A PLATFORM LIFTING SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention relates to a platform lifting system for transporting a person or an object from at least a first level to a second level, wherein the lifting system comprises a compact drive system with a toothed belt and a belt drive. The invention relates to a platform lifting system (100) for transporting a person or an object from at least a first level to a second level, a drive unit (200), a platform (300), at least two vertical columns (400), a drive system (500), and drive system comprises a toothed belt (520) and a belt drive (510). The drive unit (200) is mounted between the two columns (400), said drive unit can be placed anywhere within an area defined by the two columns. The toothed belt (520) and the belt drive (510) are mounted in the vertical column (400). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for moving a platform of a platform lifting system (100) from at least a first level to second level.

Claims

1. A platform lifting system (100) for transporting a person or an object from at least a first level to a second level, wherein the platform lifting system comprises: a drive unit (200), a platform (300), at least two vertical columns (400), wherein said columns are adapted to facilitate an up and a down movement of the platform (300), a drive system (500) positioned on or within at least one of the two columns, wherein said drive system is adapted to facilitate the up and down movement of the platform, wherein the drive system (500) is a closed end belt system comprising a toothed belt (520) and a corresponding belt drive (510); the belt drive (510) comprises a rotatable drive wheel (512), a first set of a plurality of deflection wheels (514), a second set of a plurality of deflection wheels (516), and a frame (517), the frame holds the drive wheel (512) and the deflection wheels (514, 516), the rotatable drive wheel (512) is arranged between the first set of the plurality of deflection wheels (514) and the second set of the plurality of deflection wheels (516), the rotatable drive wheel (512) is connected to the drive unit (200) and is in a drive-transmitting engagement with the toothed belt (520), the toothed belt (520) enters the belt drive (510) at a first opening (522), with the toothed belt moving in a first direction (523), and the toothed belt leaves the belt drive, at a second opening (524), with the toothed belt moving in a second direction (525), wherein the first set of the plurality of deflection wheels (514) deflects the toothed belt (520) from the first direction (523) to engage the drive wheel (512), and the second set of the plurality of deflection wheels (516) deflects the toothed belt (520), when the toothed belt is moving away from the drive wheel (512), so that the toothed belt is moving in the second direction (525).

2. The platform lifting system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the drive wheel (512), the first set of the plurality of deflection wheels (514) and the second set of the plurality of deflection wheels (516) displaces the toothed belt (520) so that the first opening (522), where the toothed belt enters a frame (517), and the second opening (524), where the toothed belt leaves the frame, are positioned on a line substantially parallel with the up and down moving direction of the platform 300.

3. The platform lifting system (100) according claim 1, wherein the first direction (523) and the second direction (525) of the toothed belt (520) substantially is in the same direction.

4. The platform lifting system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the drive wheel (512), at least the majority of the first set of the plurality of deflection wheels (514) and/or at least the majority of the second set of the plurality of deflection wheels (516) are placed between two parallel lines (550, 551), which are tangents to the drive wheel (512) in parallel with the up and down moving direction of the platform.

5. The platform lifting system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the frame is less than 130%, more preferable less than 120%, and even more preferable less than 110% of the diameter of the drive wheel (512).

6. The platform lifting system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the at least two columns (400) are mounted on a wall (710) or a floor deck (720) of an associated building (700).

7. The platform lifting system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the belt drive (510) is less than the depth of the vertical columns (400), preferable less than half the depth of the columns

8. The platform lifting system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first set of the plurality of deflection wheels (514) are fixed at fixing points that are points on a substantially continuous curve and/or the second set of the plurality of deflection wheels (516) are fixed at fixing points that are points on a substantially continuous curve.

9. The platform lifting system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first set of the plurality of deflection wheels (514) are fixed at fixing points that are points on a partial circle, wherein the radius of the partial circle is larger than the radius of the drive wheel (512).

10. The platform lifting system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the second set of the plurality of deflection wheels (516) are fixed at fixing points that are points on a partial circle, wherein the radius of the partial circle is larger than the radius of the drive wheel (512).

11. The platform lifting system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit (200) is mounted between the two columns (400), said drive unit can be placed anywhere within an area defined by the two columns.

12. The platform lifting system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the belt drive (510) is mounted in one of the vertical columns (400) and is connected to the drive unit (200).

13. The platform lifting system (100) according to claim 1, wherein at least one belt drive (510) is mounted in each vertical column (400).

14. A method for moving a platform of a platform lifting system (100) from at least a first level to second level, the platform lifting system comprises A drive unit (200), a platform (300), at least two vertical columns (400), wherein said columns are adapted to facilitate an up and a down movement of the platform (300), a drive system (500) positioned on or within at least one of the two columns, wherein said drive system is adapted to facilitate the up and down movement of the platform, wherein the drive system (500) is a closed end belt system comprising a toothed belt (520) and a corresponding belt drive (510); the belt drive (510) comprises a rotatable drive wheel (512), a first set of a plurality of deflection wheels (514), a second set of a plurality of deflection wheels (516) and a frame (517), the frame holds the drive wheel (512) and the deflection wheels (514, 516), wherein the method comprises at least the steps of: initiating the drive system (500), the drive unit (200) engaging the rotatable drive wheel (512), the rotatable drive wheel (512) engaging the toothed belt (520), moving the toothed belt through the belt drive (510), the first set of the plurality of deflection wheels (514) deflecting the toothed belt (520) from the first direction to engage the drive wheel (512), the second set of the plurality of deflection wheels (516) deflecting the toothed belt (520), when the toothed belt is moving away from the drive wheel (512), so that the toothed belt is moving in the second direction, the toothed belt (520) facilitating an up or down movement of the platform (300).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0090] The platform lifting system according to the invention will now be described in more detail with regard to the accompanying figures. The figures show one way of implementing the present invention and is not to be construed as being limiting to other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the attached claim set.

[0091] FIG. 1 illustrates a lifting system mounted on a wall and comprising a drive unit placed between two columns.

[0092] FIG. 2 illustrates the lifting system mounted on a wall, where the platform compared to FIG. 1 is lifted up to the second level.

[0093] FIG. 3 illustrates the lifting system mounted on a floor deck and illustrates potential access openings.

[0094] FIG. 4 illustrates the belt drive.

[0095] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section of the frame, with drive wheel and deflection wheels inside the frame.

[0096] FIG. 6 illustrates the cross section of the frame, but also shows two parallel lines which are tangents to the drive wheel, and the majority of deflection wheels are placed inside the two parallel lines.

[0097] FIG. 7 illustrates the cross section of a column with the closed end drive system.

[0098] FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrates the drive unit and the connection between the drive unit and the belt drive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0099] FIG. 1 illustrates a lifting system 100 mounted on a wall 710 and comprising a drive unit 200 placed between two columns 400. The lifting system illustrated is a platform lifting system for transporting a person or an object from at least a first level 110 to a second level 120, wherein the platform lifting system comprises: [0100] A drive unit 200. [0101] In FIG. 1, the drive unit is positioned in the middle part between two columns 400, however said drive unit 200 can be placed anywhere within an area defined by the two columns 400. The drive unit has a depth being equal or less than the depth of the two columns, enabling the platform 300 to pass the drive unit 200 when moving up or down on the two columns 400. [0102] A platform 300. [0103] In FIG. 1, the platform 300 is illustrated as an open platform with a bottom 310 and sidewall 320 in a safety height. The sides 320 are preferably made of glass; however, the material of the sides can vary depending on the desired construction. The platform lift 300 illustrated is an open platform, said open platform has an open top. However, within the invention, the platform could also be a closed platform, such as a cabin, or more partly closed such as providing the platform with a roof or other kind of top cover. [0104] At least two vertical columns 400, wherein said columns are adapted to facilitate an up and a down movement of the platform 300. [0105] A drive system 500 (not directly illustrated in FIG. 1) positioned on or within at least one of the two columns 400, wherein said drive system 500 is adapted to facilitate the up and down movement of the platform 300. The drive system 500 of the lifting system is preferably a closed end belt system. [0106] At least two access openings 600, 610, 620. [0107] The access opening may be provided by at least one of the sides 320 of the platform acting as an access opening 600, 610, 620. Alternatively, the access opening 600, 610, 620 is through the wall 710. [0108] Furthermore, the lifting system 100 of FIG. 1 illustrates the possibility of having a first access opening 610 through the wall 710 of the associated building. Preferably, the first access opening 610 is positioned between the two columns 400 and positioned at least substantially at the bottom of the two columns, such that an access opening 600 in the lowermost floor level is provided. A second access opening 620 is being positioned between the two columns 400 and above the first access opening 610, preferably positioned above the drive unit 200,

[0109] The lifting system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 can be a lifting system mounted on an outdoor wall 710 of an associated building 700, or mounted on an indoor wall of an associated building.

[0110] FIG. 2 illustrates the lifting system 100 mounted on a wall 710, where the platform 300 compared to FIG. 1 is lifted up to the second level 120.

[0111] Within the invention, the drive unit can be mounted on a wall 710 of an associated building 700. The drive unit may also be called a freely placeable drive unit 200, meaning that as long the drive unit 200 is mounted between the two columns 400, it can be mounted anywhere within the area defined by the two columns 400.

[0112] FIG. 3 illustrates the lifting system 100 mounted on a floor deck 720, and FIG. 3 further illustrates potential access openings 600. The lifting system is a platform lifting system for transporting a person or an object from at least a first level 110 to a second level 120. Within the invention, the lifting system 100 can comprise a plurality of access openings 600, and it should be understood, that the number of access openings 600 should not be limiting for the scope of the invention. In FIG. 3, potential access openings are illustrated, wherein the platform lifting system 100 has at least three access openings: [0113] the first access opening 610 being positioned between the two columns 400 and being under the floor deck 720, preferably positioned at least substantially at the bottom of the two columns 400 and below the drive unit 200. This first access opening 610 between the two columns is preferably within the invention comprising at least one door, such as a hinged door or a sliding door. [0114] a second access opening 620 being positioned between the two columns 400 and above the first access opening 610, preferably positioned above the drive unit 200, [0115] a third 630, a fourth and a fifth access opening being positioned at the platform 300 and being: [0116] a platform front access opening 633, and [0117] a first platform side access opening 631, and [0118] a second platform side access opening 632.

[0119] The access openings 600 of the platform lifting system 100 illustrated in FIG. 3 should be understood only as illustrative. It would be rare that all the three sides of the platform 300 are all acting as access openings 600 at the same time and within the same lift configuration, however it is in principle possible. The access openings 630 of the platform 300 are illustrated as gates; however, the openings could also take other configurations than gates.

[0120] FIG. 4 illustrates the belt drive 510. The belt drive comprises a frame 517. In the frame is placed the rotatable drive wheel 512 between the first set of the plurality of deflection wheels 514 and the second set of the plurality of deflection wheels 516. A drive shaft coupling sprocket 540 is connected to the drive unit. The drive unit is engaging the sprocket 540, which is connected to the drive wheel 512. The drive unit can turn the sprocket 540 both ways, so the drive wheel 512 can turn both ways and pull the toothed belt 520 both ways through the frame 517, up or down. The toothed belt is not shown in FIG. 4, but can be seen in FIG. 5. The toothed belt enters the frame at a first opening 522 moving in the first direction, shown with the arrow 523. The toothed belt engages the first set of deflection wheels 514, which ensures that the toothed belt is gradually turned to engage the drive wheel 512. The drive wheel 512 engages with the toothed belt 520 and pulls the toothed belt through the frame 517. The second set of deflection wheels 516 then engages the toothed belt when it is moving away from the drive wheel 512, and the second set of deflection wheels 516 ensures the toothed belt gradually is turned to move in the second direction, shown with the arrow 525, and the toothed belts leaves the frame 517 at the second opening 524. The heads of the bolts 542 holding the deflection wheels is seen in FIG. 4. The bolts 542 is placed in fixing holes (not shown), which are placed at points on a continuous curve, preferably a circle curve.

[0121] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section of the frame 510, showing the drive wheel 512 placed between the first set of deflection wheels 514 and the second set of deflection wheels 516. The toothed belt 520 enters the frame at a first opening 522 moving in the first direction 523, and leaves the frame at the second opening 524 moving in the second direction 525.

[0122] FIG. 6 illustrates the cross section of the frame 510, but also shows two parallel lines 550, 551. The parallel lines are tangents to the drive wheel 512 and are substantially parallel with the up and down moving direction of the platform 300. The first set of deflection wheels 514 and the second set of deflection wheels 516 are substantially located within these two parallel lines 550, 551.

[0123] The frame in a preferred embodiment has a depth of 140 mm, a width of 70 mm and a height of 380 mm. However, the size of the frame may vary depending on the requirements.

[0124] FIG. 7 illustrates the cross section of a column 400 with the closed end drive system 500. The closed end drive system 500 is a closed belt system with an endless toothed belt 520. The toothed belt 520 is connected at its ends to a connection element 521, preferably, a laser-cut steel tube or another kind of tube or the like. The platform 300 is connected to the toothed belt 520 at the connection element 521. The toothed belt 520 is fixed in both ends of the connection element 521, and the toothed belt is via the connection element endless in the sense that the ends of the toothed belt are fixed in the same tube and can therefore not move in relation to each other.

[0125] The drive system 500 is facilitating the up and down movement of the platform 300. The belt drive 510 is fixed in the column 400 and is pulling the toothed belt 520 up or down through the belt drive 510. In FIG. 7 the platform is in its lowest position, the belt drive then can pull the platform up by pulling down in the toothed belt 520, via a first pulley wheel 580, which the toothed belt passes over and around. The downward pull in the belt drive 510 is transformed to an upward pull in the platform, which causes the platform 300 to be moving up. In the lower end of the vertical column, a second pulley wheel 581 is placed. The toothed belt also passes around the second pulley wheel 581 and up through the belt drive 510.

[0126] FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrates the connection between the drive unit 200 and the belt drive 510.

[0127] Within the context of the invention, the drive unit 200 preferably comprises a least: [0128] A motor 210, preferably an electric motor, and preferably with a motor brake 220. [0129] A gear system 230. [0130] A driving pulley 240, being a driving axle on which a drive wheel 512 is mounted in both ends. The driving pulley 240 is connected to the drive wheel 512 by the sprocket 540. There may be two sprockets, one attached to the belt drive 510 and the drive wheel 512, and the other attached to the driving pulley 240. The two sprockets are then connected to each other preferable with a double chain engaging the teeth of both sprockets.

[0131] The drive unit further comprises: [0132] An overload detector 250. [0133] An overspeed governor 260. [0134] Electric components 270 encased in a box to shield from EMC radiation (faraday cage).

[0135] The belt drive 510 is connected to the driving pulley 240, by the sprocket 540, which is driving the drive wheel 512 in the belt drive 510. The drive wheel then drives the toothed belt 520 in the drive system 500.

[0136] The drive unit 200 has a depth being equal or less than the depth of the two columns 400, enabling the platform 300 to pass the drive unit when moving up or down on the two columns.

[0137] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b there are two column 400 and a drive system 500 is mounted in both columns, so the drive unit 200 pulls drive systems in both columns.

[0138] Although the present invention has been described in connection with the specified embodiments, it should not be construed as being in any way limited to the presented examples. The scope of the present invention is set out by the accompanying claim set. In the context of the claims, the terms comprising or comprises do not exclude other possible elements or steps. Also, the mentioning of references such as a or an etc. should not be construed as excluding a plurality. The use of reference signs in the claims with respect to elements indicated in the figures shall also not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Furthermore, individual features mentioned in different claims, may possibly be advantageously combined, and the mentioning of these features in different claims does not exclude that a combination of features is not possible and advantageous.

[0139] In exemplary embodiments E1-E14, the invention may relate to:

[0140] E1. A platform lifting system (100) for transporting a person or an object from at least a first level to a second level, wherein the platform lifting system comprises: [0141] a drive unit (200), [0142] a platform (300), [0143] at least two vertical columns (400), wherein said columns are adapted to facilitate an up and a down movement of the platform (300), [0144] a drive system (500) positioned on or within at least one of the two columns, wherein said drive system is adapted to facilitate the up and down movement of the platform,
wherein the drive system (500) is a closed end belt system comprising a toothed belt (520) and a corresponding belt drive (510); [0145] the belt drive comprises a rotatable drive wheel (512), a first set of a plurality of deflection wheels (514) and a second set of a plurality of deflection wheels (516), [0146] the rotatable drive wheel (512) is arranged between the first set of the plurality of deflection wheels (514) and the second set of the plurality of deflection wheels (516), [0147] the rotatable drive wheel (512) is connected to the drive unit (200) and is in a drive-transmitting engagement with the toothed belt (520), [0148] the toothed belt (520) enters the belt drive (510) at a first opening (522), with the toothed belt moving in a first direction (523), and the toothed belt leaves the belt drive, at a second opening (524), with the toothed belt moving in a second direction (525),
wherein the first set of the plurality of deflection wheels (514) deflects the toothed belt (520) from the first direction (523) to engage the drive wheel (512), and
the second set of the plurality of deflection wheels (516) deflects the toothed belt (520), when the toothed belt is moving away from the drive wheel (512), so that the toothed belt is moving in the second direction (525).

[0149] E2. The platform lifting system (100) according to embodiment E1, wherein the drive wheel (512), the first set of the plurality of deflection wheels (514) and the second set of the plurality of deflection wheels (516) displaces the toothed belt (520) so that the first opening (522), where the toothed belt enters a frame (517), and the second opening (524), where the toothed belt leaves the frame, are positioned on a line substantially parallel with the up and down moving direction of the platform 300.

[0150] E3. The platform lifting system (100) according to embodiment E1 or E2, wherein the first direction (523) and the second direction (525) of the toothed belt (520) substantially is in the same direction.

[0151] E4. The platform lifting system (100) according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the drive wheel (512), at least the majority of the first set of the plurality of deflection wheels (514) and/or at least the majority of the second set of the plurality of deflection wheels (516) are placed between two parallel lines (550, 551), which are tangents to the drive wheel (512) in parallel with the up and down moving direction of the platform.

[0152] E5. The platform lifting system (100) according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the depth of the frame is less than 130%, more preferable less than 120%, and even more preferable less than 110% of the diameter of the drive wheel (512).

[0153] E6. The platform lifting system (100) according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least two columns (400) are mounted on a wall (710) or a floor deck (720) of an associated building (700).

[0154] E7. The platform lifting system (100) according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the depth of the belt drive (510) is less than the depth of the vertical columns (400), preferable less than half the depth of the columns

[0155] E8. The platform lifting system (100) according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the first set of the plurality of deflection wheels (514) are fixed at fixing points that are points on a substantially continuous curve and/or the second set of the plurality of deflection wheels (516) are fixed at fixing points that are points on a substantially continuous curve.

[0156] E9. The platform lifting system (100) according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the first set of the plurality of deflection wheels (514) are fixed at fixing points that are points on a partial circle, wherein the radius of the partial circle is larger than the radius of the drive wheel (512).

[0157] E10. The platform lifting system (100) according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the second set of the plurality of deflection wheels (516) are fixed at fixing points that are points on a partial circle, wherein the radius of the partial circle is larger than the radius of the drive wheel (512).

[0158] E11. The platform lifting system (100) according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the drive unit (200) is mounted between the two columns (400), said drive unit can be placed anywhere within an area defined by the two columns.

[0159] E12. The platform lifting system (100) according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the belt drive (510) is mounted in one of the vertical columns (400) and is connected to the drive unit (200).

[0160] E13. The platform lifting system (100) according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein at least one belt drive (510) is mounted in each vertical column (400).

[0161] E14. A method for moving a platform of a platform lifting system (100) from at least a first level to second level, the platform lifting system comprises [0162] A drive unit (200), [0163] a platform (300), [0164] at least two vertical columns (400), wherein said columns are adapted to facilitate an up and a down movement of the platform (300), [0165] a drive system (500) positioned on or within at least one of the two columns, wherein said drive system is adapted to facilitate the up and down movement of the platform,
wherein the drive system (500) is a closed end belt system comprising a toothed belt (520) and a corresponding belt drive (510); [0166] the belt drive comprises a rotatable drive wheel (512), a first set of a plurality of deflection wheels (514) and a second set of a plurality of deflection wheels (516) and a frame (517),
wherein the method comprises at least the steps of: [0167] initiating the drive system (500), [0168] the drive unit (200) engaging the rotatable drive wheel (512), [0169] the rotatable drive wheel (512) engaging the toothed belt (520), moving the toothed belt through the belt drive (510), [0170] the first set of the plurality of deflection wheels (514) deflecting the toothed belt (520) from the first direction to engage the drive wheel (512), [0171] the second set of the plurality of deflection wheels (516) deflecting the toothed belt (520), when the toothed belt is moving away from the drive wheel (512), so that the toothed belt is moving in the second direction, [0172] the toothed belt (520) facilitating an up or down movement of the platform (300).

REFERENCE LIST

[0173] Platform lifting system (100) [0174] First level (110) [0175] Second level (120) [0176] Drive unit (200) [0177] A motor (210) [0178] A motor brake (220) [0179] A gear system (230) [0180] A driving pulley (240) [0181] An overload detector (250) [0182] An overspeed governor (260) [0183] Electric components (270) [0184] Platform (300) [0185] Platform bottom (310) [0186] Platform sides (320) [0187] Vertical column (400) [0188] Drive system (500) [0189] Belt drive (510) [0190] Drive Wheel (512) [0191] Deflection wheels (514, 516) [0192] Frame (517) [0193] Toothed belt (520) [0194] Connecting element (521) [0195] First opening (522) [0196] First direction (523) [0197] Second opening (524) [0198] Second direction (525) [0199] Drive shaft coupling sprocket (540) [0200] Bolts (542) [0201] Parallel lines (550, 551) [0202] First pulley wheel (580) [0203] Second pulley wheel (581) [0204] Access Openings (600) [0205] A first access opening (610) [0206] A second access opening (620) [0207] A third access opening (630) [0208] A first platform lift side access opening (631) [0209] A second platform lift side access opening (632) [0210] A platform front lift access opening (633) [0211] Associated building (700) [0212] Wall of associated building (710) [0213] Floor deck of associated building (720)