Elevator arrangement and method

Abstract

The invention relates to an elevator arrangement, which comprises one or more elevator units to be moved in an elevator hoistway, said unit(s) including at least an elevator car, and possibly also a counterweight, roping connected to an elevator unit, which roping comprises a plurality of ropes, and a moveable supporting structure in the elevator hoistway for supporting the aforementioned one or more elevator units below it via the aforementioned roping, and a rope pulley or rope pulley stack of the supporting structure in connection with the supporting structure, around which rope pulley or rope pulley stack the aforementioned roping travels, and from which the roping travels down to an elevator unit. The roping travels from the aforementioned rope pulley or rope pulley stack down to an elevator unit, in connection with which is a first rope pulley or rope pulley stack and a second rope pulley or rope pulley stack, which are disposed non-coaxially in relation to each other, their rotation axes being separate from each other in the lateral direction, and in that the first part of the ropes of the roping traveling from the rope pulley or rope pulley stack down to the elevator unit travels to the elevator unit, to the first rope pulley or rope pulley stack that is in connection with the elevator unit, under the pulley or stack, and onwards back up to a rope anchorage arrangement, and the second part to the second rope pulley or rope pulley stack in that is connection with the elevator unit in question, under the pulley or stack, and onwards back up to a rope anchorage arrangement. The invention also relates to corresponding guidance of compensating roping, as well as to a method wherein the service range of the elevator car is increased.

Claims

1. A kit to construct an elevator arrangement, the kit comprising: roping selectively connected to one or more elevator units, the roping including at least a first roping arrangement and a second roping arrangement; a movable supporting structure in an elevator hoistway for supporting the one or more elevator units via the first roping arrangement during construction of the elevator arrangement; a traction sheave attached to the movable supporting structure, the traction sheave configured to have the roping travel therearound and down to one or more of the elevator units; and a first pair of rope pulleys on one of the one or more elevator units, the first pair of rope pulleys including a first rope pulley and a second rope pulley disposed non-coaxially in relation to each other such that rotation axes of the first pair of rope pulleys are separate from each other in a lateral direction, wherein the kit is constructible such that, during construction of the elevator arrangement, the traction sheave is at a first horizontal position with respect to walls of the elevator hoistway, the first roping arrangement is in a 2:1 configuration, and a first rope of the first roping arrangement is configured to travel from the traction sheave to the first rope pulley under the first rope pulley and onwards back up to one or more rope anchors and a second rope of the first roping arrangement is configured to travel from the traction sheave to the second rope pulley under the second rope pulley and onwards back up to one or more of the rope anchors such that the first roping arrangement travels at a center point of a vertical projection of the one of the one or more elevator units, and after completion of the elevator arrangement, the first roping arrangement is swapped for the second roping arrangement, the second roping arrangement is in a 1:1 configuration, and the second roping arrangement is configured to travel from the traction sheave and terminate on the one or more elevator units at the center point such that a position of the traction sheave connected to the second roping arrangement remains at the first horizontal position after construction of the elevator arrangement and conversion from the 2:1 configuration to the 1:1 configuration.

2. The kit to construct the elevator arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising: the one or more elevator units configured to move in the elevator hoistway, the one or more elevator units including a first elevator unit and a second elevator unit connected by the roping, the first elevator unit being an elevator car and the second elevator unit being a counterweight wherein, the roping on a first side of the traction sheave is configured to travel down to the first pair of rope pulleys on the elevator car, and the roping on a second side of the traction sheave is configured to travel down to a second pair of rope pulleys on the counterweight.

3. The kit to construct the elevator arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the counterweight is configured to travel on one side of the elevator car, and an axis of rotation of the traction sheave is parallel to a direction of a wall of the elevator car that is on the side of the counterweight.

4. The kit to construct the elevator arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the roping travels from the movable supporting structure down to the one or more elevator units such that the roping travels at the center point of the vertical projection of respective ones of the one or more elevator units.

5. A kit to construct an elevator arrangement, the kit comprising: a movable supporting structure in an elevator hoistway, the movable supporting structure configured to support one or more elevator units during construction of the elevator arrangement; roping selectively connected to the one or more elevator units and hanging suspended from the one or more elevator units, the roping including at least a first roping arrangement and a second roping arrangement; a traction sheave configured to rotate below the one or more elevator units, the traction sheave configured to have the roping travel therearound and up to the one or more elevator units; and a first pair of rope pulleys including a first rope pulley and a second rope pulley disposed non-coaxially in relation to each other such that rotation axes of the first pair of rope pulleys are separate from each other in a lateral direction, wherein the kit is constructible such that, during construction of the elevator arrangement, the traction sheave is at a first horizontal position with respect to walls of the elevator hoistway, the first roping arrangement is in a 2:1 configuration, and a first rope of the first roping arrangement is configured to travel from the traction sheave to the first rope pulley over the first rope pulley and onwards back down to a rope anchorage arrangement and a second rope of the first roping arrangement is configured to travel from the traction sheave to the second rope pulley over the second rope pulley and onwards back down to one or more of the rope anchors such that the first roping arrangement travels at a center point of a vertical projection of the one of the one or more elevator units, and after completion of the elevator arrangement, the first roping arrangement is swapped for the second roping arrangement, the second roping is in a 1:1 configuration, and the second roping is configured to travel from the traction sheave and terminate on the one or more elevator units at the center point such that a position of the traction sheave connected to the second roping arrangement remains at the first horizontal position after construction of the elevator arrangement and conversion from the 2:1 configuration to the 1:1 configuration.

6. The kit to construct the elevator arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the roping travels as a dense bundle from the traction sheave to the first rope pulley and the second rope pulley, and the first rope pulley and the second rope pulley are configured to divide the first rope and the second rope of the first roping arrangement respectively, such that the first rope is conducted away from the second rope.

7. The kit to construct the elevator arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the first rope pulley and the second rope pulley are configured to guide the first rope and the second rope of the first roping arrangement respectively, such that the first rope and the second rope travel relatively close to each other from the traction sheave to the first pair of rope pulleys, and the first rope and the second rope travel relatively far from each other from the first pair of rope pulleys to one or more of the rope anchors.

8. The kit to construct the elevator arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the roping includes excess roping wound around a rope reel associated with a roping supply storage space, and the rope anchors are configured to open to adjust an amount of the excess roping wound around the rope reel.

9. The kit to construct the elevator arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the one or more elevator units include a first elevator unit and a second elevator unit connected by the roping, the first elevator unit being an elevator car and the second elevator unit being a counterweight, and the roping runs from the first pair of rope pulleys associated with the elevator car around the traction sheave and to a second pair of rope pulleys associated with the counterweight.

10. The kit to construct the elevator arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the movable supporting structure is liftable upwards in the elevator hoistway.

11. The kit to construct the elevator arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the first rope and the second rope of the first roping arrangement are guided to travel as a bundle from the traction sheave up between the first rope pulley and the second rope pulley.

12. The kit to construct the elevator arrangement according to claim 6, wherein axes of the first rope pulley and the second rope pulley are at an angle of less than or equal to 45 degrees with respect to each other.

13. A method of fabricating an elevator using an elevator arrangement including roping selectively connected to one or more elevator units, the roping including at least a first roping arrangement and a second roping arrangement, a movable supporting structure in an elevator hoistway for supporting the one or more elevator units via the first roping arrangement, a traction sheave configured to have the roping travel therearound and to one or more of the elevator units, and a first pair of rope pulleys including a first rope pulley and a second rope pulley disposed non-coaxially in relation to each other such that rotation axes of the first pair of rope pulleys are separate from each other in a lateral direction, the method comprising: configuring, during construction of the elevator arrangement, the traction sheave at a first horizontal position with respect to walls of the elevator hoistway, the first roping arrangement being in a 2:1 configuration, and a first rope of the first roping arrangement travels from the traction sheave to the first rope pulley, under the first rope pulley and onwards back up to one or more rope anchors, and a second rope of the first roping arrangement travels from the traction sheave to the second rope pulley, under the second rope pulley and onwards back up to one or more of the rope anchors, transporting passengers and/or freight using one or more of the elevator units; lifting the movable supporting structure to a higher position in the elevator hoistway; re-enabling the elevator unit to transport the passengers and/or the freight; and changing a suspension of the one or more elevator units after completion of the elevator arrangement such that a lifting ratio of the one or more elevators units becomes a 1:1 configuration by reconfiguring the roping by swapping the first roping arrangement for the second roping arrangement such that the second roping arrangement travels from the traction sheave and terminates on the one or more elevator units at the center point such that a position of the traction sheave connected to the second roping arrangement remains at the first horizontal position after construction of the elevator arrangement and conversion from the 2:1 configuration to the 1:1 configuration.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: opening the rope anchors to adjust an amount of excess roping wound around a rope reel after lifting the movable supporting structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The invention will now be described mainly in connection with its preferred embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein

(2) FIG. 1 presents a three-dimensional view of an elevator arrangement according to one embodiment.

(3) FIG. 2 presents by way of reference the elevator arrangement according to FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 presents a side view of how the roping arrives at a first and a second rope pulley or rope pulley stack.

(5) FIGS. 4a and 4b present a top view of the possible attitudes of the first and second rope pulley or rope pulley stack.

(6) FIG. 5a presents a basic diagram of the suspension of the elevator of FIG. 1.

(7) FIG. 5b presents an embodiment wherein only one of the elevator units is suspended via the first and second rope pulley or rope pulley stack.

(8) FIG. 5c presents an embodiment, in which the elevator is one without a counterweight.

(9) FIG. 6a presents an elevator with counterweight, after a change in the suspension ratio.

(10) FIG. 6b presents an elevator without counterweight, after a change in the suspension ratio.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(11) FIG. 1 presents an elevator arrangement according one embodiment, which elevator arrangement comprises an elevator hoistway S, and elevator units, an elevator car 1 and a counterweight 2, to be moved in the elevator hoistway S. The arrangement comprises roping R connecting the aforementioned elevator car 1 and aforementioned counterweight 2, which roping comprises a plurality of ropes, and also a moveable supporting structure 3 to be disposed in the elevator hoistway S for supporting the aforementioned elevator units 1 and 2 below it via the aforementioned roping R. A rope pulley or rope pulley stack 4 of the supporting structure is in connection with the supporting structure 3, which pulley or stack can therefore be an individual rope pulley or a rope pulley system of at least essentially co-axial rope pulleys assembled into a stack. The aforementioned rope pulley or rope pulley stack is preferably driven by a motor, in which case it forms a traction sheave. Traction can, of course, be arranged in other ways. The roping R travels around the aforementioned rope pulley or rope pulley stack 4 and travels from it down to the elevator units 1, 2 in such a way that the aforementioned roping R on the first side of the rope pulley or rope pulley stack 4 travels down to one of the aforementioned elevator units 1, 2, and the roping R on the second side of the rope pulley or rope pulley stack 4 travels down to the other of the aforementioned elevator units 1, 2. The roping hangs suspended from the aforementioned rope pulley or rope pulley stack 4. The roping R travels on both the first and the second side of the rope pulley 4 of the supporting structure down to an elevator unit 1, 2, in connection with which is a first rope pulley or rope pulley stack 5a and a second rope pulley or rope pulley stack 5b, which are disposed non-coaxially in relation to each other, their rotation axes X.sub.1, X.sub.2 being separate from each other in the lateral direction, and the first part a of the ropes of the roping R traveling from the rope pulley 4 down to the elevator unit 1, 2 in question travels to the elevator unit 1, 2, to the first rope pulley or rope pulley stack 5a that is in connection with the elevator unit 1, 2, under the pulley or stack, and onwards back up to a rope anchorage arrangement 6a, and the second part b to the second rope pulley or rope pulley stack 5a that is in connection with the elevator unit in question, under the pulley or stack, and onwards back up to a rope anchorage arrangement 6b. The parts a and b of the roping R thus travel via different rope pulleys/rope pulley stacks of an elevator unit. In this way both elevator units 1 and 2 are suspended with roping, which travels as a dense bundle from the rope pulley or rope pulley stack 4 of the supporting structure to the first and second rope pulleys/rope pulley stacks 5a, 5b of the elevator unit in question, which pulleys/stacks divide the first and second part a, b of the roping R to be conducted away from each other. In this way a concentric suspension can be achieved although the suspension is implemented via a diverting pulley. The roping R can in this way be guided to descend as a dense bundle down to each elevator unit essentially at the center point of its vertical projection. In this way also the aforementioned rope pulley or rope pulley stack 4 can be disposed at the point of the center part of the elevator unit/elevator units as viewed in the axial direction of the aforementioned rope pulley or rope pulley stack 4. Since the ropes descend to the elevator unit at least essentially the center point of its vertical projection, it is simple to later convert the 2:1 suspension implemented via the rope pulley into 1:1 suspension without the rope pulley. In this case the ropes can continue to descend along the same route to the elevator unit after the suspension conversion.

(12) In the embodiment presented the aforementioned first and second rope pulleys/rope pulley stacks 5a, 5b are fixed to the elevator car 1, to the top of it (to the roof) and correspondingly the first and second rope pulleys/rope pulley stacks 5a, 5b of the counterweight 2 are fixed to the counterweight 2, to the top of it.

(13) For enabling the supply of the additional rope needed for the jump-lift, the roping R travels on a first or on a second side of the aforementioned rope pulley or rope pulley stack 4 to a rope anchorage arrangement, which is openable, and the roping travels via it to the rope supply storage, from where the rope can be supplied without break into the elevator system. In the solution presented, this is implemented on the counterweight 2 side.

(14) As is seen from FIG. 1, the roping R travels up to an openable rope anchorage arrangement 6a, 6b in a first half of the elevator hoistway, on a first side of the elevator car, and the roping R from the rope anchorage arrangement 6a, 6b is guided to travel down to a rope supply storage 20 in the second half of the elevator hoistway, on the second side of the elevator car. In this way the downward-pulling force exerted on the supporting structure by the roping R can be evened out on the opposite sides of the supporting structure, which reduces the resultant forces of the roping trying to rock supporting structure. Rope pulleys 13 that are in connection with the supporting structure can be used for guiding the roping from the rope anchorage arrangement 6a, 6b.

(15) The elevator units preferably travel on guide rails (not presented). There are preferably two guide rails per each elevator unit and the guide rail plane determined by the guide rail pair of the counterweight is preferably in the same direction as the wide side of the counterweight and the guide rail plane determined by the guide rail pair of the elevator car is preferably in the same direction as the wall of the elevator car, in FIG. 1 the elevator car wall on the counterweight side. The axis of rotation of the rope pulley or rope pulley stack 4 of the supporting structure is preferably in the direction of the guide rail plane determined by the guide rails of the counterweight and/or the guide rail plane determined by the elevator car.

(16) Described above are the passage of the roping suspending the elevator units and also the operation and placement of the first and of the second rope pulleys/rope pulley stacks. The compensating roping of an elevator can, however, be arranged in a corresponding manner, in which case the difference to what has been described earlier is that the rope arrangement, i.e. the roping and the rope pulleys guiding the roping, are upside-down, acting below the elevator units. In this case the elevator arrangement comprises an elevator hoistway S, one or more elevator units 1, 2 to be moved in the elevator hoistway S, said unit(s) including at least an elevator car 1, and possibly also a counterweight 2, a moveable supporting structure 3 in the elevator hoistway S for supporting the one or more elevator units 1, 2 below it, and roping C connected to the aforementioned one or more elevator units 1, 2 and hanging suspended from the aforementioned one or more elevator units 1, 2, which roping comprises a plurality of ropes, and a rope pulley or rope pulley stack 4 supported to rotate below the aforementioned one or more elevator units 1, 2, around which rope pulley or rope pulley stack the aforementioned roping C travels, and from which the roping C travels up to an elevator unit 1, 2. The roping C travels from the rope pulley or rope pulley stack 4 up to an elevator unit 1, 2, in connection with which is a first rope pulley or rope pulley stack 5a and a second rope pulley or rope pulley stack 5b, which are disposed non-coaxially in relation to each other, their rotation axes X1, X2 being separate from each other in the lateral direction, and in that the first part a of the ropes of the roping C traveling from the aforementioned rope pulley or rope pulley stack 4 up to the elevator unit 1, 2 travels to the elevator unit 1, 2, to the first rope pulley or rope pulley stack 5a that is in connection with the elevator unit 1, 2, over the pulley or stack, and onwards back down to a rope anchorage arrangement 6a, and the second part b to the second rope pulley or rope pulley stack 5a that is in connection with the elevator unit in question, over the pulley or stack, and onwards back down to a rope anchorage arrangement 6b.

(17) FIG. 2 presents the elevator of FIG. 1 by way of reference to illustrate the routes of the ropings R, C. The first and the second rope pulleys 5a, 5b; 5a, 5b, the counterweight is presented in the figure turned sideways for clarifying presentation of the lifting principle.

(18) FIG. 3 presents as a schematic drawing how the roping R or C arrives (e.g. in the elevator arrangement according to FIG. 1-2) at the first and the second rope pulley/rope pulley stack 5a, 5b; 5a, 5b from the aforementioned rope pulley or rope pulley stack 4; 4 close to each other onto the first and the second rope pulleys/rope pulley stacks 5a, 5b; 5a, 5b of the elevator unit. The first and the second rope pulleys/rope pulley stacks 5a, 5b; 5a, 5b are arranged to guide the first and the second part a, b; a, b of the roping R, C arriving at them to be conducted away from each other, in which case the first and the second part a, b; a, b travel away from the first and the second rope pulleys/rope pulley stacks 5a, 5b; 5a, 5b of the elevator unit at a distance from each other. The first and the second part are guided to travel from the rope pulley 4, 4 between the aforementioned first and second rope pulleys/rope pulley stacks 5a, 5b; 5a, 5b, into a space between the rim surfaces of the rope pulleys, into the gap forming there, and to meet each of their rope pulleys between the aforementioned axes of rotation X.sub.1, X.sub.2. The first and the second part a, b; a, b travel between the axes of rotation X.sub.1, X.sub.2, which are disposed non-coaxially, and bend in different directions, rising up on opposite sides of the axes of rotation X.sub.1, X.sub.2. From the viewpoint of improved efficiency in vertical space usage, it is advantageous that the axes of the aforementioned first and second rope pulley/rope pulley stacks 5a, 5b; 5a, 5b are at essentially the same height. As presented in FIG. 4a, the axes of the aforementioned first and second rope pulley/rope pulley stacks 5a, 5b; 5a, 5b are can be parallel, in which case an advantage is a symmetrical, simple and compact structure. Advantages relating to centricity of the supporting can, however, be achieved even if there were to be a slight angle between the axes of the rope pulleys/rope pulley stacks (as shown in FIG. 4b), in which case, however, preferably the angle between the axes of the aforementioned rope pulleys/rope pulley stacks that are disposed non-coaxially in relation to each other is at the most 45 degrees.

(19) The supporting structure 3 is movable, i.e. the elevator arrangement (most preferably the supporting structure 3 itself, as is presented in the figures) comprises support means for the vertical support of the supporting structure 3 in its position in the elevator hoistway S, which means can be moved between a state supporting the supporting structure 3 in its position in the vertical direction and a state not supporting it in its position in the vertical direction. In the aforementioned state not supporting it in position the means do not hamper the vertical displacement of the supporting structure 3 in the hoistway. The support means can be implemented in many different ways, e.g. in some manner according to prior art. As presented in FIG. 2, the means in question can comprise support means 8 movable between an extended and retracted position in the lateral direction. The support means 8 support the supporting structure 3 in its position in the supporting state (in the vertical direction) resting on some other structure installed in the elevator hoistway or on a structure of the elevator hoistway itself. Alternatively, the support means can be such that in the position supporting the supporting structure 3 in its position they rest (in the vertical direction) supported by the guide rails intended for guiding the movement of the elevator unit, such as of the elevator car and/or counterweight, that are comprised in the elevator. Thus after the lifting of the supporting structure 3, the supporting structure 3 can be arranged to be supported in its position in the elevator hoistway S by locking it to be supported in the vertical direction by the guide rails. In this case the support means can be e.g. grippers to be manually tightened to the guide rails, or otherwise wedge clamps wedging automatically onto the guide rails. The support means 8 can be supported on the frame 10 of the supporting structure 3.

(20) For enabling a jump lift, the elevator arrangement comprises means (not presented) for lifting the supporting structure upwards in the elevator hoistway. These means preferably comprise a movable support structure in the elevator hoistway, said structure to be supported in the elevator hoistway in the manner described above. The aforementioned means for lifting the supporting structure 3 upwards in the elevator hoistway are preferably such that they are arranged to pull the supporting structure higher up in the elevator hoistway from above, preferably via a flexible member such as a rope, chain or belt.

(21) In the method according to the invention in the fabrication of an elevator an elevator arrangement is formed, in which the rope pulleys or rope pulley stacks of at least one elevator unit divide the roping R and/or C in the manner presented above, and in the method these phases are performed a) the elevator car is used to transport passengers and/or freight, after which b) the supporting structure 3 is lifted to a higher position in the elevator hoistway S, after which c) the elevator car is used to transport passengers and/or freight.

(22) Thus the service range of the elevator car 1 is changed in steps to reach higher up in the elevator hoistway. After phase b has been performed one or more times, e.g. when a phase cycle comprising the aforementioned phases a, b and c has been performed one or more times, the suspension of the aforementioned elevator unit/elevator units, in connection with which are the aforementioned non-coaxial rope pulleys, is changed in such a way that the lifting ratio of the elevator unit (1 or 2) in question or of both the elevator units 1, 2 in question is 1:1. In this case new roping can be installed to replace the roping R in question or otherwise the roping R can be truncated near the elevator unit. In the change of suspension, the roping is fixed by its end to the elevator unit for achieving 1:1 suspension. Corresponding procedures can be performed for the compensating roping C. Rope for the lifting of phase b is released from the rope storage 20; 20, to which the roping R; C travels via an openable rope anchorage arrangement (6a, 6b; 6a, 6b). Such a change in the lifting ratio is not, however, necessary. It is advantageous to implement the change in the lifting ratio in possible compensating ropes C in a corresponding manner.

(23) Distribution of the rope bundle on a side of both elevator units can be utilized for achieving more centric distribution, as is presented in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 1. A simplification of the principle is also presented in FIG. 5a. Distribution of the rope bundle can, however, be utilized in respect of only one of the elevator units, as is presented in FIGS. 5b and 5c. Distribution of the rope bundle can also be utilized in the case of an elevator without counterweight, as is illustrated in FIG. 5c. FIG. 6a presents what the elevator arrangement is like when the suspension ratio of any of the elevators with counterweight in FIGS. 1, 2, 5a, 5b is changed to possess a 1:1 suspension ratio. FIG. 6b presents what the elevator arrangement is like when elevator without counterweight presented in FIG. 5c is changed to possess a 1:1 suspension ratio. In this case e.g. the suspension of the elevator unit/elevator units can be changed by replacing the roping R with new roping R.sub.2.

(24) The aforementioned ropes of the roping R; C can be e.g. round in cross-sectional shape or can be other than round in cross-sectional shape. For example, they can be metal ropes or belts according to prior art. The elevator arrangement preferably forms the final elevator arrangement of the building as a conclusion of the method. The elevator arrangement is preferably inside a building, e.g. inside a high-rise building. Its lifting height is preferably in the final phase of the method over 100 meters, possibly considerably more, such as over 200 meters or even over 400 meters.

(25) It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that in developing the technology the basic concept of the invention can be implemented in many different ways. The invention and the embodiments of it are not therefore limited to the examples described above, but instead they may be varied within the scope of the claims.