Method for constructing elevator and elevator

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for constructing an elevator, comprising providing an elevator car; providing plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules to be piled on top of each other, each hoistway module bordering a hoistway space into which the whole elevator car or at least an upper or lower end thereof can be fitted to move; and piling said plurality of prefabricated modules on top of each other, such that the hoistway spaces of the prefabricated modules are vertically aligned forming a continuous vertically elongated hoistway where the elevator car can be fitted to move; and arranging the elevator car to be vertically movable in the hoistway. The invention also relates to an elevator obtained with the method.

Claims

1. A method for constructing an elevator, comprising providing an elevator car; providing a plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules to be piled on top of each other, each separate prefabricated hoistway module of the plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules bordering a separate hoistway space into which an entire elevator car or at least an upper or lower end thereof can be fitted to move, such that the plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules border separate, respective hoistway spaces into which the entire elevator car or at least the upper or lower end thereof can be fitted to move; piling the plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules on top of each other to form a piled plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules, such that the separate, respective hoistway spaces of the plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules are vertically aligned with each other to form a continuous vertically elongated hoistway where the elevator car can be fitted to move; and arranging the elevator car to be vertically movable in the hoistway space, wherein the plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules includes a prefabricated top module, the prefabricated top module being an uppermost prefabricated hoistway module in the piled plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules, and wherein the prefabricated top module includes a machinery configured to drive a hoisting roping, and one or more car guide rail sections, wherein the machinery configured to drive the hoisting roping is mounted on a single car guide rail section of the one or more car guide rail sections of the prefabricated top module, such that the single car guide rail section is configured to carry both a complete weight of the machinery and a load exerted by the hoisting roping passing around a drive wheel of the machinery, wherein the single car guide rail section and a separate car guide rail section of the one or more car guide rail sections are fixed to different horizontal beams such that the single car guide rail section and the separate car guide rail section are fixed to the horizontal beams configured to be on opposite sides of the elevator car in the hoistway space.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein each separate prefabricated hoistway module of the plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules comprises a separate tubular frame around the separate hoistway space of the separate prefabricated hoistway module, such that the plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules include separate, respective tubular frames, and the separate tubular frame forms a bearing structure of the separate prefabricated hoistway module.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein each given tubular frame of each given prefabricated hoistway module underlying the prefabricated top module in the piled plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules carries a weight of an overlying tubular frame of all prefabricated hoistway modules overlying the given prefabricated hoistway module in the piled plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein each separate prefabricated hoistway module of the plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules comprises one or more car guide rail sections, such that the plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules include separate, respective car guide rail sections, and the one or more car guide rail sections are each fixed on the separate tubular frame with at least one fixing bracket.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the piling the plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules on top of each other to form the piled plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules causes the separate, respective car guide rail sections of the plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules to become vertically aligned with each other to form one or more continuous vertical guide rail lines configured to guide the elevator car.

6. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: providing a counterweight, wherein each separate prefabricated hoistway module of the plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules includes one or more counterweight guide rail sections, such that the plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules include separate, respective counterweight guide rail sections, and wherein the one or more counterweight guide rail sections of the separate prefabricated hoistway module are fixed on the separate tubular frame of the separate prefabricated hoistway module with at least one fixing bracket.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the piling the plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules on top of each other to form the piled plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules causes the separate, respective counterweight guide rail sections of the plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules to become vertically aligned with each other to form one or more continuous vertical guide rail lines configured to guide the counterweight.

8. The method according to claim 2, wherein each separate tubular frame of the separate, respective tubular frames is a beam frame.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the beam frame comprises the horizontal beams, vertical beams and diagonal beams rigidly connected together.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein each separate prefabricated hoistway module of the plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules comprises one or more car guide rail sections, and each of the one or more car guide rail sections is fixed with at least one fixing bracket on at least one of the horizontal beams of the beam frame of the separate prefabricated hoistway module; and/or each separate prefabricated hoistway module of the plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules comprises one or more counterweight guide rail sections, and each of the one or more counterweight guide rail sections is fixed with at least one fixing bracket on at least one of the horizontal beams of the beam frame of the separate prefabricated hoistway module.

11. The method according to claim 2, wherein the separate tubular frame of the separate prefabricated hoistway module is a concrete frame comprising concrete or reinforced concrete, the concrete or reinforced concrete forming more than 50% of a weight of the concrete frame.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the concrete frame comprises four vertical concrete walls rigidly connected together and bordering the separate hoistway space bordered by the separate prefabricated hoistway module.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the concrete frame comprises a horizontal beam embedded in concrete of the concrete frame.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the arranging includes arranging the elevator car to be vertically movable in the continuous vertically elongated hoistway along one or more car guide rail lines configured to guide the elevator car.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules comprise one or more of a prefabricated pit module, or one or more prefabricated intermediate modules into and through which an entire elevator car can be fitted to move.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the prefabricated top module comprises a plurality of car guide rail sections including the single car guide rail section and the separate car guide rail section, a first rope fixing bracket configured to be fixed to a first end of the hoisting roping and further fixed to the separate car guide rail section such that the separate car guide rail section is configured to vertically carry a load exerted by the hoisting roping on the first rope fixing bracket, and a second rope fixing bracket configured to be fixed to a second end of the hoisting roping and further fixed to a horizontal beam that is fixed on both the single car guide rail section and a counterweight guide rail section, such that the single car guide rail section and the counterweight guide rail section are collectively configured to vertically carry a load exerted by the hoisting roping on the second rope fixing bracket, wherein the horizontal beam is fixed on the single car guide rail section independently of the machinery, such that the horizontal beam is configured to transmit a portion of the load exerted by the hoisting roping on the second rope fixing bracket to the single car guide rail section independently of the machinery.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the method comprises fixing the first end of the hoisting roping on the first rope fixing bracket and fixing the second end of the hoisting roping on the second rope fixing bracket.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein one or more prefabricated hoistway modules of the plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules comprises a hoistway doorway leading away from a respective hoistway space of the one or more of prefabricated hoistway modules and a hoistway door for openably at least partially covering the hoistway doorway, the hoistway door being a sliding door mounted on one or more door guide rails mounted on a frame of the one or more of the plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules.

19. An elevator obtained with the method defined in claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) 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

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a phase in an embodiment of a method of a first kind of for constructing an elevator.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates an elevator constructed by the method of said first kind.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates two adjacent elevators constructed by the method of said first kind

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates preferred details of a prefabricated top module used in the method of the first kind.

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates preferred details of layout of the top module.

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates preferred details of passage of a roping and the suspension of the elevator.

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates preferred details of a prefabricated intermediate module.

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates preferred details of a prefabricated pit module.

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates a phase in an embodiment of a method of a second kind of for constructing an elevator.

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates an elevator constructed by the method of said second kind.

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates an elevator of FIG. 10 the concrete structures thereof being drawn transparent.

(13) FIG. 12 illustrates preferred details of a prefabricated top module used in the method of the second kind.

(14) The foregoing aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and the detailed description related thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(15) FIGS. 1 and 9 illustrate each a phase in an embodiment of a method for constructing an elevator. FIG. 1 illustrates a first kind of embodiment, where a metal beam frame F is utilized, FIG. 9 illustrates a second kind of embodiment, where a concrete frame F is utilized. In each case, in this phase of the method, a plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules A,B,C; A,B,C to be piled on top of each other are provided. Also an elevator car 1 is provided. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 9, the elevator car 1 is inside the hoistway space S of one A of the prefabricated hoistway modules.

(16) Each hoistway module A,B,C; A,B,C borders a hoistway space S into which the whole elevator car 1 or at least the upper or lower end thereof can be fitted to move. Hereby, the hoistway space S in question is large enough to envelope the whole elevator car 1 or at least an upper or lower end thereof. In the method, said plurality of prefabricated modules A,B,C; A,B,C are piled on top of each other to be as illustrated in FIG. 2, such that the hoistway spaces S of the prefabricated modules A,B,C; A,B,C are vertically aligned forming a continuous vertically elongated hoistway H where the elevator car 1 can be fitted to move. After this, the method comprises arranging the elevator car 1 to be vertically movable in the hoistway H.

(17) Each said prefabricated module A,B,C; A,B,C comprises a tubular frame F;F around the hoistway space S of the module A,B,C; A,B,C, which tubular frame F;F forms the bearing structure of the module A,B,C; A,B,C in question. The tubularity of the frame F;F provides that it surrounds laterally the hoistway space S of the module A,B,C; A,B,C. Tubular structure is advantageous since it increases rigidity and integrality of the individual modules and rigidity and integrality of the resulting pile of modules A,B,C; A,B,C.

(18) In said piling, said plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules A,B,C; A,B,C are piled on top of each other, such that the tubular frame F;F of each prefabricated module A,B carries the weight of the tubular frame F;F of all the prefabricated hoistway modules B,C piled on top of it.

(19) In the preferred embodiments presented in FIGS. 1 and 9, the plurality of prefabricated hoistway modules A,B,C; A,B,C comprise a prefabricated top module C, a prefabricated pit module A and prefabricated intermediate modules B into and through which the whole elevator car 1 can be fitted to move. The pit module A is first placed in a desired installation location of the elevator to be constructed. This location can be inside a building under construction, inside an existing building or beside the outer side face of inside a building under construction, inside an existing building, for instance. After this, the prefabricated intermediate modules B and the top module C are piled on top of it one by one, such that the tubular frame F;F of each prefabricated module A,B carries the weight of the tubular frame F;F of all the prefabricated hoistway modules B,C piled on top of it.

(20) In said arranging the elevator car 1 is arranged to be vertically movable in the hoistway H along two guide rail lines for guiding the elevator car 1. Each said prefabricated hoistway module A,B,C; A,B,C provided in said providing comprises guide rail sections 8 of the guide rail lines for guiding the elevator car 1. Each said guide rail section 8 is suitable for forming a section of a longer guide rail line for guiding the car 1. Each said guide rail section 8 (also referred to as a car guide rail section) is fixed on the tubular frame F;F with at least one fixing bracket 17. The car guide rail sections 8 of the prefabricated hoistway modules A,B,C; A,B,C have been positioned in the prefabricated modules such that when the hoistway modules A,B,C; A,B,C are piled on top of each other, the guide rail sections 8 of the modules A,B,C; A,B,C become vertically aligned forming one or more (in the examples two) continuous vertical guide rail lines for guiding the elevator car 1.

(21) In FIGS. 1 and 9, the elevator E,E to be constructed is a counterweighted elevator. Therefore, the method moreover comprises providing counterweight 2, wherein the whole counterweight 2 or at least an upper or lower end thereof can be fitted to move into the hoistway space S of each hoistway module A,B,C; A,B,C. Hereby, the hoistway space S in question is large enough to envelope the whole elevator car 1 or at least an upper or lower end thereof. In the step of arranging the elevator car 1 to be vertically movable in the hoistway, also the counterweight 2 is arranged to be vertically movable in the hoistway H, in particular along two guide rail lines for guiding the counterweight.

(22) Each said prefabricated hoistway module A,B,C; A,B,C provided in said providing comprises guide rail sections 9 of two guide rail lines for guiding the counterweight 2. Each said guide rail section 9 is suitable for forming a section of a longer guide rail line for guiding the counterweight 2. Each said guide rail section 9 (also referred to as a counterweight guide rail section) is fixed on the tubular frame F;F with at least one fixing bracket 17. The counterweight guide rail sections 9 of the prefabricated hoistway modules A,B,C; A,B,C have been positioned in the prefabricated modules such that when the hoistway modules A,B,C; A,B,C are piled on top of each other, guide rail sections 9 of the modules become vertically aligned forming one or more (in the examples two) continuous vertical guide rail lines for guiding the counterweight 2. The same fixing bracket 17 can be used for fixing a guide rail section 8 of the elevator car 1 and a guide rail section 9 of the counterweight 2.

(23) The elevator car 1 is at least partially inside the hoistway space S of one A of the prefabricated modules to be piled, preferably the pit module A. Likewise, the counterweight 2 is at least partially inside the hoistway space S of one A of the prefabricated modules to be piled, preferably the prefabricated pit module A.

(24) In the preferred embodiments presented in FIGS. 1 and 9, the top module comprises a machinery 13 for driving a hoisting roping 21.

(25) In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the tubular frame F of each said prefabricated module A,B,C is a beam frame F. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the beam frame F comprises horizontal beams 14a, vertical beams 14b and diagonal beams 14c rigidly connected together. Said beams include four vertical corner beams 14b, which are connected by horizontal beams 14a, and plurality of diagonal beams 14c extending at an inclined angle in a space bordered by two vertical beams 14b and two horizontal beams 14a. The opposite ends of each diagonal beams is attached, preferably by welding, to a vertical beam 14b and a horizontal beam 14a. Said four vertical corner beams are connected by horizontal beams such that they form a rectangular cuboid structure is formed.

(26) Generally, the beams 14a,14b,14c are preferably tubular metal beams. Thus, the beam frame F is rigid and light whereby large modules can be formed, transported and lifted into place. Light weight reduces forces to be beared in piling, whereby a high pile of modules is possible.

(27) Generally, the beams 14a,14b,14c preferably have one or more planar side faces, such as four planar side faces as illustrated, whereby fixing elevator components to them is facilitated.

(28) FIG. 4 illustrates preferred details of the prefabricated top module C. FIG. 5 illustrates the layout of the top module C of FIG. 4. The prefabricated top module C illustrated in FIG. 4 comprises guide rail sections 8 of two guide rail lines for guiding the elevator car 1 and guide rail sections 9 of two guide rail lines for guiding the counterweight 2. The prefabricated top module C comprises a machinery 13 for driving a hoisting roping 21 (illustrated in broken line).

(29) The machinery 13 for driving a hoisting roping comprises a motor 18 and a drive wheel 19. The machinery 13 is mounted on a guide rail section 8 of a guide rail line for guiding the elevator car 1 to be vertically carried by the guide rail section 8. Thus, the weight of the machinery 13, as well as the load exerted by the roping 21 passing around the drive wheel 19, is carried by the guide rail section 8, and transmittable by the guide rail section to the guide rail sections below it at least partly so that the complete weight of the of the machinery 13, as well as the load exerted by the roping 21 passing around the drive wheel 19. The load exerted by the roping 21 passing around the drive wheel 19 here is formed partially by weight of the roping 21 and partially by the elevator units, such as car 1 and counterweight 2 suspended by it. The total weight to be carried by the guide rail section 8 on which the machinery is mounted is hereby great. Therefore, the possibility that the guide rail line can carry at least partly the weight is advantageous in facilitating simple mounting of the guide rail sections by a small number of compact and light weighted brackets.

(30) The machinery 13 is mounted on the back-side of a guide rail section 8 by one or more supporting brackets 20 on a guide rail section 8. Here, said back side is the side opposite to the front side the guide rail section 8, which front side is the side on which side the elevator car 1 is arranged movable in the hoistway guided by the guide rail line in question when viewed in vertical direction. The motor 18 and the drive wheel 19 are coaxial, the drive wheel being fixedly connected with the rotor of the motor 18. Hereby, they can be compactly placed on the back side of the guide rail section 8. The motor can be a flat electric motor, meaning a motor the size of which is substantially smaller in its axial direction than its radial direction. Preferably, the size of the motor in its axial direction is substantially less than 50% of its size in its radial direction.

(31) Each said guide rail section 8 of a guide rail line for guiding the elevator car 1 is fixed on a horizontal beam 14a of the beam frame F, in particular with at least one fixing bracket 17.

(32) The prefabricated top module C moreover comprises rope fixing brackets 12. On each of them, an end of a hoisting roping 21 can be fixed. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a rope fixing bracket 12 (on the left in FIGS. 4 and 5) is fixed on a fixing bracket 17 of a car guide rail section 8 fixed on a car guide rail section 8 and on a horizontal beam 14a of the beam frame F. This is advantageous since hereby the car guide rail section 8 and the rope fixing bracket 12 are positioned laterally relative to each other and relative to the beam frame F. Also, hereby the guide rail line can at least partially carry the load exerted on the rope fixing bracket 12 by the roping 21. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a rope fixing bracket 12 (on the right in FIGS. 4 and 5) is fixed on a horizontal beam 22 fixed on a car guide rail section 8 and on a counterweight guide rail section 8, which beam connects these to each other. By aid of the beam 22, the placement of the rope fixing bracket 12 in question can be placed relatively freely. This is advantageous also because hereby the car and counterweight guide rail lines can at least partially carry the load exerted on the rope fixing bracket 12 by the roping 21. An end of a hoisting roping 21 is fixed on each said rope fixing brackets 12.

(33) In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the prefabricated top module C does not comprise a doorway leading away from the hoistway space S thereof. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the prefabricated top module C is lower than the elevator car 1. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the prefabricated top module C thus forms a relatively low structure into which the car can partially be driven, at least in the case where the car or counterweight travels above its intended uppermost position during transport use.

(34) In said arranging the elevator car 1 and counterweight to be vertically movable in the hoistway H comprises suspending the elevator car 1 and counterweight 2 with a hoisting roping 21 passing around a drive wheel 19. FIG. 6 illustrates preferred details of how the roping 21 passes.

(35) FIG. 7 illustrates preferred details of the prefabricated intermediate module B. The prefabricated intermediate hoistway module B illustrated in FIG. 7 comprises guide rail sections 8 of two guide rail lines for guiding the elevator car 1 and guide rail sections 9 of two guide rail lines for guiding the counterweight 2. The prefabricated intermediate hoistway module B comprises a doorway D2 leading away from the hoistway space S of the module in question, and hoistway door 6 for openably covering at least partially the hoistway doorway D2. Since the hoistway door 6 is comprised in the prefabricated intermediate module B, the most laborious installation work thereof can be done already at the factory where the module is fabricated. Thus, no time consuming work needs to be done at the installation site, and the elevator can be installed swiftly and with small amount of disturbance to other operations at the construction site.

(36) In the illustrated embodiment, the door 6 is a sliding door mounted on one or more door guide rails 10 mounted on the frame F of prefabricated intermediate hoistway module B. During the piling, the door 6 is locked immovable relative to the frame F of prefabricated intermediate hoistway module B.

(37) FIG. 8 illustrates preferred details of the prefabricated pit module A. The prefabricated intermediate pit module A illustrated in FIG. 8 comprises guide rail sections 8 of two guide rail lines for guiding the elevator car 1 and guide rail sections 9 of two guide rail lines for guiding the counterweight 2. The prefabricated pit module A preferably also comprises a doorway leading away from the hoistway space S of the module in question, and hoistway door for openably covering at least partially the hoistway doorway, although these are not illustrated in FIG. 8.

(38) An elevator car 1 and a counterweight 2 are inside the hoistway space S of one A of the prefabricated pit module A. The prefabricated pit module A comprises buffers 15, 16, including a buffer 15 for stopping descent of the elevator car 1 and a buffer 16 for stopping descent of a counterweight 2.

(39) In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the tubular frame F of each said prefabricated hoistway module A,B,C is a is a concrete frame F, which comprises concrete or reinforced concrete, concrete or reinforced concrete preferably forming more than 50% of the weight of the frame F. The concrete frame F comprises four vertical concrete walls rigidly connected together.

(40) FIGS. 9-12 illustrate preferred details of the prefabricated modules A,B,C. Each prefabricated module A,B,C comprises guide rail sections 8 of two guide rail lines for guiding the elevator car 1 and guide rail sections 9 of two guide rail lines for guiding the counterweight 2. Each said car guide rail section 8, and each said counterweight guide rail section 9 is fixed on a the concrete frame F in particular with at least one fixing bracket 17. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, each frame F comprises one or more horizontal metal beams 23 embedded in concrete thereof. Each said metal beam 23 forms an integral part of a wall of the concrete frame F. Each said guide rail section 8 of a guide rail line for guiding the elevator car 1 is fixed on a horizontal beam 23 of a frame F of a prefabricated module A,B,C, in particular with at least one fixing bracket 17.

(41) The prefabricated top module C comprises a machinery 13 for driving a hoisting roping correspondingly as presented in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 illustrates preferred details of how the roping 21 passes.

(42) FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred layout of the top module C. The machinery 13 for driving a hoisting roping comprises a motor 18 and a drive wheel 19. The machinery 13 is mounted on a guide rail section 8 of a guide rail line for guiding the elevator car 1 to be vertically carried by the guide rail section 8. Thus, the weight of the machinery 13, as well as the load exerted by the roping passing around the drive wheel 19, is carried by the guide rail section 8, and transmittable by the guide rail section to the guide rail sections below it at least partly so that the complete weight of the of the machinery 13, as well as the load exerted by the roping 21 passing around the drive wheel 19. The load exerted by the roping 21 passing around the drive wheel 19 here is formed partially by weight of the roping 21 and partially by the elevator units, such as car 1 and counterweight 2 suspended by it. The total weight to be carried by the guide rail section 8 on which the machinery is mounted is hereby great. Therefore, the possibility that the guide rail line can carry at least partly the weight is advantageous in facilitating simple mounting of the guide rail sections by a small number of compact and light weighted brackets.

(43) The machinery 13 is mounted on the back-side of a guide rail section 8 by one or more supporting brackets 20 on a guide rail section 8. Here, said back side is the side opposite to the front side the guide rail section 8, which front side is the side on which side the elevator car 1 is arranged movable in the hoistway guided by the guide rail line in question when viewed in vertical direction. The motor 18 and the drive wheel 19 are coaxial, the drive wheel being fixedly connected with the rotor of the motor 18. Hereby, they can be compactly placed on the back side of the guide rail section 8. The motor can be a flat motor, meaning a motor the size of which is substantially smaller in its axial direction than its radial direction. Preferably, the size of the motor in its axial direction is substantially less than 50% of its size in its radial direction.

(44) The prefabricated top module C moreover comprises rope fixing brackets 12. On each of them, an end of a hoisting roping 21 can be fixed as illustrated in FIG. 6. As illustrated in FIG. 13, a rope fixing bracket 12 (on the left in FIG. 12) is fixed on a fixing bracket 17 of a car guide rail section 8 fixed on a car guide rail section 8 and on a horizontal beam 23 of the frame F. This is advantageous since hereby the car guide rail section 8 and the rope fixing bracket 12 are positioned laterally relative to each other and relative to the frame F. Also, hereby the guide rail line can at least partially carry the load exerted on the rope fixing bracket 12 by the roping 21. As illustrated in FIG. 13, a rope fixing bracket 12 (on the right in FIG. 12) is fixed on a horizontal beam 22 fixed on a car guide rail section 8 and on a counterweight guide rail section 8, which beam connects these to each other. By aid of the beam 22, the placement of the rope fixing bracket 12 in question can be placed relatively freely. This is advantageous also because hereby the car and counterweight guide rail lines can at least partially carry the load exerted on the rope fixing bracket 12 by the roping 21. An end of a hoisting roping 21 is fixed on each said rope fixing brackets 12.

(45) In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the prefabricated top module C comprises a doorway leading away from the hoistway space S thereof.

(46) In said arranging the elevator car 1 and counterweight to be vertically movable in the hoistway H comprises suspending the elevator car 1 and counterweight 2 with a hoisting roping 21 passing around a drive wheel 19. FIG. 6 illustrates preferred details of how the roping passes.

(47) FIGS. 9-11 illustrate preferred details of the prefabricated intermediate module B. The prefabricated intermediate hoistway module B comprises guide rail sections 8 of two guide rail lines for guiding the elevator car 1 and guide rail sections 9 of two guide rail lines for guiding the counterweight 2. The prefabricated intermediate hoistway module B comprises a doorway D2 leading away from the hoistway space S of the module B in question, and hoistway door 6 for openably covering at least partially the hoistway doorway D2. Since the hoistway door 6 is comprised in the prefabricated intermediate module B, the most laborious installation work thereof can be done already at the factory where the module is fabricated. Thus, no time consuming work needs to be done at the installation site, and the elevator can be installed swiftly and with small amount of disturbance to other operations at the construction site.

(48) In the illustrated embodiment, the door 6 is a sliding door mounted on one or more door guide rails 10 mounted on the frame F of prefabricated intermediate hoistway module B. During the piling, the door 6 is locked immovable relative to the frame F of prefabricated intermediate hoistway module B.

(49) FIGS. 9-11 illustrate preferred details of the prefabricated pit module A. The prefabricated intermediate pit module A illustrated in FIG. 9-11 comprises guide rail sections 8 of two guide rail lines for guiding the elevator car 1 and guide rail sections 9 of two guide rail lines for guiding the counterweight 2. The prefabricated pit module A preferably also comprises a doorway leading away from the hoistway space S of the module in question, and hoistway door for openably covering at least partially the hoistway doorway, although these are not illustrated in FIG. 8.

(50) An elevator car 1 and a counterweight 2 are inside the hoistway space S of the prefabricated pit module A. The prefabricated pit module A comprises buffers, including a buffer for stopping descent of the elevator car 1 and a buffer for stopping descent of a counterweight 2, correspondingly positioned as illustrated and described in FIG. 8.

(51) When describing features, structures or functions of a prefabricated hoistway module, it is meant the features, structures or functions of the prefabricated hoistway modules to be piled on top of each other provided in said providing.

(52) Generally, each said guide rail section 8, 9 is preferably made of metal and has a T-shaped cross section, as illustrated. Thereby, normal elevator components in this sense can be used. The material and/or shape of the guide rail sections 8 and/or 9 of course could alternatively be different.

(53) 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.