Patent Application
20170189952
This application claims priority to European Patent Application No. EP16150056.6 filed on Jan. 4, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a rope terminal equipment of a hoisting device, to a method for manufacturing a rope terminal arrangement of a hoisting device, and to an elevator. Said hoisting device is preferably an elevator for vertically transporting passengers and/or goods.
In elevators, one or more ropes are used as the means by which the load to be hoisted is suspended. Each rope end needs to be fixed to a fixing base, which is typically either the load to be lifted or a stationary structure, depending on the type of suspension chosen for the elevator. The rope ends can be fixed directly to the load, such as the car or counterweight, which is the case when these are to be suspended with 1:1 ratio. Alternatively, the rope ends can be fixed to a stationary structure of the building, which is the case when the car and counterweight are to be suspended with 2:1 ratio, for instance.
Ropes of an elevator ropes are normally either belt-shaped or round in cross section. Each elevator rope typically includes one or more load bearing members that are elongated in the longitudinal direction of the rope, each forming a structure that continues unbroken throughout the length of the rope. Load bearing members are the members of the rope which are able to bear together the load exerted on the rope in its longitudinal direction. The load, such as a weight suspended by the rope, causes tension on the load bearing member, which tension can be transmitted by the load bearing member in question all the way from one end of the rope to the other end of the rope. Ropes may further comprise non-bearing components, such as a coating, which cannot transmit tension in the above described way. The coating can be utilized for protection of the load bearing members and/or facilitating contact with rope wheels and/or for positioning adjacent load bearing members relative to each other, for example. Belt-shaped ropes may have only one load bearing member, but often they include several of said load bearing members positioned by the coating adjacent each other in width direction of the rope.
In prior art, elevator ropes have been fixed to the fixing base with a rope terminal arrangement. The rope structure limits the way in which it can be engaged. Uncoated ropes containing metallic load bearing members can typically be fixed relatively freely without risk of severe rope damage. Ropes that have load bearing members made of brittle material and/or a coating, however, cannot be fixed as freely. Load bearing members may be sensitive to bending, and the material of the coating and/or the material of the load bearing members cannot withstand great local compression. Such rope terminal arrangements have been proposed, for example in US2014/0182975A1, wherein the rope end is compressed in a gap delimited by a wedge shaped piece (also referred to as a wedge member) on one or both sides of the rope. The wedge member is movable in a tapering nest of a rope terminal frame to wedge between a wall of the tapering nest and an end of a rope placed into the tapering nest to compress the end of the rope so as to lock the end of the rope immovably into the nest relative to the rope terminal frame. Reliability of this sort of arrangement relies largely on the grip produced by the compression between the rope surface and the compression member. The rope end should be firmly gripped such that it is not able to slide out of the compression gap, because this would mean that the suspension of the particular rope would be lost. Therefore, for facilitating safety, it is advantageous to ensure good grip.
In prior art, the wedge members have been manufactured by providing a block and machining the desired final shape therefrom. Nowadays, the whole wedge member is machined, including the uneven surface pattern, such as knurling, if this is to be utilized. Machining is laborious, often difficult and for these reasons expensive.
Machining process in practice also limits the exact shape of the surface pattern. For example, currently there are limitations in the maximum number of “grooves” vs. the depth of one groove. Having a deep groove would have advantageous effect on the terminal holding capability especially in high temperature, but this is not possible with the current manufacturing method.
In prior art, the wedge members have been made from steel. With this material, the friction is relatively high, and there are some risks of corrosion and the compression member getting stuck to the frame accommodating the wedge member, if no additional measures to avoid these challenges are taken.
The object of the invention is to introduce an improved method for manufacturing a rope terminal equipment of a hoisting device, an improved method for manufacturing a rope terminal arrangement of a hoisting device, and an improved elevator. The object of the invention is particularly to eliminate one or more of the drawbacks of prior art discussed above and/or to solve problems discussed or implied elsewhere in the description. An object is particularly to introduce a solution by which wedge shaped pieces of a rope terminal equipment of a hoisting device are manufactured simply and cost-effectively. Embodiments are presented, inter alia, where wedge shaped pieces of a rope terminal equipment of a hoisting device can be provided with an uneven surface pattern simply and cost-effectively. Embodiments are presented, inter alia, where the wedge shaped pieces of a rope terminal equipment of a hoisting device can be provided simply and cost-effectively with relatively good corrosion resistance and friction properties.
It is brought forward a new method for manufacturing a rope terminal equipment of a hoisting device, comprising extruding a profile bar; and cutting a wedge shaped piece from the extruded profile bar, in particular for forming a wedge shaped compression member to be wedged to compress an end of a rope; and providing a rope terminal frame comprising a tapering nest suitable for accommodating an end of a rope and said wedge shaped piece. With this solution one or more of the above mentioned objects are achieved. Preferable further details are introduced in the following, which further details can be combined with the device individually or in any combination.
In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises mounting the wedge shaped piece in the tapering nest of the rope terminal frame, in particular such that it is movable in the tapering nest to wedge between a wall of the tapering nest and an end of a rope placed into the tapering nest to compress the end of the rope so as to lock the end of the rope immovably into the nest relative to the rope terminal frame.
In a preferred embodiment, in said extruding the profile bar is extruded of metal material, such as of aluminum or aluminum alloy.
In a preferred embodiment, in said extruding the profile bar is extruded of aluminum or aluminum alloy.
In a preferred embodiment, the wedge shaped piece comprises on opposite sides a first wedge face and a second wedge face which are planar and at an acute angle (alfa) relative to each other. The first wedge face of the wedge shaped piece is preferably a face for being placed against a rope and the second wedge face is a face for being placed against an inner wall of the tapered nest to slide against it for enabling wedging.
In a preferred embodiment, at least one wedge face of the wedge shaped piece is provided with an uneven surface pattern.
In a preferred embodiment, said profile bar comprises one or more planar lateral faces i.e. a faces that face in transverse direction of the profile bar.
In a preferred embodiment, the wedge shaped piece is cut from the extruded profile bar such that at least one wedge face of the wedge shaped piece is a section of a planar lateral face of the profile bar. Thus, the wedge shaped piece can be manufactured without extensive amount of cutting. Thus, it is also made possible that the profile bar can be shaped in the extrusion stage such that the section(s) of the planar lateral face(s) of the profile bar are advantageously shaped for forming a wedge face. For example, by extrusion it is simple to manufacture a planar lateral face with an uneven surface pattern, e.g. comprising elongated ridges and valleys between the ridges for facilitating engagement with a rope and/or a planar lateral face which is smooth for facilitating unobstructed sliding.
In a preferred embodiment, said at least one lateral face of the profile bar is provided with an uneven surface pattern.
In a preferred embodiment, said uneven surface pattern comprises elongated ridges and valleys between the ridges, which ridges and valleys extend in the longitudinal direction of the extruded profile bar, wherein the length direction is the extrusion direction.
In a preferred embodiment, said uneven surface pattern is a toothing or a polyvee or a knurling-pattern.
In a preferred embodiment, according to a first kind, said profile bar has a wedge-shaped cross-section. Preferably, in this embodiment in said cutting the wedge shaped piece is cut from an end of the extruded profile bar. Preferably, in this embodiment said profile bar has a wedge-shaped cross-section, and in said cutting the wedge shaped piece is cut from the extruded profile bar along a plane that is at least substantially orthogonal relative to the longitudinal direction of the profile. Preferably, in this embodiment said profile bar comprises on opposite sides a first planar lateral face and a second planar lateral face, facing in transverse direction of the profile bar, which first planar lateral face and a second planar lateral face of the profile bar are at an acute angle (alfa) relative to each other. The angle is preferably less than 45 degrees, more preferably between 2and 30 degrees, more preferably between 2 and 20 degrees, most preferably between 3 and 15 degrees
In a preferred embodiment, according to a second kind, said profile bar, here referred to as the first profile bar, has a wedge-shaped cross-section and the method further comprises extruding a second profile bar which second profile bar has a second wedge-shaped cross-section, wherein said wedge-shaped cross-sections of the first and second profile bar are joinable together such that they together form a larger wedge-shaped cross-section; and said cutting comprising cutting a wedge shaped piece from each extruded profile bar; and joining a wedge shaped piece from the first profile bar with a wedge shaped piece from the second profile bar such that they together form a larger wedge shaped piece. The manufacturing of the wedge shaped pieces is preferably more specifically as described in the preceding paragraph. In said mounting the wedge shaped pieces are mounted in the tapering nest of the rope terminal frame such that they are movable as one unit in the tapering nest to wedge between a wall of the tapering nest and an end of a rope placed into the tapering nest to compress the end of the rope so as to lock the end of the rope immovably into the nest relative to the rope terminal frame.
In a preferred embodiment, according to a third kind, in said cutting the extruded profile bar is cut in cross-direction of the profile along a plane that extends diagonally relative to the longitudinal direction of the profile bar, thereby splitting the extruded profile bar in two wedge shaped pieces. Preferably, said profile bar comprises on opposite sides a first lateral face and a second lateral face, which are planar. Preferably, one or both of the lateral faces has an uneven surface pattern, the uneven surface pattern preferably comprising elongated ridges and valleys between the ridges, which ridges and valleys extend in the longitudinal direction of the extruded profile piece, wherein the length direction is the extrusion direction of the profile bar.
It is also brought forward a new method for manufacturing a rope terminal arrangement of a hoisting device comprising manufacturing a rope terminal equipment of a hoisting device as defined in any of the preceding claims; and mounting an end of a rope and said wedge shaped piece into the tapering nest of the rope terminal frame; and wedging the wedge shaped piece in the tapering nest, particularly between a wall of the tapering nest and the end of the rope, to compress the end of the rope locking the end of the rope into the tapering nest immovably relative to the rope terminal frame. With this solution one or more of the above mentioned objects are achieved. Preferable further details are introduced in the following, which further details can be combined with the device individually or in any combination.
In a preferred embodiment, in said mounting, the end of a rope and said wedge shaped piece are mounted into the tapering nest of the rope terminal frame such that a wedge face of the wedge shaped piece is placed against the end of the rope.
In a preferred embodiment, the wedge face placed against the rope is planar. Thereby the end of the rope compressed by the wedge face is not bent into a curved form
In a preferred embodiment, the wedge face placed against a rope has an uneven surface pattern, such as a toothing or a polyvee or a knurling-pattern. Thus, firmness of the engagement with the rope can be facilitated.
In a preferred embodiment, the wedge face of the wedge shaped piece placed against a rope is a section of a lateral face of the profile bar.
In a preferred embodiment, the hoisting device is an elevator.
In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises mounting the rope terminal frame on a fixing base.
In a preferred embodiment, the fixing base is an elevator car-counterweight-or a stationary structure of the building wherein the elevator is installed.
In a preferred embodiment, the rope is a suspension rope of the elevator.
In a preferred embodiment, the rope is belt-shaped.
In a preferred embodiment, the rope is coated.
In a preferred embodiment, the rope comprises one or more elongated load bearing members embedded in a coating forming the outer surface of the rope and extending parallel with the longitudinal direction of the rope unbroken throughout the length of the rope.
In a preferred embodiment, the load bearing members are made of composite material comprising reinforcing fibers embedded in polymer matrix (m), said reinforcing fibers preferably being carbon fibers.
In a preferred embodiment, the reinforcing fibers are distributed at least substantially evenly in polymer matrix m and bound to each other by the polymer matrix.
In a preferred embodiment, the width/thickness ratio of the rope is more than two, preferably more than 4.
In a preferred embodiment, the reinforcing fibers are not twisted together. Instead, it is preferable that the reinforcing fibers of each load bearing member are parallel with the longitudinal direction of the load bearing member. Thereby the fibers are also parallel with the longitudinal direction of the rope as each load bearing member is oriented parallel with the longitudinal direction of the rope. This facilitates further the longitudinal stiffness of the rope.
In a preferred embodiment, the coating is made of polymer material, such as polyurethane, rubber or silicon.
In a preferred embodiment, the tapering nest tapers towards an opening through which the rope can pass. In the mounting an end of a rope and said wedge shaped piece into the tapering nest of the rope terminal frame, the rope end is arranged to pass through said opening.
In a preferred embodiment, In said wedging the wedge shaped piece and the rope end are wedged in the wedge shaped space such that they are immovable relative to the wedge frame towards said opening.
It is also brought forward a new elevator, which comprises a rope terminal arrangement obtained with a method described anywhere above or later described in the application, the rope terminal arrangement fixing an end of a rope of the elevator to a fixing base. With this solution one or more of the above mentioned objects are achieved. Preferable further details are introduced in the following, which further details can be combined with the device individually or in any combination.
The elevator is preferably such that the car thereof is arranged to serve two or more landings. The elevator preferably controls movement of the car in response to signals from user interfaces located at landing(s) and/or inside the car so as to serve persons on the landing(s) and/or inside the elevator car. Preferably, the car has an interior space suitable for receiving a passenger or passengers, and the car can be provided with a door for forming a closed interior space.
In the following, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of example and with reference to the attached drawings, in which
In the embodiment illustrated in
Using extrusion, it is provided that one of the planar lateral faces 3,4 of the profile bar 1 can be given an uneven surface pattern P simply and without extensive machining. It results, that one 3 of the wedge faces 3,4 of the wedge shaped piece 2 cut from an end of the extruded profile piece 1 also has an uneven surface pattern P. Thus, also the wedge shaped piece 2 can be made to have an uneven surface pattern P simply and without extensive machining. The first wedge face 3 of the wedge shaped piece 2 is a face for being placed against a rope R and the second wedge face 4 is a face for being placed against an inner wall of a tapered nest N to slide against it for enabling wedging. The first wedge face 3 of the wedge shaped piece 2 cut the extruded profile piece 1 has preferably an uneven surface pattern as disclosed. The second wedge face 4 is preferably smooth as disclosed, because thus it can slide without obstructions against another surface. Said wedge face 3 being in the preferred embodiment planar, albeit is can comprise an uneven surface pattern P, provides that it can simply exert compression force on a rope R without bending it into a curved form. Owing to the planar construction, a wide contact area and thereby a gentle gripping can be established between the rope R and the wedge shaped piece. The rope R is thus also maintained straight. Planar construction is particularly advantageous if the rope is coated and thereby unable to withstand great point loads, but also if the load bearing members are brittle and thereby sensitive to bending and high point loads as well.
In the foregoing, the wedge shaped piece is to have an uneven surface pattern. However, the described manufacturing can of course be utilized also if uneven surface patterns are not to be used, in which case the planar lateral faces 3,4 of the profile bar can be shaped smooth so as to achieve smooth wedge faces 3,4 for the wedge shaped piece 2.
As mentioned, the method comprises a step 300 of providing a rope terminal frame. A preferred construction for the rope terminal frame F is illustrated in
Each said wedge shaped pieces 12a,12b can be manufactured correspondingly as described above in context of
In said cutting 200, each wedge shaped piece 12a,12b is cut from the extruded profile bar 11a,11b such that the wedge faces 13a, 14a; 13b, 14b of the wedge shaped piece 12a,12b are sections of planar lateral faces 13a, 14a; 13b, 14b of the profile bar 11a,11b. In the present case, the wedge shaped piece 12a,12b is cut from the extruded profile bar 11a,11b along a plane that is orthogonal relative to the longitudinal direction l of the profile bar 11a,11b. Said angle (alfa) is preferably less than 45 degrees, more preferably between 2 and 30 degrees, more preferably between 2 and 20 degrees, most preferably between 3 and 15 degrees. It results, that the wedge shaped piece 12a,12b cut from an end of the extruded profile piece comprises on opposite sides a first wedge face 13a,13b and a second wedge face 14a,14b which are planar and at said acute angle (alfa) relative to each other. With this angle, the wedge shaped piece 12a,12b is well suitable for serving as a compression member of a hoisting device. In the preferred embodiment, one of said planar lateral faces 13a, 14a; 13b, 14b of the profile bar 11a,11b has an uneven surface pattern P. Said uneven surface pattern P comprises elongated ridges and valleys between the ridges, which ridges and valleys extend in the longitudinal direction of the extruded profile bar 11a,11b, wherein the length direction is the extrusion direction. The uneven surface pattern P in this case is a knurling-pattern. The surface pattern P could alternatively be a toothing-pattern or a polyvee-pattern matching with the outer shape of the rope R.
Using extrusion, it is provided that one of the planar lateral faces 13a, 14a; 13b, 14b of each profile bar 11a,11b can be given an uneven surface pattern P simply and without extensive machining. It results, that one 13a,13b of the wedge faces 13a, 14a; 13b, 14b of the wedge shaped piece 12a,12b cut from an end of the extruded profile bar 11a,11b also has an uneven surface pattern P. Thus, also the wedge shaped piece 2 can be made to have an uneven surface pattern P simply and without extensive machining. The first wedge face 13a,13b of the wedge shaped piece 12a,12b is a face for being placed against a rope R and the second wedge face 14a,14b is a face for being placed against an inner wall of a tapered nest N to slide against it for enabling wedging. The first wedge face 13a,13b of the wedge shaped piece 12a,12b cut the extruded profile bar 11a,11b has preferably an uneven surface pattern P as disclosed. The second wedge face 14a,14b is preferably smooth as disclosed, because thus it can slide without obstructions against another surface. The first wedge face 13a,13b being in the preferred embodiment planar, albeit is can comprise an uneven surface pattern P, provides that it can simply exert compression force on a rope R without bending it into a curved form. Owing to the planar construction, a wide contact area and thereby a gentle gripping can be established between the rope R and each wedge shaped piece. The rope R is thus also maintained straight. Planar construction is particularly advantageous if the rope is coated and thereby unable to withstand great point loads, but also if the load bearing members are brittle and thereby sensitive to bending and high point loads as well.
In the foregoing, each wedge shaped piece is to have an uneven surface pattern. However, the described manufacturing can of course be utilized also if uneven surface patterns are not to be used, in which case the planar lateral faces 13a,13;14a,14b of the profile can be shaped smooth so as to achieve smooth wedge faces 13a,13;14a,14b for the wedge shaped pieces.
As mentioned, the method comprises a step 300 of providing a rope terminal frame. A preferred construction for the rope terminal frame F is illustrated in
It is preferable, although not necessary, that one or both of said lateral faces 23a, 23b of the profile bar 21 has an uneven surface pattern P comprising elongated ridges and valleys between the ridges. In the illustrated embodiment, the uneven surface pattern P is a knurling-pattern. The ridges and valleys preferably extend in the longitudinal direction of the extruded profile bar 21, wherein the length direction is the extrusion direction. Hereby, it is provided that the profile bar 21 can be given by extrusion an uneven surface pattern simply and without extensive machining. The surface pattern P could alternatively be a polyvee-pattern matching with the outer shape of the rope R.
Each wedge shaped piece 22a,22b comprises on opposite sides a first planar wedge face 23a, 23b and a second planar wedge face 24a,24b, which are an acute angle (alfa) relative to each other. The angle is preferably less than 45 degrees, more preferably between 2 and 30 degrees, more preferably between 2 and 20 degrees, most preferably between 3 and 15 degrees. Thus, the wedge shaped piece 12a,12b is well suitable for serving as a compression member of a hoisting device.
The first wedge face 23a, 23b of the wedge shaped piece 22a,22b is preferably a face for being placed against a rope R and the second lateral face 24a,24b is a face for being placed against an inner wall of a tapered nest N to slide against it for enabling wedging. The first lateral face 23a, 23b of the wedge shaped piece 22a,22b cut the extruded profile piece, being in this case intended to be set against the rope R, is provided with an uneven surface pattern P as disclosed. The second lateral face 24a,24b is preferably smooth as disclosed, because thus it can slide without obstructions against another surface.
In the foregoing, the wedge shaped pieces 22a,22b are meant to have an uneven surface pattern. However, the described manufacturing can of course be utilized also if uneven surface patterns are not to be used, in which case the planar lateral faces 23a, 23b of the profile bar 21 can be shaped smooth so as to achieve smooth wedge faces 23a, 23b for the wedge shaped pieces 22a,22b.
As mentioned, the method further comprises a step 300 of providing a rope terminal frame. A preferred construction for the rope terminal frame F is illustrated in
An embodiment of the method for manufacturing a rope terminal arrangement A of a hoisting device comprises manufacturing a rope terminal equipment of a hoisting device as described above, preferably in accordance with the first, second or third embodiment. The method comprises extruding 100 a profile bar 1;11a,11b;21, and thereafter cutting 200 a wedge shaped piece 2;12a,12b;22a,22b from the extruded profile bar 1;11a,11b;21 for forming a wedge shaped compression member to be wedged to compress an end of a rope. The method further comprises providing 300 a rope terminal frame F comprising a tapering nest N suitable for accommodating an end E of a rope R and said wedge shaped piece 2;12a,12b; 22a,22b. The method further comprises mounting 400 the wedge shaped piece 2;12a,12b; 22a,22b and an end E of a rope R into the tapering nest N of the rope terminal frame F, and thereafter wedging the wedge shaped piece 2;12a,12b; 22a,22b in the tapering nest N between a wall W of the tapering nest N and the end E of the rope R to compress the end E of the rope R such that the end E of the rope R is locked into the tapering nest N immovably relative to the rope terminal frame F. The tapering nest N tapers towards an opening O through which the rope R can pass. In the mounting 400 the end E of the rope R is arranged to pass through said opening O. In said wedging, the wedge shaped piece 2;12a,12b; 22a,22b and the rope end E are wedged in the nest N such that they are immovable relative to the wedge frame F towards said opening O. Figure illustrates a rope terminal arrangement A of a hoisting device manufactured by this method.
In the preferred embodiment, in said mounting, the end E of a rope R and said wedge shaped piece 2;12a,12b;22a,22b are mounted into the tapering nest N of the rope terminal frame F such that a face 3;13a,13b;23a, 23b of the wedge shaped piece 2;12a,12b; 22a,22b is placed against the end E of the rope R. Thus, it can be the component by which the rope R is directly engaged. The face 3;13a,13b;23a, 23b of the wedge shaped piece 2;12a,12b;22a,22b placed against the rope R is planar whereby it can simply exert compression force on a rope R without bending it into a curved form.
In the preferred embodiment, the face 3;13a,13b;23a, 23b placed against a rope R is provided with an uneven surface pattern P. The uneven surface pattern P is a toothing or a polyvee or a knurling-pattern or some other pattern comprising elongated ridges and valleys between the ridges. In the preferred embodiment, the face 3;13a,13b;23a, 23b of the wedge shaped piece 2;12a,12b;22a,22b placed against a rope R is a section of the aforementioned lateral face 3;13a,13b;23a, 23b of the profile bar 1;11a,11b;21.
To make the arrangement A suitable for carrying a load, the method comprises mounting the rope terminal frame F on a fixing base 50,60,70. The hoisting device being an elevator, said fixing base 50,60,70 is an elevator car, a counterweight or a stationary structure 70 of the building wherein the elevator is installed.
The elevators illustrated in
The coating 6 is preferably made of polymer material. With the coating 6, the rope R is provided with a surface via which the rope R can effectively engage frictionally with a drive wheel of an elevator, for instance. Also, hereby the friction properties and/or other surface properties of the rope are adjustable, independently of the load bearing function, such that the rope perform wells in the intended use, for instance in terms of traction for transmitting force in longitudinal direction of the rope so as to move the rope with a drive wheel. Furthermore, the load bearing members 5 embedded therein are thus provided with protection. The coating 6 is preferably elastic. Elastic polymer material, for example polyurethane provides the rope R the desired frictional properties simply, good wear resistance as well as efficient protection for the load bearing members 5. Polyurethane is in general well suitable for elevator use, but also materials such as rubber or silicon or equivalent elastic materials are suitable for the material of the coating 6. In the embodiment illustrated in
Said one or more load bearing members 5 is/are preferably, but not necessarily, made of composite material comprising reinforcing fibers f embedded in polymer matrix m, said reinforcing fibers preferably being carbon fibers. With this kind of structure, the rope R has especially advantageous properties in elevator use, such as light weight and good tensile stiffness in longitudinal direction. The load bearing members of this kind are being relatively brittle, e.g. when compared to steel, and prefer gentle fixing. For this reason, the rope terminal equipment/arrangement, as presented, are particularly advantageous in fixing of the rope R. Also, the coating 6 can be safely made of polymer material.
The composite matrix m, into which the individual fibers f are distributed, is most preferably made of epoxy, which has good adhesiveness to the reinforcement fibers f and which is known to behave advantageously with reinforcing fibers such as carbon fiber particularly. Alternatively, e.g. polyester or vinyl ester can be used, but any other suitable alternative materials can be used.
The matrix m of the load bearing member 5 is most preferably hard in its material properties. A hard matrix m helps to support the reinforcing fibers f, especially when the rope bends, preventing buckling of the reinforcing fibers f of the bent rope, because the hard material supports the fibers f efficiently. The most preferred materials for the matrix are epoxy resin, polyester, phenolic plastic or vinyl ester. The polymer matrix m is preferably so hard that its module of elasticity (E) is over 2 GPa, most preferably over 2.5 GPa. In this case the module of elasticity E is preferably in the range 2.5-10 GPa, most preferably in the range 2.5-4.5 GPa. There are commercially available various material alternatives for the matrix m which can provide these material properties. However, the polymer matrix need not be this hard necessarily, e.g. if the downsides of a softer material are deemed acceptable or irrelevant for the intended use. In that case, the polymer matrix m can be made of elastomer material such as polyurethane or rubber for instance Preferably over 50% proportion of the surface area of the cross-section of the load bearing member 2 is of the aforementioned reinforcing fiber, preferably such that 50%-80% proportion is of the aforementioned reinforcing fiber, more preferably such that 55%-70% proportion is of the aforementioned reinforcing fiber, and substantially all the remaining surface area is of polymer matrix m. Most preferably, this is carried out such that approx. 60% of the surface area is of reinforcing fiber and approx. 40% is of matrix material (preferably epoxy material). In this way a good longitudinal stiffness for the load bearing member 2 is achieved. As mentioned carbon fiber is the most preferred fiber to be used as said reinforcing fiber due to its excellent properties in hoisting appliances, particularly in elevators. However, this is not necessary as alternative fibers could be used, such as glass fiber, which has been found to be suitable for the hoisting ropes as well. The load bearing members 5 are preferably each completely non-metallic, i.e. made not to comprise metal.
In the illustrated embodiments, the load bearing members 5 are substantially rectangular and larger in width direction than thickness direction. However, this is not necessary as alternative shapes could be used. Likewise, it is not necessary that the number of the load bearing members is four which is used for the purpose of the example. The number of the load bearing members 5 can be greater or smaller. The number can be one, two or three for instance, in which cases it may be preferably to shape it/them wider than what is shown in Figures.
In the preferred embodiments, an advantageous structure for the rope R has been disclosed. However, the invention can be utilized with also other kind of ropes such as with other kinds of belt-shaped ropes having different materials. Also, the outer shape of the rope R could be contoured otherwise than disclosed, such as to have a polyvee shape or toothed shape. In the illustrated examples, the rope is smooth and shaped without uneven surface pattern such as a polyvee pattern or a tooth pattern. However, this is not necessary as the rope could alternatively be provided with an uneven surface pattern such as a polyvee pattern or a tooth pattern. In this case, the compression members can also be provided with an uneven surface pattern forming a counterpart for the uneven surface pattern of the rope.
It is preferable, although not necessary, that in said extruding the profile bar 1;11a,11b;21 is extruded of metal material. Preferably, the material is more specifically aluminum or aluminum alloy, which does not corrode easily and can provide low friction with frame parts without complicated measures. Alternatively, in said extruding the profile bar could be extruded of polymer material.
In the illustrated solutions two of said wedge shaped pieces are configured to receive the rope end E between them. In the above, manufacturing and mounting of wedge shaped pieces on one side of the rope has been described. The method may comprise providing a wedge shaped piece also on the opposite side, preferably in the corresponding manner as above described, and mounting it in the tapering nest N of the rope terminal frame F on an opposite side of the rope than the aforementioned wedge shaped piece, in particular such that it is movable in the tapering nest N to wedge between a wall W of the tapering nest N and an end of a rope R placed into the tapering nest, to compress the end of the rope so as to lock the end of the rope immovably into the nest relative to the rope terminal frame. Using two wedge shaped pieces configured to receive the rope end E between them is, however, not necessary as the solution could alternatively have a wedge shaped piece on only one side of the rope R like in US2014/0182975A1. In this case, a wall of the frame F could be adapted to give reaction force for achieving proper compression, for instance.
It is to be understood that the above description and the accompanying Figures are only intended to teach the best way known to the inventors to make and use the invention. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The above-described embodiments of the invention may thus be modified or varied, without departing from the invention, as appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16150056.6 | Jan 2016 | EP | regional |
