Rail arrangement for an elevator system

Abstract

The invention relates to a rail arrangement for guiding and supporting an elevator car (3), said rail arrangement comprising a first rail (10) which is formed by a profile which is T-shaped in cross-section and has a guide section (4) along which a guide unit (6), which is allocated to the elevator car, can be guided, and a second rail (11) having a braking section (5) for interacting with a braking device (7) for braking the elevator car (3). The T-rail (10) is formed by a rolled, drawn or pressed solid steel profile. The braking profile (11) is a profile which is Z-shaped in cross-section, and consists of a metal sheet.

Description

[0001] 2023P00256WÖ

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Rail arrangement for an elevator system

[0004] The invention relates to a rail arrangement for guiding and supporting an elevator car. Furthermore, the invention relates to an elevator system for transporting people or goods.

[0005] Elevator systems have elevator cars that move within an elevator shaft. To ensure that the elevator car is guided linearly with sufficient precision, guide rails, in particular, are used, which are fixed in the elevator shaft. T-shaped metal profiles are a well-known and commonly used type of guide rail. The T-profile has a rail foot attached to a shaft wall and a rail web. The rail web has two opposing guide surfaces and a guide surface on the opposite side, along which a sliding or roller guide shoe can move. In addition to their guiding function, the guide surfaces of the rail web also serve as contact surfaces for safety devices that can brake the elevator car to a stop. The safety device can also be a safety brake to catch the car.The T-profile guide rail has proven its worth for many years. However, it also has some disadvantages. For good guidance, the guide section of the rail web must be coated with a film of oil, which can make braking or stopping the elevator car difficult.

[0006] Solutions have been identified in which the guiding function and the safety function are separated. One such solution is shown in WO 2016 / 078726 Al. Here, the rail arrangement is a monolithic profile body formed from a rolled metal profile, which defines the guiding section and the braking section. The guiding section and the braking section are designed as profile segments of the profile body arranged side by side and projecting into the elevator shaft.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to avoid the disadvantages of the known invention and in particular to create a simple or otherwise improved rail arrangement for guiding and supporting an elevator car.

[0008] This task is accomplished according to the invention with a rail arrangement having the features of 2023P00256WÖ

[0009] - 2 -

[0010] Claim 1 solved. The rail arrangement for guiding and supporting an elevator car that is movable in an elevator shaft is essentially composed of two parts and comprises a first and a second rail. The first and second rails are designed as separate components. The first rail, formed by a T-shaped profile in cross-section and hereinafter referred to as the "T-rail" for simplicity, has a guide section along which a guide unit associated with the elevator car can be guided. The guide unit can be a roller guide shoe or sliding guide shoe, which is known per se and commonly used in elevators. The second rail has a braking section for interacting with a braking device for braking the elevator car. The second rail is hereinafter also referred to as the "brake profile". The T-rail and the brake profile are connected to each other and form a compact rail arrangement.The T-rail consists of a rail base and a rail web extending perpendicularly from the base, incorporating the guide section. Because the rail assembly comprises two such rails—the first and second rails—each formed by separate components, several advantages can be achieved. A favorable rail geometry can thus be easily attained. Thanks to this novel rail arrangement, conventional and mass-produced T-rails can be used, which are readily available on the open market in the desired dimensions and materials, depending on the requirements. T-rails have a long track record of proven performance and can now be used for this innovative rail arrangement. The acquisition costs for such a rail assembly can therefore be significantly reduced. A further advantage is the ease of manufacturing the rail assembly.This rail arrangement allows the elevator car to be guided safely and at the same time ensures reliable braking and catching of the elevator car.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the guide section and the brake section can be arranged at right angles to each other. The advantage of this rail arrangement is that a braking device can be used that is oriented transversely to the guide unit.

[0012] In another embodiment, if the first rail, formed by a T-shaped profile in cross-section, has a rail foot, it can be advantageous if the rail foot is supported on the second rail and if the rail foot, and thus the first rail, is attached to the second rail by means of fastening elements, for example in the form of rail clamps (clips) 2023P00256WÖ

[0013] - 3 - is fixed to the second rail.

[0014] In another embodiment, the second rail or brake profile can have a mounting section against which the first rail or T-rail rests via its underside, and via which mounting section the rail assembly can be attached to the elevator shaft and, in particular, to a shaft wall of the elevator shaft. Instead of direct attachment, it is also conceivable to fasten the rail assembly to the shaft wall using a rail fastening system (e.g., a rail bracket). The support of the rail foot on the second rail can preferably take place in the area of ​​the mounting section.

[0015] The first rail can be formed from a rolled, drawn, or pressed solid steel profile. The second rail can consist of one or more sheets. The use of different materials, wall thicknesses, and dimensions results in an advantageous rail arrangement that is easy to manufacture yet still meets high standards of safety and ride comfort.

[0016] The second rail (brake profile) can be a sheet metal part that includes the brake section and a mounting section for attaching it to the elevator shaft and providing a contact surface for the T-rail. The brake section and mounting section are integrally connected via folds or bends. This is the same mounting section as previously mentioned—the one against which the first rail rests via its underside and through which the rail assembly can be attached to the elevator shaft. Such a sheet metal part can be easily manufactured from a blank using sheet metal forming processes.

[0017] It can also be advantageous if the second rail has a Z-shaped profile in cross-section. In this case, the braking device can be oriented transversely to the guide unit. A simple angle profile, i.e., a profile with an L-shape, can also be suitable for certain applications. In this case, the braking device and the guide unit would be oriented in the same direction. Depending on the application and specific circumstances, other profile shapes are also conceivable. The spring-shaped braking section can be formed from a single-walled sheet. However, it is also conceivable that the braking section could be double-walled. 2023P00256WÖ

[0018] - 4 - could be.

[0019] It can be particularly advantageous if the braking section and the mounting section of the second rail run parallel to each other at a distance, the distance being chosen such that the braking section lies on a plane that passes through the guide section. This ensures that the braking device can be operated safely and reliably.

[0020] If the second rail is a Z-shaped profile in cross-section, it can have the braking section, an intermediate section connected to this at a right angle via a bend, and finally a fastening section also connected to the intermediate section at a right angle via a bend.

[0021] For a secure connection between the two rails, the first rail can be fixed to the second rail by means of fastening elements arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the profile, particularly in the form of rail clamps (clips). For this purpose, corresponding holes arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the profile can be provided in the fastening section to accommodate screws (or other fasteners for fixing the T-rail to the brake profile and for attaching the rail assembly to a shaft wall).

[0022] Another aspect of the invention relates to an elevator system for the transport of persons or goods with an elevator car movable in an elevator shaft and with at least one rail arrangement of the type described above.

[0023] Further individual features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment and from the drawings. These show:

[0024] Figure 1: a highly simplified representation of an interface between an elevator car and a shaft wall with a rail arrangement according to the invention, and

[0025] Figure 2: A perspective view of a rail arrangement. 2023P00256WÖ

[0026] - 5 -

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a rail arrangement, labeled 1, for a lift system for transporting people or goods. Lift systems typically comprise a lift car, a counterweight, load-bearing elements, and a drive mechanism. In Fig. 1, one side of the lift car, labeled 3, which moves vertically up and down, is visible in a top view; the other lift components mentioned above, which are known to those skilled in the art, are not shown. The drive mechanism (e.g., a traction drive) powers the load-bearing element(s) (e.g., belts, steel cables) and thus moves the lift car and the counterweight in opposite directions. Such lifts have been known and used for a long time. The arrangement described in more detail below is, of course, also suitable for other types of lift systems.

[0028] The elevator car 3 can be guided during travel by means of the rail arrangement 1 and supported, for example, in the event of a car stop or emergency car retrieval. The elevator car 3 is supported on or by other load-bearing elements. Elevator cars are preferably guided on both sides. However, instead of two arrangements mounted on opposite shaft walls, it would also be conceivable to provide only one arrangement per car, for example, for a so-called backpack elevator. The elevator system further includes braking or safety devices 7 to secure the elevator car in the event of a failure of the drive or the load-bearing elements. Safety brakes can be used for this purpose, which can brake the elevator car on the guide rails if necessary.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 1, the rail assembly 1 is attached to a shaft wall 2 of an elevator shaft. Theoretically, however, it would also be conceivable to attach the assembly to an exterior facade of a building or to another wall. Instead of the direct attachment shown here, it is also conceivable to attach the rail assembly to the shaft wall using a rail fastening system (e.g., a rail bracket).

[0030] The rail arrangement 1 is evidently designed as a composite of two rails extending in the z-direction, where the z-direction corresponds to the vertical direction of travel of the elevator car 3. The rail arrangement 1 with the two rails is constructed as follows: It has a first rail 10 formed by a T-shaped profile in cross-section, which has a guide section 4 along which a guide unit 6, designed by way of example as a sliding guide shoe and associated with the elevator car, can be guided. 2023P00256WÖ

[0031] - 6 -

[0032] For the sake of simplicity, the first rail 10 will subsequently be referred to as the "T-rail". The rail assembly 1 further comprises a second rail 11 with a braking section 5 for interaction with the braking device 7 for braking the elevator car 3. For the sake of simplicity, the second rail 11 will subsequently be referred to as the "brake profile". The T-rail 10 and the brake profile 11 are connected to each other and form a compact rail assembly 1. The rail assembly 1 is thus essentially a two-part structure comprising the first and second rails 10 and 11. The two rails 10 and 11 are clearly designed as separate components. It can be advantageous if the elevator car 3 can travel between opposing guides. Accordingly, two rail assemblies 1 can be provided for this elevator system, with each rail assembly being assigned to a shaft wall.

[0033] The T-rail 10 is formed from a rolled, drawn, or pressed solid steel profile. The T-rail 10 consists of a rail foot 8 and a rail web 9 projecting perpendicularly from the rail foot, with the guide section 4. For the rail arrangement 1 presented here, T-rails commonly used in the elevator industry can be employed. These T-rails are inexpensive and readily available in bulk. The special feature of the rail arrangement 1 lies in the embedding of such T-rails in a novel rail assembly. The second rail, or brake profile 11, is a sheet metal component and, in this case, consists of a single sheet. The guide section 4, along which the guide unit 6 associated with the elevator car 3 can be guided during the movement of the car in the z-direction, projects into the shaft space of the elevator shaft. Laterally offset from the guide section 4, the brake section 5 is visible, which, as already mentioned, is associated with the other rail 11.Guide section 4 and brake section 5 are clearly arranged at right angles to each other. The aforementioned braking device 7, for example a car brake and / or a safety brake, can travel along brake section 5. When activated, the braking device 7 is brought into a braking state, with the safety device, in the activated state, frictionally connecting the car to the guide rail. A safety brake is a device that prevents the elevator car from exceeding its speed in the downward direction. Solutions with safety wedges that can be actuated by springs are known, for example. The springs are pre-tensioned by an electromagnet and are released when necessary. A car brake can be used to secure the elevator car when it comes to a stop.In the present embodiment, the braking device 7 is installed transversely to the guide unit 6 on the elevator car 3. 2023P00256WÖ.

[0034] - 7 -

[0035] The braking device 7 shown schematically in Fig. 1 can, for example, be a cabin or safety brake arranged in a (not shown) frame section of a safety frame of the elevator car 3. The frame section can be a horizontal support, preferably located below the car floor, with a C-profile, wherein the flanges of the C-profile run horizontally and the cabin or safety brake can be accommodated in a space-saving manner in the space between the flanges. Of course, braking devices can also be located in other places, for example on the vertical side panels of the safety frame.

[0036] The brake profile 11 has a mounting section 12 against which the T-rail 10 rests via its underside, and via which mounting section the rail assembly 1 can be attached to a shaft wall 2 of the elevator shaft. The brake profile 11 is a Z-shaped profile in cross-section and has the brake section 5, an intermediate section 13 which connects to it at a right angle via a bend 15, and finally the mounting section 12, which connects to the intermediate section at a right angle via a bend 16. Brake section 5, intermediate section 13, and mounting section 12 are therefore integrally connected. Brake section 5 and mounting section 12 run parallel to each other at a distance T, the distance T being chosen such that the brake section 5 is located on a plane that passes through the guide section 4.The brake section 5, designed as a spring, is single-walled in this case, but could also be double-walled or further reinforced if required for higher mechanical loads.

[0037] The upper and lower surfaces of the brake section 5 form contact surfaces on which, for example, brake shoes or other operating elements of the brake device 7 engage in the activated position. The activation of the brake shoes is indicated in Fig. 1 by arrows pointing towards each other.

[0038] The brake profile 11 is fixed to the brake profile 11 by means of fastening elements 14 in the form of rail clamps, also known as "clips". The rail foot 8 belonging to the first rail 10 rests against the second rail 11 and is fixed to the second rail 11 via the rail clamps 14. Screws 17 are used to secure the clips. Holes for receiving the screws 17 are provided in the fastening section 12 for fixing the T- 2023P00256WÖ

[0039] - 8 -

[0040] Rail 10 is provided on the brake profile 11 and for attaching the rail arrangement 1 to the shaft wall 2.

[0041] Fig. 2 shows the structural details of a rail arrangement 1. The brake profile 11 is a Z-shaped sheet metal part formed using profiling machines. The brake profile 11 can, in particular, be designed as a rolled metal profile. The brake profile 11 can thus be manufactured cost-effectively from a sheet of steel with a thickness of two to five millimeters using a hot or cold rolling process. The T-rail 10 is fixed to the brake profile 11 by means of fastening elements 14 in the form of rail clamps, arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction z of the profile.

Claims

2023P00256WÖ - 9 - Patent claims 1. Rail arrangement for guiding and supporting an elevator car (3) which is movable in an elevator shaft, comprising - a first rail (10) formed by a T-shaped profile in cross-section, which has a guide section (4) along which a guide unit (6) associated with the elevator car can be guided, - a second rail (11) with a braking section (5) for interaction with a braking device (7) for braking the elevator car (3).

2. Rail arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide section (4) and the brake section (5) are designed to run at right angles to each other.

3. Rail arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first rail (10) has a rail foot (8) which is supported on the second rail (11) and which is fixed to the second rail (11) by means of fastening elements (14), for example in the form of rail clamps.

4. Rail arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second rail (11) has a fastening section (12) against which the first rail (10) rests and via which fastening section (12) the rail arrangement (1) can be attached to the elevator shaft.

5. Rail arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first rail (10) is formed by a rolled, drawn or pressed solid steel profile and that the second rail (11) consists of one or more sheets.

6. Rail arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the second rail is a sheet metal part which sheet metal part defines or has the braking section (5) and a fastening section (12), wherein the braking section (5) and fastening section (12) are connected to each other by folds or bends.

7. Rail arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that 2023P00256WÖ - 10 - the second rail (11) is a Z-shaped profile in cross-section.

8. Rail arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the braking section (5) and the fastening section (12) of the second rail (11) run parallel to each other at a distance (T) from each other, wherein the distance (T) is chosen to be such that the braking section (5) is located on a plane that passes through the guide section (4).

9. Rail arrangement according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the second rail (11) has the braking section (5), an intermediate section (13) adjoining it at a right angle via a bend (15) and finally a fastening section (12) also adjoining the intermediate section at a right angle via a bend (16).

10. Rail arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the first rail (10) is fixed to the second rail (11) by means of fastening elements (14) arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction (z) of the profile.

11. Elevator system for the transport of persons or goods with an elevator car (3) movable in an elevator shaft and with at least one rail arrangement (1) for guiding and supporting the elevator car (3) according to one of claims 1 to 10.

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