Elevator arrangement

Abstract

The object of the invention is an elevator arrangement, which comprises at least two elevator cars that are connected to each other with suspension ropes or corresponding and are configured to move simultaneously with each other and reciprocally in an elevator hoistway, and a hoisting machine provided with at least one traction sheave or corresponding. The arrangement comprises at least one compensation means for compensating positioning inaccuracies caused by loading of the elevator cars.

Claims

1. An elevator system comprising: elevator cars including at least a first elevator car and a second elevator car, the first elevator car and the second elevator car connected via suspension ropes and a traction belt such that the first elevator car and the second elevator car configured to simultaneously move reciprocally in an elevator hoistway; a hoisting machine including at least one traction sheave configured to move the traction belt; and compensators including a first pretensioning device and a second pretension device that are each secured to fixing points such that the traction belt extends from the first pretensioning device secured to a first one of the fixing points to a pair of diverting pulleys attached to a bottom of the first elevator car and around the at least one traction sheave onto a second pair of diverting pulleys attached to a bottom of the second elevator car, and terminates at the second pretensioning device secured to a second one of the fixing points, wherein each of the first pretension device and the second pretensioning device includes a roller, an adjustor, a spring and a u-shaped frame having a pair of side flanges between a base to form an interior of the frame, the interior of the frame houses the roller and the adjustor, the spring having a first end extending from the base in a direction perpendicular to a face of the base and a second end connected to the roller via a tensioning cable, and the adjustor configured to rotate along with the roller about an axis of rotation of a shaft of the roller and the adjustor that extends between fixing holes in the side flanges, the adjustor including an outer surface that is spirally eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation that corresponds to a spring constant of the spring such that the tensioning cable runs from the spring, about an eccentric spiral on the outer surface of the adjustor and attaches to adjuster, and the traction belt extends from the roller in a direction perpendicular to a direction of restoring force of the spring and onward towards one of the first elevator car and the second elevator car to maintain an alignment of the first elevator car at a sill of a first floor and the second elevator car at a sill of a second floor by applying a constant pre-tensioning force to the traction belt to compensate for positioning inaccuracies in each of the first elevator car and the second elevator car caused by loading of one or more of the elevator cars.

2. The elevator system of claim 1, wherein the compensator is attached to a first end and a second end of the traction belt.

3. The elevator system of claim 1, further comprising: a traction device configured to move the elevator cars, the traction device including the traction belt moved by the at least one traction sheave, the traction belt being a toothed traction belt.

4. The elevator system of claim 3, wherein the pretensioning devices are configured to tighten the traction device when tension in the traction device decreases.

5. The elevator system of claim 4, wherein the pretensioning devices are configured to reduce the tension, if the tension in the traction device is larger than a value, the value being a value associated with a constant force provided by the spring.

6. The elevator system of claim 4, wherein the pretensioning devices are configured to maintain a magnitude of the constant pre-tensioning force during a run of the elevator cars.

7. The elevator system of claim 3, wherein the pretensioning devices are configured to produce a constant force.

8. The elevator system of claim 1, wherein the first elevator car and the second elevator car are side-by-side in a same position with respect to a first wall of the elevator hoistway, the first wall having therein hoistway doors of the first elevator car and the second elevator car.

9. The elevator system of claim 1, wherein the first elevator car and the second elevator car are side-by-side and turned 180 with respect to each other, and the elevator hoistway includes a first wall and a second wall, the first wall having therein hoistway doors of the first elevator car and the second wall having therein the hoistway doors of the second elevator car.

10. The elevator system of claim 1, wherein the first elevator car and the second elevator car are side-by-side with-in a same position with respect to a first wall and a second wall of the elevator hoistway, the first wall has therein first hoistway doors of the first elevator car and the second elevator car and the second wall has therein second hoistway doors of the first elevator car and the second elevator car such that the first elevator car and the second elevator car are through-type elevator cars.

11. An elevator system comprising: a suspension rope and a traction belt connecting a first elevator car and a second elevator car; and compensators configured to maintain an alignment of the first elevator car at a sill of a first floor and the second elevator car at a sill of a second floor by compensating for differences in loads between the first elevator car and the second elevator car, the compensators including pretensioning devices, the compensators each being secured to fixing points such that the traction belt extends from a first one of the compensators secured to a first one of the fixing points to a pair of diverting pulleys attached to a bottom of the first elevator car and around at least one traction sheave onto a second pair of diverting pulleys attached to a bottom of the second elevator car, and terminates at a second one of the compensators secured to a second one of the fixing points, wherein each of the pretensioning devices include a roller, an adjustor, a spring and a u-shaped frame having a pair of side flanges between a base to form an interior of the frame, the interior of the frame houses the roller and the adjustor, the spring having a first end extending from the base in a direction perpendicular to a face of the base and a second end connected to the roller via a tensioning cable, and the adjustor configured to rotate along with the roller about an axis of rotation of a shaft of the roller and the adjustor that extends between fixing holes in the side flanges, the adjustor including an outer surface that is spirally eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation that corresponds to a spring constant of the spring such that the tensioning cable runs from the spring, about an eccentric spiral on the outer surface of the adjustor and attaches to adjuster, and the traction belt extends from the roller in a direction perpendicular to a direction of restoring force of the spring and onward towards one of the first elevator car and the second elevator car to provide a constant tensioning force in the traction belt irrespective of the loads in the first elevator car and the second elevator car.

12. The elevator system of claim 11, wherein the traction belt is a toothed traction belt.

13. The elevator system of claim 11, wherein the traction sheave is configured to drive the traction belt to move the first elevator car and the second elevator car.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following, the invention will be described in more detail by the aid of some examples of its embodiment with reference to the simplified and diagrammatic drawings attached, wherein

(2) FIG. 1 presents a simplified and diagrammatic side view of one elevator arrangement according to the invention, provided with at least two elevator cars in a 1:1 suspension, wherein the elevator cars are arranged to travel in such a way that when the first elevator car is at the upper floor the second elevator car is at the lower floor and vice versa.

(3) FIG. 2 presents a simplified and diagrammatic side view of one elevator arrangement according to the invention, provided with at least two elevator cars in a 2:1 suspension, wherein the elevator cars are arranged to travel in such a way that when the first elevator car is at the upper floor the second elevator car is at the lower floor and vice versa,

(4) FIG. 3 presents in more detail a simplified and diagrammatic side view of one load equalization arrangement according to the invention,

(5) FIG. 4 presents a simplified and diagrammatic side view of a second elevator arrangement according to the invention, provided with at least two elevator cars in a 2:1 suspension, wherein the elevator cars are arranged to travel in such a way that when the first elevator car is at the upper floor the second elevator car is at the lower floor and vice versa,

(6) FIG. 5 presents a simplified and diagrammatic side view of a third elevator arrangement according to the invention, provided with at least two elevator cars in a 2:1 suspension, wherein the elevator cars are arranged to travel in such a way that when the first elevator car is at the upper floor the second elevator car is at the lower floor and vice versa,

(7) FIG. 6 presents a simplified and diagrammatic side view of yet another elevator arrangement according to the invention, provided with at least two elevator cars in a 1:1 suspension, wherein the elevator cars are arranged to travel in such a way that when the first elevator car is at the upper floor the second elevator car is at the lower floor and vice versa.

(8) FIG. 7 presents a simplified and diagrammatic side view of one fixing arrangement of a traction means of an elevator according to the invention,

(9) FIG. 8 presents a simplified and diagrammatic top view of the fixing arrangement of a traction means of an elevator according to FIG. 7,

(10) FIG. 9 presents a simplified and diagrammatic top view of two elevator cars one beside the other, wherein the door openings are on the same side of the elevator cars as each other,

(11) FIG. 10 presents a simplified and diagrammatic top view of two elevator cars one beside the other, wherein the door openings are on the opposite sides of the elevator cars to each other,

(12) FIG. 11 presents a simplified and diagrammatic top view of two elevator cars in the same elevator hoistway, the rear walls of which elevator cars are facing each other and the door walls face opposite directions to each other, and

(13) FIG. 12 presents a simplified and diagrammatic top view of two through-type elevator cars one beside the other, in both of which the door openings are on the opposite sides of the elevator cars to each other.

SUMMARY

(14) In the solutions according to the invention presented hereinafter the elevator arrangement comprises at least two elevator cars 1 and 2 that move simultaneously with each other and are stationary simultaneously with each other, which elevator cars are arranged to function as counterweights for each other, and which are connected to each other with the suspension ropes 3 of the elevator, of which ropes there can be only one rope or many parallel ropes. The length of the suspension ropes 3 is dimensioned in such a way that when the first elevator car 1 is at the floor 7 that is one floor higher than the lower floor 8, the second elevator car 2 is correspondingly at the level 8 that is one floor lower than the floor 7, and vice versa. In the solutions according to the embodiment the elevator cars 1 and 2 thus travel between only two floors 7 and 8 that are one above the other, but they can also travel between more than two floors one above the other. The elevator cars can serve e.g. a restaurant in the top part of a building, e.g. on the topmost floor, in which case when the first of the two elevator cars 1 connected to each is e.g. at the lower lobby of the building, the second elevator car 2 is at the entrance floor of the restaurant in the top part of the building, and vice versa.

(15) In the elevator arrangement according to the invention there can be a number of side-by-side pairs of elevator cars 1, 2, with one of each pair connected to the other, which pairs can operate on different cycles to each other e.g. in such a way that when some elevator car pair is in position at its own floors 7 and 8, some other elevator car pair is moving between the floor levels 7 and 8. When there are a number of elevator car pairs side-by-side, passengers will quickly, without long waiting times, find an elevator with which to get from one floor to the other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(16) The elevator arrangement according to the invention presented in FIG. 1 and provided with 1:1 suspension comprises at least a first elevator car 1 and a second elevator car 2 configured to move reciprocally in an elevator hoistway, which elevator cars are arranged to function as counterweights for each other, and which are connected to each other with the suspension ropes 3 of the elevator, which ropes also function as hoisting ropes. The first end of the suspension ropes 3 is fixed to the first elevator car 1 and the second end to the second elevator car 2. The elevator cars 1 and 2 are moved in the vertical direction by means of the hoisting machine 4 of the elevator, over the traction sheave 4a on which hoisting machine the suspension ropes 3 are led to pass. By means of the diverting pulley 5 the suspension ropes 3 are led to their correct spot on the first elevator car 1.

(17) The loading of the elevator cars 1 and 2 and loads of different magnitudes produce elongations of different magnitudes in the suspension ropes 3, which elongations remain for as long as there are loads in the elevator cars. In this case it might happen such that e.g. even if the lighter first elevator car 1 were to be driven sufficiently precisely to be flush with the upper floor level 7, the sill of the heavier second elevator car 2 can remain above the sill level of its own floor level 8. Correspondingly, if the heavier elevator car 8 is driven precisely to the floor level 8, the sill of the lighter elevator car 1 can remain above the sill level of its own floor level 7. Likewise when loading the elevator cars 1, 2 the suspension ropes elongate and the sill levels of the elevator cars 1, 2 settle below the sill level of their own floor at that time. For eliminating these problems the elevator arrangement according to the invention comprises compensation means 6 for compensating the aforementioned positioning inaccuracies that arise when loading the elevator cars 1 and 2 and when driving to a floor.

(18) The compensation means 6 can be disposed on only one elevator car 1 or 2, e.g. on the second elevator car 2 at the end 3 of the suspension ropes 3 to be fixed to the car, as is presented in FIG. 1. The compensation means 6 can also be connected to the hoisting machine 4 of the elevator to move the hoisting machine 4 for compensating the elongation caused by loading. In the aforementioned solution the compensation means 6 are e.g. arranged to absorb the rope tensions of the suspension ropes 3.

(19) The compensation means 6 can also be inside an elevator car 1 or 2 and act e.g. on the inside floor of the elevator car in such a way that when the sill level of the elevator car remains at a different height with respect to the sill level of the floor level, the compensation means are arranged to displace the inside floor of the elevator car to be flush with the sill level of the floor level.

(20) In the elevator arrangement according to the invention, the compensation of positioning inaccuracies affecting a run to a floor and staying at the floor when loading functions e.g. as follows: Considering now the situation according to FIG. 1, in which people are going into the first elevator car 1 that is at the upper floor level 7, and who want to got the bottom floor 8. The lower elevator car 2 remains e.g. empty. Now the increased load of the first elevator car 1 exerts increased rope tension on the suspension ropes 3 between the traction sheave 4a and the elevator car 1. This rope tension tries to elongate the suspension ropes 3, in which case the sill level of the first elevator car tries to settle to below the sill level of the upper floor level 7. In FIG. 1 the settling is exaggerated. In this case the settling that is starting is corrected immediately and actively during the loading with the elevator machine 4, which now functions as a part of the compensation means.

(21) So that the sill level of the second elevator car 2 would not settle as a consequence of the aforementioned corrective action to below the sill level of its own floor level 8, the compensation means 6 are arranged to absorb the movement of the suspension ropes 3 caused by the corrective action made with the elevator machine 4, in which case the second elevator car 2 remains in its position. As a result of the compensation both elevator cars 1 and 2 remain precisely at their own floor levels 7 and 8 during loading. If there were separate compensation means 6 in connection with each elevator car 1, 2, the compensation of the elongation of the suspension ropes 3 resulting from loading could be wholly implemented with the separate compensation means 6 and the elevator machine would not be needed as an aid.

(22) FIG. 2 presents an elevator arrangement, according to the invention, provided with at least two elevator cars 1 and 2 in 2:1 suspension. In the solution according to FIG. 2 on the top part of the elevator cars 1, 2 are diverting pulleys 9, supported by which the elevator cars 1, 2 are suspended. The suspension ropes 3 connecting the elevator cars 1 and 2 and functioning as hoisting ropes are fixed at their first ends e.g. to a rigid fixing point 10 in the top part of the elevator hoistway, led under the diverting pulleys 9 of the first elevator car 1 and onwards over the traction sheave 4a of the hoisting machine 4 fixed to the top part of the elevator hoistway, downwards to the diverting pulleys 9 of the second elevator car 2, after passing around the bottom of which diverting pulleys the suspension ropes 3 are led to their rigid fixing point 11 in the top part of the elevator hoistway. In this solution the compensation means 6 are disposed on the first end of the suspension ropes 3 in connection with the fixing point 10.

(23) FIG. 3 presents one compensation means 6, according to the invention, functioning as a load equalization arrangement. In the compensation means 6 an active actuator means 15, such as a hydraulic cylinder, absorbing the tension of the suspension ropes 3 is connected to the suspension ropes 3, which actuator means is fixed at its first end to the collector means 14 of the suspension ropes 3 and at its second end e.g. to the rigid fixing point 10 of the first end of the suspension ropes 3, which fixing point is further fixed e.g. to a guide rail 12 of the elevator car by the aid of fixing means 13. By changing the length of the hydraulic cylinder that is the actuator means 15 the tension of the suspension ropes 3, which is produced by the load of the elevator cars 1 and 2, is absorbed. Instead of a hydraulic cylinder, the actuator means 15 can be a screw means, a spindle motor or some other corresponding actuator means, by changing the length of which the tension of the suspension ropes 3 can be absorbed or the inside floor of the elevator car can be moved.

(24) FIG. 4 presents one elevator arrangement according to the invention, wherein the elevator cars 1 and 2 are suspended with 2:1 suspension, in essentially the same manner as in the solution of FIG. 2. One difference, however, is that in the top part of the elevator hoistway is a conventional diverting pulley arrangement 17, instead of a traction sheave 4a of the elevator, and the hoisting machine 4, plus traction sheave, of the elevator is now situated in the bottom part of the elevator hoistway. In this solution the suspension ropes 3 do not function as hoisting ropes, but instead e.g. a toothed belt is the traction means 16 moving the elevator cars 1, 2, which toothed belt is configured to run with a 2:1 suspension under the elevator cars 1, 2. In this case the traction means 16 is fixed at its first end to its rigid fixing point 19 in the bottom part of the elevator hoistway via an active pretensioning means 18 providing a constant tensioning force, led to travel over the diverting pulleys 9a on the bottom part of the first elevator car 1 and after that downwards under the traction sheave 4a in the bottom part of the elevator hoistway, after passing around which onwards upwards over the diverting pulleys 9a on the bottom part of the second elevator car 2 and after that again downwards to its rigid fixing point 20 in the bottom part of the elevator hoistway, to which fixing point the traction means 16 is fixed via a pretensioning means 18. In this way the suspension functions and moving functions of the elevator cars 1, 2 are completely separated from each other.

(25) In the solution according to FIG. 4 a toothed belt, being the traction means 16, functions, together with the active pretensioning means 18 providing a constant tensioning force, as the compensation means 6 reducing and eliminating the aforementioned positioning inaccuracies. Even though the loads in the elevator cars 1 and 2 were of different magnitudes to each other, the traction means 16 and pretensioning means 18 stiffen the suspension & traction system in such a way that the elevator cars 1 and 2 move in full synchronization with each other, in which case both elevator cars stop precisely at the own floor levels 7 and 8 and remain precisely at the own floor levels 7 and 8 during loading and unloading.

(26) In the elevator arrangement according to FIG. 5 the suspension arrangement of the elevator cars 1, 2 is essentially similar to what is in the solution according to FIG. 4. On the other hand, the traction arrangement is different and comprises a traction means 16 in a 1:1 suspension ratio. In this case the toothed belt that is the traction means 16 is fixed at its first end to the bottom part of the first elevator car 1 via an active pretensioning means 18 providing a constant tensioning force, led downwards under the diverting pulleys 21 and 22 in the bottom part of the elevator hoistway to pass around the top of the traction sheave 4a of the elevator machine 4 in the bottom part of the elevator hoistway and onwards passing around the bottom of the second diverting pulleys 21, 22, led upwards to the bottom part of the second elevator car 2, where the second end of the toothed belt is fixed to the bottom part of the second elevator car 2 via an active pretensioning means 18 providing a constant tensioning force.

(27) The solution according to FIG. 5 functions in essentially the same manner as the solution according to FIG. 4 and the toothed belt that is the traction means 16b functions together with the pretensioning means 18, as a compensation means 6.

(28) In the elevator arrangement according to FIG. 6 the suspension arrangement of the elevator cars 1, 2 is essentially a similar 1:1 suspension to that in the solution according to FIG. 1. Since the suspension ropes 3 do not function as hoisting ropes, the diverting pulley 5 in this solution replaces the traction sheave 4a in the top part of the elevator hoistway. Correspondingly, the traction arrangement is similar to the traction arrangement according to FIG. 4, with traction means 16 and with 1:1 roping and also with a traction sheave 4a in the bottom part of the elevator hoistway

(29) In the elevator arrangement presented in FIGS. 4-6 the traction means 16, plus the active pretensioning means 18 providing a constant tensioning force, functioning as a compensation means 6 is implemented in such a way that the predetermined minimum tension remains all the time in the traction means 16, in which case the whole suspension system is stiff and is not sensitive to changes caused by loading. In this case the pretensioning decreases when loading the elevator cars 1, 2, in which case the pretensioning means 18 and the traction means 16 absorb the reduced pretensioning.

(30) All the compensation means 6 presented above, regardless of their technical solutions and disposal location, are connected to the control system of the elevator for controlling the control system and the compensation means 6 receive information about the position of an elevator car 1, 2 from the control system of the elevator.

(31) FIGS. 7 and 8 present one active pretensioning means 18, according to the invention, giving constant tensioning force to the traction means 16 of an elevator. The pretensioning means can, however, be structurally different and operate differently to what is described here. The pretensioning means can be fixed at its frame part 18i to some rigid fixing point 19, 20 in the elevator hoistway or e.g. to the bottom part of one or of both elevator cars 1, 2, either directly to the elevator car or via the car sling of the elevator. The pretensioning means 18 is configured to enable tensioning that is of as constant a force as possible in the traction means 16.

(32) The pretensioning means 18 comprises at least the aforementioned frame part 18i, a roll 18c mounted on bearings onto an axle 18f so as to rotate freely, an adjustment means 18d rotating along with the roll 18c, and also a tensioning means 18g, the free end of which is tensioned by the aid of a spring 18j into its position in the second end of the frame part 18i. The frame part 18i is e.g. a metal plate bent into a U-shape, as viewed from above, comprising a base part 18n and two side flanges 18m that are in an orthogonal attitude in relation to it, in at least one of which side flanges are fixing holes 18q for fixing the pretensioning means to its mounting base. Correspondingly, the base part 18n at the second end of the frame part 18i has a hole 18p for the rod 18h at the free end of the tensioning means 18g, through which hole 18p the rod 18h can be threaded. In addition, there is a hole in the first end, i.e. the free end, of the side flanges 18m for the axle 18f of the roll 18c.

(33) Both ends of the traction means 16, such as of a toothed belt, of the elevator are fixed to the outer rim of the roll 18c in such a way that the end of the traction means 16 fixed to the roll 18c of the traction means 16 can be coiled for some distance onto the roll 18c when the roll 18c rotates around its axle 18f as the traction means 16 loosen e.g. in connection with loading.

(34) An adjustment means 18d rotating along with the roll 18c, and having an essentially e.g. spiral outer surface 18e that is eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation 18f, is fixed to the side of the roll in connection with the roll 18c, the length of which eccentric outer surface 18e, e.g. in the arrangement according to the embodiment, comprises less than one revolution, i.e. the length of the spiral outer surface 18e is smaller than 360. A tensioning means 18g, such as a steel rope or plastic rope or corresponding, is fitted for rotating the eccentric outer surface 18e of the adjustment means 18d, which tensioning means is fixed at its first end to move along with the roll 18c and the adjustment means 18d, and at its second end to a tensioning arrangement provided with a rod 18h through the base part 18n of the frame part 18i, with a flange 18k and also with a compression spring 18j, in which tensioning arrangement the compression spring 18j is arranged to press against the outer surface of the base part 18n of the frame part 18i in such a way that the tensioning arrangement pulls the tensioning means 18g by the aid of the spring force of the spring 18j and keeps the tensioning means 18g always as taut as possible by the aid of its spring force.

(35) What is essential to pretensioning means 18 is that the eccentricity, i.e. the spiral pitch, of the outer rim 18e of the adjustment means 18d is selected in such a way that it corresponds to the spring constant of the spring 18j, in which case in all the rotational positions of the adjustment means 18d the tensioning of the traction means 16 remains essentially the same and corresponding to the spring constant. When the traction means 16 stretches or otherwise loosens, the spring 18j pulls the tensioning means 18g and via it rotates the roll 18c and the adjustment means 18d in such a way that the distance of the outer rim 18e of the adjustment means 18d from the axle 18f at the point of detachment 18r of the tensioning means 18g increases according to the eccentricity of the outer rim 18e. The eccentricity, i.e. the spiral pitch, of the outer rim 18e of the adjustment means 18d can also be selected in such a way that the adjustment means 18d can compensate in the aforementioned manner a spring other than a compression spring 18j, e.g. a gas spring, a draw-spring or some other means providing a spring force.

(36) FIG. 9 presents a simplified and diagrammatic top view of two elevator cars 1 and 2 one beside the other, which as viewed from above are in essentially the same position. The elevator cars 1 and 2 can be in the same elevator hoistway as each other or each in its own elevator hoistway, the front wall, i.e. the first wall, of which elevator hoistways is marked with the reference number 23. In the front wall 23 are the door openings 1b and 2b, at the point of which door openings are the hoistway doors 1a and 2a of the elevator cars. In this case passage into the elevator cars 1 and 2 and out of them is in both elevator cars 1 and 2 in the same direction as each other. For the sake of clarity, the guide rails, diverting pulleys, elevator machine or other hoistway devices are not presented in FIG. 9. The location of the elevator machine 4 can vary and can be e.g. between or behind the elevator cars 1 and 2.

(37) FIG. 10 presents a simplified and diagrammatic top view of two elevator cars 1 and 2 one beside the other, which as viewed from above have been turned essentially 180 with respect to each other. In this case also the elevator cars 1 and 2 can be in the same elevator hoistway as each other or each in its own elevator hoistway, the first wall of which elevator hoistways is marked with the reference number 23 and the second, the wall on the opposite side of the elevator hoistway, with the reference number 24. In the first wall 23 on both floor levels 7, 8 is a door opening 1b, the hoistway doors 1a of the first elevator car 1 being at the point of which door opening. Correspondingly, in the second wall 24 on both floor levels 7, 8 is a door opening 2b, the hoistway doors 2a of the second elevator car 2 being at the point of which door opening. In this case passage into the elevator cars 1 and 2 and out of them is in both elevator cars 1 and 2 in opposite directions to each other and on different sides of the elevator hoistway. This solution enables extremely good separation of crisscross passenger flows.

(38) FIG. 11 presents a simplified and diagrammatic top view of two elevator cars 1 and 2, the rear walls of which elevator cars are facing each other and the door walls are in opposite directions to each other. Also in this case the elevator cars 1 and 2 can be in the same elevator hoistway as each other or each in its own elevator hoistway, the first wall of which elevator hoistways is marked with the reference number 23 and the second, the wall on the opposite side of the elevator hoistway, with the reference number 24. This solution also enables extremely good separation of crisscross passenger flows.

(39) FIG. 12 presents a simplified and diagrammatic top view of two through-type elevator cars 1 and 2 one beside the other, in each of which the door openings are on the opposite sides of the elevator cars to each other. Also in this case the elevator cars 1 and 2 can be in the same elevator hoistway as each other or each in its own elevator hoistway, the first wall of which elevator hoistways is marked with the reference number 23 and the second, the wall on the opposite side of the elevator hoistway, with the reference number 24. In this solution the first hoistway doors 1a of the first elevator car 1 are on the first wall 23 of the elevator hoistway and the second hoistway doors 1c are on the opposite, i.e. second, wall 24. Correspondingly the first hoistway doors 2a of the second elevator car 2 are on the first wall 23 of the elevator hoistway and the second hoistway doors 2c are on the opposite, i.e. second, wall 24.

(40) It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited solely to the examples described above, but that it may be varied within the scope of the claims presented below. Thus, for example, the compensation means can also be different and in different locations to what is presented above. In this case e.g. the pretensioning means presented in FIGS. 7 and 8 can be different to what is presented above.

(41) Additionally, it is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the suspension arrangements of the elevator cars can be different to what is presented above.