Elevator

Abstract

This elevator comprises: a car that moves up and down in a hoistway and has a car-side control box; a main rope; a balance weight; a winding machine; a compensation device; and a wiring cable. The balance weight is connected to the main rope, moves up and down the hoistway, and has electronic equipment. The winding machine has the main rope wound thereon. The compensation device is connected to the car and the balance weight, and corrects balance of the weight of the main rope generated and applied on the winding machine when the car moves up and down. The wiring cable connects the car-side control box and the electronic equipment, and supplies electricity to the electronic equipment. Further, the wiring cable is disposed along the compensation device.

Description

elevator

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator.

[0002] Conventionally, elevators have been equipped with a car, a counterweight, a rope connecting the car and the counterweight, and a hoist around which the rope is wound. In recent years, various electronic devices have been installed on the counterweight, such as a sensor that detects when the counterweight has come off the weight-side guide rail and an acceleration sensor that detects the acceleration of the counterweight.

[0003] A technology for providing electronic equipment on a counterweight is described, for example, in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes a technology including a power supply unit, a power receiving unit that is provided on the counterweight, moves up and down in a hoistway as the counterweight moves up and down, and receives power from the power supply unit by electromagnetic coupling, and power transmission means that electrically connects the power receiving unit and car equipment and transmits power from the power receiving unit to the car equipment.

[0004] JP 2011-116471 A

[0005] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 uses a relay cable connected to the car to supply power to a power receiving unit, which is an electronic device provided in the counterweight. Furthermore, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, a sheave around which the relay cable is wound is disposed in the lower part of the hoistway in order to arrange the relay cable within the hoistway. Therefore, with the technology described in Patent Document 1, not only does the sheave increase the number of parts, but the sheave around which the relay cable is wound also reduces the space in the lower part of the hoistway.

[0006] In consideration of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide an elevator that can expand the space of the elevator shaft and suppress an increase in the number of parts.

[0007] To solve the above problems and achieve the object, an elevator includes a car that moves up and down in a hoistway and has a car-side control box, a main rope, a counterweight, a hoist, a compensation device, and a distribution cable. The main rope is connected to the car. The counterweight is connected to the main rope, moves up and down in the hoistway, and has electronic equipment. The main rope is wound around the hoist. The compensation device is connected to the car and the counterweight, and corrects the balance of the weight of the main rope that is applied to the hoist when the car moves up and down. The distribution cable connects the car-side control box and the electronic equipment and supplies power to the electronic equipment. Furthermore, the distribution cable is arranged along the compensation device.

[0008] According to the elevator having the above configuration, it is possible to expand the space of the elevator shaft and suppress an increase in the number of parts.

[0009] 4A is a schematic configuration diagram showing an elevator according to a first embodiment; FIG. 4B is a plan view showing an elevator shaft according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4C is a side view showing a car, a counterweight, and a compensating rope in the elevator according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4D is a diagram showing the positional relationship between electronic devices and weight-side guide rails in the elevator according to the first embodiment, with FIG. 4A showing a first arrangement example and FIG. 4B showing a second arrangement example; FIG. 4E is a front view showing the positional relationship between electronic devices and weight-side guide rails in the elevator according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4F is a side view showing the positional relationship between electronic devices and weight-side guide rails in the elevator according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4G is a front view showing a counterweight in the elevator according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4H is a front view of the counterweight in the elevator according to the first embodiment, showing another example of the electronic devices; FIG. 4F is a plan view showing a state in which the counterweight in the elevator according to the first embodiment has come off the weight-side guide rail; and FIG. 4H is a side view showing a state in which the counterweight in the elevator according to the first embodiment has come off the weight-side guide rail. Fig. 1 is a top view showing an electronic device and a weight-side guide rail in a state where a counterweight has come off the weight-side guide rail in an elevator according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2 is a front view showing an electronic device and a weight-side guide rail in a state where a counterweight has come off the weight-side guide rail in an elevator according to a first embodiment; Fig. 3 is a side view showing an electronic device and a weight-side guide rail in a state where a counterweight has come off the weight-side guide rail in an elevator according to a first embodiment; Fig. 4 is a plan view showing an elevator hoistway according to a second embodiment.

[0010] An elevator according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 14. Note that common members in each figure are given the same reference numerals.

[0011] 1. First Embodiment 1-1. Elevator Configuration First, the configuration of an elevator according to a first embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "this example") will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the elevator of this example. Figure 2 is a plan view showing the elevator shaft of this example.

[0012] The elevator 100 of this example is a so-called machine room-less elevator, which has a hoisting machine 4 in a hoistway 6 formed in a building structure, and does not have a machine room above the hoistway 6. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the elevator 100 of this example includes a car 1, a counterweight 2, a main rope 3, a hoisting machine 4, a compensating rope 5, and a control panel 16.

[0013] [Car] The car 1 is used to carry passengers and luggage. A car-side pulley 8 is provided at the bottom in the vertical direction of the car 1. A main rope 3 is wound around the car-side pulley 8. The car 1 is supported by the main rope 3 and is guided by a pair of car-side guide rails 13, 13 that are erected in the hoistway 6, and moves up and down within the hoistway 6.

[0014] In addition, a car door is provided on the side of the car 1. A landing door 6a is provided at each floor where the car 1 stops in the building structure. When the car 1 stops at each floor, the car door provided on the car 1 faces the landing door 6a. When the car door and the landing door 6a open, people and luggage can get on and off the car 1.

[0015] A car-side control box 15 is installed at the top in the vertical direction of the car 1. The car-side control box 15 is connected to a control panel 16 so as to be able to send and receive information. Furthermore, the car-side control box 15 is supplied with power from the control panel 16 via a cable (not shown). The car-side control box 15 also controls various other electronic devices such as car doors and air conditioning equipment provided in the car 1, and supplies power to the electronic devices.

[0016] [Counterweight] The counterweight 2 is provided to balance the car 1. A weight-side pulley 11 is provided on the top of the counterweight 2. The main rope 3 is wound around the weight-side pulley 11. The counterweight 2 is accommodated in the hoistway 6 while being supported by the main rope 3. The counterweight 2 is movably supported on a pair of weight-side guide rails 14 that are erected in the hoistway 6, and moves up and down within the hoistway 6.

[0017] The weight-side guide rail 14 is erected in the hoistway 6 by a rail bracket 17 provided in the hoistway 6 .

[0018] A detection sensor 21, which is an example of an electronic device, is provided at the bottom in the vertical direction of the counterweight 2. The detailed configurations of the detection sensor 21 and the counterweight 2 will be described later.

[0019] [Main Rope] One end of the main rope 3 is fixed to the top of the hoistway 6 by a fixture 7, and the other end is fixed to the top of the hoistway 6 by a fixture 12. A top pulley 9 is disposed at the top of the hoistway 6, and a bottom pulley 10 is disposed at the bottom of the hoistway 6. The main rope 3 is wound from one end thereof, in this order, around the car-side pulley 8 of the car 1, the top pulley 9, the bottom pulley 10, the sheave 4a of the hoisting machine 4, and the weight-side pulley 11 provided at the top of the counterweight 2. Depending on the equipment layout of the elevator, the top pulley 9 and the bottom pulley 10 may not be present, and the main rope 3 may be wound directly from the car-side pulley 8 to the sheave 4a of the hoisting machine 4.

[0020] Furthermore, in this example, the elevator structure is described as a 2:1 roping elevator in which the car 1 is provided with a car-side pulley 8 and the counterweight 2 is provided with a weight-side pulley 11, but this is not limited to this. For example, a 1:1 roping elevator or various other elevators can be applied.

[0021] [Hoist] The hoist 4 is disposed above the hoistway 6. As shown in Fig. 2, in the elevator 100 of this example, the hoist 4 is disposed above the counterweight 2 in the vertical direction. The hoist 4 and the counterweight 2 are disposed on one side in the width direction within the hoistway 6, perpendicular to the direction in which the car door of the car 1 and the landing door 6a face each other.

[0022] The hoist 4 has a sheave 4a around which the main rope 3 is wound. The hoist 4 frictionally drives the main rope 3 via the sheave 4a, thereby raising and lowering the car 1 and the counterweight 2. In this example, the hoist 4 is disposed in the upper part of the hoistway 6, but the present invention is not limited to this. However, the hoist 4 may be disposed in the lower part.

[0023] 3 is a side view showing the car 1, the counterweight 2, and the compensating rope 5. [Compensating rope] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the compensating rope 5 constitutes a compensation device. One end of the compensating rope 5 is connected to the bottom of the car 1, and the other end is connected to the bottom of the counterweight 2. The middle portion of the compensating rope 5 is folded back and arranged within the hoistway 6. The compensating rope 5 corrects the balance of the weight of the main ropes 3 applied to the hoisting machine 4 when the car 1 moves up and down.

[0024] Furthermore, a distribution cable is arranged on the compensating rope 5. That is, the distribution cable is arranged inside the hoistway 6 along the compensating rope 5. Note that the distribution cable may be provided inside the compensating rope 5 and formed integrally with the compensating rope 5.

[0025] The wiring cable supplies power from the car-side control box 15 provided in the car 1 to a detection sensor 21, which is an example of an electronic device provided in the counterweight 2. Furthermore, the wiring cable connects the car-side control box 15 and the detection sensor 21 so that they can send and receive information.

[0026] In this example, the compensation device is described as being a compensating rope 5, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a compensating chain or any other long member may be used. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the example in which the distribution cable is provided inside the compensating rope 5, and the distribution cable may be connected to the compensating rope 5 or the compensating chain via a wire.

[0027] In this way, by arranging the distribution cable along the compensation device, it is no longer necessary to arrange a sheave or the like inside the hoistway 6 to guide the distribution cable along the inside of the hoistway 6. This reduces the number of parts and also enables the space of the hoistway 6 to be expanded.

[0028] Furthermore, by providing the distribution cable integrally with the compensating rope 5, the weight of the distribution cable can be added to the weight of the compensating rope 5. As a result, the weight of the compensating rope 5 can be reduced.

[0029] Next, the configuration of the detection sensor 21 will be described with reference to Fig. 4A to Fig. 6. Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B are diagrams showing the positional relationship between the detection sensor 21 and the weight-side guide rail 14. Fig. 4A shows a first arrangement example, and Fig. 4B shows a second arrangement example. Fig. 5 is a front view showing the positional relationship between the detection sensor 21 and the weight-side guide rail 14, and Fig. 6 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the detection sensor 21 and the weight-side guide rail 14.

[0030] 4A, 5, and 6, the detection sensor 21 has a roller 21a. When the pressure on the roller 21a is released, the detection sensor 21 detects the displacement of the counterweight 2 from the weight-side guide rail 14.

[0031] Here, the weight-side guide rail 14 has a sliding portion 14a on which a slider 2b of the counterweight 2 (described later) slides, and a flange portion 14b. The flange portion 14b is supported within the hoistway 6 by a rail bracket 17 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). In addition, the sliding portion 14a protrudes toward the counterweight 2 from the middle portion in the width direction of the flange portion 14b.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 4A to 6, in a normal state where the counterweight 2 is not disengaged from the weight-side guide rail 14, the roller 21a of the detection sensor 21 is in contact with the sliding portion 14a of the weight-side guide rail 14.

[0033] In a first arrangement example shown in Fig. 4A, the roller 21a is in contact with the front portion of the sliding portion 14a that faces the counterweight 2. Alternatively, as in a second arrangement example shown in Fig. 4B, the roller 21a may be in contact with a side portion of the sliding portion 14a that is perpendicular to the front portion. When the counterweight 2 moves along the weight-side guide rail 14, the roller 21a slides on the sliding portion 14a.

[0034] Figure 7 is a front view showing the counterweight 2. As shown in Figure 7, the counterweight 2 has two upper and lower weight frames 31, a vertical weight frame 32, an intermediate weight frame 33, and a slider 2b. The upper and lower weight frames 31 are arranged at the top and bottom of the counterweight 2 in the vertical direction. The vertical weight frame 32 connects the two weight frames 31 along the vertical direction. The intermediate weight frame 33 is arranged in the middle of the vertical weight frame 32 in the vertical direction. The two upper and lower weight frames 31, the vertical weight frame 32, and the intermediate weight frame 33 support a weight.

[0035] The weight-side pulley 11 is rotatably supported by the upper and lower weight frames 31 arranged at the upper and lower parts in the vertical direction. A shock absorber 34 is arranged on the upper and lower weight frames 31 arranged at the lower part in the vertical direction.

[0036] Furthermore, sliders 2b that slide on the weight-side guide rails 14 are provided at the four corners of the two upper and lower weight frames 31, the vertical weight frame 32, and the intermediate weight frame 33. Furthermore, two detection sensors 21 are disposed on the upper and lower weight frames 31 that are disposed at the bottom in the vertical direction. In this example, the detection sensors 21 are disposed on both ends of the upper and lower weight frames 31 that face the weight-side guide rails 14.

[0037] The detection sensor 21 is supplied with power from the car-side control box 15 of the car 1 via a wiring cable provided on the compensating rope 5. The detection sensor 21 also outputs detected information to the car-side control box 15 of the car 1 via the wiring cable. That is, the wiring cable outputs not only power but also information from the detection sensor 21 to the car-side control box 15. The car-side control box 15 then detects, from the information detected by the detection sensor 21, whether or not the counterweight 2 has come off the weight-side guide rail 14, i.e., whether or not it has deviated from the rail.

[0038] Although the example of the electronic device provided in the counterweight 2 has been described in which the detection sensor 21 having the roller 21a that contacts the weight-side guide rail 14 is used, the present invention is not limited to this. Fig. 8 is a front view of the counterweight 2, showing another example of the electronic device.

[0039] In the example shown in Fig. 8, an acceleration sensor 41 is applied as the electronic device. The acceleration sensor 41 is connected to the middle part in the width direction of the upper and lower weight frames 31 arranged at the lower bottom. Power is supplied to the acceleration sensor 41 from the car-side control box 15 of the car 1 via a wiring cable provided on the compensating rope 5. The acceleration sensor 41 also outputs detected information to the car-side control box 15 of the car 1 via the wiring cable.

[0040] The car-side control box 15 then detects whether the counterweight 2 has come off the weight-side guide rail 14 from the acceleration information of the counterweight 2 detected by the acceleration sensor 41 .

[0041] The electronic device provided in the counterweight 2 is not limited to the detection sensor 21 and the acceleration sensor 41. For example, an electric emergency stop device that brings the movement of the counterweight 2 to an emergency stop when the counterweight 2 exceeds a predetermined speed, or any other type of electronic device may be applied.

[0042] 1-2. Operation for Detecting Detachment of Counterweight from Rail Next, the operation for detecting detachment of the counterweight 2 from the rail in the elevator 100 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 13. Figures 9 to 13 are diagrams showing a state in which the counterweight 2 has come off the weight-side guide rail 14, i.e., a state in which the counterweight 2 has deviated from the rail.

[0043] There is a risk that the counterweight 2 may come off the weight-side guide rail 14 due to a large earthquake or other large tremor. When the counterweight 2 comes off the rail, the counterweight 2 moves from the weight-side guide rail 14 in a direction toward or away from the car 1, as shown in Figures 9 and 10 .

[0044] When the counterweight 2 comes off the weight-side guide rail 14, as shown in Figures 11 to 13, the roller 21a of the detection sensor 21 moves away from the sliding portion 14a of the weight-side guide rail 14. This releases the contact between the roller 21a and the sliding portion 14a, and the detection sensor 21 turns ON. When the detection sensor 21 turns ON, it outputs this information to the car-side control box 15 of the car 1 via a wiring cable provided along the compensating rope 5. This allows the car-side control box 15 to detect that the counterweight 2 has come off the rail.

[0045] In the above example, the detection sensor 21 is turned OFF when the roller 21a is in contact with the sliding portion 14a, and turned ON when the roller 21a comes off the sliding portion 14a. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the detection sensor 21 may be turned ON when the roller 21a is in contact with the sliding portion 14a, and turned OFF when the roller 21a comes off the sliding portion 14a. The car-side control box 15 may detect that the counterweight 2 has come off the rail when the signal from the detection sensor 21 turns OFF.

[0046] 2. Second Embodiment Next, an elevator according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a plan view showing an elevator according to the second embodiment.

[0047] The elevator 100B according to the second embodiment differs from the elevator 100 according to the first embodiment in the positions of the counterweight 2 and the hoist 4. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used here to designate parts common to the elevator 100 according to the first embodiment, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0048] 14 , the elevator 100B has a car 1, a counterweight 2, a main rope 3, a hoist 4, a compensating rope 5, and a control panel 16. In the elevator 100B according to the second embodiment, the counterweight 2 and the hoist 4 are arranged on the rear side of the elevator shaft 6, opposite the front side where the car 1 faces the landing door 6a. Also in the elevator 100B according to the second embodiment, a wiring cable is arranged along the compensating rope 5 to supply power to a detection sensor 21, which is an example of an electronic device provided in the counterweight 2.

[0049] The other configurations are the same as those of the elevator 100 according to the first embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. The elevator 100B according to the second embodiment can also achieve the same functions and effects as those of the elevator 100 according to the first embodiment described above.

[0050] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

[0051] In the above-described embodiment, the car-side control box 15 determines whether the counterweight 2 has come off the rails, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, information from the detection sensor 21 may be transmitted from the car-side control box 15 to the control panel 16 or an external remote monitoring center, and the control panel 16 or the remote monitoring center may determine whether the counterweight 2 has come off the rails.

[0052] In this specification, the words "parallel" and "orthogonal" are used, but these do not mean only "parallel" and "orthogonal" in the strict sense, but also include "parallel" and "orthogonal" and may also mean a "substantially parallel" or "substantially orthogonal" state within a range in which the functions can be exerted.

[0053] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...car, 2...counterweight, 2b...slider, 3...main rope, 4...hoisting machine, 4a...sheave, 5...compensation rope (compensation device), 6...hoistway, 7, 12...fixing device, 8...car side pulley, 11...weight side pulley, 13...weight side guide rail, 14...car side guide rail, 14a...sliding portion, 14b...flange portion, 15...car side control box, 16...control panel, 17...rail bracket, 21...detection sensor (electronic device), 21a...roller, 41...acceleration sensor (electronic device), 100, 100B...elevator

Claims

1. An elevator comprising: a car that moves up and down in an elevator shaft and has a car-side control box; a main rope connected to the car; a counterweight that is connected to the main rope and moves up and down in the elevator shaft and has electronic equipment; a hoist around which the main rope is wound; a compensation device that is connected to the car and the counterweight and corrects the balance of the weight of the main rope that is placed on the hoist when the car moves up and down; and a distribution cable that connects the car-side control box and the electronic equipment and supplies power to the electronic equipment, the distribution cable being arranged along the compensation device.

2. The elevator according to claim 1, wherein the compensation device is a compensating rope, and the distribution cable is formed integrally with the compensating rope.

3. The elevator according to claim 1, wherein the distribution cable is connected to the compensation device via a wire.

4. An elevator according to claim 1, further comprising a weight-side guide rail that movably supports the counterweight, and the electronic device is a detection sensor that detects when the counterweight comes off the weight-side guide rail.

5. An elevator according to claim 4, wherein the electronic device has a roller that contacts the weight-side guide rail, and when the roller moves away from the weight-side guide rail, the electronic device detects that the counterweight has come off the weight-side guide rail.

6. The elevator according to claim 4, wherein the wiring cable outputs information from the electronic device to the car-side control box.

7. The elevator according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is an acceleration sensor that detects the acceleration of the counterweight.

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