Patent Application
20140054115
The invention relates to a drive unit, with which devices for moving loads and people, such as elevators, can be equipped and which comprises a spindle and cables, chains or belts and with which multiple gearing and higher speeds can be achieved. The invention further relates to devices, in particular elevators for transporting loads and people, which operate with such drive units.
Drive units that can be used to move loads and people using corresponding devices, in particular elevators, have been known for quite some time.
These include, for example, the hydraulically operating systems such as those that are described in the German unexamined patent application DE 3 621 851 A1. The subject matter of this patent application is a hydraulically operated lift, which, in addition to the cabin, comprises a hydraulic cylinder which extends in the direction of travel of the cabin and in which a piston rod is moved, as well as pulleys and a counterweight connected to the piston rod. The working fluid is supplied by way of a motor-driven pump.
However, hydraulically operated drive units are very sensitive and require not only frequent monitoring and maintenance of the pump region, but also of the hydraulic cylinder system. In addition, the hydraulic fluid has to be replaced regularly, which is associated with costs and efforts. During operation, the fluid level must also be monitored and oil has to be replenished. Additionally, the properties of the fluid are highly temperature-dependent, and the environmental problems, such as risks of polluting the environment and official safety regulations, also need to be kept in mind.
It is also very unsound that large amounts of hydraulic fluid are required.
A system that operates without hydraulics, and instead employs a block and tackle system is disclosed in CH 615 138 A5, wherein the block and tackle is driven by a special motor. However, such an elevator is not particularly suited for transporting people quickly and safely. The German patent specification DE 198 51 726 C describes an elevator system, the drive system of which operates based on a spindle lifting cable drive. However, in this elevator system, the drive motor and spindle are arranged together with the parts directly associated therewith on the lower section of the elevator shaft, which is to say also beneath the elevator car. Cable deflection sheaves are attached to a pulling console located beneath the elevator system. Moreover, further deflection sheaves are arranged above the elevator car in the top of the shaft, as is a cable suspension system. The components required for driving are divided among multiple positions over the entire elevator shaft. The drive system is an integral part of the elevator system.
However, this installation only allows movements in the vertical direction. Still, this development already provides considerable advantages over the elevators known from the related art.
EP 0 895 957 A2 describes an elevator comprising a drive, in which likewise only a vertical movement is possible and in which the elevator and drive are rigidly integrated with each other. However, the driving motor acts on the nut that is present. Two cables are also provided in this design. The spindle is driven directly, and the installation has no gearing.
While a number of elevators comprising different drives are already known, a need still exists for elevators, and more particularly for drive units, that have a simple design, are versatile in the application thereof, and offer advantages over the known prior art.
It is the object of the invention to provide a refinement, improvement, and also simplification, over the known prior art, and to provide in particular a drive system that can be used not only to move loads and people in a vertical direction, but also in an inclined or horizontal direction.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a drive unit for moving loads and people, which is easy to produce using few means and has versatile uses, which can be used in particular to advantageously equip systems, which allows loads and people to be moved vertically, horizontally and in an inclined manner, by way of which heavy loads can be transported, which allows a high transport velocity, and which additionally is designed as a compact unit that can be transported either as such or accommodated in a housing and be locally mounted and used.
It is also an object of the invention to provide an advantageous transport or movement unit, in particular an elevator, which is equipped with such drive units.
A further object of the invention is to provide a transport system, in particular an elevator, comprising a drive unit that can be operated with low use of energy.
This object is achieved by a drive unit, comprising a spindle (5) that is driven by a motor (6) and acts on a nut (1), to which two or more deflection sheaves, gear wheels or pulleys (2) are attached for loose deflection, and one or more deflection sheaves, gear wheels or pulleys (3) for fixed deflection, and a fixed suspension (4) for cables, chains or belts (11), and the cables, chains or belts (11) form a gear ratio of N:1, and N=4+n, where n is an integer from −2 to +8, including 0, and the cable, chain or belt (11) can be connected directly, optionally by way of deflection, to a transport system.
Other, even higher, gear ratios are also possible.
It is preferred if n=−2 to 4, in particular 0.
The spindle is advantageously designed as a ball screw.
The drive unit may advantageously be arranged in a housing, which has an opening option for leading out and connecting the cable comprising a load.
A further object of the invention is a device for moving, raising or lowering loads or people in a vertical, horizontal or inclined direction, wherein the device comprises a drive unit of a type described above for driving purposes.
The device is preferably an elevator.
A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is an elevator, comprising a drive unit for moving a passenger and/or freight elevator up and down, the drive unit comprising a ball screw (5) that is driven by a motor (6) and acts on a nut (1), to which two or more deflection sheaves, gear wheels or pulleys (2) are attached for loose deflection, and one or more deflection sheaves, gear wheels or pulleys (3) for fixed deflection, and a fixed suspension (4) for cables, chains or belts (11), wherein the cables, chains or belts form a gear ratio of N:1 and N=4+n, and n is an integer from −2 to +8, including =0, preferably −2 to +4, including =0, and the elevator comprises two further fixed deflection sheaves, gear wheels or pulleys (7, 8), and the car/load (9) is drivably arranged by way of cables, chains or belts via the sheaves, gear wheels or pulleys (7) and (8), and the cable or chain or belt that is guided over the deflection sheave, gear wheel or pulley (8) is provided with a counterweight (10) for the car/load (9).
It is preferred if n=0, and the mass of the counterweight is advantageously exchangeable.
The invention will be described in greater detail hereafter based on the schematic drawings. In the drawings:
Due to the compact design, the freedom of motion of the elevator through the entire shaft is assured, regardless of whether the drive unit is attached to the upper or lower section of the shaft or any arbitrary location within the shaft.
The invention will be described in greater detail based on
The elevator moved upward can be provided with a device for generating electricity, with the recovery taking place on the downward motion.
The drive system according to the invention can be used in a wide variety of ways.
It is particularly suited as a drive system for elevator installations. The expenditure and costs for production are extremely low. All individual parts are inexpensive to produce or readily commercially available. The mounting time is extremely short. The drive system can be employed in the new construction of elevators and in the upgrade of old installations, for example when replacing hydraulic drives. It is very environmentally friendly because no hydraulic drive is required, and the risk of fluid leaking associated therewith does not exist. The system is extremely space-saving due to the small space requirement and can be mounted without difficulty in a shaft pit, in the shaft itself, at the top of the shaft, or also outside the shaft. It is basically possible to neglect frictional losses and wear.
The movement behavior is very precise, and no sagging at the building floor level takes place. In addition, a shaft copying system installed in the shaft can be eliminated. The installation is resistant to temperature fluctuations and penetrating impurities. The power consumption is low, and energy can be recovered during the downward motion. There are additional advantages that are not listed.
The embodiment comprising a counterweight is shown schematically and will be described by way of example based on
By way of the invention, it is possible to reduce the energy consumption when moving the elevator. Furthermore, the load can be influenced by selection of the gearing and the path length, with the same applying to the velocity with which the elevator can be moved.
By adapting the mass of the counterweight, it is possible to adjust quickly to the weight of the car or the loads that are to be moved on a regular basis.
Due to the compact design, the drive unit can be arranged and transported in a housing and can also be used locally as an integral part together with the housing.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202011005664.3 | Apr 2011 | DE | national |
| 102011102199.3 | May 2011 | DE | national |
| 202011108577.9 | Dec 2011 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2012/000736 | 4/12/2012 | WO | 00 | 10/28/2013 |
