Elevator car arrangement

Abstract

An elevator car arrangement (100), compris- ing an elevator car (1), and a car sling (2) arranged at least partly outside the eleva- tor car, the car sling comprising at least one of an upper framework (3) and a lower framework (6). The upper framework (3) is arranged on the roof (4) of the elevator car and rimming an upper free surface (5) lying in the middle section of said roof. The lower framework (6) is arranged under the bottom (7) of the elevator car and rimming a lower free surface (8) lying in the middle section of said bottom. The car sling (2) further comprises at least one upright (9), and two pulley arrangements (10) attached to the car sling (2) on opposite sides of the elevator car (1).

Description

[0001] ELEVATOR CAR ARRANGEMENT

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] The invention relates to an elevator car arrangement , comprising an elevator car and a car sling .

[0004] Elevators having a low pit or low headroom or both, are more and more popular, since lowering the pit and the headroom lowers also capital expenditure of the elevator . However, various tasks , such as inspections , adj ustment works , maintenance or repairs , shortly "maintenance work" , are focused to the pit and the bottom of the elevator car or to the headroom or the roof of the elevator car . There are still needs for solutions providing safe , spacious and easy access from inside the car to the pit and the headroom .

[0005] BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0006] Viewed from a first aspect , there can be provided an elevator car arrangement , comprising an elevator car, a car sling arranged at least partly outside the elevator car, the car sling comprising at least one of an upper framework and a lower framework, wherein the upper framework is arranged on the roof of the elevator car, the upper framework rimming an upper free surface lying in the middle section of said roof , and the lower framework arranged under the bottom of the elevator car, the lower framework rimming a lower free surface lying in the middle section of said bottom, the car sling further compri sing at least one upright , and two pulley arrangements attached to the car sling on opposite sides of the elevator car .

[0007] Thereby an elevator car arrangement providing lot of free surface for arranging an access from inside the elevator car to the roof or to the bottom, or both, of said elevator car may be achieved . The arrangement is characterised by what is stated in the independent claim . Some other embodiments are characteri sed by what is stated in the other claims . Inventive embodiments are also disclosed in the speci fication and drawings of thi s 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 of expressed or implicit sub-tasks or in view of obtained benef its 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 bas ic inventive idea, be applied to other embodiments .

[0008] Various embodiments of the first aspect may comprise at least one feature from the following paragraphs :

[0009] In one embodiment , the upper framework has a shape of quadrangle , wherein the shape follows the shape of the roof .

[0010] An advantage is that the si ze of the upper free surface and a top hatch arranged in the roof may be maximi zed .

[0011] In one embodiment , the upper framework is arranged to create a framing around the upper free surface .

[0012] An advantage is that a car sling structure that is sturdy and balanced may be achieved .

[0013] In one embodiment , the lower framework has a shape of quadrangle , wherein the shape follows the shape of the bottom of the elevator car . An advantage is that the si ze of the lower free surface and a floor hatch arranged in the bottom may be maximi zed .

[0014] In one embodiment , the lower framework is arranged to create a framing around the lower free surface .

[0015] An advantage is that a car sling structure that is sturdy and balanced may be achieved .

[0016] In one embodiment , the elevator car arrangement comprises two uprights arranged on the opposite sides of the elevator car .

[0017] An advantage is that a well-balanced distribution of forces focused on the car sling may be achieved,

[0018] In one embodiment , the elevator car arrangement comprises both the upper framework and the lower framework, wherein the at least one upright is arranged to connect the upper framework to the lower framework .

[0019] An advantage is that very sturdy and protective frame structure can be created around the elevator car .

[0020] In one embodiment , the pulley arrangement comprises one pulley only .

[0021] An advantage is that a pulley arrangement that has a simple and compact structure may be achieved .

[0022] In one embodiment , the pulley arrangement comprises plurality of pulleys .

[0023] An advantage is that guidance o f the hoisting means in relation to the car sling may be optimi zed . In one embodiment , the pulley arrangement is attached to a lower hal f of the height of the car sling, such as to the lower framework .

[0024] An advantage is that a pulley arrangement that is easily serviceable through a floor hatch may be provided .

[0025] In one embodiment , the pulley arrangement is attached to an upper hal f or to a hal f-way of the height of the car sling, such as to the upper framework .

[0026] An advantage is that a pulley arrangement that is easily serviceable through a top hatch may be provided .

[0027] In one embodiment , the rotation axis of the pulley is parallel with the width or the length of the elevator car .

[0028] An advantage is that a pulley arrangement taking up only a little space in said direction may be achieved .

[0029] In one embodiment , the rotation axis of the pulley is skewed in relation to the width and the length of the elevator car .

[0030] An advantage is that positioning of the hoisting means in the elevator may be optimi zed .

[0031] In one embodiment , the two pulley arrangements are arranged on the same side of the respective uprights .

[0032] An advantage is that positioning of the hoisting means in the elevator may be optimi zed .

[0033] In one embodiment , the two pulley arrangements are arranged on opposite sides of the uprights . An advantage is that positioning of the hoisting means in the elevator may be optimi zed .

[0034] In one embodiment , the arrangement comprises the upper framework, and wherein the upper free surface of the elevator car comprises an openable top hatch for a maintenance access from inside the elevator car to equipment outside the elevator car .

[0035] An advantage is that an acceptable safety space partly inside the elevator car may be provided in a low headroom elevator .

[0036] In one embodiment , the arrangement comprises the lower framework, and wherein the lower free surface of the elevator car comprises an openable floor hatch for an access from inside the elevator car to the underside thereof .

[0037] An advantage is that an acceptable safety space partly inside the elevator car may be provided in a low pit elevator .

[0038] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0039] Some embodiments illustrating the present disclosure are described in more detail in the attached drawings , in which

[0040] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an elevator car arrangement ,

[0041] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a car sling,

[0042] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of another car sling,

[0043] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a third sling,

[0044] Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of an elevator, Figure 6 is a schematic side view of a detail of an elevator car arrangement , and

[0045] Figure 7 is a schematic side view of another detail of an elevator car arrangement .

[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 perspective view of an elevator car arrangement . The elevator car arrangement 100 comprises an elevator car 1 that is depicted by dashed lines in Figure 1 , and a car sling 2 arranged at least partly outside the elevator car 1 . The car sling is made of suitable metal material , for instance . In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the car sling 2 comprises an upper framework 3 that is arranged on the roof 4 of the elevator car, and a lower framework 6 that is arranged under the bottom 7 of the elevator car .

[0049] The upper framework 3 is configured to create a framing around an upper free surface 5 that is provided in the middle section of the roof 4 . The upper free surface 5 is devoid of parts of the car sling and hoisting means . In one embodiment , such as shown in Figure 1 , the upper framework 3 has a shape of quadrangle , the shape of which follows the shape of the roof 4 . Other shapes are possible , too , providing that they rim the upper free surface 5 .

[0050] In one embodiment , the upper framework 3 does not create a framing around the upper free surface 5 , but the framing has an opening or cut 22 ( one embodiment shown in Figure 3 ) that breaks the framing . It is to be noted in this connection, that the beams or bars from which the car sling is constructed may have various shapes or profiles , not only rectangular profile as shown in Figures . Furthermore , the shape or profile may vary along the beam or bar .

[0051] The lower framework 6 is rimming a lower free surface 8 lying in the middle section of the bottom 7 of the elevator car . 4 . The lower free surface 8 is devoid of parts o f the car sling and hoisting means . Also the lower framework 6 may have a shape of quadrangle that follows the shape of the bottom 7 . The lower framework 6 may create a framing around the lower free surface 8 , but this is not always necessary .

[0052] In one embodiment , the lower framework 6 has a similar or at least essentially similar shape and si ze as the upper framework 3 .

[0053] Some embodiments , such as the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the car sling 2 comprises both the upper framework 3 and the lower framework 6 , whereas in some other embodiments the car sling 2 may comprise only the upper framework 3 or only the lower framework 6 .

[0054] At least one upright 9 , preferably at least two uprights 9 is / are arranged to connect the upper framework 3 to the lower framework 6 . In one embodiment , such as shown in Figure 1 , there are two uprights 9 that are arranged on the opposite sides of the elevator car 1 , on sides that do not comprise a car door 16 . The upright 9 is preferably arranged perpendicularly in relation to the upper and the lower framework 3 , 6 as shown in Figure 1 . The upright 9 may be attached to any suitable place of the framework 3 , 6 : at the middle point thereof or on one or another side of the middle point . The elevator car shown in Figures has the door 16 on its one side only . In another embodiment , there are doors on two opposite sides of the elevator car . Even then the uprights 9 may be arranged on sides that do not comprise the car door.

[0055] There are also two pulley arrangements 10 that are attached to the car sling 2 on opposite sides of the elevator car 1, on those sides where the uprights 9 lie. In one embodiment, such as shown in Figure 1, the two pulley arrangements 10 are arranged on opposite sides of the uprights 9.

[0056] The two pulley arrangements 10 are preferably arranged on the same height in relation to the height of the car sling 2, but this is not always necessary. In one embodiment, the pulley arrangement 10 is attached to a lower half of the height H of the car sling 2. In one embodiment, such as shown in Figure 1, the pulley arrangement 10 is attached to or provided in the lower framework 6. The pulley arrangement 10 may also be attached to the upright 9, or to both the lower framework and the upright.

[0057] The pulley arrangement 10 comprises at least one, and typically only one, sheave or pulley 11 the rotation axis 12 (shown in Figure 4) of which is horizontally arranged. In one embodiment, the rotation axis 12 of the pulley is skewed in relation to the width W and the length L of the elevator car. In other words, the rotation axis 12 has a non-rightangle A with the width W and the length L. In one embodiment, said angle A is in range of 1° - 45°. In another embodiment, the rotation axis 12 of the pulley is parallel with the width W or the length L of the elevator car 1. In other words, the rotation axis 12 is parallel with the width W or the length L.

[0058] In one embodiment, the upper free surface 5 of the elevator car comprises an openable top hatch 14 for an access from inside the elevator car above the roof 4 thereof. The hatch may be relatively large, since the upper framework 3, if present , is arranged to frame the roof 4 and thus it provides lot of room for top hatch .

[0059] In one embodiment , the lower free surface 8 of the elevator car comprises an openable floor hatch 15 that provides an access from inside the elevator car to the underside thereof . Also the floor hatch 15 may be relatively large as the lower framework 6 , i f present , framing the lower free surface 8 provides lot of room for the floor hatch .

[0060] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a car sling . This car sling 2 is for the most part similar to that shown in Figure 1 . The most signi ficant di f ference is that the two pulley arrangements 10 are arranged on the same side of the uprights 9 . The position and the details of the pulley arrangements 10 is selected on basis of requirements of an elevator hoisting, for instance .

[0061] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of another car sling . In one embodiment , the pulley arrangement 10 is attached to an upper hal f or to a hal f-way of the height H of the car sling 2 . In the embodiment shown in Figure 3 , there are two pulley arrangements 10 that are attached to the upper framework 3 and / or the upper end of the respective upright 9 . Furthermore , the two pulley arrangements 10 are arranged on the same side of the respective upright 9 , as in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 .

[0062] As already disclosed, the rotation axis 12 of the pulley may be parallel with the width W or the length L of the elevator car 1 . In the embodiment shown in Figure 3 , the rotation axis 12 is parallel with the width W or the length L .

[0063] As already disclosed, the upper framework 3 as well as the lower framework 6 is not neces sary closed or completely rimming the respective free surface . Figure 3 is showing an embodiment where the lower framework 6 has an opening or cut 22 due to which the lower framework does not completely rim the lower free surface .

[0064] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view o f a third sling . In one embodiment , the pulley arrangement 10 is attached to an upper hal f or to a hal f-way of the height H of the car sling 2 and on the opposite sides of the uprights 9 .

[0065] Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of an elevator . The elevator comprises an elevator car 1 , an elevator shaft 13 , a counterweight 17 , a motor 18 , a hoisting means 20 and the elevator car arrangement 100 described in this disclosure .

[0066] In one embodiment , the elevator 200 is a so-called low pit elevator . According to an aspect , the term " low pit elevator" means that a permanent safety space does not exist under the elevator car in a pit 19 when said elevator car is in its lowest position in the elevator shaft 13 .

[0067] In one embodiment , the elevator 200 is a so-called low headroom elevator . According to an aspect , the term " low headroom elevator" means that a permanent safety space does not exist above the elevator car when the elevator car is in its upmost position in the elevator shaft 13 .

[0068] In one embodiment , the elevator 200 has both the low pit and the low headroom . The permanent safety space of the low pit elevator and the low headroom elevator may be defined e . g . according to a standard EN 81-20 .

[0069] In one embodiment , it is applied a 4 : 1 suspension ratio in the hoisting means 20 of the elevator . The motor 18 may then be located at the top of the elevator shaft 13 on the side of the elevator car 1. Alternatively, the motor 18 can be located in a machine room (not shown) . The motor 18 is typically fixed at least partially into car guide rail (not shown) . The hoisting means may be realized by rope(s) or belt(s) or chain (s) or their combination. The 4:1 suspension ratio is advantageous since it may enable, together with the elevator car arrangement 100 described in this disclosure, well room for both an openable service access roof through the upper free surface 5 and an openable service access floor through the lower free surface 8. It is to be noted, however, that the elevator car arrangement 100 described in this disclosure can also be used in elevators not using 4:1 suspension ratio, such as 2:1 or 1:1 ratio.

[0070] Figure 6 is a schematic side view of a detail of an elevator car arrangement and Figure 7 is a schematic side view of another detail of an elevator car arrangement. The pulley arrangement 10 is configured to turn a hoisting means 20 back to its incoming direction. In one embodiment, such as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the pulley arrangement 10 is configured to turn the hoisting means 180° back. In another embodiment, the pulley arrangement 10 may be configured to turn the hoisting means less than 180°, and in still another embodiment, the pulley arrangement 10 may be configured to turn the hoisting means more than 180°.

[0071] In one embodiment, such as shown in Figure 6, the pulley arrangement 10 comprises one pulley or sheave 11 only.

[0072] In one embodiment, the pulley arrangement 10 comprises plurality of pulleys 11. The embodiment shown in Figure 7, the pulley arrangement 10 comprises two pulleys 11 of similar size. It is to be noted that the number of the pulleys arranged in the pulley arrangement may vary, as well as their size, too. 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 .

[0073] 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 .

[0074] REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0075] 1 elevator car

[0076] 2 car sling

[0077] 3 upper framework

[0078] 4 roof

[0079] 5 upper free surface

[0080] 6 lower framework

[0081] 7 bottom

[0082] 8 lower free surface

[0083] 9 upright

[0084] 10 pulley arrangement

[0085] 11 pulley

[0086] 12 rotation axis

[0087] 13 elevator shaft

[0088] 14 top hatch

[0089] 15 floor hatch

[0090] 16 car door

[0091] 17 counterweight

[0092] 18 motor

[0093] 19 pit

[0094] 20 hoisting means

[0095] 21 pit pulley

[0096] 22 opening

[0097] 100 elevator car arrangement

[0098] 200 elevator

[0099] A angle

[0100] H height of the car sling

[0101] L length of the elevator car

[0102] W width of the elevator car

Claims

CLAIMS1. An elevator car arrangement (100) , comprising- an elevator car (1) ,- a car sling (2) arranged at least partly outside the elevator car, the car sling comprising at least one of an upper framework (3) and a lower framework (6) , wherein- the upper framework (3) is arranged on the roof (4) of the elevator car,- the upper framework (3) rimming an upper free surface (5) lying in the middle section of said roof, and- the lower framework (6) arranged under the bottom (7) of the elevator car,- the lower framework (6) rimming a lower free surface (8) lying in the middle section of said bottom, the car sling (2) further comprising- at least one upright (9) , and- two pulley arrangements (10) attached to the car sling (2) on opposite sides of the elevator car (1) .

2. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein- the upper framework (3) has a shape of quadrangle, wherein the shape follows the shape of the roof (4) .

3. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein- the upper framework (3) is arranged to create a framing around the upper free surface (5) .

4. The arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein- the lower framework (6) has a shape of quadrangle, wherein the shape follows the shape of the bottom (7) .

5. The arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein- the lower framework (6) is arranged to create a framing around the lower free surface (8) .

6. The arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising- two uprights (9) arranged on the opposite sides of the elevator car (1) .

7. The arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein- the upright (9) is arranged perpendicularly in relation to the framework (3, 6) .

8. The arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising- both the upper framework (3) and the lower framework (6) , wherein- the at least one upright (9) is arranged to connect the upper framework (3) to the lower framework (6) .

9. The arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein- the pulley arrangement (10) comprises one pulley (11) only .

10. The arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 7, wherein- the pulley arrangement (10) comprises plurality of pulleys(11) •11. The arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein- the pulley arrangement (10) is configured to turn a hoisting means back to its incoming direction.

12. The arrangement as claimed in claim 11, whereinthe pulley arrangement (10) is configured to turn the hoisting means 180°.

13. The arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein- the pulley arrangement (10) is attached to a lower half of the height (H) of the car sling (2) .

14. The arrangement as claimed in claim 13, comprising- the lower framework (6) and wherein- the pulley arrangement (10) is attached to the lower framework ( 6 ) .

15. The arrangement as claimed in claim 14, wherein- the pulley arrangement (10) is attached to the lower framework (6) and the upright (9) .

16. The arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 - 12, wherein- the pulley arrangement (10) is attached to an upper half or to a half-way of the height of the car sling (2) .

17. The arrangement as claimed in claim 16, comprising- the upper framework (3) , and wherein- the pulley arrangement (10) is attached to the upper framework (3) .

18. The arrangement as claimed in claim 17, wherein- the pulley arrangement (10) is attached to the upper framework (3) and the upright (9) .

19. The arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein- the two pulley arrangements (10) are arranged on the same height in relation to the height of the car sling (2) .

20. The arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein- the rotation axis (12) of the pulley is parallel with the width (W) or the length (L) of the elevator car (1) .

21. The arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 - 19, wherein- the rotation axis (12) of the pulley is skewed in relation to the width (W) and the length (L) of the elevator car (1) .

22. The arrangement as claimed in any of claims 6 - 21, wherein- the two pulley arrangements (10) are arranged on the same side of the respective uprights (9) .

23. The arrangement as claimed in any of claims 6 - 21, wherein- the two pulley arrangements (10) are arranged on opposite sides of the uprights (9) .

24. The arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising- the upper framework (3) , and wherein- the upper free surface (5) of the elevator car comprises an openable top hatch (14) for a maintenance access from inside the elevator car to equipment outside the elevator car .

25. The arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising- the lower framework (6) , and wherein- the lower free surface (8) of the elevator car comprises an openable floor hatch (15) for an access from inside the elevator car to the underside thereof.

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