The present invention relates to a mechanism for reciprocatingly driving a reciprocatingly movable body, and elevator apparatus comprising a mechanism for reciprocatingly driving a cage which is reciprocatingly movably disposed in a path of reciprocating movement.
For use in such elevator apparatus, a lift drive mechanism is already known which comprises, as shown in
With the elevator apparatus described, the cage 1, counterweight 2 and lift drive mechanism described are arranged in a lift path 10, the cage 1 is guided by guide rails 14, 14 for upward or downward movement, and the counterweight 2 is guided by guide rails 15, 15 for upward or downward movement as shown in
With the conventional elevator apparatus shown in
To render the rope 3 of the conventional elevator apparatus reeved around the traction sheave 9 free of slipping in the case where the rope 3 is subjected to tension T1 on the slack side thereof and to tension T2 on the tensioned side thereof as shown in
(Mathematical Expression 1)
T2/T1≦exp(μ·θ)
Suppose the tension T1 on the slack side is due to the weight of the cage 1. When a small number of passengers are in the cage 1, the tension T1 is small, and the rope 3 is likely to slip, failing to satisfy the relationship of Mathematical Expression 1. For example, suppose the cage 1 itself has weight of 1500 Kg, the loading capacity of the cage is 1000 Kg, and the weight of the counterweight 2 is the weight of the cage 1 plus 50% of the loading capacity. The left side member of Expression 1 has the following values when the weight of load is zero and when the cage is fully loaded.
(Mathematical Expressions 2)
T2/T1=2000/1500=1.33
T2/T1=2500/2000=1.25
If the weight of the cage 1 itself is then reduced to 1000 Kg, the values of Mathematical Expressions 2 are as follows.
(Mathematical Expressions 3)
T2/T1=1500/1000=1.5
T2/T1=2000/1500=1.33
Thus, a change in the weight of the cage itself or in the weight of load greatly varies the value of the left side member (T2/T1) of Expression 1 to be satisfied. This value increases especially with a reduction in the weight of the cage 1, giving rise to the problem that the cage 1 cannot be reduced in weight.
It is therefore conventional practice to attach a weight to the cage 1 so as not to permit the rope 3 to slip even when the cage carries a small number of passengers. This gives increased weight to the cage 1 itself. The increase in the weight of the cage 1 itself gives rise to the problem of making the lift drive mechanism large-sized and heavier. Furthermore, the drive motor 91 serving as the power source for the lift drive mechanism is given an increased capacity, consequently resulting in increased power consumption and also entailing the problem of necessitating space for the installation of the drive motor 91 which becomes greater in size.
An object of the present invention is to overcome all the foregoing problems by providing a drive mechanism capable of reciprocatingly driving a cage or like movable body without using any traction sheave and an elevator apparatus of the novel reciprocating drive type having the drive mechanism incorporated therein.
The present invention provides a reciprocatingly movable body drive mechanism which comprises a tension member in the form of a rope or belt for reciprocatingly driving a reciprocatingly movable body, and a drive device for driving the tension member longitudinally thereof while pressing a specified region of the tension member sideways in contact with the tension member. The drive device presses a straight region of the tension member in contact with the straight region. Alternatively, the drive device is in contact with a circular-arc region of the tension member as reeved around a sheave for pressing the circular-arc region against the sheave. With the drive mechanism, the drive device drives the tension member by frictional contact therewith to thereby reciprocatingly drive the movable body.
For example, the drive device can be provided by a belt transmission disposed alongside the tension member and revolvingly movable along a tension member extension route, a pressing mechanism for pressing a belt surface of the belt transmission into contact with the tension member, and a drive motor for driving the belt transmission.
The present invention provides an elevator apparatus which comprises a reciprocatingly movable body reciprocatingly movably provided in a path of reciprocating movement, and a mechanism for reciprocatingly driving the body. The reciprocatingly driving mechanism comprises a sheave disposed at a predetermined level, a tension member in the form of a rope or belt and extending along a path around the sheave, and a drive device for driving the tension member in engagement therewith by pressing a specified longitudinal region of the tension member sideways. The term “reciprocatingly movable body” means a cage having a passenger compartment or cargo compartment, and refers to a concept superior to that of a counterweight as a counterpart of the cage. The term “tension member” refers to a concept superior to that of one or a plurality of ropes or belts. The term “reciprocating movement” includes a reciprocating movement in a vertical direction, horizontal direction, oblique direction or direction along a bent or curved path.
Usable as the drive device is a drive device of the first type which drives the tension member by pressing a straight region thereof (hereinafter referred to as the “straight drive type”), or a drive device of the second type which drives the tension member as reeved around at least one sheave disposed along the tension member extension route by pressing a circular-arc region of the tension member against the sheave (hereinafter referred to as the “circular-arc drive type”). Alternatively, the combination of these two types is to be used.
Usable as the drive device of the straight drive type is a device comprising a belt transmission disposed alongside the tension member and revolvingly movable along a tension member extension route, a pressing mechanism for pressing a belt surface of the belt transmission into contact with the tension member, and a drive motor for driving the belt transmission. Usable as the drive device of the circular-arc drive type is a device comprising a belt pressed against the circular-arc region of the tension member and revolvingly movable, a plurality of rollers arranged along a path of revolving movement of the belt, and a drive motor for rotatingly driving at least one of the rollers.
With the elevator apparatus of the invention described, the belt is driven by the drive motor, whereby the tension member is driven by frictional contact with the surface of the belt. As a result, the reciprocatingly movable body is reciprocatingly moved. With the drive device, the tension member can be prevented from slipping under the condition expressed by Mathematical Expression 4 given below, wherein T1 is the tension acting on the slack side of the tension member extending from the drive device toward opposite directions, T2 is the tension on the tensioned side of the tension member, μ is the coefficient of friction between the belt surface of the belt transmission and the tension member, and N is the pressure exerted by the belt surface on the tension member.
(Mathematical Expression 4)
T2−T1≦μ·N
Accordingly, assuming, for example, that the tension T1 on the slack side is due to the weight of the reciprocatingly movable body (cage), the tension T1 is small if the cage carries a small number of passengers, whereas the relationship of Mathematical Expression 4 can be satisfied by increasing the pressure N. The tension member can then be prevented from slipping.
Suppose the cage itself has weight of 1500 Kg, the loading capacity is 1000 Kg, and the weight of the counterweight is the weight of the cage itself plus 50% of the loading capacity as exemplified above. The left side member of Expression 4 has the following values when the weight of load is zero and when the cage is fully loaded.
(Mathematical Expressions 5)
T2−T1=2000−1500=500
T2−T1=2500−2000=500
If the weight of the cage itself is then reduced to 1000 Kg, the values of Mathematical Expressions 4 are as follows.
(Mathematical Expressions 6)
T2−T1=1500−1000=500
T2−T1=2000−1500=500
Thus, the left side member (T2−T1) of Mathematical Expression 4 to be satisfied has a constant value even if the weight of the cage itself or the weight of load varies. The cage can be moved upward or downward without permitting slippage of the tension member if the drive device exerts a drive force greater than this value when driving the tension member in frictional contact therewith.
Without the necessity of altering the tension member extension route, the drive device may be provided along a straight region of the tension member extension route when of the straight drive type, or along a circular-arc region of the tension member as reeved around a sheave when of the circular-arc drive type. Thus, the drive device is accommodated and disposed in the path of movement of the elevator. The drive device can be provided at each of a plurality of locations along the tension member extension route in accordance with the force (T2−T1) required for driving the tension member.
In the case of a drive device of the straight drive type, the belt transmission comprises a main belt 6 reeved around a pair of rollers 53, 54, and the pressing mechanism comprises a subbelt transmission provided by a pair of rollers 64, 65 arranged inside the main belt 6 and a subbelt 62 reeved around the rollers 64, 65, a plurality of pressing rollers 68 arranged inside the subbelt 62 and spring means for pressing the pressing rollers 68 against the main belt 6.
With this specific construction, the pressing rollers 68 are pressed toward the subbelt 62 by the biasing force of the spring means, whereby the subbelt 62 is pressed against the main belt 6, pressing the surface of the main belt 6 into contact with the tension member. The subbelt 62 is free to move revolvingly with the revolving movement of the main belt 6, with rolling friction merely occurring between the subbelt 62 and the pressing rollers 68, so that the pressing mechanism is unlikely to offer resistance to the drive of the main belt 6. The pressing mechanism is not limited only to one utilizing the resilient force of springs 57 or the like, but also usable is, for example, a mechanism utilizing a magnetic force or a fluid pressure.
Stated specifically, an inner periphery of the main belt 6 and an outer periphery of the subbelt 62 have respective grooved surfaces meshable with each other. This reliably prevents slippage from occurring between the main belt 6 and the subbelt 62.
Further stated specifically, the belt providing the belt transmission has a grooved portion extending longitudinally of the tension member and in contact with the tension member. This provides an increased frictional force between the belt and the tension member to produce a greater drive force. An increased frictional force is available also by making the belt and the tension member rough-surfaced over the portions thereof to be in contact with each other.
The drive device of the straight drive type further comprises a second belt transmission positioned as opposed to the belt transmission (first belt transmission), and the tension member is held between surfaces of belts of the respective belt transmissions from opposite sides of the tension member. The force with which the main belt 6 of the first belt transmission presses the tension member is supported by the main belt of the second belt transmission, and the tension member is reliably held between the two belt surfaces, whereby a greater drive force can be produced.
Incidentally, the belt transmission need not always comprise a striplike belt reeved around a pair of rollers but can be provided by a chain 7 reeved around a pair of chain sprockets and a plurality of pressure members 71 arranged on the chain 7 over the entire periphery thereof. Each of the pressure members 71 is provided with a recessed face extending longitudinally of the tension member and shaped in conformity with the cross section of the tension member, whereby a great frictional force can be produced between the pressure member 71 and the tension member.
When the pressing mechanism is provided with an adjusting mechanism for giving an adjusted pressure in accordance with the weight of a cage 1, the value of the right side member of Mathematical Expression 4 can be altered, for example, in accordance with the number of passengers. The tension member can then be prevented from slipping regardless of the number of passengers. Usable as the adjusting mechanism is, for example, a power transmission utilizing the tension of the tension member as motive power for exerting pressure on the belt surface of the belt transmission. The tension of the tension member then varies with the number of passengers, whereby the pressure is made automatically adjustable. Incidentally, the adjusting mechanism is not limited only to a mechanical power transmission such as one using a lever mechanism. Also usable is a power transmission comprising a sensor for detecting the tension of the tension member, and a control circuit for adjusting the pressure in response to the detection signal.
On the other hand, an example of drive device of the circular-arc drive type comprises a mechanism for tensioning the belt. This effectively presses the belt into contact with the tension member to produce a great frictional force between the belt and the tension member.
Further stated specifically, the tensioning mechanism comprises a frame 130 supported so as to be movable toward or away from the sheave, the plurality of rollers being rotatably supported by the frame 130, and the tension member has one end connected to a free end of the frame 130. With this construction, the frame 130 is driven toward the sheave by the tension of the tension member, and the belt extending over the rollers is pressed into contact with the circular-arc region of the tension member as reeved around the sheave. Consequently, the belt can be given sufficiently great tension at all times. Accordingly, the tensioning mechanism requires no special power source and consequently becomes simple in construction.
Alternatively, the tensioning mechanism comprises a frame 130 supported so as to be movable toward or away from the sheave, the plurality of rollers being rotatably supported by the frame 130, and a lever mechanism 140 is provided between a free end of the frame 130 and one end of the tension member. With this specific construction, the lever mechanism 140 converts the tension of the tension member to a force for driving the frame 130, with the portion of the lever mechanism 140 connected to the end of the tension member serving as a fulcrum and with the portion thereof opposed to the free end of the frame 130 serving as the point of application. In this way, the tension of the belt is adjusted to an acting force of required magnitude.
Further stated specifically, the tensioning mechanism comprises an arm 156 supported so as to be movable toward or away from the sheave, the arm 156 being elastically biased toward a direction away from the sheave, and a plurality of rollers included among the plurality of rollers and positioned at opposite ends of the arrangement of rollers are rotatably supported each at a predetermined level relative to the sheave, the arm 156 rotatably supporting thereon one or more rollers positioned inwardly of the roller arrangement. With this specific arrangement, the arm 156 is biased toward a direction away from the sheave, whereby the inward roller or rollers are driven away from the sheave to tension the belt.
The elevator apparatus of the invention described above has a drive device for driving a tension member in frictional contact therewith. This obviates the need for driving by a traction sheave, rendering the cage or like reciprocatingly movable body smaller in weight and consequently permitting use of a compacted lightweight lift drive mechanism.
Embodiments of the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. First, a description will be given of an elevator apparatus wherein a drive device of the straight drive type is used as a drive device for driving ropes, serving as tension members, by frictional contact therewith, i.e., by pressing a straight region of each rope. Subsequently, a description will be given of an elevator apparatus wherein a drive device of the circular-arc drive type is used for driving ropes as reeved around a sheave by pressing a circular-arc region of each rope against the sheave.
Apparatus Comprising Drive Device of Straight Drive Type
The drive device 5 has connected thereto an unillustrated control circuit for controlling the upward and downward movement of the cage 1 and stopping of a cage door 11 at a position coinciding with a floor door 12. Although only one rope 3 is shown in
On the other hand, the belt drive mechanism Mb on the driven side comprises a main belt transmission comprising a pair of rollers 55, 56 arranged along the ropes 3 and a main belt 61 reeved around these rollers, a subbelt transmission comprising a pair of rollers 66, 67 arranged inside the main belt 61 and a subbelt 63 reeved around the rollers 66, 67, and a plurality of support rollers 69 arranged inside the subbelt 63. In each of the two belt drive mechanisms Ma, Mb, the outer peripheral surface of the subbelt 62 or 63 on the rope side is in intimate contact with the inner peripheral surface of the main belt 6 or 61 on the rope side.
With reference to
When the power source is turned on for the drive motor 52 constituting the drive-side belt drive mechanism Ma of the drive device 5, the main belt 6 starts to move revolvingly, drawing the ropes 3 toward one direction by a frictional force between the main belt 6 and the ropes 3. With this movement, the main belt 61 of the driven-side belt drive mechanism Mb moves revolvingly. Further with the revolving movement of the two main belts 6, 61, the two subbelts 62, 63 also move revolvingly.
The traction of the ropes 3 in one direction moves the sheave mechanism shown in
In the case of the elevator apparatus of the invention, the drive device 5 can be installed compactly in a vacant space along the route of the ropes within the path 10 as shown in
When the outer periphery of the subbelt 62 and the inner periphery of the main belt 6 have respective grooved surfaces meshable with each other as shown in
Alternatively usable is a mechanism comprising, as shown in
It is also possible to use a belt transmission comprising, as shown in
FIGS. 12,(a) to (f) and 13,(a) to (f) show other examples of arrangements which are altered in the number and position of drive devices 5, the number and position of sheaves, rope extension route, etc. FIGS. 12,(a) and (b) show drive devices 5 arranged at a plurality of locations. FIG. 12,(c) shows a drive device 5 attached to a cage 1. FIG. 12,(d) shows a drive device 5 attached to a counterweight 2. FIGS. 12,(e) and (f) each show a rope 31, other than a rope 3 as the main cable and serving as an auxiliary cable. A drive device 5 is in engagement with the rope 31.
With reference to FIG. 13,(a), a rope 3 has connected to opposite ends thereof a cage 1 and a counterweight 2, to which respective drive devices 5, 5 are attached. Each drive device 5 is in engagement with a rope 31 serving as an auxiliary cable. FIG. 13,(b) shows counterweights 2, 2 attached to respective opposite ends of a rope 3.
As described above, the elevator apparatus of the invention is equipped with a drive device 5 for exerting a drive force in accordance with the difference between tension T1 on the slack side of a rope 3 and the tension T2 on the tensioned side of the rope. This eliminates the need for the conventional mode of driving by a traction sheave, making it possible to use a cage 1 or counterweight 2 of reduced weight. Furthermore the following advantages are also available.
1. Although the drive device is installed conventionally only in a machine room, an upper portion of a path of movement of the elevator, pit or the like, the device can be installed at any location according to the invention.
2. Since the rope is driven as held at a straight region thereof, the rope is less burdened, permitting use of various materials, such as iron or steel, synthetic fibers and synthetic resins, for the rope.
3. The conventional drive device using a traction sheave needs to support the weight of the cage and the counterweight and is therefore large-sized, whereas the drive device of the invention need not support the weight of these components and can therefore be compacted and reduced in weight. Furthermore, the drive device can singly be removed or installed and is easy to replace.
4. The cage 1 and the counterweight 2 which are reduced in weight permit use of a drive motor 52 of smaller capacity, which results in reduced power consumption.
5. An increase in the pressure to be exerted by the drive device 5 increases the force for driving the rope 3. This makes it more likely that the chain or rope to be used as a counterbalance can be dispensed with, hence improved safety or reliability.
Apparatus Comprising Drive Device of Circular-Arc Drive Type
Like the drive device shown in
Accordingly, the tension of the rope 3 acts on the frame 120 of the drive device 100, driving the two rollers 121, 121 toward the sheave 42. With this movement, the belt 122 is strongly pressed into contact with a circular-arc region of the rope 3 as reeved around the sheave 42, thereby giving sufficiently great tension to the belt 122. As a result, a great frictional force is produced between the belt 122 and the rope 3, driving the rope 3 without causing slippage between the rope and the belt 122.
Like the drive device shown in
Accordingly, the tension of the rope 3 acts on the frame 130 of the drive device 100, driving the four rollers 131, 131, 131, 131 toward the sheave 42. With this movement, the belt 132 is strongly pressed into contact with a circular-arc region of the rope 3 as reeved around the sheave 42, thereby giving sufficiently great tension to the belt 132. As a result, a great frictional force is produced between the belt 132 and the rope 3, driving the rope 3 without causing slippage between the rope and the belt 132.
The lever mechanism 140 converts the tension of the rope 3 to a force for driving the frame 130, with the portion of the lever mechanism 140 connected to the end of the rope 3 serving as a fulcrum and with the portion thereof opposed to the free end of the frame 130 serving as the point of application. In this way, the tension to be given to the belt 132 is adjusted to a suitable magnitude.
The elevator apparatus incorporating the drive device of the circular-arc drive type has the same advantages as the drive device of the straight drive type, and can be simpler than the latter in the construction of the drive device. Since a belt is pressed against the circular-arc region of a rope as reeved around a sheave of large diameter, it is possible to reduce the magnitude and variation rate of specific pressure acting between the belt and the rope. When theoretically calculated, the maximum value of specific pressure of each of the rope surface and the belt surface is about 4 MPa in the case of the straight drive type, and the maximum values of specific pressures of the rope surface and the belt surface are smaller and are respectively about 2 MPa and about 1 MPa in the case of the circular-arc drive type. This serves to preclude the damage to be caused to the belt and the rope to ensure a prolonged life.
Furthermore, the drive device of the circular-arc drive type, which is simpler in construction than the device of the straight drive type, is diminished in mechanical losses, therefore permitting use of a motor of smaller capacity and achieving a reduction in power consumption. When theoretically calculated, the power transmission efficiency of the drive device of the straight drive type is about 70%, and that of the drive device of the circular-arc drive type is as high as about 95%.
Furthermore, the belt constituting the drive device of the circular-arc drive type is pressed against the circular-arc region of the rope by virtue of the tension thereof. The belt can therefore be smaller in thickness than when the belt is pressed by pressing rollers of small diameter as is the case with the drive device of the straight drive type. Thus, the rollers for driving the belt can be reduced in diameter and the drive motor to be used can be of smaller capacity. The noise to be produced by the drive device of the circular-arc drive type is much smaller, while the device can be maintained satisfactorily.
The mechanism or apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments in construction but can be modified variously within the technical scope defined in the appended claims. For example, the belt to be brought into frictional contact with the rope for driving need not always have a recessed curved contact face which is circular-arc in cross section, but a grooved surface of V-shaped cross section or one of various other cross sections is similarly useful. On the other hand, it is effective that the belt surface to be in contact with the roller be mirror-finished so as to ensure an improved degree of intimate contact with the roller. The belt for driving the rope by frictional contact therewith can be composed of a plurality of belt pieces divided in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the rope 3 so as to use each of the belt pieces in contact with one or a plurality of ropes 3.
A core having high tension and high strength can be incorporated in the belt for driving the rope by frictional contact therewith, and the belt surface layer to be in contact with the rope can be made from a material having abrasion resistance. A belt of multilayer structure is useful which comprises, for example, a layer of chloroprene rubber, a layer of polyamide woven fabric and a layer of aramid cord. If the materials to be used for the rope and the belt have the same modulus of longitudinal elasticity (spring constant), diminished slippage will result between the two members. The advantage of suppressed wear is then available.
A tension member in the form of a belt can be used in place of the rope 3 serving as a tension member. Use of a belt having the same structure as described above especially leads to the same modulus of longitudinal elasticity (spring constant) between the belts to be in contact with each other, and to the advantage of reduced slippage and suppressed wear.
The motor for driving the belt need not always be coupled to the center shaft of the roller as shown in
The reciprocatingly movable body drive mechanism of the invention is not limited only for use in elevator apparatus of the type movable upward or downward wherein a cage and a counterweight are arranged at opposite sides as described above, but can be used also in elevator apparatus of the horizontally movable type, elevator apparatus wherein cages are arranged respectively on opposite sides, cable railways, ropeways, etc.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2001-039609 | Feb 2001 | JP | national |
2001-223374 | Jul 2001 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP02/01220 | 2/14/2002 | WO | 00 | 8/12/2003 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO02/064482 | 8/22/2002 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3878916 | White, Jr. | Apr 1975 | A |
4620615 | Morris et al. | Nov 1986 | A |
5921352 | Garrido et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
6138799 | Schroder-Brumloop et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6742627 | Drabot et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
20020056593 | Adifon et al. | May 2002 | A1 |
20030057031 | Gottlieb et al. | Mar 2003 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
614 477 | Jun 1935 | DE |
55-180683 | Jun 1954 | JP |
52-4814 | Feb 1977 | JP |
790501979 | Dec 1980 | JP |
62-14078 | Apr 1987 | JP |
1-10294 | Mar 1989 | JP |
2-1075 | Jan 1990 | JP |
6-36052 | Sep 1994 | JP |
WO 9943592 | Sep 1999 | WO |
WO 9943592 | Sep 1999 | WO |
WO 9943592 | Sep 1999 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20040050627 A1 | Mar 2004 | US |