspeed governor 11 , which may also serve as the final overspeed governor of the elevator, is secured to the structures of the temporary machine room 6 for the construction- time use of the elevator . Thus , the overspeed governor 11 moves upwards with the temporary machine room 26 as the j ump-li ft is performed . This necessitates supplying new overspeed governor rope 15 through the apparatus 100 in the arrangement 200 . When the elevator has been finished, i . e . it is no more an elevator in construction-time use , the apparatus 100 can be removed from the elevator .

[0052] The apparatus 100 comprises a storage reel 1 that stores an overspeed governor rope 15 . The storage reel 1 is arranged to a storage reel holder 4 that is attached to an elevator car 16 , for instance on a roof 25 thereof . The storage reel 1 can rotate around an axis thereof when hold by the reel holder 4 .

[0053] The apparatus 100 comprises further a deflector arrangement 5 that comprises at least two deflectors 2 , 3 . The deflector arrangement 5 shown in the Figures has two deflectors 2 , 3 . The deflectors have same diameter, but in another embodiment , they have di f ferent diameters . The overspeed governor rope 15 is configured to exit from the storage reel 1 and enter on a first 2 of said two deflectors . The overspeed governor rope 15 exits from said first deflector 2 and enters on a second 3 of said two deflectors , and then returns back on the first deflector 2 , from where it exits the deflector arrangement 5 .

[0054] In one embodiment , the overspeed governor rope 15 dispensed from the storage reel 1 is routed through the deflector arrangement 5 more than once before the overspeed governor rope exits the deflector arrangement and enters to the rope c 1 amp 22 .

[0055] In one embodiment , the deflector 2 , 3 is a pulley that is arranged to rotate around its axis . In one embodiment , all the deflectors 2 , 3 of the deflector arrangement 5 are pulleys . In one embodiment , the deflector 2 , 3 is a nonrotating post . In one embodiment , all the deflectors 2 , 3 of the deflector arrangement 5 are non-rotating posts . In one embodiment , the deflector arrangement 5 comprises at least one pulley and at least one non-rotating post .

[0056] The apparatus 100 comprises still further a rope clamp 22 . The rope clamp 22 couples releasably the overspeed governor rope 15 with the apparatus 100 . For this purpose , the rope clamp may comprise two mutually parallel clamping plates and bolts (not shown) through which the clamping plates can be pressed and locked against the governor rope 15 .

[0057] The apparatus has a base 13 and a fastening arrangement 14 for fastening the apparatus detachably to an elevator car 16 , for example on the roof 25 thereof .

[0058] In one embodiment , a lever arm 18 is hinged to the base 13 so that it is movable in a vertical plane . In one embodiment , a terminating member 27 is hingedly attached to the free end of the lever arm 18 . A termination point 19 for attaching the overspeed governor rope 15 end to the lever arm 18 is provided at the upper part of the terminating member 27 . The rope clamp 22 is attached to the lever arm 18 at a point near said free end of the lever arm 18 .

[0059] In one embodiment , the lower part of the terminating member 27 is provided with a lower termination point 24 . The lower termination point 24 is connected to a safety gear 12 of the elevator car by a safety gear connection means 23 . The safety gear 12 prevents the elevator car 16 from falling too far downwards in an emergency situation . The safety gear connection means 23 may comprise a rope and / or a rod .

[0060] The apparatus 100 is configured such that when the overspeed governor rope 15 is released from the rope clamp 22 , i . e . the overspeed governor rope is al lowed to run through the rope clamp, the overspeed governor rope 15 dispensed from the storage reel 1 runs through the deflector arrangement 5 and through the rope clamp 22 . The deflector arrangement 5 is provided with a resistance arrangement 6 that resists the running of the overspeed governor rope 15 through said rope clamp 22 .

[0061] In one embodiment , there are at least one deflector 2 , 3 provided with the resistance arrangement 6 and at least one deflector without the resistance arrangement 6 in the deflector arrangement 5 . In one embodiment , such as shown in Figure 2 , the second deflector 3 is a pulley provided with the resistance arrangement 6 , whereas the first pulley is a freely rotating pulley .

[0062] From the rope clamp 22 the overspeed governor rope 15 dispensed from the storage reel 1 is passed to the tensioning pulley 17 arranged in the lower part of the elevator shaft 20 .

[0063] In one embodiment , the deflector 2 , 3 is a pulley and the resistance arrangement 6 is a pulley brake system 8 . In one embodiment , the pulley brake system 8 comprises a friction brake . In one embodiment , the pulley brake system 8 comprises a centri fugal brake . The the pulley brake system 8 may comprise a braking force adj usting equipment 9 . This equipment may e . g . comprise an electrical control arrangement that controls the rotation of the pulley on basis of sensor data provided by suitable sensors (not shown) .

[0064] In one embodiment , the deflector 2 , 3 is a non-rotating post . Then the resistance arrangement 6 is realized by surface characteristics ( especially friction coef ficient ) , and shape of the surface on which the overspeed governor rope 15 is to be sliding . In one embodiment , the apparatus 100 is provided with a limiter device 21 that is arranged to activate the pulley brake system 8 after a predetermined length of rope has been dispensed from the storage reel 1 , thereby stopping running of the overspeed governor rope 15 through the apparatus 100 . In one embodiment , the limiter device 21 is a mechanical device that may comprise e . g . a peg 28 rotating with the storage reel 1 and a bar 29 . The bar 29 is placed such that the peg 28 contacts and moves the bar 29 . The moving bar 29 tighten the pulley brake that stops the pulley from rotating . Personnel taking care of the process may then release the bar 29 , thereby allowing the storage reel 1 and the pulley rotating again .

[0065] In one embodiment , the arrangement is provided with a holder brake system 7 that resists rotation of the storage reel 1 arranged on the storage reel holder 4 . In one embodiment , holder brake system 7 comprises a friction brake . In one embodiment , holder brake system 7 comprises a centri fugal brake . In one embodiment , the resistance of the holder brake system 7 is adj ustable . This feature may be reali zed mechanically, especially when the centri fugal brake is used . The holder brake system 7 may also comprise an electrical control arrangement that controls the rotation of the storage reel on basis of sensor data provided by suitable sensors (not shown) . Said sensors may measure the weight of the storage reel or the length of the overspeed governor rope exited from the storage reel , for instance .

[0066] Figure 3 is a schematic view of a detail of an apparatus .

[0067] 12 . In one embodiment , the deflector 2 , 3 comprises at least one rope groove 10 arranged on its periphery . The embodiment shown in Figure 3 has three rope grooves 10 . The groove 10 is configured to receive one rope loop . The deflector with groove ( s ) 10 may be a pulley or a non-rotating post . Figure 4 illustrates a method for extending overspeed governor rope of an elevator in construction-time use . In the method the apparatus 100 described in this disclosure is utili zed .

[0068] When a j ump-lift is to be performed, the overspeed governor rope 15 is released 400 from the rope clamp 22 , so that said rope can slide through said clamp .

[0069] The speed and / or amount of the overspeed governor rope 15 exiting from the storage reel 1 through the apparatus 100 is controlled 401 by said apparatus while moving 403 the elevator car 16 to a new top position in the elevator shaft . In one embodiment , the length of rope let out from the storage reel 1 is controlled 402 by the holder brake system 7 of the storage reel holder 4 .

[0070] As the j ump-li ft has been performed, the overspeed governor rope 15 is coupled 404 fixedly back to the rope clamp 22 in order to prevent the overspeed governor rope 15 from running from the storage reel 1 any further .

[0071] The invention is not limited solely to the embodiments described above , but instead many variations are possible within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims below . Within the scope of the inventive concept the attributes of di f ferent embodiments and applications can be used in conj unction with or replace the attributes of another embodiment or application .

[0072] The drawings and the related description are only intended to i llustrate the idea of the invention . The invention may vary in detail within the scope of the inventive idea defined in the following claims . REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0073] 1 storage reel

[0074] 2 1stdeflector

[0075] 3 2nddeflector

[0076] 4 rope reel holder

[0077] 5 deflector arrangement

[0078] 6 resistance arrangement

[0079] 7 holder brake system

[0080] 8 pulley brake system

[0081] 9 braking force adj usting equipment

[0082] 10 rope groove

[0083] 11 overspeed governor

[0084] I la overspeed governor sheave

[0085] 12 safety gear

[0086] 13 base

[0087] 14 fastening arrangement

[0088] 15 overspeed governor rope

[0089] 16 elevator car

[0090] 17 tensioning pulley

[0091] 18 lever arm

[0092] 19 termination point for overspeed governor rope

[0093] 20 elevator shaft

[0094] 21 limiter device ( of pulley brake system)

[0095] 22 rope clamp

[0096] 23 safety gear connection means

[0097] 24 lower termination point

[0098] 25 roof

[0099] 26 temporary machine room

[0100] 27 terminating member

[0101] 28 peg

[0102] 29 bar

[0103] 30 guide rail

[0104] 100 apparatus

[0105] 200 arrangement

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus (100) for dispensing rope to an overspeed governor (11) of an elevator in construction-time use, the apparatus comprising- a storage reel (1) for overspeed governor rope (15) ,- a storage reel holder (4) configured to receive and hold the storage reel (1) and allowing rotation of said reel (1) around an axis thereof,- a deflector arrangement (5) comprising at least two deflectors (2, 3) , and- a rope clamp (22) releasably coupling the overspeed governor rope (15) with the apparatus (100) , wherein the storage reel holder (4) and the deflector arrangement (5) are configured such that the overspeed governor rope (15) dispensed from the storage reel (1) runs through the deflector arrangement (5) and through the rope clamp (22) when the rope (15) is released from the rope clamp (22) , and wherein- the deflector arrangement (5) is provided with a resistance arrangement (6) for resisting running of the overspeed governor rope (15) through said rope clamp (22) .

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein- the storage reel holder (4) comprises a holder brake system (7) for resisting rotation of the storage reel (1) arranged on the storage reel holder (4) .

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein- the resistance of the holder brake system (7) is arranged to be adjustable.

4. The apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein- the overspeed governor rope (15) dispensed from the storage reel (1) is routed through the deflector arrangement (5) more than once before going through the rope clamp (22) .

5. The apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein- at least one of the deflectors (2, 3) is provided with the resistance arrangement (6) and- the rest of the deflectors (2, 3) is / are without the resistance arrangement (6) .

6. The apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein- at least one of the deflectors (2, 3) is a pulley arranged to rotate around its axis.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein- the resistance arrangement (6) comprises a pulley brake system ( 8 ) .

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein- the pulley brake system (8) comprises a friction brake or a centrifugal brake.

9. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 7 - 8, wherein- the pulley brake system (8) comprises a braking force adjusting equipment (9) .

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, comprising- a limiter device that is arranged to activate the pulley brake system (8) after a predetermined length of rope has been dispensed from the storage reel (1) .

11. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 - 6, wherein- at least one of the deflectors (2, 3) is non-rotating.

12. The apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein- at least one of the deflectors (2, 3) comprises at least one rope groove (10) arranged on its periphery.

13. The apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising- a base (13) comprising a fastening arrangement (14) for fastening the apparatus detachably to an elevator car (16) ,- a lever arm (18) hinged to the base (13) to be movable in a vertical plane, and- a termination point (19) for overspeed governor rope (15) end arranged at the free end of the lever arm.

14. An arrangement (200) for a construction-time use elevator, the arrangement comprising- the apparatus (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, and- an elevator car (16) arranged to move in an elevator shaft (20) ,- an overspeed governor (11) comprising at least an overspeed governor sheave (Ila) over which an overspeed governor rope (15) has been fitted to run,- a tensioning pulley (17) which is placed in the lower part of the shaft and under which the overspeed governor rope (15) has been fitted to run, and- a safety gear (12) , operatively coupled with the overspeed governor rope (15) , and wherein- the apparatus (100) is arranged to control the speed and / or amount of overspeed governor rope (15) being let out from a storage reel (1) to extend the loop of the overspeed governor rope (15) .

15. A method for extending overspeed governor rope (15) of an elevator in construction-time use, the elevator comprising- the apparatus (100) as claimed in any of claims 1 - 13, and- an elevator car (16) arranged to move in an elevator shaft (20) ,- an overspeed governor (11) comprising an overspeed governor sheave (Ila) ,- a tensioning pulley (17) and- an overspeed governor rope (15) attached to and moved by the elevator car (16) and running as a loop between the overspeed governor sheave (Ila) and the tensioning pulley (17) , the method comprising:- releasing (400) the overspeed governor rope (15) from the rope clamp ( 22 ) ,- controlling (401) the speed and / or amount of rope let out from the storage reel (1) by the apparatus (100) , while- moving (403) the elevator car (16) to a new top position in the shaft, and- coupling (404) the overspeed governor rope (15) fixedly to the apparatus (100) with the rope clamp (22) to prevent the overspeed governor rope (15) from running from the storage reel (1) any further.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein- controlling (402) the length of rope let out from the storage reel (1) by the holder brake system (7) of the storage reel holder (4) .

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