Elevator rail arrangement

Abstract

A rail arrangement (4) for simultaneously guiding an elevator car (2) and a counterweight (3) that can be moved in the opposite direction to the elevator car in an elevator shaft comprises a first rail (5) for guiding the elevator car (2), said rail being formed by a profile having a T-shaped cross-section, and a second rail (6) which is designed as a sheet metal part and has two longitudinal guides (13, 14) for guiding the counterweight (3). The two rails (5, 6) are connected to one another in sections via mounting brackets (10) forming rail connectors for mounting the rail arrangement (4) in the elevator shaft.

Description

[0001] 2023P00365WÖ

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Elevator rail arrangement

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

[0005] Elevator systems for transporting people and goods contain elevator cars that can move up and down in an elevator shaft. The elevator cars can be moved in the vertical elevator shaft by means of a drive unit via suspension elements, such as cables or belts. To ensure that the elevator car is guided linearly with sufficient precision, guide rails are used, which are fixed in the elevator shaft. In addition to the elevator car, the elevator system generally includes at least one counterweight that moves in the opposite direction within the elevator shaft. From WO 2020 / 127787 A1, an elevator system with one elevator car and two counterweights that move in the opposite direction to the elevator car within the elevator shaft is disclosed. To guide one counterweight and the elevator car simultaneously, the elevator system has a rail arrangement in the form of a special hollow profile, which can be manufactured as a one-piece rolled profile.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to avoid the disadvantages of the known invention and in particular to create a rail arrangement for simultaneously guiding an elevator car and a counterweight moving in the opposite direction to the elevator car in an elevator shaft, which is simple in design and manufacture.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by a rail arrangement having the features of claim 1. The rail arrangement for simultaneously guiding an elevator car and a counterweight moving in the opposite direction to the elevator car in an elevator shaft comprises two rails: a first rail for guiding the elevator car and a second rail for guiding the counterweight.

[0008] The first rail for guiding the elevator car is formed by a T-shaped profile in cross-section. The second rail for guiding the counterweight has two longitudinal guides. The rail assembly can therefore be constructed from two separate rails or rail sections, i.e., the first rail on the one hand and the second rail on the other. 2023P00365WÖ

[0009] - 2 - The rail arrangement 4 is therefore a multi-part rail arrangement composed of the first and second rails. The rail arrangement can further be designed such that it can transport a counterweight on its own by means of the second rail, i.e., the counterweight is guided on one side only. Advantageously, the first rail and the second rail are connected to each other at least sectionally, and preferably sectionally, via rail connectors. The sectional connection between the two rails relates to the vertical direction of travel; it can be at a single point, whereby "pointwise" can also have a specific vertical extent of several centimeters, or it can have a longer vertical extent (e.g., greater than 10 cm). Thus, the rail arrangement has rail connectors distributed along the vertical direction of travel and preferably spaced at regular intervals from one another.The connecting sections or rail connectors can be assigned to floors.

[0010] This rail arrangement, composed of the two rails described above, offers several advantages. The guide rail, designed as a T-profile, has proven its worth in conventional elevators for many years. The T-rail can be formed, for example, from a rolled, drawn, or pressed solid steel profile. Such T-shaped solid steel profiles are readily available and inexpensive. Using such profiles for the first rail reduces the overall cost of the rail arrangement. Furthermore, standard elevator cars can be used, and custom-made guide shoes are unnecessary. The second rail can also be of a simple design and correspondingly inexpensive to procure.

[0011] The first and second rails can be positioned close together, forming a compact guide structure for the cabin and counterweight. Positioned close together means, for example, that the minimum surrounding area (MUR) of the two rails, as seen in plan view or cross-section, is less than 1000 cm².

[0012] The T-profile for the first rail has a rail foot and a rail web. The first rail has a guide section along which a guide unit associated with the elevator car can be guided. The rail web, or more precisely the guide section arranged on the rail web, has two opposing guide surfaces as well as a guide surface on the side facing the car, on which, for example, a sliding or 2023P00365WÖ

[0013] - 3 -

[0014] The roller guide shoe, acting as a guide unit, can be moved along the track either sliding or rolling. In addition to their guiding function, the guide surfaces of the rail web can also serve as attachment points for safety devices that can brake elevator cars to a stop. The safety device can also be a safety brake to catch the car.

[0015] The second rail for guiding the counterweight can have two longitudinal guides, each forming a spring and preferably arranged in alignment, wherein the longitudinal guides can define a slide guide for the counterweight. In other words, the longitudinal guides for the respective counterweights can have the same orientation but be directed away from each other or run in opposite directions and, if aligned, lie on a common vertical plane. The respective longitudinal guide or spring forms a kind of male guide for a tongue-and-groove connection. The groove of this tongue-and-groove connection would then be part of the counterweight's guide unit. For example, sliding guide shoes, such as those shown in WO2022 / 136119 Al, can be used to guide the counterweight.

[0016] For a rail arrangement according to a first embodiment, the second rail can be formed by a flattened profile. Flattened means that the profile has a width (usually defined by the longitudinal guides, the width or distance between the outer ends of the longitudinal guides) and a height measured perpendicular to the width, at least with respect to its outline.

[0017] The flattened profile can, in its simplest form, be formed by a flat steel bar. In this case, the longitudinal guides of the second profile are formed or defined by the profile ends of the flat steel bar. The flat steel bar has a rectangular profile cross-section and can be made of a metallic material, particularly steel, whereby "flat steel" also includes appropriately shaped profile parts made of sheet metal. The second rail can also be a sheet metal part consisting of one or more sheets with longitudinal guides created by folding or bending.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the second rail can be a sheet metal part, wherein it can be a flat profile with folded edges serving as longitudinal guides or a profile with a C-shaped cross-section. The folded edges form envelopes. 2023P00365WÖ

[0019] - 4 - formed in the sheet metal part, which increase stiffness and result in advantageous longitudinal guides.

[0020] In another embodiment, the second rail, designed as a sheet metal part, can have side wall sections extending laterally transversely to the longitudinal guides for lateral support or positional securing. These side wall sections preferably connect at right angles to the base section or the folded-over edges. The respective rail connector can thus be arranged and accommodated between the side wall sections.

[0021] The side wall sections can lie flush against the wall sections of the rail connector. The longitudinal guides can be connected to each other via the aforementioned base section. The base section forms a support surface for the rail connector, over which the second rail is supported on the rail connector and which can be attached to the rail connector, for example, by means of screws, bolts, or other fasteners.

[0022] The second rail of the rail assembly can have a hook-shaped end section, directed towards the guide section of the first rail, to form derailment protection for the elevator car. This derailment protection allows, for example, a simple emergency guide for the elevator car to be established in the event of an earthquake. The hook-shaped end section preferably runs parallel to the adjacent shaft wall, or in other words, perpendicular to the direction of extension of the rail web of the first rail, which is formed by a T-shaped profile in cross-section. A one-piece construction from just one sheet is particularly advantageous. A construction from several sheets is also conceivable. Furthermore, the hook-shaped end section for forming the derailment protection could also be part of a separate, vertically extending profile component.

[0023] If, for example, the second rail is designed as longitudinal guides or as a C-shaped profile segment in cross-section, according to a variant with folded edges forming envelopes or double-wall sections, further profile segments such as the aforementioned side wall sections and, finally, on one side, the hook-like end section to form the derailment protection can be connected to it.

[0024] The first rail can be secured on at least one side using a rail clamp (clip) 2023P00365WÖ

[0025] - 5 - The fastening element is attached. On the other or opposite side, a fastening element designed as rail clamps (clips) can also be provided for fastening. The second rail can be attached in a central area between the longitudinal guides, in particular in an area defined by the base section, by screwing it to the respective rail connector.

[0026] If the second rail has a flat base section between the longitudinal guides, holes for fasteners in the form of screws or bolts may be provided in the base section for a secure connection to the respective rail connector, to attach the second rail to the respective rail connector and / or to connect it to the first rail.

[0027] The rail connectors can be formed by mounting brackets for attaching the rail assembly in the elevator shaft.

[0028] In addition to the mounting brackets, further individual rail connectors can be provided. For example, each individual rail connector can be a metallic component used to space and secure the position of the two rails.

[0029] If the first rail, which is formed by a T-shaped profile, has a rail foot, it can be advantageous if the base section of the second rail faces the rail foot of the first rail, with the base section and rail foot each lying on vertical planes that are parallel to each other or preferably intersect at an acute angle.

[0030] Another aspect of the invention relates to an elevator system for transporting persons or goods, comprising an elevator car movable in an elevator shaft and at least one counterweight movable in the elevator shaft in the opposite direction to the elevator car, and at least one rail arrangement for simultaneously guiding the elevator car and the counterweight in the manner described above, wherein the elevator system has two counterweights movable in the elevator shaft in the opposite direction to the elevator car and two such rail arrangements for simultaneously guiding the elevator car and each of the counterweights. 2023P00365WÖ

[0031] - 6 -

[0032] Further individual features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the drawings. These show:

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a highly simplified representation of an elevator system according to the invention with an elevator car and two counterweights movable in opposite directions to the elevator car in an elevator shaft, wherein the elevator car and each counterweight can be moved along a rail arrangement,

[0034] Fig. 2 shows an enlarged partial view of the elevator car, the counterweight and the rail arrangement for an elevator system of the type shown in Fig. 1.

[0035] Fig. 3 shows another partial view of the elevator system in the same way as Fig. 1, but from a different section in the elevator shaft.

[0036] Fig. 4 shows a rail arrangement with a lift car and counterweight guided thereon according to a further embodiment.

[0037] Fig. 5 shows another variant of a rail arrangement with a lift car and counterweight guided along it,

[0038] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a rail arrangement according to the invention with a first and a second rail and a rail connector,

[0039] Fig. 7 shows a top view of a rail arrangement for simultaneously guiding an elevator car and a counterweight according to a further embodiment, and

[0040] Fig. 8 shows a rail arrangement equipped with derailment protection, with a lift car and counterweight guided on it.

[0041] Fig. 1 shows an elevator system, labeled 1, for a multi-story building. The building has an elevator shaft 7 in which an elevator car 2 is located for transporting persons. 2023P00365WÖ

[0042] - 7 - or goods can be moved vertically up and down to individual floors.

[0043] The elevator system 1 is a traction elevator system with two counterweights 3, 3' moving in opposite directions to the elevator car 2, as well as (not shown) load-bearing elements and drives. The two drives (e.g., traction sheave drives) power the respective load-bearing elements (e.g., belts, steel cables) and thus move the elevator car 2 and the two counterweights 3, 3' in opposite directions. Each drive is assigned to one of the counterweights 3, 3'. To guide the elevator car 2 and the counterweights 3, 3', two opposing rail arrangements 4, 4' are provided on either side of the elevator car 2. Each rail arrangement 4, 4' serves to simultaneously guide the elevator car 2 and a counterweight 3 or 3' moving in the elevator shaft in the opposite direction to the elevator car.

[0044] The elevator car 2 has a front with a car door 35, a rear opposite the front, and two car side walls 36 that connect the front and rear. The elevator car 2 is supported at the front. The rail assemblies 4, 4' are located on opposite sides of the elevator shaft 7, adjacent to the side walls 36. The rail assemblies 4, 4' are mounted in the elevator shaft by means of horizontal mounting brackets 10, which are fixed to the front of the elevator shaft 22, for example, at the level of the floor.

[0045] The rail assemblies 4, 4' each have two rails, with a first rail 5 serving to guide the elevator car 2 and a second rail 6 serving to guide the counterweight 3. The first rail 5 for guiding the elevator car 2 is a rail formed by a T-shaped profile in cross-section. The second rail 6 is formed by a flattened profile, which in this case is designed as a flat steel bar. The respective rail assemblies 4, 4' are evidently constructed from two separate rail sections (first rail 5, second rail 6). In other words, the rail assemblies 4, 4' are multi-part rail assemblies. The two rails 5 and 6 are connected to each other by means of the mounting bracket 10, which holds the rails 5, 6 together at floor level.In addition to the mounting bracket 10 as a rail connector, further rail connectors can be used to connect the rails 5 and 6 between the floors to stiffen the rail arrangement. The rail arrangement 4 is shown and described in detail below, including various versions. The rail arrangement 4' guides the elevator car 2 and the 2023P00365WÖ.

[0046] - 8 -

[0047] Counterweight 3' is a mirror image and therefore has a similar structure. Furthermore, it should be noted that the use of the rail arrangements 4 or a similar rail arrangement is also conceivable for elevators with one elevator car and only one counterweight.

[0048] The rail assemblies are connected to the elevator shaft 7 in the area of ​​the door-side shaft wall via mounting brackets 10. For the connection to the rail assemblies, the elevator system includes one mounting bracket 10 for each of at least some floors, to which the rail assemblies are attached. Preferably, each floor has one such mounting bracket 10 to which the rail assemblies are attached. The mounting bracket 10 has a crossbeam 41 with a horizontal floor-fixing section that rests on and is fixed to a horizontal surface of the floor. Side beams 42 connect to the crossbeam 41, with a wedge-shaped or triangular mounting section (in plan view) provided at the front end of each side beam 42, to which the first and second rails 5 and 6 are attached.

[0049] Fig. 2 shows a rail arrangement 4 according to the invention for the previously described elevator system 1. The first rail 5 (hereinafter referred to as "T-rail"), formed by the T-shaped profile in cross-section, for guiding the elevator car 2, consists of a rail foot 12 and a rail web projecting perpendicularly from the rail foot, with the guide section 11. A guide unit 8 associated with the elevator car can be guided along the guide section 11. The T-rail 5 can be formed from a rolled, drawn, or extruded solid steel profile. T-rails known per se in the elevator industry can be used for the rail arrangement 1 presented here. These T-rails are inexpensive and readily available in large quantities. In this case, the guide unit 8 of the elevator car 2, designed as a sliding guide shoe, engages the guide section 11 on the web side. Alternatively, roller guide shoes could, of course, also be provided as guide units.The T-rail 5 is attached to the mounting bracket 11 on both sides by means of fastening elements 14 in the form of rail clamps 19, 20, also known as so-called ‘clips’.

[0050] As already mentioned, the second rail 6 for guiding the counterweight 3 is formed by a flat steel bar according to the present embodiment. The flat steel rail 6 is fastened to the mounting bracket 11 by means of screws 25, which are illustrated only as an indication. The flat steel bar provides two longitudinal guides 13, 14, each forming a spring, which are longitudinal guides 2023P00365WÖ

[0051] - 9 -

[0052] 13, 14 are arranged in alignment with each other. The longitudinal guides 13, 14 evidently provide a type of slide guide for the counterweight 3. A guide unit 9 is arranged on the counterweight 3, which in this case comprises two opposing sliding pieces 38 with U-shaped channels complementary to the longitudinal guides 13, 14. The rail arrangement 4 is designed such that it can guide the counterweight on its own, or on one side, by means of the rail 6.

[0053] The mounting bracket 10 has a crossbeam (41, see Fig. 1) and two side beams 42 projecting at right angles from the crossbeam. At the front end of each side beam 42, a wedge-shaped or triangular mounting section is provided, to which the first and second rails 5 and 6 are attached. The two rails 5 and 6, or more precisely, the flat steel rail 6 and the rail foot 12 of the first rail 5, each rest on vertical planes that intersect at acute angles. Each floor can have one such mounting bracket 10 to which the rail assembly 4 is attached. The mounting brackets 10 connect the first rail 5 and the second rail 6 to each other section by section with respect to the vertical direction of travel z. The mounting brackets 10 thus form rail connectors distributed along the vertical direction z and preferably spaced at regular intervals, depending on the building.

[0054] In addition to the mounting brackets 10, further rail connectors can be provided to connect the two rails 5, 6. One such additional rail connector is shown in Fig. 3 and is designated there by 21. The purpose of this single rail connector 21 is to stiffen the rail arrangement 4. Preferably, at least one or more single rail connectors 21 can be inserted between the mounting brackets 10. The respective rails 5, 6 are connected to the rail connectors 21 in a similar manner to the mounting brackets. The T-rail 5 is attached by means of fastening elements in the form of rail clamps 19, 20 (clips), and the second rail 6 is screwed directly to the single rail connector 21, which is preferably designed as a metallic molded body.

[0055] Details of a rail arrangement 4 for simultaneously guiding an elevator car 2 and a counterweight 3 moving in the opposite direction to the elevator car in an elevator shaft can be seen in Fig. 4. The first rail 5, i.e., the T-rail, consists of a rail foot 12 and a rail web projecting at right angles from the rail foot with the guide section 11 2023P00365WÖ

[0056] - 10 - is, in contrast to the previous embodiment, connected to the mounting brackets 10 only on one side by means of clips. On the other side, a rigid receiving recess is provided for securing the T-rail 5 by means of edge-mounting each rail foot 12. The receiving recess is evidently formed by a lug molded onto the side of the mounting bracket where the rail 5 rests and is supported. The second rail 6 is also formed by a flattened profile. In this instance, the second, obliquely oriented rail 6 consists of a sheet metal part and has a profile shape in the form of a "C" in cross-section. The rail 6, designed as a sheet metal part and with a C-shaped profile in cross-section, has longitudinal guides 13, 14, which are defined by the edge bends.Another difference from the previous embodiment is that the counterweight is guided by rollers designated 39.

[0057] The second rail 6, designed as a sheet metal part, comprises a flat base section 15 between the longitudinal guides 13, 14. The free end of the side support 42 of the mounting bracket 10, which projects into the shaft space, has an inclined support wall section against which the rail 6 rests via its base section 15 and is connected to it, for example, by a screw connection. Holes for the fasteners, in the form of screws or bolts, are provided in the flat base section 15 for attaching the rail 6 to the mounting bracket 10.

[0058] As can be seen from this and the other figures, the first rail 5 and the second rail 6 are arranged close together, thus forming a compact guide structure for the cabin and counterweight. The minimum surrounding rectangular area (MUR, sides of the rectangle parallel to the shaft walls) acted upon by the two rails 5 and 6, as seen in plan view and cross-section, is less than 1000 cm². The rail foot 12 of the T-rail 5 faces the base section 15 of the second rail 6. The gap between the two rails is bridged by the rail connector.

[0059] The guide surface 11 of the rail web serves not only as a guide but also as an attachment point for safety devices that can brake elevator cars to a stop. The safety device can alternatively or additionally be a safety brake to catch the car. One such safety device is shown in Fig. 4 and labeled 28. 2023P00365WÖ

[0060] - 11 -

[0061] The rail assembly 4 shown in Fig. 5 also has a second rail 6, designed as a sheet metal part, for guiding the counterweight 3. This rail 6 has a C-shaped cross-section. The rail assembly 4 with the T-rail 5 and the second rail 6 are connected to each other in the relevant section by a single rail connector 21. The T-rail 5 is fixed to the single rail connector 21 on one side by means of the fastening element 20 in the form of a rail clamp known per se. On the other side, a specially shaped rail clamp 26 is used for fixing, which forms a counterpart to the screw 25 for fixing the second sheet metal rail 6. Furthermore, another screw 23 is visible, which is screwed into the single rail connector 21. For each single rail connector 21, it is advantageous if two such screws 23, 25 are used for secure fastening.

[0062] The singular rail connector 21 has a wedge-shaped base, with comparatively narrow connector sections adjoining the base at the opposing ends associated with the screw connections, thus eliminating the need for unnecessarily long screws 23 and 25. The singular rail connector 21 is preferably designed as a metallic form to space and secure the position of the two rails. Further design details can be seen in Fig. 7, which relates to the rail arrangement 4 according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 5.

[0063] Fig. 7 shows a further embodiment of a rail arrangement 4 for simultaneously guiding an elevator car 2 and a counterweight 3 moving in the opposite direction to the elevator car, with a first rail 5 formed by a T-shaped profile in cross-section for guiding the elevator car 2, a second rail 6 designed as a sheet metal part for guiding the counterweight 3, and rail connectors defined by mounting brackets 10 for connecting the two rails 5, 6. The rail arrangement 4 has a specially shaped second rail 6 for guiding the counterweight 3. The second rail 6, designed as a sheet metal part, is a profile with folded edges forming folds as longitudinal guides 13, 14 or is a C-shaped profile in cross-section.

[0064] For lateral holding or securing, the rail 6 has side wall sections 16, 17 that adjoin a flat base section 15 at right angles to folded edges. The mounting bracket 10, or more precisely, a section 2023P00365WÖ

[0065] - 12 - The free end of the mounting bracket 10 is positioned and received between the side wall sections 16, 17. The side wall sections 16, 17 lie flush against wall sections of the rail connector.

[0066] The rail arrangement 4 shown in Fig. 8 is a custom-made design that can be used, for example, in earthquake-prone areas. The second rail 6, i.e., the rail for guiding the counterweight 3, has a hook-shaped end section 18 to form derailment protection for the elevator car 2. The end section 18 is directed towards the guide section 11 of the T-rail 5. It runs perpendicular to the direction of extension of the rail web, or in other words, parallel to the adjacent shaft wall. The hook-shaped end section 18 is operatively connected to an L-shaped retaining element 40 (in plan view), which prevents the guide unit 8 of the elevator car 2 from being separated from the guide section 11.

Claims

2023P00365WÖ - 13 - Patent claims 1. Rail arrangement (4) for simultaneously guiding an elevator car (2) and a counterweight (3) movable in the opposite direction to the elevator car in an elevator shaft, comprising - for guiding the elevator car (2) a first rail (5) formed by a T-shaped profile in cross-section, - for guiding the counterweight (3) a second rail (6) which has two longitudinal guides (13, 14) wherein the first rail (5) and the second rail (6) are connected to each other via rail connectors (10, 21).

2. Rail arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the first rail (5) is formed by a rolled, drawn or pressed solid steel profile.

3. Rail arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second rail (6) is formed by a flattened profile.

4. Rail arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second rail (6) is formed by a flat steel or a sheet metal part consisting of one or more sheets.

5. Rail arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that the second rail (6), designed as a sheet metal part, is a flat profile with folded edges as longitudinal guides (13, 14) or a C-shaped profile in cross-section.

6. Rail arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second rail (6), designed as a sheet metal part, has side wall sections (16, 17) extending transversely to the longitudinal guides (13, 14).

7. Rail arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the second rail (6) has a hook-like end section (18) for forming derailment protection for guiding the elevator car (2), which is directed onto a 2023P00365WÖ - 14 - The guide section (11) of the first rail (5) is directed towards it.

8. Rail arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first rail (5) is attached at least on one side by a fastening element (20) designed as a clamp and the second rail (6) is attached by screwing in a central area between the longitudinal guides (13, 14) to the respective Rail connectors () are attached 9. Rail arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the second rail (6) has a flat base section (15) between the longitudinal guides (13, 14) and that holes (22) for fastening means (23, 25) in the form of screws or bolts are provided in the flat base section (15) for fastening means (23, 25) for fastening the second rail (6) to the respective rail connectors (10, 21) and / or for connecting it to the first rail (5).

10. Rail arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the rail connectors are formed by mounting brackets (10) for attaching the rail arrangement (4) in the elevator shaft (7).

11. Rail arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that further singular rail connectors (21) are provided as rail connectors.

12. Rail arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the first rail (5) has a rail foot (12) which faces a base section (15) of the second rail (6), wherein the base section (15) and the rail foot (12) each lie on vertical planes which are parallel to each other or preferably intersect at an acute angle.

13. Elevator system for the transport of persons or goods with an elevator car (3) movable in an elevator shaft and at least one counterweight (3) movable in the elevator shaft in the opposite direction to the elevator car and with at least one rail arrangement (4) for simultaneously guiding the elevator car (2) and the counterweight (3) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the elevator system (1) has two counterweights (3) movable in the elevator shaft in the opposite direction to the elevator car, - 15 - 3') and two such rail arrangements (4, 4') for simultaneously guiding the elevator car (2) and one of the counterweights (3).

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