Patent Application
20190352126
Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of elevator systems, and more particularly to improving elevator system performance during seismic events.
Elevator systems must typically comply with jurisdictional rules for performance of the elevator system under various operating conditions. Such rules are set forth in codes issued by various code setting bodies. Some such codes specify standards for performance and safety of the elevator system in the case of a seismic event. Current configurations for meeting seismic requirements can result in high rail and car frame loading during a seismic event, resulting in large guide rail sizes in order to meet the seismic performance requirements, thus greatly increasing cost of the elevator system. Such issues are exacerbated in high-rise elevator systems and those with double-deck elevator car structures.
In one embodiment, an elevator car of an elevator system includes a car body, and a car frame supportive of the car body. The car frame includes two or more opposing upright assemblies, a crosshead assembly located above the car body, and a plank assembly located below the car body. A plurality of seismic retainers are located at each of the upright assemblies. The plurality of seismic retainers are configured for a non-contact relationship with a guide rail of the elevator system during normal operation of the elevator system, and configured to react guide rail loads during a sway event via contact with the guide rail.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the seismic retainer includes a retainer slot having a retainer slot width greater than a blade width of the guide rail disposed in the retainer slot.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments three or more seismic retainers are located at each upright assembly.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments two or more car bodies are located between the cross head assembly and the plank assembly.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments each upright assembly includes two or more vertically extending upright members, and a plurality of upright braces extending between the upright members.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the plurality of seismic retainers are located at the plurality of upright braces.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments one or more elevator car guides are located at the elevator car and configured for contact with the guide rail during normal operating conditions of the elevator system.
In another embodiment, an elevator system includes one or more guide rails, and an elevator car operably connected to and movable along the one or more guide rails. The elevator car includes a car body and a car frame supportive of the car body. The car frame includes two or more opposing upright assemblies, a crosshead assembly located above the car body, and a plank assembly located below the car body. A plurality of seismic retainers are located at each of the upright assemblies. The plurality of seismic retainers are configured for a non-contact relationship with a guide rail of the elevator system during normal operation of the elevator system, and are configured to react guide rail loads during a seismic or rope sway event via contact with the guide rail.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the seismic retainer includes a retainer slot having a retainer slot width greater than a blade width of the guide rail located in the retainer slot.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments three or more seismic retainers are located at each upright assembly.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments two or more car bodies are located between the crosshead assembly and the plank assembly.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments each upright assembly includes two or more vertically extending upright members, and a plurality of upright braces extending between the upright members.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the plurality of seismic retainers are located at the plurality of upright braces.
Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments one or more elevator car guides are located at the elevator car configured for contact with the guide rail during normal operating conditions of the elevator system.
The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:
A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
Shown in
In some embodiments, the elevator system 10 could use two or more belts 16 for suspending and/or driving the elevator car 14 In addition, the elevator system 10 could have various configurations such that either both sides of the one or more belts 16 engage the sheaves 18, 52 or only one side of the one or more belts 16 engages the sheaves 18, 52. The embodiment of
Referring to
Car guides 30 mounted at the elevator car 14 interact with the guide rails 24, thereby guiding the elevator car 14 along the path of the guide rails 24. In some embodiments, such as shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
Depending on the system requirements, a quantity and/or spacing of the seismic retainers 48 may be varied. Further, properties of the seismic retainer 48, such as rail slot width 62 or retainer plate 50 thickness may be varied to meet elevator system 10 requirements. Further, wear pads 66 may be included in the rail slot 54 to mitigate wear and noise due to contact between the guide rail 24 and the retainer plate 50.
Use of the seismic retainers 48 allows for reduction in guide rail 24 size, and/or reduces the quantity of rail brackets necessary to fix the guide rail 24 in the hoistway 12 for sway event load reaction. These material reductions, which are especially significant in high rise elevators, such as those having hoistways 12 of 100 meters or more, and results in a significant cost savings for the elevator system 10.
The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.
