Suspension device and assembly for installing a travelling cable to an elevator control cabinet and method for installing the same

Abstract

Elevator system (1) comprising an assembly that comprises a suspension device (4), wherein the control cabinet (3) is connected to an elevator car (10) and to a travelling cable (2) to electrically connect the control cabinet (3) to an elevator control system (12).

Description

Suspension device and assembly for installing a travelling cable to an elevator control cabinet and method for installing the same.Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a suspension device to install a travelling cable to a control cabinet according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention relates also to an assembly according to preamble of claim 7 for installing a travelling cable to a control cabinet.

[0002] Further, the present invention relates to an elevator system comprising the assembly wherein the control cabinet is connected to an elevator car or in the elevator hoistway. A travelling cable electrically connects the car, preferably a carbased control cabinet, with the hoistway, preferably a hoistway based control cabinet of an elevator control system.

[0003] Still further, the present invention relates to a method to install a travelling cable.Background art

[0004] A prior art document JP S581063 U discloses a travelling cable clamp arranged between a fixed construction in the elevator hoistway and the movable elevator car.

[0005] Attaching a travelling cable between the fixed elevator hoistway and the movable elevator car is a challenging task due to different aspects. Firstly, the purpose of the traveling cable is to provide an electric connection between the elevator car and the fixed construction, such as for transmitting power and control signals between said elevator car and said fixed construction comprising at least part of the elevator control system. Thus, the travelling cable must be able to provide electricity and / or electronic signals (or transmit a light signal) without disturbance and as long as the travelling cable lifespan enables. In elevator applications, the travelling cableis typically a flat cable comprising several conductive leads set on a row and embedded in an insulating matrix. The flat configuration enables durability in a long run when the travelling cable is constantly bent while the elevator car moves. Due to the moving elevator car, the travelling cable and its connections are prone to all kind of vibrations and external forces, the own mass of the travelling cable suspended on the elevator car being one of the factors creating forces to the connections. An easy and fast assembly of the travelling cable is one objective while minimum wear and tear of the travelling cable and a safe encapsulation of the cable connectors is another desired attribute.Disclosure of the invention

[0006] The objects of the invention can be met substantially as is disclosed in the independent claims and in the other claims describing more details of different embodiments of the invention.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the invention, an elevator system comprises an assembly for installing a travelling cable to a control cabinet, wherein the control cabinet is connected to an elevator car or to a stationary element in an elevator hoistway and a travelling cable electrically connects the elevator car preferably an elevator car based control cabinet, with the elevator hoistway, preferably an elevator hoistway based control cabinet of an elevator control system. Said assembly is provided for installing a travelling cable to a control cabinet,- the control cabinet comprises an aperture for the travelling cable to pass through a wall of the control cabinet, the travelling cable is configured to approach and exit the aperture in a direction parallel to the wall of the control cabinet,- a suspension device comprising a clamp is attached to the travelling cable,- the suspension device with the travelling cable is attached to the aperture of the control cabinet,- the travelling cable passing through the wall of the control cabinet is shielded with the suspension device so that the clamp prevents direct contact of a rim of the aperture with the travelling cable.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the invention, said suspension device is provided for installing a travelling cable to a control cabinet, the suspension device comprises a clamp that comprises two clamp plates attachable against each other to form a clamp plate pair, the clamp plate pair forms a cable passage between the clamp plates for the travelling cable to pass through the cable passage and to be clamped between the clamp plates, the clamp plates are formed such that the cable passage forms an offset route comprising three sections, the first section having first cable direction, the second section having an angled cable direction to the first cable direction and the third section having a third cable direction being parallel to the first direction but being at an offset distance from the first section. The clamp comprises dual function fastening means, one function is for attaching the clamp plates to the travelling cable and other function is for attaching the clamp together with the travelling cable to the control cabinet.

[0009] The clamp plate pair forms generally a gently sloping S-shaped cable passage between the clamp plates for the travelling cable to pass through the cable passage and to be securely clamped between the clamp plates. The clamp plates are formed such that the cable passage forms an offset route comprising three sections, the first section having the first cable direction that is intended to be parallel to the control cabinet wall when assembled. The second section is having an angled cable direction in comparison to the first cable direction so that the travelling cable is able to pass the wall of the control cabinet. This angle and second section length in cable direction need to be selected so that a bending radius for the cable passage or the clamp plate is not smaller than an allowed minimum radius of the travelling cable, the offset distance is selected according to a thickness of the travelling cable. The third section is having a third cable direction being parallel to the first direction but being at an offset distance from the first section. So, at this third section the travelling cable direction is returned to the original direction, but shifted so that the travelling cable may advance outside the control cabinet in a direction parallel to the control cabinet wall.

[0010] According to an embodiment, the fastening means comprise a set ofscrews that are to be mounted from both sides of the clamp, the set of screws comprise two different lengths of screws. The shorter screws are used only for attaching the clamp plate pair to the travelling cable while the longer screws extra length is used for attaching the suspension device with the travelling cable to the control cabinet.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the invention, the two clamp plates are identical. So that by turning one clamp plate around (180 degrees in the clamp plate planar direction), the two clamp plates are attachable to each other to form the clamp. This has an effect on simplifying the construction and reduces the number of different parts. Preferably the clamp plate comprises a pair of fixed threaded nuts on a section (on the first section or the third section) and a pair of unthreaded holes on another section (opposite to the other selected section). This still simplifies the construction and enables easy and simple mounting of the suspension device. This is achievable for example by using fastening means that comprise a set of screws that are to be mounted from both sides of the clamp.

[0012] According to an embodiment, the elevator system comprises the previously explained assembly, wherein the control cabinet is connected to an elevator car or to a stationary Element in an elevator hoistway and a travelling cable electrically connects the elevator car, preferably an elevator car based control cabinet, with the elevator hoistway, preferably an elevator hoistway based control cabinet of an elevator control system. In some embodiments, a control cabinet is provided at both ends of the travelling cable, the control cabinets may not be similar, but it depends on the actual configuration of the elevator system.

[0013] In method to install a travelling cable, the method comprising following steps,- providing an elevator car and / or an elevator hoistway with a control cabinet,- providing a travelling cable to electrically connect the elevator car to an elevator control system,- providing a suspension device with a clamp comprising two clamp plates andfastening means for fastening the two clamp plates together,- attaching the clamp on to the travelling cable on a designed position by setting the clamp plates against each other, setting the travelling cable between the clamp plates and tightening the fastening means so that the pair of clamp plates securely fastens to the travelling cable,- connecting the suspension device with the travelling cable attached to the control cabinet by sliding the clamp to an U-slot formed at a rim of the control cabinet.

[0014] The verb "to comprise" is used in this patent application as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also unrecited features. The features recited in dependent claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims.Brief description of the drawings

[0015] In the following, the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying exemplary, schematic drawings, in which.Figure 1 illustrates an elevator system according to an embodiment of the invention, Figures 2a to 2g illustrates a suspension device according to an embodiment of the invention,Figure 3a to 3e illustrates an assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.Detailed description of the drawings

[0016] Figure 1 depicts schematically the elevator system 1 comprising the assembly that further comprises the suspension device 4, the control cabinet 3 is connected to the elevator car 10 and to the travelling cable 2 to electrically connect the control cabinet 3 to the elevator control system 12. As the elevator car 10 is movable up and down along the elevator hoistway 11, the travelling cable 2 follows the elevator car 10 and the position of the hanging travelling cable 2, especially it’s elevator car end, changes constantly.

[0017] Figures 2a, 2al, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f and 2g depicts schematically anembodiment of the suspension device 4. In Fig. 2a and Fig 2al it is shown the same clamp plate 40 from different perspectives, Fig 2a presents an isometric view and Fig 2al presents a side view of the same. It is presented a single clamp plate 40 that has been formed such that comprises three sections 411, 412, 413, the first section 411 having first cable direction, second section 412 having an angled a cable direction to the first cable direction and the third section 413 having a third cable direction being parallel to the first direction but being at an offset distance OD from the first section. The offset distance OD is selected mainly according to a thickness of the travelling cable 2, but also added by thickness of the clamp plate 40 and a control cabinet wall thickness (not shown in Fig 2a, Fig 2al). The clamp plate 40 wall direction at different sections 411, 412, 413 defines the cable direction. As can be understood especially from Fig 2al, there would not be a sharp turning radius R between the sections 411, 412, 413 but it would depend on the actual manufacturing method of the clamp plate 40 and the clamp plate 40 material thickness. The clamp plate 40 comprises a pair of fixed threaded nuts 422 on a section 411, (413) and a pair of unthreaded holes 424 on another section 413, (411).

[0018] In Fig 2b it is illustrated that a travelling cable 2 is set on its position on the clamp plate 40. The clamp plate bending, meaning the previously explained first section 411, second section 412 and third section 413, defines the shape of the travelling cable 2 on the clamp plate 40. The fixed threaded nuts 422 may give extra support for the travelling cable 2 in assembly, so the fixed threaded nuts 422 makes the assembly easier.

[0019] In Fig. 2c it is illustrated how the suspension device 4 comprises a clamp 41 i.e., that it comprises two clamp plates 40 attachable against each other to form a clamp plate 40 pair, which is the clamp 41. According to this presented embodiment, the two clamp plates 40 are identical so that by turning one clamp plate 40 around, the two clamp plates 40 are attachable to each other to form the clamp 41. The clamp 41 comprises dual function fastening means 42 (all figured items starting with number 42xx are belonging to group “fastening means 42”), one function is for attaching the clamp plates 40 to the travelling cable 2 and other function is forattaching the clamp 41 together with the travelling cable 2 to the control cabinet 3. The fastening means 42 comprise a set of screws 423 (also here any part starting with number 423x belong to group “screw 423”) that are to be mounted from both sides of the clamp 41, the set of screws 423 comprise two different length of screws 4231, 4232. The purpose of these two length screws will be explained later, when the attachment to the control cabinet 3 will be explained.

[0020] In Fig. 2d it is presented a suspension device 4 that comprises a clamp 41 that comprises two clamp plates 40 attachable against each other to form a clamp plate 40 pair, the clamp plate 40 pair forms a cable passage 410 between the clamp plates 40 for the travelling cable 2 to pass through the cable passage 410 and to be clamped between the clamp plates 40, the clamp plates 40 are formed such that the cable passage 410 forms an offset route comprising three sections 411, 412, 413. In this Fig. 2d also presented how the long screw 4232 protruded from the surface of the clamp 41 so that it enables the use of the same screw 4232 in fastening to the control cabinet (not shown in this Fig 2d). The other is a short screw 4231 that does not protrude from the surface of the clamp 41, thus enabling a feature that it will not interfere with the control cabinet surface. In this Fig. 2d, the lower screws 423 show here being screws 423 that are to be mounted from the other side (both sides) of the clamp 41.

[0021] In Fig. 2e it is presented that the long screws 4232 are on the left-hand side and an additional nut 421 will be assembled on the long screws 4232. This is how the suspension device 4, clamp 41 will be attached to the control cabinet 3, by compressing a wall of the control cabinet between the fixed nut 422 and the rotatable nut 421.

[0022] In Fig. 2f it is presented an embodiment of the suspension device 4 assembled ready, an isometric projection view from the right-hand side, in Fig. 2g it is presented the same suspension device 4, an isometric projection view from the lefthand side.

[0023] In Figures 3a to 3e it is presented an embodiment of assembly accordingto the present invention for installing a travelling cable 2 to a control cabinet 3 :- the control cabinet 3 comprises an aperture 31 for the travelling cable to pass through a wall 30 of the control cabinet 3, the travelling cable 2 is configured to approach and exit the aperture 31 in a direction parallel to the wall 30 of the control cabinet 3,- the suspension device 4 of any of the preceding claims is attached to the travelling cable 2,- the suspension device 4 with the travelling cable 2 is attached to the aperture 31 of the control cabinet 3,- the travelling cable 2 passing through the wall 30 of the control cabinet 3 is shielded with the suspension device 4 so that the clamp 41 prevents direct contact of a rim 310 of the aperture with the travelling cable 2.

[0024] In Fig. 3a it is presented an embodiment wherein the aperture 31 in control cabinet 3 comprises a U-slot 31 that opens in a transverse direction to the travelling cable 2 direction. As illustrated, the travelling cable 2 direction is vertical and the U-slot opens up to right, transverse to the travelling cable main direction. This enables easy installation of the assembly, as the tension in the travelling cable can be easily controlled, there are no need to pull cable in length direction, just slide the suspension device 4 with the travelling cable 2 sideways to the U-slot 31. Further, according to a preferred embodiment, the U-slot 31 is formed as a triple-U-formed cutout in a rim 300 of the control cabinet 3, in the triple U-form one of the U-forms is for the clamp 41 and two are for the fastening means 42.

[0025] In Fig. 3b and Fig. 3c it is presented the assembly of Fig. 3a completed, the nut 421 is tightened so that the suspension device 4 is attached to the control cabinet 3. The control cabinet 3 door, back plate or similar structure (not shown) is still open / missing. In Fig. 3d and Fig. 3e the door, back plate wall 32 or similar structure is on its place and the assembly prevents dirt and water to enter the control cabinet 3.

[0026] Referring to all Figures, in a method to install a travelling cable 2, the method could comprise the following steps,- providing an elevator car 10 with a control cabinet 3,- providing a travelling cable 2 to electrically connect the elevator car 10 to an elevator control system 12,- providing a suspension device 4 with a clamp 41 comprising two clamp plates 40 and fastening means 42 for fastening the two clamp plates 40 together,- attaching the clamp 41 on to the travelling cable 2 on a designed position by setting the clamp plates 40 against each other, setting the travelling cable 2 between the clamp plates 40 and tightening the fastening means 42 so that the pair of clamp plates 40 securely fastens to the travelling cable 2, - connecting the suspension device 4 with the travelling cable 2 attached to the control cabinet 3 by sliding the clamp 41 to an U-slot 31 formed at a rim 300 of the control cabinet 3.The method may further comprise a step of connecting leads / plug / socket of the travelling cable to the control cabinet. Also prior to connecting the suspension device 4 to the control cabinet 3, the travelling cable 2 is set to its position in an elevator hoistway 11 and attached to strain relief clamps carrying the majority of the travelling cable 2 weight.

Claims

Claims1. A Suspension device (4) for installing a travelling cable (2) to a control cabinet (3), the suspension device (4) comprises a clamp (41) that comprises two clamp plates (40) attachable against each other to form a clamp plate (40) pair, the clamp plate (40) pair forms a cable passage (410) between the clamp plates (40) for the travelling cable (2) to pass through the cable passage (410) and to be clamped between the clamp plates (40), the clamp plates (40) are formed such that the cable passage (410) forms an offset route comprising three sections (411, 412, 413), the first section (411) having first cable direction, second section (412) having an angled (a) cable direction to the first cable direction and the third section (413) having a third cable direction being parallel to the first direction but being at an offset distance (OD) from the first section, characterized in that, the clamp (41) comprises dual function fastening means (42), one function is for attaching the clamp plates (40) to the travelling cable (2) and other function is for attaching the clamp (41) together with the travelling cable (2) to the control cabinet (3).

2. The suspension device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the offset distance (OD) is selected according to a thickness of the travelling cable (2).

3. The suspension device (4) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two clamp plates (40) are identical, and that the two clamp plates (40) are preferably attachable to each other to form the clamp (41).

4. The suspension device (4) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the clamp plate (40) comprises a pair of fixed threaded nuts (422) on a section (411, 413) and a pair of unthreaded holes (424) on another section (411, 413).

5. The suspension device (4) according to the claim 5, characterized in that the fastening means (42) comprise a set of screws (423) that are to be mounted from both sidesof the clamp (41), the set of screws (423) comprise two different lengths of screws (4231, 4232).

6. Assembly for installing a travelling cable (2) to a control cabinet (3), characterized in that.- the control cabinet (3) comprises an aperture (31) for the travelling cable (2) to pass through a wall (30) of the control cabinet (3), the travelling cable (2) is configured to approach and exit the aperture (31) in a direction parallel to the wall(30) of the control cabinet (3),- the suspension device (4) of any of the preceding claims is attached to the travelling cable (2),- the suspension device (4) with the travelling cable (2) is attached to the aperture(31) of the control cabinet (3),- the travelling cable (2) passing through the wall (30) of the control cabinet (3) is shielded with the suspension device (4) so that the clamp (41) prevents direct contact of a rim (310) of the aperture with the travelling cable (2).

7. The assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the aperture (31) in control cabinet (3) comprises a U-slot (31) that opens in a transverse direction to the travelling cable (2) direction.

8. The assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the U-slot (31) is formed as a triple-U-formed cutout in a rim (300) of the control cabinet (3), in the triple U-form one of the U-forms is for the clamp (41) and two are for the fastening means (42).

9. Elevator system (1) comprising the assembly according to the preceding claims 7 to 9, wherein the control cabinet (3) is connected to an elevator car (10)or to a stationary Element in an elevator hoistway (11) and a travelling cable (2) electrically connects the elevator car (10), preferably an elevator car based control cabinet (3), with the elevator hoistway (11), preferably an elevator hoistway based control cabinet (3) of an elevator control system (12).

10. Elevator system according to claim 8, characterized in that the control cabinet (3) is provided at both ends of the travelling cable (2).

11. Method to install a travelling cable (2), the method comprising following steps,- providing an elevator car (10) and / or an elevator hoistway (11) with a control cabinet (3),- providing a travelling cable (2) to electrically connect the elevator car (10) to an elevator control system (12),- providing a suspension device (4) with a clamp (41) comprising two clamp plates (40) and fastening means (42) for fastening the two clamp plates (40) together,- attaching the clamp (41) on to the travelling cable (2) on a designed position by setting the clamp plates (40) against each other, setting the travelling cable (2) between the clamp plates (40) and tightening the fastening means (42) so that the pair of clamp plates (40) securely fastens to the travelling cable (2),- connecting the suspension device (4) with the travelling cable (2) attached to the control cabinet (3) by sliding the clamp (41) to a U-slot (31) formed at a rim (300) of the control cabinet (3).

12. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that prior to connecting the suspension device (4) to the control cabinet (3), the travelling cable (2) is set to its position in an elevator hoistway (11) and attached to strain relief clamps carrying the majority of the travelling cable weight.

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