Method and elevator arrangement

Abstract

A method for balancing an elevator car including a frame; a cabin box mounted on the frame; and a plurality of elastic members, such as springs, in vertical direction between the frame and the cabin box, via which elastic members the cabin box rests on the frame. The method includes measuring the vertical distance between the frame and the cabin box in several horizontally spaced apart locations with distance sensors; and adjusting the weight distribution of the cabin box by adding and/or removing weight elements on the cabin box. An arrangement for balancing an elevator car is provided to implement the method.

Claims

1. A method for balancing an elevator car, the elevator car comprising: a frame; a cabin box mounted on the frame; and several elastic members arranged in a vertical direction between the frame and the cabin box, via which elastic members the cabin box rests on the frame, the method comprising the steps of: measuring a vertical distance between the frame and the cabin box in several horizontally spaced apart locations with distance sensors; and adjusting a weight distribution of the cabin box based on the measured vertical distance at the several horizontally spaced apart locations.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said adjusting the weight distribution of the cabin box comprises the step of adding weight elements on the cabin box and/or removing weight elements mounted on the cabin box and/or repositioning weight elements mounted on the cabin box.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the method comprises the step of mounting said several distance sensors in the vertical direction between the frame and the cabin box in said several horizontally spaced apart locations.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said adjusting comprises the step of adjusting the weight distribution of the cabin box until measured vertical distances between the frame and the cabin box in said several locations are as desired.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the step of mounting said several distance sensors in the vertical direction between the frame and the cabin box in said several horizontally spaced apart locations.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said adjusting comprises the step of adjusting the weight distribution of the cabin box until measured vertical distances between the frame and the cabin box in said several locations are as desired.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said measuring is continuous or is repeated one or more times.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said adjusting comprises the step of adjusting the weight distribution of the cabin box until measured vertical distances between the frame and the cabin box in said several locations are at least substantially the same with each other or until each measured vertical distance is at least substantially the same as a predetermined reference value or until each measured vertical distance falls within a predetermined reference range.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of comparing the measured vertical distances with each other or with a predetermined reference value or a predetermined reference range.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said adjusting weight distribution of the cabin box is done by adding and/or removing and/or repositioning weight elements on the cabin box in locations horizontally spaced apart from the center of the vertical projection of the cabin box.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said elastic members are springs or equivalent.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein said several horizontally spaced apart locations together form the edges of a polygon when viewed from above.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of said several horizontally spaced apart locations is adjacent to one of said elastic members.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein a display unit is connected to each of said distance sensors to display the result of the sensing.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein in each said location a gap exists between an upper face of the frame and a lower face of the cabin box in the vertical direction, the sensors being configured to sense the vertical distance between the upper face of the frame and the lower face of the cabin box.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein in each said location a gap exists between an upper face of the frame and a lower face of the cabin box in the vertical direction, the sensor being mounted to rest on top of the upper face of the frame within the gap.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein said several horizontally spaced apart locations together form the edges of a polygon when viewed from above, the center of a vertical projection of the cabin box being within the polygon.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein a display unit is connected to each of said distance sensors to display the result of the distance measured by each distance sensor.

19. An arrangement for balancing an elevator car, the elevator car comprising: a frame; a cabin box mounted on the frame; several elastic members arranged in a vertical direction between the frame and the cabin box, via which elastic members the cabin box rests on the frame; and several distance sensors mounted in several horizontally spaced apart locations between the frame and the cabin box for sensing the vertical distance between the frame and the cabin box in said locations.

20. The arrangement for balancing an elevator car of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of removable weight elements located on the cabin box; and a computer configured to calculate the repositioning and/or removal of said plurality of removable weight elements and/or the addition of further removable weight elements on said cabin box, such that said vertical distance in said locations is substantial equal to a predetermined reference value.

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 schematically an elevator arrangement according to the invention wherein the method according to the invention is implemented.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view F-F of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view A-A, B-B, C-C and D-D of FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates further preferred details for the elevator arrangement of FIG. 1.

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an arrangement for balancing an elevator car 1, the elevator car comprising a frame 2 and a cabin box 3 mounted on the frame 2, and a plurality of elastic members 4a,4b,4c,4d, in particular springs, mounted in vertical direction between the frame 2 and the cabin box 3, via which elastic members 4a,4b,4c,4d the cabin box 3 rests on the frame 2. The elastic members 4a,4b,4c,4d together form an elastic support for the cabin box 3. Particularly, each elastic members 4a,4b,4c,4d supports the cabin box 3 vertically and allows vertical movement between the frame 2 and the cabin box 3. Thereby slight tilting movement between the frame 2 and cabin box 3 is possible. The elastic members isolate the cabin 3 and the frame 2 from each other such that they are not rigidly connected to each other in vertical direction.

(8) In this case, the car 1 is of the type where the frame 2 comprises forms a rigid base frame 2 on which components forming the cabin box 3 are mounted. The components of the cabin box 3, in this case at least the walls w, the ceiling c and the floor f are preferably fixed to each other such that a hollow self-standing box-like structure is formed. The box-like structure is mounted to rest on top of the frame 2 via said elastic members 4a,4b,4c,4d.

(9) The frame 2 is in this case such that it has a horizontal lower cross beam structure 2a below the cabin box 3 and a horizontal upper cross beam structure 2b above the cabin box 3, and further upright beam structures 2c,2d on opposite sides of the cabin box connecting the upper and lower cross beam 2b, 2a structure rigidly to each other. Of course, the frame 2 can alternatively be formed to have some other shape. Suspension of the car 1 is provided via said frame 2 by suspending the frame 2 with ropes r connected to the frame 2. In this case, the suspension point F is provided on top of the car 1 by fixing the ends of the ropes r to the horizontal upper cross beam structure 2b above the cabin box 3. Of course, alternatively the suspension point could be provided elsewhere, such as below the car 1.

(10) The arrangement comprises several distance sensors 5a,5b,5c,5d mounted in several horizontally spaced apart locations A,B,C,D between the frame 2 and the cabin box 3 for sensing the vertical distance between the frame 2 and the cabin box 3 in said location. In each said location A,B,C,D a gap g exists between the frame 2 and the cabin box 3 in vertical direction.

(11) The elastic members 4a,4b,4c,4d are preferably springs, as illustrated. In particular, they are preferably in the form of helical springs but could alternatively be some other type of springs such as leaf springs, Belleville springs or gas springs. As a yet further alternative, the elastic members 4a,4b,4c,4d could be for instance blocks made of elastic material, such as blocks made of elastomer, for instance rubber. As a yet further alternative, the elastic members 4a,4b,4c,4d could be a combination of two or more of the examples mentioned.

(12) Said several horizontally spaced apart locations A,B,C,D are preferably such that they form tips of a polygon when viewed from above. This is facilitates comprehensive balancing as in this way the balancing can be done in all directions. For this end, said several horizontally spaced apart locations A, B,C, D include at least three locations which form tips of a polygon (a polygon of at least 3 tips, i.e. at least triangular) when viewed from above. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, said several horizontally spaced apart locations A,B,C,D include four locations which form tips of a tetragon when viewed from above. Thus, said locations are easy to choose and one location can be assigned in each of the four corners of the cars tetragonal vertical projection. Preferably, the center O of vertical projection of the cabin box is within the polygon. This facilitates accuracy balancing, particularly because the horizontal distance between the locations can simply be set long.

(13) For facilitating accurate measurement and in the end more accurate balancing said several horizontally spaced apart locations A,B,C,D are preferably at a horizontal distance from each other, which is more than 50 cm, more preferably more than 1 meter. Said several horizontally spaced apart locations are preferably vertically at substantially same level as illustrated in Figures. Thereby, positioning of the sensors as well as control of the method is simple.

(14) As mentioned, in each said location A,B,C,D a gap g exists between the frame 2 and the cabin box 3 in vertical direction. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, each gap g under inspection is a gap formed below the cabin 3. In this embodiment, in each said location a gap g exists more specifically between an upper horizontal face of the frame 2 and a lower horizontal face of the cabin box 3, and the sensors 5a,5b,5c,5d are configured to sense the distance between the upper horizontal face of the frame 2 and the horizontal lower face of the cabin box 3, i.e. the height of the gap g existing between these faces in vertical direction. In practice, the solution is most easy to implement, when in each said location the gap g exists between a upper face of a horizontal beam of the frame 2 and a lower face of a horizontal beam of the cabin box 3, the sensors then being configured to sense the distance between said faces and thereby the distance between said beams. The elements between which the gap is measured, are thus rigid elements whereby reliable and accurate measurement can be obtained.

(15) Each of the sensors 5a,5b,5c,5d is preferably arranged to measure the vertical distance between the frame 2 and the cabin box 3, i.e. the height of the gap g existing between them in vertical direction, while being inside the gap g. For this purpose, it is preferable that each sensor 5a,5b,5c,5d is mounted to rest on top of the upper face of the frame 2 within the gap g. As visible from FIGS. 1 and 3, in each said location the gap g is higher than the height of the sensor 5a,5b,5c,5d, and each of the sensors 5a,5b,5c,5d is configured to sense the height of the gap g where it is mounted without contacting the lower face of the cabin box 3. For this purpose the sensors 5a,5b,5c,5d are preferably contactless distance sensors, i.e. sensors that can remotely measure the distance to the target. For this purpose, the sensors are preferably of the type sending a beam b of electromagnetic radiation. The sensors are most preferably laser-sensors, which are known to provide accurate results. However several different alternative solutions are commercially available such as ultrasonic or microwave sensors etc., one of which can alternatively be used.

(16) Said plurality of elastic members 4a,4b,4c,4d are preferably, but not necessarily, mounted in horizontally spaced apart locations. In this way, they provide the cabin box a stabile yet elastic support.

(17) Preferably, the elastic members 4a,4b,4c,4d are mounted mutually at substantially same level in vertical direction as illustrated.

(18) In the preferred embodiment, each of said several horizontally spaced apart locations A,B,C,D, wherein a distance sensors 5a,5b,5c,5d is mounted for measuring the distance in that location, is adjacent to one of said elastic members 4a,4b,4c,4d. Thus, each sensor 5a,5b,5c,5d is mounted adjacent to one of said elastic members 4a,4b,4c,4d, this meaning that the sensors are apart from the elastic members 4a,4b,4c,4d a horizontal distance which is not more than 20 cm. Thus, accuracy of the measurement is facilitated as the distance can be measured close to the point where dimensional changes resulting from tilting of the cabin box 3 are most likely greatest and easily detectable.

(19) For providing easy reading of the results of the measurements, the arrangement comprises a display unit 10 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The display unit 10 is connected, e.g. by wires or wirelessly to each of said distance sensors 5a,5b,5c,5d to display the result of the sensing, in particular the distance measured by each distance sensor 5a,5b,5c,5d. The display unit 10 is preferably located or at least accessible from on top of the car or from the landing at least for the duration of the method for balancing the car 1. It is preferably not fixedly mounted on the cabin box 3 whereby it can be easily used without causing disturbances on the measured values. At simplest, the display unit 10 comprises at least a display 11 for displaying the result of the sensing of all the sensors 5a,5b,5c,5d. Then, the display unit 10 is preferably configured to display the result of the sensing of all the sensors 5a,5b,5c,5d simultaneously, and based on this, the user can adjust weight distribution of the cabin box 3 by adding weight elements 6 on the cabin box 3 and/or removing weight elements 6 mounted on the cabin box 3 and/or repositioning weight elements 6 already mounted on the cabin box 3, so as to alter the balance of the cabin box 3 to be as desired. In a more complicated implementation, the display unit 10 can comprise a computer 12 for carrying out calculations based on the measurements received from the distance sensors 5a,5b,5c,5d. The calculation may include calculating how the weight of the cabin box 3 should be adjusted so as to reach a balance situation.

(20) In the arrangement for balancing an elevator car 1, the elevator car 1 preferably hangs in a hoistway H suspended by ropes R connected of the frame 2 and the cabin box 3 only to the frame 2 that carrying the cabin box 3 via the elastic members 4a,4b,4c,4d. Thus, the car is balanced in the same state in which it will serve its final purpose. This is also advantageous, because in this way the car 1 can is balanced at a late stage, which is beneficial, because the car 1 may need to be modified late in the process for installing the elevator, such as after the car 1 has already been installed to hang in the hoistway. For example, decorative wall panels of the cabin box 1, as well as door structures may need to be installed at a very late stage of the process. These involve adding weight to the cabin box 3, whereby the balance thereof is changed as well. Should the balancing be carried out earlier it is affected by all the later modifications done to the cabin box 3.

(21) The frame 2 may be structurally of any known kind suitable to carry the cabin box 3 as disclosed. In the preferred embodiment shown, the frame 2 forms a ring-like rigid structure surrounding the cabin box 3, whereby suspension either from top or from bottom of the car 1 can be easily arranged.

(22) The arrangement described above implements a method for balancing an elevator car 1. Referring still to FIGS. 1 to 3, in the method for balancing an elevator car 1, the car comprises a frame 2, a cabin box 3 mounted on the frame 2 and a plurality of elastic members 4a,4b,4c,4d, such as springs, in vertical direction between the frame 2 and the cabin box 3, via which elastic members 4a,4b,4c,4d the cabin box 3 rests on the frame 2. The elastic members 4a,4b,4c,4d form an elastic support for the frame, and each of them supports the cabin box vertically and allows vertical movement between the frame 2 and the cabin box 3. Thereby tilting movement between the frame and cabin box is possible. The method comprises a step of measuring vertical distance between the frame 2 and the cabin box 3 in several horizontally spaced apart locations with distance sensors 5a,5b,5c,5d, the sensors preferably, but not necessarily, being mounted in said locations A,B,C,D. The method further comprises after this adjusting weight distribution of the cabin box by one or more of the following: adding weight elements 6 on the cabin box 3, removing weight elements 6 mounted on the cabin box 3, repositioning weight elements 6 already mounted on the cabin box 3. Said adding preferably comprises mounting weight elements 6 on the cabin box 3. Said adjusting is done based on results of said measuring. Said measuring could be carried out only once but preferably said measuring is either continuous or repeated one or more times during the method, in particular during the adjusting step. By continuous or repeated measuring during and/or after the adjusting, feedback of the adjusting is given for the user, and adjusting can be continued based on the feedback. In each said location A,B,C,D a gap g exists between the frame 2 and the cabin box 3 in vertical direction. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, each gap g under inspection is a gap formed below the cabin 3. In this embodiment, in each said location a gap g exists more specifically between an upper horizontal face of the frame 2 and a lower horizontal face of the cabin box 3, and the sensors 5a,5b,5c,5d are configured to sense the distance between the upper horizontal face of the frame 2 and the horizontal lower face of the cabin box 3, i.e. the height of the gap g existing between these faces in vertical direction. Said adjusting may in addition or even as an alternative to said adding and/or removing comprise repositioning weight elements 6 already mounted on the cabin box 3, which step particularly preferably comprises changing the mounting location of weight elements at least in the horizontal direction.

(23) Said adding and/or removing preferably comprises adding and/or removing weight elements 6 on top of the cabin box 3 and/or on the walls of the cabin box 3, in which case the weight elements 6 are most preferably inserted inside cavities within the wall(s) and/or attached on the back side of the wall(s) that face(s) the hoistway H.

(24) The method preferably comprises also a step of mounting said several distance sensors 5a,5b,5c,5d between the frame 2 and the cabin box 3 in said several horizontally spaced apart locations A,B,C,D.

(25) In the method said adjusting comprises adjusting weight distribution of the cabin box 3 until measured vertical distances between the frame 2 and the cabin box 3 in said several locations are as desired.

(26) There are several ways to determine when no more adjustment is needed. In the first, and most preferred alternative, said adjusting comprises adjusting weight distribution of the cabin box 3 by adding and/or removing weight elements 6 on the cabin box 3 until measured vertical distances between the frame 2 and the cabin box 3 in said several locations A,B,C,D are at least substantially the same with each other. Then, the method further preferably comprises a step of comparing the measured vertical distances with each other. In the second alternative, said adjusting comprises adjusting weight distribution of the cabin box 3 by adding and/or removing weight elements 6 on the cabin box 3 until each measured vertical distance is at least substantially the same as a predetermined reference value. Then, the method further preferably comprises a step of comparing each measured vertical distance with a reference value. In the third alternative, said adjusting comprises adjusting weight distribution of the cabin box 3 by adding and/or removing weight elements 6 on the cabin box 3 until each measured vertical distance falls within a predetermined reference range. Then, the method further preferably comprises a step of comparing each measured vertical distance with a predetermined reference range.

(27) For providing easy reading of the results of the measurements, the method preferably comprises presenting data on a display 11 based on said measuring. At simplest, the presenting data comprises presenting on a display 11 the distance values measured by each of said distance sensors 5a,5b,5c,5d. In a more complicated implementation, calculations are carried out on a computer 12 based on the measurements received from the distance sensors 5a,5b,5c,5d. In this case, the calculations preferably include calculating how the weight of the cabin box 3 should be adjusted so as to reach a balance situation. Thereafter, the result data of this calculation is presented on the display 11, whereby in this case the presenting data comprises presenting on a display 11 instructions on how to adjust the weight balance, in particular where to add and/or remove weight elements and the amount to be added and/or removed.

(28) Said adjusting weight distribution of the cabin is preferably done by adding and/or removing and/or repositioning weight elements 6 on the cabin box 3 in one or several locations horizontally spaced apart from the center O of the vertical projection of the cabin box 3, preferably at a horizontal distance the center O, which is more than 50 cm. Thus, additional weight caused by the weight elements 6 has a meaningful balancing effect with only small addition to total weight of the car 1. This way, also the effect is easy to control. Said several locations may include locations horizontally spaced apart from each other. Said adjusting can be implemented e.g. by adjusting the weight distribution such that mass of the weight elements 6 is increased at the location of the car 1 where the measured vertical distance is greatest and/or decreased at the location of the car 1 where the measured distance is shortest.

(29) In the method, the car 1 is preferably balanced in the defined way while it hangs in a hoistway H suspended by ropes R of the elevator. Particularly, it is preferable that the elevator car 1 is balanced in the defined way while it hangs in a hoistway H suspended by ropes R connected of the frame 2 and the cabin box 3 only to the frame 2 that carrying the cabin box 3 via the elastic members 4a,4b,4c,4d. Thus, the car is balanced in the same state in which it will serve its final purpose. This is also advantageous, because in this way the car 1 can is balanced at a late stage, which is beneficial for the reasons given earlier above. After the adjustment, and before the car 1 is taken into use the distance sensors 5a,5b,5c,5d are removed from the car 1.

(30) FIG. 4 illustrates the surroundings of FIG. 1, as preferred. In this case, the elevator arrangement is already usable for transporting passengers and comprises a hoistway H, an elevator car 1 vertically movable in the hoistway H, and a counterweight 7 vertically movable in the hoistway H. The arrangement comprises one or more upper rope wheels 8,9 mounted higher than the car 1 and counterweight 2, in particular in proximity of the upper end of the hoistway H. In this case, there are two of said rope wheels 8,9. The arrangement further comprises ropes r interconnecting the elevator car 1 and counterweight 2, each of said one or more ropes r passing around said upper rope wheels 8,9. The ropes r suspend the car 1 and counterweight 7 on opposite sides of said upper rope wheels 8,9. Preferably, said one or more upper rope wheels 8,9 comprises a drive wheel 9 engaging said ropes, and the elevator further comprises a motor M for rotating the drive wheel 9. Thus, the elevator car 1 can be moved. The arrangement further comprises an automatic elevator control 100 arranged to control the motor M, whereby rotation of the drive wheel 9 and thereby also the movement of the car 1 is automatically controllable. The elevator arrangement comprises guide rails R for guiding the car 1 via guide means G mounted on the car 1, in particular on the frame 2 thereof. In the method the elevator is arranged to be as above described.

(31) It is to be understood that in the Figures, the car frame 2 and the cabin box 3 are illustrated schematically only. In practice, the horizontal lower cross beam structure 2a of the car frame 2 need not form a uniform plane as illustrated in FIG. 2 merely for the sake of clarity, but instead a structure of several interconnected beams, which may be sparsely positioned relative to each other.

(32) In the application with the term several it is meant a plurality, in particular at least two, but possibly more, such as three, four, five, six or even more.

(33) 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 and their equivalents.