Top module and method for closing off an elevator shaft of an elevator system

Abstract

A top module for closing off an elevator shaft of an elevator system has a first top module side wall and a top module ceiling, a first guide rail piece fixed by a bracket on the first top module side wall, and a drive unit connected to the first guide rail piece. The top module can assume an operating state and a transport state. In the operating state, the first guide rail piece and the drive unit assume operating positions, and a car of the elevator system can be moved in the elevator shaft closed off with the top module. In the transport state, the first guide rail piece and the drive unit assume transport positions that deviate from the operating positions.

Claims

1. A top module for closing off an elevator shaft of an elevator system, the top module comprising: a first top module side wall adjoining a top module ceiling; a first guide rail piece fixed to the first top module side wall by a bracket; a drive unit connected to the first guide rail piece; wherein the top module is adapted to be in a transport state prior to placement on the elevator shaft and is adapted to be in an operating state after being placed on the elevator shaft; when the top module is in the operating state, the first guide rail piece and the drive unit are in operating positions and in which a car of the elevator system is moved in the elevator shaft that is closed off with the top module; and when the top module is in the transport state, the first guide rail piece and the drive unit are in transport positions that deviate from the operating positions; and wherein the drive unit is immovably connected to the first guide rail piece in both the operating state and the transport state.

2. The top module according to claim 1 a position of the bracket on the first top module side wall when the top module is in the operating state is identical to a position of the bracket on the first top module side wall when the top module is in the transport state.

3. The top module according to claim 1 wherein, in the transport state of the top module, the drive unit is held by a holding bracket fixed to the top module.

4. The top module according to claim 1 wherein the top module when in the transport state includes a displacement device for displacing the drive unit and the first guide rail piece relative to the first top module side wall.

5. The top module according to claim 1 wherein the top module when in the transport state includes an alignment element holder adapted to hold an alignment element during an installation of the elevator system.

6. The top module according to claim 1 including a second top module side wall opposite the first top module side wall and a second guide rail piece fixed to the second top module side wall by another bracket, wherein when the top module is in the operating state, the second guide rail piece is in an operating position and the car of the elevator system is moved in the elevator shaft that is closed off with the top module, and when the top module is in the transport state, the second guide rail piece is in a transport position deviating from the operating position of the second guide rail piece.

7. The top module according to claim 6 wherein when the top module is in the transport state, the first and second guide rail pieces are arranged completely within the top module and spaced from a lower edge of the top module.

8. The top module according to claim 1 wherein when the top module is in the transport state, a traveling cable of the car is arranged within the top module.

9. The top module according to claim 1 wherein when the top module is in the transport state, a mounting platform extending parallel to the top module ceiling is arranged within the top module.

10. The top module according to claim 1 wherein when the top module is in the transport state, a transport box accommodating installation material for the elevator system is arranged within the top module.

11. A method for installing an elevator system having an elevator shaft to be closed off at a top with a top module, the method comprising the following steps: providing the top module having a first top module side wall adjoining a top module ceiling, a first guide rail piece fixed to the first top module side wall by a bracket, and a drive unit connected to the first guide rail piece; wherein the top module is adapted to assume an operating state in which the first guide rail piece and the drive unit are in operating positions and a car of the elevator system can be moved in the elevator shaft closed off with the top module, sAs the top module is adapted to assume a transport state in which the first guide rail piece and the drive unit are in transport positions that deviate from the operating positions, and the drive unit and the first guide rail piece remain immovably connected in both the operating state and the transport state; bringing the top module into the transport state before placement on the elevator shaft; placing the top module on top of an unfinished part of the elevator shaft to close off the elevator shaft; and bringing the top module into the operating state after the placement on the elevator shaft.

12. The method according to claim 11 including displacing the first guide rail piece and the drive unit from the transport positions along the first top module side wall into the operating positions to bring the top module into the operating state.

13. The method according to claim 12 including during the displacement guiding the first guide rail piece by the bracket.

14. The method according to claim 12 including during the displacement securing the drive unit against tilting by an anti-tilt protection.

15. The method according to claim 11 including installing the top module ceiling after the first guide rail piece and the drive unit have been fixed on the first top module side wall.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the figures:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an elevator system with a car in an elevator shaft composed of three modules;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a snapshot when a top module is placed on a yet unfinished elevator shaft of an elevator system;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a first top module side wall of a top module in a transport state;

(5) FIG. 4 shows the first top module side wall from FIG. 3 of the top module in an operating state;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a second top module side wall of a top module in the transport state;

(7) FIG. 6 shows the second top module side wall from FIG. 5 of the top module in the operating state;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a bracket with a detail of a guide rail;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a first variant of a displacement device for displacing a drive unit of the elevator system;

(10) FIG. 9 shows a second variant of a displacement device for displacing a drive unit of the elevator system;

(11) FIG. 10 shows a basic module side wall of a basic module in the transport state; and

(12) FIG. 11 shows the basic module side wall from FIG. 10 in the operating state of the basic module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) According to FIG. 1, an elevator system 10 has an elevator shaft 12 for a three-story building, which in the present exemplary embodiment is composed of a first basic module 14, a second basic module 16 and a top module 18. The elevator shaft 12 can comprise further second basic modules 16 depending on the number of floors. The shaft modules 14, 16, 18 are pre-produced in a factory and provided with elevator components. Subsequently, they are brought to the construction site and put on top of one another.

(14) FIG. 2 shows how the top module 18 is placed on the second basic module 16 from above by means of a crane 20. The second basic module 16 was previously placed in the same way onto the first basic module 14. The basic module 14 stands on a foundation (not shown) of the elevator shaft 12. The basic modules 14, 16 form an elevator shaft which is open at the top and has not yet been completed and which is closed off at the top by placing the top module 18 on it.

(15) Moreover, the elevator system 10 of FIG. 1 has a car 22 which can be moved vertically in the elevator shaft 12 along guide rails (see 52 in FIG. 3) which are not shown in FIG. 1. For this purpose, the elevator system 10 has a load suspension means 24, the first end 26 of which is fixed in the top module 18. It then runs around the car 22 at the bottom and is guided via a drive machine 28 arranged in the top module 18 opposite the first end 26 of the load suspension means 24. From there, it runs through a suspension of a counterweight 30 to its second end 32, which is fixed in the region of the drive machine 28. The drive machine 28 can move the load suspension means 24 and thus the car 22 in the elevator shaft 12. The car 22 is connected to an elevator controller 36 arranged in the top module 18 via a traveling cable 34. The traveling cable 34 enables a power supply and a communication with the car 22.

(16) The top module 18, which consists, for example, mainly of wood, has a total of four top module side walls assembled such as to form a cuboid basic shape. FIGS. 3 and 4 show a view of a first top module side wall 38. FIG. 3 shows the first top module side wall 38 in a transport state, and FIG. 4 shows the first top module side wall 38 in an operating state of the top module 18. The top module 18 is created in a factory and brought into the transport state in which it is transported to the construction site and, as shown in FIG. 2, placed on an elevator shaft which is open at the top and has not yet been completed. In the course of the further installation of the elevator system 10, the top module 18, among other things, is brought into the operating state in which the elevator system 10 is operated, i.e., in which the car 22 can be moved in the elevator shaft 12. This is exemplified in FIG. 1.

(17) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first top module side wall 38 adjoins, on its left side, a third top module side wall 40 that has an opening 42. The opening 42 is closed with a shaft door 44 that is also used during later operation of the elevator system 10. The first top module side wall 38 adjoins a top module ceiling 46 at the top, which top module ceiling 46 closes off the top module 18 and thus the elevator shaft 12 at the top.

(18) A first guide rail piece 52 is fixed to the first top module side wall 38 by means of two brackets in the form of omega brackets 48 and rail clips 50 on the first top module side wall 38. Fixing by means of the rail clips 50 will be described in more detail in connection with FIG. 7. The omega brackets 48 are screwed to the first top module side wall 38 by screws (not shown). The omega brackets 48 are designed such that a travel path of the counterweight 30 runs between an inner side of the omega brackets 48 and the first top module side wall 38. During operation of the elevator system 10, the first guide rail piece 52 serves to guide the car 22 when the latter moves in the elevator shaft 12. The first guide rail piece 52 is designed, in particular, in two parts.

(19) The first guide rail piece 52 is connected in the upper region to a drive holder 54 of a drive unit 56 by means of a screw connection (not shown). The drive holder 54 has a mainly elongated shape extending horizontally along the first top module side wall 38. The drive holder 54 supports the drive 28. Moreover, two anchors 58 on which the second end 32 of the load suspension means 24 can be fixed are arranged on the drive holder 54 (see FIG. 1). In addition, a speed limiter 60 is arranged on the first guide rail piece 52 between the two omega brackets 48.

(20) Third guide rail pieces 62 are fixed to the parts of the omega brackets 48, which project away from the first top module side wall 38, by means of rail clips (not shown). During operation of the elevator system 10, the third guide rail pieces 62 serve to guide the counterweight 30 during movement in the elevator shaft 12. The third guide rail pieces 62 are connected to the drive holder 54 via a screw connection (not shown). It is possible for the third guide rail pieces to be fixed to the first top module side wall by means of a respective further bracket arranged between the upper omega bracket and the drive holder.

(21) According to FIG. 3, in the transport state of the top module 18, the first guide rail piece 52 and the drive unit 56 assume their transport positions or are arranged in their transport positions on the first top module side wall 38. In its transport position, the first guide rail piece 52 ends, like the two third guide rail pieces 62, at a distance from a lower edge 64 of the top module 18. Compared to FIG. 4, in which the first guide rail piece 52 and the drive unit 56 assume their operating positions in the operating state of the top module 18, the first guide rail piece 52 and the two third guide rail pieces 62 are arranged a few centimeters higher in their transport positions, i.e., in the direction of the top module ceiling 46. The drive unit 56 which is immovably connected to the first guide rail piece 52 is thus arranged in its transport position higher by the same distance than in its operating position.

(22) In addition, in the transport state of the top module 18 according to FIG. 3, a transport bracket in the form of a holding bracket 66 is screwed to the first top module side wall 38 below the drive machine 28 such that the drive machine rests on the holding bracket 66. In addition, a wooden board 68 is arranged between the drive machine 28 and the top module ceiling 46, against which the drive machine 28 is pressed by means of two tension belts 70. The tension belts 70 are guided below the drive machine 28 and are fastened to the top module ceiling 46 by means of one eyelet 72 in each case. Furthermore, further wooden boards (not shown) can be used as transport securing means.

(23) Moreover, an anti-tilt protection 69 is fastened to the top module ceiling 46. The anti-tilt protection 69 has an L-bracket screwed to the top module ceiling 46 with an elongated hole extending in the vertical direction. A threaded rod with a respective nut on each side of the L-bracket, which threaded rod is connected to the drive machine 28, protrudes from the elongated hole. The aforementioned nuts thus limit a displacement of the threaded rod and thus of the drive machine 28 relative to the L-bracket. In this case, the L-bracket and the threaded rod with the nuts form the anti-tilt protection 69.

(24) Moreover, in the transport state of the top module 18 according to FIG. 3, a mounting platform 74 extending parallel to the top module ceiling 46 is arranged in the top module 18. The mounting platform 74 is fastened to the top module side walls by means of fixings (not shown). The mounting platform can be used by an installer when installing the elevator system 10. In addition, a transport box 76 for accommodating installation material and the traveling cable 34 are arranged on the first top module side wall 38 by means of fixings (not shown).

(25) During production of the top module 18, the top module ceiling 46 is installed, in particular, only after the first guide rail piece 52 and the drive unit 56 have been fixed on the first top module side wall 38.

(26) In order to enable alignment of the individual guide rails or individual guide rail pieces during the further installation of the elevator system 10, two alignment elements in the form of plumb-lines 78 are fixed on alignment element holders provided for this purpose in the form of eyelets 80 on the top module ceiling 46. The plumb-lines 78 can also be fixed only once the top module 18 has been placed on the second basic module 16.

(27) In order to bring the top module 18 from the transport state into the operating state once it has been placed on the second basic module 16, i.e., from the state shown in FIG. 3 into the state shown in FIG. 4, two chain pulls (not shown) are arranged parallel to the tension belts 70 such that, after the removal of the tension belts 70, the drive machine 28 and thus all components connected thereto remain in their respective transport position. The holding bracket 66 and any further transport securing means are then removed. Then, all rail clips 50 holding the guide rail pieces 52, 62 are released enough to be able to displace the guide rail pieces 52, 62 vertically downwards relative to the omega brackets 48. By releasing by means of the chain pulls, the drive machine 28, and thus the drive unit 56, the first guide rail piece 52, the anchors 58, the two third guide rail pieces 62, and the speed limiter 60 are displaced slowly along the first top module side wall 38 downwards in the direction of the lower edge 64 of the top module 18. Since the rail clips 50 are not removed but only released, the first bracket piece 52 and the two third guide rail pieces 62 are guided, during this displacement, by the associated brackets in the form of the omega brackets 48. The positions of the brackets in the form of the omega brackets 48 on the first top module side wall 38 remain unchanged. During the displacement, the anti-tilt protection 69 prevents the drive machine 28 from tilting.

(28) The displacement is continued until the first guide rail piece 52 comes to rest on a first residual guide rail piece 82 shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4 and is thus supported on it. The first guide rail piece 52 is in particular connected to the residual guide rail piece 82. This applies in particular to all guide rail pieces and associated residual guide rail pieces of the elevator system 10. The first residual guide rail piece 82 runs through the second basic module 16 and the first basic module 14. The two chain pulls can then be removed and the first guide rail piece 52 can be fixed by tightening the rail clips 50.

(29) According to FIGS. 5 and 6, elevator components, which assume transport positions in the transport state of the top module 18 (see FIG. 5) and operating positions in the operating state (see FIG. 6), are arranged not only on the first top module side wall 38, but also on an opposite second top module side wall 84. One of the aforementioned elevator components is a second guide rail piece 86, which is the counterpart to the first guide rail piece 52 for guiding the car 22 during movement in the elevator shaft 12. The second guide rail piece 86 is fixed to the second top module side wall 84 by means of two brackets in the form of Z-brackets 88 and rail clips 90. Two anchors 94, on which the first end 26 of the load suspension means 24 (see FIG. 1) can be fixed, are arranged in the upper region of the second guide rail piece 86 via a holder 92. In addition, an end lug 96 extending parallel to the second guide rail piece 86 is fastened to the second guide rail piece 86, which end lug 96 denotes a safety switch when a maximum end position of the car 22 is reached.

(30) According to FIG. 5, in the transport state of the top module 18, the second guide rail piece 86 assumes its transport position or is arranged in its transport position on the second top module side wall 84. In the transport position of the second guide rail piece 86, the latter ends at a distance from the lower edge 64 of the top module 18. Compared to FIG. 6, in which the second guide rail piece 86 assumes its operating position in the operating state of the top module 18, the second guide rail piece 86 is arranged a few centimeters higher in its transport position, i.e., in the direction of the top module ceiling 46. The same applies to anchors 94 and end lug 96.

(31) It is also possible for an anti-tilt protection corresponding to the anti-tilt protection 69 shown in FIG. 3 to be arranged in the region of the second guide rail piece and the components connected thereto.

(32) In order to bring the second guide rail piece 86 from its transport position into its operating position once it has been placed on the second basic module 16, the rail clips 90 of the Z-brackets 88 are released enough to be able to displace the second guide rail piece 86 together with the anchors 94 and the end lug 96 downwards relative to the Z-brackets 88. No chain pull is necessary for this purpose, since in this case the components to be displaced do not have as great a weight. The second guide rail piece 86 is thus displaced along the second top module side wall 84 downwards in the direction of the lower edge 64 of the top module 18 and guided by the two Z-brackets 88. The positions of the brackets in the form of the Z-brackets 88 on the second top module side wall 84 remain unchanged.

(33) The displacement is continued until the second guide rail piece 86 comes to rest on a second residual guide rail piece 98 shown in dashed lines in FIG. 6 and is thus supported on it. The second guide rail piece 86 can then be fixed by tightening the rail clips 90.

(34) The mounting platform 74, the transport box 76 and the traveling cable 34 are removed from the top module 18 during installation of the elevator system 10.

(35) The described release of rail clips 90 for enabling a displacement of the second guide rail piece 86 relative to the Z-bracket 88 is described in more detail with reference to the illustration of a bracket in the form of a Z-bracket 88 in FIG. 7. The Z-bracket 88 has a lower, L-shaped bracket part 100 which is screwed to the second top module shaft wall 84. An upper, also L-shaped bracket part 102 rests on the lower bracket part 100, wherein the two bracket parts 100, 102 are screwed together. The two bracket parts 100, 102 can be displaced relative to one another within certain limits to thus align the second guide rail piece 86. Two rail clips 90 are screwed on the upper bracket part 102 such as to press the second guide rail piece 86 against the upper bracket part 102 and thus clamp it. To fix the second guide rail piece 86 to the Z-bracket, the rail clips 90 are tightened such that no relative movement between the second guide rail piece 86 and the Z-bracket 88 is possible. In order to enable a displacement of the second guide rail piece 86 along the second top module side wall 84, the rail clips 90 are released enough to enable a relative movement between the second guide rail piece 86 and the Z-bracket 88. However, the rail clips 90 are not removed, so that the second guide rail piece 86 is guided by the Z-bracket 88 and the rail clips 90 during displacement. The rail clips 90 can be regarded as part of the Z-bracket.

(36) It has been described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 that chain pulls are used during displacement of the first guide rail part and drive unit. It is also possible for the top module 18 to have, at least in the transport state, a displacement device for displacing the drive unit and the first guide rail piece.

(37) According to FIG. 8, a first variant of such a displacement device 104 has two holding brackets 106 on which the drive holder 54 rests. The holding brackets 106 are each fastened to the top module ceiling 46 with two length-adjustable threaded rods 108. By increasing the length of the threaded rods 108, the drive holder 54 and all components connected thereto, i.e., also the first guide rail piece 52 not shown with the drive holder 54 and in FIG. 8, can be displaced downwards.

(38) According to FIG. 9, a second variant of such a displacement device 110 has two holding brackets 112 which are fixed to the first top module side wall 38. A threaded rod 114, on which the drive holder 54 rests, runs through each of the two holding brackets 112. By turning the threaded rods 114 downwards, the drive holder 54 and all components connected thereto can be displaced downwards. It is also possible to use a total of four threaded rods and/or for supports to be arranged between the threaded rods and the drive holder.

(39) According to FIGS. 10 and 11, a fourth guide rail piece 116 is arranged also on the second basic module 16, which guide rail piece 116 assumes a transport position (see FIG. 10) in the transport state of the basic module 16 and an operating position (see FIG. 11) in the operating state. According to FIG. 10, the fourth guide rail piece 116 is fixed to a basic module side wall 118 in the transport state of the basic module 16 by means of a bracket 120 and is fixed to the basic module side wall 118 by means of a temporary fixing device in the form of a sheet metal bracket 122 in a transport position. In the transport position of the fourth guide rail piece 116, the latter has a distance from a lower edge 124 of the basic module. Since the fourth guide rail piece 116 has a length which corresponds to the height of the second basic module 16, the fourth guide rail piece 116 projects beyond an upper edge 126 of the second basic module 16.

(40) In order to bring the fourth guide rail piece 116 from its transport position into its operating position shown in FIG. 11 after having been placed on the first basic module 14, the sheet metal bracket 122 is first removed. Subsequently, rail clips of the bracket 120 are released enough to be able to displace the fourth guide rail piece 116 downwards.

(41) The displacement is continued until the fourth guide rail piece 116 comes to rest on a fourth residual guide rail piece 128 shown in dashed lines in FIG. 11 and is thus supported on it. The fourth guide rail piece 116 can then be fixed by tightening the rail clips of the bracket 120.

(42) The second basic module 16 has a further, accordingly arranged guide rail piece in particular on a side wall opposite the mentioned side wall. The different basic modules of an elevator shaft are in particular basically of the same design.

(43) In the various basic modules of an elevator shaft, the deviations between the transport position and the operating position of the guide rail pieces of the individual basic modules are in particular different. The difference increases, in particular, the further above a basic module is arranged in the elevator shaft.

(44) The length of the fourth guide rail piece can also be less than the height of the second basic module. In this case, the fourth guide rail piece is also displaced downwards to reach its transport position. After displacing the guide rail pieces of all basic modules and of the top module, a further guide rail piece is then inserted in particular above the displaced guide rail piece of the top module. This further guide rail piece was in particular not arranged in the top module before. This further guide rail piece can be, for example, the upper part of the two-part first guide rail piece.

(45) Finally, it should be noted that terms such as having, comprising, etc. do not preclude other elements or steps, and terms such as a or an do not preclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps which have been described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above.

(46) In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.