Elevator guide and elevator system

Abstract

An elevator guide configured to ride along an elevator rail, and an elevator system. The elevator guide (100) comprises a roller arrangement (1) comprising at least one roller (2). Said roller comprises a bearing arrangement (3) comprising two bearings (4) arranged side by side such that an inner race (5) of said bearings is mounted on a shaft (6) of the roller, and an outer race (7) fixed to a hub (8) of said roller. The hub (8) is made of a polymer or polymer composite material.

Description

[0001] ELEVATOR GUIDE AND ELEVATOR SYSTEM

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] The invention relates to an elevator guide configured to ride along an elevator rail .

[0004] The invention further relates to an elevator system comprising an elevator car and / or a counterweight .

[0005] In elevator systems , an elevator car and counterweight move vertically up and down in an elevator shaft , guided by elevator guides comprising either by rollers or sliding guide shoes . Usually, the rollers are isolated from the roller supporting frame by springs . This isolates lower frequency vibration from the imperfections and irregularities of the guide rails . Additional ly, elastomeric contact surfaces of the rollers isolate some noise from the guide rail contact into the roller supporting frame . However, there are still needs for improved roller guide assemblies .

[0006] BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0007] Viewed from a first aspect , there can be provided an elevator guide configured to ride along an elevator rail , the elevator guide comprising

[0008] - a roller arrangement , said roller arrangement comprising

[0009] - at least one roller, said roller comprising

[0010] - a bearing arrangement comprising

[0011] - two bearings arranged side by side such that

[0012] - an inner race of said bearings is mounted on a shaft of the roller, and

[0013] - an outer race is fixed to a hub of said roller, wherein

[0014] - the hub is made of a polymer or polymer composite material . Thereby an elevator guide providing an improved noise and vibration isolation from the elevator rail to an elevator device to which the base member is attached, such as the elevator car or the counterweight of the elevator system, may be achieved .

[0015] Viewed from a further aspect , there can be provided an elevator system, comprising an elevator car and / or a counterweight , wherein the elevator system comprises an elevator guide according to the first aspect mounted to the elevator car and / or the counterweight .

[0016] Thereby an elevator system providing an improved ride comfort may be achieved .

[0017] The arrangement and the method are characterised by what is stated in the independent claims . Some other embodiments are characterised by what is stated in the other claims . Inventive embodiments are also disclosed in the speci fication and drawings of this patent application . The inventive content of the patent application may also be defined in other ways than defined in the following claims . The inventive content may also be formed of several separate inventions , especially i f the invention is examined in the light of expressed or implicit sub-tasks or in view of obtained benefits or benefit groups . Some of the definitions contained in the following claims may then be unnecessary in view of the separate inventive ideas . Features of the di f ferent embodiments of the invention may, within the scope of the basic inventive idea, be applied to other embodiments .

[0018] Various embodiments of the first aspect may comprise at least one feature from the following paragraphs : In one embodiment, the hub is made of material comprising a thermo-plastic polymer, such as PE, PP, PA, PS, PES, POM, PEEK, TPE.

[0019] An advantage is that visco-elastic properties of thermoplastics may provide exceptionally good isolation of lower frequency vibrations.

[0020] In one embodiment, the hub is made of material comprising fiber-reinforcing material, such as glass-fiber or carbon- fiber .

[0021] An advantage is that a hub that is stiff and strong while isolating lower frequency vibrations may be achieved.

[0022] In one embodiment, the hub is made of glass-fibre reinforced polyamide (PA-GF) or carbon-fiber reinforced polyamide (PA- CF) .

[0023] An advantage is that a hub having high rigidity, high mechanical strength, and a high degree of hardness and toughness, while isolating lower frequency vibrations, may be achieved .

[0024] In one embodiment, the hub is molded, e.g., injection molded, on the outer race.

[0025] An advantage is that a simple and inexpensive manufacturing process of the roller may be achieved.

[0026] In one embodiment, the roller comprises a surface element arranged to cover an outer circumference of the hub, wherein the surface element is configured to provide a contact surface contacting the elevator rail. An advantage is that the surface element may dampen vibrations the frequency of which dif fers from those dampened by the hub .

[0027] In one embodiment , the surface element is made of material comprising a thermoplastic polymer, such as TPU .

[0028] An advantage is that good isolation of certain frequency vibrations occurring in elevator systems may be achieved .

[0029] In one embodiment , the surface element is molded on the outer circumference of the hub .

[0030] An advantage is that a simple and inexpensive manufacturing process of the roller may be achieved .

[0031] In one embodiment , the surface element and the hub are molded by using a multiphase inj ection molding method .

[0032] An advantage is that a quick manufacturing process of the roller may be achieved .

[0033] In one embodiment , hardness of the surface element is lower than hardness of the hub .

[0034] An advantage is that good isolation of certain frequency vibrations occurring in elevator systems may be achieved .

[0035] In one embodiment , the hub is arranged to constitute a contact surface contacting the elevator rail .

[0036] An advantage is that a very simple and inexpensive hub structure may be achieved . In one embodiment , the contact surface has a cross-sectional shape that is roundish or round in a sectional plane that is in the same plane as the rotation axis of the roller .

[0037] An advantage is that the contact surface area of the crosssection is small when the compression is small , allowing the rolling resistance of the roller to be minimi zed, which brings advantages in energy consumption and reduces noi se and vibrations transmitted to the elevator structures caused by the wheels . Additionally, a roundish or a round crosssection allows for better angular error tolerance for the roller, as the contact surface area remains at least essentially constant despite the angular error . This i s particularly useful i f the roller is attached to its support structure via an element ( such as a dampening element ) that allows the roller to turn to a certain angle under load . Assembly and installation of the roller are also easier, as the angular errors do not af fect the functionality of the rollers . Still additionally, a roundish or a round crosssection allows the compression versus load of the coating to be designed as desired by adj usting the radius / shape o f the rounding, without needing to change the coating material itsel f .

[0038] In one embodiment , the contact surface has a symmetrical cross-sectional shape in a sectional plane that is in the same plane as the rotation axis of the roller, preferably the contact surface is devoid of side flange .

[0039] An advantage is that the roller is not position sensitive and it can be attached to any place of rollers in the roller arrangement , which s impli f ies the installation and maintenance of the roller arrangement .

[0040] In one embodiment , the bearings are rolling bearings , preferably ball bearings . An advantage is that the roller arrangement is well suited for elevator systems requiring high-speed operations . Yet another advantage is low rolling resistance , and thus reduced noise level and the ride comfort .

[0041] In one embodiment , the bearings are identical .

[0042] An advantage is that the installation and maintenance of the roller arrangement may be simpli fied .

[0043] In one embodiment , the bearings are pre-lubricated sealed bearings .

[0044] An advantage is that the lubricant is designed to retain inside the bearing, thus need for regular maintenance and relubrication may be reduced, as well as contamination of surrounded elevator components may be prohibited or at least substantially reduced .

[0045] In one embodiment , in the bearing arrangement the two bearings are arranged to a direct contact with each other .

[0046] An advantage is that high stability and sti f fness against moment loadings may be achieved . Further, radial and axial loads can be taken in both directions . Still further, maximum compensation for any misalignment of the bearing arrangement may be achieved .

[0047] In one embodiment , the roller arrangement comprises at least three rollers orthogonally engaged with the elevator rail , so that two of said at least three rollers are configured to engage with the elevator rail on opposite sides thereof , and at least one of said at least three rollers is configured to engage with a frontal surface of said elevator rail . An advantage is that good support in two directions orthogonal to the elevator rail may be achieved .

[0048] In one embodiment , the elevator guide is arranged to an elevator car .

[0049] An advantage is that the elevator car may ef fectively be isolated from vibrations and noise of the elevator shaft and the elevator rail , which raises comfort in the elevator car .

[0050] In one embodiment , the elevator guide is arranged to a counterweight .

[0051] An advantage is that vibrations and noise caused by the counterweight may be dampened, which raises comfort in the elevator car .

[0052] Based on the above mentioned, it should be noted that di fferent embodiments mentioned in the above paragraphs may combined in any possible suitable manner for implementing the present invention .

[0053] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0054] Some embodiments illustrating the present disclosure are described in more detail in the attached drawings , in which

[0055] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view, a cross-sectional view and a perspective view of a roller,

[0056] Figure 2 is a schematic view of an elevator guide , and

[0057] Figure 3 is a schematic side view of an elevator system . In the figures, some embodiments are shown simplified for the sake of clarity. Similar parts are marked with the same reference numbers in the figures.

[0058] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view, a cross-sectional view and a perspective view of a roller. The roller 2 comprises a bearing arrangement 3 that comprises two bearings 4 arranged side by side. An inner race 5 of said two bearings 4 creates a hole 19 in which a shaft 6 (such as shown in Figure 2) is mountable. An outer race 7 of the two bearings 4 is fixed to a hub 8 of the roller.

[0060] The hub 8 is made of a polymer material or polymer composite material. Said polymer material or polymer composite material may comprise a thermoplastic polymer, such as polyethylene (PE) , polypropylene (PP) , polyamide (PA) , polystyrene (PS) , polyether-sulfone (PES) , polyoxy-methylene (POM) , polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) , thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) , etc.

[0061] In one embodiment, the hub 8 is made of material comprising fiber-reinforcing material, such as glass-fiber, carbon- fiber or aramid-f iber .

[0062] In one embodiment, the hub 8 is made of glass-fiber reinforced polyamide (PA-GF) .

[0063] The roller 2 may be manufactured by several methods. In one embodiment, the hub 8 is molded on the outer races 7 of the bearings. In one embodiment, the hub 8 is injection molded on the outer races 7. Preferably, the bearings 4 are attached to the hub 8 during formation of said hub. Bearings 4 can be inserted into a form or mold that is utilized to form the hub 8. The hub 8 is preferably designed so that its material solidifies quickly and without distortions. In one embodiment, the hub 8 is made by a compression molding method. In one embodiment, the hub 8 is made by a transfer molding method.

[0064] In one embodiment, such as shown in Figure 1, the roller 2 has a surface element 9 that covers an outer circumference 10 of the hub. The surface element 9 provides a contact surface 11 intended to contact an elevator rail 12, such as shown in Figure 2. In one embodiment, the hardness of the surface element 9 is lower than hardness of the hub 8.

[0065] In one embodiment, the surface element 9 is made of material comprising a thermoplastic polymer, such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) . Other materials for the surface element 9 include styrenic block copolymers (TPE) , thermoplastic polyolef inelastomers (TPE) , Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) , thermoplastic copolyesters (TPC) and thermoplastic polyamides (TPA) .

[0066] In one embodiment, the surface element 9 is made of thermoset polymer.

[0067] Materials and design of the hub 8 and the optional surface element 9 are selected such that vibrational forces are transferred from the elevator rail 12 to the bearing arrangement 3 in a manner that reduces noise and vibrations and thus raises the riding comfort. In other words, the hub 8 and the optional surface element 9 has / have suitable combination of properties, e.g., Young's modulus, material thickness, etc., that reduces noise and vibrations.

[0068] In one embodiment, the surface element 9 is molded on the outer circumference 10 of the hub. This can be done as a separate process step from the molding of the hub. However, in one embodiment, the surface element 9 and the hub 8 are molded simultaneously by using a multiphase injection molding method.

[0069] In one embodiment, the roller 2 is devoid of the surface element. In other words, the hub 8 is arranged to constitute the contact surface 11 that is intended for contacting the elevator rail.

[0070] In one embodiment, the contact surface 11 has a cross- sectional shape that is roundish or round in a sectional plane that is in the same plane as the rotation axis X of the roller. This cross-section is shown in the middle view of Figure 1. The cross-sectional shape of the contact surface 11 shown in Figure 1 is round. It should be noted, however, that other cross-sectional shapes are possible, too. In one embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the contact surface 11 is flat. In still another embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the contact surface 11 is polygonal .

[0071] In one embodiment, the cross section of the contact surface 11 is symmetrical. In one embodiment, the contact surface 11 is devoid of any side flanges or similar structures.

[0072] As already described, the roller 2 comprises two bearings 4 arranged side by side. In one embodiment, such as shown in figure 1, the two bearings 4 are arranged to a direct contact with each other.

[0073] In one embodiment, the inner races 5 of the bearings are clamped together. This may result in maximum stability and stiffness against any moment loading. Radial and axial loads can be taken in both directions. In one embodiment, the outer races 7 of the bearings are clamped together. This may result in maximum compensation of any misalignment of the bearing arrangement 3.

[0074] In another embodiment, there is a gap (not shown) between the two bearings. The gap is at least partially filled with a solid material, such as hub material, or a washer etc.

[0075] According to an aspect, the two bearings 4 arranged side by side significantly increase the bearing lifetime, and furthermore the reduced wear in the bearings provides a better ride comfort. One advantage of using two bearings instead of single wider bearing, such as double-row deep groove ball bearing, is the cost, since common simple-structured and low-cost bearings can be used.

[0076] The bearings 4 are typically identical. In one embodiment, the bearings 4 are rolling bearings, such as ball bearings, cone bearings or roller bearings. In another embodiment, the bearings 4 are slide bearings. The bearings 4 are preferably pre-lubricated sealed bearings.

[0077] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of an elevator guide. The elevator guide 100 is configured to ride along an elevator rail 12. The elevator guide 100 comprises a roller arrangement 1. The roller arrangement 1 comprises at least one roller 2 described in this description. The shown embodiment comprises three rollers 2 that are orthogonally engaged with the guide rail 12, so that two rollers 2 engage with parallel guide surfaces 13 of the guide rail on its both opposite sides. These two rollers 2 have their rotation axis in a common plane. One of the three rollers 3 engages with the frontal guide surface 14 of the guide rail. It should be noted that the roller arrangement 1 may include any number of rollers, i.e., less than three or more than three. The rollers 2 are attached by their shafts 6 to a supporting frame 17 . In one embodiment , the supporting frame 17 is attached to an elevator car . In one embodiment , the supporting frame 17 is attached to a counterweight .

[0078] Each of the rollers 2 is in contact with only one surface of the elevator rai l 12 . The contact surface 11 may be at least essentially smooth . In one embodiment , the contact surface 11 comprises a texture .

[0079] The rotation axis X of the roller 2 is preferably parallel with the corresponding surface of the elevator rail the roller is in contact with .

[0080] In one embodiment , a vibration dampening element 18 is arranged between the shaft 6 and the supporting frame 17 . The vibration dampening element 18 dampens vibrations of the roller 2 and i solates vibrations from the supporting frame 17 . Thus the vibration dampening element 18 may improve dampening of the vibrations and further improve the riding comfort . In one embodiment , the vibration dampening element 18 comprises an elastomer body .

[0081] Figure 3 is a schematic side view of an elevator system . The elevator system 200 comprises , inter alia, an elevator car 15 a counterweight 16 . These are arranged to move vertically up and down in an elevator shaft 20 guided by guides and respective elevator rails 12 .

[0082] In the shown embodiment , both the elevator car 15 and the counterweight 16 are provided with elevator guides 100 , the structure of which is described in this description . In another embodiment , only the elevator car 15 is provided with said elevator guides 100 , whereas the counterweight comprises di f ferent type of guides . In still another embodiment , the counterweight 16 is provided with said elevator guides 100 and the elevator car 15 has different type of guides .

[0083] It is to be noted that the number of the elevator guides 100 per the elevator car 15 and the counterweight 16 may vary depending on characteristics of the elevator system.

[0084] The invention is not limited solely to the embodiments described above, but instead many variations are possible within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims below. Within the scope of the inventive concept the attributes of different embodiments and applications can be used in conjunction with or replace the attributes of another embodiment or application.

[0085] The drawings and the related description are only intended to illustrate the idea of the invention. The invention may vary in detail within the scope of the inventive idea defined in the following claims. It will further be understood that reference to 'an' item refers to one or more of those items. The term "comprising" is used in this specification to mean including the feature (s) or act(s) followed thereafter, without excluding the presence of one or more additional features or acts.

[0086] REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0087] 1 roller arrangement

[0088] 2 roller

[0089] 3 bearing arrangement

[0090] 4 bearing

[0091] 5 inner race

[0092] 6 shaft

[0093] 7 outer race

[0094] 8 hub

[0095] 9 surface element

[0096] 10 outer circumference

[0097] 11 contact surface

[0098] 12 elevator rail

[0099] 13 side of elevator rail

[0100] 14 frontal surface of elevator rail

[0101] 15 elevator car

[0102] 16 counterweight

[0103] 17 supporting frame

[0104] 18 vibration dampening element

[0105] 19 hole

[0106] 20 elevator shaft

[0107] 100 elevator guide

[0108] 200 elevator system x rotation axis

Claims

CLAIMS1. An elevator guide configured to ride along an elevator rail, the elevator guide (100) comprising- a roller arrangement (1) , said roller arrangement comprising- at least one roller (2) , said roller comprising- a bearing arrangement (3) comprising- two bearings (4) arranged side by side such that- an inner race (5) of said bearings is mounted on a shaft (6) of the roller, and- an outer race (7) is fixed to a hub (8) of said roller, wherein- the hub (8) is made of a polymer or polymer composite material .

2. The elevator guide as claimed in claim 1, wherein- the hub (8) is made of material comprising a thermoplastic polymer, such as polyethylene (PE) , polypropylene (PP) , polyamide (PA) , polystyrene (PS) , polyether-sulfone (PES) , polyoxy-methylene (POM) , polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) , thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) .

3. The elevator guide as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein- the hub (8) is made of material comprising fiber-rein- forcing material, such as glass-fiber or carbon-fiber.

4. The elevator guide as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein- the hub (8) is made of glass-fiber reinforced polyamide (PA-GF) or carbon-fiber reinforced polyamide (PA-CF) .

5. The elevator guide as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein- the hub (8) is molded on the outer race (7) .

6. The elevator guide as claimed in claim 5, whereinthe hub (8) is injection molded on the outer race (7) .

7. The elevator guide as claimed in claim 1, wherein the roller (2) comprises- a surface element (9) arranged to cover an outer circumference (10) of the hub, wherein the surface element (9) is configured to provide a contact surface (11) contacting the elevator rail (12) .

8. The elevator guide as claimed in claim 7, wherein- the surface element (9) is made of material comprising a thermoplastic polymer, such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) .

9. The elevator guide as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein- the surface element (9) is molded on the outer circumference (10) of the hub.

10. The elevator guide as claimed in claim 9, wherein- the surface element (9) and the hub (8) are molded by using a multiphase injection molding method.

11. The elevator guide as claimed in any one of claims 7- 10, wherein- hardness of the surface element (9) is lower than hardness of the hub ( 8 ) .

12. The elevator guide as claimed in any one of claims 1- 6, wherein- the hub (8) is arranged to constitute a contact surface (11) contacting the elevator rail (12) .

13. The elevator guide as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein- the contact surface (11) has a cross-sectional shape that is roundish or round in a sectional plane that is in the same plane as the rotation axis (X) of the roller.

14. The elevator guide as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein- the contact surface (11) has a symmetrical cross-sectional shape in a sectional plane that is in the same plane as the rotation axis (X) of the roller.

15. The elevator guide as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein- the contact surface (11) is devoid of side flange.

16. The elevator guide as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein- the bearings (4) are rolling bearings.

17. The elevator guide as claimed in claim 16, wherein- the bearings (4) are ball bearings.

18. The elevator guide as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein- the bearings (4) are identical.

19. The elevator guide as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein- the bearings (4) are pre-lubricated sealed bearings.

20. The elevator guide as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the bearing arrangement (3)- the two bearings (4) are arranged to a direct contact with each other.

21. The elevator guide as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roller arrangement (1) comprises- at least three rollers (2) orthogonally engaged with the elevator rail (12) , so that two of said at least three rollers (2) are configured to engage with the elevator rail (12) on opposite sides (13) thereof, and - at least one of said at least three rollers (2) is configured to engage with a frontal surface (14) of said elevator rail ( 12 ) .

22. The elevator guide as claimed in any one of the preced- ing claims, arranged to an elevator car (15) .

23. The elevator guide as claimed in any one of claims 1- 21, wherein arranged to a counterweight (16) .

24. An elevator system, comprising an elevator car (15) and / or a counterweight (16) , wherein the elevator system (200) comprises an elevator guide (100) according to any one of the claims 1 to 21 mounted to the elevator car (15) and / or the counterweight (16) .

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