Elevator car

Abstract

An elevator car (100) defining an interior space (1) for accommodating passengers. The elevator car (100) comprises an openable roof (2), horizontal roof guide rails (13a, 13b) arranged on a top side of the elevator car (100), a support structure (4) pivotably mounted to the guide rails (13a, 13b) by a first joint (5a, 5b), and a working platform (6) pivotably and movably mounted to the support structure (4) by a second joint (7a, 7b) arranged at a distance from the first joint (5a, 5b). The working platform (6) is pivotable between a retracted position, in which said working platform is oriented close to the guide rails (13a, 13b) in the top side of the elevator car, and a deployed position, in which the working platform (6) is in the interior space (1), at a distance from the guide rails (13a, 13b). The first joint (5a, 5b) being arranged movable along the guide rails (13a, 13b).

Claims

1. An elevator car defining an interior space for accommodating passengers, the elevator car comprising: an openable roof; a ceiling; horizontal roof guide rails arranged on a top side of the elevator car below the openable roof; a support structure pivotably mounted to the guide rails by a first joint; and a working platform pivotably and movably mounted to the support structure by a second joint arranged at a distance from the first joint, wherein the working platform is pivotable between a fully retracted position, in which said working platform is oriented adjacent to and parallel to the guide rails on the top side of the elevator car, below the openable roof, and a deployed position, in which the working platform is in the interior space, at a distance from the guide rails, wherein the first joint is arranged to move along the guide rails, and wherein the support structure and the working platform, when in the retracted position, are arranged to lie between the openable roof and the ceiling of the elevator car.

2. The elevator car as claimed in claim 1, wherein the roof guide rails extend over an entire length of the openable roof.

3. The elevator car as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first joint is attached pivotably to a carriage-that is movable along the guide rails.

4. The elevator car as claimed in claim 3, wherein the support structure comprises a framework that includes suspension bars, each of the suspension bars being arranged between the first joint and a third joint, the elevator car further comprising a locking mechanism at the carriage to prevent movement of the first joints along the horizontal roof guide rails when the suspension bars are in an upright position.

5. The elevator car as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length of the working platform is not more than 50% of the length of the support structure.

6. The elevator car as claimed in claim 1, wherein a ladder is arranged pivotably to the working platform, on an opposite side thereof in relation to the support structure, the ladder extending from the working platform towards a floor of the elevator car when the working platform is in the deployed position.

7. The elevator car as claimed in claim 6, wherein the ladder is arranged to extend against the floor and create a support for the working platform in the deployed position.

8. The elevator car as claimed in claim 6, wherein a ladder diagonal support is arranged to control movement of the ladder during movement of the working platform between the retracted position and the deployed position.

9. The elevator car as claimed in claim 1, wherein the working platform is pivotable between the retracted position and the deployed position independent of opening the roof.

10. An elevator car defining an interior space for accommodating passengers, the elevator car comprising: an openable roof; horizontal roof guide rails arranged on a top side of the elevator car; a support structure pivotably mounted to the guide rails by a first joint; and a working platform pivotably and movably mounted to the support structure by a second joint arranged at a distance from the first joint, wherein the working platform is pivotable between a retracted position, in which said working platform is oriented adjacent to the guide rails on the top side of the elevator car, and a deployed position, in which the working platform is in the interior space, at a distance from the guide rails, and wherein the first joint is arranged to move along the guide rails, wherein the support structure comprises a framework that includes first suspension bars, each of the suspension bars being arranged between the first joint and a third joint.

11. The elevator car as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first suspension bar has an invariable length.

12. The elevator car as claimed in claim 10, wherein the support structure comprises at least one transversally arranged element connected to the first suspension bars between the first joint and the third joint, creating a guard rail for the working platform in the deployed position thereof.

13. The elevator car as claimed in claim 10, wherein the framework comprises a first upper connecting element arranged between two first joints.

14. The elevator car as claimed in claim 10, wherein the framework comprises a lower connecting element arranged between two third joints.

15. The elevator car as claimed in claim 14, wherein the support structure comprises a centre guide extending between the lower connecting element and the transversally arranged element.

16. The elevator car as claimed in claim 15, wherein the working platform is movably and pivotably connected to the centre guide by the second joint.

17. An elevator car defining an interior space for accommodating passengers, the elevator car comprising: an openable roof; horizontal roof guide rails arranged on a top side of the elevator car; a support structure pivotably mounted to the guide rails by a first joint; and a working platform pivotably and movably mounted to the support structure by a second joint arranged at a distance from the first joint, wherein the working platform is pivotable between a retracted position, in which said working platform is oriented adjacent to the guide rails on the top side of the elevator car, and a deployed position, in which the working platform is in the interior space, at a distance from the guide rails, and wherein the first joint is arranged to move along the guide rails, the elevator car further comprising a first diagonal support element arranged movably and pivotally to the guide rails, and pivotally to the support structure, the first diagonal support element-connecting diagonally the support structure to the guide rails when the working platform is in the deployed position.

18. The elevator car as claimed in claim 17, wherein a second upper connecting element is arranged to connect two first diagonal support elements at the guide rails.

19. The elevator car as claimed in claim 17, comprising a second diagonal support element arranged movably and pivotally to the guide rails and pivotally to the support structure, the second diagonal support element connecting diagonally the support structure to the guide rails when the working platform is in the deployed position, the second diagonal support element actuating the locking mechanism to prevent movement of the first joints along the horizontal roof guide rails when the suspension bars-are in an upright position.

20. An elevator car defining an interior space for accommodating passengers, the elevator car comprising: an openable roof; horizontal roof guide rails arranged on a top side of the elevator car; a support structure pivotably mounted to the guide rails by a first joint; and a working platform pivotably and movably mounted to the support structure by a second joint arranged at a distance from the first joint, wherein the working platform is pivotable between a retracted position, in which said working platform is oriented adjacent to the guide rails on the top side of the elevator car, and a deployed position, in which the working platform is in the interior space, at a distance from the guide rails, wherein the first joint is arranged to move along the guide rails, wherein a ladder is arranged pivotably to the working platform, on an opposite side thereof in relation to the support structure, the ladder extending from the working platform towards a floor of the elevator car when the working platform is in the deployed position, and wherein the width of the ladder is smaller than the width of the working platform, and the ladder is arranged asymmetrically in relation to the working platform.

21. The elevator car as claimed in claim 20, comprising an equipment unit arranged to lie next to the ladder when the working platform is in the retracted position.

22. The elevator car as claimed in claim 21, wherein the equipment unit is attached to the elevator car by a hinge system, and wherein the equipment unit is pivotally movable from next to the ladder to a position inside the interior space of the elevator car.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(1) Some embodiments illustrating the present disclosure are described in more detail in the attached drawings, in which

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective top view of an arrangement shown above,

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an elevator car comprising the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 in partial cross-section,

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1,

(5) FIG. 4 is another schematic perspective top view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1,

(6) FIG. 5 is another schematic perspective view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 and seen below, and

(7) FIG. 6 is another schematic perspective view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 and seen below.

(8) In the figures, some embodiments are shown simplified for the sake of clarity. Similar parts are marked with the same reference numbers in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective top view of an arrangement, FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an elevator car comprising the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 in partial cross-section, FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is another schematic perspective top view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is another schematic perspective view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 and seen below, and FIG. 6 is still another schematic perspective view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 and seen below.

(10) The elevator car 100 defines an interior space 1 for accommodating passengers. The elevator car 100 comprises an openable roof 2 as shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, the elevator car 100 may comprise a ceiling 18.

(11) The openable roof 2 may be realized in many ways; in an embodiment it comprises two or more movable roof elements and a locking adjustment to prevent at least one of the roof elements from moving.

(12) Horizontal roof guide rails 13a, 13b are arranged on a top side of the elevator car 100, under the roof 2 but above the ceiling 18.

(13) A support structure 4 is pivotably mounted to the guide rails 13a, 13b by a first joint 5a, 5b, and a working platform 6 is pivotably and movably mounted to the support structure 4 by a second joint 7a, 7b arranged at a distance from the first joint 5a, 5b.

(14) In an embodiment, the support structure 4 comprises a framework that includes first suspension bars 8a, 8b. Each of the first suspension bars 8a, 8b is arranged between one first joint 5 and one third joint 24a, 24b. In an embodiment, such as shown in Figures, the first suspension bar 8a, 8b has an invariable length.

(15) In an embodiment, the support structure 4 comprises at least one centre guide 19 that is arranged to extend from the lower connecting element 10 upwards. In the embodiment shown in Figures, the centre guide 19 extends to the transversally arranged element 9. In another embodiment, the centre guide 19 extends to a first upper connecting element 20 that is arranged between two first joints 5a, 5b.

(16) In an embodiment, the second joint 7a, 7b connects the working platform 6 to the centre guide 19. The second joint 7a, 7b may comprise an axle that extends through the centre guide 19 and connects to the working platform 6 by its both ends. In another embodiment, there are two second joints 7a, 7b that are connected to the centre guide 19 on its opposite edges.

(17) The working platform 6 is pivotable between a retracted position (shown in FIG. 5) in which said working platform is oriented close to the guide rails 13a, 13b in the top side of the elevator car, and a deployed position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), in which the working platform 6 is in the interior space 1, at a distance from the guide rails 13a, 13b.

(18) The working platform 6 is in the retracted position during normal use of the elevator car 100. The working platform 6 is moved in the deployed position when needed, e.g. for a maintenance work. Then, the interior space 1 of the elevator car may create at least part, or even all, of a free safety space required for the maintenance work above the elevator car 100 when the elevator car is in its uppermost position. Thus, the elevator car 100 may be used e.g. in No-Head-Room (NHR) elevators.

(19) The first joints 5a, 5b are arranged to move along the guide rails 13a, 13b. Thus, the support structure 4 and placement of the working platform in the deployed position may be changed (shown by arrow H in FIG. 3) once released by tilting the support structure 4.

(20) In an embodiment, the guide rail 13a, 13b is selected from a C-profile, a L-profile, a T-profile and a U-profile.

(21) In an embodiment, the guide rails 13a, 13b extend over the entire length of the openable roof 2.

(22) In an embodiment, the first joint 5a, 5b is attached pivotably to a carriage 11a, 11b that is movable in/on the guide rail 13a, 13b. The carriage may comprise roller(s) for easing movement in/on the guide rail.

(23) In an embodiment, the carriage 11a, 11b may comprise a locking mechanism 22 (shown in FIG. 4) arranged to prevent movement of the first joint 5a, 5b along the guide rail 13a, 13b when the suspension bars 8a, 8b are in their upright position. The second diagonal support element 14a, 14b is arranged movably and pivotally to the guide rail 13a, 13b and pivotally to the support structure 4. The second diagonal support element 14a, 14b actuates the locking mechanism 22 at the carriage 11a, 11b when the suspension bars 8a, 8b move in their upright position.

(24) In an embodiment, the support structure 4 comprises at least one transversally arranged element 9 connected to the first suspension bars 8a, 8b around the middle part thereof. The transversally arranged element 9 creates a guard rail for the working platform 6 in its deployed position. The transversally arranged element 9 may comprise e.g. a bar, plurality of bars, etc.

(25) In an embodiment, the framework comprises a lower connecting element 10 that is arranged between two third joints 24a, 24b. The lower connecting element 10 establishes a transversal support for the working platform 6 in its deployed position.

(26) In an embodiment, the working platform 6 is attached to the support structure 4 not only pivotally but also movably in direction of the first suspension bars 8a, 8b. In this embodiment, the working platform 6 that is turned towards the first suspension bars 8a, 8b may be moved towards first joints 5a, 5b. In an embodiment, the centre guide 19 guides the trailing edge of the working platform (as shown by arrows M in FIG. 4) towards the first joints 5a, 5b, and vice versa. In another embodiment, the first suspension bars 8a, 8b comprises guides for said movement.

(27) In an embodiment, a first diagonal support element 12a, 12b is arranged movably and pivotally to the guide rails 13a, 13b, and pivotally to the support structure 4. The first diagonal support element 12a, 12b connects diagonally the support structure 4 to the guide rail 13a, 13b when the working platform 6 is in the deployed position. The first diagonal support elements 12a, 12b also guide and steer the movement of the support structure 4 between the deployed position and the retracted position.

(28) In an embodiment, the first diagonal support elements 12a, 12b are connected to each other by a second upper connecting element 23.

(29) In an embodiment, the length of the working platform 6 is not more than 50% of the length of the support structure 4. However, in another embodiments, the length of the working platform 6 may be essentially more than 50% of said length, or essentially less than said 50%.

(30) In an embodiment, the width of the working platform 6 corresponds at least substantially to the width of the openable roof 2.

(31) In an embodiment, a ladder 15 is arranged pivotably to the working platform 6, on opposite side thereof in relation to the support structure 4. The ladder 15 extends from the working platform 6 towards a floor 16 of the elevator car when the working platform 6 is in the deployed position. In an embodiment, the ladder 15 is arranged to extend against said floor 16 and create a support for the working platform 6 in the deployed position.

(32) In an embodiment, a ladder diagonal support 17a, 17b is arranged to control movement of the ladder 15 during movement of the working platform 6 between the retracted position and the deployed position. In an embodiment, such as shown in Figures, the ladder diagonal support 17a, 17b is attached movably to the ladder 17. In another embodiment, the ladder diagonal support 17a, 17b is attached movably to the support structure 4 or the working platform 6.

(33) In an embodiment, such as shown in Figures, the width of the ladder 15 is essentially smaller than the width of the working platform 6, and the ladder 15 is arranged asymmetrically in relation to the working platform 6. In the embodiment shown in Figures, the ladder 15 is about half of the width of the working platform 6.

(34) In the embodiment shown in Figures, the ladder 15 has a constant, invariable length. In another embodiment, the length of the ladder 15 is variable; it may have e.g. a telescopic structure.

(35) In an embodiment, the support structure 4 and the working platform 6 lie in the retracted position between the openable roof 2 and a ceiling 18 of the elevator car.

(36) In an embodiment, the elevator car comprises an equipment unit 21 that is arranged to lie next to the ladder 15 when the working platform 6 is in the retracted position. The equipment unit 21 may be e.g. a link box that may comprise electrical components of the elevator car, etc.

(37) In an embodiment, the equipment unit 21 is attached to the elevator car 100 by a hinge system 3. The equipment unit 21 is pivotally movable from next to the ladder 15 to a lowered position inside the interior space 1 of the elevator car. The equipment unit 21 may e.g. hang on the hinge system 3 in the lowered position.

(38) The invention is not limited solely to the embodiments described above, but instead many variations are possible within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims below. Within the scope of the inventive concept the attributes of different embodiments and applications can be used in conjunction with or replace the attributes of another embodiment or application.

(39) The drawings and the related description are only intended to illustrate the idea of the invention. The invention may vary in detail within the scope of the inventive idea defined in the following claims.

REFERENCE SYMBOLS

(40) 1 interior space 2 openable roof 3 hinge system 4 support structure 5a, b first joint 6 working platform 7a, b second joint 8a, b first suspension bar 9 transversally arranged element 10 lower connecting element 11a, b carriage 12a, b first diagonal support element 13a, b guide 14a, b second diagonal support element 15 ladder 16 floor 17a, b ladder diagonal support 18 ceiling 19 centre guide 20 first upper connecting element 21 equipment unit 22 locking mechanism 23 second upper connecting element 24a, b third joint 100 elevator car H horizontal movement M movement