Patent Grant
10421641
The object of the invention is an elevator car and an elevator, more particularly an elevator car and an elevator applicable to the transporting of people and/or of freight.
Elevator cars are conventionally formed to comprise a car box and suspension means, which suspension means comprise hoisting roping and a load-bearing frame, which comprises a lower horizontal beam system, an upper horizontal beam system, and also a vertical beam system of a first side and a vertical beam system of a second side, which beam systems are connected to each other so that they form a closed ring, inside which is an interior comprised in a car box fixed to the beam systems, which interior can receive freight and/or passengers for conveying them in the interior of the elevator car.
Conventionally the car box of an elevator has been essentially fully inside the aforementioned ring. Also known in the art are elevator cars, in which the beams participating in forming the ring structure of the aforementioned load-bearing frame are integrated as a part of the wall structures, roof structures or floor structures bounding the interior of the car box. This type of solution is presented in, among others, publications EP1970341 and WO9933743. Utilizing the solutions, a shallow roof structure for an elevator car can be achieved. The vertical space usage is very efficient, but nevertheless some free space remains unutilized and modification of the elevator car according to site regulations and customer needs is not possible.
The outer surface of the roof of an elevator car is generally formed from plates that are firmly and rigidly supported on the upper horizontal beam system. According to prior art, there is a separate ceiling panel in the elevator cars, below the upper horizontal beam system and the aforementioned plates forming the outer surface. The roof panel can be a single-piece or multi-piece roof panel, and the bottom surface of it forms a planar surface bounding the interior of the car. The roof panel is generally a plate-type structure that is quite thin in terms of its thickness, into which luminaires are sunk. The ceiling panel structure has increased the total thickness of the roof structure by the amount of its own thickness plus possible fastening clearances. Using this type of conventional method in connection with solutions according to prior art produces an unnecessarily thick, heavyweight and technically complex roof entity that is expensive in terms of its manufacturing costs.
The aim of the invention is to eliminate, inter alia, the aforementioned drawbacks of prior-art solutions. More particularly the aim of the invention is to produce an elevator, the structure of the elevator car of which is light and easily adaptable according to the needs of the operating site. The aim of the invention is further to produce one or more of the following advantages, among others:
The invention is based on the concept that the elevator car comprises suspension means for supporting the elevator car in the elevator hoistway and a car box to be assembled according to site regulations and customer needs, which car box comprises a free interior for receiving and transporting freight and/or passengers in the interior of the car box of the elevator, which interior is bounded by at least the floor, walls, roof, and preferably also door arrangement comprised in the car box, a floor element, vertical beams and roof beams, which floor element and vertical beams and roof beams are connected to each other such that they form a load-bearing frame structure, of rectangular prism shape, of the car box of the elevator, on the inside of which frame structure is a plurality of planar elements of rectangular shape fixed side-by-side to the frame structure and extending essentially from one edge side of the car box to another, from which plurality a uniform wall surface and/or roof surface of the car box is formed, and the plurality of which elements comprises elements differing to each other in respect of the functionalities integrated into the elements.
In one basic embodiment of the concept according to the invention the elevator comprises an elevator hoistway, and an elevator car arranged to move in the elevator hoistway, which elevator car comprises
In this way the aforementioned advantages are achieved.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the aforementioned load-bearing frame and the car box are separate from each other and the load-bearing frame is fixed to the car box essentially via the floor element.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the aforementioned load-bearing frame is integrated into the car box, in which case at least the floor element forms a part of the load-bearing frame.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the frame structure of the car box of the elevator car comprises a floor element, above which is the aforementioned interior and which floor element rigidly connects the aforementioned vertical beams and on which floor element means, such as diverting pulleys or rope clamps, for connecting the hoisting ropes to the elevator car are supported.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the aforementioned frame structure of the car box of the elevator car comprises the vertical beam(s) of a first side and the vertical beam(s) of a second side, between which is the aforementioned interior, and which beams are rigidly connected to each other by the aid of the aforementioned roof beams.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the aforementioned frame structure of the car box of the elevator car comprises the vertical beam(s) of a first side and the vertical beam(s) of a second side, which are disposed in the corners of the rectangularly-shaped floor element and together with the floor element form the edge sides of a frame structure of rectangular prism shape.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the aforementioned vertical beams are profile beams, preferably open L-profile beams or C-profile beams, or closed profile beams, which profile beams have essentially the same continuous cross-sectional profile in the longitudinal direction of the beam, the width/height ratio of which cross-section is preferably at least 0.5, preferably 0.5-1, more preferably 0.7-0.9. The cross-sectional profile continues as such preferably for essentially the whole length of the beam. One advantage is a rigid structure, and enables the fixing of the roof beams and other necessary structural elements, such as horizontal support elements for the wall elements, to the vertical beams.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the aforementioned roof beams are profile beams, preferably open L-profile beams or C-profile beams, or closed profile beams, which profile beams have essentially the same continuous cross-sectional profile in the longitudinal direction of the beam, the width/height ratio of which cross-section is preferably at least 0.5, preferably 0.5-1, more preferably 0.7-0.9. The cross-sectional profile continues as such preferably for essentially the whole length of the beam. One advantage is a rigid structure, which is shallow, and enables the fixing of necessary structural elements, such as vertical stiffeners, to the roof beams.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the aforementioned floor element is a planar sandwich structure having a rectangular shape and metal surface, in which the core material of the sandwich board is a honeycomb structure, preferably a metallic flute profile, more preferably a honeycomb fabricated from thermoplastic, such as e.g. a polypropylene honeycomb. The surface plates of the sandwich board are fixed to the core material by welding, glueing or riveting, depending on the materials used. The surface plates are preferably metal material, most preferably aluminium, of a thickness of preferably 0.5-5 mm, even more preferably 0.7-3 mm, most preferably 1-2 mm. The thickness of the core material of the sandwich board is preferably 10-100 mm, even more preferably 15-50 mm, most preferably 20-30 mm.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention metallic U-profile elements, in which apertures are arranged for joint elements, are connected to the side edges of a sandwich-structured floor element of rectangular shape. A plate element, preferably a plywood board, essentially the size of the floor element is connected to the surface of the aforementioned sandwich board on the side of the interior of the elevator car, which stiffens the structure and makes the fixing of a wear-resistant surface material to the floor easy. The thickness of the plate element is preferably 3-10 mm, more preferably 4-8 mm, most preferably 5-7 mm.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the aforementioned roof beams are in their length such that they cover preferably at least most of the length and width of the car box of the elevator car in the plane direction.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the horizontal distance between the aforementioned horizontal parallel roof beams is at most 2000 mm, preferably at most 1500 mm, most preferably at most 1000 mm. In this way the roof beam structure is sufficiently rigid to function as a part of the load-bearing frame structure of the car box.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the aforementioned vertical beams are in their length such that they cover preferably at least most of the vertical height of the elevator car.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the aforementioned vertical beams are rigidly fixed to the aforementioned floor element. In this way the floor element is firmly positioned and withstands standing and at the same time stiffens the load-bearing frame structure of the car box.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the frame structure of the car box comprises one or more vertical stiffeners, which is fixed to the aforementioned roof beam and to the aforementioned floor element for joining them rigidly together, and that the aforementioned vertical stiffener extends vertically from the roof beam right to the floor element for the distance of at least most of the length of the vertical beams. In this way the frame structure of the car box is durable and the stiffening effect of the frame structure is considerable.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the roof structure of the car box of the elevator car comprises one or more functional roof elements, the bottom surface of which roof element is placed against the top surfaces of the profile of the roof beams. Thus the aforementioned roof element is in the vertical direction simply supported in its position and withstands well the vertical loading exerted from outside on the surface of the roof element.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the roof structure of the car box of the elevator car comprises one or more functional roof elements, of rectangular shape and on the horizontal plane, which roof element comprises along its long sides essentially vertical and horizontal folds of a height of preferably at most 50 mm, even more preferably at most 30 mm, most preferably at most 20 mm. The folds function as profile stiffeners and as male-female-type joint surfaces between the roof elements. By the aid of the folds, different roof elements can be rigidly connected to each other also in the horizontal direction and the roof structure becomes tight and durable to loading from the plane direction and orthogonally to the plane direction of the roof.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the roof structure of the car box of the elevator car comprises one or more functional roof elements, which functional roof element comprises a luminaire, preferably a LED light source, even more preferably a LED light strip, integrated into one or more roof elements for lighting the interior of the elevator car.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the roof structure of the car box of the elevator car comprises one or more functional roof elements, which functional roof element comprises a fan element and/or an air-conditioning element integrated into the roof element for arranging ventilation or air-conditioning of the interior of the elevator car.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the roof structure of the car box of the elevator car comprises one or more functional roof elements, which roof element comprises an emergency exit hatch integrated into the roof element. Opening of the aforementioned emergency exit hatch is possible from the roof of the elevator and changing the opening side of the aforementioned emergency exit hatch to the inside of the elevator is possible. In addition, the aforementioned hatch can be made to be openable from both sides. In a more refined embodiment of the concept of the invention the locking of the emergency exit hatch of the elevator is arranged with the already existing locks/locking systems. Preferably the locking of the emergency exit hatch is handled with a lock package, which is used with a Triangel key. In one embodiment of the invention electrical circuit-breakers of the safety circuit and the necessary locking elements, such as e.g. pins, are added to the roof element of the elevator for locking the aforementioned hatch to the frame.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the roof structure of the car box of the elevator car comprises one or more functional roof elements, which roof element comprises an emergency exit ladder integrated into the roof element. The emergency exit ladder is integrated into the roof element and it can be lowered inside into the elevator car for exiting via an emergency exit hatch.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the roof structure of the car box of the elevator car comprises different functional roof elements. Thus the roof structure of the elevator car can be assembled according to varying structural and visual needs. Thus it is advantageous to assemble the roof structure according to the operating site to include the necessary functional elements and/or communication cabling and/or electrical wiring. Thus also the material and location of the functional roof elements in the roof structure of the car box of the elevator car can be varied preferably according to the regulations and needs of the operating site.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the roof structure of the car box of the elevator car comprises one or more functional roof elements of rectangular shape, the long side of which roof element is essentially the width of the elevator car in length and the short side can be selected from between preferably 200-1000 mm, even more preferably from between 300-800 mm, even more preferably from between 350-500 mm.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the roof structure of the car box of the elevator car comprises one or more functional roof elements, which comprises a sound-damping element integrated into the roof element. Preferably the sound-damping element is a rectangularly-shaped covering, essentially of the size of the roof element, fabricated from non-combustible material, which is fixed to the inner surface and/or to the outer surface of the roof element. The sound damping material is preferably e.g. mineral wool coated with glass fabric.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the roof structure of the car box of the elevator car comprises one or more functional roof elements, which comprises a bottom surface, which forms a surface bounding the interior, and that the bottom surface and top surface of the aforementioned roof element are at a vertical distance from each other such that a space is formed between them, in which space air is preferably conducted to travel between the interior and the elevator hoistway and/or electricity cables and/or communications cables. In this way the space of the roof of the elevator car can be efficiently utilized.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention a functional roof element of the car box of the elevator car is supported against the aforementioned roof beams from below, which functional roof element comprises a bottom surface, which forms a surface bounding the interior. Thus the structure is very compact.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the structure of at least one luminaire integrated into the aforementioned functional roof element, preferably at least the light source and/or the reflective surface of the luminaire, is at least partly, preferably fully, beside the roof beam i.e. in the vertical direction at the point of the roof beam. Thus the structure is very compact.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the cross-sectional profile of each vertical beam of the aforementioned car box comprises a vertical side surface, the width of which is preferably at least 10 mm, even more preferably at least 20 mm, most preferably at least 30 mm. Thus good rigidity and a compact structure are obtained for the vertical beams.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the cross-sectional profile of each roof beam of the aforementioned car box comprises a horizontal top surface, the width of which is preferably at least 10 mm, even more preferably at least 20 mm, most preferably at least 30 mm. Thus good rigidity and a shallow structure are obtained for the roof beam.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the elevator car is suspended with hoisting roping, which is connected to the elevator car with means, such as via a diverting pulley system or equipment for fixing the ropes, which means are on the side of or below the elevator car.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the elevator car is suspended with hoisting roping, which is connected to the elevator car such that it supports the elevator car via a diverting pulley system supported on the elevator car.
In a more refined embodiment of the concept according to the invention the elevator car is suspended with hoisting roping passing around and below the elevator car.
Some inventive embodiments are also presented in the descriptive section and in the drawings of the present application. The inventive content of the application can also be defined differently than in the claims presented below. The inventive content may also consist of several separate inventions, especially if the invention is considered in the light of expressions or implicit sub-tasks or from the point of view of advantages or categories of advantages achieved. In this case, some of the attributes contained in the claims below may be superfluous from the point of view of separate inventive concepts. The features of the various embodiments of the invention can be applied within the framework of the basic inventive concept in conjunction with other embodiments. The additional features mentioned by each preceding embodiment can also singly and separately from the other embodiments form a separate invention.
The invention will now be described mainly in connection with its preferred embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:
d present the structure of a car box I of an elevator car according to one embodiment of the invention.
The vertical beams 2 of the frame structure of the car box are C-profile beams opening outwards from the interior, which profile beams have essentially the same continuous cross-sectional profile in the longitudinal direction of the beam. Cuttings and apertures 6 are arranged in the vertical beams for fixing means for fixing the functional wall elements 8a-8f to the vertical beams. The vertical beams 2 of the frame structure 1 of the car box I are rigidly fixed with fixing means 7 to the vertical side edges of a planar floor element 5 of rectangular shape at the bottom edge of a vertical beam 2 and to the horizontal first roof beams 3 at the top edge of a vertical beam 2. In one embodiment of the invention a vertical length stiffener 2a is added to the frame structure 1 of the car box I of the elevator for increasing the stiffening effect of the frame structure of the car box.
The rectangular, planar, functional wall elements 8a-8f presented in
The functional roof elements 11a-11e presented in
The functional roof element 11a according to the invention presented in
The functional roof element 11b according to the invention presented in
The functional roof element 11c according to the invention presented in
The functional roof element 11d according to the invention presented in
The folds 14a-14d, 15 further stiffen the roof element and different roof elements can be tightly connected to each other also in the horizontal direction and the roof structure becomes rigid and durable to loading from the plane direction and orthogonally to the plane direction of the roof. In addition, the folds improve the sound damping of the points of connection of the roof elements.
All the joints referred to in this application can be implemented mechanically by connecting, e.g. with a screw and nut, by riveting, by welding or by glueing. The joint means can comprise a screw, a nut, a rivet, a stud, a nail or some other corresponding element suited to joining.
Some inventive embodiments are also presented in the descriptive section and in the drawings of the present application. The inventive content of the application can also be defined differently than in the claims presented below. The inventive content may also consist of several separate inventions, especially if the invention is considered in the light of expressions or implicit sub-tasks or from the point of view of advantages or categories of advantages achieved. In this case, some of the attributes contained in the claims below may be superfluous from the point of view of separate inventive concepts. The features of the various embodiments of the invention can be applied within the framework of the basic inventive concept in conjunction with other embodiments. The additional features mentioned by each preceding embodiment can also singly and separately from the other embodiments form a separate invention.
It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that in developing the technology the basic concept of the invention can be implemented in many different ways. The invention and the embodiments of it are not therefore limited to the examples described above, but instead they may be varied within the scope of the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20110432 | Dec 2011 | FI | national |
This application is a continuation of PCT International Application No. PCT/F12012/051261 which has an International filing date of Dec. 18, 2012, and which claims priority to Finnish patent application number 20110432 filed Dec. 30, 2011, the entire contents of both which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2300449 | Rowe | Nov 1942 | A |
| 4357993 | Halpern et al. | Nov 1982 | A |
| 4462193 | Ericson | Jul 1984 | A |
| 4635756 | Sherwood | Jan 1987 | A |
| 4711322 | Orndorff | Dec 1987 | A |
| 4875553 | Smith et al. | Oct 1989 | A |
| 5145247 | Mandy | Sep 1992 | A |
| 5975249 | Tomaseti | Nov 1999 | A |
| 6209686 | Tomasetti et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6550586 | Takeuchi | Apr 2003 | B1 |
| 7089708 | Bostock | Aug 2006 | B1 |
| 8104587 | Starace | Jan 2012 | B2 |
| 8468767 | McBride | Jun 2013 | B1 |
| 20030006102 | Bloch | Jan 2003 | A1 |
| 20040195049 | Stobo et al. | Oct 2004 | A1 |
| 20060175148 | Starace | Aug 2006 | A1 |
| 20060215399 | Endo | Sep 2006 | A1 |
| 20070181380 | Bostock | Aug 2007 | A1 |
| 20070181383 | Bizarria Santos | Aug 2007 | A1 |
| 20070251767 | Yoon | Nov 2007 | A1 |
| 20090057070 | Maury | Mar 2009 | A1 |
| 20120223642 | Amano | Sep 2012 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2459638 | Sep 2004 | CA |
| 1241526 | Jan 2000 | CN |
| 0566424 | Oct 1993 | EP |
| 1031527 | Aug 2000 | EP |
| 1970341 | Sep 2008 | EP |
| 1982944 | Oct 2008 | EP |
| 63190181 | Jul 1988 | JP |
| 4-116083 | Apr 1992 | JP |
| WO-9933743 | Jul 1999 | WO |
| WO-2006126254 | Nov 2006 | WO |
| WO-2008107202 | Sep 2008 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| Office action for corresponding Chinese Application No. 20128006650583 dated Jul. 14, 2015 and English and translation thereof. |
| European Search Report dated Aug. 7, 2015 issued in corresponding European Patent Application No. 12862514.2. |
| International Search Report for PCT/FI2012/051261 dated Apr. 12, 2013. |
| Finnish Search Report for FI20110432 dated Oct. 17, 2012. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20140305749 A1 | Oct 2014 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/FI2012/051261 | Dec 2012 | US |
| Child | 14317843 | US |
